The day after I wandered the territory with Joy, I found myself meeting the Duke and Duchess of Partlan.
The two of them, already seated at the breakfast table, looked tired, as if they had just returned from work.
For people like the duke and duchess to have urgent matters to attend to...
I was curious, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask.
“Hello.” “Good day. The Pathetic Duke. The Weak Duchess.”
Before I could even address them properly, an issue I had to resolve came up.
The Patlan Duke, who once caused his subordinates to faint with just a furrowed brow, and the Duchess, who would fit perfectly as a villain in a morning drama, froze slightly at my greeting.
Both of them had created a terrible reputation for the Patlan family solely based on their appearances.
Although I had grown accustomed to fierce expressions thanks to the Alrn family, these two were on a different level altogether.
Even without saying a word, I was already sweating profusely.
I used to think that the fearsome looks seen through the monitor were exaggerated in text.
No, that’s not true.
There was no exaggeration in the game descriptions.
When these two whispered to each other, it felt like an entire movie scene was being created.
What genre, you ask? Crime thriller or horror film. Something along those lines.
“Bwahahaha.”
The short silence that felt like an eternity dissipated with the duke's thunderous laughter.
After such a statement, it wouldn’t be surprising if he suddenly turned serious and said, “Kill that girl,” but the duke wasn’t that kind of person.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had a child speak so confidently to us.” “Indeed. As I heard from Joy, you’re quite a spirited person.”
Despite their looks, they were genuinely good people.
They loved each other, cared for their family, and worked to make the territory a better place. They seemed to embody the phrase “noblesse oblige.”
Of course, I thought they would take my rudeness lightly.
But why was I feeling nervous?
It’s like when you know a ghost is going to jump out in a horror movie, but you still get startled when it happens. It’s similar.
Even though I know, standing in front of them makes me naturally anxious.
What if this is different from the game?
“Well, enjoy yourselves.”
Having overcome the greatest crisis since arriving in the Partlan territory, I stepped out into the streets with Joy.
“I’m looking forward to this. This time, I will become the Slayer of the Festival.”
As she mentioned the title of the Slayer of the Festival, it was clear this was not just a simple quest.
Rather, it was a tradition that came down in the Partlan territory.
The title of the Slayer of the Festival is given to the one who wins the most at the stalls during the Partlan family festival.
It doesn’t matter about status, gender, or age; only those who participate in the festival can compete for the title and only those who achieve the best results can be called the Slayer of the Festival.
Joy’s seriousness indicated that this title wasn’t just a lighthearted one.
There are many people who are genuinely targeting that title among those participating in the festival.
As such, the stall operators were also serious.
They were preparing earnestly to crush the challengers, no matter who they were.
“Why is the trajectory distorted? Clearly...” “That’s unfortunate, Partlan Young Lady.” “...Could I please have one more chance?” “You know it’s not allowed.”
Joy’s shoulders drooped at the stall owner’s firm tone.
Each stall only offers a single opportunity.
This rule cannot be broken, even for the young lady of the duke’s household.
As Joy stepped aside, it was now my turn.
The stall owner slightly stiffened upon seeing my face but didn’t say anything more.
Instead, he handed me a staff that contained magic.
This staff was designed for recreational use.
It contained a very weak Magic Missile.
With this, I was to hit the target far away at the stall.
It sounds easy just by hearing it, but there’s one crucial part I haven’t mentioned yet.
The target I have to hit with the Magic Missile moves in an unpredictable trajectory.
As mentioned before, the stall owners were also serious about this competition.
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What does that mean?
It means that when these people are not eating or working, they’re always planning and practicing difficult trajectories to hit.
“There are twenty targets. You have twenty magic missiles stored in the staff. If you hit them all, you win.”
Holding the staff, I instinctively realized that I wouldn’t be able to win this match with my own hands.
I hardly wield magic. So, instead of acting bravado, I decided to use the Bracelet of Revelry.
Then, my body began to move on its own, executing the best actions.
“Indeed, Alrn Young Lady. You seem to have a deep understanding of magic!” “Truly impressive. You’ve easily countered the trajectories we worked hard to create.”
The Bracelet of Revelry is essentially an item made for entertainment purposes.
Its effect is straightforward.
You can win at mini-games up to four times a day.
There are no prerequisites or conditions. If it’s a mini-game, you will definitely win four times a day.
That might sound like a cheat item, but there’s a catch.
To prevent abuse, the condition of “mini-game” is somewhat overly restrictive.
It can only be used for mini-games that occur during quest progress.
While the usage is highly limited, it’s still regarded as an essential item among experienced players.
Mini-games are initially fresh and fun, but over time they turn into annoying chores.
The Bracelet of Revelry worked effectively not just in the game but also in reality.
As I confirmed that all the targets had shattered and lay scattered on the ground, I returned the now-empty staff to the stall owner.
Then, applause erupted a beat late.
The source of the applause was Joy.
“Truly amazing. Alrn Young Lady. Even as a magician, I couldn’t win at the stall.”
As she genuinely admired me, those around her started to applaud one by one.
Regardless of my reputation, if the duke's young lady is applauding beside me, how could others ignore it?
Receiving cheers that went beyond mere compliments, I wore an awkward smile.
Um.
So...
While I was happy to receive compliments, I hadn’t expected this, so my feelings were more of confusion than joy.
It felt like standing on stage under bright lights.
Overwhelmed by their cheers, I quickly took Joy and hurried away from that spot.
Afterward, Joy and I wandered from stall to stall, competing.
It wasn’t always victory.
Sometimes, I made foolish mistakes due to my body not being fully recovered yet, just like Joy.
Even though it was a simple contest of luck, there were times I lost because the Dice God decided to look elsewhere for a moment.
However, in most cases, the Dice God favored me, and as a result, I managed to secure five victories by lunchtime.
Now, I just needed to win two more times.
If I manage that, the remaining three victories will automatically be granted by the Bracelet of Revelry.
Hehe. Did you see that, you pathetic deity?!
No matter how much you try to increase the number of rounds to screw me over, you’re useless in front of this seasoned player!
You’d better think about how to raise my reputation!
If you plan to just give me the quest reward, don’t even think about it.
If you screw with me, you should at least increase the rewards, right? Huh?
Having already mentally confirmed my victory and feeling relaxed, I tilted my head upon hearing the murmurs in the distance, along with a parting crowd.
What is it? Is there someone else who knows how to part the crowd besides me?
Turning to the direction of the noise, I spotted a familiar face and one I vowed never to meet again, along with stern soldiers escorting them.
“Brother. Just a moment. Please wait.”
One of the names was Arthur Soladin.
The third prince of the kingdom and one of the few who thinks well of me at Soul Academy.
“There you are, my younger brother.”
The other name was Rena Soladin.
The first prince of the kingdom, who serves as the final boss of the Soul Academy’s kingdom story.
At the same time, he was the one who was called a gloomy loser prince by Lucy in the past and could never think kindly of me.
Why on earth is that guy here?!
According to the game story, he was the type to remain holed up in the capital!
What kind of variable is this?
Why is the story different from the game?!
Is it Benedict?!
Did Benedict give that hikikomori courage?!
While I was in a panic, the two continued to approach me.
It was only natural for the crowd to part.
When two individuals with the current kingdom's succession rights appeared, who would dare not show respect?
If they’re not out of their minds, they should lower their heads automatically.
In that sense, I must say, I think I’m out of my mind.
I’m half-forced into this state of mind, to be honest.
“Alrn Young Lady?! What are you doing?!”
Joy, who had been bowing in respect to the princes, was aghast at the sight of my rigid posture.
I know. I look crazy.
But what can I do?! The Mesugaki skill won’t let me lower my head!
If it were up to me, I would want to show respect!
I want to kneel and apologize for my past mistakes!
But what can I do? The Mesugaki skill won’t listen!
I desperately tried to make an effort, but the will of the Mesugaki skill was stronger than my own.
Until the first prince and Arthur reached me, I held my head high.
“I greet the first prince and third prince.” “Ah, it’s been a while. Partlan Young Lady. I’m truly glad to see you’ve grown into someone worthy of the name of the Duke. With such talent, the Partlan family will continue to flourish.”
After finishing his obligatory words directed at Joy, the first prince turned his gaze toward me.
His eyes.
Those eyes, painted black to the point of absorbing the light around them.
Were staring directly at me.
In that moment, I was sure.
It wasn’t Benedict.
The reason the hikikomori first prince was called here was not due to his influence.
The first prince came here solely to meet me.
I don’t know why. I can’t read the hearts of others like Karia can.
But one thing is clear.
It’s certainly not with good intentions.
There’s no way he would come to meet the person who called him a gloomy loser.
“Are you disregarding yourself?”
Thinking it would only lead to a bomb going off if I opened my mouth, I remained silent, but the first prince didn’t allow the silence to linger.
What should I do?!
What do I do?!
Is there a way to break through this situation?!
I desperately wracked my brain and even threw a question to my grandfather, but no answers came.
As long as the first prince stood in front of me, escaping from this situation was impossible.
This was a clear dead end.
‘Greetings to the first prince and third prince!’ “I greet the gloomy loser prince and the pitiful prince.”
Wow. At least the term “loser” is gone from “gloomy loser prince.”
That’s quite the improvement.
At this level, won’t others overlook it as well?
As I thought and looked around, the reactions of the people were consistently cold.
Hmm. Is it really impossible?
I had a feeling it would turn out like this.
...Sigh.
Damn it.
This is bad.