Chapter 5
Chapter 5
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: The Thrill Felt During the Game Might Be Electrocution (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
No matter how you sliced it, being the villainess lady's brother wasn't just siding against justice—it made me a full-blown villain. Necromancer as a class? Totally villainous.
I'd hoped for something straightforward and reliable, like a fire mage or ice mage. Instead, I felt utterly betrayed.
It looked cool on paper, but it wasn't a class that lent itself to showing off.
'...Stepped in shit. This is straight-up trash. At least there's...'
A closer look at the status window revealed a decent number of skills. Some were basic techniques that let me pass as an ordinary mage without tipping off my necromancer side.
That must've been why the original Sierra got treated like a mage. She probably didn't want to be branded a total incompetent who couldn't even cast beginner spells.
'But how do I even use these...? Ah, is this it?'
In the game, you activated skills with command inputs combining various buttons. That system seemed to carry over. The status window helpfully traced out the motion trajectories for activating each skill.
It was still a bit confusing, but if I thought of my body as a joystick, I could probably manage.
"We pray for the eternal peace of the Duchess in the name of the gods."
While I was lost in thought, the bishop's interminable eulogy finally wrapped up. My chance to test a skill came sooner than expected.
"Sierra Gluttony, Duke. Before sending off Duchess Gluttony, please offer your final farewell."
Perfect timing—I'd found just the right skill.
Among the ones I could use was 'Fireworks.' Draw a small circle with both hands, then spread them wide with a bang. That should trigger it. Probably with some pyrotechnic effects.
'Fireworks, fireworks... Huh? I kinda get how to use it?'
No one taught me, but the outcome of casting it was already vivid in my mind. I could even predict how the size of the gesture and subtle motions would alter the effect.
'Easier than I thought!'
Was I a genius mage? What if everyone was so amazed they crowned me emperor? I might see this game's ending sooner than planned.
...Is that why the status window called me arrogant?
"Bishop, thank you for giving me time to bid farewell to my mother."
She was my mother in name only. I stood before the open casket—Western-style funeral, apparently. I offered a brief moment of condolence to the unfamiliar woman's corpse.
About 0.3 seconds.
'Hmm. Definitely a stranger.'
I'd tried to feel sentimental, but nothing.
Instead of fake tears, I launched right into the gestures. As my hands moved, a wriggling, electric sensation crawled over my body. Not exactly electricity, but something like it.
'Fireworks.'
I chanted the name silently in my head. Yelling it out loud would've been embarrassing.
Pop-pop-bang! Brilliant light burst from my gestures like fireworks. The platform flashed white for an instant. The bishop's bald head reflected it like the sun, and white sparkles fluttered outward like petals.
Even I had to admit it was beautiful, and I was the one who did it. Could a necromancer really cast something this pretty?
Fireworks was basic magic, not necromancy, so I'd expected it not to be gloomy. But this exceeded expectations—flashier and sparklier than I'd imagined.
"......"
I turned my back to the casket, striking a dignified pose. Hearts hovered busily over people's heads, shifting appearances. Most red hearts filled from half to full or more. Looked like my showmanship had landed. Everyone seemed satisfied.
Regrettably, the imperial folks' hearts stayed the same. At least they didn't drop. Would've been fine if they had.
I felt pretty good. Like I'd kicked things off with real flair.
Even starting parentless in this world, my instincts told me this time would be different. Things were looking up.
And Dalia...
=================
Name: Dalia Gluttony
Personality: Hope - Anticipates a positive future. Constant mana boost effect.
Class: None
Trait: Coloring - Can decorate the world to her heart's content.
=================
Zero hearts. She neither liked nor disliked me. Guess we weren't the close siblings from the game.
Still, Dalia's eyes sparkled as she watched me. She wasn't smiling, but I could tell. Her mood had skyrocketed. Her tiny feet in those chick-like shoes were wiggling excitedly.
The head butler clapped loudly again. The bandwagoners followed suit. Their favorability ticked up another notch.
They figured if others liked Duke Sierra, they should too.
Fascinating how easily people's hearts could be swayed—even at a funeral hall.
***
We wrapped up after the casket was lowered into the grave. Before leaving, people came to greet me first. Some knelt to wave at Dalia.
I checked their status windows and favorability one by one, but no one worth noting.
Except one.
"Alberto, I want to make a donation before we go."
"How much should I prepare?"
"Gold coins? Bring whatever you have. Divide it into two pouches of different sizes."
I had the head butler fetch the cash, then sought out the bishop. He was seeing people off with a saintly smile. I tucked the money away and led him to a spot shadowed enough by the church building to hide us.
"Bishop, thank you so much for today."
"Duke Sierra! To come greet me personally like this."
Another heart sparkled over the bishop's head. A chance to boost my favorability.
His status said his personality was 'Jealousy.' Stir that up, and I could spike his favorability aggressively.
"As thanks for today, I'd like to make a small donation to the church..."
"Oh no, such devotion. The gods will look kindly on Duchess Gluttony too."
The bishop's lips curled greedily upward. I pretended to rummage in my pouch, drawing his gaze. I paused my hand and spoke casually.
"By the way, heard the news? A new church is being built on the outskirts of the duchy. New bishop coming in."
"Ah, yes, I'm aware."
The bishop's face fell instantly.
"My mother left a dying wish before passing. She wanted me to support the new church."
"Oh, did she?"
I pulled out both pouches at once, then hesitated, tucking the larger one inside. The bishop's heart lost its sparkle right away.
"I was going to stop by on the way back and donate, but... well, I'm not really feeling it."
His heart sparkled again. Easy read, this old man. I deliberately stoked his jealousy bit by bit.
"Heard the new bishop's impressive. Especially his sermons."
"...Sermons? I give three every week."
"You're the one Mother trusted on her deathbed, so you must be exceptional. Clearly better than him."
As I said it, the status window popped up with a notification.
[Sierra's Penetration Trait activated]
No idea why it triggered, but probably good?
I handed over the smaller pouch.
"For today, this much to 'this place.'"
"...I'll gratefully accept. The gods will bless you."
[♥♥♥]
One more heart. I flashed a triumphant smile. The bishop seemed eager to play my game too. His eyes lingered where I'd hidden the bigger pouch.
"I'll drop by often to donate. Comfort this lonely soul who's lost his mother—chat with me sometime."
"What stories interest you?"
In the game, churches were rumor mills. People dumped gossip instead of faith—a ruthless hub.
A grand info broker in holy packaging.
I glanced at the imperial carriage. The bishop nodded naturally.
"Heard Crown Prince has deep faith. I aspire to emulate him."
That meant spill the Crown Prince's info.
"I understand."
He pocketed the pouch in his voluminous robes.
"Pleasure doing business."
Secured an informant on day one in this new world. Solid start.
I'd rebranded Sierra Gluttony, discovered the status window and magic.
Best of all, Dalia in her cute yellow dress made me happy. I'd always wanted to dress my little sister like that in my past life. Now I could spoil her rotten. Bittersweet joy.
I stroked Dalia's sleeping hair like petting a dog, side-eyeing the head butler.
[♥♥♥♥]
This had to count as love.
=================
Name: Alberto Macropos
Class: Apprentice Swordsman
Personality: Loyalty - Loyal to the Gluttony family. Constant attack/defense boost. Massive debuff if betrayed.
Trait: Protection - Reduces damage to protected target.
=================
"How'd I do today?"
Felt like the head butler would praise me.
"You seem excited."
"Not that."
I pressed, expecting compliments.
"How was I at the funeral?"
Think I nailed the new life's kickoff? Looked good? What do you think, Mr. Loyalty in the status window?
"A bit..."
He hesitated.
"Like a clown."
"You really are a loyal retainer. Speaking truth to power without fear."
"My apologies."
His mustache twitched as he cautiously lifted his chin.
"Young Master Sierra—no, Duke. May I ask why you provoked the imperial family at the funeral?"
Expected question.
"Coming in late, dressing the young lady in yellow, even using magic at the funeral. Could make you a thorn in their side. Especially when you're wary and afraid of the Crown Prince..."
"Afraid of the Crown Prince... Yeah, maybe."
"What happened, Duke?"
Genuine worry in his voice. I had to answer sincerely.
"Because out of this game's male leads, the Crown Prince was the most annoying."
"Pardon?"
"Dead serious. He's insufferable."
"Pardon?"
"Great family, talent, looks. Shitty personality, but everyone loves him? Total Mary Sue. Annoying as hell."
"Pardon?"
His cotton-candy eyebrows shot up.
"Calling out annoying people without caring who hears. Giving my sister only good experiences and good people. Doing what my heart tells me. Stuff I couldn't before."
"......"
"Bad?"
Another heart filled over his head, sparkling. I chuckled. Deep down, he wanted Sierra to live boldly.
Now she would.
"Dalia, what do you think?"
The kid in her chick-yellow outfit blinked sleepily.
"I want a lizard..."
"......"
"......"
I ruffled her hair vigorously.
"Sleep more."