The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 163

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

Chapter 163

Raphael looked at me with a speechless expression, then sighed and settled onto the sofa.

“You spouting crazy nonsense isn’t something that started today or yesterday, so it’s not particularly surprising. Looking back, there were always reasonable goals and grounds for it.”

“I appreciate you thinking of it that way.”

“You must have a proper reason this time too, right? Don’t think about escaping and explain properly.”

Hmm. So that’s what he meant.

According to Andert’s testimony, Natasha had a terrified expression as she muttered to herself alone before fleeing deeper into the basement.

Afterward, Raphael appeared upon hearing Andert’s shouts and pursued Natasha, but couldn’t find her.

To make matters worse, Lu, who had been checking my condition, lost consciousness with the warning ‘She’ll lose consciousness soon, so move her and Daisy to a safe place,’ so they came up to the surface without further exploration.

Raphael requested help from Count Rosebel to hide my appearance transformed into Andert. Then, as soon as he confirmed I was safe, he returned here to Olang Rouge…

The main purpose was Emperor Ashneike’s abdication.

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t received any imperial decree from the Emperor since the banquet.’

Strictly speaking, it was difficult for the Royal Court to make any demands of me.

The more I recall that meeting, the harder it becomes to shake the impression that the Emperor wanted something from me. Like how he gifted me that protective charm against evil spirits. As if he was concerned about my entering the underground laboratory.

‘Did he notice that I was looking for Natasha?’

But then again, didn’t he conspicuously confine her? What on earth is the Emperor thinking?

“…About Natasha. I heard she ran away right after stabbing me, but you didn’t see her, did you?”

Raphael nodded with a rigidly hardened face.

“Natasha ate Mephistopheles’ heart.”

At my testimony, both Deshero and Raphael’s complexions immediately turned serious.

“Are you certain of that?”

“I’m certain. Moreover, she’s not in her right mind. If we delay any longer here, she’ll completely integrate with Mephistopheles’ ego.”

Raphael, Rosebel, Weatherwax Baroness.

Visiting such a splendid lineup of war heroes was to conspicuously show off to Natasha.

That the Andert you’ve been looking for is here. If you have business with me, come find me directly.

“Natasha shows an unusually strong obsession with me. And during times when her mind isn’t sound like now, her judgment tends to be clouded. She’ll definitely come looking for me.”

That’s why just before entering Jenail Castle, I even posed as a nice subject for the reporters swarming like ants. Hoping my masked appearance would spread to every corner of the nation.

Knock knock.

A knocking sound was heard. After quickly putting on the mask I had thrown aside and turning my head, Liwein stood at the door holding a thin bundle of documents.

Raphael, who opened the door, scolded in a stiff voice.

“I’m sure I told you not to submit reports until 5 PM?”

“I apologize. There’s a document I urgently need you to review.”

Displeased red eyes turned to look at me. When I gave a thumbs up meaning there was no problem, Raphael reluctantly let Liwein inside.

Deshero whispered.

“He must have come under pressure from the members.”

“Don’t tell me it’s because of me?”

“When the stage is set, they can’t refuse. He probably came to confirm if you’re really Andert Pager.”

I thought so. Though his business was with Raphael, his eyes kept glancing toward me.

“Knight Liwein.”

The stiffly frozen Liwein turned toward me, creaking no less than Jin.

“Yes.”

“Do you have something to say to me?”

“…”

“Nothing? Someone else got my autograph though.”

Jin, that is.

Then Liwein’s eyes sparkled for the first time.

“…I would also like to request one.”

I drew my signature with a pen on the handkerchief politely extended with both hands. 【Cool Andert Pager】. It was the signature the Head Maid had created for me.

Then, Liwein very carefully extended a pink frilled handkerchief in front of me.

“If it’s not too much trouble, please do one for my mother as well.”

“Knight Liwein is quite a filial son.”

“Pardon?”

“Be good to your mother.”

I heard whispering sounds from behind.

“Not very sincere.”

“Considering his usual aesthetic sense, it’s pretty decent.”

I can hear everything.

After Liwein left, Raphael asked me.

“So what are you going to do now, Andert?”

The answer to that question is ambiguous. I hadn’t come to find Raphael because I particularly wanted something.

“Tell me, Andert. You abandoned me. Can you say otherwise?”

If I had to add something, I just didn’t want to make him feel that way anymore.

I quietly fidgeted with my mask and casually said.

“I’m hungry, when do we eat?”

“…”

“…”

The lunch I had at Jenail Castle that day was delicious.

* * *

Late evening.

Using the key I had prepared, I opened the door leading from Jenail to Caliphate.

There’s really only one case when I use this key. To meet Lu.

“Hello, Lu. You look handsome today too.”

When I quietly look down at him, Caliphate members gather one by one from somewhere.

Skuld and Urdr often left the altar for magical tool creation, but Berdand seemed to frequently stay here to organize his thoughts.

“Just capture and torture her, I keep saying? Waiting until the magical tool is complete, Miss Daisy is really diligent. You need to quickly finish the worldly affairs and enter Loqwe to overcome the fourth wall.”

And nag like this.

“So how exactly do you overcome that fourth wall?”

“…”

“…”

“…Ahem. If we knew that method, would the three of us be in this state?”

Berdand cleared his throat and shook his head with an embarrassed face.

“Lord Caleph is also indifferent. He always just scolds us to overcome the final wall. He hasn’t given us any plausible hints at all.”

“Did no one give you hints?”

“Dian Cecht said that the final wall is on a completely different trajectory from the other three walls. And he added, ‘I hope you don’t cross it if possible.'”

He hopes we don’t cross it?

“I heard that demigod status is the final realm that Loqwe pursues. It’s strange to hope we don’t cross it.”

“Interpretations of that vary even within Loqwe. Walls are ultimately overcome through self-realization, not truth. What’s right or wrong doesn’t matter.”

It was difficult, but I think I understood what it meant.

“Then how does Loqwe interpret the third wall?”

“Hmm. Before answering, I’d like to ask Miss Daisy this. What do you think a ‘wall’ is?”

A wall.

Actually, when we think of walls, we usually picture high and wide castle walls.

I thought this image of castle walls was very appropriate for mind-body unity. They’re that towering, that solid, and the world before and after crossing the wall is different…

“Don’t rush. Being flustered also means your understanding of walls is high.”

Skuld, who had arrived at some point, continued while sitting in a chair.

“In Loqwe, the ultimate enlightenment is summarized in one line. ‘When I know myself, accept myself, and abandon myself, my ego becomes complete.’ Therefore, walls can be said to be an expression referring to myself. The process of overcoming walls itself is a series of processes of breaking down myself.”

“That means… the fourth wall has nothing to do with my ego?”

“Sharp.”

“Difficult, right? That’s why Dian Cecht might hope his disciples don’t cross it.”

But for me, the existence of the fourth wall was too distant, and overcoming the third wall was already a big problem.

‘Know me, accept me, and abandon me. So the third wall means I must abandon myself to overcome it.’

This was… the most ambiguous.

“Would you like to hear advice about the third wall?”

Skuld asked.

“Yes.”

“My advice is simple. Come to Loqwe, Miss Daisy.”

He declared without the slightest hesitation.

“Turning your back on the secular world is the easiest way to abandon yourself. Cast aside all the duties you bear, and stay in the Caliphate so we can help you.”

I couldn’t bring myself to firmly refuse, saying that was absolutely impossible.

* * *

The most tranquil city.

True to its reputation, the land that the Rosebel County had ruled for hundreds of years, Blabote, was a picturesque place with gardens sprawling widely under blue skies.

Blabote was also a border region located right next to Olang Rouge, so the hazy silhouette of snow-capped mountains could be seen beyond the flat ground, and that scenery was exquisite.

When I arrived at Rosebel Castle, only the Count and his wife along with a few servants were waiting for me.

“Welcome. I’ve been waiting, for a very long time…”

Despite it being a somewhat (unilaterally) public visit, the area around the castle was surprisingly quiet. It seemed Count Rosebel had minimized attention out of consideration for me.

That day, I confided my story to Count Rosebel.

“Hah! Even when you acted like the same person, I thought it was because you were siblings. I never imagined you were actually the same person. You cast truly flawless magic. Haha! This Gott Rosebel was completely fooled!”

“I’m sorry.”

“No. As long as you’re alive and well, that’s enough. Really, that’s all that matters. Indeed.”

Count Rosebel, who had been drinking with an excited expression, suddenly frowned and looked at me.

“…But didn’t you say you were originally a woman? How did you end up returning to that form?”

To that question, instead of answering, I took out the ring I had brought with me from my pocket.

“Do you remember this ring you gave me a few days ago, Count?”

“Of course. Hmm, you’ve kept it well. I’m always ready to keep my promises, friend. If you have a favor to ask, don’t hesitate to speak.”

“Then I would like to entrust the people of Weatherwax to you, Count.”

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