Chapter 247

▶ Sub Episode. Cleared the call from Isabella. ◀

▶ Achievement Level: 82% ◀

As soon as I left Isabella’s room, her status window popped up.

From the set achievement level, you can tell that everything was cleared without any problems.

But I could say I missed a clear opportunity.

The damage to Shatren from the Waglew Faction was significant. The soil, which had been gradually returning while being plowed, was ruined again due to the fertilizer reapplied. It also got worse trying to deceive the Waglew Faction through smoke.

Anyway, to produce Shatren’s specialties again, money is needed. I missed the chance to collect that money.

Moreover, Isabella didn’t know at all that Arina had come looking for me. If I use this, I might be able to eliminate unfavorable conditions and manage to get through the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Tournament just fine.

I kicked away that opportunity by myself with the phrase “It’s not needed.”

Someone might call me foolish, but this was my choice.

I don’t want to rely on this family and go forward.

After all, I’m going to become someone else.

Once I step out, I won’t see them again.

So, as cleanly as possible.

In a way that they absolutely can’t hold onto me.

Leaving no trace whatsoever.

It was possible to do something in advance.

That’s why this chapter, Chapter 3, I really liked in the game.

However, since I possessed someone, I thought some sort of variable would appear suddenly.

“There’s no particular restriction since I’ve possessed someone.”

Then, I can live self-sufficiently without any problem.

Like when I started a part-time job and discovered other ways to earn money and threw myself into that work.

Satisfied with the situation that hadn’t changed much, I walked down the corridor.

And met someone at an incredibly inconvenient timing.

“…”

The red ponytail stops.

Blue eyes stare at me, slightly wrinkling her brow.

-Beep!

▶ Complete conversation with Arina. ◀

Yeah, in front of me was Arina.

What a strange situation.

Arina at this timing. Both the place and timing reminded me of that moment.

‘Well, how about reacting like during morning greetings?’

I immediately switched to the choice window.

But… nothing seemed to suit my taste.

[1. (Silently pass by)]

[2. Don’t misunderstand. You called because of the Symposium gift.]

[3. Do you need anything?]

Option 2 seems like Carsein is backing off as if he did something wrong.

Option 3… I could get one piece of information, but I already have it from the game. There was no issue with it, even during retries.

So, the answer is Option 1.

If I choose Option 1, Arina will misunderstand and try to grab me. Clearing the misunderstanding will increase affinity and smoothly progress without issues.

‘But I don’t like this.’

Seeing these unsatisfactory options, I felt I had to take control of the situation this time.

“If you say it’s because of the Symposium gift, you’d naturally doubt it, right, Arina?”

“What nonsense are you talking about all of a sudden?”

Arina frowned and retorted at me.

The choice window refreshed and displayed another option.

Smiling inwardly, I chose that option.

[2. (Mockingly) You’re thinking I put a spell on your mother, right?]

“I’m thinking you put a spell on the Duchess, right, after seeing me leave this room?”

Hearing this, Arina’s expression twisted.

She seemed quite displeased.

I answered her with a playful shoulder shrug.

“Don’t worry. I said we’ll attend the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Tournament and accepted the terms. Since the allowance given as the Symposium gift doesn’t fit my status, I didn’t accept it. In short, none of what you think happened.”

“You…!”

Arina couldn’t help but distort her face.

“Don’t exaggerate. I didn’t think or suspect such a thing!”

“Really? I thought you might react like during morning greetings.”

“Morning greetings…?”

Thinking deeply upon hearing ‘morning greetings,’ Arina’s lips curled slightly, remembering that moment.

Her expression was quite pleasant to see.

I passed by Arina without looking back.

***

Inside a clothing store.

To avoid receiving customers separately, the shop has hung a ‘Closed’ sign. Despite this, it’s busier than ever.

Whether it’s clothes or accessories, or various cosmetics to enhance beauty.

Employees, with fire in their eyes, are working hard to make someone look beautiful.

Inside the changing room.

Harrier, fully dressed in attire, stepped out after opening the curtains.

All employees gasped in admiration.

No, it wasn’t just admiration.

“Oh my god…”

“Oh yes. This is art. This is beautification!”

“How long have we waited for this day.”

This was a scene they deeply wished for.

The flower that always pursued simplicity and hid its brilliance was finally in full bloom.

Seeing such a reaction from the guild employees, Harrier shyly asked,

“Is this really right…? I don’t think it needs to be this elaborate…”

Hearing this, the employees widened their eyes.

“Of course! It’s perfect!”

“This isn’t enough. We need to do more to make it look good!”

“A lady like you should have been allowed to dress up like this long ago.”

They all denied it with one voice.

Harrier, overwhelmed by their fierce energy, involuntarily broke into a cold sweat.

Despite this, she still didn’t believe it, so she asked again,

“But it’s just a martial arts tournament. Why do I need to dress up unless I’m putting on a fashion show?”

“Miss! That’s not it!”

The employees glared fiercely and vehemently denied it, covering Harrier’s doubts.

Even though they explained that it shouldn’t be done, Harrier reluctantly agreed under their pressure.

“Hmm. You should wear this on the day of the event.”

“Anything else needed? What else is there?”

“Fragrance! It should have a subtle yet stimulating scent.”

“That’s true! Let’s go pick one! We need to find one that suits you, Miss.”

With lively discussion, the employees rushed out together.

Finally, Harrier could catch her breath as everyone left.

“Hehe. It must be tiring, right?”

“Yes. It’s even more exhausting than I thought. To do all this on the day of the event too.”

Catching her breath…

A sigh involuntarily escaped her lips.

From morning, she was scrubbed like mad until she shone.

She was soaked in all sorts of medicinal baths and cleansing agents.

Changing clothes and decorating herself like a doll was no easy task.

“Miss. This is already decent. Other noble ladies have it much harder. Their clothes are tight, and they even diet to make it look better.”

“Eeek…”

Shuddering at the thought, Harrier felt sick.

But there is a reason for this rehearsal.

Mina smiled wickedly and threw her final curveball.

“Still, you want to look pretty in front of Carsein, right?”

“…”

There was no denial.

Instead, her cheeks flushed red with silence.

Heat rising from somewhere produced the same effect.

The desire of a woman who wants to look pretty in front of her beloved.

The desire of a woman who wants to guard her man from other women.

These intense feelings born from love were powerful enough to endure the strenuous rehearsals.

“It doesn’t look weird, does it?”

“Do you even need to ask? You’re the most beautiful person in the world. It’s not strange for men to be enchanted by you.”

“Stop! That’s enough!”

Of course, it will take some time to get used to this shyness.

Mina cleared her throat to emphasize.

“Ahem. Of course, you haven’t forgotten, but it’s important to mention again. At the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Tournament, the fiancée’s appearance is the biggest support for the fiancé.”

“Mmm. Ah, I know.”

“I’m glad you understand. Then, shall we start making real support items now?”

“Real support…? Isn’t this enough?”

“What? Are you saying you think this is all there is?”

“Tha, that’s… No… Yeah?”

Not realizing it was all there was, Harrier fiddled with her index fingers.

Mina sighed heavily and rubbed her forehead.

“Well, it makes sense. The lady was never properly proposed to; she was just sold off.”

In that situation, there was no time to exchange tokens of affection or confirm love.

She had learned everything from the etiquette books.

There is still a long way to go.

Though she has awakened, there’s a mountain of things to teach.

Fortunately, there is one good point.

-Splash!

“Are you okay with not letting Carsein be taken by another woman?”

“O-of course!”

The determination not to let him be taken by another woman was clear.

Jealousy.

This emotion that Harrier possesses will be her greatest weapon.

“Then, shall we make a token of your own?”