The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 277

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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 75

This is also a question I feel like I’ve heard somewhere before.

When was it? Since I can’t recall, it probably wasn’t a very important moment.

“Did I overdo something? I don’t think I have any memory of that.”

Looking back, the journey from Korpinium Base to Solitorc was nothing if not peaceful.

When I first learned about the existence of the ‘Wall of Fire,’ I thought that the moment we crossed that line, half-crazed Followers of Rin would swarm us like bees and set off flame balls from all directions.

The only element that could be considered problematic was the people themselves. But even this could be considered insignificant when viewed from afar. After all, the team wasn’t disbanded and there were no casualties.

However, Solitorc had become ash from fire.

The mission was ultimately a failure.

In a failed mission, descriptions like ‘overdoing it’ couldn’t exist.

The Sword Master, who had been staring at me intently, answered while fingering the sword at his waist.

“…Sending the kids outside was a mistake. It may have been pure goodwill on your part, but you didn’t think about what kind of treatment children who left the Wall of Fire would receive.”

For a scolding, his voice was calm to the point of being deeply subdued.

However, his eyes, which had been dull like dead fish for the past few days, were not blurry but clear. Just like that first day we met at Trash Hill.

“Even if they’re lucky enough to get outside the Wall of Fire, the children will immediately be detained by the Legion. If war with Rin is declared, they’ll be pointed out as a contributing factor and bear the brunt of public criticism.”

“Hey, Sword Master.”

I moved my steps to stand in front of him.

He’s not the type to waste time on meaningless small talk. What kind of warning does he want to give now? Before my suspicion, I had something I wanted to say.

“Did you gather the children from Trash Hill after considering each of those factors?”

The Sword Master’s eyes sharpened as if a weakness had been caught.

“What do you want to hear from me? What, should I answer that I was born with a meddlesome nature and deep compassion, so I couldn’t stand to watch orphaned siblings wander around looking for a way to survive?”

But objectively speaking, I wasn’t particularly meddlesome or compassionate.

Basically, I have no interest in others. I don’t know about my innate personality, but I remember constantly striving to be that way in the past. It was because I judged that being emotional was disadvantageous for survival.

“Right, it’s meddling. But I can’t help it. I know that kindness received during the hardest times becomes the motivation to endure and live for a lifetime. If someone knew that, wouldn’t they make the same choice as me? Even if it wasn’t necessarily me, someone would.”

Yes, someone would.

Like Lu or like Raphael. Just as they did for me, they would willingly extend their hand first.

I know this fact now. Knowing this, I wanted to help the weak who must be helped. At least those who had the courage to take the hand I extended.

“No.”

However, the Sword Master firmly denied my assertion.

No, not content with just denying it, he wore a self-deprecating smile and silently looked down at the sword hilt he had been fingering.

“That’s not right. Not everyone can make the same choice as you, Andert Pager.”

What a pessimistic guy.

And unfortunately, I lacked the eloquence to persuade someone. I had no choice but to accept it.

“Yeah. You’re right, you are. I’m short-sighted, so when I see pitiful guys, my body moves before my head. I’m a born sucker.”

I thought he might snap and bite my hand if I patted his head, so I compromised and patted his shoulder instead.

As expected, the Sword Master glared at my hand with eyes filled not just with displeasure but disgust, then shook off his shoulder. …Or so I thought the ending would be.

Why is he being so docile for once?

The silence was bitter, so I lightly squeezed his shoulder and let go. At that moment, I realized again. Despite being barely over twenty, the Sword Master had eyes that someone his age simply couldn’t possess.

Was I like this at this age too?

But didn’t I have countless comrades by my side? Does this guy have such people around him too? If he mentions the Golden Mage or some jewelry when I ask about companions, my heart might ache a little.

Same with Jin. I don’t know why all the kids these days have such unfortunate personal histories. The world is this dangerous.

“You shouldn’t overdo it either, and when the time comes, obediently return to the Wall of Fire. There are kids waiting anxiously at Trash Hill, right? You should make the first move before some jewelry loses patience and comes looking.”

Some jewelry? The Sword Master furrowed his brow with puzzled eyes, then realized which person I was referring to and sighed.

“…Her family is planning to buy the land at Trash Hill and begin redevelopment. She’s just childishly throwing tantrums and putting in all her effort, but she’s not vicious enough to threaten the children.”

The Sword Master’s assessment, having been with her for years, would be more accurate than mine after seeing her for just a few days. When I nodded to show I understood, the Sword Master suddenly stared at my waist.

“You’re the first Inspector I’ve ever seen walking around empty-handed like that. Is it the leisure of the strong?”

It was quite an unexpected change of topic. What’s with this guy? Is he feeling some unprecedented pity because I’m being stalked by Rin? His attempt at trivial small talk felt suspiciously odd.

“That’s not it. I just kept forgetting to bring one…”

The Sword Master’s gaze filled with sticky disdain. When I stood there quietly with nothing to say, he thrust something at my chest.

“Use that when you need it.”

It was a sword.

The sword that had been hanging at the Sword Master’s waist.

-Must protect.

The sword that held the Black Knight’s nauseating resonance.

It was a generous and unhesitating act of charity, as if caring for an elderly person who had embarked on a difficult path.

Charity.

I hate to say this, but.

“I’m Andert Pager.”

The Sword Master looked at me with eyes that said ‘so what’ and answered.

“I have another sword, so it doesn’t matter if I’m missing one.”

He has another sword? I don’t see it. Is it a magic sword?

“Then why don’t you just use dual swords? That would look cool.”

I heard the sound of a cold tongue click.

“Can’t you just quietly accept it when it’s given? You must know that every time you act so childishly, you’re smearing filth on your name, right?”

There’s no curse like this curse. It’s not like my name is made of diamonds, so if it gets a little filth on it… no, but still, filth is a bit much.

‘An Inspector abandoning his own sword?’

If it were a sword meant to be used briefly and discarded, that would be different.

-Protect.

Having such clear resonance means they’ve gone through life and death together for a long time. So even trying to borrow it would be awkward. Because it can never become my sword forever.

“Well. Fine. Since you’re giving it, I’ll take it. Just know that I can’t guarantee when I’ll return it.”

As I passed him while holding the scabbard, the Sword Master’s withered voice faded behind me.

“We’ll meet again soon anyway.”

When I looked back at the Sword Master again. He had the same heavily settled, gloomy eyes as the day before.

“Noisy. Yeah, I know. I… I can’t escape from my karma.”

Is it a soliloquy? Or an answer?

While the Sword Master’s figure grew distant, hidden by the ash heap, I couldn’t easily take a step.

He’s becoming increasingly precarious. Should I say it’s fortunate that guy left the party? But having no one by his side also means no one can help him.

‘Maybe it would be better if I dragged him along.’

But he’s not the type to be dragged along quietly either. While I was just worrying, he eventually went his own way and disappeared without a trace.

I guess that means it’s ultimately fate.

“You’re unusually concerned, Daisy.”

I shrugged my shoulders while facing Lu, who was approaching leisurely.

“You know. That guy’s a Black Knight. If he’s unlucky, he’ll fall into complete assimilation before crossing the Wall of Fire.”

“Was it a sense of kinship?”

“…Probably.”

After swallowing saliva that felt particularly bitter.

I unfolded the last note Michèle had left.

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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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