ITITPS 8

Chapter : 8

It takes roughly a full day by steam locomotive to travel from the Mage Tower to the temple.

To me, an early model that barely manages 20 km/h is nothing but junk—but that’s only because I’m used to riding a magnetic-levitation train that runs at 600 km/h.

Compared to horse-drawn carriages that struggle to make 10 km in an hour, steam power is nothing short of revolutionary in this world. Even Ilya looked a bit excited.

“They only started operating it last month. Amazing, isn’t it?”

“Hm. It’s certainly impressive.”

Ilya seemed to want my agreement, but a truly heartfelt reaction was impossible.

Besides, the first train of the Empire would soon be blown to pieces in a later incident anyway.

I suppose the emperor—who owned the railway—must have been furious, but that wasn’t my problem.

[(Admire)]

[(Look away)]

A choice box popped up. Ilya would probably be happy even if I just breathed near him right now, but I was curious how far this new affection stat could go.

I picked the first option—the one closest to the “correct” answer.

“Woooow.”

My avatar widened her eyes like a startled rabbit and stared at the locomotive in wonder. Serena reached out and shut my gaping mouth.

[Ilya’s Affection +5]

[Serena’s Affection +2]

We attracted enough attention as it was, so I could feel people staring every so often.

I was wearing red contact lenses to hide my cross-shaped pupils, so I wouldn’t become a target.

‘Still feels kind of weird, though.’

I rarely see my own eyes, so I hadn’t noticed—but in this run, the cross mark was visible at all times.

It was originally supposed to appear only when I used magic sight.

Between getting internal damage from food infused with mana and this, it seemed like another part of the patch. The 100th run was apparently balancing things by giving out affection but limiting mana.

A hero’s power comes from the holy sword, not mana, so I won’t have trouble fighting—but losing HP just by being exposed to magic is a problem.

Right then, the train already at the station departed, and a second train rolled in.

Screeeeeeeech!

My body flinched at the horrible noise. To someone accustomed to silent maglev trains, it felt practically violent.

My head throbbed, and I stumbled back—

“…Oh.”

My heel caught on a patch of raised ground.

Even as I fell backward, I didn’t feel much danger. After all, it wouldn’t hurt anyway.

But instead of crashing head-first into the ground, something else happened.

Thud.

My fall stopped at about a forty-five-degree angle. My head landed against something solid—a chest.

“Asha.”

I lifted my head and saw a black-haired, black-eyed beauty of a man. Ilya’s well-trained arms were wrapped around me.

“Are you all righ—no, that question is meaningless.”

Contrary to my expectation that he would let me go immediately, he didn’t release me.

He sighed quietly and lowered his gaze.

“Because there’s no way you’re all right.”

He looked genuinely miserable. I had no idea what triggered him.

I turned my eyes toward Serena—

‘What’s her problem now?’

—only to find she also looked deadly serious. I sighed.

I don’t normally like checking flashbacks mid-game, but this time I had no choice. Feeling frustrated, I opened the menu and pulled up the cash shop.

I intended to purchase both “Serena’s Heart” and “Ilya’s Heart.”

Scrolling down—

[Would you like to purchase “Serena’s Heart”?]

[Purchase attempted…]

[Purchase failed.]

“…Why?”

[This item cannot be purchased.]

I narrowed my eyes and reached toward the menu window. Of course, nothing changed. The greyed-out slot stayed grey.

“No need to hide it any longer.”

Ilya answered my muttering out of nowhere. Dazed, I looked up at him.

His expression was too serious for jokes—and full of concern.

Before I could speak, the scenery shifted.

When I opened my eyes, I saw a pure white temple.

Located in Rizenka, often called the Empire’s second capital, the temple bustled with visitors.

In a world with divine power, both believers and the sick flocked here, and naturally it was crowded.

“Is this your first visit, Grand Duke?”

“Not the first, no. Though I’ve only been here once as a child.”

Ilya answered with a bitter smile.

Since the temple openly disliked those with demon blood, he probably hadn’t been treated well even back then.

It was only a game scenario, but I still felt bad for him. Every capture target in Lesondérette carried some tragic flaw or trauma.

Serena, who wandered in solitude for ten years after her clan was slaughtered.

Ilya, whose father was a demon, who lost his mother at birth, and who grew up despised by all.

Mute, the orphan boy of Chapter 3. And Michael, the twisted First Prince set to appear in Chapter 4.

In Lesondérette, pursuing a route meant filling their emptiness until romance bloomed.

‘Okay, stop. This is way too much immersion.’

Before I dragged the mood down any further, I shook my head to dispel the thoughts. The three of us headed not for the public entrance but a more discreet location.

A plain-looking priest waited there.

“Welcome to the temple, Lady Serena of the Mage Tower, His Grace Grand Duke Zakharov, and…”

She bowed her head and smiled brightly at me.

“Lady Anastasia.”

Of course. I wasn’t officially recognized as the Hero yet, but Serena must have informed them.

Serena, the strongest mage in the Empire, was practically considered a strategic weapon; her words carried enormous weight.

And beyond that, one glimpse of the holy crest on my hand would give everything away.

The wielder of the holy sword could summon it via the divine mark—that was canon.

‘Patched in because too many players complained they didn’t want to carry the sword everywhere.’

“This way, please.”

Following her, the scene changed instantly. In a modest room stood a boy in ceremonial vestments.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had such distinguished guests.”

His clear young voice echoed like a bell.

Snow-white hair, golden eyes.

A white robe embroidered with golden praise for the goddess, and a pure white cross at his throat.

A priest of spotless purity.

Naturally, a menu window popped up—

[You have encountered a main character!]

[Name: Mute Valenstein]

[Mute is a high-ranking priest serving the Goddess of Light. He has no combat ability, but wields powerful divine power and is a valuable healer. Move him with your righteous deeds!]

At nineteen, Mute was the only capture target younger than the player.

Fresh-faced, innocent boys were always in demand.

And yes, I was among that demand. I smiled warmly as he approached.

“I am Mute Valenstein, priest of the Goddess of Light. Lady Anastasia, if it’s not too rude—may I see the mark on your hand?”

He asked politely, a faint smile glowing like a halo.

[(Hesitate)]

[(Offer your hand)]

Either choice was fine, so I picked the second and offered my hand.

[Mute’s Affection +3]

Mute studied the mark carefully, admiration all over his face.

“There’s no doubt—it’s real. Such strong divine power… amazing. Could you show me the holy sword as well?”

Excited, he leaned in close.

To a devout priest, the goddess’s chosen weapon would be priceless.

[(Accept Mute’s request)]

[(Refuse Mute’s request)]

Easy decision. I opened my hand and summoned the sword.

Brilliant light flashed, and a whip-like flexible blade settled into my palm.

Mute stared at me as if he’d lost his mind.

“A—ah! I never imagined I’d see the holy sword’s light in my lifetime! This is truly—”

“Then, Cardinal. Anastasia is unquestionably the prophesied Hero, correct?”

“Of course! Being able to summon the holy sword alone proves it! Lady Anastasia is humanity’s savior!”

Mute was nearly frothing with fanatical joy—while Serena’s face froze stiff.

Why?

In Chapter 3, she was thrilled when the protagonist was confirmed to be the Hero.

The longed-for key to ending the demon threat—finally appearing.

No amount of “100-run clear patch” should have changed their backstories.

Puzzled, I glanced at Ilya—but he didn’t look happy either.

“I apologize if I behaved improperly.”

“That’s no issue, Cardinal. But I do have a favor.”

Mute, too, sensed their mood and apologized, but that didn’t seem to be the cause.

Serena took a breath and grew serious.

I pricked up my ears.

“I want you to examine Anastasia’s physical condition.”

…Huh?

That was surprising—but fair.

Unlike the previous 99 loops, this time I coughed blood just from eating, and nearly collapsed after defeating a bottom-tier demon. Serena probably thought I was the frailest weakling alive.

Mute looked confused but nodded.

“Examining the Hero is no trouble at all. But… is something wrong? She looks fine on the outside.”

“Give her a full exam. In fact…”

Serena paused and glanced at me. What was she about to say?

“I suspect… that. Thoroughly, Cardinal.”

“W-what?! Is that truly possible?!”

She leaned close and whispered into his ear. Even straining, I couldn’t hear a word.

But Mute practically jumped out of his skin.

His fingers fidgeted nervously.

“I–if Lady Serena is correct, then Lady Anastasia is—”

“That’s why I’m asking you. I’d prefer you tell us we’re wrong.”

‘What the hell?’