Chapter 14: Will you be my partner…?

Black Swan was destroyed, and Seraphina was fully redeemed.

[Seraphina Fires Redemption Ending Complete]

The system notification appeared, followed by a message instructing me to leave the area to receive my next quest.

My work here was done.

It was time to leave Seraphina.

She had asked to see me tonight, likely for another chess match. I would slip away while she slept.

I knocked on her door.

“Come in.”

I entered the room.

“I’m…”

My words caught in my throat.

Seraphina was breathtaking.

She wore a white monokini with a bridal veil draped over her head.

I was momentarily stunned. I swallowed hard.

“S-Seraphina… What are you wearing?”

“W-well…?”
“You…”

You look amazing! The rarest illustration in the game, “My Ideal Wife, Seraphina Fires” ver., had come to life.

An illustration that cost a fortune to obtain.

“…D-does it look strange?”

She blushed and looked down, fidgeting nervously. I chuckled.

“N-no… You’re…beautiful. Absolutely stunning.”
“Really?”

I nodded. She smiled, relieved.

“Come, sit. Let’s have some wine.”
“Ha ha, alright.”

Two glasses of wine sat on the table. I sat down, and she joined me, raising her glass.

“Shall we…toast?”
“Yes.”

She frowned slightly.

“Can you…stop speaking so formally?”
“Excuse me?”
“At the cemetery…you spoke casually.”
“Ah…that’s because…”

I had unconsciously switched to casual speech. It felt strange to revert back to formality now. I smiled and nodded.

“Okay.”
“A toast…to our happiness.”
“…To our happiness.”

We clinked glasses. She took a sip, and I followed suit.

“It’s…sweet, but strong.”
“Really? I think it’s quite good. Are you a good drinker, Seraphina?”
“Not really. I don’t like alcohol. What about you?”
“I’m…average.”

I smiled and took another sip.

“Would you like more?”
“Yes, please. Why are you dressed like that?”
“This…?”

She poured me more wine and whispered,

“I thought you’d like it…”

You thought I’d like it…? I wanted to punch the air in excitement. She’s so cute! I forced myself to remain calm.

“I…I do like it, but… Aren’t you uncomfortable?”
“Well…yes.”

She looked at me with a slightly disappointed expression.

“But…if it’s for Isabel…it’s okay.”
“Ha ha, I see.”

It was a bold choice, and incredibly distracting.

I had to fight the urge to…lose control.

I was an illustrator collector, a Mediator.

I couldn’t jeopardize Seraphina’s redemption, not when I was so close to the good ending. I took a large gulp of wine to calm my nerves.

“Ah!”
“Are you okay, Isabel?”

I had spilled some wine on my pants.

I blushed and muttered, “I’m fine,” wiping the stain with a napkin.

Seraphina knelt beside me.

“…You’ve spilled some here.”
“S-Seraphina…”

My heart pounded in my chest.

She carefully wiped the stain, her touch gentle and caring.

She was no longer a villainess; she was a true heroine. Her hand moved up my thigh…

“Ah!”

I gasped softly. She blushed and looked up at me. I stood up abruptly.

“Ha ha ha… This is getting awkward.”
“Um… I have a question.”
“What is it?”

She stood up and looked at me intently.

“…You said you’d always be by my side. So…will you…”
“W-what…?”

She hesitated. My heart pounded in anticipation.

“Will you what…?”
“…Will you be my partner?”

Partner?! Is she…proposing?! My mind raced.

How should I respond? I should refuse…but how? Was refusing even the right thing to do?

“I…I…um…”
“…Do you…not want to?”
“N-no, it’s not that, I just…”
“…”

My hesitation seemed to disappoint her.

She looked down, dejected. I called her name, but she didn’t respond.

I was about to speak again when she started giggling.

“He he…”
“…?”
“Ha ha ha ha ha!”

She covered her mouth, trying to contain her laughter. She waved her hand dismissively.

“Just kidding! Ha ha ha ha!”
“What?! You were teasing me?!”
“Ha ha ha! Sorry, sorry… But you’re so cute! I thought the Black Hound was supposed to be this…experienced, unflappable man…”
“You surprised me!”
“Ha ha ha…! That was hilarious.”

Tears of laughter streamed down her face. She wiped them away and raised her glass, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Did you really think I was going to propose?”
“Ha ha, I did…”
“Why?”
“Why wouldn’t I be excited? A beautiful woman like you proposing to me?”
“…Oh.”

She looked slightly disappointed.

“Would you have accepted…even if I was a terrible villainess?”
“Of course. Well, you have responsibilities now, but…once everything is settled…”
“Once everything is settled…?”

I grinned.

“You’ll figure it out.”
“…”

The air grew cold. She gasped.

“You’re getting back at me for that, aren’t you?!”
“How did you know?”
“You’re so sneaky!”
“Ha ha ha! Another drink? To the eternal happiness of Seraphina Fires.”
“Cheers.”

We spent the rest of the evening chatting and laughing, a bittersweet farewell celebration.

As dawn broke, I left a letter for Seraphina and slipped away.

Grace Field would prosper under her rule.

She would be a great Countess.

Now, it was time to choose my next target.

I had already decided, but first, I needed to collect my reward. I opened the quest window.

________________________________________________________________________________

[Status Window]

[The Passionate and Aloof Flame, Countess Seraphina Fires.]

She was the Countess of House Fires, the tyrannical ruler of Grace Field, known for her cruelty and ruthlessness.

Abused by her parents, forced to endure a rigorous education, she witnessed her brother murder their parents and then challenge her to a duel for control of the family.

She emerged victorious, but deeply scarred.

Distrustful of the world, she ruled with an iron fist, threatening to become the Bloody Mary, bathing in the blood of maidens and children.

You stopped her descent into madness, redeeming the destructive flame within her.

With your gentle touch, you transformed her into the Heroine of Sacred Fire, a benevolent ruler. Thank you for your hard work.

[Reward: 10,000pt]
[Skill Acquired: Fires’ Purification]

________________________________________________________________________________

Fires’ Purification.

A minor healing spell that also removed status ailments.

Perfect for my next target: Belladriel Dresia, a fallen saint turned heretical witch. She had white hair, a G-cup bust, and a gentle demeanor. I left Grace Field, heading towards my next redemption quest.

“Black Hound, where are you going?”

A voice called out behind me. I turned and saw Captain Garkin.

“…Where are you going?”

I chuckled.

“Shouldn’t you be asleep?”
“A Captain of the Guard never sleeps. And you? Where are you going at this hour?”

He knew who I was.

But it didn’t matter. I had done nothing wrong.

I shrugged.

“You pretended not to know me before.”
“…Ha ha, who wouldn’t know the Black Hound, the shadowy fixer of the nobility?”
“Hmm… It’s been a while since I’ve heard that title.”
“Has it? I was curious…why someone like you would become a trainee butler. It seemed…odd.”

Odd?

“…I needed the money.”
“Money… Ha ha ha, judging by the way you’re leaving, you must have been paid well.”

I held up the pouch of gold I had received.

“Very well.”
“You’re quite wealthy. Ha ha ha.”

I sighed.

“That’s true. Now, if there’s nothing else…”
“One more thing.”
“What is it?”

He approached me and bowed deeply.

“Thank you for helping the Countess, for helping Grace Field.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You…you changed her. She was a tyrant, but you…you made her a good ruler. You saved our village. You’re our savior.”

Savior of Seraphina Fires, perhaps. I continued to feign ignorance.

“I didn’t do anything. You’re starting to sound like a cult member, ha ha ha…”
“Am I? Well, regardless…wherever you’re going…safe travels.”
“Thank you. Until next time.”

A farewell with no promise of return.

I left Grace Field, heading towards my next redemption quest.

(Additional Seraphina versions to follow.)