Chapter 48
The romance fantasy novel I Became the Youngest Daughter of the Count's Family focuses solely on the protagonist 'Anjilina Chimac's' love and happiness. Society, economy, politics, culture... It excludes all elements deemed unnecessary for romance. 'That's just how it is.' If it ignored commercial viability for the sake of plausibility, it never would have become a hit novel, and the patient wouldn't have fallen so deeply into it. But what about the original inhabitants of that novel's world? Novel readers get vicarious satisfaction from the protagonist's happiness, but for the natives, Anjilina Chimac's bliss doesn't improve their lives one bit. On the contrary, "Halt! We're bandits!" "Hand over everything you have and scram if you don't want to die!" "Obey us quietly, and we'll at least spare your lives!" Because of the protagonist's selfishness, the natives' lives grow harder and more miserable.
The war between the Somac and Chimac families. Even if they minimized casualties by forcibly conscripting outsiders, some losses were inevitable. With depleted forces, security in cities and villages worsened, and those drunk on the madness and blood of war became half-baked bandits, wandering the land.
"My lord Baron. We'll make this quick."
With a smooth shing, the young lady drew her sword from the scabbard on her horse's saddle. She looked more suited to flowers than blades at first glance, but she was the escort knight who'd been appraising my swordsmanship during our journey. Shing—shing—The squires and apprentice knights assisting us drew their blades in kind and charged alongside her, ensuring we wouldn't be inconvenienced.
"Wh-what?!"
"Please spare us~!"
"Eek?! Run—"
The novice bandits, who'd mistaken us for ordinary travelers, sensed something off and lost their will to fight, fleeing in panic. Clang!Thud! Some died trampled under hooves, others with throats slit by swords, and those who thought they'd escaped met arrows in the back... It didn't take long to dispatch the bandit group that outnumbered us three-to-one.
"Well done, Lady Valentine."
Valentine. Daughter of a knightly house loyal to the Somac family for generations, and in the original novel, the fiancée whose prenatal betrothal the protagonist breaks off—a pivotal cause of drama! Yet despite her significance, her backstory amounted to just a name and origin. No, most side characters were like that. The author lavished meticulous detail on the protagonist and the handsome men—down to individual peach fuzz—but was utterly indifferent to everyone else. Especially women; even a single line calling them beautiful felt like too much effort...
"Molrang Baron."
"Let's rest here and clean up. Wandering around bloodied will draw too much attention."
"Understood."
Swish—She removed her traveler's hood, revealing her face as she wiped away the beaded sweat. Pale golden bobbed hair, large and distinct eyes like black pearls, dainty lips, a slim jawline without an ounce of excess... A beauty forged through effort? Her body, honed by training volumes no ordinary noble lady could dream of, radiated healthy, balanced allure. This makes sense! If the 'supporting character' who cheats on his kingdom's jewel of a fiancée with someone of plain looks, it'd be ridiculous, right? As a fellow man, I could somewhat understand Baron Somac's mistake.
Whoosh—whoosh—While Lady Valentine and her attendants handled cleanup and rest, I practiced my sword forms. Staring at the blade's tip without closing my eyes... I wanted to test how much I'd improved, but I couldn't join the bandit extermination. As the one being protected, if I threw myself into danger, the knights and squires couldn't fight freely.
"My lord Baron. Your form has improved tremendously since we started."
"Has it?"
"Don't doubt yourself. Hesitation dulls the blade."
"Yes, ma'am."
This novel's world lacked fantasy elements to compensate for women's inferior physical strength compared to men. Thus, female knights, mercenaries, and bandits were exceedingly rare. Even born to a knightly house, her effort and talent to become a 'knight'—a grueling path for men too—couldn't be compared to some protagonist. She's truly remarkable. Women loved by men are common enough, but those thriving in men's domains? Rare indeed. Even accounting for innate talent and pedigree, Lady Valentine deserved respect.
"It's been ages since Chimac County. Security isn't what it used to be."
"Didn't you join the war?"
Swish—I paused my swings and asked her.
"The moment a knight marches out, the two families cross an irreversible river."
"Ah!"
Since I'd asked, I followed up with another. "What do you think of Baron Somac, Lady Valentine?"
"Hm. A pitiful big brother hemmed in by his sisters, unable to spread his wings? I feel sorry for him sometimes, watching from afar."
"Ah!"
So that explained why the original fiancée had no choice but to look elsewhere. "Do you have a lover, Molrang Baron?"
"I was recently dumped..."
I'd brought up a sore topic uninvited.
"Oh dear! I've offended you unwittingly. My apologies."
"It's fine."
We reached the main castle of Chimac County without further incident.
* * *
People pursue romance for various reasons, but one is finding a lifelong partner. Not just briefly—lifelong. Divorce is a factor, but only con artists marry intending to divorce from the start. Once decided, it's irreversible, so partners are chosen with care: looks, personality, wealth, age, hobbies, job, health, background... All weighed meticulously.
"Really?"
"Yes. The boy from the orphanage you mentioned was there."
"...Good work."
The intel from Lady Valentine's squire was unexpected. The protagonist still hasn't recruited her genius pretty-boy attendant? Time in the story had already passed the midpoint of volume three, yet the patient's romance progress—possessed by the protagonist—was far slower than I'd anticipated. A smart pretty boy added to cater to certain readers' tastes. He despises nobles but is moved by the protagonist caring for her orphanage siblings and follows her. This is my chance! In volume five, which the patient hasn't read, his backstory is revealed: prince of a desert kingdom! Amid a purge that slaughtered the royals, this abandoned young prince gets his shot. My guess? His popularity as the male lead with the most humble background prompted that out-of-left-field addition. Thus, the patient, knowing only up to volume four, hasn't grasped his importance.
"Prepare. I'll meet him myself."
"My lord Baron. Weren't we to wait for the prince at this tavern?"
"This boy is far more important than some prince."
"Right away."
No time to deal with a pathetic prince hunkered down in Chimac County instead of navigating the capital's cutthroat politics. Swish. Rustle. Hooded as travelers, we hurried on. Our destination: an orphanage tucked in the slums' corner. Slums evoke filth and garbage, but...
"Molrang?"
"Molrang~"
The extraterrestrial lifeform 'slime' I'd first encountered in this world kept things spotless with constant cleaning. Slime. These ubiquitous beings jiggled all day, devouring trash, corpses, dust, filth—indiscriminately. Beneficial creatures! At the food chain's bottom, they served as prey for humans and all carnivores alike... I'd love to take one back to reality! Too bad it's a dream.
"Come here."
"Molrang~"
Unmentioned in the original novel, slimes were this world's essential janitors, like bacteria in an ecosystem.
"The slime takes to you remarkably well, my lord Baron."
"Is that weird?"
"Yes. Barbarians who eat slimes are rare, but they exist. So slimes usually flee from humans."
"I see. You too?"
"Molrang? Molrang!"
The slime on my head jiggled in response. Clank. Local thugs eyed the swords at our waists and slunk aside, letting us reach the orphanage easily. Its ghostly exterior reminded me of my aptitude. As a shaman, what do I have to fear from ghosts! I cautiously knocked on the firmly locked front door. Knock knock.
"Excuse m—"
"If you're from Lady Anjilina Chimac, just leave."
"......"
I grasped the situation before finishing. What's with this patient making so many mistakes? Seems the protagonist and boy had soured from close siblings to something less. Unbelievable.
"I'm not connected to Lady Anjilina Chimac."
"Sorry still. With tempers flaring, we can't open to strangers."
A boy's firm voice from beyond the door. But I wouldn't back down. "Even deserts bloom with flowers."
"...A single dewdrop on petals carries one through the day."
"Today, it shades the weary honeybee from a long journey."
"And flowers bloom in the desert once more."
Click! Creak—The orphanage door eased open. The boy who appeared had sun-kissed brown skin and golden eyes exuding exotic charm.
"Pleased to meet you."
"What do you want with me?"
"This isn't a street conversation..."
"My apologies. Come in."
We entered amid wary stares from all sides.
"Lots of kids."
"Many orphans flooded in from the recent war."
"Are you the director?"
A woman approaching as I looked around shook her head. "No director here. I just cook for them. If there must be one, it's that boy."
"Thanks for explaining."
The boy hesitated, unable to find a spot amid the children everywhere. No quiet place for talk in this orphanage. Time to lay some groundwork? It'd be rude to visit empty-handed, so I'd prepared.
"Lady Valentine. Put all the bread on that table."
"Yes, sir."
The orphanage had nearly twice as many kids as described in the original—my portions were off—but it shifted the mood enough.
"Eat up."
"......"
"......"
"If you don't, the slime on my head will hog it all?"
"Molrang molrang!"
As I moved the slime beside the bread, the kids charged without hesitation, sensing crisis.
"No way!"
"Hey, me too!"
"Bread!"
The tense air shattered under the children's bright voices. But the bread vanished at terrifying speed...
"Lady Valentine. More bread, please."
"Yes, sir."
She stayed to guard me while squires and attendants fetched more from outside.
"...Thank you."
The boy, watching it all, bowed politely.
"I'm older, so drop the formalities?"
"Of course."
"Thanks. I'm here to protect you until you reclaim your throne. Even your beloved orphanage siblings, if you wish."
"How do you know the royal song?"
"I'm a shaman."
Not a lie.
"A shaman?"
"I'll explain once we build more trust."
"...Understood."
Knowing I held the reins, he complied smoothly. Sharp kid. True to the original setup.
"One more thing: I'm not your vassal. So I'll claim proper compensation for protection."
"...I'll do anything I can. Just leave my siblings alone."
"Promise."
I'm no villain forcing tasks on the author's overlooked kids.
"Then I'll trust and follow you."
"Looking forward to it. Oh! You can call me 'hyung'."
"Once trust deepens."
"Oh ho?"
Success poaching the 'butler' who keeps the protagonist's messy romances in check. Wonder how it'll play out? Without him, she's a sports car without brakes.
"Molrang?"
"Yeah."
Who knows? I was already looking forward to the patient's next mess-up.