Chapter 7

The morning dawned as I opened my eyes.

With a cold lingering, the end of a day filled with suffering was simple rest after a light meal.

Claire noticed late and brought some gruel, I remember being annoyed while eating it. But after that, no memories from lying in bed remain.

So, I must have slept through the entire day.

“Haa. So this is what it feels like to recover from fatigue and a status ailment.”

If we look at it differently, there really isn’t any other way to recover in reality. Well, eating well and sleeping soundly is the best way to recover anyway.

There’s nothing to be done about the time that has already passed.

Knock knock.

“Breakfast is served.”

Already, breakfast had arrived.

Today too, it started with gruel. It seemed that Claire’s hurried order to the maids to remove the dishes from my room yesterday helped, so I don’t think there will be any indigestion.

However,

“I’ll go see.”

If there’s anything different, first, the maid has changed. Originally, this task should have been handled by Camila, but due to recent events, the game storyline dictates that the maid has changed.

Secondly,

“Just by her expression, she seems full of complaints.”

This maid clearly dislikes me. While I know how Carsein is perceived within the Duke’s House, the affinity box for the maid was slightly darker than yesterday.

No matter which way you look at it, it’s not a good sign.

Camila had given strange things to Carsein initially, but she wasn’t one to spread rumors or gossip.

But what about this maid? She might spread rumors somewhere, becoming a threat to me. If that happens, my affinity with the household staff will continue to decline.

“So the Duke’s House is definitely a place I need to escape from, but right now, it’s impossible.”

There’s a strict system of hierarchy, and the world outside is harsher than anything comparable to Korea. Perhaps something is happening that I’m not even aware of.

Ironically, the most dangerous place is also the best place to hunker down for now. So, immediate escape is out of the question.

“First, I need to avoid choices that trigger bad endings. If I can get past that, I’ll aim to disable the Dead Trigger itself.”

A user on a forum had called the choices leading directly to bad endings “Dead Flags,” and the events that could activate these “Dead Triggers.”

That description fits perfectly.

The term “flag” doesn’t require much explanation.

And “trigger”? Literally, a trigger. The appearance of a Dead Flag changes depending on the flow of events and holds like a loaded gun until the right moment.

So, no one knew exactly when or why these choices would suddenly lead to a bad ending, making everyone puzzled.

Now that I’ve entered the game, I’m likely facing a major Dead Trigger.

“…I need to get Camila out first.”

Even after possession, the story hasn’t changed much. Carsein fell ill with a cold, and Camila, his dedicated maid, was suspected. Thus, Camila became a prime suspect and was locked up in an isolation room.

If it stays this way, I’m doomed because of Camila’s enormous Dead Trigger.

Hints were given, albeit faintly, through the maid’s affinity boxes and reactions.

Camila was well-liked among the maids for her social skills, making it rare for anyone to dislike her within the household.

Since she was my maid, criticism inevitably turned towards me. Therefore, getting Camila out of the isolation room is not a choice but a necessity.

But before that, I need to progress in the episode.

Creak.

My door, which the maid had knocked on before, was suddenly thrown open. It’s fine, though; it’s someone who deserves it.

“What’s the matter? Arina.”

Being the eldest daughter of the Bargrand Duke’s House means something.

***

Arina walked over confidently and looked disdainfully at the meager table with only one bowl of food.

“You didn’t eat all the carefully prepared meals, but you’re content with such a measly thing?”

I knew it would come to this, but hearing it still made me feel down. Still, there’s no point in telling the truth.

After all, I already know that speaking up won’t change anything.

“It’s still the same food from the Duke’s House. What’s the problem?”

“Same? The cook who placed the food on your table yesterday would be shocked!”

“Ha.”

“You seem to find humor in this situation. Our family is suffering greatly because of you.”

That forced laugh escaped despite myself, born from the absurdity.

Even if it looks shabby, it saved my life. Not the extravagant food prepared by Claire and you, but this saved my life.

I held back the urge to speak sharply as the laughter escaped.

There’s so much more to say, but I held my tongue.

Ding!

▶Episode II – The Maids’ Complaints Begin!◀

▶Answer Arina’s question!◀

[1. Why are you so irritable? Just leave and stop ruining my appetite?]

[2. Why bring up Mother? She wouldn’t even visit even if I were sick.]

[3. It’s not stubbornness… Ugh. Forget it. What’s the point of talking to you? You’re crazy.]

…

…

Finally, the beginning of the main story.

Some great choices have appeared.

From the start of the episode, multiple choices spread out, with traps and everything in between.

[6. You didn’t come here for that, did you?]

“You didn’t come here for that, did you?”

It couldn’t be for such a trivial reason. Not Arina Bargrand.

“There’s no need for me to relay anything to you. Did you come to show me what you’re holding?”

“Huh. Yeah. You didn’t come for my meal. Wait a moment. I need to fetch something else.”

After a short while, Arina returned with another stack of documents. They looked significantly thicker than what she brought earlier.

These documents contained profiles of all the servants working in the Duke’s House, detailing their responsibilities and performance.

Why show me this? This must be the main event.

“The Duke’s House is currently very busy preparing for a major event. We’ve spent a lot of time on it, and other issues have arisen. But since you caused an incident, we have no choice but to pay more money.”

I can guess.

Given the tight schedules of all the servants, there’s only one thing they could tell me.

“So, you want to pick a new maid for me?”

“You know well. With all your misdeeds, Camila, who worked diligently despite your behavior, is under suspicion. We plan to find her another job soon. Doubts will clear up soon.”

Arina added, seemingly giving me a choice.

But this isn’t giving me a choice; it’s a scolding.

Carsein, the master, is known for his wicked ways, and few servants wanted to serve him. Even so, Camila took on the work herself.

Yes, it’s just unsaid.

“As a result of this mess, the Duke’s House is even busier. This is all due to your negligence in health management.”

It’s practically scolding.

However,

I can’t understand it.

“Why is it Carsein’s fault?”

Rather, he’s the victim. He had to take a cold shower, worked while sick, received indifferent responses, and barely ate. Then he got a malicious dessert.

He’s clearly the victim. There’s no reason to blame him for this.

“Mother must be worried sick. If you have a conscience, handle it yourself so it doesn’t affect the whole family.”

Like the words I heard from the eldest son in that house.

Ding!

Just as I was about to snap, a choice appeared. I should quickly choose the right answer and get rid of this girl, but I couldn’t help but say something.

“The damage is already done by you—”

Beep beep!

Suddenly, my vision turned red, and my speech was controlled. A warning window popped up.

WARNING!

WARNING!

WARNING!

The surroundings buzzed as if red alarms were flashing, and a continuous siren echoed in my ears.

Eventually, a status window appeared.

WARNING! You cannot perform this action!

A serious error that could cause the story to collapse has been detected!

Please select another option.

If the same action is repeated, penalties will be enforced!

“Damn.”

CURRENT WARNING COUNT: 1

NEXT WARNING WILL RESULT IN PENALTY.

RANDOM CHOICE FORCED 5 TIMES.

Due to my inability to hold back, this window appeared.

Forced random choices aren’t really random; it’s practically a death sentence.

It’s frustrating, but I can’t even express what I want to say… But this is indeed my mistake.

Still, I gained something.

“At least, I can only intervene within the story.”

I gathered information.

I can twist choices, but I can’t refuse them entirely. At the very least, I need to recite key dialogues.

Also, once choices appear, actions outside those choices are restricted. And a warning appeared saying that the next time, I’d be killed outright.

Though unreasonable, gathering such details might exploit the system’s vulnerabilities.

“Be careful, Kim Min-hyuk. Don’t act on emotion.”

I sighed, looking at the timer indicating the game would resume shortly.

“Mother must be worried sick. If you have a conscience, handle it yourself so it doesn’t affect the whole family.”

Arina’s dialogue repeated in my ear as if she had spoken it again.

My voice should have been audible, but there was no reaction. Or rather, it felt like everything was erased.

“For now, I need to survive. First, I need to pick the right answer… Hmm?”

While complaining, I spotted an object emitting light from the shelf to the floor. It was undoubtedly a Memorial.

“If this is Carsein’s room map… it must be the carriage doll.”

Memorials reveal Carsein’s past and occasionally provide crucial clues to solving episodes.

Though I already know the gist,

“It can’t be that simple.”

This wasn’t just a hunch.

As soon as I reached for the carriage doll, my vision turned white.

***

On a sunny day, a normal day in the Empire.

Citizens began their energetic day under the spring sun, brimming with vitality.

Even in the slums, the spring sun had arrived. For children abandoned on the streets, unaware of their parents, the cold winter had passed, and the warm spring sun was comforting.

One day,

A woman, with lifeless eyes searching for a child across the nation, found a spark.

“Aa…! Here, you were!”

The spark in the woman’s eyes recognized Carsein standing before her.