Chapter 47

As the follow-up developments were correctly concluded, Flora left without achieving her goal, and the initial crisis at the beginning of Episode V was easily resolved.

Afterwards, I immediately sat down at the table and grabbed a pen.

The issue was the liaison.

“Moving to the annex shouldn’t be a big problem, but… it would be troublesome if Harnier’s letter arrives in the meantime, right?”

There wasn’t much of an issue with sending letters. Even today, due to a problem caused by a letter, the maids would pay more attention to my belongings.

But if Harnier’s contact comes while I’m in the training hall, things could get tricky for me.

“I have to dive in with the intention of pulling the Dead Trigger as soon as I step into the training hall. If I handle it half-heartedly and leave…”

Naturally, I’d end up as the protagonist of a bad ending.

Like how not participating in Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony in Episode III resulted in a bad ending, in Episode V, if I don’t step in, I’ll die anyway.

There’s a time limit.

However, there’s a slight difference from Episode III.

▶Episode V. The Troublemaker in the Training Hall is Ongoing!◀

“I see, in the game, I didn’t notice, but… judging from the fact that it hasn’t shown up even after some time has passed, it must be true.”

While carefully examining my status window, I noticed something suspicious.

The hardest thing about this game is the compulsion.

When choices appear, you have to pick one, and when specifying episode branching, certain actions are required. Performing episodes also requires specific actions.

The compulsion itself of performing any action forces you to choose either the Dead Trigger or the Dead Flag, making it difficult.

A prime example is Episode III. Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony.

In Episode III, there was a time limit from the start.

The choice to participate in Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony was always available, and messages telling me to move to a certain place appeared.

Ultimately, I had to see Claire’s coming-of-age ceremony and attend it somehow, even if I tried to avoid it.

But what about the current situation?

There’s nothing.

I couldn’t tell which action to perform right away.

There was no message telling me to head straight to the training hall.

That means the episode is ongoing, but immediate progression isn’t necessary.

I don’t need to rush to the training hall right now.

This means I currently have a few free action times.

“So…”

Can’t I use this time more effectively?

First, I rolled out my pen.

“Regarding Harnier, I guess I can say I have a schedule and won’t be able to meet during this period. As for the rest, maybe Camila?”

It’s better to inform Camila, who took a week off, about this news too.

If she suddenly returns to work and finds out the owner is missing, she might panic.

“The sweet girl probably wouldn’t cause a fuss, but you never know. It’s best if the topic doesn’t come up at all in the Duke’s House.”

Nodding, I kept writing.

Once done, these two letters couldn’t be handed to the maids immediately, so I’d have to ask Heron to deliver them.

“Hmm. How much time is left…”

I still have free action time.

Even though it’s free time, I need to be careful because low stats could lead to a health deterioration bad ending. However, judging from the rate at which they’re dropping, I should be able to get through the day without problems.

“So, the plan is obvious.”

I dressed appropriately and went outside.

The maids started flinching and watching me.

‘Claire really pushed hard.’

-Beep!

Judging from the choice appearing, it looks like I didn’t just push, but completely overhauled.

‘This one doesn’t know moderation.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly and chose the third response, silence.

What reaction should I show the maids?

There’s no need to take risks when an unknown development appears.

Plus, if I said anything, my reputation might drop.

With each step in the hallway, I received anxious glances, leading me to:

▶You are entering a dangerous area!◀

[If you stay for long, penalties may apply.]

[Would you like to enter?]

This was a dangerous area.

Just in case, I checked around to make sure no one was watching.

Fortunately, the servants seemed to be avoiding Carsein, who was muttering something.

After checking, I entered the dangerous area.

▶Entering the detention cell!◀

[Time Limit: 40 seconds]

A timer appeared, counting down.

I didn’t plan on taking much time; 40 seconds should be enough.

“Who…? Are you, perhaps, Miss Flora?”

As I approached the barred door, a woman inside the cell turned her gaze toward me.

“Looks like you were waiting for Flora. Sorry about that.”

“!”

Seeing it wasn’t Flora but Carsein, the woman sprang up as if trying to escape from the cell.

Right. I came for Emma.

“What brings you here?”

Emma, who seemed bursting to speak, bit her lip and muttered.

“You’re still struggling to bow properly, Emma.”

The moment I spoke, Emma clenched her teeth.

“Is this the time for pleasantries? Thanks to the Young Master, I’ve been thrown into this cell for no reason!”

Isn’t it inappropriate to ask for pleasantries in such a situation?

Well, I expected such a reaction.

“Heh.”

“Are you laughing at me now!”

“No, it’s just funny.”

I laughed openly at Emma.

Emma’s eyes began to redden.

“It’s because the Young Master framed me that Miss Claire locked me in this cell!”

“That’s ridiculous. You did something worthy of being detained, so Claire ordered it.”

“Deception! That’s a proper statement! Given how many problems the Young Master has caused, it’s natural for him to be sensitive about going out!”

Emma raised her voice and shouted.

Time for a punchline.

“You didn’t do anything wrong. Even if you hadn’t, you’ve already committed crimes against the Duke’s House.”

“Huh. Another absurd claim—”

“Has there been any recent embezzlement scandal involving the Duke’s House?”

Emma, who had been raising her voice, suddenly twitched her eyebrows.

“Ridiculous. Rumors of embezzling money from the territory to the Duke’s House. And then someone conveniently had a large sum of money around the same time?”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Why, I heard you bought expensive clothes recently. Isn’t that suspicious?”

“Hmph. It has nothing to do with me. Rather, it seems the Young Master dislikes me so much he’s fabricating stories.”

She claimed she bought those clothes with her own earnings as head maid, to uphold the dignity of the Bargrand family.

Emma was making such claims.

Time for another punch.

I threw in a tidbit only I knew.

“Really? I heard some knights suddenly replaced their equipment. Coincidence?”

“Yes. They must have worked hard. They might have saved up. What does that have to do with me?”

She wasn’t that gullible. But I could force it.

“Damn. Did you think I wouldn’t notice that the money allocated to me for your salary was being used to supplement others’ wages?”

“That’s Miss Arina’s responsibility.”

“Managing funds is Arina’s job. But managing accounts and allocations is the head maid’s right. You easily tampered with records, didn’t you?”

“What are you—”

“In the previous month, when we urgently needed territory funds, you clearly made holes in the accounts.”

Emma’s confident face quickly changed.

‘I got her.’

Her stiff expression looked like it had hit the mark.

“Don’t spout nonsense! I’ve never made errors in my records!”

The accounts should be fine.

If she argues well, she can make me seem delusional.

However,

Emma is currently in the detention cell.

And she can’t verify this fact right now.

That’s enough.

[Remaining Time: 10 seconds]

The time limit is almost up.

I left after saying one last line.

“The truth will reveal itself in due time.”

“Don’t bluff! What truth are you talking about!”

[You are leaving the dangerous area!]

Though she kept shouting behind me, I couldn’t see her expression.

But, just hearing her shout, I could imagine. She must be extremely anxious now. My acting must have hit home.

The gap in information works this way.

Even if I boasted confidently in front, if there’s no way to determine whether it’s real or not, wouldn’t you feel uneasy?

‘Scare her and make her anxious. Emma.’

Soon, that anxiety will create a small crack, revealing a mistake.

I just need to wait for that moment.

***

‘Hmm?’

After provoking Emma and returning to my room, I planned to prepare to move to the annex.

But what’s this?

Heron was waiting in front of me, along with other servants.

Confirming it was me, Heron dismissed the other servants.

“What’s going on?”

“Sir, you asked us to prepare for moving to the annex, but… it seems it’s been rejected.”

“Rejected?”

“…Yes. Miss Claire strongly opposed it, saying it was absolutely unacceptable while you were away.”

Heron said the annex lacks maids and servants to assist me and the furniture is not ready.

‘It’s deliberate.’

I snorted and answered as if it didn’t matter.

“It’s fine. I’ll bring my own luggage, and all I need is my body.”

“But, sir…”

“Don’t worry about cleaning or laundry. I’ll take care of it myself.”

If the rejection is based on minor inconveniences, it’s not a valid reason.

Heron sighed deeply.

“Still, you cannot stay in the annex, sir.”

“Why?”

“The Second Young Lady has blocked the annex, saying she won’t receive guests for a while.”

“What do you mean…”

First, they protested against the annex, and now they’re deliberately blocking it?

“If you go to the training hall, it’s fine, but the mistress cannot stay in the annex, so they’ve nailed it shut.”

Oh, come on.

If they nailed it shut, it means you can’t enter at all.

They must have just finished nailing it.

“Excuse me, sir. Wouldn’t it be better to give up on the annex as your residence?”

Heron wiped sweat off his forehead unusually.

It looks like the annex is unusable in this state.

“Sigh. Fine, I’ll go back.”

“Are you not going to the training hall?”

“I’ll go tomorrow.”

Because if I can’t use the annex, I need to think of somewhere else to sleep.

‘There’s a way. Just put another letter in the training hall.’

Thus, I decided to spend an unplanned extra day.

***

Night fell beyond dinner.

In the quiet detention cell, a small sound echoed.

“Who’s there?”

Reflexively, Emma asked as the silence broke.

“…It’s me, Emma.”

“No, is it Miss Flora?”

Seeing the most beloved youngest young lady, Emma stood up with a bright smile.

“Coming to such a humble place… you might catch a cold.”

“It’s fine. I’m well-prepared.”

“Still, Miss. Please go back quickly.”

Though she said that, she couldn’t be happier.

For Emma, Flora was her savior, the one who could ease her anxiety.

Then, Flora offered a delicious dessert, and they exchanged formal conversation.

Suddenly, Flora asked:

“…Hey, nanny. Can I ask one thing?”

“Yes, Miss.”

Emma nodded with a radiant smile after swallowing the dessert.

Hesitating, Flora asked with concern:

“Everything I’ve done so far… was all for my family, right?”

“Of course?”

“That… thing with Carsein.”

Emma put down the dessert and widened her eyes.

“Of course, Miss! That filthy person is trying to ruin the Duke’s House!”

This was a familiar statement.

“A street rat like him can’t want anything good. He only wants to devour the Duke’s House, like other commoners!”

Threatening the Duke’s House.

Defiling the Duke’s House.

Undermining the prestige of the Duke’s House.

“He’s a curse. Just like he wants to take the Young Master’s position and somehow benefit himself after devouring the Duke’s House. No, he’s a demon!”

A demon who even covets the family’s position.

Nanny Emma always said this.

“…That’s right. Carsein came from outside, from the slums.”

“Yes! Don’t be shaken by what he says, Miss Flora. All that is deception, lies, and treacherous flattery. Remember that.”

After repeating several times, Flora nodded.

“Right. Don’t worry.”

She vowed never to fall for deception or lies.

But,

Despite her words, Flora’s doubt remained.

‘Am I really doing the right thing? Carsein… he doesn’t want anything at all.’

She couldn’t bring herself to ask Emma this question.