Chapter 130

The training hall was unusually quiet.

It being late, the training time had probably ended, and the noble heirs might have applied for leave to attend the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.

Quietly, I began cantering, sweating it out.

The sound of my footsteps echoed alone. I tried to empty my mind, filled with distracting thoughts.

Thinking about my family’s old matters was none of my business.

Before I knew it, time had flown by. Bored with just cantering, I decided to stretch my body differently.

By the time I realized that the training hall was enveloped in darkness as the sun set, I was holding a wooden sword.

“…I didn’t realize how time flew.”

After placing the wooden sword back in its spot, I turned toward the direction of my accommodation when I suddenly thought about the next episode.

“Come to think of it, would it be alright to meet Radiel and Mark now?”

There was something always worth remembering.

Chapter 2 starts with a sub-episode and progresses into the main episode.

And the player must carry out this sub-episode.

When should it be carried out?

“Yeah, I can decide that.”

Of course, the player can decide. If they could specify the exact time, they could have prepared earlier.

In Episode III, I had already proven my worth as the lord of Rusmaier, but to maintain that status, I couldn’t return to the Duke’s House too quickly.

The nobles had colluded to isolate Rusmaier, and seeing them in such a state, they wouldn’t stay silent.

Moreover, there were explanations needed regarding the ore trade with the House of Aiferos, and the nobles could pick on the presence of the Yarikin people here.

It had been the same within the game itself.

In short, as the lord, it would be proper to stay and handle the situation directly before returning, but…

That wasn’t possible.

Since I had already returned to the Duke’s House and started the next branch, there was no way to go back to Rusmaier.

Instead, if someone else could solve this issue, it would work.

I immediately changed my destination from my accommodation to another place.

While Karsein has no one who can resolve the situation for him, there is someone who can fulfill my request.

I just needed to ask one of the knights in this training hall, preferably the one with the highest affinity.

“Knock knock.”

“Radiel? Are you inside?”

After lightly tapping the door, I heard a clatter from inside.

What’s going on? Radiel isn’t usually so noisy.

Before long, the door opened.

“Young Master? What brings you here?”

Radiel looked flustered as she asked, smiling awkwardly. Feeling slightly guilty, I scratched my cheek and closed the door behind me.

“Did I make you rush out? Sorry.”

“Yes, yes…”

“Take your time getting ready. Your buttons are all messed up.”

“Gasp!”

*Thud.*

Radiel is human. It’s easy to get flustered and mess up your clothes when rushing out.

I deliberately stepped away from the room and turned my back to give her space to change.

Even after giving her enough time, Radiel soon came out again.

“Oh, ahaha… Sorry, Young Master.”

She scratched her cheek sheepishly.

This time, she seemed to have dressed properly.

“Hmm…”

“Mark, when did you arrive?”

Mark coughed next to me.

For a moment, both were silent, then they looked at each other and laughed.

“Yeah, Young Master wouldn’t do something like that…”

“We were overthinking it.”

“Mark!”

“What are you talking about?”

What’s with this sudden nonsense?

‘Ah, never mind. As long as both of them are here, it’s better.’

I confirmed their affinity once more.

[Radiel Grupein]

[Affinity: 65%]

[Mark Redeltain]

[Affinity: 65%]

Their affinity levels were perfectly fine.

“Is there anything planned for either of you tomorrow?”

“Hmm… Not if you’re referring to the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting. Unlike Radiel, I’m a commoner.”

“In fact, my side doesn’t pose much of a problem either. My family isn’t suitable for taking the royal family exams.”

So that’s the case?

I took out a letter from my pocket and handed it to them.

“Then tomorrow, go to Rusmaier and show this to the village chief, Barak.”

“To Rusmaier?”

“I’m the lord there, but I can’t go right now.”

The two looked puzzled as I explained the current situation.

“I see. If the duke’s house gets claims from the nobles right when they have a schedule, it’ll be troublesome. Plus, there are Yarikins involved…”

“I understand. But, there’s a possibility the other party won’t trust us, so it’d be better to bring proof of your authority, Young Master.”

“I agree with Mark. The people of Rusmaier will follow your word, but the people in the west are more suspicious.”

“That sounds good. But…”

There’s a problem.

Karsein doesn’t have any items he could use as proof.

Given his background, he had nothing to begin with.

Since he came here following my order, there was nothing to show as proof, making it awkward.

Just then,

[Hidden Episode cleared!]

“Take these cufflinks with you.”

A window popped up with a familiar voice coming from behind.

Sure enough, when I turned, the pink hair stood out even in the dark.

It was Claire.

***

“Young Master, since the clothes you’re wearing are made at my boutique, I naturally have spare buttons. With the House of Bargrand’s crest on them, they can’t be tampered with easily, and anyone can recognize you as male. They’re perfect.”

Radiel and Mark agreed.

“Indeed. As Miss Claire said, the buttons with the House of Bargrand’s crest and the boutique’s engraving make it difficult for the nobles to find fault.”

“Even if they deny it, there’s only one male in the House of Bargrand. These cufflinks are clearly male, so it adds a lot of credibility.”

This was a highly rational piece of proof.

To ease the minds of the residents who might be uneasy, to gain the deep trust of the Yarikins who might get hurt by harsh words from the nobles, and to serve as a sharp sword against the nobles trying to stir trouble.

But why is Claire helping?

Why is she helping me?

*Ding!*

[The cufflinks are a reward for clearing the Hidden Episode!]

‘So that’s it.’

Well, of course.

It wouldn’t make sense otherwise.

But I shouldn’t focus solely on the rewards.

Claire’s visit was part of the inevitable branching choices for the next episode.

“Mark, Radiel.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

As they stepped aside, leaving me alone with Claire, she immediately made a request.

“…Can we move somewhere else?”

Moving somewhere else?

Well, it didn’t matter where we talked.

As long as I got the starting point of the sub-episode right.

“Lead the way. I’ll follow.”

Claire silently turned and led the way.

But…

Was it just my imagination?

I caught a glimpse of what seemed like a hard trace on Claire’s cheek through the fleeting light.

‘…Tears? Claire?’

Nonsense.

It’s impossible.

Even if Claire had heard something from Arshien, it wouldn’t make sense for her to cry.

Especially since they are close friends, it makes even less sense.

But that mark was unmistakable…

I knew it well.

*Click.*

Claire stopped walking.

Ironically, the place she headed towards was my accommodation.

“Want to talk in my room?”

“…Is that okay?”

“No, I mean… It’s not a problem.”

Actually, it was a good thing.

If I conducted the sub-episode in my room, there’d be fewer variables.

So, I was a bit surprised.

I wondered if something might happen.

But…

“Then just give me some water. I’m thirsty, and after that, I’ll tell you everything.”

Seeing her say this, I knew it was a perfectly correct line for advancing the sub-episode.

There was no worry about any problems arising.

The sub-episode would proceed smoothly.

‘Well, but maybe just in case, given how similar Claire is to the second sister.’

I moved to the kitchen and opened the shelf.

Even if it’s just an appearance, I should show proper manners to guests.

In case a guest comes, I have a teacup and teapot that Radiel brought me.

Mark prepared tea as well, saying it was right.

And there were pastries delivered in my name.

Instead of water, I filled a plate with some and offered it to Claire.

She moved her lips.

“…You really are…”

“What?”

I didn’t hear what she mumbled, but in between, Claire lifted the teacup and drank.

“It’s nothing. By the way… How’s your health?”

“My health?”

“Defeshan Syndrome.”

“Oh, that.”

“There’s no big problem. I haven’t been sick since then.”

“Really?”

“Sheiden treated you well, and you even helped start the fire in the fireplace. You shouldn’t be feeling too bad.”

It wasn’t just speculation; the status window confirmed I had fully recovered from Defeshan Syndrome, and the ailment had completely disappeared.

Of course, if it were to recur, I’d have to keep it a secret from Claire, who might nag.

Claire then held out a glass bottle.

It contained a blue liquid medicine.

“Still, take this. You need to take it for a while.”

What’s this? Normally, I’d nag, “You should take your own medicine, you know?” But…

Alright, it’s safer to take it just in case.

After all, she didn’t come here just to talk about this.

Claire took another sip of tea and then got to the point.

“Mom wants to take me out for a day. On the day we change the portrait. We’re replacing all the frames in the Duke’s Mansion by then, so I’ll be back.”

How long would I stay here before returning to the Duke’s House?

What clothes should I wear, and what’s the schedule for that day?

She explained the details of the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting.

The storyline was unfolding exactly as I remembered.

But…

Something felt off.

No, why is Claire doing this?

This can’t end so simply.

She should’ve told me not to miss the deadline and to come back quickly to avoid worrying Mom.

Or, before Arina starts nagging, she should have suggested coming to the Duke’s Mansion on her own.

If anything happened to my health, she should have warned me to bring me to the Duke’s Mansion right away.

“Is that all?”

I asked, unsure, but Claire nodded without much reaction and stood up.

I was prepared for a longer conversation, but everything was wrapped up with a brief explanation of the next episode.

Not yet over?

[Sub-episode. Returning Date in progress.]

[Returning date set. Returning…]

With this message in front of me, I wouldn’t doubt it.

If the sub-episode was in progress, it meant it was truly over.

Suddenly, Claire grabbed the doorknob at the entrance and asked me.

“Can I send a letter to clear the misunderstanding about the House of Rilfetten?”

“What?”

Taken aback by her unexpected question, I responded instinctively.

“The dealings with the nobles will no longer be blocked. But, I made a wrong response to the House of Rilfetten.”

“…”

“But, I might help them establish connections with other nobles.”

The dealings with the nobles and the House of Rilfetten. This was related to the incident when the Shatren Territory fell apart. It was also one of the constraints imposed on Karsein later.

I wasn’t sure why she brought this up now…

“On what basis should I believe you?”

I decided to draw a line first.

Claire smiled bitterly and opened the door.

“Alright, then consider what I just said as if I never said it. I guess I spoke nonsense again.”

*Kach.*

Her reaction still felt strange.

What’s going on?

*Ding!*

[Claire’s affinity increased!]

[Current level: 78%]

“…78%?”

While I wasn’t deeply concerned about Claire’s affinity, I remembered one thing.

The last time I checked, Claire’s affinity number started with a 5.

***

After leaving Karsein’s accommodation, Claire finally broke her silence once she was far enough away.

*Cough, cough!*

A dry cough escaped from her hoarse voice.

She had been trying hard not to show that she had cried in front of Karsein.

After coughing out all the phlegm, Claire glanced back with her eyes half-closed, and her reddened eyes were filled with sorrow.

“…You treat me like a guest.”

I specifically asked for water.

Instead, she brought tea, which was warm, not cold.

And she even offered pastries, treating me like a real guest.

Yet, I hadn’t treated her like a proper younger sister.

My chest felt tight.

This uncomfortable feeling wouldn’t go away.

Still, Claire composed herself and acted as if nothing happened, heading back to the Duke’s Mansion.

Someone might suspect something.

Mom might ask what happened.

Flora… Well, she might be okay, but she might have some doubts.

For Karsein, I had to act this way to avoid becoming a nuisance.

—