Naelle's Assassination Notice
It was Naelle's assassination notice. Most people would probably ask, What kind of idiot announces an assassination in advance? But there was a deeper scheme hidden behind it.
On this continent, two factions opposed any harmony between elves and humans. One was the Empire's Northern Duke—the family that had led the betrayal against the elves three hundred years ago. The other was the isolationist faction in Elvenheim, a group of elves who still nursed their grudge from that betrayal and harbored a deep hatred for humans.
Both sides were planning assassinations. The attempt on Naelle was orchestrated by the Northern Duke. Their goal was to kill her and remove the elf from the hero's party that had suddenly begun accomplishing impossible feats. The isolationists, upon learning of this plot, saw an opportunity and sent the assassination notice themselves.
Then, under the pretext of guarding Naelle, they dispatched elite elves led by Almesia—the greatest mage in all of elvenkind and the leader of the isolationist faction. Naturally, their true objective had nothing to do with protection. They intended to assassinate the Iron-Blooded Chancellor, Altrich.
The Northern Duke's assassins were so incompetent that stopping them from reaching Naelle would not be difficult. The real challenge was keeping Altrich alive. Almesia was the pinnacle of elven sorcery, and because of the notice, the player would be completely focused on protecting Naelle.
This was one of those absurd events that caught newbies off guard the most. Before checking any guides, ninety percent of players never realized it wasn't a forced event and that Altrich could actually be saved. It was that viciously designed. And if Altrich died, the true ending would be locked forever.
That was why Jain had to protect him.
So I'll give Naelle a summoning talisman as insurance against any accidents, then stick to Altrich like glue and keep him safe. Problem solved.
It really was a perfect plan, no matter how many times he went over it. Jain closed his notebook, nodded to himself, and stretched. His eyes happened to land on someone.
It was Elaine.
She stood leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, staring enviously at Karin's dress.
"What? Why haven't you changed into one?" Jain asked in a tired voice, not thinking much of it.
Elaine jumped as if startled, then put on a brave front. "W-what? Cute little me doesn't need a fitting or anything! There's no need to try on a dress!"
"Really? Well, you have such an amazing figure, Elaine. You'd look beautiful in anything! I'd love to see what it looks like on you sometime."
When Naelle asked with a bright smile, Elaine twisted uncomfortably. "Th-that's... um, let's save the fun for the actual day! I'll be going now! See you tomorrow!"
"Ah."
At that moment, Jain let out a heavy sigh—so loud that everyone turned to look at him. Elaine's eyes widened.
What? Why is he making that face?
He was staring at her with an expression full of regret, as if he'd made a terrible mistake.
Jain suddenly flipped his notebook open again and began frantically scanning the notes he'd just written. Then it hit him.
Because I switched to a speedrun, I skipped the event for the Night Spirit's Dress.
That meant Elaine had nothing appropriate to wear to the empire's greatest ball. She would have to sit it out. And that could create serious problems for the upcoming events.
"Damn it... I said I'd take responsibility for every complication caused by changing the plan to a speedrun..."
Jain grimaced as he looked at Elaine, guilt written all over his face. But Elaine, who was used to receiving nothing but scolding from him, interpreted it differently.
Oh no, I must have done something wrong again. I need to get out of here fast.
"Well then! See you tomorrow!"
"Wait!"
Ignoring Jain's call, Elaine slammed the door and fled the annex.
The finest tailor shop in the capital, Lavian Rose. Its display windows were filled with gorgeous garments that cost more than an entire mansion—favorites among the empire's tycoons and high nobility.
In front of that window stood a woman, looking utterly forlorn. It was Elaine.
"Sigh..."
She let out a long breath as she gazed at the dresses beyond the glass. In her hand was a fist-sized potato bread.
"If I could wear something like that to the ball... I'd be so happy..."
Elaine's family wasn't well off. She didn't own a single dress suitable for the occasion. She'd spent the afternoon trudging between shops to see if anything fell within her budget, but it had been hopeless.
Having given up, she bought a potato bread and decided to at least enjoy the window shopping while she munched on it.
"If I show up without a proper dress, the Enfield family will become a laughingstock. Tomorrow I'll just say I have a stomachache and stay home..."
Elaine finished her bread, neatly folded the wrapper, and slipped it into her pocket. She was about to resign herself to her fate when—
"Oh my? Look who it is."
A voice she never wanted to hear again, even in hell, suddenly pierced her ears. Elaine's face stiffened. She slowly turned toward the sound.
There it was—a smile so repulsive she wouldn't want to see it even from the deepest pit of the underworld.
"If it isn't Saintess Elaine! It's been ages!"
Saphinya Northumberland. The spoiled golden-haired daughter of the Northern Duke. She had been such a menace that her father had locked her in a convent to teach her how to behave like a proper lady. Even the convent couldn't stand her and expelled her after a single year. She was also the person who had tormented Elaine mercilessly when they sat next to each other.
"Oh dear, Saintess. Are you not happy to see me? Why the cold shoulder?"
"H-hello..."
Elaine's hand shook as she raised it in greeting. The forced smile on her lips twitched violently.
Satisfied with the reaction, Saphinya smiled and grabbed Elaine's wrist. "It seems the Saintess also had business at Lavian Rose. Let's shop together!"
"Ah, n-no, I—I need to use the bathroom, so I was just heading home..."
"Let's shop together?"
"...Yes."
Head hanging low, Elaine let herself be dragged inside Lavian Rose.
Saphinya Northumberland was burning with vicious jealousy.
It had started with news her father shared.
The girl who used to run my errands became the saintess of the hero party that defeated two of the Four Heavenly Kings?
She couldn't believe it. A seething, vulgar rage consumed her.
A vulgar wench from a failing house—how dare you? You probably just rode their coattails anyway!
She had come to buy a dress for tomorrow's ball to soothe that anger, and there the detestable girl was, standing right in front of her. Seeing Elaine's reaction, Saphinya's lips curved into a triumphant smile.
The woman was still her perfect prey.
Once inside Lavian Rose, Elaine was forced to sit down. She looked around nervously, trembling just like she had back in the convent.
Of course she is. If she ruins even one garment by accident, she'd have to sell that uselessly large-chested body for a long time to pay for it.
The ugly rage inside Saphinya melted into sweet pleasure. She wanted to savor this feeling longer. Smiling brightly, she decided to establish their difference in status first.
"Shopkeeper, what is the most expensive dress in your store?"
"Right here, miss. This is the Night Spirit's Dress!"
"Oh? Could you tell me more about it?"
"It is the garment worn by the spirits' dancers. The threads are woven from moonlight that falls at night, so it conforms perfectly to any figure. As the name suggests, it looks as if the wearer is clothed in moonlight itself—truly beautiful."
"Hmm. And the price...?"
Saphinya had intended to buy the Night Spirit's Dress on the spot to flaunt her superiority, but her face hardened the moment she saw the number of zeros on the tag. Even she could not afford it.
"I-it's not because of the price! That one over there! The second-most expensive dress in the store is the one I like best! Please alter it to fit my measurements. You remember them, yes?"
"Of course, miss."
The tailor bowed and hurried away. Saphinya twisted her lips into another false smile and turned back to Elaine.
"Oh my, the Saintess came to buy a dress as well. You simply must purchase one."
"Um, well, that is..."
She knew. She knew Elaine's family could never afford clothes from a shop like this. Still, Saphinya pressed her mercilessly.
"How about that one?"
"That seems... a bit difficult..."
"Then this one?"
"This one is also..."
"Saintess, I am personally choosing for you. If you keep rejecting my kindness like this, I will become upset."
"I-is that so? But..."
Elaine hesitated. Saphinya began calculating exactly how to deliver the greatest possible humiliation. She soon reached her conclusion.
"Very well. Since I understand the Saintess's financial situation, I will buy you one myself. But you must wear it, understood?"
"Huh? Y-you really will?"
At the unexpected kindness, a spark of hope lit up in Elaine's eyes. Saphinya grinned, showing her teeth, and pointed.
"Here! I'll buy you that one!"
What she pointed at was a maid uniform—specifically, the kind worn by those who provided sexual services. When Elaine's face filled with shock, Saphinya continued with a radiant smile.
"Oh? You already walk around in such vulgar clothes while seducing men so skillfully that you earned the title of Saintess who defeated the Four Heavenly Kings! Doesn't it suit you perfectly? If you wear that to the ball tomorrow, who knows? You might even receive generous compensation!"
Even Elaine couldn't laugh this off. She hung her head, body trembling. Saphinya laughed and tossed her a coin pouch.
"If you attend the ball in that outfit tomorrow, I'll give you these gold coins. I'm buying the clothes and even paying you friend money. Aren't I such a good friend?"
"My lady..."
Elaine glanced at the gold coins resting on her lap. Eleven of them. Even now, she hated herself for instinctively counting them. But eleven gold coins would cover her family's food expenses for an entire year and still leave some over.
If I'm going to do this anyway, I should do it confidently, like a proper young lady.
Blinking back the tears that threatened to fall, Elaine forced a smile that showed her slightly crooked teeth.
"All right, cute little me..."
Just as she was about to accept the offer, the door to Lavian Rose burst open. Someone strode in and grabbed Elaine's hand.
"There you are. I've been looking all over for you."
"Huh?"
Elaine looked up in surprise at the man holding her hand. It was Jain, and his expression was softer than she had ever seen it.
Startled by his sudden appearance, Saphinya asked without thinking, "You—how rude! Who exactly are you?!"
"Who? I'm her companion. Who the hell are you?"
"What? C-companion...? Ah."
This man was also a member of the hero party that had defeated the Archdemon. Saphinya's face darkened rapidly.