episode_0077

A day has passed.

My body was still sore. It would be strange if the recovery speed was that fast, but whatever. It might be more accurate to say that my body is itching now.

Instead, I spent most of my time in the room looking for various things, so I figured out quite a bit.

First, we found out how far the episode progressed.

After CHAPTER 1, the family’s intimacy increases, and all those related to Emma and Theo are struck down.

As compensation for the duke’s enemies disappearing, all threatening figures will leave.

In other words, CHAPTER 1 is, in a word, the story of the duke house.

The main plot can be seen as clearing away the false accusations made against the dukedom by his family and refining Karssein’s position within the dukedom.

After having a light meal and chat with Harnier, there were no more signs of the episode branching decision stage, so I wasn’t that impatient.

So, as I took my time, I was able to realize that the current situation was only one episode ahead.

“Whoop, whoop…!”

-Tiring!

▶Continuous exercise increases your maximum behavioral power!◀

▶The number required to suffer from the fatigue condition has increased!◀

The second was the relaxation of stat increase restrictions.

Although the stat increase is not as high as running in the gym, just doing light push-ups in the room like now will increase the stat.

That meant that even though I was no longer in the gym, I could fill up my stats through light exercise.

However, as this restriction was lifted, something a little strange arose.

■Carcein Bagland■ – 18 years old

Lv. 10

▶Strength 3.96

▶Agility 5.17

▶Endurance 5.42

▶Stamina 3.00

▶Immunity 1.10

At first glance, it seemed like there was no problem up to this point, as all I had was the stats I had filled at the training ground.

But when I looked a little more closely, I was able to see something subtly different.

Right next to the level, the window that displayed the SP you have has disappeared.

This game gives SP as you level up. It may not be considered very efficient, but it provides 0.05 SP and can be used to increase desired stats. It also depends on the player’s will.

However, I cannot use the SP I have.

Not only now, but also in the future, forever.

▶The SP you have is automatically ??? Used for stats!◀

That’s because of this window.

If you look below, you will see a mysterious picture that I took without thinking about whether it would have some kind of effect. The stat goes up to 0.50.

Seeing that it was stamped arbitrarily without being touched, it would be correct to assume that some action took place permanently.

But I don’t really know what effect this has.

‘I’ve never seen it in a game before.’

anyway.

While clearing this chapter, I touched some kind of trigger, and unlike the game, the stat management restrictions were relaxed due to this trigger, but in return, the exchange was made that I couldn’t increase my stats with SP.

I think the second change can be summarized like this.

‘This is Chapter 2.’

It’s strange, but it’s hard to see both as losses.

That doesn’t mean there is any merit, but there was no need to significantly modify the existing plan.

“Master. Madam wants to have breakfast with the family.”

Breakfast.

When I think of meal time at this time, something not very good comes to mind, but I think it would be better to go now.

“I’ll take a shower right away and meet you at the restaurant.”

***

As I got dressed and came out, a woman bent down as if she wanted to follow me.

Then he smiled at me and said hello.

“Nice to meet you. Master Karssein. My name is Tasha Deol, a new member of the dukedom.”

Of course I thought Camila would be waiting, but if it was Tasha Deol…

‘You are the new head maid.’

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

Emma, the head maid, was kicked out as a result of Chapter 1, so there must have been a lot of empty seats in the duchy.

In addition, the person who was invited along with the maids to become the new head maid was a woman named Tasha Deol.

The main feature is that as soon as Chapter 2 begins, he soon becomes an ally of Karssein…

‘what. Why doesn’t that seem like everything?’

Strangely, I felt like I was missing something.

“Have we ever met separately?”

“Yes?”

“Before the duke. Since I am a child picked up from a slum, we might have met one day.”

“I’m sorry, but this is the first time I’ve seen you here.”

“Really?”

Hmm… After all, isn’t this someone Karssein already knew?

I guess I just thought too much and misunderstood it. I thought about it that way and tried to ignore it.

“But, I received great favor from you.”

Tasha responded with a kind smile.

“Great grace?”

“Hehe. Yes.”

Is it because of my mood?

I’m not sure if it’s because Emma looked down on me so much, but Tasha’s words don’t seem like lies.

The problem is that I have no idea about it.

“First, please go with your fiancée, Lady Harnier. Master.”

“Uh, uhh. Yes.”

At this point, if he had figured out that he knew who his fiancee was, this question might have been resolved right away.

After a while, Harnier came out of the guest room, yawning.

When she realized that she had been seen yawning, she hurriedly covered her mouth and cleared her throat, trying to hide herself.

“Joe, good morning. Carcein.”

“Did you not sleep well?”

“A little bit. I guess I have some work to do.”

When I heard that she had something to do by coming all the way here, I thought that this woman was also very stubborn.

This probably means that even during this time, he was working while avoiding the Marquis’ eyes.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Just in case, I decided to be careful not to raise suspicion about our engagement.

Tasha and the other maids who followed behind her were also moderately bitten.

Then Harnier asked worriedly.

“Can I wear it to the Duke’s breakfast?”

“I wonder what the food is like. There was a little bit of hospitality at the Duke’s house as well.”

To be precise, ‘there would have been’ is correct.

Because I don’t know either.

“Hey, Karssein. You need to know that this isn’t just simple hospitality. Surely you don’t even know what this means?”

“…Is there any problem?”

“No way, I thought…”

Harnier felt dizzy and touched his forehead.

“Listen carefully, Karsein. Bringing your fiancée into your duchy’s house to sleep is no different from your fiance’s intention to visit your fiancée’s family. It means introducing each other to both families.”

What the fuck?

Did you mean that?

“He said it as if he would take care of it…”

“No, how do I know that? I don’t even know the proper manners of nobles.”

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

I don’t think that’s what it means to send your fiancee to sleep.

It was an embarrassing thing.

Harnier and I are planning to get engaged, but that doesn’t happen in a year.

Formally introducing him to the other family like this would mean continuing this relationship… I can roughly guess why he is burying his face in his hands.

“The Marquis is already vehemently opposed to marrying you. It’s because the other party is the Duke of Bagland and they are watching you. Do you know that if you do this when we split up, only you will be in danger?”

“Yes?”

Harnier glanced around, covered his mouth with one hand, and asked in a voice that only I could hear.

“I heard you were going to escape from the Duke’s house. If you leave after breaking off the engagement, it won’t be long before I leave the Marquis’s residence, and since you will lose me, it is only natural that the Marquis may be angry.”

That’s true, though.

That’s the reason you’re in trouble…

“Harnier. Are you losing nothing by doing this?”

“No. Why am I losing money?”

Harnier was tilting his head as if he did not understand.

‘…I won. ‘I don’t know even if I know it.’

I also thought that Harnier was going to suffer some kind of loss.

But it turns out that I never thought they would make such a fuss because of my worries.

As expected, I can never get used to this.

“There’s no problem, so just eat and leave.”

“You mean you prepared separately?”

“Yes.”

Rather, it is the opposite.

What will Marquis Theresia do to me after breaking off the engagement?

Even Duke Vagrand wouldn’t care about me.

If those people really wanted to do anything, they would probably try to undermine the authority of Duke Bagland.

They are burning with ambition, so the loss of contact with Harnier may cause anger, saying that they were not able to use it, but in fact, they would not have any interest in me.

“More than that, I heard that you had something to ask me yesterday.”

“Oh, uh, that? that’s right! There’s something I’d like to ask you to help me with.”

“…is that so.”

I know you want help.

…But why are you stuttering like this?

I asked him to speak in peace.

“Well… I heard people in the social world think I’m lying because they don’t see you anymore…”

“Didn’t I make sure you took care of everything during the Snowflake Festival?”

“…Do you know how many days you have not seen me?”

hmm. Well, that’s fine. How long has it been?

It’s about 6 days since Episode V took place at the training ground.

If you add the time it took for Episode VI, the trial, Theo Ramstair’s escape, Flora’s kidnapping, and the time it took to solve the case, to the time it took for me to wake up…

“It’s been more than ten days. You leave your fiancee alone like this, won’t you be suspicious?”

“Is that so?”

“No, I’m not saying is that so… Sigh. Really. This can’t be taught.”

I said yes and decided to accept it.

I’m not sure how strict it is about being engaged in this world, but I’ve never even been in a relationship.

Maybe that’s why I don’t know how long it’s appropriate to be away from my lover.

‘But as Harnier mentioned, it would of course not be good to leave something that could raise suspicion, considering the future.’

I think it would be better to suppress the voices of the social circles for now.

“There are limits to how I can suppress those voices alone. That’s why it’s a bit of a difficult situation right now.”

“What can I do for you?”

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

“Hmm. I think it’s possible. But, it looks like you’re going out at that level?”

Then Harnier sighed deeply.

“Because I was so suspicious, I went a bit too far in trying to avoid suspicion. So, you are forced to attend a party.”

“Party…”

Speaking of a party, it is clearly a gathering of nobles.

Although it is a place that is originally frowned upon as it is a place where children of famous families gather.

‘Now that I’ve cleared Chapter 1, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to stop by at least once.’

We can see how Carcein’s perception has changed due to the trial that ended with my victory in the Duke’s House.

You can meet the nobles you will see at the Eastern Noble Meeting in advance, and if things go well, you can clear the sub-episodes.

You can also legally move out of the dukedom.

It was an opportunity either way.

“I understand. Let’s go eat first.”

“…”

“Harnier?”

“I don’t have anything to say about this later, right? Because you accepted it.”

“Yes?”

“No backstory! Let’s go quickly, I’m hungry!”

When I questioned it, Harnier quickly grabbed my hand and started dragging me to the restaurant.

…I’ve been stuttering or avoiding eye contact since a while ago.

Surely something isn’t going to happen?

***

“Welcome to come.”

“Sorry for being late. Duchess.”

“No. We have just arrived, so please sit down quickly.”

As we entered the restaurant, Isabella welcomed us with a bright smile.

Harnier greeted her gently with unwavering dignity, and Isabella must have liked her as she raised her hand and guided her to her seat.

Arina, Claire, and Flora were sitting on the right, in that order, so Harnier and I were sitting on the left.

however.

-Tadadadadak. Slurp.

“I want to eat here today.”

As soon as he looked at me and Harnier, he got up from his seat and ran over to take my seat first.

…What kind of situation is this?