The Peaceful Life Of A Maid Who Hides Her Power And Enjoys It - Chapter 314
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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 112
Standing before the wide-open main gate of the Imperial Palace, I slowly looked around at the imperial knights surrounding me, the flashes sparkling like lightning beyond them, and the empire’s citizens with faces full of joy.
“Pager! Pager! Pager!”
Each voice chanting the name was filled with sincere joy and reverence.
Rather than making my blood flow faster, that fact slowly settled my reason and emotions into the dark depths below.
“Pager! Pager! Pager! Pager!”
It’s a cheer that can never belong to me.
Suddenly, the faces of fallen comrades appeared before my eyes. I seemed to hear inaudible screams from somewhere far away.
If I hadn’t achieved unity of mind and body… would I have been able to stand here on my own two legs, unharmed?
“Andert.”
But I am alive now.
I have people to protect again, and someone to be with.
As I recognized that fact, the skeletal specter of the dead turned its head away from me, and the long-lasting screams faded away to the distant sky above.
Only then was I able to take a step.
I walked onto the red carpet that was neither long nor short, laid out to welcome me.
As if they had been waiting, the imperial honor guard’s parade ceremony was held.
The honor guards lined up on both sides raised their golden swords high into the sky with precise movements. The sword blades sparkling in the sunlight were as brilliant as stars.
Behind them, I saw quite familiar faces. On the right were the Jenail Knights, and on the left were the Berkleighton Knights, who placed their hands on their left chests in turn as I passed by.
Liwein’s eyes sparkled so much as he looked at me. It made me want to play some silly prank.
Now the platform where the Emperor stood didn’t seem too far away.
‘…Is he dying?’
The Emperor’s face, clearly visible even from a distance, was distinctly pale.
In just four years, the Emperor had withered like an old tree and seemed like a different person. Supported by Natasha and standing with a hunched back, he looked as if he might collapse to the ground at any moment.
‘He doesn’t seem to be in any condition to move around.’
Did he have no choice but to come out because of me?
The honorary medal ceremony takes place once a year in late summer in Ragal, the capital of the Pen Rota Empire.
The opportunity goes to those who have made clear contributions to Pen Rota’s development and security, and the Emperor personally awards first-class medals in the fields of military merit, national service, and diplomacy. If there are no recipients, it is postponed indefinitely until new recipients are determined.
According to Natasha, I was a recipient who appeared after two years.
Furthermore, according to her explanation, I already possessed a first-class medal (that I didn’t know about) from eight years ago.
At that time, I received the Imperial Grand Military Merit Medal, and this year I would receive the Imperial Grand National Service Medal. She said that within the past 100 years, the first-class medal recipients were only Weatherwax Baroness, Rosebel Count, Raphael, and myself.
I heard that Natasha also recently had an opportunity to be included in the above list, but she refused without hesitation. It seemed she still felt great guilt about the incident four years ago.
Below the platform, two men were waiting for me.
The first person I had to shake hands with was the Emperor’s sword, Viscount Berkligriton, standing on the left.
“You’ve returned alive once again. I pay my respects to your survival skills.”
It was a familiar jest.
“Even if you pretend otherwise, it seems you wish for my death.”
“How could that be? I’m simply proud.”
Suddenly, Weatherwax Baroness, who had been gazing into the distant void, slowly released my hand.
“Proud… and also pitiful. Your fate of never having peaceful days.”
Passing by his meaningful expression, I stood before the man on his left.
Short ash-colored hair and bright wave-colored eyes. Thin but solidly built without excess. Moreover, one who had become Spolia’s hands and feet.
Duke Brugbansel, facing me, showed his white teeth and smiled brightly.
“Knight Andert Pager… No, I should call you Baron Fedegail now, shouldn’t I? I’m truly delighted to meet you again like this.”
At his genuine smile, I also smiled appropriately back and shook his hand.
“Yes, I’m glad to see you too.”
“Ah! Looking back, time has flowed as fast as running water. Really, imagine! A reunion after not one year, not four years, but eight whole years? Pen Rota without the Baron has had historically cold winters. Ah. Do you happen to know which is the coldest sea? How chilling. Haha.”
Here it starts. This man is exactly the same even after eight years. I stepped back slightly to withdraw my hand from the handshake.
However, Duke Brugbansel, as if he couldn’t tolerate such behavior from me, gripped my hand even tighter and pulled me closer. Then he whispered:
“Aren’t you curious about why Garoush Berkleygraton isn’t visible? I heard that he and the Baron are siblings with a tearful past.”
Garrosh.
It’s a name that’s not at all welcome to hear from this mouth. When I applied counter-pressure to our clasped hands, I heard a pained groan.
“Come now. Ease up on the strength? I was simply surprised. To think that you of all people would… Ah! I can’t speak carelessly here. Haha- Don’t worry, would this Duke Brugbansel dare do anything to a national hero? That wouldn’t be right.”
“What are you trying to say?”
His smile deepened.
“Your sibling has left on a long journey to find your parents.”
“…”
“…I wonder if our Weatherwax Baroness knows this fact as well. Valuable information, isn’t it? Well then, I wish you good fortune.”
I instinctively looked back at Weatherwax Baroness.
As always maintaining his composure, his gaze was still directed not at me but somewhere beyond the Imperial Palace’s main gate.
Right there.
In the direction where Spolia stood.
I climbed the platform without turning my head once.
The Emperor was already being supported by Inastasia. The young Crown Prince stood beside them both, standing there blankly. He had an unusually mature atmosphere for his age.
Natasha approached with tearful eyes, draped a black cloak over my shoulders, and whispered:
“Don’t misunderstand, Andert. This is simply a performance to hold back tears…”
“Natasha, just listen quietly. Spolia is here.”
Her clear blue eyes widened greatly, then immediately turned cold. I calmly warned her:
“I have a bad feeling. It would be good to raise the Imperial Palace defense system to the highest level. To Rosebel Count and the others…”
“I understand, Andert. I’ll relay the message. Thank you for the warning.”
Swirling the cumbersome cloak, I quickly closed the distance that felt unusually long.
Finally, I stood before the Emperor.
As I knelt on one knee and paid my respects, a completely hoarse voice began to echo in the sky.
“We have gathered here today to honor a hero.”
At the same time, a voice as rough as the Emperor’s echoed in my head.
[Hello, Daisy.]
That man’s voice, Spolia’s.
[Shall we start our bet? With everything you have… and everything I have at stake.]
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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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