Chapter 13
[Repeat the same action until the system analyzes your performance data.]
[Number of hits required for analysis: 0/100]
I couldn't figure it out with just one look, so I guess I need to try a few more times.
I'm not sure what exactly, but it seems I've done something that diverges from the original story.
'What is this? I feel completely drained and dizzy.'
It felt similar when I hit the swordsmanship instructor, but this is much worse.
[Number of hits required for analysis: 3/100]
"......"
I opened my mouth quietly.
"Noah."
"Yes?"
"Go to your room for now."
"Why...? C-Can't I stay here too?"
"No. Now."
Noah, sulking, eventually shuffled away.
The burly maid watched Noah's small, dejected back with pity.
"Miss... You'll comfort Lady Noah later, right...? Ow!"
Whack! Whack! Whack!
"Ah, miss! Why are you hitting me again?"
"It's your head maid inauguration ceremony!"
"What?! Ow, ouch!"
Smack! Smack! SMACK!
Swinging with one hand felt inefficient, so I clenched both fists and windmilled my arms like a maniac.
With each strike, cryptic messages popped up:
[■■■ +1]
[■■■ +1]
[■■■ +1]
Until finally—
[Number of hits required for analysis: 100/100]
[Your performance data has been analyzed!]
"Huff... Huff..."
Alright. What's the verdict?
[Analysis Result: A unique ability has been detected in the user!]
Huh?
[Unique Ability: Villainess's Nurturing Method]
[Pain inflicted by the villainess becomes joy. Strike those you wish to nurture. One stat related to their abilities will grow.]
'I awakened a unique ability?'
I thought unique abilities only manifested in mages overflowing with uncontrollable mana.
For a mana-incompatible person like me to have one...
Unbelievable.
Thwack.
I hit the maid again experimentally.
"Miss... Are your hands okay?"
"Quiet."
The previously garbled text now displayed clearly:
[Confidence +1]
So I've been boosting this maid's confidence all along?
A full 100 times?!
[Head Maid Lina has reached 100 hits. The enhanced ability is now permanent.]
So it wasn't permanent before? There must be a time limit otherwise.
Consistent strikes seem necessary for proper growth.
'Does this mean she's gained some confidence now?'
Suddenly, the sturdy maid grabbed my hand.
"Goodness, miss."
"...Hm?"
She swiftly tied a handkerchief around my reddened knuckles.
"Your hands are too delicate for this. It hurts to watch."
"...You just took my hand without asking."
"Y-Yes? I thought you might be hurt and acted on impulse... Forgive me!"
"Praise. Well done."
"Thank you......"
The hesitant maid then cautiously offered a folding fan.
"Please use this instead, miss. You'll injure yourself at this rate."
"Like so?"
Snap!
"Eep!"
[Confidence +1]
Oh! It works. I tested it fearing the 100-hit limit might block further gains.
"Excellent suggestion. You're promoted to Supreme Head Maid."
"My gratitude...!"
While unexpected, awakening this ability was thrilling.
The violent activation means I'll never use it on Noah, but—
'Adults are fair game.'
I'll need to strategize my next target.
'But I must keep this ability hidden.'
Claiming this as the direct lineage's unique ability would be laughable.
The benefits of revealing it are murky at best.
'The risks, however, are crystal clear.'
If the Viscount learns of this, he'll undoubtedly move to eliminate me.
Even as a mana reject, awakening a unique ability could rally supporters to install me as the next Offensa Marquis.
Frustrating, but I'm no match for him yet.
'This stays secret until I'm stronger.'
"Off you go. Excel as head maid."
"Yes! Oh, right—"
The maid rummaged through her apron and produced a letter.
"I nearly forgot! This arrived for you, miss."
"At last."
My eyes sparkled as I tore it open.
To recruit the silver-haired man, I needed an illicitly modified beast-control artifact.
The catch? Its merchant had gone underground.
Without my multiple Marino playthroughs, I'd never have known the workaround.
The conversation with Noah about the silver-haired man's blindness had deeper layers:
"What's the only thing that can help? I'll obtain it!"
"It's futile. They vanished after my blunder."
"Your blunder...?"
"Yes. I secured their favored item but fell for a swindle. My failure."
I'd guessed the "favored item"—among Marino's junk items was an antique liquor bottle:
"Once used to bribe an illegal merchant."
'I connected every scrap of knowledge I had.'
Thus, my mission became acquiring that specific liquor to lure the merchant.
When the general store reported securing it, I couldn't delay.
"I'm leaving immediately."
"Now? Let me accompany you!"
"Stay. Keep the staff in check."
"Sniffle"
I ignored her pitiful look.
'Dawdle, and the silver-haired man will seize it first.'
With Dietrich's banquet approaching, he's likely hunting the artifact now.
But he'll fail, shouldering dire consequences. I must intercept this.
Oh, right—
"Maid. Ask Noah if she wishes to join my outing."
Guilt nagged me after earlier sending her away.
Truthfully, I wanted her company.
"At once!"
Oddly, the maid responded with extra cheer.
After Calyphe departed with an ecstatic Noah, Lina clutched her pounding chest in the hallway.
The "Maid" Calyphe casually summoned was Lina herself.
'The mistress likely doesn't realize.'
Few knew Lina's actual name. Among staff, she was "Muscles," "Hey," or "That One"—mocked for her build yet lacking intimidating presence.
She'd coped by believing muscle appreciation wasn't for philistines... until now.
'Me? Head Maid?!'
Resistance was futile. Her orders were clear: quash rumors per her lady's command.
"Baron Lotten's just trashy new money, right? Even Her Highness Calyphe's marrying him, ha!"
"But didn't she reject him before? Is it really happening?"
"Dead certain, they say."
The gossiping maids were Lina's chief tormentors. Steeling herself, she approached.
"I-It's false! Miss Calyphe isn't marrying D-Dietrich Lotten! Cease spreading lies, p-please!"
Her nervous bite drew blood. Ugh, just bury me now!
"Well look—it's Muscles!"
The clique erupted in sneers. "Stating facts isn't a crime." "Who're you to order us?"
"I-I'm the annex's new Head Maid......"
Lina's instinctive shoulder hunch backfired, exaggerating her frame.
"Pfft—Head Maid? You? Comedy gold~"
A finger jabbed her temple. Someone tossed a bronze coin.
"Here, Head Maid. Buy chocolate cookies with this and return 5 bronze change."
"Fail, and even your title won't save you~"
"Like mistress, like maid—both clueless!"
Lina's eye twitched. As the bullies passed, mocking shoulders bumps—
"Who."
The maids froze at the thunderous voice.
Lina stood rigid, gaze piercing.
"Who insulted our mistress?"
Her biceps flexed like siege weapons.
For the first time, she radiated a general's aura.
