Chapter 6
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Wendy's Tribulations
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In the carriage heading back to the estate.
Wendy couldn't tell if it was the carriage shaking or her own body trembling.
I did it... I went and did it!
Wendy had accompanied Tristan to visit the Izarkhel Duke's family.
Normally, that would have been an important task for the head housekeeper or an exclusive maid.
Yet for some reason, Tristan had ordered the youngest servant in the estate, Wendy, to come along.
No. No. That wasn't important right now. What mattered was that she had made a mistake.
Wendy made mistakes as often as she ate, but today she had really screwed up big time.
She had gone and spilled tea right in front of Lady Izarkhel.
A mistake of a lifetime.
Ugh! You idiot moron...! Why did you have to do that!
Wendy berated herself.
The silver lining in her misfortune was that the lady was a very kind person.
Not only had she forgiven her, but she had even offered to cover the cost of the spilled tea.
The problem was Tristan.
Even if the lady forgave her, Tristan wouldn't.
He would surely punish her.
Wendy had to steel herself.
Her hands clenched on her lap.
But...
Even as she braced for certain misfortune, Wendy couldn't help recalling what had happened earlier that day for some reason.
-Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?
That gentle word.
Something the usual Tristan would never say.
Sob... If only it were that ghost...
To Wendy, Tristan was scarier than any ghost.
A ghost that looked exactly like Tristan but was kind.
Shed rather take her punishment from the ghost.
No, if she was really lucky, she might even get away with it.
Wendy mustered her courage and decided to cling to that hope.
Um, I...
Wendy.
Im, Im sorryyy! Please punish meee!
Of course, that was wishful thinking.
The moment Tristan called her name, Wendy realized.
That low voice laced with his characteristic arrogance and anger.
It was undoubtedly the tyrannical Count Tristan she served.
Preemptively begging for punishment was the best she could do.
...Punishment, is it.
Tristan muttered, pulling something from his pocket.
It was a short whip.
The tool he used to beat the servants.
Wendy steeled herself.
But no matter how long she waited, the lash never came.
Only Tristan's muttering filled the air.
Not to my liking.
?!
In the next moment, Wendy doubted her own eyes.
Tristan had tossed the whip out of the carriage.
He looked down at the bewildered Wendy and said,
It seems beating you is no longer effective.
Pardon...?
Wendy grew anxious.
When she looked up, Tristan's eyes were coldly gazing down at her.
Eyes that seemed to see right through her thoughts.
Ah, so then... could it be...
Wendy bowed her head low.
Her forehead scraped against the carriage floor, but she ignored it.
You, you can hit me. Curse me, slap me, whatever. But please... please dont fire me. Dont send me back home...
Wendy pleaded.
Her master had known all along.
What she feared most.
Tristan spoke in a chillingly cold voice.
I dont like you.
Wendys shoulders flinched.
You cry at the drop of a hat, youre always sickly, scrawny as a rail with no strength to speak of.
Wendy could only tremble in place.
Overwhelmed by Tristans quiet fury, she couldnt move.
Tell me. What the hell am I supposed to use you for?
It had all been Wendys delusion after all.
Tristan hadnt changed.
If anything, he had grown more vicious.
Now he had her heart in his grip.
Wendy spoke in a choked voice.
I, I have... family to support. Please... Count... please let me keep working...
Thats not my concern.
W-Whatever you say, Count... Ill do anything...
Anything?
Tristan sneered at her words.
Pathetic. What can you even do? Break dishes? Trip clumsily? Or spill expensive tea like today?
......
Wendy. Answer me.
Sob... J-Just tell me what to do... Ill do my best...
By now, Wendys face was a mess of tears and snot.
From the moment she bowed her head, every second felt like a minute.
Tristans lips remained firmly shut.
Until the moment the carriage stopped upon arriving at its destination.
At last, he slowly rose.
Ive decided.
Hic?!
Ive decided on your punishment.
When Wendy looked up, Tristan was already stepping out of the carriage.
As if planning to leave her behind.
Please dont abandon me...
The moment Wendy tried to plead again.
Please...
From now on, youre my exclusive maid.
W-Whatever it takes... huh?
Exclusive? Exclusive maid? Her?
Wendy couldnt follow the conversation.
Tristan sighed and said,
Didnt you say youd do anything? Youre my exclusive maid from now on.
Y-Yes...? Me?! B-But!
If you cant handle it, youre out.
Eek!? I-Ill do it!
Wendy frantically shook her head.
From the estates youngest servant to her masters exclusive maid overnight.
She couldnt tell if it was a dream or reality.
But why?
Wendy just couldnt understand.
Tristan had already stepped out of the carriage.
What are you waiting for? Get out.
Y-Yes!
She scrambled out to find the sun already set.
Tristans dark shadow stretched across the twilight-shrouded Ruelverta estate.
Wendy cautiously asked the shadow.
C-Count... Why... why make me your exclusive maid...?
Because youre easy.
P-Pardon?
Because itll be easy to torment you that way.
Tristan turned, flashing a sly grin.
Like a boy whod found an amusing new toy.
That was the moment Wendys tribulations began.
Ever since possessing this game character, Id been thinking nonstop.
How to survive in this world as Tristan, the man everyone despised and hated.
Its a fantasy world, so why not just use magic?
Id love to.
But heres the thing...
Unfortunately, Tristan cant use magic due to a generational curse on his family.
Long ago, the Ruelverta family was a dirt-poor noble house.
The head at the time, hating their poverty, made a deal with the devil.
The terms were...
To make the Ruelverta family the richest in the land.
Blinded by greed, the devil granted the heads wish.
The Ruelverta territory flourished day by day, their ventures succeeding one after another.
But the price was steep.
Anyone with Ruelverta blood was cursed to be born without mana.
In short, the family got rich enough to live comfortably for generations, but grandfathers, fathers, and sons alike became mana-less eunuchs.
When my sister Sora told me about this setting, I nearly died laughing.
Now that Im the mana eunuch, though.
Karma, I guess.
Im so grateful to my sister I could cry.
And this body isnt even athletically gifted.
This lazy hunk of flesh is so fat I sweat just sitting still.
The author straight-up abandoned this character.
Even if I scrape by to survive, the players invasions remain.
I know just how cruel and merciless they were.
Surviving feels next to impossible.
Unless I overhaul the setting, that is.
Yeah.
There was only one way.
Count. Weve arrived.
Finally.
Waddling out of the carriage, the first thing I noticed was the thick scent of grass.
Before me loomed a vast forest.
Like a fortress.
Endless trees stretched like giants clutching spears.
Youre here, Count.
Turning, I saw Bella.
She gazed at me, retaining every bit of her original beauty.
Yes.
Y-Yes. But... you came alone?
Bella glanced at the carriage with expectant eyes.
I could guess who she was looking for.
She cant resist anything cute.
I left the servant behind. She still needs training.
Hmm... Not that I was curious or anything. I just wanted to check if you were tormenting that girl. Anyway... You said you were ill, but it wasnt just an excuse, was it? You look perfectly healthy.
Serious illnesses often show no outward signs.
...Hmm. Is that so?
Shaking her head in exasperation, Bella said,
This place is like the heart of the Izarkhel Duke family. Not just anyone can come here. Especially not villains like youyou shouldnt even set foot in this sacred place.
Yeah, fair enough.
Even I, a mana-less hack, could tell.
This place was no ordinary spot.
Shes on guard against me.
The wind blowing from deep in the forest felt sharp.
Like a warning not to intrude rashly.
Bella seemed to sense it too.
...Count. Its not too late. Why not turn back? You came for recuperation, but you might end up bedridden for life.
She was conveying the paradises owners message in her stead.
That this place was truly dangerous for someone like me.
I opened my mouth.
Bella.
Yes?
Do you still hate me?
Yes. I hate you.
Instant answer.
Emotions straight as a sharpened spear.
I didnt dodge, asking her in return.
Do you hate me enough to want me dead?
Bella hesitated.
Hatred and resentment for me flashed through her mind.
Then she shook her head.
No. If so, I wouldve thrown you into this forest already. Im not like you.
Her eyes as she said that were utterly clear and beautiful.
So I was certain.
At this point in time, Bella had no intention of killing me.
I warned you, Count. Whatever happens here is your responsibility. But... you wont die. Not ever.
She promised me.
She hated me, but wouldnt kill me.
The daughter of Izarkhel guarantees it.
Bella took a deep breath.
Then, infusing her voice with mana, she shouted,
I, Bella Izarkhel, acknowledge you as a visitor to Eden.
The forest shuddered.
As if stretching awake.
Preparing to greet the uninvited guest whod arrived in broad daylight.
Welcome to paradise, Count.
Bella smiled at me.
I welcome you, but whether this place does is another matter.
Looks like Im an unwelcome guest in every way.