Chapter 128

Chapter 128Anyway,

my engagement to Talia went ahead as planned, regardless of my wishes.

In many ways, I didn’t even get a chance to protest, and Theo looked at me with a sort of smug look on his face.......

I sincerely wondered if Theo was playing a trick on me, but ultimately dismissed it.

I didn’t have any proof.

For your information, this is a religious institution that exists within the family.

A primordial god, said to have created man. It is a church of the Ardennes, worshipping the Ardennes.

Colorful light pours from the stained glass windows that cover the ceiling and walls.

The beauty is indescribable.

I realize that it’s different from what I’ve seen in the game.

Unless, of course, the situation I’m in is dire.

“That’s...... I really, really didn’t realize that this is how you do things, I’m sorry.......”

Talia stammers and apologizes.

Well, it’s not really her fault.

In the first place, the current engagement is being conducted in secret anyway.

It was never supposed to be known to the Imperial family, and if anyone is to be blamed, it’s the patriarchs of Reinhafer and Steiner.

There’s no way Talia would have known about something this important.

Besides.

‘I mean, I can tell when she’s acting, anyway.’

I’m the only one who can tell when she’s lying and when she’s not, and she doesn’t have the new [Acting] talent, so I’m pretty sure of that.

I ran a hand through my hair and replied.

“Forget it. There’s no way you could have known that.”

As if on cue, I hear a distinctive, raucous voice.

“Hmph... this Christopher, I truly admire you! Your attentiveness! Your passion! That’s what makes a girl a lady, and that’s what makes love so beautiful in the end! Truly, I am moved.......”

“Christopher-nim?”

Zitri called, smiling in a sweet voice, and a look of contemplation came over his face, and soon Christopher’s mouth fell open.

Suddenly, as I watch, I have a question.

‘...... By the way, I told Zitri to keep Christopher as quiet as possible, but how did that happen? What did she say to him that made him do that?’

I was a little curious, but this wasn’t the time for questions, so I kept my mouth shut.

I said my vows and went through all the formalities of a knightly betrothal. Then I handed Talia a special ring that contained my magic power as proof of my vows.

A ring that temporarily restores 10% of your magic.

It’s not something you’d want to wear, of course, but ...... in a pinch, it’s a different story. An artifact with a not-so-bad effect.

...Though the meaning behind it is enough to cause much trepidation.

Then.

I hear the muffled chatter of my units once again.

The first is Rona’s.

-I knew you would be like that one day. Have you grown up now? ... What is this sad feeling... ... ?

-Senior, are you sure this is right...? If anything happens with the Imperial Family, they’ll have to tell them.......

-Eh~! Even if it’s okay, it’s fun! Besides, this is Reinhafer, Zitri, you’re too worried! Moreover... do you think that Young Master would only look at one woman for the rest of his life? He must have at least a few concubines......?

‘Okay. Let’s give Rona one more smack for now.’

I made a decision first and listened to the rest of the voices.

-Ah, no...... seobangniim... hiccup!

(husbaand)

-Elena......? Because it’s good even for today. Can’t you just not call him Seobang? If you do, you’ll be sent to prison for adultery.......

-Eh? What is adultery...?

-.......

-hihing!

I don’t know how a Karl got into a church.

But whatever....

‘Does it matter because it’s cute...?’

And just like that, the engagement schedule was finalized.

Before I left for the academy again, I had a chance to speak with Robert briefly, his sword half-sheathed, but in a pleasant tone.

“Take good care of my daughter.”

“Yes.......”

‘If only you’d sheathed that sword and talked to her.’

I wonder if they don’t teach you that you need to sheath your sword to have a good conversation.

Of course, he hadn’t actually said the words out loud, which was dangerous in more ways than one.

There was silence between us for a moment. A bit of discomfort.

Then what?

The words came out of nowhere from Rover.

“You will grow to love her.”

He said, his sword still sheathed.

When I lifted my head and made eye contact with him, he smiled and gave me his fatherly warmth. He smiled and gave me his typical paternal look.

“If you don’t love her yet, you will. That’s the kind of girl she is.”

‘She’s a winner.’

Seriously, I couldn’t help but think.

To not love his daughter.

That I hadn’t quite made up my mind yet.

Robert knew it all.

But he just kept telling me that I would come to love her.

Without armed demonstration(?) or coercion.

‘I don’t know about Shane, but I’m Nox the Scoundrel right now, so I’m going to ignore Eleanor’s demands.’

It’s not part of the lesson anyway. I thought to myself.

“Well, then, Professor, I’ll go.”

“Yes, my chief student, Nox-kun. See you later!”

* * *

“By the way, this is really interesting. Especially that your thesis, in collaboration with Professor Lars, has led to the formation of a new commercial district!”

Zitri said in a rare tone of excitement. I nodded, feeling proud of myself, even though I hadn’t done much.

“Well, I guess it’s not a bad feeling.”

“The feel of the Fourth District has changed quite a bit, too. There are demons everywhere... Come to think of it, did you anticipate all of this when you established the Chasers area?”

“Yeah.”

I’d been feeling sorry for myself for not having anyone who understood, but Zitri was right.

She can read my mind, which makes me feel especially good at times like this. I wonder if [Throne Genius] is different after all?

I can feel how deeply she is involved in my mind.

By the way, her expression is also very bright.

Her porcelain-white skin is not even slightly tanned by the sun, but shines through. And her hair is falling down carefully.

It’s a shame that the character of Zitri has become a victim of tragedy. It’s like the Inner Lunatic’s viciousness has been proven.

It didn’t matter now that I’d saved her, but it was still a bit bittersweet.

“I’m glad to hear that you’re getting back on your feet, Young Master. I was actually a little worried about you.”

“I see. You’re worried too.”

I think it’s because she thinks I’m trying to clear up the karma I’ve accumulated as an asshole, but alas, that’s not the case, so... I’m at a loss for words.

I feel unnecessarily sorry for Zitri. For this.

But of course, it’s not something that can be helped.

‘No matter how much the future has changed, I have to keep the asshole position in the main story, to keep it from getting too far off track.’

Nox von Reinhafer is not supposed to be at the Academy.

The fact that such a character is so disparately positioned here as a senior means that he can be a variable at the beginning of a new story.

As such, I have to reconcile the various characters already present here at the worst possible moment.

I don’t treat them as human beings, but as units, as I did in past games. I have to treat them like units.

Otherwise, I won’t be able to give the right orders at the right time.

‘Anyway, the first thing that has to be prioritized in order to play the game. And that is to get the artifacts right.’

My steps come to a halt in a section of the Fourth Commercial District.

Bang-! Bang-!

(kang-! kang-!)

The sound of a sledgehammer pounding on an unfinished weapon.

The sounds of tanning and harsh shouting slowly begin to emerge.

It’s a scene that seems out of place in District 4, a district dominated by nobles, but it’s a scene that I and Professor Lars have constructed.

[Dwarven Workshop].

It is indeed.

This is the deepest forge in all of Eldain.

It was a dwarven workshop.

“Is anyone there?”

I say boldly, stepping into the forge. I made sure to cast a water-based spell to protect Zitri and my skin from the scorching heat.

Since the spell only covers my body and the target’s body, I don’t need to lower the temperature of the surroundings, so it’s enough for me to look around.

Zitri’s face turned slightly red from the flames.

“...Who’s that?”

At that moment, a dwarf’s annoyed voice came from inside. It was a voice that was tinged with displeasure.......

I wanted to punch him in the face.

“Nox von Reinhafer. I’m here to commission some equipment.”

The dwarf scanned my face, then hummed and crossed his arms, obviously confused by the sudden request to forge a weapon.

He also looked quite tired, as if this was not the first time he had done this.

“Hehe. You must be a noble family master, but in order to forge a weapon, I need demonic materials first. If you can get them, I can forge it for you, but you’ll have to go to.......”

Rumblelelee.

(uleuleuleu.)

With that, I poured out a bunch of demonic materials from the subspace as if I had been waiting for it.

Naturally, these were all materials I’d gotten from the ‘Great Demon Slaying Unit’ in the Chasers region. They were useful in many ways.

The Dwarf, who saw the pouring griffons, golems, and materials close to high-end, spoke with his flagship tone.

“...? You’ve already acquired this much...? I thought the black market hadn’t released such a quantity?”

I crossed my arms, not bothering to explain, this time from my side.

“How about this... do you think you can make the equipment Dwarf?”

“...... Follow me.”

The dwarf said, finally giving up, and then added in a small voice.

“And my name is Arson, and I would prefer you call me by my name, not my race, as it is not polite among the dwarves to call me by my race.”

“Of course. Dwarf.”

“.......”

I ignored him, as I should have, like a dwarf.

When I saw the forge, my heart began to race.

Here was a golden opportunity to craft and enhance items, and it was also a chance for my Luck stat to finally shine.

Oh, and by the way.

‘I may be able to learn the secret of the First Patriarch’s sword, Stormbringer.’

Swallowing hard, I made my way to the darkened workshop lobby.

TN: Thank you all for the well wishes.