On the ninth floor of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Pleiades combat maid Nabarel Gamma had just returned from a mission with her master, the Supreme One, Ains Ooal Gown. The job had been to eliminate a nest of harpies that had been threatening a small village. The mission had been a complete success. What other outcome was possible when Ains-sama was involved? The harpies had been slaughtered with ridiculous ease. The one, very minor, setback had been that the villagers had already been devoured. Surprisingly, Ains-sama was upset by this. He kept mentioning how they might have saved them if they had not delayed setting out in order to research an adventurer group called Blue Rose. Nabarel couldn't imagine why he would be concerned with such a minor detail. The request had specifically been to get rid of the harpies, so the goal had been accomplished and Ains-sama would be paid. The destruction of the local insects was a trivial matter, not deserving even a moment of Ains-sama's concern. Yet he had been very displeased. She supposed the issue was he wanted every effort to be perfect, and the destruction of the village could be seen as a failing. Such high standards were only to be expected of the Supreme One!

In any case, once the fighting was over he had decided to search through the ruins. Where, sadly, they had found a survivor. Nabarel glanced down to her side. A five year old human girl stared back up at her. The insect's name was Anna Stone. Her parents had hidden her in a wood pile and told her to remain silent no matter what she heard. The girl had been weeping and said she had no other family besides her momma and poppa. Nabarel had expected Ains-sama to give the unworthy flea the mercy of a quick death. Instead…

"Where are we?"

"This is the Great Tomb of Nazarick, your new home."

"I don't like it here. Can we go back now?"

"No."

"Please?" The little girl was staring up with watery eyes. "I want to see momma and poppa."

"That isn't possible. They were both eaten."

The annoying little insect began crying, again. Nabarel sighed, the girl seemed to do nothing but cry. She had been sorely tempted to have an accident while bringing her here, but Ains-sama's orders had been specific, they were to take care of her.

"Hello, Nabarel. What is that?" A monotone voice asked.

"Oh, Shizu, perfect!" Nabarel snatched up the bawling child. "This is a human girl named Anna Stone. Ains-sama wants us to take care of her. I'm tired, so you watch her for a while." Nabarel held the child out. Shizu hesitated, but finally took her. "Thank you."

XXX

Nabarel hurried back to her room, leaving the automaton holding Anna out in front of her.

"Greetings, human designated as Anna Stone. I am CZ2128 DELTA, but I am usually referred to as Shizu Delta."

Anna rubbed her eyes and stared at the strange woman. "Why do you have an eye patch?"

"It covers up my infrared scanner lens."

"What?"

"It covers up my infrared scanner lens."

Anna blinked. "Can I see?"

"If you like." Shizu put her down and then removed the patch. Instead of an eye there was a circular red glass. As Anna watched the glass extended a couple inches out of the socket, attached to a metal tube.

Anna gasped. "Did you have an accident?"

"No, it is a part of my design specifications." The lens retracted and Shizu put the eye patch back in place.

"Your eye is pretty."

"Uwaah." Shizu said in the same flat monotone she always used.

"What does that mean?" Anna asked.

"It is how I express happiness or excitement."

"You don't sound happy, and you don't smile."

"My standard setting is 'enigmatic.' I am programmed to only ever smile when I am entering a murderous rage."

"Re- really?"

"Yes."

Anna paused. "I'm hungry."

Shizu extended an arm and took the little girl's hand. "I will bring you to the kitchen."

As Anna went with her she produced a small smile. "I think you're nice."

"Uwaah."

XXX

Anna was sitting down to a big meal of fresh bread, potatoes, and pork. Shizu was having a banana, strawberry, and chocolate milkshake.

"My, my, what do we have here?" A blonde with long curls, dressed in a maid uniform entered.

"Hello, Solution," Shizu said. "This is Anna Stone, she was sent here by Ains-sama. Nabarel said we were to take care of her."

"Ah!" Solution clasped her hands together. "Ains-sama is too generous! I asked him if I might have something nice and tender as a reward for my work with Sebas-san. The master is simply too kind."

"I don't believe that was the reason she was sent here."

"What do you mean? You just said we were to, 'take care of her.' That is exactly what I intend to do. You were even nice enough to fatten her up a little." Solution walked over to where Anna was seated. She was already drooling. "Can you scream loudly?"

"Uhm, momma and poppa told me not to scream, no matter what."

Solution had a disappointed frown. "Oh that's no fun. But I'm sure instinct will take over once you start dissolving. I'll just need to use my weakest acid to make it last as long as possible."

"Huh?"

Solution's face split into an unnatural smile, one that literally went ear to ear. "I am sure you are a very sweet girl, Anna, sweet and tender and savory!"

"Thank you?" Anna replied uncertainly. She tried to shrink back from the blonde maid.

"Solution," Shizu rose to her feet. "I believe you have misinterpreted Ains-sama's intentions."

"I'm sure it's fine. So, Anna would you like me to show you something amazing?"

"I suppose."

"Then close your eyes and I will-"

SMACK!

"What do you think you are doing?"

"Ow!" Solution rubbed the back of her head and turned around to face Yuri Alpha. "That hurt."

"Be glad that's all I do to you. I ran into Nabarel and she explained the situation. Anna-san in a guest of the Supreme One's and is under his personal protection. We will extend to her every courtesy and kindness. That does not include eating her. Understand?"

"Yes, of course," Solution bowed hastily. "My mistake. It won't happen again." She stole a glance at the little girl. "No matter how tempting she looks."

SMACK!

"Ow!"

"What's going on?" Anna asked with obvious confusion.

Yuri dropped to one knee and placed a hand over her heart. "I am Yuri Alpha, and as second in command of the Pleiades maids I formally welcome you to the Great Tomb of Nazarick. We will do all that we can to make you feel welcomed."

Anna gave an uncertain nod. "Thank you."

Entoma walked into the kitchen. "Oh! A little girl! Can I have her arms?"

SMACK!

Shizu sat back down and finished her milkshake.