Chapter 102
Chapter 102
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: 25 O'Clock, At the Convenience Store
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Regina Cielra's route.
It was truly horrific, terrifying, and downright scary.
As I've mentioned before, D/Z SAGA is a story where you choose a heroine, progress through the plot, defeat the enemies threatening Jefrin, grant the heroine's wish, and live happily ever after with her.
Eve's story, for example, is about breaking free from her current position and ascending one step higher—toward the throne.
Kelters, the Hero of Light, opens the eyes of the rigidly confined Eve von Loengrin, and the grown Eve walks toward the future alongside him in a classic heroic epic.
It's the most straightforward and neatly resolved tale. That's why Eve ranked third in the popularity poll.
For a main-screen heroine, it's a subtle position, but the fact that the top main heroine only placed third shows just how safe and uncontroversial her story is.
Next up: Regina Cielra's route.
That's the real tale of salvation.
Regina Cielra doesn't get along well with Eve von Loengrin.
Eve sees her as a third-rate talent worth nothing but her magic power, while Regina despairs and breaks down before this monster one year her junior—terrified of a true monster against whom neither her own magic stats nor her family's influence mean a thing.
Deep-seated distrust of humanity. Self-loathing.
The pressure of being able to do anything yet getting killed at any moment.
An outcast rejected even by the elves. A hedgehog.
Taking the hand of such a Regina and advancing toward the future together.
Right before graduation, Regina confronts Eve in their final duel and defeats Eve von Loengrin.
Then, traveling the world with Kelters, she discovers her true self.
That's the core of Regina Cielra's route.
And I... surprisingly, couldn't relate to any part of it.
She's from the continent's top merchant family, with magic power at 21, no less.
Yet she's whining about getting killed or not knowing who she is? And a self-discovery ending? Come on.
Are you kidding? If I had even a fraction of your family's wealth, I wouldn't have lived like that!
From Yi Young-jin's perspective, Regina's route was utterly unrelatable, so in the actual game, I must've gone through it about ten times—skipping the story completely after the first playthrough.
I only did it for the achievements, not because I liked her.
...So even if the route unlocks now, there's nothing I can do about it.
...I hope it doesn't unlock in the first place.
"But let's assume it's already unlocked and we're playing under that premise."
My stomach's already churning, but I grit my teeth and bear it somehow.
I just need to avoid raising Regina Cielra's affection as much as possible.
The problem is, I have no clue about her affection mechanics. I joined her squad's group chat but never even messaged in it.
As I was thinking that, Regina quietly approached and greeted me at some point.
"Prince Wolfram. Good day."
"Lady Cierra, is it? I'm fine, of course, but I'd be even better if you vanished from my sight."
"Oh... hehe. I'll do that, then. Until next time."
Regina backed away with those words, a bright smile playing on her lips.
I'm the ultimate expert on this game, but I've just realized I have a clear weakness.
Honestly.
To be frank.
I have zero idea if that exchange raised or lowered her affection.
...Save me.
My head throbbed from dealing with Regina Cielra, and around the time I started realizing that this pounding in my chest symbolized not just affection, but fear and despair as well, a customer arrived at the convenience store.
"Senior! I'm here!"
"...Nefti? What brings you?"
"Came for something cool to drink!"
Nefti's forehead was dotted with beads of sweat.
"Did you work out or something?"
"...Ah. There was Royal Guard practical training. We practiced throwing ourselves to protect royalty from assailants."
"That class... Yeah, I remember."
I nodded.
I knew what it was like since Kelters took Royal Guard classes too.
Basically, burpees. You know, planks to jumps—that workout.
But you have to do them at insane speeds.
Royal Guards aren't just escorts, honestly.
As you learn when Kelters sees Eve's ending, they're elite—Royal Knights, even higher up.
At that level, marrying into royalty is socially acceptable.
A status equivalent to a central count. Social recognition. Chosen by royalty.
With all those titles, it's common for them to become lifelong partners.
Surprisingly, high-intimacy Royal Guards even serve as secretaries or aides, dining alongside royalty.
So the training is leaping into action from a seated meal when an assailant strikes.
Honestly, I felt a twinge of guilt.
"Wait just a sec."
"Something super refreshing, please!"
Nefti plopped down as she said that.
Someday, when we leave this academy, Nefti will be my Royal Guard.
That's incredibly reassuring.
Nefti never betrays her comrades in the story. She trusts Kelters to the end.
Even in the Knight Division route, when she falls in combat and exits, her last words are worry for her allies.
To me, she's a symbol of trust and faith.
The first person a third-rate villain like Wolfram would appoint as guard.
Meeting her in person... she loves money a bit, per her setting, but otherwise exactly as I remembered.
I stared at the ingredients Lilia had handed me.
Shining Patissier
[Crafting Blessing Snow Sherbet.]
Slim.
Finally, that message pops up.
Once Dexterity hits 13 or higher, item crafting shows success rates.
Later, it gives exact percentages.
But at my current low Dexterity, it's all vague lit-major vibes: "slim," "iffy," that sort of thing.
If it fails, I'll just make another. Plenty of snowballs.
Oh.
From experience, "slim" means under 10% odds.
Of course, Aila's party buff helped, so actual odds were higher—but nailing it first try means I'm luckier than I thought.
Drizzle strawberry bean syrup on top, add cream bean syrup... less sherbet, more shaved ice.
I handed the sherbet to Nefti, and her eyes sparkled as she scooped a big spoonful into her mouth.
Then—freeze. Nefti's body went still.
Come to think of it, Shining Patissier and up give instant reviews upon eating.
Wonder what review Nefti will drop. Kinda curious.
"Senior."
"Yeah."
"Truth is, I'm not that interested in the status boost from being a Royal Guard."
"...?"
"200 million lin salary a year. A central mansion. Social status upgrade. Sure, it's tempting... but the words 'Royal Guard' mean more to me than just 'status climb.'"
What.
I said give a review, not drop a monologue here.
"Royal Guard gave me a dream. The salary can go to hiring mercenaries from my hometown."
Still hasn't ditched that ambition, huh.
"I see. And?"
"A dream of protecting someone while seeing new worlds."
"Got it. So?"
"I'll protect you, Senior. So..."
"So?"
"Let's travel selling these snacks worldwide! We'll definitely become the best!"
What.
So it was the sherbet review after all.
"Nice review..."
"Ah, aaa... S-Sorry, my mouth moved on its own."
Nefti cleared her throat with an "ahem," blushing as she grinned.
"You say that so smoothly."
"I surprised myself. Embarrassing stuff like that... ehehe."
Tell me about it.
If I didn't know Shining Patissier's effect, it'd be pretty heart-fluttering.
But knowing it's the skill? Zero flutters.
"It's my skill effect. Makes you spout insincere reviews after eating snacks. Got it?"
"Ah... skill effect, huh. Hmm, but insincere?"
Nefti kept tilting her head.
The game became reality.
I thought I'd adapted to reality somewhat, but some parts still feel straight out of the game.
And lately, one more thing screams "game-like"—this, right after midnight.
"Here's some cream bread."
Handing food to Lilia and getting ingredients in return.
Daily quest, straight up.
And the ironclad rule is to knock out dailies right at reset.
Did today's bread handoff to Lilia, got ingredients.
Four out of five were snowballs. The magic crystal freezer's already packed—maybe make ice cream to sell.
"Gotta clear this inventory somehow."
I shrugged, thinking that, when someone knocked on the convenience store door.
"Wolfram. You there?"
"...Yeah."
The door creaked open at my reply, revealing a petite grim reaper with gray hair.
Professor Rudika Hassan Shadow, the assassin.
"Sorry for the late hour."
"No big deal."
Dagger in one hand, reeking of blood. Up close, blood splatters dot her pristine white shoes.
Ah, got it. I totally get it now.
Wolfram von Loengrin dies here.
Ways to beat Rudika in my current state? Zero. For real.
Without prep, even Eve gets one-shot by the goddess of assassination.
I said it before—the founder emperor could move massive snow mountains, Eve's on his level, and even she dies to her.
What am I supposed to do?
Only one play: Spill everything.
"Secret base is north. Spare my life. I'll reveal all I know."
Please.
"...Huh? What're you on about?"
"Hm?"
Rudika tilted her head, then "aha"d and sheathed her dagger. Smiled brightly as usual.
"Rudika would never kill Wolfram. Wolfram's a good guy."
"..."
"Sorry. Anyone'd be on guard if an assassin shows up at night... Rudika will head out."
"No. Sit."
"Huh?"
"Convenience stores run 24/7. Least I can do is offer a snack."
My misunderstanding's partly my fault... and, well. How to put it.
Has Rudika always been this tiny?
Rudika lacks most senses except top-tier pain perception due to her condition.
That's why her Critical and Will (mental fortitude) are 20.
When unleashing Hassan-style ultimate, her usual 20 Dexterity locks to 22.
Anyway, to Rudika, most food's just solid matter to chew and swallow... but spicy she tastes fully.
So for her, I make...
"Here. Great Hot Spicy Sherbet."
"...?"
Spicy shaved ice.
Precisely, fairy snowball frozen with spicy sauce, then shaved.
Sorry.
Honestly, even I think it's a freak dish, but Shining Patissier should make it go down easy.
"Great Hot Spicy... a spicy snack?"
"Snacks are usually sweet... but didn't suit you. No idea how it'll taste, myself."
"Aha... fun idea. Rudika likes Wolfram's cooking."
She took a bite of the bizarre ice, went "ah...", and nodded.
...No way.
She won't go villain, I'll kill you or something, right?
"Mm. Fun taste. Really... so fun. Hehe. Ahaha. What is this? But I feel the care... Mm. Pretty good?"
"..."
"As thanks for the care, I'll protect you."
"..."
No.
Th-...
Language center broken for real?
Where'd the concept go?
"You always talk like that?"
"...Ah? Ack. Ugh. ...N-No. Urgh. Urrrrgh!!"
Rudika blushed at me, then stomped her feet in panic.
This is hilarious.
"Eh. Guess I'll treasure the memory."
"...Yeah. Better if you forget. Pleeease, 'Wolfram.' Grant 'Rudika's' request?"
"I'll try."
"Thanks."
Sorry.
Won't forget, honestly.
"So, reason for dropping by so late?"
"...Ah. Work ran long today. Before heading home... Rudika's feet brought her here without thinking."
"I see."
Top assassin says work ran long? Means status-effect specialist mage on enemy side or schedule snag.
Who could drag things out with Rudika at this point?
"Then head home quick. It's late."
"Mm... True, but tomorrow starts early too. Wolfram, sorry, mind a favor?"
"Favor?"
"Lend a sleeping bag? I'll crash in the corner and bounce at dawn."
...Wait. So.
"Meaning."
"Can I stay over? Just tonight?"
Sigh.
These requests again?
"This ain't a sleepover spot."
"...Ahaha. I'll pay. One million lin."
What.
For real. Dude.
"Need towels and toothbrush too?"