The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 271

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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 69

The Sword Master was silent for a moment.

Andert Pager.

To think that man was the target of this mission. As he stared with suspicion at this unexpected mention, his counterpart, Black Mask, added in an emotionless voice.

“Deus’ Crucible was promised.”

“…”

“If you succeed in this mission, Lord Spolia will bestow Deus’ Crucible upon you. After that, you’ll lead the Divine Knight Order and drive out Rien.”

Snicker. The Sword Master didn’t hide his hollow laugh.

“It’s not like stealing the neighbor’s mutt. Does that man die just because you kill him?”

He recalled the moment he faced Andert Pager at Trash Hill.

His opponent showed not a trace of killing intent or tension even when facing the Sword Master. A swordsman whose level couldn’t be gauged. For the first time in years, the Sword Master felt an instinctive sense of crisis.

If it had been his usual self, he wouldn’t have easily crossed swords with a strong opponent like Andert Pager.

But given the location, he couldn’t just let him go. When fearless brats were swinging wooden sticks around, he thought he might need to prepare for death.

But Andert Pager quietly withdrew.

It was fortunate for the brats.

‘Those kids spouted stupid nonsense about him not seeming like a bad person, not knowing anything.’

Andert Pager cannot be trusted.

Whatever actions he showed in the past and whatever reputation he built on the continent, the fact that he’s a dangerous person with unknown purpose and intentions doesn’t change.

Those who hide their true intentions inherently possess base habits. Just like the Sword Master himself.

“I’ve already crossed swords with him once. He’s not someone I can handle. Even if you and I joined forces, we’d only manage to scratch him once or twice. Sorry, but tell them I have no intention of committing suicide.”

“Sword Master.”

Black Mask, who called him briefly, habitually fingered his necklace as he continued.

“Rien is no longer useful to that person. The plan is to uproot them before they cause more trouble. Eliminating Andert Pager is a task that must be accomplished in that process.”

“…What reason is there to necessarily deal with him?”

“Do we need to know that person’s intentions?”

Black Mask was someone who had assisted Spolia for an immeasurably long time that the Sword Master couldn’t fathom. He was such a secretive existence that even the Divine Knight Order didn’t know his identity well.

Spolia kept Black Mask closer than even the Divine Knight Order, which was composed of his ‘most precious children.’

Black Mask carried out classified missions that even the Divine Knight Order couldn’t know about, and occasionally approached them to convey Spolia’s messages. Just like now.

“You are one of the children that person cherishes most, so you have the qualification to possess Deus’ Crucible.”

Well. What Spolia truly dotes on is Dunain. That woman is the most ‘successful’ child, after all.

Indeed, Dunain was an obedient success story on a different level from himself, who didn’t regard Spolia as a real parent.

But the Sword Master didn’t bother to voice the thoughts in his head.

Which child Spolia cherished most wasn’t important.

The Sword Master had experienced his whims to the fullest. As long as he didn’t fall out of Spolia’s favor and get abandoned as a child, Spolia’s utility value was sufficient just with that.

“The deadline is until we leave the Wall of Fire. Don’t disappoint that person, Sword Master.”

Black Mask disappeared through the thicket.

Andert Pager, huh.

‘This has become troublesome.’

“The weak are meant to be protected, not used. You must never forget that.”

The Sword Master quickly erased his voice that came to mind.

It doesn’t matter. Since he received the mission, what kind of person Andert Pager is doesn’t matter.

He had already abandoned many things to come this far. To achieve his purpose, he could become an even greater villain.

…His head was dizzy.

The Sword Master shook his head to correct his blurrily swaying vision.

His steps were drawn into even deeper darkness. People’s voices gradually grew distant. His five senses became muffled as if he had fallen into water.

Then suddenly.

A thorn-like arm stretched out from beyond the swamp-like thicket and strangled the Sword Master’s neck.

[Why did you run away?]

His two feet wouldn’t budge as if they had taken root underground.

Hah, hah. Breathing heavily, he squeezed his eyes shut and opened them. But the hand choking his neck didn’t disappear.

A blood-stained white face whispered, soaked in resentment.

[Why did you run away, young boy.]

“…I.”

[I trusted you. Why couldn’t you stab Rien?]

I’m sorry, I. I just…

Hot flames poured over his blocked throat. Thump thump. His heart beat as if it would swell and burst at any moment.

When he looked around while clutching his chest.

The surroundings were already covered with bright red fire demons.

Whiiiiik-

A whistle blows.

The Sword Master ran away.

…No, I can’t run away. I can’t abandon that woman and go. He turned around again. In the pitch-black smoke, his vision was only dark and gloomy.

Which way is it?

Where should I go back?

How on earth should I save that woman…!

Whiiiiik-

Hot wind strikes his cheek and pours down.

The fog lifted and before he knew it, he was standing on corpses piled up like a mountain. No, this isn’t a mountain. This place was Trash Hill.

The land where he spent his last childhood.

That land where irreversible eternal hell resided.

Crackle, crackle. Beyond the burning corpses, he sees a dying woman.

Disheveled brown hair. A white face that had given up everything and lost all hope.

Yet light green eyes that were solely gazing at him.

[Run away.]

No.

I can’t. I can’t do that. I won’t run away anymore.

The Sword Master tore off the corpses clinging like leeches and ran frantically. And he shouted with all his might.

“Wait! I can save you! I can save you now, damn it!”

[Shut your mouth and run away right now…!]

Anxiety.

Worry.

Those passionate and warm emotions that made her eyes waver… suddenly lost their light.

His running slowed down. He sees something on her left chest that shouldn’t be seen. On the demon’s hand that bloomed like a flower, a dark red lump of blood sat demurely.

The heart beats.

Thump, thump.

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, no, no, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, stop it, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, no!

Crack.

Blood spurted like a fountain and the woman collapsed like a puppet with cut strings.

The demon’s hand regained its freedom.

Drip, drip. Licking the heart’s blood dripping from his fingertips. Rien’s eerie purple eyes looked back at him.

[Run. You fool.]

The fire went out.

Hahahaha… The mockery announcing the loser’s exit echoed all around.

The Sword Master instinctively stepped backward.

[Disappear.]

He runs away once again. As always, he betrayed the woman. The weak Sword Master hides his form in the darkness…

[That’s all you can do. Haha. Run away! Flee! Disappear far away by yourself! You pathetic bastard… traitor! Ahahaha!]

The Sword Master leaped into the fire.

The young boy from four years ago, pitifully small and shabby, passes by.

The young boy who went down the mountain holding her pearl sword.

The young boy who hid his body underground and cried endlessly.

The young boy who survived at the edge of death and resolved on revenge.

What stood at the end of the path he had reached by continuing relentlessly, persisting, enduring, and pressing forward was.

“Hey, young man.”

“….”

“Are you okay? Are you dozing off while standing?”

Light green eyes.

At that earnest color, the Sword Master awakened from death and drew in a long breath as if having a seizure.

Fingertips cool with the night air lightly touched his cheek. He grasped the other person with desperate hope, but soon realized it was a futile dream and let go.

“You don’t look well. Go back to the Camp Site of Team 2 and rest….”

“Forget it. Leave me alone.”

The receding darkness whispered to him.

[The nightmare never ends. Forever.]

Yes, it won’t end.

That was what he wished for.

He had already made his resolution long ago.

At the end of this nightmare, he would surely kill Rien and achieve his revenge.

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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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