episode_0026

The day was slowly coming to an end. Since the contract with Harney, I hadn’t done anything beyond walking around here and there, prioritizing being seen together rather than engaging in any further actions.

Instead of merely pretending to be lovers on the surface, I spent a lot of time soothing her anger at the fact that we should appear as a genuine couple, not just for show. Anyway, the engagement contract had been neatly concluded with this.

“I think this is sufficient for now, Harney.”

“I was about to say I’ll be heading back soon anyway.”

“Is that so?”

She’s still not over it. Well, that’s because of the bomb I set off; can’t help it.

“I understand that you’re not pleased, but let’s not forget that we both have our own purposes.”

“We don’t need to say that. I know.”

Harney, who had not yet calmed down, suddenly reached out her hand.

“What are you doing?”

“Huh?”

“When getting on the carriage, you should escort me.”

“But didn’t you dislike physical contact?”

“Well, still, this is necessary! Among noble lovers, it’s obvious…”

She looked at me as if she couldn’t believe it. Faced with this situation, I was in great peril.

“What the…? Escort? What’s that?”

There’s no way the customs of nobles from this era would make sense to modern people. For a Korean who hasn’t even traveled to Europe, this scene alone is already awkward enough. And now they want me to follow their etiquette?

Talking about medieval noble customs! I only know how to bow the Korean way and wish someone good fortune!

Sweat began to trickle down involuntarily. When I return, maybe instead of studying economics or society to see how the world is turning, I should call for an etiquette teacher.

…Anyway.

At that awkward moment, Harney, who had been teasing me, covered her mouth with the hand she had extended and asked,

“Hey, Karsein, you don’t happen to know how to escort, do you?”

“…Yes.”

“Really?”

-Nod.

Without waiting, I nodded, and Harney seemed momentarily surprised.

“Ahaha.”

She laughed, showing a lovely smile.

“Why is that so amusing?”

“Uh, I’m sorry. I didn’t expect this kind of reaction at all.”

Harnie, who had been smiling with the carriage in front of her, eventually had tears welling up in her eyes.

After wiping away her tears, she asked, “You haven’t learned etiquette at all?”

“No, not really.”

“I see.”

If it were Karsein, he would have learned. But since it’s me, I didn’t. Upon hearing that I hadn’t learned etiquette, she took my hand and led me towards the carriage steps.

“Generally, the carriage steps are a bit high for noblewomen. They wear long dresses, so the hem can be bothersome. That’s why you need to be positioned here to help them get up. Offering your hand means you’re ready to assist.”

“Like this?”

“No, not a firm grip, just four fingers. I’ll hold your thumb and support you as you ascend.”

Ah, even as an outsider, I could understand her neat explanation.

“Your hand should be here. Since I need to climb onto the carriage from here, it would be easier if you held slightly above the woman’s waist, right?”

“Ah, I see.”

In addition, Harnie gave detailed explanations on how to escort, depending on the situation, such as when dealing with superiors, receiving elderly guests, or engaging with a fiancée. She even provided practice time and ingrained the instructions in my mind, even practicing getting off the carriage.

“You’re learning quite quickly, aren’t you? You’ve also been considerate in helping me get comfortable.”

“I practiced a lot while learning. I got the hang of it. But, are you okay? You spent more time because of me.”

“To properly receive an escort, this amount of time is necessary, right? I became an engaged lover after spending months having secret meetings with someone.”

“…”

Well, there was nothing to say about reaping what one sows.

“Anyway, I’ll be going now. I’ll arrange the next schedule, so don’t worry.”

“Okay. Please go inside first.”

I watched the scene until the carriage completely disappeared, then confirmed that the sun had almost set before moving to the direction of Viscount Bargrand’s carriage.

Of course, the carriage wasn’t heading straight to the main venue.

I had something else to do here.

As I rummaged through my pocket to check the money I had, I realized that I had forgotten something.

“Huh?”

A purple handkerchief popped out of my pocket.

“Oh. I forgot to return this.”

But the carriage had already left… Oh well, I’ll give it back next time.

***

“…”

Camilla kept a close eye on the actions of the coachman. After checking the time for a moment, she took out a memo pad. Then, after confirming the time again, she wrote something on the memo pad.

This behavior was clearly intended for someone else to see.

And Camilla knew perfectly well who would be receiving that report.

Time rewound to the moment when her master, Carcyn, had ordered her to prepare for his outing.

While waiting for him, Camilla had encountered someone.

“Is that you over there, Camilla?”

“…Madam Emma.”

Emma, the lady-in-waiting. She had been rather irritable lately.

“It really is Camilla, isn’t it? I heard you were lucky enough to get out of solitary confinement. Why haven’t you shown your face until now?”

“…”

“Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. I don’t know how this luck came about, but your job remains the same as ever.”

After holding back what she really wanted to say, Camilla maintained her silence.

Then, Emma took cash out of her purse and showed it to her.

“For the sake of the duke, you’ll be willing to move, won’t you?”

Emma was someone who didn’t care how Camilla felt. For Camilla, who would act once money was in her hands, this advance payment was a perfect means to eliminate hesitation and firmly establish the motive for action.

There was no one more suitable than Camilla to tarnish Carcyn’s reputation, diminish his presence, and restore the duke’s favor.

“It seems like you’re about to go out. Don’t worry, I’ll lay the groundwork. Just let me know roughly what you did outside. I’ll also inform the coachman to some extent.”

Approaching her directly and pressing the money into Camilla’s hand, Emma returned to where she should have been with a sly smile.

In Camilla’s hands were items divided between each palm. In one hand was the hood that Carcyn would wear, and in the other was the cash held by Emma.

The two cannot coexist.

Camilla is in a position where she must choose either to follow Carsein or to receive under-the-table money and carry out tasks according to Emma’s orders.

Therefore, she firmly resolves her mind.

-Swish.

Camilla crumpled the money pouch held in her left hand and put it into the maid uniform pocket.

As time passed, the appointment time approached.

“Mr. Marvin. I know it’s late, but is it okay to bring Master Carsein?”

“Camilla, personally? Why?”

“Well… I received instructions in advance.”

“Hmm. Well, since that girl reports differently to both of us. Go ahead and come back.”

Marvin seemed indifferent.

Without any issue, Camilla left and was able to bring the items to the promised place as Carsein had mentioned.

When Carsein, who had finished his meeting with Harnier, arrived,

“You’re here, Master.”

She greeted Carsein without any indication.

***

As instructed to wait in advance, Camilla stood prepared.

“You’re here, Master.”

The freedom to act in the game is limited, almost to the point of being frustratingly difficult.

In order to clear episodes, there is hardly any time to gather information to avoid dead ends, at most a few minutes.

Even after Claire’s adulthood episode, it was the same. The time to gather information was limited to about 10 minutes, risking danger by stepping into restricted areas.

Considering the early wake-up and preparation time, the freedom gained from going out now was even more precious.

“Everything I was told to prepare is here.”

The map requested in advance to meet Shaden. A hood to conceal her appearance. A bag and various other items to disguise the appearance of the items.

That should be enough.

“The problem is the horse… I’ve never ridden one before.”

-Whistle.

…No. It seems right to be hesitant to ride.

In the game, she had ridden a horse like this before.

In South Korea, even if the public safety is good and encountering bad people on the streets at night is just a matter of bad luck, there were bad endings of getting killed on the streets here.

Therefore, I had to shorten the time. To enter there before the sun completely set.

But…

-Poof, poof.

Damn.

Honestly, it’s scary. In books, horses were a means of transportation favored by soldiers and generals, but not so much for ordinary people.

Cars. Taxis. Buses. Bicycles. Scooters, and so on, modern modes of transportation were desperately missed.

-Ding!

▶ The outing branch of current Episode IV is in progress! ◀

▶ Travel by horse! ◀

Amidst my turmoil, the status window automatically appeared.

At this point, there was no choice. I had to either ride a horse or give up. I had never ridden a horse, not even during the school trip to Jeju Island.

Suppressing my irritation, as I tried to close the status window, the system forcefully brought up the text again.

No matter how many times I tried to close it, the system stubbornly persisted.

▶ System non-compliant behavior detected. ◀

▶ For episode progression, the choice will be enforced. ◀

[ 1. Travel by horse. ]

▶ Consequences of non-compliance will follow the above choice. ◀

“Huh? Huh?”

Without resisting or arguing with the system, continuously displaying the only option, my body was moving toward the horse on its own.

And then, as if it were completely natural, I found myself mounting the horse.

“…Huh?”

While getting on the horse, my body moved as if it weren’t mine, but once I was on, it didn’t feel strange at all.

Contrary to my initial fear, the horse was quite gentle.

After taking a few steps and trying to direct the reins myself, the horse seemed to understand my intentions well and moved accordingly. Not too difficult… Is it because of the game system?

“No. Whatever the reason, it doesn’t matter. I need to ride this right now.”

I must retrieve that item to completely deactivate my Dead Trigger.

Then suddenly, Camilla called out to me.

“Um, sir.”

“What?”

“May I go with you, sir?”

“With me? How do you know where I’m going?”

“I may not know where you are going, but… taking me along will surely be helpful.”

Hmm.

Taking the maid to that place doesn’t seem like it would be helpful.

The place I’m heading to isn’t your typical shopping area. However, upon hearing Camilla’s hushed voice, my thoughts shift slightly. “It seemed like the butler was monitoring your movements.” They are monitoring my movements. This means someone from the duke’s residence is trying to track my actions. Just in case there’s any suspicion, I must avoid it. Going with Camilla seems a bit safer. ‘It’s not that I have no concerns…but…’ That doesn’t change the fact that it’s the right decision. “Do you have clothes to conceal your appearance?” “Just in case, I’ve prepared two hoods.” “Alright then. We’ll take only one horse.” “…” “What? Is there a problem?” “It’s just…” In that moment, Camilla’s hesitation sends a shiver down my spine. As if she’s embarrassed, she shrinks back. Oh. Could it be? You too? “I-I’m sorry. I don’t know how to ride a horse…” Somehow, I manage to avoid a bad feeling. Ride the horse. She seemed to understand even without me finishing my sentence. At that moment, once again, a choice appeared due to the system’s coercion. [1. Ride the horse to travel.] My body moves automatically again. After smoothly mounting the horse, I help Camilla onto the saddle. “Heeya.” Even after trying it once, it wasn’t difficult. Thanks to the system, now that I can ride a horse, I should be able to return before sunset.

***

By the time I got used to riding, I arrived at the desired location. 8th Street. Although it’s a place with quite a few well-known shops, including Ophelia Boutique, this destination, away from the bustling area, wasn’t typically frequented by nobles. Paradoxically, despite being right next to the bustling street, stepping just twenty feet away created a distinct gap, as if I had entered a completely different area. Right here is where Shayden worriedly marked on the map. Upon setting foot here, I had to be extremely cautious. “My lord. This place…” “Shh. Don’t use that title here. It draws unnecessary attention.” “Ah, understood. Then, what should I call you?”

“Be as respectful as possible. I won’t pay much attention to that.”

“Yes, I will do so.”

At first glance, the man gave off a rather intimidating impression. If he were to reveal himself as a noble here, he would quickly attract attention.

And then… everything I have will be taken away. Just like when you face a bad ending in a game.

“If I hadn’t come by horse, it would have been quite tight on time.”

Soon, it felt like the sun was about to set.

I needed to finish my business quickly and leave this place.

Following the map, a seemingly ordinary shop emerged.

“Welcome, Osu.”

A man, busy handling items, glanced at Camilla with sharp eyes.

As instructed, Camilla avoided meeting the owner’s gaze.

The interior of the shop was shabby and dark. The lighting was so dim that unless it was an essential area, it was barely visible, and it differed greatly from a typical store selling and buying things.

It felt like a black market here.

*Riing.*

I may have fast-forwarded the episode a bit, but the options didn’t seem to be any different.

I examined the items with relief and then pointed to what I had been looking for.

“This. And this. Can you calculate all of these together?”

“Hmm. Wait a moment, please, Boosh.”

The owner, tapping on the calculator, quickly provided the total. Since I already knew the price, I paid in advance and waited. However…

“This is not enough? The total comes to 1700 Pessels.”

What?

The price seemed odd. In the game, it wouldn’t have been this price.

“Hey, I want to know the detailed prices of the items.”

“Do you seriously doubt the prices after coming all the way here?”

“No, I just need to know which items have higher values.”

“Hmm… well, if that’s the case.”

The shop owner started writing down the prices on a piece of paper without another word.

The other items matched the prices I knew. They were exactly as I had seen in the game, and just in case, I asked about other items, receiving the same answers.

Except for one.

“…Of all things, why did this item have to be overpriced?”

The price of the most expensive medicinal herb was 200 Pessels higher than in the original game.

It was just an attempt to move the timing forward a bit from back then, but I never expected such a difference to occur.

“By the way, I won’t haggle.”

I know. The store owner can never trade again the moment they attempt to haggle.

‘Can’t be helped.’

I had to buy those things, even if it meant selling what I brought along just in case.

Right at that moment, a hand reached out to me and dropped some cash.

“I’ll pay 200 pesos here.”

The one making up for the shortfall was none other than Camilla.