Reborn As A Maid

Chapter 59: Chapter 59 - The First Demon General ( Part 3)

Days passed.

The abductions did not cease.

Instead...

They grew.

News came from all the corners of the kingdom.

A small border city went missing overnight.

An unharmed merchant convoy reported to be abandoned was found. The merchants were gone without a trace.

Even an experienced team of B-Rank hunters never returned from their investigation.

For the first time in years...

The Hunter Association issued a kingdom-wide warning.

Avoiding traveling after sunset.

This news alone could cause unrest among common people.

In Royal Academy...

Everything seemed worse.

Typically, the training fields were filled with laughter, sword fights, and games.

Today...

Even the noisiest students spoke softly.

A small group of third-year nobles gathered near the bulletin board.

"The western training expedition is cancelled."

"My father says that the Royal Knights have doubled the number of guards near the borders."

"Is it possible that we will go to war?"

"No nation attacks us."

"So what is it?"

No one knew the answer.

Jennie swept the stone path to the academy’s central court silently.

Strange peace came from the soft noise of sweeping.

Sweep.

Sweep.

Sweep.

Several young maids watched her in admiration.

"Lady Jennie makes even cleaning seem beautiful."

"I was trying to copy her style yesterday."

"And?"

"I accidently cleaned dust back into the room."

"...Impressive."

Jennie pretended to ignore them.

A familiar voice broke the silence.

"Jennie!"

Princess Lilia ran towards her.

Unlike her usually happy self...

She seemed serious.

"I’ve been looking for you everywhere."

Jennie rested her broom.

"You’ve checked the kitchen, the library, the tea room, and the flower garden first, haven’t you?"

Lilia blinked.

"...How did you know?"

Jennie smiled gently.

"Because these are the places where I usually hide."

"...I am becoming too predictable."

"I have learned from experience."

Lilia lifted a sealed letter with a royal crest.

"It just came."

Jennie accepted it.

The sophisticated wax seal was adorned with the coat of arms of House KingHeart.

She opened the letter carefully.

While reading the message...

Her expression changed.

"...A field mission."

Lilia nodded.

"The Headmaster mentioned it this morning."

The mission was aimed for selected upper-class academy students.

Purpose was clear.

Officially.

To assist the Royal Knights and Hunter Association in their investigation of the abandoned village of Gray Hollow.

The village lied only two days away from the capital.

It was completely deserted.

Without any traces of battle.

Any corpses.

Without explanation.

Jennie reread the letter.

Something felt... wrong.

Very wrong.

Just then...

The bell rang in the Royal Academy.

Students gathered in the grand assembly hall.

Professors lined up along both sides of the stage.

Headmaster Orion stood in the middle.

An old man with silver hair and serene blue eyes, Headmaster Orion rarely showed any emotions.

Today...

He seemed worried.

"My dear students."

His deep voice echoed in the hall.

"You have probably heard of recent rumors."

A murmuring sound could be heard.

"The rumors..."

He continued.

"...are real."

Silence.

"The kingdom is facing some unknown threat."

Some students swallowed involuntarily.

"For that reason..."

"The Royal Academy agreed to accept a request from His Majesty."

A large map appeared behind him.

With a red circle drawn near a small village.

Gray Hollow.

"Our senior students will work together with Royal Knights and licensed hunters."

"This is not a competition."

"This is not a tournament."

"This is an official operation."

His gaze went over the hall.

"Your primary duty..."

"...is survival."

A nervous hand went up.

One student asked,

"Headmaster..."

"Are we supposed to fight monsters?"

Orion did not say anything for a long moment.

Then he told them the truth.

"...We do not know."

That truth frightened everyone more than any monster.

Out of the hall...

Lilia walked alongside Jennie.

"I immediately volunteered."

Jennie was not surprised.

"As always."

Lilia blushed slightly.

"I could not just stand aside when someone needs help."

Jennie silently observed her.

The playful princess she had known several years ago changed a lot.

She still liked sweets.

She still managed to create troubles.

She still found reasons to meet Jennie.

But...

She became someone who is ready to risk her life for others.

Jennie felt oddly proud.

Unfortunately...

That emotional moment lasted only for five seconds.

Lilia suddenly took Jennie’s hands in her own.

"You will protect me, right?"

Jennie blinked.

"I thought that you want to protect everyone."

"I want to."

"And?"

"...Even myself."

Jennie laughed.

"Very honest."

"I have always been honest."

"You once said that stealing pastries is ’redistributing desserts.’"

"...Also very honest."

Before Jennie managed to reply...

Another familiar figure appeared near them.

Lucas.

Wearing now the polished armor of a Royal Knights’ Captain.

"You two."

He crossed his arms.

"I am assigned to this mission."

Lilia smiled.

"Oh!"

"Then everything will be alright."

Lucas smiled...

And immediately destroyed anyone’s confidence.

"I have no idea what are we walking into."

"..."

"..."

Lilia slowly looked at Jennie.

"...We are doomed."

Jennie nodded seriously.

"...Most likely."

Lucas sighed.

"I have heard that."

Late at night...

Jennie stood alone on the balcony of her room.

The capital was lit by numerous lanterns.

It seemed peaceful.

Safe.

Normal.

Yet...

Strange smell was carried by the wind.

She closed her eyes.

The wind spirits gathered around her.

Unlike before...

Their joyful laughter faded away.

One by one...

They pointed to the northwest direction.

Towards Gray Hollow.

Jennie slowly opened her eyes.

"...So that is where it is."

Behind her...

Excalibur appeared in his spirit form.

His usually serene expression grew colder.

"I remember that direction."

Jennie looked at him.

"What was there?"

Excalibur replied softly.

"A long time ago..."

"One of the battlefields where you defeated the Demon General of Ruin."

Jennie’s heart skipped a beat.

"...Azrakiel."

Excalibur nodded. freёwebnovel.com

"The seal placed upon him..."

"...was located in Gray Hollow."

Suddenly the night became colder.

Far away...

Beneath the forest...

Beneath the mountains...

Hidden under the abandoned village...

Creaking sounds were heard.

One after another...

Large black cracks started appearing on the huge magic seal.

And somewhere deep in the earth...

Two crimson eyes slowly opened.