Chapter 17: Spying on a god’s shame
soGnaThe maid flinched and asked again.7s4
6zRbZTa“Eh? Are you saying you will take her, sir?”foQRv0y
9KsNymj“Think about it carefully. According to your own words, this girl will continue being unable to properly do what she is ordered, and everything will remain the same. Then, in the end, who will have to take care of it again? You, isn’t that right?”KW3Ho
AJujeFd“……”ZwnP05
TCMyHpIThe maid’s lips tightened.NI6REy8
vTzJ3cIndeed, that was already happening, and thinking that it would continue happening made irritation rise to her head.xNS
ay1q1“You have the authority to give orders to this girl, do you not?”wK2zo
y5l“Yes… that is true.”J46ei
ZbyhOT“If you have similar authority, then you could also order her to get out of this house.”lwacK
F4RJat“Hmm… even so, she is a girl my master appreciates.”jvI
KV4t“That is what you say with words. But think carefully.”Dz2C
6xkDfcTPerda began to coax the maid calmly.O3YV
8xp5“The brighter jewels shine, the more their flaws become visible. In the long term, who do you think will suffer more? Your master now enjoys the good life with the title of Sage. Is it not the decision of a loyal servant to correct and conceal the flaws of someone like that?”HKBAuIM
wGK5YuD“……”PwddO
nLrgQThe maid’s gaze changed.dlSvC
kKIPerda’s words began to seem strangely reasonable to her.PEgQrLR
Td8The very fact that she hesitated meant she was already falling.BGMbBp
NrFWwuxPerda decided to deliver the final blow.28d
Msr0“I will help you make that decision more easily.”4hfiO
4VVuQuRHe took out three gold coins and placed them in the maid’s hand.3wa
6RI“A-ah! G-good heavens…!”KWI
H4qCqWzThe woman’s eyes widened.9xHy
SmbVUxoThree gold coins.bmq7DIh
lNrFor a commoner, even seeing a single gold coin in an entire lifetime of work was difficult.Vl3QC5
Xne5sMCReceiving three at once was enough to cloud any judgment.B8Q
Rqs6rO‘Yes… to conceal my master’s flaws, trash like this…’1xRB2wS
Yzz1dMThe maid cleared her throat and immediately began rubbing her hands with a servile smile.iL9G
velP“Then, sir… what must I do?”CjiPiKD
Br5RAN“It is simple. All words have power. You only need to give her an order. Tell her to abandon her name from now on.”ho7b
JlxcT“Ah, understood. Brat, leave that and come here.”C3C
rZcThe girl stood up and walked to the maid’s side.bAyBTfE
5hy05“Listen carefully, you damned brat.”jSNd
ZwzhomAt those words, the girl nodded.OCKbfM
d5oS“From now on, you are going to abandon your name. And from this moment, your master will be this gentleman. So follow him from now on. Understood?”nZL8E
NaOglThe girl’s eyes slowly lifted toward Perda.6EMp
nEJ8cvrEmpty pupils, unfocused, as if asking a silent question.iL7i9
jZXa6iPerda looked directly into those eyes and asked,2fqN
vk9p“Will you acknowledge me as your master?”fS0iwMc
5OHlNMAt the question, the girl responded by nodding.NGa
5KkShe nodded again and again.3yjstt
JaX7p0B“Good. Confirmed.”hLrNQ
Vv5Perda looked up at the middle-aged maid.2MJzE
drERyShe was too busy caressing the gold coins.BlN
g8Cr3Zh“Since the deal has been closed, I will tell you an interesting fact.”kH1
1StTq“An… interesting fact?”4CxXGS
n5ANow that he had obtained what he wanted, it was time to reveal the truth.7ZD
SxZh0D“Why your master appreciates a girl as incredibly clumsy as this one, whom you yourself despised.”y8f
tqZ“Well… because she is somewhat pretty and that is all…”fUNSyt8
7VM“No. Helus Povidas, your master, prefers women with large breasts. And he likes women who laugh loudly at unfunny jokes as if they adore them. He is a man with an enormous inferiority complex. He lacks the confidence to face intelligent women, so he prefers empty ones. And even if she is somewhat pretty, there is no reason for him to like such a young and expressionless servant like this.”zqC
lTIThe maid’s face began to stiffen.9JE
qWtpqXKShe did not understand why she was suddenly being told all that, but the undertone of the speech seemed to scream that she had made a mistake.xLmE
jjlX“Would you believe me if I told you that this girl is, in fact, the source of the clairvoyance your master possesses?”puTTY
Mjhp“What are you saying? How could someone as stupid as this…?”BuId
nYRjConfusion was reflected in her eyes.GNIzq9Y
0PtYtnAAt that moment, the maid realized.EEup
OI9XcShe realized that she had been the truly foolish one, blinded by her desires.9SK
d4GKAnd also that she had fallen into a trap.nM414
pyzWith trembling hands, she extended the three gold coins again.wL6
Cb6“I-I… I will can-cancel this. I will return the money, so give me back the girl—”GYKM
7bMF“No. That is not necessary. And even if you returned it, you would not be able to leave alive.”zqJn
5MF“W-why?”RnvWX
V6Hk“Because you already understood what I told you, did you not? What you just heard is like spying on a god’s shame. I hope you understand that as well.”ENRv
urnnThere was no alternative.H3bR
Kz4g1wWhoever spies on a god’s shame must die.p2i
J3ccffThe maid’s face turned pale.7AgMcBc
QpEemM“The reason I told you is because, at least, I am showing you some goodwill. It means you should take that money and flee immediately.”UEaX3z
97oXPerda gave the advice with the same coldness as always.4KN
uDN“The moment your master catches you, you will disappear without a trace.”oOzX
0El***R4rca
BDAz7“Do you think a human can suddenly attain enlightenment?”9alT
1oW2wPerda asked Ruri.z6T
i1Ce6fKShe answered without hesitation.qaBYDxR
uDxv2XO“Yes.”7YbUJ5
xHWAO“Why?”sx0
7uA7TDu“Humans believe they live by accumulating knowledge over time, but they cannot live only on that accumulation. I think they have survived because there exists a spark that cannot be reached through accumulated knowledge alone.”x1uO
QSDIt was a perspective befitting a servant of an immortal.GIjJ
tqrs“You are partly right. But you are also wrong.”0w1Dtt
eYcd8zu“In what part?”Z8VuK
PUhz“They say that no matter how much you dig in a place without a vein, you will never find water. Even if someone awakens, wisdom that never existed cannot suddenly spring forth.”5Ey
jZmYPBjPerda looked at the name on the list.TdLV
HyoHelus Povidas.RjuuIO
lEv7“This man is the same.”Hc3W
4jO“Then, what you are saying is that the Sage of Water is only a scarecrow…”ubKu5
TNtgRuri looked away.7a0a
3HbxBeside her, a blonde girl of similar height stood with a docile posture.XaQZg
wTAvHer unfocused eyes gave the perfect impression for her to be called stupid.qY3f
x3PEKJ“Are you saying that this clumsy girl is the source?”nCUVejT
H3zPerda made a gesture as if pulling an invisible leash.f9Au
JIOJe8“Have you heard of the slave sage?”FBRw
YT0OjpHumanity stores and compresses knowledge, learns from the past, and opens a path toward the future.bJDggeP
wLgpiHPIn Perda’s world, where one does not advance by colliding with the body, that was what they called it.XAE0G
MN9MTo predict the unpredictable.Gnd11Y8
L9BcMBJTo control the uncontrollable.pdHR3i
K529s0That is the core of those who seek knowledge, and each advances toward it in their own way.zqFsCz6
uxQSMuiTo connect knowledge with knowledge to obtain new conclusions.Svov
dvVgTo explore and dig to unearth lost techniques.s0j
yp0mA2Or to pray to the gods to obtain the desired answers.aXnwMSR
lY0J9ikOr even to set foot in forbidden domains that should never be stepped upon.Dtfj
EpJP0z‘Of all that, the most effective is still the forbidden territory.’WCHV2
VtPkNot to kiss a god, nor to see him smile.Hmqbh
2pSrazBut to spy on his shame.vOFHKA
TMmmAfBThe girl Perda had obtained had also set foot in that forbidden territory.1mjMM3
WztS1r9To acquire wisdom capable of shaking the world, it was necessary to pay an enormous price.f8M
AH3R7JAnd that price was surprisingly simple.ei8sT
9NEhC5‘Who am I?’TGwQ
TVH3One loses the ability to ask that question.fmZZ
8HrnA question so simple, and at the same time, absolutely fundamental.ga2Lq
YfGFriyKnowing who you are is tied to why you live.aTP
YM8And why you live leads to your actions.LeX6
0eVaHBut, at the same time, the fact of not being able to think about it is what allows survival.BJ5HGz
5tFXHThe ultimate wisdom and knowledge, incapable of moving or thinking on their own.9cORf
5INRThe ultimate tool.RY0
jvNd“That is how a slave sage is born.”466Gbh
WsmCg5“To lose oneself in exchange for power truly is a stupid choice.”B13Lx
QRz7ti“Yes. It is a truly stupid choice.”FB4sDY
NuYPerda murmured bitterly.kanea
gLCtRuri could not understand why he made that expression.6KDU27
cqvavO“Then… what kind of forbidden knowledge did she obtain to end up like this?”VPC
zzf“It is simple.”OcD
8ILPerda tapped her lightly on the head.bup
lfn“Manseosseo.”NHmW
Smu“Manseosseo?”qRlr
GOgFh“Would you believe me if I told you that inside that small head there are more books than in the entire library of Escolea?”fGF
uYMA“……”uHE83f
f8U1Ruri glanced sideways at the girl.zNk
1Qy4rRdThere was not a trace of magical power, nor an ominous aura. A completely ordinary girl.O8y
4b1If she had passed her on the street, she would have taken her for a random fool and walked past.0UATSb7
MAeTo say that she had more books than the Manseosseo, considered the compendium of human intelligence?k3ob
MDyH5It was not easy to believe, but she did not refute it.V1J
dwLjzWAfter all, the choice had been Perda’s, and the responsibility was his as well.AAwf2oN
2MMH“Look at me.”Jre
OplGBPerda gave the order to the girl.o67Ma9r
Zlp2Her eyes fixed on him.C2dxTL
msZPtP“Before giving you a name, I will impose a highest-priority order on you.”KjZGdQ
t7M2IMPerda spoke clearly, syllable by syllable.VYtA
aujL“This order will be engraved like your breathing and the beating of your heart, and it will become an absolute and unchangeable truth.”GCgcJ
6SQLedShe nodded.TJP4lEz
FT1Pg3OPerda, as if reciting a spell, continued.zRcOd
IcViM“The sovereign of great power, the Dragon Queen, the Grand Duchess Valdrova, will be the beginning of your existence and also your end. You will devote your entire life to serving her.”t04
NUZA8pShe nodded.hVAKMhY
pwL“I, Perda Valdrova, as her representative, will possess command authority and give you orders.”D6vbL
qNJshjShe nodded.uEEy
FHqSg“However, if any order contradicts the convictions of the Grand Duchess Valdrova or goes against her, you may object to it. And if you still cannot understand…”WFR
xnZ1After a very brief silence, he spoke again.rPSOOQ
VpIFKh“As a last resort, you will be permitted to rebel. Do you remember everything?”cTd455G
SmIYShe nodded.wLfM
EHTzGO“Good. From now on, your name will be Morida.”dn3
tGz3The girl received the name Morida.qAh
SdQxknIn her eyes, a strange vitality began to shine.9Jk
RBl***FkzqSBO
MLa0M“Except for Vernell Marquis, you have managed to recruit them all.”NnEzPf
lIOVIn the office of Valdrova Castle.fA4
kU0qwcR“That man will come soon as well.”KhB
wpv“Are you sure?”URaqoy
d6HmWwT“If after telling him all that he does not come, then I will have to give up.”FfQ8Ju
mENymPThere was no obsession nor attachment of the kind I must obtain him at any cost.AVZdQS
TcwoDLIt was rather like letting bonds flow, just as time flows.9xp
8IiItsg‘It is almost like the behavior of immortals.’7ouaI
FSShXEven Ruri, who clearly distinguished between those two things, felt confused.RligiVH
sgPHIkRuri looked at the paper with four names and four lines written.Qk5u
ETAJkl“Then, are these four the end for now?”uD2dgq
EibQA9Perda shook his head.cyi2k
EMcqxZ“In truth, one more is missing.”hZAFjk7
ScV7ssQ“Who?”ayn
9eOCPerda wrote the name of the person he had in mind.Dix
bSEJN– Ruri Valdrova.lGpRP
Gk4z“It is you.”cmeOTE
aKpRuri showed sincere rejection.vfI
OUOtXH4“I have not the slightest intention of taking your side. Do not misunderstand just because we have dealt with each other a little.”kAg
EXqRPerda did not overlook her loyalty.PEm9RlK
fKpWE9“That is fine. That is not what I desire either. Rather, I prefer that you continue distrusting and hating me as before.”m5Qn
BMeLqUv“……What do you mean?”McPs7
21ll“If Morida were ever to lead a rebellion, you should stand at the front.”JJ101j
evp1x“…….”SUqoO1z
dpoGCRuri’s expression hardened.yfE
SX5fXuShe looked more shaken than when she had heard the word assistant.1i0t
aNqIFB“That means… I must kill you?”nkeSwE
ZSM3CF“That is right.”Ww1Eutl
s6GFa“Why?”bQc2rff
YA5Perda answered calmly.Ea1
vH9eb75“Unlike immortal beings such as dragons, humans are destined to die someday.”dC0hCt
Y1isod“……!”znRJuz3
n35Wb9WRuri unconsciously clenched her fist.lwaP5e
8YKnNOGIt was something she herself had once said to Valdrova.mKGi
hFF“Since we are going to die someday, we change and our vision becomes clouded. When that moment comes for me, I might use the excuse of doing it for the Grand Duchess and only seek to satisfy my own desires.”RQV
05eZTdHis eyes, twisted by a strange sadness, slowly lifted toward Ruri.WHplQK
VigsUThe blue pupils looked at her, laden with deep feeling.cpg
fbpN0Ruri could feel it clearly.pvF
LSzT“That is why you, as her servant, must watch over me.”zUq1H
zgBThis man was willing to sacrifice even his own life.r0rs6yl
QWM3mrM“So that my queen, my fiancée, will not be hurt.”G7vTgQ
RGBWith trembling lips, Ruri spoke with difficulty.xGuCi4g
Vt9mE“…You speak like a human who does not know his place.”V6CIBPi
v0xzmrSA venomous remark that slipped out without thinking.XEu
qIKBEven so, Ruri nodded and replied.5s7hmX
aHy“Very well. After hearing you, I think that is something I can do.”iWc
Rcc“I appreciate it. As expected of a loyal dragonspawn.”sB5j1l
0LUuX9“However, there is something you seem not to know, so allow me to correct you.”x9a
jcqruRuri crossed out the part of her surname.4adv
HHjOhuThat meant she was not a spawn of Valdrova.hoT
CYeir“My true name is this.”6UQi
WiMhPoy– Ruri Silverwind.56d
28c“With that, I take my leave…”NfqzZ
HotOVxnRuri left the office, and Perda remained silently looking at the name she had written.PxxRIX
4JGCPuH‘This I truly did not expect.’tzD08
Bjy8The surname Ruri had written was a considerable shock to Perda.44xeQ
iYE8LWhen a dragonspawn completes the ascension ritual, she receives as her surname the name of the dragon she serves.JGda0kh
1xxO5AJust as Perda went from Rosnova to Valdrova, Ruri should also have inherited the surname of her dragon.RnCaO
as0i67But she was not Valdrova, but Silverwind.h6vNZ7I
j3fNT‘That means spawn of the silver dragon.’hfFkNnT
pyNVIf he thought about it calmly, it was something he could have noticed before.HiY2
xaWBTGqThe mobility capable of moving in an instant.pJesDa
Pvi9Wind-attribute magic.nyxW
QTxWvEverything matched the blood of a silver dragon.qNlA
DXL4HAnd yet, in Perda’s mind, something did not add up.Uu6l
W97SZCyBecause.pE9
q856l‘Silverwind died at the hands of Valdrova.’Si0SdTY
eqp9After killing the black dragon Godwin, Valdrova lost control.uJMY
hD801eTo stop her, someone sacrificed his life—the silver dragon Silverwind.OoldxP
e0Xsw‘From then on, they were little less than mortal enemies.’WVnyU
AQ0The reason why Valdrova was considered an evil dragon was also largely due to the influence of Silverwind’s faction.z9B5
ZvzpEmHe had many spawn under his command and enjoyed great prestige.OvTxSoa
PRneyq‘For a spawn of the silver dragon to swear loyalty to the Dragon Queen…’Qtf
u10TIPerda rested his arm on the armrest and tapped his chin lightly.4SQo
KrRvDB‘Does that mean she is only pretending loyalty?’kBh
9aC21YfHe immediately denied it.Ikcjss3
tVRft‘Ruri is more loyal than anyone.’EVbXmq
qynqLThere was no doubt.F8e3
ZyxUkShe, who took care of everything for a solitary mistress, could not be doing it only out of a sense of duty.cHj0
MNam‘Then is she rejecting her blood as a spawn of the silver dragon?’8Z42
9h7DlgHHe denied that as well.ieLMJ
O4ENztBlood is thicker than water.qtqv
7zuPAnd in dragon society, that principle was even more absolute than among humans.Gs9
XhxLf‘I do not know.’T42n
Bf7Perda reviewed his own future.p9PCpva
RpfrCctThinking about it carefully, there were several points that seemed strange to him.ZMR3ikH
gzrrorWhen he went to kill Valdrova.8gfEFO
Qse‘Ruri was not there.’wCJ80i
YaXcDwThe castle she had built was half destroyed, and inside the lair only Valdrova remained, as if waiting for death.giGxy2
KjwhC0Not even at the moment of her agony did Ruri appear.dM3Mv
ePulRI‘If only I could know the reason…’BPZi
ROVx8For the Perda of the past, that had been something outside his interest, so he had no way of knowing.SsBJj
hTD1NFor now, the only thing he knew was that this Ruri, so loyal, would one day turn her back on Valdrova.lWwYfk1
UaN5S‘Perhaps it is something I should find out.’7InFM
0RXxWhether he liked it or not, it was undoubtedly something that would bring sorrow to his companion.Xc9
R2dZkTUAnd Perda did not hesitate.Q6p7RH
Zxigl5***ggrtrSe
zjfGRThe next day, a carriage arrived in front of Valdrova Castle.BDA
gWu30BVernell Marquis had arrived.wd6z
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