Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: A Sheep's Fierce Assault
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Anna praised Lami effusively, insisting that work was more enjoyable than ever before. As she listened to these tales of Lami's virtues, the head maid began to think that her preconceived image of Lami might have been mistaken.
"She only seemed strange at first glance, but she actually takes such good care of those beneath her."
The head maid rarely interacted directly with Lami. She only heard about her through occasional hallway encounters when Lami first arrived at the estate or through the maids' gossip about Lami's eccentricities.
Anna, who had been lavishing praise on Lami, hesitated for a moment before giving an awkward smile.
"Truth be told, I was pretty worried when I first came here."
"The rumors about the family head and the estate aren't all good, are they?"
"Yes. I'd heard the family head was terrifying, and the atmosphere in the estate was supposed to be stiff and rigid."
"Yet you applied anyway, full of courage."
"It's the best decision I ever made. Thanks to that, I get to serve my benefactor!"
The head maid stood quietly, listening attentively to Anna's words. Anna went on about how wonderful Lami was before shifting to how adorable Ed was.
"The young master is so mature, but sometimes he shows his childlike side, and it's just the best. He reminds me exactly of my little brother."
Anna gazed into space, clearly missing her sibling, and was about to speak again when...
"I'm glad to hear you're satisfied with your work."
The head maid cut in before Anna could continue, deciding it was time to leave. Any longer, and she'd end up hearing every single detail about Lami that she didn't need to know.
Anna wasn't usually this chatty—it was a surprising change. It seemed like serving Lami had eased her tension, revealing her true personality, or perhaps her temperament had simply shifted.
"Hm?"
As she turned to go, something odd caught the head maid's eye. She narrowed her gaze, double-checking if she was seeing it right.
"A sheep... attacking a wolf?"
Mimo, the plump sheep Lami had brought with her, was mercilessly assaulting Jack. Jack could easily overpower Mimo but instead just cowered with his tail tucked, taking it.
Lami was flustered between the bizarre sheep-wolf duo, desperately trying to restrain Mimo. But for some reason, the highly agitated Mimo wouldn't stop attacking Jack.
The head maid blinked in disbelief. She had no idea how to process the scene before her.
"Does it take after its owner...?"
She shook her head. If it took after its owner, Mimo would have fled far away by now.
Lami, stuck in the middle trying to break up the one-sided sheep assault on the wolf, couldn't withstand Mimo's charge and toppled backward.
The head maid's eyes widened, and Anna bolted out immediately.
"A-Anna?"
"Sorry, Head Maid! I have to go to Lady Lami!"
Anna dashed down the hall after her frantic words. The head maid had come for some business with Anna, but now she was left alone in the room.
Amazed by Anna's loyalty to Lami, the head maid stepped out.
"She really is an odd one."
Her briefly revised opinion of Lami reverted right back.
I finally calmed Mimo, who had channeled her fear into aggression, and dragged her back inside the estate.
She'd flee at the mere thought of facing Jack, but who could've predicted she'd go berserk like this once they actually met?
It hadn't taken that long, yet I felt like I'd already burned through a full day's stamina.
"Ughhh..."
Shuffling along like a zombie, I heard Anna's voice along with some unfamiliar men's voices from somewhere nearby.
"How'd you get to the Magic Tower first when you couldn't even break through us?"
"A tiny weakling like you being the first visitor to the Magic Tower? It crushes the knights' pride."
I'd thought they were knights friendly with Anna, chatting casually, but apparently not. Their grating words made my brow furrow just from overhearing.
"What the hell are they on about?"
With their upright looks—like they'd walked the straight and narrow their whole lives—they spout crap like that?
I'd assumed the Rub estate's knights were all decent folk, but this was my first realization that some hid behind kind faces to pull this nonsense.
"I need to get to Lady Lami right now, so please move!"
Anna boldly shouted at the knights, who towered over her in height and bulk. But they showed no intention of stepping aside.
"Then go ahead and push through us."
"A wolf serving a sheep wounds your pride, huh..."
"Hey, watch your mouth. We shouldn't mess with her."
"Oh, right."
Listening quietly to their exchange, it was clear they didn't think much of me either.
"Serving a sheep hurts their pride, is that it?"
My mood soured instantly. They'd trailed off cautiously, but I'd heard every word crystal clear.
I quietly memorized each of their faces.
I was just about to step forward to help Anna when I spotted Jack trailing behind me at a distance.
I rushed to Jack, crouching slightly to meet his eyes. Fueled by anger and purpose, he felt less scary than usual.
"Jack."
At my call, his round eyes turned to me. I slowly raised a hand, pointing at the knights.
"Sic 'em."
Was Anna's recent gloom because of these knights? If so, it was time to back her up and give them a warning.
Jack charged at them with clear intent to bite. The knights panicked a bit at the sudden wolf lunging in attack mode.
"Hey, what's this? Back off!"
"Jack, hold on!"
The knights dodged without drawing swords, their mouths agape, and ended up clinging awkwardly to the window sill. They tried to soothe him.
But Jack, with no prior ties to them, faithfully carried out my order. Their desperate shouts fell on deaf ears.
I strolled leisurely toward them, dangling from the sill. Confusion colored their eyes as they looked at me.
"Touch Anna one more time, and I won't let it slide."
Even boiling mad, facing knights made my voice tremble slightly. I'd thought I'd nailed the dignified line, but damn voice ruined the vibe.
After getting their firm promise never to harass Anna again and sending them off, my legs finally gave out. I nearly collapsed, but Mimo and Jack propped me up from both sides.
Touched by the unexpected support, I thought pairing them was the right call after all, then asked Anna,
"Are there more knights like that?"
"No, just those guys are especially bad. The others mostly tease in jest."
"Why is this even teasing material...?"
I was genuinely baffled. Don't people usually praise someone who conquers a challenge they couldn't?
Anna shrugged and shook her head like she had no idea either.
I stroked Jack's head as he sat waiting for my next command, letting out an incredulous chuckle.
Clunk—.
Ed's classroom door swung open, and Karen and Ed stepped out.
"Lady Lami!"
He must've overheard Anna and me talking and known I was nearby.
I sighed deeply at having to show this scene to Anna, of all people, right beside me.
Ed had bounded out joyfully, but seeing my darkened expression, Anna looked at me curiously.
"You properly attended class, right?"
After some thought, I picked option 1. 2 felt too harsh on Ed, and 3 would've been fine without the "Why the fuss?" part.
"Yes! When are we heading to the Magic Tower?"
Despite my curt question, Ed's face lit up like a hundred magic lamps had ignited.
I took his hand and led him toward Billy's office.
"We agreed to go right after your lesson ends, so let's check with Billy."
I'd just raised my hand to knock when Billy opened the door from inside, as if he'd heard us.
"Shall we head to the Magic Tower now?"
Like he'd been waiting, Billy grabbed our hands and warped us straight to the Magic Tower.
Ed's eyes widened as he took in the magic goods shop inside the tower—his first time there. Among the few customers were mostly mercenaries and brave-looking beastkin.
Then, amid the burly patrons, a child Ed's age appeared, clutching a guardian's hand.