Chapter 56
“That’s enough. I can already infer the whole map. I know where the outer kitchen is. I’ll guide you, let’s go.”
Yeniel had never looked so reliable. Perhaps that was her strength—that memory suddenly came back to me.
Point of View Selection
▶ Heroine <Yeniel Jenes>
A baron’s daughter from the Emperor’s faction.
Hints are given during puzzles. Suspicion level doesn’t rise easily. Romance and collection elements can be enjoyed. (Recommended for beginners)
You also get hints, and in problems where you need to solve something like cracking a code or figuring out a password, you can even use an auto-solve function.
▷ Better to try solving it manually.
▶ Better to solve it mentally (auto-solve).
Originally, Yeniel’s perspective only provided hints, but after Hard Mode was introduced, her route was officially labeled as Easy Mode and came with the auto-solve function.
So in my brother’s old, un-updated version of the game, Yeniel’s data didn’t have auto-solve.
I held my breath for a moment, then exhaled.
‘This really is strange.’
Something is definitely off.
Yes. It meant there truly were memories I had lost without realizing it.
The thoughts that surfaced unconsciously were far too specific to dismiss as me simply being insane.
And the fact that the game knowledge popping into my head matched reality… that too.
I lack imagination. I don’t have the creativity to conjure up unplayed game content or imagine playing through it 99 times in the middle of winter.
The voices I had heard telling me to “think of your brother.”
And the matter of my brother’s game data being an old, un-updated version.
My brother always kept auto-updates on and patched games promptly.
Just what happened to him…?
Tip: By the law of ‘equivalence,’ if things become too advantageous, you will suffer penalties!
Advantageous?
My thoughts immediately spun.
One thing clicked.
That berserker trait of mine—the one where the less health I have, the stronger I get.
‘Check HP.’
—Total Life Force: 7.1%
As I thought. It had increased. I couldn’t remember the decimal, but I was sure the first digit had been 6 before.
Which meant… each time my HP increased, I was regaining one lost memory.
As I organized my thoughts, I became certain this was the answer.
And that meant, if I fully restored my HP to 100%, I might recover all of my lost memories.
But within Yeniel’s camp, there was no way to heal my HP to 100%.
If I showed weakness and got attacked by them, that would be a problem.
Above all, if I had to face Sian head-on, I had no confidence I could win.
Not with the high-level spirits he commanded.
‘Ivelyn was right. Even before clearing the third floor, I now have a reason to head in that direction.’
While I was lost in thought, the heroine’s group continued walking forward. Yeniel pointed to a door.
“This way. Lady April, please come.”
“Yes.”
Sian warned the group.
“Refrain from touching other doors. As I’ve said before, the Archmage’s mansion is connected chaotically and without reason. One wrong move, and you could fall into somewhere disastrous.”
The door leading out of the kitchen was just ahead.
That was when, like snow appearing silently, a man of winter-grey hues appeared before me.
“Ah, I’ve found you. Lady April.”
I widened my eyes at this unexpected figure.
A face suited for the Otherworld, blank and expressionless. Black eyes that betrayed no emotion toward me.
Why wasn’t this man with Evelyn, but here instead?
It was Evelyn’s slave-knight—Yurel.
Duke Kyle lounged arrogantly in his chair as headless servants attended to Evelyn.
“Will this be alright, Eve?”
“What is?”
“Having Sir Yurel absent.”
“What of it?”
When a headless maid failed to fan her properly, Evelyn motioned for her to fan harder.
“If Yurel isn’t here, no one can ensure your safety. You’re fulfilling your ‘role’ now—was it wise to send him away?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
Evelyn acted as she pleased.
The moment she was granted a position of honor in the eastern secret garden, she immediately ordered Yurel to go protect April.
And to deliver medicine as well.
If April wouldn’t accept treatment, Evelyn still wanted to help in another way.
Of course, the headless servants stood stiffly nearby, casting silent disapproval…
“Serve it properly. Doesn’t this house even train its servants? Bring a fresh drink too—it’s gone warm.”
Evelyn snapped with fierce eyes, irritated. In this way, she had bested them.
Those headless, murderous monsters.
Sometimes, Kyle thought Evelyn was truly remarkable.
“What will you do if they retaliate later for how you treat them?”
“They won’t.”
Evelyn smiled haughtily.
“These beings cannot act against us so long as we’ve moved into the eastern sector. That rule is older than the Otherworld itself. That’s why I told you we should head east.”
So calculating, so insightful… if only her mouth wasn’t the problem.
Kyle looked at her with pity and affection.
“What’s with that unpleasant stare?”
And of course, he got cursed for it.
Everyone was still in the middle of their assigned ‘roles.’
Normally, Yurel should have gone down the eastern stairs with Evelyn, fulfilling his role there.
Having come west, he should not have been with us servants.
“What’s this?”
The Crown Prince glared openly at Yurel with suspicion.
“Lady April, step back. He belongs to another camp.”
Cian immediately moved to shield me.
Yeniel calmly and politely probed Yurel’s intent.
“Sir Yurel? What brings you here? This is the first time I’ve seen you separated from Lady Evelyn.”
“I was driven out.”
Nothing could be read from his flat, emotionless face.
“As a slave, I was told to return to where I belong. She said it was disgusting for me to act like a noble beside her. My lady grew angry, so I must wait some time before returning. If I go now, I’ll be struck across the face twenty times. Please show mercy and allow me to remain here.”
The Crown Prince made an awkward face.
“Twenty slaps…? Is that true? Lady Debnoa’s treatment of you really is consistent.”
At that moment, Yurel’s gaze locked firmly with mine.
In his eyes lingered a subtle, meaningful glint.
I knew.
Evelyn might berate Yurel and treat him harshly, but when it came to protecting her safety, she trusted him implicitly.
Like when I fell from the garden tree—she scolded him for being late to catch me, because she naturally expected he would catch me.
So for her to send Yurel away now, when she had never once parted from him before… what did that mean?
I had already promised to join Evelyn’s camp after the third floor.
So perhaps the reason for this meeting was…
Then Yurel bowed his head and whispered secretly in my ear. Almost as if confirming my very thoughts.
Though quiet, April’s keen hearing caught every word.
“That’s correct. I came to abduct you, Lady April. …Ah.”
What the hell do you mean, correct?!
