episode_0003

Slowly.

It had been about 5 hours since the declaration of withdrawal, and as the late afternoon sun was setting, I was walking down the hallway following Rendler.

The purpose was dinner, and the destination was the Great Hall.

I wanted to call for dinner in my room, but unfortunately, the dinner the night before the cohabitation was not a normal gathering.

It was the first meeting of the final candidates.

It was a dinner where the final candidates explored and greeted each other before the cohabitation with the 3rd Princess of the Northern Duke would begin tomorrow.

It was a ‘formal’ schedule, so it was difficult to declare absence for personal reasons.

I was still ‘officially’ a final candidate.

I muttered under my breath as I followed Rendler.

Letting out a heavy sigh.

“Ugh, can’t I just say I’m sick?”

It sounded like the petulance of a stubborn boy, but meeting the final candidates was uncomfortable for me.

Sitting down for dinner with people I didn’t want to get involved with, would the food even go down my throat?

“Why is that? Are you uncomfortable with dinner with the candidates?”

“Well, it’s similar.”

“Hehe. How strange.”

“What is?”

“You seem to have a special connection with the candidates. I thought you would be happy to see them. It’s been a long time since you’ve met, after all.”

…Damn, all because of that special connection. Trying to explain to someone who doesn’t understand my true feelings would only hurt me.

I am Junwoo Lee, a man from South Korea, in a world of novels, and I am also the one who has possessed you, the one you are serving. If I were to say, “That drink was good, but the taste is gone,” I would surely receive only disdain.

“Nice to meet you.”

“…Hmm.”

Rendler suddenly stopped walking and turned to look at me.

“Why.”

“By the way, it’s really strange.”

“What is?”

“It’s been almost 26 years since I’ve been serving the Duke, but today, it feels like I’m serving someone else.”

…Indeed, the butler is quick-witted.

Perhaps he might understand the modern man’s awkward secret who has possessed the Duke, if he doesn’t collapse from the shock.

As if asking why he was talking nonsense, Rendler hurried ahead, snorting.

“Hmph, our butler knows how to talk nonsense.”

I know about the deep bond between Rendler and Elden Lafellion. The past part came out briefly towards the end of the free section.

Like a father, sometimes like a mother.

He didn’t hesitate to give advice to me when the tears of the aftermath began.

Maybe that’s why.

I was reluctant to meet his aging eyes directly.

‘…Feels like I’m robbing a child.’

It’s not a sense of guilt that I was forcibly possessed, but it’s an unavoidable feeling of discomfort.

To alleviate that, I have no choice but to faithfully carry out the reincarnation project of the useless Duke Elden Lafellion.

“Why aren’t you coming?”

Glancing back, I said that, and as always, Rendler approached with a gentle smile and quick steps.

“Hehe. I’m going. Duke.”

Soon, I could enter the Great Hall.

**

“Impressive.”

Indeed, it felt like a grand temple, befitting the Northern Duke’s castle.

The floor was made of luxurious marble, and the central fountain and giant chandeliers made of crystal made it hard to believe it was indoors.

It was not just a place for dining, but a space that felt like hosting a grand event.

“I’m here, Duke. I’ll be here, so if you need help, please call me.”

“I need help right now.”

“Please tell me.”

“Sit there instead of me.”

Pointing to the round table with a fancy tablecloth.

Rendell looked at me with a puzzled expression.

With a frivolous joke, I lightly patted Rendell’s shoulder and continued walking.

Ignoring Rendell’s eyes that seemed to say, “Gosh, the Duke…smiled?,” I approached the large candlelit table in the center where the three heirs were seated.

Surrounding them were a middle-aged woman with sharp glasses and an elderly man who looked distinguished in a tuxedo.

They were jotting down individual evaluations while following the candidates’ group discussions and meetings with the Duchess.

In essence, the final evaluation was about to begin.

Well, not that I really knew.

“You’re early.”

I greeted them briefly as I took my seat.

Anyway, it was quite amusing to welcome the heirs whom I had only seen in novels in person.

The highest-ranking heir among them, the Duke’s son Deron Kellid, greeted me with a hint of displeasure.

“You’re late.”

Hmm, his deep and appealing voice was quite impressive to hear in person.

He may have an unfortunate appearance like a parasite, but it was a flaw that couldn’t be overlooked.

Nevertheless.

“You all arrived early, so let’s proceed with the meal.”

Although they were on friendly terms, the atmosphere was reserved now that the formal evaluation was underway.

Perhaps they wanted to hide their malicious intentions.

Unlike the preliminary and main rounds of the martial arts competition, the final evaluation was focused on evaluating the individual.

Looking at the flow of events up to the free part, it didn’t seem likely that a winner would emerge among these four heirs.

“But it’s quite awkward.”

During the preliminary and main rounds, the candidates couldn’t interact with each other. It was an individual assessment from the start, and since the martial arts test was conducted with the Duchess’s knights, there was no opportunity to meet.

It was the first time they faced each other since the tournament began.

After graduating from the academy, they had no contact with each other.

It was quite awkward.

Just as I was fidgeting with my chopsticks, a lavish table was set, and all the food was served.

The middle-aged man in a tuxedo opened a document and signaled the start.

“Let’s begin the meal.”

As mentioned earlier, every action and event from now on was for evaluation.

Even a simple meal was a part of the assessment, and the candidates held their chopsticks with a solemn demeanor.

Well.

“It looks delicious.”

It had nothing to do with me, but…

Gulp.

I picked up the most appetizing rib and took a big bite.

The ribs were a dish known for their delicious taste.

Immediately, the pens of two judges moved swiftly.

And as they praised the chef sincerely, the speed of their pens increased even more.

“Wow, this is so delicious!”

Swish, swish, swish.

**

“If only I could eat like this every day.”

The final evaluation…might not be so bad after all?

With a frivolous thought in mind, I raised my wine glass and one of the attendants waiting by the table poured me some wine.

I took a sip of the wine, swirling it in my mouth.

As expected.

“Well, soju is still the best for a drink.”

If I were to follow my heart, I would raise my index finger and say, “Auntie, one bottle of soju here, please.” But diluted soju in the medieval era? Highly unlikely.

Instead, I settled for a sip of wine before unfolding the handkerchief tucked in my pocket to wipe my lips.

Tap, tap, tap.

Of course, I didn’t forget to unfold the handkerchief like shaking out laundry. It’s just the proper way to do it.

Meanwhile, the pens of the two judges continued to move without pause.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Sending a silent greeting to those who were unnecessarily struggling, I finished my meal. Deron, with a stiff neck, was cutting his steak when he let out a fart and said, “Seems like you’re really hungry. Eating without even taking a breath.”

“Haha. That’s true. Sir Deron. How deliciously Sir Elden used to eat, my mouth was watering.”

Marquis, Viscount, Baron.

Even though it was the final evaluation match where they faced off without their titles, the established hierarchy was inevitable due to their prior interactions.

It was only natural for Kyle, the youngest in the hierarchy with Elden Lapellion, to join in Deron’s mockery, and for the Viscount’s son, Blund, to follow suit.

Elden was the only one from a declining family, and even during his school days, he was the troublemaker who took on all the dirty work.

“I remember during our academy days, your taste wasn’t that great, but it seems my memory was distorted. Elden, were you always this refined? Haha.”

The three regretful nobles used their eloquent words to outwit their opponents.

Such eloquence was a factor for gaining points rather than losing them.

That’s just how noble society works.

But what should I do about feeling sorry?

Even though it’s a game where the players are genuinely passionate, inflicting harm on them due to the chatter of blind eyes would only cause harm.

To me, who had no interest in the game, it was just noise.

It was inevitable given the way I had lived, so what could I do?

Instead of responding, Kyle wiped his mouth with a napkin and glanced at the group in silence.

“By the way, Sir Deron, Sir Blund. Isn’t it truly remarkable?”

“What do you mean?”

“Among all those participants, only four have become final candidates.”

“That’s true.”

After finishing his words, Blund looked at Deron.

With eyes full of flattery.

When the most likely candidate, Deron, becomes the final winner, he must be planning to take advantage of the situation.

“Together with the great Marquis Kellid’s Sir Deron, four classmates from the Royal Academy have become final candidates side by side. This will surely spread rumors. Haha.”

Deron smiled contentedly at the tearful flattery, put a piece of steak in his mouth, and just nodded.

At this point, it’s best to let them know that there’s no need to exert too much effort.

Whether it’s to kill or be killed, to withdraw or be rejected, there’s no intention to get involved in this clumsy fight.

It would be easier to draw the line beforehand.

I spoke to Blund.

“Sir Blund? I’m sorry, but I think I need to correct you.”

“…What? Correct?”

“I think it would be more accurate to say that three classmates from the Academy have become final candidates… don’t you think?”

With a questioning remark that broke the harmonious flattery, the three turned their gaze towards me.

If someone were to question me or ask for the reason for my withdrawal, I would gladly answer. It’s the minimum responsibility and duty of someone attempting to escape with inside information.

Furthermore, the three regretful nobles had not wronged me.

With a sly smile, I casually spoke up.

“In fact, this morning, I declared my withdrawal from the final candidates.”

Swish, swish!

The movement of the pen became increasingly rapid.