Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: A Will Dwells in the Sword (2)
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"To Miss Lilith Rosewood,
> Ser Blackthorn"
"……."
The moment I confirmed that the recipient of this sudden letter from some stranger was me, my mind went blank for an instant.
Ser Blackthorn... He was definitely the captain of the Blackwood Guard's security division or something like that.
It was the first name I'd seen when I woke up in the church after getting knocked flying by that Hookerni attack, so it was still fresh enough in my memory.
And my personality wasn't the type to easily forget someone who'd done me a favor.
The fact that I'd been safely treated at the church after collapsing from the monster attack, that he'd covered what would have been a huge burden on Isabel or Katarina for the church's healing fees, and that I'd even gotten compensated for the Hookerni materials I'd rightfully given up—all of that was thanks to this man.
And what had I said to this security captain right before passing out...?
'Get lost already—all of you!'
'This bastard's mine to finish! Take one more step closer and see what happens...!!'
"……."
The more I recalled it, the more my face burned with shame over my utterly rude and shameless behavior back then.
Thinking about it, this Ser Blackthorn had just been doing his duty as a territorial guard.
He'd tried to rescue a helpless maid in a dangerous situation, only to get yelled at and left to handle the aftermath. I could only imagine how dumbfounded he'd been at the time.
Honestly, considering the karma I'd racked up, it wouldn't have been strange if the letter waiting by my side when I woke up in the church that day had been a formal complaint instead of a get-well note.
...In that sense, this letter was starting to feel oddly burdensome, like something I shouldn't open lightly.
I had a gut feeling that the moment I did, Ser Blackthorn would bring up that incident and give me an earful.
...Well, it was my mess, after all. If he wants to chew me out over it, I'll have to take it like an adult.
It was a bit puzzling why he'd send a complaint letter now, nearly a year later, but he was someone important enough to have risen to captain of the Blackwood Guard's security division.
From Lilith's position, he was an impossibly high-ranking figure she couldn't afford to ignore.
I couldn't risk offending someone like that, so with some tension, I opened the envelope, carefully unfolded the letter, and read its contents.
"To Miss Lilith Rosewood."
"Last year, on the fifteenth day of the fifth month, I once again extend my deepest gratitude for your defeat of the Hookerni that appeared in the Blackwood territory's commercial district. With shameless audacity, I write this letter to ask a favor of you regarding that incident."
"If you have the time, I would be immensely grateful if you could visit the Blackwood Guard Security Division office at your convenience sometime this month."
"It won't take much of your time, and if you could reply with a specific date via letter, I will arrange a carriage and escort from Blackwood Manor to bring you."
"Captain of the Blackwood Territory Guard Security Division, Ser Blackthorn"
Hmm...
Still no clue what this is about.
At least the opening was a thank-you for the Hookerni incident, so it didn't seem like he was calling me out to reprimand me over it.
Rather, it felt like a straightforward request for some other favor, with the main point laid out plainly.
And offering a carriage and escort? He must really need something from me.
If there's something a lowly maid like Lilith could do for the guard...
Do they want me to put on a morale-boosting show, dancing and singing in front of the guardsmen?
If that's the request, my answer is a hard no. No way in hell I'd perform like that in front of a bunch of men.
I could overlook the occasional glance at my chest as an unavoidable accident, but willingly turning myself into eye candy for other guys? I'd die first.
The problem was, from the letter alone, I couldn't tell if this Ser fellow was summoning me for something like that or for a different reason entirely.
I stood there quietly holding the letter, lost in thought.
"What could be in there that's got you so deep in thought, Miss Lilith Rosewood?"
'Holy shit, you scared me.'
Dietmaier was still hanging around.
He must have found my letter-holding contemplation odd, because the deputy butler tilted his head and asked.
I debated whether to tell him the contents but settled on a vague summary.
"Ser Blackthorn, captain of the Blackwood Guard's security division, has summoned me to his office."
"Captain Ser Blackthorn summoned you, Miss Lilith Rosewood?"
"Yes."
"Is this about that monster subjugation from last year?"
"I'm not sure. It doesn't specify the details. But it probably has something to do with that."
Because in the original story, Lilith had never once visited a place like the Blackwood Guard's security division.
There was mention in Luminor Academy that Ethan always kept Lilith within arm's reach, so he wouldn't have taken her anywhere outside the manor, let alone to the guard post quite a distance away.
Besides, even in 'Lilith's' memories—not my past life's—the only encounter with Ser was that incident last May.
So, 99% chance this summons was related to that.
He'd seemed like a gentlemanly sort at first impression, so my gut said he wasn't the type to drag someone in just to make them entertainment for his soldiers.
Of course, I'd only know for sure once I met him.
I've owed him so many favors... I really should repay him at some point anyway.
I'd love to swing by the guard post whenever I had time, but the issue was Lilith's status as a debt maid.
On top of that, she was Ethan's personal attendant, so she couldn't just answer a summons on a whim.
I'd need permission for time off from Head Maid Melissa, a day off from Ethan, and only then could I set a date and reply.
It hit me anew just how tricky it was for Lilith to even step out once.
...Of course, the biggest reason was that near-death experience last year against a level 10 monster.
If I weren't a debt maid, I'd have written back saying I'd go on my next day off.
This damn status really kept me from doing even the things I wanted.
I resented my situation where I couldn't even properly thank or repay someone who'd helped me.
"Do you plan to answer the summons, Miss Lilith Rosewood?"
"You know my position, Deputy Butler. I'm not in a place where I can just drop everything for a summons."
"But with your work ethic, couldn't you get leave from the head maid if you really wanted?"
"After nearly dying to that Hookerni on my last outing, I doubt Head Maid will ever approve another one."
"……I see?"
"Yes. And I'd need to clear it with Young Master Ethan too, so matching schedules seems impossible."
"If you could make the schedule work, would you answer the captain's summons?"
"I'd love to give a positive reply. I owe Captain Ser Blackthorn a lot from the Hookerni incident, and even without this letter, I've been meaning to apologize and thank him someday...?"
"...Hmm, so that's how the maid feels."
......Huh?
From some point on, Dietmaier's tone had shifted, sending a chill down my spine.
And it wasn't my imagination—the proof came right after.
"Ser Blackthorn of the territorial guard... I had no idea the maid was connected to someone like that."
"......Young Master Ethan? Have you finished your sword training?"
"Just wrapped up. Training under Father directly is no joke."
Ethan was drenched in sweat, like he'd crammed a lifetime of workouts into these sessions.
I wasn't sure what day it was, but he was still managing to endure Harold's lessons.
Based on the Ethan from Luminor Academy, I couldn't say how long that would last.
"So, maid."
"Yes?"
"How do you know Ser?"
"I met him briefly last time I went out with colleagues to spend my day off in the commercial district. It was during the incident where a monster seal scroll broke right in the middle of it..."
There was no point hiding it—it wasn't something I could conceal anyway, and Dietmaier standing there would probably explain if I didn't.
Without much hesitation, I told Ethan about the Hookerni subjugation from last May.
"......That happened?"
"Yes."
"Th-that was dangerous! It's good you came out unscathed, but what if something had gone wrong...!"
"It's been nearly a year, Young Master Ethan. Is there any need to worry over something in the past?"
"Still, Lilith is my personal maid."
"At the time, I was just an ordinary junior debt maid, not your personal attendant."
"...Yeah, you're right."
Ethan gave an awkward expression, glanced at the letter from Ser in my hand,
and after pondering with a furrowed brow, asked me something with a slightly tense look, like he was making a proposal.
"So, are you going?"
"...I'd like to visit if circumstances allow, but with my duties as personal maid, it'll be tough. I was planning to send a refusal."
"No need. This works out perfectly."
"Pardon?"
I tilted my head, unable to grasp what he meant by "perfect," and Ethan followed up with an enigmatic reply.
"Patrols are important for the Blackwood heir, so it works out—I can visit the guard post soon. I haven't done anything heir-like since being bedridden anyway."
"...You're saying you'll visit the territorial guard yourself, Young Master Ethan?"
"Something like that."
Ethan answered Dietmaier's question nonchalantly, then fixed his gaze on me.
Looking into my eyes, he reminded me of one of the rules for personal maids I'd almost forgotten amid all the manor-bound days.
"You're my personal maid, Lilith, so you have to come along when I go out, right?"
"...Yes."
"We'll head out in three days, so send the reply. Include that we don't need the carriage or escort."
"...Understood."
"Good. While we're there, we'll take care of your business too."
With those final words, Ethan left me and Dietmaier behind to head to the bath for a wash.
His uncharacteristically odd attitude left me confused about how to react,
but at least the content of my reply to Ser was now set in stone.