The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 117

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 117

Bait.

At first glance, it didn’t seem like a significant role, but with just a little deeper thought, what Raphael was asking of me became clear.

“Are you planning to reveal the relationship between Andert and me to the public?”

“It’s convenient that no explanation is needed.”

The opponents are those searching for the corpses of some Mage War casualties, including Andert’s body. The moment I reveal myself as someone connected to Andert, they’ll naturally approach me first.

‘…Resurrection research.’

Research to revive the dead. More precisely, for the purpose of reviving some heroes who were sacrificed in the Mage War.

At least it doesn’t feel like a normal purpose.

“Can someone like me draw that group to the surface?”

“Yes. If it’s Natasha Milliorge Pen Rota, she’ll obediently take the bait.”

Wait, just now.

“…Natasha?”

My mind went blank at the unexpected name.

Are you talking about that Natasha I know?

“I wonder if you’ve heard of 【Buried Rat】.”

I answered his question in a half-dazed state.

“Underground Information Guild.”

“That’s the front they show publicly. In reality, they’re the royal family’s exclusive hunting dogs who clean up the dirty work committed by the royal court and conduct magical research. They move centered around Princess Natasha.”

“…”

【Buried Rat】 and the royal family.

Before leaving the Weatherwax Estate, the Assassin Butler had conveyed words hinting at a similar situation.

“It seems 【Buried Rat】 has much more dangerous backers than we expected. We’ll need to devise new countermeasures. I’ll discuss the details when I return.”

The scattered puzzle pieces fit together perfectly.

‘The reason Buried Rat kept expanding with branches nationwide… was to find my corpse.’

To think Natasha is the master of 【Buried Rat】.

And that 【Buried Rat】’s hidden purpose is resurrection research?

My mind became tangled with the relentless flood of information.

Resurrection research inevitably makes the weight of life lighter in the process. I can’t be certain how deeply Natasha has delved into it, but the deeper her obsession with resurrection becomes…

‘It won’t be any different from the biological research conducted by Mephistopheles’ army.’

My mouth went completely dry. What could have happened to her after the war ended?

“Princess Natasha.”

“Yes.”

“Wasn’t she a Mage War participant? I heard that terrible biological experiments were being conducted in Mephistopheles’ army…”

“You want to ask why Princess Natasha, who witnessed that horror with her own eyes, would commit similar acts.”

Raphael asked me back with an utterly cold gaze.

“Then let me ask you one thing as well. If the reason for those acts were understandable, would you also support Princess Natasha?”

The ‘Princess Natasha’ from his lips felt like a stranger. Considering our past connection, it was such an alien attitude.

The relationship between Raphael and Natasha had gone wrong.

The chill I felt every time he briefly mentioned her name proved that fact. The sudden confrontation with the discord between old comrades was difficult to understand.

But the moment I met Raphael’s unwavering, straight gaze.

“I don’t place great significance on her actions and judgments. Likewise, I have no intention of defending her or turning a blind eye.”

Ah, I clearly recalled the person called ‘Raphael’ that I had forgotten until now.

“Otherwise, I wouldn’t have the face to meet my dead comrades.”

Raphael is originally that kind of person.

Raphael always walks the righteous path. He doesn’t weigh between right and wrong. His judgment doesn’t waver before desire.

Therefore, the fact that Raphael treats Natasha like a ‘stranger’ means…

It’s also his own resolve not to be swayed by old feelings.

‘Then why did Natasha choose a path deserving of condemnation?’

Considering Raphael’s resolute and ruthless attitude, the probability that Natasha is conducting resurrection research for some greater purpose is low.

‘But this is all just speculation. No matter how much I rack my brain like this, I won’t get a definitive answer. In the end, I have no choice but to meet Natasha directly.’

Right, ultimately joining hands with Raphael is the best move.

…But it wasn’t the optimal move.

“Let me be honest. I understand your intention. I also clearly understand why you demanded a confidentiality oath from me. But those things aren’t my concern.”

If I think about this situation from a slightly different perspective, I can reach a better conclusion.

Namely, the conclusion that Raphael ‘wants’ something from me.

The moment one side wants something from the other, the balance of the relationship is bound to break. Because the initiative tilts in one direction.

“Seeing you say that, it seems you want something from me.”

“Do you think so?”

“There’s no need to drag this out. I experienced enough yesterday to know that you have an impatient temperament.”

Your perceptiveness is really damn annoying, Raphael.

“There’s one thing among your possessions that I want.”

“Tell me.”

“Dian Ket’s Legacy.”

Actually, I didn’t think Raphael would readily agree to my demand.

It’s a treasure that even the Weatherwax Baroness tried to obtain by exploiting his successors. Dian Ket’s Legacy must hold important meaning for Raphael as well.

‘But I’m equally important to Raphael.’

Which side would he place more weight on?

Before I could even wait for an answer with anticipation, Raphael’s vivid red eyes quickly darkened.

“…Yesterday’s incident wasn’t an act.”

If it was an act, surely he means the coughing up blood?

“Even I can’t manage acting to the point of vomiting blood, little brother. Don’t tell me you demanded cooperation without even trusting me?”

“I just left room for doubt to prepare for any situation. But targeting that old relic, should I interpret this as your life being in critical danger?”

“If you promise to hand over the item, I’ll tell you.”

“There’s not a single reason I can’t give you an old cage.”

To think he’d agree so easily. I asked with suspicion.

“You know it’s not just some old relic but a precious treasure, right?”

“As I said before.”

Raphael looked back at me with a resolute face and spoke in a tone that wouldn’t accept any further questions.

“If you’re truly Andert’s sister… something like a legacy left by an ancient sage has no value to me whatsoever.”

I can be certain.

That’s not a lie.

‘Then why was he collecting Dian Ket’s Legacy?’

I don’t know what he’s thinking, but anyway, it was fortunate that he’d hand it over readily.

“Now it’s your turn to answer my question.”

The question about whether my life is in critical danger?

Dian Ket is a world-renowned healing practitioner. Moreover, since the legacy he left behind is rumored to cure any incurable disease, there are only two main reasons people would covet it.

Collecting desire and healing desire.

Since Raphael readily declared he’d hand over Dian Ket’s Legacy, I decided to answer honestly as well.

I didn’t think I could hide it for long from this perceptive bastard anyway.

“You’re right. The time I have left isn’t very long, and I’m collecting Dian Ket’s Legacy with the feeling of grasping at a last hope.”

“Then did you approach me because of that item?”

Half of me felt guilty, and the other half felt wronged.

“Say something that makes sense. Who approached whom first? Don’t you remember how your eyes were spinning from our first meeting?”

Then, Raphael’s steps stopped.

We had arrived at the Main Hall of the Palace before we knew it. In the center of the main hall, so massive it drew spontaneous admiration, I could see an old relic placed conspicuously.

…Old relic? In the hall of Jenail Ducal Palace, an old relic?

I checked the neatly placed old relic with a sinking feeling. The object’s identity was a birdcage.

‘This item seems to be…’

Dian Ket’s Legacy. Among them, it looked like the fourth legacy, Dian Ket’s Cage.

“You displayed it quite openly.”

While someone else is desperately trying to hide it.

“It’s only natural since I acquired it for that purpose.”

So it was for display purposes. I became genuinely curious about who he intended to show it to.

‘…Well, at least it means there’s nothing wrong with Raphael’s health. That’s a relief.’

Even while offering Dian Ket’s Legacy as a condition, I had been secretly worried that something serious might have happened to Raphael’s health. Considering his nature that lacks material desires, I couldn’t think of any other reason.

“One last question. It must be an important item, but are you sure it’s okay to hand it over to me?”

“You are more important now.”

An affirmation that left no room for doubt.

‘…Important, huh. I’m grateful that you think of me that way, but.’

The more I talk with Raphael, the more it feels like he’s handing over this birdcage out of pure goodwill rather than for transactional purposes.

Is he showing me such favor because I’m Andert’s sister?

Was the guilt that Raphael feels toward me, toward the dead Andert, such a burdensome weight?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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