NOVEL NEXT Chapter 200
Knock, knock, knock
. The irritating noise penetrated the darkness of my consciousness. With a grimace of fatigue, I buried my face deeper into the pillow.
Knock, knock, knock.
Oh
, please. I fell asleep too late last night, Eloise…Wait a minute.
Aren’t I in my personal lab at the farm, not at the Duchy Squire?
Knock, knock, knock.
The knocking sound snapped my eyes open again. Ilya, who had comforted me before I fell asleep, was nowhere to be seen.
“Where has he gone?”
It would be troublesome if he wandered off and was spotted by someone from the imperial family.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Ilthere or Go Die’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Ilya went out after watching you fall asleep.]
I see… But who is knocking on the door now?
I got up to check the clock, and it was 8 AM. As I got up, I walked across the lab to greet the mysterious visitor.
Knock, knock, knock!
The knocking sound grew a bit louder, indicating it was the last time.
“Who is it?”
The unexpected reply came.
“Please give this old man a cup of water.”
Surprised, I quickly opened the door. The knocker was an old man with white hair, wearing a purple shawl, completely out of place in this setting. Adorned with golden ornaments and holding a crystal ball in one hand, he was the spitting image of a classic astrologer.
Is it already time for this character to appear?
[The Constellations express curiosity about the mysterious old man.]
“Please come in.”
“Such a kind young lady.” The astrologer entered the lab as if it were his own home and took a seat.
“I have tea. Would you like some?”
“Just a cup of cold water will do.”
I filled a cup with water and handed it to him.
“Thank you. In return, let me read your fortune.”
The astrologer was a character who gave players hints about which ending they would face.
“What is your name?”
“It’s Theresa Squire.”
Wooong-!
The crystal ball in the astrologer’s hand began to glow mysteriously. I watched the crystal ball with curiosity.
Though it’s a game setting, it’s a power different from magic. What principle does it operate on? Can I use it if I know the principle?
It was when I wondered about the plausibility applied to a power that could foresee the future without using magic.
“Hmm. That’s strange.” The astrologer slightly furrowed his brow.
Realizing this astrology reading was an important hint for the ending, I tensed. “Did you find something?”
“Yes. You have both the most noble and the most humble fate coexisting. Such contradictory destinies are hard to coexist.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Explanation Bug’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[OMG, this is like a mid-game check.]
“Is that a bad thing?”
To my question, the astrologer stroked the crystal ball and said, “It’s not about good or bad. There’s a path no matter which way you go.”
So, what ending am I heading towards?
The astrologer should have informed me about the most probable candidate based on the male lead’s favorability, but he only spoke in riddles.
I asked bluntly, “Do you think I’ll marry someone?”
“Marriage,
huh
…”
The astrologer peered into the crystal ball and stroked his chin. “It seems you will getting marry soon.”
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Gourmet’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Who is it?! Come on out! I’ll eat anyone!]
Suddenly, the light in the crystal ball went out.
“This old man must be leaving now.”
I stopped the departing astrologer, asking urgently, “Wait! Do you not know who I will marry?”
“The power of the crystal ball has weakened, so I can’t see that far. If you’re marrying soon, don’t you have someone you like?”
“Not at all. Could there be an error in the results?”
“That’s a serious accusation. This is a special power granted to me by the god. Believe it or not, that’s your choice.”
I apologized with a downcast face. Before leaving, the astrologer turned to me, his expression softening to a gentle smile for the first time.
“What is lost will be recovered.” With those words, he vanished like smoke.
I hurriedly looked outside, but the astrologer was nowhere to be seen.
“Recovered what was lost?”
The first thing that came to mind was,
“Could it be Clyde?”
[Constellations cheering for ‘Clyde’s route shout in joy.]
But how can I find him?
Clyde was sucked into a rift in space and time.
With my lips tightly pressed, I stood frozen for a moment before quickly changing into work clothes. I couldn’t keep Eugeo waiting. And I planned to complete the 10 rare crops quest today.
“But who am I supposed to marry?”
Moreover, where had Ilya gone, and where was he nowhere to be seen? Of course, it was his freedom to roam, but I wished he would stay put to avoid causing me trouble.
Sighing deeply, I left the house.
“
Woof!
” A wolf lying in front of the door excitedly approached me.
“Did you sleep well? Nothing happened, right?” I asked, hoping for a trouble-free answer, but the response was unexpected.
“A dungeon just appeared again?”
Moreover, near the emperor’s villa?! My mind went numb.
Ding!
[The Constellation ‘Professional Instructor’ has sponsored 1,000,000 coins.]
[Can’t we get rid of Stigmata? If we leave it be, we’ll really get caught in trouble.]
It was possible.
But only when Damian’s likeability is maxed out.
I ran towards the emperor’s villa at full speed. The place was in chaos.
“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”
“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”
He refused to return to the imperial palace despite another dungeon appearing?
My guess wasn’t wrong as Bein approached me with a stern face. “You’ve arrived, Princess. His Majesty is not coming out of his bedroom.”
“I see…”
“Can Princess possibly persuade His Majesty?”
“Yes? Me?”
Why should I play such a role?0
Has Bein lost his mind?
Seeing my shocked reaction, Bein continued as if understanding my confusion. “His Majesty ordered to let Princess into his bedroom upon your arrival.”
“…Yes.”
I headed to the emperor’s bedroom with Bein, feeling like a child being dragged to the dentist.
Knock, knock.
“Your Majesty, Princess Squire has arrived. Shall I let her in?”
“Let her in.”
Bein said, “Please enter,” and ki
ndly opened the door for me.
The bedroom was filled with the smell of alcohol and tobacco, making me want to flee immediately. He was dressed neatly in his uniform, pouring whiskey into his mouth, then grinned at me.
“It’s the first time I see a noble lady looking like this.”
I maintained my composure despite his provocation, and Euges waved dismissively with an annoyed expression.
“Enough. It’s tiresome to receive greetings amid this chaos.”
Even though the bedroom door was firmly shut, the cries of “Your Majesty, please reconsider!” from his subjects outside made it sound as chaotic as a marketplace. Euges, who detested noise, was surprisingly enduring it well.
However, the presence of empty bottles and ashtrays suggests he hasn’t been entirely patient.
Euges snuffed out his cigarette and asked, “Is Princess also here to tell me it’s dangerous and I should return to the palace?”
“I was asked to make that request.”
My honest answer elicited a scoff from Euges.
“It must have been Bein’s idea. Why is that old man doing things he never does…
Tsk
.” Euges’s face quickly soured as he tightly gripped his glass. It looked like it might shatter at any moment.
“The situation does seem dangerous, but I believe I can protect Your Majesty.”
Euges’s amethyst eyes flickered towards me at the unexpected declaration.
“All assumptions. Tell me if it’s truly dangerous if you can truly protect me.”
With the intent of giving a disliked child an extra rice cake, I clarified my statement to meet his wishes. “It’s a dangerous situation, but I can protect Your Majesty.”
It was a laughable statement.
He’s far stronger than I am.
Euges seemed to think the same, mocking me. “A magic school student who hasn’t even graduated claims she can protect me? Sounds like a new form of slander.”
However, what mattered now wasn’t the emperor’s personal power but external factors that could persuade his subjects. Those outside had witnessed the parade of magical animals yesterday. Even now, magical birds fly around outside, scouting the area.
It seems the magical animals prevented the dungeon from appearing too close to this location.
I proposed to the stubborn Euges, who disliked listening to his subjects. “As Your Majesty may know, the imperial wizards are no match for me, and the magical animals are friendly towards me. So, as long as Your Majesty doesn’t leave my side, we can safely visit the farm together.”
Will you go home, or will you kindly tour the farm with me?
Euges set his glass down on the table. “Your words and actions are quite bold, Princess.” He stood up. “Let’s go.”
Accepting my offer, our departure silenced the area. Euges pointed at me and declared, “Princess Squire has vowed to protect me at all costs, so rest assured and continue to focus on the welfare projects for our people. Any objections?”
His subjects, recognizing this as Euges’s maximum concession, nodded in agreement. “…With Your Majesty so deeply considering the well-being of the people, how could we possibly object?”
As if he ever cared about the empire’s well-being. Euges would hardly blink if the empire turned to ashes.
“Glad you understand my intentions. Now, I shall discuss important matters with the Princess elsewhere.”
As Euges stepped out of the villa, he burst into laughter. “What a bunch of bullsh*t.” He cursed freely, thoroughly enjoying the discomfort of his subjects watching him leave from behind.