Chương 216: Chapter 215

Chapter 215: The Arrogant Maid

"Going all the way from the Far East of the Empire to support the western front... No matter how I think about it, it feels strange."

Luri spoke.

"Is there any reason for us to keep insisting on that technology? Wouldn't it be enough to simply hand over those rifles and leave?"

Ferda had thought the same.

He had kept his promise to Duke Yurei, and the affairs of the Heinkel Kingdom were no longer his concern.

Now that it had become clear they had allied themselves with the Demon Race, all he needed to do was provide the Magitech Rifles and be done with it.

That would have been the easiest solution.

"The one I'm supporting is Olivia... but at the same time, it's also Ureas."

Ureas was a war fanatic consumed by his lust for conquest.

What would happen if someone like him got his hands on the Magitech Rifles?

An army would be organized in no time, introduced as the Imperial Family's glorious Mage Battalion, hailed as the Empire's elite force.

"And then he'd run around screaming Lightning Magic like a monkey."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"He'd probably shove a rifle barrel in people's faces and threaten them whenever they refused to give him bananas."

Luri silently accepted the analogy.

"Judging from what I've heard about Prince Ureas, he certainly sounds capable of something like that... But don't you trust Princess Olivia rather than that reckless Second Prince?"

Olivia was the one keeping Ureas under control.

The internal affairs that could have easily descended into utter chaos had remained relatively stable precisely because she held his leash.

"I do trust her. But sometimes... trust itself can be frightening."

Olivia stood closer to power than anyone else.

After finishing her revenge against her family...

Would she truly remain the same person afterward?

Ferda had always believed Olivia resembled himself.

That was precisely why he believed she would never be able to abandon power so easily.

Ferda had killed his own family.

In the end, he had gone mad and come to hate everything innocent.

If he truly considered her a trustworthy partner, then he couldn't allow everything to proceed exactly as she intended.

"Besides, I needed a reason to join the campaign."

"Why would you need a reason to go personally?"

This time, Ferda answered with unusual seriousness.

"The King of Heinkel used Legion."

"What's that?"

"A spell created by the Great Demon, Gamigin, to build his ideal kingdom."

"It's rather unsettling hearing you praise a Great Demon's magic..."

She narrowed her eyes.

"Surely... you're not thinking about learning that spell?"

Ferda had already mastered one form of Black Magic.

Luri had no intention of letting him acquire another one—especially the sinister magic of a Necromancer.

"Of course not. Why would I bother learning something so useless?"

"Didn't you just say it was magic for creating an ideal kingdom? Now you're changing your story."

"You don't understand what the word 'ideal' means in the world of magic."

"Well, I've spent my entire life swinging an axe since before you were even born."

"That's fine. Ignorance is not a crime."

Luri growled like a brave little Chihuahua.

"An 'ideal' spell is one that requires conditions so impossible they're practically unattainable. And that spell depicted Gamigin's own ideal."

"So even the Great Demon Gamigin himself couldn't fully unleash its true power?"

"Exactly."

Thinking about it, there was a contradiction.

"But the King of Heinkel succeeded, didn't he? A human king with absolutely no connection to magic."

Ferda nodded.

"An ordinary human king accomplished what even Gamigin couldn't. He became a Grand Mage capable of creating Legion despite those impossible conditions. What do you think people would say if they heard that?"

"If the King of Heinkel could do it... they'd probably believe they could as well."

Those who had tasted power always hungered for even greater power.

"If that information reaches the surface, this war will become more than just punishing a traitor who allied himself with the Demon Race."

It would become something beyond a mere war against demons—

A struggle born from humanity's own greed.

"If my prediction is correct, even the kings who have remained suspiciously quiet will slowly begin sticking their heads out."

"Indeed..."

Luri couldn't help but admire his foresight.

She had assumed the Demon Race was merely revealing its true nature by plunging the continent into chaos.

Apparently, it ran much deeper than that.

"That's why I'm using the excuse of supporting Olivia to join the war myself."

"I understand now."

The suspicion faded from her eyes.

After pondering his words for a while, Luri spoke again.

"If you're entering the Demon Race's stronghold, then I'll accompany you."

"What about attending to Her Highness?"

"Her Highness has never required much assistance. Right now, Lady Valdrova's greatest concern is you, Lord Ferda. If that concern insists on walking straight into Godwin's jaws, shouldn't someone at least be there beside him?"

"Very thoughtful."

Remembering how Luri had annihilated the Demon Race cavalry, Ferda asked,

"How strong were the demons you fought?"

"They were easy. The King of Heinkel used some strange magic, but I've dealt with enemies that relied on overwhelming numbers countless times before. As long as you don't do anything reckless, Lord Ferda, I can rescue you whenever necessary."

"That's reassuring."

Ferda recalled Luri's remarkable performance in the King of Heinkel's territory.

Feeling she deserved some sort of reward, he instinctively reached out toward her head.

Smack!

His wrist was violently knocked aside.

Something had struck it with incredible speed, nearly dislocating the bones.

Looking at Luri, it was obvious—

She had slapped his hand away.

Holding his throbbing wrist, Ferda asked,

"...What was that for?"

In other words—

Couldn't you have just said something?

She had complained before whenever he patted her head, but she had never resorted to violence.

Luri replied with an expression full of confidence.

"I know everything."

"Know what?"

"Do you really think I'm foolish enough not to understand your intentions?"

"...What intentions?"

Each time Ferda looked genuinely confused, her confidence only grew stronger.

"I finally understand exactly why you're always trying to touch my head. I realized it's far more than simply treating me like a child."

She proudly pointed at herself with her thumb.

"And I've successfully developed the perfect method to protect myself."

" 'Fifteen Ways to Protect Yourself from a Pervert'."

Her silver eyes sparkled brightly.

"And I plan to add thirty-four more methods in the future."

"...?"

Ferda couldn't understand a single word she was saying.

Was this another one of those mysterious differences between humans and Dragon Spawn?

"Could you perhaps explain what exactly you've figured out?"

"Who would reveal their strategy to the enemy so willingly?"

I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, so please explain...

"Whatever the case, you'd better give up your dream of treating me like some Attendant. My body belongs to me—and only my Master has the right to touch it!"

Ferda was completely dumbfounded.

Still, he decided to simply nod along.

Whatever was going on, he had no desire to remain caught up in this bizarre atmosphere.

Seeing his reaction, Luri smiled with complete satisfaction before giving a respectful bow.

"Then I'll take my leave now, Lord Ferda."

"...Very well."

Luri left the room.

Watching the door close behind her, Ferda muttered,

"...I don't understand."

He thought he had treated her exactly the same as always.

What had changed?

At that moment—

Tap.

Mori, who had been quietly sitting nearby, reacted to his words.

Thinking she wanted to say something, Ferda looked over.

Instead, she produced a lengthy passage.

- Do you know this, Gilbert? The way to tame a beast is to let it experience hunger. When it's hungry, it becomes angry, doesn't it? Once that anger passes, helplessness takes its place.

That's when you establish your dominance. Feed it little by little. The important thing is that the food comes from your own hand. Make it believe that the hand feeding it is a kind hand, and gradually make it insensitive to physical contact. Before long, it realizes its own helplessness, and eventually trembles with anxiety whenever it can't receive your touch.

Taming that arrogant one is no different. Make her realize her place, and slowly turn her into a proper female.

"...What is this?"

Seeing Mori calmly produce something so shocking, Ferda asked.

She answered,

- This is part of Chapter 3 of 49 Ways to Tame an Arrogant Maid.

"What's that?"

- An erotic novel.

"...Hmm..."

Ferda found himself speechless.

This wasn't the first time Mori had casually used the phrase "erotic novel."

More importantly...

He couldn't understand why she had suddenly shown him such a passage at a moment like this.

In the end, Ferda made a decision.

Rather than digging any deeper into a situation that was practically begging to be misunderstood—

He chose to let it go.

"Very well... thank you."

As if pretending he had never seen the passage at all, Ferda gently stroked Mori's head.

***

Luri Silverwind, Lady Valdrova's loyal Attendant, followed the same routine every day.

After finishing a long day's work, she rewarded herself with preserved fruit soaked in honey before lying down on her bed.

Normally she would have simply gone to sleep.

But today was different.

Reading was one of the fundamental qualities of an intelligent woman.

So Luri opened her book.

Its title was—

49 Ways to Tame an Arrogant Maid.

Although she read every erotic book Ferda brought home the very day Mori translated them...

This particular book had occupied her for over a month.

Not because it was difficult.

Rather—

When you find something delicious, you want to savor it.

You want to keep rolling it around in your mouth to enjoy every last drop of sweetness.

That was exactly how she felt about this book.

It told the story of Lulu, the proud daughter of a distinguished Knight Family, and Pellan, the Imperial Court Mage.

Lulu was a proud female knight who had failed to protect her lord.

She wished to die rather than continue living—

But couldn't.

After hearing from the court mage Pellan that the princess she had sworn to protect was still alive, she resolved to live on and fulfill her mission.

Pellan promised to reveal the princess's whereabouts if Lulu became his maid and served in his mansion.

And so...

Lulu became a maid.

Outwardly, Pellan was an intelligent mage admired by everyone.

In reality...

He was cunning, manipulative, and fond of elaborate schemes, earning the Emperor's favor as his strategist.

Even the Emperor knew nothing of Pellan's darker inclinations.

Those hidden desires were directed entirely at Lulu after she became his maid.

His repeated acts of sadism and deliberate humiliation were enough to make even readers blush with embarrassment.

But Luri never even blinked.

"I'm only conducting research."

She couldn't forget the many scenes hinting that feelings were gradually blossoming between Pellan and Lulu.

Nor could she stop rereading the scenes where Pellan carefully fed Lulu one bite at a time.

Still—

She insisted she was merely conducting research.

The story and the sensual descriptions were simply... secondary.

Really.

Removing the bookmark, Luri continued reading.

- Lulu Feldragon... today, I shall have a taste of you.

"So you've finally crossed the line, you beast..."

For some reason...

Luri's heart began pounding.

She hurriedly turned the page.

- To be continued in the next volume.

"...?"

She reached for the next page.

Her fingers grasped nothing but empty air.

"...??"

She flipped through the book again and again.

She even tore off the cover to see whether additional pages had been hidden inside.

There was nothing.

Only the bedsheets beneath the book.

She wasn't a mage.

She couldn't create pages that didn't exist.

"...Hah."

An empty sigh escaped her lips.

As hollowness filled her heart, a powerful urge rose from deep within.

Suddenly...

She wanted to patrol the castle.

Immediately.

Taking a lantern, she left her room.

By pure coincidence, she arrived outside Mori's bedroom.

And by another coincidence...

Mori happened to be asleep.

She was sleeping soundly.

Her breathing was steady.

Her heartbeat was perfectly normal.

But Luri still felt the need to confirm that she was alive.

"Miss Mori."

After shaking her awake several times, she finally confirmed that she was, indeed, alive.

Luri immediately questioned her.

"Do you remember the books I asked you to translate?"

- I do. Out of fifty-two volumes, I translated sixteen.

"Among them... there was that maid book, wasn't there?"

- 49 Ways to Tame an Arrogant Maid?

"Yes. I wanted to confirm... Are you absolutely certain you translated the entire book?"

- I translated everything contained within that volume.

"Then... 'to be continued in the next volume' means..."

- Yes. The series is divided into Part One and Part Two.

"So this was only Part One?"

- Correct.

"..."

"The second volume... wasn't among the books I showed you?"

- No.

Luri pressed her fingers against her forehead.

"Even with everything stored inside your head... there's nothing you can do?"

- Books from the Eastern Region have not been archived. This archivist requires sleep to perform tomorrow's duties. If the cause of my sleep deprivation persists, I am obligated to report it to Regent Ferda.

In other words—

Stop bothering me.

The threat was subtle, but unmistakable.

"Understood. Please go back to sleep."

The moment permission was granted, Mori's head dropped.

Within seconds, she was sound asleep again.

Luri quietly left the room.

Everything felt strangely empty.

"It's only a book."

She decided to let go of her attachment.

I've already learned sixteen methods of taming. That should be enough.

That meant she could easily defend herself against all sixteen of Ferda's tricks.

With proper countermeasures prepared—

She was invincible.

That alone should have been enough.

It should have...

"...No."

The wild instinct deep within her rejected every attempt at rationalization.

Research or not—

She was dying to know what happened next.

The maid who stubbornly resisted and constantly looked down on her master.

The master who effortlessly toyed with that maid in the palm of his hand.

After chapters filled with nothing but tense standoffs...

The decisive moment had finally arrived.

How would he break her?

How would she surrender?

She wanted to know so badly it was driving her mad.

I have to read it.

The instant that thought crossed her mind...

A chill ran through her entire body.

Good heavens...

To think she had become the kind of woman who wanted to enter the Land of Demons over a single erotic novel.

The vulgar woman Lady Valdrova always complained about...

Had become herself.

Like Lulu, who had become so accustomed to restraining herself that she obeyed without needing orders—

Luri realized she had become exactly the same.

Mocking laughter echoed inside her ears.

It sounded remarkably similar to Penelope's laughter.

She had to vent this humiliation somehow.

"I'll kill you... Penelope, child of Sitri..."

Once again today—

Penelope found herself the target of Luri's Killing Intent.

Meanwhile...

Penelope was fast asleep in her room, scratching her stomach.