episode_0003

“For you, this is… You’ll understand, right?”

That line was something Amy always said to Ronan when I played the game “Hero and Party Members.”

Whenever we saw her with her characteristic bright smile and lovely expression, Ronan and I would inexplicably feel excited.

I often found myself captivated by the desire to do anything for Amy’s sake.

“Do you want to die?”

But not now, right?

In reality, that line was like a curse to Ronan.

Because of that line, Ronan always sacrificed himself, all to protect Amy.

Ronan’s body must be in shambles right now, probably just after defeating the Four Kings.

Even before becoming a wreck, Amy probably said the same words to Ronan.

It’s all your fault that Ronan has ended up like this, yet you still say such things?

I couldn’t help but get angry. With a genuinely angry expression, I glared at the pink head in front of me.

“Uh… Uh?”

Amy seemed taken aback by my unexpected reaction.

She had every reason to be surprised. Having been Ronan’s childhood friend for over ten years, she had never heard such words from him before.

In this somewhat tense atmosphere, the other two party members stepped in.

“Why do you keep doing this, Ronan? Amy said those words for your sake.”

“That’s right. Ronan, Amy just wanted to make sure you wouldn’t abandon her. If you want to curse someone, curse us.”

They came over to Amy and stared at me.

Claiming that the childhood friend did nothing wrong, they implied that they were the ones who abandoned Ronan.

You two still haven’t come to your senses.

I sighed as I looked at the two party members.

I understood perfectly well what they meant and the situation better than anyone else. I knew how absurd their lies were.

You two were also gaslit by that pink head, you might as well be accomplices.

“Huh…?”

Well, they probably haven’t realized that yet.

Despite the two looking bewildered by my words, there was no need for me to explain.

“Fine. Speaking won’t change a thing.”

I bid farewell to the party members.

Staying here would only worsen my temper; it was best to part ways quickly.

I left the inn without looking back.

“I should head straight to the palace.”

There was no need to ponder about the destination.

I had already decided where to go.

I planned to go straight to the palace and claim my reward.

“They won’t get away with taking all the rewards.”

I put aside thoughts of what to do later and focused on the present.

Ronan’s hero party had defeated the Four Kings.

They had undoubtedly contributed significantly to that feat.

Naturally, the empire would provide them with a fitting reward for their efforts.

“I won’t be a pushover.”

If I left now, how would those rewards turn out?

I already knew the outcome in this scenario.

The party members and another hero, Jax, would greedily take all the credit.

Ronan wouldn’t receive any recognition for his efforts.

I had no intention of following such a pathetic storyline.

“Let’s see…”

I began rummaging through my bag diligently.

And no different, I was able to find a teleport crystal.

An expensive item that disappears after one use, undoubtedly this will allow me to be the first to go to the royal palace.

“Let’s use it…!”

Beep-

With a flashing sound effect, I teleported to the royal palace.

“Is this the royal palace?”

After the teleportation was complete and I looked around, I could see that it was the interior of a very shiny and elegant building.

This must be the royal palace. The teleportation seems to have been successful.

As I marveled at various parts of the royal palace, someone approached me.

“Sir Ronan, we’ve been waiting for you. The princess is waiting for you.”

A girl dressed as a maid delivered the message. She had a quite cute appearance.

She spotted me and bowed 90 degrees.

‘Wow… so maids wear that kind of outfit in this world.’

It was a moment when I truly realized that this was the world of an NTR adult game.

From the armpits to the neckline, everything was revealed, with a very short skirt and even garter belts; such a maid outfit was indeed provocative.

“Um, Sir Ronan. If you keep staring at me like that…”

When I curiously stared, the maid looked a bit embarrassed.

“If Sir Ronan wishes, I can dedicate myself to serving you in bed.”

She delivered a line that was very fitting for this world.

Well, in an adult game, it’s natural for maids in the royal palace to be like that.

“… No, it’s okay. So, the reason you called me is because the princess summoned me, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

That might not be bad, but there was something else important now.

I had to meet the princess quickly.

Before Jax the warrior and my previous party members spill the beans, I needed to take action.

“Lead the way.”

“Understood.”

The maid who responded to my request began walking ahead.

Following the maid, I soon arrived at a very splendid entrance.

‘So this is where the princess is.’

The Third Princess of the Empire, Atalaxia.

She wasn’t currently the ruler of the empire, but she was the most influential. Should I say she was the most sensible person in the corrupt empire?

Perhaps if I speak to this princess, she will handle things well.

“We will enter, Your Highness.”

The door opened.

And I met the princess, who was sitting in the center of the office reading documents.

“Welcome, hero. I heard that you defeated the Four Kings Drakuras. Thank you so much for your efforts on behalf of the empire.”

Upon seeing me, the princess immediately stood up from her seat.

And with the grand manners of nobles, she greeted me.

“No, I just did what needed to be done. I don’t think it’s something to be thanked for.”

“You speak like a true hero.”

I responded appropriately.

Being modest enough in my response, the princess seemed quite pleased.

“So, what brings you here?”

Now, let’s get to the point.

Surely the princess must have realized that I didn’t just come here for no reason.

She seemed to be pondering why the hero Ronan had come here.

“I came to discuss about the reward. So, just in case, may I know what my existing reward is?”

Without hiding anything, I immediately replied.

And with a somewhat anxious heart, I asked what the previous reward was.

“Um… regarding the reward, undoubtedly, it was decided that all rewards would go to the party members of the heroes Jax and Ronan, right?”

“… Sigh.”

As expected, not a single detail deviated from what I had anticipated.

‘Ronan. You damn idiot.’

Even though my body was completely wrecked defeating the Four Kings, realizing they were giving all the rewards to others made me truly feel how hopeless and crazy Ronan really is.

It’s one thing if it’s the other party members, but giving credit to another hero? What’s that about?

They might think of him as a fellow warrior they fought alongside, and maybe the party members exaggerated Jax’s achievements, but I couldn’t just let it go like that.

“My heart has changed. I want to give that back. Since I defeated the Four Kings Drakukuras, it’s only right that I take the reward. I intend to claim it.”

I confidently told the princess.

Rewards should be rightfully distributed to those who deserve them.

“I see. Understood. I also believe it’s right for Hero Ronan to receive the reward. I will make sure to prepare the reward for Hero Ronan without any regrets later.”

“Thank you.”

The princess also empathized with my words.

With this, the plan to secure my reward was successfully completed.

“There is a banquet scheduled. How about attending?”

As I was about to leave the room, the princess called me again.

She suggested enjoying myself since I had come this far.

“A banquet… Alright.”

Hmm… It shouldn’t be too bad, right?

If I attend the banquet, I can eat lots of delicious meat and drink plenty of alcohol.

After agreeing with the princess, I left the room.

“Please come this way. I will guide you to your room for the night.”

As I exited the room, a maid who had been waiting began to lead me.

Following the maid, I encountered familiar faces.

“Huh?”

“… ”

“Um… Ronan?”

They were the members of the hero party I had parted ways with a few hours ago.

They noticed me and looked slightly surprised.

‘Is there something strange?’

Well, they must have teleport crystals at least.

Certainly, there was nothing odd about them being here.

“Where is that dog barking from?”

There was no need to pretend to know each other.

We’re not on such friendly terms to greet each other warmly, right?

I casually ignored their gaze and walked past them.