My Maid is Cute Chapter 43 : What Setsuna Left Behind (Patreon)

—It was a punishment.

A punishment for betraying her.

A punishment for failing to protect her.

—I don’t want to live anymore. I want to end it. I want to die.

I thought that again and again.

Yet, I survived.

To fulfill my promise to you.

To save you.

If it is for your sake, a useless person like me can do anything.

I can walk barefoot down a path of thorns.

I can destroy a world that torments you with my own two hands.

Because you accepted me when no one else would love me.

Because you told me that I was alright.

And so, I—

***

『—No, in truth, I know. I have realized it.』

Rieserago spoke as if murmuring to himself.

『—The flow of time in this space is different from the outside world. I have slept here for a long time... but even so, I know. Surely, decades or even centuries have passed in the human world since the day I parted with Setsuna... Setsuna must be long dead. No matter how long I wait... Setsuna will not return.』

Rieserago’s eyes, blue as the sea, were dyed with sorrow. Rebecca looked straight at him and spoke.

"That is not... necessarily true."

Reacting to her voice, Rieserago looked at Rebecca. He let out a confused sound.

『Hah?』

Disregarding his reaction, Rebecca cast her eyes down and whispered softly.

"I finally understand. Why this sword came here. Why it guided me to this place."

Perhaps her visit to this island wasn't a coincidence either. With that thought in mind, Rebecca turned her gaze to Rieserago and continued.

"Ms. Setsuna... did she happen to have a large scar on her left cheek?"

At those words, Rieserago’s eyes widened significantly.

『—How dost thou know that? Indeed, Setsuna bore a scar on her cheek from an attack she suffered when fleeing with me...』

Hearing that, Rebecca was certain.

She pointed Irydia toward Rieserago.

"This... I was told that this sword is capable of cutting through magic itself. In fact, about two years ago, I used this sword to sever a curse. And, most likely, this was made by Ms. Setsuna—to save you!"

Rieserago made a sound of suspicion upon hearing her words.

『Setsuna did...? I certainly sense Setsuna’s presence from that sword... but, for such a thing to be...』

Seeming unable to fully believe it, Rieserago stared at the sword. However...

"I was told the name of this sword is Irydia."

Hearing Rebecca’s words, Rieserago gasped sharply. He stared straight at the sword, struck speechless.

"You know the name, don't you?"

When Rebecca asked, Rieserago spoke in a small voice.

『—Irydia is... my name from long ago... I only ever told Setsuna. Only Setsuna knew it... It was my name when I was a human.』

"Eh?"

At those words, Rebecca let out a loud voice in surprise.

"Y-You were a human!?"

Rieserago answered awkwardly.

『—Originally, I lived as a human.』

He turned his face away, looking as though he really didn't want to talk about it. Rebecca, unable to ask anything further, flustered for a moment but then pulled herself together.

"U-Um, anyway, I’m going to try to cut that magical tool with this sword... okay?"

『—Art thou certain?』

At Rebecca’s words, Rieserago narrowed his eyes and retorted.

『I might be deceiving thee... The moment the curse is broken, I might devour thee.』

"Eh? You eat people?"

When Rebecca asked with a blank expression, Rieserago cast his eyes down.

『...I do not. I have never desired to eat a human.』

Seeing his reaction, Rebecca laughed slightly.

"I don't think you're lying. Besides, besides... this sword, Irydia, has been speaking to me the whole time. Telling me it wants to save you."

At those words, Rieserago stared at Rebecca in silence for a while, and eventually narrowed his eyes as if amused.

『Thou art a carefree one, aren't thou?』

"I get that a lot."

Rebecca smiled back and slowly gripped the sword.

"Well then, here I go."

『—I entreat thee.』

At Rieserago’s word, Rebecca ran around to the tip of the tail. She readied the sword against the red ring. And then,

"Hup!"

Making a strange sound, she swung the sword.

The moment the sword touched the red ring, it made a cracking sound. Then, the ring began to shine intensely.

Rebecca widened her eyes at the light, but she put more strength into the sword to cut through the ring.

"Mgh..."

It felt incredibly hard. She felt as if the ring was resisting. The blade wasn't advancing at all.

—Can I really cut this...?

Just as Rebecca grimaced, the stone on the sword flickered with light. Feeling as though she were being told not to give up, Rebecca involuntarily chuckled. She took a deep breath and applied force once more. Slowly, she drove the blade forward.

Then, the cracking sound came again.

"Ah."

Rebecca let out a voice.

The light emitting from the red magical tool vanished. Then, it shattered into fine powder. Because it broke so easily, Rebecca stepped back in fluster. She looked up at Rieserago, her mouth hanging open in surprise.

With a crack, a fissure appeared on the stone statue. Thin cracks spread across Rieserago’s entire body.

The stone statue crumbled away with a noisy clatter.

"...!"

Rebecca gasped and, losing the strength in her legs, collapsed onto the ground. The stone statue broke apart, and what appeared from within was a pure white dragon. His entire body shone as brightly as snow.

The dragon opened his large blue eyes, looked up at the heavens, and let out a mighty roar.

At that moment, the stone on the sword Rebecca held shone brighter than it ever had before. And then,

"Eh?"

At the same time Rebecca voiced her surprise, the blade of the sword snapped.

As if satisfied after seeing Rieserago’s resurrection, Irydia crumbled away into dust.

All that remained was the light-blue stone that had been attached to the sword. Just as Rebecca reached for the stone that had rolled onto the ground, it glowed again.

"Whoa."

A small light emerged from the stone, floating up softly. The small light drifted through the air and eventually stopped in front of Rieserago’s face.

Seeing that light, Rieserago squeezed out a voice.

『—You... You really are a fool.』

His eyes, like the sea, were welling up with tears.

『For the sake of someone like me, taking all this time... using even your own soul...』

At that moment, a mysterious voice was heard.

“I came back. Because I promised.”

“I’m home, Reesie.”

Hearing that voice, drops of tears spilled one after another from Rieserago’s eyes.

『Even after becoming like this... You kept your promise... Setsuna.』

Like a blessing, the light shone strongly.

『—Did you know? Setsuna. I... was happy. Because you were by my side...』

His voice was trembling.

『—Setsuna, Setsuna, please, remember. Do not forget. About me. That I loved you more than anyone in the world. I, too, will not forget. Meeting you. The days I spent with you—!』

Slowly, the light grew weaker. Little by little, it began to vanish.

Rieserago whispered softly.

『Someday, if we meet again, when that time comes, let us stay together forever. —It is a promise.』

As if answering him, the light flickered. Then, like a candle flame, it softly extinguished.

Rebecca watched the scene in a daze.

Silence continued for a while. Then, Rieserago turned his gaze to Rebecca with eyes still moist.

『—You have my gratitude.』

addressed so suddenly, Rebecca jumped, her shoulders trembling.

『With this, the curse is finally broken. Truly, thank you, small child of man.』

Rebecca hurriedly stood up.

"P-Please stop calling me 'child of man.' I am Rebecca."

Hearing that, Rieserago narrowed his eyes and nodded.

『I see. Then, Rebecca. You may call me "Reesie."』

"U-Um, Mr. Reesie...?"

『No need for "Mr." Just Reesie is fine.』

Nodding at his words, Rebecca slowly approached Rieserago.

"Um, Reesie... is your body alright...?"

『Aye. My stamina and magic have not yet fully returned, but I should recover after resting a while.』

Rebecca sighed in relief at his words. Watching her, Rieserago continued.

『I wish to give thee a reward. Is there anything thou desirest?』

At Rieserago’s voice, Rebecca smiled slightly and shook her head.

"No. If it is a reward, I have already received it from Ms. Setsuna."

『Hm?』

Rebecca smiled at Rieserago, who sounded puzzled.

"—Thanks to Irydia, which Ms. Setsuna left behind, I was able to save someone precious to me, too. So, please do not worry about it."

Without that sword, she surely wouldn't have been able to save Wendy. It was thanks to Setsuna’s power.

Rieserago looked puzzled by Rebecca’s words, but soon spoke again as if pulling himself together.

『—Um, if, if thou art willing, that is.』

"...What is it?"

Rebecca looked back blankly at Rieserago, who seemed somewhat fidgety.

『Well... wouldst thou live here?』

"—Huh?"

As Rebecca’s mouth fell open, Rieserago piled on words as if to cover his embarrassment.

『Well... thou possessest considerable magic, dost thou not? ...A strong magic, unthinkable for a human. Or rather than human... thou art closer to a spirit or something of that sort.』

"...Ah."

『An existence like thee would find it quite difficult to live on the other side. I know. The ugliness of greedy humans. The foolishness of trying to exploit strong magic... This is a different dimension, and ordinary humans cannot enter. If thou wert to stay here, thou couldst live quietly and peacefully forever. So—』

"No."

Interrupting Rieserago’s words, Rebecca shook her head.

"—There is someone waiting for me on the other side. I promised to stay by her side forever, so... I will go back."

At those words, Rieserago opened his eyes wide. Then, immediately,

『—I see.』

He nodded slightly.

"Are you not going outside?"

At Rebecca’s question, Rieserago tilted his head slightly.

『I find it difficult to live in the outside world, originally... I shall rest here until my body recovers. After that... I do not know, well, I will think on it a little more...』

Suddenly, Rieserago turned his gaze to the light-blue stone rolling near Rebecca and spoke.

『Ah, indeed. I do not know if this counts as a reward, but—take this.』

"Eh?"

Rieserago picked up the light-blue stone of Irydia from the ground.

『I shall gift this to thee.』

"Huh?"

Rieserago blew lightly onto the stone. Instantly, the light-blue stone transformed into a deep blue stone, matching the color of Rieserago’s eyes.

"That is...?"

『—It seems it was originally a type of magic stone. Until moments ago, it held Setsuna’s magic and soul. Now that Setsuna has vanished, it has returned to being an ordinary stone, but...』

Rieserago held out the stone to Rebecca with his large hand.

『I have now imbued a small amount of my magic into this stone. Keep this on thy person. If anything happens, call my name at any time. For thy sake, I shall rush to thee anytime, anywhere.』

Confused, Rebecca glanced back and forth between the blue stone and Rieserago.

"U-Um, is it okay? For me to accept this..."

『Aye.』

Because Rieserago nodded firmly, Rebecca fearfully took the blue stone in her hand.

"Th-Thank you very much..."

It was a small stone. It sparkled like a jewel, but it possessed a deep color as if the ocean were trapped inside.

It’s beautiful, she thought as she gazed at it, when Rieserago spoke to her again.

『—It is about time thou returned. There are those waiting for thee in the outside world, no? Has a considerable amount of time not passed?』

Rebecca smiled wryly.

"Ah, yes... but it is the middle of the night..."

Surely everyone must be asleep. They probably haven't even noticed Rebecca is missing. As she thought this, Rieserago tilted his head.

『I told thee earlier, did I not? The flow of time here and in the outside world is different.』

"...Huh?"

『I do not grasp the details myself but... likely, time advances faster in the outside world. Many hours have probably passed over there.』

"You should have said that sooner!!"

Rebecca hurriedly shoved the blue stone into her pocket.

"Wait, then what time is it now!?"

『Who knows...?』

"A-And the exit!? Where is it!?"

Rebecca looked around in a panic. Rieserago laughed slightly and raised his hand.

『It cannot be helped. I shall send thee back with my own hand.』

"Whoa!"

Rieserago suddenly pushed Rebecca’s back. At that moment, a splashing sound echoed. Rebecca’s body sank into the water once again.

As she sank, she heard Rieserago’s voice.

『Truly, I thank thee, —Rebecca.』

***

"—Becca, Becca!!"

The first thing she heard was Wendy’s voice.

"Ugh...?"

Feeling lethargic, she opened her eyes.

There, looking at her with concern, were Wendy, Christopher, Daniel, and the mansion's servants.

"...Huh? My Lady?"

At the same time Rebecca furrowed her brows, Christopher raised a loud voice.

"Rebecca! Thank goodness, you’re awake... Are you alright!?"

"Eh... huh? ...I..."

Confused, she sat up. Looking around, she saw she was on the landing of Daniel’s villa.

"Becca, where did you go!? You weren't anywhere... I was really worried!!"

"Um... I am very sorry."

Not knowing how to answer Wendy’s angry voice, Rebecca hurriedly bowed her head and apologized. Then, she thought.

—Maybe it was all a dream. Because it’s impossible, right? A different dimension, a dragon, a curse...

Just as Rebecca thought this, she felt a weight in her pocket, and she gasped. She subtly touched her pocket so no one would notice.

There was undeniably the hard sensation of a stone.

Rebecca held her breath. Slowly lifting her head, she glanced at the mirror. The mirror simply reflected the scene before it as if nothing had happened.

Rebecca looked around at the people surrounding her and asked.

"...What time is it now?"

It was Daniel who answered.

"Almost noon."

"Eh."

Rebecca was speechless. By her senses, it should have been a short time, yet a night had passed, and many hours had gone by.

It was exactly as Rieserago had said.

"We searched the whole mansion but couldn't find you anywhere. Just as we were debating whether to search the island, we found you collapsed here. Where on earth did you go? Rebecca."

"U-Um..."

At Christopher’s question, Rebecca, stammering, began to think of an excuse.

Evening came, and Rebecca, having packed her luggage, headed to the sea with Christopher and Wendy and boarded the ship. It was time to return to the mansion.

"Honestly! Going missing like that... I was really worried!!"

"I am very sorry..."

On the ship home, Rebecca bowed her head to Wendy, who was still fuming.

In the end, they settled on the story that she had gone for a walk alone early in the morning, got lost, and after finally sneaking back to the mansion, fell asleep on the landing thinking it was her room.

Christopher and Daniel were relieved that Rebecca was safe, but Wendy was looking at Rebecca suspiciously.

"Becca, are you hiding something from me?"

At those words, Rebecca’s heart skipped a beat, but,

"No, nothing."

She answered with a smile. Wendy pouted and glared at Rebecca.

"Um, look, My Lady, it seems we are about to depart."

Rebecca spoke hurriedly to distract her.

"The trip was fun, wasn't it?"

It was time to say goodbye to Milbatha Island, where she had spent such a fun and mysterious time.

The ship began to move slowly.

Wendy finally turned her gaze toward the island and nodded slightly.

"Yeah... it was very fun."

She squeezed Rebecca’s hand tightly.

"I want to come here again."

"...Indeed... surely, someday again."

Rebecca smiled and squeezed Wendy’s hand back. Then, she too gazed at the small island.

—It was a mysterious island. Truly.

"Shall we go to where Brother is?"

She smiled wryly at Wendy’s words. Christopher, fearing seasickness, had retreated to the lounge as soon as he boarded the ship.

"Yes. Let’s bring him something to drink."

Rebecca turned her back to the island and began to walk with Wendy.

At that moment, she felt as if she heard something.

"—Hm?"

Rebecca turned back.

"Becca, what’s wrong?"

"..."

Rebecca stared at the receding island.

She quietly gazed at the island where a lonely god with eyes of the sea and pure white scales resided.

Somewhere, she felt she heard the voice of a great dragon bidding a reluctant farewell.

"..."

Goodbye, she whispered in her heart.

Then, turning her back to the island once more, she ran to catch up with Wendy.

***

『—Truly, she was a mysterious girl.』

The lonely god whispered softly.

Recalling Rebecca’s face, Rieserago chuckled quietly, kukuku.

Rebecca closely resembled his former friend, Setsuna. Their appearances were nothing alike. However, though he couldn't express it well, their atmospheres were identical.

“—What beautiful eyes...”

The words Rebecca spoke when she saw him.

It was the same. That phrase was the same one Setsuna had said when she and Rieserago first met.

Rieserago spoke to his friend who was not there.

『Say, Setsuna... she was an interesting human. I wonder if I will meet her again.』

Of course, no reply returned to those words. Even so, Rieserago smiled gently and slowly closed his eyes.

—Surely, if we meet again someday, I want to talk about many more things then.

She was carefree, but a kind girl.

Surely, by now she is returning home with those close to her.

Suddenly, remembering something, Rieserago opened his eyes. And he gazed into the distance.

—I couldn't tell Rebecca herself.

When he met Rebecca, he saw something black clinging to her. A deep darkness like a shadow. He only saw that shadow for an instant, and it vanished immediately. Because he thought it might make her anxious, he couldn't bring himself to say it.

『—That looked just like...』

Rieserago whispered in a drop of sound.

『Just like... a sign of death...』

*Background Lore*

*※ Setsuna*

A girl who once belonged to the "Monster Subjugation Squad" as a mage. Her magic was strong, but because she often lost control of it, she wasn't very powerful in practice. Because of this, she was the "Useless Witch," despised and mocked by those around her.

After parting with Rieserago, she was saved by a certain clan after fleeing from her pursuers. She became the adopted child of a family in that clan and escaped the chase. Afterward, she never married, living in hiding and dedicating her entire life to the creation of the "Curse-Killing Sword."

By imbuing the sword with all her magic and even her own soul, she was finally able to complete it. In her final moments, she named the sword Irydia and entrusted the rescue of Rieserago to the children of the clan.

However, that clan was scattered for certain reasons, and eventually, the sword's purpose was forgotten.

All that remained was the name Irydia.