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The coming-of-age ceremony went as Luciana had expected.

Although monsters are creatures with strong hostility towards humans, they had no choice but to retreat before an army of this size.

In a word, it was utterly uneventful.

‘A noble from the North should, after all, slay monsters solely with their sword.’

She knew it too. That Yegor had taken such measures out of concern for her.

But knowing that fact and understanding it were different matters.

Luciana struggled to suppress the stirring heat within her heart.

The brightness of a family name is important, but it shines due to the family itself.

She was well aware that as the future consort of the Crown Prince, she shouldn’t overexert herself.

…She knew that.

“Are you bored? Why not try going over there?” 

“You have quite the knack for humor.”

Had her boredom shown?

Luciana obediently turned her horse’s head as Hans suggested.

This man, now her attendant, had almost been banished after dueling with her.

It wasn’t the best first meeting.

“Will you say I’m sociable? Without that, I’m as good as dead.”

Yet, his approachable demeanor, joking so freely, was starkly different from the people of the North.

“Bored, huh? You’re right. No matter how fierce the monsters of the North are, they know the value of their own lives.”

Luciana lightly agreed.

Pushing away her personal attendant wouldn’t do any good now.

“Miss Luciana, I’m not from around here, so I’m curious. In a coming-of-age ceremony, is it better to catch bigger and stronger monsters?”

‘Ah, is that so?’

His question made her chuckle.

She was lamenting the current situation, far removed from the spirit of the coming-of-age ceremony she knew, and the honor of the North.

At best, she’d end up picking up small fry chased by the army.

‘Maybe someone from a different region wouldn’t understand. The Northern coming-of-age ceremony and the honor varying with the danger of the prey.’

Luciana smiled faintly.

As someone walking the path of martial arts, and as a noble of the North with a duty to protect her people, how could she articulate her desire to prove herself?

If she had to define it, perhaps it could be called romance.

“Your life, Miss, is not solely your own. Don’t forget your engagement to the Crown Prince.”

Suddenly, a chill ran down her spine, an unpleasant feeling coursing through her body at the memory of Yegor’s words. The fleeting desire she had felt extinguished, leaving only ashes.

But it wasn’t the attendant’s fault.

Luciana calmed her emotions and replied.

“Right… But with such a force, even the fiercest monster would flee in fear.”

A slight regret dissipated with her sigh. Clinging to such disappointment was foolish.

Luciana admonished herself.

“Who knows? Maybe there’s a monster out there brave enough to challenge this army?”

“I wish that were the case.”

Luciana shook her head at her attendant’s naive remark.

She knew it wasn’t likely. Though she hadn’t experienced real combat, she had learned much about monsters from her father and brother’s tales and the books in the Ducal library.

“Don’t worry. We might discover a monster’s den, a dungeon. We could charge in and clear it out! It’s a long shot, but it would make for the best coming-of-age ceremony.”

Yet, when she saw hope and belief sparkling in his eyes,

Luciana realized for the first time that comfort could come from mere faith.

She had never experienced such feelings before, given her nature to not fuss about things unless necessary. It wasn’t unpleasant.

A warm sensation filled her heart.

It was an unfamiliar feeling.

Then, a thought from her political studies flashed through Luciana’s mind.

-The tongue of a flatterer is indeed sweet. It’s easy to get caught up in it. You should be cautious, Miss.

Her response was immediate.

Before she could even judge her words, harsh ones spilled out.

“Enough. I don’t believe in such miracles.”

Silence followed.

The unintended venom in her words left Luciana pondering, and she eventually closed her mouth quietly.

‘A fitting reprimand for an insolent attendant.’

Yet, for some reason,

she pondered the notion that not everything had to be bad.

***

“Typical of the aloof Lady,” I mused, shrugging my shoulders as I scanned the surroundings.

Despite her initial reluctance, Luciana’s helmeted gaze soon returned forward, a sign she was regaining her composure. That’s the Luciana I knew – never one to hang her head in defeat. Then,

I noticed something unusual in the snow a short distance away.

“This makes the trip worthwhile.”

“Lady Luciana, do you see that?”

“What are you referring to?”

Ignoring her puzzled look, I dismounted and sifted through a mound of snow that had piled up conspicuously.

“Wow, it’s buried deep. This is what I mean.”

As she approached, I extended my hand to reveal a clump of silver fur, shimmering in the sunlight, much like her hair.

“That is…”

“Oh, you recognize it? Of course, there’s no mistaking the glossy white fur of its kind.”

“Indeed. It’s from a Direwolf.”

A glint of excitement flashed in Luciana’s eyes.

Direwolves were among the most notorious monsters in the North, known for their ferocity and cunning.

“I heard that livestock near the city have been suffering attacks recently. Must be the work of these creatures.”

“It seems so.”

I recalled encountering Direwolves in a game. Not as powerful as knights, but their notoriety wasn’t unfounded. While individually only slightly stronger than regular wolves, their true strength lay in their pack tactics. Their coordinated assaults and notorious habit of preying on livestock were well-known among the Northern folks.

‘I can’t count how many times I’ve hunted them in quests…’

Their constant threat in the North meant I had taken them down numerous times.

“You found it in the snow? Impressive, given its similarity in color. Did you spot it while riding?”

“Ahaha, I just have good eyes.”

Her skeptical gaze swept over me. It wasn’t Mongolian-level vision that helped me spot the subtle difference, but rather my reliance on the status window.

[You’ve acquired a ‘Direwolf Fur Clump’.]

The moment I saw the silvery object in the snow and the item notification appeared, I knew it. Although it was my idea to head to the Direwolf’s main habitat,

[A related quest has been assigned.]

[Explore the Direwolf Den]

[Collect more Direwolf Fur Clumps.]

[1/3]

Finding more wouldn’t be hard. Completing the quest would be a breeze.

A worthy trophy for Luciana’s coming-of-age ceremony, especially given the Direwolf’s menace to the Northern residents. But Luciana was skeptical.

“Good thing we found this. If we follow the trail, we can catch them.”

“Optimistic over just one fur. How do you plan to track them with this little evidence?”

“…”

“Besides, that conservative old man won’t approve.”

Hmm. True.

‘Yegor, prioritizing Luciana’s safety, would surely object.’

‘Direwolves are too dangerous. Leave it to the soldiers,’ he would say. I grinned slyly and whispered to Luciana.

“Then let’s sneak off by ourselves.”

“…What?”

Luciana’s eyes widened.

“There’s no need to go with the soldiers. Isn’t tradition important?”

“Huh. I didn’t expect such words from a Westerner.”

In the North, the coming-of-age ceremony was a solo ordeal. Despite her earlier complaints, perhaps she saw it as a challenge.

She looked displeased, tapping the hilt of her sword at her waist.

“There’s a lot to consider in my position. The honor of the family, the concerns of those below… It’s the same now.”

She stepped off her horse and discovered another clump of Direwolf fur in the snow, her neat fingers gently caressing it.

“I do want to go.”

Her true feelings, scattered by the cold wind.

“But I have duties to fulfill and expectations and worries of others to meet.”

I watched her, then lowered my gaze.

In the game, Luciana always prioritized her family over her personal desires, even when it meant challenging the protagonist to a duel to secure her engagement to the Crown Prince. 

‘…It’s just that the outcome wasn’t always positive.’

“How would you handle a situation like this?”

Her question seemed like a test. I shrugged as I met her gaze.

“I’d do what I feel like doing.”

“…What?”

“I listen to advice, but that doesn’t mean I have to follow it blindly, even if it’s from adults. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime coming-of-age ceremony, so I should enjoy it my way.”

This was heartfelt advice, coming from someone who had argued with their parents about career choices. I ended up following their advice, settling into a stable chemistry major, but the thought of what could have been if I pursued game development still lingers.

I’m certain if she goes back now, for the sole reason of being the Crown Prince’s consort, she’ll regret it.

“Presumptuous for a mere attendant. Your words are flashy.”

I shrugged again. Despite her sharp words, her tone softened, showing a hint of vitality returning.

After a moment,

“I’ve decided. Lead the way.”

“That means…”

“You need to prove your grand words. Guide me to the prey, as an attendant should.”

The amount of Direwolf fur we had collected matched the requirement exactly.

[Direwolf Fur Clump 3/3]

[Quest Completed]

[Revealing the location and details of the ‘Direwolf Cave’.]

“Yes, as you command!”

“Shh. Keep your voice down. We need to slip away without them noticing.”

Her face now bore no signs of concern, only relief, excitement, and a firm resolve.

Quietly and swiftly, we slipped away on horseback, unnoticed by anyone.

* * *

“Lord Yegor! The Lady has disappeared!”

“As expected, she went ahead with it.”

The old attendant of the Ducal house sighed heavily. The Duke, the young Duke, and now the Lady too.

“There’s never a dull moment during a coming-of-age ceremony.”

“Shouldn’t we search the area immediately?”

With a smile, the old attendant replied,

“No rush. I’ve taken measures. We’ll receive a signal soon.”

Yegor recalled his instructions to Hans before the ceremony.

“Never take your eyes off the Lady. And if anything happens, shoot this flare into the sky.”

“Yes! Leave it to me!”

Unaware that he had entrusted the fish to the cat, Yegor waited for a signal flare that would never come.

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“Are you Hans Byron?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Fresh. It’s quite an experience to get assigned to a task immediately after winning a duel with a superior.

The old man with a face full of wrinkles, who was assigned to me, slowly scanned me from head to toe.

“I am Yegor Hum, the chief steward of the Speda family.”

Chief steward.

A high-ranking position in charge of managing the servants.

“Hm? Is there something on my face?”

“No, not at all. It’s an honor to meet you…”

His face was very familiar to me. After all, he frequently appeared in the original story to supply the protagonist’s group as they passed through the north.

‘In the game, he was armored, but now he’s in a neat suit.’

I had guessed I would receive training from a senior who entered before me.

But it was a big responsibility to be assigned directly to a person of the chief steward level.

“Firstly, your manners pass. Show not the excessive etiquette of nobility, but maintain the modesty you have now.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“As a servant, especially a personal servant, your top priority is to assist your master. You must consider the master’s situation and take the necessary actions.”

That was easy for me; I nodded cheerfully.

Being a servant seemed easier and more relaxed than I thought.

How much could that stern lady possibly order?

However, Yegor’s next words quickly shattered my illusion.

“You’ll be busier. Your master will be Lady Luciana. She enjoys fencing, so you’ll need to inspect weapons, including swords, daily. As a lady, you also need to pay more attention to her dress and appearance during social activities, and more…”

The list of duties kept growing longer.

The ‘actions according to the master’s situation’ he mentioned were far beyond my imagination.

“…This is what you’ll need to do daily. And on special days, there will be even more to do. Considering Lady’s age, such days will come quite often.”

The workload he had just described in his lengthy speech was just the basics. My spine chilled.

It reminded me of the nightmare of unpaid overtime I often had to do as a junior employee.

“May I ask one question?”

“Go ahead.”

“I’m curious about what those special days are.”

“Hmm. It’s better to learn that firsthand. Coincidentally, today is one of those special days.”

Unfortunately, it seemed my first day of work was during a crunch period.

The taste in my mouth turned bitter.

I wanted information, but I didn’t want to start by tumbling down.

“Follow me. I’ll show you what you need to do.”

Where he led me, there was a gate covered with complex sealing magic.

“This is a venerable place where only the ducal family and those they recognize can enter.”

“Oh…”

‘Ah, a warehouse for relics that is common in noble families.’

In the original game, this place was opened to the protagonist who saved the north, and they were generously told to take anything they wanted.

Curiosity naturally piqued.

“As you’re from the west, here’s a piece of advice.”

Then.

Suddenly, Yegor turned his head and gave me a sharp look.

“If there’s even one missing item here, all eyes in the north will be on the thief. Don’t even dream of stealing anything.”

“Don’t worry. ‘A scorpion in front of an oasis’ is my motto.”

This saying was so famous in this world that he slowly nodded.

“Good mindset. I hope it stays unchanged until you leave the ducal house.”

Brrr-

It felt like watching a trailer for a game.

As his hand touched it, the sealing magic faded, and the massive gate opened on its own, revealing the dazzling relics inside.

I couldn’t help but marvel.

“You, take that armor and follow me.”

But there was no time to gaze.

Yegor pointed to a familiar-looking suit of armor on a stand.

It was a plate mail for a young knight.

“It’s light.”

A suit of armor made of solid steel should be heavy, but it felt as light as an empty sack.

Once outside, Yegor locked the door and responded.

“Lightweight magic has been applied to it so as not to burden Lady Luciana.”

That’s a secret!

Of course, if she’s the same age as Hans, she’d be just a high school student. She couldn’t possibly handle the weight of this plate armor.

I suddenly understood her impressive swordsmanship.

‘It was all because of the gear.’

But I quietly kept my mouth shut, carrying the armor and following Yegor.

Thud, thud.

The sound of our quiet footsteps echoed in the hallway.

‘How did he know?’

It’s like he could see right through me.

I stared intently at the back of Yegor’s head from behind the armor.

Was it a sincere warning?

Whether it was a challenge to a western newbie or not, it’s fine.

Because the thief who will come later won’t be ‘Hans Byron.’

Taking one relic as a performance bonus isn’t too bad, right?

***

I looked around, secretly impressed.

The room I was assigned to unpack my things was so much larger than the baron’s mansion it was incomparable.

If this is the kind of room they give to a servant, I wonder what the rooms of the duke’s direct descendants are like.

Walking down the hall, I was filled with anticipation.

“Lady Luciana, may I enter?”

“Yegor, is that you? Come in.”

But when the door to Luciana’s room opened with her permission, it was surprisingly different.

‘This isn’t what I expected.’

It was unexpected.

Instead of the typical frilly, jewel-encrusted, and cosmetic-filled displays you’d expect in a female noble’s room, there was none of that.

Swords, shields, spears, bows…

The room was filled with weapons, reflecting her warlike nature.

It could have been mistaken for a weapons display room.

“I didn’t expect to see this guy here too. Hmm. Is it just for today? Nice to meet you.”

But in such a spartan room, the real gem was the room’s owner herself.

A sapphire embroidered on white platinum.

I just stood there, staring at her.

Any jewel would have lost its luster compared to her.

-What are you doing? The lady has spoken to you, and as her servant, you should respond.

I quickly snapped back to reality and bowed my head.

Thanks to Yegor’s voice ringing in my head, I was able to react without delay.

“Yes, I am Hans Byron, assigned as Lady Luciana’s personal servant.”

“Good. So you’re coming to my coming-of-age ceremony too.”

A coming-of-age ceremony?

I was puzzled.

This is a Korean game. Isn’t the age of adulthood here the same as in Korea?

“What are you staring at? Hand over that armor first.”

“Yes.”

Though the news of a sudden coming-of-age ceremony was confusing, I handed her the armor as instructed.

My confusion deepened.

‘Aren’t coming-of-age ceremonies usually about dressing up extravagantly? Why is she focusing on armor instead of a fancy eastern silk dress?’

“Yegor, may I ask another question?”

I seized the opportunity when I was alone with the chief steward, having stepped out for Luciana to change. Having already made a bad impression on my master, I decided to be proactive with the steward.

“Speak up. Don’t ask for permission each time. Since you’re new, just ask whatever comes to mind.”

“Isn’t Lady Luciana too young for her coming-of-age ceremony?”

“In the north, we have two types of coming-of-age ceremonies.”

Oh, that’s new. That part wasn’t explained in the game.

The steward continued calmly.

“One is the typical ceremony you’re aware of, celebrating the transition to adulthood with a festival. That’s not much different from other regions.”

“And the other?”

“It’s a unique tradition in the north. Before becoming an adult, nobles prove their worth by going on a monster hunt.”

Monster hunting? Isn’t she just about high school age?

I didn’t have time to brace myself before he dropped another bombshell.

“So get ready. You’ll need to be by the lady’s side. You can ride a horse, right?”

* * *

I heard that in the past, northern coming-of-age ceremonies were brutal battles. The tradition started with going alone, without any guards, around the castle and village, hunting fierce monsters that threatened the lives and property of the people.

This is history not mentioned in the game or by the steward. How do I know it?

“This isn’t a coming-of-age ceremony…”

The lady herself told me, lamenting her situation in real-time.

She seemed quite disappointed, forgetting her hostility and chattering away.

“Yegor, call the soldiers now.”

“That’s not possible.”

“Why not?”

Luciana glared at the steward.

“Historically, the northern coming-of-age ceremony had to be faced alone. Plus, these soldiers are valuable personnel who need to be vigilant against demons. They can’t waste time here.”

Considering historical facts and the practical situation, her argument had some merit.

…If only her voice hadn’t been so full of excitement and anticipation, it might have been more convincing.

“No, I can’t allow that.”

Predictably.

My superior firmly rejected her request, seeming to see the situation the same way I did.

“Monsters can’t distinguish by the color of their blood, so we can’t lower our guard.”

I agreed with Yegor’s refusal.

As a servant, it was my duty to ensure her safety.

If Luciana were to fall to a monster, the duke’s wrath would shake the entire north.

But despite the steward’s persuasion, Luciana was unyielding.

“You worry too much.”

Her words grew colder, and the sword vibrated slightly, emitting a transparent mana. It was the same aura she displayed in our duel.

“It doesn’t matter how many come. Do you think I’d be scared?”

“Lady Luciana…….”

“Don’t make me repeat myself. As a steward, your job is to follow your master’s wishes, not argue.”

When she pushed her status, even the duke’s unofficial second-in-command couldn’t do much but struggle.

But despite his troubled face, he stood firm.

“I’m sorry.”

“You dare to disobey?”

“Your life, Lady Luciana, is not just your own. Please remember your engagement to the crown prince.”

Watching quietly, I couldn’t help but admire his eloquent speech and attitude.

And seeing Luciana silently close her mouth when her family was mentioned, her dedication to her family shone brightly.

Although hidden in armor and a helmet, I remembered her character from the game. She seemed hesitant, knowing that any rash action against the monsters could impact her engagement.

“I was shortsighted. Thank you for your frankness.”

“I should be the one thanking you for understanding.” 

But still.

Even though Luciana’s concession had settled the brief disturbance, I felt uneasy. I didn’t like the current situation.

“…It probably won’t last anyway.”

“Hans, what did you just say? It was too quiet to hear.”

“Ha-ha. Nothing. I was just admiring how the northern coming-of-age ceremony is.”

‘Even now, she always sacrifices her desires for her family.’

While I admired her consistency, it also greatly irked me.

If only she had been rewarded for it. In the end, doesn’t Luciana meet her demise as a mid-boss in every route?

I made up my mind.

Maintaining an innocent expression, I casually spoke up.

“Lady Luciana, since I’m new here and don’t know much, is the coming-of-age ceremony better when you hunt bigger and stronger monsters?”

Let’s give Luciana an unforgettable coming-of-age ceremony. The best prey to match her boldness.

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[If ‘Luciana Speda’, the person you’re assisting, dies, the player will also die.]

I hung my head low at the notification in the status window, highlighted in red.

Suddenly, my life was in jeopardy.

And the person holding the reins of my fate was Luciana, whose death seemed inevitable in every scenario. My own survival was now hanging by a thread.

But that wasn’t the end of the problem.

[Luciana’s demise progression will now be updated in the status window.]

[Current Progress: 30%]

[If it reaches 100%, Luciana’s death will be confirmed.]

The implication was clear.

Her ruin meant death, and her death would be my own.

“My stomach’s in knots.”

Starting off with negative affinity, her doom was already well underway.

And to think that the little knight who picked a fight with me turned out to be Luciana herself.

“…Huh.”

The cause of my turmoil, Luciana, was still absentmindedly touching her face.

Her sapphire-like blue eyes revealed a slight tremble, showing her agitation.

“I concede defeat.”

Regaining her composure, she picked up her helmet, which had been rolling in the snow.

“Who would’ve thought you’d aim for my helmet? Had you not been taken aback by seeing my face, you might have struck at my unprotected neck.”

And indeed, she looked more stunning in person than on screen.

With her silver hair cascading down to her waist, her skin like alabaster, and her long eyelashes guarding her deep eyes, she was like a painting come to life.

“Hey, are you listening?”

“…What a graceful concession.”

I responded in as calm a voice as I could muster, grateful that my expression remained neutral.

After barely winning against someone I should be serving, and in such a rude manner at that, it was a victory marred by a terrible first impression and only pain.

“I’ll keep my word. Having bested my sword, you have earned the right to enter the Duke’s estate.”

Luciana then tightened the straps of her helmet and pulled down the visor, hiding her face and voice completely.

“Let’s continue this inside.”

“Wait a moment!”

She stopped at my call, once again the young knight.

“Could you at least tell me why? Why did you challenge me to a duel and try to drive me away?”

The guards, who had just relaxed after the storm, tensed up again at my sudden action. They gave me a look that said, ‘Don’t make trouble.’ But their stares didn’t concern me.

Just walk away like this?

As her dedicated servant, I needed to stay by her side to prevent a bad ending, but how could I do that after ruining our first impression?

I needed to know the reason to make any changes.

“Hmm, the reason?”

After a moment of thought, she complied with my request.

“Nothing much. I just thought it’d be nice if the position went to a fellow Northerner.”

Her reply was as cold as the northern chill.

– It’s going to be a tough road ahead. I’ve heard the North is quite insular and unwelcoming to outsiders.

I could almost hear my master’s sarcastic remark, who had vanished after throwing a book my way.

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. So take this advice: Being a dedicated servant isn’t easy.”

So, it wasn’t just the first impression. My background was the issue.

The very person I needed to work with didn’t want me around. What a hellish difficulty.

“Haha. Isn’t that how life is? Everyone has their struggles.”

But I wasn’t about to give up. My life, and potentially the world, depended on it.

‘Might as well save the world too,’ I thought wryly.

Failing to follow the main story meant heading straight for a bad ending.

For a minor noble’s third son like me, those bad endings were like massive storms.

“I’ll do my best to assist you. I look forward to working together!”

There was no time to whine or complain. I had to adapt and survive for my future.

And I also wanted to see my favorite character, who is both rigid and upright, live happily and not die.

“Are you the same person who was spouting harsh words just a moment ago?”

“…Please forget about that.”

She must have found my embarrassed reaction amusing, as I heard a soft laugh from behind the helmet.

I wished I could see her smiling face.

Unfortunately, her face was well hidden behind that pesky helmet, leaving it to my imagination.

“But you certainly don’t lack courage, even compared to the brave Northerners.”

Fortunately, it seemed my determination not to give up resonated with her.

[Luciana’s Affinity has Increased.]

[-20% (Displeased) -> 10% (Interested)]

The status window confirmed it was just the beginning.

“Do as you please. I won’t stop you from following me.”

I was in agreement.

According to the updated status window, this was where it all started.

* * *

“Do you realize the consequences of what you did today?”

Luciana must have missed wearing her plate mail armor.

It would have provided some shield from these piercing stares.

Unfortunately, her father, a man more adept at tearing armor apart than snowballing in the North, was ready to reprimand her, “Yes, Father.”

Emperor’s right hand, Sword Saint, Monster Slayer, Demonkind’s Nightmare, War Hero.

The Duke Speda, a man of many titles, did not hide his anger in his voice.

“And your reason for such rash action?”

“I believed the position of our household’s servant should rightfully go to someone from the North.”

Luciana, though facing reprimand, stood firm in her decision.

A servant isn’t just an ordinary aide or butler but practically fills the role of a noble’s limbs.

The idea of an outsider, especially as her personal attendant, had caused her great discomfort, even disrupting her sleep.

“Are you saying my decision was wrong?”

Facing her father’s formidable presence, Luciana steadied her trembling legs and answered again.

“…Yes, I dare to think so.”

“Why is my daughter so inflexible? I’m deeply concerned.”

Suddenly, the oppressive aura lifted. Looking up, the previously stern Duke was replaced by a father gently stroking his face.

“Though you’ve inherited my strength…”

“I apologize.”

“It’s fine. I’m not much different.”

Luciana’s eyes wavered.

It was an unusually soft remark for a father known to be as strong as a Sword Master.

“Don’t say that, Father. You’re the most respectable person to me.”

“Enough with the flattery. I might be stronger than most, but there’s much I cannot do.”

The Duke spoke decisively.

Knowledge of self-sufficiency in food comes from the East, handling public security issues from the West, understanding financial flows from the South, and political acumen from the Central region.

Even a lower noble from these regions could surpass him in these areas, something Duke Speda knew from experience.

A hint of worry flickered in his eyes.

-Northerners’ steadfast pride is unlike any other!

He couldn’t help but see his younger, more naive self in his daughter now.

Would that prejudice cloud Luciana’s judgment, leading her to the same mistakes he once made?

‘So I deliberately chose a servant from another region, but perhaps it backfired.’

His intention was to encourage a broader perspective, not limited to strength alone.

He never expected her to reject her designated attendant outright.

“But you didn’t send him away.”

“I couldn’t.”

“What?”

The Duke, only hearing the guards’ side, was puzzled by the details.

“You couldn’t?”

“I challenged him to a duel and lost.”

“…Luci, you mean?”

His daughter, whom he personally trained in swordsmanship.

He was confident that, in practical swordplay, no one her age could match her.

And yet Luciana had lost.

“Hmm. How did you lose?”

“His movements were impressively swift. He dodged my sword and managed to undo my helmet strap.”

The Duke’s eyes narrowed.

Did the youngest son of Baron Byron possess such skill? Impossible.

To defeat his daughter meant significant prowess.

It would be a breakthrough for the Baron, struggling with his domain. There’d be no reason to hide such a talent.

“…Did he hide his identity even from his father?”

“What?”

“Never mind. So, what do you plan to do?”

The Duke was curious.

Luciana, who had never faced defeat except in sparring with him.

What she thought of the person who bested her.

“If you wish, I can cancel assigning Hans as your personal attendant.”

Of course.

Luckily, there was no intention of giving up on this unexpected talent that had seemingly fallen from the sky. Whether in the knight’s order or elsewhere, he would prove useful.

Yet, the Duke Speda was also a father. He had no desire to remind his daughter, who was in her growth phase, of the sting of defeat.

“No, let’s stick to the plan. Make that man my personal attendant.”

“…Are you sure?”

Luciana understood her father’s concerns.

The defeat hurt, but her curiosity about her opponent was stronger. 

-Well, we’ll see how it goes.

His instinctive movements in a life-or-death duel, narrowly avoiding her blade, were remarkable.

She knew no Northerner who could fight like him.

-Haha. Life’s not easy. Everyone has their own struggles.

Despite being openly antagonized by her future master, he didn’t show the expected resentment or anger.

Composure.

It seemed all she could discern from his narrow-eyed expression was just that.

For the first time, her personal feelings pushed aside her pride and duty towards her family and the North.

“It’s okay. A daughter of the Speda family won’t be brought down by a single defeat.”

She wanted to observe more. The desire to keep this enigmatic man by her side was growing.

Unbeknownst to her, this was a form of greed, recognizing and wanting to monopolize something valuable.

“Alright. I’ll prepare for him to start serving you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Father.”

With desire and curiosity occupying most of her thoughts, Luciana failed to notice a tickling sensation of another kind.

Her loyalty to her family was too strong to recognize this unusual desire.

“Oh, and how are your bridal lessons going?”

“Of course. I’m working hard to be a worthy bride for the Crown Prince.”

The Duke Speda nodded in satisfaction.

“Good. Our family’s close ties with the royal family make this engagement significant. Don’t slack in your training, but also pay attention to those lessons.”

“Don’t worry. I always keep it in mind.”

“And one more thing. Let’s move on to practical experience soon.”

“Practical experience?”

“Before you come of age, you should try hunting at least once.”

Traditionally, hunting was a pastime for nobility. But for the Northern nobility, it held a different significance.

For them, hunting was both a duty and a means to protect their people.

“Your sword is sharp enough to pierce the hide of most monsters. I hunted monsters at your age; you can certainly do it.”

A spark lit up in Luciana’s eyes.

Thoughts of bridal lessons and attendants faded from her concern.

Only the honorable duty of proving herself as a Northern noble filled her mind.

“I’ll heed your command.”

Today, she’d have to take care of her beloved sword, preparing it for the task ahead. That was Luciana’s resolve.

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I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard the voice of the young knight.

“A duel?”

Such words aren’t to be taken lightly.

It may be cloaked in nobility, but it’s a serious matter to fight with the readiness to take another’s life.

And we’ve just met today; why treat each other like sworn enemies over a mere lady-in-waiting position?

[A quest has arisen!]

[Defeat the ‘Knight Plaintiff’ who has challenged you.]

[Reward: Progress in the Main Story]

Even the status window was making a big deal out of it.

A quest, really? These usually appear in dungeons or events. Why here?

‘This is tricky.’

The reward was definitely tempting.

Progress in the Main Story, huh.

It seemed that defeating this guy would open the opportunity to meet Luciana.

Or perhaps it would significantly increase my favorability, which was already lower than low.

“Why are Westerners deaf too? Not drawing your sword and just standing there blankly?”

But what bothered me was…

“This kid is too arrogant.”

“Ki-, kid?”

“Yeah. You call yourself a knight, but can’t even muster a bit of mana. What kind of duel is that?”

Hans has cast a taunt!

I’m a foreigner here for the first time.

Can’t start by making enemies.

I should just point out that duels should be fought by knights, and that the noble lady’s name isn’t something a nobody should carry. That’s a perfect response by aristocratic standards.

‘Even though I’m a foreigner, I can create an image of someone who respects the lady.’

Then.

The boy, briefly furious, exhaled sharply through his visor helmet. His sword shimmered with a transparent energy. Oh, this is serious.

A sense of urgency sharpened.

This is an… emergency mission.

‘Damn, I should have realized when it said emergency combat! Or when the main story was the reward!’

A sweet reward always has its price.

In this game, an emergency mission is synonymous with a death flag.

[What would you do with this emergency mission? Accept or decline?]

[Absolutely accept the emergency mission.]

[The reward is awesome.]

In the game, these often led players down the so-called ‘path of no return.’

I was certain.

Somewhat impetuous behavior and voice.

But familiar with the armor, and no hesitation in his sword-handling. Especially that wavering energy, like a heat haze!

The opponent wasn’t just a simple knight aspirant, as the status window suggested.

At least, his skills were comparable to a knight.

In the game, I could reject missions, but in real life, there’s no decline button!

Tension rose to my throat.

‘He’s practically a knight already, just by the way he’s wrapped mana around his sword.’

“If you give up the duel now and return to the West, I won’t pursue you.”

“Worried too soon, aren’t you? We haven’t even started.”

As if offering a sliver of mercy, the knight said so, but I couldn’t back down.

I forced a relaxed face and scoffed.

The hostility towards foreigners seemed quite intense, but my situation was more desperate.

I drew my sword immediately.

[The Main Story is assigned to you. ‘Meet with Luciana Speda.’]

The status window popped up on my right.

To follow this main story set by this guy, I couldn’t give up the position of the lady’s attendant.

“Even your sword-holding posture shows it’s your first time.”

“Hmph. Earlier you said I didn’t know how to wrap a sword with aura.”

“Unfortunately, you lack talent for that.”

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t my first time.

In this body, that is, in Hans’ memory, there was definitely experience in wielding a sword.

But he had absolutely no talent for swordsmanship.

And even with the ability to use aura, the mana was too weak to wrap even a small dagger, let alone a broadsword. The knight’s voice was tinged with boredom.

“This is going to be a dull fight.”

“Well, you never know how long or short it is until you face it.”

“Anyone can talk. Prove it with action.”

A few seconds later.

A sharp sword strike grazed past me.

With only experience in arguments with my sister and online insults, the original me couldn’t have dodged such a blow.

But, couldn’t have dodged that ‘blow.

“…Huh?”

“Yikes! That was close.”

The knight’s impressive attempt ended in vain. Instead of hitting me, his target, he only sliced through the air, repeatedly.

I staggered clumsily, narrowly escaping each incoming strike.

“Wow… he really can’t predict.”

“Watch your words. It’s not like he’s going to lose. If the knight… I mean, if Sir Knight loses, that would be troublesome.”

“It’s too late already. The moment we put our charge in danger, a pay cut is certain. Let’s just enjoy this duel.”

The surrounding soldiers murmured among themselves.

It was a close shave, evading by the skin of my teeth – a feat of agility.

Of course, this unexpected performance was all thanks to my profession and skills.

‘I did well to learn that secret technique.’

[Skill]

[S rank: Elusive as a Phantom]

[Exclusive skill for the Phantom Thief profession]

[The essence of a phantom thief is to outwit all kinds of guards with ghostly footsteps. This is a secret technique perfected over generations by the greatest phantom thieves.]

[Significantly reduces the chance of being detected during stealth actions]

[Greatly increases evasion probability against enemy attacks]

[Counterattack damage bonus based on agility during parrying]

My mana was minuscule, but it was enough to activate the skill.

With each sword thrust, the attack trajectory was clearly visible, shimmering faintly a step ahead.

The sensation was familiar, just like in the game. With everything in sight, evading was almost second nature.

Add to that the effect of a relic, and I was practically an evasion deity.

“……!”

“!! ·-· · · · ·!”

Amid the growing commotion.

I frowned and focused on my opponent.

Having dodged continuously, I started to recognize his swordsmanship.

‘This is Northern Standard swordsmanship.’

Designed for piercing through the tough hides of monsters, emphasizing burst power.

A typical technique from the Northern region.

However, it sacrifices speed and isn’t very effective in one-on-one combat.

Even Northern knights use it only as a basic technique.

“…You’re not just all talk.”

“The West is as dangerous as the North. One needs to have a trick or two to survive, right?”

“Big words. As if you could do anything to me.”

‘Touched a nerve there.’

The kid was right. His sword never even grazed me, but due to my poor swordsmanship, all my clumsy strikes were easily parried.

Being undertrained, I was quickly running out of breath.

Then.

The sword that had been flying at me took a cunning twist.

“You’ll tire of dodging eventually. If this goes on, victory is mine.”

“Gah?!”

“You dodged that too. Let’s see how long you can keep it up.”

‘The brat changed his sword technique!’

I hastily kicked off the ground and lunged to the right.

The knight, who had suddenly charged, had abandoned his greatsword. The swift swordplay he now displayed was clearly specialized for dueling.

‘……!’

To make matters worse, a tingling sensation crept up the back of my head.

A phenomenon often referred to as mana draining.

It was just a tingling for now, but if this continued, my mana would be depleted first, leaving me rolling on the ground.

No choice but to take a gamble.

I clenched my teeth and charged towards the knight.

“What?!”

He was initially surprised but quickly regained his composure, readying his sword.

But it was too late.

Instead of a sword, I extended a small golden rod.

The moment it touched the helmet, the power of the mana-filled tute was fully unleashed.

If he specialized in dueling techniques, then I had to counter with a dueling relic, right?

We were now so close I could hear his breathing.

-Clunk.

The visor protecting his face was the first to give way.

Then the leather strap around the jaw loosened, and the helmet fell to the snowy ground.

The face concealed behind the helmet and the hidden silver hair were now revealed.

“Uh?”

“Uh?”

Bewildered voices overlapped.

The questions of the watching soldiers.

The raw, fine voice freed from the steel helmet.

But most surprised of all was me.

“What, what? Why is Lady Luciana here?”

[Emergency Quest Complete]

[Reward Granted]

[Meeting condition with ‘Luciana Speda’ satisfied]

That was the reward! 

Right after encountering my favorite character.

Overwhelmed by an unexpected reward, I had no time to gather my thoughts before a flood of information poured in from the status window.

[Entering the Main Story.]

[‘The Hero’ and ‘The Calamity’ begin their activities.]

[As an exclusive attendant, assist the key character, ‘Luciana Speda,’ until she enters the Academy.]

‘The Calamity begins its activity?’

Yes, that was possible.

I had braced myself for this the moment I became aware of the Main Story.

But what followed was the real issue.

[If ‘Luciana Speda,’ the person you’re assisting, dies, the player also dies.]

[Luciana’s Doom Progress will be updated in the status window.]

“This isn’t good…”

* *

Meanwhile, as one man despaired over his fate, anomalies were occurring around the world.

“Your Holiness, why have you summoned us at this hour?”

In the sacred city of Saleranto, where the Goddess Nephisa is worshipped.

The bishops, called unexpectedly in the middle of the night, were more perplexed than annoyed.

It had been decades since the Pope had made such a public move.

“This old man has inconvenienced you all. But the matter is urgent.”

Despite the Pope’s kind smile, the bishops were uneasy.

They hadn’t ascended to their positions by playing marbles. Devotion was a factor, but so was political savvy.

They couldn’t help but notice the heavy shadow behind the Pope’s smile.

“We must release the faithful.”

“Your Holiness? What do you mean by that…”

The bishops were shocked, looking at the Pope in disbelief.

‘Don’t use faith for personal gain.’ A warning against corruption within the church, passed down since the first Pope. It was even written in the Bible.

The bishops were utterly confused to hear the most devout figure, the Pope, speak against this.

But the Pope declared without hesitation.

“We must find a woman with blonde hair, light eyes, and the mark of the Goddess on her wrist.”

“An… a prophecy?”

“Yes. The only one who can confront the Calamity that will destroy the world has been born. She will be a symbol of our religion, so we must find her quickly.”

Saint.

The word uttered by the Pope plunged the bishops into chaos once again.

But this time, there was an odd fervor in the air. Meanwhile, in the territory of the demons, the Evildon Empire.

“The time has come.”

A change was happening.

The internal wars, already unceasing, had intensified recently. At the center was a demon.

“Let’s start with uniting Evildon. Then, the lands of humans! A united, mighty demon race will rule the world!”

An incredibly arrogant declaration.

But he had the right to make it.

For demons, power is authority, and he stood at the apex.

“Lord True Dragon, as expected, the other races have rejected our proposal.”

“Fools. There’s no one who can stand against me. How dare they think to resist.”

The demon, called True Dragon, sneered.

How base and foolish they all were.

Annoying vampires like pesky flies, cowardly gargoyles hiding in their shells, and the rest of the insignificant races that revered power but knew nothing of their place.

“Crush those who resist, spare only the submissive. Install puppet leaders and control the entire race.”

“As the True Dragon wills.”

What else could be done? In typical demon fashion, force was used to subjugate.

But for Hans…

[Luciana’s Doom Progress is updated in the status window.]

[Current Progress: 30%]

Death was looming close.

Despair was knocking at the door, right outside his home.

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“Ever thought about becoming a master thief?”

He suddenly came to me with twinkling eyes, and I thought he was going to try and steal some relic from me like before.

Of course, with the nameless king investor watching us closely, that seemed unlikely.

“Suddenly?”

“Yeah. You’ve got a sleek look about you, perfect for being my successor.”

[Hidden Profession: You can now become a master thief.]

“…A master thief?”

Hidden professions existed even in the original game.

Familiar ones in fantasy, like Archmage and Swordmaster, weren’t regular professions but hidden ones.

But the problem lay elsewhere.

‘Isn’t this just dumping a garbage job on me?’

I squinted at Mole, deep in thought.

Hidden professions in this game were notoriously hit or miss.

I still remember the message that appeared when I successfully changed professions after a grueling journey.

[Trapper profession achieved!]

[Cannot use any weapons except daggers.]

[Can only deal damage with traps.]

I can’t forget it.

Damage only with traps?

No use of weapons?

Just like the useless Trapper.

Sometimes, they’d slap on weird penalties and call it a hidden profession.

“I dunno. Doesn’t seem too appealing to me.”

“Even if I teach you myself?”

Mole spoke as if offering a favor.

Well, considering his reputation, I guess it made sense.

Though it was a bit annoying.

Hmm.

‘Maybe it’s not such a bad idea after all?’

I pondered, maintaining a grim expression.

Breaking into noble mansions to steal treasures is no easy feat. Nine times out of ten, you’d end up in an eternal stint in the magic stone mines.

“Think about it. With my training, there’ll be no treasure you can’t get.”

“You couldn’t steal the nameless king’s relics, could you?”

“Cough! That monster is an exception. It’s beyond normal.”

Mole, a bit embarrassed, coughed repeatedly.

But still, if I could steal artifacts known as the nobility’s heirlooms…

‘It could be a huge help in reaching the endgame.’

[The master thief profession excels in stealth, lockpicking, and evasion.]

[It will be greatly beneficial in resolving the main storyline.]

[Highly recommend changing professions.]

The status window seemed to push me towards this decision, flashing with messages.

Yeah, with my subpar stats, I might not do well in any other profession anyway.

I nodded in agreement.

“What the heck, thievery’s not a big deal. It’s the treasures that matter.”

“Wise choice.”

His scar followed the curve of his eye as he smiled.

“Let’s introduce ourselves. It’s only fair if you know who I am.”

“I’m Hans Byron.”

“Byron, huh? You’re a noble.”

He frowned, seemingly displeased.

Being a criminal from the west, it made sense he’d react that way to nobility.

I feigned ignorance and tilted my head.

“And you? I only know you as the ‘Sand Mole’.”

“Peron. No last name. Most orphans in this line of work are like that.”

He extended his hand again, and this time, I shook it.

“Let’s get out of here. I don’t want to face that monster again.”

“Hmm, he’s actually a good mummy, communicative and even hands out relics.”

“What? I’ve got a lot to teach you.”

We left the dungeon, leaving behind the unusual sight of mummy soldiers bowing to us, having received the king’s relics.

“Hmm. Does that relics have any special powers?”

“If someone else takes it, they’re cursed.”

“I’m not so heartless as to steal something marked by a curse. Just curious.”

I backed away as Peron’s eyes fell on the relics, filled with desire.

I tucked the relics deep into my backpack, out of his sight.

The first thing I felt was a blunt stick.

I called up the information window.

[Tut]

[Item Type: Wand]

[A wand of legend among the western natives, once hung by a king in his quarters for assassination prevention. Infuriated by the inconvenience it caused him, the king endowed it with special magic.]

[When equipped, doubles the magic power of the corresponding basic ability]

[Can unlock any object through touch]

[Permanent death curse if equipped without the nameless king’s permission]

The ability to boost my magic power was definitely a plus, considering the effort it takes to raise a single basic ability in this game. This alone could outshine many relics.

The downside? My own magic power is pitifully low.

[Your magic power has increased.]

[Magic Power 1 -> 2]

The system proudly displayed this.

The mere one-point increase in magic power made me sigh.

“But it’s fine. The real charm of this artifact lies in its second ability.”

I smiled wryly and adjusted my backpack.

Lockpicking. At first glance, it seemed like a handy skill, but in reality, it was almost essential.

Why, you ask?

‘Because the term ‘lock’ doesn’t just refer to physical locks.’

In combat, this artifact’s abilities were more overpowered than any other.

It considered the nails binding plate armor, the straps of leather armor, and even the protective magic often bestowed on high-grade armor as ‘locks’.

In other words,

This was one of the rare, if not the only, items in the game that could reduce or even nullify an opponent’s defense.

“Cheeky. And to think you got more than just this from that monster.”

As Peron complained, it was true that the nameless king had given me not just one artifact. The presence of this wand was so overwhelming that I almost overlooked the other two artifacts.

[Ankh]

[Item Type: Pouch]

[A pouch used to carry the king’s belongings.]

[Can store non-living objects without any weight or volume restrictions]

[Amen]

[Item Type: Accessory]

[A golden mask favored by the king.]

[Wearing it impairs others’ perception]

‘Normally, the rest of the artifacts in the game were just side dishes to the main course.’

But now that the game had become reality, things were different.

I tested the pouch by sliding items from my backpack into it. The weight immediately lightened.

Without an inventory system, this pouch could take its place.

And the mask? Its ability to impair perception, hiding one’s existence to some extent, would definitely come in handy.

‘Oh, this is something.’

From a master key for doors to a pouch for stolen goods, and a mask to blur the identity of the thief.

Put together, it was like a master thief’s gift set.

“Ugh. You’re really meticulous about guarding your treasures.”

“Enough with the nagging.”

“Fine. I’ve already lost it, so just give up. Keep a good watch on it.”

After a lengthy argument, it was Peron who backed down first. He grabbed the skin of his face and tugged hard.

Rip!

The skin, which was his face, fluttered down to the ground.

“So, is that your real look?”

During our bickering, my guard had dropped, but now it was up again in an instant.

His overall impression had completely changed due to the absence of the scar on his right eye, one of his most notable features. From a rough-looking mercenary, he now seemed more like a simple middle-aged man.

‘He’s too good with disguises. I wouldn’t recognize him even if we bumped into each other on the street.’

“Who knows? I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

Peron chuckled and changed his coat, instantly transforming into a dirt-covered farmer.

“Remember this. A master thief must strictly differentiate between their everyday appearance and their thieving guise.”

“To avoid trouble, I guess?”

“Not just trouble. It’s a matter of life and death. As I said before, in this line of work, it’s the humble who survive the longest.”

Peron made a cutting gesture across his throat.

“No treasure if you’re dead. Remember the saying about the scorpion in front of the oasis.”

It’s a famous saying from the west. It tells of travelers, so mesmerized by the oasis ahead that they fail to notice the scorpion at their feet and get fatally stung.

I glanced at him and retorted sharply.

“Shouldn’t you be the one taking that to heart?”

Advising me, who risks my life every day in a noble house under strict surveillance, seemed a bit ironic.

“Being a master thief is always like that. Balancing between greed and life.”

He pulled an old book from his pocket and handed it to me.

“Take this. It’ll be a big help on your path.”

“What is this?”

“It’s essential knowledge for a master thief.”

It covered everything from how to step off, the right stride length, to landing techniques.

Inside the opened book, there were illustrations explaining a series of movements.

“This footwork has been established since my ancestors’ time. Go and memorize it, then practice it yourself.”

“You said you’d teach me directly?”

“Hmm. I’d like to, but I’ve been on the run since I stirred up trouble with the Duke of Loberk a few days ago… Let’s postpone the direct teaching for later.”

Typical.

He changed his tune as easily as flipping his hand.

I glared at him sharply, and Peron responded with a brazen smile, waving his hand flamboyantly.

It’s probably for the best. I’ll be heading north soon anyway.

Given our busy schedules, this book is more than enough.

“So, we’ll meet in the north next time.”

“The north? Why suddenly the north?”

“My so-called everyday appearance is entangled with a northern ducal house. I have to head there in a month.”

“A ducal house in the north? Speda, maybe? Sounds like a tough road ahead. I’ve heard the north is quite closed off and wary of outsiders.”

Peron looked at me with a suddenly sympathetic gaze. Ah, that’s just a stereotype.

The north is so much cooler and nicer compared to the desert.

***

There was a time when I thought that way.

I grumbled quietly, sitting in the carriage.

After returning with the soldiers who had been searching for me, ending my short journey.

It was just two weeks ago that I was summoned to the baron’s office, struggling with the arcane footwork.

And now, finally embarking on a journey to the north with the duke’s soldiers…

“The north is always colder than the west.”

“Seems so.”

“The north is famous for its fierce monsters. What can we expect?”

“Well…”

“I’ve heard the duke is incredibly powerful. Curious to know just how much.”

“He is strong.”

I sighed audibly, looking out the window and then at the soldier, as if to make sure he heard me.

The soldier was unresponsive.

Perhaps it was their intense wariness of outsiders. The conversation was short and one-sided.

But even this long journey was nearing its end.

“There’s the castle!”

One of the soldiers exclaimed.

It was the most animated thing I’d heard from them during our time together. Suddenly, the soldiers began bustling around.

And there, in the distance…

“Wow.”

Tall and impregnable, built solely for the purpose of defending against enemies.

I gaped at the fortress walls of the ducal castle, built to withstand any siege.

‘Luciana must be in there.’

The key character in the main story and my favorite character.

Just the thought of seeing her made my heart flutter.

“Wait. Stop right there, Westerner.”

I turned at the voice behind me.

Being the only person from the west in the group, the call was clearly for me.

Swoosh-

“What’s this about?”

A sword thrown at my feet.

A knight, or rather someone pretending to be one, covered head to toe in plate mail and a helmet.

A muffled voice came from behind the steel helmet.

But…

I looked at them with a stern face.

‘Ah, calling this short kid a knight seems a bit generous.’

And their next words were enough to annoy me.

“The lady of the house does not accept service from outsiders. Return to where you belong.”

“……?”

“If you wish to enter the duke’s residence, you must defeat my sword first.”

[Quest initiated!]

[Defeat the ‘aspiring knight’ who has challenged you.]

[Reward: ?]

I couldn’t help but laugh.

Quite the bold little one.

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