episode_0041

41. People Are Obsessed With Me

Now, it was time to return home.

The long week of festivities had finally come to an end, and with the emperor’s assassination case buried, the other nobles had also finished preparing to depart.

During this banquet, connections had formed among the nobility, who exchanged light farewells and deepened their camaraderie.

And then—His Majesty the bratty emperor himself came to see me.

**”Farewell. Do not forget me.”**

**”Uh… Such boundless… grace…?”**

My utter lack of imperial etiquette.

Yet, Irene seemed pleased rather than offended, smiling faintly as she spoke to me.

**”Speak comfortably.”**

**”Thank you…?”**

**”Yes, that’s far more pleasant to hear.”**

A commoner exchanging words with the emperor in full view of the nobility…

Though the scrutinizing gazes of the unfamiliar nobles were sharp enough to sting, today was the last day I’d have to endure them.

As I struggled to ignore the swarming attention, the emperor suddenly wrapped her arms around my waist.

**”Do not forget me… I am afraid to be left alone.”**

Was this sincere, or just an act?

Perhaps it was merely a public display to reinforce Erica’s power.

But the child in my arms had momentarily discarded her dignity in front of everyone, trembling so subtly that only I could feel it.

I stroked the back of Irelin Pendleton, not the emperor, offering comfort.

**”I promise. I will not abandon Your Majesty.”**

**”A promise…?”**

And so, behind Erica’s back, we made a secret vow before parting.

Though Erica watched the spectacle from behind, grinding her teeth with barely restrained fury, things would somehow work out.

After His Majesty departed, it was Cecilia Luxia who approached next.

**”To think this is the last I shall see of your deft hands—how regrettable…”**

**”If fate allows, we’ll meet again someday, won’t we?”**

**”Oh? Then how about joining me as my subordinate?”**

Even though she had once said a commoner subordinate would become a fatal weakness…

I tried dismissing it as a joke, but the greed burning in Cecilia’s eyes told me she was deadly serious.

Apparently, my performance during this banquet had left quite the impression.

**”I shall personally treat you with the utmost kindness.”**

An offer so tempting that any man would nod in agreement without thinking twice.

However, Erica, who had been silently listening from behind, intervened and dragged Cecilia aside.

And—perhaps to assert her status as an ovary… no, *testicle* companion—she even kicked Cecilia square in the rear.

**”Ugh…! Quit walking with your back hunched—you’re making me look short!”**

**”Oof!”**

From a distance, they looked like a grumpy brat and her forbearing older sister.

Seemed like she was trying to keep Cecilia—the most persistent (and actually capable) recruiter—in check.

While they were briefly occupied elsewhere…

The three sister-knights who had guarded the emperor’s quarters with me approached.

Tacy Wentz, the boisterous knight who had ravaged enemy cavalry like a pack of rabid dogs with her long spear.

She wore a sullen expression at first, then forcibly hyped herself up to her usual energy.

Throwing an arm over my shoulder, she playfully jabbed her fist into my chest.

**”Haha! Tough luck getting a drink now, huh? Can’t have you collapsing at the priest’s place again, lightweight!”**

When I responded with an awkward laugh, Tacy’s enthusiasm dimmed slightly.

**”Tch… You’re supposed to say you’d drop everything to share a drink anytime!”**

**”If time allows, I promise I will.”**

Next came Ellara Laverno.

She gripped her massive halberd tightly while adjusting her scarf.

**”I consider you an exceptionally talented individual, sir.”**

**”Thank you…”**

**”You seemed displeased working under former Duke Erica Grace. Once we are prepared, we shall come for you without fail.”**

Huh? There seemed to be some misunderstanding here.

It’s not that I dislike Erica—I just don’t want to *work* for her.

Before I could hastily correct her, Ellara cut in with a smile.

**”Even if we have to visit thrice, we will secure you.”**

These two women had no qualms about casually dropping politically risky remarks, even with my master nowhere in sight.

Lilliana, witnessing her tactless younger sisters, smacked her forehead in exasperation before stepping forward.

She patted my shoulder amiably.

**”Sigh… Apologies for putting you in an awkward position because of my sisters.”**

**”It’s fine…”**

Well, it *was* awkward.

I wanted to retire, yet everyone kept trying to recruit me.

I just wanted to remain friendly companions, but…

Judging by how well she grasped the situation, Lilliana was undoubtedly the most mature of the three.

**”Once things settle, I’ll seek you out first.”**

…Okay, yeah, Lilliana wasn’t normal either.

No matter how much I insisted that retirement was my dream, it was clear no one would listen. So I smiled vaguely and accepted it.

After bidding me farewell, she smirked and followed her contracted liege—the son-in-law Deril Alvaren.

Soon after, a well-built middle-aged man with a purple buzzcut—Raegar Steelwint—nodded lightly at me.

**”Travel safely.”**

**”You too, Raegar.”**

**”If you ever plan to meet my daughter, make sure to inform me first.”**

I had no idea why I was so popular.

I sent him off with a polite smile.

Meanwhile, Deril Alvaren and Cedric—Raegar’s liege and Cecilia’s half-brother—showed no interest in me.

Now that I had bid farewell to everyone I met, I felt a bittersweet yet fulfilling warmth.

In my original world, I was second only to geniuses—merely exceptional.

No matter how hard I worked, as a non-genius, my achievements were limited.

With countless innovations already made by geniuses and no talent for creating marketable products, I struggled to adapt to company life.

Instead, I wasted my time ghostwriting professors’ papers.

Had my parents not run a successful restaurant, would I have ended up doing manual labor for money?

Or perhaps compromising with reality, stuck in a mediocre job at some small company, grinding through each day?

I had almost resigned myself to being a nameless extra with no meaningful connections…

But now, I seemed to have formed countless bonds.

Lost in these thoughts, the two dwarf sisters called out to me.

**”Hey, genius! You planning to walk all the way instead of riding the carriage?”**

**”Unnie… Mr. Cain, hurry up and get in!”**

**”Quit the nonsense and check the canned food prototype I made while you were peacefully snoozing!”**

**”Uh… Sorry, sorry!”**

Brook and Aiteri—disabled blacksmiths who couldn’t use magic, fatefully crossing paths with me.

Despite their lack of magic, their exceptional craftsmanship made them invaluable allies, my wings of support.

And in the future, when I retired, they would be the cute juniors fulfilling Erica’s demands in my stead.

**”Getting in now.”**

After the war, waking up kidnapped by the imperial family, I had been nothing but annoyed and resentful.

But during this short yet long week of festivities, I gained countless precious connections.

Following Brook and Aiteri, I boarded the carriage and—

**”Well~ Fancy meeting such a rare guest here~ Hmm?”**

There sat Adele, grinning with clenched teeth, her narrowed eyes locked onto me.

Now that I thought about it, Vivian mentioned they arrived together, but with all the chaos, we never crossed paths…

Hiding her expression behind sunglasses, Adele spoke in a honeyed tone laced with suppressed fury.

**”We have business to discuss—about Guano Island and other ventures. But since you were *nowhere* to be found, I almost thought you’d become a duke~.”**

**”I-I’m sorry…”**

**”Oh no~ How could busy, sought-after *Mr. Cain* possibly spare time for a mere count’s noble—loaded but titleless?”**

Like Erica, the women in this family were terrifying when angered.

The only silver lining? Brook and Aiteri were also crammed inside the same carriage.

Erica, the ultimate workaholic, had borrowed a spacious carriage precisely for this seven-day return trip—ensuring a marathon meeting with the designer (me), the engineers (Brook and Aiteri), the business head (Adele), and the logistics officer (Vivian).

**”Still, since the engineers are here, we can discuss things on the way back…”**

**”Really? If not for that brilliant mind of yours, I’d have cut you loose ages ago.”**

At first, I thought she had a decent impression of me… but after this incident, she seemed thoroughly fed up.

As I floundered to placate her, Vivian arrived late and stepped into the carriage.

**”Sorry, sorry! Got delayed escorting someone. Unnie, did you pick a fight again?”**

**”Hah! As if anyone would flirt with… No, wait. Nobody *would* flirt with you anyway.”**

Maybe because they were close cousins?

Adele took one look at Vivian and immediately launched into teasing.

Yet Vivian, far from offended, cheerfully played along.

**”True, true~ If only men chased me half as much as money chases you.”**

**”That reaction’s so… lame.”**

Adele looked deflated by how smoothly Vivian owned it.

With the poise of a seasoned older sister, Vivian boarded leisurely—then promptly *tripped* and plopped straight onto my lap.

The soft, resilient sensation of Vivian’s buttocks pressed against my thighs.

Scratching her head sheepishly, she loudly announced an apology meant for everyone.

**”Whoops, my bad. Slipped on the carriage steps… Up we go~!”**

As she braced her hands on my shoulders to stand, she leaned close to my ear and whispered—

So faint only I could hear it.

**”Once we stop to rest later… I’ll be waiting. *Break me.* ♡”**

Her obscenely filthy phrasing made my lower half twitch.

Vivian smirked, stood up, and took the seat beside Adele.

Humming cheerfully like a kid awaiting Christmas presents, she radiated pure delight…

Watching this, Adele recoiled in disgust.

**”The hell? You finally lose it?! Why so perky and deranged?!”**

**”Hehe… Life truly is beautiful.”**

Even unrealistically beautiful cousins resembled real-life siblings.

Maybe siblings—brothers, sisters, whichever—were hardwired to tear into each other.

Mid-thought, Erica finally arrived, opening the carriage door.

**”Everyone aboard?”**

The lavish carriage, fit for at least ten passengers.

After surveying us, Erica entered with Alice, her sky-blue hair now complemented by glasses.

Adjusting her glasses—now lending her an intellectual air—Alice smirked at me.

**”The thought of spending the entire return journey conversing with our genius… Truly exhilarating.”**

Alice, who had spent nights engrossed in lively discussions with natural-born genius Erica, now gazed at me with viscous, scholarly craving.

Naturally, I had zero interest in that ordeal and desperately averted my gaze, praying her attention would fade…

Lastly, Erica boarded.

She knocked on the carriage wall twice—the signal to depart—then spread a hefty stack of documents onto the center table.

**”Fox, here’s the paperwork we’re reviewing this week.”**

**”Huh…?”**

A pile that easily exceeded 150 pages at first glance.

Since Erica never assigned me political tasks, this was my first exposure to such workload.

Seeing me tremble like a frightened pup, she chuckled and calmly explained.

**”Ah, no need to look so adorably terrified.”**

…!

Oh? Maybe it wasn’t all mine.

Clutching that sliver of hope, I listened—

**”Every single one falls under your expertise.”**

**”…….”**

**”First, Guano Island contracts and transport logistics.

Next, piano-related documents—establishing a luxury brand for wealthy nobles, plus mass-producing affordable models to cultivate artists.

Adele, the wealthiest and most adept businesswoman in our family, will handle this jointly.

Then, factory overhaul plans.

You’ve recruited two brilliant dwarf blacksmiths, yes?

We’re maximizing efficiency and productivity by minimizing magic reliance—creating jobs and stimulating the economy.

Brook and Aiteri will collaborate here.

Sterilization remains obscure, but I’ve gathered research to spare you headaches.

Hired mages for clean magic-assisted canning—review their reports.

Vivian and Luna provided military equipment feedback post-Penrose War.

Invaluable insights—note their critiques on stoves, airships, and other essentials.

Lastly, Alice Verakia’s proposals.

She seeks affordable, widely accessible stoves for civilians.

Given her administrative brilliance—one I’d personally dub *genius*—consult her directly…”**

Tasks spilled from Erica’s lips like a deluge.

Everyone else had already grabbed their relevant documents, engrossed in lively discussions.

Inside the chaotic carriage where no one would save me, I frantically searched my pockets for my resignation letter—my ever-present talisman.

But…

Never staying in one place meant I had no spares left.

Worse, there wasn’t even a blank sheet to draft a new one.

Every impeccably handwritten document bore machine-perfect penmanship.

Had she really spent all day at parties, politicking, then manually prepared 170+ pages of paperwork overnight?

A true monster of a genius.

Yet, despite her monstrous efficiency, Erica’s beauty was peerless.

Crossing her legs alluringly, she shot me a knowing smile.

As if fully aware my resignation letters had run out.

As if declaring she’d never let go, she gazed at me—confident, smug, adorable.

Then, shoving another stack toward me, she declared:

**”Looks like a long night ahead.”**

For a moment, I seriously considered banging my head against the wall to pass out.

But lacking the courage, I tearfully lifted the documents instead…

And so, during the week-long journey to Redmain, I was *drained* dry.

Physically, by the paperwork.

Mentally, by Erica and Alice’s debates.

And *spiritually*, by Vivian dragging me into corners whenever we rested.

A grueling week indeed.