episode_0215

▶Arina’s intimacy has decreased!◀

[Current figure: 31%]

“Ha. Flora’s birthday was somehow passed over because of the other younger siblings. I should have guessed it from the way he was trying to avoid breaking his presentation in front of his mother. I can’t believe I’m trying to respect you. I did something stupid like this again.”

Arina covered her eyes with one hand.

She cleared her throat and warned me.

“You must be prepared to pay the price for talking carelessly about someone with an open mouth. Carcein.”

come.

It wasn’t visible before, but now it is visible.

-widely!

I caught the wrist flying toward my cheek.

“…!”

“If you thought I would stand in the same place forever, you were greatly mistaken. Arina Bagland.”

Even though the hands are full of mana, they are no longer pushed back.

Unlike before, the body has grown and is well-nourished. Muscles built through repeated training. Now that I have awakened my mana, I am no longer being pushed aside by Arina.

“Watch until the end. And if I fail spectacularly like you said.”

I roughly pushed Arina’s wrist away and continued speaking.

“Go ahead and do whatever you want. It doesn’t matter whether you’re put in a solitary confinement, made to do only what you want in the mansion, or ripped off from the Duke’s family name.”

Of course, that will never happen.

“Ah. Do you really like throwing things away without anyone knowing?”

“Carcein Bagland!”

-Tap, knock.

After finishing what I had to say, I went downstairs without looking back.

“Don’t worry. Even if I don’t throw it away without anyone knowing, I will disappear with my own feet.”

***

Tuk.

Harnier lightly kicked a stone.

It was definitely safe to say that today was perfect.

The fact that he took a break from the 4th week mid-term evaluation report as a rest week could have been criticized as running away because he did not want to scratch his family as well as the nobles.

But no such criticism was received.

Due to the time provided by Karssein, Harnier is able to pass the upper part of Plesia towards Rusmire and enter its territory’s sphere of influence, and the clothing issue for the abandoned mines is gradually being resolved.

Harni was able to achieve results by avoiding criticism, but Karssein did not add more or less.

This is because they produced high-quality fruit that nobles would drool over, and even succeeded in establishing contact with the West, which gave them significant additional points from the imperial family.

So I felt really good.

It felt good to have solved one’s own problem, but when I remembered how no one could open their mouths to Karssein and ended up getting points deducted, I felt like I would taste the food just by eating it.

however.

Her cheeks are slightly puffed out now.

“Why are you so late?”

That’s because Karsein hasn’t come out yet.

He told me to leave first, saying he had some work left to do, but after 30 minutes, he hasn’t come out for an hour.

Actually, it’s not something you should feel that bad about.

Karsein must have a good reason. I’m staying there because I have business to run. It was okay even if you just understood it and moved on.

But today, I felt like I wanted to go back with him a little sooner.

-Don’t you think the rumors have much to do with it?

-Iknow, right. Unlike the rest week for the 4th week of evaluation, you don’t receive any criticism because your abilities are outstanding.

-Ability is an ability, but recently something else has caught my eye… hmm.

-Uhm~ That’s right too. Should I say that my appearance has changed more noticeably?

Those voices came from the ladies at the back of the conference hall.

These are clearly words of praise for Karsein.

The bad rumors are slowly being put to rest, and some people are recognizing his abilities.

My body has improved. His appearance has changed noticeably. Either way, it’s a good change.

But strangely enough, Harnier found those words offensive.

So I wanted to go back quickly.

“…”

With his cheeks slightly puffed out, Harnier kicked another rock with his shoe.

The rolling stone rolls further than before. Harnier’s eyes did not leave that place.

Then suddenly. The stone hit something and stopped.

Only then did the wind go out of Harnier’s cheeks.

okay. Those are Carcein’s shoes. Now is the time to go back.

“Really. Do you know when I last said it was a while? I’ve waited a long time.”

Just as he was about to raise his head with joy and invite us to go back.

Harnier suddenly felt a sense of discomfort.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting. Let’s go back.”

“…”

The reaction doesn’t seem to be much different from the usual Karsein reaction.

The voice and the way you speak are the same. It’s not much different from his usual self.

However, it has changed, albeit slightly.

Why?

Even though it is a completely different season, it somehow feels like a cold breeze is blowing through me.

At this moment, Harnier was sure that it was not just a matter of mood.

“Carcein.”

Harnier grabbed the arm of Karssein, who was leading first.

“What happened there? Did something bad happen?”

“You mean it’s something that makes you feel bad? There was nothing like that.”

“Don’t lie. Otherwise, how…”

“Nothing really happened.”

“…”

Harnier’s eyebrows narrowed slightly.

‘Nothing happened?’

It seems to me that something clearly happened?

Harnier stared at Carcein in silence.

Of course, I wasn’t sure about this from the beginning.

But at some point, I was able to read Karssein’s expression.

Act with him. As I got to know what kind of person he was, I vaguely noticed small changes.

Karsein is a person who rarely wavers in everything.

Meticulous. Be meticulous. He is a person who is not disturbed by even the smallest detail.

But that doesn’t mean he was a hard person.

When you’re in trouble, look like you’re in trouble.

When I’m embarrassed because I suspect I’ve done something wrong, I sweat profusely.

When I’m embarrassed, I scratch the back of my head and look at others.

Even if you look calm, when something good happens, you smile slightly or raise the corners of your mouth.

He is also the same person who experiences emotional changes.

However, there are times when that expression is not visible at all.

There are times when I look like a doll with a cold chill and no emotions.

Like right now.

When something happens

And the sad truth is…

For some reason, I felt like I knew the cause.

I’ve seen it several times now.

She didn’t want to leave Karssein lying like this.

“…Harnier?”

Just like it used to be. Harnier stood on tiptoe, stretched out his arms, and hugged Karssein’s head in his arms.

“I told you so. Things that are difficult should be expressed as difficult. When something hurts, you have to say it hurts. I said it wasn’t natural to endure that.”

“It’s not like that. Harnier, it seems you are misunderstanding something─”

“That’s what the family said again. No?”

“…!”

“Look. It’s true that something happened.”

What more excuse can you make?

Karssein couldn’t even say how he knew that.

“I won’t ask any more questions because it’s upsetting. But, I got caught lying today, so I’m not going to let it go.”

Carcein’s face, which had been buried in his chest, finally came out of his embrace.

Caressing Karssein’s cheek with both hands, Harnier whispers.

“Today, you will spend the remaining time with me.”

Today is a day that needs a change of mood.

***

Harnier held my hand and urged me to get on the carriage, asking me to spend the remaining time with him.

Afterwards, the carriage starts heading somewhere.

I don’t know where I’m going because Harnier only told the coachman.

and…

“Do I have to go this far?”

“Yes. You really have to do this.”

“…”

She covered my eyes with an eye patch and did not even allow me to look out the window.

Thanks to this, I had no idea where I was going.

“Master, lady! It’s arrived!”

Somehow I arrived at my destination. I thought it would be okay to take off the eye patch now, but Harnier still said no and told me to wait a little longer.

“There is a reason for everything. I will hold your hand, so walk slowly.”

“Um… I understand.”

I don’t know what it is, but I guess it’s because there’s a reason.

The problem is that I have no idea what it is.

I had to rely on Harnier’s hand to walk forward. If you strengthen your senses with mana, you will be able to walk more easily without stumbling.

But I don’t want to do that. If that were the case, I think Harnier would be somewhat angry.

As I walked little by little, Harnier finally gave me permission to take off my eye patch.

By the time I took off my eye patch, I had arrived at a lake.

The lake was split in two from the bridge we stood on.

“Hmm. The starlight is still weak.”

Harnier used luminescent magic to illuminate one side of the lake.

Then, the transparent inside of the lake is clearly visible.

“Hey, do you see the fish in the lake?”

“Yes. I can see it.”

“Actually, that fish is a species that cannot live in this lake.”

“…?”

What are you talking about.

A species that cannot live in a lake is living in that lake?

“You think it doesn’t make sense, right?”

“…Yes.”

When I hesitantly affirmed, Harnier smiled prettily.

“But it’s not a lie, it’s the truth. That lake is not an environment for fish to live in because the growing aquatic plants take up almost all the nutrients.”

It doesn’t make sense based on my common sense, but it seems that the environment was provided due to the settings in the game.

Anyway, that fish is alive.

They are surviving in a very harsh environment.

But I don’t think that life will be that long.

“In a limited location, they are barely able to survive without receiving proper nutrients. If things continue like this, won’t it be strange if I die at any time?”

“That’s right. But, that fish doesn’t die.”

-Saaa.

The water begins to rise along with Harnier’s voice.

When I wondered why the water was rising, I realized that water plants were suddenly growing on the other side of the lake, increasing its volume, and the water was flowing this way.

The fish approaches the rising water and opens its mouth as if waiting.

That’s it.

For some reason, I thought the color of the water was different.

“At night, the water plants on the other side only grow at this time, so it is time for the fish to relieve their hunger. And, those fish take advantage of that opportunity to try to escape from this lake.”

-with a splash. with a splash.

It was true. As Harnier said, the fish were bouncing their bodies and trying to somehow get over that high wall.

And a very small sound is heard from the lake behind the wall.

“Could it be that the ones in the lake over there are females?”

“You saw it correctly.”

These are females who cry at the male who is trying to cross them.

It seemed as if they were cheering.

It seems impossible, but one animal desperately bounced and fluttered over to the lake next to it.

“After crossing the fence like that, the heavily injured male eats his fill and meets his mate. From now on, you will live a happy life in that lake. They say it was even given a special name… I’m not sure about that.”

“…”

“Now you understand why I wanted to show you this, right?”

Harnier took both my hands and held them tightly.

“As those fish saw the light, it is not always difficult. Just as happiness comes after hardships, I wanted to tell you that happy days will definitely come to you someday.”

So it’s not natural for you to get hurt.

Please don’t think that pain and hardship are natural.

“Even though it’s hard right now, Karssein. You will definitely be happy. Absolutely.”

Harnier said this while holding my hand tightly.

‘…Somehow it doesn’t feel familiar.’

Is it because there was someone who held both hands tightly and said the same thing before being possessed into the game?

But then and now, I must not be shaken.

It’s okay to feel pain and hardship right now.

Now, even if I get a wound, it doesn’t even hurt.

Just for the sake of the goal.

No matter what wounds I get, I just keep moving forward.

“It looks like the sun will set completely soon. The sightseeing will end here, so let’s go back.”

“Yes. Will you provide an escort when I go down?”

“That’s about it.”

Our hands touched again.

The way back wasn’t difficult. This place seems to be used as a tourist attraction at night, with lanterns coming on as if to guide the way.

Then, Harnier suddenly cleared his throat.

“Hmm. Hey, Carcein.”

“Yes?”

“It’s random, but… Can I ask you something?”

“Why is that so?”

“Well… I was wondering what you want to do after you get out of the dukedom.”

I didn’t think you would ask a particularly difficult question.

hmm. After listening to this, I think it’s a bit of a difficult question.

‘What is it? ‘I didn’t think about it until then.’

I can’t say things like going back to where I used to live…

“If you don’t have anything to do, do you have any intention of working at my top?”

Harnier cleared his throat again and asked.

“That’s right. If you don’t do anything, it’s hard to make a living… and…”

“That doesn’t really appeal to me.”

If nothing else, I had to resolutely refuse this.

“If there is even the slightest possibility of being dragged back into that house, it is not a safe place for me.”

“…Really?”

“To be precise, I want to completely cut ties with Bagland. It would be safer to hide in the mountains where no one knows.”

“I see. If that’s the case…”

Harnier seemed to be thinking deeply about something after that.

I didn’t ask any more what he was thinking.

in between.

One step. One step.

We had been walking hand in hand and before we knew it, we were back in the carriage.

“Let’s go in.”

“Ah, yes! That’s right.”

But, what did I do, why am I so tired?

Normally, even though I had a lot of work to do, I wasn’t that tired.

Today I felt strangely tired.

I might have to take a nap in the carriage for a while.

***

It’s been a while since the 5th week reporting meeting ended, but the carriage doesn’t arrive until after dark.

But for some reason, no one gets off the carriage.

Camilla, who was about to greet her owner and fiancée a few steps away, approached the carriage out of curiosity.

There were curtains on the windows, but there were some gaps.

The curtains must have been roughly drawn.

Camilla, unable to hear any sound, peeks through the crack in the window and smiles happily at the unexpected sight.

“Um… Camilla? The lord…”

“Shh.”

Hearing the residents’ voices of concern, Camilla put her finger on her lips and advised them to lower their voices.

“You are asleep because you are tired. Everyone, let’s talk tomorrow.”

The residents obediently retreated when they heard that they had fallen asleep.

“I can’t believe they fell asleep while leaning on each other. This scene is something you would only see in a romance novel.”

In the meantime, the two overlapping hands are not separated…

Even thinking about it again, it was a scene that really made me smile.