Chapter 3: Assassination (1)
I was stunned by the current situation.
The one who just sent me a message was none other than the yandere Constellation who follows the protagonist around.
And she was shocked to see me as soon as she escaped the bug space.
Wait, weren't you supposed to be following the protagonist?!
My head feels dizzy from this sudden turn of events.
***
Meanwhile, at that moment.
The Goddess Who Sees Fate, just like Cain, was so stunned that her jaw nearly dropped to the floor.
Where on earth were those two hiding?
Constellations can usually find humans on earth if they're determined to look for them.
But just now, she couldn't find them even though she was a Constellation herself.
Because of that, she had been waiting patiently like Kim Su-yong.
Shortly after Kim Su-yong gave up and left, two people emerged from the wall. And they were completely unharmed.
Could it really be... that fate had been diverted?
Originally, Cain and Meilin who appeared on the screen should have died. Or rather, that was their fate.
But they survived. The fate of death she had foreseen had been averted.
This had never happened before...
She shifted her gaze back to the screen.
Judging by Meilin's reaction—she clearly hadn't expected to survive either—it was obvious that Cain was the one who orchestrated this.
Just what kind of person is he?
Kim Su-yong is an otherworlder from a different dimension. Such beings are rare and special.
But Cain is different. Unlike Kim Su-yong, he's not an otherworlder, nor does he possess comparable talent.
This... is making me really curious.
This was a first. A human who sparked her curiosity like this.
I should claim him before other Constellations notice.
To express her interest, she sent a message to Cain.
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate has begun to take interest in you.]
This should do it, right?
She sent the message to Cain.
And then.
His face showed despair, like someone who had lost his country.
What! What's wrong with me?!
Somehow, his expression of dismay at her interest made her furious, but at the same time, it made her even more intrigued.
I wonder why he dislikes me so much?
The Goddess Who Sees Fate, seeing his reaction, licked her lower lip as if she had discovered a delicious meal.
-Lick!
***
Meanwhile, Meilin stared blankly at Cain, who was wallowing in frustration in his room.
'What on earth happened while I was gone?'
She had briefly left Cain's room to check on an intruder. The intruder had been breaking through traps and guild members at an alarming rate, so she had rushed to report to Cain.
The problem was that his demeanor had changed drastically in the time she was gone.
He had always seemed a bit strange, with a ruffian-like aura. But now.
Something... is different.
Yes. If before he exuded patheticness and powerlessness, now those qualities had disappeared, replaced by a sense of craziness and kindness.
From suddenly pointing at empty air to now wallowing in frustration alone—it felt like he had a screw loose somewhere.
...But he definitely apologized to me, right?
That thought kept circling in her mind. Until now, Cain had such strong pride that he hadn't apologized even once since turning 17.
'I need to report this to the Head of the Family. That's the only way we can survive.'
If the Head of the Family sees how Cain has changed, he might give him another chance.
With such thoughts, she looked at Cain, who was wallowing on the floor, with a serious expression.
***
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate has begun to take interest in you.]
Damn it. Don't be interested in me, you bastard!!
Suddenly, the yandere Constellation started showing interest in me.
...Let's just ignore it for now.
I don't know why that guy suddenly became interested in me, but ignoring is the answer.
After all, ignoring is the best response to attention-seekers.
"Let's go outside now."
"Yes, Cain-nim."
After leaving the hideout, I discreetly rolled my eyes to observe my surroundings.
This really isn't Earth...
The surroundings are filled with buildings that look like they belong in Europe, and everyone is dressed in elaborate costumes like cosplayers.
How am I going to get back?
...Wait, do I even need to go back?
I don't have parents on Earth—they passed away long ago—and I don't have any real friends. As someone who grew up in an institution, there's not much for me to return to.
Anyway, let's head back to the family estate.
Having played a ton of games, I knew enough about the David Fiefdom to make my way to the family estate without getting lost.
But why do people seem to be avoiding me?
People selling goods, adventurers—they all keep their distance as if they'd die if they bumped into me.
Whew... Cain is really something else in a different way.
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate says you are impressive in a different way.]
I know that without you telling me, you jerk.
I felt somewhat indignant, but outwardly I ignored the Constellation's message and continued walking.
Soon after, we arrived at the family estate.
Meilin and I approached the iron gate of the mansion. The soldiers pointed their spears at Meilin.
"Halt."
"She's my guest. Let her in."
At the word "guest," the guard was startled. Trembling, he immediately bowed at a right angle to apologize.
"I-I'm sorry!"
"It's fine. Good work."
When I patted the shoulders of the two soldiers, they widened their eyes like rabbits. The two seemed unable to believe the current situation, silently staring at each other in bewilderment.
Their eyes said, "What's going on? Is this really the end of it?"
Ignoring their reactions, I entered the mansion. The maids and butlers around me avoided me cautiously.
Come on. Cain did all the wrong things, but why am I the one suffering?
Just as I was feeling unjustly ostracized in the family, a butler with squinty eyes appeared from behind and bowed his head.
"Young Master. I've prepared the hot spring water and alcohol."
"...Thank you. I'll go in a bit later."
At my words, the butler was so surprised that his eyes widened momentarily before returning to their squinty state.
"Understood. And the person behind you?"
"She's my guest. Show her respect."
"Yes, understood."
With that, my personal butler Philip began to follow us.
Why is he following us?!
That guy is only nominally my personal butler; in reality, he's one of the assassins raised by the David family.
Assassins in the David family eliminate those who harm the family, except for the Head of the Family.
Even if they're the Head's children.
I don't know how Cain survived until now despite his ruffian behavior, but I wouldn't have any right to complain if Philip decided to kill me right now.
Outwardly maintaining a calm expression, I continued walking.
Having memorized the layout of the David family mansion, I knew exactly where I was going.
I'm pretty sure it's around here...
Soon after, I arrived at my destination. I turned my head back.
"Philip. Don't come into the room. Go do your work elsewhere."
"...Understood, Young Master."
Philip bowed his head in response.
Whew... Finally, he's gone.
Even if he's not visible to me, there's no guarantee of safety, but at least the pressure is somewhat reduced.
With a bit of tension relieved, I opened the door to my room.
-Creak!
The room was filled with all sorts of luxurious items, high-quality alcohol, and furniture that anyone would recognize as belonging to nobility.
That bed is huge.
No lie, it's big enough to roll around on while sleeping.
While inwardly admiring Cain's room, I sat down on the elegant-looking chair in front of the desk.
I rested my elbows on the desk and interlaced my fingers. Narrowing my eyes, I looked at Meilin... no, at her.
"Well... why don't you reveal your identity now? Or should I do it for you?"
Flinch!
Her body jerked noticeably. Her eyes trembled, as if she hadn't expected to be found out.
Honestly, she was too suspicious. I don't think the woman in front of me means me harm.
If that was her intention, she would have abandoned me and fled from the beginning.
She didn't do that in the previous cycle. She sacrificed herself, risking her life to help me escape.
But it felt uncomfortable to just pretend not to know. So I recalled what I knew about the David family setting.
And there was one person who came to mind.
With such thoughts, I looked at her with a serious gaze.
"......"
"......"
As silence filled the room.
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate pounds her chest, telling you to stop stalling and reveal her identity already.]
Are you still here?
I thought you'd gone back to Kim Su-yong since you hadn't sent messages for a while, but here you are, reacting like you're watching some detective show.
"Sigh... Fine. If you won't say it, I will. Rishe, take off your mask. That's an order."
At my command, she finally gave up and removed the mask covering her face.
Her long brown hair cascaded down. Despite wearing no makeup, her skin was fair, her lips slightly red, and her straight nose and tear mole, which had been hidden by the mask, were now visible.
Her face was so alluring that it seemed a waste to have covered it.
She knelt on one knee.
"I apologize, Young Master. Personal maid Rishe has returned."
"I see."
When I responded calmly without interrogating her, Rishe's eyes widened momentarily. Ignoring her reaction, I continued.
"Judging by your reaction, you thought I would interrogate you. But it's obvious that my father ordered you to monitor me, right?"
"......"
Rishe remained silent at my question, her face feigning ignorance.
"I'll take your silence as confirmation. Well, I don't intend to interrogate you anyway. You can leave now. I need some time to think."
"Yes, understood, Young Master."
With those words, Rishe bowed and left the room.
So I was left alone in the room. Just to be safe, I used my Game Setting Ability to increase the volume.
"......"
Okay. No one's nearby.
After returning the volume to its original state, I let out a deep sigh.
"Whew... I should go to the hot spring."
Today has been too exhausting. I need some rest.
I left the room and headed to the hot spring in the mansion.
When I entered the area marked "Men's Bath," none of my brothers were there yet, as it wasn't their bathing time.
As I took off all my clothes.
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate admires your black dragon.]
"Excuse me. Please stop sexually harassing me and just leave."
I'm already exhausted, and having a yandere Constellation sticking to me makes me feel even more tired.
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate says she's even more curious about you now.]
Crazy! She's not reacting to that, is she?
For a moment, the image of Kim Su-yong dying from shock flashed through my mind, and I quickly shook my head.
She'll lose interest soon. She will.
I'm not an exceptional genius, nor am I an otherworlder like Kim Su-yong.
Well, I am, but that Constellation has no way of knowing that. Therefore, she'll soon get bored and return to Kim Su-yong.
Ignoring the messages flying in from the Constellation, I entered the bath.
"Ahh... I feel alive again."
My whole body melts. As if I've arrived in heaven, all the strength in my body drains away.
Now, let's make a plan.
I've been too busy to think about it until now, but I need to make a plan.
First, about the current timeline...
Whether fortunate or unfortunate, we're at the very beginning. I can still intervene.
No, wait. Do I even need to intervene?
Honestly, according to the original story, Kim Su-yong will defeat the final boss on his own. There's no benefit in me intervening and changing the future.
The problem is...
[The Goddess Who Sees Fate wants to see your black dragon.]
This perverted yandere Constellation.
In the original story, she follows Kim Su-yong until the end. But because I survived differently from the original story, perhaps due to the butterfly effect, this goddess has started showing interest in me.
Damn it. I need to send her back or avoid her somehow.
If this continues, I might die from shock like Kim Su-yong.
Well, that's not really a problem.
If I die, I'll regress again... No, I still don't want that.
Anyway, that's not the only issue. I don't know what kind of butterfly effect might occur at this rate.
Of course, this Constellation doesn't significantly help Kim Su-yong, but who knows?
Sigh... So my first goal is to send this Constellation back to Kim Su-yong.
With such thoughts, I surrendered myself to the warm bath.
***
Meanwhile, at that moment.
A man dressed as a butler looks at a listening device in his room, ears perked up.
He recalled what had happened an hour ago.
During his break, the butler went to his room and activated a communication orb.
A deep voice came from the communication orb.
'So, what happened?'
'David von Cain has survived.'
'This... I didn't expect that. To think that ruffian nobleman would survive.'
'What should we do? If we leave it like this, the David family might find out.'
In response to the butler's question, the other party remained silent for a while, as if contemplating.
After a short while, a voice came from the communication orb.
'Alright. Kill David von Cain tonight.'