Chapter 40

Time flew by like an arrow, and before I knew it, it was the day before the engagement ceremony. I thought about running away again, but things were different now. Back then, they weren’t on guard, but now soldiers were patrolling around the mansion, and servants kept coming to check if I needed anything. It was obvious they were keeping an eye on me to make sure I didn’t run away. This is why people say not to commit crimes—this must be the sorrow of an ex-convict. Of course, I have no intention of defending most ex-cons, except for a select few.

But I’m just a decent commoner. Just because I ruined an engagement ceremony once and made a girl cry, I’m being treated like this? That’s unfair. People can ruin engagement ceremonies and make girls cry sometimes, right?

*Knock knock knock.* Seriously, I’m going to get a neurosis at this rate.

“Is there anything you need?”

“Yeah, it’s really annoying that you knock every 30 minutes.”

“Apologies, but it’s Lady Melissa’s orders.”

Of course, it was that damn old hag’s orders. I thought about going over and causing a scene before running away, but facing that monster family of three? No way. One is bad enough, but three? Terrifying. Plus, this is the North, their territory, crawling with their subordinates and buffed in-game. This is some broken map in a trash game.

“If you don’t want to see me go berserk, tell them to stop sending people.”

“…Understood.”

Being cooped up in the room was suffocating, so I grabbed my coat and stepped outside. Unlike the warm indoors, the corridor was freezing, and I instinctively crossed my arms and shivered. Damn, it’s cold. Maybe because it’s night, but this chill reminded me of Cheorwon, and suddenly I craved potato pancakes. Potato pancakes and makgeolli—what a killer combo.

“Hey, Werner.”

A gruff voice called out, and I turned to see a hulking figure—no, Melchior—standing there. Did he come to keep an eye on me too? Escape room games have their limits. How am I supposed to escape with all these surveillance units?

“Bro, what brings you here? Did you come to make sure I’m not running away?”

“Something like that.”

Melchior patted my shoulder and looked at me seriously. It was rare to see him this serious, usually so jovial and loud. He must have something important to say. Maybe something like, “If you make my daughter cry, I’ll kill you,” or “If you make my daughter cry, I’ll snap your spine.” Honestly, I’m the one who wants to cry. Getting dragged into a marriage like this? This feels like something out of an 18+ doujin.

“Werner… I’m serious…”

What kind of threat is he going to drop?

“If you don’t want to, you can run away from the engagement. I’ll handle my daughter and Melissa.”

“Bro, what are you saying…?”

I was shocked. I thought he’d prioritize his daughter’s wishes over mine, given how much of a doting father he is. And this barbarian warrior actually caring about someone else’s feelings? For a moment, I thought I was under some illusion magic, like someone was testing if I really wanted to marry.

“Why are you saying this all of a sudden, bro?”

“My daughter is head over heels for you, and my wife is desperate to make you her son-in-law.”

“Bro, you don’t like me becoming your son-in-law, do you?”

Bro, you don’t like it, right? Are you going to punch me for staring at you like this?

“No, if you become part of our family, I’d be over the moon.”

“Bro, with your weight, that’s impossible.”

“Hey, you brat, that’s not the point. I just…”

Melchior scratched his head, his white hair just like Glacia’s. It seemed like he was struggling to find the right words, taking a long time to organize his thoughts.

“…You’re not really looking forward to this marriage, are you?”

“How did you…?”

“Do you think I don’t know you? You’re just going along with my daughter’s whims. You always care more about others’ feelings than your own. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

How does this barbarian have such sharp character analysis? Why is a tank investing stats in intelligence?

“Bro… I mean, it’s just…”

“And you have a clear type, right? Like our leader’s wife.”

Damn, this guy’s no barbarian. How does he see through people so well? Did he figure out that Werner had a crush on Airi’s mother? At this rate, I might have to eliminate him before he causes trouble.

“Don’t worry, I’m the only one who knows, and I haven’t told anyone.”

“So, what do you want, bro?”

“If you’re going to leave, I’ll help you. But if you’re going to leave… I’d like you to say goodbye to my daughter yourself.”

“Say goodbye?”

Would I even survive that? It’s not a goodbye; it’s more like, “I want to die, so please cut my head off.”

“Hahaha! I bet you’re worried she’ll cut your head off if you say that.”

“Not really.”

Damn, he’s sharp.

“That child likes you more than anyone else. For your sake, she might even let you go.”

“I’ll talk to her.”

Well, if my future father-in-law is giving me a chance to run, I should take it. It’s not that I’m a scumbag who abandons women and makes them cry—it’s just that the Confucian DNA in me respects the wishes of my elders. Confucianism, the foundation of my homeland—how could I betray that?

As I headed to where Glacia was, a question popped into my mind. I stopped and asked Melchior.

“How are the other brothers and sisters? What are they up to?”

“Well, the Heavenly Demon Old Man is as lively as ever, beating me up. That thief woman got caught by the leader while stealing somewhere. And that annoying knight is doing fine, of course.”

“It’s good to hear everyone’s doing well.”

“And they’re all worried about the youngest. You know how much they all adore you…”

“They’re all busy, so they shouldn’t worry about me.”

“How can they not? They’re so busy they took their eyes off you, and you ran away. You’re still not fully recovered from your injuries, right?”

Werner’s injuries… Was it that incident mentioned in the setting book? It explained why Werner fell into a trap and died.

“Bro… I know you’re worried, but let me warn you.”

“Warn me?”

“If you mention ‘that incident’ in front of my disciple, I might really kill you. Even if Media wakes up, never mention ‘that incident.’ At that point, I won’t care if you’re my brother or not.”

I didn’t want to burden an innocent child with guilt.

“Got it. I know your personality.”

Because of Airi, I can’t even use the grand magic I used to. Because of Airi, I fell into a trap, and because of those injuries, I died? If it were me, I’d kill myself from guilt. The truth about Werner’s injuries will go to the grave with me.

Well, I’m on my way to meet my fiancée now, so maybe that’ll be my grave.

Please let this go smoothly.

—

I’ve been waiting for 30 minutes outside Glacia’s second room, after her maid told me to wait.

Damn, who does she think she is, making me wait like this? Is she going to make me visit three times before opening the door and teaching me the art of war?

I don’t know what’s so urgent inside, but it’s late, and I’m getting sleepy. Keeping me waiting like this? I’m the elder here. If Confucius saw this, he’d punch the door down.

Getting tired of waiting, I connected to [Constellation – Confucius] and loaded up the Confucian Punch.

[Constellation – Confucius] connection stability: 100%.

Strike area set, distance fixed, posture complete.

With the anger of a Confucian, I will destroy the existence of this door.

Just as I was about to unleash the Confucian Punch (Wrath of the Confucian God), Glacia’s voice came from inside.

“Sorry for making you wait. Please come in.”

I opened the door and entered to find Glacia, fresh out of the bath, with wet hair, greeting me.

And she wasn’t in her usual majestic attire. Instead, she was wearing a seductive set of lingerie—frilly lingerie that was just barely transparent.

Damn, it looks like I need to disconnect from [Constellation – Confucius] and reconnect with my [Sexual Constellations].