The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 139

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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 139

‘…I’ll think about it later. For now, let’s move.’

As I mounted my saddle again, the knight who had risen while gritting his teeth asked me.

“Are you going to headquarters like this?”

“No. To the west.”

“Then we’ll move east. I’m worried that other people might encounter these terrible demons too.”

The sisters looked worriedly at the knight mounting his horse with one arm.

“But if you encounter that monster in such condition….”

“Thanks to the Baroness, I remember the general countermeasures. Haha, I may not look it, but I’m a veteran soldier. Don’t worry.”

“Knight….”

I passed by the knight who was boldly beating his chest and instructed him.

“Then I’ll leave the east to you. If you discover a demon, fire a signal flare. I’ll rush over immediately.”

“Understood. That makes me feel much more confident!”

Since I couldn’t burden the injured knight with the sisters as well, I headed west with the original group.

Fortunately, no signals had been heard since the first firework went off.

‘Haven’t they come down below the front line yet?’

Before long, a third demon appeared from the opposite direction. So they only appear from the west after all.

I stopped moving before the demon could attack the sisters.

When I deliberately stepped louder and rougher, the demon’s gaze turned toward me. Just as I was about to dive below the target’s chest and slash down at its torso.

Thunk.

There was a sword blade piercing through the demon’s skull and coming down.

“Kieek.”

The demon’s body crashed roughly to the ground. The sword’s owner severed the demon’s neck as if delivering a finishing blow, then skillfully shook off the blood.

It was a very familiar gesture to me.

“Duke.”

Tsk.

With a short clicking sound, the Swordmaster’s cold green eyes turned to look at me.

“I told you to break the habit of fighting while soaked in blood. Haven’t you gotten rid of it yet? You’re really stubborn.”

The Swordmaster slowly sheathed his sword that was spattered with black blood. I, who had been sitting, grasped the hand extended before my nose and stood up, dusting off my bottom.

Suddenly, he pulled our clasped hands to his chest and thrust his face close, scrutinizing my features thoroughly.

“Looking at you like this, you’re really still you. Only the shell has changed, but the inner essence remains the same. To the point where I feel like an idiot for not recognizing you at first sight.”

I pushed away the Swordmaster’s shoulders that were hard as stone and asked.

“…From which direction did you come?”

“I moved from the western edge, taking down two along the way. What about you?”

“I came from the central area. It seems demons are only being discovered in this vicinity. The knights who moved east haven’t sent any special signals.”

“Then this one is the last?”

The Swordmaster, who had nudged the demon’s corpse with his toe, mounted his saddle again.

After confirming the sisters’ safety, I followed and mounted my horse, asking.

“Duke, do you know the cause of this situation? I understand that the demons’ existence was completely eradicated when Mephistopheles died.”

“Well. According to your logic, since demons have reappeared, Mephistopheles must also be alive rather than dead. That would be truly troublesome.”

The Swordmaster lightly passed by my side with a joke and continued.

“I didn’t anticipate today’s situation either. Investigation will be necessary.”

He doesn’t know the full story of this incident.

It was a brief premise, but sufficient to calm the anxiety that had been quietly swirling within me.

The relief that a companion I’d worked with for nearly 10 years hadn’t changed. The peace of mind that I could continue trusting the companion I’d believed in.

But.

“…Really?”

However, thinking that dozens of lives might have been sacrificed due to this one incident, I couldn’t help but ask again about the truth.

“Truly, is it correct that you don’t know?”

Mental treatment and the sudden intrusion of demons.

Could these two really be just a coincidence?

As soon as the corner of the Swordmaster’s mouth lifted slightly, his horse shot forward like an arrow. What, is he running away now?

The Swordmaster, who confirmed me following behind with a sidelong glance, spoke without losing his smile.

“You’ve been looking at me with those suspicious eyes for some time now. Is it pure curiosity? Or suspicion?”

Forgetting about the sisters and everything else, I shouted loudly with the single determination to discover his true feelings.

“Try objectively judging your current position, Duke. It would be difficult not to be suspicious!”

“Objective judgment. Well. Then I’d like to ask if your suspicion is truly objective.”

The Swordmaster’s voice wasn’t particularly loud, yet it reached me as clearly as if he were whispering in my ear.

“Your news of attending the hunting festival was quite puzzling to me as well. It was strange for someone who had lived quietly as a mouse to suddenly reveal themselves before people so abruptly. Especially while dangling the unprecedented bait called ‘Andert.'”

“….”

“I’ve known for a long time that you’re quite stubborn. I wondered what existence or reason could move someone like you. The face of Natasha immediately came to mind.”

The speed of the horse the Swordmaster was riding gradually slowed.

“I can tell whose head this scheme came from. It must be Sir Raphael, obviously. How about it, Weatherwax Baroness. Is the Raphael Jenail you see now the same as the Raphael Jenail from 4 years ago?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“He has gained much, but also lost much. Those who become empty from losing many things tend to change. They try never to let go of what they currently hold. Don’t think that the reason for attaching the hero ‘Andert’ next to your name is purely because of Princess Natasha.”

His warning strangely aligned with Count Rosebel’s warning.

“If you want to protect yourself, I hope you continue not to waver as you do now. In either direction.”

“Well, even if that were the actual purpose, it wouldn’t be particularly efficient.”

“Not efficient?”

“Right, Princess Natasha won’t be fooled by such obvious methods. At least, that’s how it’s been until now.”

If nothing else, that last part sounded like quite reasonable advice.

‘If being Andert Pager’s sister isn’t enough, what other method should I use to provoke her?’

Would Andert Pager himself have to appear?

“But what about me is so suspicious to you? Didn’t I tell you before? There’s no need for you and me to be enemies.”

Does this man really not know why he’s asking?

“Shall I enumerate one by one what’s suspicious and how?”

“Hmm. …Alright, let’s do this. From now on, you can ask me anything. I’ll answer everything. But there’s a condition.”

That damn condition again.

“What now?”

“Dance the first dance with me at the banquet.”

First dance? It was an unexpected condition.

“Sorry, but I already have a prior engagement for that.”

“I’m telling you to appeal that you’re desperate enough to break that prior engagement.”

Embarrassingly, my heart wavered a little at the Swordmaster’s statement. It made sense, since he was saying he’d resolve my doubts for just one dance….

‘Hmm. I’ve also developed more idle thoughts compared to before.’

It’s probably a request not worth listening to.

The Swordmaster was originally someone who showed great interest in breaking the alliance between me and Raphael. Therefore, agonizing over such problems would only mean falling into confusion according to the Swordmaster’s intentions.

The problem is that this method is petty and childish, unlike the Swordmaster.

“Your personality seems to have become a bit nastier over the years. Do you find it amusing to trouble me?”

Suddenly, the Swordmaster burst into loud laughter.

“Weatherwax Baroness. I have met new people every single day for decades. But among them, those who walk only their own path without being swayed by others or their surroundings were very rare. And coincidentally, such rare beings gather people and change the world.”

The Swordmaster’s dignified yet resolute gaze fixed on my face.

“I want to make such talent my person. I’m talking about you. Gender or age doesn’t matter. If you demand it, I could even marry you after you return to a male body.”

Huh. Is he doing that as an appeal now?

“Don’t you know that such words make me even more troubled?”

“Possessiveness and destructiveness usually coexist. That doesn’t mean there’s no affection. Don’t you know? That you can live so safely thanks to me.”

…What?

“That statement just now….”

“Is the first dance difficult? Then how about this. Throw away useless alliances and become completely my person, Daisy Weatherwax Baroness.”

What?

“If you become my person, I will resolve all the questions that trouble you.”

Whaaaat?

“Stop spouting nonsense that turns people inside out and just now…!”

I was about to ask what he meant by those words.

My indignant outcry was completely drowned out by a thoroughly unwelcome presence.

“Kiiiiiiaaaaaaak!”

“…I suppose I’ll have to hear your answer later.”

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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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