The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 212

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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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Part 2, Chapter 10

 

* * *

 

Day 9.

 

“Who did you learn swordsmanship from?”

 

“….”

 

“It seems like you had a teacher. Did you learn at the Royal Academy?”

 

“…What’s it to you.”

 

“It’s terrible. You learned from the Swindler, didn’t you?”

 

“Shut up! I’ll improve quickly with practice, ugh!”

 

“I told you not to move. Your arm dropped. Raise it higher.”

 

The young boy who got hit with the tree branch grumbled but raised his arm as commanded.

 

It was definitely a stance that showed traces of sword training.

 

Though I kept criticizing his terrible fundamentals, it was basically a highly refined body. It was quite interesting how he maintained such a physique despite not eating properly.

 

‘A perfectly natural-born body.’

 

And above all.

 

“Damn it, how long do I have to keep practicing this kind of swordsmanship? Forget it! I don’t have time for this… ugh!”

 

I educated his insolent hand that threw down the sword with my tree branch.

 

“Don’t be greedy. I don’t know what family’s swordsmanship you’re trying to learn, but it’s not at a level you can learn with your current skill.”

 

“Hah. How ridiculous… Then what kind of swordsmanship is this that you’re teaching me? Is it trashy swordsmanship that trash can learn?”

 

As if.

 

That swordsmanship was one I had stolen by eye from a man called a hero, mimicked, and modified in my own way.

 

Desperate to survive against demons, I had trained defensive swordsmanship based on the hero’s techniques to protect my head and heart.

 

Though I say this now, back then I didn’t even know my swordsmanship was defensive. To me, it was just a means to avoid death.

 

But this swordsmanship is more precious to me than any other. Because….

 

It was the reason Raphael, angered by my low-level thievery, first spoke to me.

 

* * *

 

First year of the Mage War outbreak.

 

That day was when sweat and blood were washed away by pouring torrential rain.

 

“Is running away all you can do after secretly stealing and learning?”

 

Our scouting party was annihilated.

 

It wasn’t an unexpected result. Though called a scouting party, our role was essentially to serve as bait consumed in identifying the Demon General’s southward route.

 

“I’m not quite sure what you mean.”

 

“If you took my swordsmanship, don’t just run away—save others.”

 

People like me were usually selected for such bait roles. Those without connections, young, without exceptional skills, and of low value as warriors.

 

That’s why Raphael’s joining was quite puzzling.

 

Though his family had declined, he was still to inherit a title, had excellent killing skills that drew attention from above, and possessed outstanding leadership to guide his peers—I never expected him to volunteer for such dangerous and wasteful duty.

 

Everyone tried to dissuade Raphael, but he ultimately joined us.

 

Even thinking back, it was strange.

 

“If I didn’t run away well, I wouldn’t have at least saved my life like now, would I?”

 

“Wrong, Andert. You didn’t survive by running away. Everyone except you and me was annihilated because you ran away.”

 

He even knows my name.

 

“Why are you looking at me with those eyes?”

 

“I was thinking that all strong people think that way.”

 

“….”

 

“That’s right. If it’s not my fault for being unable to save even one comrade despite stealing and copying, then whose fault would it be? It’s my fault that my island burned, my fault that my family died in battle, and my fault that this unit was annihilated.”

 

I stood up and took steps toward the cave entrance. The sound of rain would mask my presence, making it perfect for hiding from demons.

 

“I can’t kill the Leader too, so I’ll return on my own. I’ll see you alive then.”

 

Fortunately, the forest wasn’t too dark.

 

“You didn’t seem to have that kind of personality. You’re more twisted than I thought.”

 

The surprising thing was that Raphael followed me without hesitation. I thought someone so strong and with such high expectations from above would have tremendous pride, but it was different from my expectations.

 

“I wasn’t trying to mock you.”

 

“I’m sure you weren’t.”

 

“I want to ask one thing. Who did you learn swordsmanship from?”

 

“I never learned it. If I had to say, I learned from the Leader’s sword. Thanks to copying that sword, I was able to preserve my life.”

 

Pushing back his soaked blond hair, Raphael looked at me with disbelieving eyes.

 

“Are you serious?”

 

“Everything I’ve said to the Leader so far has been sincere.”

 

“…It seems so. Attributing everything to yourself wasn’t a joke either.”

 

Suddenly, a chilling presence struck my back.

 

I instinctively gripped my sword hilt. Though my crushed shoulder creaked, there was no time to rest. Red eyes flashed through the gaps in the pouring rain.

 

Then, Raphael blocked me and stepped forward.

 

“Listen well, Andert. What I was trying to tell you is.”

 

It was a clean strike.

 

To think I was trying to steal such technique.

 

I felt a moment of faint self-loathing but didn’t show it. I would struggle by any means to survive. That fact would never change.

 

Crack.

 

Whether it had been a scout like us, he crushed the head of the small but fast and agile demon and looked back at me. With the same calm and upright gaze as always.

 

“What I was trying to tell you was, why do you stay still when you have such skill?”

 

“…Are you telling trash like me to steal with more passion and sincerity?”

 

Raphael smiled bitterly.

 

“The opposite. Outstanding talent must be shown to the world, Andert. That way many people get inspired and try to unite. Running away helps with survival, but that’s all.”

 

“….”

 

“We are the weak. So we can’t stop at just surviving. Many people will look at your back and move forward from now on. You’ll have to show them an example, Andert.”

 

I didn’t know what he glimpsed in me to say such things, but Raphael’s words sounded like he was forcing sacrifice upon me.

 

What made me feel worse was that I couldn’t find any malice or arrogance in Raphael who spouted such words.

 

‘I’m not the one who doesn’t act according to my looks—it’s you.’

 

Who would have thought he’d play the nagging role with that decent face. He’s quite meddlesome too.

 

Swallowing a sigh, I turned my body in the opposite direction from where the demon had attacked.

 

“I understand roughly.”

 

“I don’t feel any sincerity.”

 

“You’re quite perceptive. It doesn’t seem like there’s just one, so let’s move first. I’ve roughly organized the southward route in my head too.”

 

Washing his blade in the rainwater, he followed behind me with a small laugh.

 

“You too will someday understand the true meaning of my words, Andert. The fate of those who possess power….”

 

* * *

 

Right.

 

Now I understand a little of the true intention behind those words.

 

Was it because I never expected to realize it in a place like this? My feelings were somewhat strange.

 

“Are you just standing there? What kind of swordsmanship is it?”

 

After careful consideration, I answered solemnly.

 

“Demon Sword Technique 0th Form: Hero Theft Method.”

 

At that, the young boy sighed with disbelieving eyes.

 

“Are you serious? That bug-like naming….”

 

“You’re the first person I’ve passed this on to, young boy.”

 

The other person’s face turned strangely red.

 

“So, so what? I’m not grateful at all for learning swordsmanship with such a tacky name!”

 

The young boy who grumbled and moved away glanced at my face, then began concentrating on basic practice again.

 

Watching the process of the sword’s path, which had been unfamiliar and awkward at first, come to contain the young boy’s own dominance and confidence, I reflected on Raphael’s words.

 

“Outstanding talent must be shown to the world, Andert.”

 

‘You were right, Raphael. Beautiful talent inspires.’

 

The young boy’s talent is extraordinary.

 

More than anything else, the way she gritted her teeth and immersed herself in practice to refine herself reminded me of Raphael. Though their personalities are complete opposites.

 

Could this meeting really be a coincidence?

 

I had never watched Jin practice so intently like this. Looking back, I never properly played the role of a teacher for her. Even though it was a time when I had no leisure, I felt a bit regretful.

 

That night.

 

While thinking about which aspects I would focus on if I were to meet Jin again, I ended up filling an entire sheet of paper.

 

‘Teaching is quite an interesting thing.’

 

I should tell Lu.

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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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