Survival 60

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In the banquet hall, now ripe with atmosphere,

The elegant sound of a violin and piano duo reached my ears.

However, this was reserved for the empire’s key high nobles.

“Look over there. It’s that servant from earlier.”

“Isn’t he just from a baron’s family? How shameless, not knowing his place here.”

It was forbidden for someone like me, a mere servant.

“Servant, come here.”

Did he notice the nobles’ glances?

Soon, a soldier clad in golden armor from head to toe approached me.

‘No, that color… he must be a royal guard.’

Just as his brutish hand was about to grab my arm, a sky-blue dress intervened between me and the soldier.

“Lady Frontal?”

“Guard, this person has promised a future with me. Isn’t he qualified to enjoy the banquet here?”

He seemed to ponder for a moment, tilting his helmet-covered head.

Will he expel me, of lowly status, at the nobles’ behest,

Or will he leave me be, saving the face of the Frontal family?

“…I understand. Please enjoy the banquet.”

He chose the latter.

Unlike the former, which involved the masses, the latter was because Elizabeth had personally staked her family’s name and reputation.

“Phew. Thank you, Lady Elizabeth. I was spared the humiliation of being chased out.”

Without her, I would have been immediately expelled by the guard’s hand.

I expressed my gratitude, but all I got in return was a sullen look from Elizabeth.

“…The thanks are because you didn’t want the situation to escalate.”

“What do you mean?”

“Be honest. You were planning to harm that guard, weren’t you?”

Sharp as ever.

I had planned to be taken away quietly and then, out of the nobles’ sight, casually challenge him to a duel.

‘I’m really curious about the level of the royal guards these days,’ I thought, provoking him so that I would take the first hit and then give him a good thrashing five times over.

The guard wouldn’t want to reveal he was beaten by a mere servant, so he’d likely keep quiet.

“Look at you, hit the nail on the head, and now you’re speechless?”

“…You misunderstand. How exactly do you see me?”

“Hmph. A demon who kidnaps nobles of the earl’s family for ransom?”

Not that the duke’s family was an exception.

“Let’s put aside these minor issues.”

“Minor? You think starting a quarrel with a royal guard is minor?”

“Of course. It would prevent me from holding the fort until Lady Luciana returns.”

At that, Elizabeth tilted her head in confusion.

“Is, is that so…?”

Typical.

Mention anything related to Luciana, and she becomes a bit flustered.

“So, when is Lady Luciana…”

“Ah, she’s here!”

Caught perfectly by Elizabeth’s radar.

It was my mistake not to detect her first, as I don’t have eyes on the back of my head.

-Click-clack.

Luciana approaching us.

“Did you two have a good time?”

“Of course. There was a slight problem, but thanks to Lady Elizabeth, it was well resolved….”

Wait a moment.

Something was off. Both the expression and the way of speaking seemed normal at first glance, but…

“Lady Luciana, your fan is broken.”  

It was a subtle change that I could notice because I had been watching her closely. 

Luciana’s peacock feather fan was slightly broken at the bottom.  

“Oh dear, I must have not controlled my strength properly.”  

“Lu, Luci! What’s going on?”  

Another believer seemed to notice that something was not right and sweated coldly.  

“It’s nothing. Nothing happened.”  

Saying that with furrowed brows, how could one not be concerned?  

“Lady Luciana, I will have the fan fixed for you.”  

“Yes, I’ll leave it to you.”  

As I took the broken fan, I briefly grasped and then released her hand.  

“…Hans?”  

“Oh, I must have been nervous as well.”  

It was only natural for Elizabeth to pull me away immediately.  

It wasn’t just out of jealousy.  

In a place where many nobles were gathered, it was to guard against any potential scandal.  

Ah, the sharp look in my fiancée’s eyes stings.  

But what of it?  

Even that brief contact satisfied the condition.  

[Emotion Absorption Activated]  

[Peeking into Luciana Speda’s memories.]  

A clear vision soon emerged.  

An audience with the emperor.  

-For now, it’s merely an engagement. The formal vow of marriage is not until after graduation from the academy. Until then, I have no intention of being entangled with her.  

And that meeting with the prince, Garon Manhett, who was as disagreeable as they come.  

Despite appearances,  Luciana was quite depressed because of the series of events.  

That prince…  

He was the source of all evils.  

“My apologies.”  

“…Be careful.”  

Just a slight caution.  

Luciana seemed too drained to be angrier.  

“Everyone, pay attention!”  

Luckily, the other nobles were too preoccupied to care about us.  

A man with a heavy voice appeared.  

“Nice to meet you.”  

With blue hair and a crown atop, who wouldn’t recognize the symbol of the royal family?  

As the highest-ranking person appeared, all nobles’ attention was drawn.  

“Each and every one of you is a pillar that supports the empire. Before you enjoy today’s banquet, I have someone to introduce to you.”  

The emperor’s speech briefly stirred a commotion.  

“Has there been a notable figure recently?”  

“Perhaps someone from a ducal family?”  

“It could be Luciana Speda… the fiancée of the prince.”  

The person the emperor would personally introduce.  

At that moment, speculation was rife about who the notable figure might be.  

“Thank you for arranging this gathering.”  

Another person entered the banquet hall.  

With snow-white hair and beard,  but a physique and formal attire that didn’t match his age.  

“Who is that?”  

“Well, I’m not sure…”  

Perhaps because the emperor had just caught their attention,  

not many knew about the old man.  

But a few did.  

And so did I.  

“The pope…?”  

When playing the game, he was always the one in the holy city offering quite lucrative quests.  

However, he was also the one who, absorbed in his duty to protect the holy city, wouldn’t move an inch even when the Demon King invaded.  

“But why, why would he appear in this banquet hall?”  

“The pope…?”  

“Why is he here when he should be protecting Saleranto?”  

Some nobles who recognized his identity harbored the same doubt.  

After all, it had been a long time since he took such a public stance.  

“Nice to meet you, nobles of Manhett.”  

Was this the reason for his direct speech?  

“I am here today to say something to you, who protect this land.”  

Following the pope, another person entered the banquet hall.  

Blonde with heterochromia.  

Large eyes with thick lashes and a generally gentle appearance.  

-Click.

Without knowing, strength had crept into my hand holding the fan. 

The already damaged fan broke into two from the bottom. 

“That is….” 

“Hmm? Do you know her?” 

Not exactly. 

But I could confidently say that I knew her better than anyone here, even more than the Pope. 

“She is the saintess chosen by Goddess Nepisa. She plans to enroll in the academy with everyone, so I wanted to introduce her first.” 

It made sense. 

The saintess had been the protagonist under the chandelier, spending countless hours together. 

“I look forward to working with you.” 

A neat greeting that suited the nobles. 

However, this appearance was merely superficial. 

[Be more courageous. Do you need to follow your father’s path? Prince can do what he truly wants.] 

[If the prince dislikes that woman, is there a need to follow through with the engagement?] 

[I don’t think you’re wrong. Liberating slaves… It’s rather noble and sublime.] 

A direct way of speaking that confronts worries without holding back. 

A character that is honest, spirited, and deep, popular even in K-dramas. 

Knowing her choices in the game, her current demeanor felt all the more insincere. 

‘With her bold and fiery personality, she had charmed many a main male character from prestigious families.’ 

If anything, she was not so much a saintess as a temptress. 

“I didn’t plan to do so,” she said, having led on dozens of men. 

“Hans? Didn’t you ask if I knew her?” 

The person staring intently at me had a significant impact on Luciana’s downfall. 

Thus, I couldn’t view Saintess Linea too favorably. 

“I don’t know her. She doesn’t seem to be from the west. I only harbored suspicions because she was brought by the Pope.” 

Even as I responded to Luciana, my mind was elsewhere. 

The appearance was quicker than expected, causing me a headache. 

‘This is complicated.’ 

The starting point in the original game was always the academy. 

Hence, I thought the meeting between the saintess and the prince would happen only after enrollment. 

Glancing around, I searched for someone with hair the same color as the emperor’s. 

“Oh?” 

As expected. 

Far away, where people were gathered, there was someone scrutinizing the original protagonist from head to toe with keen interest. 

Despite the cold exterior, the eyes clearly showed ‘interest.’ 

‘How should I handle this?’ 

Originally, I planned to sow discord between the two after their academy enrollment. 

But the saintess made an unexpected front-and-center appearance. 

And caught the prince’s eye, no less. 

‘Should I get rid of the saintess?’ 

For Luciana’s peaceful life, perhaps. 

But I quickly discarded the thought that had crossed my mind. 

‘The power of the saintess is indispensable.’ 

The saintess’s unique skill, ‘Nepisa’s Blessing.’ 

A general increase in stamina, strength, magic power, etc., was just the beginning.

As the artifacts are recovered, their layered performance enhancements are added. 

Truly befitting the skill given to the protagonist, the buffs she provides were beyond imagination. 

Without it? 

The formidable enemies we would face ahead. 

It might be manageable now, but in a little time, no matter how much we attacked, our efforts would be toothless. 

To survive here, two conditions must be met. 

First, prevent Luciana’s fall and transformation into a mid-boss. 

Second, prevent the destruction of the world. 

‘Even if we remove her and Luciana avoids the worst-case scenario, it’s meaningless if the world ends.’ 

We must maintain as friendly a relationship as possible with the saintess. 

…But, is that even possible for Luciana? 

-It’s a duel. Commoner girl. If I win, never come near the prince again. 

‘That’s impossible.’ 

The scene before a battle in the game flashed through my mind. 

For Luciana, the North, Speda, was her identity and everything. True to the saying, “Those who wear the crown, bear its weight.” 

To protect the bond formed in the name of her family. 

Luciana, who turned a blind eye to her fiancé’s infidelity and ultimately exploded, yet passed the worst move to the saintess instead of the prince. 

‘I thought we could take it a bit slower, but…’ 

A decision was made. 

While the root cause of the downfall was the prince and the protagonist, in the game and the recent turmoil, Luciana herself had instigated it. 

“Lady Luciana. After the banquet, could you spare me a moment of your time?” 

Originally, if a knight proves his honor with a sword, Nobles must know how to protect their honor not just with that but with their words as well. 

It was time to show targeted education for the sharpest tongue. 

*** 

‘It feels heavier today.’ 

Luciana sighed deeply. 

The silver-haired noblewoman burdened with her family and honor. 

It seemed as though she could feel an unknown weight on her empty shoulders. 

‘I must endure. I can’t tarnish the name of the Speda family.’ 

The moment rumors of discord with the prince start circulating among people. 

What the repercussions would be. She shook her head to erase the worst imaginations. 

“Right. Hans said to meet tonight.” 

Forget the bad thoughts. 

Luciana reminded herself, waiting for her beloved servant. 

“It’s curious. Just thinking about the prince, who is to be my husband, used to pain my heart, but the thought of seeing Hans brings me true peace.” 

It’s only been a few months. Not long since Hans became her servant. 

Every day spent with him was truly refreshing. 

Just a moment ago as well. 

-Are you joking? 

-You’re my fiancé! You’re going to visit a lady’s room in the middle of the night? 

-What strange thing to say. It’s part of my duties as a servant. Rest assured. There will be no cause for Lady Elizabeth’s unease. 

Hans calming Elizabeth, who was sending jealous looks, by patting her shoulder.

Somewhat amusingly, she didn’t find the gaze of jealousy entirely unpleasant.  

“Anyway, I wonder what he want.”  

-Knock knock.  

Just then, the sound of knocking on the door was heard.  

“Come in.”  

“Yes, I will come in.”  

It hadn’t been long since they briefly parted at the banquet.  

With a welcome voice, the door opened.  

“Hans. …And a demon.”  

“Isn’t the temperature difference severe!”  

Hans, elegantly dressed in butler’s attire.  

And a face that was not particularly welcome was also present.  

“Why did you bring that unimpressive maid?”  

“She’s of help too.”  

Hans, as always, smiled and responded.  

“Lady Luciana. Haven’t you said that it’s better to learn about eloquence from me than from a teacher?”  

“That’s true but.”  

“I’ve been asked by the lord as well. To assist the lady to become a fine noble.”  

Why is that?  

He’s the same age as her.  

Is it because she gives off a similar vibe to her father or Count Frontal?  

That gentle smile is… Yes.  

It was like that of a seasoned noble.  

“May I offer the lady some modest advice?”  

Hans’s attitude was tender yet firm, as if calming a petulant child.  

At his momentum, Luciana unwittingly nodded.  

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