The Shadow Unit's Anna
The Shadow Unit.
The hidden elite of the Valkian family, answerable only to the family head.
They were monsters composed of at least 6-star Sword Masters.
They were hunting dogs educated to live for the Valkian family and die for the Valkian family.
Among them, Anna had felt a strange emotion toward Neville, whom she was assigned to serve by the family head's order.
So it was all an act. Even the head of the family deceived me.
She had realized that the family head had sent something the moment she entered and greeted him.
The Shadow Unit was a secret unit unknown even to the emperor.
Therefore, they placed the most importance on methods to deceive their own level, so how had she noticed?
So he really is a bloodline of the Valkian family.
One could tell how thorough a person he was just from the act of deceiving everyone. It was probably an intuitive feeling.
Since it had been revealed, she had tried to help with matters related to the Breyna family as well.
Of course you can read. If there's something I need help with, I'll call you. You can go now.
"Ha ha."
Anna smiled expressionlessly.
It was a rather large reaction for someone who had lived by erasing expressions to survive in the shadows.
"Don't touch my prey..."
Just like the fact that she could read, the girl from the Breyna family was her own prey that she would kill herself.
So, don't get in the way until I call you.
"A fun person."
A glint appeared in Anna's expressionless eyes.
She thought it was quite a fun person to serve, not a boring assassination mission.
......
......
"Hah, what was so good about this woman.."
As she read the letter sent by Celine, she frowned.
The content was simple.
Why didn't you write a letter yesterday? I was worried. But was there no new news? I heard you were hiding your swordsmanship skills. Is it true?
"Advertising that you're a spy openly. How big of a fool were you to reply to something like this."
She probably wrote the letter without suspecting how he knew, grunting "heh heh heh."
Anyway, a trashy rofan novel.
She was doing the usual nonsense about the female lead's appearance being plausible.
"Still, I have to reward the expectation."
She took a piece of paper from the desk and wrote the letter.
Of course not. You told me not to pick up the sword, so I didn't. By the way, what about the marriage-related talk? Since it's exciting, tell me.
In summary, something like this.
Of course, I also softened some of the unnecessary flattery and praise for beauty, which is typical of trashy novels.
After writing it all, her mood was sullied.
She stood up, opened the door, and went out. Anna was standing there expressionlessly.
"Anna, deliver this to the Breyna family."
"I will obey."
"Alright, thank you."
Thank you?
Anna's ears perked up in suspicion.
The Valkian bloodline could say such words?
The best compliment she had ever heard from the head was just a nod.
She approached Neville, who was trying to distance himself with a strange feeling.
It was something that could be done by quickly delivering the letter and following him.
"...Where are you going?"
Neville was slightly startled.
Did maids usually ask such things?
Since it had been too long since the personal maid, he didn't remember.
Neville didn't know, but normally they didn't ask.
After all, unless close, asking the master was a breach of etiquette.
Four years captivated by Celine.
Four years after the engagement was broken.
Five years for revenge.
For thirteen years, Neville had not received help from a maid, so he answered as if it was just that.
"My mood is a bit off, so I'm going to the training ground to train."
At that answer, Anna's mood rose even more.
She had answered a pointless question.
She had lightly overlooked the rudeness she had committed.
It was a vague feeling as if she was being acknowledged for why.
So, Anna decided to have a conversation with Neville.
"Meal time is approaching soon."
"It's okay if it's just a moment."
"I understand. Then, when ready, I will come to the training ground."
"Alright, thank you."
She said thank you again.
It was the first time she had talked to someone for so long.
I will obey.
I understand.
Completed.
To Anna, who had repeated these words since birth, it was the first human and warm moment she had experienced.
......
......
The method to weave the first ring was simple.
Absorb the mana in the air and flow it through the blood vessels.
Move the mana that entered the blood vessels to the heart and weave the ring according to the breathing technique.
In this process, the pain of the blood vessels expanding and the body's burden according to the breathing technique accompanied it.
Then, what after that?
The process of weaving one more ring next to the first one woven.
For that, a sturdier body than when weaving the first ring was needed.
So, whenever there was a gap, she had to run and torment her muscles.
Neville ran and ran on the training ground where everyone had left.
Even when his body screamed at the sudden movement, he moved.
As he focused only on moving while separating the body's pain, pleasure began to fill his brain.
At that moment, when he rotated the ring and circulated aura to his body, the blood vessels expanded.
Sweat coming out while running and the waste accumulated in the body were excreted simultaneously, making the body easier to create rings with.
It was Neville's crude method he devised in his previous life.
In general, it would probably be difficult to do.
The brain feeling pleasure meant the body was at its limit, and it was like pouring more fuel into an overheated train to force it to run.
The result of Neville naturally doing it was the product of practicing madly to grow strong quickly.
The most efficient way to get stronger. The body will be a bit painful, but it's fine.
It recovers well if you sleep and eat well.
Reaching a high level after five years of training was not possible with just the Sun Breath.
The body with the Valkian bloodline had made it possible because it was supported by insane recovery power.
On the other hand, Anna, who was watching that scene blankly, was amazed.
How did he do that method by himself?
The evening preparation was already done, and it was just a matter of calling.
But she was mesmerized by the sight of Neville running on the vast training ground as the sun set.
Then, at the moment when he staggered as if his stamina was exhausted, she witnessed Neville rotating the ring.
It was an action that shouldn't be possible with ordinary mental strength.
It was a crazy act of overworking the body right before exhaustion.
However, since it was an action to quickly increase skill, he trained by forcing the body to its limit.
For example, like making someone climb a cliff where falling means death.
But he does that just by running?
It seemed he was a monster beyond imagination.
Neville, who had tormented his body to the limit and was drenched in sweat all over.
The sun had already set and the surroundings were darkening.
Anna felt her heart pounding at the sight of Neville looking back at himself with red eyes glowing.
...Heart disease?
"Anna? Hah... wait."
"Ah, I didn't want to disturb you, so I was just watching."
"Alright, sorry. Let's go quickly."
"Y-yes. I prepared a towel here."
"Oh, thank you."
Neville took the towel and wiped his face and hair.
His red eyes shining between the sweat-soaked and drooping bangs.
He said with a beautiful curve on his lips.
A face as if an artist had carefully drawn it.
"Let's go."
"...I will obey."
Anna answered as if mesmerized and followed behind.
While tilting her head at her constantly small heartbeat.
......
......
Neville forced his sluggish body to move and came out after washing.
The table was now richly arranged.
The steam rising was probably because the chef had prepared it again.
Without saying anything, it was filled with high-quality protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates.
The amount was very satisfying.
"Was the menu and amount requested by Anna?"
"Yes. After exercise, it's important to eat well."
"Excellent. If anything is missing, please let me know."
"I will obey."
It seemed he had exercised a bit.
Seeing his understanding of the diet was excellent.
Looking at it now, his body's balance was perfect.
It was to the point where someone with good eyesight would mistake him for a Sword Master.
It would be good to learn swordsmanship, but since she was a maid, it would be difficult.
For now, she sliced a thick steak and put it in her mouth.
The fantastic oil and aroma melting on the tongue.
After exercise, food was indeed special.
Clink—
"Oppa, are you eating?"
Helena's voice came from outside.
"Anna, open the door."
"...I will obey."
It seemed like she had been hesitating a bit, but maybe it was her mood.
When Anna opened the door, Helena entered with a bright smile.
"Oppa—!!"
Then, upon realizing that the person who opened the door was not her but Anna, she stopped for a moment.
"...Who?"
"The personal maid of Prince Neville is Anna."
"I've never seen you before."
"It is an order directly given by the head. Originally, she belonged to another place."
Helena slowly observed Anna.
Her expression was expressionless, but her body was angry.
It was a target that needed to be guarded against as it was sufficiently attractive.
If it was a personal maid, she would definitely spend a lot of time with the oppa.
The strong guard instinct and a woman's intuition.
She judged that she needed to touch it once.
"How old are you?"
"...Twenty-two years old."
"Hmm— Alright. Good."
"...What do you mean?"
Helena smiled brightly.
She has interest in oppa.
Since the reaction was weak, she probably didn't realize it yet.
She needed to kill the spirit a bit in advance for a smooth future.
The gazes of Anna and Helena crossed.
One was smiling, the other expressionless, but the invisible momentum was fighting.
Helena lifted one corner of her mouth and said.
"Well... there is such a thing."
In fact, it meant nothing.
After all, you don't know much about oppa? I know well.
It was just a provocative answer.
Thanks to that, Anna's expressionless face slightly shook.
The desire to know exactly what was good about it.
And the question that arose in herself for feeling such desire.
Why? Why is it bothering me?
On the other hand, Neville didn't understand the situation.
Why was Helena asking such a question?
It was just that a personal maid was born.
No matter what, he thought they shouldn't leave the two like that, so he spoke up.
"Lena, Anna has become my personal maid starting today. I went to see father."
"Ah, I see. It's a bit unfortunate that it's a woman."
"Huh? There was only a personal maid, right?"
"Yes. But sometimes new things can be good, right? Men can also be personal maids."
"Oh... Alright, having an open mind is good. By the way, what brought you here?"
"Um, about that..."
Helena, who slightly blushed and opened her mouth at my question.
"May I see oppa eating? Since it's come to this, I wanted to eat together starting tomorrow..."
"Of course. Sit in front."
It was a happy thing.
Because I missed Helena a lot.
Later, if Kaina noona came, we could all eat together.
If possible, father too.
"Really! Thank you, oppa!!"
Helena approached with a bright smile.
She was clearly told to sit in front, but she sat beside.
"Here, ah— try this too."
"Eh, eh, ah."
She even fed her with a fork in hand.
Since she said it with a pretty smile, I couldn't refuse.
It wasn't that I didn't like it, but there was a slight discomfort.
I want to eat a lot faster.
In the middle of having to keep receiving it, Anna cautiously interjected.
"...Excuse me, but if you continue like that, it might make Prince Neville's meal a bit uncomfortable."
A cold silence lingered in the room.