There’s No Way My Maid Is a Villain

Chapter 32 : Paranoia

Paranoia

When Aili slowly opened her eyes, she was a little confused about the current situation—what had happened, and why she was lying in bed.

"I remember we should have been experimenting in the basement, and at the last part, master threw a spear, then... then what happened?"

Her head hurt. Her memories only lasted up to that moment. Right, master—where was Master?

Ignoring the fact that she was only wearing pajamas, she quickly flung open her door and hurried downstairs. At the corner, she bumped into Zhixi, who was carrying a pot.

"Bang!"

The pot of hot soup flew into the air, spun lavishly, and finally fell squarely on Zhixi's head, with soup trailing slowly down her cheeks.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"

Zhixi said resentfully. Then she licked some soup off her face—hm, not bad.

"Ah, sorry, I was in such a hurry... what's with your outfit?"

Aili stared wide-eyed at Zhixi. Zhixi in women's clothing was almost a different person from Zhixi in men's clothing—if not for the voice, Aili might not have recognized her at all.

"It's complicated to explain, and sad, too. If possible, I hope you won't mention it again."

For some reason, Zhixi's tone had a hint of grievance.

"Uh... is that so? Right, what happened underground? How is Master?"

"I don't know. I just woke up, too. Maybe asking the Sage of Water would work better. Your little Master is in that room; maybe because her body is weaker, she woke up later than us."

"Thank you."

After speaking, Aili couldn't wait any longer and rushed to Yinhua's room.

As soon as she entered, she saw Shui Cangxuan also sitting there, her gaze fixed on the four blue-and-white glowing swords lying on the ground.

That is—!?

Only then did Aili finally remember what had really happened.

Yinhua had seemed to turn into a different person, wielding a glowing blue spear, and then killed everyone...?!

That can't be. Then why am I still standing here?

But... my memory is of watching my arms and legs turn to ashes in that white light, yet here I am, completely fine.

No matter how I tried, I just couldn't make sense of it.

"You're here—take a look at this."

Shui Cangxuan climbed off the bed, turned around, and handed Aili one of the glowing blades.

"What is this?"

Aili took it in her hand, surprised at how incredibly light it was. She couldn't even feel it in her grip.

"This is part of the weapon that killed all of us,"

Shui Cangxuan said shockingly.

"Killed all of us?"

Aili's face changed when she heard that.

"Yes. I don't know why we're still alive, but we must face the truth—we've all died once already."

Shui Cangxuan fiddled with the other three glowing blades as she spoke.

"But—that's just unbelievable."

"It was definitely a bad experience, but I don't intend to avoid reality."

"But... something like this is impossible for any race. This is already the realm of gods."

"Didn't Zhixi say the previous master of this body was a god?"

"......"

"If you refuse to admit it, then how do you explain what's in your hand?"

Shui Cangxuan placed the glowing blade back on the nightstand and stared straight at Aili.

"No one in this world could create a weapon like this."

"Do you know what I paid to clear my mother's name?"

"Now the proof is right before my eyes—how could I let anyone deny it?"

Her last words were almost shouted, filled with paranoia and madness.

"Well, sorry, but if you plan to make it public, I won't allow it."

With that, Zhixi stood behind Shui Cangxuan, holding a fruit knife to her neck.

"Hey, can you stop shutting down every time something concerns your little Master? You're so timid—it annoys me just watching you."

"If she reveals this, what will happen to your little Master? Do I need to spell it out?"

Yeah... Even if there are other worlds, what does it matter? As long as I make Master my everything, that's enough.

"Ah, that's right. If you insist on doing this, then I can't let you go back."

Aili slowly stood up, her tone returning to its usual calm.

"Why don't you understand? Don't you realize the meaning of another world's existence?"

"You're not doing it for another world—you just covet Yinhua's power, don't you?"

Zhixi mocked.

"You've witnessed the power of Gungnir. You must have realized Yinhua's power to twist time. For your mother's last wish? What a grand-sounding excuse."

"I admire your ignorance; however, a person should have self-awareness. That's not a realm you can touch, human!"

With that, Zhixi stabbed the fruit knife toward Shui Cangxuan's neck—but the Shui Cangxuan in front of her instantly turned into a puddle of water, dripping onto the floor.

Fighting here wasn't an option. If her identity was exposed, it would bring unnecessary trouble. Thinking this, Shui Cangxuan leaped onto the roof and fled.

"I can't let you get away that easily."

Zhixi jumped out the window and the two began a chase.

Under the star-filled night sky of the Imperial Capital, red and blue afterimages crossed paths, the sound of combat echoing between them.

During that time, Shui Cangxuan had taken out her wand, while the fruit knife in Zhixi's hand had long since shattered into pieces.

But, even in weakness, a puppet was the perfect combat weapon.

Zhixi caught Shui Cangxuan's misstep and landed a punch. Shui Cangxuan blocked with the backs of her hands, but was still knocked onto a rooftop.

Zhixi followed, and as the bleeding Shui Cangxuan stood up, she spoke quietly:

"May I ask you something? Why do you hate me so much? You've been at odds with me from the very start."

"When I was in the Abyss, people like you, pretending to be noble, I killed every single one I met."

After speaking, Zhixi attacked fiercely again.

Shui Cangxuan could only parry attack after attack—no matter what she tried, Zhixi's injuries would heal quickly.

After being knocked away once more, Shui Cangxuan called out:

"Do you really think you can kill me? At equal strength, it's basically impossible for you to kill me."

"I know, oh, I'm clearer on that than anyone. But that's only if our strength is equal."

With those words, Zhixi stretched out her right hand, as if grasping something.

"We all put our own interests first—my desire, your devotion to your Master. So, let us form a brief pact, gungnir!"

The four glowing blades in Yinhua's room combined themselves into a spear, flew at the speed of light out the window, and landed in Zhixi's hand. Aili witnessed everything.

"Hahahaha! I can't believe I get to wield a divine weapon like this—the feeling is just too good!"

Zhixi laughed madly, her twisted smile like a true lunatic.

"Why? This has nothing to do with you! Why are you stopping me?"

Holding Gungnir in Zhixi's hands, Shui Cangxuan finally lost her composure.

"No reason at all. I just don't like you, that's it. And if it pleases the Gardener, ah, that would be the perfect result."

"So, die! Gungnir—crush her!"

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】