Knife's Edge in the Dark Corridor
What the hell was I supposed to wipe?! Sure, feeling all wronged and miserable came second. But figuring a full belly makes even a dead ghost look prettier, I polished off dinner and stepped out.
But I'd forgotten one crucial fact.
"Where the heck do I go?"
Every direction looked identical—endless corridors that could be hiding some weird anomaly. With the sun set, thick shadows draped the halls. Amid the silence, the few flickering lanterns cast eerie shadows dancing on the walls.
It felt like a ghost might pop out any second, but luckily, I wasn't scared of that crap. Ghosts are fake anyway. There's even that joke about banishing one with, How'd you get fixed to the horizon coordinate system?
Problem was, this world's ghosts could actually get pinned to a horizon coordinate system.
-Huuuuh…
-Huuuuhhh…
"Eek!"
A pitiful sob echoed from somewhere, and my vision went pitch black again.
Season 99 Crisis!
[...Hero, did you know dogs wag their tails when they're happy? Their emotions show right through in their actions—such pure little things, right? Today when Jackie and I played fetch at the park, he wagged his tail like crazy... I wanted to show you so bad! I know you're super busy, but next time you visit, let's go for a walk together...]
Crooked, childish handwriting crammed full of earnestness. Even through the ink, her bubbly energy drained me.
"Sigh."
I folded the loving letter halfway through and tucked it away.
There was a time when even a casual note from her would make me giddy, reminiscing over old memories. But now that I'd memorized this one and every future letter word-for-word from countless regressions? Not anymore. It was just a tool to keep ties tight with the future saint.
[Sorry, been radio silent lately. Rumors of demons infiltrating the imperial south had me swamped. I'll swing by that area soon—let's hang out then. Jackie too, of course...]
My pen stopped mid-scribble.
"..."
That promise with her would never happen. Jackie, the dog she'd raised since childhood, was about to die. Right before meeting me, he'd chase a ball she threw and get hit by a carriage.
A single word, a bit of caution—that tragedy could've been prevented.
But I wouldn't. Only after losing her sole pillar, Jackie, would she awaken as a saint faster, left all alone.
No guilt at all.
This was the optimal route, hammered out over endless regressions. All to save this world. For everyone's happy daily lives. Everything was... unavoidable... I was just...
"Miss."
Lian's voice snapped me out of it.
"...Ah."
I blinked. My pen nib was doodling on the desk, not the paper.
A normal day, just like always. Like the last loop, and the one before. So why couldn't I focus today?
Ah, there was one difference.
"...And Ellicia?"
My throat cracked in the dry air.
What if she'd just died? I'd shoved in way more mana than intended at the last second.
"Ahh. How merciful of you... The child's fine."
"Fine?"
I'd dumped at least ten percent of my total mana. No unshielded body could take that.
Even a prepared master mage would've had their circuits wrecked. Guts melting, veins burning—impossible for that kid to survive.
I wet my throat with black tea and asked again.
"You checked yourself?"
"Couldn't examine her directly, but... there were signs she'd eaten."
Nonsense. After that agony and wetting herself? If alive, she'd be crawling at best.
"No way. Must be a mistake."
"Confirmed when collecting the dishes. She'd cleared most of the meat dish."
No reason for Lian to lie to me.
"...Ridiculous."
Maybe stopping the circuit removal midway dulled the pain a bit.
But no seven-year-old's willpower could endure that. Unless Ellicia was more pain-hardened than me...
"Tch."
A mere seven-year-old—Ellicia? Absurd.
"We'll check thoroughly tomorrow."
Trace the mana flow, and I'd know.
I went back to writing the letter. Tried to.
If only that tiny hand clutching my wrist through convulsions wouldn't flash in my mind. Those round eyes looking up at me in agony, begging. Teary green irises... a faint nod instead of words. If they didn't keep messing with my head.
"...Disgusting."
I knew her true nature better than anyone. Ellicia's act was just repulsive.
The Azur Estate at dusk.
"Hmm~ Hm, hmm~"
Merhen was in high spirits today. Not just because her shift ended.
The reason? Hardly trivial—her first vacation in five years and seven months started next week.
Anyway, even that spooky huuuuh wind sounded cheerful right now!
"What first when I get home? Miss my siblings... Ah, Uncle Hans's dog had pups—maybe check 'em out... Hmm. Bringing one home wouldn't hurt..."
Money worries? None. At thirty, Merhen was the Azur Estate's head maid—an elite pulling a gold coin weekly. A pup was pocket change.
"Nah. Better after retiring next year. Boyfriend first... Hm?"
Giggling on patrol, her steps halted. Holding her breath, she listened.
Todododo—footsteps from around the corner. Then—
Thud crash—!
Merhen's eyes iced over.
An unfamiliar gait in the mansion... sixth intruder this month.
Who cared why they were desperate to kill the world's hope-hero? High-ups had their reasons.
Not her problem. Her job: eliminate threats to her employer.
She set down the patrol lantern. Unbuttoned her sleeves—two honed daggers slid into her palms.
She glided forward, silent as silk—no footsteps, no skirt rustle. Rounding the corner in a blink, dagger aimed at the intruder's forehead as they stumbled into view—
"Eh?"
The blade halted just shy of piercing.
"Huh?"
Up close, the intruder wore the Azur Estate maid uniform.
There was that famous spy flick with Tom Cruise. They filmed a no-CGI scene where a knife nearly touches his eye.
Opponent's a pro, right? No way it'll stab. What's the big deal? Just do it.
I wanted to smack past-me for that dumb thought.
The dagger poised dead-center at my forehead, unwavering. She didn't seem about to thrust, but knowing that didn't make it less terrifying. One slip...
"Ellicia? What are you doing here this late?"
"Uh, eek."
"I'm asking. Rules say trainee maids stick with their mentors..."
Her eyes flicked to the dagger in her hand. She glanced between us, sighed deeply.
"Sorry, Ellicia. Unfamiliar footsteps—I overreacted."
"Uh, I-I got lost—"
"Wasn't planning to scare you. Really sorry."
She sheathed the dagger up her sleeve.
Fair enough if she mistook me for an intruder. She didn't actually stab...
"It's fine. Happens... Eh?"
What'd she just say?
"What do you mean wipe?!"
"Ah, foot-in-mouth. I mean, sorry for messing up your skirt."
Her finger pointed to the stain on my hem.
I froze.
Not wrong, technically. But...
"No no, misunderstanding. This is—"
"Definitely urine smell. My nose is sharp."
So much to say, but nothing I could. I shut up, gave up explaining. Her face softened a tad.
"Not your fault—mine. Don't mope."
"...Okay."
"And hey, I don't judge. Kids your age slip up sometimes. My baby sis still draws maps on her sheets."
Treated like a kindergartener at my age. All because of Veronica—what a mess.
Fuming inside, biting my lip, she helped me up.
"I'm Merhen. Overqualified head maid here."
"...Head maid?!"
Even without office experience, I knew "-head" meant big shot. Principal, manager, department head, battalion commander...
"Pl-Pleased to meet you?"
"Puhuhu. No need to tense up. Title's head maid, but we're all maids."
"Yeeeah..."
"Not that I'd ever mess my clothes. Puhuhu."
Veronica...!!
"So, what brings you here? Where's Hillia—why alone?"
"Ah, well."
I spilled everything—in complain-y mode.
Of course, skipping the dignity-shattering Veronica bits.
"...Dedicated maid? What was Miss thinking..."
Merhen furrowed her brows, pondered, then shook her head.
"Got it. So you haven't even heard where the dorms are?"
"No..."
"Alright. I'll take you... But first."
She eyed me, pinched her nose.
"Bath time first."
"That bad?"
"Yellow truth or sweet lie?"
"...Pass on both."
"Puhuhuhu."
One thing clear: Block this from Hillia's ears at all costs.
That pest would roll on the floor laughing...
"If only I had the strength... Argh."
"Ellicia, question."
Trotting after her quick steps. After deep thought, she asked carefully.
"Don't you want to go back?"
"Back where?"
"Before the oracle... before excommunication. Lost everything overnight—aren't you mad?"
Before excommunication—yesterday-ish.
"Dunno."
The oracle BS did screw me over—kinda unfair.
But hard to answer. I'd never lived that life. How to miss what you don't know?
"Parents, family... don't you miss them? Might never see 'em again."
I tilted my head; she pressed.
First thought: Of course. Obvious.
But that was me—not Ellicia Lawrence.
How would a noble villainess, ditched by family overnight, reply?
No backstory on Ellicia in the novel. Only that she never went home during academy—stayed even in breaks, demon raids.
Back then, I skimmed: That bitch up to something.
Now? Weird. Why hide a key villain's past?
"I..."
Mulling that when—
"Ah, answer later's fine."
A plain, narrow door—far from office plush. Merhen grinned, turned the knob.
"Here we are. Head maid's bedroom."
Inside beat expectations. Way better than my old moldy, flea-infested studio—however humbling.
Power of "head"? Gotta see the hat to judge. Mmm.
"Few places have instant hot water. First day special—just tonight."
"If it's no bother, mind if I...?"
"Puhuhu. Who's heard that line?"
Wanted to yield to the owner, but my state... no choice.
Gross! Smell? Dunno, but gross!
Guessing she planned it, Merhen pointed to the bathroom.
"You first. Must feel gross."
"Ugh... Th-thanks—"
"Ah, you ran 'cause ghosts? Scared to bathe alone? Want company?"
"Al-alone's fine!" I yelped, bolting in.
Finally, solo happy time.
...Weird phrasing, but anyway—blissful downtime.