I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 126

I woke up, clutching my throbbing head.

<The effects of the sleep-inducing incense have worn off.>

It was a relief that I had sent Hella ahead of time. Checking the system for the time, I saw that it was already the afternoon. If she had left at dawn as planned, she should have arrived in the Empire by now.

“She must have arrived safely, right?”

I moved my feet and sat up. I could only hope that what I had told Hella yesterday had been properly relayed to Adrian.

<Warning! [Orias]’s status is extremely unstable!>

<Character [Orias] deletion is recommended.>

A series of system windows flashed before me in warning. As if blaming me for the current situation, the system enlarged its text dramatically, almost tauntingly.

<Character [Orias] deletion is recommended!>

The simplest solution to escape this predicament was displayed right in front of me.

I had grown accustomed to ignoring the system’s exaggerated warnings. Dismissing the oversized system window, I examined the shackles around my ankles.

One on each ankle, connected by a short chain in the middle. It allowed for small steps, but running would be impossible.

I was dressed in a thin nightgown.

There was nothing on me that could aid in my escape.

“I won’t be able to get out on my own.”

I shook my feet, rattling the chains, and got up from the soft bed to check my body.

My wrists weren’t bound.

It was an act of generosity born from overconfidence that I wouldn’t be able to escape.

I couldn’t get away alone—but that didn’t mean there was no way out.

‘Open inventory.’

I retrieved an item that Orias had failed to take from me.

<(Modified) Communication Magic Orb>

• A modified magic orb.
• Can establish contact with a target who possesses magical power.

It was a magic orb that Lucius and I had modified together. Originally, it had only been capable of contacting people within the Holy Kingdom, but Lucius had reconfigured it so that he would receive my calls first.

When I had asked Hella for a favor yesterday, I had stored it in my inventory to ensure I could make contact no matter what happened.

I had hoped I wouldn’t need to use it—but here I was, using it within a day.

“Sigh…”

I exhaled deeply and forced a small smile. In truth, I was anxious. I had no idea what Orias wanted, and the system kept insisting that I delete him.

But if I let my unease show, others wouldn’t listen to me and would simply try to kill Orias.

Steeling my expression, I placed my palm on the magic orb. A golden glow began to emanate from it. Soon, a familiar figure appeared beyond the magic orb’s surface.

A black-haired man sat at his desk, engrossed in his work.

Lucius.

The connection must have worked, as Lucius flinched slightly while handling paperwork. He glanced at me briefly before turning back to his documents.

Still upset that I had spent my last night in the Empire with Tricia, he seemed unwilling to look at me directly.

—”What? Why are you calling?”

“Lucius.”

—”Didn’t you say you weren’t going to use the magic orb anymore? What’s going on?”

Lucius responded in a disinterested tone.

I had asked Hella to pass along the message that I would contact him via the magic orb if something happened. Judging by Lucius’s indifferent reaction, it seemed Hella hadn’t arrived yet.

Still, he looked exhausted. He must have been buried in work.

Maybe I should speak slowly. He looked tired.

I hesitated before burdening him with another concern.

“Well…”

—”What is it?”

I rubbed my fingers together, trailing off, and Lucius locked his gaze onto me.

—”Did something happen?”

His voice took on a serious tone.

Just as I hesitated, debating how to explain, a flash of brown hair appeared beyond Lucius’s shoulder.

Is Adrian with him?

Scanning behind Lucius, I asked, “Is Adrian there too?”

—”Why?”

“I need to discuss something.”

—”Tell me instead.”

Lucius frowned. With a snap of his fingers, the view within the magic orb narrowed drastically.

Now, only Lucius’s face was visible.

—”…Is that the Saintess?”

Adrian’s voice came through faintly.

So he really is there.

—”No, she’s not.”

Lucius lied shamelessly.

—”I clearly heard the Saintess’s voice.”

—”Are you hearing things? How could you hear the Saintess when she’s not even here? Stop talking nonsense and get back to work.”

“Lucius, enough. Let Adrian join the conversation.”

—”Am I not enough? Oh, I see—you wouldn’t be asking if I were enough.”

As soon as I scolded him, Lucius grumbled in dissatisfaction. His tone was petulant, almost childlike, making me let out an exasperated chuckle.

Is this really the time for this?

“It’s not that you’re not enough…”

—”Then just talk to me. What do you need?”

Lucius refused to share the magic orb with Adrian, keeping the focus solely on himself.

Seriously.

I gave up trying to persuade him and simply lifted my foot to show him my ankle.

The metallic rattle of the chains immediately changed Lucius’s expression. His face hardened as he clenched his teeth.

—”What the hell is that? Who the hell… Where are you, Saintess?”

Lucius’s face pulled back from the magic orb. He must have stood up, as I now saw more of his body in the frame.

I could tell he was channeling magic, trying to locate my position. Since this place had been prepared by Orias, however, it would be useless.

Without a chance to stop him, I let out a small sigh as I watched Lucius use his tracking magic.

As his face moved out of the frame, I finally got a clear view of his office. In the distance, Adrian’s face had turned completely pale. Even if he hadn’t seen my ankle, he had definitely heard the rattling of the chains.

I greeted him as casually as possible.

“It’s been a while, Adrian. You don’t look well—have you been overworking yourself?”

—”Saintess?”

“Don’t take on all of Lucius’s work. Make sure to rest properly—”

As I waved at the magic orb and spoke, Adrian’s face twisted. Before I could even finish my sentence, Adrian stepped closer to the magic orb and spoke urgently.

—”How can you say that while wearing shackles on your ankle?”

“I contacted you about this.”

His usually calm expression contorted. A thick vein bulged on Adrian’s neck. He was barely holding back his frustration.

I rubbed my fingers together and said, “It’s not a big deal.”

—”…Not a big deal? You’re saying being shackled isn’t a big deal?”

Adrian’s voice was cold as he questioned me.

Lowering my ankle from the magic orb’s view, I explained, “As you can see, I’m currently imprisoned. Ah, but it’s not dangerous, so there’s no need to worry. Just in case something like this happened, I sent Hella ahead, so by now, she should…”

—”Sir Adrian!”

“Oh, she must have arrived.”

Lucius’s office door burst open without warning.

Behind Adrian, Lucius, who had been panting from his failed magic attempts, turned his magic toward Hella.

It seemed Hella had flung open the door without properly checking who was inside.

“Stop, Lucius! It’s Hella!”

At my urgent shout, Lucius clenched his fist and withdrew his magic. He glared at Hella, his breathing heavy, before storming toward the magic orb with heavy steps.

—”There’s only one person who would pull something like this—the Pope.”

His barely restrained voice was filled with anger.

—”Saintess, tell me where you are. I’ll come get you immediately.”

“Calm down. I told you, I’m fine.”

—”Whether you’re fine or not, I’ll judge that for myself. Tell me where you are.”

Hella, glancing between Lucius and Adrian, widened her eyes as she checked the magic orb.

—”Saintess, don’t tell me… the situation you mentioned yesterday actually happened?”

“Mm, yeah, that’s how it turned out.”

I answered awkwardly. Just as I was about to explain for those who didn’t understand our conversation, an unfamiliar sound reached my ears.

“Ah.”

—”Saintess?

“Someone’s coming. Hella, you can explain to Lucius and Adrian, right?”

The sound of footsteps grew closer. Without waiting for Hella’s response, I quickly terminated the magic orb and threw it back into my inventory.

“You’re awake.”

As expected, the one who entered the room was Orias. He greeted me nonchalantly.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Orias, how am I supposed to take this? Your stability is about to drop…”

He placed a light kiss on my lips, then gently stroked the ends of my hair while watching me.

As if amused by my resistance, he smiled and spoke, “If it’s about stability, there’s no need to worry. I’ll take care of it.”

“Orias, this isn’t something you can solve alone. Do you want me to die?”

“I understand that you’re upset, but don’t say things like that. You know I would never want that.”

Orias’s grip on my hair tightened. My hair, tangled in his fingers, pulled painfully. As I frowned in discomfort, Orias loosened his hold.

The strands slipped from his grasp. I took a step back and snapped at him.

<Warning! [Orias]’s status is unstable!>

“The only way to increase stability is through contact with others. But if you keep me shackled like this, how am I supposed to meet anyone?”

“There’s no need for you to meet anyone. You just need to stay here, Haniel.”

<Character [Orias] deletion is recommended.>

• Deleting this character will allow you to escape the current situation.
• The stability increase rate of character [Orias] will be appropriately distributed among other characters.

No, I’m not going to delete him.

Unaware that his life was in my hands, Orias spoke greedily, “As long as they’re alive, stability will be maintained, won’t it? Isn’t that right?”

“Orias.”

“Even if they lose their limbs, as long as they’re alive, Haniel’s stability will rise, right?”

His greed-filled eyes were grotesque. Orias seemed to be descending into an unfathomable madness.

“No one can take you away from me. No one, ever.”

He muttered, his twisted expression making it clear he wasn’t speaking to me.

“I… I worked so hard to get here. And now they’re trying to take it away?”

Rage, directed at an unknown target, poured from his lips. His bloodshot eyes blinked rapidly as he muttered to himself before suddenly snapping back to reality.

“Ah.”

He hurriedly turned to look at me.

“I’m sorry. I must have acted a little strange just now.”

Orias quickly apologized.

“I’ll come back later. Your meal is by the bed, so make sure to eat.”

“Wait, Orias. Let’s talk—”

I reached out to stop him as he turned to leave, but my chains got tangled, and I fell to the floor.

“…I’ll be back.”

Orias hesitated as he looked at me before finally stepping out of the room.