Chapter 48 - Lurking Shadows

"Young Master, are you awake?"

"...Yeah."

Waking from sleep, I saw Kania wearing a worried expression as she applied medicine to my wounds. I gave her a faint smile and tried to sit up, but she gently held me back and asked cautiously,

"If the trial is too hard, shall I help you a bit?"

"How?"

Tilting my head, I asked, and she quietly took my hand, saying,

"I'll enter your dream. There, together with me..."

"No need, I'm fine."

But when I immediately rejected her offer, Kania looked even more worried and said,

"I don't know exactly what illusions you're seeing... but if I'm by your side, maybe it'll be a little easier..."

"No, really, I'm okay. This trial is on the easy side. If it gets tough, I'll ask for help then."

"...Yes."

After rejecting her offer again, I flashed a soft smile at Kania, who was still gazing down at me with concern, and sank into quiet thought.

...I can't show her something that horrific.

What I'd seen in my dreams were scenes from previous loops where the main heroines died. Isolet's and Father's deaths were thrown in as bonuses.

Of course, no matter how many times I saw them, they didn't faze me much. My mental strength was high, and I'd already recalled them countless times, turning them into fuel for my resolve.

But they were still gruesome scenes of people dying, so it wouldn't change that fact. Kania, whose mental fortitude was far below mine, would surely suffer problems from them.

So, since this hallucination would end in a week anyway, it was better for me to endure it alone—like mental training.

"...Then I'll return to my duties, Young Master."

"Yeah."

Finishing my thoughts, I watched silently as Kania bowed to me and left the room. Then I turned my gaze to the system window floating before my eyes.

"...Beginner Mode terminated. Shame."

With Beginner Mode gone, the system would start becoming truly unforgiving.

The 'Emergency Defense' skill from the beginner skill shop and the once-daily 'Villain's Intuition' that warned of death risks would vanish permanently, among other things.

But in return, the merits would grow.

Of course, the system's unreliability diluted that somewhat, but I still had to make use of what I could.

Opening the shop with those thoughts, I clicked my tongue at the surprisingly high prices and closed it.

"...Well, the shop function is basically useless now anyway."

From now on, I had to pour every point into the Hero's Armament Awakening Investment System.

I might buy the life force recovery speed increase if things got too rough, but otherwise, every point earned went straight to awakening to make the future easier.

With that resolve, I dumped all my accumulated points into awakening, closed the system window, and flopped back onto the bed.

"Cough! Cough!!"

Pounding my chest through a fit of coughing, I felt exhaustion that no amount of sleep could shake and closed my eyes again, but...

- Knock knock knock

Someone knocked on the door, and I scowled deeply before shouting,

"...Who is it!?"

The door opened quietly, and someone walked in slowly.

"...Isolet?"

"Do not speak my name so casually, Frey."

Isolet, glaring at me while holding a basket in one hand, sat on the chair by the bed after responding coldly to my calling her name.

"Why are you here..."

"To deliver this."

As I looked at her in confusion, she placed the basket by my bedside and said, still with a frosty expression,

"Your sister asked me to pass it on."

Hearing that, I rummaged through the basket quietly. It was filled with cookies and fruit.

...Aria.

Seeing it, I could only sigh deeply and clutch my head.

In the system's final trial, Isolet, Aria, and Serena were at high risk of being cursed. I'd already handled Isolet and Serena.

Thanks to that, Isolet had turned her back on me since the 'performance evaluation kidnapping incident,' and while Serena still harbored some affection, at least her worries were gone.

But my little sister Aria... this basket suggested she was still fretting over me.

"...Frey, I have one question."

"What."

Lost in memories of my cute little sister who used to trail after me as a child, beaming innocently whenever our eyes met, I answered Isolet's question curtly without looking at her.

"Rumors are circulating that you're in league with the Demon King's army."

"So?"

"...Is it true?"

She gazed down at me calmly as she said it.

"Ha, ridiculous. If your professor were part of the Demon King's army... do you think I'd just admit it because you asked?"

"Look me straight in the eye and answer, Frey."

"What if it is?"

As I smirked slightly, she rested her hand on the sword at her waist and said,

"...So the rumors are true?"

"Planning to kill me here? Sister, you're under the Bywalk Marquis family now..."

"Do not call me 'sister,' Frey."

Her rigid behavior reminded me of the old days, so I unwittingly called her 'sister' with a chuckle, but as she glared with killing intent, I averted my gaze and muttered,

"Rumors don't spread for nothing, right?"

"Does that mean you admit you're with the Demon King's army..."

"...But sometimes they're exaggerated."

With that, I pulled the covers over me and said lowly to Isolet,

"Now go. You've seen what you came for."

"...Haa."

Sighing, Isolet stood and headed for the door, but glanced back and spoke.

"Oh, your sister asked me to relay a message."

"...From Aria?"

"She said she no longer has confidence in loving her brother anymore, so if you're hiding something, tell her quickly."

As she opened the door to leave, she added coldly,

"...Well, if it's something you're hiding, it'd just disappoint me anyway."

With that, Isolet slammed the door shut, and for a moment, only the sound of her footsteps in the hall echoed.

"...Hoo."

Her words lingered in my ears, so I closed my eyes and surrendered to the encroaching drowsiness.

But for some reason, sleep wouldn't come.

".....?"

Now that I noticed, the drowsiness that had tormented me so relentlessly was completely gone.

"...What's this?"

- Knock knock knock

Thoroughly confused by the inexplicable situation, I was startled by another knock. Scowling fiercely, I slammed the pillow down hard and said in an exhausted voice,

"...Who is it."

"You're being especially rude today."

A girl entered the room with light steps. Staring at her blankly, I soon tilted my head and asked,

"...What brings you here."

"I just said you were being rude."

Clana, now casually sitting on the chair beside me with her legs crossed, smiled with her eyes and began,

"Shall we have tea time?"

"...What?"

I stared at her in disbelief, but she ignored it, clapping three times.

"...You called, Princess?"

"I want to have a little tea time with Frey. Could you prepare it?"

Her attendants outside responded in unison, and Clana smiled at them, asking them to prepare tea time, then turned to me.

"When you boldly proposed to me, where's that spirit? Why are you lying there groaning?"

"...Here to mock me?"

I scowled and asked, but Clana only smiled.

"Oh, thank you."

Soon, a yellow table was placed between my bed and her chair, followed by various desserts and drinks.

"Here, have a cup."

She offered me steaming tea and said,

"...You know what's in this before I drink? With the current Clana, poisoning me wouldn't be out of character." I recoiled in alarm, but suddenly the princess looked puzzled and spoke.

"You're... acting really strange today. What's wrong?"

"...What?"

She suddenly grabbed my hand, gazing at me affectionately, and began,

"I'm still so grateful for how you saved me last time, even using an oath."

"Ah, uh..."

"I really don't know how to repay this favor. Though my power is weak now, so there's little I can do..."

"No!!!"

Hearing her words slip out, I bolted upright in panic.

"Kyaa!?"

"P-Penalty... Penalty...!"

Trembling in fear of the penalty window about to appear before my eyes...

"What on earth is wrong with you?"

"...Huh?"

For some reason, no penalty window appeared.

Stunned by the incomprehensible situation, I cautiously sat back down. Clana tilted her head, cleared her throat, and continued,

"Ahem, anyway... If I seize power, I'll repay this favor double... no, tenfold."

"......."

"Uh... too unrealistic?"

Still dazed and processing, Clana asked with a shy smile.

"Even to you, it seems like a pipe dream, right?"

"...I think it's plenty realistic."

Gazing at her, I unwittingly replied.

"...Eek."

Hearing me, the princess bowed her head deeply and fidgeted with her fingers.

"...Thank you."

Staring at the princess blushing with surprise and embarrassment at my unconscious words, she suddenly snapped her fingers and said sternly,

"Bring out what I've prepared."

"...Yes, Princess."

Her attendant by the side placed something on the table.

"Open it. It's my gift."

"...Mm."

Wary it might explode or launch a knife upon opening, I carefully lifted the lid to find a cat-shaped cake.

"I-It's nothing much... but I prepared it."

The princess, head bowed again, added hurriedly with a flushed face,

"I-It just happened to coincide with your birthday... I heard you like cats, Frey..."

Finishing, Clana fidgeted with her fingers again. Staring at her intently, I pondered.

What? Could Clana be the one who noticed my villainy? But... even so, there are too many inconsistencies.

- Creeeak...

Confounded and sweating coldly, the door suddenly opened, and someone entered.

"...Oh, starting the birthday party already?"

"Serena, why are you here?"

Serena glared sharply at Clana, who scowled back. Serena sat naturally beside me and smiled.

"To see my fiancé on his birthday today. Any reason I can't?"

"...Frey was in an important conversation with me."

"Even prepared a birthday cake?"

"...This is a thank-you gift for saving me last time. The birthday overlap is pure coincidence. Interrupting a conversation is rude, Serena."

"I had a prior appointment. You're the one intruding on it, Third Princess. Right, Frey?"

Serena and Clana traded smiles in a subtle battle of nerves. Watching them blankly, I said lowly,

"...My birthday is in two weeks."

"No, it can't be? My informant clearly..."

"Oh, didn't you just say ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the birthday overlap was coincidence?"

"...Eek."

Clana, puzzled, fell silent at Serena's point. Serena, glaring sharply at her, turned to me.

"Today is your birthday, Frey. You've been so busy fighting the Demon King's army lately, you must have forgotten?"

"....Gasp!"

Serena stated it confidently, without even an 'or perhaps,' claiming I fought the Demon King's army. Panicking again, I awaited the system window, but...

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"...N-Nothing."

For some reason, no system window appeared this time either.

As my mind started overloading from the situation, the door opened again, and someone entered.

- Boom! Pop!

"...Eek!"

A loud bang erupted, and memories from previous loops flashed, making me duck in terror.

"Happy birthday~!"

But what fell before me wasn't mana blasts or bombs—it was confetti. The culprit was Perloché, beaming innocently.

"...Heek!"

Perloché, grinning ear to ear, gaped as Clana and Serena glared at her, covered in confetti, then rushed over frantically.

"S-Sorry!"

She bowed repeatedly to them, brushing confetti from their hair, then suddenly looked at me.

"Oh right, isn't tomorrow when we volunteered at the orphanage together?"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"...So that's the important appointment you had tomorrow, Frey."

"What about student council duties?"

Clana and Serena glared coldly at me in unison.

"......."

But I stayed silent, pondering the still-absent penalty window. As they grew awkward glaring at me, the door opened again.

"Wh-What... why are there so many people..."

Irina entered cautiously, looking flustered by the unexpected crowd.

"Uh, so... h-here, take this."

Hesitating in place for a while, she pulled a small gift package from her bosom and handed it to me.

"Th-Thanks for saving me at the disciplinary committee last time... here."

Cautiously accepting the gift, my face stiffened at her following words.

"Th-Then... I'll go."

"Wait!"

Irina, sweating and trying to flee, was dragged back by Perloché grabbing her arm and forced to sit.

"Don't go! Join the birthday party, Irina!"

"T-Together?"

"Yes! Parties are better with more people!"

As Perloché beamed, Clana and Serena coughed awkwardly. Perloché tilted her head blankly at them.

"Why? Throat hurt? If you're sick, I can heal you...!"

- Creeeak...

As Perloché worriedly prepared to emit divine power, the door opened again, and someone entered slowly.

"Oh, Kania's here too!"

Perloché quickly grabbed the quietly observing Kania, dragged her in, sat her down, and said to the relieved-looking Clana and Serena,

"Alright, let's start the party!!"

Soon after, the candles on the cat cake ignited.

"Ahem, happy birthday, Frey."

"Next time, discuss with me first..."

"Surely the Sun God is joyful today too!"

"...Happy birthday."

Clana, Serena, Perloché, and Irina each offered words gazing at the candles, but I couldn't look at them.

...System, you mad bastard.

I'd finally grasped what was happening.

When I showed no reaction to the painful, torturous scenes, the system's trial decided to show me happy, joyful ones instead.

The canonical birthday event that actually happened when following the main route, to boot.

"..........."

"Frey? What's wrong now?"

"You're acting strange today."

"Frey? Are you sick?"

"...Why?"

As I bowed my head in silence, the heroines looked at me worriedly, each saying something.

No... my choice was right... If I'd taken this route, I might've been happy then... but they'd all die in the end... Yes, my choice was...

Muttering inwardly, I ignored them and waited for my mind to clear, but...

"Young Master, blow it out."

"...Kania?"

Kania, now beside me, placed a hand on my shoulder with a smile. I asked with a doubtful expression,

"Did you enter my dream?"

"You were groaning and sweating coldly until late, so I took the liberty."

"...Ha."

I gave an exasperated smile and eyed the cake. Suddenly, Serena beside me smiled and said,

"Hm, I get it now. What this situation is."

"...Serena?"

"Never mind. Blow out the cake. I don't care."

She gently gripped my left shoulder.

"Y-You two... I bought that cake?"

Clana flushed indignantly, but soon sighed.

"I don't know ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠what's going on... but blow out the cake, Frey. I don't know details, but it feels right."

"Yes! The Sun God... no, I think so too!"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"...What are you waiting for? Blow."

Everyone seated began encouraging me. Staring at them blankly for a moment, I blew out the candles on the cake, muttering inwardly,

...See, I was right.

- Fwoosh!

As the candles extinguished, I suddenly found myself blankly staring at the ceiling of my dormitory.

"I'll order the exact same one from the bakery in advance."

"...Thanks."

Responding to Kania's quiet words beside me, I gazed out the window.

"...Such illusions aren't bad."

It was a night where the moonlight shone especially bright.

......

"Ah..."

Meanwhile, at that moment, Serena—who had the same dream as all the other main heroines—woke simultaneously and stared blankly out the window.

"...It was a dream."

Frey's happier-than-ever smile as he blew out the candles lingered vividly before her eyes. Thinking she'd slept enough for the night, Serena sighed, rose to read a book, but...

"You wake up in such bizarre ways too."

".....!"

The Magic Tower Lord's sudden voice from beside her made her eyes widen as she drew a fan from her bosom.

- Thwack!

"Ow!!"

But the Tower Lord swiftly struck her head with his staff and chuckled.

"Memories back? Then tell your spies not to spread my weaknesses."

"Ugh..."

Clutching her head and staggering for a while, Serena soon smirked triumphantly and muttered,

"Frey, I knew it... or perhaps."

"...One question?"

The Tower Lord looked at her with exasperation and asked as she hurried to his desk.

"I don't know what insane thing you're doing... but how far have you planned?"

"Just up to here. After this is unknown territory even for me."

Serena answered crisply while writing a telegram to her spies, adding,

"...So, time to plan again."

Watching her with mild interest, the Tower Lord approached to check the telegram's contents.

"Ah, restore my memories to just before a bit ago. That's child's play for you."

"What!?"

"And from now on, come every night at this time to restore them."

"Y-You rotten...!"

But as Serena calmly made her absurd request, he raised his staff in rage, only...

"...If this telegram doesn't reach my spies, your secrets will soon be fully exposed to the Empire."

"Haa..."

As she handed the telegram to an owl, he slumped into his chair with a resigned expression.

"Why make me do this crazy shit?"

The Tower Lord asked with the world's most aggrieved look, and Serena murmured softly under the moonlight,

"...To screw over the Sun God, I have to operate at night. No choice."

"Ugh..."

Shaking his head with deep sighs, the Tower Lord spotted a letter on her desk, scowled, and reached for it, but...

"...You shouldn't touch others' things."

Serena snatched it away, glaring. He asked with a sullen expression,

"What's with all the fuss?"

"This."

Serena replied with a slight frown.

"The sole variable."

As she began corroding the envelope's surface with moon mana, Clana's golden seal gleamed on it.