I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 28

Through the carriage window, I watched Orias and Ardal slowly fade into the distance. As if last night’s events were nothing but a dream, the Pope’s face had returned to its usual calm expression. The desperate and wistful look from before was nowhere to be found.

That look was kind of my type, though.

I realized last night that my type was a handsome man clinging desperately to me. To the point of obsession. The memory of the Pope’s face as he clung to me, moving his hips as if I were truly a Saintess, made my stomach flutter.

Even I hadn’t known I had such devious tastes until I saw the Pope.

What kind of hidden backstory could possibly explain such desperation?

I’m dying of curiosity…. Should I try the Pope’s single route in my next playthrough?

“Saintess.”

“……”

“Saintess, can you not hear me?”

“Ah, yes.”

As I stared at Orias fading into the distance, Dion called out to me.

He spoke with undisguised displeasure, “Please close the window.”

Seriously, he even has complaints about me opening the window?

I looked at Dion, who seemed determined to pick a fight over every little thing, and obediently closed the small window.

“Dion, you should let the Saintess do as she pleases. Saintess, if you want to open the window, feel free to do so,” Dietrich said with a smile.

Despite Dietrich’s favor, his affection level was in the negatives, whereas Dion, who I’d worked hard to raise affection with, continued to treat me coldly.

“You must be sad to leave, Saintess,” Dietrich said with a sweet smile. His lavender-purple eyes sparkled beautifully. With his silver hair and purple eyes, Dietrich looked as if he were designed with a dreamy aesthetic in mind. Smiling, I nodded.

Dietrich was officially recognized as the most handsome man in this game’s universe. Even though such a stunning man was smiling seductively at me, I responded calmly.

Having completed the routes for Ardal and Orias, my charm level had now surpassed Dietrich’s.

Dietrich’s charm: 90. My charm: 90 plus title bonuses, totaling 100.

“Yes, I suppose I’m a bit reluctant to leave since I’ve grown attached.”

“It seemed like you wanted to leave before, but I guess not.”

“Pardon?”

Dietrich spoke in an enigmatic tone, then reopened the window I had just closed.

“Keep it open until we reach the Empire. Take in enough of the Holy Kingdom so you won’t miss it.”

***

Through the carriage window, Haniel’s figure grew smaller and smaller. Ardal stood upright, watching the carriage carrying Haniel disappear into the distance.

A deep sigh escaped him. He worried about the treatment Haniel would face in the Empire. Turning his gaze from the vanishing carriage, Ardal looked at the Pope.

Haniel, who had visited the Pope last night and only reappeared by morning. Ardal could easily imagine what might have happened between Haniel and the Pope.

It wasn’t jealousy. Ardal simply wished the Pope wouldn’t pressure Haniel.

As if he understood Ardal’s thoughts, the Pope, who had been staring at the carriage’s path, finally turned his head.

“Follow me, Ardal. There’s something I need to show you.”

With a face devoid of any trace of humor, the Pope turned and walked away.

Arriving at the Pope’s office, Ardal noticed neatly folded clothes on the desk. Seeing the familiar fabric, Ardal frowned instinctively.

That…

“Those are the clothes Haniel was wearing when she first arrived at the temple. Familiar, aren’t they?”

“Yes, but why are they here…”

Unfolding the neatly arranged garments, the Pope spoke. The pristine condition of the clothes was unsettling. Seeing the Pope’s gaze fixated on them made Ardal tense up.

When Haniel had first arrived, the clothes had been filthy. Now, they were as clean as if they were new, as though holy power had been poured into them.

It was natural for objects to wear out. For damaged objects to restore themselves—that was entirely unnatural.

Unless holy or magical powers were involved, such a phenomenon was impossible.

The Pope had noticed this fact.

“Look closely, Ardal.”

“What are you referring to, Your Holiness?”

Ardal’s response was stiff. The thought of Haniel’s use of magic being discovered consumed his mind.

“Don’t you see anything unusual?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

Orias’s eyes gleamed as he pressed the question. His sharp gaze was almost chilling as he studied Ardal. Picking up a dagger, the Pope stabbed it through the garment on the desk.

The dagger pierced through the fabric into the desk below. Without hesitation, Orias pulled the dagger back out.

Moments later, a faint light appeared on the garment, and the hole slowly began to close.

“Ah…”

Watching this, Ardal let out a gasp. Orias, seeing Ardal’s ashen face, placed the dagger back on the desk.

“Haniel possesses holy power, Ardal.”

“But Your Holiness, Lady Haniel has no connection to that prophecy…”

“Are you sure? Truly no connection?”

Ardal, who had been about to defend Haniel, shut his mouth in the face of Orias’s sharp response. His tightly closed lips were full of tension. Attempting to offer any excuse now would only risk exposing Haniel. Trusting his instincts, Ardal decided to remain silent.

Observing Ardal’s resolute expression, Orias continued coldly, “Investigate Haniel’s life before she came to the temple. Find out who she was close to and how she lived. Everything.”

“……”

“If my suspicions are correct, you won’t find anything.”

“Then why ask for an investigation?”

Though reluctant to speak, Ardal questioned Orias’s contradictory command. Though he had no intention of making rash comments about Haniel, Orias’s words didn’t add up.

Commanding an investigation while claiming nothing would come of it?

At Ardal’s puzzled question, Orias smiled coolly. “Finding nothing—that’s the information I want, Ardal.”

Ardal couldn’t understand the full implications of Orias’s words. Confused, he looked at the Pope, who calmly gave his next order.

“You may leave. Remember, this matter stays between you and me.”

“Understood, Your Holiness.”

With a deep bow, Ardal left the Pope’s office. As he walked away, he felt like he had barely escaped a deep pit, only to realize he’d soon have to return.

“Lady Haniel…”

He instinctively knew that once he delivered his report, he’d be pulled back into the abyss—this time with no escape.

***

<Event Triggered! The Pope’s Investigation -Third Round->

What? What is this?

While answering occasional questions from Dietrich, a sudden system window appeared, halting my words.

The sharp warning sound of the system window displayed familiar information.

‘The Pope’s Investigation.’ This should have been a completed event…

Looking at the window, I tilted my head. Could this be a system error? Shouldn’t a different event window have appeared?

I examined the system window carefully.

<Event ‘The Pope’s Investigation’ In Progress>

• ‘The Pope’s Investigation – Third Round’ is an event that progresses without player involvement.
• Based on gameplay so far, this event determines the future actions of the capture target Orias.
• The event outcome will be rated as Excellent, Average, or Poor.
• Even if the result is Poor, there will be no affection loss.

After reading the description, I let out a deep sigh.

According to the explanation, this was an event I couldn’t interfere with. Since Orias’s affection was already maxed out, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about.

Since this window didn’t appear last time, this must have been triggered by my visit to the Pope last night.

‘Check affection levels.’

<Character Affection Levels>

1. Ardal (First Capture Complete): ♥♥♥♥♥
2. Orias (Capture Complete): ♥♥♥♥♥

There were no changes in the affection window. Seeing the perfectly filled hearts, I smiled with satisfaction.

With everything set, the chances of an ‘Excellent’ outcome seemed high. Relieved, I closed the affection window. Even if the outcome were ‘Poor,’ it wouldn’t lower affection.

“Saintess, we’ll arrive at the Imperial Palace soon.”

Having confirmed the affection and event windows, I heard Dion speak indifferently.

Just as Dion had closed the window earlier, complaining about the cold breeze, Dietrich suddenly flung it open without warning.

“Saintess, look. We’ve entered Imperial territory.”

Ignoring Dion’s sharp tone, Dietrich smiled and spoke to me. Seeing his seductive expression, I turned my gaze to the open window.

“Wow…!”

Beyond the window stretched an endless expanse of vibrant green fields. The lively scenery captivated me, and I rested my hand on the rattling window as I admired the view.

It was a mesmerizingly beautiful landscape.

To my eyes, accustomed only to barren, towering buildings, it was a completely unfamiliar view. As I continued marveling and leaning against the window, Dion sighed and sat down.

He spoke to me with a calm but stern tone, “If you want to look outside, don’t lean against the window. The carriage is moving, and you might hit the frame…”

“Don’t scold her, Dion. The Saintess isn’t a child,” Dietrich interjected.

As I stuck my head out to feel the wind against my cheeks, their conversation became faint.

“Huh? What did you just say?”

Gathering my hair in one hand to keep it from blowing wildly, I asked. The soft strands slipping through my fingers felt pleasant. Smiling at the sensation, I noticed Dion looking at me blankly.

<‘Dion’s affection has slightly increased.>

Seeing the system window pop up over his dazed face, I thought, ‘Oh, so this is what Dion likes.’

When I smiled brightly at him, Dion quickly turned away. His fists, resting on his knees, clenched tightly, veins bulging. Watching this, Dietrich extended a hand toward me.

“Saintess, let me help for a moment.”

Dietrich, holding my shoulder, gently smoothed my hair, which I had gathered in my hand. Using a decorative ribbon he had with him, he skillfully tied my hair.

It was the first time someone else had tied my hair. Feeling a bit awkward, I touched the neatly tied ribbon.

Dietrich smiled sweetly and said, “I thought it looked inconvenient blowing around. There, now you can enjoy the view freely.”

His thoughtful gesture made me smile brightly as I nodded. “Thank you, Grand Duke.”

Whether or not he had affection for me, receiving such kindness felt nice.

<‘The Grand Duke (Dietrich)’s affection has slightly increased.>

The subsequent system window displayed equally pleasant news.