I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 38

“Saintess! It’s the welcome banquet, so what brings you here?”

“I wasn’t feeling well, so I came back early.”

“But it’s your welcome banquet! How can the main character leave early?”

“Anyway, here are the 50 stamina recovery potions you requested last time.”

“You brought them yourself.”

When I entered the herb chamber, the researchers greeted me warmly. None of them seemed to have attended the welcome banquet. The same researchers I had seen previously were all here.

<Event – The Herb Chamber’s Request>

• Supply stamina recovery potions (1/5 times).

<Dion’s affection has slightly increased.>

<Reputation has slightly increased!>

• Reputation: 35
• Higher reputation strengthens the Saintess’s influence.
• If reputation falls into the negative, you will be forcibly returned to the Holy Kingdom.

<Second Supply (88/100 bottles)>

“We’ll be waiting for the next batch too.”

“O-okay…”

The moment I handed over the potions, the researchers started talking about the second supply. It seemed their warm welcome was solely motivated by the potions. Watching one of the researchers take the potions from Dion and leave while humming, I awkwardly smiled.

They really see me as a pushover.

This is an R-rated game; wouldn’t it have been better if I were designed to be loved unconditionally? If they’re going to exploit me, how is this any different from reality?

“I’ll deliver the prescription.”

“Sure.”

Suppressing my dissatisfaction, I handed the prescription to Dion. Right…, the characters here don’t look like real people. How many people in real life look like that?

Looking at Dion’s face as he walked away with the prescription, I found myself easily justifying the situation. Even if I was being exploited, this game still catered to the player, unlike real life. Bad endings were scary, but as long as I succeeded in capturing a target character, betrayal wasn’t an issue.

“Sir Dion, I’m sorry, but according to the prescription, this herb must be used. However, it’s a restricted ingredient.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, to use it, you’ll need Sir Adrian’s permission.”

“If I say it’s for the Saintess, he’ll grant it.”

“The process is complicated, so getting permission will take time. My apologies.”

So Adrian manages important herbs? Why is the scribe in charge of herbs anyway…?

Listening to Dion and the researcher’s conversation, I tilted my head. The researcher seemed unwilling to go through the hassle of obtaining permission.

Lowering his head slightly, Dion fell into deep thought while fiddling with the prescription handed back to him. After a moment, he made up his mind and said, “I’ll get the permission myself, then.”

With that, Dion left the herb chamber, leaving me behind. Before I could stop him, he quickly exited. About thirty minutes later, he returned, handing the permission slip to the researcher with a sullen expression.

“Here’s the authorization. You can get the required herb from Adrian. How long will the preparation take?”

“About a day. We’ll have it ready by the time you bring the second batch.”

Hearing the researcher’s reply, Dion sighed and nodded. Whatever conversation he had with Adrian seemed to weigh heavily on him.

“Saintess.”

“Yes?”

Pressing his fingers to his temples, Dion approached me and said, “Since we’re done here, let’s head back.”

***

<Event: The Herb Chamber’s Request>

• Supply stamina recovery potions (4/5 times).

<Fifth Supply (243/250 bottles)>

“Saintess, open your mouth.”

“…Is it a restorative?”

“Yes.”

Rubbing my dry eyes, I complied with Dion’s request, opening my mouth. A cold restorative poured into my mouth.

<You have consumed a Restorative Potion.>

• Total stamina increased by 100!
• Stamina has been restored.
• Work efficiency increased by 30% for 30 minutes!

“Phew…”

The potion Dion retrieved lived up to its name. Not only did it restore stamina, but it also increased overall stamina—a rare feat. Despite working nonstop on potions for days, my body felt perfectly fine aside from some mental fatigue.

Without the restorative, I would have given up halfway through the event.

After feeding me the potion, Dion stood up from the seat next to me. Although he now personally fed me potions, Dion had been acting strangely for days.

Even after reaching a level where his affection level was visible, he kept his distance from me. Following the welcome banquet, he barely spoke to me. However, as soon as I threw myself into crafting potions like a madwoman, he angrily confronted me and then began approaching me again.

“I don’t know what you’re up to, but didn’t I tell you to take care of yourself!”

“Wait, why are you suddenly angry…?”

“If your goal was to make me worry about you, then congratulations! You’ve succeeded! Are you satisfied now?”

“Uh, no? Why would that be my goal?”

“Damn it!”

<Dion’s affection has increased!>

<Dion’s affection has increased!>

Is he crazy?

Shaking my head at Dion’s erratic behavior, I focused back on crafting potions.

Muttering curses to himself, Dion continued to raise his affection. Just like in the lounge after the welcome banquet, he held my face and poured the potion directly into my mouth. It was almost startling how he managed to supply a restorative every time I was on the verge of collapse.

I even started wondering if my stamina bar was visible to Dion.

As I worked on potions, I sneaked glances at Dion. Catching me, he snapped in an irritated tone.

“I can see you staring. Why are you watching me?”

“When did I ever?”

“If you have time to stare, how about eating something? You’ve nearly finished all the potions.”

Organizing the pile of completed potions, Dion reprimanded me.

“Only seven left.”

“I’ll eat after finishing these.”

“Why not eat first and then finish?”

“It’s more satisfying to finish and then eat.”

“These damned infernal potion bottles…”

Grinding his teeth, Dion glared at the potion bottle in his hand and muttered under his breath. Watching him clutch the bottle tightly, I held my breath.

What if it breaks?!

“You’re not going to break it, are you?”

“Do you think I’m someone who can’t control their strength?”

“You broke one last time.”

It’s not baseless; I’m just startled because of what happened before. During the third supply, he had snatched a bottle from me, and it shattered in the process. Mentioning it made Dion press his lips tightly together.

<Potion Crafting Complete!>

<Stamina slightly decreased due to potion crafting.>

“Here’s another one done.”

The restorative had sped up my crafting pace. Rolling up my sleeves, I focused on making potions again. After finishing five more bottles, I reached for the herb box and froze when I found it empty.

One more potion to go, and the herb box was completely empty.

“D-Dion?”

I stammered, calling Dion over. He approached me with a puzzled expression.

“What’s wrong?”

“I need to make one more, but we’re out of herbs.”

“Does it matter? You’ve already made plenty. What’s there to worry about?”

Dion’s dismissive tone was frustrating.

I had to complete 250 potions to finish the event. The system wasn’t going to reduce the required number for my convenience!

Unaware of my predicament, Dion simply tilted his head with a calm expression. Without concern, he organized the final potion I had crafted and guided me to the dining table.

“Now, let’s eat…”

“I’m going to look for herbs!”

“Saintess!”

Shaking off Dion’s grip, I ran out of the room. If I gathered herbs from the garden, I could make one more stamina recovery potion…

“Huh?”

“Where do you plan to find herbs? The herb chamber already took everything from the garden.”

I froze, staring at the barren garden. Dion had followed me out and now questioned me with an incredulous look. I suddenly remembered—a few days ago, the researchers had said they’d harvest all the garden herbs for the herb chamber.

But… how much time do I have left for the event?

‘Check remaining time for The Herb Chamber’s Request.’

<Event: The Herb Chamber’s Request>

• Time remaining: 2 hours 20 minutes

Two hours? Only two hours left?

“Dion, grab the potions. We need to head to the herb chamber immediately.”

“What about your meal…?”

“Later! Right now, we’re going to the herb chamber.”

If I could get herbs from the herb chamber and make just one more potion, I’d be fine. I can still make it in time!

Despite frowning, Dion gathered the potions and followed me as I insisted.

“Saintess!”

“You’ve brought the stamina recovery potions?”

“Thank you so much for your efforts. It’s been…”

“Excuse me, but could I get a little more herbs? I’m short by just one potion.”

“What?”

The researchers greeted me warmly as usual, beaming at the potions Dion handed over. But as soon as I mentioned being short by one potion, their faces turned cold. Their smiles disappeared, and they stared at me with blank expressions.

“We don’t have any.”

What?

“That was the last of the herbs.”

“But this is the herb chamber…”

“It’s not the season for cultivating recovery potion herbs.”

Seriously?

“What a shame. We thought you would fulfill our request, Saintess…”

The researchers, who had been so welcoming, now sounded disappointed.

<Event: The Herb Chamber’s Request>

• Do you wish to abandon ‘The Herb Chamber’s Request’?
• The affection and reputation gained from this event will be lost.
• Access to the Herb Chamber will be permanently denied.

Give up with just one potion left?

Feeling overwhelmed by the situation, I let my arms drop helplessly. Dion frowned as he set down the potions he was carrying.

“Isn’t everything we’ve done enough?”

“It’s not what we requested, Sir Dion.”

“It’s just one potion. Do you really need to push the Saintess like this?”

“We’re not pushing her. It’s just…”

“That last potion was the one I accidentally broke.”

Even as Dion protested calmly, the researcher replied in a mechanical tone.

“The requested amount for the fifth batch is 250 bottles.”

Listening to their rigid response, I tried to think rationally. There had to be a way. The herbs couldn’t be completely unavailable.

There must be a solution…

“Ah!”

I suddenly remembered an earlier conversation.

“You can get the required herb from Adrian.”

That’s what Dion had said when he brought back the permit for the restorative potion. Not to use the herbs in the herb chamber, but to get them from Adrian!

As Dion was in the middle of a tense standoff with the researchers, I tugged on his arm, catching his attention.

“Dion. You said we could get the herbs from Sir Adrian, right?”

“Yes, Adrian has a separate herb chamber that he manages. But… oh.”

“Do you think he might have these herbs too?”

“I’m not sure. No one can enter Adrian’s chamber, and only he knows what’s inside.”

It was uncertain, but there was a glimmer of hope. It had only taken Dion thirty minutes to get a permit earlier, so there was still enough time.

Grabbing his wrist, I pleaded, “Dion, let’s go see Sir Adrian together!”