Chapter 79

…Why is this so long?

Well, since this is the fruit of my hard work so far, the longer it is, the better. Besides, there are only two negative numbers, which is proof that I’ve managed my character’s reputation excellently as well.

‘Ilian’s affection is quite high.’

Before I knew it, he was on the verge of hitting the 100-point milestone, right behind Kalat and the Crown Prince. Judging by his words and actions so far, it’ll probably manifest as something like comradeship or loyalty.

There hasn’t been anything particularly romantic, and considering how he appealed to me about wanting to be my guard, it makes sense.

‘The protagonist is at 89, huh.’

Considering the time we’ve spent together, one could say it’s a bit disappointing, but there’s no denying it’s still a high number. Like Ilian, it looks like he’ll pass 100 soon.

‘I wonder if it’ll be hard for it to show up as “Love.”’

Normally, if there are feelings between two people—or even just on one side—there should be a ticklish sensation when they’re together.

In short, there needs to be some “some” (flirty) atmosphere.

But has there ever been a time like that between us?

I’m not sure.

‘Well, it’s fine even if it isn’t love.’

This is a world where even non-existent options appear if I create a plausible enough situation. If I force a marriage through, a corresponding option will likely pop up. It’ll probably look something like this:

Once this appears, Mo Je-won—who will be excited at the prospect of seeing the ending—will choose the marriage ending with the Saintess on his own.

Of course, there is a part that worries me.

The fact that Belita isn’t registered on the protagonist’s Affection List yet. Mo Je-won mistakenly thinks it’s because I’m a hidden heroine, but in reality, that’s not it, is it?

In the game, marriage events only trigger when affection with the counterpart reaches a certain level, but in my case—where I’m not even registered—I don’t know what will happen.

‘Even if the protagonist is in my affection tab, it’s still a bit uneasy.’

Didn’t I see it before?

Mo Je-won’s system took priority over mine.

If for some reason the marriage event doesn’t pop up…

‘Just thinking about it is horrifying.’

To reduce variables, I wondered if I should try to set a “lovey-dovey” atmosphere starting now.

Or should I try to actually harbor feelings for the protagonist myself?

…My head felt complicated.

‘It might just be a bug that I’m not being registered.’

My very existence doesn’t make sense, after all.

The amount of conversation and the events where we shared emotions weren’t small by any means. It might be more accurate to assume the lack of registration stems from a different reason.

…Still, just in case, I should give it a try.

Whether it’s a lovey-dovey event or whatever.

I’ll aim for that affection registration by any means necessary.

I turned my eyes to the second person on the list, Crown Prince Theodore. I tried to ignore it, but ever since he was first registered, he started with a base of 60 and his affection has been rising at every opportunity. It puts me in a bad mood just looking at it, but I realized something thanks to the Prince’s existence.

‘It doesn’t seem like Belita lacks sexual appeal.’

My confidence had been dropping because the protagonist’s affection was so stagnant.
It sounds a bit funny, but the Crown Prince filled that confidence back up.

…There is still time before the deal with the Emperor, the protagonist becoming a Duke, and the marriage push.

I’ll have to find an opportunity before then.

Of course, not now—I’ll aim for the time after saving Edelina.

If I try while Edelina’s life is on the line, his affection might actually drop.

For now, let’s just finish the check-up.

‘…What’s with this “Mixed” reputation?’

Is it the aftermath of my biased actions toward the Church causing divided evaluations of me…?

If I’m still evaluated as “Excellent” despite having a mixed reputation, it doesn’t seem to be that bad.

‘It’ll be fine.’

And my shop points have surpassed 900.

They just keep piling up because I have nowhere to use them.

‘Am I really going to end up not using these until I escape this other world?’

I worked so hard to collect them; it would be a crying shame.

…?

A sudden notification window caused my brain to stall for a moment.

Aiden, as in, Marquis Peyers, Edelina’s father.

Why did his affection suddenly drop so drastically?

I was able to find out the reason about two days later.

In the absolute worst possible form.

“Saintess!”

It was a peaceful morning. I was enjoying the leisure of a cup of coffee when Ilian opened the door without even knocking. I didn’t even think to ask what this rude behavior was about. Because the moment I met Ilian’s trembling pupils, I instinctively realized something had gone wrong. I put down my coffee cup and focused on Ilian’s next words.

“A major incident has occurred.”

Ilian spoke with some urgency as he closed the door.

“What is it?”

“Professor Edelina was just… arrested by the Inquisitors.”

…?

Wondering if I was dreaming, I gave my cheek a little pinch.

‘It hurts.’

Ilian glanced at my reddened cheek before continuing.

“The rumor that the Saintess has been hiding a heretic is spreading everywhere. Because she was hiding here.”

This place where we are now, my residence, is strictly separated from the outside. The people working here are all individuals filled in by the Pope and Ilian’s side, and they are under thorough management and supervision.

Since one can only set foot here after a meticulous review of their background, family relations, and finances, it’s nearly impossible for information to leak. I ground my teeth and asked Ilian for the reason.

“How did they know the professor was here?”

“There was an informant.”

“Who?”

“As for that, not yet… I will look into it immediately. I am sorry.”

…Shit.

My head felt throbbed as if I’d eaten a bucket of ice.

‘Let’s stay calm.’

I could look into the reasons later.

What mattered now was figuring out what to do.

“So, what will happen to Professor Edelina now?”

“Even for high-ranking nobles, if they are caught after fleeing instead of responding to a summons, a formal procedure must be followed to judge their guilt or innocence. They will likely conduct a brief interrogation in prison first. If Professor Edelina does not confess during that process, a trial will be held.”

My eyes drifted toward the screen that had flickered on at the sound of the protagonist’s voice.

Seen through the Omniscient Viewer Perspective, the protagonist was standing in the room Edelina had vanished from, looking utterly bewildered.

I dismissed Ilian, telling him to look into things more deeply, and focused immediately on the screen.

Soon after, the Marquis of Peyers rushed into the room, his eyes red and brimming with tears. The protagonist, who hadn’t noticed the state of the Marquis’s face yet, asked him with a furrowed brow.

His hoarse voice echoed through the room. The startled protagonist’s expression hardened.

-?????

-Huh? (No way)

-No, how did it end up like this?

He’s blaming this on me?

Before I could even process the absurdity, the Marquis started spouting more nonsense.

-That man?

The Marquis looked down, avoiding the question. That was answer enough.

-Why isn’t he answering?

-Hey, say something.

-Crazy.

-That guy must be the culprit.

Of all people, the one he talked to was Cardinal Samuel?

This is driving me crazy.

Since the Marquis had visited right when the protagonist was appointed as an Honorary Holy Knight and a large number of outsiders were flowing in, it would be more nonsensical if they couldn’t find a connection.

Cardinal Samuel, realizing the Marquis couldn’t have come alone, would have been certain that Edelina was near me.

‘The only answer is right here.’

Someone of Cardinal Samuel’s standing could afford to risk forcing his way into my residence at least once.

Under the pretext of arresting a heretic, of course.

-Is the Marquis an idiot?

-Did the Marquis survive all this time just to troll at this very moment?

“Whoa!”

-It’s dropping too much.

-It would be weirder if it didn’t drop.

-We’re screwed.

-Better use an item fast.

“I only have 5 points. I can’t buy any recovery items with this.”

-Ah, you have none? Then it’s time for a Bad Ending lol.

-Hull.

…This is a real crisis.

Ding!

“Ah, I think Option 3 will raise affection. Aish, but do I really have to cater to this ahjusshi? It’s because of him things ended up like this!”

-Sudden outburst, hahaha.

-Then just go with Option 2.

-No lol, his Mental Health can’t go down any further.

-You’re in real danger.

“I shouldn’t lose my cool, right? Okay~.”

Mo Je-won regretted it, thinking he should have just picked Option 2 if he knew this would happen.

“Eeiit! Let go of me! Hereis! I have to go right now!”

The man certainly had an incredible ability to take action, I’ll give him that. Since he had already caused the mess, it couldn’t be brushed off with mere words. While the protagonist—who was thinking the same thing—restrained the Marquis, I kicked the door to Edelina’s room open.

“Saintess!”

The protagonist called out to me desperately. The Marquis braced himself as if on guard.
A hollow laugh almost escaped me at their contrasting behaviors, but for now, restoring the protagonist’s Mental Health was the priority. I spoke in the calmest voice possible.

“Both of you, please stay calm. I will go to see the Young Lady of Peyers.”