My Maid is Cute Chapter 29 : The Lost People (Patreon)

"Do you know the legend of the Lost People, or perhaps the Lost Folk?"

At True's words, Christopher furrowed his brows. Evan tilted his head, looking blank.

"What's that?"

It was Christopher who answered Evan's question.

"It's a fairy tale. For children... I read it a long time ago."

True nodded at his words.

"——They were a tribe that perished hundreds of years ago. They lived quietly in a secluded land."

True began to slowly weave the story.

***

——They had no name. They might have had one in the past, but it was forgotten over the long passage of time. Few people know their name, or even that they existed at all. There are almost no documents recording them. They are an existence bordering on legend.

They were a tiny, tiny tribe. They led a peaceful life in a secluded, lush green land. Avoiding contact with the outside world, they lived quietly in their closed-off world.

Their most distinctive feature was their strong magic power. They possessed tremendous magic from birth and lived while using their own unique magic.

One day, a terrifying "monster" attacked the tribe. Against this "monster," they fought desperately, using their strong magic as a weapon. By combining their powers, they succeeded in repelling the "monster," but many lives were taken. The survivors feared the "monster" would return. Thus, abandoning the land of their birth, they set off on a journey to some other country...

***

"...How should I put it? That’s a rather vague, hazy story," Evan muttered in a low voice after hearing the tale.

True smiled wryly.

"Yes. That is what I thought when I first read it in a book. After all, a 'monster' appears in it, you see..."

"So, what about that story?"

In response to Evan’s question, True answered with a slightly hesitant look.

"As a magic researcher, a tribe with high magic power is a subject of great interest. A few years ago, I was researching this legend."

"Eh? A fairy tale like this?"

At Christopher’s skeptical tone, True nodded.

"It seems like a fairy tale, but it appears to be a fact that a closed-off tribe using unique magic and sorcery existed hundreds of years ago."

"Huh, that is interesting," Christopher muttered quietly.

"In the process of my research, I was able to discover a descendant of the Lost People."

"What?"

He looked surprised at True's continuing words.

"That’s... amazing. Wasn't that incredibly difficult?"

When Christopher said that, True nodded with a wry smile.

"Yes. I struggled very, very much. ...So, well... it would be a long story, so I will omit the details, but I heard something when I made contact with that descendant. In the past, they exterminated the 'monster' using their unique magic and sorcery as a weapon. That magic, it seems, was a 'curse'."

At the word "curse," Christopher and Evan gasped.

"They exterminated the 'monster' by casting a 'curse' on it. It is said that the 'monster' afflicted by that 'curse'... died writhing in agony, its entire body covered in eerie bruises."

"Eerie bruises, huh... I see. That resembles the story about Chris’s sister."

Evan muttered softly, and Christopher stood up with force.

"That... what exactly is that 'curse'!? How can it be broken!?"

"That is—"

Just as True was about to answer Christopher’s question, the salon door opened with a loud bang. Reed entered, looking unusually panicked.

"Young Master!"

"Reed, we are in the middle of an important conversation—"

Ignoring Christopher's words, Reed continued in a loud voice.

"A letter has arrived from Rebecca! It seems something has happened to Lady Wendy!"

"Ha?"

Christopher hurriedly snatched the letter Reed held out. He tore open the seal quickly and scanned the letter. Then, he turned deathly pale.

"Chris? What’s wrong?"

"——Wendy is unconscious. The bruises... are spreading rapidly..."

Christopher whispered, trembling, and both Evan and Reed gasped. True’s eyes widened for a moment before she quickly stood up.

"Let us go, Lord Christopher."

"G-Go? You mean..."

"To your sister. I will go with you. ——I will go get ready. Lord Christopher, please prepare quickly as well."

Christopher nodded, his face still pale. Evan also spoke up with a serious expression.

"I’m coming too. I'll use 'Teleport'—"

True shook her head at Evan’s words.

"No. If it is 'Teleport' magic, I can do it as well. More importantly, Lord Evan, there is something I would like you to do."

"Eh? What is it?"

"Since this is a sudden departure, the academy will likely not look kindly upon it. I apologize, but could you please obtain permission from the academy for us to leave—no, permission to stay out overnight? If Lord Evan, who is a Prince, were to ask, surely the academy would..."

"Understood! I'll go wring it out of them right now!"

Evan nodded vigorously, stood up from the sofa, and ran hurriedly toward the faculty office. Christopher and True also stepped out of the salon to make their respective preparations.

***

"M-Milady..."

At the Cordwell estate, Rebecca was holding Wendy's hand, on the verge of tears.

A few hours ago, Wendy, who had been limp and lethargic, fell into a sleep as deep as a faint and would not wake up. No matter how much Rebecca called out, she wouldn't open her eyes. The color of the bruises was getting darker and darker, and they were now a dark, reddish-black. And they were gradually spreading from her limbs to her whole body.

She had hurriedly recalled the doctor and sent an emergency letter to Christopher. Even with the doctor's examination, the cause of the abnormality in Wendy's body was unknown, and there was nothing he could do. Around the bed where Wendy slept, the other servants and the Head Maid were in a state of flustered panic.

"What should I do... what can I do..."

Tears spilled from Rebecca's eyes. Even though she possessed strong magic power, she couldn't do anything. She felt so pathetic and helpless; it was unbearable.

"Milady..."

Even when she called softly right by her ear, there was no reaction. Her small eyelids did not open.

Becca.

She might never hear that voice again. Just thinking that made her feel like her heart would stop. Just as her vision went dark with despair—

She heard the chaotic sound of footsteps.

"Wendy!!"

It was Christopher who practically flew into the room. Following him were Evan and one other person.

"——Eh?"

The person who entered was a girl Rebecca recognized. It was the fairy-like girl she had met when she went to the big city. The girl looked surprised when her eyes met Rebecca's as well.

However, the girl immediately turned her gaze to Wendy. Seeing those bruises, a look of shock crossed her face.

"——This is the Curse of the Lost People... Oh my god..."

Rebecca heard the small mutter.

"Wendy! Wendy!! Open your eyes!! Wake up!!"

Christopher shouted loudly. His face was pale, devoid of his usual composure.

"——Lord Christopher, please carry your sister. Let us leave this place."

At the girl's words, Rebecca's mouth fell open blankly. Christopher also turned his face toward the girl in surprise.

"L-Leave, you say..."

"——There is a person who knows this curse well. Let us take your sister and go to that person. It is possible they may be able to break the curse."

Rebecca gasped at those words. Simultaneously, Christopher stood up with force.

"Alright, let's go. Right now—"

Rebecca hurriedly opened her mouth.

"Wait, please wait!! I’m going too!!"

Christopher turned his gaze toward her, looking conflicted.

"Rebecca, you—"

"I beg you!! I cannot bear to just wait here, unable to do anything! Please, please let me stay by Milady's side!! I promise I won't be a burden!! So please—"

She bowed her head desperately over and over. Christopher looked hesitant, but...

"——No, I can't do that. Getting you involved is..."

Just as Rebecca was about to retort to those words...

"Chris, let's take her along."

It was Evan who said that.

"She's the one who has been supporting your sister the whole time you were away, isn't she? Let her come."

Christopher looked torn at Evan's words, but eventually, he nodded slowly.

"Understood. Rebecca, get ready quickly."

"Yes!"

Rebecca nodded firmly and rushed out of the room.