episode_0006

“It’s a broken engagement… ”

Winfred’s matriarch, Belzer Winfred, muttered, recalling the conversation with Kyle a while ago.

— I want to break off my engagement with Isabel.

Isabel Justia.

He wants to break off his engagement with the woman he has been obsessed with for years.

The guy definitely said that.

“Hmm.”

He was an illegitimate child who, without even knowing the subject, dared to ask for marriage with the daughter of a prestigious count.

The image of him crawling on the floor like a bug in fear, unable to make eye contact even once, still flashes before my eyes.

Yes, that’s exactly what it looks like.

The ability and temperament are nothing more than earthworms… He had such high self-esteem that he was a fool who didn’t know the topic and talked about it.

A complete weakling, trash, and a half-pepper.

That was the Kyle Winfred the Duke knew.

That guy completely changed at some point.

— Do you want to be exterminated?

The sight of Kyle’s face, his bright blue eyes flashing fiercely in front of him, still lingers before his eyes.

In a situation where it was not unusual for his head to be blown off at any time, he did not lose his composure until the end.

“It’s amazing.”

Various emotions appeared on the duke’s face and then subsided repeatedly.

The old butler, who was watching the operation, carefully parted his lips.

“What do you think?”

“What.”

“Master Kyle.”

I have already heard a report from the old deacon about the commotion that occurred a few days ago.

The current situation has completely reversed, with Isabel clinging to Kyle to become her.

The duke was not particularly impressed.

The illegitimate child’s romantic situation is not something he cares about, and in the end, the duke is in a position to help him break off the engagement according to the contract he signed with Kyle.

“… ”

Kyle’s reputation was intentionally manipulated.

The bullying in the mansion towards Kyle was carried out secretly and persistently.

The duke also knew right away that his lost anger and disgust were eating away at Kyle.

However, he neglected it.

The reason was that Banpoon, who could not overcome such an ordeal on his own, was not worthy of daring to bear Winfred’s name.

The Duke clicked his tongue in a low voice.

“Tsk, whatever. We’ll have to wait and see for a while.”

For now, just watch.

That was the decision the duke made.

At first glance, it may seem like a hollow decision without any content, but in reality, that is not the case.

Belzer Winfred is a cold-blooded person who only cares for himself and his family’s safety.

The fact that he is watching Kyle means that Kyle has aroused the Duke’s interest to that extent.

The old butler, who read what was inside, bowed his head and responded.

After a while, the duke gave meaningful instructions in a casual tone.

“For breakfast tomorrow, Kyle, he will also participate.”

****

A day has passed since the duke returned to the mansion.

There were no major incidents.

From that day on, Isabel remained silent without any response, and the duke also faithfully fulfilled all the conditions he had promised in return for obtaining the Precious Blood.

The breakup of the engagement with Isabel is a foregone conclusion.

Now that we have obtained a blank check with Winfred’s guarantee, the funds needed for future activities have also been secured.

Everything goes according to plan.

Except for that one thing.

[Scenario progress: 5%]

“What on earth is this, why does it keep rising?”

It went up again.

The progress rate increased from a whopping 2% to 5%, which was previously 3%.

The day I first mentioned breaking off the engagement to Isabel, the progress rate increased by 3%.

After throwing facts indiscriminately at Isabelle, who suddenly came to the mansion, the progress rate increased by 2% again.

The common denominator is Isabel.

As the relationship with Isabel becomes more strained, the progress rate also increases proportionally.

That’s the conclusion I came to after mulling over it all day.

“…But 5% is still good.”

The breakup of the engagement with Isabel has been confirmed, and it will not be long until he leaves the duke’s residence.

Of course, it cannot be said that all difficulties have been overcome yet.

Because there is still a long, long way to go.

The ultimate goal is to find the relic and open the dimensional door.

And of course, it is clear that the process will not be easy.

“Absence of information, above all… ”

force.

At this point, the power that this body possesses is at a level that is beyond pitiful.

Of course, it is not at a level where there is no answer at all.

As the main villain in the game, Kyle’s potential was set to be greater than anyone else’s.

However, I need a way to protect myself right now.

Not in the distant future, but right now.

It didn’t take long to find a solution.

“… Diana.”

Diana.

There is no surname following the first name.

This is because she is a commoner, not a noble.

A female knight from a commoner background.

At first glance, it seems like an insignificant title, but in reality, it is not like that at all.

That’s because Diana is one of the main characters in the game.

Among the people the world has singled out as major figures, there is no case in which their abilities are weak.

You have at least one talent, and that talent will bloom when you need it.

Diana’s talent is none other than that of a knight.

It is a talent that specializes in protecting others and is something I need right now.

“The investiture ceremony is coming soon.”

To recruit Diana, you must attend the knighthood ceremony.

Attending itself is not difficult.

But the problem is…

“… Isabelle.”

The place where the investiture ceremony is held is the cathedral.

And the cathedral is located just a few steps away from Count Justia.

“Ha.”

I’m reluctant, but what can I do?

If you want to recruit Diana, you have to take that level of risk.

It was then.

smart-

Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Click—

The old butler came in through the crack in the open door.

“What’s going on?”

“The Duke invited you to the upcoming breakfast.”

“…Breakfast?”

Breakfast.

Are you really asking me to eat together?

“Why?”

“That’s… I’m fine too… ”

“So, right now, I think they’re talking about calling me over and having a meal face to face. Did I understand it correctly?”

The old deacon nodded quickly.

It is clear that the duke is crazy.

“I feel comfortable eating alone in my room.”

“However, the duke himself ordered it… ”

I could barely control my frown.

“How many people will attend breakfast?”

“The duke and the master, there are only two of you.”

“What? What about the rest?”

“The Duke and Duchess are still staying at the imperial palace, and the Duchess also went to the imperial palace in person a few days ago to assist them.”

I sighed deeply inside.

The thought of having a meal alone with the duke already makes me feel sick.

However, the justification for refusal is also ambiguous.

I couldn’t possibly say to the duke’s face that I felt like throwing up just by looking at his face.

‘… Rather, did it turn out well?’

To attend the investiture ceremony, the duke’s permission is required.

In short, this means that I will eventually have to ask the duke for an interview again, no matter when.

In that case, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to sneakily bring up the story of the investiture ceremony during the meal to appease the public.

After trying to rationalize myself, I slowly nodded.

“Guide me.”

“Yes, master.”

Squeak—

I followed the old butler and left the room.

****

When we arrived at the dinner room, breakfast preparations had already been completed.

Therefore, the full meal began without any delay.

“… ”

“… ”

It is awkward.

It’s not a joke, it’s awkward as hell.

I’m not sure if what I’m chewing is food or a bag of sand.

I never thought eating a meal with an unwelcome person would be such an ordeal.

A solemn promise to never attend breakfast again lingered in my mind.

A heavy tension filled the space.

As I was stuffing food into my mouth to finish my meal as quickly as possible and return to my room, the duke, who had been silent the whole time, finally opened his heavy mouth.

“Did you learn dining etiquette separately? It’s pretty good.”

Things like the order of using utensils, how to hold a fork and knife, and table etiquette.

The duke was seriously impressed by my flawless dining manners.

I checked the duke’s expression out of the corner of my eye.

It is pure admiration with no hint of doubt whatsoever.

This part shows how little interest he usually had in Kyle.

‘That’s a good thing.’

I am not Kyle Winfred.

Be it small habits, speaking habits, or tastes.

This means that he is a completely different person from Kyle, who does not match anything.

It’s impossible not to know if you’re even slightly interested in Kyle.

That I am not Kyle, but something wearing the shell of Kyle.

But surprisingly, I have not met a single person in this world who doubted me.

It was a shock.

All those facts.

“Ha… ”

A cold, uncontrollable laugh burst out.

I put down the silverware I was holding in my hand for a moment and turned my head to look at the Duke.

“I am going to the investiture ceremony.”

The Duke’s busy hands stopped moving.

After a while, he asked me in a calm voice.

“Why are you going to the investiture ceremony?”

“What is the reason for looking for an article? It’s to keep my body healthy.”

I snapped back bluntly.

However, the duke still asked back with an unconvinced look on his face.

“Don’t you think that being a knight of the family is enough?”

Suddenly, a helpless laugh appeared.

This is because there was a clear blind spot in his question.

“How can I trust and entrust myself to a knight of the family?”

“… ”

“I need a knight to guard me, not a knight devoted to the family.”

“What?”

“It means that I cannot trust a knight who was loyal to the Chama family while even mere servants are looking at me and making fun of me.”

The duke’s mouth fell shut at my sharp point.

His face grew darker by the minute.

I continued speaking with my eyes raised.

“I will go to the investiture ceremony.”