“This is bad… I’m completely lost…”

After that, I indulged in some comfort eating while chatting with other nobles and somehow managed to pass the time at the party. But since I wasn’t used to talking to strangers, I decided to take a walk in the garden for a change of pace. However, I got completely lost.

++I wonder if I call out, “Rosalia—!!”, will she come to help me like the blue raccoon in the movie…++ As I was thinking that, I saw the grass in front of me rustle a bit.

++It looks like a Pokémon. No, in this case, could it be an intruder? Reinhardt-sama had said there were various things going on, so if I catch someone here, it will probably make a good impression.++

As I approached the grass quietly, a fist came at me with a swoosh.

“Whoa! That was close!”

“You’re… the Rose Man from before! Why are you in a place like this?!”

The fist was stopped right in front of my face. The owner of the fist seemed to be Aigis-sama. ++But seriously, this woman is dangerous to be able to launch a perfect surprise attack on me, who has received training!++

“Aigis-sama, why are you here…”

“Just be quiet, or else…”

“Is someone there?”

As Aigis-sama and I were talking, I heard someone’s voice. ++This voice is…Reinhardt-sama.++ Judging by Aigis-sama’ resentful look at me, she was trying to eavesdrop.

++In that case…++

“Hey, what are you doing? Are you going to attack me? I’ll crush you.”

“Just be quiet. Shadow, hide us.”

++Who would ever be aroused by a kid like you?++ I thought as I covered her mouth with my hand and used magic. Shadows enveloped both our bodies, turning into complete darkness.

++It’s a spell that hides your body but doesn’t let you move. In the game, it has the support effect of hiding you for one turn. It’s useful for preparing healing spells.++

I thought Aigis-sama might resist, but as if understanding her situation, she stayed quiet.

“Sorry, it seems like I was imagining things… So, if I donate money, will my wife’s illness be cured?”

“Yes, with the power of our Hades cult, we vow to save your wife.”

“I understand… I’ll pay as much as you want. So please… Also, you should be able to sell this for money. Use it as you please.”

Reinhardt-sama continued his conversation with the slender man in the hood and the giant man in front of him, handing the slender man a sword embedded with a mysteriously glowing stone, and they each went their separate ways. ++Could it be my imagination that the slender man had a small smile on his face? More importantly, I am concerned about something.++

++Hades Cult… that is the evil cult that led the empire of Valhara Tactics down the path of evil. In the game, you fight the Twelve Apostles of Hades, who are like the Four Heavenly Kings. The game is yet to begin, but they are already preparing to infiltrate powerful nobles…?++

“Father… You said that was an important magic sword passed down from generation to generation… You said it was the most important thing to you after family…”

“Aigis-sama.”

After releasing the spell, I was speechless to see Aigis-sama sobbing beneath me. Where had her aggressive self from a moment ago gone? Seeing her now sobbing like a small child, I felt like I was seeing her true self.

“Aigis-sama, the Hades Cult is an evil cult. I don’t believe they will keep their promises. Please tell Reinhardt-sama to distance himself from them.”

She was sobbing, and I knew she wouldn’t understand what I was saying after just meeting her today. But I couldn’t help but say it. They were an evil cult, and they didn’t feel guilty about using people. Besides, they were considered evil in the current empire.

++It will be bad if the other nobles find out they are associating with Reinhardt-sama, and they can threaten to expose their relationship with him. And… I don’t want to see the person who properly acknowledged me suffer.++

“I know that! But, although we made a lot of money from the war, we’re terrible at anything other than fighting! We don’t know how to cure illnesses. That’s why some people try to deceive us… but, what can we do?! There’s a 1% chance that it might save my mother!! If that’s the case, we have no choice but to cling to even a straw!!”

++I don’t want to believe it, but I have no choice but to believe it. Watching her cry like this reminds me of her in the game. I’m sure she will continue to be deceived from now on. That’s why she started running through the battlefield without trusting anyone. ++

The protagonist couldn’t save her. But now, with a bit of trust left, maybe she could be saved.

“What kind of illness does your mother have, Aigis-sama?”

“What? Are you saying you’ll save her? I don’t believe you!!”

Even though she rejected me like that, her eyes were filled with hope, and it was painful to see. Those eyes filled with despair reminded me of Weiss, my favorite character… ++That’s why I want to save her. But my words won’t reach her now. So I have to show her through actions.++

“It’s okay if you don’t believe me. Even if you can’t trust me, I swear I’ll save your mother.”

“What… Why would you try to save my mother…?”

“Well… My territory is weak, and I want the protection of the Bloody family.”

I told Aigis-sama something that would make sense to her. And it wasn’t a lie. My territory indeed needed the protection of a powerful noble family. Especially the military power of the Bloody family was something I desperately needed.

++Of course, I also want to save Aigis…but that’s not all. If I can owe them a favor, it can be a countermeasure during the Stampede. As someone who isn’t the protagonist, I have to use her predicament to survive as Weiss.++

“I see… I don’t trust you. But, just in case, I’ll tell you the name of the illness.”

Aigis-sama stared at me intently, then hesitated for a moment before telling me the name of the disease. It was the name of a plague that would occur in the game’s future and cause suffering to the protagonist and his friends.

++It’s somewhat troublesome, but I should be able to handle it…++

After hearing that, I recalled the solution from the game, and after waiting for Aigis-sama to stop crying, we decided to return to the party venue.

!next

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