The Peaceful Life of a Maid Who Hides Her Power and Enjoys It

<Episode 117>

 

Bait.

 

At first glance, it didn’t seem to be a grand role, but if you thought about it, it was clear what Raphael was asking from me.

 

“Are you planning to reveal my relationship with Andert to the world?”

“It’s convenient that you don’t need an explanation.”

 

The other party were those who seeked the dead bodies of the fallen of the Magic War. The moment I revealed myself as someone related to Andert, they would naturally approach me first.

 

‘….resurrection research.’

 

Research that studied reviving the deceased. More specifically, their purpose was to revive some of the warriors who sacrificed themselves in the Magic War.

 

For once, it didn’t seem like a normal purpose at all.

 

“Can I truly lure them out of hiding?”

“Yes. If it’s Natasha Millorge Penrotta, she will willingly fall into the trap.”

 

Wait a moment, now.

 

“…Natasha?”

My mind went blank at the unexpected name.

Was he talking about the Natasha I knew?

 

“I’m not sure if you’ve heard of <Berithlet>.”

I responded to his question in a dazed state.

“The underground Information Guild.”

“That’s the image they keep on the outside. In reality, they are the hounds of the Imperial family responsible for covering up the dirty deeds of the royal family and conducting magic research. They operate under the leadership of Princess Natasha.”

 

“….”

 

Berithlet and the Imperial Family.

Before I’d left the Weatherwoods mansion, the assassin-butler had suggested a similar situation.

 

“It seems that <Berithlet> is backed by people who are far more dangerous than we expected. We need to come up with a new plan of action. We’ll discuss the details when you return.”

 

The scattered puzzle pieces fit together perfectly.

‘The reason why Berithlet has so many branches across the country and still continues to expand… it’s to find my body.’

 

Natasha was the owner of Berithlet.

And the hidden objective of Berithlet was Resurrection Research.

My mind became tangled with the incessant influx of information.

 

The weight of life would inevitably become lighter in the process of such a research. I cannot be certain of how deeply Natasha has delved into this, but as her obsession with resurrection grows…

 

‘Those studies will become no different from the biological experiments Mephisto’s army did.’

 

My mouth went dry. What could have happened to her after the war?

 

“Natasha, the Princess.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Wasn’t she a participant in the Magic War? I heard that Mephisto’s army conducted horrific biological experiments…”

 

“You want to ask why Princess Natasha, who witnessed such horrors with her own eyes, would engage herself in similar activities.”

 

Raphael questioned me with a cold gaze.

 

“In that case, let me ask you one thing. If the reason behind her actions is justified, would you support Princess Natasha?”

 

The words ‘Princess Natasha’ coming out of his mouth felt like he was referring to a stranger. It was a completely foreign attitude compared to the past.

 

The relationship between Raphael and Natasha had fallen under.

The chill that I felt emanating from hm everytime he mentioned her name confirmed this fact. It was difficult for me to understand the new animosity between my old colleagues after suddenly encountering them.

 

But the moment I met Raphael’s unwavering, direct gaze.

 

“I do not attach much significance to her actions and judgments. Likewise, I have no intention of condoning or turning a blind eye.”

 

Ah, I vividly remembered the person named “Raphael” that I had forgotten until now.

“Otherwise, I would have no face to show to our fallen comrades.”

 

Raphael had always been like this.

 

Raphael always walked a straight line. He did not waver between right and wrong. His judgment did not falter in the face of desire.

 

Therefore, Raphael treating Natasha like a stranger meant…

It was a pledge of his own to not let himself be swayed by old sentiments.

 

‘But why did Natasha choose to follow a path that deserves condemnation?’

Considering Raphael’s firm and ruthless attitude, the probability of Natasha conducting resurrection research for national purposes was low.

 

‘But it’s just a guess. I won’t get a definite answer by thinking like this. In the end, I have no choice but to meet Natasha in person.’

 

Yes, ultimately, joining hands with Raphael seemed to be the best course of action.

…But it wasn’t the optimal solution.

 

“I’ll be honest with you. I understand your intentions. I also fully understand why you demanded a secret oath from me. However, all that is none of my business.”

 

If I looked at this situation from a slightly different point of view, I could reach a better conclusion.

That is, the conclusion that Raphael had something he wanted from me.

 

As soon as one side has something the other side wants, the balance of a relationship becomes disrupted. Because the power dynamic tends to tilt to one direction.

 

“Judging by the way you speak, it looks like my sister has something she wants from me.”

“Do you think so?”

“No need to drag it out. I know firsthand how short-tempered my sister can be from what happened yesterday.”

 

Your perception is disgustingly accurate, Raphael.

 

“There is something among your possessions that I want.”

“Please tell me.”

“The Relic of Dian Cecht.”

 

I didn’t think Raphael would comply with my request so easily.

It was a treasure that even the swordmaster tried to obtain through his successors. Dian Cecht’s relics must hold a significant importance to Raphael as well.

 

‘But this is also important to Raphael.’

I wondered which side held more weight for him.

 

“…Yesterday’s incident, it wasn’t an act after all.”

 

If it was an act, are you implying there was fake bloodshed?

 

“No matter how skilled I am, it’s difficult for me to fake vomiting blood, little brother. Did you really demand my cooperation without trusting me?”

 

“I left room for doubt just in case. But if you’re targeting that relic, can I take it to mean that your life is in danger?”

 

“If you promise to hand over the item, I’ll tell you.”

“There’s no reason for me not to hand over something as insignificant as an old cage to my sister.”

 

He was agreeing too easily. With suspicion in my mind, I asked.

 

“You must know that it’s not just some old junk but a valuable treasure, right?”

“I’ll say it again.”

 

Raphael turned to me with a firm expression and spoke with a tone that indicated he wouldn’t entertain any further questions.

 

“If you’re truly Andert’s sister… then a relic left by a long-gone wise man holds no value to me.”

 

I could be certain. 

He wasn’t lying.

 

‘Then why were you collecting the relics?’

I wasn’t sure what he was thinking, but I was glad he handed it over willingly anyway.

 

“Now it’s your turn to answer my question.”

Was he still asking if my life was in danger?

 

Dian Cecht was a renowned healer worldwide. Moreover, rumors say that his relics could cure any incurable disease. So, there were only two reasons why people would covet them.

The desire to collect and the desire to heal.

 

Since Raphael readily vowed to hand over Dian Cecht’s relic, I decided to be honest in my response as well.

 

Besides, it didn’t seem like I could hide it from this quick-witted guy for long anyway.

 

“You’re right. I don’t have much time left, and I’ve been collecting Dian Cecht’s relics as my last hope.”

“Then, did you approach me because of that item?”

 

Half of me felt guilty, while the other half felt unjustly accused.

 

“That makes no sense. Who approached whom first? Don’t you remember that your attention was on me from our first meeting?”

 

At that moment, Raphael’s footsteps came to a halt.

 

We had unknowingly arrived at the main hall of the mansion. In the center of the grand hall, there stood a single piece of old junk, proudly displayed.

 

…Antique junk? In the Zenail Manor, junk?

I carefully examined the neatly placed junk with a sense of disbelief. The object turned out to be a cage.

 

‘I guess this item…’

 

It was Dian Cecht’s relic. Specifically, it fit the description of the fourth relic, Dian Cecht’s cage.

 

“You’ve displayed it so openly.”

 

Some people are in a hurry to hide these things, you know.

“Of course, it was acquired for the purpose of exhibition.”

 

To exhibit it, huh? I was genuinely curious about who he intended to show it to.

 

‘…well, at least that means Raphael’s health is fine. That’s a relief.’

 

I was worried that putting Dian Cecht’s relic as a condition might harm Raphael’s health but it seemed like there were no major issues. I couldn’t think about any other reason other than materialistic desires.

 

“Let me ask one last question. Even though it’s an important item, can you hand it over to me?”

“You are more important now.”

 

An affirmation that allowed no room for doubt.

‘…To consider me important and offer it so sincerely. I’m more grateful than you think.’

 

The more I talked with Raphael, the more it felt like he was giving me this cage out of genuine goodwill rather than for the purpose of a transaction.

 

Was he showing me this kindness simply because I was Andert’s sister?

Was the guilt he felt towards the deceased Andert, me, such a heavy burden on Raphael?