Ch.1212. This Is All My Idea!!

“So, you’re saying Lady Elina suddenly came to the library?”

“Yes, she was drinking alone and seems to have taken a wrong turn.”

*Ding* ♪

━Luna’s Affection Deficiency

= 75 → 70 changed [↓5 decrease]

“Then what was that crying sound?”

“Obviously, I don’t know either. She suddenly came in, lay on the floor, and started crying.”

“Ah…”

“She collapsed, what was I supposed to do? I had to help her up, right?!”

“W-well, that’s true, but…”

*Ding* ♪

━Luna’s Affection Deficiency

= 70 → 65 changed [↓5 decrease]

I wondered if I had ever made such desperate explanations to someone in my life.

No, is it even funny to call this an explanation?

Seriously, it’s not like I did anything wrong—I’m just telling the truth!

While Rigard and Padericks escorted the drunken Elina out, a heavy silence filled the library.

What would happen if Luna’s Affection Deficiency score actually reached 100 and activated “Blood Massacre”?

My status window system is unique in this world, but it’s evolving, and I can’t stop it with my current abilities.

If Luna loses her reason and can’t distinguish between friend and foe, the mansion would likely become a bloodbath.

That’s why I’m so desperately trying to lower her Affection Deficiency score right now.

By the way.

Why does Luna’s personality seem to have changed even though “Blood Massacre” hasn’t been activated yet?

Plus, her Affection Deficiency score shoots up all at once when it increases, but drops only by tiny amounts when it decreases.

I slowly moved forward.

Then, putting on my killer melodramatic eyes, I grabbed Luna’s shoulders with both hands.

“I can’t just stand by when someone is suffering.”

“That’s… true!”

*Ding* ♪

━Luna’s Affection Deficiency

= 65 → 50 changed [↓15 decrease]

Luna’s face instantly turned red, and she fled from the library as if escaping.

I wiped the cold sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand and let out a sigh of relief.

‘Did I just save this world?’

Shit!

The only way to prevent this miserable situation from repeating is to train hard and build up my strength.

It’s still a long time before the protagonist passes through this territory.

“What a goddamn mess…”

The shame of having desperately rambled on to save my life was finally sinking in.

I could only stare blankly at the library door through which Luna had run out, my face exhausted.

*

“Kirrrrrek!”

*Ding* ♪

┗+1 Agility has increased.

I woke up early and headed to the forest near the territory.

After walking for quite a while toward the danger zone, goblins gradually came into view.

Swoosh-!

“Gurrrrek!”

For knights, killing a single goblin was nothing.

In real-world terms, they’re weaker than tigers.

Yet Rio and Jawill Wilson, who accompanied me, remained tense, wary of other potential monsters.

“Young master, I think we’ve come too deep. We should head back now.”

“It’s fine. We haven’t even killed ten goblins yet. Might as well finish what we started.”

“If we encounter a goblin horde, the three of us won’t be able to handle it.”

“That’s exactly what I’m looking for—a goblin horde.”

Jawill Wilson, who had been walking behind us in a defensive stance, sheathed his sword and made an aggrieved face.

“A-a goblin horde? Young master, that’s too much!”

“What’s your problem now?”

“Rio is at least one of the stronger knights, but why did you bring me along?”

“Draw your sword.”

“…Pardon?”

“I said draw your sword.”

I slightly hunched over, sensing a chill, and quickly looked around.

That’s when I heard an unpleasant howl that seemed to pierce my eardrums.

Wait, while we were chatting, a goblin horde had surrounded us.

I urgently looked at Jawill Wilson and raised my voice.

“Jawill Wilson!! You asked why I brought you along?”

Jawill Wilson drew his sword again, veins bulging in his neck.

“Young master, you finally called my name properly… Don’t worry!! I’m ready!!!”

“Good, now drive them.”

“…Pardon?”

“Didn’t you hear me? Move around and draw the goblins’ attention.”

A moment later.

Jawill Wilson was running in all directions through the forest, shoulders slumped.

When the ferocious-sounding goblins were distracted by his flashy footwork, I made my move.

“Rio, let’s go!”

“Yes! Understood!”

I rushed in and sliced a goblin in half with one stroke, green blood splattering everywhere.

The stench was nauseating.

Fighting back the urge to retch, I kept my eyes wide open.

“Die!”

“Gurrrrrrek!”

Most monsters are usually dealt with by hunters.

However, this is a small territory at the edge of the Eastern Continent.

The only monsters that appear are goblins, so even hunters avoid this place.

Of course, for someone like me who needs to increase my stats, this place is a gold mine.

“Y-young master!! Save me!!”

I reflexively turned my head at Jawill Wilson’s cry.

With a “boom” sound, fireballs fell around Jawill Wilson.

It had to be magic from a goblin shaman, the leader of the horde.

“Aah! H-hot!!”

Another fireball fell, and as I vaguely traced its direction, I saw a goblin shaman casting spells from a distant tree branch.

“Hah!!”

Focusing all my energy on my lower body, I sprang toward the tree like a coiled spring.

Then I swung my sword at the tree with all my might.

Crash-!

If I could cut through tough goblin skin, a withered tree was nothing.

With a “crack” sound, the tree split, and the goblin shaman was thrown to the ground.

“Karrrrruk-!”

The shaman’s back must have broken in the fall, as it writhed on the ground, unable to get up.

I approached, reversed my sword to point downward, raised it high above my head, and shouted.

“Die, you bastard!”

“Kueeeeek!”

*Ding* ♪

*Ding* ♪

┗+1 Vitality has increased.

┗+1 Mana has increased.

━Acquired skill: Fireball.

━Acquired skill: Absorption.

*

-What is all that?

-Looks like goblin corpses?

-Did the young master go monster hunting?

-Could it be… he hunted monsters for our safety?

Yes, that’s right.

Well done, well done!

-Come on, a scoundrel wouldn’t do that for us…

-But is that “scoundrel” rumor even true?

-Yeah, the young master has been exiled here for almost 5 months, and he hasn’t harmed us at all.

-Harm? He’s been helping us! Remember when he took care of those assassins hiding in the mountain valley?

A remarkable scene unfolded as villagers gathered around the mountain of goblin corpses in the square, each adding their own comments.

I enjoyed the situation with a satisfied expression.

In contrast, Rio and Jawill Wilson, who had personally loaded and hauled the goblin corpses in handcarts, were already exhausted.

“From now on, the knights and I will personally deal with any monsters near the territory.”

The villagers had long since abandoned their suspicions about me.

Thumping my chest with my palm, I continued speaking.

“We will gradually expand the safe areas, promote thriving trade between territories, and ensure that herb gatherers can collect herbs abundantly.”

-Wow!!! Maybe Baron Byron sent the young master here on purpose!?

-It might not even be exile! Baron Byron is looking after us too!

-Long live House Alphonse!!

No, you fools.

This was all MY idea!!

Though I felt somewhat frustrated, this was the first time I’d received such cheers from people since being possessed by this body, so it wasn’t a bad feeling.

“And this monster hunt was made possible largely thanks to Rio Sergan and Jawill Wilson here. Please remember the faces of these proud knights.”

Once again, warm applause and cheers echoed throughout the square.

Even Rio and Jawill Wilson, who had looked utterly exhausted, now had eyes full of pride at the villagers’ encouragement.

I figured that after giving them this much credit, they wouldn’t complain the next time I took them monster hunting.

After finishing my short speech, I headed back to the mansion.

Having completed a refreshing shower, I entered the dining room to find Rio and Jawill Wilson standing there with uneasy expressions.

“You’re not being punished, so why are you all standing?”

I sat in a chair and tilted my head, and Rio glanced briefly at Padericks the butler before speaking.

“H-how could I dare to dine with you, young master…”

I sighed briefly and looked at Padericks.

“Padericks, can’t comrades who hunted monsters together also eat together?”

“Pardon? Young master, why are you asking me…”

“Because they’re watching you.”

“Ah, no, sir. All authority rests with you, young master.”

“Fine, you sit down too. Food always tastes better when eaten together.”

“…As you wish.”

I nodded and mouthed “See?” to Rio and Jawill Wilson, who finally sat down slowly.

Soon, prepared dishes filled the table one after another.

‘They say food tastes like honey after hard work…’

That saying seemed true.

The meal, which I had sometimes found boring, passed more quickly than usual.

Rio and Jawill Wilson maintained their manners despite drooling, and Padericks savored his food slowly.

Yes, I could have these peaceful, happy meals for the rest of my life.

If I just endure a little more hardship.

After finishing the meal, I was leisurely waiting for dessert when the Knight Commander, Rain Breaker, rushed in.

“Y-young master!”

‘Of course. In this damn novel, something always happens.’

Familiar with the situation, I rested my chin on the table with a disinterested expression.

“What is it now?”

“Y-young master!! Someone from House Cardrian has arrived.”