The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 196

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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 1

Side Story 1 – Secret Messenger

6 years ago.

Inside the temporary barracks that provided breathing room amidst the wedge-like driving cold wave.

The middle-aged commander, who had just emptied his third cup of coffee, slowly turned his head. Clear exhaustion was visible on his darkly tanned face.

“Hmm. So, what exactly do you mean by ‘ears opening’?”

“Yes.”

At my affirmation, Count Rosebel stroked his chin with somewhat bewildered eyes. He seemed to be gauging whether the phrase ‘ears opening’ was a figurative expression or not.

“…Ah, I see. Are you perhaps asking about the realm of martial mastery?”

“Probably so.”

“‘Probably so’? You can’t use such vague expressions for a question you yourself asked, Count Andert.”

“It’s something I heard in passing, you see. I’ve never personally experienced the realm of martial mastery, nor have I heard about it with certainty, so it’s bound to be vague.”

At that, Count Rosebel habitually brushed down the back of his hand where red scabs had formed and nodded his head.

“Your case is quite unique indeed. You have more than enough skill to achieve the first realm, yet you’ve never actually reached the state of selflessness.”

This is why being ignorant is tiresome.

What’s the first realm, and what’s the state of selflessness, really.

I was about to boldly ask back but changed my mind and quietly closed my mouth. Count Rosebel seemed extremely busy to waste his time with more questions. Given the timing, it was only natural.

“Ears opening means literally being able to hear better. Subtle sounds become several times clearer than before. However, I think the expression ‘feeling’ would be more accurate than ‘hearing.’ For example, you can feel all human presence within roughly 50 meters.”

When your ears open, you can feel all human presence within 50 meters?

‘Isn’t that… something you can already feel normally?’

I had doubts, but this was testimony from none other than Count Rosebel himself.

I figured there must exist some unfamiliar yet noble realm that a street swordsman like me couldn’t even dare to imagine.

Count Rosebel gulped down the coffee that had cooled in the cold wave like drinking water.

“Come to think of it, Count Andert? About a month ago when Sir Raphael collapsed. Did you stay by his side together with Duke Berkley Greytown?”

Raphael Jenail.

And the modifier ‘collapsed.’

It was a combination that could never normally be put together, but for me looking back on ‘that day,’ it wasn’t unfamiliar.

“Yes, I was terrified. I thought we’d be holding a funeral without him moving… I thought the day of the Allied Nations’ destruction had come.”

This wasn’t some trivial joke.

Even though half a month had passed, the memory of that day remained as clear as yesterday for me.

The Allied Forces move centered around the Pen Rota Empire.

Duke Kalpenweber and Count Rosebel were at the command headquarters, while Raphael’s corps, to which I belonged, was the main force on the front lines blocking Mephistopheles’ army from advancing south. The Swordmaster led the knight order and moved as a separate unit, so unless the front lines were in danger of collapse, our paths rarely crossed.

And a month ago. The Allied Forces suffered a crushing defeat against Mephistopheles’ army.

The fact that the Swordmaster personally led even the knight order to break through the retreat route showed just how devastating the defeat was without need for elaboration.

The problem was that a war of nerves broke out between two people during the retreat process.

“We cannot save everyone.”

At the cold assertion, Raphael’s expression hardened.

“If I go, I can save them.”

“And you’ll likely return as a cripple or chunks of meat. The death of Raphael Jenail would be a great loss to the Allied Forces, so I forbid it.”

At the argument with no compromise, I closed my eyes and clutched my throbbing head.

Raphael and the Swordmaster being at odds wasn’t something new, but did it have to be today?

“Each and every one of them is Allied Forces’ strength, companions, and citizens of the Pen Rota Empire. Didn’t I tell you that if I go, I can help them, that I can definitely save them? Don’t you truly understand that such arguments only waste time?”

“It can’t be seen as waste. It’s preventing the futile annihilation of key forces.”

“Why does Your Grace calculate gains and losses even at a moment like this!”

“To control someone like you who follows emotion rather than reason.”

Raphael’s eyes, already bloodshot red, now looked ready to shed tears of blood.

Can’t be helped. I pulled Raphael’s shoulder back and stood before the Swordmaster.

At the sudden proximity, Raphael’s sharply honed gaze settled gently as soon as he confirmed my face.

“How about letting him go, Duke. If I follow behind, at least he won’t return as a cripple or corpse.”

If Raphael still had his wits about him, he’d leave on his own while I dealt with the Swordmaster. To help Deshero and our companion who were left behind at the front.

“I’ll save Raphael even if I have to sacrifice my life.”

The Swordmaster showed a faint sneer, rare for his disposition.

“I don’t know what bravado makes you add such conditions. Are you telling me to lose not one but two before my eyes?”

“Don’t you know that guy well? He’s incredibly stubborn and only walks the path he believes is right. Rather than being forced to retreat, he’s the type to become a deserter to save even one more person. It’s better for me to follow and reduce the danger.”

The Swordmaster had no answer.

Was he holding back anger? Would I end up having to become a deserter too? While I was pondering.

“You.”

The Swordmaster’s lips moved very slowly after letting out a long sigh.

“Because you continue to follow and keep pace like this… Sir Raphael also recklessly makes dangerous choices without fear.”

It was a truth even I found hard to refute.

“Well, it’s my fault for getting my nose pierced wrong. Then I’ll take that as permission and go.”

Worried that my ankle might be grabbed, I hurriedly moved in the direction Raphael had disappeared. When I looked back after a moment, the Swordmaster’s horse head had disappeared into the thicket and was no longer visible.

After that, I really rode my horse frantically.

It was good that we found Deshero according to Raphael’s plan, but when we encountered two demon corps commanders who had devastated the front lines, we had to scatter again.

I, being in relatively good physical condition, tried to buy time, but it wasn’t easy. I could only repeatedly engage and flee while constantly moving south toward the promised destination.

One day passed.

Two days went by.

Every time I changed course to rendezvous with companions who had left traces, I discovered new corpses. Damn it, they were all bodies of young knights we had rescued together with Deshero…

As time passed, an overwhelming anxiety attacked me.

How many had died?

How far had the front lines been pushed back?

What about Raphael and Deshero?

What about Natasha?

Beyond my ceaseless steps, I suddenly saw a human figure standing alone under the moon.

The Swordmaster.

Sitting on crushed fallen leaves with his eyes gently closed, he seemed as unreal as a vain dream.

Without time to feel relief, I approached the Swordmaster as if bewitched and belatedly recognized the existence he was protecting.

‘Raphael?’

The moment I discovered Raphael lying motionless, my entire body was consumed by heart-stopping terror.

Was he dead?

Really?

This wasn’t a joke? Oh. Dear God. Could it be, truly, that Raphael…

“Shh.”

“…”

“He is reaching a new realm. His ears are opening, so please maintain silence.”

Realm.

I didn’t know what it meant, but at least it was clear that Raphael before my eyes was perfectly alive.

Ah. I collapsed beside the Swordmaster and caught my breath, and the blurry surroundings gradually became clear.

How many minutes had passed like that? The stench of demons began to drift from not far away.

“…How much longer will this take?”

“I cannot be certain. It seems at least a couple more hours will be needed.”

We’d rested enough by now. I carefully got up and whispered.

“I’ll draw their attention.”

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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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