Chapter 383

I had given it some thought.

What could I say to change Riviera’s perspective?

It was an unfamiliar and difficult dilemma for me.

I had been solely focused on surviving and saving the world.

But that wouldn’t help me in this situation.

She was a member of an organization that sought the world’s destruction.

The world’s salvation meant nothing to her.

So I had to find something else I could do.

Something other than saving the world.

“Riviera.”

“Yes.”

“I will change the world.”

“…”

I had tried to sound cool, but maybe my delivery was off.

…Why wasn’t she reacting?

She just blinked at me with her usual indifferent expression.

Well, she wasn’t known for being expressive…

“What do you mean?”

Thankfully, she asked a question.

I composed myself and answered, “A world without heretic massacres. A world without witch hunts.”

That’s right, I wasn’t going to stop at just saving the world.

After this contemplation, I had decided to strive for a better world.

Honestly, it wasn’t for me.

I had worked hard enough to deserve a lifetime of rest.

This was for the people I loved.

For the people I cared about.

And that included Riviera.

This decision had stemmed from my concern for her.

“Is that possible?”

“Of course, I think it’s possible.”

It would be impossible for most people.

But not for me.

Considering my current status, fame, connections, and the things I could achieve in the future…

It was definitely possible.

“How?”

“New wine in new wineskins.”

I answered without hesitation.

It was the core of my vision for the future.

The old generation couldn’t bring about change.

Only new blood could.

Just like the empire.

The old emperor was dead, and a young empress had ascended the throne.

And I had become a powerful duke.

If the empress and I joined forces, we could easily bring about change in the empire.

And I was going to do it.

“What about a new woman?”

“Cough, cough?”

Wait, she was looking for an opening to attack me there?

…She was a formidable opponent.

“Sorry, I was just kidding.”

“O-Oh, okay.”

She said it was a joke, but it didn’t sound like one.

Her expression and tone were serious.

Was this a blessing or a curse…?

I had a strong feeling,

That I would be forced to become a harem protagonist for the sake of the world.

It wasn’t because I was selling out, but because the situation demanded it.

…Really.

“I was just trying to lighten the mood.”

“T-Thank you.”

I was sweating even more now, but I forced a smile.

Anyway, the atmosphere had lightened up a bit.

“I understand what you mean.”

She returned to our previous conversation.

“But do you think it’s possible with the Holy Church?”

It was a sharp question.

She was smart, as expected.

But of course, I had already thought about it.

I nodded and said, “You know about the principal’s condition, right?”

She knew the principal’s true identity as the Saint, being an executive of Red Rain, but I used the term “principal” instead of “Saint.”

I could guess how negatively she felt about the word “Saint.”

“Yes.”

She nodded.

She knew what the Saint’s collapse meant.

“She won’t live much longer.”

I didn’t hesitate to tell her, since it wasn’t a secret to her.

“The past will fade away, and a new era will begin.”

The Saint wasn’t just a relic of the past.

The doctrines she had established had influenced the Holy Church for a thousand years.

And she had even returned after a thousand years to regain control of the Holy Church.

She was an absolute authority.

Her disappearance would mark the beginning of a new era.

“A new era doesn’t necessarily mean change.”

“That’s true.”

I agreed with her.

I had only mentioned the Saint, but the real rotten apples were the Pope and the other high-ranking officials.

The Saint had acted out of a firm belief in saving the world, but they were only interested in their own power and safety.

Reform?

They wouldn’t even dream of it.

Then who would do it?

Me, of course.

“But this time, it’s possible. I’ll become the new hero, succeeding the principal.”

The Saint, the legendary hero who had saved the world…

No one could challenge her or even scratch her, with her miraculous powers and absolute public support.

I had to become like her.

It wasn’t impossible.

If I became the central figure in saving the world, I could become a true legendary hero.

A hero with overwhelming public support.

Then I would be able to exert a huge influence on the Holy Church.

If I pushed hard enough, I could even change the doctrines regarding heretics.

“I’ll say it again. I will change the world. I’ll create a world where you can live in peace and happiness, without having to shed blood. I’ll make sure you never have to get your hands dirty again.”

I said, looking at her with determination.

“Hmm.”

She closed her eyes, as if in deep thought.

I waited patiently for her answer.

And then,

“Not enough.”

Her negative answer, uttered after she opened her eyes, shook me to my core.

“Give me a more convincing reason.”

“…”

Wait, this was the best I could do. What more did she want?

My mind went blank.

“One.”

She was even counting?!

“Two. And three is the limit.”

Come on, three wasn’t enough!

I was speechless, but I didn’t have time to be dumbfounded.

My mind raced, desperately searching for a suitable answer.

“Thre…”

Screw it!

I just blurted it out.

Something that would appeal to her.

“Because I’ll be by your side in that world.”

* * *

*Shake*

A small, cute hand was extended towards me.

I reached out and shook her hand.

It was like a dramatic scene of labor-management agreement.

She shook my hand up and down, looking both cute and comical.

“I like it.”

It seemed like my last-minute gamble had paid off.

I smiled.

“That’s good.”

Just when it seemed like everything had been settled amicably,

“Lying is a sin.”

Her words made me flinch.

“L-Lying? What do you think I am? That’ll never happen.”

…Why couldn’t I have two bodies?

If I had two bodies, I could satisfy all the heroines who liked me.

It couldn’t be helped.

I had to satisfy them all with this one body, for the sake of the world.

But,

‘How many are there…?’

Regina and Hiresia were already settled, so there were no problems there.

The problem was that Elaine, Riviera, and even the empress were involved.

Just thinking about how to untangle this complicated web of relationships gave me a headache.

But I had to do it.

“I’ll believe you.”

“O-Of course.”

Playing with a woman’s heart was a surefire way to ruin this game.

Especially with a heroine like Riviera.

“Max.”

“Y-Yes?”

“But not the Professor.”

“…”

The atmosphere turned serious again.

I understood what she meant.

“Do you know who the Professor is?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Then it’s fine.”

She blinked.

“I’ll take care of the Professor. Stay out of it.”

Her words made me realize that she had a special relationship with the Professor.

“Alright.”

I agreed without arguing.

I didn’t even know who the Professor was.

And even if I did, I couldn’t interfere after she had said that.

It was best to leave it to her.

“Hmm, then…”

“Then?”

“Let’s swim.”

“What?”

*Push*

She pushed me.

No, she practically shoved me!

“Hey, hey, hey! That’s not fair! Hey!”

My indignant cries echoed through the air.

And then,

*Splash!*

“Whoa!”

I screamed involuntarily.

It wasn’t because the water was cold. It was summer, after all.

It was because I had never swum in such deep water before.

“Hey, hey! I’m sinking! I’m sinking!”

I thrashed around in panic.

“Don’t worry. I’m coming.”

*Splash!*

Thankfully, she jumped into the water and pulled me up easily.

Was she a seal in her past life?

“Swim to that side.”

“Wait, wait! It’s too far! Too far!”

…And so, we enjoyed an unexpected swim.

* * *

*Crackle*

We were sitting by a bonfire on the other side of the lake.

I had taken off my wet clothes and hung them by the fire to dry.

I couldn’t help it, since I wasn’t wearing a swimsuit.

“Me too.”

“No, no, no! You can’t do that!”

I hurriedly stopped her as she tried to take off her clothes as well.

My gentlemanly efforts to protect a young lady were truly touching.

“Tsk.”

“What’s with the ‘tsk’? Do you think this is a mixed bath?”

“What about you?”

“I’m covering my private parts!”

“Hmm, my attempt to seduce you with my body has failed.”

“It was an attempt?”

I was sweating after our bickering.

She was a formidable opponent.

“I’m hungry.”

“…You must be hungry after swimming.”

I shook my head.

“But we can’t go back like this…”

“It’s fine. I can wait.”

She stared at the fire and then muttered, “Last semester.”

“Huh?”

The conversation had taken an unexpected turn.

But I was used to it, since it was her.

“What do you mean ‘last semester’?”

“It’ll be peaceful.”

“Peaceful?”

“Because he told everyone to lay low.”

I realized who she was referring to.

“…The Heavenly Lord?”

“Yes.”

It was the first time she had mentioned anything about the organization.

My expression turned serious.

“But after that…”

“…”

“A time of calamity and destruction will come.”

It was a short warning, but it was heavier than any other.

I already knew, and I was prepared.

‘Next year, the protagonist will be a fourth-year. So it’s next year, huh?’

It was inevitable, considering the timing.

Her words had confirmed my suspicions.

But at least,

‘My actions have prevented the incidents that were supposed to happen this year.’

According to the original story, there should have been several incidents this semester.

But it seemed like my actions against Red Rain, as well as the empress’s declaration, had put a temporary stop to their activities.

Which meant,

‘This is the perfect time to build up my strength.’

My eyes gleamed with determination.