"Hmm... are you sure you're performing the ritual correctly?" the Maid asked.

"Yes. Body, water, eyes, water of regeneration." Rose replied.

"That's the correct order, so why isn't it working?" I asked.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out." Rose said, her tone laced with worry.

"Well, if the ritual isn't working, maybe we should try the other method." the Maid suggested.

"The other method? Wait, do you mean you want me to take the eyes and jump into the water?" I asked incredulously.

"Exactly."

"But I would vanish."

"Is that a problem?"

"Oh, just a slight one. Nothing I can't handle."

"Then it's settled. You may proceed." the Maid declared.

"You may proceed to sleep and dream, because that's the only place you'd see me doing that. I'm not dying here."

"Hmm... that's not good. I want my eyes back. I can't just stay eyeless. Besides, I can't really sleep anyway."

"Is that a problem?"

"Oh, just a slight one. Nothing I can't handle."

"Since when did you two become such good friends? Last time I checked, you were holding us prisoner here." Rose interjected.

"Don't exaggerate. I never intended to harm you... not too much, anyway." the Maid replied.

"That's a relief... but not too much. Anyway, back to the point, what should we do now?" Rose asked.

"Since we can't seem to complete the ritual and he's refusing to die, we're at a stalemate." the Maid mused.

"Alright... we've tried. It's not possible to do the ritual, so I can take my eyes, along with Angel, and leave this mansion now, right?" I suggested, trying to sound hopeful.

"Oh, don't feel so down. I'm sure we can find a way to restore my eyes." the Maid said.

"I'm not feeling down, remember? You're controlling our emotions." I reminded her.

"Oh right, that's true. Jokes aside, what should we do... oh, I know!" the Maid suddenly exclaimed.

"You seem to have an idea." Rose said.

"Not me, but his father might have."

"Great, let me just go call him from wherever the hell he is." I said.

"We don't need to your father. We just need his diary. I just remembered he kept one hidden in the garden."

"He kept a diary while he was a captive? Yep, that sounds like my father." I sighed.

"The diary is hidden inside a tree in the garden. Rose, could you-"

"Wait! Rose is tired. I'll go." I interrupted.

"But you're blind. It wouldn't be efficient to send you on such an errand."

"My eyes are right here in this jar, and there's a place for the organ transplant ritual right over there. You can just take the eyes again later." I said, pointing towards what I thought was the ritual site.

"That's a painting of the Grandmaster you're pointing at." the Maid corrected.

"Oh."

I wasn't pointing at the ritual place at all.

"*Sigh* no." the maid answered.

Well, it was worth a try.

"It's okay, I'm not that tired. I'll go; you just stay here and rest." Rose said, trying to assure me.

"No, I'm sick of waiting."

"Weird, I was sure you couldn't get bored." The Maid interrupted.

"You made so that we can't get bored?" I asked, not surprised.

"I have, but since you don't want to wait, let's just go together."

"Huh?"

"What? It's not like I can't leave the mansion, you know."

"Sorry, I thought you were imprisoned here for a moment."

"Same." Rose added.

"Don't worry, there's nothing binding me here except for my eyes."

"My eyes." I corrected.

"For now." the maid said slyly.

I wish there was something to bind your mouth so you would shut up.

"So what will it be?" The Maid asked.

"*Sigh* Fine... I'll just hold your arm so you won't fall along the way." Rose said.

"I appreciate it."

"Let's get going then." the maid said.

"Where is the entrance to the garden?" Rose asked.

"Oh, it's in the living room, but it can't be used right now."

"Why is that?"

"Because it's all debris in there."

"Oh... What do we do then?"

"Remember the exit you found inside the cupboard under the counter? It leads to the garden as well."

"Okay, that works, but... it's going to be a bit of a challenge getting you into that cupboard." Rose said to me.

"I'll try to-"

"No need, I have my ways to get him out." The Maid interjected.

"Really? How?" I asked, curious.

"Just leave it to me."

"Fine, I guess you're just going to destroy a wall or something?" I guessed.

"That's one way, I suppose." The Maid replied with a mischievous tone.

"What the hell are you planning to do?"

"Nothing big."

"I have a bad feeling about this, but let's just go."

Rose grabbed my wrist and led me along the way.

Eventually, we came across Hope's lifeless head under the stairs to the hall once again.

"Hope's head... I can only look at it calmly because of your emotion control." Rose said to The Maid.

"You don't have to thank me for it."

"I'm not feeling thankful. I would rather you hadn't done anything in the first place."

"I did everything for my eyes; I didn't want them taken away from me."

"What a coincidence." I muttered.

"This conversation will only lead to conflict. Let's just keep moving." The Maid said, clearly trying to avoid feeling guilty for what she did to me.

I can't feel anger or fury, so I might as well be glad she feels some guilt.

With that, we moved in silence toward the kitchen.

*Swish*

I heard the wooden door of the cupboard slide open, Rose must have opened it.

A breeze entered the mansion from the secret passage.

"I opened the cupboard; now what?"

"You can just pass through, Miss Rose. We'll be with you in just a moment."

"Not sure I trust you just yet."

"Don't worry, I won't do anything to harm him."

You literally let me fall from a ladder just a few moments ago...

"In that case, do what you must do in front of me."

"You're overprotective... oh well."

A few seconds passed.

"HUH?!?" Rose exclaimed.

"What?!? What's wrong?" I asked, alarmed.

"Hehehe." The Maid laughed.

I had no idea what was going on, but I felt like The Maid had done something bad.

It also felt like they were speaking from the second floor.

What was going on? Their voices seemed far away, even though they should be close by.

At least Rose should be close,she was holding my arm just a moment ago.

"You just shrunk?!" Rose said.

"What do you mean I shrunk?"

"I made you smaller in size." Maid said

"You mean I'm shorter? But I don't feel any different."

"Something like that. You don't feel it because I made every part of your body shrink equally." The Maid explained.

I knew I should be shocked or scared by what I was hearing, but I didn't feel that surprised.

All thanks to The Maid's emotion control.

I couldn't even tell how much shorter I was without my eyes.

"How much shorter have you made me?"

"I can carry you in my hand just fine." Rose said.

"You're joking."

"I wish."

"In fact, why don't you just carry him outside, Miss Rose?" Maid offered.

"Heh, that could be fun." Rose said.

"No, no, no, don't you dare." I exclaimed.

I turned to run, but after just a few steps, I hit something soft.

Rose must have put her hand in front of me to block me.

"I wouldn't move too much at your size,some spider might eat you." Rose said, trying to scare me.

I didn't know how small I was, but she might be right.

I decided to accept my fate and sit still.

After a while, I felt something huge grab me, hopefully it was Rose's hand and not a spider's legs.

"You know, I haven't eaten for a while." Rose teased her voice now closer.

"Nevermind, Just let me go, I can walk on my own."

"Let you go? You're blind; you could walk right into some spider's web."

"I'd rather wrestle with the spider than let you eat me. Let me go."

"Sure, I'll just put you on the web then. I'm placing my bet on the spider." she said, shaking me in midair.

"Stop shaking me and let's just go already."

"You're no fun. Well, let's go."

I felt like small earthquakes were happening as she walked.

"Try not to move too much; if you fall, I might have a hard time finding all your parts."

From now on, I'm just a stone.

After a few more earthquakes, we stop.

I felt the fingers holding me release, and I climbed up as Rose opened her palm.

The breeze hit me, making it clear we were outside.

"We're outside." Rose said.

"Okay, now turn me back to normal, please." I asked.

"Why? We'll need to pass through the secret passage again on our way back anyway." The Maid answered.

"I'm sure you can find a different way than shrinking me. Please, I don't want to stay like this any longer."

"Oh, fine. You're just giving me more work to do. Here I was, thinking I was retired."

"No rest until you're dead."

"I am already dead."

"Then no rest until you no longer exist."

"That's scary. I'll turn you back. Miss Rose, please put him on the ground."

"Got it." Rose said as she carefully placed me on the ground.

A few seconds passed. I still didn't feel any different.

"All done."

"Am I back to normal?"

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Yes, you are."

"Great."

"They grow up so fast... I remember the days when I could carry you in my hand, and you'd call me 'Big Sister Rose' as if it was yesterday." Rose reminisced.

"All I remember is a giant shaking me around in mid-air and threatening to make me spider food."

"Good old days."

"I don't like cutting into your lovely chat, but we've got a diary to find." The Maid interrupted.

"You said it was in the farthest tree, right?"

"Yes, right that way."

"Are you pointing or something? You know I can't see, right?"

"My apologies."

"She literally turned into her human form just to make fun of you. Come on, at least I know where it is now." Rose said.

She then took hold of my wrist and started pulling me.

We walked towards the tree.

"Wait, that diary is at least 24 years old, right? How are we so sure it''s still readable?"

"Don't worry, even if it's not, I can do something. Besides, it was sitting inside a tree's trunk, I'm sure it was safe."

"Hope so."

"Don't hope, believe in me."

"We're here." Rose said as our conversation ended.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go on, take the book." The Maid said.

"Who? Me?"

"It was your father's book. You should be the first one to read it."

"I can't read."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were illiterate, even though you're from a noble family."

"I could have read it if I had my eyes."

"I keep forgetting that, apologies."

"I don't think you feel guilty at all."

"Still, you should be the first one to touch the book. Come on, the tree's hollow is right in front of you. Reach with your hand and get it."

I sighed and tried to reach for it, but my hand was grabbed by Rose.

"Stop, there's a huge spider right in front of the hollow. She's trying to make you grab it."

"Oh, come on now, don't spoil the fun."

"This is not fun at all. What if it's venomous?"

"Don't worry, this one isn't venomous." The Maid said.

"NO! I'm not touching a spider, venomous or not." I said.

"You really are no fun. Oh, fine."

A few silent seconds passed, then Rose spoke.

"It's okay now; she burned down the spider along with its web."

"She should have burned the whole tree just to be safe."

"The book might burn too, though." Rose said.

"Come on, get the book already." Maid hurried.

This time, I reached with both hands inside the hollow and felt something wrapped in leather.

I managed to grab it by both sides and pull it out.

"Is this the book?" I asked to confirm.

"It is. The diary is wrapped in waxed leather." the maid replied.

"Then it's highly likely safe."

I managed to unwrap the leather and handed the diary to Rose.

"Would you mind reading it?"

"Not at all. Give me a moment."

Rose remained silent for some time.

"Well? What does it say?"

"Nothing like what I expected. The only thing written here is just some information about some herbs."

"What kind of herbs?"

"Medicinal herbs, flowers, tree leaves... different kinds of herbs."

"Nothing about his days of captivity or anything about the ritual?"

"I'm still reading, hold on."

"Just great, we learned nothing."

I was hoping we would at least find a clue about his or my mother's whereabouts.

Alas, nothing. I know he did this to protect me, but still, he could have left behind a way for me to contact him.

"Wait, there's something written on the last page. It's about the ritual."

"What does it say?"

"He says that he's writing this here because it's important."

"Go on."

"Apparently, it's possible to retrieve the donor's body after he jumps into the water of regeneration if you tie him with a rope and pull him out within a certain time frame, but he will still die."

"Hmm... that doesn't really help."

"I wouldn't say that." The Maid interrupted.

"Is that useful?"

"Yes. After the donor jumps into the water, their soul reaches a place similar to where I am. There, they have the choice to either accept or refuse to gift their organs."

"I still fail to see how the information we learned will help in that situation. And how do you even know this?"

"I can't really tell you how I learned all this, it's forbidden. But let me explain how it will help."

"Go on."

"Upon accepting, the donor's body will disappear from the living world, vanishing into thin air, but their soul will remain in our realm."

"I think I get it, but keep going." Rose said.

"I knew you'd catch on, Miss Rose. You're very smart, after all."

I have no idea what Rose understood.

How is this supposed to help?

"Let me explain more. You're going to take the eyes first, then transfer them to me by jumping into the water yourself."

"And then die?"

"No, you're going to use the gate to return to the living world."

Oh, I see now. That could work, but...

"My soul will be the one that passes through the gate. Will it be able to return to my body?"

"Yes, your soul is bound to your body. It should be pulled back naturally since you'd still be considered alive, so that's not my concern, but..."

"You've got something else that concerns you?"

"Let me guess,is it the timing?"

Timing... I think I understand what Rose is getting at.

My body shouldn't vanish as long as I don't accept the organ transfer.

So, they have to pull my body from the water at the exact moment I accept the transfer.

If they pull me too early, I might wake up, and the ritual might be canceled.

If they pull too late, I'm gone.

"Yes, that's why we need to practice before actually attempting to transfer the eyes to my body."

"By practice, you mean I should count how many seconds it takes for me to accept after I enter the water."

"And I should count too, then pull you out at that exact time." Rose added.

"Exact- Move!"

*Crash*

Some force sent me flying, slamming me into a tree before Maid could finish her sentence.

Before I could even comprehend what had happened, I heard a familiar voice shout,

"Damn, nice reflexes to be able to dodge that."

It was Hope. His voice was filled with fury and anger.

From what he said, I assumed he had thrown something at me, and Maid had pushed me away to save me.

The shock and pain caused me to open my eyes, which had been closed since Maid took my eyeballs, and I turned my head towards his voice.

"What happened?!" I asked, surprisingly calm.

"It's Hope,he just threw a big flower pot at you." Rose responded.

"You... What happened to your eyes?" Hope asked, his tone filled with confusion.

"They melted after looking at your ugly face for too long." I replied.

"Saved you the pain of looking in the mirror every morning." Hope shot back.

"Why would I be disgusted by my own face?" I retorted.

"Anybody would get disgusted by your face once they saw you after I'm done."

"Are you going to glue your face over his or something?" Rose quipped.

"Listen here now, you bastards-"

While Hope was busy ranting like a five-year-old, I heard a different voice inside my head,

"Sorry for pushing you earlier. Hope can't hear us right now; I'm sending my voice directly to your and Miss Rose's brains."

"You really can do anything, can't you? Don't worry about that, you saved me."

Thanks to Maid's ability to control emotions, we were having this conversation calmly amidst the conflict.

Maid continued,

"Listen, I don't think Hope has realized that he died and he has powers beyond mere humans.

Fighting him here might make him realize that. We should just send him away somehow."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because if he knew, he could simply melt your body, freeze you to death, or strike you with lightning. Instead, he just threw a pot at you with his hands."

"And how do you suggest we send him away?"

"I don't know. Figure something out, aren't you good at making things up? I know you once made the village elder believe his pet was stolen by a dragon."

I missed those times... If only I could turn back time.

I wish Maid had the power to control time.

Then-

"Stop daydreaming!" Rose snapped, pulling me aside.

I felt something small whizz past me at high speed.

Did Hope throw something again?

"Oh, you lucky bastard."

I got up from where I was sitting.

"Are you sure you want to waste your time fighting with us? It's fine by me,after all, it's your life on the line."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you remember? You died once."

"I died? Have you lost your mind alongside your eyes? I'm standing right here."

"The one standing in front of me is your soul, not your living body."

"What?"

Maid interrupted, her voice sharp in my mind.

"What are you trying to do?! Don't tell him anything that could make him aware."

"Don't worry, just watch."

I turned my attention back to Hope.

"You were killed by a huge ghost spider that started haunting this mansion after the Unuts moved out. It kills people and eats their souls."

"You've completely lost it. There's no such thing."

I tugged on Rose's sleeve.

"Then what's that thing over there behind you?" Rose said, her voice steady.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?!" Hope screamed, followed by the sound of his footsteps, fast and frantic, as he ran away.

Maid's voice echoed in my head again,

"You owe me for this. I created the spider and sent it behind him."

"It's really creepy." Rose added.

"Well, I'm glad I can't see it. He's gone, right?"

"Yes, he's running as if his life actually depends on it."

"Can that spider actually hurt him?"

"No, it's forbidden for the deceased to harm each other. If the spider touches him, it will disappear."

"Then we should hurry with the ritual and close the gate as fast as possible, before that spider touches him." I said.

"There's something bothering me." Rose interjected.

"What is it, Miss Rose?"

"You said it's forbidden for the deceased to hurt each other, and you've mentioned all sorts of rules for the deceased.

If you know about them, shouldn't Hope know about them as well? And if he knew all that, wouldn't he also know that he was dead?"

"I just learned that rule exists myself. We discover the rules as we attempt to fulfill our wishes; they aren't given to us upfront. We learn them through our actions. Does that satisfy you?"

"Yes, but one more thing."

"How can I help?"

"You also said that upon dying, you had the choice of erasing your existence or staying in the place you are now. Didn't Hope have to make that choice too?"

"You know the fever dreams you get when you have a high fever, where you can't tell if what you experienced was a dream or reality?"

"I get it. I once dreamed I was eating a cake while I had a fever, only to realize I was biting my pillow in reality." I said.

"Would you like a glass of blanket with your pillow, sir?" Rose teased.

"Haha, very funny." I remarked.

"It seems you've already had an experience like that. Hope probably thought the choice he made was just a dream.

In fact, I thought it was a dream myself until I heard it dozens of times when trying to do something I wasn't allowed to do."

"Makes sense now. It's hard to tell what's real or not in that condition. Thanks for explaining."

"Pleased to be able to help. Now, I recommend hurrying back to the ritual ground and performing the ritual as quickly as possible."

With that, we started walking back to the basement.

Once we reached the secret passage, Maid destroyed the wall to let us pass more efficiently.

I wasn't even surprised at this point, nor could I be surprised anyway.

We bypassed Hope's head and made our way to the ritual ground.

"Well, here we are. What do we do next?"

"First, you should take my eyes with the ritual, since you're going to transfer them to me directly."

"You mean, take my eyes back."

"Does it matter?"

"Yes."

I hate myself for being so calm while saying that.

"Is this really the time to dally? You should hurry."

"*Sigh* Fine."

Huh? Why am I accepting this so casually?

I'm about to possibly put my life in danger, yet I can't seem to put the words together to refuse.

...

Oh, what am I thinking? This is fine.

"I'll help you." Rose said, her tone surprisingly cheerful.

What's happening? Why did Rose agree so quickly too?

Oh, what am I thinking? Everything is fine.

"Yes, don't forget to count the seconds until you accept the eyes."

"Of course, I won't forget."

No, I don't want to. This is bad.

No, no, everything is fine.

It's not... I feel weird.

Am I even here right now?

*Step*

Rose took my hand and led me to the edge of the pit.

"Mind your step, the pit is right in front of you." she warned.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it."

I carefully stepped into the pit and lay down.

I can't stop myself... What is happening is happening without my approval.

"I think you should lay your head the other way." Rose suggested.

"Why? Here is just fine."

"Alright then."

I heard the sound of a tap turning.

*Splash*

A lukewarm waterfall suddenly cascaded onto my face, water flooding my nose and mouth.

I shot up quickly, coughing and sputtering.

"Pfft- *Cough* *Cough* Are you *Cough* trying to kill me? *Cough*"

"Hehe, I told you to lay the other way." Rose replied.

This is not funny.

Why is she laughing?

Once I managed to catch my breath, I responded,

"You could've warned me that I was lying right under the tap."

"This could actually be pretty useful; it would wake you up in a flash. We should install a barrel like this above your bed."

"Hell no! I'd rather die."

"Really?" the Maid interjected playfully.

"No!" I quickly corrected.

What is this conversation?

I'm part of it without even being there.

Who is speaking in my body?

"Hurry up and lay down already!" Rose shouted at me.

"Fine, fine." I grumbled, adjusting my position before lying down.

"I'm turning the tap now."

"Go for it."

*Splash*

I felt warm water slowly filling the pit, rising past my legs and arms until I was floating.

It took about a minute for the pit to fill completely, and I was now suspended above the water.

It's a bit unsettling when I can't see.

"I'm throwing the eyes into the pit now." Rose said.

"Alright."

The jar Rose was holding contained my eyes, preserved with the water of regeneration.

She poured the water, along with my eyes, into the pit.

There is no stopping what is happening.

It's just going to happen.

*Gulp*

Suddenly, I was pulled underwater.

1...2...3

Despite the pit not being very deep, I felt as though I was sinking into the depths of an ocean.

I couldn't breathe, yet I didn't feel the need to.

4...5...6

There was no sensation of holding my breath; in fact, I felt great.

All my worries seemed to vanish, and I was casually sinking deeper into this oceanic abyss.

7...8...9

*Splash*

Abruptly, it felt like I had fallen out of the ocean into an empty space where water couldn't reach.

10...11...12

Then, a light filled my eyes.

A light filled my what?

My eyes?

13...14...15

I opened them.

I could see again.

I was falling into a room where the ceiling was made of green water.

In the ceiling, I could see multiple bodies of different people, including my own, all floating in the green water.

My soul must have fallen out of my body, descending from the ceiling while my physical form remained suspended in the water.

But as I looked down at myself, I realized I still had a body.

Was this a replica, just like the one Maid had created?

I turned around in the air, trying to grasp where I was falling.

16...17...18

*Smash*

I hit the ground hard, yet I felt no pain. What a strange place.

I quickly stood up and looked around.

I could tell I was in a room because of the pillars and black and white tiling on the floor, but there were no walls,it felt like an endless space.

The room was brightly lit, though I couldn't see any visible light source.

Despite the unsettling sight of countless bodies floating in the green water above me, the room I was in seemed eerily empty.

There was no one else here.

19...20...21

"Do you want these eyes?"

A voiceless voice suddenly asked.

I didn't hear anyone speaking, yet I knew the question was directed at me.

Was this the being the Maid described before? The one you can't sense but somehow know is there?

None of my senses told me someone was with me, yet my brain insisted that this question had been asked and that I must answer.

22...23...24

"Do you want these eyes?"

It repeated the question.

I noticed I was standing in front of an altar.

On top of it was a pair of green eyes, my eyes, no doubt.

25...26...27

"Do you want these eyes?"

The question repeated once more.

28...29...30

Realizing I shouldn't keep the being waiting, I answered, "Yes, I want them."

...

There was no response.

After a few seconds of silence, I felt a force pulling me upward, toward the watery ceiling.

My soul left the replica and was once again bound to my own body.

I saw the replica vanish before a force swiftly pulled me out of the water.

*Splash*

I opened my eyes to the red light of a lantern, then sat up.

The first thing I noticed was Rose, staring at me in shock, her mouth agape.

"Your eyes are back!" she exclaimed, sounding genuinely happy.

She held my hands and helped me up.

"Are you okay? Can you see clearly? Any blur in your vision?" Rose asked, concern in her voice.

"No, I can see perfectly, no blur at all."

"I'm glad to hear that. After all, these are Miss Maid's eyes; we want them in perfect condition when she has them."

"Yes, we don't want her eyes to be in bad condition." I said.

What the hell am I even saying?

"Yes, yes, I appreciate all your work." the Maid's voice echoed through the room.

Then, she appeared in front of us out of thin air.

"So, how long did it take you to accept the eyes?" Maid asked.

"Thirty seconds, but I was confused, it could've take a bit shorter." I answered.

"No choice, I guess. We'll have to do a bit of practice. Take my body and proceed with the ritual, but don't accept the transfer. Just wait when you are asked."

"I got it. I'll do as you say."

"Let's see. We also need to know how long it will take to pull your body."

After she said that, a white light flashed before my eyes.

When my vision returned, it quickly became clear what had happened.

"I don't know how deep the water is, but this rope should be enough."

She created a rope long enough to span the entire room.

"Miss Rose, please tie him up."

"Sure." Rose replied.

I watched as Rose tied me with the rope.

I couldn't make my body respond to any commands.

"How long did it take you to fall from the water?"

Maid seems to know exactly how the ritual works.

"It took 12 seconds for me to fall from the water."

"Miss Rose, please count 30 seconds after he sinks into the water, then start pulling him up with the rope and count while you are pulling."

"I got it." Rose said.

Rose and I carefully placed the Maid's body into the pit.

*Splash*

I watched as Rose poured the green water over Maid's body, waiting until she was fully submerged.

Then, without hesitation, I jumped into the water as well, sinking into the unknown depths while still bound by the rope.

Unconsciously, I counted the time; it took 18 seconds for me to reach the bottom.

"What do you wish to transfer to this woman?"

A voiceless voice asked.

Once again, I didn't hear this question with my ears, but I knew it was being asked.

"My eyes." my body answered on its own.

It was clear now that Maid had grown impatient and decided to expedite the process by overriding our free will.

I was surprised that her power still continued to affect me even in this place.

Well... not really surprised.

"You'll die. Do you still wish to transfer your eyes?"

My body fortunately didn't answer and waited.

I continued counting; 26 seconds had passed since I entered the water.

After 24 more seconds, I was pulled out.

*Splash*

I emerged from the water to find myself in Rose's arms.

I immediately got up and spoke to the Maid, not even thanking Rose for pulling me out.

My actions were being controlled for the sake of efficiency for the Maid.

Judging by Rose's actions, I guess she was in the same situation as I am.

"It took 20 seconds to pull you from the water." Maid said.

"I counted again. It took 18 seconds for me to hit the bottom, and it would take 8 seconds for me to say I accept the transfer."

"So, the ritual takes a total of 26 seconds." Maid said, deep in thought.

"Start pulling when 26 seconds have passed. I'll keep counting, and at the 45th second, I'll accept the transfer."

Oh, look at me, being practical and offering my life for the cause.

This person disgusts me, struggle a bit.

Well, my fate is tied, so there's no reason to delay.

No, all the more reason to delay.

Let's just take a moment to think about it.

No need to think,just take action for the sake of Miss Maid.

These thoughts are overflowing in my brain, a conflict within myself, and all I can do is have moments of outbursts.

"In that case, take this knife with you."

She creates a knife out of thin air and hands it to me.

"What is this for?" I,or rather, whoever is talking on my behalf,asked.

"Immediately stab yourself with this knife after accepting the transfer."

What the hell is she saying?

"Got it."

No! I have to refuse.

I'm not just going to watch myself get stabbed.

I'm trying to struggle with all my willpower, but it just vanishes every time I try to command my body.

"It will take your soul directly to the gate, which will bring you back to the living realm. Since your soul's bond with your body is still intact, you should return to your body safe and sound."

"I understand."

There's still a chance she's lying about that knife's ability.

I'd rather not stab myself with it until I'm sure it's 100% safe.

"Then I'll be going."

"Good luck."

But I don't have the luxury to question more,my body is just moving on its own.

It seems like my actions are limited to accepting whatever The Maid says.

My body started to walk towards the pit, but my eyes caught Rose, sitting still with an unnatural smile on her face.

I guess she's been ordered to stay silent and still by The Maid.

Otherwise, it's impossible for her to be quiet for this long.

*Thud*

My body stood over the pit.

I took a gaze at the Maid's body lying in it.

*Splash*

Then my body turned the tap, releasing the green water over the Maid's body.

She floated on the water until it reached a certain level, and then she was submerged.

*Splash*

My body jumped straight into the water, leaving me not even a second to protest.

I started counting.

Once again, it took 18 seconds for me to hit the ground.

Then the voiceless voice spoke,

"What do you wish to transfer to this woman?"

"My eyes."

"You'll die. Do you still wish to transfer your eyes?"

"..."

I didn't answer and continued counting.

27...28...29...

I need to count to 45, then say out loud "I accept" and stab myself with the knife Maid gave me.

30...31...32...

Wait a second! How is this knife even with me right now?

My real body is floating above, inside the ceiling of water.

But this knife was able to bypass that water alongside my soul.

33...34...35...

I don't understand how it's possible for this knife to be here with me.

Is it because it's not something real but something created by the Maid?

36...37...38...

I know I should be feeling worried right now, because if we fail this, I'm done for.

But Maid's power affects me, making me unable to feel panic.

Is this something I should be grateful for?

39...40...41...

I don't think so.

It's almost time.

I can only pray that my body doesn't mess up the timing.

If it does, at best, we get another chance to try again.

At worst, I will cease to exist.

Well, good luck, me.

42...43...44...

Please, just don't stab me in the gut.

Do it in the leg.

45!

"I accept!" I said as I stabbed myself in the gut with the knife.

I started speaking at the 45th second.

I should be done with my sentence by the 46th second, while stabbing myself at the same time.