Honestly, I never expected that my arm would break from being honest about things.
I didn’t expect that the attack power decrease would result in something like this.
I thought it would be something like exhaustion setting in, or maybe muscle fatigue. I never imagined my arm would get shattered.
What confused me even more was what happened after my arm broke.
The pain wasn’t a big issue. I’ve been through worse, so a broken arm wasn’t too hard to endure.
But the chaos around me was beyond my control, and that was what really threw me off.
I had to calm down Kal, who was crying and apologizing in front of me.
I had to reassure the bear, who was crying because of the blessing I had given her.
I even had to stop the foolish fox, who frowned but ended up using a splint on my broken arm, so I left that alone.
Then, seeing Arthur look so bewildered, I told him to call Feibi.
When I saw Freya staring at my dangling arm with a blank expression, I gave her a judgmental look.
After all the commotion, when Feibi arrived, she didn’t scream like the others. Instead, she calmly healed my arm.
Feibi’s divine magic, as always, worked excellently.
First, she relieved the pain, then gently healed my arm, making sure not to strain me. Feibi was a far more skilled healer than I could ever be.
What would I have done if I had to heal myself?
What would I do? I would’ve just gritted my teeth and endured it, no matter how much it hurt.
I don’t know anything other than that.
Once my arm was completely healed, I found myself fascinated by it, flexing and unclenching my fist. Then Feibi spoke.
"My lady."
Feibi’s voice, usually so calm, sounded strangely cold this time.
Is it because I did something wrong?
She was speaking as usual, so was I just misinterpreting things?
I raised my head slightly, thinking this, only to see a shadow over her eyes. I quickly looked down again.
"When you asked me to take care of the forest, I nodded quietly. I trusted you, my lady."
...Yeah. She hesitated a little, but she still let me go.
"Even after we met again in the dungeon, I said nothing. I kept silent while watching you get hurt."
Was that a problem? I’m the best at dungeon raids, and since I’m the tank, I had to lead. There was no reason for me not to.
That’s the role of a tank.
No. Never mind. I’ll just keep quiet.
"Even when you collapsed from overexertion, I remained still. I endured my concern and healed you."
I didn’t expect to collapse either.
Grandfather had said there was a way, but he didn’t mention any side effects.
So, this was Grandfather’s fault! It’s not my fault!
Of course, since I can’t talk about Grandfather, it’ll end up being my fault!
Damn it!
"And yet! Now, after all that, you get hurt again!"
It was the first time I’d heard Feibi raise her voice, and I looked up, startled.
There was Feibi, her face in tears.
Seeing her on the verge of crying left me unsure of how to react.
"Ha. Grandfather!"
<You handle it.>
"What?!"
<You should learn to do these things on your own. That’s how you become an adult.>
Grandfather’s voice was laced with annoyance.
What?! Grandfather’s angry because I broke my arm?! He knows it wasn’t intentional, so why is he mad at me?!
At least Grandfather should understand that I’m innocent!
"Lady."
"...Huh?"
While I was screaming internally, Feibi was composed, trying to control her emotions.
"I’m sorry. I know you didn’t do it on purpose, my lady."
Agh! Please, just yell at me already.
Why don’t you scold me for not listening to you?!
I would feel better if you did that!
"Isn’t this favoritism?"
As I felt like I was suffocating, Arthur, who had appeared from behind, spoke up.
"You scolded us all day yesterday."
"That’s right. You’ve been scolding since we got back."
"Honestly, that was more like a sermon than just a scolding."
"Wasn’t it basically torture?"
"...Feibi’s sermons are indeed like torture."
As soon as Arthur opened the conversation, the others who had been following from behind chimed in.
Even Joy, who had been silent, turned away and spoke, showing that Feibi’s scolding yesterday had really intimidated everyone.
I had kept quiet about the incident when I collapsed, but when I realized Feibi wasn’t responding to me, I turned my head slightly.
Feibi, who had been on the verge of tears, now had a face flushed red.
"Useless saint?"
"Th-those sermons were necessary, I assure you."
"I know. We made a mistake. But why don’t you give sermons to Lucy Arlen?"
"Yeah. It’s unfair."
"Th-that’s... My lady is different."
"How is Lucy different, Feibi?"
As soon as Joy spoke, the atmosphere shifted dramatically.
Feibi, whose face looked like it was about to burst, now turned her gaze toward Joy.
Joy, who had been silently observing Feibi, finally noticed the attention on her and began looking around nervously.
"Why—why is everyone suddenly looking at me?! Wasn’t this about getting revenge for Feibi’s nagging?!"
"Lucy," I said.
"You said Lucy Arlen, didn’t you?"
"You said Lucy."
I realized I had found an escape.
If I just turn the focus to Joy, I can escape this awkward situation!
"That’s right. Joy called me by name in that ridiculous tone."
I naturally called her "Joy," and the others' gazes became even sharper.
Joy, as if betrayed, had a hurt expression, but I tilted my head as if I didn’t understand what was happening.
What did I do wrong? I just called my friend by name!
"Joy. I just want to hear your side of the story."
"I agree with the saint’s words."
"Me too. I really want to hear it."
As I watched Joy gradually getting more and more trapped, I thought one thing.
Thank you, Joy! I survived thanks to you! I won’t forget this sacrifice!
At least for the next thirty minutes!
As Erin, a maid of the Arlen family and Lucy Arlen's personal attendant, was working in the academy, she was completing various duties typical of a maid.
Lucy often asked why Erin was working for others instead of focusing on her own development. But Erin refused, as she didn’t want to be seen as a burden. She believed it was her privilege to work for Lucy, and if she didn’t, there might be negative rumors about Lucy. Erin wanted to contribute to Lucy’s well-being and not become a hindrance to her.
However, Erin wasn’t entirely without worries. Outsiders, especially newcomers, often faced suspicion and exclusion.
Erin, who had expected this kind of treatment, was surprised when the other servants did not criticize her. Instead, they seemed somewhat intimidated by her.
They would tell her to rest if she didn’t have work, and when Erin insisted on doing something, they would always give her the easier, more comfortable tasks.
In that atmosphere, Erin realized how extraordinary Lucy must be.
How much must her lady have done for Erin, for even a mere maid like herself to receive such respect and admiration?
While praising Lucy, Erin didn’t want to only live under her lady’s glory. She made sure to do her work diligently, even if others didn’t ask her to. She didn’t want to trouble Lucy or cause her any inconvenience.
Erin had no intention of being a burden, and she wanted to be of help to Lucy, to make sure her mistress’s reputation only grew brighter.
While Lucy had stepped out for a while, Erin focused on her duties, hoping for Lucy's swift and safe return.
"Excuse me, Erin."
"Yes?"
"Could you help me for a moment? There's something I can’t do alone."
"Of course. What is it?"
"I can’t explain it with words. Please come with me for a moment."
Erin, a bit puzzled, followed the servant who had spoken to her.
The location they led her to was a somewhat secluded area of the academy. Did a servant have business here?
As Erin thought about it, she began to feel an eerie sense of something wrong and stopped in her tracks.
"Erin?"
"You... who are you?"
"Excuse me?"
Erin looked at the servant carefully, feeling a sense of unease. There was something wrong, something disgusting about them.
"You... what is this?"
"...Tch."
Before Erin could take a step back, the so-called servant lunged toward her.
As a mere servant, Erin couldn’t do anything but stare as the hand rushed toward her.
The speed of the hand was beyond what she could handle.
Ah. If something happens to me, my lady will be sad.
This content is taken from fгeewebnovёl.com.
In the slowed-down world, Erin’s concern for her lady made her freeze for a moment.
Just as the hand was about to reach her, something suddenly appeared, blocking it.
"Ugh. The power of the Void is such a nuisance. I thought I’d organized things well, but it seems I was wrong."
"...You."
"I almost got scolded by the employer."