Page 348 of The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

From the sword perched on the chair, a subtle resonance could be felt.

—Vmmm...

The atmosphere seemed to thicken, as if Caliburn’s very emotions were altering the air around us. I instinctively tensed at the shift.

—What do you mean by that?

The tone was cold, a stark contrast to the voice I ? Nоvеl?гht ? (Don’t copy, read here) had grown accustomed to. Caliburn, seemingly skeptical and almost hostile, demanded clarification, as if unable to believe what it had heard.

—Did I hear you correctly? Are you saying you intend to bring me back to life?

"Exactly as you heard. I was asking if you’re interested in resurrection."

—And you think you know what kind of person I am?

I placed my clasped hands on my knee, answering calmly, my voice even.

"That’s something I’ll learn over time."

—Excuse me?

"Human relationships are built on time and patience. It’d be ridiculous to claim I know everything about you after just a few conversations."

—And you think you know me well enough to make such an offer? To bring me back, not knowing the kind of monster I am?

Caliburn’s voice was laced with something close to disbelief, mingling with an air of irritation. Despite its evident intrigue about resurrection, Caliburn seemed to view my suggestion as nothing more than an impulsive scheme.

—I told you earlier—I was a terrifying person.

"..."

—And since you claim to have done your research, you must know my other name.

"The Iron-Blooded Lord..."

—Correct. No matter how powerful you think you are, you couldn’t possibly handle me.

"Hmm..."

I shrugged, meeting Caliburn’s aggression with a casual response.

"You’re right. I couldn’t handle it."

—...

"Iron-Blooded Lord."

—...

"A king brought down by the schemes of their own retainers."

—Mind your tongue.

"A princess once too gentle to harm a single insect, now remembered as the Iron-Blooded Lord..."

I looked at Caliburn, a small smile playing at my lips.

"That’s what intrigues me."

I laid the documents Hans had compiled on the table, gesturing toward them as if to hint that they contained information about Caliburn.

"A few sheets of paper don’t mean I know you."

—...

"But from what I’ve gathered, you don’t seem as terrible as you claim."

—Grrr.

An oppressive aura emanated from Caliburn’s blade. Clearly, the mention of her past had touched a nerve.

—Do you know how many people I’ve killed?

"Tens of thousands... perhaps hundreds of thousands."

—And yet you still intend to resurrect me? In your time?

"Why would that be a problem?"

—Hah...?

"I’m serious."

—...I can see that you’ve done your homework.

"..."

—But surely you realize...

"Realize what?"

—If you intend to put a leash on a monarch, you’d best be prepared to die.

"A leash?"

*—Aren’t you trying to make me your personal weapon, a vicious guard dog you can command?"

I chuckled at Caliburn’s assumption, amused at how I must have seemed like a power-obsessed villain.

It was understandable, really. Here I was, discussing the resurrection of a legendary demonic sword, a blade once revered as a lord in ancient times. I would have bristled, too, had I been in her position.

Resurrection, so soon after meeting her?

If I were her, I’d be suspicious as well.

I shook my head, lowering my voice to clarify, as it seemed Caliburn had completely misunderstood my intentions.

"That’s not it."

—What?

"I’d feel guilty wielding a sword with its own consciousness..."

—What do you mean?

"Maybe it’s easier to explain if I put it plainly."

—...

"I’m not some lunatic, nor am I reckless enough to rely on power I can’t control."

—Then... are you planning to revive me only to destroy me afterward? To remove any potential threat?

"No."

—Then...?

"It wouldn’t be a full resurrection. Your power would remain with the sword while you receive a new body. Think of it as transferring your consciousness to a new vessel."

I raised my hand, extending two fingers for clarity.

One hand represented Caliburn, while the other stood for her potential new body.

"Simply put, your power would stay with this hand, while your consciousness moves to this one."

—...So...

"You’d gain a body but would lose your strength."

—Is such a thing even possible?

"In my dictionary, ‘impossible’ doesn’t exist."

—But wouldn’t it be more convenient for you to have me as I am, with my powers intact?

"I’m fine with it."

—But then what benefit do you gain? Wouldn’t it be better to wield me as I am, with my ego intact...?

I cast an awkward smile at Caliburn, knowing that my reasoning was something she would likely not understand.

"I already told you..."

—No evasions. Say it plainly.

"I just don’t feel right wielding a lady as if she’s a tool."

—W-What...?

"I expect there will be rough situations ahead. Using a lady as a weapon doesn’t sit well with me. It weighs on my conscience."

—Wait... What did you just...

"As I said, I’d rather part with you than live with the guilt."

—But... but I’m a sword! Yes, I have a mind, but I’m still just a weapon...

"That’s the problem."

—There are plenty of swords with consciousness in the world! Holy Swords, swords bearing the will of their wielders...

"Still, I’m not comfortable with it."

—Oh...

Caliburn was at a loss.

A strange sensation seemed to radiate from her blade, and I got the impression that, if she could, she’d be squirming in embarrassment.

I wondered if my words had flustered her so much. At the same time, I was relieved; I’d half-expected her to refuse outright, thinking I was some power-hungry schemer.

"Honestly, I thought you’d hate the idea, assuming I just wanted to monopolize your power."

—That’s certainly one way to put it... but if you say it like that... it’s... It’s hard not to... feel... strange.

"Pardon?"

—Nothing.

I still couldn’t entirely understand her.

Meeting her gaze, I earnestly asked Caliburn to decide. I wanted her answer to my proposal.

Caliburn replied shyly.

—I don’t know...

"Excuse me?"

—I feel embarrassed.

...?

Another peaceful day at the young lady’s estate.

"Ricardo..."

The young lady lay sprawled on her bed, looking at me and pleading for attention.

In one hand, she clutched a strip of jerky.

"Nom... nom..."

In the other hand, a piece of chocolate. She watched as I swept the floor, calling out.

"Stop cleaning and play with me."

"I’ll play with you in a bit."

"Ugh..."

"I’m a bit busy today."

"Uuuuugh..."

"But I’ll give you an extra chocolate bar. One as big as your palm."

"Palm-sized...?!"

"Yes."

"Alright. But after you finish cleaning, you have to play with me."

"Understood."

The reason for my cleaning so early was simple: we had important guests arriving at the mansion today.

—I’d like to help clean too. I can unleash the ‘Darkstorm Blade’...

"Cleaning with that would be a disaster."

—...What a shame.

Having postponed her resurrection, Caliburn remained in her sword form, saying she would wait until she felt fully prepared to accept.

Today, the guests expected at the mansion were:

[“I’m coming.”]

– Desmont Darbav

[“I’ll be there too.”]

– Desmont Kyle

[“Want me to bring anything?”]

– Desmont Rosanna

The entire Desmont family.

That’s why I was cleaning the mansion from dawn. I knew it would be tight on my own, so Hans and Gomtang were helping too.

"Sir! I’ve finished cleaning the third floor!"

"Then please organize the dining table on the first floor as well."

"Glory to the Lord!"

"Let’s not go that far..."

Meanwhile, Gomtang scurried around with a cleaning cloth tied to his paws, leaving sparkling trails in his wake.

—Gom!

"Yes, please clean the first floor too."

—Gom? Gomgom.

Thanks to Hans’s magic, the cleaning was progressing much more smoothly.

Now all that was left was the cooking. With plenty of time remaining, I could prepare the meal leisurely and welcome our guests without any rush.

But then...

"Ricardo."

"Yes?"

"Father’s here."

The young lady, lying on the bed, looked over at me and made this startling declaration.

"Excuse me? He’s already here?"

"Yep."

"I thought he said he’d arrive around seven. Why is he here so soon?"

"I don’t know."

"You must have misseen."

"Nope."

The young lady pointed out the window, looking disgruntled.

"Father brought the carriage."

"What?"

Startled, I rushed to the window to check the front gate. Relieved to find nothing there, I sighed.

"You must have been mistaken."

"No, I wasn’t."

"Excuse me?"

"Look."

Her finger pointed up, not toward the ground but toward the sky.

‘No way...’

I followed her gaze, and when I looked up, a bewildered laugh escaped me.

"Oh... oh...?!"

The carriage was flying.

And fast, at that.

"Not even Superman could... "

Darbav was approaching the mansion, holding the carriage aloft with one hand.

"Oliviaaaaa!!!"

And with tears brimming in his eyes.