Lord of Disease (JP-GL) 268

268: Replenishing My Liz Levels

Almost a month had passed, and Liz had returned. It was now early summer, according to the calendar.

“Hello, I’m back… whoa!”

The moment I saw her, I leaped at her and hugged her as tight as I could. Liz patted my back and looked at Rebecca, who was behind me.

“Has anything… happened?”

Rebecca was in a maid uniform.

It was a standard-issue maid uniform from the royal castle, and while there were multiple sizes to accommodate various body types, it was a little too big for her. The sleeves were a little long, and the long skirt was a little too long, which was cute.

She was wearing both her tiara and a white brim, which looked a little surreal from the back, but from the front, she looked like a proper maid. A rookie maid, who had been given a uniform that was a little too big.

“Nothing happened.”

“Wait, no. Rebecca, you’re in a maid uniform.”

“Nothing happened. Got it?”

“Ah, yes…” Liz was taken aback. She tried to pull me away… and failed.

“Um, what did this Master do?”

Liz stopped trying to peel me off and looked at Rebecca.

“Ah, she was low on Liz.”

“You were doing your job, right?”

“There were no problems with the processing of reports from the field operative units. The mana supply was handled properly. And she even trained… on her own.”

“Huh? Even training? You did a great job, Master.”

“Because Rebecca was a cheerleader…”

“…Um, Master. When you say ‘cheerleader,’ you mean… that?”

“Yes. She saw how down I was…”

“What are you doing, taking advantage of Rebecca’s sympathy? I take back my praise. Let go of me.”

She pushed me away, with a considerable amount of force. I let go and looked up at her.

“Did the ‘work’… go well?”

“Yes, everything went smoothly.” Liz nodded lightly.

“…I won’t say there were no casualties. But very few.”

“…I see. But I’m glad you’re safe, Liz…”

“I have no intention of speaking ill of the dead, even if they are the enemy, and there are no absolutes on the battlefield. But… I’m glad I was an assassin of the Listrea Demon Kingdom.”

The assassins who had been told to invade enemy territory, where it was difficult to even cross the border, with no clear end to their mission, and relying on looting for supplies… were to be pitied. I had come to share the sentiment Rebecca had expressed: “I pity the soldiers.”

Their plan had been amended in the field, they were able to retreat after a certain period, and their supplies were procured locally through looting and legitimate purchases, and their replacements had brought supplies. And since they controlled the border fortresses, crossing the border was very easy.

Furthermore, the Sixth Army’s assassination squad, which was composed primarily of wraiths, with a few skeletons, many Barghests, and a few dark elves and beastmen, had a considerable surplus of supplies.

Humans couldn’t eat just any animal, but the undead, while their life force varied, could ‘replenish’ themselves from any living creature.

“…So, why is Rebecca in a maid uniform?”

“Don’t ask.”

“No, I’m curious. She wasn’t forced to do anything, was she?”

“This was… yes, a voluntary act. Truly voluntary.”

“When did you two get so close? You sound like you’re reading from a script, and your eyes are dead.”

“Shut up. I didn’t think I’d lose at cards.”

“…What were you betting?” Liz’s expression was one of exasperation.

“My pride as an older sister? Or my pride as a supreme commander.”

“Wait, are those two on the same level?”

“If anything, my pride as an older sister is heavier.”

“So, is the pride of a supreme commander ridiculously light? Or is your pride as an older sister heavier than I thought?”

“The latter. I am proud to be a supreme commander of the Demon King’s army, who protects this country.”

“I wish I could believe that.”

“You don’t believe me?”

Liz sighed.

“…I believe you, to a certain extent.”

“I’m happy.” And that was enough.

Rebecca pinched the apron at her chest.

“Now that Liz is back, I can take this off, right?”

“Ah, yes. It was a promise, until Liz got back.”

While my Liz levels were still low, my maid levels had been replenished a little. Though, in truth, the only maid-like thing she had done was make tea.

“…But, can I ask for one more thing?”

“Depends. …What is it?”

“Can you make me some tea, one last time?”

“What, that’s it? I can do that. I want to thank Liz, too.” Rebecca nodded lightly.

I asked for one more thing.

“…And could you stay in your maid uniform with Liz, just for a little while…?”

Rebecca’s red eyes narrowed, and she gave me a sidelong glance.

“I don’t mind. If that’s the case, I’ll go put my things away and change.”

“…Well, if Liz is okay with it.” And she sighed and nodded.