Chapter 117

“Haa.”

A sigh escaped involuntarily.

If even a small clue was found in this game, it affected the choices available.

That’s why…

I was sure there would be no obstacles in my dealings with Marquis Aiferos.

No, rather than an obstacle, it felt more like a stepping stone had been placed.

The box for Marquis Aiferos starts at -5%.

He doesn’t seem to like Carsein and tries to face me with a sword during the transaction process, which is the biggest premise for continuing our deal.

However, I already had a significant impact on this Episode.

By chance, I met him at the tavern, pulled him out from drunkards, and questioned the Empire’s prejudice against Yarikins.

Through this, I learned about Pollux Tootlum and my affinity rose vertically from -5% to 12%.

Isn’t that enough?

I was told I am different from the Imperials who hate Yarikins.

With Harnier being someone I know, it made me more accessible, and after shaking hands and introducing ourselves, we remembered each other’s names.

Even if it wasn’t Carsein, my beliefs inside were surely well conveyed to him.

Meeting at the tavern was certainly a strong contact that clearly captured each other’s first impressions. It seems there was no atmosphere for system intervention.

What about the problems after that?

Since we know each other, there’s no need for separate introductions.

It doesn’t seem like I’ve upset Pollux up to this point.

Though there are still people showing gray boxes, they don’t seem to care much about me.

There was no problem.

“But, why?”

“I want to face you with a real sword, not a wooden one.”

“If I avoid this match, I won’t consider dealing with you either.”

Why does Pollux want to duel with me?

I can’t understand why I have to continue this match when I thought it was over and deemed it as a mistake.

After much contemplation, no answer came.

Eventually, my gaze returned to the status window.

“Episode III. Proving as a Lord is ongoing!”

“Finish the deal with Marquis Aiferos and Pollux Tootlum through a duel!”

Seeing the same system message as before, but with only the episode number changed, I concluded with a single verdict.

“…Does this mean I can’t avoid it? Just like this too?”

If this is also part of the predetermined sequence, then I can’t avoid it.

That’s how I concluded.

Closing my eyes tightly and then opening them to check the status window, I immediately grabbed a sword and went outside.

There, Harnier stood in front of me with her hand on her hip, squinting her eyes.

For some reason, she looked quite dissatisfied.

“Carcein, where are you going now?”

“As you can see, I’m going outside.”

“What are you going to do outside?”

“Well, I think I’ll swing a sword a few times.”

I hadn’t decided exactly what to do.

Whether it was training or beating up a few monsters, all I could think about was needing to fill in my lacking stats somehow.

If the deal with Pollux fails, it’s practically a dead flag.

But before I could even step outside,

She pushed me aside and locked the door.

“You really think it makes sense to hold a sword and go outside when you haven’t slept for hours? This isn’t common sense, you know.”

“I can adjust my sleep time enough.”

At least, that’s what I thought. However, Harnier’s eyebrows grew sharper.

“No way. Come here and sit down.”

She grabbed my arm and forced me to sit on the sofa, narrowing her eyes and tapping the sofa to insist I sit.

“Pollux wants to duel under optimal condition for the deal. So, shouldn’t we think about Defeshan Syndrome first?”

Harnier said, holding up herbs.

I hadn’t forgotten either.

But…

“I’ve consumed it several times, but it didn’t change anything.”

I know that consuming these doesn’t solve Defeshan Syndrome.

◆Iselef Leaf

[A leaf that helps activities in the west region corrupted by mana.]

◆Amperik Root

[A root that helps activities in the west region corrupted by mana.]

As expected, the game description is exactly the same, without any difference in wording.

The item description clearly states that it helps activities in the west region corrupted by mana.

But even if I consume it, the effect doesn’t manifest.

This is something I realized multiple times while progressing through episodes in the west region.

“Do you speak as if you’ve personally tried this? Did you come to the west region before I knew about it?”

“Uh? No, that’s…”

While I’ve visited many times in the game, this is my mistake.

“Hmm. I ate it in the Duke’s House.”

“In the Duke’s House… like this?”

“It’s disgusting, you know.”

Thinking back, this is actually a true anecdote.

Carsein says he finds this disgusting.

And disgusting?

That’s a good excuse.

“Flora played a trick on my food once. I didn’t intend to eat it, but it happened by accident.”

It’s a lie, but… it’s true.

I remember eating it once because of Flora.

“Hmm… I see.”

Alright, I bought it.

“But, the important thing right now isn’t this talk. Let me go. I need to warm up a bit to show Pollux all my skills. The quarry in Rusmaier needs this. There’s no better place.”

I think this is enough reason.

I highly value the deal with Pollux.

As a lord of Rusmaier, Marquis House of Aiferos is a great trading partner for selling quarry.

To finalize this deal, I need to sharpen my skills to face him.

I didn’t think this would stop her from letting go of my hand.

Unexpectedly, Harnier sighed.

“From the way you’re catching onto things, I can tell your condition is extremely bad, Carcein.”

“What do you mean?”

“When Pollux talked about Defeshan Syndrome, you couldn’t even remember what he said. He definitely mentioned a special method to consume it.”

“…Huh?”

Did I miss that?

“I bet the Carcein I know wouldn’t miss such details. Moreover, why don’t you consider this even though you’re standing on this land?”

“…”

“Sleep deprivation is one of the factors that disrupts concentration. You might think you’re fine, but showing such flaws is undeniable.”

Harnier tapped the sofa again.

“So, will you spend the whole day resting here as I suggested?”

Trapped with no escape, I couldn’t deny that by not answering her questions, I admitted to being sleep-deprived.

Sitting down, I tried to explain a bit.

“Concentration is indeed impaired, but it’s not due to lack of sleep.”

“Aww, making excuses again.”

“Seriously. I naturally don’t sleep much.”

“Hmm. Then let’s test it.”

“Huh?”

“Iselef Leaf and Amperik Root need to be steeped in hot water to make tea. Drinking this creates resistance against mana’s corruption, but it also induces sleep by extracting mana.”

“…So, drinking this will make me fall asleep?”

“Exactly.”

Harnier clapped her hands with a smile.

“The sleep induced here is not just regular sleep; it activates the body’s defense mechanism. If you’re truly tired, it requires longer rest.”

“Hmm. I see.”

Now, Harnier’s argument makes sense.

The effect of the tea activates the body’s defense mechanism, directly linking fatigue to sleep duration.

The more tired I am, the longer I sleep. This should be fine.

‘Like a high school student juggling schoolwork and a part-time job.’

I readily asked for the tea.

But I overlooked one crucial detail.

This is Carsein’s body.

—

Harnier prepared the tea and handed it to Carsein, who drank it and soon fell asleep.

Seeing this, she finally relaxed.

“How can someone sleep for just two hours a day? Should I call it strong willpower or stubbornness?”

Tapping his cheeks with her index finger, she finally spoke to him.

“Even if it’s just a contract engagement, you say such things? Ugh, ugh. If I hadn’t told Pollux that, I’d have stayed awake again today. Right?”

Each tap on his cheek.

Regardless, the man is sound asleep. Naturally, he doesn’t plan to wake up.

Sometimes, looking at him sleeping, a slight warmth rises.

“Still, it’s better to sleep comfortably.”

Harnier had fallen asleep in Harneier’s arms after the carriage ride, exhausted.

It was his consideration.

Although I was so startled that I pushed him away, I couldn’t leave him to hit his head on the carriage, so I doubt I doubted it.

Also, when I pushed, a book fell.

Probably, he held it with one arm awkwardly, reading with the other.

And…

“…”

The warmth of his shoulder pressed against mine was certainly cozy.

How many hours did I sleep peacefully like that?

“Eugh. Why am I thinking about this!”

Shaking her head vigorously, Harnier tried to shake off those memories.

Focusing more on moving the sleeping Carsein to the bedroom properly instead of dwelling on the past.

“Gruh…!”

Hmm, why is he so heavy?

Surely, Carsein isn’t that big.

Trying to lift him again with more strength.

“Gruh, h, ha…”

Moving a slender woman’s body to carry a man to the bedroom is too exhausting.

If I had known, I would have given him the tea in the bedroom.

What should I do?

I didn’t want to leave him in such an uncomfortable position.

“Alright. At least I’ll put him on the sofa.”

Taking a pillow and blanket from the bedroom, Harnier quickly changed Carsein’s sleeping spot to the sofa.

But during this time, something unusual happened to Carsein’s body.

“Huh? The room isn’t that warm… Why is he sweating?”

Throwing the pillow and blanket aside, she immediately wiped Carsein’s sweat.

Her cold skin touched her fingertips.

“Could it be…?”

Just as I mentioned earlier, this tea induces sleep and activates the body’s defense mechanism, a natural response to adapt to mana.

This means that something causing the defense mechanism to activate could be a side effect.

Thus, the simultaneous drop in body temperature and cold sweat can be seen as a side effect and symptom of adapting to mana.

“Some people experience a drop in body temperature as a side effect. This happens during the adaptation period to mana and if the immune system is weak, it could happen faster.”

“Body temperature… needs to be raised.”

Building a fire in the fireplace would work, but it’s winter and in the west region, it’s difficult to gather wood quickly. With his body temperature dropping rapidly, there’s no time for that.

Before finding someone to help with Carsein’s side effects, noticing his abnormality would be quicker.

Suddenly, the incident with the carriage came to mind.

Harnier recalled the warmth left on her shoulder.

“…Yes. That could work.”

All I have here are a blanket and pillow.

I can’t move him to another spot on the sofa, and the best I can do is share body heat.

If Carsein can do it, why can’t I?

Lying on the narrow sofa, she wrapped her arms around Carsein’s body.

Covering him with the blanket to prevent heat loss.

But Carsein’s body was too cold.

Terrifyingly cold.

“This might not be enough…”

A chill ran down her spine.

What if he stops breathing in this state?

Heat needed to transfer faster.

Slipping her hand under his clothes, exposing his bare skin.

Shoulders and collarbones exposed, her soft chest pressing against Carsein’s body, but she wasn’t aware.

The cold needed to return faster.

“Why are you making me suffer like this? Really.”

Despite her complaints, she wished he would wake up without any issues.

Harnier hugged Carsein tightly, closing her eyes.