Episode 7
“This way, I think…”
It was the same.
Too same.
Even when I looked at the map, or tilted my head 90 degrees, everything looked exactly the same.
‘At this point, maybe the game developers just copied and pasted the terrain because they got lazy.’
Red roofs, evenly spaced trees, and clusters of bushes.
It really felt like I was trapped inside a maze.
Having been steeped in modern civilization, I was used to square, hand-held electronic devices, so trying to use a flat piece of paper map like this—of course I was going to get lost.
“……Excuse me.”
That’s when a long finger suddenly slipped into my view.
It pointed toward a rather shabby-looking red brick building.
“Could it be that one?”
A mustard-colored sign that said Blatt Schmidt in tiny letters creaked precariously in the wind like it might fall over at any moment.
Creak, creak…
“…….”
I had no choice but to stay silent.
‘That shabby place is the weapon shop Blatt Schmidt where the heroine later finds the lost ancient holy sword?’
No offense to the owner, but it didn’t even look like a place that would sell rusty scraps, let alone weapons.
“It looks like it’s about to collapse…”
At my muttering, Noah nodded lightly in agreement and walked ahead.
The doorknob had been painted white several times.
Perhaps from age or rust, bits of it had peeled off in black patches.
Screeeech…
As I pulled the handle, a raw, ungreased screech echoed around.
The interior of the weapon shop was cozier than I expected.
A blue flame crackled in the hearth, no doubt the ever-burning fire created by the magician of the North Tower—Flora.
They said Flora’s flames weren’t hot and were harmless to the touch.
‘Is that really true?’
Crackle, crackle…
Staring blankly at the flickering blue light, I was startled by a gentle voice nearby and quickly looked up.
“Welcome. This is Blatt Schmidt. Is there something you’re looking for?”
The brown-haired woman sitting gracefully on the red velvet sofa across from the fireplace looked oddly familiar.
Warm hazel eyes, like those of a gentle deer, met mine.
{system: New Event Triggered! First Meeting with ‘Noel Catherine’}
‘Why are you here?!’
I was so flustered I couldn’t close my mouth.
……Wasn’t Noel supposed to be with Kyler around this time?
Her soft pink lips parted, and a creamy, fluffy voice filled the room.
“Are you perhaps from the House of Benestra…?”
Wow. That’s the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard in my life.
A voice so sweet even bards would weep out of jealousy.
“Noel-nim?”
“Oh my, the lady knows my name?”
Surprised that I knew her name, her eyes widened innocently.
“What an honor, to have such a noble person speak my name.”
A noble person, huh?
That was an embarrassingly outdated phrase.
My face flushed red immediately.
Then, in a kind tone, Noel asked again.
“You’re the young lady of the Benestra family, right?”
I gave a small nod.
I thought the lace bonnet covering half my face would make me unrecognizable, but apparently not.
As if reading my thoughts, she kindly replied,
“With such dazzling blonde hair and sky-blue eyes—there’s no one else in the empire like you, my lady.”
They say compliments can make whales dance, but I didn’t feel like dancing at all.
In fact, it made me uncomfortable.
‘I want to leave…’
That was the only thing running through my mind.
I forced a sheepish smile.
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you. Are you here to buy self-defense gear as well, my lady?”
‘No, I came to find a righteous club to smash some assassins targeting me.’
…But of course, I couldn’t say that, so I gave a vague answer.
“Ah, yes. I’ve recently taken up fencing as a hobby.”
“Fencing?”
{system: Noel Catherine’s affection has increased by +1.}
A green affection window popped up.
Is learning fencing really something to be admired?
Feeling a bit confused, I nodded while avoiding the heroine’s intense gaze as she clasped my hand.
“That’s a wonderful hobby. If it’s not too much, I’d love to watch you sometime.”
“……W-watch me?”
Stammering, I looked at Noel with a pale face.
Hey now, I don’t even know the F in fencing!
“Yes!”
Unaware of my panic, Noel answered brightly.
At the same time, the grip on my left hand—held tightly by Noah—suddenly tightened.
“I’m afraid the lady must return to the estate before sunset.”
Now what?
Since when did I have a curfew?
“That’s unfortunate.”
“……”
“Next time, perhaps?”
Noel murmured quietly, a bitter smile on her lips.
She looks so disappointed, I feel like I did something wrong.
“Oh, and please, just call me Noel.”
“I… I’ll try.”
I had been hoping that something dramatic would happen when Noah and the heroine met—but I was sorely disappointed.
Not even a tiny ripple occurred.
“Are you waiting for someone?”
I asked, sneaking a glance at the table next to her.
The teacup she’d been drinking from was lukewarm—no, cold.
She must have been waiting for someone for quite a while.
“……Ah, yes. I’m waiting for someone right now.”
Noel’s eyes drooped sadly as she gave a sorrowful smile and fiddled with her fingers.
The person who kept her waiting was wrong, but seeing her quietly waiting without complaint somehow…
‘It’s really annoying.’
“Whoever it is, when they show up, kick their shins.”
“…Huh?”
“Break them, even.”
I clenched my fist with a grim expression.
“And definitely get your revenge.”
At my serious expression, a faint smile appeared on Noel’s previously solemn lips.
“Thanks for saying that.”
Her laugh was as fresh as a bright yellow lemon.
{system: Noel Catherine’s affection has increased by +2.}
“He told me not to wait, but I stubbornly did anyway…”
What? So it was like that?
I gave a couple of awkward coughs in embarrassment.
Noel smiled gently at that.
“Still, thank you.”
In that moment, I could finally understand why all the male leads fell head over heels just from a single smile.
As I stared blankly at her angelic expression, I came to my senses and lightly tapped Noah’s hand.
“Noah.”
“Yes.”
His vacant eyes, staring into the air, turned toward me.
“While I’m picking out a weapon, could you keep Lady Catherine company?”
‘Please.’
He frowned slightly, glanced back and forth between me and Noel, and reluctantly nodded.
We couldn’t just leave her waiting forever.
As I stood up and walked toward the display stands where the weapons were showcased, the shop owner approached with a grin full of yellowed teeth, pointing toward a display case of expensive-looking rapiers.
He must’ve smelled money.
“We recommend these rapiers for customers like you. All top quality!”
“They’re pretty.”
I replied in a flat tone and quickly looked away.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t interested in fancy little rapiers.
I was looking for something heavy and thick.
Something that could slice necks clean off.
Heheheh.
“How about that one?”
I pointed to a dagger in the display case.
“That’s a new item. Lightweight and easy to grip—perfect for beginners!”
“What about this one?”
“That’s also great for beginners! All top quality!”
The shop was small compared to others, but it had a good selection.
There were practice swords, real swords, stylish daggers, and even bows.
But what really caught my eye was the heavy-looking mithril sword hanging on a wall in the corner.
Sleek, powerful body.
Handle plated in shiny silver.
Even a gorgeous pattern I’d never seen before carved carefully along the blade.
And that sapphire embedded in the hilt?
Didn’t it look just like my eye color?
There was nothing I didn’t love about it.
“I like this one the best.”
“Huh? But that’s not really for ladies…”
Startled by my words, the shopkeeper froze just as he was about to bring over a jewel-encrusted women’s rapier and looked at me wide-eyed.
He clearly didn’t believe I was serious.
That look people give when they think you’re weird.
“That sword is made from pure mithril, so it’s quite heavy. It might be too much for a lady. Perhaps one of these daggers or rapiers…”
“No, I’ll take this one.”
Now you’ve made me more determined.
It’s just a hunk of metal.
A sword meant to be wielded by humans, no matter how heavy.
How bad could it be?
Sweating nervously, the shopkeeper saw my firm expression and finally gave up, carefully taking the sword from the wall.
“Would you like to try holding it before buying?”
He drew the blade from its sheath and handed it to me carefully.
Shhhk.
What a beautiful color.
Nodding, I grabbed it with one hand.
But I had forgotten one thing—this wasn’t just any metal.
It was pure mithril.
“……Huh?”
I tried to lift it.
But instead of lifting, my arm collapsed and bent in the weirdest way.
I ended up bowing so low my forehead almost touched the floor.
Scratching my head awkwardly, I smiled.
“……It’s a bit heavy.”
Oh no.
I think she’s looking at me like I’m a weirdo.
And just then, the door creaked open ominously.
Creaaak…
“Welcome to Blatt Schmidt!”
The shopkeeper bowed deeply and shouted.
His face—seen from below—was full of terror.
‘Who just walked in?’
I slowly raised my head to see who it was, but then—
“……Eh?”
My sword arm bent the other way.
Then I lost my balance and charged straight toward the door.
What the hell?! Stop, you crazy thing!
“Move!!”
This wasn’t my will.
I’d never in my life seen a sword move on its own.
“……Aaaah!”
I screamed at the top of my lungs.
“My lady!”
Noel’s sharp voice echoed faintly in the background.
“There’s someone in front of you! Drop the sword!”
The shopkeeper’s voice followed.
‘I want to drop it! But my body won’t listen!’
But I couldn’t let an innocent person get hurt.
If someone was going to die, better me.
Seconds before collision, I quickly turned the blade inward toward myself and closed my eyes.
Everyone, thank you for everything in this short time.
‘I’m going to heaven first.’
I braced for impact and pain.
But it never came.
My clenched face slowly relaxed.
Soft hair brushed my nose.
‘…Did I make it to heaven already?’
Then I opened my eyes to see I was in a cold, hard embrace.
Thud.
“Ouch…”
I looked up to see a man wearing black leather gloves staring at me with fierce eyes.
His fingers trembled slightly.
In his hand was the sharp, blue-tinged blade.
“……Are you insane? Do you have a death wish?”
His deep voice echoed through the air.
Fortunately, the blade had dulled from lack of care, and his gloves were enchanted with protective magic. No one got hurt.
I let out a deep sigh of relief.
Ding!
A large window popped up in front of my eyes.
{system: New Event Triggered! First Meeting with ‘Kyler Francis’}
