Emilia’s actions in accusing me of grabbing the credit from Sir Blacksong were temporarily concluded with Ethan’s intervention. 

In fact, I wouldn’t have minded simply conceding the matter of the Hooked Tusk subjugation to Sir Blacksong and ending it there.

Strictly speaking, it was a fact that the female soldier was in the wrong. 

If I had visited alone without Ethan, there would have been no reason for me to provoke a disturbance from my position, so it was highly likely that my achievements would have been transferred to Sir Blacksong.

Of course, even if I claimed to hand it over, I’m not sure if Sir Blacksong would have readily accepted it.

Just looking at his attitude of bowing his head to a commoner maid now.

 

“I apologize, Miss Lilith Rosewood. In fact, the reason I called for you was not to hand over the achievement of subjugating the Hooked Tusk but to ask you to attend as a witness to that achievement.”

“What? A witness?”

“Yes. Miss Emilia wouldn’t budge despite my persuasion, so I asked to let her talk to the person directly involved. I thought she would be convinced if I brought you, the person involved, but… I am again ashamed to have wronged you, Miss Lilith Rosewood.”

“No, Sir Blacksong. As I said before, I thought Miss Emilia’s suspicion was reasonable.”

“ …Of course, I think you should be a little more careful about jumping to conclusions and making hasty judgments based on that suspicion.”

 

Emilia’s shoulders flinched slightly in surprise at my words. 

That reaction seemed to indicate that she was aware that her recent actions were not prudent.

Of course, I didn’t say this to spite Emilia because I was offended by what she said. 

It was just that I was genuinely worried about this female soldier named Emilia. 

Somehow, seeing the behavior of the woman I just talked to, it seemed highly likely that she would stumble somewhere due to that personality.

It would be too pitiful for someone who was recognized for her skills at a young age and rose to the rank of a senior soldier to lose her career in such an absurd way. 

Moreover, judging by that stubborn attitude… She probably had many enemies within the guards as well.

Of course, from my position, giving further advice would be overstepping my bounds, and in the first place, I had no intention of getting involved any more than this.

If I got involved with someone who had so many enemies, it would only tire me.

 

‘The best way to live longer is to avoid getting involved as much as possible.’

 

I must never forget. I am just a commoner maid. A trivial existence whose life could be taken away by a single word from Ethan, Harold, or any noble or knight.

 

“…Then, is that all you called my maid for?”

“Yes, Young Master Ethan.”

“Alright, I understand. Then let’s head back now.”

“What?”

 

I blurted out a stupid question at Ethan’s calm remark about returning.

Ethan, who immediately studied my expression, pondered for a moment and asked, looking at my face.

 

“What is it, Maid?”

“…You said you came out to patrol the territory, so I thought you would naturally look around other parts of the guards’ quarters, not just the security office. I was just surprised when you suddenly said you were going back.”

“…Oh, right. That was the reason.”

 

What is it with that expression as if he had forgotten?

Don’t tell me he really dragged his heavy body all the way here just because I said I had to meet Sir Blacksong.

Anyway, Ethan, who remembered his original purpose thanks to my words, quietly nodded his head.

Sir Blacksong also pointed to Emilia standing next to him as if it were a good opportunity.

 

“This is good timing. Miss Emilia is also in charge of administrative affairs for the territorial guards, so if you’re going to inspect the guards, she will be the best guide.”

“…Captain?”

“Miss Emilia made a mistake towards you two earlier, so why don’t you give her a chance to sincerely make up for it?”

 

…Wow.

It’s not for nothing that he rose to the position of Captain of the Blackwood Estate Guards.

Not only did he bow his head to a commoner to apologize for the mistake made by his subordinate, but he also did not miss the opportunity to make up for it as soon as it arose.

With skills and social intelligence like that, it’s certainly enough for subordinates to trust and follow him.

At least, compared to the type of captain who leads by authority and force alone, he was a much more trustworthy person.

 

“……”

 

Ethan immediately pondered with a subtle look upon hearing Sir Blacksong’s suggestion.

He must be contemplating whether to accept Sir Blacksong’s proposal and act as a merciful nobleman or refuse again to solidify his initial oppressive image.

…Or maybe he just doesn’t like Emilia, but it’s difficult to easily refuse Sir Blacksong’s suggestion.

After pondering for a few seconds without being able to make a decision, Ethan sought my advice in a quiet voice that only I could hear.

 

“What do you think, Maid?”

“…Are you asking me?”

“That woman as our guide. Do you think it’s better to accept it?”

“Why are you asking me that, Young Master?”

“…Just because you might feel uncomfortable with that woman.”

 

Since when did he care so much about whether I feel uncomfortable or not?

Well, I also got an unpleasant impression of Emilia from our first meeting, and to be honest, I’d rather not get involved with her if possible.

…But it would be a bit too cruel to deprive her of the chance to apologize when she finally has one.

 

“I’m fine with it, Young Master.”

“…Really?”

“Miss Emilia is a senior soldier and is also in charge of administrative affairs for the guards, so as Sir Blacksong said, she must have a good understanding of the geography of the guards’ quarters. I think it’s a good opportunity.”

“…Alright, if you say so, Maid.”

 

Ethan, who had whispered to me, shifted his gaze from me to Emilia again.

He mentioned Sir Blacksong’s proposal to entrust her with the guidance of the guards’ quarters and said,

 

“If you truly regret what you did to my maid, I’ll give you a chance to make up for it.”

“…!”

“Guide me and my maid around inside the guards’ quarters. Sincerely.”

“Thank you, Young Master Ethan!”

 

Emilia, who got the opportunity to make up for her verbal mistake, deeply bowed and expressed her gratitude to Ethan.

Behind her, Sir Blacksong also quietly whispered what seemed like advice to Emilia in a low voice.

 

“Don’t make any more verbal mistakes this time, Miss Emilia. If you upset Young Master Ethan again… I don’t think there will be a second chance.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

 

I couldn’t hear what the two of them were talking about well.

The patrol of the Blackwood territorial guards began with Emilia’s guidance.

To be honest, she was in a state that I couldn’t say was completely comfortable.

Emilia had already made false accusations and unreasonable demands towards me in the office, and Ethan had just used his authority to intimidate her into silence.

Her heart was probably still uncomfortably filled with unresolved emotions.

Of course, she must have felt the pressure of being fired from the guards by Ethan the moment she made another verbal mistake.

The misunderstanding that I seduced Sir Blacksong and snatched away the achievement of subjugating the Hooked Tusk had not been cleared up either.

Although Ethan suppressed Emilia’s mouth with his authority, in her head, she was probably still suspicious of me.

Of course, Emilia would have to take off her guards’ uniform the moment she made one more wrong remark about it, so she would stay quiet.

Fortunately, it seemed that Emilia had also gained some insight into hiding her emotions while working with the guards.

As if she had completely forgotten what had happened in the security office earlier, she guided me and Ethan around the guards’ quarters in a calm voice.

 

“This is the guards’ dormitory. The right side of this forked corridor leads to the men’s side, and the left side is for women. Most of them are probably out for training now, so the rooms are empty. If you want, we can open a suitable vacant room to check the living space.”

“Knowing they don’t live in poor conditions is enough. …And I don’t want to pry into other people’s privacy either.”

“This is the guards’ dining hall. Meals for the Blackwood Estate guards are provided three times a day through a balanced meal plan. If you wish, Young Master, you can also check the kinds of meals the soldiers usually have.”

“Knowing it’s a balanced meal plan is enough. …And I’m also on a controlled diet, so I’d like to avoid unnecessary additional meals if possible.”

“This is the solitary confinement cell created for disciplining soldiers. Violations of regulations committed by soldiers within the guards are dealt with by confining them to this disciplinary solitary cell for a certain period. The most recent soldier who entered and left was…”

“…That’s enough. Let’s stop there for this area.”

 

Following Emilia, who was properly guiding us around the inside of the territorial guards’ quarters, Ethan and I continued our patrol.

…By the way, I had a feeling that whenever we walked around inside the guards’ building, Ethan kept glancing at me as if checking my reaction.

…Or maybe he just can’t break his habit and keeps stealing glances at Lilith’s chest.

I made such reasonable inferences after looking around roughly the entire interior of the building.

This time, with Emilia’s guidance, we began patrolling the outdoor facilities of the guards.

As soon as we stepped outside the building, something like the shouts of soldiers could be heard from not too far away.

 

“Aaargh! Aaargh! Aaaaaah!”

“Hiyaaa! Uwaaaaah!”

 

The screams of the soldiers sounded a bit awkward but definitely filled with vigor.

Naturally, Ethan and I were also drawn to the source of that noisy atmosphere.

Emilia also guided us to where our interests were piqued.

 

“This is the mock arena. It’s a place where newly recruited soldiers who haven’t been in the guards for long train using practice armor and weapons as if they were in real combat.”

“Is there a specific reason why only new soldiers use the arena?”

“It’s for safety. Soldiers who have reached a certain level can handle their power to the extent that they can cause serious injuries even with training weapons.”

 

As I mentioned before, the swordsmanship in this world was something that could cut through hills and split the earth, truly no different from magic.

I was convinced by Emilia’s words that serious injuries could occur even with training weapons.

Around the time, I was nodding in agreement…

 

‘…?’

 

At some point, I started to feel a strange sensation of gazes converging on me.

Soon, the sharp voices of a dozen adult men rang in my ears.

 

“Greetings, Squad Leader Emilia!”

“””Greetings!!!”””

 

…Phew, that startled me.

Still, perhaps because they are the guards of a high-ranking noble family, the discipline seems to be tight even among the new soldiers.

The gazes that I felt were converging on me must have actually been directed at Emilia, the squad leader of the guards.

Immediately, the new soldiers who were practicing in the arena began to gather around Emilia.

I’ve been so used to feeling the gazes of men directed at me that I naturally mistook it.

 

“……”

 

“……”

 

“……”

 

…No, maybe it wasn’t a mistake.

Although they were clearly greeting Squad Leader Emilia with their words, their gazes were oddly directed toward my face and chest.

After all, with this appearance and attire, I couldn’t help but stand out wherever I went in the world.

 

“…These people are important guests. All of you, please retract your rude gazes as well.”

“””We apologize!!!”””

 

But perhaps because of what had happened in the office earlier, this time, Emilia took the initiative to caution the soldiers who were directing their gazes at me.

The new soldiers also hurriedly turned their heads and eyes forward with a disciplined apology instead of stealing glances.

 

“This person here is the only son of the Blackwood family, Young Master Ethan Richard Blackwood. The person next to him is the young master’s exclusive maid, Miss Lilith Rosewood. They were observing the training of you new soldiers during their patrol.”

 

“It’s an honor to meet you, Young Master Ethan!”

“Thank you for visiting this place!”

“It’s an honor, Young Master!”

“Yes, don’t mind us and carry on as you normally would.”

“””Yes, understood!!!”””

 

After answering in unison as if they had rehearsed it, the soldiers resumed their training.

While blankly watching the new soldiers’ training…

…Suddenly, a part of the Luminor Academy system that I had briefly forgotten began to surface in my mind.

 

‘Wait a minute, if I do this right, maybe…’

 

As soon as I remembered an element of the game I’d forgotten, a way to utilize it also naturally bloomed in my mind.

How about creating the right situation to level up here?

It was the moment when such a mischievous idea naturally formed.

T/N

Hello! Axiomatic here.

Since I’m on track to finish the remaining chapters for the other novel, I now have room to commit to daily chapters for this novel (excluding Sunday) starting next week. I’ll also be adding my ko-fi page next week in case anyone wants bonus chapters for this novel, which will be published on Sundays.

I’ll also use this to inform everyone that new chapters are always released at around midnight (GMT+8). I might be a bit late by a few hours on some days, but I generally follow the time I mentioned.

Thanks for reading, and see you on Friday for the next one!