I hurriedly turned my attention away in embarrassment. “I guess they’re having a party over there.”
Where I pointed, there were tables and chairs to rest, light food, and drinks. As people were gathering there, priests appeared one by one.
We naturally joined the party and were handed a wine glass by the servants. Soon, a priest, to whom everyone was paying attention, raised his glass and said hello.
“Welcome, distinguished guests. I’m Constantine, the High Priest.”
I watched Constantine closely. This was because his identity was the high priest of the temple and, at the same time, the head of Stigmata, a radical group that strongly believed in the end of the world.
“This summer arrived safely to us. I’m very happy that many of you took a small step in this small space to celebrate this.”
Constantine looked around with a kind smile, and you could never guess that he was the one who had made the terrible plan to exterminate nobles.
Then, when our eyes suddenly met, he smiled deeply at me. It was an attitude of being conscious of my existence.
I guess he’s wary of me being a variable in Stigmata’s plans.
Constantine concluded his congratulatory speech with abominable sincerity. “May God’s protection be with all the distinguished guests who visited the temple to overcome the crisis of the empire together.”
“May God’s protection be with you.”
The party began in earnest, and Ilya spoke to me with a slightly annoying look. “I will take care of my family business, so you can stay here for a while.”
“Yes.”
It seemed like he was going to have a conversation with the priests, perhaps to discuss the magic plants that would be used for the duchess in the Bernstein Duchy.
I stood still, sipping wine made from high-quality grapes. Wow, that’s a lot of glances.
The nobles pretended to be indifferent, but they kept looking at me. Even though they were nobles too, they couldn’t just come close to me.
In Valhalla, it was known to some extent that Theresa wasn’t the crazy dog she used to be. However, she was still recognized as a crazy dog in the society. Sometimes, some nobles mustered up the courage to approach me, but when I looked at them fiercely, they quietly returned to their place.
I don’t like getting engaged in unnecessary social activities. This was because if I ran around for no reason and got involved with the wrong noble, the emperor’s likeability would plummet like a sunfish.
In the meantime, a familiar woman came up to me and greeted me. “It’s been a while, Princess Squire.”
It was Madam Shati, whom I had met at the Saint-Trio Hotel auction house.
“It’s been a while, Madam Shati.”
Madam Shati smiled happily. “It’s nice to meet you again on such a meaningful occasion. But I can’t believe Princess is alone. Where is your partner?”
I pointed to Ilya, who was talking with the priests. “Professor said that he had some business to take care of.”
“Ah, I heard that you’re Professor Bernstein’s student. It looks like you have a close relationship.”
Madam Shati looked somewhat displeased with that fact, and she asked me again in a subtle voice. “These days, Princess is taking your study very seriously, right?”
Why is she asking me that all of a sudden?
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Rofan-Addicted Young Lady’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.]
[She’s referring to the fact that you don’t appear in society. You just need to answer why you don’t show up in society.]
So that was it. It was difficult to understand her words even with <Intermediate Etiquette>, but the constellation helped me.
“It’s because I need strength to face danger.”
Normally, you would think of danger as the demon, but in fact, for me, the real danger was the male protagonists.
Madam Shati laughed, perhaps feeling something from my tone. “You’re still direct and honest. However, unlike before, I find that your honesty is attractive.”
She was strangely fond of me.
“However, the danger cannot be confronted alone. In the end, Princess must obtain the cooperation of various powerful figures or make them submit to your will.”
Submit…?
Madam Shati went on to say something strange. “The power to deal with those in power doesn’t come from strength alone. Princess is only a position of nobility; you’re far from real power.”
“That means…?”
“Of all the women I have seen, no one is more suited to the empress’s palace than Princess.”
Madam Shati said something that was like a slender.
“That’s not right. I didn’t receive any education to become an empress.”
“Such a superficial education has no meaning, Princess.”
Madam Shati, who values manners more than anyone else, uttered words contradicting her values. Her eyes were quite serious.
“Never in my life have I seen His Majesty spare a servant who went against him. But Princess did it.”
My eyes opened wide. “Is the court lady who was ordered to roll the boulder still alive?”
“Yes. The court lady is fine and alive.”
I was greatly relieved. “That’s a relief.”
“It’s all because of Princess’s wisdom…”
Madam Shati was talking and suddenly looked somewhere and shut her mouth. When I followed her gaze, I saw Ilya approaching after his business ended.
“Then I’ll see you again in the near future, Princess,” said Madam Shati before Ilya had reached the distance to exchange greetings.
When she says we’ll see each other again, she probably has the summer ball in mind. If I attend the ball, I will meet the emperor… I don’t like it.
The summer ball would be held during a two-month Valhalla summer vacation from next month until August 31st.
What if I, the eldest daughter of the Squire family, missed an important ball hosted by the imperial family? Not only did it create bad rumors, but it was also impossible to remove the emperor’s bad ending elements.
It wouldn’t matter though if I found paradise in August.
But honestly, I was worried that another error would occur in paradise, leading to a strange world.
The death routes that exist in the game are hard to beat, but a new death route has been added. Damn it.
While I was lamenting my miserable situation, Ilya came up to me and asked. “Were you acquainted with Madam Shati?”
With that, he held out his bulging arms with hard muscles as if they were about to burst out from his suit. If couples attending a party with their partners don’t link arms, it’s no different from declaring separation. Although we weren’t lovers, we were friendly friends. We attended this party as a partner, so it was polite to behave accordingly.
I responded by awkwardly wrapping my arms around him like other couples around me. “We’re not close friends, but I’ve seen her at an auction house before.”
“I see,” Ilya responded lightly and lowered his gaze as if checking my hand holding his arm.
“…Is Professor uncomfortable?”
When I tried to pull my hand out, Ilya grabbed my other hand and held it in place to prevent me from pulling it out.
“No.”
Unintentionally, we ended up being extremely close to each other. The nobles watching us quickly covered their lips with fans and whispered among themselves.
[The Constellations supporting the ‘Ilya’ route get excited.]
At this rate, I think there will be a rumor in society saying that we’re going to get married soon.
While I was thinking about what to do about this, a priest approached us.
“May God be with you. High Priest Constantine, who upholds the will of God, formally greets Princess Theresa Squire.”
For some reason, Constantine came to see me in person.
“I have heard of your reputation. I’m Theresa of the Squire family.”
With a benevolent smile, Constantine brought up the story of the donation I had sent to the Great Temple today. “Isn’t this the first time Princess has attended a charity party? However, I didn’t expect that you would make a huge donation as soon as you attended. I’m deeply grateful to the Princess for your determination for the world.”
“Don’t mention it. Of course it has to be done.”
As it was a charity party, everyone here made a donation. Therefore, there was a reason for doing this, even though the priest didn’t have to personally greet people by mentioning the donation. This was because I literally made a ‘huge’ donation.
I donated half of the gifts from the emperor.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Materialism’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.]
[Donations…. Uuurgh.]
There’s no need to regret the donation, Constellation. Because there is an event that takes place if you donate the most money at the charity party hosted by the Great Temple.
Constantine asked me. “Does Princess also need permission to grow magical plants?”
I nodded. “Yes. I’m thinking of owning a large-scale magic farm. I also want to open a greenhouse within the capital.”
To achieve this, an amount equivalent to one year’s budget of the Great Temple was poured into it.
Constantine raised his eyebrows as if it was unexpected. “I didn’t know Princess would be interested in something like this… The Holy Father also told us to cooperate as much as possible with Princess’s wishes.”
Ding!
[Quest: Grow more than 10 types of rare crops at the magic farm.]
▸ Reward: +5,000,000 coins; obtain imperial delivery authority
▸Failure: Increasing eroded areas
At that time, a quest like a tycoon game appeared. I’m not at all happy with the imperial delivery authority included in the reward.
Why are things suddenly happening one after another that could lead to the emperor route?
Feeling quite at ease, I filled out the documents following Constantine’s instructions and requested that the certificate be sent to the Valhalla dormitory.
Constantine said to me with a smile before leaving. “I hope to see you often in the future.”
I didn’t reply, even if it was just empty words, and just politely sent him away.
I hurriedly turned my attention away in embarrassment. “I guess they’re having a party over there.”
Where I pointed, there were tables and chairs to rest, light food, and drinks. As people were gathering there, priests appeared one by one.
We naturally joined the party and were handed a wine glass by the servants. Soon, a priest, to whom everyone was paying attention, raised his glass and said hello.
“Welcome, distinguished guests. I’m Constantine, the High Priest.”
I watched Constantine closely. This was because his identity was the high priest of the temple and, at the same time, the head of Stigmata, a radical group that strongly believed in the end of the world.
“This summer arrived safely to us. I’m very happy that many of you took a small step in this small space to celebrate this.”
Constantine looked around with a kind smile, and you could never guess that he was the one who had made the terrible plan to exterminate nobles.
Then, when our eyes suddenly met, he smiled deeply at me. It was an attitude of being conscious of my existence.
I guess he’s wary of me being a variable in Stigmata’s plans.
Constantine concluded his congratulatory speech with abominable sincerity. “May God’s protection be with all the distinguished guests who visited the temple to overcome the crisis of the empire together.”
“May God’s protection be with you.”
The party began in earnest, and Ilya spoke to me with a slightly annoying look. “I will take care of my family business, so you can stay here for a while.”
“Yes.”
It seemed like he was going to have a conversation with the priests, perhaps to discuss the magic plants that would be used for the duchess in the Bernstein Duchy.
I stood still, sipping wine made from high-quality grapes. Wow, that’s a lot of glances.
The nobles pretended to be indifferent, but they kept looking at me. Even though they were nobles too, they couldn’t just come close to me.
In Valhalla, it was known to some extent that Theresa wasn’t the crazy dog she used to be. However, she was still recognized as a crazy dog in the society. Sometimes, some nobles mustered up the courage to approach me, but when I looked at them fiercely, they quietly returned to their place.
I don’t like getting engaged in unnecessary social activities. This was because if I ran around for no reason and got involved with the wrong noble, the emperor’s likeability would plummet like a sunfish.
In the meantime, a familiar woman came up to me and greeted me. “It’s been a while, Princess Squire.”
It was Madam Shati, whom I had met at the Saint-Trio Hotel auction house.
“It’s been a while, Madam Shati.”
Madam Shati smiled happily. “It’s nice to meet you again on such a meaningful occasion. But I can’t believe Princess is alone. Where is your partner?”
I pointed to Ilya, who was talking with the priests. “Professor said that he had some business to take care of.”
“Ah, I heard that you’re Professor Bernstein’s student. It looks like you have a close relationship.”
Madam Shati looked somewhat displeased with that fact, and she asked me again in a subtle voice. “These days, Princess is taking your study very seriously, right?”
Why is she asking me that all of a sudden?
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Rofan-Addicted Young Lady’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.]
[She’s referring to the fact that you don’t appear in society. You just need to answer why you don’t show up in society.]
So that was it. It was difficult to understand her words even with <Intermediate Etiquette>, but the constellation helped me.
“It’s because I need strength to face danger.”
Normally, you would think of danger as the demon, but in fact, for me, the real danger was the male protagonists.
Madam Shati laughed, perhaps feeling something from my tone. “You’re still direct and honest. However, unlike before, I find that your honesty is attractive.”
She was strangely fond of me.
“However, the danger cannot be confronted alone. In the end, Princess must obtain the cooperation of various powerful figures or make them submit to your will.”
Submit…?
Madam Shati went on to say something strange. “The power to deal with those in power doesn’t come from strength alone. Princess is only a position of nobility; you’re far from real power.”
“That means…?”
“Of all the women I have seen, no one is more suited to the empress’s palace than Princess.”
Madam Shati said something that was like a slender.
“That’s not right. I didn’t receive any education to become an empress.”
“Such a superficial education has no meaning, Princess.”
Madam Shati, who values manners more than anyone else, uttered words contradicting her values. Her eyes were quite serious.
“Never in my life have I seen His Majesty spare a servant who went against him. But Princess did it.”
My eyes opened wide. “Is the court lady who was ordered to roll the boulder still alive?”
“Yes. The court lady is fine and alive.”
I was greatly relieved. “That’s a relief.”
“It’s all because of Princess’s wisdom…”
Madam Shati was talking and suddenly looked somewhere and shut her mouth. When I followed her gaze, I saw Ilya approaching after his business ended.
“Then I’ll see you again in the near future, Princess,” said Madam Shati before Ilya had reached the distance to exchange greetings.
When she says we’ll see each other again, she probably has the summer ball in mind. If I attend the ball, I will meet the emperor… I don’t like it.
The summer ball would be held during a two-month Valhalla summer vacation from next month until August 31st.
What if I, the eldest daughter of the Squire family, missed an important ball hosted by the imperial family? Not only did it create bad rumors, but it was also impossible to remove the emperor’s bad ending elements.
It wouldn’t matter though if I found paradise in August.
But honestly, I was worried that another error would occur in paradise, leading to a strange world.
The death routes that exist in the game are hard to beat, but a new death route has been added. Damn it.
While I was lamenting my miserable situation, Ilya came up to me and asked. “Were you acquainted with Madam Shati?”
With that, he held out his bulging arms with hard muscles as if they were about to burst out from his suit. If couples attending a party with their partners don’t link arms, it’s no different from declaring separation. Although we weren’t lovers, we were friendly friends. We attended this party as a partner, so it was polite to behave accordingly.
I responded by awkwardly wrapping my arms around him like other couples around me. “We’re not close friends, but I’ve seen her at an auction house before.”
“I see,” Ilya responded lightly and lowered his gaze as if checking my hand holding his arm.
“…Is Professor uncomfortable?”
When I tried to pull my hand out, Ilya grabbed my other hand and held it in place to prevent me from pulling it out.
“No.”
Unintentionally, we ended up being extremely close to each other. The nobles watching us quickly covered their lips with fans and whispered among themselves.
[The Constellations supporting the ‘Ilya’ route get excited.]
At this rate, I think there will be a rumor in society saying that we’re going to get married soon.
While I was thinking about what to do about this, a priest approached us.
“May God be with you. High Priest Constantine, who upholds the will of God, formally greets Princess Theresa Squire.”
For some reason, Constantine came to see me in person.
“I have heard of your reputation. I’m Theresa of the Squire family.”
With a benevolent smile, Constantine brought up the story of the donation I had sent to the Great Temple today. “Isn’t this the first time Princess has attended a charity party? However, I didn’t expect that you would make a huge donation as soon as you attended. I’m deeply grateful to the Princess for your determination for the world.”
“Don’t mention it. Of course it has to be done.”
As it was a charity party, everyone here made a donation. Therefore, there was a reason for doing this, even though the priest didn’t have to personally greet people by mentioning the donation. This was because I literally made a ‘huge’ donation.
I donated half of the gifts from the emperor.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Materialism’ has sponsored 100,000 coins.]
[Donations…. Uuurgh.]
There’s no need to regret the donation, Constellation. Because there is an event that takes place if you donate the most money at the charity party hosted by the Great Temple.
Constantine asked me. “Does Princess also need permission to grow magical plants?”
I nodded. “Yes. I’m thinking of owning a large-scale magic farm. I also want to open a greenhouse within the capital.”
To achieve this, an amount equivalent to one year’s budget of the Great Temple was poured into it.
Constantine raised his eyebrows as if it was unexpected. “I didn’t know Princess would be interested in something like this… The Holy Father also told us to cooperate as much as possible with Princess’s wishes.”
Ding!
[Quest: Grow more than 10 types of rare crops at the magic farm.]
▸ Reward: +5,000,000 coins; obtain imperial delivery authority
▸Failure: Increasing eroded areas
At that time, a quest like a tycoon game appeared. I’m not at all happy with the imperial delivery authority included in the reward.
Why are things suddenly happening one after another that could lead to the emperor route?
Feeling quite at ease, I filled out the documents following Constantine’s instructions and requested that the certificate be sent to the Valhalla dormitory.
Constantine said to me with a smile before leaving. “I hope to see you often in the future.”
I didn’t reply, even if it was just empty words, and just politely sent him away.
