SIAHG 37

Chapter 37

Floating gardens shaped like islands hung above my head.
Beneath my feet, there was nothing but sky.

The Crown Prince muttered in awe, almost losing himself:

“Is something like this even possible? I knew the Archmage was amazing, but to build such a floating garden indoors… insane.”

As I walked ahead, Yeniel gently held me back.
“Lady April. Please be careful. Falling from here could seriously hurt you.”

I smiled and asked with delight,

“Are you worried about April?”

Yeniel replied calmly,

“Of course. We’re friends.”

I laughed brightly.

“I’m happy! To have a friend like Lady Yeniel.”

But inside, the words rang hollow. I only wanted to meet Evelyn, who also possessed a key, and settle things quickly.

In this horror game, the emotions I had learned were not good for my mental state. I hoped Evelyn was better than Yeniel, but at the same time, part of me wished they were both the same—because then, I wouldn’t have to question humanity itself.

The experience of being abandoned and pushed to death by those I trusted had grown into a deep cynicism inside me.

“If Evelyn is the same type as Yeniel, then fine. I’ll just take the key and be done with it. No need to bother with relationships.”

Since possessing this body, I had learned to weigh and calculate everything. Before, I used to just do as I pleased without thinking. When had I become such an efficiency-driven realist?

Anyway, I had a good idea where Evelyn would be. My brother had triggered the infamous Evelyn♡Grand Duke Kyle incident on the 3rd floor, so that much I remembered.

The game, once cleared, allowed replay of each floor for collections and hidden achievements. Items, illustrations, hidden stories—all sorts of collectibles existed, along with challenges like “Defeat two monsters” or “Raise one character’s affection above 90%.”

Some were hidden, unlocked only by chance. Like the banquet hall challenge I had cleared before:

<Shadow, so slow.: Escape from the shadow monster for 10 minutes without being caught in the 5th-floor banquet hall. (Completed)>

My brother had gotten a hidden achievement called “Devil” on the 3rd floor.

During the 3rd floor story, Grand Duke Kyle would, under Evelyn’s orders, go buy items from survivors. Sometimes, a potion that forced affection into romantic love appeared randomly.

If used, Evelyn would mistakenly fall from the upper garden, triggering an event. Normally, the slave knight Yurel would save her. But if the potion was used, Kyle would be the one to catch her.

<Devil: Use the potion Kyle bought to torment both Kyle and Evelyn, making Kyle suffer a year’s worth of insults. (Completed)>

This meant that since I had just met Kyle earlier, he hadn’t returned yet. The fall event hadn’t happened.

Which gave me the chance: if Evelyn fell, I could be the one to catch her, raising her affection for me.

I recalled the illustration—there had been a giant tree, many times the size of a person. That must be the spot.

“Found it.”

I ran toward the tree.

“Lady April! Where are you going?” Max shouted.

“It’s only the first floor. I’ll come get you later,” Yeniel said calmly.

The Crown Prince added,

“She’s excited, huh? To run around the gardens so freely in this situation—typical of Lady April.”

But I turned my back to their voices, running with the wind on my face. It felt exhilarating, liberating.

I dropped the halberd midway—no one else could use it anyway. My senses sharpened, and the world slowed down. The warm sunlight sparkled.

And then, like fate, Evelyn appeared.

From the upper garden, a short scream echoed—someone was falling.

It happened exactly as I reached the tree. A perfect, almost magical timing.

Yurel, the slave knight, leapt after her, but I was faster.

Our eyes met—her violet, catlike gaze catching mine as she fell softly.

“Caught you!”

I smiled brightly, holding Evelyn safely in my arms before she hit the ground.