Chapter : 16
“You sure stutter a lot for someone claiming it’s a misunderstanding.
The Archduke must lack both talent and conscience when it comes to lying.”
Of course, words spoken while poised to pounce in the next second weren’t convincing in the least.
Mikhail narrowed his eyes and glared at Ilya.
Two pairs of burning eyes—like they were staring at some shameless lowlife—were fixed on Ilya. Cold sweat slid down his straight forehead, as if he was genuinely flustered.
“First of all, could you step back a little?”
“……Yes.”
At Mute’s oddly arrogant tone, Ilya jumped away.
Even then, he kept sneaking glances at my face like he still regretted it.
Despite that, Mute quietly held my hand and sent holy power into me.
That familiar refreshing sensation wrapped my entire body in warmth.
[Your HP increases slightly.]
My already full HP bar rose even more. He must have been with me the entire time I was logged out.
‘Come to think of it, my arm…’
I looked down.
Right before logging out, my arm had practically melted into a pixelated mosaic—but now it was fully restored, save for a few faint traces.
The lingering redness would fade too, if Mute kept treating me.
“You healed my arm, Your Highness. Thank you.”
“It’s my duty to tend to the Hero’s wellbeing. I merely did what I must.”
“Still. It must’ve looked awful.”
I said sheepishly, and Mute looked like he was about to burst into tears.
Sensitive kid at nineteen, I thought—though to be fair, Ilya cried even more easily.
Still, being worried over felt nice. In the real world, I could waste away sick and dying and no one would care.
“Please don’t say things like that, Lady Anastasia……”
Uh……?
I’d been in such a good mood a moment ago, but him actually crying left me at a loss.
Even so, the tears sliding from those red-rimmed eyes were stunning.
[Saved to device.]
[Saved to device.]
I calmly took two screenshots. A crying pretty boy is a collectible.
“Your Highness? Did I do something wrong—?”
When I asked cautiously, Mute blinked dumbly through his tears.
“Do you really not know?”
Of course I knew.
When someone takes a horrific wound in your place, doesn’t complain, AND apologizes for it—you’re left reeling.
You’d wonder how such a foolish person could exist.
But true selfless protagonists are foolish, and that foolishness is the key to clearing this game.
[I… I’m sorry.]
[(Blink innocently as if I don’t understand.)]
So I picked the second option.
I looked up at him with wide, guileless eyes—and Mute made a funny sound.
[Mute’s Affection +2]
“I finally understand why the Goddess chose you as her Hero.”
My vision immediately shifted.
[Chapter 5. The City Where Girls Vanish]
“A petition came in.”
Serena’s voice opened the scene. She cast me a worried glance before waving the papers in her hand.
“In one of the Rezenka domains, young women have been disappearing. And only beautiful ones. If it were confined to peasants, it would be simple kidnapping, but……”
If it were only commoners, no one would care—that was the implication, and it wasn’t something to take lightly.
Serena herself had risen from commoner to near-royalty through magic alone—and the player character was a former slave.
Even as she said it, the injustice grated on her; her brows knit. But she didn’t stop.
“A count’s daughter famed as a great beauty is missing.”
“Demons.”
Mikhail spoke with certainty. He was right.
No slaver or criminal would dare infiltrate a Count’s heavily guarded mansion.
When kidnappings happened regardless of class, the culprit was almost always demons.
“The Imperial Family wants us to take this case on. But Asha, I leave the decision to you.”
“Of course we’re going. We have to save them.”
I recited the textbook answer.
Serena pressed her fingers to her temples and groaned.
“Asha…… You don’t seem to grasp how dangerous this is.”
“You think a high-ranking demon is involved?”
“No. I’m saying all the victims have been young, beautiful women.”
At that, Ilya shot to his feet.
“Asha! I object! Your Highness and I will go instead!”
“Leave me out of this. I don’t want to get trapped in a crevice alone with the Archduke.”
I had already guessed what rattled the man, and smiled inwardly.
Beautiful women being taken. Meaning the demon involved was a high-ranking one targeting pretty girls.
The obvious culprit: Pan, demon lord of wind—one of the Demon King’s Four Generals.
He controlled human hearts with terrifying precision, leaving them mentally ruined forever. He was indeed the main villain of Chapter 5.
Serena and Ilya were worried for exactly that reason.
But showing you knew that meant you were a novice strategist—and I was just about to speak casually when—
“Guys, what are you even talking about? I—”
“Then I’ll dress up as a woman!”
Dress up as a womaaaa—woman—man—man—
Ilya’s bomb of a declaration echoed across the huge room.
Silence settled for three whole beats.
“Archduke… I didn’t know you were into that.”
Thud. Serena’s icy words stabbed straight into Ilya.
The 187-centimeter mountain of a man flinched. Even he seemed mortified by what he’d blurted.
“N-no. I just meant I should be the bait instead……”
“Archduke, are you insane? Who would mistake you for a woman? I’d rather put Asha and the Tower Master in men’s clothes!”
“Oh.”
Setting-wise, Ilya, the icy Grand Duke of the North—
Was everyone’s punching bag.
When Mikhail piled on, Ilya muttered a small sound of realization.
Then he hunched over, shoulders trembling in embarrassment.
[Saved to device.]
I quickly screenshotted Ilya from neck to ears—bright carrot-red with shame.
“Then it’s settled. The longer we delay, the more victims there’ll be. Prepare at once.”
“Y-yes.”
The meeting clearly wrapped up. Mikhail answered lazily and stood.
After a moment of thought, I spoke.
“Your Highness. Are you coming with us?”
“Huh? Well……”
He began casually—but hesitated.
Unlike Serena and Ilya, he was not yet an official party member.
Gulp. His Adam’s apple bobbed. His gaze dropped heavily to my arms, still faintly red.
“Ever since you threw yourself in harm’s way for me, I’ve thought about it.”
His voice softened as he recalled the moment. Before I knew it, he’d stepped right up to me.
“Hero Anastasia. As the First Prince of the Empire… I want to join your party.”
[Mikhail wishes to join the party.]
[Accept?]
I nodded gladly.
[Mikhail has joined the party.]
[Current members: 4/5]
“Looking forward to working with you, Your Highness!”
I beamed, and Mikhail blinked. His long golden lashes fluttered every time he did.
That was his tell—what he did when flustered.
“Th-then… call me Mikhail. And speak casually…”
I stifled laughter and asked again,
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. You saved my life.”
With a refreshing smile, Mikhail clasped my hands.
Maybe because he meant it this time—he didn’t feel like the cold prince from before at all.
When I opened my eyes, we were on a direct train to Rezenka.
‘……Why are we here?’
I blinked at the unexpected setting.
In Chapter 5, you skipped the travel time and appeared right at the mansion.
This train only showed up as a major setting in Chapter 6.
It was the first case where a high-ranking demon caused harm outside a crack—in reality—making it more thriller than battle. Fans loved that episode.
“Asha. Are you alright?”
Serena asked, looking genuinely worried.
I blinked, unsure of the context, and she pressed a hand to my forehead.
“You look pale.”
[I think my body feels heavy.]
[I feel totally fine.]
Two blue dialogue options appeared. I was about to pick the second—but froze.
‘My avatar is vulnerable to magic right now.’
The choices seem random, but they’re tailored to story flow and protagonist condition.
My current trait, “Magic Circuit Destroyed,” was clearly influencing the options.
No way. Could it be…?
Doubts needed proof. I picked the first option.
“My body feels a little heavy.”
Ngh. The avatar groaned faintly.
“……Serena, isn’t there something strange about this train?”
[Serena’s Affection +1]
“You’re right. I suspected it—but now I’m sure.”
Bingo. Serena nodded.
I couldn’t see it myself through the red lens, but she could.
A faint cross-shaped sigil appeared in her blue eyes.
“The magic density inside this train is unnaturally high.”
At her words, my vision flickered.
The blue system window at the top glitched as it reappeared.
[Chapter 5. The City Where Girls Vanish]
[Loading…..]
[Critical progression error detected]
[Updating chapter title.]
“Screaaaam!”
A piercing shriek exploded through the train.
[Chapter 5. Train of Terror]
[Begin.]
I swallowed hard at the impossible development.
The chapter order…… had changed.
