Chapter 30

The magic-sealing restraint was a tool that prevented the wearer from releasing magical energy outside their body and forcibly suppressed it within. In other words, if a sorcerer wore this, they’d go from being a respected mage to a complete idiot.

Long ago, a nosy sorcerer, annoyed by apprentice mages committing crimes, created this tool. And the nosy brat in question is 13-year-old Werner. This damn kid, probably hit by chuunibyou early, thought he was some kind of justice enforcer and made this stupid tool to make my life miserable.

Inside the rattling carriage, the beauty sitting across from me was smiling faintly. She was probably grinning at the thought of chopping up the man who dumped her and feeding him to monsters.

Ah, since she said she’d proceed with the marriage I hate first, she’ll probably kill me after that. What is she, a mantis? Why kill the man on the day of the wedding?

Right now, I’m powerless, and my opponent is strong and holds a grudge. I didn’t need to think deeply to conclude that I’m screwed.

“Uh, Miss Glacia…?”

But I had an indomitable spirit that wouldn’t lose to anyone. They say even if you’re dragged into a tiger’s den, all you need is spirit and a shotgun.

“Why? Are you thinking of running away from me again?”

Damn, she’s steering it this way? I just called her name, and suddenly she’s bringing up past wrongs and launching a sneak attack. Sure, Werner hurt a young girl’s feelings, but this is too extreme.

“No, not yet, but I wanted to ask you something.”

“Feel free to ask.”

“Do you… dislike me?”

“…That’s not even worth answering. Have you forgotten what happened between us in my childhood?”

Damn, of course. I asked with a sliver of hope, but there’s no way that would work.

“Then why did you choose me as your fiancé? Someone like you could have any number of fine men.”

“Didn’t I tell you before? It has to be you.”

Ah, it’s that inheritance thing or whatever. So she’s marrying Werner, the so-called hero, to solidify her position.

But honestly, if her parents were here, they’d probably say,

“Hahaha, you can’t accept our daughter? Fine, all you naysayers, line up and BAM!”

“Hahaha, daring to doubt my daughter’s abilities? Everyone who opposed her, line up, and I’ll drain your blood and turn you into mummies.”

And just like that, the opposition would be wiped out. Honestly, whoever these crazy people are, daring to oppose the daughter of the northern monster slayer and the Vampire Queen, they’ve got guts. It’s not about gender; they’re just against her because her mother’s a vampire. Racial discrimination, how sad and barbaric.

They can’t say a word to Glacia’s parents but dare to pick on Glacia. She probably accepted me because her position was unstable since childhood. Damn Werner, running away from a lady like this, he deserves divine punishment.

“By the way, I’ve never forgotten that day. I’d like to convey those feelings to you, Lord Werner.”

This damn half-vampire who can’t even eat garlic. I thought about raising my arms to make a cross, but there’s no guarantee the Lord would strike down this half-vampire here. I’m not one for reckless gambles, so I decided to hold off and observe the situation.

“That day… I’m sorry to hear you’ve held onto the memory of me running away. I have no words.”

This is true. Honestly, I ruined the engagement and ran away, leaving a young girl heartbroken. I should apologize. They say if a woman holds a grudge, frost will fall even in June. She’s holding a grudge because of Werner, and now I’m screwed. Damn Werner, you bastard. Just go through with the damn engagement.

“No, the day I’m referring to isn’t our engagement day.”

“Then what…?”

“…It seems you’ve forgotten.”

My instincts started warning me that I’m really screwed. These damn instincts stay silent until something happens, then laugh at me afterward, saying, “You’re screwed, why’d you do that?”

“I’m sorry, it seems I’ve forgotten since it was so long ago.”

“It’s been over 15 years, so it’s understandable. Don’t worry too much.”

15 years? How am I supposed to know what Werner was doing at 14?

But 15 years ago was when Glacia started having a crush on Werner. Something must have happened then. I heard a short story about their meeting was published. But the problem is, before that novel was released, a damn VR device exploded, and I died.

Despite her saying not to worry, Glacia looked quite disappointed. And leaving a woman disappointed is a recipe for disaster later. Even Test-hyung wouldn’t know how it’d blow up.

So, I had to cheer her up somehow. Looking around to lighten the mood, I noticed she was wearing the ribbon I gave her. That’ll do.

“That ribbon I gave you… I’m glad you’re wearing it.”

“I’m not so eccentric and violent as to stash away a gift in a corner.”

But isn’t ambushing someone’s carriage and putting on restraints a bit violent? Gandhi would be spinning in his grave.

But her expression was still cold, so it didn’t have much effect. I needed to work a bit more. First, I prepared Werner’s handsome face, smiled softly, and said,

“I’m glad it suits you as I expected.”

Glacia’s cheeks turned as red as her eyes. She then turned her head to look at the distant mountains. Good, it’s starting to work. When a man draws his sword, he must cut something; when he starts talking, he must see it through. As a man, I can’t stop here.

Glacia seemed embarrassed and wanted to brush off my words.

“You’re quite the smooth talker. If you thought of me that way, how could you forget our first meeting?”

Using facts so cowardly left me speechless. But don’t worry, my tongue is faster than my hands.

“15 years ago, I met countless children. From orphans to nobles, so many people sought me out.”

“So, I was just one of them, not special?”

I felt a chill. My instincts warned me that if I chose the wrong option here, I’d be salted and turned into bacon instead of Werner.

“Yes, you weren’t special.”

“…What?”

Damn, the salt is coming. On the brink of becoming bacon, I played my second move.

“I’m quite the womanizer, you see.”

“Huh?”

Glacia looked ready to draw her sword and turn me into “what was once Werner.” I gestured to calm her down.

“Unless it’s a beauty like you, Glacia, I don’t bother remembering.”

“Huh…?”

Her face turned even redder, and she stared at me blankly. Good, now her health bar is almost depleted. Time to switch tactics.

“The reason I left you, Glacia, isn’t complicated.”

“Suddenly, what…?”

“I was too pathetic.”

I glanced down and smiled bitterly. I had to play the tragic hero card. Nothing works better than pity in survival games. If there were a survival game, I’d spam the forums demanding the pity item be nerfed.

“Lord Werner, a hero like you, pathetic? What kind of sick joke is that?”

“As you know, I’m just a lowly orphan. No matter how much people praise me as a hero, my roots don’t change.”

Werner’s only complex, his origins. I had to exploit that to gain sympathy and survive.

“So, someone as lowly and insignificant as me standing next to someone as radiant as you made me feel pathetic and… pitiful.”

I paused to emphasize how pitiful I felt. Glacia’s wavering expression showed it was working.