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

<Episode 127>

 

I couldn’t give any answer.

Unlike how I forcefully denied it to Desherro, the swordmaster wasn’t someone I could easily give a dismissal to.

It was because I knew he wasn’t the type of person to make a statement without any evidence.

 

“You’ve improved.”

The swordmaster quietly muttered as he examined me, his appearance as detached as Rue’s.

 

“I can’t hear that nasty resonance anymore. Is it your own experience that has led you to ‘not discard or dominate’? You must be the first person to cross two walls as a sword-demon, Sir Andert.”

 

“…I am not Andert, but his sister.”

“I wonder if you’re not aware of the sour face you make every time you make a lousy excuse.”

 

I just made a hasty excuse because I didn’t want to be caught. It seems like I was a bit obvious.

 

“Did you take an oath with Jean just to ask me if I’m Andert?”

“Yes.”

 

That affirmation also meant that he was confident I would follow Jean.

 

‘Haah.’

Wasn’t it normal to not recognize a man if he turns into a woman?

Why was everyone recognizing me so easily?

And of all people, it of course just had to be Jurian Berkeley-Gratten.

 

The swordmaster was my long-time mentor.

 

Though he’d been keeping an eye on the Weatherwoods for years and kept sending assassins to their door, I still owed him a debt.

Although the swordmaster and I didn’t have an actual disciple-master relationship, the teachings I gained from him served as a great guide for me to walk through the hell of the magic war. It would be impolite to pretend not to know anything when facing such a person.

 

I straightened my posture and bowed my heads towards the swordmaster.

 

“It’s been a while, Duke.”

 

When I didn’t hear a response, I glanced up and saw the swordmaster with a faint smile on his face.

 

“Are you no longer calling me ‘brother’?”

“What? Don’t mess around. When did I ever call the Duke in such a shameless way?”

“Often, when you were drunk.”

 

Thanks to that, embarrassing memories resurfaced.

“I don’t remember it, so forget it too, Duke.”

“Forget? Well, with that appearance, it would suit you more to call me big brother instead of just brother.”

 

For such an old person to make such a joke… it is so not appropriate!

Despite being in his middle age, the swordmaster looked like someone in his late twenties, defying time and renowned for being unmarried. 

 

And even though he was considered old, how old could he really be? Probably not even half of Rue’s age.

 

“I didn’t expect Count Vladiev to reappear under the name of Viscount Weatherwoods.”

“It’s a title that doesn’t feel like mine at all. Vladiev, it’s such an awkward name.”

“Well, you were always someone who had no attachment to wealth and power. That’s why I wanted you as my successor. It’s a shame that didn’t happen.”

 

Successor.

 

“Do you have any intention of officially becoming my disciple after the war ends? With me, you could even surpass Raphael Zenail.”

 

Well, the swordmaster occasionally used to say things like that.

But when the succession of the Berkeley-Gratten was mentioned, a slightly different face came to mind.

 

“Andert…”

 

A question that I couldn’t help but have when facing the swordmaster.

Was it purely a coincidence that Andert became the successor of the Berkeley-Gratten family?

 

The swordmaster, who chuckled softly, threw a sharp question as if he had peered into my mind.

 

“Do you want to ask about Gavroche?”

“…Did you know that Gavroche was my brother?”

“Well…”

 

The swordmaster casually took out an old pocket watch from his pocket and checked the time.

 

“I have about five minutes to spare. Let’s exchange three questions each. How about that?”

 

Five minutes? Did he really come all the way to the Peace Centre if he was so busy just to confirm my identity? It was a behavior truly befitting his personality.

 

“Alright. In that case, let me make your previous question the first one.”

 

“At first, I didn’t know for sure, but I took him in because I was curious. Your detailed habits in using the sword were exactly the same. If you were related by blood, I believed that you would naturally be drawn to Gavroche and eventually come to me. And that’s exactly what happened.”

 

“…Does that mean you were certain that I was alive?”

 

“Yes.”

 

He was certain?

 

‘How?’

 

Was it simply because of his belief in my existence?

While my mind was clouded with confusion, the swordmaster, with his arms crossed, spoke in a calm voice.

 

“That concludes two questions.”

…wait, two questions?

 

“How did that just count as two? It was merely a secondary inquiry at best!”

“Whether it’s secondary or not, a question is still a question. You have only one opportunity left, so think carefully and make good use of it.”

 

They say that people become weaker as they age, but all that became weaker about the swordmaster was his integrity! Let’s say he’s softened a bit compared to before. But what good was it if he also became as sly as a fox?

 

Damn it.

 

“The last question, then.”

 

Should I ask on what basis he was certain that I was alive?

 

‘It is indeed a crucial point to know. However…’

 

Shouldn’t I ask about Dian Cecht’s final relic? It’s obvious he’s been looking for the relic a long time.

 

‘Indeed, this is more important. It is a matter directly related to my life. But I promised to seek help from Raphael regarding Dian Cecht’s final relic.’

…In truth, regardless of those two questions’ importance, only one name kept coming to mind.

 

“…Do you know what Natasha’s purpose is?”

“It seems you know about <Berithlet>. Yes, I do know.”

 

As I suspected. The swordmaster, who lightly agreed, continued.

 

“You must want to meet her. However, even I don’t easily get to see Princess Natasha’s face. She is completely immersed in her lifelong purpose and is being swayed by it, unable to devote herself to live the rest of her life normally. Even if you happen to meet by chance, the image of the princess that you remember will no longer exist. …Do you still believe in Princess Natasha?”

 

“Yes.”

 

When I replied without hesitation, the swordmaster stared at my face.

 I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but my affirmation didn’t hold much significance.

 

I still hadn’t reunited with Natasha. To me, Natasha was the Natasha from four years ago, and I believed in that version of Natasha.

 

The swordmaster closed his eyes deeply, as if contemplating, and slowly parted his lips.

 

“To be honest, I’m not yet sure if it would be beneficial or detrimental for me to let you and Princess Natasha meet.”

 

“What do you mean by that?”

“Even if you subtly ask a question like that, you won’t get an answer.”

“Is that so? Don’t forget that the Duke also already asked me his first question, ‘Do you still believe in Natasha’?

“Oh my… it’s not good to just learn bad things from others.”

 

Now it was the swordmaster’s turn to ask a question. Without any hesitation, he posed his second question.

 

“I’m a little confused right now. Were you originally a woman?”

 

I thought it was a rather peculiar question.

If it were someone else, they would have considered the body I’m currently using as a woman to be fake, just like Desherro did.

 

‘This man said he was sure I was alive.’

Is that why he considered my current body to be real? There was many confusing aspects.

 

“Yes.”

 

“I see… So the existence of ‘Andert’ must have been created based on Gavroche.”

“You managed to catch on well. Even though it didn’t resemble him much.”

“Not only do you have the same habits involving swords, but your dietary habits, including allergies, are also the same. Yet you say you’re not similar? Don’t be silly.”

 

Calling it silly, huh? The only characteristic of Andert’s that resembled me was our affinity for swords.

 

“What is your real name?”

“Should I consider that as your final question?”

“No, forget it. It’s already the last question, even though I don’t feel like I’ve gained much from it.”

“Why weren’t you so generous with your own questions?”

 

Just as I did, I thought the swordmaster would be cautious with his final question. Regardless of the process, he seemed to have many things he was curious about.

 

However, just like with his second question, the swordmaster didn’t hesitate and asked his final question.

 

“Have you encountered any significant issues with your life or lifespan?”

 

I never expected such a blunt question.

‘Does he know I’m searching for Dian Cecht’s relics?’

I couldn’t immediately affirm it and hesitated for a moment.

 

The person in front of me was the swordmaster.

 

He was collecting Dian Cecht’s relics, was involved in the resurrection experiments, and was highly likely to be standing against Raphael.

 

Could I tell him my condition?

“I already know the answer. Why are you hesitating in front of me?”

 

Ah, so you know.

 

“I was just briefly taking a moment to think.”

 

But how do you know?

 

The swordmaster looked at me with a cold, piercing gaze.

 

“Do you think I’m your enemy?”

 

“….”

 

“It’s strange. How can you, who is not even a devil, become my enemy? Ah, that wasn’t a question, I was talking to myself, so don’t answer. Whatever the reason may be, if you want to be cautious in front of me, you’d better get your act straight.”

 

I was about to reflect on the meaning behind his mention of act.

Suddenly, a thick autumn jacket was handed to me. It was the garment the swordmaster was wearing.

 

Instead of immediately accepting it, I gave him a puzzled look, and his cold eyes briefly lingered on my shoulder.

 

‘Ah.’

 

On my exposed shoulder, where there was no cardigan to cover it, were gruesome scars.

A long trail extended from the shoulder to the inside of the armpit. The marks were particularly rough and uneven, considering it had taken 10 stitches.

 

Is this jacket meant to cover the wounds or to cover a woman’s shoulder?

The light question was quickly resolved. Even after I put on the jacket, the swordmaster’s heavy, sunken gaze couldn’t let go of my shoulder.

 

“…Do you remember?”

 

He let out a self-deprecating laugh.

 

“How could I forget? The image of you swinging your tattered arm to cut down the demons is still vivid in my mind. Even though it’s been almost 10 years already.”

 

“…”

 

“I knew you were alive, but… I never thought you’d be suffering like this. It’s my fault. I can only apologize.”

 

“I don’t understand. Why would it be the Duke’s fault?”

 

The words that the swordmaster spoke sounded like a missing piece of an incomplete puzzle. He was certain of my being alive, but he blamed himself…

 

No way.

 

“Your Grace, could it be that you were the one who fed me the Heart Cryst…”

“I will take responsibility.”

“You will… what?”

 

Take responsibility? Take responsibility for what?

 

“Your name has been circulating among the nobles lately. It’s fortunate. If you choose me, there won’t be any major inconveniences.”

 

So, what was that supposed to mean? Choose him as a teacher? Is that what he meant?

Before I could even open my mouth, the swordmaster stood up from his seat.

 

“It’s time. We’ll discuss the details separately at the Hunting Festival. Take care of Jean.”

 

After checking the pocket watch once more, he slightly bowed his waist and covered my shoulders more carefully with the jacket, then left the National Peace Centre without any hesitation.

 

Leaving me and Jean, deeply asleep, alone.

…So, what was I supposed to choose him for? It wasn’t what I was thinking it was, right?

It’s not, right?

 

---

plom hit 100k views!!! (they’re probably not actually 100k but still) so here’s a treat

 

The candidates for Daisy’s marriage keep getting weirder and weirder lmao.

Wow, this chapter made me see the swordmaster in a different light, even though he’s still shady as hell.

 

Fun fact: when the swordmaster talked about how Andert called him brother and how now Daisy with her appearance should call him big brother, it actually was a joke in korean.

 

Basically Andert used to call him Hyung, which is what men generally call an older male friend. While, he joked that Daisy should call him ‘oppa’ which is used for male friends females are really close with, and it’s embarrassing because it’s often used for boyfriends or blood-related brothers.

 

Yep.

 

Btw, swordmaster is said to be in his early to mid 40s, so he’s around 10 yrs or less older than Daisy. Idk why up until now that never registered for me

 

ALSO, JEAN BERKELEY GRATTEN CROSSED THE FIRST WALL WOOO