The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 175

To get straight to the point, the duel was postponed.

It was delayed by 15 days, until the day Rowen’s tenure as an external instructor at the Academy ended.

-It’s just that… I can’t win yet. I haven’t been your disciple for long, and I’m completely out of stamina after just finishing training.

-Wouldn’t it be less embarrassing to do it now? At least we have an excuse to fall back on.

-Shut up…!

-Your words are quite harsh. I was trying to be considerate, you know.

Thanks to Mikhail’s pitiful excuses, Rowen managed to avoid severing ties. Though it had to be argued, it wasn’t easily accepted.

-Let’s leave it at that.

-Managing one’s condition is also a skill.

-Think logically. Mikhail has only been my disciple for…

-Isn’t that something your brilliant disciple should prove? He’s an Aura User with a weapon, and he’s even recognized for his talent by the Sword of the Empire. What are you so afraid of that you’re avoiding the duel?

-I cannot accept.

-You’re a coward, aren’t you? The Sword of the Empire.

Though the banter between Mikhail and Rowen, filled with excuses like a hero asking for Time to Transform, was irritating, it couldn’t be helped.

If the match were held today, neither Hanna nor Mikhail would be able to accept the result.

A match that leaves only discomfort behind was meaningless. Especially if it meant breaking Rowen’s stubbornness.

The only concern was Mikhail’s growth trajectory. The story of Mikhail’s halted growth was about to begin.

After all, he’s the Hero of the story, destined to become the strongest in the world by the end of the novel. He couldn’t be ignored.

Through his own strength.

And his talent.

Of course, it was made possible with Rowen’s guidance, hardships, and fortuitous encounters, but the fact that Mikhail rose to that position through his own power could not be denied.

He had endured many hardships along the way.

That’s why I’m worried. Whether Hanna can keep up with Mikhail’s growth trajectory is the question.

A character who doesn’t appear in the novel.

Histania Hanna.

She was someone I didn’t know, yet simultaneously someone who knew far too much, making her a significant variable.

Based on what the Blue Window says, she undoubtedly possesses the talent to surpass Rowen and become the Empire’s Greatest Sword, but no one knows when that talent will bloom.

It could be in her twenties, or perhaps in her thirties. The scales tipped in the face of such uncertain information, an undeniable reality.

Regardless of how the situation unfolds, Mikhail will face hardships and overcome them.

“Hmm…”

That much is certain.

Somehow, I have to make sure she wins.

That was the best I could do and my way of repaying Hanna’s faith.

When a disciple shows courage, a master can’t just sit idly by and cheer them on with a simple “Good luck!”

Just as I know how to defeat Rowen, I only needed to share that knowledge with Hanna.

And Mikhail couldn’t miraculously grow in just 14 days, nor was it time for the story of his growth to begin.

Even if Mikhail had grown rapidly under Rowen’s guidance, we would grow too.

I spoke to Hanna, who stood staring blankly at the spot where Mikhail and Rowen had departed.

I asked why she looked so downcast.

“Why are you making that face?”

“Ah… It’s just complicated. My feelings, and whether I can win… It’s all very unsettling.”

“It hasn’t even started yet.”

I spoke while watching Rowen’s retreating back.

“Neither you nor I have even started yet, Miss Hanna.”

That steadfast back.

The back figure of the Sword of the Empire.

I spoke with conviction.

“We can win. We will.”

We can still grow stronger.

Both Hanna and I.

It’s an arrogant thought, but I believe that if I set my mind to it, I can become stronger than anyone.

With fortuitous encounters, hardships, and a bit of luck, I believe I can surpass even the Sword of the Empire or the Apostles of the Heretics.

Truly an arrogant thought, but still.

This incident made me reflect on many things.

Should I call it a sense of urgency? Or a warning to myself about my stagnation? I think I was inspired by the sight of Rowen striving to overcome.

I need to work harder than I do now.

Being weaker than my disciple’s rival’s master is embarrassing. At the very least, I should aim to be their rival.

That’s the duty of a master who wants to protect their disciple’s pride.

I gently smiled and patted Hanna’s head. Her hair fell softly, and she lowered her head, unable to lift it.

“I’m sorry. For acting on my own.”

“It’s fine.”

“I wanted to be helpful… but I always end up just receiving help. I’m sorry.”

“Not at all. I’ve received so much help from you, Miss Hanna. You don’t need to feel sorry.”

“I…”

I looked at Hanna, who couldn’t lift her head out of guilt, and gave a light smile.

“It’s fine.”

The night was dark.

There was still time before dawn, and we had plenty of time to spend together.

I took Hanna’s hand and led her to a chair placed in a circle around the edge of the training grounds. Hanna, not knowing the reason, silently followed my lead.

I pulled out a small handkerchief from my pocket and laid it on the chair. No matter how well the Academy was cleaned, there was still dust.

It’s a gentleman’s duty to ensure a lady’s clothes don’t get dusty. I seated Hanna on the chair and smiled.

“The stars are so abundant tonight.”

Starting with a small greeting.

To calm the unsettled heart caused by the sudden events, I offered a greeting, and Hanna nodded, responding to it.

“Indeed… There are so many stars. I didn’t expect there to be this many.”

“Right?”

Hmm…

“Sometimes, we need moments like this. Moments to just look at the sky without thinking about anything.”

“…”

“You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?”

“…”

Hanna didn’t answer the quiet question.

Few people would have asked about the process of her efforts. She was probably more accustomed to hearing, “Run, even if you fall,” or “Don’t run, just stay still.” I didn’t press her for an answer.

I simply shared my thoughts, formed from watching Hanna all this time.

“I imagine it’s been very hard for you.”

“…”

“A race without a destination must be exhausting.”

“…”

“But did you know this?”

I sat beside Hanna and pointed to a shining star. I think it was called the North Star, but since this was Another World, it might not be. Still, it was the brightest star, so I smiled and moved on.

“Stars shine by burning themselves. It’s painful and hard, but they keep trying… Even though no one notices, they keep shining. Doesn’t it seem foolish?”

I looked at Hanna, who was staring intently at the stars, and spoke.

“It’s funny how so many people admire the stars for being pretty without knowing what effort goes into their shine.”

“But, I know, don’t I? I know those stars are going through hell to shine.”

“And today, one more person knows.”

I smiled brightly at Hanna.

The wind was cold.

The chilly breeze sang of the night, blowing cold yet warm at the same time.

The wind brushed through my hair, scattering it, and I smoothed it down as I gazed at the stars.

‘What is this?’

Hanna was looking at Ricardo.

She stared blankly at Ricardo, who emitted a radiant light like that of the softly twinkling stars.

Sparkling.

Brilliant.

And at the same time, warm.

Overwhelmed by the fluffy emotions welling up, Hanna simply gazed at Ricardo without saying a word.

I smiled a small smile at Hanna’s silence and said,

“Sometimes I wonder. Is there really a need to do something when no one acknowledges it?”

“Being criticized. Hated. Insulted. Is it really worth going through such hardship?”

“But you know,”

I let out a small sigh as I spoke. It felt a bit cringeworthy to say it myself, but it was something I wanted to tell Hanna.

“Eventually, everyone comes to recognize it.”

“Strangely enough.”

“Just like how I know about your efforts, Miss Hanna.”

With a small smile, I withdrew the hand I had stretched toward the stars. It seemed such embarrassing words didn’t suit me.

Shaking off the heat rising to my face, I said to Hanna,

“Aren’t you cold?”

“No. I’m not cold. Are you alright, Butler?”

“I’m cold.”

Hanna’s eyes widened at my playful remark. Seeing her flinch as if she might take off her coat for me, I let out a small laugh.

“I’m joking.”

“What…!”

“Maybe it’s because I bought an expensive coat, but I don’t feel cold.”

I smiled a small smile and laughed.

Hanna and I talked about many things.

How we had been doing.

Whether this winter had been too cold.

The main topic, however, was undoubtedly the Young Lady. It was my favorite subject and one that Hanna could relate to.

-The Young Miss is earning money?

I never thought I’d be talking about the Young Lady with someone else, you know.

-Next time, I should introduce you to my side job.

It felt novel to have such conversations.

-The Young Miss is dieting…?

-Yes. She suddenly said she wanted to lose weight.

-Is she unwell?

Being able to share such stories with someone else was amusing.

-Why don’t you like chocolate, Butler?

-Because the Young Lady likes it.

-Hahaha…! What is that?

-It’s half true, but it’s also because it’s too sweet.

I was grateful that there was someone curious about me.

There were few people I could call friends in this world. The same had been true in my previous life.

There were few who could adapt to my difficult personality, as I had always lived centered around the Young Lady.

I had no regrets about my narrowed social circle.

She was the person I had chosen.

A beautiful person.

And I had no lingering regrets.

After talking for a long time, I brushed the dust off my pants and stood up.

Hanna looked up at me. Her gaze followed even my smallest movements, and I smiled a small smile as I looked toward the training grounds.

“Are you feeling a bit more relaxed now?”

“Yes.”

Hearing Hanna’s reply, I rotated my shoulders to loosen up. It was time to get to work as her master.

In a light tone, I said to Hanna,

“Then let’s begin. If we’re going to win, it’s better to win decisively than to struggle for it.”

Slowly, Hanna also stood up.

As she opened her steadfast eyes and looked at me, I found her gaze reassuring.

“It won’t be easy. I’ll be teaching you with much more intensity than before.”

-Nod.

“I can win.”

Before heading down to the training grounds,

Hanna grabbed my collar and spoke.

“Um, Butler.”

“Yes.”

Letting out a deep sigh and lowering her head, Hanna spoke in a trembling voice.

“Why are you so kind to me?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, I replied,

“Because you’re beautiful.”

Hanna froze for a long time, unable to move.

She simply stood there, her face flushed, for quite a while.