Chapter 238

“Huh.”

The unexpected scenery made me chuckle involuntarily.

Under the scorching sun, the light beaming down.

The soft, gentle sand reflecting that sunlight.

The sound of waves slicing through and entering the beach with a “Shhhaaa-“.

The salty smell wafting in with the gentle breeze.

Yeah. This is…

It’s the sea.

“Why am I here, of all places?”

Dazedly looking at the sea, I recalled the time leading up to this moment.

“Hey, Carsein.”

“Yeah?”

“Read this.”

It was the time for discharge from the infirmary.

Harnier handed me some kind of notice, which made me wonder what it could be.

The content was simple.

“I’ve already received my academic report… hmm? All participants of the Symposium are required to attend?”

I had to gather again in the conference hall where the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting took place.

There was no exception for any noble.

“Why would they call us all back when there’s no reason mentioned? Why does everyone have to attend?”

This was quite suspicious.

I had already received my academic report.

And nothing else related to the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting should have been expected from the organizing side.

By the end of Chapter 2, we were no longer connected to the Symposium.

Yet, they called us all back.

It felt really off.

“Did you also receive this?”

“Yes.”

If Harnier also received one, then it means all nobles must gather.

My eyes naturally turned toward the status window.

Chapter 2 was definitely cleared.

Having cleared the hospital visit episode, I was already at an episode in Chapter 3. This meant there was no chance of Chapter 2 extending due to some hidden episode.

Also, this window popped up:

▶Time needed until the start of Episode II.◀

▶Waiting Time: 3 days.◀

An episode requiring waiting time like this doesn’t suddenly change its content. Because that means it comes with essential events, and it’s an episode that needs to be progressed.

In short, I was far from any danger of the episode.

“Well, even so, I don’t particularly want to insert other incidents into the development…”

*rustle*

“But it has to be someone I can’t easily refuse.”

Peselros Empire’s royal family.

Since this notice came from the royal family, who organized the Symposium, there was no choice but to go.

“Let’s go together. We can’t refuse anyway.”

Thus, we headed to the conference hall.

“You can take this carriage.”

At the conference hall, guards suddenly appeared and told us to take a carriage, so Harnier and I moved together.

From the start, something felt off.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself on this unexpected beach.

“Everyone gathered here… Could it be?”

“Participants of the Symposium?”

“They don’t seem to have their parents or relatives here…”

After finishing Chapter 2, I thought there wouldn’t be any further connection with those noble children.

Someone spoke amidst the confusion.

“Because if their parents or relatives came too, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy ourselves properly, right?”

“That’s… Princess Arshien?”

“And Prince Florence is here!”

“Oh… But their outfits…”

Unlike the noble children dressed in dresses, suits, and uniforms, the two of them stood out uniquely in their attire.

“Why are they dressed like that? Oh, they’re already prepared.”

*Bam!

With a burst of fireworks, a banner unfolded.

Reading the text on it, I couldn’t help but feel astonished.

“You have much to learn and acquire. But from the results of this Symposium, I realized that sometimes learning through travel is necessary. Thus,”

Yes.

That word…

“The system of educational tours, known as ‘field trips,’ will be implemented starting this year!”

*Ding!

▶Emergency Mission Initiated!◀

▶Field Trip has begun. Aim for higher scores to win prizes!◀

Field trip.

This event was happening in the game.

***

When the term ‘field trip’ was mentioned, the Symposium participants started murmuring among themselves.

Some worried it might mean another test.

Others complained about having two tests back-to-back.

Some fretted about disappointing their clan heads, while others hoped for a smooth resolution.

But after hearing the princess and prince’s brief speeches, everyone seemed to put their worries aside.

Yes. It’s just a trip under the guise of learning.

A trip away from the familiar routine, the noble society, and the shackles of exams, a trip to run around and play in the sun.

Afterwards, everyone returned to nearby hotels to change clothes, and now they looked more suited to the beach.

…I was no exception.

“What a waste. I wondered why the swimsuit item existed in the game. Was it for this?”

Now I understood the true purpose of this seemingly useless item. How ridiculous.

“Well, actually, the most unreasonable thing is this situation.”

*Bam!

“This is my spike!”

“Where? That won’t work!”

“Try this!”

On one side, people were playing beach volleyball.

*Splash!

“Woah, this is really hard.”

“It must be if you want to do well.”

On the beach, some were surfing on boards over the waves.

*Slap! Slap!

“Gasp! Gasp…! Am I going too far?”

“Hey, you’ve only gone 10 meters.”

Someone was calmly swimming in the sea.

“Ahhh!”

“One left!”

“Try hitting him!”

Elsewhere, teams were playing dodgeball.

People were enjoying various water activities across different spots.

This scene itself felt absurd to me.

“What kind of messed-up game is this?”

Ah, it’s better not to think about it.

Even though the field trip felt out of place, examining every detail would only hurt my head.

Nodding, I shifted my gaze to the status window.

▶Emergency Mission Initiated!◀

▶Field Trip has begun. Aim for higher scores to win prizes!◀

“Anyway, since the episode isn’t progressing and the rewards for emergency missions look decent, it seems there’s no need to clear it?”

If that’s the case, there’s no reason for me to be here.

Field trip.

While the nobles were confused by accepting this, I might have been the quickest to adapt to it.

Just like in modern times, the same method, even the name and purpose, made this trip very familiar to me.

Yet, I didn’t like this trip.

“Leaving already?”

As I stood up from my spot in the shade and prepared to leave, the princess approached and asked.

“Hmm. Did my planned trip not suit you?”

“No, it’s not that.”

“No? The other nobles seem to be enjoying themselves, changing clothes and playing. You’re the only one leaving alone. There must be a reason if you’re not staying for fun.”

Arshien continued, puzzled.

“Perhaps my intentions were misunderstood? I planned this to give everyone something to enjoy without worrying about elders.”

“I don’t think your intentions or plans are wrong.”

Actually, planning such a trip in this era is quite brilliant.

“Right? Since we’re here, let’s enjoy it more. Aren’t you curious about what the first-place winner will get?”

…Annoying.

Just like the student council president.

No matter how much I try to leave, I can’t.

There’s no choice. I’ll have to speak directly.

“Princess, it seems you forgot my background.”

Arshien’s expression suddenly turned cold.

“Why bring that up now?”

“You know well why no one has spoken to me until now.”

It’s obvious.

Just like the real-life field trip.

Carsein is an outsider here.

“No one wants to be with a commoner like me. Not even to play, talk, or be around. That’s why my surroundings are empty.”

I was the same.

Although I entered a prestigious high school, everyone knew I was an adopted child, and this created walls.

So.

“I wasn’t supposed to be here in the first place. But I came because I didn’t want to defy the imperial order.”

If I left alone, leaving the walls intact, it would be best for both me and the nobles.

I finished explaining, and there’s no reason for me to stay here.

But my way forward was blocked again.

“Even those at the bottom enjoy their holidays. For someone as outstanding as you, a star of this Symposium, to leave first is absurd.”

By Princess Arshien.

“Was my explanation insufficient? Princess, you know very well what I meant.”

“I understand. In summary, you’re saying that no one likes you being here, so you want to leave?”

She chuckled.

“How about a bet?”

“A bet?”

“If even one person wants you to stay, you’ll remain. Otherwise, you can leave.”

What a bizarre proposal.

But now I see the trick.

“I’d refuse based on grades. Everyone knows my grades are the lowest.”

“Hehe. Unfortunately, that’s not what I meant, Your Highness.”

Arshien glanced at the nobles playing happily on the beach.

But she added, “They’re not the target.”

“Yes. As long as I don’t mention being the top of the Symposium, right?”

Then surely everyone here wants me to leave?

Just as I thought that—

Suddenly, Arshien raised her voice.

“Carsein, the prince, is leaving! Even though he hasn’t played much!”

The nobles playing on the beach looked around nervously.

But no one spoke up.

Silence fell with their silence.

‘That’s right.’

I tensed up thinking they had a plan, but it seems not.

I relaxed.

No one will stop me from leaving.

“I see no point in staying. Then I’ll return now—”

“No, you just got here. Why leave so soon?”

“Huh?”

I turned, startled, to see the pink-haired crazy girl shouting.

“Wow, you scared? Afraid I might drop you in the water?”

Behind her, a little kid peeped out, leaving tiny footprints in the sand.

“Scared of leaving? Hahaha!”

Claire peeked out from behind and said something incomprehensible.

Damn it. I tried to leave quietly, but what’s this?

Why are they stopping me instead of letting me go?

Confused by the unreasonable situation, Arshien giggled.

“Hehe. Your family feels the same?”

“I can’t believe it.”

“Even with two people trying?”

“Yes.”

Those people hate me just as much as the other nobles.

They must have another reason to hold me back.

“Those two are holding me here for another reason. Princess, your condition hinges on whether anyone shows kindness, right?”

“Hmm. That’s true.”

“Then, if no one else shows kindness, doesn’t that mean I can leave?”

Her gaze towards me remained unfriendly.

Therefore, I concluded no one was trying to stop me.

“Hmm. It seems someone still shows kindness.”

“What?”

Who could it be?

Where is this person?

*Tatatat.

Footsteps approached.

Could it be that person?

“Gasp! Gasp…! Leaving? Already?”

“…”

“Can’t we play a bit more? I just arrived…”

Oh, damn.

They were counting on this.

“Hehe. So be it? It seems your fiancée is siding with me in this bet.”

“…”

“What? What bet?”

Harnier, standing behind, looked bewildered.

Arshien turned and said proudly.

“Enjoy yourself, Prince. Got it?”

“…Sigh.”

“There’s no turning back. Hehehe.”

Arshien went away with a satisfied look.

I got tricked.

I should have checked more carefully.

I rashly assumed no one would show kindness.

‘…How can the same thing happen twice?’

Back then, the student council president made a similar bet to keep me.

Vaguely remembering, it was just like the field trip back then.

And…

“Hey, Minhyuk? Not going back, right?”

“Hey, Carsein? Not going back?”

The bet’s result strangely overlapped.

Just like Ji-eun, I couldn’t escape this trip thanks to Harnier’s sudden appearance.

“…No, I’m not going back. Or rather, I can’t go back.”

“What? What bet did you make?”

Harnier led me away, saying it’s enough.

I don’t want to be suspected of not being a couple.

I see.

If that’s the reason, I shouldn’t go back.

‘…Seems I’m stuck with Ji-eun again.’

Why does this keep happening?

Is it my mood?