Chapter 102 – The Next Butler Candidate?

With Shizu and another servant in tow, I moved to the living room, where the person I was supposed to meet was already waiting.

A white man with blond hair that looked somewhat dyed. Brown eyes. Probably in his mid-thirties. Slightly overweight. Average-looking. Seemed intelligent. Hair short, neatly trimmed, but his beard looked like it would grow thick.
He wore a crisp, well-fitted suit. It looked genuinely tailor-made, and the fabric seemed high quality. His shoes and accessories were impeccable. His clothing choices left no room for criticism.

He gave the impression of being an Ivy League–educated elite businessman active in the eastern United States.

However, there was something subtly geeky about him. His expression carried a certain brazen boldness. Combined with his demeanor, he had the air of an “intellectual yakuza.”
In my previous life’s 2D works, “intellectual yakuza” usually brought to mind a slim man with glasses, but this man had enough presence to make me think this version worked too.

Still, there was something faintly otaku-like about him. 

Somehow, I felt an aura—maybe even a scent—of kinship.

The man stood up, approached me, and bowed respectfully.
It was the bow one gives to nobility.

“It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Countess. My name is Sebastian Stewart.”

“Sebastian? A butler?”

“Yes. I would be honored if you would call me by my first name. I have come here to pledge my loyalty to you, Lady Reiko. I humbly ask that you remember me from here on.”

His slightly deep baritone voice matched his stocky build, but it wasn’t American English—it was King’s English, the refined speech of the upper class. It wasn’t even an easily understandable East Coast American accent.

Still, Sebastian. Even his surname sounded like it came straight from a butler’s handbook—too perfect to be a coincidence.

In the 2D works of my previous life, butlers were somehow always named Sebastian, but it was actually a fairly common name in the West. Stewart was similar in that regard. But for both to come together like this? That was unexpected.

“Uh, Stewart is your surname, not your job title, right?”

“Yes. My ancestors were Scottish, but unfortunately we have no connection to that country’s former royal house.”

“Ahaha, that’s a shame. So then, Mr. Sebastian—rather than Mr. Stewart, who has no ties to royalty—you meant to say that your loyalty is to me? Not to the Ootori family?”

I respond in King’s English as well. My tutor has drilled English into me thoroughly, so I can handle both the East Coast accent and King’s English.
Thanks to my memories from my previous life, I can also manage, to some extent, the kind of crude Bronx accent I’d heard in movies. 

Of course, it’s all thanks to the brilliant mind of this villainess that I can do so.

And with this body, I can avoid disgracing myself in situations like this.

Confirming that much about me, Sebastian continues respectfully.

“That is correct. I first learned about the Phoenix around four years ago in the market. I became deeply interested, but could not see beyond that point. However, I sensed the scent of treasure that the mythical beast possessed, and following that scent, I ended up falling into Mr. Tokita’s trap.

But then, in my efforts to uncover the secret, I overextended myself and collapsed with a high fever, nearly losing my life.

And the reason I survived was thanks to a brand-new drug developed by Dr. Ootori Kouryuu—the penicillin. At that time, it was not yet distributed in America. I only learned of this after my illness had passed its peak, but Mr. Tokita, who came to visit me, told me that aside from promoting it in America through Ootori Trading, he had brought it in specifically for our own use.”

“Then wouldn’t your benefactors be Tokita and Dr. Kouryuu?”

“Yes. Of course, I harbor the deepest gratitude toward both Mr. Tokita and Dr. Ootori. However, as the reward for what I pursued even at the cost of my health, I heard from Mr. Tokita that it was all you, Lady Reiko, who had shown the way.”

His tone is a little theatrical, so I glance toward Tokita, who, unusually, wears a slight grin.
Even when he grins, it’s refined, which feels a bit odd—but in short, this probably means Tokita went fishing for him, or perhaps headhunted him. 

Having decided that, I give a small nod.

To Sebastian, it must look as if I am nodding to him, but in truth, I’m also nodding to Tokita.

“I understand. However, I haven’t done anything, you know. Even so, would you still pledge your loyalty to me?”

“Yes, most certainly. To serve you, my lifesaver and a rare master gambler, is nothing less than my calling. I humbly beg you to allow me a place, even if it is at the very bottom of your ranks.”

“If you insist that much, I shall accept your loyalty. Do you require some fairy-tale-like ceremony of fealty?”

“If I may, I would be most honored.”

It was only meant as a little joke, but he took it seriously. And his tone was firm.
This wasn’t something I could just brush off as humor.

That said, there’s no sword in this room… oh—there is one hanging on the wall. 

I glance at Tokita, and he quickly takes it down and places it in Sebastian’s hands.

“Then, shall we at least go through a little imitation of it?”

Saying that, I stand and step away from the chair and table. Sensing everything, Sebastian moves as well, kneeling on one knee and bowing his head.

The sword has already passed once through Sebastian’s hands before being entrusted to me.
It’s only a replica, but it’s proper iron—heavy enough that if someone hit a child with it, it could easily be fatal.
Tokita must have judged that it was safe to hand it over.

Beyond the matter of loyalty, it’s also one sign that he’s deemed Sebastian worthy of trust.

I then hold the slightly heavy replica sword sideways and place it on Sebastian’s shoulder. For the words, I recall a line from some idle reading I did.

“I hereby appoint you as a knight. Swear your loyalty to me.”

“I will serve you with my life.”

At his reply, I turn the sword’s tip toward Sebastian, and he takes it in hand and kisses the blade. 

With that, the ritual is complete.

I know it’s just a farce, but Sebastian is in full serious mode.
He even seems to be trembling slightly, so maybe he’s overcome with emotion.

(Are we sure I haven’t just picked up something weird here?)

The thought crosses my mind for a moment, but well—if this really does buy me loyalty, then it’s a cheap price to pay.

And as for me, my interest shifts toward the more prosaic matters at hand.

“With this, our contract is sealed. So then, aside from your loyalty, what else will you offer me?”

“Whatever you wish of me. However, if I may be so bold as to say, I believe I can be of some assistance—albeit modest—in matters concerning Wall Street and world trade.”

(Well, from everything he’s said so far, that makes sense. And since Tokita is introducing him to me at this time, it’s only natural that it would be about American stocks or money management.)

“So, Sebastian—what kind of person is he, and what can he do? Or no—more to the point, what was he doing?”

“I deeply apologize that this is all after the fact. At his own strong request, keeping his identity concealed until he met you was made one of the conditions of his service.”

After sending Sebastian out for the moment, I find myself facing Tokita in the living room of the hotel suite, asking my question.

“I kind of get it. But is that his real self? Or just an act?”

“He has an Eastern accent, but his wording is normal. That way of speaking is something he uses only with you, Miss Reiko. As for his loyalty, I believe you can trust it. However, it would be best to assume that his loyalty is directed more toward you personally, Miss Reiko, than toward the Ootori family as a whole.”

“Why? I don’t get it at all. Tokita, what exactly did you tell him about me? Actually—what does he even know about me? It’s kind of creepy.”

“Ojou-sama, this is not a dream.”

Shizu, standing beside me, gently admonishes me. Sometimes, if I let my guard down, words from my previous life slip out. Shizu, however, interprets it as me confusing this for a dream. Whatever the truth may be.

So, to Shizu, I only give a small nod.

“Yeah. But seriously, it’s creepy. So, Tokita—what’s the deal?”

“I have only told him information that could be shared with outsiders, including mere ‘rumors.’ However, it seems he has done quite a bit of investigating on his own. At the very least, his information-gathering skills are greater than I initially expected.”

“Got it. I acknowledge his skills. But seriously, it’s creepy. That’s basically stalking.”

“Stalking?”

“Stalking—following someone around. Well, basically a kind of pervert.”

“Pervert, you say? Then, does that mean you don’t believe in his loyalty?”

“That part is the real deal. I have no choice but to believe it—and honestly, if I were to abandon him, I get the feeling he’d either hold a terrible grudge or sink into depression and kill himself.”

“I believe that judgment is correct. In that case, I may go ahead and make use of him?”

Tokita’s words are a confirmation of a decision already made, and of course I have no reason to object.

In my previous life, I was just an ordinary person. There’s no doubt Tokita’s seasoned judgment and ability to assess people far surpass my own.

Still, as a childish final bit of resistance, I let out a small sigh.

“Fine. So, what kind of person is he?”

“I have compiled the details here.”

He says this while handing me the prepared documents.

Beside him, Shizu is setting out an unnecessarily ornate ashtray and matches, so it’s clear this is something to be destroyed after reading. Probably—no, almost certainly—it contains details about shady activities he’s been involved in.

And on the surface portion of this dangerous man’s profile, it reads:

Sebastian Stewart. Born in New Jersey. Mother’s side is Jewish. Thirty-eight years old. Currently single. Graduated from Harvard University, second in his class. Holds a Doctor of Business Administration and a Juris Doctor. Volunteered for service in World War I as a reserve officer. Retired with the rank of captain. Licensed airplane pilot. Trained in martial arts, marksmanship, and other skills.

Notes: Before being employed by the Ootori family, he ran both a law firm specializing in economic matters and a detective agency. Also engaged in covert operations. Has made large investments in stocks. Some of his connections are unclear, but they are presumed to be extensive.
(Details listed on the back)

“He’s a monster! Of course he’d be able to dig up my background.”

“Indeed. I was greatly surprised when I learned of it. So then, where shall we place this man? At present, he is serving as the manager of the Ootori investment fund’s New York branch, but he is more than capable of handling trading company work as well. If the Ootori household permits it, we could entrust him with everything in America.”

“If you vouch for him that much, then we’ll do that, Tokita. But just to be sure—what about racial prejudice? Where does his loyalty lie as a nation? And since he’s Jewish, is he connected to anyone in particular?”

“He has a decent network, mainly connected to the university. While Jewish, he has no ties to major families or financial conglomerates. He did volunteer for the military, but he has no loyalty to the country. Likewise, he is not particularly concerned with racial discrimination.”

On his father’s side, he is of Scottish descent. However, since Judaism is matrilineal, his mother being Jewish makes him Jewish as well. He might have an interesting lineage.

Well, the man himself is far more interesting than that lineage.

“He sounds like a suitable prospect. And what does he want for himself?”

“If possible, he wishes to remain close to you, Reiko-ojōsama.”

“Thought so.”

I answer in a childish tone, but at the same time, I recall a bit of the history from my previous life.
The Dow Index, at this point, is moving just as it did in my past life’s history, and it looks like it will reach its peak in a little while.

And less than two months after that peak, it will collapse like an avalanche, and once the American economy is in tatters, we’ll go shopping—under the pretext of “helping”—while taking advantage of their weakened position. Up to that point, Sebastian will be necessary.

However, the Phoenix Fund (Ootori Investment Capital), which I plan to use to take control of the Ootori Group, will remain holding several hundred million dollars. When the Dow Index hits bottom in the summer of ’32, I intend to buy back a certain amount.

On the other hand, it’s also true that the Ootori Group lacks manpower. In particular, there are very few people who can act as my hands and feet in the future.
However, in the current Japanese society, it’s hard to imagine a white man being able to work openly and actively in all directions. At most, he could serve as a hired foreigner. But conversely, if he’s in the role of a “hired foreigner,” he might actually be useful.

Or so I think, but then I cut off my thoughts. It seems I’ve been thinking for quite some time.

When I consciously move my gaze, it immediately meets Tokita’s.

“Have you decided?”

“Still thinking. For now, he can accompany us until the end of this trip. I’ll decide while I observe.”

“Understood. I will tell him so.”

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Ivy League:
A collective term for eight prestigious private universities in the eastern United States.
They are the core institutions producing America’s elite.
By the beginning of the 20th century, the term was already in use.

Judaism is matrilineal:
Apparently, that’s not necessarily the case nowadays.