I’ve often had the same dream since I was young.
Repeatedly.
The dream is simple: a scene where the Demon King commands his four subordinates.
My position? I’m standing off to the side, just observing.
Maybe I’m his secretary?
This Demon King isn’t the one we know now, but I somehow knew he was the Demon King. He had the typical terrifying face—fierce and intimidating.
His commands were usually harsh, ordering destruction or death.
When I used to have this dream, I’d often wake up crying.
But now? It doesn’t scare me anymore.
That’s because I’ve realized the face of the Demon King in my dreams resembles someone I know.
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That person is Gilspark-san, the son of the governor of the Shashaato City.
He’s the eldest son—impressive, right?
At first, I was shocked when I saw him, thinking he was the same terrifying Demon King from my dreams. But now, I’m fine.
He works diligently at the shop, helping out.
Though, apparently, he was a bit of a troublemaker in his younger days.
Fufufu.
It’s hard to imagine when you see him now, especially when he’s so gentle, helping feed the little kids.
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The four subordinates in my dream are likely the Four Heavenly Kings. I know them too.
One of them is Gulf-sama, the sword god.
I once snuck into the martial arts tournament to watch secretly… and wow. He was incredible.
He struck down all those arrogant jerks with a single blow of his wooden sword.
It was so satisfying to watch!
He even went on to win the tournament.
In the dream, he called himself the “Warrior King.”
But honestly, “Sword God” suits him much better.
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Another one is Shah-san, the amazing chef at our shop.
He makes all sorts of dishes and even lets me taste-test some of his new creations.
Though, once in about ten tries, the food is… let’s say, not safe for consumption.
The other nine times, it’s absolutely delicious, but that ‘one’ time… it strikes fear into the hearts of everyone.
He says he tastes it beforehand, but sometimes he experiments so much that he loses track.
I’m not afraid of that one bad time, so Shah-san remembers my face.
In the dream, he was called the “Gourmet King”.
But unlike the dream, where he was ridiculously overweight and never cooked himself, delegating everything to his underlings, Shah-san is nothing like that.
Yet, somehow, I’m sure it’s him.
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Then there’s Potte-san, our head of customer service at the shop.
She’s always smiling, such a pleasant person. But in the dream, she was cold and never smiled—she was called the “Cold-Blooded King”.
Sure, I guess that could suit her, but I prefer his current warm smile.
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The last of the four is Hotto-san.
He once caused some trouble for the shop and ended up in the care of the church.
Now, he’s back, working at the shop as part of his penance.
Hotto-san’s arrival is actually what led Gilspark-san to start coming to the shop more often, so in a way, it worked out for the best.
In the dream, Hotto-san called himself the “King of Envy”.
Self-proclaimed, no less.
Makes you question his sense of style, but hey, it’s just a dream, right?
The Hotto-san I know is serious and hardworking.
It’s a bit of a secret, but apparently, back when Gilspark-san was getting into trouble, Hotto-san was his advisor.
But everything changed when Gilspark-san fell in love with a baker’s daughter. That love led him to reform and stop his misdeeds, leaving Hotto-san behind. And so, Hotto-san went on a bit of a rampage, feeling abandoned.
Gilspark-san admitted this once, lowering his head in apology.
I suppose it’s a case of male friendship gone awry.
Oh dear, I might’ve let one of my secrets slip there.
-0-
Anyway, ever since I realized the people in my dream are faces I know, I haven’t had that nightmare again.
I wonder what it all meant?
Now, sometimes, I look back on it with a sense of nostalgia.
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But, you know, the reason Gilspark-san was so angry in my dream was because his wife was killed by the Hero.
His wife… could it be the baker’s daughter?
She occasionally comes to our shop, researching bread recipes.
In the dream, his wife looked like a proper noblewoman though… so maybe not.
In any case, it doesn’t really matter. As long as things stay as they are now, all is well. No issues, no problems.
Everything is just fine.
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At a later date.
Marcos-san and Paula-san brought me along to greet the store manager.
Next to me, I could see Gilspark-san, Shah-san, Potte-san, and Hotto-san standing there.
Eh?
If only the manager had brought Gulf-sama with him, we would have had the whole set.
Wait, what?
Introductions?
Me first?
No, Marcos-san, please don’t push me forward.
「She’s been handling the accounts for our store. Without her, Marla wouldn’t be what it is today.」
That’s too much praise!
But I can’t embarrass Marcos-san and Paula-san.
I need to brace myself and give a proper greeting.
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The next day.
I had somehow become the head accountant for Big Roof Shashaato.
…….
Eh?
What?
How did this happen?
I’ve never handled accounts on this scale before… Well, to be fair, Marla’s accounts were quite sizable too, but still!
Why are such high-ranking people from the Goroun Company treating me so politely?
I don’t need bodyguards!
A dedicated office?
Okay… I’ll admit that’s kind of nice.
And subordinates too?
That’s tempting…
Ah, well.
Resisting is pointless, right?
After all, they hired me when I was lost, jobless, after my previous workplace went under.
Marcos-san, Paula-san, and store manager… I’ll do my best!
But let me ask—why was a bedroom set up next to my new office?
There’s no deep meaning behind this… right?
Right?
Please don’t look away.
I’d rather hear about adding more staff or speeding up preparations than anything else…
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