The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 166

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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 166

After the war ended, Jigharke was filled with doubt.

Andert had clearly turned to dust and disappeared, yet the traces of the oath remained intact. As if saying that Andert had not died but was still alive.

But the doubt could not continue for long.

Three days after the war’s end.

The condition of the soldiers waiting to return home from Quin Island was far from normal.

“I’m… I’m afraid to dream, Your Excellency. Every time I dream, I become a terrible demon that massacres my comrades, my father, my mother.”

The soldiers’ pleas continued even after leaving Quin Island. Troubled, Jigharke called the researchers again to seek their wisdom.

Then one researcher asked Jigharke in return.

“By any chance, did you feel an intense resonance around the moment the hero and Mephistopheles destroyed each other? Others might not know, but someone of high caliber like Your Excellency might have felt it.”

“…It’s hard to deny that.”

“Mephistopheles is a demon called a demigod. Such a being’s heart might gain self-awareness like Quin. I suspect it’s Mephistopheles’ influence, so it would be best to find and destroy the heart first.”

That talk again.

But this warning was hard to ignore. Jigharke resumed the temporarily suspended post-traumatic stress disorder improvement research while sending search teams to Quin Island to examine the castle ruins more thoroughly.

But what was actually discovered on Quin Island was not a heart, but a wandering swordsman with a tall stature and long scars on his face.

Jigharke was genuinely impressed by the young man’s martial prowess after seeing him easily subdue the search team.

“Though not properly refined, it’s skill good enough to be useful. If you have nowhere to go, would you follow me?”

“Who are you?”

“Jigharke Berkleighton.”

Jigharke gave the young man the name ‘Garrosh’ and accepted him as a disciple.

Contrary to many people’s expectations, the end of the war did not bring complete peace to the Empire.

The war faction and the silence faction.

The conflict between nobles divided into two forces intensified day by day. The atmosphere, which had heated up as if it would lead to civil war, reached its peak when the Emperor designated Prince Ashneike as the next emperor.

“This is absurd! His Majesty the Emperor sided with Prince Ashneike? I can’t believe it. The only imperial family member worthy of inheriting the throne of the Pen Rota Empire is Princess Natasha!”

The war faction vehemently denied it as if they were about to raise an army.

Since the matter was what it was, even Jigharke, who had maintained neutrality between the two forces, could not hide his suspicion.

‘His Majesty the Emperor, who was always rational, would not have dismissed Princess Natasha without reason. Then what could that reason be?’

It was precisely at that time that Prince Ashneike requested a private audience with Jigharke. When he went to see Prince Ashneike in response to the request, Jigharke could not help but be surprised.

Princess Natasha, who was supposed to be missing, was waiting for him together with Prince Ashneike.

“Duke Jigharke. We need your help.”

While holding a stone that emanated an unpleasant aura in one hand.

Thump…

Thump…

The moment the terrible pulsing emanating from the stone pierced his ears, Jigharke was certain.

That it was Mephistopheles’ heart.

Because of that heart, Princess Natasha must have joined hands with Prince Ashneike.

“I heard you’ve been secretly conducting research related to heart crystals for the past 10 years. We need the Duke’s knowledge to analyze Mephistopheles’ heart.”

“What about the heart do you intend to analyze?”

“The energy that moves demons. …With that energy, we might be able to revive our fallen comrades.”

Ah.

Jigharke sighed.

Are they talking about resurrection now? That wise princess is speaking of resurrection? Has she gone mad from Andert Pager’s death?

Prince Ashneike supported Princess Natasha’s proposal.

“This is also His Majesty the Emperor’s command, Duke Jigharke. Help Natasha proceed with the resurrection research.”

Suddenly, the researcher’s warning came to mind.

The words that a demigod’s heart possesses self-awareness.

Jigharke still could not believe that claim. As a supreme warrior, he knew how easily ordinary people were fascinated by the power of the strong. They were simply captivated by the illusion presented by the existence called a demigod.

But if that claim were true.

‘Will this heart be beneficial or poisonous to Pen Rota?’

The answer might already be predetermined.

But he was the man called the Emperor’s sword. Whatever the predetermined answer might be, his decision was singular.

“I accept the imperial command.”

The three of them made an oath to maintain secrecy.

That scene was the last of the memories I could steal a glimpse of.

* * *

It was a time of at most about 5 seconds.

The moment I escaped from Weatherwax Baroness’s memories and returned to reality, Weatherwax Baroness also broke free from Kalerpa’s magic.

As soon as his consciousness returned, he distanced himself and instantly pulled out the dagger that had been embedded in his palm.

Swoosh.

The back of his hand, freed from the dagger, was clean without any trace of being pierced. Weatherwax Baroness grabbed his forehead, took deep breaths for a moment, then opened his lips.

“…Quite an impressive magical tool. Did you browse through my memories?”

With obvious mockery on his lips, he glared at me with a cold gaze.

“…So. How was your impression after causing all this commotion to take a look?”

Impression? Nothing remarkable.

“Very much like you, Duke.”

“Like me? Ridiculous. Is that all?”

Yes, that’s all.

‘Though I was surprised to learn you’ve been researching with Dian Ket’s heart for nearly 10 years.’

Thanks to that, the misunderstanding I’d been dragging along was also cleared up. The mental treatment for war veterans was treatment conducted with pure intentions. It had no connection whatsoever to the hunting festival incident.

‘Probably couldn’t easily speak up because of the secrecy oath.’

Since I learned the other party’s truth, I decided to be honest on my side too.

“I have the remaining four of Dian Ket’s legacies, excluding the hand mirror.”

“Four?”

I met Weatherwax Baroness’s narrowed eyes and continued.

“I was collecting them to extend my remaining lifespan.”

“…Miss? What do you mean by lifespan?”

Jin’s eyes became vacant. I swallowed my bitterness and smiled at her.

“Sorry for hiding it. Actually, the reason I became like this is because my life was hanging by a thread. I’m barely holding on by borrowing this era’s body, but it won’t last long.”

“My goodness. How could such…”

Jin’s pupils shook violently.

Weatherwax Baroness also looked no less confused than her.

The face that had always maintained composure anywhere and anytime was beautifully distorted. The long fingers that had been touching his forehead repeated dry face-washing motions three or four times.

“Why on earth! Why didn’t you say this at the Imperial Palace, Andert? What did you plan to accomplish by hiding such an important fact!”

This was also an uncharacteristic outburst from Weatherwax Baroness. I hid my inwardly surprised feelings and answered without backing down.

“Do you call that a question? It’s because I don’t trust you, Duke. Checking your memories was part of that. Think of what just happened to you as karma.”

“Karma? I didn’t know you viewed me with such eyes.”

Weatherwax Baroness wiped his lips with a bitter expression and smiled self-deprecatingly.

“But… yes, you have the right to say such things to me. This works out well. There’s someone you need to meet. Follow me.”

“…Suddenly?”

“Suddenly? Well. For someone who appeared as a returning hero and drew all possible attention, it wouldn’t be a sudden meeting.”

A face came to mind at those words.

Natasha.

‘Is Natasha in this castle? Yes, then Weatherwax Baroness’s actions make sense too. He wasn’t trying to capture me alive, but to have me meet Natasha.’

Weatherwax Baroness left the bedroom without looking back. I comforted Jin, who was visibly depressed, and followed such Weatherwax Baroness.

Weatherwax Baroness’s destination was not far.

No, not only was it not far, it was the very next room. As he unlocked five locks and entered the room, a wind as cold as midwinter stretched out like a demon’s hand.

Inside, thoroughly covered with blackout curtains and dark, only one round lamp was lit forlornly.

“She’s confined with magical tools. Don’t move carelessly.”

As Weatherwax Baroness said, someone was lying under the lamp. It was a figure stuck to the floor, unable to move an inch as if their limbs were bound.

I stared blankly at that shadow. I could feel an unwelcome aura surrounding the shadow.

“Could that be… Princess Natasha, Your Highness?”

Ignoring Jin’s shock, the Swordmaster spoke to me.

“I’ll warn you in advance. Princess Natasha has already lost her sense of self. She gathered the last remnants of her reason to come find me. Probably to meet you.”

“…”

“That’s the face I expected.”

He stepped aside to make way, and I advanced through the darkness toward Natasha.

Natasha’s face was covered with white cloth.

Even so, she reached out her hand toward me as if she had been waiting.

“You came, Andert. You finally came. You, whom I’ve been waiting for so long…”

Her cracked, hoarse voice barely managed to continue speaking. I carefully grasped Natasha’s hand, which was terribly withered like the branch of an old tree.

My heart ached.

“Yes, I’m here.”

“Andert, Andert. Please listen to me. I have something to earnestly ask of you.”

“Tell me.”

“Please kill me.”

Death.

Only when she spoke that word did Natasha’s voice become as clear as that of the living.

“I have committed a great sin. I know it cannot be undone. Mephistopheles’ heart is inside me. Kill me and drive that evil spirit away forever.”

I couldn’t give any answer.

Kill you to destroy Mephistopheles’ heart? Such easy words to say. It also sounded like the simplest solution.

But it wasn’t easy.

It really wasn’t easy.

Really, it was far too difficult…

At least for me it was.

Moreover, thinking about it more deeply, it was far from a simple solution. There was no guarantee that Natasha’s death would lead to Mephistopheles’ complete death, was there?

‘But if I use Dian Ket’s legacy…’

The Swordmaster seemed to see through my anguish at a glance. He pulled my arm to help me stand, then pushed me toward the corridor and closed the door without hesitation, saying:

“I’ll give you Dian Ket’s final legacy.”

I struggled to clear my choked throat and asked back.

“Just like that? Do you know what choice I’ll make?”

“The Princess’s condition is more serious than expected. While it’s uncertain whether we’ll see results from our research, if Mephistopheles descends into a healthy body through the legacy… I can’t guarantee what will happen next.”

In the Swordmaster’s eyes as he spoke without hesitation, I noticed one fact.

“But if you live, it would make for quite a decent fight, wouldn’t it? This side is actually the higher probability gamble.”

For the Swordmaster, the option of saving Natasha didn’t exist. The Swordmaster’s choice was firm, and he was subtly showing me his true feelings.

Give up on Natasha and use Dian Ket’s legacy for yourself.

That would be the best move.

“But there’s a condition. The magic inscribed in the legacy must be activated in my castle.”

“…What’s the reason?”

“No need to be suspicious. It’s to gather data in case of emergencies. Didn’t I tell you before? That I’m analyzing the legacy’s magic. I’ll store the resonance when the legacy activates in a magical device. The sooner the timing, the better. When would be possible?”

When would be possible… If it were up to my feelings, I wanted to delay it as much as possible. For the first time since being revived, I felt like the entire world was demanding a heavy responsibility that I couldn’t handle.

But would anything really change by delaying it?

I only had three meetings left with Lu, Natasha was being consumed by Mephistopheles, and my body had become a time bomb.

No worse situation could exist beyond this.

“I’ll finish preparations and come tomorrow morning.”

“Alright, then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Even if incomplete, the time had finally come.

The time to activate Dian Ket’s legacy.

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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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