episode_0104

With the voice of Pythea Gelgeten, people in the waiting room enter one by one.

Those in the waiting room were all companions of the ladies who had received invitations.

Since I was Flora’s companion, I had to follow them in like she said.

Before going in there, I checked one more time.

I have what I need.

I also checked how people looked at Karssein in the waiting room.

Options that could be problematic have been avoided to some extent.

It seemed clear that the real choice would come from within.

However, one phrase catches my eye.

▶This area is a warning area!◀

An area with a high risk level appears as soon as you approach the area.

Below it was a sentence containing the power of the system to constrain the player’s actions.

[If a dispute arises, additional options may appear. Be careful! ]

‘In an area with a warning risk, you must enter there when it is obvious that additional options will appear.’

In the meantime, I can’t even choose a way to avoid this place.

▶If you are forced to leave, your recognition from nobles will be greatly diminished, and you will be restricted by Arina.◀

[Restrictions: 3 days of probation and no entry to Ruthmire territory]

Here, if the intimacy between Arina and Flora is reduced, it may be worth a try, but being placed on probation or not being able to enter the territory may lead to a bad ending.

Does that mean you clear the episode?

The conditions for clearing an episode are also quite strict.

▶You must somehow finish the meal at the tea party hosted by Pythea Gelgeten.◀

▶If you cause friction with nobles, your achievement level will greatly decrease.◀

▶If you do not meet a certain level of achievement, you will be penalized for managing Ruthmire territory.◀

There is no way out, so complete that episode until the end.

If I were to sum it up in one word, it would mean this…

‘There’s no penalty for leaving here legally, right?’

nowhere else

They say there is a failure penalty, but the only way to clear the episode is to complete the tea party.

Then it won’t be that difficult.

Thinking about that, I lifted the corner of my mouth.

***

As time passed, people started coming one by one.

The seats are filling up one by one, and the voices of the ladies are becoming more filled with anticipation each day.

Enough people gathered.

All of those who gave invitations attended, and it was said that other companions would also join in, so there would be a lot more people watching.

When it comes to tea parties, they usually don’t invite a lot of people. Anyway, it’s just a matter of chatting about various things over tea and tea.

But this time it’s not just a tea party.

There are some very interesting things to see, that can only be seen here.

It was such a rare and enjoyable tea party.

When all those who had been scheduled to attend were present, the organizer, Pieta Gelgeten, stood up.

“Then, shall we welcome the guests?”

““Yes!””

at las.

Finally.

The young ladies, whose expectations were so high that it was not enough to even express such words, unanimously agreed.

Among them,

“Yes!”

Flora, who brought Carcein, was also included.

“It would be better to introduce slowly, so I will invite you one by one.”

Then one of the wind catchers raised her hand.

“Why do we have to invite each person individually?”

“It’s hard to get to know each other by accepting guests at this gathering all at once, isn’t it? slowly. I think that in order to build friendships, you need to get to know them in more detail, rather than simply saying that someone brought you here.”

Therefore, rather than rushing in and introducing people one by one, it is better to come out and introduce them one by one.

Organizer Pitea Gelgeten explained the reason for bringing in people one at a time.

“For those who are waiting, we have given a lot with an order written down, so they will come out in that order. Wouldn’t it be fun to guess who is accompanying you?”

“I guess so. It feels like a light game is being played right after the introduction.”

“Guessing is guessing, but through voting, we will choose who impressed us the most and give a gift to the person who received the most votes.”

“Really? This is going to be so much fun!”

“I’m looking forward to it. What kind of people do you think you have brought?”

The ladies laughed, talking haha.

However, behind that smiling mask, there is only a sinister smile hidden as he nods his head as if he understands why.

Without noticing this, Flora was arguing that it would be fun too.

“Now, the first person. Could you please come out?”

“Thank you for inviting me. I am──”

One by one, the introductions began like that.

As a companion of nobles, it boasts a spectacular lineup.

It is standard for each person introduced to have a family name, and the owner of a boutique, a craftsman, an appraiser, etc., who are introduced for business purposes, also frequently appear.

However, there are no commoners among them.

Even if they were poor, they were at the level of nobility without a title, and it was safe to say that they were the upper class of the empire, owning land or leading servants.

After each person was introduced, they took their seats.

There is one last seat left.

The young ladies, glancing at the empty seats, are waiting for the last number.

“Number 30, would you please come out?”

Pythea Gelgeten grinned and called the last number.

However, number 30 does not appear.

“30 times, 30 times?”

For some reason, the last person to come out was not Karssein Bagland.

The first person to wake up in the venue, where the excitement began to rise, was Flora.

‘No way, no way…!’

He pursed his lips and entered the waiting room, asking if he had returned in the meantime.

Then, to my surprise.

Even though his number was called, he caught my eye as he was still leaning against one wall, reading a book.

On the one hand, I was relieved that I wasn’t returning to the duchy. But soon, annoyance rose up.

What on earth are you doing here? I had to ask why I was doing this.

“What are you doing here?”

“What are you doing? I read books.”

Flora frowned as she watched Carcein shamelessly turning the pages of the book.

“So why are you doing this? You are number 30. Here, here is the lot you received! You can come in, but why aren’t you coming in?”

Considering the number of people who came in every time the number was called, there was no way Karssein wouldn’t have heard it. Also, he even told me in advance that I could come in through that door.

I don’t understand why they didn’t come in.

Tuk.

The book I was reading was covered by Flora’s hand.

And then he suddenly grabbed Carcein’s hand. The intention was to get him up from this place and take him away.

“Wake up. Wake up!”

“Why is this happening?”

“You don’t have to get up and go over there!”

“Well. I think it would be right to just go back to the Duke’s house.”

“Hey!”

In the end, Flora, whose patience has reached its limit, raises her voice.

“If you just leave here, I will tell my sister. Everyone will tell me that I didn’t take good care of myself!”

Anyway, you came here at Arina’s request.

If it gets out that you didn’t take good care of me, your right to participate in the Eastern Noble Meeting will be lost.

So you have to look good to me. You have to listen to what I say.

Before she knew it, Flora’s mind had changed to those thoughts.

Without even realizing that it was almost a threat.

As if Flora’s threat had worked, Karssein uncrossed his arms and stood up.

“Well, okay. good. I’ll do you a favor right now.”

Immediately Flora’s frown straightened.

“Really? You’re not going back to the Duke’s house, are you?”

“uh.”

I was puzzled by the sudden change in Karssein’s strangely obedient attitude, but what was the big deal? There, the view towards Karssein will soon change significantly.

Perhaps Karcein will be surprised too.

As I could see such a future, I began to look forward to how we would react.

“Let’s go quickly! I need to introduce you properly.”

Flora, who regained her lively smile, entered the tea party first.

and.

Looking at her like that, Karssein chuckles.

“You really think my place is over there. You.”

Carcein muttered quietly.

His expression is smiling, but it is far from a smile.

“Yes. This would be good too. To tell you the reality.”

Two people with conflicting smiles were walking toward the tea party.

***

As we got closer to the tea party venue, they were quite noisy, as if they didn’t really care how I reacted.

Rather than being conscious of the fact that a long time had passed since the number 30 was called and no one had answered, it felt more natural.

Of course, from now on, I will destroy that natural atmosphere.

– Sweet.

“So, I am that child.”

“Hey, hey.”

“Huh? Why are you doing that all of a sudden… Ah.”

When the door opened, their eyes focused together.

“That person… who is he?”

“Young-ae. Listen to me.”

“…Ah!”

As expected, the knights did the same, but their reaction was one turn late.

Regardless of man or woman, there are not many people who properly recognize Karsein.

That meant that only a few people had seen Karssein, who had been extremely reluctant to go out after the tea party.

‘The Flora I saw at the memorial was also quite young. Considering that, it wouldn’t be surprising if you didn’t recognize me right away.’

I think it’s probably been well over a year since I set foot here again.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

“That’s right.”

“Why did you wear such simple clothes?”

However, the story of Karsein’s attendance spread among them in an instant. This brief moment of time. In the meantime, the story of who I was had already spread.

-Tiring!

At the same time, a choice came to mind.

‘That doesn’t work.’

The time constraints of the curfew are very fatal to me.

I had to give as reasonable a reason as possible, so I had to avoid fighting with them.

However, there is no way that can happen the way I want.

▶This area is a warning area!◀

[If a dispute arises, additional options may appear immediately. Be careful! ]

This is the situation where the power of the system is greatest.

“Customer number 30 has just arrived. Please briefly introduce yourself. By the way, it shouldn’t be known who you came as a companion with, so please be careful about that.”

The host of the tea party, Pythea Gelgeten, said this while gesturing lightly.

Honestly, I wonder if there’s anyone here who doesn’t know who I am, but for formal purposes, it’s probably right to do it that way.

At the same time, a choice appeared.

▶Pythea Gelgeten requests an introduction. How would you respond?

[ 1. (sarcastically) Do you want to pretend like you don’t know when you know everything? ]

[ 2. It’s so stupid that there’s still a bitch who doesn’t know about the Bagland duchy. ]

[ 3. (Ignoring the words of Pythea Gelgeten) Karssein Bagland. That’s it. ]

…

…

‘It’s a choice, but it’s blatant hostility.’

I have an intuition because I have gone too far in this direction.

Eyes full of anticipation. They are like wild beasts waiting for their moment.

In this place, which is comprised only of high-ranking nobles and the upper class of the empire, one way or another, tackles will be made towards Karssein, who is the only low-class person.

Are you crushing them with the power of the Vagrand Duke family?

That is impossible. Since this is a special place called a tea party, it is buried in their public opinion battle.

In this situation, fourteen options are left out. It is difficult to determine what is correct. I can honestly say that this is a shitty situation.

But, I know.

At these times, it is normal to act in a way that is completely unexpected.

‘It would be nice to make an excuse. ‘This should be enough.’

I don’t know which of them is correct.

However, I can twist the options to create the correct answer.

Receiving a gaze that was so thick that it felt like it was stinging, I moved to one wall.

[ 10. (Irritated) Arina told me to come here just to escort Flora. ]☑

“I just came as Flora Bagland’s escort.”

Then the nobles’ expressions changed mysteriously.

“…”

Flora was most uncomfortable with this situation and her eyes were wide open.