Chapter 6. Sell the Protagonist’s Shares
Before I could even react, the carriage door flew open.
A black shadow stepped inside.
It was a man with curly brown hair.
“S-someone help me…!”
Instinctively, I pressed myself as far away as possible and screamed at the top of my lungs. But the man didn’t care in the slightest. He casually dropped into the opposite seat and snapped his fingers.
“Move.”
And then something unbelievable happened.
The carriage started moving on its own.
The driver’s seat was still empty.
A chill ran down my spine.
“W-what is this? A ghost?!”
“Ha, a ghost?”
Even in this terrifying situation, the intruder just laughed like he was thoroughly amused.
“…Who are you?”
I was still scared, but I forced myself to glare at him.
“What did you do to the others?!”
Well… more like I tried to glare.
“Who else? I’m your guide.”
“…What?”
“The commander and the driver are in another world for a moment. Once we’re done talking, they’ll return without remembering anything—so don’t worry.”
I could almost hear the cracks forming in the fragile wall of my sanity.
A guide? Another world?
“Oh, right. My name is Winard Beldrian. Just call me Winard.”
Unlike my confusion, his face was bright with an easy smile.
“To think I’d make you bake cookies the moment you were selected as a protagonist candidate. Nicely done, Lorella.”
That cheerful tone snapped me back to my senses.
“W-what are you talking about?! And how do you know my name?!”
“Because I’m your guide.”
He answered as if it were obvious.
But his smile had already disappeared, leaving behind a blank expression.
“Still, you’re nowhere near enough. Three million, five million… no, you need to sell countless shares. Only then can you even qualify as a protagonist. Got it?”
I listened quietly, then answered honestly.
“…I don’t get it.”
He just shrugged.
“It doesn’t matter. You’ll understand soon enough.”
…Is this guy insane?
No—more importantly, is he even human?
Suspicion and unease swirled together as I shrank further into the corner, studying him.
He had long legs and broad shoulders that made the carriage feel cramped, a sharp, handsome face that would stand out anywhere. If I’d met him under normal circumstances, I might’ve stared in admiration.
From his leather gloves to his spotless boots, everything he wore screamed luxury.
A perfect noble.
And he’s a “guide”…?
I swallowed dryly.
“Alright, let’s get to the main point. From now on, listen carefully—”
“Wait.”
I raised my hand to stop him.
“Before that, I need to understand what’s going on.”
“…What?”
It was terrifying, but this might be my only chance to figure things out.
“If you’re really a guide, then explain everything. What do you mean I’m a protagonist candidate? And what are these ‘shares’?!”
He went silent for a moment, arms crossed in thought.
“…Fine.”
He set down the elegant black cane he’d been holding and spoke calmly.
“The first time you drew attention was when your husband, Duke Pelliot, tore up the divorce papers. At that moment, one of them got excited and bought shares. That’s how you became a candidate.”
“…Them?”
“The ones watching this world.”
My stomach dropped.
“When you were dragged away and imprisoned, everyone’s attention was on you. They were so curious about what you’d do next that they even baked cookies.”
…What?
So, to sum it up—someone bought shares, making me a candidate, and they baked cookies because they wanted to see more?
“…Why cookies?”
I shoved that question aside for now.
“Then… when cookies are baked, do I get rewards from it?”
“Fast learner. That’s right. The more shares you sell and secure your position, the more people will bake cookies.”
“And that means better rewards.”
“There are better ones?!”
My ears perked up.
“Of course. Things that make breaking iron gates or burning marriage contracts look like nothing.”
“…What?!”
I jumped to my feet—
THUD!
“AAAGH!”
I slammed my head straight into the carriage ceiling.
Winard frowned as he examined my head.
“You’ll probably get a bump.”
“That’s not important!”
I grabbed his arm.
“Is it true?! The marriage contract really burned?!”
“Yep. Completely destroyed. The servants poured water like crazy, but it was useless.”
“Then that smoke earlier—!”
“No need to get a divorce anymore. Considering who your husband is, it would’ve been difficult anyway.”
He chuckled and winked.
“Well? Starting to understand?”
Instead of answering, I slapped my cheeks hard.
Smack! Smack!
“Ah—ow!”
Pain exploded across my face—
but so did overwhelming joy.
It wasn’t a dream.
The marriage contract here was like shackles. As long as it existed, I belonged to the Pelliot family. It was certified by the emperor and archbishop—it couldn’t be easily broken.
And yet—it was gone.
Serves them right!
“Does that mean I’m finally free?!”
I laughed wildly, even pounding the carriage wall.
Winard stared at me with a complicated expression.
“…What?”
“…Nothing. Can I continue?”
I nodded eagerly.
“The most important thing is this: enjoying rewards is nice, but your real goal is to sell the most shares and become the protagonist.”
“Why?”
“I’ll explain.”
He snapped his fingers.
Ding-dong.
A window appeared.
“W-what…?!”
My eyes scanned the message:
「Lorella Meired, you have met your guide! Congratulations on gaining a reliable ally! The real survival game has now begun. The rules are simple: the title of ‘Protagonist’ is awarded only to the one who sells the most shares. When it is determined that no other candidate can surpass first place, the protagonist will be decided. At that moment, <Protagonist Protection> will activate. All other candidates will be eliminated and erased completely from everyone’s memories to prevent confusion. Will you survive and claim glory—or be erased? The choice is yours.」
“…What?”
I rubbed my eyes, but the message didn’t change.
“…W-what did it just say?”
My voice trembled.
“Erased? If I don’t become the protagonist… I disappear?!”
“Can’t have disgruntled candidates rebelling, right?”
Winard remained completely calm.
“It’s necessary for maintaining this world’s peace.”
It felt like my head had been struck.
My body trembled.
“Don’t worry. The solution is simple.”
He looked straight at me.
“Just become the protagonist.”
As if I didn’t know that!
But no words came out.
Everything inside me felt like it was turning blank.
“…I won’t do it!”
I shouted, wiping my sweaty hands on my dress.
“What won’t you do?”
“I don’t want to be a protagonist! Remove me from the candidates! I don’t need rewards—I’ll just live quietly as an extra!”
Yes. That was enough.
Why risk my life for this?!
“An extra?”
He looked displeased.
“Too bad. Once you’re selected, there’s no going back.”
“But I don’t want—!”
“Your will doesn’t matter.”
My vision blurred.
“There has to be a way—”
“No.”
His answer was absolute.
“…Huh…”
A broken sound escaped my throat.
“I just got a new life… and now I’m supposed to die like this?!”
And worse—
be erased from everyone’s memory?!
“What kind of nonsense is this?! I won’t do it! I’d rather die!”
I screamed, clutching my hair.
The system remained silent.
Only darkness surrounded us.
“That’s the point.”
Winard tapped his cane lightly.
“If you fail, you die anyway.”
“…What?”
“Yet you say you won’t do it? Then you’re fine with dying.”
“W-wait, no—!”
“Then you can do it. If you’re ready to die, what can’t you do?”
He smiled, satisfied.
“Th-that’s not what I meant—!”
“Just as expected of my chosen candidate.”
“Hey! Listen to me—!”
“Keep that spirit up, and the protagonist spot will be yours—even if you don’t want it.”
He even patted my shoulder proudly.
…This lunatic.
All I could do was sigh.
“…Ha…”
Exhaustion hit me all at once.
Winard watched me silently.
“Remember this one thing.”
He tapped the floor with his cane.
“To survive, you must sell more shares than anyone else.”
Snap.
The sound echoed.
‘See you again… my protagonist.’
His voice faded like a dream.
“…Huh?”
When I blinked—
he was gone.
I was alone.
“W-where did he go?!”
I looked around frantically.
Then—
“Did you rest well?”
A gentle voice came from across me.
Light flooded the carriage.
I squinted.
“Commander…!”
Raenon sat there as if nothing had happened.
“…Are you alright?”
He tilted his head.
“Of course. Pulling an all-nighter is nothing. We’ll arrive in Aurea soon.”
“…What?”
I looked outside.
The sky was already turning pale blue.
How?!
We had only talked for minutes…
Had time skipped?
Before I could process it—
“Gah!”
The driver screamed.
The carriage stopped abruptly.
“Ah!”
I nearly fell, but Raenon caught me instantly.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes—but what’s happening—”
Then—
“P-please spare me!”
The driver’s terrified voice rang out.
The door burst open.
A gleaming blade cut through the air.
“Get down. Quietly.”
The sword was pointed—
at me.
“…!”
And then—
“Alright.”
Raenon answered calmly.
“I will.”
Without hesitation, he stepped out of the carriage.
As the door closed, a glimpse of his golden hair flickered—and vanished.
