Pretending to be a noob in a world scaled by power level

[187] The big reveal

As my eyes fluttered open, the world around me was a blur of unfamiliar shapes and colors. There was an ethereal quality to the room, suffused with the soft, golden glow of early morning sunlight pouring through the windows. I groaned softly, feeling the twinge of pain in my side as my senses gradually returned.

Lila, who was sitting in a plush chair by my bed, snapped to attention when she noticed my stirring. Her eyes widened, relief washing over her as she jumped to her feet, her chair scraping against the floor with a harsh sound.

"Master, you're awake," Lila said, her voice barely above a whisper. A warm smile touched her lips, lightening the heavy worry etched into her features. Her eyes, brown like polished mahogany, sparkled with tears she refused to let fall.

In her simple, black maid's dress, she seemed almost out of place within the grandeur of the room. The dress accentuated her petite figure, its simplicity serving to highlight her natural beauty rather than detract from it. Her short, black hair was neatly pulled back, the neat bob framing her face and highlighting the concern in her eyes.

"Lila..." I managed to croak, my throat parched. I watched as she immediately reached for a jug of water, her movements quick and efficient. She poured a glass and held it out to me, her hands shaking slightly.

"Here, Master, drink slowly," she advised, her voice soft and comforting. She helped me to sit up a bit, supporting me while I took small, careful sips. It was easy to see the relief flood her face as I managed to keep the water down.

"I...What happened, Lila?" I finally asked, my voice still rough, but stronger. "Where am I? The last thing I remember..."

"You're safe, Master," Lila interrupted gently, settling back into the chair beside my bed. "You were unconscious after the battle, but we managed to bring you back. You're in the royal infirmary. The healers have been working around the clock, and you've been unconscious for a week."

A week. I closed my eyes, processing the information. A week since the battle, since...everything. I had a lot of questions, but right now, I was grateful for the reassurance and presence of Lila. Her quiet strength, her loyalty, her warmth, these were the things that gave me comfort in this moment of disorientation.

"Thank you, Lila," I murmured, reaching out to give her hand a reassuring squeeze. Her face flushed a delicate pink at my touch, her eyes flickering down before meeting mine again. The depth of her feelings was there, barely concealed, but now was not the time to address it.

"Where's Elandra, Lila?" My voice was just a shadow of its usual confident tone. I felt weak and drained, but I needed to know.

Lila's face paled a bit, her brows knitting together. She took a deep breath before responding, her voice barely above a whisper, "Queen Elandra... she was gravely injured, Master."

My heart sank. I felt a chill run down my spine as Lila continued, "She's been under the care of the best healers since the battle. She took a severe blow, much worse than yours."

"But she is a fighter, Master," Lila's voice quivered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure, "And she has been asking about you frequently. She will be delighted to know that you're awake."

A lump formed in my throat. Elandra, the powerful, indefatigable queen, laid low by a treacherous strike. It didn't seem real. "I...I need to see her, Lila," I managed to croak out.

Lila nodded solemnly, "Of course, Master. As soon as you are able, I'm sure she would like to see you too."

Before I could speak up again, the girls burst into the room.

"Boss!" Sera was the first to burst into the room, her stern tsundere face breaking into a rare smile as she saw me awake.

Kuroko, ever the feisty one, quickly followed her. "Boss, you sure know how to scare a girl," she quipped, her eyes sparkling with relief.