episode_0115

-No, our Chloe has a kind heart, doesn’t she?

-As if. No matter how you look at it, she seems like a woman obsessed with men.

-Oh!! You’re!! Wrong!!

My friend would have a fit whenever the topic of Chloe came up.

No matter how much I tried to knock some sense into them, it was useless.

Chloe is a bitch.

That’s what I said while trying to knock sense into them, but—

‘Turns out, I was the one who got knocked out instead.’

They glared at me with the fervor of a cultist from Shincheonji.

Sure, it was a bit scary whenever they did that, but—

‘The kid was good at heart.’

It just so happened that they lost their marbles over that game.

And whenever someone brought up Chloe, they’d act like a Shincheonji devotee.

So, among our friends, their nickname was “Alcheonji.”

As in, the lunatic obsessed with the Arcadia RPG.

Sometimes, when talking about Chloe, we’d call them “Chlocheonji” too.

Normally, a flaw like that would be enough to avoid befriending them, but—

They were a landlord.

And despite that, they had an exceptional talent for making money.

Yeah, by now, you’ve probably guessed it.

The bastard… treated us to meals all the time.

Back when we were all broke, scraping by on convenience store ramen—

Or when treating others meant all-you-can-eat pork belly—

They’d drag us to omakase courses or the Shilla Hotel buffet and drop 200,000 won per person like it was nothing.

Even when a friend’s parent passed away and we had to pay our respects, while everyone else was busy, they’d say they had nothing better to do and stood vigil for three days.

And if the funeral seemed financially burdensome, they’d slip the grieving friend some extra cash.

Anyway, with a personality like that, their relationships weren’t bad.

Well, later on, everything fell apart, and I was the only one left, but—

-You’re really all I have left.

-Then you’d better treat me right.

Anyway.

I was the only one left for that bastard.

Put another way, all the conversations they would’ve had with other friends became my responsibility.

It was honestly sad.

But because of that, I got to hear all sorts of things in this world.

Anyway, let’s get to the point.

If I had to sum up Chloe in one line:

‘A player.’

Her head’s a flower garden, just like the protagonist of a reverse harem.

And men fall for her in the weirdest ways.

Like, the kind of bold female lead you’d see in movies or dramas—

-You’re the first woman who’s ever slapped me like that.

-I like your fiery personality.

That kind of nonsense.

It was utterly incomprehensible.

Why would you fall for someone who hit you? I couldn’t get it, but that’s how the story went.

So, she stole Racter, Lucia’s fiancé.

And then, as if that wasn’t enough, she left to “save” other men, claiming she’d saved Racter.

She was nothing short of a terrible woman.

The polar opposite of me.

That’s why Chloe rubs me the wrong way.

‘And above all, she’s the protagonist, so trouble follows her everywhere.’

To me, Chloe is nothing but a walking red flag.

I stared at Chloe with a grim expression.

“……D-did I do something wrong?”

Not yet, you haven’t.

-No, actually, you’ve already done quite a bit.

‘Then let’s go with that.’

-…….

I could feel their bewildered gaze.

Had the Thief’s Ultimate Art evolved into Divine Art, letting the Holy Sword read emotions now?

Not a bad development.

Anyway, I turned to Racter. When I did, he flinched.

‘Looks like the type women would fall for.’

Some men with… particular tastes might even call him cute.

Though those “particular tastes” would probably mean homosexuality.

Anyway, ignoring all that—

I kept staring at Racter.

“When are you calling off the engagement?”

“Whenever you want. Just stay away from Chloe.”

“Racter!”

Chloe raised her voice at Racter’s words.

She glared at him with genuine anger.

Racter flinched for a moment but quickly hardened his expression and spoke to me.

“That damn engagement—I never liked it anyway. I was just a puppet for my family… but thanks to Chloe, I learned what freedom is.”

“More like self-indulgence.”

“What?”

Oops. I didn’t mean to snap like that.

But hey, this works in my favor.

With annoying Chloe out of the picture—

I can cleanly settle things between Racter and Lucia.

‘Then we’ll need someone to notarize it.’

There’s Vulcan and the Blacksmith, but they’re busy.

Asking Veronica or Clara for help feels a bit awkward too.

‘…They’re busy helping save citizens too.’

I’d feel guilty asking them to notarize something on top of that.

So, who else is left?

“Seems like you’re in a bind.”

A familiar voice rang out.

It shouldn’t belong here, but—

I turned toward the sound.

There stood Diago, looking as plain and unremarkable as ever.

And beside him—

“Y-Y-Your Highness, the Crown Prince!”

Racter hastily bowed.

I also bowed toward the Crown Prince. His clothes were anything but extravagant—

Just work clothes like any commoner’s, stained with dirt here and there.

“The great figure of the Empire graces us!”

“Now, now, I’m not that grand yet. Besides, my father is only 153 years old.”

……Huh? 153?

That’s… an odd age.

If he’s 153, is he not human?

-No, the Emperor is human. He just reached Level 9 in martial arts and magic at a young age and has been focusing on imperial duties since.

‘…….’

-Though, he ascended earlier than expected. Most emperors live at least 300 years.

‘Wait, what.’

Is this the special trait of this world’s emperor?

It’s both pitiful and strange.

The Crown Prince looks like he’s in his twenties, but—

If the Emperor lives to 300—

‘Does that mean the Crown Prince won’t ascend until he’s at least 170?’

……Wow.

No wonder the Labyrinth has lasted a thousand years and has ties to the Cradle.

“Hmm, seems you need a notary. Since I have some free time, I’ll handle it.”

“My apologies, but……”

“Nonsense. Forming ties with one of the Empire’s future talents is hardly a trivial matter.”

The Crown Prince grinned at Racter, then suddenly winked at me.

What’s that about?

-As if he’s fishing for praise for behaving well. The Crown Prince has good taste.

‘Wouldn’t people usually say he has no standards?’

-Nonsense. You’re worth it.

‘…….’

Flustered by the Holy Sword’s sudden praise, I sheepishly handed the document to the Crown Prince.

“Hmm…… hmm…… hmm……?”

The Crown Prince glanced at Lucia, then at Racter, then at Chloe, and finally at me.

“Hmm……”

He wore a troubled expression.

Diago was staring at me like I’d lost my mind.

The Crown Prince’s face cycled through complex emotions before he suddenly burst into hearty laughter.

“Hahaha! This is getting interesting. Alright, Diago. As the Shadow Knight of the Imperial Palace, you’ll—”

“Your Highness, I must decline.”

“Y-yes! You can’t resolve complicated engagement disputes between noble families like this!”

Chloe cut in.

The Crown Prince and Diago sighed in relief, while Racter glared at me with clear displeasure.

“Then what do you suggest?”

“A duel.”

“……”

I looked at Racter.

He flinched. Sure, he was blinded by jealousy, but did he really think I’d fight her?

Was he serious?

When I gave Chloe the same look—

“W-well, if it’s too one-sided, how about substitutes?”

“Substitutes sound fair.”

“I’m Level 5… so as long as you’re around that level, it’s fine.”

“Level 5? That’s all?”

The Crown Prince was the one who looked shocked.

“Isn’t hiding that illegal?”

“No, but that strength of yours…”

“If you’re so worried, why don’t you join in?”

I stared at Racter as I said it.

This was a legal chance to eliminate a threat—I couldn’t waste it.

But he must’ve taken it as a taunt.

Racter glared at me like he wanted me dead, then nodded.

People can be so sharp.

The duel over Lucia and Racter’s engagement spread like wildfire.

Maybe because the Cradle was in a slump—

It spread so fast it could’ve been politically weaponized.

“Well, that’s how it is.”

Vulcan was noisily eating the pudding I’d made at the table.

Beside him, Chungju was mixing a cocktail with two legs.

“Oho, what’s this drink?”

[An experimental cocktail using orange, lime, and cranberry. Inspired by something my master occasionally makes.]

“If it’s bad, I’ll take it up with your master.”

[Affirmative. Proceeding to mix. Ice, ice, ice, ice, ice…….]

“You’re quite carefree, aren’t you?”

“I’m not the one fighting. Besides, it’s hilarious that you’re freaking out over facing two Level 5s.”

Vulcan took a sip of the cocktail Chungju made, widened his eyes in approval, and nodded.

“That’s why you made sure there’s no way for me to back out, right?”

“Well……”

I glanced around.

A massive crowd had gathered.

Easily over 5,000 people.

“Events like this are good for morale. The Labyrinth’s been closed, and the sudden monster attacks have everyone on edge. This’ll lighten the mood.”

“When will the Labyrinth reopen?”

“Probably once you’re done with this.”

Figures.

I sighed internally and looked ahead.

One knight from Racter’s family.

And Racter himself.

“Judging by his demeanor, he’s hiding his level.”

“At most, Level 6.”

-And not even fully matured. Just barely stepped into it.

“This won’t be fun.”

“……”

Vulcan gave me a weird look.

Ignoring him, I fiddled with a gem hidden in subspace.

[Eternal Soldier’s Soulstone]

No choice, then.

To help Racter win Chloe back, I resolved to use this on him.

After the match.

I was stunned.

I couldn’t help but be stunned.

‘What the hell?’

Because Racter—

I’d planned to use the Eternal Soldier’s Soulstone on him to help, but I couldn’t.

To be precise—

[Target is already an Eternal Soldier.]

He was already one.

No choice, then.

For the peace of the Cradle—

I had no choice but to eliminate him.