Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: A Proud Mother
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“It was truly impressive. To think that the girl who answered so adorably before His Majesty the King is my daughter!”
Rachel was resting in the guest room with her family.
Evelyn was excitedly recounting the events of the previous day, and Rachel, listening silently, wondered who she was talking about.
‘Who’s that?’
She couldn’t even remember if she had answered properly amid all the tension from the stares.
“It was quite striking. Isn’t that right, Deyner?”
Deyner pouted without replying.
“Deyner?”
Prompted by Evelyn, Deyner finally spoke.
“Sis gets all the rewards. I want a reward too!”
The twelve-year-old threw a tantrum like any child, sprawling out on the floor. Evelyn, embarrassed, hoisted him up.
“Your sister did something huge. Honestly, even I was shocked. I wondered what she was up to hanging around that Abyss fellow, but she was preparing to accuse the baron. She takes after your father—sharp as a tack.”
That sharp father had drunk too much the night before and was still stuck in bed in the next room.
The king had kindly explained why he hadn’t received a title until now and then bestowed one upon him.
Many people, congratulating him on finally finding his place, had plied him with drinks, and since he hadn’t refused any, it was no wonder he was half-dead the next day.
“So, what are your plans from here?”
Rachel hesitated at Evelyn’s question.
In the 19th round, she had despaired over Paris Emporus’s death, but now she knew she couldn’t let that happen.
The Black Sorcerer would be close to the Third Prince. She needed to keep an eye on him while tracking down the sorcerer.
“For now, we’ll prepare for the floods.”
In the previous round, Damien had gained the citizens’ support thanks to his response to the flood damage.
But this time, there was no Paris Emporus to distribute grain to the citizens in Damien’s name.
‘I’ll steal that role and let Carion gain their support.’
The previous night, she had talked about all sorts of things with Carion.
On minor notes, she’d been told not to complain about Enoch hiding his identity since he’d grown up in the temple and didn’t even realize he was the Fourth Prince.
On major points, she’d secured the right to borrow the Second Prince’s name for certain charitable activities.
“What a brilliant idea! Tell me if you need any help.”
“Speaking of which, could you stay at Harpa Castle for a while?”
Evelyn blinked, signaling she’d hear more before deciding. Rachel continued.
“Now that I’ve received the territory, I have to take responsibility. Even with a proxy, I need to stay there personally for at least a month to get a feel for it, and until I find a trustworthy one, I’d like your help, Mother.”
Above all, there were advantages to moving from the mansion to the castle.
If, hypothetically, the game had some forcing mechanism and black magic was cast at the mansion despite changing the plot over three years, no one being there would prevent any accidents.
It was the best choice for keeping people away from the risk of death or injury.
Plus, now that Henri had a title too, staying in the newly built castle was better for their image than the old mansion.
Leaving parents in the rundown mansion while their young daughter stayed in the castle alone would look odd, even if she was the one who received the territory.
‘It’d be perfect fodder for witch rumors.’
And for protection, the castle was superior to the remote mansion.
‘Even with Mother there, the mansion’s too isolated. News travels slow.’
Rachel planned to persuade her to stay just temporarily for now, then keep her there indefinitely.
‘And to put a leash on that military officer His Highness Carion is sending.’
Showing appropriate skill was fine, but interference wasn’t.
Evelyn was essential to prevent that.
“You’ll do it, right?”
“Of course—who do you think you’re asking? After the banquet ends, we’ll stop by the mansion and head to Harpa Castle.”
“As expected, only you, Mother.”
Rachel burrowed into Evelyn’s arms. Evelyn muttered that she was still such a baby and hugged her tight.
Then she let out a gasp and looked at Rachel’s face again.
“Ah!”
“What is it, Mother?”
“Where did you learn that spring dance from yesterday?”
Rachel couldn’t say, ‘From you and Enoch.’ That had happened in a previous round.
“I just picked it up naturally.”
“No wonder it was a total mess. Good for lower body training, but miles away from noble dancing.”
That seemed right. When she and Abyss had danced, all eyes had been on them.
Yet no man had asked her to dance afterward—not even family member Henri. Rachel realized there was an issue with her dancing.
“You’re going to the banquet again today?”
“Yes. I need to show my face.”
Precisely, to memorize the nobles’ faces.
Once this banquet ended, who knew when the next party would be? She needed to greet the nobles she should befriend now.
“I worry about you.”
Evelyn, once shunned in high society for being eccentric, fretted over Rachel.
If it could be solved with force, she’d step in herself, but her daughter’s path was unfamiliar even to her.
“Thank you for worrying. But shrinking back in fear leads to stagnation. A new path has opened, so I have to blaze it.”
Receiving a title was new for Rachel too—she wasn’t sure she could do well—but the checkpoint had updated.
She was starting to get a sense of what triggered checkpoint updates.
There were branching points in the game. They updated when she took actions leading to the best possible outcomes.
‘I’ve done well so far, so I can keep doing well.’
It wasn’t baseless optimism. She had information from the future.
“Besides, I’m not alone.”
Others aside, Abyss and Judge Jesty, who also received titles, were allies.
Judge Jesty seemed deeply impressed by her accusing Paris Emporus when Carion appeared.
From what she’d overheard at yesterday’s banquet, he’d been praising her courage effusively—unusually, without boasting about himself.
“If it gets tough, tell me. Now that your father has his position, he won’t just endure like before.”
Rachel smiled.
She knew. Evelyn had endured a lot. She’d suppressed her fiery temper for the family, but erupted like a volcano over family matters.
‘I worried a lot when handing over the genealogy to Mother.’
Worried she’d chop Paris Emporus in front of the priests and holy knights.
Fortunately, Priestess Peace, who handled Evelyn well, prevented any issues.
‘Whenever Mother might get excited, always bring Priestess Peace in advance.’
Rachel etched that into her mind.
***
By afternoon, the next day’s banquet began, and Rachel headed to the hall again.
There, she spotted a dejected Abyss.
“Who was it that told you to manage your expressions so others don’t look down on you?”
Rachel asked, fanning herself with the prop fan she’d brought.
“You’re here. Did you know?”
“About what?”
“Paris Emporus’s death.”
“Didn’t you?”
She’d assumed he, with his fast information network, would know already.
Surprised, Rachel took a drink from a servant offering beverages.
“Even the maids knew. Did you get complacent after catching the baron?”
Abyss bit his lower lip.
Even in the royal palace, where meeting underlings was hard, he could’ve gotten that info from maids and servants.
But this time, he’d slacked on gathering intel. Recognizing his own laxity, he reflected.
“My mistake.”
“What’s this, someone who never admits fault?”
“That’s a misunderstanding. I admit my own faults.”
“Really? Anyway, it got me thinking too.”
Rachel held up three fingers.
“We need to watch this side.”
Three fingers. Without a word, Abyss knew it meant Third Prince Demian.
“The funds might’ve come from the baron, but other help would’ve come from here.”
Abyss nodded.
The Demon Summoning Circle wasn’t complete yet. The Black Sorcerer would move to finish it.
If they struck then, they could confirm the enemy’s identity.
“We’ll talk details later. You’re busy today, right?”
The territory Abyss received bordered hers.
They’d split the Emporus barony three ways, so it was natural.
They could meet anytime they wanted, but this wasn’t the place for important discussions.
“Right. And since it’s come to this, I’ll tell you.”
Abyss whispered something in Rachel’s ear. Her eyes widened.
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’m telling you now because you can make contact.”
“Got it!”
After that, they parted and strolled the ballroom.
Those from yesterday’s banquet recognized her, but new arrivals didn’t know Rachel.
They’d ask whose daughter she was, puzzled by the unfamiliar name. Still, they showed interest.
That made sense. Though Rachel didn’t exploit her looks, she had a cute vibe.
Her golden hair sparkled under the chandeliers, evoking gold—the symbol of wealth.
Well-groomed as a royal guest, and refined over many rounds, her posture exuded grace.
‘The stares are burdensome, but first impressions matter. Chest out, shoulders back, chin up. Smile softly.’
Many wanted to approach such a Rachel.
But she went straight to Marquis Nerus’s group and greeted them.
“Hello.”
“Lady Peristera. What an honor to receive your greeting.”
Marquis Nerus welcomed her so warmly that Rachel, who’d spoken first, felt puzzled.
“Marquis Nerus, the honor is mine that you welcome my greeting.”
“I’m close with your maternal grandfather, Viscount Heros. You look just like your mother did as a girl. Now that you’re here, let me introduce you to the others... This is...”
Having received her greeting, the pleased marquis introduced his conversing companions to Rachel.
Though it was their first meeting, to onlookers, they seemed like old friends in harmonious chatter.
‘In past rounds, Marquis Nerus led a rebellion when the Third Prince became king.’
Originally, he’d stayed neutral during the civil war. But after Demian took the throne, he rebelled.
Evelyn had learned this just before dying, so details were scarce, but with Viscount Heros’s family executed, the Nerus house likely met the same fate.
‘The only reason for acting then would be... he learned something.’
He was essential to befriend to check the Third Prince.
And there was another reason.
“So, Lady Peristera, why approach me first, bypassing the others?”
“I heard you have a daughter my age, Marquis. I’d like to befriend Lady Nerus.”
The atmosphere chilled at Rachel’s words. The marquis just chuckled heartily, but the nobles around him started exchanging glances.
Flustered by the icy mood, Rachel panicked.
‘Did I say something to sour the mood?’
She’d only heard from Abyss that the Nerus daughter was a mage and thought she should meet her. But mentioning her made things weird.
“I’m curious where you heard about my daughter?”
The marquis smiled with his mouth but glared at Rachel with his eyes.
Rachel swallowed hard. She didn’t know why, but the marquis was on the verge of anger.