TCBUP 53

TCBUP

Posted by Arsiii_here, Released on August 8, 2025

Chapter 53

Promise.

“I’m doing well.”

In the end, she chose a white lie.

“I was lonely sometimes without my mother, but I’ve grown up to be a fine and dependable successor to the throne. So much so that you’d be proud if you saw me.”

『……』

“He said he’s met good subordinates and feels supported. And, well… I’m here too.”

『That’s a relief. Please take care of my son, Sienna.』

She leaned toward me and gently stroked my head.

But it felt different than before.

Like the soft warmth of spring sunlight. A tender and affectionate touch that seemed truly real.

『I always felt sorry for not being by his side, but now I’m finally at ease. Can you give Aiden a message for me?』

She whispered something into my ear.

Then she smiled warmly at me.

For some reason, my heart ached with a gentle sorrow. I clasped my hands tightly together and nodded deeply.

I promised to deliver it.

『But Sienna, it’s quite late. Are you sure it’s okay for you to still be here?』

“Oh, right. Actually, do you know where the Emperor’s seal might be?”

『The seal?』

“Yes. His Majesty asked me to find it.”

『Ah, I see. Leonardo knows. He’s the one who brought it here in the first place.』

I glanced sideways at Leonardo without thinking.

The Empress beamed and patted Leonardo’s head.

As expected, her hand lingered around his head but never actually touched him. But even that seemed to please Leonardo, who leaned into her touch, rubbing his head.

『He’s such a troublemaker, our Leonardo.』

“He really is. That thing is so important…”

『He’s not the only troublemaker, you know.』

“Pardon?”

『Just talking to myself. Anyway, you should hurry. It’ll be dangerous if you’re any later.』

Woof woof. Leonardo barked quietly, then lifted his heavy backside.

He spun around, wagging his tail, glancing between me and the drawing room door.

『Go on.』

“Okay. Will I be able to see you again?”

It would be nice if Leon could be there too.

But she shook her head.

『The world of the living and the dead is strictly divided. So it’s best for both of us not to meet again.』

And so, holding Leonardo’s leash and with her seeing me off, I left the drawing room.

Just before the door closed, she waved at me.

The moment I thought her blue eyes—so much like Leon’s—looked sorrowful, her figure faded away like a gentle mist.

“Leonardo, are you sure we’re going the right way?”

Holding a lantern in one hand and Leonardo’s leash in the other, I asked cautiously.

Of course, I knew Leonardo couldn’t speak, but if I didn’t talk, the thick silence that had settled over the mansion would become too heavy to bear.

Still, Leonardo led me confidently somewhere.

To the rear wing used by the servants.

Past the kitchen, we stopped at the stairs leading down to the wine cellar.

“Is it here?”

Leonardo looked at me once, then looked down the stairs.

I guess this was the place.

But the inky darkness below was terrifying.

So deep that I couldn’t even see the steps.

And again—that eerie, chilling sensation I sometimes felt… I could feel it here too.

“Leonardo, maybe we should come back tomorrow morning?”

It seemed safer to come back in daylight.

More than the fear itself, the thought of something happening when there wasn’t a single soul nearby to help was even more terrifying.

“Okay? Let’s come back tomorrow.”

I tugged on Leonardo’s leash—but then I caught a faint burning smell.

Acrid smoke started to curl around my feet, and I could hear the crackle of something catching fire.

Just as I turned around to see what it was, a black and red blaze surged toward me.

“Kyahh!”

I ran forward instinctively.

I thought I stepped onto a stair, but the floor gave way beneath my feet, and Leonardo and I were sucked into a dark pit whose depth I couldn’t measure.

“Ugh…”

I really thought I was going to die this time.

Or at the very least, I figured I must’ve broken something.

But surprisingly, I was fine.

A bit sore, but nothing worse than bruises.

I struggled to sit up, but something felt missing.

“Leonardo? Leonardo!”

I must’ve let go of the leash during the fall.

The lantern was shattered, and now I’d lost Leonardo too—what should I do?

Clinging to a faint light leaking in from somewhere, I crawled along the ground.

Then—creak. A delicate sound that didn’t match Leonardo’s size came from ahead.

“Leonardo!”

I jumped up and ran.

I stumbled over a few blunt objects but eventually managed to find him.

Whimper. Whine.

Leonardo was clawing at the ground where the wine cellar floor had broken, mixing dirt and ash.

“Is it here?”

I knelt down beside him, and he backed away.

Taking his cue, I began digging where he had been scratching.

My fingers hurt, but the urge to get out of this terrifying place made me forget the pain as I focused.

How long had I been digging?

Something like a cloth pouch peeked out.

I cleared around it and unearthed a silk pouch, dusty and worn.

“Is this it?”

I brushed off the dirt and loosened the string.

A heavy seal, palm-sized and made of gold.

It was the Emperor’s seal.

<MISSION>
Mission: ‘Find the Emperor’s most precious possession’ has been completed.
You have completed a long, three-stage mission.
As a reward, you may choose one special item.

Which will you choose?

Bonk Hammer of Light that defeats darkness.
Potion that lets you hear someone’s thoughts for 30 minutes.
Perfume of Absolute Obedience that charms others for one hour.
+10% affection boost with a character of your choice.

Oh. My heart almost gave out several times and I got bruised all over, but it was worth it.

And no need to think hard about the choices.

Number 4. Absolutely 4.

<SYSTEM>
You have selected option 4.
But is this truly the most necessary item for you right now?
Exchanges and refunds are not allowed, so please choose carefully.
Would you still like to receive option 4?

Forget exchange or refund, no way.

Nox’s affection level was already precarious—just increase his affection already.

I hit option 4 again.

<SYSTEM>
You have selected option 4.
We will give you one final chance to reconsider.
This opportunity will not come again.
Is option 4 truly what you need right now?

What the—this feels like they’re trying to stop me from picking 4.

They say affection gained through shortcuts doesn’t last… maybe I should consider another?

“Then option 2.”

If I could hear his thoughts, then I’d know what he was truly feeling. That would help me plan how to win him over.

<SYSTEM>
You have selected option 2.
But is this truly the most necessary item for you right now?
Exchanges and refunds are not allowed, so please choose carefully.
Would you still like to receive option 2?

What the—same message as before.

Even when I picked option 2 again, I got the same message. So this time I picked option 3.

<SYSTEM>
You have selected option 3.
But is this truly the most necessary item for you right now?
Exchanges and refunds are not allowed, so please choose carefully.
Would you still like to receive option 3?

“……”

Seriously? Are you messing with me now?

What kind of twisted system gives you a choice but then doesn’t let you choose what you want?

Wait. Are they… forcing me to pick option 1?

That useless Bonk Hammer of Light?

No way. But… then again, this game would totally pull something like that.

Half in disbelief, I selected option 1.

<SYSTEM>
You have selected option 1.
We applaud your excellent judgment and wisdom.
The Bonk Hammer of Light that defeats darkness has been custom-made just for you.
You can find it in your inventory.

There wasn’t even a single message about reconsidering or choosing carefully.

If they were going to do this anyway, they should’ve just tossed me the bonk hammer from the start.

Fuming with disbelief, I trembled with frustration—

And then Leonardo rubbed his head against my arm.

“Oh, Leonardo.”

Woof!

“Are you comforting me right now?”

Whimper.

“It’s okay. I’m annoyed, but it’s not the first time.”

I patted Leonardo’s head, now sitting right beside me.

Then I grabbed the leash again and stood up.

“Oof, my whole body aches. I’m going to fall apart at this rate. You’re tired too, right?”