I Became the Maid of the Lout Prince-Chapter 475: The luck is on our side (3)

With the emergence of Princess Rainy’s unique ability, Noctis and her demon army swiftly retreated.

‘Should I go for it? They’re already fleeing.’

Watching them hastily flee, I found myself wrestling with temptation. They were already showing their backs, unable to counter my magic, and even if they sensed it, Rainy’s overwhelming fortune would shield me. Now that I saw them as walking experience points, letting them go felt like a tremendous loss.

The only drawback was that attacking a retreating future member of the Four Demon Kings might alter the original storyline...

‘Maybe a Mana Blast isn’t ideal.’

Noctis, bound to become one of the Four Demon Kings, wouldn’t die from a Mana Blast. And wasting such a powerful spell on mere foot soldiers seemed like an inefficient use of mana.

If I was going to do it, it would be better to ensure complete annihilation.

‘A triple-cast incantation should do the trick.’

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As soon as I made up my mind, I began chanting, summoning three mana spheres above my head and in both hands.

“Whew, we’re finally done. Lilith, let’s go rest—”

“Mana, arise!!”

“Lilith?!”

Ethan looked alarmed as he noticed my chant, but it was too late to stop. If I was going to do this, it needed to be decisive.

It wasn’t like anyone could fault me for striking down fleeing demons. Even in real battle, pursuing retreating enemies was fair game. This was lawful, strategic farming for experience points—nothing could stop my level-up spree.

“What... what is this mana surge...?”

“Hey, Miss Rosewood! What are you...?!”

“Whirling force of mana, explode!!”

With the final incantation, the three mana spheres launched from my hands.

–Whoooosh!

‘Grr... Gaaah!’

‘Wh-What is this?! Aaahhh!!’

–Boom! Boom! Boom!

Three massive explosions erupted in the midst of the retreating demon ranks.

“Hah... haa...”

–Thud.

“Lilith, are you alright?!”

“Miss Rosewood! What on earth did you just do?!”

“Lilith... what was that...?”

As I collapsed, exhausted from mana depletion, Ethan rushed to support me, while Gedralt, looking startled, approached to make sense of what I’d done. Even Princess Rainy seemed curious, gazing at me with a questioning expression, so I offered my pre-prepared excuse calmly.

“These demons came to threaten Princess Rainy’s life. It seemed improper to let them escape simply because they decided ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ to retreat.”

“Miss Lilith...?”

“They’re running now, scared by the Princess’s good fortune, but how long will that last? If they attack from a hidden location next time, would the Princess’s magic protect her then? Who will bear the responsibility if lives are lost due to their return?”

“So... you thought that far ahead in that moment?”

“If they invade again, Defrin Kingdom will suffer the most as the border territory. Demons are unrelenting, so although they’ll inevitably gather their forces again, delaying their assault by inflicting substantial losses now could at least postpone the next invasion.”

Of course, these were all impromptu justifications. In truth, I’d simply wanted the experience points, eager to spend the last of my mana to secure a final bonus. After all, I wouldn’t need to fight any more royal knights now.

Fortunately, no one, except Gedralt, suspected my real motives, and the others nodded in understanding.

“You thought of our kingdom’s welfare so deeply, Miss Lilith. I’m beginning to believe that all my past misfortunes were perhaps leading me to meet you.”

“You’re too kind, Princess.”

“Next time, though, please warn us first. You almost gave me a heart attack with that Mana Blast, Lilith.”

“Apologies, Master Ethan. I felt we needed to act quickly before the demons fully retreated. I’ll be more cautious next time.”

“I thought it was perfect! That succubus woman was obnoxious from the start. Serves her right.”

“...Well, in any case, it seems everything worked out.”

My impromptu farming had been a success. Not only had I leveled up substantially by wiping out a horde of high-ranking demons, but I’d also earned everyone’s approval, save for Gedralt, who sighed, possibly foreseeing the story changes this would cause.

“Yes, as Miss Lilith said, it was indeed necessary to eliminate those demons.”

“...Huh?”

“Honestly, I share Miss Lilith’s feelings. Those demons, once they reveal their ambitions, will inevitably return to harm our kingdom or the Argentia Empire. Especially that succubus who almost hurt my dear companions—her, I could never forgive.”

...Wait a second.

Was Princess Rainy always this commanding?

“I haven’t wanted to impose until now, considering all your help, but would you lend your strength one last time to clear out the remaining demon forces?”

“...You mean now?”

“Yes. At the very least, I’d like to finish off those injured by Miss Lilith’s spell. I can’t reach those who escaped beyond the border, of course. Should you assist me, I’ll ensure you are all handsomely rewarded by the Defrin royal family.”

“Sure, I’m in. Anything to bother that succubus.”

“Well, it’s only right that I finish what my subordinate started.”

“...Yes, I think the Princess is correct.”

With Silena and Ethan aligning with Princess Rainy, Gedralt couldn’t refuse and nodded in agreement. Thus, with the idea of eliminating the demon remnants, we approached the crater where my Mana Blast had struck, only to find...

“No... we have to run... if she finds us...”

“Huh?”

“What’s...?”

“...The succubus?”

“Eek! No, no! Aaaaah!”

It was Noctis, her wings charred, desperately flapping to escape.

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

『Lilith has reached level 37!』

『Lilith has reached level 38!』

『Lilith has reached level 39!』

...

...

...

『Lilith has reached level 43!』

⁎ ⁎ ⁎

A second battle ensued as soon as we encountered Noctis in the Mana Blast crater.

Noctis was a potential future threat to Defrin Kingdom, and with her wings visibly damaged, there was no reason to retreat. Injured by Rainy’s magic and the repeated Mana Blasts, she was unable to avoid our strikes.

Left defenseless, Noctis eventually fell at the hands of Ethan, the hero, and Silena.

“It’s impossible... me, the Queen of the Kirote, defeated in such a place....”

“Well, you’re just a slightly stronger succubus.”

“Ugh... Kraaaah!”

“....”

Gedralt looked a bit uneasy after our early victory over a future Demon King, but surely he’d understand the benefits. With seven levels gained in two weeks since leaving the Academy, the hero should have leveled up significantly too.

I’d have to secretly slip him a Whispering Leaf artifact later on. After all, even with the timeline altered, as long as he had a guide item, he wouldn’t be too lost. The concept of the Four Demon Kings likely still existed in this world, though Noctis’ replacement remained a mystery.

‘With a guide, at least he won’t flounder in the story.’

Honestly, that artifact suited the hero better than me anyway. I’d keep the Silent Dagger for my quiet escape from Blackwood Mansion, though.