I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 51

Would rejecting Adrian’s request interfere with capturing him?

After deliberating, I decided to restore Adrian’s condition before the villagers came back. Since he himself knew that contact was only possible when he was unwell, it should be fine to decline his requests once he recovered and the villagers returned.

Fortunately, when I stroked Adrian’s head, he fell into a deeper sleep than usual. After three days, his complexion looked much better than it did on the first day I intervened.

“This isn’t good…”

[What isn’t?]

“You told me that you wouldn’t be able to make contact once I recovered.”

[I did.]

“I’ve been sleeping too well. My body has gotten better.”

Adrian, nestled against me with his head resting on my chest, grumbled unhappily. He let out a long sigh and started asking questions about me.

“You’re not dead, right? Then, will I be able to see you in person someday?”

[Well, not for now.]

“Which means I can later. Where are you? When I get out of here, I’ll come to find you.”

Adrian smiled innocently as he spoke, likely trying to gather information about me to plan his next moves. I stroked Adrian’s forehead, now free of much of his fever, and moved the hand we held together.

[Palace.]

We’ll meet at the Imperial Palace. Even I don’t know where the player Haniel is during this video’s timeline.

Adrian frowned as he carefully examined the words I wrote.

“I’m a commoner. I can’t go to the palace.”

[You can.]

“How?”

[That’s for you to figure out.]

After all, I don’t know the method. All I know is that Adrian eventually becomes a scribe at the palace; I have no idea how he gets there.

Adrian’s expression became contemplative as he read the irresponsibly vague words I wrote. After analyzing the text word by word, he nodded.

“I see. You’re right. That’s something I need to figure out.”

For some reason, his voice brimmed with excitement.

“Every event that happens in the future will be the result of my choices.”

<Adrian’s current disposition has changed from ‘Neutral’ to ‘Good’!>

• Adrian’s willpower has increased.
• Adrian’s affection has significantly increased.
• Adrian cannot recognize the player, so the affection increase is on hold.
• If Adrian recognizes the player in the ‘current timeline,’ affection will increase.
• Stored affection: ♥♥

A system window appeared above Adrian, who murmured with a voice full of resolve.

I couldn’t understand what about my irresponsible words had inspired him so much. Unable to keep up with Adrian’s extraordinary way of thinking, I lowered my head. Hugging Adrian, who was nestled in my arms, I moved my hand again.

[Yes.]

“And…”

Adrian, who had been calmly leaning into my arms, suddenly turned around to face me directly. Without hesitation, he reached out and touched my face.

Scarred fingers brushed against my cheek. Adrian, who had been caressing my cheek, suddenly grasped my face with both hands, probing it before wrapping his arms around my neck.

“You feel like a woman, judging by the structure.”

I could only gape as Adrian’s hands roamed over my body. When he started patting my waist, he innocently asked, “Are you a woman?”

[Yes.]

“How old are you?”

I tried to write my age, but my hand wouldn’t move. Seeing this, Adrian let out a short hum.

“So that’s a secret too. Well, based on your skin, I can tell you’re not that old. Probably around twenty?”

[Close.]

I responded calmly, feeling no ulterior motives in Adrian’s touch beyond his attempt to confirm my identity. After confirming my answer, Adrian rested his head on my chest again, his lips curling into a pleasant smile.

“A woman in the palace… She’ll be hard to find.”

Adrian seemed in a good mood as he spoke.

[If it’s so hard, why are you smiling?]

“The harder it is, the more I want to find you.”

[Really?]

“That’s how I am.”

I couldn’t understand his perspective. I preferred things to be easy.

[You’re truly unique…]

As I continued writing, my hand suddenly passed through Adrian’s.

<Adrian has fully recovered.>

• Situation intervention is terminated.
• Situation interventions (2/3)

“Ah.”

Adrian sighed softly, sensing the loss of the force that enveloped his hand and body. Once he quickly assessed the situation, he murmured in a regretful tone.

“It can’t be helped. Killing the village chief will have to wait…”

Wait, was he seriously planning to make me do that?

Thank goodness the intervention ended before the chief arrived. I had no intention of stabbing a character with my own hands. While I felt relieved, Adrian seemed disappointed. He quickly stood up and began moving busily.

“Now that I have a goal, I should focus on what I need to do.”

<Would you like to accelerate the video?>

“First, I need to inform the chief about the Crown Prince’s interest in herbs.”

As I watched Adrian ponder how to let the Crown Prince know about the herbs, I accelerated the video.

***

After my intervention ended, there were slight changes in Adrian’s behavior. He would stare intently at his own hand while writing in his journal or occasionally hold his hand up into the air. When he finally lowered his hand after keeping it aloft for a while, he let out a deep sigh and shook his head.

“What are the conditions for being able to touch you?”

He asked me this question, though he knew I couldn’t answer.

Hearing him muttering curiously, I wandered around him and then noticed a system window I hadn’t seen before.

[Video Progress]

The gauge on the small bar had passed the 70% mark.

Hmm, I guess when it’s full, the video will end? That means there’s not much time left.

Since his disposition had changed to “Good,” as long as he maintained it until the video’s conclusion, the event would be a success. Confirming that the video was nearing its end, I contemplated when to intervene with Adrian one last time.

I kept circling around him, searching for an opportunity to intervene, but Adrian didn’t leave any openings. His escape plan progressed smoothly without any need for my help, leaving me to simply follow behind, astonished by his efficiency.

“Are you watching right now?”

Floating in midair as I observed Adrian, he suddenly spoke to me. Even though he knew I couldn’t respond, he continued, “I’d prefer if you didn’t peek at what I write here.”

Hearing him say this while flipping through his journal, I tilted my head slightly. If he didn’t want me to look, I had no intention of doing so—unless, of course, it was crucial information for progressing the game.

“Don’t read it. Ever.”

All right, I get it.

Hearing Adrian’s cautious words directed at the air, I nodded indifferently.

As Adrian planned his escape, the remaining time on the video dwindled rapidly.

With around 10% of the time left, the village chief entered the herb chamber. Before the chief could leave, Adrian grabbed his arm and relayed the information I had provided.

“The Crown Prince is looking for this herb…”

“And how do you know that?”

“Before coming to this village, I encountered a court pharmacist. I remember overhearing them discuss the herbs needed by the Crown Prince.”

“Are you certain of this?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

The village chief, who had been ignoring Adrian, stopped in his tracks at the mention of the Crown Prince, his face betraying a hint of greed.

“Why mention something this important only now? Surely, you have some ulterior motive…”

“While managing the herb chamber, I became convinced that this is the herb the pharmacist was searching for. I have no hidden agenda.”

“Fine. Reaching out to the palace couldn’t hurt, even if it’s a long shot.”

“Oh, and…”

As the chief spoke with a glint of greed in his eyes, Adrian added softly, “I also overheard something about the effects of the herb…”

“And what was that?”

Adrian’s low tone was filled with just enough intrigue to pique anyone’s interest. Even I, who had no real interest in the herb, found myself listening closely to his every word.

“They said that regular consumption enhances physical abilities. The more you take, the better the effects.”

Listening alongside the chief, I tilted my head at Adrian’s words.

I don’t recall ever hearing that. Is he making it up?

“Hmm… This herb doesn’t have such strong effects, no matter how much you consume…”

The chief frowned and muttered, seemingly picking up on the dubiousness of Adrian’s claim. He trailed off mid-sentence, his suspicion apparent.

Adrian patted the chief’s shoulder reassuringly and whispered something in his ear.

“But to make it that effective, you have to…”

What is he saying? I couldn’t hear a word. Was he whispering specifically to keep me from overhearing?

“Is that true?”

Why? Why can’t I hear this?

When Adrian finished speaking, the hopeful gleam in the chief’s eyes was so unsettling that I found myself hugging my arms and rubbing them for comfort. I had no idea what Adrian was plotting.

“Yes, it’s true. That’s exactly what they said,” Adrian replied with a faint smile.

“I see. In that case, within three days…”

“If you can prepare it within that time, I’ll handle the rest. Focus on contacting the palace, and leave the cultivation of the herb to me.”

“But where am I supposed to find that in such a short time?”

The chief frowned in frustration, clearly troubled by the time constraint.

Though I was listening intently to their conversation, I couldn’t make sense of what they were discussing.

What is “that” which needs to be acquired within three days?

Each time the chief seemed about to mention the name of “that,” Adrian deftly interrupted and took over the conversation.

“After three days, you’ll have to wait until next year, Chief.”

“Next year?”

“Yes. By then, the Crown Prince might no longer need the herb. The sooner you act, the better.”

Adrian’s words had a way of capturing attention. Watching his sharp demeanor as he spoke, the chief responded as if entranced.

“I’ll make contact immediately.”