The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen-Chapter 345-346

Inside the carriage returning to Hamel.

-Rattle.

Having given up my priority for the teleportation device to the injured, I was spending time in the carriage chewing on beef jerky.

-Chew... chew...

"When will we arrive?"

It was certain we wouldn't arrive today. The distance from the North to Hamel was considerable. At the earliest, we would probably arrive tomorrow. At the latest, it could take three days.

"Haaaaam..."

But I wasn't sleepy.

I thought about taking a nap to kill time, but sleep wouldn't come easily, so I opened my closed eyes and decided to take some time to organize the events of this journey.

"Hmm..."

Because there was nothing else to do.

'How much money is left...'

Opening my wallet, I let out a hollow laugh at its empty state. It seemed I had spent more money on this trip than I thought.

The money I brought on this trip was 200 gold. What was left was 50 gold. If this had been three years ago, I would have spent three months' worth of living expenses at once... Wow.

"I spent a lot."

Eating,

buying souvenirs for the young lady,

and sleeping in high-end accommodations, the expenses were greater than I thought. Compared to the money I had saved, it was a negligible expense, but I thought my spending habits had grown lately.

"...Money really is the best."

Next time I come with the young lady, I should be a little more extravagant. Money is meant to be spent, after all.

"...Haaaaam."

Putting my wallet in my inner pocket, I looked out the window and changed the subject of my thoughts. Because many things more important than money had happened on this trip.

'Heretics...'

The total number of apostles deployed this time was three.

The Apostle of Benevolence who filled Olaf's vacant position, Elysia the Apostle of Meekness, and the Apostle of Temperance who had died at Mikhail's hands in the novel.

If it weren't for the Apostle of Benevolence, it would have been an easy journey, but it was also a journey with many variables because the heretics were not to be trifled with.

"...Hmm."

The greatest strength of the heretics was the apostles.

In this battle, we had succeeded in killing one of the seven apostles. And it was the Apostle of Temperance, who was difficult to deal with.

Of course, the four knights who protected the Pope were the greatest and core strength of the heretics, but those four knights were guys who didn't move unless it was a major event, so there was no need to worry about them.

To the extent that some apostles had never even seen the faces of the four knights.

When the empire wages an all-out war, the four knights make a grand entrance, but since that was a story for the distant future, I didn't want to worry about it.

What was certain was.

That Temperance had been retired.

To be precise, he hadn't died, but Temperance was probably being treated in a way that death would be preferable.

Elysia, the Apostle of Meekness, had become an ally, and the elf, the new Apostle of Benevolence who had replaced the deceased Olaf.

-Lord Lowen.

-...

-Are you injured?

-...Ha.

-Wow... the Sword of the Empire is injured. Is our country going to ruin?

-Are you mocking me?

-Yes. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

-...

She had managed to injure Lowen's arm and escape. Lowen had said he wasn't careless...

"Ah... this has become complicated."

I didn't know where such a monster had come from, but feeling confused by the appearance of someone who wasn't in the novel, I gave an awkward smile and clicked my tongue.

'I don't really like variables.'

If we had managed to retire the elf on the spot, we could have inflicted even greater damage on the heretics.

'I don't know. Let's just focus on resting for now.'

Knowing that there was no clear solution even if I regretted it, I didn't bother to think about it and was just satisfied with the results. I had obtained the holy sword and an unexpected demonic sword. It was a journey where the gains overwhelmingly outweighed the losses.

'By the way, an elf...'

-...It's an elf.

-...Who is it?

-Uh... um.

-...

-I'll untie you for now.

I think I met one a long time ago, but it was so long ago that I don't remember well.

I think it was when I raided a slave trader at the age of 12...

'Hmm...'

As I was racking my brain to recall a forgotten memory, the demonic sword at my waist broke its long silence and cautiously spoke to me.

-Master...

In a timid voice.

The demonic sword looked strangely pitiful. It made me wonder if it was really a demonic sword.

-Excuse me... Master.

I looked at the demonic sword and replied.

"Yes, Sir Demonic Sword."

-Uh... are you using honorifics?

-What?

-Why are you speaking formally...

-Hmm... because you're an elder?

-Ugh...

At the demonic sword's seemingly hurt reaction, I shook my head and took back what I had said. You can't put spilled water back, but words can be somewhat taken back if you package them nicely.

"I'm kidding. Your appearance is so beautiful that I thought you must have been a high-ranking noble in the past, so I used honorifics, but is it uncomfortable for you?"

-N-no, it's not.

"That's a relief."

An awkward atmosphere flowed.

The awkward atmosphere felt even stronger because of the shy demonic sword.

"..."

-...

"..."

I broke the silence and asked the demonic sword. With the intention of telling it to speak if it called me.

"Why did you call me?"

-Ah, well...

"Yes."

-There's something I'm curious about. May I ask? I'll answer any questions you have as well.

"Ahaha... you can ask me anything. You don't have to be so hesitant."

-Then I'll ask.

"Yes."

-Hoo...

The demonic sword took a deep breath and then asked an unexpected question.

-Master, are you by any chance not human?

"What?"

Not human? What does that mean? I let out a hollow laugh at a question I had never heard before in my life and shrugged.

"I'm not sure what you mean by that."

-...Well.

"I am human... hmmm."

-...Ugh.

"If you think about it complexly, I guess it could be."

-...!

"But why did you think that?"

The demonic sword hesitated for a moment and then gave a timid answer. Saying that it seemed to have seen something strange during the trial.

-I'm not sure either... but when I saw your memories, I saw so many memories that I couldn't handle them."

"What did you see specifically?"

-I don't remember. I couldn't see everything either.

"Ah..."

-I can only see the most difficult memories. Specifically, the saddest memories of your life.

"But that's something that's not in my memories. That's strange."

-That's why I was surprised too. I wondered if it was even possible... anyway.

-Yes.

-There were a lot of scary women too.

"Women?"

-Yes... I don't remember them well either, but they were very scary. I think there were about seven of them.

"..."

I gave a perfunctory nod at the demonic sword's incomprehensible words and pointed out one thing that the demonic sword might be worried about. Even if it was a demonic sword that had been asleep for hundreds of years, it would still be worried about adapting to a new environment.

"In any case, I look forward to working with you."

-Yes...

"I'll try to avoid bad things as much as possible."

-That doesn't matter. I'm not a good person enough to point that out...

"That's good to hear."

I wonder if Mikhail is like this too.

He's probably talking to the holy sword right now, but since that sword has a clear purpose of protecting the world, I didn't think it would be fun.

On the other hand, this demonic sword.

-...Please don't treat me too roughly...

It seemed so timid that I didn't know what to say.

I touched the scabbard of Caliburn, which was returning to its timid mode, and said softly.

"Caliburn."

-Yes...?!

"Is that your name?"

Caliburn vibrated slightly and answered me.

-That's right... but why my name...?

"I thought it would be better to call you 'Caliburn' rather than 'Sir Demonic Sword'."

-Yes... I like that better.

"Then I'll call you that. Miss Caliburn."

"Ah... ah... yes.

A funny demonic sword.

To even be able to be shy.

I began to have a long conversation with Caliburn. Telling it what kind of person I was and who was at our destination.

-We're going to Hamel.

-Hamel... is that in the Empire?

-That's right.

The journey to Hamel was longer than I thought, so I had plenty of time to talk to Caliburn, and I was glad that I could spend the time without feeling lonely.

It wasn't bad.

The conversation with Caliburn was more interesting and less boring than I thought.

-So there's a bear, a noble lady, and a mage, right?

"Yes."

-I'll do my best.

"What?"

-I may not have a body, but I'll do my best.

Her bright personality was even better.

I was also able to hear a little of Caliburn's story. Like Shuen had said, she told me that before she was sealed, she was the progenitor of vampires with the name Caliburn.

She was also the king of many people.

She also said she was a wise ruler, but she seemed reluctant to talk about why she was sealed and why she became a demonic sword, so I didn't ask.

It probably wasn't a good story.

Still, I was glad that she was a 'woman' before she was a demonic sword. If she had been a frivolous man, that would have been a turn-off in its own way.

I can see it now.

"Uiiiing..."

The sullen face of the young lady riding Gomtang.

"Eek..."

The young lady on Gomtang was turning her head as she watched the carriage pass by the mansion.

Wondering if that was the carriage I was in.

"Uiiiik..."

At the young lady's simple appearance, I let out a small smile and opened the window, smiling.

"That's her."

-...Uh... uh uh uh!?

"The young lady I serve."

I purposefully ignored Caliburn's scream and waved at the young lady with a smile. To let her know I was back.

"Young lady!"

"Uik?"

"Young lady!!!"

"Eeeek?!"

Home.

"I brought chocolate."

"Ricardo!!!!"

I was finally back in my beloved home.

The Iron-Blooded Monarch.

"..."

A woman obsessed with murder.

Long ago, yes. In ancient tales no one remembers, the woman known as the Iron-Blooded Monarch was a feared figure for all.

Wherever she passed, blood and war were endless, and only the sorrow of a mother who lost her family filled the streets.

-Save my son!

-...

-My son...

People feared her.

To rebel against her immense power meant paying the price of death.

The weak prayed for a warrior to appear in the world and punish evil. The gods, hearing their prayers, appointed a warrior with a good heart, ending the woman's evil deeds.

Until the very end, the woman remained unreflective.

-Why did I...!!! I only did what you wanted me to do...!

The warrior realized he couldn't break the woman's powerful thoughts, so he decided to seal her away. She became a single sword, losing her once brilliant light.

A hundred years.

Two hundred years.

Hundreds of years had passed, and as his story faded from the world, the Iron-Blooded Lord was preparing to reign again.

Yes, the Iron-Blooded Lord now...

-Don't...!

-Goooooom!

"Heheheehee!!!"

He had become a toy.

I smiled awkwardly as I watched Gomtang run around with Caliban in his mouth. I hadn't expected someone to treat a magic sword like that.

-Huh? What's this?

-It's a new sword.

-Oooh... It's pretty.

-Want to touch it?

-Yeah.

-Here.

The girl who caught Caliburn began throwing it around the yard, saying it was a perfect toy for Gomtang. Gomtang, excited, kept running around with Caliburn in his mouth, repeatedly, leading to this scene.

-I'm the ancient, powerful Blood Progenitor...!

"Heeeeeeek!! Ricardo! The sword speaks!"

"That's because it's an expensive sword."

"Oh... I see. Then, can't I just throw it around and play with it?"

"Play with it for a bit and then return it. It's dangerous."

"Yeah."

-Think carefully.

"Bring it back!!"

I decided not to overthink it, since whatever it was, as long as she liked it, it was fine.

-I'm not a toy. I'm a very scary person...

I'm glad you like our new addition.

After playing in the yard for a while, the girl returned, holding out Caliburn and speaking softly in a pouty voice.

"Here."

"Are you done playing?"

"Yeah."

"Did you have fun?"

"It wasn't fun because he didn't talk."

"Huh?"

"He's the Iron-Blooded Lord... ugh... He's incredibly scary... Back in the old days, no one would even talk to him."

I smiled awkwardly at Caliburn's broken appearance, then nodded with a small smile.

"I'll have to comfort him next time."

I thought I'd try to heal Caliburn's wounded heart with flattery. Listening to him talk to himself, he seemed like a famous person from ancient times. I thought finding a book to read would help us become closer. When I listened to him in the carriage, I'd thought he was some small noble from the borderlands... but he seemed more mature than I expected.

"I guess I need to study."

Putting Caliburn back in his sheath, I looked at the young lady and asked her how she'd been.

"How have you been while I'm gone?"

"Yeah."

"Did you eat well?"

"Ricardo's friend made me some food."

"Oh... You did well."

"And you spent time playing with Gomtang."

"That was great, too."

"You walked two steps on your own while exercising your legs."

"That's really cool."

The young lady poked her head in with a bright smile. I smiled at her cute request for a pat and ran my hand through her white hair.

"Heehee..."

"You're amazing."

"Praise me more."

"You're absolutely amazing."

"Heeheehee! I know..."

The young lady was still living in the Ferri Unit 2. Walking with a cane was too much for her. The nerves in her legs hadn't fully developed, and it took time to rehabilitate a leg that hadn't moved for years, so perhaps it was natural.

I'd love to be running around right away, but things have their own processes.

I was slowly developing a treatment plan that would restore her senses and confidence, and I patted her head and spoke softly.

"Oh, by the way, did you send a letter to the Master?"

"Huh?"

The young lady looked at me with a large question mark floating above her head.

"Why send a letter to your father?"

"..."

"Your father is busy making money."

"Why send a letter?"

Hearing the young lady's truly filial remark, I shook my head and cautiously questioned her question.

"Did you tell the Master that you could walk on your own?" Shouldn't I tell you? Even if it's not completely healed, it's gotten better enough to walk on its own."

"...Oh..."

"Right?"

"Yeah."

"Give me the stationery."

"Where's the person you said you wouldn't write about?"

"He's dead."

"Puhaha...! Understood. Then I'll bring you a refreshing pink one."

"Pink...?"

"Then blue."

"Eeeeeeeeek!"

"Then red."

"Eeek...?!"

"Hmm. Then I'll bring you a white one."

"Yeah."

Then the stationery, having received the stationery, sat down at the desk and began writing. She seemed intent on writing a letter after a long time, her lips pursed as she wrote. I smiled slightly and rested my chin on my hand.

"You look like an angel..."

"To a father who doesn't do anything."

"I told you what you do is the devil."

The young lady, with her beautiful handwriting but not so elegant content, was reciting the contents of the letter to me.

"Dad, have you eaten? You need to earn a lot of money so I can have fun."

"You're so filial."

"That's right. I think about you a lot."

"You're wonderful."

"Yeah. And..."

"..."

"Brother needs to be treated well. I can only rest if he's doing well. "Looking at the newspaper, it seems like reporters are writing weird articles. If they're wrong, grind them up and throw them away."

"Yes?"

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

"Yes."

The young lady began to write the last line of the letter with a faint smile on her face.

With her lips tightly shut.

[Abby. I can walk.

I still need Ricardo to hold me up, but I'll work hard so I can walk with Abby later.

Aren't you proud of me?

So...

Don't worry about me now and get some rest.]

The young lady smiled slightly and said nothing. I didn't know what was in her letter, but I smiled a little at her girlish way of hiding it, deciding not to peek. I had a rough idea of what it was about.

It was obvious that the young lady, who hates being embarrassed, had written something embarrassing, so I smiled a little and watched her back.

"You're a devoted daughter."

Though her undutiful daughter traits still linger.

Darbab would definitely be pleased.

He's so excited that he'd even consider keeping the lady's handwritten letter as a family heirloom, so perhaps he'll come running as soon as he sees its contents.

I smiled, thinking of the Desmunt family, who would likely visit the mansion any day now.

"Should I clean the mansion a bit?"

"Huh?"

It seemed we had guests to greet.

At that moment,

The members of the Academy, having returned from their long journey, sat in the conference room, their expressions more grave than usual.

Shalltear, her fatigued expression fading, was flipping through the documents. The executives nodded as they too, flipping through the paperwork.

Shalltear nodded and said,

"You all worked hard. You must have been very tired from this. Did everyone help?"

"..."

The officers remained silent.

They hadn't done anything in this battle. Those who had thought they would become the masters of the world after graduating from the Academy were etched with worry.

This was their first time suffering serious injuries, and they'd seen countless screams, so perhaps their calm smiles were strange.

Overwhelming power.

A force beyond their reach.

The officers, who had experienced what could have been a complete annihilation if Ricardo hadn't appeared, had a deep, thoughtful expression on their faces.

Shalltear cleared her throat and tried to lighten the mood. "Don't be so gloomy."

"Don't be discouraged. It wasn't just us who were injured; the soldiers were injured too. It's fortunate that it ended this way. And we even obtained the Holy Sword."

"..."

"I'll pay for the after-party today. "Calm down..."

"..."

-Drrrrrrr.

The executives stiffened and fell silent at the sudden appearance of someone entering the conference room.

"What's everyone so nervous about?"

Bandages wrapped around his head and hands.

Malik, with a solemn expression and carrying documents, had arrived.

"..."

Malik chuckled at the students' silence.

"It's like we're at a funeral."

"..."

"Why are you so down? The mission was a success."

"..."

"Did your friend die?"

"..."

"That's not it. Why are you still like that?"

Malik took a deep breath and asked the executives a question, suggesting they share their thoughts on the incident.

"How was the actual battle?"

"..."

"And how did you feel this time?"

"..."

"Were you scared? Or maybe you were just feeling a bit queasy, being pushed around by the healers running around the battlefield?

"..."

"That's why I told you to train and persevere."

"..."

"The battlefield isn't as easy as you think."

"..."

"Do you think the elf you saw would save you if you asked him to save you? There's no need to go that far. If you were unlucky, we'd all be wiped out."

"..."

"I hope you learned a lot from this journey."

As Malik's story ended with a bitter smile, the student council members sighed and nodded.

They began to burn with determination together.

Malik looked at the student council officers and said,

"Then let's have an after-party."

Malik knew how to handle people.

"We'll have a palm tree party, so look forward to it."