episode_0148

As Chapter 2 starts with a sub-episode and moves on to the main episode, the emergency mission also has some unique aspects.

Emergency mission in Chapter 2.

This is an additional event that occurs during the gap before the episode progresses. A mini game is provided to the player, and additional rewards are paid when successful.

It is similar to the sub-episode of Chapter 1 in that you can make your own choices. Unlike the main episode, there is little risk and it is not mandatory, so there is no need to perform emergency missions.

Conversely, the difference is that sub-episodes have an impact on the main episode, but emergency missions have no risk at all, but their influence on the main episode is close to zero.

Compensation is an item that resolves minor penalties or lowers status abnormalities. Literally, it is an ‘additional’ compensation.

Normally, I wouldn’t have even paid attention to something like that.

There is no risk, but it is a waste of time.

The fact that it’s a mini game boasts an incredibly difficult level, and even if you actually clear it, the reward you get is not very useful.

but.

The story was a little different now.

“Harnier.”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to narrow the distance a little further for a moment?”

“…?”

Harnier gave a questioning look.

I guess so. Because that’s not the composition I’ve practiced before.

But there is no time to think now.

-Sigh.

I gently removed my hand and immediately hugged her waist.

Then the next afterimage was ready.

‘I knew it!’

As soon as I changed my posture, a pale afterimage appeared.

The next move came out.

That means…

If you use the game system, you can dance, right?

“Ka, Karsein? Why are you suddenly standing like this? You didn’t practice in advance, right?”

To Harnier, who looked embarrassed, I whispered again while holding the position of the afterimage.

“This dance. You know, right?”

“That’s right… I know because I practiced on a mannequin.”

Well, it doesn’t mean you can’t dance.

Now that the first condition has been satisfied, the next condition is to persuade Harnier.

“Then, let’s go with this instead of what we practiced.”

“What, what?”

“I vaguely remember it. Only once, but I saw something in a book.”

Of course, saying you saw it in a book is a lie.

I have never seen a book of etiquette related to dancing, not only before being possessed by a game, but even after being possessed.

But I can dance this dance.

‘Light colors later. Dark colors first. It certainly was. That faint afterimage I see in my eyes is because the song hasn’t started.’

Because none other than the system of this emergency mission is assisting me. So, even though I don’t know anything about dancing, I can dance.

This dance is ultimately a mini-game where you have to move Karsein’s body appropriately. I had to suffer from a difficulty level that had no answer, but…

It didn’t seem like it would be that difficult to move while looking at such a thick afterimage with my body than I thought.

Just as it was in the emergency mission of the Snowflake Festival.

“This dance is much more difficult than what we practiced. Just because you read it in a book doesn’t mean you can do it easily!”

“But if you think about it differently, it is also the only dance I have any prior knowledge of.”

“But…”

“If it’s not to this extent, won’t those ladies be convinced?”

When he pointed in that direction with his eyes, Harnier glanced towards Lady Heli and her group.

“…is it possible?”

I chuckled to myself.

“Because I will take responsibility. Let’s believe it once.”

This damn game is so detailed and tight that it’s absolutely disgusting.

But what if I could use that detailed and tight system?

It will never be a dance move that the ladies of society will look down on.

***

Men and women standing on stage above a set number of spotlights.

They want to determine whether a person is lying as soon as the party starts today.

Harnier swallowed his saliva as he looked at them, which looked vaguely familiar to him.

‘People who are all good at dancing…’

Not only are they all well-known in the social world, but there are also those who are famous enough to be sought after as teachers by famous families.

Lady Heli had made a very deliberate decision to bring him here.

I can’t believe I have to dance next to people like that.

There will definitely be comparisons. Every time a mistake is made, it will be pointed out one by one, and a noticeable difference will be seen and mocking laughter will be heard.

In just a few minutes, that lie will be exposed. If you made a big mistake and fell on stage, there would be no such big accident.

but.

“Because I will take responsibility. Let’s believe it once.”

Karssein said so.

Obviously, it’s normal to be anxious.

A person who has never danced before is asked to dance at the most difficult level, which he learned just by reading a book, so he must be full of worries.

It would be better to predict the future to some extent and prepare for the upheaval early on.

Harnier strangely felt more at ease.

“As much as you can. Let’s try it.”

okay. After all, isn’t it worth it to get your money’s worth?

There is nowhere to run. You have to struggle as much as you can before you are found out that you lied and become a laughing stock.

Karssein chuckled and nodded.

Soon, the lights changed, as if announcing the start of the dance, and a prelude was played.

Harnier slowly followed the rhythm and moved as he knew well.

What remains is whether Karssein follows suit. That’s the key.

Complex beats and difficult tempos.

This is because you have to do the most dazzling dance in this song that traverses irregularities and rules.

however.

‘…what?’

Karsein accurately settled and moved at this difficult tempo. Was that confidence not just a saying?

I thought it was only the first time, but Harnier easily melted into the rhythm and synced. Each other’s breathing, which had been broken several times, came together in an instant.

“Well, what happened to that…?”

“Lady Harnier dances like that… Do you really think she knows how to dance?”

“It’s strange! They even dance to this difficult song!”

“No. That’s not the only thing that’s strange! How can even my fiancé be so perfect…!”

The ladies can’t help but be shocked when they see this scene.

Of course it will.

She is quite surprised too.

It’s not just about breathing or tempo.

The timing of the dance, in which the men and women alternate the beat for each turn, is exquisitely matched.

I feel like I know how to move to the next rhythm in this complex and difficult music.

I’ve never danced before.

Even though I have never danced to this dance before.

Everything is coming together.

“Lady Heli. How did this happen?”

“If you say it right, it wouldn’t be strange if you fell asleep a long time ago!”

“To be able to perform a dance of extreme difficulty so naturally…! If this happens, the dancers we prepared also─”

It seems that it was not only the ladies who were harassing Harnier in the social world, but also the men who were waiting for Harnier to make a mistake also joined in the whispers.

Even if it was overshadowed by the music, no one could understand the situation.

But you can’t let down your guard until the end.

Even one mistake cannot be tolerated. Only by continuing this atmosphere will their suspicions be completely removed.

Soon the music reaches its climax.

In other words, it is time to show the most difficult movements.

Just get over this.

Just finish this.

The lie will be transformed into truth and the cloud of doubt will be lifted.

however.

Harnier’s body tilts while leaving the last dance move.

‘Tsk…!’

My ankle, which I had held back well, is throbbing.

I thought I could endure the pain.

It’s hard to believe that my ankle couldn’t hold up at this time and was shaking.

Unable to perform specified actions. I completely lost the rhythm needed to move on to the next movement. The tempo was moving away, and Karssein’s center of gravity was greatly distorted as his body could not hold on.

It’s the last time.

All I have to do is finish this.

It ends in the worst possible way.

Harnier closed his eyes tightly like that.

-Tup!

‘uh…?’

The body that was falling over landed squarely in Karssein’s arm.

Karssein was urgently hugged, but his body was maintained at an artistic angle. He was in charge of finishing this alone.

When the song ended, the audience gave a standing ovation.

Harnier was taken aback by the applause of praise from everyone and realized that it had been a successful conclusion.

“Ha.”

Two legs that were helpless.

Karssein managed to come closer and support Harnier’s body, which wouldn’t have been strange even if he collapsed.

Although he looked like he was leaning awkwardly, Harnier was finally able to smile and speak.

“How did you do it?”

I wondered what would happen if I couldn’t practice dancing properly because of other thoughts.

Even though I did something completely ridiculous, I got fantastic results. With this, there will be no doubt about the lie that not only Lady Heli but also several men danced with her fiancé.

however.

Carcein’s arm suddenly came between my crooks and my body was lifted up.

Exclamations of exclamation poured out from the audience, regardless of age or gender.

“Ka, Karsein? Why are you doing this?”

Harnier was embarrassed and called Karssein.

He picked up his fiancee’s body and walked away without answering with a dull expression.

“Oh my. Oh my god.”

The person following these two people had their half-moon eyes folded neatly and looked like they were looking at a fresh-faced lover.

Harnier, who was lifted up like a princess, touched Karssein’s shoulder with a heated face, asking her to get down quickly, but Karssein just took her away without saying a word. Even if he sent a signal, he did not listen to Harnier’s request.

The place where the steps stopped was where the two people danced.

It was a terrace.

– Sweet.

After closing the door, Carcein carefully placed Harnier on the chair.

And then he immediately knelt down on the floor.

“Ka, Karssein…? What on earth… Tsk!”

Harnier’s shoes slip off with a faint groan.

Wounds hidden inside the shoes were revealed.

Karssein sighed sadly.

“For some reason, I felt like my body was shaking slightly every time I moved my feet… were you hiding this?”

I wondered why they brought me here after the dance.

It seemed like he wanted to check this.

Since I was caught, there was nothing I could do.

“I’m sorry. I also… have a situation…”

“Circumstances?”

“…Yes. These shoes were sent as a gift by Marquis Theresia while carrying out some sort of transaction with Lady Heli, so I had no choice but to wear them.”

Because of these circumstances, I had no choice. However, for Karssein, it would be like having a burden on him.

I am aware that it was a nuisance in many ways. The reason I started doing this dance was myself, and I also held back during the practice process. Even when actually dancing, if it weren’t for his good sense, he would have made a big mistake.

I was prepared to hear harsh words.

But he wasn’t angry.

“If I had told you in advance, I wouldn’t have made you dance with your feet to this point, even if I had to force you.”

With completely unexpected words.

I was gently caressing my feet.

“Did you say Lady Heli? Let me borrow these shoes.”

“Well, what are you trying to do?”

“Shouldn’t you pay it back straight? How dare I commit such a petty act? I think I need to hear what Arina has to say, but I’m not going to let this go.”

– Excited!

The jumping that disrupted dance practice began again.

“…Why? You have no reason to do something like that.”

Those words came out reflexively.

But nothing was wrong.

There really is no need for that.

It’s this much pain, I guess I can just endure it.

It was just part of the bullying I had always experienced.

Moreover, it is only a contractual engagement relationship.

She’s not even my real fiancee.

Is there a need to pay this much attention to it?

“It’s enough that my lie wasn’t discovered. So, there is no need for you to go looking for Lady Heli.”

The goal has been accomplished.

This pain won’t last long.

Note, just skip it.

“I’m sorry, but I’m being a bit forceful.”

Harnier’s eyes widened at Karssein’s subsequent answer.

“Even if you’re not my fiancee, I don’t want to make you go through this experience twice.”

– Excited!

Is it because of my mood?

The sound of jumping seemed to be louder than before.