episode_0017

“Ugh… Fuck…”

My vision swam. The path to my room twisted and warped before my eyes.

It seemed my penalty didn’t directly harm my body, but the additional side effects were still a bitch. Maybe this was their way of telling me not to resent a trial that left no physical scars—what a pointless consideration.

Walking was difficult, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask Chris for help again, so I staggered forward on my own.

From now on, I’d have to survive alone. Yeah.

Creak—

It took longer than usual, but I somehow made it to my room. At least no guards or maids were stationed inside.

Only after collapsing onto the bed did the spinning world finally stabilize.

“Haah…”

The moment I lay down, everything that had just happened flashed through my mind. Had I revealed my knowledge of regression too soon? I glanced down at myself.

My blood-soaked body had stained not just my clothes but the pristine white bedsheets crimson. Yet despite that, I felt no pain—just a slight dizziness.

Yeah, this was much better. The first three trials were nothing more than triggers to make the heroines regret their actions faster. That’s why they were called “trials.”

The difference between me living normally and me suddenly coughing up blood was obvious enough.

“Mmm… So this is…”

I quietly summoned the quest window. Thanks to the first trial being unlocked, a lengthy explanation of the trials was now displayed.

“Wait, seriously?”

If all four heroines confessed to me, I would die as punishment for failing to make them happy. Yeah, I’d expected that much. It made sense.

It was unfair that I’d die just for receiving apologies from the women who’d put me through hell, but what could I do?

When the quest says jump, lowly transmigrators like me ask how high.

No protagonist ever lost by following the quest.

The real problems were the second and third trials.

[Trial 2/4 – Dissatisfaction in All Things] [Trial 3/4 – Too Late to Call It Treasure Now]

Beneath the simple titles were long, detailed descriptions.

But I had no interest in learning the exact physical or magical mechanisms that would thoroughly and perfectly ruin my body. I only skimmed the topmost explanation.

“Sickness… and disability?”

The second trial was a disease that temporarily halted my magic circuits. Specifically, it paralyzed the circuits in my limbs, rendering me immobile. In terms of sheer annoyance, this was worse than the first or third trials.

Just imagining the heroines visiting one after another under the guise of “checking on me,” while I couldn’t even move on my own, was torture. How many opportunities and items would I miss because of this?

The third trial was simpler, like the fourth. Random loss of a body part.

Probably something inconvenient enough to evoke the heroines’ pity but not so much that it ruined daily life. If I had to guess, it’d be an eye, a hand, or a leg.

At this point, I was basically begging the heroines with my whole body: Please just apologize already.

A disease that occasionally paralyzes my limbs, a missing eye, coughing up blood—your beloved benefactor? Just kill me already.

Thinking about it, maybe revealing my secret to Chris wasn’t a bad idea. I’d have to face the heroines repeatedly whether I liked it or not, and mistakes were bound to happen.

Technically, the regression reveal wasn’t part of the trial conditions, but framing it this way made things easier.

“What are those girls up to?”

I was curious about what the other three were doing right now, but my interest quickly faded.

What they thought or resolved to do wasn’t my concern. Chris would handle them.

I’d figure out the details once I got to the academy.

With that thought, I closed my eyes. For some reason, sleep came easily tonight.

—————

Chris speaks. Elia speaks. Cecilia speaks. Luciella speaks.

Clothes undone, half-naked, they press against me and whisper sweetly.

There’s a way to keep them without pushing them away.

If I just take one step back, I can live a happy life.

What I need to do isn’t strive—it’s give up striving.

The next moment, they’re all on their knees, foreheads pressed to the floor, prostrating before me.

—————

They want me to curse them.

They want me to lash out at them.

They want me to unleash all my pent-up emotions on them.

A life of idle pleasure, adored and loved by all without lifting a finger.

The temptation to control women like them would make anyone waver.

40 billion?

Sure, it’s a lot, but compared to what I could have in this world, it’s nothing. Even with 40 billion, I couldn’t become king, could I?

I helped them up one by one. Smiling brightly at their hopeful faces, I said:

‘Not a chance in hell. Get lost.’

I woke up.

“…What a nightmare.”

I couldn’t help but mutter it the moment I opened my eyes. No wonder I felt oddly refreshed—must’ve vented all my stress in the dream.

Stretching leisurely, I washed up and opened the door—only to nearly collide with Anna, who stood there with a scowl.

“Ah, hey. Anna.”

“What is it, young master?”

“Why the long face?”

“I wanted to guard the young lady, but I was ordered to watch you instead.”

“Take it up with Chris. I didn’t say anything about you. Wait, guard?”

“Yes. I was told to thoroughly monitor you—whether you’re up to no good or trying to leave the mansion.”

“Perfect timing. I just wanted to stretch my legs. Come with me.”

“What if I refuse?”

“Wanna see me act like a delinquent?”

“…I’ll accompany you. Reporting your whereabouts is part of my duty.”

“Good girl. By the way, was that order from Chris directly?”

“Yes. This morning.”

“Even better.”

I headed toward my destination, with Anna following a step behind.

“Where are we going?”

“Chris’s room. Once we’re there, you can complain about your guard duty or whatever.”

“The young lady’s room…?”

Feeling the murderous aura from behind, I quickly added:

“Put the knife away. I’m not planning anything with her. If I were, I’d have done it yesterday.”

“Huh? Wha—? How did you—? I was being careful!”

“You know why. My talk with Scarlet yesterday.”

“No way! The young lady told you about me? To you?”

“And that’s not all. I even got Chris’s permission. I’m free to roam anywhere in this mansion.”

“She allowed it?”

“Bit harsh, don’t you think? I’ve reflected on my actions, you know. And this is my house to begin with!”

“How amusing, coming from someone who treated it like a playground. Heh heh heh.”

Despite her words, I heard the click of her knife sliding back into place.

“Since when did you get so sarcastic after confirming you won’t get fired?”

Anna quickened her pace and stepped in front of me.

“Well, you’re the only one I can talk to like this~ Could I ever say such things to the young lady?”

“That’s discrimination… We’re both heirs of the same duchy, you know?”

“Do you really think you two are the same?”

Cheap shot.

“…No, just kidding.”

“Good. I don’t care if you’re crazy or sane, young master, but others might not feel the same.”

“I had a perfectly civil conversation with the guards yesterday…”

“Ah! That was you? The whole place was buzzing about it this morning.”

“Praising my magnanimity, right?”

Obviously. I’d saved them from near-certain death at Chris’s hands. A small act of kindness, but it’d surely improve my reputation.

“No, they’ve upgraded you from ‘crazy’ to ‘full-blown monster.’ They said it was the first time they’d seen someone laugh while getting beaten up.”

“……”

Sometimes, you ask questions even when you know the answer. So why were tears streaming down my face?

I forced a casual tone.

“G-Gossip is a scary thing. To twist my warm consideration into something like that…”

“The young lady doesn’t seem to think so. She specifically ordered me to ensure you don’t get hurt or killed.”

“Chris did? Unnecessary.”

“Tch. You’d dismiss the young lady’s rare concern like that? Are you human? Oh, right—you’re a madman.”

“You— Forget it. Let’s just go.”

By the time we finished talking, we’d already reached Chris’s door.

“I’m going in. Thanks for the chat, Anna.”

“Don’t mention it. I enjoyed our little heart-to-heart. With the young lady or other staff, it’s all business or requests.”

“What if I gave you a request? I am a Grave heir.”

“I’d just refuse.”

“I’ll tattle to Chris.”

“Pfft. Good luck with that.”

“CHRIIIIIS!”

I shouted loud enough for her to hear through the door.

Anna must’ve mistaken my recent docility for weakness. Time to reassert my authority as the family’s black sheep.

I choose not to act crazy—not that I can’t.

“Anna’s bullying me!”

It was so shameless I might as well have been a grade-schooler tattling to a futuristic cat robot, but winning was all that mattered.

“…Chris?”

No answer came from inside.

“What the—?”

Thud.

Locked.

Now that I thought about it, if Chris had given Anna orders, it didn’t have to be this morning.

And most importantly—today was a weekday.

“Pfft. Heh heh heh…”

Anna’s mocking laughter echoed from behind.