Survival 100

Prev I TOC I Next

“Hello, Saintess.”

Rene looked at the man who had called her to the cafe.

His half-closed eyes were unreadable.

His black hair contrasted sharply with his master’s.

Neatly dressed in a butler’s uniform.

‘…Was there such a character?’

Rene’s eyes quickly scanned the man.

Though she herself had been unable to see the ending, blocked by the mid-boss Luciana, she had enjoyed the game until that point.

She was certain.

Such a character had not even appeared as an extra.

‘Moreover, being one of the top three freshmen, shouldn’t he be a major character?’

She had a guess.

She had seen related news in the community.

[‘Under the Chandelier’ DLC released!]

[Come to the new region, the Empire of Evildon! New story intertwined with demons!]

[New male lead and numerous bosses appear!]

[Defeat the newly emerged calamity and enemies, and restore peace!]

The ‘Under the Chandelier’ expansion pack released just before she was drawn into the game. The update she hadn’t tried yet because she was blocked by Luciana.

It made sense if he was a new character included in that.

“My humble self is Hans Byron, who serves as the exclusive servant of Lady Luciana Speda.”

“And I am Rene, grateful for such a distinguished greeting.”

And naturally, she had anticipated the nature of this man.

Rene’s hand, resting on her knee, trembled slightly.

‘This crazy developer! I thought it was annoying enough with Elizabeth who appeared as a side character to Luciana, now what kind of monster have they added?’

The player’s 99.9% failure rate in that hellish difficulty wasn’t enough, they had added a new boss before Luciana.

Academy Year 1, Seat 3.

A place earned by surpassing numerous high nobles and even potential male leads in this strictly meritocratic academy.

It was only natural to revise the evaluation upwards.

‘Indeed, I must not turn Luciana into an enemy.’

Once again, Rene’s resolution to value her life became even firmer.

“…It is an honor to meet someone from the House of Speda.”

“No, the pleasure is all mine to meet you, Saintess. We couldn’t properly converse at that social event.”

Though his tone seemed kind at first, there was a thorn in his words.

‘Is this provoking me? Is that it?!’ she thought, pinpointing the day she received a dance invitation from the Crown Prince, who had been engaged to Luciana.

His pupils, narrowed to slits, sharply scanned over her. It seemed as if he was assessing whether she was a threat to Luciana or not.

Rene swallowed dryly, smiling brightly. The fragile appearance of a saint was really useful at times like these.

‘Stay calm, it’s actually an opportunity. If he is her personal attendant, he is practically her right arm, isn’t he?’ 

Just as initially planned.

As long as she properly appeals that she won’t be an enemy to Luciana, there should be no problem.

“It seems there has been a misunderstanding.” What would the original Rene have said?

-Saint, I… still don’t understand. Is it even appropriate to oppose my father?

-Do what you think is right. I don’t think differently, so I will help you.

A cutscene where Rene talks to the male lead candidate. There, she spoke her mind without regard to her status.

‘What, this seems easier than I thought.’ Acting like a proactive and confident girl was no problem for her, who had devoured all kinds of romance novels, comics, and female-oriented games.

Recalling the cutscene once more, she desperately moved her parched tongue.

***

Introduced by Wolbaek, the café guaranteed that our conversation would remain private. The saint I met here opened her mouth with a compassionate smile that suited her position perfectly.

“An unsavory article has already been published, but I need to clarify my stance again. His Highness the Crown Prince was kind enough to invite me to dance, but I am already devoted to the goddess.”

She casually lifted her arm. On the back of her hand was the metaphysical pattern known as the ‘Mark of the Goddess’ I had seen often in games.

“As a religious person, such matters are burdensome. Therefore, I refused.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

“Of course. Moreover, I cannot afford to be rude to the House of Speda, who has already chosen him as their partner. I do not wish to incur the hatred of those who have staunchly defended the empire against demons for centuries.”

Even as a commoner, she spoke quite boldly about the Crown Prince, a person of significantly higher status.

‘…Was I mistaken?’ 

She was pious yet assertive, and also tried her best to avoid conflict. There seemed to be no significant difference from the original Rene I knew.

Should I probe further?

“I never expected someone who cares about that to attend a banquet attended by high-ranking nobles from all over the country.”

“I apologize for the concern.”

“May I hear the reason? Why has the saint of the Nepisa Church come to this place?”

“I’m sorry, but it’s due to internal affairs of the church.”

Silence briefly filled the café.

The saint’s impregnable defense.

I tried to unravel the reasons for her earlier appearance than in the original story, but it seems it wasn’t possible.

“…It seems the atmosphere has become rather unpleasant, excuse me. I shouldn’t have dared to ask about the church’s affairs in the presence of a saint.”

Of course, there were still unresolved questions from her reputation at the dormitory.

‘Let’s bury it for now.’

Further probing could disrupt the real purpose of the negotiations.

For now, knowing she is the saint and confirming that she is somewhat friendly towards the Speda Ducal House was enough.

“Instead, I came to make a proposal that might interest you.”

“What is it?”

“Evidence left by the evil kin who dared to bare their teeth at my master.”

I handed her a letter sealed with a dove-imprinted wax.

The saint hesitated before picking it up.

Rustle, rustle.

As the pages turned, the growing perplexity on the saint’s face was evident, and I smiled broadly.

“Have you checked the content?”

“Yes.”

“Then, let me get straight to the point. How about forming an alliance with us to oppose them?”

She would have to join hands.

Since their goal is the student council president, not only the North but also you, the runner-up, are targets of restraint.

“I’m sorry, but I will decline.”

However, the reply that came out was completely opposite to what I expected, with her eyes trembling anxiously.

“Oh? Why is that? I thought it was a rather favorable proposal for you.”

“Just as before. As a religious person, it’s burdensome to get involved with the imperial court, and similarly, I don’t want to get involved in the nobles’ conflicts.”

Oh.

That’s her stance.

‘We are scared too, but we fear the disputes of other nobles as well?’

I understand.

Caspara is also a major noble.

Rather than overtly causing conflict, she prefers to keep silent and bear the check.

‘But that puts us in a difficult position.’

I probably didn’t pressurize her enough.

Negotiations are like that. You need to secure a favorable position first to achieve more satisfactory results.

“It’s a pity. As a representative of the adventurers, and a saint, I thought you had the right to speak out against the injustices that the common people face.”

“Me, a representative of the adventurers? I’m just a lucky priest, not qualified to represent them.”

“Ha, ha, the humility! I’ve already heard rumors that you had given them blessings that the high priests would give.”

Pale cheeks drained of color.

Cold sweat trickling down her face.

It was the reaction I had expected.

“There was no particular meaning behind it.”

“Of course. I understand that it was done with good intentions. However, if the glorious Saleranto knew about this, there would be no avoiding punishment.”

Yes, that’s true.

The blessings you spread for the reputation are a major source of income for the holy place.

While the nobles receive such blessings only through hefty donations, the Jearne dormitory receives them without any cost.

It was a matter that would upset the nobles, who are the major consumers, and a concern for the pope and the holy site.

“Ah, don’t worry! I have no intention of ruining the respect the saint shows to the Speda family with a mere servant’s hands.”

But what might happen if things go wrong was better left to her imagination.

“I have already settled the accounts, so please finish the remaining refreshments and drinks before you leave.”

Just as I was about to leave the room with a kick,

“Wait a moment!”

I stopped in my tracks at the saint’s urgent voice.

Turning to her, I gave a faint smile.

“So, have you changed your mind?”

Indeed, blackmail is an excellent means of conversation.

Seeing the saint’s pallid face, I nodded in satisfaction.

***

“Lady Luciana, may I come in?”

“Come in.”

Her room, though spartan for a woman’s, was neat without any exaggerated decorations.

In the center, Luciana was tending to her sword under the moonlight that filtered through the parted curtains.

“You could skip a day. You could have left such menial tasks to me.”

“Ha, how could I? If it’s a favorite weapon, one must take care of it themselves.”

True to her warrior nature.

Her dignified beauty, like that of a noble wolf, was something no one could imitate.

Despite having seen her many times, somehow, my heart began to flutter more today.

“So, what brings you here so late at night?”

“I’ve come to report the progress of the grand plan you entrusted to me.”

“Speak from there. I will continue with my maintenance.”

“…Yes. The nobles of the west and north, centered around Lady Elizabeth and Lady Roberk, and the common people, centered around the saint and Oparn, have come under our command.”

It was unclear if she was listening as she focused solely on oiling her sword.

I handed her the report.

“I’ve written information about the joined noble families and outstanding commoners there, please check it when you can.”

“Hmm. You’ve worked hard.”

Having apparently finished with her sword, Luciana sheathed it at her waist and took the paper.

In the process, her warm hand accidentally brushed against mine.

With my heart soaring, I quickly hid my hands behind my back.

“Excuse me.”

“What. We strike and parry fiercely during sparring. And now you make a fuss over a mere touch?”

Was she amused by my flustered reaction?

She gave a faint smile and read through my report carefully.

“You’ve done well. Of course, I knew you wouldn’t fail.”

“Ha ha, that’s an overestimation of trust.”

“Don’t underestimate your achievements. At least among my people, there is no one who can match you in this area. You should be proud.”

She seemed to ponder for a moment, bringing her hand to her chin.

“My father and brother both advised me. To give a suitable reward to subordinates who bring successful results.”

“I do receive my salary regularly.”

“Ho ho, you know that’s not what I mean.”

Luciana quickly closed the distance between us, locking eyes with me.

Why was I so nervous?

I slightly lowered my gaze under her direct stare.

“It turns out we’re alone in this room. It’s the perfect setting to give you the reward I promised earlier.”

“The reward you mentioned before?”

“Yes. I had promised to teach you the aura cultivation method of the Speda Ducal House.”

She stepped back, drawing her sword in the moonlight.

Swoosh.

‘Ah…’

In the moonlight, her silver hair shone like a halo, and the moment seemed like a scene from a myth that even a master artist could not capture.

Amidst the pure white light that wrapped around her sword, Luciana looked at me and raised the corner of her mouth.

“I am quite curious to see what color your aura is.”

“Willingly! I pledge my loyalty and dedicate myself to you!”

I immediately knelt down before her.

…It wasn’t because I was too embarrassed to look directly into Luciana’s blue eyes.

It was just that I knew I would never forget this moment for the rest of my life.

Just a fleeting thought, that’s all.

Prev I TOC I Next