AMOTGD

CHAPTER XXXVl

Seeing Luina shrug, Ernst raised his fist but then remembered that if it came to a physical fight, he might lose. So, he lowered his arm gracefully.

To be precise, no one could beat Luina when she wielded a sword, not even the Emperor of the Empire. Why did God bestow such unparalleled talent on that madwoman?

Grumbling, Ernst still got his point across.

“It’s a habit. Once I have a target, I never lose sight of it.”

It was true. A sniper never takes their eyes off the prey once it’s in sight. The moment they do, they know instinctively that they could become the prey themselves.

That maid was like prey that had entered his scope—unpredictable and thus even more attention-grabbing. He couldn’t afford to lose sight of her, as she might strike back at any moment.

But why should he confess to a mere target?

“Who in their right mind confesses to a prey they’re trying to subdue?”

Yeah, uh-huh, that would be you.

Ernst glared at Luina, who seemed to be saying that with her eyes. Realizing she might have crossed a line, Luina raised her hands in mock surrender and asked.

“Seriously though, there must be a reason you’ve set your sights on her.”

There was. More than enough reasons.

Firstly, she was smart. Watching her, he noticed that she was particularly adept at preparing for the future. Collecting fallen flower petals to dry and sell, gathering cleanly fallen chandelier trinkets to sell—nothing went to waste with her.

Luina, noticing something troubling in Ernst’s explanation, pointed it out.

“You’ve been watching all that… Wait, isn’t all that technically illegal?”

Strictly speaking, it’s property damage…

“I gave permission.”

With just one word, Ernst magnanimously covered for Julie’s actions and added.

“Besides, nobody noticed. If you do it without the master noticing, it’s not a crime.”

But you already noticed. You’re the master.

Luina swallowed the words she was about to say and listened as Ernst added one more thing.

“And she’s not easily swayed by me. She’s not distracted by appearances.”

Wait, isn’t that the biggest problem here?

As she listened to Ernst’s explanation, Luina raised her hand, signaling a pause, and pointed out the contradiction in his words.

“So, you’re saying that’s why you’ve set her as your target?”

“Yes.”

She’s competent, smart, capable, diligent, and… this part feels a bit awkward to admit, but anyway, isn’t that enough?

“In what sense?”

Luina, struggling to understand the context, blinked.

In what sense? Well, let’s see, in what sense…

“To work with…?”

“Then just ask her directly.”

Ask if she’s interested in learning to work as your aide. Why go through all this sneaking around, following her, and spying like a stalker? You know you sound completely weird, right?

With her usual blunt demeanor, Luina pointed a finger at Ernst and declared.

“You’re a damn creep.”

Thump—

In that moment, it felt like something pierced straight through Ernst’s heart.

It was as if the damned person in front of him had stabbed his heart with one of her frequent sword thrusts.

Thump— thump—

Why hadn’t he just asked her directly?

She was so smart, diligent, and seemed to have no ulterior motives towards him. Why hadn’t he just offered her the honor of working under him?

She would certainly accept the offer to work for the duke’s estate, especially given her preparations for a future where she might not be able to work there anymore.

Why hadn’t he asked, and instead, ended up following her around like this?

As his heart pounded like an alarm, Luina, finding the situation amusing, stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. She pointed out to the garden, giggling softly.

“A hunter has only two reasons to target prey, Ernst.”

You know this well, don’t you?

“Either they want to tame it, or…”

To devour it.

Which side are you on?

“…!”

By the time Ernst turned to look at her, her hand had already left his shoulder. The realization hit him like an arrow to his chest.

When he turned back to the window, he saw Julie once more.

“Poor Julie. Caught by a merciless sniper, she’ll have to tear off his leash to escape.”

With that cryptic statement, Luina closed the door behind her.

Left in the room was Ernst, staring at Julie who was resting her head among the roses with her eyes closed. The strong scent lingering from her delicate fingers, and…

“Nnh…!”