Head Butler of the Fallen Villainess-Chapter 58 - 14th Days (3) | Windy Training Session (1)

[Northeast of Anastasia’s Region (Not Named Yet)]

"...You’re not joking around, right, Sir Butler...?" The brunette knight questioned, following behind his trail as they ventured into the forest—northeast of Anastasia’s current region.

"I’m not, Miss Knight," he replied smoothly, "now why would I be joking around with something so crucial?"

His casual remark was only met by a collective blank stare—not just from Martha, but even from Anastasia, who was tagging along with the two warriors of the group.

"...You’re not exactly convincing anyone here, Sir Sebas," the redhead mistress chimed in, her arms crossed as she gave him a pointed look.

Of course, the ever-anxious Bella was also included in the group, following along not just to hear the butler’s explanation, but also... to witness her fellow knight aide’s training session with said butler.

Unfortunately, though, at the moment... she was too preoccupied—face stricken with fear—by the horrifying thought of what living on this godforsaken land would entail for all of them...

The two female aides of Anastasia had just learned of the ’mana problem’ that the Garden of Hell had—that being the issue with the high-density mana that enveloped this very land so thickly.

The dense mana properties of this land weren’t exactly surprising to them, though, as they had already learned about it during the well-digging venture...

However, what brought their alert was what they’d just heard—not just from the butler, but even from their mistress...

Which was the effect of this dense mana—how it warped the very environment and living beings exposed to it.

And the most alarming examples of that effect...

Were the looming threat of mana poisoning for anyone who lingered too long in these lands—and the theory that the extremely dangerous monsters plaguing all over Florentia were caused and influenced by the dense mana itself.

"...To be honest, I can’t fathom such notion," the knight continued to doubt his words. However, it was not just from her skepticism, but also... from the dread that was creeping into her. "To think that we are walking on the very ground that could breed those monstrosities..."

"T-Then… doesn’t that mean…" Bella’s voice trembled with anxiety, "If this mana can create those monsters… what if—what if we end up turning into one too...?!"

The maid’s words struck a heavy chord with everyone present... as an unsettling thought began to burrow deeper into their minds—deeper than the mere threat of a somewhat ’simple’ death by mana poisoning.

And that thought… caused a sudden ripple of turmoil within Martha.

She had been skeptical at first—refusing to accept such a bizarre notion from the get-go—but Bella’s question had changed her mind, bringing forth a more horrifying possibility.

"Humans... turning into monsters...?" the knight muttered under her breath, her tone wavering between disbelief and unease. "That sounds even more absurd..."

This worry, too, still plagued Anastasia, even as she tried to maintain a calm composure... The redhead noblewoman found herself glancing toward Sebas’s back with a flicker of concern.

After all… she herself had once posed that very same question to him...

Their collective gaze gathered on the butler once more as they all sought answers to their growing concerns.

"...You don’t need to worry about that," Sebas spoke at last, his voice steady... and firm, as he continued to lead the group deeper into the forest. "As long as you don’t get exposed to an overwhelming amount of mana in one go… you’ll be fine."

"R-Really...? So... we’re not turning into... m-m-monsters...?" Bella pressed again, unable to hide the tremor in her voice.

This time, however… Sebas did not answer immediately.

For a brief moment, there was only silence—thick and tense—broken only by the faint rustling of leaves beneath their steps.

His silence brought further worry to all three of them...

But eventually, without looking back, he finally spoke once more, "You won’t turn into grotesque monsters, if that’s what you’re afraid of."

His words should have been a comfort for all of them—But… he wasn’t finished.

"...With that being said…" He trailed off briefly before continuing, "Long-term exposure to this dense of a mana—while it won’t turn you into a mindless beast... could still affect you."

"...!"

The weight of his words settled heavily on the group. Instead of easing their fears, his chilling honesty only deepened the unease curling within their chests...!

Anastasia’s lips parted slightly—hesitation flickering across her face—but the gnawing unease pushed her to speak—!

"Sir Sebas—!" Her voice tightened with urgency as she quickened her pace to close the distance between them. "Do you truly mean what you said before...? That I—no... WE won’t turn into monsters...?"

The butler didn’t answer right away.

Instead, to their surprise—he stopped in his tracks.

His sudden halt sent a ripple of tension through the group. The faint rustling of the forest seemed louder in the stillness he left behind.

And with that, another silence hung heavy between them. Heavy... and deliberate.

But...

"You won’t... none of you will turn into monsters."

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He broke his silence once more. He did not show his expression to the three of them, but... his words—spoken with such certainty—were meant for all of them.

A reassurance.

And then slowly, Sebas turned his head—his sharp gaze settling on them.

On Anastasia.

"... And I’ll make sure that it never will."

His firm words were a promise that he made to them... and Anastasia’s breath caught in her throat—remembering the same promise that he’d made toward her.

Yet—even now—his conviction had not wavered.

If anything… it felt heavier. More absolute.

She couldn’t explain why, but... there was no doubt in her heart—he meant every word in his promise.

Both in the past... and even in the present.

And now, the weight of his vow settled over the three women... leaving their concerns lingering in the air, unspoken... but ever-present.

No one pressed further to this slow, ever-growing concern, and with that, the butler then resumed his stride.

And... they followed after him without question.

The only sound was the soft crunch of leaves beneath their feet as they continued deeper into the forest, shadows curling around their path.

For a time, no one dared to break the silence...

But eventually…

"Um… S-sir Sebas?" Bella’s voice cut through the stillness, hesitant and small. "W-where… exactly are we going?"