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

<Episode 166>

 

After the end of the war, Jurian was engulfed in doubt.

 

Andert must have surely turned into dust and disintegrated during the explosion, but the traces of the oath they shared remained on the Duke. As if Andert was telling him that he wasn’t dead.

 

But the questions didn’t last long.

3 days after the end of the war.

 

The condition of the soldiers waiting to return home on Queen Island wasn’t good.

 

“I… I’m afraid to dream, Sir. Every time I dream, I become a terrible devil that slaughters my comrades, my father, and my mother.”

 

The soldiers’ pleas continued even after leaving Queen Island. Jurian, who was struggling with the problem, called the researchers again to seek their opinions.

 

One of the researchers asked Jurian.

 

“By any chance, did you feel a strong resonance around the moment when the hero brought down Mephisto with him? Others may not know, but a highly-skilled warrior such as yourself might have felt it, Your Excellency.”

 

“…It’s hard to deny.”

 

“Mephisto, the demon, was known as a demi-god. If such a man even had a heart, it might have a consciousness like Queen. It seems likely that it’ll be influenced by Mephisto’s ego, so it would be best to find and destroy the heart first.”

 

That talk of consciousness again.

But this time, it was difficult to ignore the warning. While resuming the research on post-traumatic stress disorder that had been temporarily halted, Jurian sent an exploration team to Queen Island to thoroughly inspect the ruins.

 

However, what they found on Queen Island wasn’t a heart but a wandering swordsman with a tall stature and a long scar on his face.

 

Jurian was sincerely impressed by how the young swordsman overpowered the search party with ease.

 

“Even though they’re not properly polished, your skills are useful enough. If you have nowhere to go, would you like to follow me?”

 

“Who are you?”

“Jurian Berkeley-Gratten.”

 

Jurian named the young man ‘Gavroche’ and accepted him as his disciple.

Contrary to the expectations of many, the end of the war did not mean the arrival of complete peace in the empire.

 

The Veteran Faction and The Silent Faction.

The rife between the divided nobles grew intense with each passing day. The increasingly heated atmosphere, as if it would lead to a civil war, reached its peak when the Emperor designated Prince Ashernik as the next emperor.

 

“This is absurd! His Majesty has ruled in favor of Prince Ashernik? Unbelievable. The only royal worthy of succeeding the throne of the Penrotta Empire is Princess Natasha!”

 

The Veteran Faction vehemently opposed, as if they were about to raise an army.

Given the circumstances, Jurian, who had maintained a neutral stance between the two factions, could not hide his suspicions.

 

‘There is no way The Emperor, who has always been rational, would suddenly abandon Princess Natasha without a reason. Then what could be the motive?’

 

It was precisely during this time that Prince Ashernik broke his solitary confinement and called on Jurian. When Jurian visited Prince Ashernik in response to his request, he could not help but be surprised.

 

There, waiting for him alongside Prince Ashernik, was the supposedly missing Princess Natasha.

 

“Duke Jurian, we need your help.”

In one hand, she held a stone that emanated an unpleasant aura.

 

Thump…

 

Thump…

 

The moment the dreadful tremor spreading from the stone reached his ears, Jurian was certain.

 

That was Mephisto’s heart.

 

It was precisely because of that heart that Princess Natasha must have joined hands with Prince Ashernik.

 

“I heard that you’ve been conducting secret research on Heart Crystals for the past ten years. I need the Duke’s knowledge to analyze Mephisto’s heart.”

 

“What do you intend to analyze in the heart?”

 

“The energy that moves devils… With that energy, it might be possible to resurrect our fallen comrades.”

 

Ah.

 

Jurian sighed.

 

Was she really talking about resurrection right now? The wise princess was talking about reviving the dead? Had Andert Fager’s death driven Natasha mad?

 

Prince Ashernik helped with Natasha’s proposal.

 

“This is also the Emperor’s command, Duke Jurian. Assist Natasha in conducting the resurrection research.”

 

Suddenly, a warning from a researcher came to his mind.

They said the heart of a demi-god possesses an ego.

 

Jurian still couldn’t believe that claim. As an experienced warrior, he knew how easily ordinary people could be captivated by the power of the strong. They were merely enthralled by the illusion presented by the existence of a Demi-god.

 

But if that claim were true…

 

‘Will this heart benefit Penrotta or poison it?’

The answer may already be predetermined.

However, he was the man called the Emperor’s Sword. Regardless of whether the answer was already set, his decision was obvious.

 

“I accept the imperial decree.”

 

The three of them made an oath of confidentiality.

That scene was the last memory I could glimpse.

 

* * *

 

It was about five seconds at most.

The moment I returned to reality after escaping the swordmaster’s memories, the swordmaster also broke free of the Calepa’s magic.

 

As soon as his consciousness returned, he swiftly drew out the dagger that had been embedded in his palm with a frightening speed.

 

Shing.

 

The back of his hand, now freed from the dagger, was clean without a trace of the cut. The swordmaster held his forehead for a moment, took a deep breath, and then parted his lips.

 

“…that’s one hell of a magic device. Did you peek into my memories?”

 

With a mocking smile on his lips, he glared at me with a cold gaze.

“…So, what are your thoughts after causing all this chaos?”

 

Thoughts? Nothing remarkable.

 

“Your Excellency, I apologize.”

 

“Is that all? How amusing. Is that it?”

 

Yep, that’s all.

 

‘Although the fact he’s studied Dian Cecht’s heart for nearly ten years is surprising.’

Thanks to that, the misunderstandings that had been dragging on were resolved. The psychological therapy treatments targeting the war veterans were conducted with pure intentions. It had nothing to do with the hunting incident.

 

‘Maybe he couldn’t easily open his mouth because of the confidentiality oath.’

 

Now that I knew the truth about the other person, I decided to be honest as well.

 

“Aside from Dian Cecht’s hand mirror, I have the other four relics.”

 

“Four?”

 

I continued, staring at the swordmaster’s narrowed eyes.

 

“I was collecting them to extend my lifespan, whose end is just around the corner.”

 

“…Viscount? lifespan?”

 

Jean’s eyes went blank.

 I smiled at her, swallowing bitterness.

 

“Sorry for keeping it a secret. The truth is, I became like this because my life was hanging by a thread. I’m barely holding on by borrowing this body from those days, but it won’t last long.”

 

“Oh my. How could this…”

Jean’s pupils trembled intensely.

The swordmaster appeared just as confused as her.

 

The face that always maintained a cold demeanor, no matter when or where, was now distorted. The long finger that touched my forehead poked it several times.

 

“Why. on. earth! Why didn’t you say it in the palace, Andert? What are you expecting to achieve by hiding something so important!?”

 

This too, was a reaction unlike the swordmaster. I answered, trying to hide my surprise.

 

“How can you ask that question? It’s because I don’t trust Your Excellency. Checking your memories was part of that. Think of what you’ve just been subjected to as karma.”

 

“Karma? I didn’t expect you to see me in that light.”

The swordmaster wiped his mouth with a bitter expression and forced a self-deprecating smile.

 

“But… yes, you deserve to say that to me. It’s fortunate timing. There’s someone you need to meet. Follow me.”

 

“Suddenly?”

 

“Suddenly? Well, I don’t think a sudden meeting would be too much for someone like you, who has become a returned hero and attracted so much attention.”

 

A face came to mind as those words were spoken.

Natasha.

 

‘Is Natasha in this castle? If yes, then the swordmaster’s actions make sense. He wasn’t trying to capture me; he was going to make me meet Natasha.’

 

The swordmaster left the bedroom without looking back. I comforted Jean, who had clearly become depressed at a glance, and followed after him.

 

The swordmaster’s destination was not far.

 

No, it wasn’t just close; it was the adjacent room. After unlocking five locks, he entered the room, and a chilling wind, like the hand of a ghost, reached out to touch us.

 

The dark interior was meticulously covered by blackout curtains, with only one round lantern lit.

 

“She’s being restricted with magic tools. Do not make any reckless moves.”

Under the lantern, someone was lying on the floor, bound and unable to move.

 

There was someone lying under the lamp, just as the swordmaster said. They were stuck to the floor, probably bound by something. 

 

I stared blankly at that shadow. I could feel an unmistakably unwelcoming aura surrounding it.

 

“Could this be… her highness, Princess Natasha?”

 

Ignoring Jean’s astonishment, the swordmaster spoke to me.

 

“Let me warn you in advance. Princess Natasha has already lost herself. She gathered the last remnants of her sanity and came to find me. Probably to meet you.”

 

“…”

 

“I’d already expected to see this face of yours.”

He stepped aside, and I advanced through the darkness to Natasha.

Natasha’s face was covered with white cloth.

 

Nevertheless, she reached out her hand as if waiting for me.

 

“You’ve come, Andert. You’re finally here. I’ve been waiting for you for so long…”

 

Her voice, cracked and barely audible, struggled to echo. I cautiously grasped Natasha’s frail hand, which was as thin and fragile as a dry branch.

 

My heart ached.

 

“Yes. I’m here.”

 

“Andert, Andert, listen to me. I must ask something of you.”

 

“Tell me.”

 

“Kill me.”

 

Kill.

 

At least for the moment she said that word, Natasha’s voice was as clear as that of any living person.

 

“I have committed a great sin. I know it cannot be undone. I have the heart of Mephisto within me. Kill me and banish that demon forever.”

 

I couldn’t say anything in response.

Kill you and destroy Mephisto’s heart? That was a very easy thing to say. It also seemed like the simplest solution.

 

But it wasn’t easy.

It really wasn’t easy.

Really, it wasn’t easy at all…

 

At least that was how it was for me.

Moreover, if you thought a little deeper, the simplest solution seemed far from simple. Wasn’t there no guarantee that Natasha’s death would lead to Mephisto’s complete demise?

 

‘But if we use Dian Cecht’s relics…’

The swordmaster seemed to see through my inner struggle at a glance. He pulled me up by the arm and took me with him to the aisle, closing the door without hesitation as he spoke.

 

“I’ll hand over the last relic to you.”

 

I asked back, struggling to untangle the words from my throat.

 

“Is it that easy? Do you know what choice I will make?”

 

“The princess’s condition is more severe than I expected. While it is unclear whether the results of the research will show or not, If Mephisto manages to descend upon a healthy body in the meantime due to a misfortune event… it will be difficult to guarantee what happens next.”

 

From the swordmaster’s unwavering eyes and his uninterrupted words, I realized one thing.

 

“But wouldn’t it be quite a formidable fight if you lived? It seems like this side is the gamble with higher odds.”

 

To the swordmaster, the option of saving Natasha did not exist. His decision was firm, and he was implicitly showing his sincerity to me.

 

Give up on Natasha and use Dian Cecht’s relic for yourself.

That was the best course of action.

 

“There is a condition, instead. The magic engraved in the relics must be activated in my castle.”

 

“…Why is that?”

 

“There’s no reason to doubt. It’s to gather data for contingency purposes. Didn’t I mention it before? I’m analyzing the magic of the relics. I’ll store the resonance of its activation in magic artifacts. The sooner the better. When would that be possible?”

 

When would it be possible? In my heart, I wanted to delay it as much as possible. Since coming back to life, it was the first time I felt that the world was demanding of me a huge responsibility that I couldn’t handle.

 

But would anything really change if I delayed it?

I had only three meetings left with Rue, Natasha was being consumed by Mephisto, and my body had become a ticking time bomb.

 

There could be no worse scenario here.

 

“I’ll finish preparations and come tomorrow morning.”

 

“Alright, we’ll meet tomorrow, then.”

 

Even though it may be imperfect, the time had finally come.

The time to activate Dian Cecht’s relics.

---

AAA poor natasha omg

The fact that the duke had to pull daisy up by the arm and practically drag her away from Natasha T-T

 

AND ITS TIME TO BRING OUT THE BIG GUNSSS