I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 20

“Oh.”

“What’s wrong?”

<Capture target – ‘Grand Duke’: Affection has slightly decreased.>

<Capture target – ‘Dion’: Affection has slightly decreased.>

• The Grand Duke’s affection level is in the negative. (Capturing is not possible.)
• Dion’s affection level is in the negative. (Capturing is not possible.)

While dining with Ardal, I glanced at the sudden system window, causing my lips to part in disbelief.

Those guys… What are they saying about me this time?

I was enjoying a pleasant meal with Ardal when this unwelcome notification appeared, leaving me dumbfounded. The system window was beyond annoying—the Grand Duke and Dion were deducting affection points without even properly meeting me.

What exactly are Dion and the Grand Duke saying to each other to merrily chip away their affections? Capturable characters badmouthing the protagonist behind her back—this is too much!

Thinking of how far I still had to go to achieve the reverse harem ending, I turned to Ardal.

Unlike them, Ardal’s gaze was filled with affection as he immediately looked at me at the faintest sound.

Seeing the mercilessly dropping affections in the system window, Ardal’s unwavering goodwill toward me felt all the more precious. The thought of parting with this dependable character once I moved to the Empire filled me with regret.

Letting out a wistful sigh, I shook my head. “I was just thinking about Sir Dion. He seems to dislike me…”

“He’s naturally curt. Don’t worry too much and try this.”

In this game, the most aloof character was describing someone less aloof as “curt.” I chuckled softly, recalling how Ardal hadn’t even initiated a conversation with me in the previous playthrough.

“This is one of my favorites. Thank you, Ardal.”

When my fingers brushed his as I expressed my gratitude, Ardal’s cheeks flushed as he smiled back at me.

***

Six days before the Saintess Coronation, the spy training disguised as education was halted. The Pope concluded my training on the documents I was to retrieve from the Empire.

According to him, the document was in the possession of the Empire’s first prince, the direct heir to the throne. However, an identical copy was also held by the second prince. Since the document was encrypted, the second prince had likely not deciphered it yet. I was instructed to destroy the copy and decide the fate of the original—whether to bring it back to the Holy Kingdom or destroy it as well.

After solemnly vowing to follow the Pope’s instructions, I intertwined myself with him. In a space far from holy, we acted inappropriately. Afterward, as he adjusted my disheveled clothes, the Pope opened his mouth.

“Starting today, we will pause your education and begin rehearsing for the coronation.”

Still catching my breath after the intense exertion, I managed a faint nod.

While I was left utterly drained and slumped over, the Pope looked immaculate. Adjusting his own attire, he lightly kissed my cheek before pulling away.

“You’re not particularly resilient, are you, Haniel?”

“Or perhaps, Orias, you’re unusually strong? I’ve never seen you exercise… How do you maintain such stamina with all that praying?”

My teasing question earned a gentle smile from the Pope.

“Holy power envelops my body, keeping me in excellent condition.”

“Holy power, huh? Sounds convenient.”

“You’re quite similar to me, Haniel.”

“Me? That’s unlikely. Even a little exertion leaves me breathless.”

“But you were fine after being with Ardal. That proves my point.”

The Pope’s voice was sharper than usual as he said this. Startled, I looked up to find him covering his mouth with a hand, his eyes curved in an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry for being so blunt. Let’s drop the subject.”

“Ah, yes.”

Drawing a clear line, the Pope turned and moved to retrieve a model Holy Grail. His slender blonde hair swayed lightly with each step. My eyes inadvertently traced the elegant lines of his broad shoulders and poised figure, and I only snapped out of my daze when he returned, holding the model Holy Grail.

“The coronation’s procedure is simple. I will bless the congregation and the Holy Knights before calling you forward.”

Approaching me and adjusting his height to match my seated position, the Pope held the model Holy Grail out for me to see.

“Then, you will step forward, accept this Holy Grail from me, and drink the holy water. That’s all.”

“That’s very straightforward.”

The Pope responded to my remark with a bright laugh. Taking my hand, he guided it to grasp the Holy Grail and whispered softly, “Yes, it’s simple.”

“Couldn’t you have told me the day before?”

“I just wanted to spend more time talking with you, Haniel. That’s why I paused the training.”

I blinked at the Pope’s unexpected flirtation.

Huh? Since when does the Pope flirt?

This was entirely out of character for him. Could his affection have increased?

‘Check Orias’s affection level.’

<Pope (Orias) Affection Level: ♥♥♥♥♡>

Despite his unusual behavior, his affection level remained at four hearts.

For a brief moment, the Pope’s hand, which held mine alongside the Holy Grail, twitched slightly. Frowning faintly, he followed my gaze to the empty space I had been staring at.

What? What’s going on?

The Pope’s eyes were focused on the same spot, as though he could see the affection level window I had been viewing.

‘Close affection window!’

Feeling oddly exposed under his gaze, I hurriedly closed the window. As soon as it disappeared, the Pope’s fingers resting on the back of my hand twitched again.

Quietly tilting his head, he glanced down at our clasped hands.

“Orias!”

“Yes?”

“I… I wanted to spend more time talking with you, too!”

The Pope’s behavior had alarmed me enough to shout without thinking. It felt as though he had noticed something about the system window…

“I’m glad to hear that wasn’t just my own wish.”

The Pope responded with his usual elegant smile, dismissing my concerns. Since ‘Anomalous Sensation’ required ten seconds to activate, this likely wasn’t it.

As I calmed my startled heart, I smiled back at the Pope.

<The Pope’s affection has slightly increased.>

I needed to reach maximum affection before leaving for the Empire. Watching the naturally rising affection notification, I whispered to the Pope.

“Let’s talk as much as we can before I leave for the Empire, Orias.”

***

During the days leading up to the coronation ceremony, the Pope and I spent our time engaging in casual conversations. Every morning, he asked if I had slept well, inquired about my day, and bid me goodnight. I stayed by his side almost like family.

Whenever I had free time, I eagerly approached him to chat and work on improving our bond. Yet, the last half-heart of affection stubbornly refused to fill. I felt so close to achieving it, but it wouldn’t budge.

Was a specific action required to max out his affection?

Since the Pope’s affection only needed to surpass two hearts to access his exclusive route, I’d never worried about fully maxing it before. Though I showered him with affection and frequently sought him out, something still seemed to be missing.

“Lady Haniel?”

“Yes, Ardal?”

“You seemed deep in thought…”

Lost in contemplation, I lifted my head at Ardal’s voice. He was fixing my attire and looking at me with concern.

“I was just thinking about the ceremony.”

“Are you nervous?”

“A little.”

“There’s no need to worry. His Holiness and I will handle anything that arises. You can relax completely, Lady Haniel.”

“Thank you.”

Ardal spoke in a firm and reassuring tone.

In truth, I wasn’t nervous to begin with. But his dependable demeanor put me so completely at ease that even the slightest tension vanished, allowing me to forget my worries about the Pope and smile.

When I smiled at him, Ardal continued, “The ceremony will proceed as we discussed. After receiving His Holiness’ blessing and drinking the holy water, it will be over quickly.”

“What about the schedule after that?”

“You’ll need to maintain purity for half a day after the ceremony, so you’ll spend that time alone in your room.”

Listening to his explanation, I nodded lightly. It was amusing to be told to maintain purity at this point, but it was a formality, so I would comply.

When I looked up at Ardal as he adjusted my collar, he smiled and kissed me. I hadn’t been asking for a kiss, but I wasn’t about to complain.

Ardal’s kisses outside of intimacy always felt oddly reverent, perhaps because of his stern and restrained demeanor.

“And then?”

“……”

Ardal stopped, his hand on my cheek, and stared intently at my face before answering in a soft voice, “The following day, you’ll leave for the Empire.”

“I’ll have to spend plenty of time looking at your face before then.”

“I’ll stay by your side until you depart.”

“Thank you.”

When I replied with exaggerated cheer, Ardal smiled faintly and sighed. As he bent down to kiss me deeply, a bright light flared behind him.

<Event ‘The Commander’s Dilemma’ Completed!>

• Outcome: You have acquired ‘Ardal’s Oath!’
• Ardal will now never refuse any request from Haniel.
• Ardal’s affection has increased.

<Ardal Captured!>

<Affection Level>

Ardal: ♥♥♥♥♥ (Maximum affection level reached)

• Once the maximum affection level is reached, the level will not decrease.

<The probability of entering the Reverse Harem Ending has slightly increased!>

• Captured Characters: (1/6)

<Ardal Capture Reward: ‘Ardal Summoning Ticket’ Received.>

• Can be used at the ‘Haniel’s Resting Place’ in the Empire to summon Ardal.
• Ardal will return to his original location 10 days after summoning.
• One-time-use item.

<Entered Ardal Route: ‘Fragment of Conscience.’>

• This is a multi-capture route.

<Charm Increased by (+20)>

• Current Charm: 60 (Average Charm: 30)
• Higher charm levels make capturing characters easier. Use items to further boost your charm!

Seeing the system notifications cascading behind Ardal, I wrapped my arms around his neck.

I had been worried I wouldn’t max out his affection before leaving for the Empire, but now I could relax.

The best feature of this game was that once maximum affection was reached, it could never decrease. Unlike real-life relationships, where one had to constantly worry, this was eternal affection.

Ardal’s dark eyes gazed at me tenderly, and I smiled back without a care.

The next character to capture was Orias. With only half a heart remaining, it should be achievable in the remaining time.

***

[Ardal Captured!] Character Information Unlocked

Capture Target 1: Ardal

• [Position: Commander of the Holy Knight Order]
• [Trait: Knight]
• [Disposition: Lawful Good++ (Dispositions: Good, Evil, Neutral)]

[+ Characters with stronger Good attributes tend to lead to more Dead Endings, while those with stronger Evil attributes lean toward tragic or despair endings.]

<Gameplay Difficulty: ★★★★☆>

• Not inherently difficult to capture, but challenging to play due to the [Knight] trait, which frequently leads to Dead Endings.

<Capture Difficulty: ★★★☆☆>

• Upon reaching maximum affection level, Ardal will never betray the player under any circumstances.

***

Capture Method: “Player Protection”

• To capture duty-bound Ardal, it’s crucial to create situations where he must directly face the player’s peril.

Preferred Traits:

• Strong and upright individuals. He is drawn to people who endure without relying on others and feels compelled to support them.

Character Design:

• [Black Hair/Black Eyes]
• [Height: 196 cm]
• [Default Outfit: White Holy Knight Uniform]

[S] Playstyle Preference:

• Respect, intensity, and technique > brute force.

***

Revealed Events

• [The Commander’s Dilemma]:

• An event leading to Dead Endings for Ardal. If it progresses to [Ardal’s Oath], the ending results in both Ardal and Haniel dying together.

Revealed Outcomes

• [The Commander’s Dilemma] Linked Outcome: [Ardal’s Oath]

• For one week following this outcome, Ardal will not refuse any of the player’s requests.

• Additional outcomes may unlock in future playthroughs.

***

[Ardal Endings]

Happy Endings (3):

1. [Information Hidden]
2. [Information Hidden]
3. ‘Fragment of Conscience’ (Reverse Harem Happy Ending)

Bad Endings (+α):

• Ending Name: [Information Hidden] + α

***