[Interlude] The Lady of Stone 2

Anne was asking Taro if she had figured something out using the magic stone taken from me.

Her tone was firm, so I was startled. This had never happened before... That expression of hers, her desperation— I'd seen it somewhere before... I remembered.

It was the same look my mother had when she passed away.

Taro answered Anne's question calmly and matter-of-factly.

To my surprise, he stated he had identified the primary cause.

Believe it or not, he offered to share the results obtained from a certain village in the empire. The handwritten notes on parchment greatly increased their credibility. Anne was clearly astonished.

He had come seeking a longer stay, wanting to gather more information.

Anne naturally refused. But I don’t think I should stop him now. There’s no real reason to.

I can't mock William, not when I myself am so sentimental.

I granted the extension of his stay while gazing out the window. But it seems one extra word was unnecessary.

Anne had tears in her eyes. I'd once again made the longtime maid who'd served our family since ancient times feel sorrow. The longer someone has served our household, the more sorrowful their expression becomes when they look at me.

After that, he diligently served me as a maid, quietly observing my daily life. Even tasks unrelated to me were carried out with unwavering dedication, and before I knew it, I had begun to trust him completely.

He treats me like a lady of the house. The younger maids who’ve recently joined are afraid of me and avoid coming near. So it felt remarkably refreshing. Even though I knew it was just a game, it was still enjoyable.

"Miss Lina, I've brought your meal."

"Please come in."

I finish eating. Today is the weekly prayer day—once every two weeks. It's a day to give thanks to the deity and to express gratitude for the blessings of food. Using ceremonial items, we offer our thanks to the divine.

Taro seemed surprised by the use of the ceremonial objects.

He truly hasn't seen this before. It's something precious passed down from my late mother—she handed it to me just before she passed away.

I hold it tightly, with all my heart, and offer my prayers.

Ah, I can feel my prayers are reaching their destination. It almost feels like my illness is responding, too. If only healing came so easily just from praying...

After finishing my prayer, I looked up—and Taro’s face, usually smiling, was frozen in a grim expression. Had something bad happened?

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*

Something bad had happened to me.

The pendant reacted to the magic stone? Offering prayers through this pendant was accelerating my illness? That couldn’t be right! After all, my late mother used it too... Yes, she had the same illness.

I prayed to the pendant. Please, please, let there be nothing to it, let it have nothing to do with the magic stone...

The next day, William came in the morning. It seemed my younger brother had some mysterious agreement with his older brother, Dale. If I were to stay strong, I'd make sure to give him a piece of my mind.

There's nothing I can do but ask Anne to check on his condition. He used to have bruises all over his body, so I'm worried. I just hope he can return without meeting Dale again.

But things don't always go as we wish. Taro arrived. He must have come to deliver the test results.

Of course, the news Taro brought was not what I had hoped for. Why does this keep happening? What did I do to deserve this?

Since everyone's afraid and won't come up from the top of this tower, and since Dale struggles with reading and summarizing documents from the territory, I take her place whenever Father isn't around.

Even though I prayed diligently every day and expressed gratitude for everything, that very behavior was actually worsening my illness! If I believe in God, and strive every day, isn't there salvation?

What expression do I have on my face right now? I can't tell if I'm angry or sad— even I don't know.

I couldn't bring myself to look at Taro's face.

I think I heard someone speaking, but the words didn't register. Come to think of it, my left ear was covered by the demon stone, making it hard to hear. That must be why. No, it's definitely because of that.

I don't want to see anyone today.

I’ve had enough of hoping to live, of finding joy in life—I’m done. If I’m going to feel this down, I might as well just stop doing anything and live on until I die.

Taro had vanished without a trace. Had I sent him away? It doesn’t matter anymore.

For a while after that day, Taro didn’t come back.

I couldn’t help but worry if he didn’t come. Curious about what he was doing, I asked one of the few maids I had a close relationship with to investigate under the pretense of checking on a traveling adventurer in town.

He’d stand out, so he’d be easy to find.

What I learned was that he was just about to leave the town. He’d been discussing plans with his fellow adventurers, and their deadline was less than a week away.

It seems God really doesn't exist after all. I had vowed never to feel this way again, yet why am I so heartbroken once more? I don't understand anything anymore.

How long had I been asleep? Even though I don't usually do much activity, my sleeping hours have been increasing lately. Anne had changed the calendar for me, and I realized it hadn't been that long. Time had slipped by, and suddenly it was night.

The magic stone lamp glows brightly, illuminating the room. That must be something Anne set up for me. The magical essence will run out soon, and it will grow dark.

I felt thirsty. I tried to move from the bed to get some water, but my legs wouldn't obey.

Naturally. Both of my legs were completely fused together, with no joints left to bend. The petrification had progressed unnoticed.

Ah, I can't even walk alone anymore.

Thinking about it makes me cry. It's pointless, but I can't help it.

I heard a knock at the door. Who could it be? Could it be Anne, coming at this hour?

"It's Taro. I know this is an intrusion, but it's urgent."

My heart tightened. I quickly wiped away my tears and opened the door.

How rude of someone to show up at a time like this! I felt like snapping at him a little.

Then he readily admitted he was leaving this town.

How cold-hearted he is!?

Yet his face was brimming with confidence. He said he just wanted to try something before leaving.

As he spoke, he scattered deteriorated magic stones across the floor. What on earth is he planning to do?

Then he pressed the deteriorated magic stone against my left arm. Staring intently at the spot where it was pressed, he focused.

Suddenly, the color faded from the magic stone on my left arm, and the deteriorated stone began to take on color. What on earth is happening? This has never happened before. After progressing somewhat, Taro released the deteriorated stone and took a deep breath.

The gemstone on his arm had changed color. Slightly warm?

Taro gently tried to bend the part that had changed color.

Stop! If you do that, the pain will come back again!

There was a sharp cracking sound, and the gemstone snapped in two. This gemstone, which had always required tremendous effort to break, was now shattering so easily!?

Taro crushed the broken gemstone in his hand. It didn’t look like he had used much force at all.

Taro asked if I was in pain. At first, I didn’t even register the question. After all, the cursed stone that had resisted every attempt to remove it had just broken so easily.

I repeated back, without understanding, that I wasn’t in pain.

Taro continued with his work.

I thought maybe I could get better. My heart grew warm, and suddenly tears were flowing without me even noticing. When did I become this sensitive? Ever since my mother passed away, I’ve been trying my best to stay strong so William wouldn’t worry. Even after getting sick, I kept up the act to avoid burdening others. I always thought I’d been living with strength all along...

Eventually, I removed all the magic stones from my legs and arms.

I can move! I can move again! I thought I’d never be able to move ever again!

I joyfully keep moving my limbs, feeling the return of strength. Tarou says he’ll write down the methodology and begins putting away the tools. He suggests the upper body and other parts should be handled by a woman.

What is he talking about? I suddenly feel I must not let him leave this place now.