I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 105

“The funeral will proceed for a week starting tomorrow. Your Holiness, that is…”

“There is no need to explain the funeral procedures. More importantly, it seems the Grand Duke has another request for me… It would be best to get straight to the point to avoid wasting each other’s time.”

It was not uncommon for the Pope to oversee the Emperor’s funeral rites. Orias cut off Dietrich’s words as if he had no intention of listening to something he already knew.

Dietrich, who had been about to explain the funeral procedures in detail, nodded at Orias’s response.

“I understand. The important matter isn’t the funeral, but the coronation and what follows.”

Although the influence of the Holy Kingdom over the Empire was not strong, the Pope’s words were not without significance. Perhaps because I had captured all the characters and strengthened our relationships, Dietrich sought the Pope’s assistance for the coronation.

Requesting the Pope to preside over both the funeral and the coronation was not an unreasonable proposal, and Orias listened with a neutral expression.

However, the next suggestion seemed to be quite unpleasant for Orias and Ardal.

“Even after the coronation, His Highness Lucius wishes for the Saintess to remain in the Empire. She is a crucial figure in linking the Empire and the Holy Kingdom, and if she were to return immediately after the coronation, it would lessen her symbolic importance…”

I had assumed that once Lucius became Emperor, he would not send me back to the Holy Kingdom. He had decided to become Emperor to protect me, so if I were to return to the Holy Kingdom, all of his efforts would have been meaningless.

“We wish to appoint the Saintess as His Highness Lucius’s theological mentor and, if she desires, construct a new temple and grant her an official title.”

There is already a temple. That desolate temple that no one visits.

Recalling the temple filled with memories with Dietrich, I glanced at him, but he did not return my gaze.

“We will also fully support increasing the number of believers.”

As Dietrich firmly concluded his statement, a faint smile spread across Orias’s face. However, his voice, in contrast to his benevolent smile, was firm.

“This is a matter that must be discussed with the Saintess.”

“It is not a bad offer for the Saintess. We will guarantee her religious freedom and provide appropriate support for any endeavors she wishes to pursue…”

“We should discuss this first, don’t you think?”

Orias decisively interrupted. His gentle tone disappeared, and a cold tension settled between him and Dietrich.

The two men examined each other as if assessing their opponent, then simultaneously put on picture-perfect smiles.

“…Yes, that is true. The Saintess’s opinion should come first.”

Dietrich was the first to respond with a softened tone. Both were skilled at concealing their true intentions, exchanging amicable smiles despite the underlying tension.

Oh, this is impressive. Just looking at their expressions and tone, no one would suspect that they were in conflict.

If not for the expressions of Ardal and Dion standing behind them.

Unlike the men seated at the table who maintained polite smiles, Ardal and Dion’s faces were twisted with hostility, as if they were baring their true emotions. Their clenched jaws and sharp glares revealed their feelings.

The stark contrast in expressions between those seated and those standing was amusing, but for me, this was a serious matter. I had to make it to the ending without being imprisoned or killed by these people who were constantly wary of one another.

The system urged me to complete my objective, but… was that truly possible?

If someone is in love, it’s only natural for them to feel possessive. The deeper the emotions, the stronger the possessiveness.

Even if I tried to think of this as just a game and open my heart to the idea, I couldn’t imagine all six of these dominant personalities simply smiling and getting along with me at the center.

For that to happen, something powerful would have to force them to suppress their possessiveness.

Would such an event occur once the objective was complete?

Sitting in the middle of the large table, watching the confrontation between the Empire’s representatives and the Holy Kingdom’s representatives, I decided to set aside the worries I couldn’t resolve.

If I couldn’t change the outcome by worrying, then I simply had to focus on my objective and move forward.

***

“Ardal, sit.”

After sending Dietrich and Dion away under the pretense of discussing matters, Orias gave an order to Ardal and let out a deep sigh.

His expression, as he turned to look at me, was clouded with multiple emotions.

“I had confirmed with my own eyes that you were getting along with the First Prince… but it seems you are on even better terms with the others than I expected.”

Orias quickly composed himself and spoke with a practiced expression. However, the sigh in his voice hinted at slight wavering.

“Haniel, the document?”

Orias then asked another question. I pressed my lips together and shook my head.

“Not yet.”

“Then this will be the final opportunity. The funeral will create enough chaos to exploit. We should take advantage of it. Do you know the location?”

“Yes, Lucius has it. The copy is with the Third Prince.”

As I answered Orias, I suddenly wondered why securing the document was the final objective of the game. If this was simply a game about seducing the Empire’s men as a spy, wouldn’t things be resolved at this point?

Even if we didn’t eliminate the document, the Empire was already favorably inclined toward the Holy Kingdom. They were even discussing constructing a temple just to keep me here.

Why did I still need to secure the document? Was it just a superficial objective to fit my role as a spy?

“There’s no need to worry about the copy. The document possessed by the First Prince is the one that must be handled.”

“You mean to destroy it…”

“Whether you destroy it or keep it is up to you after you see it for yourself.”

“You mean I have to read it first?”

“Yes.”

Orias handed the decision over to me as if it were only natural. The lingering unease I had felt regarding the document became clear.

Having spent so much time in this game world, I could now guess what the system intended.

The system wanted me to read the document.

The document’s contents changed depending on who read it. If someone wished for the Holy Kingdom’s secrets, those secrets would appear. If they desired someone’s weakness, that would be revealed instead. This applied to the player as well.

For those without holy power, the text would appear as encrypted symbols, making it useless.

I thought it was a meaningless setting, but it seems to be more important than I expected.

“Can I not read it?”

“Huh?”

But I don’t need to. Before, I was tempted by the possibility of finding information about logging out, but the ending is coming soon anyway.

Once I see the ending, I’ll automatically log out, so what does it matter?

If I have any questions about the game, I can just look up a guide after returning to reality. When I asked indifferently, Orias was momentarily flustered before smiling and responding.

“You must read it.”

“Why?”

“That is…”

He had been about to persuade me as if stating the obvious, but his face suddenly stiffened. As Orias froze, Ardal and I exchanged glances.

He was so stiff that we instinctively looked at each other in surprise.

He looked like he had been struck by lightning—or perhaps like he had been struck by a sudden revelation.

What is he thinking about?

Orias mumbled in a shaken tone, “That is…”

He repeated himself without continuing. Ardal and I waited, but Orias ultimately failed to provide an answer.

If I leave him like this, he’ll probably keep thinking until dawn.

Unable to bear the long silence, I called out to the bowed Orias.

“Orias, what’s wrong?”

“Could this be…?”

“Orias.”

Orias, lost in thought with a pale face, raised his head at my call.

“You must read the document.”

He spoke with an expression that suggested he had not yet found an answer. His face looked like it would crack if I questioned him further.

“Alright, I’ll read it and decide.”

“Yes… before the coronation ends, you must read the document…”

Orias responded with an uncharacteristic stammer.

<‘Reading the Document’ is the minimum condition required for objective achievement.>

As if warning me not to press Orias further, a system window appeared.

It was simply an additional step in the process of retrieving the document, so it wasn’t difficult. The problem was finding it.

Leaning against the table, I spoke, “If I want to search for the document without raising suspicion, I need an excuse. Is there any way to create one?”

Rather than confusing Orias with unnecessary words, it was better to gather as much useful information as possible. What I needed now was a strategy to secure the document.

At my question, Orias and Ardal fell into contemplation. Ardal, deep in thought, finally spoke.

“The document is with the First Prince, so shouldn’t we search his residence?”

“Indeed, there’s a high chance the document is in Lucius’s room.”

“If we can just find a reason to enter…”

“Oh, that’s not difficult. I can enter freely. The real problem is getting caught while searching.”

“…Is that so.”

I casually replied to Ardal’s comment, but when I saw his gloomy expression, I bit my tongue.

He knows exactly what it means when I say I can enter Lucius’s room freely. I had spoken too carelessly.

Ardal understands what kind of relationship I have with them.

Seeing Ardal’s saddened face made me feel downhearted as well. It had been so long since we last met, and I had upset him.

Avoiding his sincere expression, I forced myself to speak casually.

“Orias, you said the document’s contents are unreadable?”

“Without holy power, it cannot be read. No one in the Empire has holy power, so if they failed to decipher it, that would be the reason.”

“Then how about we use that to our advantage?”

If I create a situation where the document needs to be read immediately, Lucius might show it to me himself.

“Lucius knows I have holy power. If I say that someone with holy power can read it, there’s a chance he’ll let me see it.”

“That’s not a reliable method. The First Prince has no urgent need to read the document.”

“But there’s still a possibility.”

I can’t think of any other approach.

Orias, deep in thought, finally responded.

“Alright. Then after the coronation, I’ll announce that you’re returning to the Holy Kingdom with us.”

“Huh? Why?”

“The First Prince wants to keep you here.”

“Orias, sorry, but I don’t quite understand.”

Wouldn’t declaring my departure just provoke him?

Frowning, I asked for further explanation.

“I will spread the rumor that the document contains words capable of swaying people’s hearts. Since that isn’t entirely untrue, the First Prince wouldn’t find it suspicious.”

Isn’t that Orias’s ability?

Strictly speaking, Orias’s ability slightly alters memories, but it was close enough.

If the Empire had been monitoring the Pope, they would have noticed discrepancies when he used his power. If the stolen document was said to contain a method for such manipulation, it wouldn’t be an entirely implausible claim.

However, I hesitated to respond. If I said that…

As I hesitated to answer, Ardal interjected, “We should proceed with His Holiness’s plan, Lady Haniel.”

“If I say I want to return to the Holy Kingdom now…”

Won’t that lead to a confinement ending?

I trailed off, furrowing my brows. As I faltered, Orias reassured me with a gentle smile.

“He will try to keep you here. But he won’t want you to hate him.”

That sounds like the introduction to a confinement ending.

His voice was kind, but a shiver ran down my spine. Since Orias had the most confinement endings, it was unnerving to hear such words from him.

Surely, Orias isn’t thinking about that right now…?

“Don’t worry, Haniel. You won’t be left alone.”

His additional reassurance only made me feel more uneasy.