Chapter 4
Chapter 4
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 4
Chapter Title: Outing
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The injury resolved much faster than expected.
It was probably because Lionel had stopped by the knight order's infirmary and instructed them to treat him with utmost care.
Thanks to the influence of a heavyweight like the Grand Duke, Carlyle got to use heaps of luxurious medicines that a new recruit would never dream of receiving.
"⋯⋯."
And in a way that made such luxury seem pointless, Carlyle was glaring darkly at what lay before his eyes.
The term "Possessor's Perk" was truly a love-hate concept for Carlyle.
It wasn't as if they had given him regression ability; without that, he would've died ages ago, so it was his lifesaver. But during all those regressions, they had never once strengthened Carlyle himself.
'In novels or comics, the possessed or reincarnated guys are always flying around like hotshots.'
What could he say? They all strutted around scamming people with abilities that made them feel like the center of the world as their daily routine.
By contrast, all Carlyle had done was endlessly cater to the main heroine, the center of the world herself.
And now, the very first skill and trait awakening to come his way. It would be weirder if he wasn't surprised.
⋯⋯So.
If they were going to spring something this shocking on him, couldn't it have been something that would genuinely make him happy?
[ Skill Info ]
◆ Taming
You are the only one who knows about the future to come.
Exert influence over the world's "key figures," including the Hero, and reshape their futures!
The deeper your influence on a target, the more of their abilities will transfer to you.
▶ Adding a "Taming Target" will grant additional traits.
▶ Those who become "Taming Targets" will have reduced resistance to your words!
"⋯⋯."
Carlyle swept a hand through his hair as he quietly scanned those words.
Honestly, anger surged first.
'This only unlocks in the final regression?'
If it was going to unlock, why not earlier?
The condition must have been exerting influence on the Hero during her "childhood."
It was clearly an ability that wouldn't unlock in any other timeline to begin with.
'What a waste of effort.'
What the hell had all his struggles across those regressions been for?
"⋯⋯."
Carlyle took a deep breath and scratched his forehead.
Think positively. It had opened now, at least.
And looking at the details, it was undeniably good.
‘Abilities transfer...’
He didn't know the exact mechanism, but it meant the abilities of whoever he "tamed" would somehow come to him.
‘That's good.’
He didn't know the level or method of transfer, but these were the abilities of the Hero, the center of that world.
For an ordinary guy with nothing to his name, there was no downside to receiving them.
And above all.
▶ Those who become "Taming Targets" will have reduced resistance to your words!
Carlyle stroked his chin, staring intently at those words.
This was the key.
Reduced resistance.
There were various ways to interpret it, but as he understood it.
‘⋯⋯So she'll obediently listen to me.’
If so, it was an overpowered cheat ability without equal.
The one he could influence wasn't just anyone—it was the Hero. The main heroine.
Soon.
He might not become the center of the world himself.
But he had gained the power to move that center according to his will.
However, one thing nagged at him.
▶ Adding a "Taming Target" will grant additional traits.
Carlyle eyed those words closely.
What to say.
Giving him this bizarre ability was one thing, but the phrasing here bothered him even more.
It sounded like the one he had to tame wasn't just the Hero—that there were others.
Like how.
The landmines planted in the world weren't just the one Hero...
‘⋯⋯I'll think about that later.’
Just one Hero was enough to make his head explode right now.
Whatever awaited him, the priority was focusing on the immediate situation.
He had confirmed what this bizarre Taming skill was, so next up: the unlocked trait.
[ Specialty Info ]
◆ Hero's Companion
You are the one who knows the Hero "Gray Chasefield" best.
You alone can exchange human influence with the target.
Guide the Hero down the right path!
▶ "Reformation List" provided.
‘What the hell is a Reformation List.'
With a sigh, he pulled up another list attached to the trait window.
[System Message]
◆ Calling up "Reformation List"!
◆ Improve the flaws listed here!
◆ Erase the flaws on the "Reformation List" to earn rewards!
[ Gray Chasefield ]
◆ Human Hatred [100%]
◆ Arrogance [100%]
◆ Mysophobia [100%]
◆ Violent Tendency [100%]
.
.
.
The moment he saw the list packed full of text, Carlyle clutched his forehead.
Good lord. These were the "flaws" packed into a single person?
"Hero."
[What.]
"You really aren't human scum, are you."
[⋯⋯Are you picking a fight out of nowhere?]
The Holy Sword grumbled.
Seeing this now, he had the gut feeling that the Gray in this world and the one inside the Holy Sword were completely different people.
It was astonishing that someone whose personality was this shattered could even hold a conversation with him now, bickering and all.
‘She wasn't kidding.’
Her promises to reflect and do anything were sincere after all—that was his impression.
[I don't know why you're starting shit all of a sudden.]
As Carlyle mulled over those thoughts, the Hero inside the sword suddenly spoke up in a sullen tone.
[Isn't this a good opportunity? I've gotten the chance to stay by my side under the Grand Duke Chasefield's official endorsement.]
"⋯⋯That's what I wanted explained."
He sighed and took up the conversation.
It was just yesterday that Lionel had asked him to tame Gray or whatever.
And today, he was riding a carriage to visit the ducal house as per those words.
The knight order were all members of the national army sworn to the Emperor, so normally no other noble could boss their personnel around.
But this was an order from the founding contributor Grand Duke himself. The knight order administrator's pale face as he urgently instructed Carlyle to head to the Chasefield family had left quite an impression.
"Why am I suddenly being summoned to the ducal house? What do they want from me?"
[A companion.]
"Companion?"
[The Hero can choose companions to join her in protecting humanity. Looks like they intend to recommend you as one.]
⋯⋯Right.
To Carlyle, it was a group more familiar as the Hero Party.
Drexler, Panhima, Vespa.
Carlyle fell silent as he recalled the Hero Party members from the "previous regression."
The Hero inside the sword also fell silent.
"⋯⋯I won't bring up that time anymore."
[⋯⋯Thanks.]
There was no reason to keep digging up past wrongs with someone who was reflecting.
Debating whether those acts could be forgiven through reflection was something that didn't need doing right now either.
"More importantly, you follow someone else's orders for something this important? You, of all people?"
[I was still pretty young. I remember listening to my father somewhat. He's a parent, after all.]
"Hard to imagine."
[Well, after I crushed him in one strike during sparring, even that stopped.]
"⋯⋯."
Of course.
As Carlyle glared at the Holy Sword with narrowed eyes, the Hero calmly brought up another topic.
[And it's probably not just about a companion.]
"Pardon?"
[If I recall, Father kept asking if there weren't any decent guys among my companions. He probably hopes it'll develop into something more.]
"⋯⋯."
[⋯⋯.]
"⋯⋯Seriously?"
[⋯⋯Don't make that disgusted face. I get the intent.]
The Hero sighed deeply and continued.
[But it's still a good opportunity. Your goal is reforming my past self, right?]
That was true.
Carlyle stroked his chin, lost in thought for a moment.
‘She pissed me off from the first meeting...’
It would be a rocky start, but he'd somehow make it work.
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⋯⋯He wanted to somehow make it work.
Sincerely.
If given the chance.
"Die—!"
"Gray, dear, hold on a moment, talk to your father—"
The Grand Duke, who had stepped in front of Carlyle and taken the blow from Gray's immediate attack upon seeing him, coughed and tried to speak.
Blood was pouring from where Gray's attack had struck, yet he was smiling—it was clear this wasn't his first or second time...
‘⋯⋯Impressive.’
Especially that he was still alive after taking one of Gray's strikes.
A top martial artist of the Empire, as expected.
"You shut up too, Father—!"
"⋯⋯."
"And you call this introducing someone worthy to recommend as a companion? Dragging this guy here—what the hell? There's a limit to pranks—!"
Even if he was overwhelmed by Gray's furious shouting.
Hm.
Considering his dignified demeanor as an adult, always maintaining cool composure with elegant speech—that was his character, wasn't it?
Veins bulging across his entire forehead, eyes brimming with bloodshot rage and seeping murderous intent.
He looked less like a human and more like a beast deserving of the name.
[Vulgar to the extreme.]
‘That's you, you know?’
[Doesn't change the vulgarity.]
‘⋯⋯.’
Her standards were consistent, at least.
She could despise herself this coldly, even when the target was herself.
"How dare you inflict such humiliation on me and brazenly show your face? I'll kill you right here—!"
"Dear, this friend clearly had no malice. Right? Right?"
The Grand Duke's gaze urgently turned to Carlyle.
Say something—anything—to sway Gray's mood, it pleaded.
If this kept up, they'd both end up as smashed paste, his eyes conveyed desperately.
‘⋯⋯No.’
He'd dragged him into this mess—why ask more of him?
Deep down, he wanted to leave Gray's handling to the Grand Duke and slip away.
So.
If something hadn't popped up before his eyes, that's what he would've done.
[System Message]
◆ [Quest: Hero's Companion] added!
◆ Persuade the Hero!
◆ Success will add 1 "Command Right" to the Taming skill!
Seeing that window, Carlyle blinked.
‘⋯⋯Hm?’
Command Right.
Command Right?
No word could be more straightforward about its use.
He'd definitely find a use if he got it.
Just the chance to leash this utter disaster once made it worth more than enough.
He glanced sideways at the Holy Sword.
‘Hero, got anything? A way to calm her.’
[⋯⋯There is.]
Gray spoke reluctantly.
‘What?’
[⋯⋯.]
After agonizing for a long while, Gray sighed deeply and spoke.
And Carlyle's face rapidly soured upon hearing it.
He instantly understood why she'd hesitated so long to say it.
‘⋯⋯For real? You want me to do that?’
[For real.]
‘⋯⋯.’
[At this time, my emotions were still soft and malleable. It'll definitely work.]
Fuck.
Fucking hell.
‘⋯⋯Nothing else?’
[⋯⋯Do it or don't. I told you despite the embarrassment.]
Muttering curses inwardly a thousand times, Carlyle looked at Gray.
She was now at the level of grabbing the Grand Duke by the collar and swinging him around. Out of pity for the father suffering at his daughter's hands, he'd have to do it...
"⋯⋯Hero."
Carlyle squeezed his eyes shut and spoke.
"⋯⋯."
"⋯⋯I was wrong before. I lost my temper and did something stupid."
Up to here, manageable. Apologizing wasn't hard.
Across all those regressions, he'd catered to the Hero's moods countless times.
"You think words alone will—"
"Instead, how about going to the capital together this weekend? I'll buy you some clothes."
But from here, it got tricky.
"⋯⋯I'll gift you a beautiful dress perfect for your jewel-like beauty."
"⋯⋯."
"And I'll prepare a ring too."
Gray's movements halted abruptly.
Her face was still flushed with fury, but unmistakable curiosity filled it.
Wow.
She was actually listening.
‘⋯⋯A dress and ring? Seriously?’
A woman who lashed out with sword or fist whenever upset?
As Carlyle thought that in disbelief, a grumpy voice came from the Holy Sword.
[I was at the age where I loved being treated like a princess.]
‘⋯⋯.’
[⋯⋯Shut your mouth.]
He hadn't said a word.
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