SWST 33

Chapter 33

“No!”
I had no idea what words had been said, but Getty’s face went pale in an instant.

“It’s fine. I’ll cover this matter myself.”
Then, trying to preserve her pride, she turned to leave.

[Sword Wind.]
Bang!
“Ah!!”
Junel played a prank before she could leave, knocking her over, and no one went out to help Getty.
This time, I gave Junel a thumbs-up.

[She held back from giving her a good beating!]
Yes, yes. Considering we’ll have to see each other’s faces from now on, that might be too much.

“Little Lady, I apologize for not recognizing you earlier.”
Hassen took off his chef’s hat and bowed.

“Please don’t bow. Just act as usual, please.”
I refused his overly formal politeness, even though he was older than me. It was easier to live as a maid because of that.

“I’m also sorry. I didn’t realize it was you, and I gave you the maid’s uniform…”
May changed her tone to formal speech as well.

“I asked someone else to prepare the food for the Little Lady. Please forgive my negligence.”

“That’s fine. I enjoyed doing it myself. I actually love cooking, and it made me happy.”

“From now on, I’ll make the dishes myself. It’s a shame I can’t cook alongside you…”
Hassen looked more regretful than apologetic.

“Wait, does that mean we can’t eat the dishes made by the Little Lady anymore?”
A nearby maid chimed in.

“Of course not. Would you ask the Little Lady to cook for the servants?”
“Not that… but it’s just that I’ll really miss it. These past few days were so happy. I’m glad I came to the annex.”
The other maids nodded in agreement.
Seeing everyone sad made me feel even sadder myself.

“Nothing will change. I’ll continue making dishes that everyone can enjoy.”

“But Little Lady…”

“And I’ll share the recipes with Chef Hassen too, so that you can always enjoy delicious food.”
It seemed difficult to refuse, and Hassen didn’t stop me.
The maids smiled brightly at this.

In contrast to the warm atmosphere in the annex, the main mansion was in chaos over Helbern’s return.

“What are you talking about? The Holy Knights?”
The Holy Knights had vanished centuries ago.

“Well, it’s not certain, but there’s no one else. It’s that kind of strange sword energy.”

“Impossible.”
These knights followed a fallen angel, not a god.
Johannes, the angel who claimed himself a new god against the divine, had wreaked havoc on the world. He betrayed God, allied with the Demon King, and sought to destroy humanity. The five great families united and sealed him in Seraphim’s Paradise, the world’s center.
Centuries had passed since the last Holy Knight, inheriting part of his power, was executed.
So how could the Holy Knights appear now?

“I don’t know. Nielsen kept trying to return to my side, so I held him back, and when I asked a passerby how long it would take to reach the Northern Empire’s count’s castle, suddenly they drew a sword! Gah! Even thinking about it now makes me furious.”
Francesca questioned seriously.

“Forget the vague stuff. Is there any mark or proof that they’re Holy Knights?”

“They had robes over their faces, so I couldn’t tell.”

“Helbern! Don’t speak vaguely. Tell me clearly!”
Normally, I might have thought Helbern was mistaken, but I couldn’t. Helbern had returned covered in torn clothes and injuries, and Nielsen, carried over his shoulder, was unconscious and bleeding.

“Who did this to you? Not remnants of the Northern Empire?”
“Mother, I’m an 8-star. Do you think I can’t distinguish these pathetic leftovers?”
Ouch.
Helbern angrily clutched his broken arm and groaned.

“Are you certain they’re Holy Knights?”

“I just felt it! Can’t you see my broken arm?”

“I mean exact proof, not feelings!”

“Ah! Don’t you care that your son’s hurt?!”
Francesca grew serious. Though Helbern often spoke nonsense, he was always serious in battle.

“If true, this is serious.”
Francesca murmured with tightly pressed lips.

“It’s fine. I cut them down myself.”

“No.”
This wasn’t a trivial matter. The very possibility of the Holy Knights’ revival was troubling.

“The historical records say there were over 100,000 Holy Knights. The emperors of the four great empires declared that all were executed, but some survived and escaped.”

“But they aren’t gods. How are they alive?”

“That’s exactly my point!”
It sounded absurd.
But Johannes had immense power; that was why the world united to seal him.

“If this is true, it’s a global catastrophe.”

“What? That bad?”
Hidden, powerful enemies?
Even someone like the Swordmaster, with Bloody Mary’s unique sword energy, would struggle against them.

“Where’s that woman?”
I needed to know her power. To become stronger, to be the world’s strongest knight, I needed greater power.

“You mean that girl?”
“Yes. The one brought by the hooligan.”
Francesca sighed. She thought Helbern had agreed to take them in after stopping Nielsen, but it seemed she was mistaken.

“Helbern, I ask you earnestly. Leave that girl and Dotchef alone. Let them live quietly.”

“I’m not interested in the hooligan. I’m concerned about that woman.”

“She will be your sister-in-law. Pay attention to how you address her. You don’t have to treat her lavishly, but do not harm her.”
Meaning, don’t try to kill her like last time. A child in the womb can be endangered even by minor accidents.

“No, Mother. I almost died because of that woman last time, you know?”
Helbern was still bitter.

“I trust my son. Butler! Write this down in detail and prepare to send it to His Majesty the Emperor. He will investigate.”
But Francesca ignored Helbern and walked to her desk.

“Gah! It’s that woman! Everything went wrong because of her!”
Helbern struggled, hurt and frustrated.

“Everyone’s gone crazy as a group, no doubt.”
Getty scratched her fingers and groaned.

“Ugh, my back.”
Earlier, someone slammed the door, and my back hit it painfully. My stomach hurt too.
Now I’d be working as Hallara’s personal maid without escape.

‘The annex maids acted like they’d torment me until Hallara arrived, and the moment she came, they changed their tune?’
Even if Hallara pretended to be a maid, there was no reason for them to side with her.

“What did that temptress do? She’s a commoner, yet seduced young master Dotchef, and even the Lady… something’s definitely strange.”
She must have used some strange magic. Otherwise, no sane person would behave like this.

‘Fine. Even without those girls, I can handle it with my own power.’
If a maid displeased Getty, she’d torment her enough to make her leave. The Little Lady would be no different.

“I’ll make her cry and beg to be separated.”

Thanks to Hassen’s skill, whose hands had healed, I enjoyed some delicious food. Originally, I planned to make a celebratory dish for Dotchef, who had just awakened to 4 stars, but since my identity had been exposed, no one in the kitchen would allow me to work. Instead, I tasted Hassen’s cooking.

“The chef really is different.”
Though not Korean cuisine, the variety was delightful. I was returning to my room, feeling unusually heavy and wanting a short rest.

“Finally back?”
Getty was in my room. Despite Hassen’s warning, her rude tone remained.
My stomach was full, and I felt good, but suddenly I felt queasy.
I thought my irritable bowel syndrome had vanished with possession, but apparently, it came along.

“Yes. I’m going to sleep, so can you leave?”
I didn’t want to talk long with someone hostile. She couldn’t be unaware of what I had said behind her back, given my years of experience enduring in-laws’ scrutiny.

“Sleeping in broad daylight?”
“It’s my choice.”
I was tired from waking up early, preparing food for the maids and Dotchef. What’s wrong with a nap?

“No. Don’t sleep. Read all of these books.”
She placed a box on the table.