Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Dagger Maid (2)
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“D-dagger...?”
“Yes.”
“……”
Ridge couldn't help but show a bewildered reaction to Lilith's sudden question directed at her.
Just moments ago, she had felt goodwill toward Lilith, who had graciously overlooked her mistake at the ballroom with a lenient smile.
But the moment they met again, Lilith's question about whether she had a bladed weapon was utterly beyond anything Ridge could comprehend.
With over ten years of experience navigating noble social circles, Ridge thought she had a decent grasp on human behavior.
Yet the girl standing before her was a completely different type from anyone she'd encountered before.
Even so, Ridge quickly racked her brain, trying to match her to some similar archetype.
Recalling a few cases from her past, she cautiously speculated about this nameless young lady.
‘No way...’
Perhaps the poised demeanor she showed upstairs was just an act for her fiancé's sake, and this was her true self.
Otherwise, how could she so boldly demand Ridge's personal defensive dagger?
The audacity of her demanding Ridge's one and only weapon and means of protection sent a chill creeping up her spine.
And rightly so—handing over the silver dagger hidden in her bosom would leave her utterly defenseless.
Meanwhile, Lilith would gain a weapon she could potentially turn against her.
“By any chance, you don't have one?”
‘What do I do...’
Deep down, she wanted to refuse outright, but she lacked the courage.
It was absurd to even consider granting a request for her lifeline of a dagger.
But after the irreparable rudeness she'd committed in the Evening Rose Hall upstairs, could she really reject this?
If she refused here, what would become of the ties between House Augusta and the Blackwood Family?
Would her mistake bring shame upon her family for no reason?
As the lady of House Augusta hesitated in her turmoil, Lilith's voice rang in her ears once more.
“...M-Miss Ridge?”
“Y-Yes...!”
“You really don't have one? Not even a short sword for self-defense?”
“W-Well...”
‘I have to refuse...’
She had been born without any magical talent whatsoever.
The only spells she could manage were trivial ones, like conjuring a bit of water when thirsty or a small orb of light to illuminate a dark hallway at night.
A noble lady might know at least a defensive spell or two, but she had none.
So if she lost the blade tucked against her, she'd become a defenseless herbivore, unable even to put up a feeble struggle.
In the end, just as fear-stricken Ridge opened her mouth to refuse, Lilith waved her hand dismissively and began backing away instead.
“I-I...!”
“...If you don't have one, that's fine. I'll just borrow from someone else, Miss Ridge.”
“Y-Yes...?”
“You were the one I knew best, so I asked you first. No choice if you don't have it.”
“……”
With those words, Lilith turned to leave without hesitation.
That casual, unconcerned movement left Ridge feeling oddly disappointed—and flustered.
At first, she'd thought Lilith was trying to corner her by taking her dagger.
But her attitude seemed genuinely just about needing a blade.
‘No way, she really just needed a knife...’
As Lilith took a step back, the raw fear Ridge had felt evaporated, allowing her to judge the situation coolly.
Having long navigated high society, Ridge's body was ingrained with well-honed survival instincts.
And those instincts were telling her now:
Handing over the dagger in her bosom to Lilith was probably the right choice.
“I-I do have one...!”
“...Pardon?”
“I-I'll lend it to you...! M-Miss...!”
Never imagining she'd regret handing over her sole weapon a mere minute later.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“I-I'll lend it to you...! M-Miss...!”
“...?”
The voice came from behind just as I turned to ask someone else.
Turning back, there stood Ridge, urgently calling after me.
In her hand was the silver short sword I'd requested earlier, gripped tightly.
‘...Huh, she did have one.’
Her hesitation had made me think she didn't, so I'd planned to cut it short and ask elsewhere.
She must have agonized over whether to lend it to me.
Handing your personal self-defense weapon to a stranger isn't an easy decision, after all.
I didn't know her magical prowess, but more means of protection were always better.
Especially now, without Karaham nearby, it must feel even more psychologically unnerving.
She was probably lending it with her own considerable resolve.
‘I'd deliberately asked her first because others would react similarly.’
Since she'd wronged me once, guilt might make her lend it more easily.
Borrowing from someone else could mean protecting two people at once if things went south.
It'd be frustrating if the lender ended up in trouble after you'd borrowed their weapon to fight.
This was the smoothest way all around, so I took the silver short sword from her with thanks.
“Thank you, Miss Ridge.”
“N-No! Compared to the offense I committed earlier, this is truly nothing!”
True enough. She seems to know that much.
Of course, I had no intention of pettily bringing it up again over that.
I wasn't even in a position to press her without my mask and status.
-Sching.
Drawing the short sword she'd handed me from its sheath revealed a gleaming, razor-sharp silver blade.
It was impeccably maintained—keen and pristine.
With this, I could at least protect myself and Ridge adequately.
Maybe even get lucky, slay a few monsters, and aim for a level up...
“L-Lilith...?”
“Yes?”
“Wh-What do you plan to use the borrowed silver short sword for...?”
“...Why?”
“Y-You're drawing the blade and smiling... It-It's a bit scary...”
...Was I smiling?
Apparently, the thought of possibly leveling up had slipped past my expression control for a moment.
I need to be more careful. Holding a blade already, I might give her the wrong idea.
Making her anxious would just make protecting her annoying if monsters attacked later.
To fully reassure Ridge, I clearly explained I had no intention of harming her with it.
“Don't worry, Miss Ridge. I have absolutely no~ intention of stabbing you with it or anything.”
“E-Eek...!”
“...?”
I meant to reassure her, so why does she look more terrified?
Ridge began subtly backing away after my words.
To close the gap as she retreated from me, I took short steps after the Augusta lady.
For some reason, her expression darkened with each one.
“Wh-Why are you coming closer?!”
“Why? Obviously because it's much easier to (protect you) up close.”
“D-Don't come any closer! S-Surely you... plan to take advantage of this chaos to do something to me...”
“I told you not to back away. What if you get hurt (by a monster) needlessly?”
“E-Eeeek...!!”
As our exchange continued, her backward steps quickened, and her face grew gloomier.
Not understanding her reaction, I hurried to keep pace.
Finally, her retreat was halted by the corner wall of the main hall.
-Thud.
“Ah, ahh...”
“Can't back up anymore, huh? Don't stray from me needlessly and just stay put...”
“I-I'm sorry, Miss...! I'll make sure to compensate for my rudeness earlier...!”
“...I said I don't need it. I already accepted your apology, so why bring it up again?”
“B-Because it seems your anger hasn't fully subsided...”
...Maybe I should've just told her to send dress compensation to the Blackwood side.
I'd brushed it off thinking refusing repayment was simpler, but she seemed to interpret it differently.
As if I hadn't accepted her apology and was still furious.
...No helping it. I'd have to pretend to accept some formal compensation.
Conveniently, I had the 'perfect item' in hand for a transaction.
“...Then let's do this.”
“Y-Yes...?”
“I'll accept your compensation, Miss Ridge. But no need for money or clothes.”
“Th-Then what...?”
“Why bother looking far? This will do just fine.”
“...Pardon?”
With that, I held up the silver short sword I'd received from her.
Pointing at the pristine, razor-edged blade with my finger, I asked:
“For the dress compensation, let's call it settled with this...”
“K-Kyaaah...”
The Augusta lady's face had gone from dark to ghostly pale.
She suddenly squeezed her eyes shut as if to scream something.
But fortunately, her cry was drowned out before it could cause a misunderstanding.
-Boom!
“The palace south gate's breached! Everyone, prepare for defense!”
“Argh! Wh-What's this?!”
“Kyaaah! M-Monsters!!”
Monsters bursting into the shelter, and the noble youths and soldiers reacting in chaos.
Her scream was swallowed by the uproar.
“...M-Monsters...?!”
The Augusta lady, mid-scream from the chaos, belatedly surveyed her surroundings.
I pinned her in the wall's corner, gripped my dagger, and assumed a stance.
“Miss Ridge, stay right there and don't move.”
“...Y-Yes?!”
“If you dart off somewhere, I really might not be able to protect you.”
This was my first time fighting while guarding something.
...Well, as Lilith, it'll work out somehow.