Chapter 77

One day had passed.

My body was still feeling heavy. If recovery speed was this slow, it would be considered abnormal, but, well, maybe saying my body feels itchy would be more accurate now.

Instead, by spending most of the time in the room and searching around, I found quite a few things.

Firstly, I learned how far the Episode had progressed.

After Chapter 1 ends, the family’s affinity increases, and all those related to Emma or Theo receive a setback.

It means that dangerous individuals are leaving due to the reward for eliminating the enemy of the Duke House.

In other words, Chapter 1 is essentially about the Duke House’s story.

The main development involves clearing up the misunderstandings within the Duke House and solidifying Carsein’s position within it.

Since there were no signs of episode branching after having a light meal and conversation with Harnier, I didn’t get too anxious.

So, by taking my time, I realized that the current situation is just one episode ahead of where it currently stands.

“Huuu, haa…”

*Ding!*

▶Maximum Action Power increases with continuous exercise!◀

▶The threshold needed to suffer from fatigue status ailment has increased!◀

Secondly, the restriction on stat increase has been relaxed.

Though not as much as when directly training at the training hall, even light push-ups inside the room can raise stats.

This means I can fill up stats through light exercise, not just at the training hall anymore.

However, with this restriction lifted, a subtle change occurred.

■Carstein Bargrand■ – 18 years old

Lv. 10

▶Strength: 3.96

▶Agility: 5.17

▶Endurance: 5.42

▶Health: 3.00

▶Immunity: 1.10

At first glance, it seemed like the stats filled at the training hall had simply risen, so there wasn’t any problem at first sight.

But upon closer inspection, I noticed a slight difference.

The window displaying the acquired SP next to the level disappeared.

This game gives SP when you level up. While not very efficient, it provides 0.05 SP, which can be used to increase desired stats according to the player’s will.

But I cannot use the acquired SP.

Not now, and not in the future, permanently.

▶Acquired SP is automatically used for ??? Stats!◀

This window is the reason.

Below it, the mysterious ??? Stat has risen to 0.50.

Seeing it increased without my doing makes me think some permanent effect occurred.

But honestly, I don’t know what effect this has.

‘Never seen anything like this in a game before.’

Anyway.

By clearing this chapter, I triggered some sort of trigger, and as a result of this trigger, the restriction on stat management has been relaxed. In exchange, I can’t increase stats using SP.

This could be summarized as the second change.

‘This state for Chapter 2.’

It’s somewhat peculiar, but neither seems like a loss.

While it doesn’t provide any advantages, there’s no need to significantly alter the existing plan.

“Young Master. Her Grace requests we have breakfast together as a family.”

Breakfast?

Not exactly a good thought at this hour, but it might be best to go now.

“I’ll tell her Grace you’ll be there shortly after washing up.”

***

Dressed properly, a woman who seemed to follow me bowed.

She smiled warmly at me and greeted me.

“Nice to meet you, Young Master Carstein. I am Tasha Deol, the new head maid of the Duke House.”

I assumed it would be Camila waiting, but Tasha Deol…

‘New head maid.’

Come to think of it, a new head maid should have arrived around this time.

Emma, who was the former head maid, was ousted due to the results of Chapter 1, so there were empty positions in the Duke House.

And Tasha Deol, this woman, was invited to become the new head maid along with the maids.

The notable thing is that she will join Carstein’s allies soon after Chapter 2 starts.

‘Hmm. It feels like something’s missing.’

I felt like I missed something.

“Did we meet somewhere before?”

“Excuse me?”

“Before coming to the Duke House. Since I was picked up from the slums, we might have met sometime.”

“I’m meeting you here for the first time, Young Master.”

“Is that so?”

Hmm… It seems Carstein didn’t already know this person.

Probably just overthinking things. I decided to move past it.

“But, I owe you a great favor.”

Tasha replied with a kind smile.

“A great favor?”

“Hehe. Yes.”

Maybe it’s my mood, but considering how Emma treated me so poorly, it’s hard to tell if Tasha’s words are lies.

The problem is that I have no idea what favor she’s talking about.

“Let’s move with Lady Harnier, your fiancée, Young Master.”

“Ah, ah. Sure.”

If I knew who the fiancée was at this point, this confusion would have been cleared up.

A moment later, Harnier came out of the guest room, yawning.

Realizing she was seen yawning, she quickly covered her mouth, coughed, and tried to hide her appearance.

“Good morning, Carstein.”

“Did you not sleep well?”

“Just a little. I had some work to do.”

Even with work, to be doing it here?

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

I decided to be careful not to raise suspicion about our engagement.

I told Tasha and the other maids following her to hold back.

Harnier asked worriedly,

“Am I allowed to join the Duke House for breakfast?”

“It’s just breakfast. The Duke House has always given guests proper treatment.”

Actually, it should be ‘had given’.

I’m not sure myself.

“Carstein, you should know this isn’t just a casual guest treatment. Don’t you understand what this means?”

“What’s the issue?”

“I thought so…”

Harnier pressed her forehead with her hand, feeling dizzy.

“Listen, Carstein. Having your fiancée stay in your Duke House means you’re inviting your fiancé to visit your fiancée’s house. It’s a mutual introduction.”

“What?”

Really?

“She said she’d handle it, but…”

“I couldn’t know that. I don’t even know proper etiquette.”

“You should have just said you didn’t know. Ugh, really!”

Staying overnight with the fiancée means inviting the fiancé to visit.

It’s troublesome.

Though we are engaged, we won’t be in a year.

Formally introducing each other means continuing this relationship… Why she’s burying her face in her hands is understandable.

“The Marquis House is strongly against our marriage. If we break up, they’ll see you as a threat.”

“What?”

“If we break up, I’ll leave the Marquis Mansion soon. You putting me in danger because of this is a natural consequence.”

That’s true, but…

“Why are you worried about this?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Harnier glanced around and whispered,

“You said you were going to escape from the Duke House. After breaking off the engagement, I’ll leave soon too. You’re putting me in danger.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Harneri, aren’t you worried about losing something?”

“No, why would I?”

Harnier tilted her head, confused.

“…I never thought you’d be worried about losing something.”

I thought she was the one who would lose something.

But it turns out she’s worried because of me.

These things never get easier.

“There’s no problem, let’s just eat.”

“Are you prepared for something?”

“Yes.”

Rather, it’s the opposite.

After breaking off the engagement, the Marquis House wouldn’t do much to me.

Even the Duke House wouldn’t care much about me.

If they want to do anything, they might try to undermine the Duke House’s authority.

Ambitious people might cause trouble, but I don’t care.

“Actually, you asked me for something yesterday.”

“Oh, that? Yes! I need your help with something.”

“…Is that so?”

I understood she needed help.

…But why is she stuttering like this?

I told her to speak freely.

“It’s about the social circle. They’re saying I haven’t been seen around enough.”

“I assured you during the Snowflake Festival.”

“Do you know how many days we haven’t met?”

Hmm. How long has it been?

About 6 days since starting Episode V in the training hall.

Including the time for Episode VI—trial proceedings, Theo Lamstair’s escape, Floria’s kidnapping, and solving the case, plus the time I was unconscious…

“It’s been over ten days. Leaving my fiancée alone like this, wouldn’t that raise suspicions?”

“Really?”

“No, it’s not just ‘really.’ It’s truly…”

I accepted it as it is.

I don’t know how strict betrothals are here, but I’ve never dated before.

I also don’t know what the appropriate time apart is for a couple.

“But, as you mentioned, creating reasons for suspicion is certainly not good for the future.”

It’s better to suppress the rumors for now.

“I can’t suppress them all on my own. I’m in a bit of a bind right now.”

“What can I do to help?”

“Can you spare some time today? From after lunch until dinner?”

“Hmm. It might be possible. But, does that mean you’re going out?”

Harnier sighed deeply.

“Because of the suspicion, I had to take a risky move. I need you to attend a party.”

“A party…”

A party is an outright gathering of nobles.

Although it’s a place I’d normally avoid, given the current situation…

“Considering I’ve cleared Chapter 1, it wouldn’t hurt to check it out.”

Through this breakfast, I can assess how Carstein’s reputation has changed after winning the trial at the Duke House.

I might even meet the nobles from the Eastern Nobles’ Meeting beforehand and clear a sub-episode if things go well.

Also, I might be able to move legally outside the Duke House.

Either way, it’s an opportunity.

“Alright, let’s go eat first.”

“…”

“Harneri?”

“Don’t worry about it later. Since you agreed.”

“Excuse me?”

“Don’t worry! Hurry up, I’m hungry!”

Holding my doubts, Harneri grabbed my hand and dragged me to the dining room.

…She kept stuttering and avoiding eye contact.

Is something big happening?