Survival 99

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Just like before, the arrival of an entirely unexpected entity.

It felt as if currents were flowing from my temples, and my head throbbed.

“Tell me everything. Everything that has happened since you entered here. Don’t leave out a single detail.”

The annoyance of plans not unfolding as intended could be rectified by redirecting them back on track, but the intervention of the saint posed a greater problem.

The first priority was to slowly retrace what the issue was.

“Listening to your words, brother, I too have had realizations. In order to seek revenge, I must forge my own forces. With this single-minded purpose, I spoke with several mercenaries.”

Efficient cultivation of aura, practical combat through sparring, and subsequent advice.

It seems Oparn has also thoughtfully exerted himself and endeared the mercenaries through his actions.

‘He moved quite well, didn’t he?’

Perhaps a candidate for the male lead.

Give and take.

Just as I did in the House of Duke Speda, neither affinity nor renown springs forth from the ground.

As much as one gives, so one receives in return; thus, his actions were deemed appropriate.

If not for one variable, by now he would have firmly held the Jearne dormitory in his grasp.

“So? What’s this about the saint making a move first?”

“Do you know about the saint’s blessing?”

Of course, I do.

I am someone who has seen the ending of this game; how could I not know?

“I’ve heard rumors. They say it makes managing magical power easier and boosts vitality.”

In reality, it’s a buff that temporarily increases strength and magical power.

“But why does that matter?”

“I fell victim to that blessing. Every morning, she would bestow her blessings primarily upon adventurers. Because she captured their hearts, she formed her influence swiftly without us being able to intervene.”

‘Already a fame quest at this point in time.’

Even now, it’s unbelievable that the saint, thoroughly indoctrinated by the temple’s education by this point, would undertake such a task.

Regardless of who possesses the saint’s body. At least after solving several incidents and gaining fame, I thought she might attempt it, but I was mistaken.

‘This is troublesome; the grand plan won’t be completed like this.’

Bestowing blessings, originally the prerogative of the nobility, upon commoners was bound to draw criticism within the temple.

Whatever kind of person would dare to act so boldly… that’s the secondary issue.

The more urgent problem was that the academy’s commoner forces were now gravitating towards her.

The nobility of only the west and north was insufficient.

To overturn the board set by the Caspera sisters, building a force of that scale.

Recruiting commoners was not a choice but a necessity.

“Phew, adventurers are one thing, but what about the mercenaries?”

“Recently, even the mercenaries have been receiving her blessings, and she has been expanding her influence. 

Indeed, half of my dormitory at the academy is under her influence,” he said. 

It’s not enough with just adventurers; she’s gradually devouring even the mercenary pie. 

But, ultimately, what Oparn has accomplished amounts to nothing more than leaving a good impression. 

“I thought you could surely become the leader of the commoners, but this is a bit disappointing.”  

“……” 

“I hope I don’t get more disappointed. You are meant to be the king of the gargoyles. At least hold on to the remaining mercenaries properly.” 

“Yes. Of course, the saintess, and I will definitely surpass Georg,” he vowed. 

It was exasperating. Even on the mercenary front, was he competing with Georg? 

‘Tsk, after all, the mercenary who appeared like a comet is nothing but a golden parachute placed by the Speda family, and it seems he is inferior in terms of legitimacy.’ 

Given this situation, the plan to use Oparn to rally the commoners would need to be viewed more long-term. 

“Oparn, how is your relationship with the saintess?” 

“I’ve been moving as per your advice, brother. I rushed to her whenever she needed help. But, I’ve drawn a line as a personal favor.” 

Personally, he was friendly. As a power leader, he was cold. 

He seemed to be excellently practicing my advice to win favor while simultaneously keeping a check. 

In other words, he must have a certain level of friendship with the saintess. 

“Go and convey a message.” 

“What should I deliver?” 

“Tell her that someone from the northern Speda ducal family would like to meet her.” 

That’s better. While it acknowledged that the Speda ducal family was backing the commoner mercenary, the rumor had already spread far and wide. 

Why not bring her in as the representative of the majority of commoners? 

That would not interfere with the plan to eliminate the Caspera sisters. 

And, simultaneously, I should confirm if this saintess is the one I know.

The slightly early appearance, the discord during the entrance exam, and now a reputation that disrupted my plans. 

Given the different course she had taken from what I knew of the original story, I had to thoroughly check. 

If the saintess differed significantly in character from the original, the main story might also have collapsed. 

Accordingly, I would need to adjust my strategies. 

‘Let’s see her face once,’ I thought, as I slowly revisited the original work to prepare for the encounter with the all too familiar her.

***

Nothing seems to go as planned. 

Saint Rene sighed as she looked at the emblem on the back of her hand. 

“A fitting partner for me…” 

She knew best how hollow those words were. 

Before even discussing what qualifications a partner for a saint might have. 

It was the saint herself who decided that. 

“The most favored among the male lead candidates soon becomes the male protagonist,” she knew all too well. 

As a fan of female-oriented dating sims, she understood the flow of the game, ‘Under the Chandelier’. 

That’s why her conclusion was simple: 

‘After all, I decide who the male lead is, I just need to do well.’ 

Her conclusion was simple but touched on the truth. 

Especially since this game, known for its notorious difficulty, could not solely rely on the male leads like other dating sims without risking failure. 

She tried to make various efforts, but… 

“Really! Even the hidden dungeons! And the fake holy sword swapped by fanatics! How can this be?!” 

Rene, the noble and distant daughter loved by God, ‘the Saint’, finally ground her teeth in anger. 

Did the goddess hate seeing her do well? 

Every attempt seemed twisted. 

“Why bring me here if it’s going to be like this?!” 

The hidden dungeon, which could have been easily cleared, was already plundered. 

The hidden piece that was supposed to ensure early sacred power was replaced with a counterfeit. 

The stress was so great she felt like pulling her hair out. 

“Sigh.” 

After a long bout of fussing, she finally regained her composure. 

Lying on the bed, she thought about her plans ahead with a cooler head. 

“There are some not so bad aspects too.” 

The position of second place in the entrance exam. 

The reputation she built in her dormitory. 

These were as good as in the original work. 

No, they turned out even better than in the original. 

“The Pope, that old man, probably won’t be giving any unsolicited advice for a while once he hears this news.” 

She was grateful to him for finding her in the underworld and bringing her to the holy land. 

But, as typical of religious figures, he was inherently rigid and strict. 

– Maintain modesty. 

– Let sincerity be ingrained in your body. 

– According to the Goddess’s words in the scripture… 

Just the memory was enough to make Rene’s brow furrow. 

The detestable holy land where no freedom was given. 

Though she knew a bit about it through the game’s prologue and play, reality felt like a prison. 

‘Still, there are some convenient aspects about that old man always invoking ‘the Goddess’.’

Her furrowed brow smoothed out, and soon her gentle eyes formed a rounded arc. 

The usual tranquil silence flowed through the temple. 

The disturbance that occurred on what should have been a peaceful morning. 

“Lady Saint, good morning. …What? You wish to greet the nobles of the Empire? That’s not possible! It’s not yet time for you to meet the partner who will save the world.”

However, at that time, she herself was on the verge of exploding.

“Al Banga.”

“It feels so stifling here, I think I might go mad.”

A word thrown out in such a state of mind.

-“I feel the call of the goddess.”

-“Could it be…! Have you received a revelation?!”

-“Yes. Before entering the academy, at a social gathering. I was told to look for my destined partner from afar.”

“…Hmm. Time is running short. This old man will go and have a talk.”

It’s unknown whether the Pope believed this.

But the reason he exploited the saint’s authority and even forced issues, despite knowing him, was simple.

“Staying here is a waste of time.”

Faith doesn’t put food on the table.

What use is posture correction, speech training, or bible study?

What matters are the relics, and growth.

Moreover, to fulfill a small desire.

Without hesitation, she left the holy place.

But now that she thinks about it, it was a series of truly dizzying moments.

Rene clenched her fist as she reminisced about that time.

“I was almost bitten.”

It was clear that the goddess did not wish for her happiness.

The saint’s brow furrowed deeply with indignation.

Beneath the flowing melody, a man approached with a graceful gesture, offering his hand.

“Lady, would you like to dance?”

A dance invitation received at the social gathering.

In that romantic moment, Rene’s heart thumped.

Though he wore a mask, how could she not recognize who he was?

Being the main male lead of the game, and by his distinctively blue royal hair alone, it was obvious who he was.

But even in the presence of the crown prince, Rene’s attention was elsewhere.

…Of course, she had to be angry.

Glancing to the side, the chilling glare that seemed murderous flashed.

Even though it was somewhat concealed by a mask and fan, the hostility was palpable, and her throat felt parched.

-Saint, I have been patient, enduring time and again. Even if the crown prince does not look my way, the covenant with the family is firm. However, your audacity crosses the line.

Monitored from beyond.

The awe felt when seeing it in person made her spine chill.

-The position will soon be taken anyway, using that authority is not bad. It’s a duel. As the student council vice president, no, as the prospective president, I challenge Rene to a disciplinary duel.

[MID-BOSS]

[Luciana Speda]

A boss battle unfolds along with a cutscene of a dropped white glove.

She must never become an absolute enemy.

Awakened from her reminiscences of the social gatherings, Rene bit her lip, her face pale.

The mid-boss she had never beaten before.

Linked with the crown prince, or rather, Luciana turning dark just by the player gaining the prince’s attention.

But in a dating simulation game, following the main scenario, her turning evil was only a matter of time and an unavoidable disaster for everyone.

“No, let’s not become weak.”

Rene comforted herself.

Still.

Now that the game has become reality, there might be possibilities.

Of course, she had flatly rejected the crown prince’s dance invitation in front of everyone.

She also left the rumors about her uncorrected.

‘Rude and stupid commoner’

‘You can’t hide your origins.’

All these were reactions she had anticipated.

Even without the bishops’ prescriptive etiquette training, it was obvious how rude her actions were.

Especially when the counterpart was the crown prince, the second most powerful person in the country.

Surely, the crown prince being rejected by a commoner would be the talk of the town.

But what does she care?

Then and now.

‘I’m risking my life here!’

The game she had tried countless times.

Except for one success, Rene’s fate had always been recorded as a disastrous failure.

With a determination to survive no matter what, she clenched her fist firmly.

-Knock knock.

“Lady Saint? May I come in?”

Just as her spirits were high, like cold water poured over her.

A familiar voice came from beyond the door.

“Oparn? Yes, come in.”

“I apologize for visiting suddenly.”

“No worries.”

In the three seconds it took for the door to open, she had perfectly adjusted her attire and smiled warmly towards the table.

One of the original male lead candidates.

She was curious about what brought him to her, someone she had also been keeping an eye on.

“I have come to deliver some news to you, Lady Saint.”

He pulled a letter from his coat.

On the blue paper, a pattern of a sword and shield crossed.

“This, this is…?”

The sword and shield guarding the north.

How could she not recognize it?

“A member of the Speda family has asked me to mediate a meeting with you.”

She knew from rumors that Oparn, a commoner mercenary and a candidate for the male lead, was backed by the Speda family.

There had been times when she suspected Oparn might also be a possessed character since this was not known in the game…

But that wasn’t important now.

The Ducal House of Speda.

Rulers of the north, and the family of the mid-boss Luciana!

‘Could it be that they intend to reprimand me for what happened at the social gathering?’

A bolt out of the blue.

Her head started to ache with the complications.

“What will you do?”

“Ah! It’s a good opportunity. Thank you for arranging it. I will visit them soon.”

It actually worked out well.

‘This time, I’ll make it clear that I’m not interested in the crown prince.’

She wasn’t sure how they would take her proactive clarification.

But feeling that it was better than doing nothing, Rene suppressed her trembling and took care of the letter.

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