Episode 49
"Young master, are you awake?"
"...Yes."
When I woke from sleep, Cania was applying medicine to my wounds with a worried expression.
I gave her a slight smile and tried to rise from my bed, but she gently held me back and asked cautiously,
"If the trial is too difficult, shall I help you somehow?"
"How?"
I tilted my head and asked, and she quietly took my hand and said,
"I will enter your dream. There, together with me..."
"Never mind, it's fine."
But when I immediately rejected her suggestion, Cania wore a worried expression and said,
"I don't know exactly what illusions you're seeing... but if I'm by your side, it might be a bit more..."
"No, really, it's fine. This trial is on the easier side. If it gets difficult, I'll ask for help."
"...Yes."
Rejecting her suggestion once more, I gave a gentle smile to Cania who was still looking down at me with worry, then quietly fell into thought.
'...I can't show Cania such terrible things.'
What I saw in my dream were scenes of the 'main heroines' dying in the previous cycle. Plus Isollet and my father's deaths as a bonus.
Of course, no matter how much I see such things, I feel no particular emotion. My mental strength is high, and I had already turned those scenes into fighting spirit by recalling them countless times.
However, since they are undeniably scenes of people dying, they're still horrifying, so Cania whose mental strength is far lower than mine would definitely have problems.
Therefore, since it's a hallucination that will end in a week anyway, it would be better for me to handle it alone, treating it as mental training.
"...Then I will return to my duties, young master."
"Alright."
Having finished my thoughts, I quietly watched Cania bow and leave my room, then began staring at the system window that floated before my eyes.
[Accumulated 10000 Villain Points acquired!]
- Intermediate Integrated Shop opens.
- Hero's Armament Awakening Investment System unlocks.
- Beginner Mode ends.
"Beginner Mode ending. That's a shame."
With the end of Beginner Mode, the system will start becoming genuinely unfriendly.
The permanent disappearance of 'Emergency Defense' purchased at the beginner skill shop, and 'Villain's Intuition' that alerted me to danger of death once a day, is also part of that.
However, the benefits also grow larger.
Of course, with the system becoming considerably less reliable, the significance has somewhat faded, but I still need to use what I can use.
[Intermediate Shop Stage 1]
- Potion of Potential LV2 45000pt
Description) This mysterious potion can draw out the potential of whoever drinks it. (Purchase limit 0/1)
- Vitality Recovery Speed Increase LV2 50000pt
Description) Permanently increases vitality recovery speed by a small amount. (Total amount does not increase)
- Mind Reading LV2 50000pt
.
With such thoughts, I opened the shop window, but seeing the surprisingly high costs, I clicked my tongue and closed the window.
"...Well, the shop function is practically useless now anyway."
From now on, I need to invest most of the gathered points into the 'Hero's Armament Awakening Investment System.'
Of course, I might purchase the vitality recovery speed increase skill if things get too difficult, but otherwise, investing points into awakening degree as soon as I get them will make things easier going forward.
[15000pt Investment Complete!]
With that thought, I invested all the points gathered in the system into the awakening degree, then closed the system window and flopped onto my bed.
"Cough! Cough!!"
After coughing while beating my chest for a moment, I felt fatigue that wouldn't go away no matter how much I slept and began closing my eyes again, but...
- Knock knock knock
Someone knocked on the room, so I frowned deeply and shouted.
"...Who is it!?"
Then the door quietly opened, and someone slowly walked in.
"...Isollet?"
"Don't call my name so casually, Frey."
Isollet, who had been glaring at me while holding a basket in one hand, answered with a cold expression when I called her name, then sat in the chair beside the bed.
"Why are you here..."
"I came to give you this."
When I looked at her with confusion and asked, she, still wearing a cold expression, placed the basket at my bedside and said.
"Your sister told me to deliver it."
Hearing those words, I quietly rummaged through the basket to find cookies and fruits inside.
'...Aria.'
Seeing that, I could only let out a deep sigh and grab my head.
Among Isollet, Aria, and Serena who had the highest chance of being cursed in the system's final trial, I had already completed work on Isollet and Serena.
Thanks to that, Isollet turned her back on me after the 'Practical Evaluation Kidnapping Incident,' and while Serena still had some affection for me, at least I could erase her worry.
But my younger sister Aria... judging by this basket, she still seems to be worrying about me.
"...Frey, I have one thing to ask."
"What is it."
I was thinking about my cute younger sister who used to follow me around when she was little and would smile brightly whenever our eyes met, and I answered curtly without even looking at Isollet.
"Rumors are circulating that you're in cahoots with the Demon Lord's army."
"And?"
"...Is that true?"
Saying that, Isollet began to calmly look down at me.
"Ha, that's funny. If the professor were a member of the Demon Lord's army... do you think I'd answer truthfully if asked?"
"Look me in the eye and answer, Frey."
"What if it's true?"
When I raised the corner of my mouth slightly and said that, she placed her hand on the sword at her waist and said.
"...So the rumor was actually true?"
"Are you going to kill me here? You're currently receiving help from the Biwork Duke family..."
"Don't call me 'sister,' Frey."
I had unknowingly laughed and called her 'sister' because her rigid behavior overlapped with the past, but when Isollet glared at me with killing intent, I quietly averted my gaze and said.
"Rumors don't spread for no reason, you know?"
"Does that mean you're admitting you're part of the Demon Lord's army..."
"...But sometimes they're exaggerated."
Saying that, I pulled the blanket over myself and spoke to Isollet in a low voice.
"Now go back. If you're done with your business."
"...Sigh."
Then Isollet, who sighed and rose from her seat, headed for the entrance but turned slightly and spoke.
"Ah, your sister asked me to pass on a message."
"...Aria did?"
"She said she no longer has the confidence to love her brother, so if you're hiding something, you should tell her quickly."
Saying that, as she was about to open the door and leave, she coldly added one more thing.
"...Well, if it's something you're hiding, hearing it would only bring disappointment anyway."
Having finished those words, Isollet slammed the door, and for a while, only the sound of her walking down the hallway could be heard.
"...Phew."
Her words seemed to linger in my ears, so I quietly closed my eyes and surrendered to the drowsiness that was washing over me.
However, for some reason, sleep wouldn't come.
".....?"
Now that I thought about it, the drowsiness that had been tormenting me so much earlier had completely vanished.
"...What is this?"
- Knock knock knock
I was quite flustered by this incomprehensible situation when knocking sounds began again.
Because of that, I frowned deeply and hit the pillow hard once, then spoke with an exhausted voice.
"...Who is it."
"You're being a bit more rude than usual today, aren't you?"
Then a girl entered my room with light footsteps. I stared blankly at her, then tilted my head and asked.
"...What brings you here?"
"I said you were being rude."
Then Klana, who had naturally sat in the chair next to me with her legs crossed, smiled with her eyes and began speaking.
"Shall we have some tea time?"
"...What?"
I began looking at Klana with an incredulous expression, but she paid no mind and clapped her hands three times.
""...Did you call, Your Highness the Princess."
"I'd like to have a little tea time with Frey, please prepare it."
Then her attendants outside all spoke in unison, and Klana smiled at them, asking them to prepare the tea time, then looked at me and said.
"When you so boldly proposed to me, why are you lying there groaning like that?"
"...Did you come to mock me?"
I asked with a frown, but Klana only smiled.
"Oh my, thank you."
Before long, a yellow table was placed between my bed and her chair, and various desserts and drinks began to be set out.
"Here, have a cup."
She then offered me tea with steam rising from it and said.
"...You know what might be in this, and you want me to drink it?"
Of course, the current Klana could easily poison me, so I was naturally startled and leaned back, but suddenly the princess made a puzzled expression and spoke.
"You... you're acting very strange today. Why are you being like this?"
"...What?"
Then she suddenly took my hand and began speaking with an affectionate expression.
"I'm still grateful that you saved me last time, even using a blood oath."
"Ah, ah..."
"I really don't know how to repay this debt. Although I don't have much power right now so there's nothing I can do..."
"No!!!"
Hearing the words flowing from her mouth, I was horrified and shot up from my seat.
"Kyah!?"
"Pe, penalty... the penalty is...!"
I began trembling with anxiety that a penalty window would appear before my eyes...
"What on earth is the matter?"
"...Huh?"
For some reason, the penalty window didn't appear.
I was dazed for a moment in this incomprehensible situation, then cautiously sat back down, and Klana, who had been tilting her head, cleared her throat and continued speaking.
"Hem hem, anyway... if I do gain power, I will repay this debt double... no, double of double."
"......."
"Um... is that too unrealistic?"
Seeing me still dazed and not fully grasping the situation, Klana asked with a slightly shy smile.
"Does it seem like too far-fetched a dream to you, Frey?"
"...I think it's a sufficiently achievable dream."
Looking at her, I unknowingly gave an answer.
"...Mm."
Hearing my words, the princess bowed her head deeply and began fidgeting with her fingers.
"...Thank you."
I was looking at the princess blushing with wonder and bewilderment at the words that unconsciously slipped from my mouth, when suddenly she snapped her fingers and spoke in a dignified voice.
"Bring out what I prepared."
"...Yes, Your Highness."
Then an attendant waiting beside her placed something on the table.
"Please open it. It's my gift."
"...Hmm."
Worried that a bomb might explode or a sword might pop out the moment I opened it, I carefully opened it to find a cat-shaped cake.
"I, I know it's humble... but I prepared it."
The princess, who had been speaking with her head bowed deeply, hurriedly added with her face turning red.
"I, it's not much... I just heard that Frey likes cats..."
Having finished speaking, Klana began fidgeting with her fingers again, and I stared blankly at the princess and fell into thought.
'What is this? Did Klana notice my villainy? But... even if so, there's more than one or two strange things?'
- Creak...
I was breaking into a cold sweat from this completely incomprehensible situation when suddenly the door opened and someone entered.
"...My, are you already trying to have a birthday party?"
"Serena, why have you come here?"
Serena, who had been glaring at Klana with a sharp expression, naturally sat in the seat next to me and answered with a smile when Klana frowned and asked.
"I've come to see my fiancé on his birthday. Is there some reason I shouldn't?"
"...Frey is currently having an important conversation with me."
"Even preparing a birthday cake?"
"...This is a gift to Frey as thanks for saving me last time. It overlapping with his birthday is completely coincidental. By the way, interrupting during a conversation is rude, Serena."
"I already had a prior appointment. It's the Third Princess who interrupted at that appointment time. Right, Frey?"
Before long, Serena began a battle of nerves with Klana while smiling, and I, staring blankly at them, spoke in a low voice.
"...My birthday is two weeks from now."
"Yes, that can't be right. My informant definitely said..."
"My, didn't you just say the birthday overlapping was a coincidence?"
"...Mm."
Klana, who had been wearing a puzzled expression, quietly closed her mouth at Serena's pointing out, and Serena, who had been glaring sharply at her, looked at me and said.
"Today is your birthday, Frey. Were you so busy fighting the Demon Lord's army lately that you forgot?"
"....Hmph!"
Because Serena was speaking with certainty that I was fighting the Demon Lord's army, without even adding 'perhaps' which was the constraint I had placed on her, I was horrified again and waited for the system window to appear, but...
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
"...No, nothing. It's nothing."
For some reason, the system window didn't appear this time either.
Just when my brain was starting to overload from this situation, the entrance door opened again and someone entered.
- Bang! Boom!
"...Heek!"
Before long, loud explosions began to burst forth, and because of that, I ducked my head in fright as memories from the previous cycle came to mind.
"Happy birthday~!"
But what fell before me was not magic bullets or bombs but confetti, and the person who shot them was Ferloche who was smiling brightly.
"...Hah!"
Ferloche, who was grinning widely as if something was so good, saw Klana and Serena covered in confetti and glaring at her, then opened her mouth wide and rushed over urgently shouting.
"I, I'm sorry!"
Before long, she kept bowing repeatedly to Klana and Serena while removing the confetti from their heads one by one, then suddenly looked at me and said.
"Oh right, was tomorrow the day we agreed to go volunteer at the orphanage?"
"...So that important appointment you had tomorrow was that."
"Frey, what about your student council work?"
Then Klana and Serena simultaneously began glaring coldly at me.
"......."
But I remained silent, thinking deeply about the penalty window that hadn't appeared this time either, and thanks to that, while they were glaring at me and feeling awkward, the entrance door opened once again.
"W, what... why are there so many people..."
Irina, who had been cautiously entering the room, began to wear a flustered expression at the unexpected variable.
"Um, that is... h, here take this."
She stopped in place and hesitated for a while, then took out a small gift bundle from her bosom and handed it to me.
"I, it's repayment for saving me at the disciplinary committee last time... yeah."
Carefully receiving the gift, I began to harden my expression at her following words.
"T, then... I'll be going."
"Wait a moment!"
Irina, who had been sweating coldly, tried to quickly escape the room, but Ferloche grabbed her arm and dragged her over forcefully, then sat her down and said.
"Don't do that, let's have a birthday party together with Irina too!"
"T, together?"
"Yes! Parties like this are better with more people!"
When Ferloche spoke brightly, Klana and Serena began coughing artificially, and seeing them staring blankly, Ferloche tilted her head and asked.
"Why are you doing that? Is your throat hurting? If it hurts, I can heal...!"
- Creak...
Just as Ferloche was about to emit holy power with a worried expression, the entrance opened again and someone slowly walked in.
"Ah, Cania has come too!"
After quickly grabbing Cania who was quietly watching us and bringing her over to sit, Ferloche said to Klana and Serena who were wearing resigned expressions.
"Then, let's start the party!!"
A short while later, the candles on the cat cake began to burn.
"Hem hem, happy birthday to you, Frey."
"Next time, discuss with me first..."
"The Sun God will surely be pleased by today too!"
"...Congratulations."
Klana, Serena, Ferloche, and Irina each said a word while looking at the candles, but I couldn't bring myself to look at them.
'...System, you crazy bastard.'
Because I finally understood what this situation was.
Since I showed no reaction to the painful and suffering scenes, the system's trial seemed to have decided to show me happy and enjoyable scenes instead.
Furthermore, it was exactly my birthday event that would actually occur when following the orthodox route.
"..........."
"Frey? What's wrong again?"
"You're acting a bit strange today."
"Frey? Are you hurting somewhere?"
"...What's wrong?"
When I bowed my head deeply and maintained silence, the heroines began to look at me with worry and say things one by one.
'No... my choice was right... if I had taken this route, I might have been happy at this time... but in the end, everyone dies... my choice was...'
I kept muttering such words inside and tried to ignore them, waiting for my mind to clear, but...
"Young master, please blow them out quickly."
"...Cania?"
Cania had approached my side at some point, grabbed my shoulder and said with a smile, so I asked with an expression of disbelief.
"Did you enter my dream?"
"You were groaning and sweating coldly until deep into the night, so I took the liberty of coming to you."
"...Ha."
At those words, I smiled in disbelief and began looking at the cake, and then Serena who was beside me suddenly started speaking with a smile.
"Hmm, I roughly understand. What this situation is."
"...Serena?"
"Never mind that, just blow out the cake quickly. I don't mind."
Saying that, she gently grabbed my left shoulder.
"W, wait you all... I brought the cake."
Klana, who had been blushing and indignant, then sighed and said.
"I don't know what's going on... but blow out the cake, Frey. I'm not sure, but that seems right."
"That's right! The Sun God too... no, I think so too!"
"...What are you doing, blow it out quickly."
Before long, everyone seated there began encouraging me, and I stared at them blankly for a moment, then finally blew out the candles on the cake while muttering inside.
'...I was right, after all.'
- Whoosh!
The moment the candles went out, I was already staring blankly at the ceiling of my dormitory room.
"I'll order the same design from a bakery in advance."
"...Thank you."
I answered Cania who spoke quietly from beside me, then began staring blankly at the window.
"...This kind of illusion isn't bad."
It was a night where the moonlight was particularly bright.
.
"Ah..."
Meanwhile, at that same time, Serena, who had woken from sleep at the same time as all the other main heroines after dreaming the same dream, was staring blankly at the window.
"...So it was a dream."
Seeing Frey's figure blowing out the candles with the happiest smile she had ever seen constantly hovering before her eyes, Serena, thinking she wouldn't be able to sleep anymore tonight, rose from her seat to read a book, but...
"You girls certainly wake up in strange ways, don't you?"
".....!"
When the Magic Tower Lord suddenly spoke from beside her, she narrowed her eyes and took out a fan from her bosom.
- Thwack!
"Ouch!!"
However, the Magic Tower Lord, who had quickly struck her head with a staff, laughed and said.
"Has your memory returned? Then tell your spies not to spread my weaknesses anymore."
"Hmm..."
Serena, who had been staggering while holding her head for a while, soon smiled with a look of triumph and muttered.
"Frey, I knew it... perhaps."
"...Can I ask one question?"
The Magic Tower Lord, looking at her with an exasperated expression, asked Serena who was hurriedly heading to her desk.
"I don't know what the hell you're doing... but how far have you planned?"
"Exactly this far. Beyond this is an unknown realm I can't predict either."
Answering directly, Serena continued while writing a telegram to send to her spies.
"...So, I need to make a new plan."
The Magic Tower Lord, watching her with a slightly interested expression, began approaching her to check the contents of the telegram.
"Ah, please return my memory to just a while ago later. That much should be easy as pie for you, right?"
"What!?"
"And from now on, come visit me at this time every day and return my memory."
"You, you rotten...!"
However, when Serena casually made an absurd request, the Magic Tower Lord raised his staff in anger, but...
"...If this letter doesn't reach my spies, soon your secrets will be revealed to the Empire in detail."
"Sigh..."
When she handed the telegram to an owl and spoke, the Magic Tower Lord sat down on the chair with a resigned expression.
"Why are you making me do such insane things?"
Finally, the Magic Tower Lord asked her with the world's most wronged expression, and Serena, bathed in moonlight, quietly muttered.
"...To screw over the Sun God, I have to be active at night, so it can't be helped."
"Good grief..."
Hearing those words, the Magic Tower Lord shook his head and sighed deeply, then frowned and reached out his hand toward the letter on her desk, but...
"...You shouldn't look at other people's things so carelessly."
She, who had approached from the side, snatched the letter and glared at him, and he asked with an expression that said how shameless.
"What is that that you're acting like this?"
"This?"
Serena then answered with a slightly furrowed brow.
"The only variable."
Saying that, the surface of the envelope that Serena began slowly eroding with moon mana bore Klana's golden seal shining upon it.