Chapter 93: Womanizer (1)

Ah, what a surprise.

Since when were you awake?

I hope you didn't see me washing up...

Doing my best to appear calm, I held my longsword and glanced towards her.

I quickly enhanced my [Observer's Eye] with [Amplification Orb].

Her tangled hair and half-closed eyes told me she hadn't been awake for long.

Relieved, I replied nonchalantly, "I was checking the area around us."

"Where? Why?"

Piel's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Her doubt wasn't unfounded.

Disappearing early in the morning only to return with my weapon drawn did seem suspicious.

Keeping my calm, I told her, "I went to scout the dungeon entrance."

"Why... did you go alone? You should've woken us."

Piel's suspicion didn't waver.

She continued squinting at me.

'Phew.'

I need to clear up this misunderstanding.

...Lately, it feels like I've become an actor.

Using the [Amplification Orb] to enhance [Twisted Noble's Dignity], I tried to project an air of authority.

"Piel," I said, exhaling.

"You lack foresight."

Piel glared, bristling with hostility.

It was nice to see the old Piel after a long time, but this wasn't the time for nostalgia.

"What?"

I stepped closer, speaking in a low voice so only she could hear.

"Most people, knowing we'd be in Fosspatil Pass, didn't bother bringing thermal equipment. Can you really trust those people?"

"..."

Piel was silent.

I continued, "As soon as I heard we were heading to Fosspatil Pass, I formed several theories and chose the most probable one. The rest of you brought basic clothes and useless toiletries. Plus, this pass is in your family's territory, Piel de Chalon. What preparations did you make?"

Piel blinked at me.

After a moment, she shook her head.Findd new stories on nov/e(l)bin(.)com

"···Nothing much. I thought the academy would handle everything. I'm not good at planning."

Just as I'd known from the game, Piel didn't like to think too much.

But I didn't let it go.

"Piel de Chalon, you're a noble from the great Chalon family and the second rank of our grade. If even you are like this, what about the other students? Honestly, I didn't expect much, but the situation is worse than I thought. Sharing my plans would only demoralize everyone. They should just rest and keep their strength. That's why I checked the surroundings alone. Do you understand?"

Piel nodded, her expression blank.

"······I see."

Phew.

That should be enough to convince her.

I was about to leave Piel's side when─

"···Wait."

Piel grabbed my wrist.

"What's up?"

"I have something to say to you separately. ······Let's go somewhere quiet."

She glanced at our sleeping teammates.

She didn't want to be overheard.

Hmm, a private conversation with Piel.

What will she do this time, what will she say······ I'm curious.

'He even has a fiancée...'

Heroes were permitted to practice polygamy.

In fact, it would be odd if they didn't have multiple wives.

Heroes considered a bit of womanizing to be something cool.

Unlike Andrew, a commoner, Theo is a noble from the great family of Waldeurk.

There was no reason for him not to succeed.

'Ugh...'

Andrew's head ached as he remembered last night's events.

He thought he had gotten rid of his feelings for Aisha, but clearly, that wasn't the case.

The way she hesitated in front of Theo with a blushing face was unmistakably a girl in love.

Andrew had never seen it before.

And it didn't end with Aisha.

Afterward, he exchanged close skinship with the elf princess of the great forest, Siena, in front of everyone.

Theo also approached the haughty and prickly Jang Woohee without hesitation.

She looked at him peculiarly too.

And waking up this morning, he saw Piel holding his wrist.

All of them were attractive women, not the type to fall for just anyone.

'Damn it. Why is Theo so friendly with Noctar, that orc?'

But Andrew knew the answer.

His friendship with Noctar was a diversion.

If he only got close to the girls, his intentions would be too obvious.

He didn't want to be seen as a man driven by lust.

He's a really calculating guy.

No, was his idiotic appearance from the previous semester... an act?

He's an unpredictable guy in many ways.

What frustrated Andrew the most was that inside, he had accepted Theo as a insurmountable obstacle.

To be honest, he wasn't just good at picking up girls, he's also cool as a man.

Even when he was wrongly accused before, he forgave him.

In the fishing club, Theo offered his pricey spare clothes...

He was very considerate.

'Is kindness important?'

At some point, Andrew had come to this realization and nodded in agreement.

Andrew identified the emotion that welled up inside him.

It was a sense of inferiority.

He chuckled, filled with determination.

‘I haven't kneeled to you yet, Theo.’

Feelings of inferiority can only be felt towards those of similar stature.

‘I'll thoroughly study you and become cool too.’

Appearance and background can't be helped, but he will thoroughly learn what can be learned.

And he will steal the heart of the girl from the hot dog shop, Sally.

Just like you, Theo.

While Andrew made this solemn vow,

"We've arrived. This is the entrance."

Theo, who was leading, announced.

---Toggle New Ads

The title Womanizer is taken from the Britney Spears song of the same name.

The author also clarified that it meant a male womanizer... apparently, there is a certain female 'tool' of the same name.

Thought I'd share that interesting tidbit.