I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 68

<You have entered ‘Gillian’s Trap (2).’>

The number of participants in the hunting festival was quite small. Slowly moving along the inner boundary of the arena, I observed the handful of participants.

According to Dietrich, only nobles and priests from the Holy Kingdom were allowed to participate in the hunting festival. All the beasts hunted were offered to God, and the winner of the festival was granted the honor of leading the ritual. This was why only nobles or priests could participate, but there weren’t many people eager to claim that right.

“Presiding over the ritual used to be a great honor, but nowadays….”

Recalling Dietrich trailing off in his explanation, I focused my gaze on the large box being brought into the center of the arena. It was impossible to predict what might spring out of that fully enclosed container.

Most of the participants stood far from the box, wary of whatever might emerge, just like me. Tricia, however, stood fearlessly in front of the box, ready to hunt.

<Hunting Festival Progress>

• 0%

Just before the box opened, a system window appeared.

<Hunting Festival Progress>

• 10%

From the box leapt a large stag with massive antlers. Sensing the tense atmosphere, the stag bounded forward in a panic.

Tricia, standing closest to the box, acted without hesitation. Before the other participants scattered around the arena had a chance to approach the prey, Tricia swiftly struck the stag’s neck and skillfully adjusted her spear.

“This year’s winner will surely be Lady Tricia again, right?”

“She’s the only one moving while everyone else is frozen in fear. Of course, Lady Tricia will win.”

“Why did the Saintess even join? She doesn’t seem interested in hunting.”

“Exactly. If she gets hurt, the Holy Kingdom might file a protest, which would be troublesome.”

When Tricia secured the first kill, the crowd erupted in cheers. Although it was hard to make out exactly what they were saying, most of the audience appeared to be praising Tricia.

Perhaps due to the unique circumstances of the hunting festival, I could feel no friendly gazes directed at me.

<Hunting Festival Progress>

• 20%

As the slain stag vanished, a second box was brought into the arena. It seemed the festival progressed by 10% with each box.

So, does that mean it’ll end after ten rounds?

If Tricia continued to deal with the beasts emerging from the boxes, I wouldn’t have to worry about getting injured. Twirling the decorative bead attached to my sword, I mused quietly.

***

<Hunting Festival Progress>

• 80%

“Ahhh!”

“Let me out of here!”

As the eighth box was brought into the arena, the once-organized event had devolved into chaos. Watching the mayhem from a safe distance, I clicked my tongue briefly.

Of course, it’s a ‘trap.’ There’s no way this would end so easily.

From the sixth box onward, bizarre creatures I had never seen before began emerging. These beasts bypassed Tricia and rampaged in all directions, attacking participants indiscriminately. The agonized screams of people being torn apart by the creatures echoed through the arena.

Despite the desperate cries of those begging to be released, the iron bars that descended at the start of the festival remained firmly in place. As Dietrich had mentioned, it seemed no one could leave until the festival concluded.

Scanning the area beyond the closed bars, I noticed Adrian standing in the shadows of the dimly lit space.

Adrian? What is he still doing there?

Seeing Adrian standing idly, I turned my attention to Lucius’s seat. Looking bored as he watched the arena, Lucius lazily blinked when our eyes met and lifted his finger.

Following the direction Lucius pointed, I turned my head to see the ninth box being brought in.

The creatures emerging from the boxes began targeting me first. As I fled from the beasts that seemed intent on pursuing me, the people nearby ended up spilling blood.

<Hunting Festival Progress>

• 90%

Seeing the progress bar nearly full, I gripped the reins tightly. A monstrous creature with a menacing appearance emerged from the box, but Tricia seemed to handle it on her own. As long as I kept running, I wouldn’t get hurt.

The creature from this box also immediately focused its attention on me.

Watching the elongated pupils of the beast as I evaded its pursuit, my gaze fell on Tricia, drenched in blood. A sigh escaped my lips.

Usually poised with her spear at the ready, Tricia now sat on her horse with her spear lowered. Following her gaze, I saw a familiar figure.

Gillian. He was gesturing toward Tricia with a finger, signaling her silently.

***

“Adrian. What are you doing here?”

Standing at the entrance of the arena, Dietrich spoke to Adrian, who was staring blankly into the chaos.

Adrian, his face pale, was intently watching the Saintess. When he turned to Dietrich, his face was contorted with anguish.

“Sir Dietrich.”

Dietrich raised an eyebrow at Adrian’s unfamiliar expression. His soft features, now twisted with despair, were unlike anything Dietrich had seen before.

“What’s wrong?”

Dietrich looked toward the arena where Adrian’s gaze was fixed but saw nothing unusual. A few people were clinging to the iron bars, shouting to be let out, but such scenes weren’t uncommon during past festivals.

Dietrich furrowed his brows and asked, prompting Adrian to compose his expression. Though his face was cold and devoid of warmth, Dietrich noticed that Adrian’s fingertips were trembling slightly. Tense, Adrian opened his mouth.

“Could it be…”

Before he could continue, a loud noise erupted from the arena. Both of them turned their heads simultaneously toward the arena.

“Oh no, the Saintess fell.”

Seeing what had happened in the arena, Dietrich muttered with frustration. The Saintess, who had been skillfully avoiding danger until the ninth box appeared, had fallen off her horse this time.

Rolled on the ground, she drew her sword and remained on guard against the beast nearby. The creature bared its teeth and circled her as if assessing the situation. At the slightest opening, it would immediately pounce and tear her apart.

The beast from the box needed to be dealt with before the next box could be brought in. Only when the tenth box appeared would the hunting festival end.

Watching the Saintess hold her sword and glare at the beast, Dietrich sighed helplessly.

“She won’t be able to kill it…”

Although she had quickly learned to ride a horse well enough to seem like she wasn’t a beginner, swordsmanship was an entirely different matter. The Saintess lacked the ability to kill the beast.

Scanning the arena for someone who could change the situation, Dietrich found that Tricia was the only participant left, but she showed no intention of moving. The audience began hurling criticism at Tricia, who remained idle despite the Saintess’s dangerous predicament.

“Could it be…”

“Hm?”

Hearing the criticism directed at Tricia, Dietrich turned to Adrian, who was muttering while staring at the Saintess. It was unclear whether Adrian’s words were meant for himself or a question for someone else.

After muttering, Adrian asked Dietrich, “Have you ever told the Saintess about me?”

“No.”

“Has the Saintess ever spoken about me?”

“No.”

Dietrich frowned at Adrian’s disjointed questions.

‘Is he worried I might have given the Saintess unnecessary information?’

It was difficult to discern the point of Adrian’s questions. Dietrich couldn’t figure out what Adrian was concerned about or why he was so focused on the Saintess now.

“What’s wrong?”

“The Saintess… seems to know something she shouldn’t.”

“Is it information she absolutely must not know?”

“No, it’s not serious. It’s personal information…”

Adrian replied dismissively, as if it were no big deal, but it was clearly significant. Very little was known about Adrian’s personal affairs, and there was no reason for the Saintess to seek them out. Unless she aimed to extract information about the Empire through Adrian, there was no cause for concern.

While watching the struggling Saintess in the arena, Dietrich commented, “If what the Saintess wants is the information you possess, it could be serious. She might be planning to lure you in just as she did Dion.”

The Saintess, with her sword raised, glared at the beast without blinking. There was a remarkable determination in her stance. Despite the beast radiating a menacing aura, she showed no sign of shrinking back.

Normally, facing such an intimidating presence would naturally overwhelm anyone, but the Saintess held her ground with an unshakable calm, as if devoid of fear. Dietrich found her composure astonishing.

Setting aside the politics between the Empire and the Holy Kingdom, Haniel, as an individual, was an incredibly fascinating figure. Her tenacious work ethic, displayed during the herb chamber’s request, and her ability to draw in Dion, who had initially been wary of her, were remarkable. Not to mention her audacity in using the bait of transferring the binding seal to ensnare him—despite him having exposed his connection with Gillian and attempting to kill her.

If Haniel were not the Saintess, Dietrich would undoubtedly have taken her under his wing.

‘What a shame.’

She was the only person he had ever enjoyed being physically close to, which only amplified his sense of regret.

“Focus, Adrian.”

Stopping his wistful thoughts, Dietrich spoke coldly.

The Saintess had told him that she wanted him to be free. At that moment, her voice suddenly came to mind.

“I want you to be free, Dietrich.”

Suppressing the complex emotions rising within him, Dietrich met Adrian’s gaze.

“Do as you wish.”

Everything the Saintess said was sweetly alluring. Despite his initial wariness of her, Dietrich found himself momentarily drawn to her. She seemed like the ideal personification of everything he had long desired.

“Wouldn’t it be possible to transfer the binding seal to me?”

She had spoken of fulfilling Dietrich’s greatest wish while smiling. Of course, he didn’t trust her words. There was no reason for the Saintess to benefit from transferring the binding seal, making her proposal suspicious. It was likely just a means to resolve the situation or another way to captivate him.

“If you don’t want to be used, don’t fall for the Saintess’s words.”

Dietrich said coldly. It didn’t matter if the Saintess intended to use him; after all, he was planning to do the same.

As soon as he found a way to transfer the binding seal to the Saintess, Dietrich intended to shift it to her and then deal with her accordingly.