I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 117

The small building where I first stayed upon arriving at the imperial palace, the narrow path leading from the building to the herb chamber, Adrian’s office near the herb chamber, Lucius’s palace, and the hallway where I had created my resting place.

It was before everything collapsed. In the space where black cracks had begun to form, only those I had successfully captured stood unscathed.

Ardal, Dietrich—the hands I had been holding were now empty. Had they moved in a different way than me? They stood among the people waiting for us, looking at me.

I lowered my gaze to the magic circle glowing brightly beneath my feet, then lifted my head.

I never expected the server shutdown to proceed in such a disastrous manner.

“Saintess.”

Lucius, standing before a dangerously tilted pillar, called out to me. The pillar seemed as if it could collapse at any moment, yet he wore a smile that did not suit the ominous scene.

He must have guessed that I was the reason this situation had arisen.

I had returned prepared to face a dead-ending scenario, yet, contrary to my expectations, no one rushed to kill me.

<Player [    ] has successfully logged in.>

• Restoring deleted data!
• Restoration will take some time.
• Restoration speed will increase based on player movement!
• Current restoration progress: 20%

A small vibration came from my pocket. Absentmindedly reaching inside, I pulled out my phone and tilted my head. Instead of a system window appearing, information was displayed directly on the screen.

I removed the electrode still attached to my forehead and lowered my head to check my condition.

I was still wearing the comfortable clothes I had on at home. Just as Ardal and Dietrich had said, my real body had been transported here exactly as it was.

<An abnormality has been detected in the player’s body!>

• Recovering abnormal status.

New information continuously appeared on the screen. A strange light crawled up my finger, soon wrapping around my entire left arm.

The scar on my finger, which had been paler than the surrounding skin, now matched the tone of the rest of my body. My hand, which had trembled even when still, no longer shook even when I clenched my fist tightly.

“Saintess, are you feeling unwell?”

Dion had approached me at some point, his tone filled with concern. I squinted against the dull ache in my eyes and shook my head.

As I turned my left hand back and forth, clenching and unclenching my fist, Dion suddenly reached out his hand.

He grabbed my wrist and pulled it toward him before waving his hand through the air. A delicate ornament, seemingly mismatched with his sturdy hands, appeared. The bracelet, adorned with a red gemstone, looked far too small to fit on his wrist.

The bracelet was immediately fastened onto my wrist.

<You have obtained the item ‘Bracelet Imbued with Holy Power’!>

• Physical stability: 50% (If stability falls below 10%, the player will die.)

The bracelet around my wrist had the same design as the ring I had discarded. Unlike before, it no longer restricted my ability to log out, but a more absurd system message followed.

What did it mean that I would die if my stability fell below 10%?

Unable to even protest against Dion for putting the bracelet on me without asking, I simply stared wide-eyed at the phone screen.

Before I could even process the fact that my hand had returned to normal, more messages appeared in succession.

<System access for [Dion] has been terminated.>

• Reward: Stability increase rate +15% (Three months / Maximum limit)
• Stability increase rate resets every three months.
• Stability increase rate resets after all participants in the event have their stability increased.

<System access for [Lucius] has been terminated.>

• Reward: Stability increase rate +15% (Three months / Maximum limit)
• Stability increase rate resets every three months.
• Stability increase rate resets after all participants in the event have their stability increased.

<System access for [Ardal] has been terminated.>

• Reward: Stability increase rate +17%

<System access for [Dietrich] has been terminated. >

• Reward: Stability increase rate +17%

“Ha…”

A sharp breath escaped from someone’s lips. Had they seen the same system messages? Those who had been using the system seemed just as startled as I was.

“Saintess, do you have any information on stability?”

“If you mean physical stability, I just read about it.”

“What does it say?”

“It says that if stability drops below 10%, the player will die.”

“Who will…?”

“I think it’s referring to me…”

Before Lucius could finish his question, he cursed under his breath.

“What’s wrong?”

“For you to remain here, your stability has to be maintained above a certain threshold. The method to maintain it was given as a reward to the ones who summoned you.”

“What does that mean?”

I frowned as I asked. Lucius furrowed his brows just as deeply as I had and explained.

“It means you’ll have to meet with the people here every three months to keep your stability up.”

Lucius ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated.

“Raising stability on your own is impossible. This just became a massive headache.”

***

Ardal’s vision and Dietrich’s hearing soon returned to normal. Though they had lost their senses abruptly, there were no aftereffects. Instead, they were delighted upon confirming their stability increase rate.

Thanks to their rewards being the second highest, they had regained their abilities faster.

“The imperial palace has stabilized considerably. It would be best to visit the Holy Kingdom for a while.”

Orias, who had been monitoring the restoration, spoke.

“What do you think, Haniel? Shall we leave for the Holy Kingdom tomorrow?”

Since my name couldn’t be pronounced properly here, I was called Haniel for convenience. I had grown used to it and had no complaints.

I checked my phone while considering Orias’s words.

<Current restoration progress: 85%>

The restoration of the imperial palace was nearly complete. While my presence accelerated the process, its absence would only slow it down—not halt it entirely. Just as Orias suggested, it seemed wise to make a brief visit to the Holy Kingdom.

“If I return with Ardal, I should be able to stay there for about a month.”

Orias, assessing my stability, nodded. Though he couldn’t access the system, he could still monitor stability.

“Since your stability is still high, you can take your time.”

When I agreed, Orias smiled and turned away, saying he would make immediate preparations and search for Ardal.

Ardal had received the second-highest stability increase as a reward, while Orias had received the highest. Thus, there was no need to rush.

As I waved at Orias’s retreating figure, a small child ran past him and approached me.

With a bright expression, Hella bowed briefly to Orias before turning to me and speaking in an eager voice.

“Saintess! Are you going to the Holy Kingdom?”

“Yes, Hella. It seems I need to make a short trip.”

Orias had taken measures to ensure that my presence did not feel unnatural. The abilities amplified by the system altered the memories of everyone who had known me.

Even though this was not Haniel’s body, they still called me Saintess and followed me. In fact, their devotion had only intensified.

People who had witnessed me turn to ash right before the coronation and then return ten days later to restore the collapsed palace now revered me like a deity.

No, they actually regarded me as a god.

It was now common for people to bow deeply when they saw me. The other day, when I had closed my eyes to rest by the fountain, a crowd had gathered and built a small altar in front of me, piling money as they prayed.

Dion, who had been dozing beside me, had stepped away and watched from a distance. When I sent the people away and questioned him about it, he covered his face with both hands and groaned.

“How can you expect me to stand there and listen to them calling me the guardian of the divine?”

Muttering that he couldn’t bear to hear such embarrassing words, Dion had scolded me, telling me never to doze off in public again.

Even if he hadn’t said so, I had already resolved to be more careful.

It was at least a relief that those who had been close to me still treated me as they always had. If even Hella or Tricia had changed, I would have truly understood the meaning of loneliness amidst a crowd.

“I want to go too!”

“Huh?”

“Sir Adrian said I should follow you wherever you go!”

“Adrian?”

“Yes! And he said that if you plan to be away from the palace for a long time, I must find him immediately.”

Cheerfully relaying Adrian’s message, Hella clasped my hand and tugged gently.

“Are you leaving now?”

“Yes!”

As we made our way to Adrian, Hella chattered nonstop about her recent experiences. She laughed while talking about Dahlia, then complained about the intensity of Tricia’s training before quickly switching topics to grumble about Beatrice scolding her.

Her endless flow of conversation was pleasant to listen to, making it impossible to feel bored.

“Oh, right! Lady Tricia also said she wanted to go out with you!”

“Tricia did?”

“Ah, she told me not to mention it… Please keep it a secret…”

Hella smacked her palm against her lips in realization.

“She gets flustered and angry when she’s embarrassed.”

Speaking playfully, she then fell silent, smiling.

I patted Hella’s head and responded, “Next time you see Tricia, tell her that I’d like to go out with her, too.”

“She’ll be thrilled! Though she’ll try not to show it.”

As we talked, we soon arrived at Adrian’s office. Hella ran ahead to change her shoes before returning to my side.

Since I knew I didn’t need to change my shoes, she had only swapped her own.

Before I could even knock, Adrian opened the door and stepped out.

Noticing Hella holding my hand, he blinked impassively before speaking in a dry voice.

“So, you’re leaving the palace for a while.”

Without a greeting, he made a direct assumption.

Handing Hella a key, he instructed, “Why are you standing there like an idiot? Go fetch more herbs.”

Was that the key to the herb chamber?

The key to Adrian’s herb chamber, which he had never let anyone access, was naturally handed to Hella.

Pouting, she grumbled under her breath, but a sharp look from Adrian sent her scurrying away.

“I’ll be right back!”

Watching her dash off with practiced ease, I stood there blankly. Adrian, noticing my expression, spoke with slight embarrassment.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m not treating the child you brought here like a servant.”

His normally cold face had lost some color, and he awkwardly explained himself.

“She used to manage the herb chamber in that village, so I’m just receiving her assistance.”

“Calling her an idiot, though…”

“…I’ll be more polite in the future.”

Pressing his fingers against his temple, Adrian composed himself and replied smoothly.