The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 141
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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 141
Has the official appearance of demons not been announced yet?
Soon Raphael, who went out to investigate, would discover the numerous demon corpses in the west, and then this confusion would be sorted out.
‘Demons.’
Surely we won’t have to repeat that terrible war again.
The circumstances of the demons’ reappearance, the relationship between the Royal Court and the Swordmaster, Natasha – there were so many things to worry about that my head felt like it wasn’t working properly.
To change my thoughts, I took advantage of the noisy surroundings and stood in front of the scoreboard.
『【1st Place】 Team 2 (Hunter: Raphael Jenail, Assistant: Gern Rosebel) 1,450 points
【2nd Place】 Team 1 (Hunter: Liwein Wokhood, Assistant: Daisy Weatherwax) 1,350 points
【3rd Place】 Team 4 (Hunter: Gott Rosebel, Assistant: Emilia Rosebel) 1,000 points
【4th Place】 Team 3 (Hunter: Jigharke Berkleighton, Assistant: Kate Ezanel) 920 points
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A vertical rise to 2nd place no less. But 1,350 points… isn’t that much higher than I expected?
‘So hunting real demons instead of traps was counted too.’
Hmm. That’s good news.
‘Only a 100-point difference from 1st place. Slightly disappointing.’
If I secretly went out and grabbed just one more trap… that wouldn’t work, would it?
‘What other methods are there to raise my score?’
While I was lost in serious contemplation, noisy chatter arose behind me.
“…The decision will not be reversed. This year’s hunting competition is terminated early as of this moment. After a brief investigation, everyone will be ordered to return home.”
“Really, Chamberlain. Do you truly believe that absurd story about demons appearing? There must have been a problem with the traps.”
“What kind of disappointing business is this when we were enjoying the hunt?”
Since they don’t believe in the existence of demons, they’re even suggesting to resume the hunt. Seeing them spout such nonchalant words made the events in the forest feel like a dream.
‘…Ah, a not-bad move came to mind.’
I immediately turned around and caught the Chamberlain who was just about to pass by.
“Here, I object.”
The Chamberlain stopped walking and looked at me with displeasure.
“Is there a problem?”
“About the score. Shouldn’t there be additional points for defeating real demons?”
Not fake ones, but real ones at that?
And if I defeated demons and saved people, there should be rescue points added too. I was waiting for an answer full of expectation when a noble standing beside the Chamberlain burst into anger.
“Weatherwax Baroness! This is not the time to discuss hunting scores. With casualties mounting, how can you talk about additional points? Do you think this situation is a joke?”
What is this bastard saying?
Why is he suddenly having a fit and getting angry? Who was it that was talking about resuming the hunt when demons appeared?
And originally in situations like this, heroes like me should be valued more highly. You have to reward soldiers who achieve great achievements to boost military morale!
But the surrounding reactions spectacularly missed my expectations.
“No sense at all. Unless there’s evidence that you personally hunted real demons!”
“There’s no need to go as far as evidence. Isn’t the very existence of demons questionable? Demons, demons! It’s been 4 years since the war ended”
“If it’s really false, there’d be nothing to say even if called royal blasphemy.”
“It was a trap problem from the beginning anyway!”
Once the floodgates of criticism and suspicion opened, they began to swell rapidly.
I hesitated for a very brief moment.
‘Should I hit them?’
Anyway, their disbelief has a time limit. It means these are the guys who will shut up and cower when Raphael and Liwein bring back evidence.
So even if I hit them in advance… it might be okay?
Just as I was steeling myself and slowly stretching my left fingers.
“What are you babbling about right now? Lies? Do you think anything that comes out of your tongue counts as words?”
A very familiar voice was heard nearby.
The owner of the tone, which seemed somehow more aggressive than before, was the younger sister of the siblings I had saved.
“I saw it! It’s not a lie. Weatherwax Baroness definitely cut down four terrible living demons! We are witnesses. Right, sister?”
The sister who was pointed out again, just like in the forest, affirmed not with a flustered face like before, but with an obviously angry expression.
“My sister is right. I saw it clearly with these two eyes. You all confirmed it too, didn’t you?”
The nobles who had been huddled together beside Count Sereniye affirmed one by one.
“Y-yes, that’s right. There were definitely real demons.”
“Very dirty and terrible. Weatherwax Baroness saved us.”
“Look here. You saw it too, didn’t you? Right?”
The man the younger sister pointed to with bulging veins was the knight with an injured arm whom I had saved right after helping the sisters. He flailed with his arm wrapped tightly in bandages and defended me.
“Yes, of course! I definitely saw it. How could I forget when you even saved my sworn brother? You were unbelievably brave. Haha, it made this war veteran look ridiculous.”
The emboldened younger sister stood in front of the old noble who had been earnestly berating me.
“Say it again, Count.”
With her chin held high and eyes wide open, I could feel her resolute will to definitely get an apology.
“With so many people coming forward as witnesses, lies? Are you saying we’re all telling coordinated lies?”
The old noble, red to his ear tips, spat profusely.
“This… what an absurd young wench!”
“Thank you for calling me absurd! My father raised me this way, so what can you do? You know my dad, right? Duke Kalpenweber!”
Huh?
‘Duke Kalpenweber? What a coincidence. Those sisters were that man’s daughters?’
Like father, like daughter. No wonder they had absolutely no fear…
I awkwardly lowered my left hand that had been stretching. This makes it difficult to attack the old man, doesn’t it?
Forget punches, should I demonstrate the hair-melting sword technique I trained in Astrosia?
Then.
“Enough.”
At the concise voice, the heated argument that had been continuing stopped as if by magic.
The old noble who turned his head with a ‘how dare you interrupt me?’ look pursed his lips small and coughed awkwardly, his spirit deflated.
It was a wise move. The one who stopped the argument was none other than the Swordmaster.
“Chamberlain.”
The Chamberlain, who had been focused only on his duties and showed no interest in the heated atmosphere, humbly stepped forward.
“Please speak, Duke.”
“I understand you have many concerns. But avoiding the issue isn’t always the answer. Make a decision at your level before greater division occurs.”
A decision.
‘I thought he was being wishy-washy. Was he waiting for imperial orders?’
The Chamberlain had a contemplative expression. He seemed to worry about the repercussions that would spread when the truth was revealed.
Under dozens of gazes, he steadfastly pondered, then soon seemed to make up his mind and slowly opened his mouth.
“I will announce it here. The reason this hunting competition was suspended is because demons appeared.”
A long sigh erupted from somewhere.
The Chamberlain, who called a servant with heavy gestures, showed the crowd an object hidden inside an iron box.
“This is the evidence.”
“…Good heavens!”
A demon’s hand, dried and twisted like a tree branch.
Those who confirmed its hideous form up close frowned and stepped back.
The criticism from those who had branded me a liar quietly disappeared, replaced by conversations filled with anxiety and restlessness.
‘So what about my hunting score?’
Is it just going to be buried like this? Though I felt disappointed, I had no choice but to keep my mouth shut.
If I demanded score adjustment one more time here, I’d really become a troublemaker from then on.
“Hmm. What a strange atmosphere.”
Suddenly, I felt a presence full of regret nearby.
The Chamberlain, who had been fielding questions from the nobles, moved with surprised eyes. Count Sereniye, who had finished emergency treatment, was approaching with slow steps.
“Count Sereniye? Your condition…”
“Not bad. Though it’s quite different from what I expected.”
Count Sereniye was a distinguished guest who would reconnect the Empire with the Northern Continental Union after decades of severed ties.
When he showed a disappointed expression, the chamberlain’s eyes, who had maintained composure throughout, wavered slightly.
“My apologies, Count Sereniye. Once emergency treatment is finished, we’ll escort you straight to your bedroom…”
“No, that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m referring to the treatment of a hero. The treatment of the hero who saved this hunting competition.”
Count Sereniye leisurely and strangely effortlessly imposed his thoughts on the excited nobles.
“When I first heard about the hunting festival’s format, I thought it was a remarkable plan in many ways. To ensure we don’t forget the horrors of war, the royal court directly promotes a competition to hunt demons? I thought it was meaningful and magnificent. I believed the lives of young people sacrificed for this country were receiving their due value. But what is this current state?”
At some point, the attention of people who had been chattering separately focused on him.
“There are injured. But no one died. Moreover, aren’t those who returned from the brink of life and death revering Weatherwax Baroness as their benefactor? Yet our actual benefactor who returned to headquarters is being treated like a liar.”
Some young nobles who agreed with his words sent admiring glances my way. It was burdensome.
“Heroes deserve to be praised. I believe without doubt that such faith is the very significance of this hunting festival. If it were me, I’d raise the hunting score to 100 points, 1,000 points, whatever Weatherwax Baroness the hero requests!”
Lu’s eyes turned toward me. He asked me subtly with warm eyes filled with deep affection.
“Or… Weatherwax Baroness. How about coming to the Northern Continent with me? The Northern Continental Union treats heroes like heroes. You definitely won’t regret it.”
And I immediately understood the meaning contained in that gaze.
‘It’s consideration to raise my hunting score!’
As soon as I realized this, I asked the chamberlain.
“Should I go?”
The chamberlain made an incredulous expression but couldn’t bring himself to say I should go. I used that gap to pressure the chamberlain.
“I won’t go, so please raise my score.”
Not long after, the hunting competition scoreboard changed.
『【1st Place】 Team 1 (Hunter: Liwein Wokhood, Assistant: Daisy Weatherwax) 5350 points
【2nd Place】 Team 2 (Hunter: Raphael Jenail, Assistant: Gern Rosebel) 1450 points
【3rd Place】 Team 4 (Hunter: Gott Rosebel, Assistant: Emilia Rosebel) 1000 points
【4th Place】 Team 3 (Hunter: Jigharke Berkleighton, Assistant: Kate Ezanel) 920 points
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Even if it looks underhanded, it can’t be helped.
The Swordmaster said so. Even in wartime, there are political battles. The real winner is the one who takes everything.
Along with the reappeared demon, I became this year’s hunting festival champion.
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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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