The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen-Chapter 347-348

An academy dormitory where no light entered.

-Wake up.

Awakened by the voice rousing him in the early dawn, Mikhail rubbed his eyes and let out a shallow breath.

What he saw with his blurry eyes were the hands of a clock pointing to 4 a.m. He wondered who would wake him at such an early hour, but upon belatedly realizing it wasn't a person, Mikhail grimaced.

"I was drinking... yesterday..."

-Wake up...!

Because the voice ringing in his ear wouldn't stop, Mikhail sighed again and again.

-Wake up!

"Haaah...."

-I said, wake up!!

"Just five more minutes..."

-Flash!

"Ugh!!!"

A brilliant light flashed painfully from where the voice came. If he had known it could emit its own light, he would have covered it with a cloth. Covering his eyes with both hands, Mikhail let out a deep sigh and finally pushed his heavy body up from the bed.

"Yaaawn."

In front of the trudging Mikhail, the Holy Sword, which was leaning against the wall, vibrated its blade as if satisfied.

Mikhail looked down at the Holy Sword and pouted. He glared at the Holy Sword, trying to convey the feeling that it shouldn't wake a sleeping person like that, but.

The Holy Sword, unfazed by Mikhail's resentful gaze, steadfastly stated its will.

-With so much evil in the world, how can you sleep!

"Why..."

-To wield me, you must train! You must train hard and become the strongest swordsman!

"I feel like I'm dying from the after-party yesterday."

-A swordsman overcomes hangovers...! Snap out of it and run to the training grounds. Go!

"Haaah..."

It was true that a person who possessed the Holy Sword gained immense power, but at the same time, they also had to endure its annoyance. That's why Ricardo had said what he did while looking at the Holy Sword.

-Instead of me, how about Ricardo takes the Holy Sword...? It's a sword too great for me.

-Ah... um... No, thank you.

-What?

-Well... please think of it as a gift from me and use it well. I'll borrow it from time to time if I ever need it.

-But...

-I dislike the Holy Sword.

Only after some time had passed did Mikhail realize why Ricardo had avoided the Holy Sword. He began to gather his clothes and prepare to go outside.

Binding his ample chest with bandages.

"Did my chest get bigger..."

-At that size, it's an eyesore.

"Yes..."

He changed into clothes that were fine to sweat in. Even while he was changing, the Holy Sword continued to nag Mikhail noisily, telling him what it was like as the previous hero.

-In my day, there was no such thing as sleep. Who had time to sleep? You had to spend that time swinging the sword to get a feel for it.

"Ugh..."

-If a swordsman loses that feel, they're dead. From that point on, there's no more progress. That 'feel' is...

"Haaah..."

Mikhail was hoping next week would come quickly. Because next week was the day he would train in swordsmanship with Ricardo. Just as a smile started to form on Mikhail's lips as he thought about what he would learn this time, the Holy Sword spat out cold words at Mikhail.

-Oh, right. Don't get close to that guy.

"What?"

-I'm talking about the one who became the master of the Demon Sword. Stay as far away from him as possible.

Mikhail, who had been stretching, glared at the Holy Sword once and then spoke lightly, in a nonchalant voice.

"Shut up."

-What?

"Be quiet before I break you."

-...You brat!

Mikhail smirked and grabbed the Holy Sword.

Even if he became a celebrity at the academy.

Even if success was waiting for him after graduation.

Mikhail's interest was solely in one thing.

Being helpful to Ricardo.

What he could do now was to continue atoning for what happened in the past.

When he arrived at the training grounds, he saw familiar faces.

-Can't you go easy on me?

-For an older brother, you sound so weak.

-...I'm an injured person.

-You're all healed.

-Kuh...

Histania Hanna and the academy's senior director. And.

-Like that woman I saw in my dream....

Yuria, punching a wall with her fists full of holy power. Lastly.

-Hah... hah...!

there was Luin, sweating as he was on a diet. Luin, who was running while pulling a rope with weights attached, was panting heavily and spitting out curses.

-Ha, fuck... this is hard.

Mikhail watched them and swallowed. He was so impressed by how hard they were working.

The Holy Sword looked at the motionless Mikhail and spoke in a low voice.

-Wield me.

"..."

-Because I will help you.

Mikhail drew the Holy Sword and closed his eyes. With the will to not fall behind them,

And.

"There you are!!!"

Shuen, who wanted to try holding the Holy Sword, was also running over, rubbing his eyes.

At the same time.

"How was it?"

Sitting at my desk, I was talking to Caliburn, which was in front of me. It was a butler's duty to care for a tenant who was adjusting to a new environment.

Caliburn, looking exhausted, vibrated its blade, producing a tired voice.

-It was tiring. It's my first time experiencing something like this, so I feel drained. Ah, of course, I don't have a body.

"Puhaha... Then that means it wasn't bad?"

-...

After some thought, Caliburn soon replied in a shy voice.

-It was good. It felt like I was with friends for the first time in a long while. It's a feeling I rarely had even when I was alive...

"That's a relief to hear."

-Thank you.

It was a polite sword.

I thought it would have a similar personality to the Holy Sword, but it didn't seem so.

If it were too noisy, I was planning to lock it up in the warehouse. I was rather satisfied with Caliburn, who was quieter than I thought and knew how to maintain boundaries.

"Caliburn."

-Yes.

"Actually."

-Yes.

There was something I wanted to say to Caliburn. Because I saw something strange while researching Caliburn.

Of course, finding information about Caliburn was difficult.

A lot of time had passed, and there was so little information it was as if an ancient civilization had erased her.

Fortunately, there was a smart expert in that field, so I was able to receive some information.

-Are you speaking of Caliburn, the Progenitor of Blood?

-Yes, do you happen to have any information? I couldn't find anything even at the library.

-I have it.

-You do?

-I also study history as a hobby, haha! Fortunately, it seems I can fulfill the Saint's request. If you'll just wait a moment, I'll summarize it into a 30-page report...!

-No, that's not necessary. Just the general information will do. Just information on what she did and what kind of person she was.

After checking the data Hans gave me, I found something interesting. It was that Caliburn, she...

"I heard you used a sword."

The phrase described an expert who could teach me the sword. And not just an ordinary expert, but one with the title 'Sword Emperor'.

There is a famous phrase known to swordsmen. 'When one reaches the pinnacle of the sword, blood will not stain the blade even when cutting a person.'

In my past life, I saw this phrase in a drama, but in this life, it was said to be a phrase uttered by Caliburn.

Which means.

"If it's not too much to ask."

-...

"Could you teach me the sword?"

It also meant that she was an outstanding swordswoman.

Caliburn remained silent at my request. Perhaps it was a question that couldn't be answered easily; with Caliburn not giving a response, only an awkward atmosphere flowed.

"I'm not forcing you. I just wanted to learn your swordsmanship."

-...

"I learned the sword on my own without a master, so I only know the basics. So..."

-My sword is.

Caliburn cut me off and began its own story.

-My sword is one that kills people.

"..."

-It is a wicked, despised sword that I have not taught to others.

"..."

-Just like you, Master, I also learned the sword alone and created my swordsmanship by myself.

That would mean she's telling me to create it on my own, just like she did. Is she telling me not to look for a shortcut?

I felt bad, as if I'd been caught trying to use a trick. I was a little ashamed of myself.

However.

Caliburn gave an answer I had not expected at all.

-I can teach you, but I'm afraid my sword might ruin yours, Master.

"..."

-Of course, if you can keep up, Master, the result will be different.

Caliburn's voice was laced with confidence. It spoke with a tone full of conviction that its sword would absolutely not have a bad influence on me.

-It's a bit much for me to say it myself, but I was a monster in the past. Of course, you are also incredibly strong now, Master, but I was even more of a monster in those days.

"Haha... is that so?"

-It is.

Now I had to pay the price for this deal. Getting something for free didn't suit my nature.

"Then, let's get to the main point."

-What? Isn't this the main point?

I lightly shook my head and asked Caliburn a question.

"Caliburn."

-Yes.

"By any chance..."

-...

A reward she couldn't refuse.

"Are you interested in resurrection?"

I can feel a vibration from Caliburn, which is leaning against the chair.

-Wooooong...

As if signaling a change in Caliburn's emotions, the air around me grew heavy, and my expression hardened.

-What do you mean by that?

It was chilling.

It felt quite different from the voice it had used with me until now. Caliburn, as if holding back a roar, spoke to me in a cold voice, asking if it had heard me correctly.

-I heard it as my master saying you would resurrect me. Did I hear that correctly?

"You heard correctly. I asked if you were interested in resurrection."

-And what do you know about what kind of person I was?

I placed my clasped hands on my lap and replied in a languid voice.

"That's something we can find out slowly over time."

-Ha?

"Relationships are meant to be built slowly, taking the time to get to know one another. It's ridiculous to say you know everything about someone after just a few short conversations."

-You say that, Master, but do you even know anything about me? What kind of person I was. What things I've done.

Caliburn expressed its feelings to me in a blunt, incredulous voice. It seemed to have positive feelings about resurrection, but it also wasn't about to fall for some hastily concocted scheme.

-Just a moment ago, I told you, Master, that I was a frightening person.

"..."

-Since you said you looked into me, you must know what epithet I held.

"The Iron-Blooded Monarch..."

-That's right. No matter how strong you are now, Master, you would find it difficult to handle me as I was in the past.

"Hmm..."

I shrugged at Caliburn's aggressive attitude and replied.

"That's right. I would find it difficult to handle."

-...

"The Iron-Blooded Monarch."

-...

"A king who fell to the schemes of his retainers."

-...Watch your mouth.

"How could a princess from a greenhouse, who couldn't even kill a single ant, come to be called the Iron-Blooded Monarch..."

I smiled slightly and looked at Caliburn.

"That's what I'm curious about."

I placed the documents Hans had organized on the table and looked at Caliburn, implying that these papers contained information about it.

"I can't say I know you just from a few scraps of paper."

-...

"But from the information I've researched, it doesn't seem like you were such a bad person."

-Grind.

A heavy atmosphere began to emanate from Caliburn's blade. It didn't seem pleased. I had stirred up its past, after all.

-Do you even know how many people I've killed?

"Tens of thousands… perhaps even millions."

-And you still want to resurrect me? In the era you live in?

"Would that be a problem?"

-Ha...?

"I'm serious."

-...I see that you've done your research on me, Master.

"..."

-But. You should have known this.

"What is that?"

-That if you try to put a leash on a monarch, you must be prepared to die.

"A leash?"

-Aren't you also trying to put a leash on me, aiming for my power? Aren't you trying to raise a fierce dog you can command as you please?

"Ah..."

I let out a dry laugh at Caliburn's misunderstanding and replied. After all, the way I was acting did make me look like a villain obsessed with power.

A magic sword. And not just any magic sword, but one called a monarch in ancient times. If someone said they were going to resurrect it in the present day, I'd probably growl at them too.

Resurrection, so soon after we've met.

If I were in her shoes, I'd be uncomfortable too.

I shook my head and spoke in a low voice to clear up Caliburn's suspicions, saying that it seemed to have gotten the wrong idea.

"That's not it."

-What?

"My conscience bothers me about wielding a sword with an ego..."

-I don't quite understand what you mean.

"Hmm... shall I put it simply?"

-...

"I'm not a madman. Nor do I have the nerve to use a power I can't control."

-Then... are you saying you'll resurrect me and then kill me? To eliminate any future trouble for sure?

"No."

-Then….

"It's not a complete resurrection. Your power would remain in the sword, and you would be reborn in a new body. To make it easier to understand, you can think of it as me preparing a physical vessel for you."

I raised my hand and spread my fingers.

The fingers on my left hand for Caliburn.

The fingers on the other hand for the new body.

"To give a simple example, Lady Caliburn's power stays in this hand. And her ego moves to this hand."

-...Then.

"In exchange for gaining a body, you would lose your power."

-Is such a thing possible?

"Nothing is impossible in my book."

-...It would be easier to use power with me, though.

"It's fine."

-If that happens, there would be no benefit for you, would there? You'd be better off using me with my ego intact...

I gave an awkward smile and turned my gaze to Caliburn. I was trying to separate her from myself for a reason Caliburn wouldn't understand.

"Didn't I tell you..."

-Don't hide it, just say it straight...!

"That it bothers my conscience to wield a lady."

-Wha...!?

"I'll probably be doing some rough things from now on, and it's not polite to swing a lady around as I please. That weighs on my mind and bothers me."

-N-No... what did you just...

"It's just as you heard. I'm saying I'll separate you because it bothers my conscience."

-No... that's not it... I'm a sword, you know? A sword with an ego, yes, but still just an ordinary sword.

"That's the problem."

-But there are so many swords with egos in the world. Holy swords, swords imbued with a swordsman's will...

"Even so, I don't like it."

-Ah...

Caliburn malfunctioned.

It emanated a strange aura from its blade.

It made me think that Caliburn was feeling shy, to the point where I had the illusion it was twisting its body.

I wondered if my words were that embarrassing, but at the same time, I was relieved that it seemed to like them. Honestly, I thought it would hate the idea.

"Honestly, I thought you would hate it. That you'd think I was trying to monopolize your power with some petty trick."

-That's certainly true, but... if you put it like that…. Even I start to feel strange.

"What?"

-It's nothing.

I just can't figure it out.

I looked at Caliburn and asked seriously for an answer to my proposal.

Caliburn replied shyly.

-I don't know...

"What?"

-I'm embarrassed.

...?

Another peaceful day at the young lady's mansion.

"Ricardo..."

The young lady, rolling around on her bed, was pestering me to play with her.

In one hand, she held beef jerky.

Chew... chew...

Holding chocolate in her other hand, the young lady looked at me sweeping and shouted.

"Stop cleaning and play with me."

"I'll play with you in a little bit."

Eeeeeek...

"I'm busy today..."

Eeeeeeeeeek...

"I'll give you another piece of chocolate instead. A palm-sized one."

"Palm-sized...?!"

"Yes."

"Hmph. Then you have to play with me after you finish cleaning."

"Understood."

There was only one reason I was cleaning so early in the morning. Today, important guests were coming to the mansion.

-I'll help with the cleaning too. Secret technique... 'Black Blade Explo...'

"If you clean like that, it'll be a disaster."

-...What a shame.

Caliburn, having postponed its resurrection, was staying as a sword. It had said the time wasn't right yet and that it would give me a positive answer once it was mentally prepared.

And the guests visiting the mansion today were.

[Going today.]

-Desmunt Darvav

[Me too.]

-Desmunt Kyle

[Is there anything you want?]

-Desmunt Rosanna

The Desmunt family.

That's why I was deep-cleaning the mansion from early in the morning. Since it seemed too much for me to do alone, Hans and Gomtang were helping as well.

"Saint!!! Finished cleaning the third floor!"

"Then please organize the first-floor dining table as well."

"Glory to the Lord...!"

"That's a bit..."

Gomtang was running around diligently with a wet mop attached to its feet. The path Gomtang passed over was left with a brilliant shine.

-Gom!

"Yeah, do the first floor too."

-Gooom? Gom.

Thanks to Hans helping with magic, the mansion cleaning seemed to be going much more smoothly and cleanly.

Now, all that was left was preparing the food.

Since there was still a lot of time left, I figured if I prepared slowly, there would be no major difficulties in welcoming the guests.

However.

"Ricardo."

"Yes."

"Dad's here."

As always, the guests' visit lightly surpassed the homeowner's expectations, and I let go of the broom I was holding.

I stiffly turned my head and looked at the young lady, who was gazing out the window. I wasn't sure if I had heard correctly.

"They're already here?"

"Yup."

"Didn't they say they would arrive around 7 o'clock? Why so early..."

"I don't know either."

"You must have seen wrong."

"No."

The young lady pointed a finger outside the window with a sullen expression.

"Dad came carrying the carriage."

"What?"

Surprised, I ran to the window and checked the main gate. And seeing the empty gate, I let out a sigh of relief.

"You saw wrong."

"No, I didn't."

"What?"

"Look over there."

The young lady's finger was going up.

Towards the sky, not the ground.

'Come on... even so. How could he carry a carriage...'

My pupils trembling, I followed where the young lady was pointing and raised my head. And at the unbelievable sight before my eyes, I let out an empty laugh.

"Uh... uhh...?"

The carriage is flying.

And quickly, at that.

"He's not Superman..."

Darvav was running toward the mansion, holding up the carriage with one hand.

"Sobs... Olivia!!!!"

With tears in his eyes.