Chapter 16

Silence.

I managed to sit down, but when I tried to start talking, the awkwardness was palpable.

It was to be expected.

I only knew Regina from the game, and facing her in person was essentially a first. Moreover, it was a peculiar situation. An unstable engagement there couldn’t be a more peculiar situation than this.

How should I treat her? Warmly? Or coldly?

And how should I speak? Respectfully? Or casually?

My mind was a mess.Whatever it was, I needed to decide quickly.I couldn’t just keep silent.

‘I’m engaged, but I’m not the kind of guy to use honorifics just because she’s my senior… nor am I one to act overly familiar…’

I roughly organized my thoughts.

Meanwhile, Amy continued to emit a strong dislike, but I just ignored her. Right now, Regina was the important one. My gaze turned to Regina, who was sitting in front of me. Her gaze met mine. Her eyes were like a cold mist had settled over them.

Eyes that were extremely difficult to read. It’s hard to deal with such a person. True to her character as a heroine who is impossible to capture for reasons different from Hiresia.

To be precise, it’s possible to get close to a certain line, but crossing the wall within that line is nearly impossible.

I’ve tried countless times but never succeeded.

Wasn’t it my last game where I mistakenly thought we had become close enough to cross that line, only to be backstabbed by her? The memory of that last game is still vivid because of that.

‘I can’t repeat that failure.’

Now, there’s only one chance. There’s no such thing as countless restarts. It means I have to be careful and even more careful.

‘The important thing is how to set up the relationship.’

If I could get Regina’s cooperation, there would be nothing better. I know very well how strong she is. But the problem is that her knife could also end up in my back. Keeping such an inscrutable person close means taking on that risk. In that case, it might be better to keep a distance.

However, Can I really give up on a heroine like Regina in a game with the worst difficulty level?

The developers wouldn’t have set the capture difficulty so high for no reason.

I know that the harder a flower is to obtain in most games, the greater the reward.

Can I really clear this game without forming a bond with such a heroine? It’s an inevitable question.

In any case, it’s certain that it’s high risk, high return. To gain something big, you have to take a corresponding big risk. But I only have one coin. So, what should I do?

Should I stubbornly push forward to conquer the impregnable fortress once again?

Or should I keep my distance?

‘…It’s not enough.’

I decided to withhold judgment for now.

Because there wasn’t enough information.

Everything is different from when I was the protagonist.

My position is different, my relationship with her is different, and how she thinks of me is different. I can’t make a proper judgment until something becomes clearer. As I came to that conclusion. Finally breaking the silence, Regina spoke first

“Did you move into the dormitory?”

There was no trivial greeting, even though we must have met after a long time. Does that mean it’s not worth it?

No.

That’s just her usual way of speaking. I knew she didn’t like pointless small talk.

“Yeah.”

I answered shortly in a casual speech. As expected, there was no particular reaction.

“What’s the reason?”

“I’m going to start studying seriously from now on.”

“Huh?”

A sound of disbelief burst out. It wasn’t Regina. It was Amy, who was sitting next to her, looking at me as if I was talking nonsense.

I understand.

If a guy like me spouts such nonsense, anyone would react that way. Rather, it’s strange that Regina, who maintains her composure without any reaction, is not.

She’s not an ordinary person. She gestured with her hand for Amy to be quiet for a moment. Only then did Amy’s mouth shut tightly.

“That’s an answer that doesn’t answer anything.”

Regina said.

Indeed.

Is that the kind of relationship where she calls me ‘you’? It’s not bad. after all.

Despite the title, there’s a sense of distance, but that can’t be helped. And how does that guy Max call her? I might need to ask Dolph about it later.

“Surely it is.”

Anyway, I honestly admitted it. There was no reason not to admit it.

“If it’s not just a whim, there must be a reason?”

Regina asked again. Surely, my sudden change in behavior must have caught her eye. I couldn’t answer lightly here. I knew that a trivial answer wouldn’t leave any impression on her. For the sake of an uncertain future, I wanted to leave some impression on her here. I thought about everything I knew about her and pondered my answer. The answer that came out after much thought.

“Because the world won’t always be peaceful.”

It’s a statement that would make the humans of the present, who have enjoyed peace without major trouble for over two hundred years except for minor conflicts and occasional monster disturbances, scoff.

Amy looked at me as if it was ridiculous, which was the reaction of an ordinary person.

But I know.

Soon, a storm of blood will sweep through this world. And there are those who feel the premonition of it. Including Regina Erenbert.

“What does that mean?”

Regina said nonchallently.

But I saw it.

A small disturbance flickered in her eyes for the first time and then disappeared. There was definitely an effect. I smirked inwardly.

“So even if I’m a doctor, I think I need to start preparing to survive. That’s all.”

At my answer, she fell silent for a moment. But her eyes were still fixed on me. As if she was trying to read my inner thoughts. I didn’t look away and met her gaze. Her blue eyes were cold but beautiful enough to be drawn into. Having such a fiancée and wandering around brothels is truly incomprehensible. Or maybe that’s just it.

Since she’s not a woman he can control, he might have gone astray and flaunted his womanizing skill.

Whatever it is, it’s still a trashy act. As I thought about it, I realized anew.

‘Isn’t this just a hopeless, finished relationship?’

Thinking from the position of my fiancée, there’s no bigger trash than me. Not only socially, but even if I try to round it off, it’s just trash that can’t be tolerated. Seeing it that way, the only answer was to cleanly give up on my relationship with her.

But.

‘The atmosphere is a bit strange for that.’

Her attitude was cold, but it wasn’t the attitude of someone who has completely ended a relationship. Considering her personality as I know it, it’s strange. That means… maybe

‘I haven’t completely crossed the line yet?’

A political engagement arranged by the heads of our families. Naturally, her family must have also established this engagement to gain some advantage. Even so, Max’s terrible behavior should be more than enough reason for a breakup…

But it seems that neither she nor her family have yet reached the point of giving up the benefits they’re getting from this engagement. With that in mind, I could understand her attitude.

‘It’s precarious, but there’s a nonzero chance that the relationship can continue.’

Having organized my thoughts, I quickly made a decision.

Then.

‘I’ll aim to maintain the engagement for now, and then reassess the possibility of progress afterward.’

In the end, I decided to try and reconnect with Regina. Choosing to just get broken off anyway, I had no inkling that the current, utterly unimpressive protagonist could take over my connection with Regina. Better to try it myself, whether it turns out to be a success or a failure. If it seems utterly hopeless, I can quickly withdraw.

“I am.”

Regina’s reopened mouth broke my train of thought.

“I dislike people who are all talk.”

Of course, she would. I nodded in agreement.

“Me too.”

After speaking, I realized. How sarcastic it must sound coming from me, a notorious troublemaker whose words are all gloss,

Amy’s face, contorted in disgust, was a perfect reflection of that reaction.

Yet, looking at the still unflappable Regina, I couldn’t help but admire her composure. It’s impossible to know what she’s really thinking.

“Just because you have a loose tongue, don’t be so careless…….”

Unable to hold back any longer, Amy shouted in excitement, but Regina stopped her.

I took this as my cue to stand up. I couldn’t comfortably eat in such an atmosphere. Better to tear into some bread inside a carriage where it would digest better.

“I have to leave early because of some work.”

After letting out a chuckle at Amy, who glared at me like an angry cat, I said to Regina,

“You, you laughed? Did you laugh?”

Amy growled. But a small, cute looking person like her couldn’t intimidate me in the slightest. Ignoring her, I turned to leave. Then Regina said,

“I’ll be watching.”

“Watching what?”

“Whether you’re worthy to say such things.”

“Ah.”

It seemed I was on the first test to maintain the engagement. I nodded leisurely.

“Anytime.”

“Ugh, that person is too arrogant. Too arrogant.”

Amy was still fuming.

The one who proudly made it to the top of her most disliked list was Max Celtrine. A notorious troublemaker who dared to take the place beside Regina, the chairman she respected.

This is the problem with political marriages. There’s only mutual interest, no love or anything else. She sincerely hoped for, and wished for, a breakup.

Because he was a man who was utterly unsuitable for the stature of Chairman Regina. Fortunately, it seemed that her wish was effective as the atmosphere indicated that their relationship was heading towards disaster.

“Could you be quiet for a moment?”

At Regina’s words, Amy quickly shut her mouth. Amy looked at Regina with a flustered face, worried that she had spoken too carelessly since they were still engaged.

“Sorry, did I say something too harsh?”

Regina remained silent, seemingly lost in thought. Amy rolled her eyes and quietly picked up a baguette again, biting into it with a crunch. She knew it wasn’t good to disturb her while she was deep in thought.

‘Max Celtrine. You said those words? The world won’t always be peaceful.’

Max had definitely said that. It’s hard to believe that such words came from him, who seemed to live a life devoted to pleasure without a care. Even so, it could be dismissed as a meaningless remark that popped out by chance.

But.

The look in his eyes. His eyes were different. He was always intimidated by Regina herself. He was proud of his family’s status, which didn’t fall short of hers, and his personal reputation and abilities were incomparably different. That’s why even he, a troublemaker, was intimidated by her. Yet he couldn’t hide his sly gaze.

His desire to possess her body was palpable. And the rough frustration that built up because he couldn’t satisfy that desire. All of that was reflected in his eyes. I thought he was a truly petty man.

If this engagement hadn’t been personally initiated by my late grandfather, I would have cut off the relationship right then and there.

But.

‘Today’s look in his eyes.’

A calm gaze with no difficulty, desire, or frustration. Was Max Celtrine a man who could have such a look in his eyes?

No.

I had never seen him like that before. That means.

‘He was hiding his true colors?’

After blinking deeply, Regina shook her head. That’s an overestimation. Was he such a person who could thoroughly hide his true colors and deceive the world?

It’s not possible.

But.

‘I can’t be certain.’

I’ll just watch. To see what kind of person he really is. Then I’ll be able to judge whether the words he uttered had meaning.

‘Peace has lasted too long.’

The words left by her late grandfather, whom she truly respected. Born as the eldest son of a renowned martial family, he was in a position to carry on the family’s reputation with his sword, but the grandfather did not pursue strength alone.

He sought truth and enlightenment. The sword was just a tool for that. That’s why people called him with respect, the Seeker of the Sword. In his later years, the grandfather, with his insight, was looking at a distant place that ordinary people couldn’t see.

‘Troubled times will come. A storm of blood will blow.’

‘It’s a pity. That you have to live through those troubled times.’

‘But you have a talent bestowed by heaven that neither your father nor this old man had.’

‘So I’m not too worried. However.’

‘I’m concerned about the others in the family. Especially whether Robel, that child, can lead the family without trouble.’

Robel Erenbert.

Her older brother and the next successor of the Erenbert family. He was already a promising talent, but it seemed that the grandfather only saw his shortcomings. The grandfather often expressed his concerns about Robel.

‘It seems that the child and the family will need strength.’

‘So… I’m sorry to ask you this, but it seems this old man has to make one request of you.’

That request was the engagement with the Celtrine family.

One of the wealthiest families in the Hyas Empire. If their wealth and the martial prowess of the Erenbert family were combined, they would have a power that no one could take lightly. That was the grandfather’s judgment.

The problem was. At that time, they didn’t know that the successor of the Celtrine family was such a terrible person.

‘No, maybe…’

Regina’s thoughts changed a bit today. Maybe the grandfather knew everything. Not only Max’s terrible side but also the hidden aspect revealed today. If he considered all that and pushed for this engagement.

‘Is that thinking too much?’

Regina ended her thoughts there. There’s no point in thinking any further right now. I’ll watch him. Then I will find out