episode_0052

Throughout the time she tormented Karsein, Flora had never once felt uneasy.

More accurately, there was no reason for her to feel uneasy.

A beggar from the slums rolling in from outside to replace her deceased brother? It was absolutely unacceptable and incomprehensible.

Therefore, she denied it repeatedly as if stating a fact. How could you be my brother? You are just a beggar from the streets, she firmly declared, refusing to acknowledge it.

“Flora, how could you say such things to your brother!”

However, due to her mentally unstable mother, Flora found herself constantly in the wrong.

The love that her mother, who had doted on her youngest daughter, was now being monopolized by that beggar, threatening even Karne’s position.

Her mother did not listen to her sisters’ words. No matter who spoke, the slum boy from outside was truly becoming more like Karne Bagrandt.

Just stand by and watch that happen? She couldn’t bear it.

Who are you to try to tear our family apart?

Who are you to mimic our brother?

Even so, faced with the commoner who had rolled in from outside.

She wanted to say those words to his face countless times, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

As the swamp of resentment deepened,

One day, Flora happened to overhear the maids’ conversation.

“No. Why should we keep such commoners? If it were the young ladies, that would be different, but wasting clothes and blankets on them?”

“What can we do. Everyone probably thinks the same way. But… what are you doing right now?”

“What. Making the food taste bad or something. Ugh!”

The maid sprinkled a bit more salt into Karsein’s meal.

“Hey! What if he finds out!”

“What’s there to find out. Just stay quiet.”

“Well, that is true.”

“Gosh. You’re not going to get scolded by the master now, are you?”

“…Is that even possible?”

Although the fellow maid hesitated for a moment, she soon subtly mixed in the sauce.

By chance, Flora learned that there was more than one person thinking such thoughts. And that it was possible to secretly eavesdrop on Karsein without getting caught.

Isn’t it a perfect plan?

From then on, Flora began to tamper with Karsein’s food. She saw him coughing because of pepper or gulping down water due to excessive salt, and she felt a sense of satisfaction when he wrinkled his nose at the spicy and sour taste.

And.

Strangely, every time she did this, Karsein expressed dissatisfaction, but no evidence ever surfaced. She didn’t know why, but wasn’t it working out well?

However, even though she engaged in such behavior, her mother, afflicted with mental illness, protected Karsein.

Every time, she defended that beggar, shouting.

The more she resisted, the angrier Flora became. Not only with food but also with other things. More boldly. More daringly.

She spared no means to torment him.

Then Isabella regained her senses.

When she realized that her mother’s mental condition had improved and there was no longer anyone to shield Karsein, Flora did not miss this golden opportunity.

After that, the estate returned to its original state. Flora could proudly say that she had protected her family, the estate, and Karne’s position while realizing justice from the slum boy.

But.

Lately, doubts began to creep in about her actions.

Along with inexplicable feelings of discomfort.

“Miss Flora? Why are you suddenly acting like this?”

He was the knight Flora had encountered a while ago. Walking side by side on the promenade, he took off his coat and draped it over Flora.

“You seemed cold, so I thought I should cover you up. What if you catch a cold?”

…”

It wasn’t cold. It was just the typical winter chill, but Flora’s clothes were not thin enough to let it penetrate, and even a warm shawl covered her, preventing the cold.

In fact, she didn’t even need outerwear.

Even so, Flora felt relieved.

“As expected of Sir Theo.”

Theo Ramstair.

A knight belonging to the First Order, currently a squire with only a few steps left to becoming a full-fledged knight.

However, there was a reason why Flora felt so relieved.

Because he was the most special person to Flora.

– “How is that Miss Flora’s fault? That guy’s mistake.”

As a nobleman who entered the position of a knight under the Marquis as a nobleman, he once comforted Flora scolded by her mother,

– “Karcein is a disgrace to the nobility. To properly punish him, Madam must recover quickly.”

He deeply empathized with Flora’s troubled heart every day.

Since then, whenever something upsetting happened to Flora because of Karcein, she would seek out Theo.

Every word was like a gem.

He scratched the itchy parts coolly, and expressed Flora’s thoughts vividly. He always satisfied her.

And he still did.

Isn’t he worrying about the owner’s health so kindly?

If asked who she trusted after her family, she would have to compete between the governess and Theo, as he was someone greatly trusted by Flora.

“If it’s Sir Theo, he might give me an answer.”

Looking at Theo like that, Flora decided to open up about her worries that had been bothering her for hours, if not days.

“Um, Sir Theo. I have one concern… Can you listen?”

Theo smiled warmly and replied.

“Of course.” he said.

Although she had come thinking about it, Flora always felt relieved when she met Theo.

Thanks to him, she could finally express her worries.

From the old days when Karcein tormented her to the present existence of some unknown emotion.

She continued the consultation, conveying it vaguely, and finally brought up the main point.

“Um, so I wanted to ask Sir Theo what he thinks. I’ve been wondering if I’m in the wrong…”

Perhaps how he feels about it. What this emotion is and how to resolve it. In fact, from the beginning, Flora wanted to ask him about this.

Then Theo showed a gentle smile and kindly took Flora’s hand.

“Miss Flora. That’s not something you did wrong.”

***

The morning of the fourth day approached after crossing the third day.

Today, although her whole body ached, she found significance in having passed half of her initiation period.

No. In reality, one could say that she had overcome the most difficult time.

Compared to the strenuous training of the third day, things would become considerably easier from today onwards.

▶Under Isabella’s protection, harassment of the knights decreases!◀

As indicated by the status bar, the movements of the knights had slowed down due to Isabella’s watchful eye.

Of course, it wasn’t just Isabella.

▶Receive help from family members within the remaining training period!◀

▶Due to choices made, three individuals will be involved by the 6th day!◀

Although the choice of whom to follow among the knights was minimal, the perception had slightly diminished due to utilizing the power of Viscount Bagrand.

Due to this risk, Karcein should refrain from external activities as much as possible during the training period, but on the contrary, he would receive the greatest support during the training period.

That was the help from family members displayed in the progress window.

Without disregarding Mark’s nod, he even preserved the dignity of the knights, making the remaining training period not too difficult.

On the third day, it was Isabella.

On the fourth day, it was Arina.

On the fifth day, it was Claire.

Thus, rotating one by one, family members came to see Karcein.

No matter how much I dislike Karsein and want to drive him away.

Even if I want to say that Ben Karsein has no right to be here as a fellow knight.

Even if I have to drive out Karsein after receiving someone’s command.

They can never act recklessly as long as the lords of Bagrande are watching.

“But, how could this game be so easily passed?”

▶On the sixth day, Flora Bagrande visits the training ground!◀

“If everything was given, the difficulty wouldn’t reach that point.”

Isabella would obviously say so, and even Arinana Clare would immediately become an ally if they harassed me.

However, Flora is an exception.

This naive kid is filled with delusions of being stolen from his family, and with such a low mental age, he is more likely to become Karsein’s enemy.

Ironically, it was the same structure front and back.

This is an unchanging scene that remains the same even if you change branches and choose different options.

Just as Flora started Episode V, she also decorates the end of the episode.

With this, some speculation becomes possible.

Episode V itself is connected to both the beginning and end with Flora Bagrande.

A fate that must eventually be faced.

Karsein, who must build intimacy with all families, faces contradictory trials.

That means turning the heart of the remaining person, Flora.

As I cleared this episode and recalled a scene, a bitter smile naturally emerged.

It’s an extremely unpleasant scene.

“…I could use that from my perspective.”

Having finished organizing in my mind, I had to start moving slowly.

▶Prepare water in your canteen for training!◀

▶Prepare a towel in your pouch for sweating!◀

As if not tolerating being stuck in the lodging only, the status bar instructed me on the next action.

From now on, like Karsein in the game, I had to face them.

-Thump, thump.

“I wondered when you’d come.”

Leaning against one wall, waiting for the guest to arrive, I readily opened the door.

“Excuse me. Young master. Could you please… Oh.”

Mark’s voice overlapped with the timing of opening the door.

He seemed surprised to see me, probably because it felt strange for a noble young master to be awake early in the morning.

But what can you do?

I go to school, work part-time, and even study, so I don’t really have a habit of waking up late.

Well, a choice seems to have appeared.

It seems appropriate to write it down here.

“Seeing that you call me ‘young master’ instead of ‘trainee Karsein,’ it seems you have something important to discuss, right?”

“…Yes. That’s correct.”

Mark did not deny it.

As if implying that being confined to the lodging alone was unacceptable, the status bar instructed me on the next action.

From now on, just like Karsein in the game, I had to deal with them.

-Ding!

As Mark asked his question, a choice appeared.

I corrected Mark’s question as if it had appeared in the choices.

“Even though my mother came looking for me, why did you overlook and ignore the knights who were harassing me? Is that what you want to ask?”

“…!”

“It’s nothing. If I say that, I’ll be kicked out of the training ground, right?”

“That’s wrong. If the Lady of the Manor had noticed this, it would have been the knights of the 1st Order who harassed you, not the young master, who would have been expelled.”

I chuckled and asked Mark.

“Just three days ago, I declared that I would follow the rules of the training ground. Do you think I will break that declaration and accept going back to being the young master of Bagrande Manor?”

Nonsense.

“Let’s leave the ridiculous tests there. You’re leaving me alone because you have something you want to know, right?”

“…!”

“After all, accepting me was closer to giving a chance. Isn’t that right?”

Mark gulped down his saliva.

Although his lips twitched, a neat response did not come out as before.

Taking a deep breath, Mark looked straight into my eyes and said,

It was a somewhat different attitude from before.

“I still cannot forgive you, sir. No, I can’t. You probably know why.”

“Okay.”

“Our knights all remember when you attacked Radiel. So!”

Mark clenched his fist tightly.

He squeezed so hard that his hand turned pale.

Continuing his words, he said,

“This time, do not try to escape. You must reveal to me what Radiel was trying to hide from me. When the time comes, you will have to explain everything that happened that day.”

He expressed his uncontrollable anger to me without hesitation.

The choice at this moment was whether to punish Mark or not.

But looking at his expression, if I dared to say such nonsense, I might have cursed the developer for giving me such a choice.

Therefore, this promise will never be broken.

Even if I am not Karsein Vagrant.

“I promise. When the time comes, I will tell you the truth of that day.”

“…”

Only then did Mark release the person he had been holding and gradually suppressed his anger.

After finishing speaking, Mark, who was about to leave, took a deep breath and handed me some items. They were items suitable for taking with me on a hospital visit.

“After hearing that you visited the training ground, Radiel wishes to see you. You can visit him once.”

Leaving those words behind, Mark walked briskly down the hallway, passing by me.

I probably won’t be able to thank him right away. Or maybe other words will be the same.

-Ding!

▶Depending on your choice, a sub-episode will proceed, and during that time, Mark’s intimacy will freeze!◀

[ Current value: 2% ]

▶Sub-episode. Proceed with Mark and Radiel!◀

▶This is separate from Episode V and rewards will be given separately as well!◀

[ Upon clearing the episode: Mark’s intimacy will increase, and his recognition within the Order will rise to reputation level. ]

[ Upon failing the episode: – ]

I simply chose the option to carry out the sub-episode after finishing the conversation with Mark.

***

After finishing the conversation with Mark, I went to fetch water as directed by the progress window.

“It seems like it was around here.”

It would have been nice to have Karsein’s memories. It was too vast to remember the location by actually visiting the training ground instead of just seeing it in pixels.

Still, I seem to have found it quite well. Trying to recall the background and landmarks as much as possible, I could guess where this area was.

As I reached a place to fill water, I heard voices of knights nearby.

“I feel like my body has become too heavy lately.”

“That’s because you’ve been drinking so much.”

“Well, I still train properly. Hey, you.”

I had to be careful.

Even this simple progress, if not done at a specific time, would lead to encountering knights, and if those who received orders from Emma in the training ground instigated something, conflicts would arise quickly.

If that happened, perception would gradually decline.

In the current situation where I couldn’t receive Mark’s support due to progressing through the sub-episode, it became tricky.

Waiting a bit to delay, the knights moved away.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, I quickly filled the water container and sprinkled water around.

“Where could it be?”

When drinking water in the game, usually a “drink” button appears, but this time, a “use” button appeared.

Upon using it, Karsein sprinkled water around and obtained an item.

But… this darn game.

It makes the same sound every time…

“It’s too vast now that it’s not just pixels!”

There was no choice.

I had to sprinkle water on all the surrounding stone pillars.

That way, I busily moved four times.

Then, the key hidden on a stone pillar revealed itself.

– Cling!

[ You have obtained an item! ]

“…It appeared!”

Finally, the item acquisition message seen in the game appeared.

■ Held Items ■

◆ 1st Knight Brigade Warehouse Key

[ Allows entry into the warehouse when used. ]