Chapter 15: The Maid’s Dilemma

Eileen returned to the Golden Dragon Temple. She could perceive a faint trace of Durandal’s presence.

Eileen racked her brain, recalling, “The bathroom…”

It was there she had first seen her own reflection.

Eileen hastened into the bathroom. As expected, Durandal’s aura here was significantly more potent.

She stepped onto the water’s surface, ice forming beneath her feet with each stride.

The reflection on the water was no longer Eileen, but Kassim in black armor, standing at its very center.

Lowering her gaze, she saw… Faltis?!

Faltis emerged from beneath the water. “I wondered why the water temperature had dropped,” she mused. “Turns out my adorable little maid was causing mischief.”

Her long golden hair draped over her chest and back, modestly concealing her alluring bosom.

“Well? Has the matter been resolved?” Faltis inquired. “Or perhaps, you’ve come to scrub my back?”

Faltis’s playful tone grated on Eileen’s ears.

Eileen clenched her fist. She still hadn’t found Durandal…

Wait!

Eileen seemed to hear Durandal calling her name. “Durandal!”

The Holy Sword flew from the mouth of the colossal dragon statue above. Eileen grasped it, holding the blade to Faltis’s throat, pinning her against the wall.

The sharp edge severed a few strands of golden hair as Faltis raised her hands above her head.

Water droplets slowly slid from her hair, tracing a path down her smooth, beautiful armpit, lingering on her full, high breasts, before finally dripping onto the floor.

Her gaze remained alluring, as if unfazed by the sudden turn of events.

Yet, in Eileen’s eyes, it was nothing short of a mockery.

“What is this sudden change, Eileen?” Faltis asked.

“What change? You know best, Faltis! You toyed with me for five whole years!” Eileen had already released the person and sent out the message. Now, she could confront Faltis without reservation.

“This is quite dangerous, maid. You mustn’t point a sword at your master.”

“How much longer will you keep up this act with me? I know everything!”

Faltis’s fingers brushed against Eileen’s blade, gently pushing it aside. “Know everything? No, you know nothing.”

Durandal emitted a dazzling light, but before the Golden Dragon’s radiance, it appeared incredibly dim.

Faltis effortlessly suppressed Durandal’s glow. “Do you wish to resist me? Don’t forget, I am your master. Everything you possess—your power, your life—I gave to you.”

“Shut up! You know very well what an insult this is to a dragon slayer!”

“An insult? Then let me ask you a question, which you must answer truthfully.”

“What question?” Eileen wondered how Faltis could still be speaking of such things at a moment like this.

“Setting aside all positions, do you find it more comfortable to be a dragon slayer, or to be my dragon maid?” Faltis inquired.

“Nonsense! That’s definitely—” The answer that should have readily escaped her lips now hesitated.

This question struck Eileen’s very core.

The memories of those five years flooded Eileen’s mind.

Regarding that question, she faltered…

It was undeniable that, despite her identity as a maid during those five years, no one had ever truly treated her as such.

Everyone understood that Eileen’s status in the Golden Dragon Temple was second only to Faltis.

But these things were not important. Neither Eileen nor Kassim valued power.

During those five years, Eileen had felt incredibly relaxed. She didn’t have to worry about how to become stronger or endure pressure from others.

She discovered that happiness could be so simple?

There was no need to tirelessly throw herself onto the front lines of war day and night.

Simply pruning plants, watering them, and witnessing their bloom brought a sense of relaxation and joy.

Cooking delicious food and savoring it brought a feeling of satisfaction.

Just serving her master well was enough to earn praise.

Moreover, Faltis had treated her exceptionally well, never making any unreasonable demands.

Perhaps the only ‘unreasonable’ thing was being pulled into bed every day to warm it, and then falling asleep while holding her tail.

But could that truly be called unreasonable? Perhaps not…

As Kassim, however, it was one war after another. The empire’s commands never ceased, leaving no time for rest.

Even when her body was numb, instinct still compelled her to deliver that sharp blade.

Of course… what Eileen found most unbearable was the betrayal she suffered from her companions.

“During these five years, I never demanded anything of you. Of course, that’s also because you are utterly perfect.” Faltis lifted Eileen’s chin. “But what about when you were a dragon slayer?”

“Slaying dragons, did you receive rewards? No, you should know better than anyone that it wasn’t a reward, but a burden.”

“Shut up!” Eileen swung her arm forcefully, actually leaving a bloody mark on Faltis’s hand.

“Forgive me, Lady Faltis…” Eileen froze, bewildered. Was she confused by why she had attacked Faltis? Or why she had been able to say such words?

Faltis paid no mind to the injury on her hand. Instead, she took a step forward, stroking Eileen. “What is the answer? Answer me, Eileen.”

This time, Eileen instinctively forgot to resist. She felt a warm liquid smear across her face—the blood of a Golden Dragon.

“That’s definitely…”

“As the empire’s strongest dragon slayer, you wouldn’t lie, would you?”

“…” Eileen lowered her head, remaining silent.

But her silence now was the clearest answer.

“You claim to know the whole truth. Then do you know why? Why would companions who shared life and death turn their blades on you?”

“That’s because of you…” Eileen trailed off, unable to continue.

She saw Faltis’s playful gaze.

Having spent five years together, Eileen knew clearly that Faltis would never stoop to such actions.

Moreover, the same thing had happened to Yarlola, which meant it wasn’t a mere coincidence.

“Finally realized?” Faltis said indulgently. “It’s alright. It’s forgivable for a rebellious little maid to make some mistakes.”

Faltis spread her arms. “Come, return to my side. I will embrace everything about you.”

The Holy Sword in Eileen’s hand suddenly felt incredibly heavy, impossible to grip any longer.

She took a step, moving towards Faltis.

In her memory, Faltis’s embrace was soft and warm, carrying a faint, sweet fragrance.