Page 326 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

Another peaceful day at the estate.

“Ricardo.” “Yes?” “Where are you going?”

The young lady, awakened by the rustling noise, looked at me with a question mark floating above her head as she saw me packing a bag in the corner of the room.

“Eek...! Are you running away?!” “Excuse me...?”

With wide, tearful eyes, she looked at me and said,

“I’ll eat just a little, so don’t run away!” “...What?”

“And... I’ll even share my chocolate...!”

I was surprised that she could make such an objective statement despite her overactive imagination, but her words, grasping at straws, made me put on an awkward expression.

I had mentioned this a week ago, but it seemed like she’d completely erased it from her mind. I’d even told her yesterday.

“Waaaah!!!”

As she grabbed onto my collar, I sighed. I wasn’t sure if she was pretending to forget or if it had truly slipped her mind. Either way, I found it cute and it lifted my spirits.

Smiling wryly, I pressed my hands to her cheeks.

“Wububububu.” “Didn’t I tell you a week ago? That I’d be gone for a bit?” “Wubububububu! (Did you?)”

With her lips puckered like a fish, she scrunched her face and furrowed her brows.

“I mentioned there’d be something I’d have to do and I’d be away for about three days.” “Wubububu... (Right. You did.)”

Sighing with drooped shoulders, she muttered softly,

“You probably forgot because you’re not playing with me.” “I promise I’ll play with you when I get back.” “What if you leave me?” “I’m not leaving. I have a mountain of unpaid wages here, so where would I go?” “Hehe, that’s true! I’m a debtor!”

Her innocent smile as she confessed her debt made me chuckle.

“Honestly. I can’t leave you alone.”

She gently grabbed the collar of my coat and asked,

“Can’t you take me with you?”

She bit her lip, sneaking a glance at me, but I shook my head apologetically.

“I’m sorry.” “Why not?”

How could I say, “Because it’s dangerous”? I gave a vague answer that she’d find understandable.

“I’m going somewhere where they only eat grass.” “Grass?” “Yes, a famous chef is hosting a lecture. The main ingredients are mostly vegetarian, so we’ll be eating grass all day.” “Ugh... but I like grass.” “Even paprika and spinach?” “Ugh...? Not those.” “Exactly.”

Understanding, she nodded and released my collar. In her hesitant gaze, I sensed an inexplicable unease, as if she wasn’t sure whether to let me go.

“Sigh...”

She looked at me and asked,

“It’s not dangerous, right?”

Of course.

‘You’re not easily fooled.’

I nodded with a sheepish smile. She seemed to see through my clumsy excuse, making me realize that no matter what I said, she might have already figured out the truth. After all, she was sharper than she appeared.

I smiled slightly, giving her a straightforward answer, as she preferred directness over sugar-coating.

“I’ll be using a kitchen knife, so I might cut my finger.” “...” “And eating only grass, I might lose some weight.”

I stroked her head with a reassuring smile, hoping to ease her worries. Her soft hair felt comforting, and a small smile bloomed on my face.

“Don’t worry.”

She held my hand and whispered,

“If it’s dangerous, don’t go.” “Understood.” “Don’t get hurt.” “I promise.” “If you’re going to be late, let me know.” “Of course.” “And...”

She looked at me coyly, then started rummaging through her treasure pouch.

“Ugh...” “What are you looking for?” “Ughh...”

With her brows furrowed, she fished around for a while, like a robotic cat with a four-dimensional pouch, until she pulled out a tiny object.

Red. Shaped like dragonfly eyes. Ah, this is...

“My lady, this is underwear.” “Eek!”

Startled, she stuffed it back into her pouch and pulled out a small doll instead.

“This.” “What is it?” “It’s me.” “...?” “Think of it as a charm.” “Did you make it yourself?” “Mm-hmm.”

Her craftsmanship was, to say the least, disastrous.

I looked at the doll she had made and teased ★ ?????????????????? ★ her.

“It’s not a cursed doll, is it?” “Ugh!!!” “Puhaha! Just kidding.”

A doll. It’s been a while.

I stared at the doll in my hand before tucking it into my coat pocket. From the white yarn hair to the stuffed sock body, her effort was evident, and I was grateful for the gift.

Despite the fact that its sharp eyes made it look like a cursed doll, I appreciated the gesture and kept it close.

“Thank you.” “Mm-nya.”

I had everything packed.

Extra clothes and my sword. Handmade potions. And the map marking the location of the Holy Sword. Among other things.

With the large backpack slung over my shoulder, I stroked her hair and smiled.

“Well, I’m off.” “Mm-nya.” “Is there anything you want me to bring back?” “Beef jerky and chocolate.” “Pfft... Got it.”

For some reason, the backpack felt lighter today.

‘The Sword of Dawn.’ To put it simply, ‘the Holy Sword.’ If I can finish this task, maybe I’ll get a little rest.

The northern lands, where I arrived after a long time, were unchanged.

Breath turned to steam in the air. The biting cold wind pricked my skin, and the landscape was covered in snow.

It felt like just yesterday I had vanquished the Apostle of Mercy here, yet time had flown by so quickly. I felt a sense of longing as I reflected on how fast time had passed.

Now, about that...

“What’s this?”

[★★Northern Pork Soup★★]

“...Hm?”

Seeing the enormous banner hung in the center of town, I frowned, wondering why it was there.

“Puhahahaha!!!”

Well, I guess it’s funny.

I never expected that a recipe I had casually shared would become such a huge success. To think the character who only received an obituary in the novel would end up running a big business in the north and becoming popular—who would have thought? I couldn’t stop laughing.

“That’s a relief.”

I was glad that warmth was being brought to the barren north. With a plan to share a recipe for radish kimchi as a side dish next time, I looked up at the highest snowy mountain in the north.

‘Andes Snow Mountain.’

A towering snowy peak. Andes Snow Mountain, filled with countless magical beasts, was where the Holy Sword slumbered. It was a place with significant importance in the novel, hosting a major episode where two Apostles would appear.

‘Yuria, Mikhail, Malik, Rowan, Luen, Shartia.’

This episode involved many main characters banding together. Although it began with the schemes of heretics, it ended with the academy’s victory.

The heretics, having discovered the location of the Holy Sword, were spreading information, initiating the episode.

The imperial goal was to retrieve the Holy Sword. The heretics also aimed to claim it to lessen their burden. They had added one more objective—to eliminate the academy’s top students.

The episode gave the impression that the heretics' plan to boost morale and disrupt the empire’s atmosphere would succeed. However, Mikhail’s act of wielding the Holy Sword tipped the scales in favor of the empire.

It’s a typical episode you’d find in any novel.

My reason for coming to the north was simple: to account for any unexpected variables. If the Apostle of Temperance brought archbishops, it would heavily tilt the scales.

If the protagonists, incapable of handling archbishops, had to face them alone... well, it would lead to disaster.

While Mikhail and Hannah might hold their own, ‘Yuria’ and ‘Luen’ would struggle to face an archbishop alone. Moreover, the temple sealing the Holy Sword held countless variables that couldn’t be easily ignored. As a precaution, I had to be the insurance.

Should the Holy Sword fall into heretic hands, the risks would be catastrophic.

“Before that... I suppose.”

I looked back at the banner I had seen earlier.

[Free Hambak Steak Available.]

“Maybe I should grab a meal.”

Even the grandest mountains require food. Thinking of filling my stomach, I stretched and took a step forward.

And in the restaurant where I arrived...

“Dad!” “Haha! Where’s your boyfriend? There are so many things I want to ask him.” “Oh, come on!!!”

Yuria.

“Brother.” “The flavor has definitely deepened.” “Can you keep it down? It’s embarrassing.”

Malik and Hannah.

“I’m a piece of trash.”

Luen.

“We’re not here for fun, you idiots.”

Shartia.

And...

“Hohohm. Quite a few rivals!”

“...?”

Someone unexpected.

I looked down, surprised by the familiar voice, and saw the young lady with purple hair in a bun.

Wearing a thick fur hat.

“Hohohm.”

She was peeking into the pork soup restaurant beside me, bundled up in a heavy fur coat.

I thought as I looked at her.

‘...What are you doing here?’

The greatest variable had appeared.