episode_0016

The progress of the second attempt went quite well.

Learning magic.

Challenging dungeons.

Seeking a conventional approach, stable relationships were built with the heroines.

No longer is there a whining idiotic girl who dislikes commoners like me.

Yulia no longer insists on monitoring the national power of Petenbourg alone.

And Yerina’s distrust has improved significantly.

The second attempt, filled with hopeful developments everywhere,

“You’re my guardian knight! My faithful puppy! Why do you keep trying to leave my side?”

“······Ah, damn.”

“Ah, damn? What did you just say?!”

With frustration erupting, things were messed up refreshingly.

It’s fine. It doesn’t matter.

Since regression was expected from the first dungeon challenge, the mental damage was minimal.

It ended in just three months, so I don’t even think it’s a waste.

The final scores were even worse than the first attempt.

Jill 100%, Yulia 84%, Yerina 65%.

The possibility of success was glimpsed in the second attempt.

Having memorized the structures of numerous dungeons, types of monsters, weaknesses, etc., time could be shortened in the next attempt.

Let’s move on to the third attempt.

“Hey there, Eugene. If you go, you’ll freeze to death.”

“······.”

“Open your pocket right now. Seems like there’s a fancy dagger inside. Whose is it?”

“······Sigh.”

The third attempt also failed.

Yerina’s intuition was quite sharp.

I thought I had made a good alibi this time.

Trying to cross two continents with just one body seemed exhausting.

The final scores improved slightly.

Jill 92%, Yulia 100%, Yerina 88%.

If the scores had worsened, it would have been very disheartening.

Seems like success is possible in the fourth attempt.

“What’s this now?”

“What is it. It’s a crusade to subdue the witch of Petenbourg.”

“Why on earth…?”

“It’s beneficial for the world if evil witches disappear, right? Isn’t that true, Eugene?”

“You crazy bastard!!!”

The sixth attempt.

A new event was discovered.

The invasion event of the Sacred Order into Petenbourg.

Oh. A new event that suddenly caught my attention in the midst of repeating the same thing five times and getting bored.

So thrilling that my heart might burst.

Oh man. Bitter. I’m screwed.

More factors to consider now.

If the relationship between Jill and Yulia deteriorates severely, war will break out between the Papacy and Petenbourg.

Until now, the Papacy and Petenbourg were in a relationship where immediate war wouldn’t be surprising, but it seems the saint strongly opposed the invasion.

As their relationship deteriorates, it was Jill who approved the invasion.

Trying to bring them closer would make them both realize I’m playing both sides.

Guiding to maintain a proper relationship is crucial.

If only it were as easy as it sounds.

I’m going crazy.

The final scores are Jill 99%, Yulia 100%, Yerina 91%.

Improved a lot.

I might succeed next time.

“You didn’t think I wouldn’t find out, did you? How stupid do you think I am?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Yerina.”

“The Minotaur’s head. It’s been six months since it was subdued. Just putting an anti-decay spell would’ve been enough, right? Shouldn’t a barrier have been placed too? And this gem. Turns out it wasn’t bought at the auction house? It was processed similarly but the back is slightly different. Where did you really go when you said you were going to the auction house? Care to explain?”

“Nah. Forget it. Let’s just start over.”

“What?”

The tenth attempt.

It’s despairing.

Yerina knew everything.

She was pretending not to know all along.

She watched as I lied and pretended, knowing I was deceiving her.

Absolutely insane.

There were several attempts where the success rate exceeded 90%.

Even knowing I was a liar, she loved me that much.

From now on, I need to pay even more attention to alibis.

No matter how much I say it, how can I be more meticulous about alibis?

It’s frustrating.

Final grades: Jill 95 percent, Yulia 100 percent, Yerina 90 percent.

I’m starting to feel disheartened.

“Yerina, could you raise your hand?”

“Yeah…”

Twelfth round.

Everything was perfect.

Although the relationship between Jill and Yulia was rough, it didn’t escalate to war.

Of course, neither of them had any idea they were dating me.

“I’ve thought a lot. Our relationship has had its ups and downs, but every time, I reflected on it. Did I really not do anything wrong?”

My experience points are considerable.

I already have the map of the entire continent, the locations of dungeons, detailed structures, and even the types of traps in my head.

I probably know more than RPG developers do right now.

After grinding twelve times, I know everything from hidden quests and items to how to achieve achievements.

“In the end, it came down to the fact that we both have burdens to bear together.”

Taking lessons from the failures of rounds ten and eleven, I strengthened my alibi repeatedly.

To the point where no alibi or deception could be more perfect.

As a result, I successfully deceived Yerina completely, laying all suspicions to rest and finally entering the Ice Cave.

At this serious moment, as I delve into the Ice Cave, Yerina’s capture rate is around 93 percent.

Yerina probably senses it too.

What I’m about to say.

“No matter what happens, I want to be with you for the rest of my life, Yerina. Will you marry me?”

“Yes! I’d love to!”

Tears stream down Yerina’s face as she jumps for joy.

This is it.

Since Jill and Yulia’s capture was completed almost to the point of kissing, I have definitely surpassed 95 percent.

Receiving Yerina’s kiss will truly mark the end.

The long journey of the twelfth round is coming to a close.

“… ”

I slip a ring onto Yerina’s ring finger.

With this, the capture rate should be around 94 percent.

Then, I stand up and slowly approach her.

“Did I seem naive to you? Did you think I knew nothing?”

Yerina’s voice replays in my head, making my body tremble.

She would probably prick up her ears and say just that.

Your alibi was pitiful once again.

I knew everything.

The trauma resurfaces.

“… Ugh.”

But such a nightmare did not unfold.

Our lips meet.

The moment I roughly embrace Yerina, her movements cease.

[Congratulations. You have cleared the game.]

[Escape condition 1: The capture rate of all heroines must exceed 95 percent.]

[Escape condition 2: You must capture the final boss, ‘Draken.’]

Bam bam bap bam.

Clear.

The tension releases, and the breath I held bursts out.

“Phew…”

[Settlement in progress.]

[Monsters hunted: 821]

[A-rank bosses: 1]

[B-rank bosses: 0]

[C-rank bosses: 15]

[Hiroine capture rates]

[Jill Diner: 96 percent]

[Yulia Pentenburg: 100 percent]

…

Caught quite a lot.

Now, my attention shifts more to the monster hunting settlement window than the heroine capture rate window.

This round, I hunted harder than ever before.

There were times when I cleared ten dungeons in a day.

After capturing many boss monsters at once, I put them in preservation spells and barriers to secure evidence and alibis for the next two years.

Those will remain as memories now.

It was tough, but there are plenty of enjoyable memories too.

I’ll probably never forget them.

[Yerina Frost: 93 percent]

“Huh? What the hell?”

But wait, what the hell is this?

It’s not over yet?

Even after accepting my confession without any suspicion, promising marriage, and kissing me, the capture rate is still 93 percent.

Without any evidence at the moment, I can’t completely trust myself in case I might change my mind in the future.

This is ridiculous.

[Failed to meet escape conditions.]

[Moving back to the starting point in 10 seconds.]

“Ah…”

It was a game that was impossible from the start.

Even if you satisfy all the conditions, you won’t see a harem ending or anything like that.

Because of Yerina and this severe case of delusional disorder.

I might have mindlessly repeated meaningless actions dozens of times if even a glimmer of possibility had been glimpsed.

What’s 12 years?

I might have been stuck for 120 years.

Until my emotions wear out and my mind breaks down.

Now, realizing it’s impossible, I can stop and feel refreshed.

[Returning to the starting point.]

Thankfully, at least.

Now you are fated to be trapped in the game since you didn’t receive a notification about escaping.

I have only one path left.

Escape condition 2, challenge the final boss.

Let’s start anew with a new opportunity and a new mindset.

There’s no need to fake smiles for the heroines anymore.

No need to spout cheesy lines.

No need to blurt out “I love you” when I don’t mean it.

I might be able to live freely while adventuring as I please.

“Let’s give it a shot.”

How dangerous could it be? My head is filled with the entire game manual.

As difficult as it may seem, how hard could it really be?

Surely, it can’t be harder than dating three mentally ill people.