The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 179

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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 179

‘Well, if I had to say, my specialty is physical work.’

I had no intention of saying that. If I revealed the truth, it was obvious they’d work me like a dog. Why? Because I was skilled enough that they wouldn’t be able to resist.

‘I don’t want to be worked like a dog with Dian’s delicate, glass-like body.’

Let’s see, excluding swords and fists, what am I good enough at to appeal to Lu… Ah.

Right, I was a maid.

“Cleaning.”

“…”

“Laundry.”

“…”

“Dishwashing.”

“…”

“By the way, I can’t cook.”

Lu let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded, then soon released my nose with an annoyed expression.

“Cleaning, huh. Well, were you perhaps a servant of that maggot-like household? You seem too skilled at using force to be a simple employee. At least it’s certain you’re not blood-related.”

Watching Lu get one step closer to my identity with just a short answer made me feel quite unpleasant.

“And I’ve sent the maids who were taking care of you outside the castle.”

Damn, what? You already sent them away? This rotten bastard!

“You should have told me that beforehand!”

“Why should I?”

After skillfully clearing away the papers, he climbed onto the cot without even properly removing his coat. With a light gesture, the lamp dimmed one level, and Lu’s languid voice spread like smoke beyond it.

“Stay quietly stuck by my side while I rest. If you run away, know that I’ll chase you to the ends of the continent, grab you by the scruff of your neck, and drag you back.”

“I have nowhere to go anyway. But isn’t it not even 7 PM yet? Going to sleep already?”

There was no more response.

The interior felt as dark as dusk and the cold seemed even more chilling, so I also slipped into my sleeping bag.

Squeak, squeak. Hearing Ash’s snoring nearby, he seemed to be sleeping soundly somewhere in the barracks. Just as I was blankly focusing on that familiar presence, the barracks began shaking violently in the howling wind.

A blizzard.

‘So that’s why he went to sleep early.’

You can’t do outdoor activities in bad weather.

Sniffling from the intermittent snow wind blowing in, I thought.

‘What kind of group is this exactly?’

Where are these barracks located, and what state is Sereniye Castle in? Was it completely burned down? The Sereniye Castle I visited in the future and the current castle definitely look different…

I looked for the notebook I had put in my bag.

However, whether it was being forced to torture that pervert bastard in Sereniye and fainting, or the series of incidents leaving no time to take notes, the notebook was empty.

‘…I should at least record how things came to be.’

How surprised must Dian have been at the situation that unfolded when he opened his eyes? Regardless of my intentions, the person involved might have felt great frustration and fear.

Looking at it this way, everything started and ended too suddenly.

But I’ve come too far to regret it. I wrote down a long, long memo to reassure Dian.

* * *

『When I woke up this morning, I was so startled that I bolted upright without realizing it. The barracks were shaking as if they were about to collapse.

Fortunately, they didn’t collapse, but when I glanced outside, it was difficult to distinguish the view due to the pouring blizzard.

In the morning, I warmed my frozen hands with the hot water the leader (he told me to call him leader) brought and left, took care of Ash’s food, and took my share of medicine.

Sitting alone in the middle of a fierce blizzard. It was a wondrous experience I had never had in the castle.

It felt like being left alone in the world, but strangely, I wasn’t lonely or afraid.

It’s a curious thing.』

The unusually jagged handwriting clearly showed how excited Dian had been.

『You asked if I wasn’t scared, didn’t you?

Honestly, I’m not sure.

I am feeling fear about being left alone, but thinking that I’m with Ash and you, it’s not that scary.

I had a nightmare last night, but what appeared in the dream wasn’t the collapsed Sereniye Castle.

What reached out from the ashes was Father who came to get me, and the nameless people who were tortured and killed by the poison I made. They were also the families and friends of these rebels.』

So the army Lu leads really is a rebel army.

『I feel like I’m finally facing the sins I’ve committed head-on.

Though I greatly want to run away from those contemptuous gazes… on the other hand, I want to help them. I want to see with my own eyes what sins I’ve committed and how I can atone for them.

Even thinking about it again, it’s strange. Even though there’s nowhere left to hide, my heart feels lighter.

I realize anew how grateful I am to have someone to confess such contradictory and shameful true feelings to.』

At the end of the memo was a very brief explanation about the rebel army Lu belonged to.

‘They’ve been on land for 4 years, built up their forces outside Astrosia, then gradually expanded into the country…’

Like Lu, Dian seemed quite surprised that an absurdly young man was the supreme commander.

Lu seems to receive tremendous support both domestically and internationally, but Dian appeared to know no more information than that, having spent all his time in the castle.

‘Hmm. So Lu wasn’t a follower of Rogye from the beginning. Then through this war, later…’

Flap.

Just then, the barracks entrance opened roughly and a large man entered. As soon as the man’s eyes met mine, he chewed out Dian’s name as if to devour it.

“Dian Sereniye…!”

Deep anger was contained in his sharp eyes.

The man who entered without warning walked over without hesitation, grabbed my arm, and went outside the barracks.

The sky was calm now that the blizzard had stopped. The man who threw me onto the dirty snow poured out weapons he had gotten from somewhere onto the ground. The noisy sound drew the attention of those who had been resting to me.

I was instantly annoyed.

“What are you trying to do now?”

“Pick up a weapon.”

“What?”

“Pick up a weapon right now, you bastard!”

A long sword was already in the hand of the man shouting as if coughing up blood.

Though his behavior was rough without any warning or explanation, I had a vague idea of what the man’s purpose was.

‘Revenge… is it?’

Sereniye was a family that committed massacres and human experiments throughout the Astrosia Kingdom. Since the heir of such a family had been brought here as a hostage, there would be enemies everywhere.

“…I’m not in a condition to hold a weapon.”

“Shut up. Not in condition to hold a weapon? Then what about Leilah, who couldn’t even hold a bow? Why did she have to die? Huh?”

“…”

“If it weren’t for the Supreme Commander, I would have trampled a bastard like you to death long ago! Why… why does trash like you survive so brazenly while Leilah… Leilah…!”

As I just looked up silently, the man who had bitten his lips until they bled forcibly pulled me to my feet.

“Coward. If you can’t pick it up, I’ll make you pick it up by force.”

The anger of losing someone precious. The conviction to return exactly the pain they had suffered.

Well, I understand.

I’ve also rolled around battlefields for 10 years. Didn’t I throw myself into the Mage War with the single thought of revenge after Andert died?

But right now, I didn’t have the luxury to consider this person’s circumstances.

“…But is this really something I should do? Was I born to kill people and manufacture poison for torture?”

I don’t want to say Dian is innocent.

Even though it was coercion, I know Dian will never escape the consequences of his actions and the guilt for his entire life.

However, if there’s something I want to protect, it would surely be Dian’s humanity.

Reading Dian’s memo today, I was quite surprised that he chose to stay rather than run away. From Dian’s perspective, this was definitely hostility he could feel wronged about. Sereniye was hell, not heaven for him, and usually one’s own pain feels greater than others’ pain.

Atonement was, in a sense, nothing short of courage. I wanted to help Dian continue to have courage.

‘So, I should properly establish discipline at an opportunity like this to make them behave.’

Just as I was about to obediently pick up the sword.

A chill so cold it made my eyes snap open ran up my entire body.

What? Who is it? Who is looking at me with such a piercing gaze…

‘Lu.’

I don’t know exactly which direction, but Lu is watching us.

Then the conversation I had with him last night flashed through my mind like a revolving lantern.

“Tell me what use you are.”

“So what use are you?”

If I draw my sword here now, my use would be….

‘A swordsman.’

I have to swing a sword again after coming all this way?

I really don’t want that.

While I hesitated, the anger he had been suppressing must have exploded, as the man gripped my shoulder roughly.

“Where do you think you’re running…!”

“Ugh, uwaaaaah!”

At that, I convulsed and swatted away the man’s hand.

Stumbling backward and falling on my bottom was nothing short of a blessing. Crouched on the floor, I wrapped my head with both arms, trembling all over as I cried out.

“P-please spare me, Father! I’m sorry. I was wrong. *sob* I’ll do everything Father tells me to do…. Please don’t hit me….”

“…You.”

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry for being stupid.”

“….”

“I won’t rebel again…. Please don’t hit me, please don’t hit me….”

Through the narrow gap in my vision, I could see a face frozen in shock. It was an expression that never imagined I would have such a breakdown.

“*sob* I’m sorry…. P-please s-spare me.”

That’s right, you bastard. Feel even a tiny bit of guilt.

Dian is still a minor, has had a weak body since birth, and is a scrawny little kid who almost got poisoned to death recently!

The surroundings were so quiet you could hear breathing. I couldn’t confirm what expressions the others were making.

After crying like that for a while, just as the hesitating man’s steps were about to come one step closer.

“Crion.”

A deeply displeased call came from not far away.

“…Yes, Commander.”

It’s Lu’s voice. I perked up both ears while keeping my head covered.

“Who told you to step forward like an idiot and make the atmosphere like this?”

“I apologize.”

“Going to do more?”

“No. I apologize.”

“Why. Go ahead and try more.”

“I apologize.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“…I got excited without thinking. I’ll stay buried quietly without stepping forward from now on.”

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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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