STMCS 5

Chapter 5. I’m Not the Protagonist, Though?

The doctor scanned me from head to toe with sharp, hawk-like eyes, then brought over a large amount of ointment made by crushing various herbs and began treating me with quick, meticulous hands. Judging by the fact that his wife—who seemed to live here with him—had already prepared low-heeled, comfortable shoes without being told anything, she was remarkably perceptive. As someone hired to tend to knights whose lives revolved around training, his skills were beyond doubt.

It was already fortunate enough that I had escaped safely, but being able to meet a doctor on top of that? That was pure luck. At this point, everything could be called smooth sailing.

Except for one thing—I was completely broke.

What do I do now?

Watching the doctor wrap my leg over and over with clean white bandages, I fell into deep thought. I had received treatment from the knights’ physician at such a late hour—I should compensate him somehow. But since I’d run away without any preparation, there was no way I had money on me.

The more I thought about it, the more regretful I felt. Ah, if only I hadn’t been caught by Pelliot when I tried to take money with me!

…Wait a second.

Hadn’t I sold a lot of something just now?

Carefully glancing around, I silently mouthed, “Window.”

At that, a brilliant light flashed, and the system window popped up.

「Total Shares Sold: 1600」

Ohhh.

Ever since meeting Commander Raenon, it had increased by a whopping 600 shares. Unlike others, he had been constantly spouting ridiculous, over-the-top compliments, so it made sense.

With this many shares, something should work, right?

Please, just this once…!

I desperately cried out in my heart.

Money, money!

…But nothing changed.

Was this not it?

“Exchange… cash exchange…”

“…Pardon?”

Even though I whispered as quietly as possible, the doctor, who had been focused on treatment, immediately looked up.

“N-no, it’s nothing.”

I shook my head casually, but inside I was filled with deep disappointment. I’d even embarrassed myself by saying it out loud, yet nothing happened. There was nothing I could use physically.

At this rate, it seemed my lodging for tonight was already decided.

…Sleeping on the streets.

Well, that was still better than being dragged back to that mad duke’s mansion. Yes, it was—but still!

Forget the shares—I need to come up with a plan first.

I was curious about what exactly had happened to me and what all this meant, but it wasn’t more urgent than my current situation. I might become homeless starting tonight—what good were shares if they couldn’t turn into money?

Seriously… what am I supposed to do?

As I secretly tugged at my hair in frustration, the door inside the treatment room slowly creaked open, and a little boy and girl peeked their heads out.

Their round, curious eyes were so adorable that I smiled without realizing it. The doctor’s wife hurried over to them.

“Oh my, they’re still awake…”

The doctor added awkwardly with a cough,

“They’re my children. A pair of siblings born close together—they always get into trouble together.”

“Oh my, they’re so cute…”

At that moment, a thought suddenly struck me, and my lips froze mid-coo.

Wait.

Come to think of it… didn’t I also have what people would call a “family home”?

Louis Meired—my older brother.

The reason I hadn’t thought of him right away was because he felt like a complete stranger to me. As soon as I transmigrated, he had been sent to the north—no, he had left—so I hadn’t exchanged a single word with him. Even during the two years at the duke’s mansion, we had only exchanged a few letters.

Maybe we were even more distant than strangers.

The only memory I had of him was how pitifully he had watched the Duke of Pelliot during my wedding, constantly gauging his mood.

Still… he was my only family.

The last letter said they moved to the Aurea region…

Aurea wasn’t that far from the duke’s territory. A flicker of hope rose within me, and I clenched my dress with sweaty hands.

He’d probably be shocked if a younger sister he hadn’t seen in two years suddenly showed up, but surely he wouldn’t turn away his only blood relative.

“Alright, we’re done.”

Before I knew it, the treatment had finished.

“As long as the wounds don’t worsen, you’ll be fine. Just in case, I’ll give you some extra medicine.”

The doctor handed me a small pouch with a gentle smile.

“Um…”

I hesitated, unable to lift my head.

“A-about the treatment fee…”

“…Pardon?”

Trying to say I had no money made my chest feel tight. The gold coins I had failed to bring from the mansion flashed before my eyes, making me swallow hard—but they were out of reach now.

As I fiddled silently with the jeweled necklace around my neck, the doctor looked increasingly puzzled.

“This is all I have…”

I lowered my head, struggling to speak—when suddenly, a long arm appeared from behind.

“Thank you for accepting a patient so late. Will this suffice?”

Commander Raenon had appeared beside me without me noticing. He placed something shining into the doctor’s hand.

Goodness—it was gold coins. Enough to cover the treatment fee dozens of times over.

“N-no! I cannot accept this from you, Commander!”

Before I could say anything, the doctor shook his head in shock. But Raenon firmly pressed his hand closed.

“Consider it payment for this and something else.”

“…I beg your pardon?”

At that moment, the doctor’s wife quickly stepped forward and bowed.

“Please don’t worry—we won’t speak of today’s events to anyone.”

Ah.

Only then did I take a proper look at myself—my disheveled hair, the torn hem of my dress that didn’t match its luxurious quality, and my wounded bare feet.

Anyone would find it suspicious.

Raenon gave a steady look to the repeatedly bowing couple, then turned to me with a gentle smile.

“Shall we go?”

Before I could react, I was lifted into the air again.

“Eek!”

At that moment—

Ding-dong!

「‘Compliment King of This Area’ has passionately purchased 200 shares of you.」

And as if waiting for it, more shares started selling again.

Ding-dong!
「Young and rich, tall and handsome… May I leave my flaw upon your perfection?」

Ding-dong!
「‘Compliment King of This Area’ purchased 100 more shares.」

「Report him quickly. This man’s a criminal—he assaulted my heart♡」

Here we go again.

I rubbed my face reflexively at the constant ringing.

“Are you alright?”

Raenon asked kindly.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Ignoring the endless flood of nonsense, I smiled sweetly.

I was determined not to repeat the same mistake as before.

“Thank you so much. I don’t even know how to express my gratitude.”

While Raenon’s escort went to retrieve the horses, I bowed repeatedly.

After dealing with people like Emma Chambers and the gossiping servants, meeting someone this kind made the world suddenly seem beautiful.

“I’ll definitely repay the treatment fee.”

“Please don’t worry about that. More importantly—do you have somewhere to go?”

“Ah, well…”

“I actually have family in Aurea… I plan to go there.”

“I see. If we ride through the night, we’ll arrive by morning. But it’s not safe for a lady to travel alone—I’ll accompany you.”

“…What? N-no, that’s not necessary!”

But he was firm.

“Otherwise, I won’t feel at ease.”

His kindness almost made me uneasy. In the mansion, such kindness usually came with ulterior motives.

But—

“Finding a carriage is easy. Verifying the driver is not. I cannot send you alone under such circumstances.”

“…Alright then. I’ll have them find a carriage.”

Soon, we boarded a large, comfortable carriage.

As we traveled, I learned more about Raenon—he had grown up in the residence of the Ecretus Holy Knights, which belonged to his family, the Berhardt household.

The more we talked, the more he seemed like someone raised in a warm and upright family.

At some point—

Ugh… I’m bored.

“Ah!”

I jolted upright.

“Are you bored? I’m sorry—I’m not sleeping!”

“…Pardon?”

Raenon tilted his head.

How long do I have to wait?

“W-what?!”

I clamped my mouth shut in shock.

I had clearly heard a voice.

But Raenon’s lips hadn’t moved.

Then… whose voice was that?

“Is something wrong?”

I can’t take it anymore. Sorry—don’t be too surprised.

BOOM!

A loud explosion rang out, and a blinding flash filled my vision.

“Ahhh!”

I screamed, covering my head.

“…Commander? Are you alright?!”

Silence.

“…Commander?”

No answer.

When I cautiously opened my eyes—

No one was there.

“Commander Raenon!”

The man who had been sitting across from me just moments ago was gone.

The carriage had stopped.

Darkness swallowed everything—no moonlight, no lamp, nothing.

“—!”

Then—

Knock knock.

A sound at the door.

I shrank back as far as possible, trembling.

And then—

A low, amused voice spoke.

“Hello, Lorella.”

“Nice to meet you—my chosen protagonist.”

My body froze like ice.

W-who are you? I never said I wanted to be a protagonist…!