The Level 1 Bladder Emergency
Not a child, yet Ellicia entered the study with childish immaturity, gazing around in a daze.
It was a perfectly natural reaction. This place resembled a treasure vault crammed with artifacts far more than any ordinary library. For Ellicia, the count's daughter, it would have been stranger if she couldn't recognize its value.
"Ellicia."
"Eek!"
Of course, I had no intention of letting her leisurely browse.
I didn't have much time to spare, and there were mountains of tasks demanding my attention.
"Ha, it suits you perfectly. Ellicia. It's your true calling."
Just seven years old. So young that even the smallest maid uniform hung loose on her. The sleeves were rolled up twice, and the skirt dragged awkwardly across the floor.
For Ellicia, accustomed only to fine fabrics, elegant designs, and opulent gowns, donning these rags must have felt like a humiliation worse than death.
"You could live like that forev—"
I started to spit out the taunt, but upon truly taking in Ellicia's appearance, I clamped my mouth shut.
Ellicia was a complete mess. Not a single spot from head to toe was clean.
"What's with that getup? Did you roll around on the floor or something?"
"Huh?"
No way that arrogant Ellicia had obediently gone through training? She'd surely dismissed the commoner maids, refused even basic instruction, rebelled—and the lessons hadn't progressed at all.
Maybe this was a ploy to earn my pity. Ellicia was cunning enough for that. Far more plausible than her diligently throwing herself into housework.
"What the hell did you do during training to end up like this…"
I beckoned the blankly standing Ellicia closer. Up close, it wasn't just dirt.
Faint, but unmistakable to my eyes. Red welts etched across her nape, cheeks, and body. The slightly swollen shapes… resembled thin, slender rods.
"…"
Only one conclusion surfaced.
Most of the servants were commoners, devotees of the goddess faith. Resenting Ellicia—a noble, the oracle-certified seed of calamity—was a natural progression.
Would she have stayed meek amid that? During training, she'd no doubt acted haughty, thrown her status around, belittled them. A bit of violence, or corporal punishment, had followed.
Well, nothing for me to worry about.
"Tsk."
From my perspective, Ellicia's misfortune was simply entertaining. Even if the current Ellicia was just an innocent little girl who'd done nothing wrong. Knowing the villainess she'd become, the atrocities she'd commit… to me, it was merely… merely…
"Did Lian tell you? That you're my personal maid now."
"I heard… but what exactly does a personal maid do?"
You don't even know that? What the hell do you know?
The mockery that had flowed so easily moments ago wouldn't come.
Why? Already too satisfying? Ellicia's state amusing enough?
Probably.
Her slightly swollen nape drew my eye. I shifted my gaze back to her face and replied.
"Simple. Just do what I say."
"Just what you say… surprisingly straightforward?"
"Yeah. But fail or quit, and you'll get punished. Got it?"
She made an odd face at the word punished, perhaps offended, but nodded in the end.
"Good. Then let's handle the urgent stuff before dinner."
The Ellicia who becomes the great demon lord can't be controlled. To keep her close, top priority: permanent mana circuit removal.
"Come sit here."
"…Huh?"
I pointed to the space between my legs, but frozen Ellicia didn't budge.
Ellicia's no idiot. She sensed instinctive revulsion from the setup, even without knowing exactly what.
But letting her go? Not a chance.
"Eek…?"
I yanked her wrist, forcing her between my legs. She let out a ridiculous squeak, body trembling.
I pulled her shoulder, making her lean against my chest.
"…"
Sweet fragrance.
Body scent? Even filthy like this, what the…
Like cradling her in my arms. Skin's texture through the fabric. Thumping warmth of life.
It all sharpened my senses chillingly.
Even the memory flashing through my mind: Ellicia twitching her fingers affirmatively to my question of whether she held goodwill toward me—
…Disgusting.
"Ah, miss? Why this all of a sudden…"
"First task. Stay still to the end: success. Thrash and flee: failure. Harsh punishment."
Tssst— Gazing at Ellicia's crown, I wrapped mana around my right hand. Couldn't see her face, but she'd surely gone pale spotting it.
"Not dealing with hassle later."
"Uh…"
Slowly, I laid my right hand atop her lower belly.
A mana circuit is the canvas for spell circles. Strip the base, and no stacking circles, no activating magic.
"Eek…?! W-wait, please?!"
Pressing down with my right hand, her body went rigid.
Beyond the soft belly fat, her pathetic muscles twitched. She desperately shoved at my hand, but it didn't budge.
…Mana circuit removal is deranged—done only to punish slaves or traitors, or treat mana rampage patients.
Mana circuits harm nothing in daily life.
"Stop…!"
Because the process is excruciating.
"W-wait just a sec… Uh, hng—!"
Pain varies individually. Souls differ in capacity. Minor: a sting. Major: brain fry or shock death.
Mine was average. Thought pain tolerance fine, but once lost consciousness, spent a day half-dead.
Then future great demon lord Ellicia?
"--!!"
Beaten by maids forever? Maybe merciful to end it here.
"Eup—?!"
No screams spreading rumors. I clamped her mouth with my left hand.
Rampaging mana now seriously tore into her lower belly.
When Veronica placed her hand on my lower belly, a needle-prick pain hit—then vanished instantly.
What was that? Static?
The question was fleeting.
"Eek…?! W-wait, please?!"
Her right hand pressed harder on my lower belly.
Didn't hurt. Didn't hurt, but…
The pressure hit exactly the wrong spot.
"Stop…! W-wait just a sec… Uh, hng—!"
Lv1 bladder, all-time red alert! Aftermath of chugging that orange juice Hillia brought as a "good job" reward…!
Even tied up for 30 minutes was better. At least no one mercilessly kneading my belly then.
No good. No clue what she's doing, but bathroom first—then continue—
"Eup—?!"
Mouth opened to plead, her left hand sealed it. Shaking my head did nothing. Twisted my whole body full throttle, but couldn't shake her grip.
How's this kid so strong? Not a normal kid, sure…
"Ellicia."
"--!"
"Hate me. Despise me, loathe me. That's you."
"---!"
"Drop the pitiful act. Don't play dumb and naive to impress me. Just makes you more repulsive."
No wonder it didn't feel like a casual dinner invite.
This was the goal. Humiliate me.
Pathetic revenge. Cringe-level childish. Kid stuff laughable… but also pure original Veronica—lame, relieving.
Yeah. Kill, torture, cripple… Veronica wouldn't do terrifying crap.
"--"
…Anyway.
What now. Push to the brink, then release, right?
"No more repulsive pretense after this."
Legs crossed double-tight, wriggling—cold sweat poured like a waterfall. Veronica, muttering nonstop behind, hugged tighter. Grabbed my jaw, yanked my head up.
"Huh, right. Ellicia…"
"-!"
"Gonna ask that question again."
Cold sweat streamed down my face too. Blurry from sweat stinging like tears, I peered up at Veronica.
Veronica smiling…? Blurry vision hid her expression.
"You still feel favorable toward me… no, didn't know the word."
"--!"
"Ellicia. Do you still like me?"
Like you now?!
"……"
Grumbled inwardly, but I nodded faintly.
Veronica lost everything to Ellicia. Regressed, met the thief of it all—this much revenge? Fair.
Regret being the target. But not Veronica's fault. Blame the one who dragged me here—not her.
"…What?"
Confusion leaked in Veronica's voice.
Even tormented like this, I don't hate you. See? Not the Ellicia Lawrence you knew.
High-level favor strat worked. Her right hand loosened—release incoming?
Thanks to that, I quit shivering like a leaf, calmed the urgency once—
Crunch—
Something ominous sounded right behind. Blue light blazed, filling the study.
Squeeze—!
"--?!"
Just relaxed. Released clenched teeth right after.
"……!!"
Even my iron will.
"…!"
…No enduring a cheap sneak attack off-guard.
"……"
Twitch—twitch—skirt darkening, warm spreading lower body. Body went limp like paradise, mind the opposite. Utter turmoil.
"Ah…"
Dignity… my human dignity…
"Still conscious…? What mental strength…"
Veronica's voice icy. Casually shoved my body; limp, I splatted to the floor.
"Buhe…"
Tongue lolled—couldn't even say her name. Vision cleared, at least. That was it.
"Lian. Prepare dinner."
-Yes. Ellicia's share too…?
Veronica stared at the ceiling briefly, then sighed deeply.
"……No preference. Give my portion to Ellicia."
-…Understood.
Words done, she looked at me. Stared with unknowable emotion.
"Ellicia. Clean everything that came from your body spotless. If it's dirty tomorrow, punishment."
"…Uhng."
"And didn't fully remove it, so finish tomorrow. Come to my room tonight."
Remove? What? And tomorrow too? Childish much?
Unaware my sulk, Veronica averted eyes, headed for the door. Voice tiny.
"……Tomorrow, less painful."
"?"
What the heck.
No way a comfort for dignity-shattered me.
Veronica gone, Lian swept in, laid out a feast, glared like at vermin, left. Strength trickled back after.
"Uuuuuuuuugh! Arrrrrrgh!"
Injustice, shame, rage—rampaged till exhausted again. Anyway.
Found a Lv1 bladder perk.
Tiny capacity—rubbed skirt a few times, cleaned up.
"…My wretched life."
Shower, at least…?