Chapter 52: CH 51

“… Go”

I created a rock cone – and with a magic called Stone Cannon pierced a monkey-like demon.

The demon exploded, leaving behind only a magical gem.

I picked it up expressionlessly and stuffed it into my leather bag.

“…”

A few days have passed since the match with Manaria-sama.

The academy is proceeding with the preparations for the Amour’s Festival.

As for what specifically I’m doing, I’m exterminating demons around the festival hall.

Since magical gem is used for the love scales, demons approach lured by it.

Hence every year before the festival all academy students go hunt demons.

By nature, demon suppression is the army’s job, but as a large amount of them appears, academy students are recruited.

Fortunately, the demons around the ceremony hall aren’t that strong, so even academy students can defeat them.

Nonetheless, at this time the first-year academy students are still unaccustomed to fighting demons, so the first years go around exterminating in teams.

I’m in a team with Claire-sama and Manaria-sama.

“You, are you not overdoing it a little?”

Looking at me dispassionately slaughtering demons, Claire-sama said so.

“No, I’m okay”

I pushed my way through bushes seeking the next prey.

There was an amorphous demon there – a green slime.

“…”

For a moment Relaire crossed my mind, but I again slaughtered it with Stone Cannon.

The slime whose core I pierced muddled and returned to earth.

“Oh dear, you’re rough”

The amused voice was Manaria-sama’s.

“Hey, Manaria-sama. Right now is the time for fighting?”

“It’s okay. With us three there’s no way we can lose to the demons around here”

It’s not self-conceit, her words come from the absolute self-confidence.

The reality is, Manaria-sama could exterminate demons alone without any difficulty.

“But, she is still convalescing?”

Claire-sama said in a worried voice.

I found it very unpleasant.

“I’m okay”

“But…”

Certainly, the wounds I received from Manaria-sama weren’t shallow, but I’m already recovering.

Since then, Claire-sama became worried about me in various ways.

If it was the me before I’d be jumping in joy, but now I can’t simply be happy.

I wagered Claire-sama in a match against Manaria-sama, my loss has a lasting effect.

“Hey, Claire. You stopped moving”

“Eh, yeah”

“Look, there’s a Large Wasp over there. Claire should be able to exterminate it without an issue?”

“…”

Manaria-sama, acting like an escort, urged Claire-sama.

Claire-sama still looked at me anxiously, but eventually she took her eyes off me and commenced demon extermination.

I quietly left their side and with discomfort in my chest went to slaughter demons.

◆◇◆◇◆

“Hey you”

When the demon extermination roughly finished for the day, Claire-sama called out to me.

“What is it, Claire-sama”

The whole day, I basically ignored the team formation and exterminated by myself.

At first I was with Claire-sama and Manaria-sama, but it was painful being with the two of them so I went off on my own.

It seems Claire-sama blames me for it.

“Isn’t it fine. If Claire-sama is with Manaria-sama, she should be enough to protect you”

“Do not say such a thing. Your job is to serve me”

What Claire-sama’s saying is correct.

It’s correct, but I had no space in my heart to listen obediently.

“I am sorry”

“Do you really understand what you did wrong? In the first place, with a convalescing body independent action is extremely dangerous”

If I had been a little calmer, I would have noticed at that time Claire-sama was worried about me.

But, it was painful to continue the conversation, so I tried to finish it right after apologizing.

And, Claire-sama noticed my apology wasn’t sincere.

Then I got a little fed up with Claire-sama’s sermon.

“I am not worried about you in particular, however having a servant die would weight on my――”

“I am sorry. I’ll be careful from now on”

When the conversation finished, I tried leaving, but Claire-sama caught my arm.

“After the match with Onee-sama you are behaving strange? What in the world happened”

“… Nothing much”

“You are lying. Until then you had been involving yourself with myself persistently, but have you not become completely quiet in these past few days”

Claire-sama doesn’t know the details of my and Manaria-sama’s fight.

Like other people, she only thinks we competed in magic.

“In that match, Claire-sama was at stake”

“Ha?”

I reluctantly explained the details of the match.

“And so, I have no right to be next to Claire-sama anymore”

“What selfish things are you saying!”

The moment I finished, Claire-sama snapped.

“I was at stake in your match? What were you thinking! I am not a thing!? Doing as you please…”

Claire-sama’s point is right.

If somebody decides you’re a prize on their own, of course you’d get mad.

There’s a concept of prize girls where women are reduced to prizes, but I also hate it.

However, this time there was something completely wrong with me.

That’s why, I said such a thing.

“Is that so? Doesn’t it feel good? You were sought by a wonderful person like Manaria-sama”

Thinking about it now, those were inexcusable words.

Claire-sama’s eyes completely glazed.

“Correct yourself. For a servant to speak abusive words to her master. This is why commoner servants are…”

Claire-sama seems to have retaliated.

If it was the usual me, I should have noticed.

But, at this time I was awfully irritated.

“Then, I’ll quit”

“… What was that?”

“I’ll quit being Claire-sama’s maid. It’s not suitable for a commoner like me”

When I said so, expression disappeared from Claire-sama’s face.

Claire-sama continued in a flat voice.

“… Are you seriously saying this?”

“Yes”

I wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.

“I see… I understand”

At that moment I noticed Claire-sama’s voice somehow trembled.

“Claire-sama?”

“The payment until today will be calculated at the daily rate, so come collect it”

Claire-sama’s tone was businesslike.

“I had various complaints, but you have served me well until now. As a daughter of François house I would like to express my gratitude”

Then, with an awkward smile that I could tell she was forcing,

“Thank you for everything until now, Taylor-san”

Calling me by my family name, Claire-sama shed a single tear.

“Claire-sa――”

“Are you going already? I am sorry for saying selfish things until now. I pray for Taylor-san’s happiness from now on”

I made a mistake.

It’s a fatal mistake I can’t take back.

Even if I regret, it’s too late.

Claire-sama turned her back on me.

“… Excuse me”

The only thing I could do is say that and leave this place.

My feelings were so chaotic I just wanted to run into my room and dive into my bed.

“You too, are leaving me alone… Liar”

The last words Claire-sama spilled gouged deep into my heart.