SIAHG 6

Chapter 6

“Let’s decide by majority vote. What to do.”

The Crown Prince finally made a decision.

“Then, what do you all intend to do?”

According to my memory, this is where we’re supposed to go into the dungeon.

In the game, it depended on Yeniel’s choice. I remember in the first playthrough I picked the forest without thinking and got brutally killed.

‘I want to say dungeon… but if I try to persuade them normally, suspicion will rise again, right?’

Didn’t my suspicion rise by 10% just because I knew the word ‘validity’?

“Um, April thinks Lady Yeniel is so smart! Really smart and amazing!”

I clapped my hands like a silly young lady and laughed.

Ding!

[Yeniel’s favorability has slightly increased.]

Compliments also raise the heroine’s favorability.

“I think the forest is the right choice!”
The servant Max was the first to shout.

“To be honest, how are we supposed to enter a dungeon? Who knows what’s in there! There must be lots of monsters lurking around, like on the 5th floor. We should go to the city instead! I’m scared…”

“We must enter the dungeon.”
Strategist Sian presented coldly.

“I suspect a demon is sealed inside. The Archmage was never interested in dungeons unless demons were bound there.”

“That means it’s dangerous! And yet you still say we should go inside?”
Max glared at Sian.

“On the contrary, that proves it’s definitely a path based on the Archmage’s memories. Distorted though it may be, the space itself will at least be stable. Don’t decide with emotions. Use reason.”

“Ah, right. That’s how it went…”

Just as the memory hit, a screeching sound echoed.

Creak, scrape, screech.

A twisted figure appeared—limbs bent at grotesque angles, eyes wide, weeping tears of blood.

On closer look, it was a metal puppet.

‘Oh, this too. I remember now.’

The group’s faces soured even further once they realized it wasn’t human.

Suddenly, rotating blades emerged from its mouth, stained with dried blood.

“Wow, it moves even though it’s a doll! Hello? Hello!”

I waved innocently.

“…Does the Lady not grasp the situation?” Sian asked, aghast.

“Yes! Father said April doesn’t need to know about such things, because April is cute.”

[Sian’s favorability has slightly decreased.]

The automaton crookedly raised a finger, pointing toward the dungeon entrance.

Everyone froze. Even the Crown Prince tensed.

“Is it telling us to go inside? Sian, what does this mean?”

“It may mean that if we don’t, we die. Those blades are for torture.”

At that, Max screamed.

“Your Highness! I can’t do this anymore! Sir Isengrif! You’re a spiritist, a mage! How can you just let us be forced into that dungeon? If you’re so eager, go alone! Get rid of this puppet at once!”

“Foolish talk,” Sian said icily.
“We have no choice. Since the Archmage’s death a thousand years ago, no Archmage has been born. No mage or spiritist alive could find another way.”

“Then I’ll go to the city alone! At least there I won’t—”

“You’ll die, Max! That’s suicide!”

Still, Yeniel stayed silent, observing.

‘So this is why she’s the heroine.’

But Max snapped.

“Move! You know what? Nobody likes Sir Isengrif! You know why? Because you always act superior, bossing others around like you’re something special! Even those in the Emperor’s faction hate you!”

Going to the city means death. I remember—mechanical dolls swarm by the hundreds and tear you apart alive.

My brother’s voice echoed in my memory:
“Ugh, Max is doing it again! Every time we follow him, we die. He’s such a weakling who bullies the weaker ones. Pathetic.”

‘Screw it.’

I stepped forward and raised my hand.

“No!”

Slap!

I smacked the back of Max’s head.

He froze in shock.

“Friends shouldn’t fight!” I pouted cutely.

But Max muttered,
“Everyone knows Sir Isengrif’s reputation is at rock bottom! His personality is—”

I grabbed his hair and yanked hard, dragging him down.

“You said something bad, didn’t you?”

“W-wait! What’s with this strength? Aaaagh! Stop! Lady April, please! I was wrong! Forgive me!”

Strands of his hair fell out in clumps.