Chapter 266

-째액. 짹.

“으응…?”

sparrows chirping woke Harnier from a troubled sleep.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she immediately felt a sense of unease and blinked her eyes wide open.

It was clearly night.

Ariana’s birthday hadn’t even started during the day, and when chasing after Carsein, the sun had already set.

Even more so, when the Oath Gem shone, it was dawn.

But how could such bright light be shining through the window?

There was no other explanation but that morning had come.

Waking up to find it was morning…

She felt a familiar sensation.

‘Could it be…’

Just as Harnier turned her head toward the approaching footsteps,

The door clicked open.

“Did you wake up?”

“Ah…”

With a faint sigh, Harnier felt a strange unease.

She asked Carsein, who had just opened the door and came in, with a hint of hope.

“Can you explain why I’m here…?”

She hoped it wasn’t what she feared…

“I found you sleeping outside and carried you in.”

“Ah!”

Surely not!

In fact, she already knew.

The fact that she was sleeping on this bed was undeniable proof.

Although the scenery she saw while looking out at night was always outside this room, coming inside now made everything fall into place.

She simply fell asleep.

Carsein had just brought her into this room and put her to bed when he found her.

How could she have fallen asleep like this when she had promised herself not to leave him alone?

She felt a moment of self-loathing.

Moreover, look at what Carsein is holding.

He has food and drink.

‘Idiot! I should have brought those things myself!’

Seeing this, she buried her face in her hands in self-pity.

Meanwhile,

As Carsein placed breakfast on the table to quell his hunger, he said:

“Don’t act so stubborn from now on.”

“…What?”

“Even if you do, sleeping outside like that, what can you do?”

Her weak self falling asleep was an accident.

This clearly caused inconvenience for Carsein.

‘But this means…’

Just moments ago, she was overwhelmed by self-pity, shame, and resentment towards herself, but…

Upon hearing Carsein’s words, all the accumulated feelings like old dust vanished, and something else began to swell.

“You’re lucky it’s in the west, where you know people. Otherwise, it would have been bad. And if you catch a cold sleeping outside, what will you do? Anyway, be careful.”

Her lips involuntarily curved upwards.

Acting foolishly outside and making others worry.

Asking if she needed anything, she ended up leaning against the door and falling asleep herself.

Finally, she made them carry her to bed, causing trouble for others. That’s why Carsein lectured her.

But this wasn’t just a lecture.

Though not a scolding or a harsh reprimand, there was something subtle in his voice.

-Thunk. Thunk.

Her heart raced again.

Harnier grinned slyly and pressed her body against Carsein’s side.

“Rather than breakfast, let’s rest like this a little longer.”

Though it was a nag, she secretly felt happier.

She needed time to think about what to do for him.

***

After having breakfast together,

They left that room together.

When organizing things, their hands were not two, but four.

Their legs moved together towards the predetermined place.

She held his hand and got into the carriage, and they returned together in the same carriage.

How did this happen?

She was alone when she came, but now she’s going back with two people.

‘Alright. I shouldn’t worry about this right now.’

-Ting!

▶Episode IV begins. The one who proves their qualifications starts now.◀

▶Depending on your behavior and results during the martial arts tournament, you will earn Noblesse Points.◀

▶Warning! The current gaze directed at you is not favorable!◀

“Look, she’s here.”

“Her sister’s birthday passed, and if she didn’t come with her family, it seems she didn’t prepare any gifts.”

“Either way, she’s her sister. Isn’t it too indifferent?”

At one point, they whispered that she should be considered for succession, but the rumors subsided, and yesterday’s incident took over.

Given how the situation has unfolded, the future is predictable.

-Ting!

▶Nobles are gossiping about your actions.◀

▶You can choose appropriate choices to respond appropriately.◀

Indeed, there are choices to be made.

Just as always.

Surprisingly, here, choosing the right choice to respond to the nobles is the correct answer.

Currently, I am participating in the martial arts tournament, so if I defame the participants in any way, I can rightfully protest against that person.

But, I didn’t do that.

Unlike the game, I need to clear Chapter 3 in a completely different way.

While I might need to step in depending on the situation, that’s not the case now.

I should just ignore it and move on.

However, I tried to ignore it, but this seems to bother me.

-Swish.

Harnier’s body pressed closer than before.

Yet, she glared sharply at anyone who dared to speak carelessly, not allowing them to insult freely.

Then, some of the young ladies who were criticizing me cleared their throats and fanned themselves. In social circles, this is known as ‘letting your tail down’.

‘…That’s surprising.’

If they continued to say harsher things to me, I was ready to choose an option to make an example of them.

▶Those spreading rumors behind your back have fallen silent.◀

▶Choices disappear.◀

But just with this action and one look from Harnier, the choices disappeared entirely.

“This time, it won’t be like yesterday. I’ll stay by your side.”

“…”

She tightened her arm around mine, urging me to go quickly.

I couldn’t say anything.

Maybe it will be okay.

Thinking this, I followed Harnier.

***

From dawn until morning,

We spent time together, but now it’s time to part ways.

I cautiously spoke to her.

“You should go back now, Harnier.”

Condition management, equipment maintenance, and inspection, and a simple warm-up are necessary preparations before the start. During this time, even my fiancée or family shouldn’t interfere.

But, unexpectedly, she hugged my arm tightly.

“…Harnier?”

“There’s still time. It’s not bad to stay a bit longer. Is it weird for lovers to act like this?”

…Well, that’s true.

Isn’t acting as lovers enough?

If the goal is to engrave our image in people’s minds, we’ve shown ourselves to many people already. Do we really need to show more?

Anyway, according to her standards, maybe it’s necessary.

Accepting this, I was about to let it go when she said,

“I’m sorry. I forced you. I guess I was a bit anxious.”

“Is that so?”

“But I will definitely do what I need to. So… close your eyes for a moment.”

“Close my eyes?”

“Quickly! Don’t ask…”

…What is she planning?

I closed my eyes as she wished.

If it’s a prank, I’ll just go along with it—

-Plop.

‘…Hmm?’

Something soft touched my cheek.

It was moist and warm, leaving even a faint touch audible only to me.

“Good luck in the match, Carsein!”

Leaving these words, Harnier turned away, clutching her dress.

She was so quick, her figure already gone from sight.

“…”

Feeling awkward, I gently touched the spot where it had touched.

The moisture was still there.

The warmth and softness remained.

I guessed—

“It must have been her lips.”

It feels awkward.

So awkward that my mind froze momentarily.

Is there a custom like this?

Or is this how one shows support during a martial arts match?

Perhaps to dispel any suspicions, she used affectionate gestures to avoid suspicion.

All sorts of thoughts flashed through my mind,

But all that remained was awkwardness.

“Huh. Starting the match, and you’re feeling good?”

Still feeling awkward, I was rubbing my cheek when a mocking voice came from right beside me. It was Pink-haired Madwoman.

Of course, my affinity would drop.

If I argued, choices would appear. Here, I should respond appropriately—

…Huh?

“What’s wrong? Why are you staring so intently?”

[ Claire Bargrand ]

[ Affinity: 80% ]

Why isn’t my affinity dropping?

***

July 1st.

Ariana’s birthday has passed.

This means the time for the Yellow Dragon Martial Arts Tournament has come around again. I had to return to the arena and think about how to complete this episode.

But upon checking, my affinity wasn’t dropping much.

Claire, whom I expected to drop the most, remained the same.

Even Florea, who was always whining, had normal affinity when checked.

Even the retainers I occasionally met, and Duke Ptua, who suffered image damage as a sponsor, and many nobles, their affinities weren’t drastically reduced.

Most importantly,

[Noblesse Points: -180]

My Noblesse Points were fixed.

This means—

-Ting!

▶Providing player with missing information!◀

▶Revealing the compensation amount for Perfect Clear rewards from Episode III for Noblesse Points and affinity reduction.◀

[Noblesse Points Compensation: 100%]

[Affinity Compensation: 100%]

…Wow.

Applying this result to reality, achieving a perfect clear, and seeing that people still view me with preconceived notions is amazing.

“Still, there are exceptions.”

[Exception Target: Ariana Bargrand]

▶Stimulating Ariana’s emotions to deal greater damage when facing her.◀

Well, this was expected.

In fact, it was what I hoped for.

But with such generous rewards, it feels like there’s nothing left to do.

“If this is the case, almost all of my sub-episodes are gone, right?”

Rumors among the nobles triggered sub-episodes and interfered.

If sub-episodes related to Another Plan overlap, they steadily consume Noblesse Points.

To prevent this, personally resolving sub-episodes would normally eat up time, reducing preparation time indefinitely.

But if this time is empty…

“…It’s time to visit Marquis Magnuel.”

He was the first to speak.

To do it more perfectly and neatly,

It would be best to inform him that I have no interest in being the successor of the Bargrand family.

***

Claire hurried to the arena upon hearing Carsein had arrived.

With yesterday’s events, she had plenty of questions for Carsein.

But the questions she intended to ask him were swallowed up by the lovey-dovey scene in front of her.

“Who worried so much they rushed over, huh? Ah! You and your fiancée were just having a sweet date!”

Words of complaint spilled out.

The tone and voice were close to mockery.

However, her inner thoughts were the opposite.

“…Still, it’s good there’s no trouble.”

Carsein isn’t a child.

He wouldn’t pout or lie to blame someone.

Given her sister’s birthday, there must have been a reason for this. At least, that’s what she thought as she turned to inform Florea and her mother of this fact.

──────.

──────.

‘Hmm? This voice…’

The voice sounded like Carsein’s.

When did he get here? Should I listen in on his conversation?

“Are you really saying you have no interest in the position of the Duke’s successor?”

…What? What kind of topic is this?

“I am. After all, I’m the one who should leave the Duke’s house, right?”

At that moment,

Claire’s head snapped around.

-Ting!