Episode 46
[Penalty Occurred!]
The moment I opened my eyes, what began to appear before me was the penalty window I never wanted to see again.
[Permanent Debuff: Fate of the Wicked]
[User's lifespan and vitality have been greatly reduced]
As soon as I saw that window, I almost screamed involuntarily, but the moment I saw the very bottom of the window, even the strength to scream vanished.
[Stack: 2] [Special Stack: 1]
"What the hell is a Special Stack?"
It seems like something has gone terribly, terribly wrong.
"U-um, I..."
I was letting out a deep sigh while looking at the system window when Irina, sweating cold sweat, began to stammer beside me.
"...Get out of my room."
When I snapped at her irritably, her eyes went wide and she quickly scurried out of my room.
"Frey!! Are you feeling alright?"
"Coo?"
"...You go outside too, Serena. I'll call the doctor later."
Eventually, I gave an order to Serena as well, who was urgently asking me questions with an owl on her shoulder, and sent her out of the room. A white owl flew from her shoulder and landed on my head, making me chuckle.
"Coo!!"
"...This one is still shameless."
I was petting the owl that had somehow moved from my head to sit on the windowsill when I asked a question to Kania, who had her head bowed low and couldn't bring herself to look at me directly.
"So, who exactly found out?"
Then, Kania wore a serious expression and asked back.
"...What do you mean by 'who exactly'?"
"Well, according to the penalty window I just saw, it seems like two people found out."
Hearing those words, Kania lost her words and started staring blankly at me.
"It's okay... According to the prophecy book, there's still a probability of clearing the game up to stack 5."
"But..."
"Yes, of course the difficulty will be extreme. In fact, it's only theoretically possible since no one has ever cleared it. But if it's now, I can somehow try. So..."
"That's not the problem..."
I tried to reassure Kania by wrapping up the situation as positively as possible, but she sat on the edge of the bed, took my hand, and began to speak.
"...Young Master, do you know how long you've been unconscious?"
"Hmm... A month?"
"It's been three months."
"Oh, dear."
Hearing Kania's words, my head started to throb with pain.
"...When are the final exams?"
"Tomorrow."
"I'm going to go crazy."
Of course, it wasn't just the final exams—there was a mountain of things to resolve—so I was racking my brain about how to handle this situation when the throbbing headache made me give up thinking and close my eyes for a moment.
"...So, do you have any idea who noticed?"
"That is..."
Then Kania, who had been biting her lip hard, answered with a trembling voice.
"I'm not sure."
"...What do you mean you're not sure?"
When I frowned slightly and asked back, Kania began to answer with an expression full of guilt.
"First, the Young Master vomited blood for the first time right after the 'Civilian Dormitory Attack Incident' ended."
"...I see."
"At that time, the Young Master was bleeding from every orifice in your face, and considering the severity of the situation, you were hospitalized in the Imperial Hospital."
Hearing about events I had no memory of from someone else reminded me of what I experienced in that strange dream, and my heart began to feel troubled.
"...However, another incident occurred when it had been one month since the Young Master was hospitalized."
"Another one?"
"Yes, the Young Master, who had been gradually stabilizing, suddenly vomited blood again. At the time, I just thought the condition had worsened again, but..."
"...So in fact, that's when someone noticed."
When I answered calmly, a brief silence followed.
"Anyway, since you've awakened, we should immediately call a doctor..."
"No, forget it. I'm fine."
"But..."
"Just make me a sandwich and coffee. I'm hungry."
When I asked for food from Kania, who had opened her mouth again, she quietly left the room, still with a face full of guilt.
"...Hoo."
After she left, I let out a sigh and began to look at the system window that had appeared before my eyes just moments ago.
[Civilian Dormitory Attack Incident Cleared!]
[Hero's Armament awakening rate has increased!]
"...At least that's a relief."
The one hopeful thing in this desperate situation was that the awakening rate of the Hero's Armament, which can match evenly with the Demon Lord—an existence outside of norms—had increased.
Thanks to that, the power contained within the Hero's Armament would have returned to some extent. Among them is a vitality enhancement effect, but since carrying it around continuously runs the risk of being discovered, it seems I'll have to give up on keeping it with me.
[System Update Complete!]
As I thought that and dismissed the clear window, a system update completion window floated up.
[The following features have been newly unlocked.]
- Cumulative Wicked Points System
- Help Function
[The following changes have been made.]
- Due to the cumulative wicked points system, point settlement has been changed to bulk payment once per week.
[Cumulative pt: 5000pt]
"...Why is there so much?"
I was looking at the flood of information that suddenly appeared before my eyes, then grabbed my head and quietly reached out to press the question mark icon in the corner of the system window.
- I am the helper for the System of the Wicked's Path. Please ask any questions you have.
Then, a refreshing voice began to resonate in my head.
"...Let me ask one thing, what is a Special Stack?"
I asked the voice about the 'Special Stack.'
Because I knew about all the other functions, but I knew absolutely nothing about the 'Special Stack.'
- Special Stack is accumulated when your identity is detected by special targets.
Then, the refreshing voice began to resonate in my head again.
- Due to its special nature, Special Stack accumulates only once throughout the entire scenario, and unlike regular stacks, it only greatly reduces vitality.
"...That's tearfully grateful, isn't it."
Saying that, I began to rummage through the secret space of the bag beside the bed to check my remaining lifespan.
"...Hm?"
But no matter how much I searched, the lifespan measuring device wasn't visible. What could it be?
'...Does Kania have it?'
Since I had told Kania about the secret space in my bag, I moved on without much concern and continued to ask the helper questions.
"So then, what kind of target detected me to give me a 'Special Stack'?"
- Conditions are insufficient. Please fulfill the conditions.
"What?"
But the helper started saying something strange.
- Detailed explanation regarding 'Special Stack' will be unlocked along with [Special Function] when certain conditions are met.
"...What are those conditions?"
- The hint is [Identity Detection]. Any other answer is beyond my authority.
I was making a dumbfounded expression at the helper's words when suddenly a system window floated before my eyes.
[Special Quest: Identity Detection]
- Content: ???
[Reward: ???]
"...Damn it."
I was looking at this strange quest I knew nothing about when I irritantly dismissed the window, closed my eyes tightly, and fell into thought.
'...The prophecy book, the system, everything is going off track. Something is definitely strange.'
I don't know if it was months ago, days ago, or a day ago, but according to the dream I had, Irina's and my memories are also quite different from what I remember and what's in the prophecy book.
And the same goes for the system. Not satisfied with just reversing the memories of the 5 main heroines, now things like 'Special Stack,' 'Special Quest,' and 'Special Function' that weren't even in the prophecy book are popping up wildly.
'...At this point, I'm starting to fear what'll pop up next.'
Wasn't it said that fear always springs from ignorance? There couldn't be a more appropriate saying for my current situation.
I thought I had anticipated and calculated everything, but more and more unknown things are popping up.
'It seems like some unknown existence is interfering with the system and the prophecy book...'
Thanks to that, my head began to fill with problems—like who is trying to interfere with my plan to save this world, and if I can't trust the system and prophecy book, what happens to my future plans.
"...One last question. Does any item or skill exist in the system that can increase my lifespan or vitality?"
After contemplating for a while, I asked with a sliver of hope.
- No such item or skill exists in the system.
However, the system betrayed even my last expectation.
"Young Master, I've brought your meal."
Thanks to that, I was making a defeated expression after turning off the helper when Kania entered my room with food.
"...Right, sandwiches and coffee are the best for restoring vitality."
I thanked Kania and, with a bitter smile, took a bite of the sandwich and said.
"Kania, I need the overdue report."
"But, right now you need to rest..."
"...We'll find out anyway, so what."
Then Kania let out a deep sigh, took out a notebook from her pocket, and began to flip through it.
"First, I'll tell you the conclusion of the 'Civilian Dormitory Attack Incident.'"
The conclusion of the Civilian Dormitory Attack Incident that Kania explained was, fortunately, as expected.
The heroines who escaped the civilian dormitory with me in a critical state reportedly reported all the facts to the investigation team and the imperial family immediately.
Then the imperial family and the Sun God Church attempted to cover up this incident as much as possible.
Because they feared that if they acknowledged that the Demon Lord had revealed himself again after 1000 years before even finding the Hero, the world would fall into chaos.
However, the agents Klana had gathered in advance spread the truth of this incident throughout the country, and eventually the imperial family and the Sun God Church had no choice but to officially announce the Demon Lord's return to the public.
Thanks to this, I, who was involved in this incident, was put on the defensive, but the board began to change when Serena stepped in.
She defended that I was mind-controlled by the Demon Lord's subordinate, and at the same time, she and Kania secretly carried out various political maneuvers, and thanks to that, the debate over my punishment became a long war of attrition.
The long-standing discussion that continued for quite a while came to an end when the imperial family and the Sun God Church made the final decision that it was too early to punish me since I, a descendant of the Hero family, had a considerable possibility of being chosen as the Hero.
Of course, thanks to that, Isabel, who took all the blame instead of me, completely fell along with her family.
"And so, currently the Empire and the Sun God Church are propagating that a 'Hero' will appear soon, while searching far and wide for people with the qualities of a 'Hero.'"
"...That's useless, though."
"Indeed it is."
After finishing the long report and catching her breath for a moment, Kania hardened her expression and began to speak in a low voice.
"That's the official conclusion of the incident so far."
"...So there's an unofficial conclusion as well?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Kania nodded quietly at my question, flipped through her notebook, and continued speaking.
"First, due to this incident... Klana's position has become quite strong."
"Why?"
"The public and some conscientious people in the imperial family who saw her rolling up her sleeves and working to reveal the truth began to support Klana. And when the truth was finally revealed, her approval rating doubled."
"...The Crown Princess must be anxious."
"Yes, that's why the Crown Princess's influence is believed to have been very significant in the imperial family taking a position defending the Young Master. At this point, the person who can most efficiently check Klana is the Young Master, who has used the oath."
Hearing those words, I said with a dumbfounded expression.
"Of course I expected that would happen and did it, but... it's still absurd when it actually happens. To defend someone who might be in league with the Demon Lord just to maintain power."
Then Kania took out a fountain pen from her pocket, spun it around, and continued my words.
"The Crown Princess is currently convinced she can control the Young Master. She'll probably apply pressure using this incident as an excuse soon."
"...I was already prepared for that."
As I said that and let out a deep sigh, Kania also sighed, flipped a page of her notebook, and said.
"The Young Master's current reputation is... the worst."
"Reputation?"
"Yes, because Klana spread rumors that the Young Master is a member of the Demon Lord's army."
Hearing that, I answered with a slight smile.
"That's good. Thanks to that, I'll receive a lot of benefits from the cumulative wicked points system."
"...Is it really a good thing?"
I, who had been grinning, came to my senses at Kania's frowning question and fell into thought.
'...Right, I shouldn't blindly trust the system and the prophecy book.'
From now on, I'll need to maintain a wary mindset in everything.
Of course, if I don't use the system, there's no way to defeat the Demon Lord, so I have no choice but to do as the system says... but at the very least, I should be wary of it.
So from now on, I'll be somewhat wary of the system while using it to the maximum extent, and at the same time, I'll need to investigate the prophecy book and the system.
"...Kania, when is the break?"
Having thought that far, I recalled that the only place in this world related to the prophecy book and system is the ruins left by my ancestor, and asked Kania.
"The break will come in a few weeks, but... since there's so much to handle, you probably won't have much time to rest."
"Tch."
But according to Kania's answer, the trip to the western continent for healing and finding the truth would have to be postponed for a while.
"...Hm?"
I was blankly eating the sandwich when suddenly, a faint moon mana began to rise outside the door.
"Serena? What are you doing?"
Sensing something slightly off, I tried speaking to Serena whom I had waiting in the hallway, but for some reason, no answer came back.
"...Come in."
Eventually, I moved Kania, who was vulnerable to moon mana, behind me and called Serena back into the room.
"F-Frey..."
".....!"
But her condition was not normal.
"I-I'm sorry... Ugh!"
"...Serena? Are you alright?"
"I-I'm fine...!"
Serena, who had been sweating cold sweat, suddenly opened her fan and began to send wind infused with moon mana.
"...Hah!"
The flustered Kania raised a large amount of black magic power to wrap around me, and thanks to that, the wind rushing toward me became tangled with the black magic and began to scatter in all directions.
"Serena, stop!!"
"...Yes."
When I gave her an order in panic, she answered sullenly and bowed her head deeply.
-Bzzzt...
And on her body, a red magic circle was glowing.
"...Damn Moonlight family bastards."
Only then did I understand why Serena was behaving that way.
The Moonlight family has a curse called 'Family Subjugation' that has been passed down for generations.
That curse, which has existed since the family's founding, granted the Moonlight family the power to exercise absolute authority as a ducal family while simultaneously burdening them with a heavy mission.
That heavy mission is the fate of being an assassination family that protects the empire's nights—a noble yet dirty task of purging targets decided by the family elders and secret patriarch.
That's why Serena, who is officially the current head and real power of the Moonlight family, is unofficially receiving orders from the Moonlight family's council of elders and secret patriarch.
"I-I'm sorry. But it hurt so much... and Kania was nearby too..."
Of course, normally Serena wouldn't even be swayed, let alone manipulated from behind. However, the Moonlight family's council of elders can issue commands to her by tightening the 'Curse of Subjugation' around Serena.
The council of elders and secret patriarch, who probably gave an order to kill me, inflict accumulated pain from the curse whenever she doesn't genuinely try to kill me.
Looking at her current situation, she probably hasn't made any attempt to kill me for all three months. Otherwise, there'd be no reason for her to do something like this.
'...As expected, there's no other way.'
But this kind of thing will only work once or twice.
Because if she doesn't genuinely try to kill me, the pain from the curse will only become more severe.
Of course, removing the 'Family Subjugation' curse would be the best solution, but unfortunately, I don't have a way to remove it.
Even in the 'prophecy book' which has become quite unreliable but still contains a lot of helpful information, there's only explanation about the danger and cruelty of the 'Curse of Subjugation,' with no method to lift it.
It's an ancient curse that came with the founding of the Moonlight family, and supposedly no one has discovered how to lift it to this day.
For reference, my ancestor added a note to this section saying, 'The code for lifting it is definitely implemented, but no one has ever succeeded in lifting it. As expected of a trash game.'
I don't quite understand what that means, but apparently, even my ancestor couldn't solve this curse.
"Frey... I'm fine, so you don't need to worry..."
"Tell me the truth."
"...I'm not fine."
As expected, Serena is trembling in considerable pain. So, I'll have to use the method I had thought of beforehand.
According to the scenario anyway, the Moonlight family's council of elders will be neutralized later.
"Serena, listen carefully to what I'm about to say."
"Yes."
After finishing my thoughts, I glared at Serena and opened my mouth.
"...I cast an 'Absolute Obedience Spell' on you."
".....!"
Then Serena, who had still been sweating cold sweat, opened her mouth wide and began to wear an expression of shock.
-Coo!!
"W-what do you mean by that?"
And I glanced at the owl that had been quietly accepting my touch until then suddenly flew out the window and began soaring through the blue sky, then continued speaking.
"Exactly what I said. I used you."
It was time to free Serena, like that owl.
.
"Hmm..."
At that time, in the temporary civilian dormitory.
"...What does this date mean, exactly?"
Irina was mumbling to herself in her room while fiddling with the small device she had just obtained.
"Is this a magic tool for doing good deeds?"