The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen

TLed by NolepGuy

Chapter 158

Once again, the middle of the peaceful Hamel Mountain Range.

-Screech!

“One down!”

Folding my arms, I yawned while playing the role of a lazy guardian responsible for the students’ safety. Thirty thousand gold for standing still for three days.

“Sweet.”

I should have found a job like this sooner. A bitter smile crossed my face as memories of my foolish past, hammering away at construction sites, came to mind.

As expected, the Boss is always right.

There’s always a reason behind the tasks assigned by a wealthy Boss. Why did a lowly Possessor like me ever question it?

Offering my gratitude to Malik, who awakened me to the Wisdom of Life, I shouted.

“Group 3 students! You’ve gone too far. If you don’t want your bodies and necks to connect via Bluetooth, come back!”

“Group 6 students, you’ve also gone too far. That area is an Elite Orc Habitat.”

The students, their rationality shattered by the sight of the Orcs collapsing helplessly, were recklessly charging toward the summit.

Excited to impress old friends and put their Academy training into practice, the students were in high spirits.

They’re going to get themselves killed at this rate.

I let out a Deep Sigh and shook my head.

‘Ah, I don’t want to work.’

Though I wanted to live as an Unemployed bum, the truth of life forced me to work to survive. With a bitter smile, I diligently scanned the surroundings.

And a little farther away, I could see the Current State of Green Head, struggling to cast magic.

“Gah!”

Green Head was sent flying by a single punch from an Orc.

His clothes, now rolling in the dirt as if he aspired to become one with nature, were covered in dust.

The magic emanating from Ruin’s hands made a pitiful “pew…” sound, failing to pierce the Orc’s skin.

For Ruin, who had lost the Foundation of Talent, this opponent must be overwhelmingly difficult.

In the novel, Ruin primarily used his Unique Ability, Flame Script.

A skill that dramatically enhanced the efficiency of the Fire Attribute. Though he had other abilities, this was all Ruin could manage at the moment.

Of course, even that had now disappeared.

“Damn. Damn. Damn…!”

Ruin was fighting with all his might.

Rolling on the ground.

Uttering savage curses in sheer desperation.

The members of his group, however, were looking at Ruin with less-than-pleased expressions.

Ruin’s Magic, far below their expectations, was undoubtedly a burden on his group.

They must have had high hopes.

Being grouped with Ruin, the pride of the Magic Department, they likely thought their tasks would be a breeze. Instead, Ruin had become dead weight, and they weren’t happy about it.

His personality was terrible.

He didn’t understand the concept of teamwork.

If he were as talented as me, it might be excusable, but Ruin was nothing more than a foul-tempered liability.

It must have been Ruin’s idea to move far away, trying to hide his disgraceful state from me.

It won’t be easy.

Recovering his magic.

Restoring Lost Relationships.

Unlike the smooth sailing of the past, he’d face repeated setbacks. But it wasn’t my problem, so there was no need to overthink it.

I shrugged and turned my gaze away from Ruin.

‘He’ll figure it out on his own.’

Missing countless opportunities was Ruin’s fault, after all.

While stopping students from leaving the designated area, a familiar girl’s voice reached my ears.

“Butler!”

A girl approached with light footsteps.

Slowly turning around, I looked at the girl’s face.

“Miss Hanna.”

“How is it? Is the work tough?”

Histania Hanna stood with her hands clasped behind her back, looking at me.

Tilting her waist slightly to the side, Hanna’s innocent appearance made me smile as I shook my head.

“No. I just want to go home.”

“What? It’s only the first day.”

“Exactly. It’s only the first day, and I’m already exhausted.”

“Isn’t that negligence of duty?”

“And what about you, Miss Hanna?”

At my pointed question, Hanna gave a Shy Smile and looked up at me.

“I’m a student. I’m entitled to some Free Time.”

“If you’re going to rest, you should rest with your group. Where did you leave them?”

Hanna avoided my gaze with a troubled expression. It seemed she really had abandoned her group.

“I don’t know.”

I responded to Hanna with an ambiguous “Tsk…” sound.

“Not knowing is a problem.”

Clicking her tongue, Hanna turned her head. Watching Mikhail and Yuria take down an Orc near the forest’s edge, she muttered softly.

“They’re capable people.”

“That’s true.”

Indeed, those two were capable. They were the Heroine and Hero, after all.

Still, abandoning your party to rest was unacceptable.

“Even so, sneaking off alone is…”

Just as I was about to nag.

“Hah!”

Hanna threw herself into my arms.

Caught off guard by Hanna’s sudden embrace, I was momentarily flustered. Her Shy Smile made me laugh.

“What’s this all of a sudden?”

“You were about to start nagging.”

“It’s not nagging; it’s the truth.”

I replied, patting Hanna’s head.

“Mikhail might submit the assignment without your name. He could even tell the Professor you did nothing.”

“It’s fine. I’ll just take the top spot in the Ranking Battle.”

“What’s with that arrogant statement?”

“You’re the one who said being humble is annoying.”

Hanna chuckled, burying her face in my chest. Her sniffing breaths made my face flush.

“I’ve taught you bad habits.”

“Hehe… It’s your fault, Butler.”

“Oh dear…”

Hanna exhaled deeply, glancing around.

One year ago.

Hanna’s gaze, filled with complex Emotions, lingered on the place where we had trained with swords.

Happy Memories and Nightmares.

Hanna spoke in a Low Voice.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here.”

“Indeed. About a year, I’d say.”

“Has it already been that long?”

Hanna gave a Bitter Smile, looking at the spot where our first lesson had taken place.

“I can’t believe it’s been a year since you left me here, telling me to figure it out myself. Time really flies.”

“…Well, that was necessary for the lesson to go smoothly. We were pressed for time…”

Hanna, recalling the memories of her rigorous training, seemed to have a lot of pent-up feelings. I couldn’t argue, given how tough I’d been on her.

Amused by my flustered reaction, Hanna let out a bright laugh and murmured in a small, Low Voice.

“I know… why you taught me that way. And….”

“If it weren’t for you, I….”

Hanna looked at me with eyes filled with somber emotions. Her arms tightened around me as if she were embracing the savior of her life.

Hanna erased her sad smile and shook her head. Refusing to let go, she buried her face into my broad chest once more, took a deep breath, and rubbed her face against me.

Hanna, resembling a puppy.

As expected, maybe it’s because she’s the Boss’s younger sister—her actions were so mischievous.

“Now, Butler, you should get back to work.”

“My job is being a butler, though.”

“That’s true, but today you’re a teacher, aren’t you?”

“That’s true as well.”

Hanna, wearing a reluctant expression, finally loosened her tightly clasped arms.

“I’ll be going, then.”

“Yes. I’ll be cheering you on.”

“Hehe. Okay.”

Hanna walked toward Mikhail.

Dragging her feet as if she didn’t want to go, Hanna turned back with a pouty, whiny expression. I smiled and waved at her.

As Hanna’s figure grew distant from me.

I called out to her.

“Miss Hanna.”

“Yes?”

“It looks like it’s going to rain.”

“Rain?”

Hanna looked up at the sky with a puzzled expression. Staring at the clear, cloudless sky, she stretched out her palm under the bright sky and said,

“You’re right. It does feel like it’s going to rain.”

At Hanna’s words, I chuckled softly and said,

“You’re not saying anything, are you?”

“If the Butler says so, then it must be true.”

This is why I want to treat her well.

There aren’t many people in the world who believe my words without a shred of doubt.

Hanna, with a worried expression as if something serious had happened, said to me. Concerned about the mention of rain, Hanna voiced her worry.

“What should I do? I didn’t bring an umbrella.”

Smiling, I said to Hanna,

“Fortunately, I brought a few spare umbrellas. Come and get one. I’ll give it to you for free, just for you, Miss Hanna.”

“I don’t like free things… How about we share the umbrella, Butler?”

“No.”

“Tch…”

Hanna stepped back while keeping her eyes fixed on mine. Her leisurely steps, as if trying to tease me further, made me chuckle. Even as I shouted, “Hurry up and go!”

Hanna, unwilling to give up easily, stopped in her tracks and refused to move.

“We’ll share it!”

“No!”

“Why not!”

“Because it’s too cramped?”

“I’ll make room for you on my shoulder.”

“Isn’t that something a man should do?”

“But you said it’s cramped!”

Seeing Hanna puffing her cheeks, I couldn’t help but give in to her stubbornness.

“Fine, we’ll share it.”

“You promised!”

“Yes.”

As Hanna walked farther away, she kept gazing endlessly at the sky.

“I hope it rains a lot.”