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

Episode 1

 

Side Story 1 – Secret Missives

 

6 years ago.

 

Inside the makeshift barracks that allowed you to breathe under a biting cold wave.

The middle-aged commander, who was now emptying his third cup of coffee, slowly turned his head. A clear weariness showed on his deeply tanned face.

 

“Well, what exactly does it mean to have ‘opened ears’?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Count Rosebell, somewhat puzzled by my affirmation, rubbed his chin with a somewhat bewildered look. He seemed to be gauging whether the phrase “opened ears” was a metaphorical expression or not.

 

“…Ah, I see. So, are you asking about reaching the state of a warrior?”

 

“Probably so.”

 

“’Probably so’? You cannot use such ambiguous expressions in response to a question, Sir Andert.”

 

“I merely heard it in passing. I have neither personally experienced the state of ‘no-self’ nor have I heard about it for sure, so my response is bound to be ambiguous.”

 

Count Rosebell habitually swept the back of his hand where a small red mark sat and nodded thoughtfully.

 

“Your case is rather unique. Despite reaching the first state, you haven’t attained the skill or, more crucially, the state of no-self.”

 

This is why ignorance can be so tiring.

What is the first state, and what exactly is the state of no-self, I wonder.

 

Deciding to refrain from asking boldly, I quietly closed my mouth. It seemed inappropriate to steal the Count’s time with further questions, he appeared exceedingly busy at the moment. Given the circumstances, it was only natural.

 

“To ‘open your ears’ means, quite literally, to hear things more clearly. It’s as if faint sounds are heard twice as distinctly as before. However, I believe the term ‘feel’ might be more accurate than ‘hear’. For instance, it is safe to say one could sense any movement within 50m.”

 

If one’s ears open, they can sense all movements within a 50m radius?

 

‘Isn’t that… something you can sense to begin with?’

 

I had my doubts, but this was the testimony of none other than Count Rosebell.

I thought this might be an unfamiliar and noble state of being that a former stray swordsman like me could just not imagine.

 

Count Rosebell slurped down his cold coffee as if it was water.

 

“By the way, Sir Andert, did you say you and Duke Berkeley-Gratten were by Sir Raphael Zenail’s side when he collapsed about a month ago?”

 

Raphael Zenail.

And the word “collapsed.”

 

It was a combination that couldn’t be tied together under normal circumstances, but looking back on “that day,” it didn’t feel all that unfamiliar to me.

 

“Yes, I was freaked out. I thought he would have stood his ground without flinching… It felt like the day of the Allied forces’ end had arrived.”

 

This was no silly joke.

Even after a half a month had passed, my memories of that day were as clear as yesterday.

 

The Allied forces maneuvered around the Penrotta Empire. 

 

In the center of command were Marquis Calpenweaver and Count Rosebell, while I, along with Raphael’s legion, was at the forefront, preventing Mephisto’s army from moving south. Given that the Swordmaster’s knights moved as a separate unit, it was rare for our paths to intersect unless the front line was in imminent danger of collapsing.

 

And then, a month ago, the Allied forces suffered a crushing defeat against Mephisto’s army.

 

Considering that the Swordmaster himself had to lead the charge to open an escape route, there was no need to emphasize how disastrous the defeat was.

 

The issue lay in the fact that a war of nerves arose between the two during the retreat.

 

“You can’t save everyone.”

 

Raphael’s expression stiffened at the cold assertion.

 

“If I go, I can save them.”

 

“And with a high probability, you’ll return as nothing more than a broken, mangled piece of flesh. Raphael Zenail’s sacrifice would be a significant loss for the Allied forces, I cannot allow it.”

 

I closed my eyes and massaged my throbbing temples at the uncompromising altercation.

 

It wasn’t just today or yesterday’s story that Raphael and the Swordmaster were at odds, but why did it have to happen today of all days?

 

“Each and every one of them is a member of the Union, a comrade, and a citizen of the Penrotta Empire. Didn’t I tell you that I can help them if I go, and I can definitely save them? Don’t you understand that arguing like this is nothing but a waste of time?”

 

“It’s not a waste.. It’s about preventing the futile annihilation of our main forces.”

 

“Why do you weigh gains and losses even at a moment like this!”

 

“It is to control those who follow emotions rather than reason. Like you.”

 

Raphael’s eyes, which were already red and bloodshot, now seemed on the verge of shedding tears.

 

There was no helping it. I pulled Raphael back by the shoulders and stood in front of the Swordmaster.

 

Raphael’s gaze, sharpened by the sudden closeness, sank softly as soon as he checked my face.

 

“Why don’t you let me go, Duke? If I follow him, at the very least, he won’t return as crippled or dead.”

 

If Raphael’s senses were still alive, he would leave on his own while I was dealing with the Swordmaster. To help Desherro and our comrades who’d fallen behind.

 

“I will send back Raphael alive even at the cost of my own life.”

 

The Swordmaster showed a rare, slight sneer on his face at that.

 

“Why add such a condition with arrogance? Are you telling me to lose not one, but two in front of my eyes?”

 

“Don’t you know him well? He’s an insufferably stubborn guy who only walks down the path he considers right. He’d rather become a deserter to save at least one more person than be forced to retreat. It’s better for me to follow and mitigate the risk.”

 

The Swordmaster did not answer.

 

Was he holding back his anger? Should I become a deserter as well, in the end?

 

“You.”

 

The Swordmaster’s lips moved very slowly after exhaling a long sigh.

 

“If you continue to keep up with him at the same pace as you are now… Raphael will be unafraid of making reckless choices.”

 

It was a truth difficult to refute even for me.

 

“Well, it’s my fault for sticking my nose into it. I’ll take that as your permission then.”

 

Fearing I might be detained, I hurriedly moved in the direction where Raphael had disappeared. When I looked back a while later, the Swordmaster’s figure had vanished into the thicket.

 

After that, I truly rode on without a moment’s rest.

While it was good that I found Desherro as Raphael planned, we had to scatter once again after encountering two commanders of the Devil Legion who had destroyed the front line.

 

Though I, the stronger one, tried to buy time, it was not easy. I only continued to head south, alternating between confrontation and evasion, relentlessly pursuing the agreed destination.

 

A day passed.

 

Two days passed.

 

Every time I switched a route to join one of my comrades, I discovered a new corpse. Bloody hell, they were the bodies of the young knights I’d rescued along with Desherro…

 

As time passed, an increasingly overwhelming sense of anxiety enveloped me.

 

How many had died?

How far had the front lines been pushed back?

What about Raphael and Desherro?

What about Natasha?

 

Beyond the relentless steps I took, I suddenly saw a lone figure under the moonlight.

 

It was the Swordmaster.

 

Sitting on a bed of fallen leaves with his eyes closed tightly, he seemed as unreal as a futile dream. As I approached him like I was possessed, without time to feel relieved, I belatedly realized the presence he’d been guarding.

 

“Raphael?”

 

The moment I found Raphael lying motionless, a heart-stopping fear gripped my whole body.

 

Was he dead?

Really?

It couldn’t be, could it? Oh, God. No, calm down. Surely, Raphael…

 

“Hush.”

 

“….”

 

“He is reaching a new stage. His ears are opening, so please keep silent.”

 

A new stage.

 

I didn’t know what that meant, but at least it was clear that the Raphael before me was alive.

 

As I slumped down next to the Swordmaster and caught my breath, the blurred surroundings gradually became clearer. How many minutes had it been? From far away, the stench of devils began to come.

 

“…How long does it take?”

 

“I’m not sure. I think he’ll need at least a couple more hours.”

 

This was enough rest, then. I carefully raised myself and whispered.

 

“I’ll draw their attention.”

 

---

 

I cannot tell you how excited I was when I found out about the release of side stories. I’ll be releasing them one by one, so let’s enjoy!!

 

Ami’s explanation time again, the state of no-self has previously been referred to as a state of selflessness (mostly because I wasn’t sure what to go with) but let’s deep dive!

 

What is this state? This is the process of crossing the first wall! it’s called selflessness or no self because the person loses their sense of themselves, instead, being immersed in their surroundings and what’s happening around them – having open ears means becoming hyper-aware of every sound and movement. Daisy, our lovable hercules, has always been capable of hearing this, so this wasn’t emphasized as much when she crossed the first wall. 

 

But when Jean Berkeley-Gratten crosses the first wall in Chapter 126, this state is again mentioned. Then, when she awakens later, she describes her sensitive hearing and senses.

 

Hehe, I’m so glad to be back, even if for a short while. I hope to see many comments, are you guys still reading?