Chapter 12: My Maid

As we ran deeper into the cave, we finally emerged into a large chamber resembling a grand hall.

“Looks like we’ve reached a dead end.”
“Yeah, looks like this is where we have to fight.”

Realizing there was nowhere left to run, we stopped in the center of the chamber.

Now, I had said something along the lines of “I’ll take the hit for you!” but could a chicken-hearted guy like me really put myself on the line to protect Liluria?

The magic he uses to launch fireballs is terrifying—after all, it’s fire, and just the sight of it makes me instinctively want to dodge.
But if I did that now, Liluria would definitely lose it. I have to come up with a plan…

After all this time together, I’ve grown quite fond of Liluria. I don’t want to see her get hurt.

THUD, THUD, THUD

At last, the armored knight appeared from the path we had come.
Apparently, he still sees us as enemies.
The moment he spotted us, he charged straight toward us.

“Ao, remember our deal? I told you to take his attacks. I’m going to defeat him, so leave the attacking to me.”
“Leave it to you—I’m your man!”

No sooner had I said that than I leaped at Liluria, wrapping my arms around her small body completely.

“W-wait, what?! Huh?! What’s happening?! Why are you hugging me like that?!”

Liluria’s face flushed bright red as she stared at me in utter confusion.

I’m sorry, but no matter how I think about it, I just can’t bring myself to charge into his magic head-on.
So, I figured the only way to keep Liluria from being hit was to cover her entirely with my body.
Besides, in this state, she can’t see the knight, so even if he attacks, she won’t be scared.
And as a bonus, I get to hug a beautiful girl.

…Hmm? Isn’t this the perfect plan?
But I couldn’t let Liluria catch on to my lecherous thoughts.
I adopted a very serious tone and said to her:

“Trust me, Liluria. I’ll take every one of his attacks. So just keep attacking him!”
“…O-okay. I trust you, Ao.”

Liluria closed her eyes and took a deep, drawn-out breath.
Then she began concentrating with all her might.
Even while clinging to me, she managed to focus perfectly.

Then, as if sensing that we were about to strike, the armored knight started his assault—at least, that’s what it seemed like.
Since I was completely facing away from him, I could only judge by the sound.

I’d bet the knight was unleashing even more magic on us than before.
Too bad my cheat won’t let him get through me.

Still, although I hugged Liluria thinking that not being able to see him would make it less frightening, complete darkness brought about a different kind of terror.
Hurry up, Liluria—do something!

And this armored knight…
Dressed like a knight yet using only magic attacks—what a spineless wretch.
If you’re going to be a knight, at least charge at me with a sword!
Well, I suppose that kind of talk doesn’t work on a monster.

Then, Liluria’s closed eyes suddenly snapped open.
She wrapped her left arm around my back to pull herself even closer, and with her right hand pointed toward the armored knight, she shouted:

“Die!!!”

The instant those words left her mouth, the knight’s attacks came to an abrupt halt.

“Did it work!?”

Unconsciously, I said something that seemed like it might trigger a flag, but no matter how long we waited, there was no sign of the armored knight moving.

Phew, thank goodness.

Looks like we managed to defeat it.

I let out a sigh of relief when—

“…H-Hey, how long are we staying like this?”

Liluria, who seemed a bit out of breath—probably because she used her magic—spoke to me.

Wow, her face is really red.

“Ah, sorry, sorry.”

Honestly, I was getting embarrassed, too, holding onto her like that for so long. I quickly let go of Liluria.

“Ah… I never said you had to let go or anything…(muttering)”

Turning my gaze toward the armored knight, I saw that his armor had exploded all over the place, and bits of his flesh were scattered around the area.

Ugh, what a grisly sight…

Come to think of it, her magic was pretty brutal on the stagecoach, too—Liluria’s magic is something else.

“Ahem. So, how about that—according to Ao’s orders, I’ve taken him down!”

“As expected of you, Liluria! I had faith in you!”

“…But this is quite a mess, isn’t it?”

I nodded in agreement.

“My magic is that kind of magic. This is a good opportunity, so let me explain.”

Liluria began to speak, looking somewhat sad.

“In this world, each magic user can only use certain attributes. People who can use fire magic can only use fire. People who can use water can only use water. Very rarely, there are those who can use multiple attributes, but they’re exceptions.”

A magic user who can wield multiple attributes… that sounds so cool!

I bet they’re called something like “Dual Attribute Double” or something.

Ahh, I wish I had some aptitude for magic too…

“And the attribute I can use is black. Black magic is the only type I can use.”

“Ohh, so there’s white magic, too?”

“Not exactly. There’s healing magic, but black magic is different. It’s special.”

Special?

This is really tickling my chuunibyou heart.

I want to be a black magic user, too!

“Black magic is specialized in destroying—whether it’s living creatures or inanimate objects. If I unleash it, the target ends up in pieces, just like that monster just now. And if the magic goes out of control, it can harm the caster or anyone around them.”

“That… sounds really cool.”

“Heh, that’s the first time anyone’s said that.”

I never imagined my maid could be such a badass mage.

“They say a black magic user is born only once every hundred years. It’s said two black magic users never appear in the same era.”

That makes it even cooler.

So Liluria possesses an extremely rare power.

She’s too good just to be helping me live the NEET life…

Not that I’m giving up on my NEET plans, though!

“And black magic users are fated to be shunned by people, without exception. It’s only natural—they have no idea when that dangerous magic might turn on them.”

So that’s why Liluria was also shunned.

“Wait… Liluria, did your magic ever go out of control and… cause your mother’s—?”

“Of course not! Don’t even joke about that! My mother died from an illness—it wasn’t my fault!”

Whew, that’s a relief.

I was worried she might have some tragic backstory.

Then I wouldn’t know whether I should treat her normally or if I should tiptoe around her past.

My timid heart would’ve been tied in knots trying to figure it out.

“You know, I used to be the second princess of Rekuria? I was once called Princess Liluriana. But once this magic was discovered, they treated me like I didn’t exist.”

Rekuria… that’s the kingdom that summoned me, right?

I had no idea she was once a princess…

Still, to disregard their own daughter just because of one type of magic—what a terrible king.

“So, are you surprised? Do you want to fire me now?”

Liluria spoke sadly, looking at me.

She’d been so adamant just moments before about sticking with me, and yet she’s asking this now?

Looks like this princess is quite the softie.

She must know it might hurt her, but she’s still warning me about the danger.

But she’s underestimating me.

I’m aiming to be the lowest of the low—a bona fide NEET.

I’m not the type to give up on someone over something like this, let alone lecture them.

I’ll remain weak until I die of old age, and I’ll remain on the side of the weak until then, too.