Reborn As A Maid

Chapter 160: Chapter 160 -Inside the Mind

Gentle rays of dawn bathed the mountains of the Village of the Storm’s Promise.

There wasn’t even a single plume of smoke that rose above the burned houses. Not even sounds of battles echoed around the village anymore. Only the chirping of birds and rustling of leaves could be heard – sounds which Jennie thought to have taken away from her forever.

But Rosario lived.

Although there were scars on each and every wall, as well as on rooftops, the residents began to rebuild the village right away. Hammers resounded everywhere – people were working together, fixing the roofs, erecting fences, planting flowers on the places where blood was shed not so long ago.

The laughter of children could be heard as well.

For the first time since Luka’s death Jennie understood how much she missed it.

Jennie was standing near the entrance of the village. She fixed her travel cloak on her shoulders. Excalibur, Leviathan, and Tempest hung peacefully on her belt. Three Divine Swords and three promises that should be fulfilled.

Nearby Roxy was struggling with the straps of her large backpack.

"Again, I can’t understand what all this food for? We won’t be traveling for such a long time," Jennie pointed out.

Roxy looked indignant. "I brought important snacks."

"I brought such snacks which will be enough to feed an army."

"They may become hungry!"

Snow who was resting beside them as a wolf pup sighed heavily. "In truth, the most dangerous enemy during this journey isn’t the Demon Generals. It’s her appetite."

Roxy gasped dramatically. "I’ve been slandered!"

Jennie couldn’t help but smile.

Tension that was hanging around the hearts of the companions for a long time finally lifted – only a little bit.

Elder of the village came to them slowly.

Several other villagers were following him. Nobody was armed, but baskets with bread, dried meat, fruit, and warm blankets were in their hands.

"Our heroes shouldn’t leave their homes hungry," he said.

Jennie shook her head. "You’ve already given us enough."

The elder smiled. "You’ve returned our future. This kind of a gift can’t be repaid."

And one by one the villagers stepped forward.

A little girl offered Snow a flower crown.

The Divine Beast looked puzzled. "...What’s this?"

"It will match your fluffy fur!"

Snow was shocked. "I refuse."

The little girl pouted.

Jennie gently put the crown on his head before he had managed to run away. "It fits you."

"It absolutely doesn’t fit me."

Roxy burst out laughing. "I wish Luka could see this."

Snow moaned. "If only he could, he wouldn’t stop teasing me."

The companions started laughing again.

Before departure Jennie ascended the hill.

Two graves were located under the ancient cedar tree.

Deressa.

Luka.

White lilies were swaying gently in the morning breeze.

Jennie bowed politely.

"We’re leaving. I’ll protect this world – for you to sacrifice not to go in vain."

A gentle wind responded to her.

Tempest began to glow. The cheerful voice of the sword echoed in her mind.

"He heard you."

Jennie smiled.

"I know."

The southern road lay far ahead beyond the mountains.

Unlike western roads which were rough and narrow, these paths were wide and old – built from ancient stones which survived countless years. Three companions were traveling peacefully side by side, not running any longer towards the next battle.

And the world was giving them the chance of the temporary rest.

They were crossing the clear rivers where fish were leaping out of water.

They were walking through the forests which were decorated with golden leaves of autumn.

Old windmills were spinning on the distant hills.

Friendly farmers villages were greeting them warmly not knowing that the girl walking through their streets was once the greatest hero of history.

Jennie didn’t mind it.

She was helping an old farmer to fix his broken cart.

Roxy was entertaining children with harmless floating lights in the shape of little dragons.

Snow was reluctantly allowing several children to pet his fluffy tail, but then pretended that he didn’t enjoy it.

"You smiled," Roxy joked.

"I didn’t."

"And your tail was wagging."

"My tail... was adjusting."

Jennie hid her smile behind her hand.

In the evening they were stopping near the quiet lake.

Water was reflecting the thousands of stars.

Jennie was gathering firewood while Snow with incredible precision was fishing the lake.

Roxy offered to cook.

Ten minutes later...

Smoke burst from the cooking pot.

Snow immediately retreated a step back. "I don’t think that this meal is edible."

"It smells... dangerous."

"This food just needs some seasonings," Roxy insisted.

Jennie cautiously looked inside. "...Roxy."

"Yes?"

"The fish shouldn’t be purple."

Roxy looked dumbstruck. "...Oh."

Snow muttered. "I choose the survival."

Jennie silently started cooking while Roxy was sitting near the fire, sulking.

"I’m improving," Roxy protested.

"You are."

"I’ve blown up less this time."

"...This is encouraging."

Soon the smell of the cooked fish could be smelled in the campsite.

They were eating under the sky which was full of stars.

Some time passed without a single word.

Nobody needed anything to say.

While the fire was crackling softly in the campfire Tempest suddenly broke the silence.

Its young voice echoed in the mind of Jennie.

"It’s strange."

Jennie blinked. "What is?"

"Travelling. I’ve slept for centuries. I forgot that the world can be so beautiful."

Leviathan answered gently. "Oceans changed as well."

Excalibur spoke with wise voice. "Civilizations rise. Civilizations fall. But the humanity keeps moving."

Tempest laughed. "I guess that I am the youngest now."

Leviathan chuckled. "You’ll learn."

Even Excalibur was amused somehow.

For the first time in a thousand years three Divine Swords were discussing the matters not on the battlefield, but around the quiet campfire.

Jennie was listening to them attentively.

She realized that the swords weren’t only the weapons.

They were companions, witnesses of the history and friends who carried the hope of the mankind throughout countless ages.

Later that night when Roxy was sleeping peacefully and Snow was pretending to keep watch while actually sleeping next to the fire, Jennie looked at the southern horizon.

Somewhere behind those distant mountains...

New adventures waited for them.

New Divine Swords.

New allies.

Undoubtedly, new enemies.

Jennie laid her hand on the hilts of Excalibur, Leviathan, and Tempest.

Three Divine Swords and three lights burning brightly in the gathering darkness.

Jennie smiled peacefully under the endless sky of stars not knowing that far away both the Demon Continent and the Kingdom of Seraiya were preparing for something which will change the fate of the whole world.

However, the next morning dawned bright and sunny.

The soft breeze carried the sweet scent of flowers as the trio traveled along a sunny path. The road crossed green meadows where the flocks of shepherds’ sheep grazed and merchants travelled safely between the villages.

After the events in Rosario the tranquility of nature seemed almost unreal.

Roxy raised her hands above her head. "It almost seems like there are peaceful journeys."

Snow yawned. "I’ve almost come to think that our life has turned into Demon Generals only."

Jennie smiled. "I wouldn’t complain about a little peace."

While she talked something warm started radiating from the swords at her waist.

She frowned. "...Again?"

The warmth grew into vibrations.

Excalibur. Leviathan. Tempest.

All three Divine Swords vibrated in harmony.

Excalibur’s steady voice resounded inside her mind.

"Leonis... They’re resonating."

Jennie stopped walking. "Why now?"

Leviathan answered. "Because we’ve been reunited at last."

Tempest sounded unusually excited. "I’ve waited for this for centuries!"

Snow immediately noticed the stoppage of her travel. "What is it?"

"The swords. They’re resonating."

Roxy looked around nervously. "Should we be afraid?"

Excalibur replied instead of Jennie. "Not afraid. Prepared."

The girls followed the advice of Excalibur to the secluded valley encircled with huge cliffs.

The ancient circle of stones lay in its center and strange runes covered the stones of the structure. Thousands of years had passed since its creation but there wasn’t a single faded rune.

Jennie stepped into the center of the circle.

The moment she stepped there—

The runes began shining with golden light.

The air itself started trembling.

Snow’s ears perked up. "This place... It feels ancient."

Roxy nodded slowly. "I’ve never encountered such an ancient divinity power."

Excalibur spoke.

"Long before the kingdoms appeared—long before demons invaded this world—long before I’ve become the Sword of Kings—"

The Divine Sword made a pause. The voice carried the memories of a time before history.

"We were one."

Jennie widened her eyes. "...One?"

Leviathan continued. "The Seven Divine Swords weren’t created separately. We were born together."

Tempest added with enthusiasm. "One sword! The greatest Divine Sword in the world!"

Jennie slowly looked at the three blades laying at her waist. "So... You’re fragments?"

Excalibur answered. "Yes. Each of the Divine Swords received the fragment of the original sword. The royal authority. The endless sea. The freedom of the storms. Together we remember how we used to be."

Jennie remained silent.

It was hard to believe. For centuries she thought that the Divine Swords are independent relics. Now they told that they had existed as a whole once.

Excalibur spoke again. "Leonis. Try."

Jennie blinked. "What to try?"

The answer came from all three blades.

"Reunite us."

The strong wind carried them through the valley.

Golden light poured out from Excalibur.

The deep blue waves surrounded Leviathan.

The silver storms surrounded Tempest.

Jennie slowly drew all three swords.

The moment they were drawn—

The sky changed.

The dark clouds gathered. The lightning flew between the mountains. The earth began trembling under their feet. Even the birds fled.

Snow stepped back. "This isn’t usual resonance."

Roxy tightened her grip on the staff. "I’ve never felt such concentrated mana."

Jennie raised Excalibur.

Leviathan hovered beside her.

Tempest hovered above her.

She closed her eyes.

She didn’t want to unite them by force. She listened.

To the noble determination of Excalibur.

To the patient gentleness of Leviathan.

To the joyful freedom of Tempest.

Three hearts. Three wills. One goal.

To protect humanity.

The Divine Swords reacted.

The lights entwined—golden, blue, silver. The three blades transformed into the streams of divine light which surrounded Jennie like the stars orbiting the moon.

Then—

They converged.

The valley erupted with the light.

Snow shielded his eyes. Roxy gasped.

The mountains surrounding the valley began shaking violently. The sky tore apart. The column of divine radiance went upwards.

Far away—

In the hidden shrines on the whole continent ancient statues opened their glowing eyes. The forgotten ruins shook.

Even the Deep Continent, far from here, several Demon Generals turned their gaze upwards.

Something had changed.

The light gradually died out.

Jennie opened her eyes.

She was holding—

One sword.

The blade was different from anything she had seen before. The center shone with the brilliant gold. The flowing blue patterns were visible on its surface like the living water. The silver lightning was dancing along the edge. The guard was the majestic wings. The hilt felt familiar—as if she had possessed it long ago, before her first life.

Even the Excalibur spoke amazed. "...At last."

Leviathan whispered. "Our true form..."

Tempest laughed happily. "We’re together again!"

Jennie looked at the magnificent weapon. "...Beautiful."

She swung it gently.

She had no intention to use the sword. She just wanted to test it.

The result surprised everyone.

The clouds above the valley split into hundreds of kilometers. The nearby river lifted into the air and then peacefully returned to its beds. One of the peaks of the mountain separated from the mountain itself and fell into the valley without harming anyone.

No explosions. No destruction. Just perfect accuracy.

Snow’s jaw slowly fell. "...That was just a test swing."

Roxy looked equally amazed. "If you had swung seriously... I’m sure there wouldn’t be any mountain left."

Jennie quickly put the sword aside. "This power... It’s unbelievable."

Then—

The sharp pain struck her body.

She stumbled.

The sword shook violently. The cracks of light started spreading on its surface.

Excalibur spoke desperately. "Let it go!"

Jennie immediately released the sword.

The sword split into the three streams of light.

Excalibur. Leviathan. Tempest.

The three Divine Swords returned to their original forms.

Jennie fell on her knee, panting. The sweat poured down her face.

Roxy hurried to her side. "Jennie! Are you alright?"

Jennie slowly shook her head. "...Just tired."

Snow looked at the swords. "So it hasn’t worked?"

Excalibur answered quietly. "No. It has worked."

Everyone turned to the Sword of Kings.

"The fusion is possible."

Leviathan continued. "But Jennie’s body can’t sustain our full power yet."

Tempest sighed dramatically. "We’ve been excited. We’ve almost destroyed our wielder."

Jennie laughed weakly. "I noticed.

Excalibur grew serious again.

"The day will come when all Seven Divine Swords will reunite. On that day the True Divine Blade will be resurrected."

Leviathan added. "Then only the final battle can begin."

Jennie slowly sheathed the three swords.

Although she kept them in their unified state for only a few seconds, this short period revealed her a hint of power beyond imagination.

She looked at the boundless southern horizon.

There were still four Divine Swords left somewhere in the world.

Somewhere, their future owners were waiting.

And somewhere far away the Demon Generals must have certainly felt what had just happened.

The race for gathering the rest of the Divine Swords has entered a new phase.