The King of Oaths

After Belzebub slipped away to the kitchen in search of a snack, a silence fell between Liyahiss and Hillisa.

Liyahiss replayed the recent events in her mind. The ability to mend a shattered window, to visibly reverse the process of its breaking, strongly suggested that the magic was related to time.

The maid from my memories was never this absurdly omnipotent! Has she been hiding her true strength all this time? Why didn’t I investigate her sooner? It’s not too late, though. I must investigate her thoroughly!

Identity Scan: Analyzing…

“[Scan complete. Results as follows:]”

{
Name: Hillisa
Gender: Female (Forcibly locked)
Age: ???
Race: Unknown
Height: 1.80m
Bust: E
Status: Royal Princess’s Exclusive Maid
Charm: 271
Luck: 161
Basic Elemental Affinity: Water > Fire > Wind > Earth > …
Special Elemental Affinity: Time > Light > …

Combat Magic:
[Purification], [Heal], [Wall Construction], [Gale Slash], [High-Pressure Water Jet], [Explosive Fireball], [Time Stop], [Time Reversal], [Clear Skies After Rain], [Stormfire Tornado], [Howling Cyclone Break]

Utility Magic:
[Auto-Cleanse], [One-Touch Undress]

Magic Slots: 100
Strength: A
Agility: A
Constitution: S
Endurance: SS
Conviction: SS

Exclusive Talent:
[King of Oaths]

Domain:
[The Halted World]
…
}

Good heavens. The more Liyahiss looked, the more shocked she became.

Is this really the person I’ve been living with day in and day out? Then again, her race is ‘Unknown.’ Why is no one human these days?

Leaving everything else aside, the ability to stop time is just begging for mischief. You could pause time, secretly toy with someone, and then resume the flow of time after you leave. The person you messed with would be sent into a state of ecstasy on the spot. The very thought is thrilling.

As for reversing time, it’s quite practical for fixing broken things. I wonder if she’s used it for anything else…

Is this what it means to be an all-purpose maid? Water for cleaning, fire for cooking, wind for drying, and earth for building. It all makes sense.

And that talent, [King of Oaths]… Is she naturally bound to her promises? Or did she once make a profoundly important vow with someone?

There’s no use overthinking it. If she wanted to harm me, she would have done so long ago. For now, I’ll just wait and see how she explains herself.

“Hillisa, is there something you wish to tell me?”

“Master, please form a master-servant contract with me.”

“Huh? Is that necessary?”

“It is. I want you to understand me more completely, Master.”

More importantly, I want my master to truly see me, to win my master’s favor, she left unsaid.

“Alright. If you desire it that much, I suppose I can reluctantly grant your wish.”

After the contract was formed, Hillisa’s expression remained unchanged, though a corner of her eye twitched when she read the additional clauses Liyahiss had added. She was a maid, after all; her future had long ceased to be her own to decide.

“We’ll be leaving tomorrow,” Liyahiss said. “Come with me for one last look at this land.”

“As you command.”

The forest night was a vision of tranquil beauty. Moonlight, fluid as water, spilled across the land, draping it in a veil of pure silver. The stars glittered like diamonds set in the dark velvet of the sky, shimmering with a mysterious light. A gentle night breeze caressed their cheeks, carrying the distant fragrance of flowers and grass, immersing them in the serene splendor of the evening.

Beneath the moon, two figures strolled one after the other, as if wandering through a peaceful courtyard, savoring the tranquility.

“Hillisa, the wind tonight doesn’t feel as cool as it used to.”

“That is because I am behind you, blocking it for you.”

“…”

Liyahiss leaned back slightly, resting the back of her head against something warm and soft as she gazed up at the bright moon.

“You’re as beautiful and gentle as the moon, making me feel safe and warm.”

“The moon may be surrounded by a multitude of stars, but most of them pale in its radiance. However…” Hillisa paused, looking down at the girl in her arms. “However, there is always one star that shines the brightest, one that constantly exudes its own charm, captivating the moon.”

Liyahiss felt a gaze resting on the crown of her head. She didn’t shy away. Instead, she pressed back a little closer, nuzzling from side to side like a contented kitten.

“Whenever the moon rises quietly, a bright star is always there by its side, as if they have sworn an oath between heaven and earth.”

“Yes, they must have made a promise long ago. Through endless cycles and changing ages, the moon and the star remain eternal companions.”

“It’s a pity you can’t see the stars during the day.”

“If the star were to leave this place, then the moon would follow. In a place unseen by others, they would still be together, never to be parted.”

Hillisa held the girl in her arms tighter, as if cradling a precious, magnificent treasure she feared might shatter.

“Never to be parted? Will the star’s life be as long as the moon’s?”

“Such things are too far in the future. One should cherish the present, care for their lover, and dote on their pet…”

Liyahiss froze for a moment, then realized she must have misunderstood. “You have a point.”

“Gather ye rosebuds while ye may,” Hillisa whispered, her voice low. “You cannot spare a delicate flower simply for its beauty, or it will not be so lovely when it withers.”

There’s no way I’m misinterpreting that! Liyahiss screamed internally. If that’s how it is, then don’t blame me for being a ruthless flower-plucker!

“It’s getting late. Let’s go back. We have to travel tomorrow.”

Without another word, Liyahiss took Hillisa’s left hand and began walking back, her steps light and quick. Once inside, she marched straight toward the living room with a clear goal in mind.

“Your Highness, are you not returning to your own room?”

“Are you trying to get rid of me? Are you tired of me already? S-Sob…” Liyahiss wiped at tears that hadn’t yet begun to fall.

“How could that be?! Your Highness, do you wish to… sleep with me?”

“Hah? What are you getting your hopes up for? I just want to reward you, to help you relax a little.” Liyahiss’s mood shifted from cloudy to sunny in an instant.

“But don’t we have to travel tomorrow?”

“That can wait. A little delay won’t hurt. Come, let me see if you’ve been developing properly!” Before she could finish her sentence, Liyahiss tackled Hillisa onto the bed.