Chapter 1949 – 1949. Dark Moon
“Viscount Meyer, could you spare a moment? I’d like to discuss Miss Yuria.”
A discussion about Yuria?
It’s unlikely that Yuria made a mistake or caused an accident. Even if she did, it was strange that Maria Hilton, the head of the academy, would approach me about it.
‘…Considering my publicly known relationship with Yuria… I have a feeling what this conversation is about.’
This is awkward. Maria Hilton is a Level 7 superhuman. Moreover, she’s the head of the Maid Academy. Her influence in Neo London is not to be ignored. Especially since the graduates of the Maid Academy are all recognized elites in Neo London, her network is probably on par with the highest-ranking nobles.
‘I can’t refuse.’
There are rumors that Maria Hilton is one of the most virtuous people in Neo London, but I don’t blindly believe rumors.
“It’s an honor to have a conversation with you, Ms. Hilton. But here?”
“The academy also has a reception room for guests. Let’s go there. I’ll guide you.”
Maria led the way. Her posture was straight as she walked, like steel.
‘Hmm….’
Recently, after reaching Level 6, my senses have become sharper. But even with these sharpened senses, I couldn’t find a flaw in Maria Hilton.
‘I can’t figure out how to fight her. She doesn’t seem to be a mage….’
There was too little information about Maria Hilton.
‘No. She’s not hostile to me. There’s no need to think about fighting.’
I remind myself that what she wants is a conversation.
We arrived at the reception room.
It was a splendid yet antique reception room. It wouldn’t be out of place in a noble’s residence.
“Would you like some black tea?”
“Among teas, I like black tea the most.”
“We have the same taste.”
She leisurely and gracefully brewed the black tea with a teapot. For some reason, Yuria’s image came to mind.
Soon, she handed me a teacup. I expressed my gratitude and took a sip of the black tea. It was a taste that could rival the black tea brewed by Yuria.
“You’re not surprised even after drinking the black tea. It seems you’re familiar with it.”
“…Should I be surprised to drink black tea?”
“Usually, people are surprised. People say that the black tea I brew is far superior to the black tea others brew.”
“It is indeed excellent. I’m particularly picky about black tea, and this one is flawless.”
“Is it because of Miss Yuria that you’ve become picky?”
“…No. I’ve always been picky. Is there a reason you’re saying that?”
“Miss Yuria’s cooking and tea ceremony skills have already surpassed the instructors. Even I find it difficult to keep up with her skills.”
“……”
To think that Maria Hilton would acknowledge it. Yuria’s skills seemed to be even more outstanding than I thought.
“How did you meet Miss Yuria? I’ve done some research, but it doesn’t seem like you have a deep relationship.”
“You’ve already finished your research, so is there a need to hear it from my mouth?”
The research was already done.
It was expected. Someone of her stature wouldn’t approach me without any information.
“I don’t understand. Miss Yuria is exceptional. She maintained good grades even during her time at the Knight Training Center. But suddenly, she gave up a promising future and became your maid.”
“Yuria and I met by chance.”
“Perhaps. I’ll ask another question. Are you threatening Miss Yuria?”
“……Excuse me?”
I couldn’t help but ask back at the sudden question. Was it her kind of joke?
“Logically speaking, Miss Yuria is not someone who should be under you. Miss Yuria can be treated well anywhere. She probably knows that herself. Yet, she insists on being your maid. Shouldn’t there be another reason?”
I couldn’t refute it. I’ve had those doubts myself sometimes. With Yuria’s skills alone, she could have already gotten a job in a better place. Considering her career, there was no reason for her to work under me.
‘I was suspicious at first. For someone I met for the first time, she knew me strangely well. It felt like she knew me better than I knew myself.’
Yuria’s cooking was perfect for my taste, and she even perfectly grasped my unknown preferences.
It was not a normal thing.
And there is one conclusion that makes sense of this abnormal situation.
“The reason is simple.”
“Oh ho. I’d like to hear that reason.”
“Yuria loves me. That’s the reason. She probably fell in love with me at first sight.”
“……”
Maria looked at me as if she was dumbfounded.
I was being sincere. If it wasn’t love for me, Yuria’s actions wouldn’t make sense. The fact that she openly seduced me was also because she fell in love with a man like me at first sight. So why did she fall in love at first sight?
‘Love is not something you understand. It’s something you feel.’
Isn’t that why it’s love?
I took another sip of black tea with a wistful look. A man like me….
“…I understand. Let’s get to the main point. Could you terminate the sponsorship contract you have with Miss Yuria? I will bear the loss. As a bonus, I will give you 1 billion credits as compensation.”
“Is the sponsorship contract bothering you? The sponsorship contract I have with Yuria isn’t particularly special. Of course, it’s not an unfair contract either.”
“…To be honest, I want Miss Yuria to work for the royal family. The royal family also wants Miss Yuria. Considering her future and career, it’s best for Miss Yuria to work for the royal family.”
The royal family.
Just like Yuria said, they’re trying to recruit her.
“I can terminate the sponsorship contract anytime. It’s not a particularly important contract.”
“……Not an important contract?”
“Do you think that with such a contract, Yuria has sworn loyalty to me? I have never threatened Yuria. I have never forced her to work under me.”
“……”
“Oh, have you confirmed Yuria’s intentions? If the contract is terminated, Yuria might leave the Maid Academy on her own.”
“…Miss Yuria would never make such a foolish choice. She is living better than anyone else at the Maid Academy right now.”
“Do you really think so?”
Maria sighed softly.
“……Could you persuade Miss Yuria to work for the royal family? I will repay you for this.”
“No.”
I leaned back on the backrest and looked at her with a slightly contemptuous gaze.
“Yuria’s future is not something that you or I should choose. Yuria herself has to choose. You should persuade Yuria, not me. You’re talking to me like this because you didn’t have the confidence to persuade her. I’m disappointed in you today, Ms. Maria.”
“…Haa. I can’t even make excuses. Yes. You’re right. The correct order is to persuade Miss Yuria before persuading you. But I judged that I had to persuade you to persuade Miss Yuria. Miss Yuria is sincerely serving you.”
“The things we talked about today cannot be discussed without Yuria, who is the person involved. I’ll get going now.”
“…If, by any chance, you were to force Miss Yuria… how do you think Miss Yuria would react?”
“She would quit. You don’t have to graduate from the Maid Academy to become a maid.”
“Lastly. Do you really have no intention of helping to persuade her for Miss Yuria’s sake?”
“Hah. If it were truly for Yuria’s sake, I would have. But… my relationship with Yuria is much closer than you think.”
I pulled up a photo on my watch. Maria’s eyes widened as she looked at the photo.
It was a photo of Yuria in my arms on the bed. Naked, at that. Judging by her sweat-soaked face, it was after we had done the deed.
“This is the extent of my relationship with Yuria.”
“……”
“Well then, have a good night.”
“Yes. Thank you for today. And I apologize for my rudeness.”
I left the reception room and was guided out of the academy by an instructor. My hands were trembling slightly.
‘The rumor that Maria Hilton is a virtuous person was true.’
She didn’t raise her aura even once during our conversation. Even though my tone was somewhat rude, she maintained her composure until the end.
In this world, a person of her character was very rare.
• • •
[The game is terminated.]
Thud!
I slumped onto the sofa, frowning.
The memories and experiences from Dark Moon. Especially the experience with magic.
‘Damn it. I know it, but I don’t know it at all.’
I have the knowledge of magic in my head. But I can’t use it. Even when I try to calculate the spell, I’m blocked from the start.
‘It feels like when I look at a math book.’
Calculate the spell and use telekinesis magic? It’s faster, more certain, and easier to move my body directly.
‘The magic of the Dark Moon world and the magic of reality are completely different. There’s no concept of astral in reality.’
In terms of novels, the world settings were different. Of course, it’s not like there’s no way at all.
For example, using [Incarnation].
‘However, Incarnation has the condition that it must be the ending world, so I can’t become the me from the Dark Moon world right now.’
I was lost in thought, then shook off my lingering feelings about magic.
I’ve lived well without magic until now, so it didn’t really matter if I couldn’t use it.
‘I have the game life app, so what’s the big deal about some magic?’
In that sense, I ran the game life app and checked my points.
[Sung Yu-jin
Level: 91
Strength: 123 Stamina: 116 Agility: 113 Intelligence: 113 Vitality: 123 Mana: 123]
[Available Points: 55,947]
