Chapter 138

“Just because you almost got hit by his own carriage, Duke Robert merely extended a bit of courtesy. Maybe it was just the mood he was in at the time. Or maybe he was just conscious of other people’s eyes. Earning the territorial citizens’ respect with a single good deed is a pretty cheap bargain.”

“I know that much, too. That saving me was at most just that kind of trivial matter to Sir Robert. B-But shouldn’t I try to repay him by offering at least some paltry loyalty to the person who saved me?”

“You don’t necessarily have to.”

Noah’s pupils wavered.

“I just saved you a moment ago because I didn’t want to watch someone I know die. And I don’t particularly think you owe me your life. I think just receiving a word of thanks is more than enough.”

“…Didn’t you tell me just a moment ago that since I owe you a debt, if I wanted to pay it back I should help you expose the Duke’s corruption?”

Ah, I did say something like that.

Though I had my own circumstances for it, I inadvertently turned out to be a hypocrite.
And my head felt dizzy, as if I had just taken a heavy blow.

‘Have I been living too calculatingly?’

I’m not usually that kind of person.

I’ve been called ruthless and cold-hearted a few times, but I’ve never done anything that would make me hang my head in shame before the heavens.

Yet this time, my face felt rather hot.

I know this isn’t a situation to afford leisure, but let’s not lose myself in the process.

“Still, I get what you’re trying to say.”

“…….”

Noah continued with an awkward smile.

“I don’t think I’d help you just expecting repayment either. Even if I might have selfish motives… Like our fake relationship, for example.”

In terms of transactional gains, it’s similar, but since that was merely born of hope, you could say it’s fundamentally different.

“Ah! I just meant I did it because I wanted to look good to you, I’m not forcing it on you so don’t misunderstand!”

I wasn’t misunderstanding.

Jumping to conclusions all on his own, Noah desperately added.

“I mean, I wanted to win your favor. Because I l-like you…. As you probably already know….”

“Yeah.”

“I guess I was just scared. Of betraying Sir Robert, of getting disposed of…. So I even tried to harm you…. In the end, I was just an idiot who only cared about myself. Someone like me doesn’t deserve to like you. I’m sorry.”

Good thing he’s self-aware, at least.

“I’m not that weak, cowardly beggar anymore, am I? I’ll stop letting myself get pushed around by Sir Robert, and live my own life for real from now on! With my own convictions! Thank you, Belita. For pointing it out. Ah. As for Sir Robert’s corruption, since you’re trying to do a good deed, I understand that too!”

Ding!

A suddenly popped-up system window blocked my view.

Before I could even flinch at my name being called, the content I checked was astonishing.

A whopping thousand points.

Which meant my shop points now easily surpassed two thousand.

‘…Let’s stay calm for a second.’

Swallowing down the surge of joy, I first closed the notification window.

Though a faint bitterness still lingered on Noah’s face across the window, his gaze was noticeably firmer than before.

Staring intently at me, Noah suddenly burst into laughter.

“Ah, no. It’s just. We’re the same age, but sometimes you feel more like an older sister figure.”

I’m an older brother, you punk.

Sometimes human instinct really is more accurate than your eyes.

“Haha, I’ll head inside now. Ah, is there anything I can help with?”

“No, it’s fine. You go inside and get some rest. I’ll keep standing guard out here.”

“Ah, I can take over the guard shift….”

“No, get inside.”

“U-Uh….”

Gesturing for him to open the door and get inside quickly, I heard the sound of loud snoring leaking through the crack of the door.

Taking a peek inside, I saw Drott sprawled out flat, fast asleep.

Since the room was already cramped to begin with, Luca was sitting hunched over in a tight squeeze, trying desperately to avoid Drott out of sheer reluctant necessity.

Noah let out a hollow laugh at the state of the room, which didn’t even have an inch of floor space left to step on.

“Ah, haha. He must have been exhausted.”

“This mister passed out ages ago. How can you fall asleep in a place like this? It’s pathetic.”

…Well, being carefree is a talent in its own right. Sleeping soundly even in an extreme situation like this requires a remarkable level of mental fortitude.

Confirming that Noah had navigated past Drott’s head and arms to sit down on a dust-covered wooden crate, I closed the door.

And immediately opened my status window.

I was going to use them right now anyway.

I just wanted to verify whether the deposit went through properly.

‘Phew, thank god. Then now….’

I immediately opened the shop and purchased the trait, I Can Hear Your Voice.

‘Finally!’

Then, tapping the newly added trait column on my status window, I brought up the detailed description box.

…?

This was vastly different from what I expected.

Instead of hearing other people’s voices, it was a conversation with the original owner of the possessed body.

The owner of the possessed body, meaning…

‘Surely not the real Belita?’

I could talk to her? No, wait, is, is that even possible…?

A flurry of thoughts flashed through my mind for a moment, but you never know anything until you try.

I floated an affirmative answer in my mind.

And then…

“……?”

Nothing happened?

“Hey, Belita?”

Is communication impossible just by thinking it in my head?

I muttered timidly in a voice that was barely above a whisper.

“Ah, um… I’m the person borrowing your body for a bit. I didn’t barge in on purpose, I was forced into it too….”

This is driving me nuts. Is this right? I don’t even know what I’m saying myself.

-Who are you?

…!!!

-Who are you to steal my body? Aren’t you getting out right now?

A young woman’s voice was ringing in my head.

It was a very familiar voice to me.

Naturally, because it matched the voice coming from the vocal cords of the Belita I was currently inhabiting!

-I asked who you are?

“Ah, I mean, you see….”

[ “Can you hear me even like this?” ]

-…What on earth are you playing at right now?

Fortunately, it seemed that even without speaking out loud, just thinking about wanting to convey something made it get across.

Still, it’s quite startling when a youngster fresh out of the gate immediately unleashes rough language and attitude.

Well, if someone suddenly took over moving your body, you probably wouldn’t respond with polite manners either, so I can’t entirely blame that feeling.

[ “It’s a bit hard to explain. Ah, can you see my field of vision by any chance?” ]

-…I can see it, I guess. But I need you to answer my questions first.

I pulled up the quest window in front of my eyes after a long while.

[ “Let’s start with this first. Do you see the messages floating in mid-air?” ]

-Messages? What on earth are you talking about…?

Ah, man. She can’t see this.

Explaining things just got twice as complicated.

[ “Just forget about what I just said. Even if I explained who I am, you wouldn’t know anyway. The important thing is that I didn’t enter your body of my own free will, and I am currently doing my absolute best to get out of it. Do you understand?” ]

Belita was silent for a moment.

How much time had passed? Along with a deep sigh, Belita muttered in a murmuring voice.

-…I’d appreciate a more detailed explanation, though.

Vague talk like something out of a video game wouldn’t make Belita understand.

I hastily fabricated a suitable story.

I opened my eyes and it was your body.

I looked for various ways to return to my original body, but it was no use.

As I endured and managed to get by somehow, your voice started to be heard.

I think this is hope.

If we cooperate with each other, I think a way to return to our respective bodies will show up… is what I said.

-So…

‘Did I fudge the details too much?’

Saliva naturally swallowed itself down.

-It must have been quite absurd for you, too.

…Judging by her surrounding reputation, I figured she would have her manners down the drain and live life entirely her own way, so I thought she wouldn’t even attempt to understand the other person. Surprisingly, it was a moderate response.

-I understand for now. As for the way back… we can start looking for it from now on, right? But where is this?

Ah. Where on earth should I start explaining this from?

I briefly explained how we ended up in this situation.

-I understand the situation.

For your reference, Belita became polite once I let her know I was older.

She even went as far as to apologize, saying that she must have spoken roughly earlier because she was in an emotional state.

Is this her original personality? To be honest, it’s quite bewildering because it’s so different from my expectations.

-To think you can’t even defeat a Level 4 magical beast or so with a Swordmaster’s body… Well, since it’s not your own body, it must be difficult, though.

What?

[ “Are you a Swordmaster?” ]

-Didn’t you know?

[ “No, well, it felt strange, but…” ]

-Doesn’t anyone from the Empire learn how to handle mana when they’re young? Then there’s no way you wouldn’t know.

[ “That’s because I’m not a person from this world…” ]

-You’re saying such absurd things so casually.

I could feel Belita letting out a sigh inwardly. It felt like some complicated emotions were being transmitted to me.

Rather than Belita’s feelings feeling like my own, it felt more like the other person’s intentions were laid bare… but whatever it was, it was an immensely bizarre feeling.
I wasn’t sure if this was a one-way street or a two-way exchange.

‘And it’s a bit awkward to ask so coyly.’

If I suddenly said, “I can feel your emotions,” wouldn’t she just raise her guard against me?

-Well, I can just teach you from now on. By the way, what’s your name? I can’t just keep calling you “you” from now on.

Hmm. Judging by her reaction, it seemed like it would be the former, though.

Whatever the case, wanting to know each other’s names is a commendable mindset.

Even if it’s semi-forced, we’re in the same boat.

I was also grateful that she accepted the fact that we had to reluctantly join forces and overcome this together.

Since I can communicate with Belita’s actual self, I’ll be able to progress through my second life relatively comfortably, unlike the first round where I knew nothing.

[ “My name is Seo So-shin, but you can just comfortably call me mister.” ]

An eight-year age gap might make “mister” a bit excessive, but still, it’s better than being called “big brother” or “uncle.”

-Ah, mister? Not big sister or auntie?

…! Oops. My mistake.

It’s better if she doesn’t know the fact that some random mister—and not even someone of the same sex—is currently squatting inside her body.

For Belita’s mental health, I really should have just played along and acted like an older sister!

-Ah… It must be awkward for both of us. Um… mister, too.

I hastily offered words of comfort.

[ “Yeah. So let’s hurry up and go back.” ]

-Yes…

It didn’t look like much of a comfort, though.

After waiting for Belita’s mind to settle down, Belita spoke to me.

-…How long has it been since you entered my body?

I answered that it was when the blood relatives gathered at the mansion to select the next head of the family after the late Duke’s passing.

-That’s the last thing I remember, too.

[ “Before all the family members came in, right?” ]

-Yes. Although preparations were just about finished.

Judging by her reaction, Belita seemed to have absolutely no idea about the 1st loop.

[ “How are things between you and Sera?” ]

-I don’t know why you’re suddenly asking that, but it’s not good. To be honest, it’s just Sera unilaterally hating my guts, though.

[ “Why?” ]

-I don’t really know either. It’s been like that since we first met. Maybe she just hates the whole world?

From the very beginning? Is that kind of negative favorability rating even possible from the start?

Well, even if Belita doesn’t know, there’s a possibility that Sera knew Belita from beforehand. Anyway, that’s not what’s important right now.

[ “Sera tried to frame you as a murderer. Doesn’t that ring any bells?” ]

-What? …No, not at all. No matter how much she hates me, how could she think of framing me as a murderer…

Belita lost her words for a moment, looking thoroughly shocked.

-I’m sorry. I was just a bit startled. But how did you clear my name?

[ “Just somehow. I got lucky.” ]

-…I see, thank you.

Fortunately, Belita didn’t probe any deeper.

Sensing she looked downcast, I deliberately spoke with a nonchalant tone.

[ “I was just trying to survive, you know. I stumbled around a lot at first because I didn’t know much, but now I’m glad you’re here.” ]

-I don’t know how much help I’ll actually be, though.

You’ll be a huge help. Especially in a situation like this where brute strength is needed.

[ “Let me ask you one more thing. By any chance, what kind of relationship do you have with Jeffrey?” ]

-J-Jeffrey, you mean?

Belita began to stir in a flurry.

Her heart was beating so hard and fast it made me suspect arrhythmia, and she even seemed to be panting slightly.

My brain instantly stalled as I tried to figure out what circumstances led her to become Jeffrey’s spy and discuss what we should do next.

‘Uh, could this really be…?’

-Ahem! Wh-Why are you asking…?

[ “Do you happen to have feelings for Jeffrey?” ]

-Huh? No, no. No way! How could I possibly dare!

It was the textbook reaction of someone who was completely busted.

‘For real?’

Feeling a sense of vertigo creeping over my mind, I squeezed both eyes shut.