Chapter 2
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: No, Why Is This Novel's Female Protagonist Here!?
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Had it at least been a game world whose lore he knew inside and out from playing it obsessively himself, things might've been bearable.
But no—it had to be a romance novel his best friend loved, one he'd never even cracked open.
And here he'd hoped to just coast through this life for once.
At least, for better or worse, the main story of the romance novel hadn't kicked off yet, judging by the situation.
'The novel's set five years after the Bellenuus Empire claims victory.'
Thank goodness Yerin had sung its praises so enthusiastically.
'And another stroke of luck: it seems I've carried over my abilities from my past life.'
Tail reached the well, drew some water, and summoned his status window.
A bluish window shimmered into view before his eyes.
Note: Actual stats will display after talents develop through sufficient training.
Tail skimmed his abilities, his gaze lingering on Swordsmanship.
'Yeah, figures. With sword talent this high, no wonder I aced practicals with an A+.'
Back in his past life, after the first anatomy lab, everyone called him Swordmaster—he was that good with a blade.
That's why, even though he needed to protect himself in this brutal fantasy world, Tail had steered clear of swords.
'No way I'm letting them find out I'm a prodigy and screw myself over.'
Jack of all trades, master of none—unless he studied sword manuals in secret, someone would notice his talent during training.
And this country was at war right now, to boot.
'Straight to the front lines, no doubt.'
Noha would probably smile happily and say he had no choice but to send him off.
Besides, Tail had zero interest in busting his ass for anything anymore.
'I'm done.'
What was the point of trying hard?
When overwork killed you anyway.
Tail thought that as he glanced below his potential stats.
The skills window was simple.
Just the one.
1. Brother's Healing Hand
Tail's face crumpled at the sight.
'What a trash name.'
Still, it was useful enough.
A mental skill that stabilized the mind and even offered some healing.
Tail let out a short groan.
'Must be from wanting to be a psychiatrist in my past life.'
Whatever. Nothing was clear yet.
And weirdly, he couldn't activate it no matter how he tried.
'Gotta learn to circulate mana first to use skills.'
Having skills but no way to use them.
"Sigh. My fate."
Tail sighed briefly, filled his bottle from the well, and turned to leave—
"Hm?"
The courtyard entrance was getting rowdy.
Bustling, crowded even.
An ominous feeling hit Tail at the same time.
Like something was about to go down.
And this gut feeling was always spot on.
Tail walked slowly toward the entrance.
As he got closer, he saw the crowd gathered there.
"Whoa."
A group of strangers in fancy hoods.
Knights in expensive armor flanked them with sharp glares, guarding protectively.
Obviously nobility—or higher.
The monastery workers whispered and stared from afar, not daring to approach the mismatched opulence.
Then, a small figure up front pulled back her hood.
'Whoa!'
Tail gasped softly.
Soft, wavy long golden hair.
Sapphire eyes sparkling with jewel-like intelligence.
Droopy eyes that looked pitiful and kind.
Her porcelain-white doll-like face was perfectly featured in miniature.
She was the kind of cute, beautiful girl that felt like God had hand-sculpted her.
As he stared at the unreal beauty, Tail furrowed his brow slightly.
'She looks familiar...'
A face he'd never forget, yet somehow known.
And then it clicked.
'Ah.'
The source was none other than Yerin, the friend who'd told him about this novel.
She'd chattered about it nonstop, raving especially about one character.
"Soft, curly long golden hair and shining blue eyes. Snow-white, flawless skin. Ahh~ I just want to see Chloe in person once!"
Chloe.
The name jolted Tail.
'Chloe?!'
No way it was really her?
His face paled.
And for good reason.
'No, why is this novel's female protagonist here!?'
The heroine of Love from the Kind Imperial Princess, the empire's one and only imperial princess: Chloe Bellenuus.
Tail's eyes trembled wildly.
'Nah, it can't be the real Chloe...'
That's when a knight beside her spoke cautiously.
"Lady Chloe, you shouldn't remove your hood."
"We're staying here anyway. It's fine."
Hearing that, Tail sighed.
Seeing a novel character in the flesh made his possession all too real.
Just then, Noha emerged from the monastery.
"Tail, you punk, when are you gonna—"
Glare ready, he paused at the sight of the group.
Clearing his throat, he adopted a dignified tone.
"Ahem. We heard nobles evacuating from the capital were coming. You've arrived."
Tail was certain from Noha's beaming smile.
'Yerin mentioned this.'
Before the main story began—
In other words, mid-war—the Marquis Duvier family, heroes of the conflict, and imperial royals had secretly evacuated to a remote monastery as hostages loomed.
Yerin had said it just like that.
"Those monastery days shaped our princess's life!"
She'd practically looked like a Chloe cultist, swooning.
'And that monastery was here?'
Tail couldn't hide his shock as he glanced behind Chloe.
One other hooded child stood out among the adults.
He eyed her.
'That's gotta be the Marquis Duvier's daughter.'
She radiated gloom, clearly unhappy with this.
"Marquis Duvier, huh..."
Tail muttered under his breath.
Familiar, but he couldn't place it.
Shrugging it off, he decided:
'Eh, folks like that won't tangle with a nobody extra like me.'
Then Noha called him.
"Tail. Snap out of it and guide them to the remaining tents."
Mindful of the eyes on him, Noha kept up the kindly smile.
Nothing like his usual fiery temper.
"See to their every comfort until they leave."
His eyes flashed as he whispered fiercely.
"No. Incidents. Please."
Gritting his teeth, he warned—then smiled warmly again.
Tail grinned.
"Don't worry! Careful and calm—that's me, Tail!"
Pounding his chest proudly, he watched veins bulge on Noha's forehead.
The abbot's smile wavered.
"Fine. Please. Pretty please. I'm begging you."
Tail's mischief sparked.
With innocent concern, he asked:
"Whoa, you're really worried. High blood pressure from all the stress?"
Tilting his head, he cracked Noha's smile with a crack.
"You little shit! This is all 'cause you slack off every day!"
Noha hissed low, aware of the nobles.
Tail was unmoved.
Digging his ear casually, he replied calmly.
"Hey, overwork kills, you know."
He'd literally died that way.
Chuckling, Tail added:
"If I keel over from overwork, who'll run errands for the nobles? This is all for the monastery."
The other kids were swamped anyway.
Tail was the only idler.
(Thanks to his slacking.)
Noha sighed deeply at the shameless gall.
"Haa... Fine, just go already."
Avoiding Tail's face, he squeezed his eyes shut and waved him off.
"Yessir!"
Tail bellowed and approached the hooded nobles.
One step, two.
Getting closer to Chloe.
Her gaze shifted to his face.
A knight beside her narrowed his eyes at the approaching Tail.