Chapter 16

I connected it.

Just as I was rejoicing that my magic level had gone up by one, I suddenly realized something.

(Huh? Did my MP increase too much? Last time, when it went up by three levels, it was only around 300, right?

It's almost 250 higher now!

Why? Was it just a coincidence?)

Since I couldn't figure it out, I decided to put it aside for now.

(Well, what should I do next...

Should I lock myself in the study and study about this world?)

So, I came to the study again today to study.

It's quite enjoyable, so it's not at all a burden.

And the more enjoyable it is, the more my brain acts like a sponge, absorbing knowledge at an accelerating rate.

That's why I didn't notice.

The gaze that was fixed on me.

When I glanced to the side...

The maid was staring at me intently.

(Ah, crap, I was so focused that I forgot to pretend I didn't understand.

Could she have already noticed? Huh? Has she already noticed? She must have, right? That look on her face means she knows, right?)

Suddenly, she said,

"You don't have to pretend you don't understand."

(She did notice—!)

"I was half-skeptical until just now, but now I'm certain.

Lord Rain, you already understand our language, don't you?"

"..."

I was shocked. So shocked that I couldn't say anything.

(Huh? How did she figure it out?

I didn't give her that much of a hint!

No, being able to read books and understanding the language are related!

You can't read books if you don't understand the language!

So, it should be interpreted that you already understand the language...

Damn, I let my guard down.)

"Assuming you understand the language, I have one request to make of you, Lord Rain."

She sat down in front of me.

(Huh? What's going on? Why is she sitting like that?

This is too sudden, I don't understand at all.)

Ignoring my confusion, she began to speak.

"My birth was not a good one.

You've seen the map, haven't you?

My village is near the border with the Valente Kingdom, which is below this country.

There aren't many disputes near the border, and in fact, I hardly ever saw properly trained soldiers until I left the village.

At home, I was the third daughter, so I only had two options: leave home or marry a man from the village who was the eldest son.

I had a bit of confidence in my appearance.

While not as beautiful as my lady, I was proud of being a head taller than the others.

People often told me that too."

(Hmm... I haven't seen many women since coming to this world, so it's hard to comment.

Well, if she says so, it must be true.

By the standards of my previous life, she's quite beautiful.

I prefer her to the second lady.)

"But I didn't like that.

I wanted to be seen for who I truly was.

Now I understand that it was a very arrogant way of thinking.

But at the time, I couldn't stand the idea of marrying someone based on my looks, so I left home at thirteen.

In the first city I went to, I was very lucky and joined a guild in a large town. It was very fortunate to be part of a party of only women.

After a while, I received a letter from home.

It said they wanted me to come back immediately.

At first, I was confused and thought about ignoring it, but since they went to the trouble of sending me a letter, it must be serious. When I went back, I found that both my sisters were sick.

The disease was called Drain Disease, which takes 1 HP per day and prevents recovery.

The only way to cure it is with a level 7 water magic spell called Excura or an expensive herb.

At that time, there were only two people in this country who could use level 7 water magic, and they were both surrounded by the nobility, so it was impossible to meet them.

Even if I could, they would charge a large amount of money.

But I couldn't give up, so I went to beg them to come, even if it meant offering myself.

When I went to the gate, knocked on the door, and was caught by the guards, my lord came out.

He spoke to me kindly and negotiated with the noble, and my sisters were saved.

But the amount he asked for was too much for me to pay, and I was prepared to become a slave. Then my lord said to me,

'Why don't you work as a maid in my house?

I'll pay the fee, and you can pay it off from your salary each month.

I happen to need a reliable and skilled person like you.'

So I swore.

I would protect these people with my life.

If there was anything I could do, I would do it...

Lord Rain."

I jumped!

(Oh! Oh...)

I was startled when she suddenly called my name.

"Please!

Don't be angry with my lady!

Don't dislike her!

The fault is mine!"

And she suddenly prostrated herself and said this to me.

(Huh? Huh? Why? Why are you apologizing so seriously?)

Then she looked up, on the verge of tears, and said to me,

"I'm the one who made her look like that.

I'll do anything, so please don't look at my lady with those eyes!"

"!!??"

(How did she know!?

How versatile is this person!!)

For a moment, I saw my parents from my previous life in her.

She was probably talking about that.

The look in her eyes when she saw someone who wasn't related by blood.

But I realized it was too early to judge and stopped myself.

I thought no one would understand.

But it seems she did.

She was a highly capable maid.

But her face was so serious, so earnest.

I had never been asked so earnestly in my previous life.

She looked at me with such sincerity and earnestness.

(I want to respond...)

That's what I thought.

I could pretend I didn't understand and ignore her.

I'm not as angry as she thinks, and I'm not dwelling on it.

But she must have been worried after seeing my eyes, thinking I might dislike my lady someday.

(Is it okay to ignore this?

Is it right to ignore this and live my life?

I didn't come to this world to live a safe and comfortable life.

I came here to live a fulfilling life.

No way!

Can I say I lived my life fully if I ignore someone who asks me so earnestly?

No way!!)

It would be clearly advantageous for me to ignore her.

If I don't respond, I can maintain my advantage.

But if I do respond, my future will become uncertain.

It would be like throwing a stone into a calm pond, and I wouldn't know what would happen next.

But I didn't come to this world to live a safe and comfortable life.

I came here to live a fulfilling life.

So, I should respond.

I patted the head of the maid who was prostrating herself.

To let her know I wasn't angry anymore.

It was the first time I touched someone since coming to this world.

I could feel my heart pounding.

"Did you understand?"

She asked me timidly.

I nodded and made a thumbs-up gesture.

"? I don't understand what that means, but please take care of it."

It seems she didn't understand.

This way, I gained a confidant and a comfortable environment to read books.

But I couldn't just read books calmly now.

I was too worried about the maid, so I decided to end it for today.

(Sigh, today was quite a day.)

That's how my day went.