I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 31

<Lv.6 Intermediate Potion Crafting>

• Allows for efficient crafting of potions.

“Just one more level and I’ll reach Advanced…”

I had spent an entire week barely sleeping or eating, dedicating myself solely to potion crafting. Whenever the system alerted me to my low stamina, I guzzled down the few stamina recovery potions I had left to keep going. By the time I reached level 4, I had run out of potions, but the potions I was crafting by then were quite effective.

However, instead of focusing on capturing targets, I only earned disapproving looks from Dion, my escort. At first, seeing my dedication raised his affection, but by the fourth day, it seemed he found my relentless potion crafting a bit insane, and his affection plateaued.

Still, I was close to reaching Advanced Potion Crafting.

If I made around 50 more potions, I could unlock the Advanced Potion Crafting skill.

Feeling the weight of exhaustion pulling me down, I gulped down another one of my potions.

<You have consumed the crafted potion ‘Stamina Recovery Potion.’>

• Stamina is slightly restored.

“Still at it?”

“Oh, Sir Dion, you’re here?”

“I delivered potions to the herb chamber, and they asked if regular supplies of stamina recovery potions were possible.”

“Yes?”

Dion frowned slightly as he watched me downing another potion. Glancing at the piles of potion bottles—both full and empty—he stepped closer and began tidying them up.

As I rubbed my tired eyes and looked up at him, Dion suddenly grimaced.

Huh? What’s with that expression?

“You have a scratch near your eye…”

“Oh.”

“Don’t you have a potion for wound recovery?”

“That’s beyond my skill level.”

Recipes for external wound-healing potions could only be acquired after unlocking Advanced Potion Crafting.

Just as Dion mentioned, my eyes stung slightly, likely from rubbing them too hard. When I instinctively raised my hand to check, Dion grabbed my wrist firmly.

“Don’t touch it.”

With a serious expression, he leaned closer to examine my face.

“The herb chamber wanted to speak with you anyway. You can fetch a remedy from them.”

“Why would the herb chamber want to talk to me?”

“Didn’t I just say they asked about regular potion supplies?”

That’s a bit…

To regularly supply potions, I’d have to keep crafting even after unlocking Advanced Potion Crafting. That didn’t appeal to me at all—this wasn’t a hobby, after all. I was only doing this to gain the skill.

<Event! – Request for Cooperation from the Herb Chamber>

• You must periodically supply stamina recovery potions to the understaffed herb chamber (0/5 times).
• Reward: Significant increase in the capture target Dion’s affection; triggers an event involving ‘Dion.’

“Of course, it’s possible.”

About to decline, I noticed the event window pop up and immediately changed my answer.

Five times wasn’t too much, so it shouldn’t interfere with my playthrough.

“If my potions can help, I’ll gladly provide them.”

I smiled brightly as I replied. This round’s goal was to capture Dion, and I couldn’t pass up such an opportunity!

At my enthusiastic response, Dion nodded, his guarded expression softening slightly. Though he maintained his usual stoic demeanor, I could tell his gaze had grown gentler compared to when we first met.

It was a noticeable difference. While he might think he was keeping his expression neutral, his eyes betrayed him.

“Then let’s… ah…”

<Due to insufficient rest, total stamina decreases by 20%.>

<Stamina consumption is faster than usual.>

<You experience dizziness.>

• Rest is required to recover total stamina.

As I attempted to stand, the sudden notifications caused me to lose my balance.

Stamina recovery potions didn’t fully restore stamina. While they offered temporary relief, full recovery seemed to require actions like sleep. As I wobbled and grabbed the desk for support, Dion quickly approached and steadied me.

“Don’t tell me you’ve been crafting potions without sleeping again?”

“……”

“I wondered why the lights were always on…. Do people in the Holy Kingdom risk their lives for their hobbies?”

“It’s not life-threatening…”

“Anyone watching you stay up all night obsessively crafting potions would think otherwise.”

Clicking his tongue, Dion spoke gruffly as he grabbed my wrist and led me away.

We passed through a doorway into a small bedroom. Seeing the dusty bed in the corner, he turned to me sharply.

“You haven’t even used this, have you?”

“I’ve been using potions instead.”

“……”

Dion’s sharp gaze pierced me like daggers. His expression was so intense that I involuntarily shrank back. Letting go of my hand, he yanked the sheet off the bed, sending a cloud of dust into the air.

“Cough…”

“Unbelievable…”

“What was that, Sir Dion?”

As I sneezed from the dust, Dion muttered something under his breath. His tone was so blunt it was hard to ignore.

Even if he was my type in terms of looks and physique, his attitude was intolerable. I had initially thought Dion might have a personality similar to Ardal’s, but it was clear now that they were nothing alike.

I felt bad for ever comparing them. Sorry, Ardal. Comparing you to this brute was an insult.

While I silently apologized to Ardal, Dion rolled up the sheet and strode out of the room without answering me. Moments later, the sound of him shaking out the sheet echoed back.

After the whack-whack noises stopped, Dion returned. With the freshly cleaned sheet in hand, he approached me, who was still standing by the bed, and unceremoniously shoved me onto the mattress.

Startled by his abruptness, I fell backward onto the bed.

Why does he keep… treating me like this?

It felt like he was taking advantage of my tolerance for his behavior. I pouted and said, “Dion, are you always going to treat me this way?”

“Have you lost your respect, Saintess?”

“Have you lost yours, Sir Dion? You keep calling me ‘Saintess’ with such a rude tone.”

Politeness in wording didn’t count if his tone was always so brusque.

If this continued, I’d treat him the same way.

When I quipped back, Dion let out a small, incredulous laugh. Furrowing his brow slightly, he sighed and draped the sheet over me.

“Do as you wish.”

“You too, Dion.”

“Saintess… it seems you’re severely sleep-deprived.”

Hearing my curt reply, Dion muttered as if talking to himself. His words made me grin mischievously.

Seeing my smile, Dion suddenly pulled the sheet over my head. Blinking at the fabric now covering my face, I slowly pulled it down to my chest.

<Dion’s affection has slightly increased.>

Smiling contentedly at the positive notification, I looked at Dion as he spoke.

“I’ll arrange a time for you to meet with the herb chamber. Until then, get some rest. You’re clearly not in your right mind.”

“I’m perfectly fine. I’ll just lie down for a bit.”

Shaking his head, Dion turned and left the room. As he reached the door, he glanced back to check on me.

“Stay put and rest.”

“Okay, okay, just go already.”

With a dubious look, he warned me once more before leaving. Waving lazily at him, I saw the system notification pop up.

<Dion’s affection has slightly increased.>

Hearing the door slam shut, I debated whether to call him out on his rude behavior but ultimately decided to let it go.

I was making steady progress with his affection, so I’d forgive him for now.

***

It was already well-known that sleep in the game worked much like sleep in reality.

“Saintess.”

“…Mmm….”

I had no recollection of what happened while I slept. When I opened my eyes at the sound of someone calling me, I found Dion quietly watching me.

<Your stamina has been fully restored.>

Noticing the system notification, I sat up.

“After breakfast, you can head to the herb chamber.”

“I’m not hungry, so let’s just go now.”

“Fix your appearance first, then come out.”

“Dion, you really don’t listen to a word I say.”

I muttered as I watched Dion leave the room immediately after speaking. His uniform-clad back flinched slightly at my words. Watching how perfectly his uniform fit him, I decided once again to forgive his attitude.

This must be part of the character’s personality.

In the previous playthrough, I had thought he was noble and courteous, but apparently, that wasn’t entirely true. Was the reason his affection kept dropping in the previous round because I had fallen for Dietrich’s temptations?

In this round, Dion’s affection had only dropped once—when we first met. Maybe the order in which characters were approached also affected affections.

As I speculated on the conditions for increasing Dion’s affection, I dusted off my collar.

Though he had told me to straighten my clothes, mine were always neat and tidy without needing adjustment. I fiddled with my spotless outfit and stepped outside, where a table laden with food came into view.

The meal was light, perhaps because it was right after waking up. Sighing, I approached the table.

While I ate, Dion wandered around the room, tidying up the potion bottles I had scattered everywhere.

“Saintess, what is this?”

“That’s an antidote.”

“Should I deliver it to the herb chamber?”

“I’m not sure how effective it is…”

“They can test it themselves.”

“Then go ahead.”

Nodding as I sipped my soup, I agreed to Dion’s suggestion. Although I had made it as a universal antidote, I couldn’t guarantee its effectiveness since it had been crafted when my skill level was still low.

If the herb chamber could verify its effectiveness, that would be a relief for me.

After my approval, Dion separated the antidotes into a different box and labeled it with a small piece of paper.

By the time Dion had roughly organized the bottles for delivery, I had finished my meal.

Looking at the tall stack of boxes, I tried to help by lifting one, only for Dion to swat my hand away.

“Ow!”

“They’re heavy.”

Though he had only tapped my hand lightly, I was shocked by the act and quickly looked up at him.

Couldn’t he just use words? Why resort to hitting?

Feeling wronged, I stared at Dion, who avoided my gaze as he lifted the stack of boxes all at once. He seemed flustered himself, changing the subject as he turned away. Narrowing my eyes, I watched his retreating figure.

“Let’s go.”

Without looking back, Dion spoke to me as he left the room. Watching his brisk steps, I seriously wondered if his preferences leaned toward being a bit sadistic.

Hmm, getting hit during gameplay isn’t exactly appealing…