I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 71

The collapse of near-limit suspicion happened in an instant. As much as the suspicion had built up, Dietrich was swept away helplessly by the unexpected situation.

Feeling the oppressive sensation that had bound him disappear, Dietrich looked at the Saintess.

‘Why?’

Without any negotiation or preamble, the binding seal had transferred to the Saintess. The fact that the prayer ritual, which he had thought was merely ceremonial, had an actual effect was unimportant to Dietrich.

What Dietrich wanted to know right now was what the Saintess was thinking. As Dietrich took a step toward her, faint sparks of magical energy flickered before him. Startled, he turned his head toward Lucius.

Lucius, seated in a chair, looked pale.

“What are you trying to do? Go inside.”

“But…”

“Immediately.”

Lucius’s firm command left no room for argument. Hearing this, Dietrich barely managed to lift the corners of his mouth into his usual smile. Though his lips trembled faintly in pity, it appeared natural from a distance.

Following Lucius’s orders, Dietrich moved inside, though his gaze kept drifting backward. The Saintess, noticing his glances, waved with a cheerful smile.

“See you later.”

Her hair, lightly tousled by the breeze, swayed gently. Her smile and movements—there wasn’t a trace of suspicion in her demeanor.

She had been sincere about transferring the binding seal.

Feeling ashamed of his plan to deal with the Saintess and Gillian as soon as the seal was moved, Dietrich bit his lip.

Seeing his pained expression, the saintess rubbed her lips with a concerned look. Realizing that she was worried about him, Dietrich furrowed his brow.

The radiant golden light Dahlia had spoken of seemed to flicker before his eyes as well. The magnificent golden hue that covered the Saintess disappeared as soon as he blinked.

It was a brief illusion. Witnessing the spectacular sight made his eyes sting unbearably. Determining that he could no longer conceal his expression, Dietrich hastily looked away and quickened his steps.

“Fine, do as you wish, Dietrich.”

It was only now that he realized she had truly meant those words.

***

Dietrich, who had been staring intently at me, froze as small sparks flickered before him. Surprised, he stopped mid-step and looked at Lucius. The two seemed to exchange unspoken words before Dietrich bit his lip and turned his back to me.

Watching his staggering steps fade away, I smiled in relief.

I had claimed to possess holy power in front of Dietrich, but in reality, I had none. Using the inventory window and the system might have appeared as though I were wielding magical or holy power, but I had no idea how to use holy energy.

The golden light Dahlia mentioned that seemed to envelop me was probably a result of the system, not holy power.

Anyway, how much did his affection increase?

Staring at the spot where Dietrich had disappeared, I opened the affection level window.

<Affection Level>

Dietrich: ♥♥♥♥♥ (Maximum affection level reached)

• Once the maximum affection level is reached, the level will not decrease.
• What? Really? His affection level is maxed out?

Perhaps due to his high suspicion level, Dietrich’s affection skyrocketed to the maximum all at once. This was the first time I’d seen such a change. Even with Ardal, who had been the easiest to capture, it had taken a long time for his affection to grow. For it to fill completely in one go was unprecedented.

Since the affection hadn’t risen gradually, it was hard to predict how Dietrich would act toward me.

Would he treat me as a friend, like Dion did? Or would he gaze at me with longing, as Orias did?

While imagining how Dietrich might treat me, I realized that no system window had appeared announcing the completion of his capture route.

Despite his affection level reaching its maximum, there was no message confirming the completion of his route, nor was there any new route created.

With other characters, reaching maximum affection always marked the end of their route. What was going on this time…?

Could it be that without Tricia, his route was impossible to complete?

As an unsettling thought crossed my mind, new system windows began to appear.

<Capture target ‘Dietrich’ has reached maximum affection level.>

• Maximum affection was achieved without entering a capture route.

<A new route will be generated based on the affection level.>

<The player’s actions have created a new route, ‘The First Worshiper.’>

• This is a multi-capture route.

The first worshiper.

I calmly read the text displayed in the system window.

<New Dietrich Route: ‘The First Worshiper’>

• Progress: 80%

Worshiper?

It was a title that didn’t suit Dietrich, who had been oppressed by Gillian. Well, regardless of the route’s name, as long as I could capture him, that’s what mattered.

“Saintess, now that the prayer is complete, you should head downstairs.”

Hearing a voice nearby, I moved as instructed. It seemed my turn in the ceremony had concluded.

As I left my seat, the second and third princes, who had been watching the ritual, stood. Lucius also rose, his expression grim, as the ceremony continued.

With everyone’s attention on the princes, it seemed unnecessary for me to stay and observe the end of the hunting festival.

Since the officiating priest didn’t ask me to remain, I discreetly turned and walked toward the direction Dietrich had gone. Noticing my departure, Lucius scowled immediately, but I pretended not to see and kept walking.

I had to finish capturing Dietrich before Lucius, who despised me, could interfere with our conversation. Once I was out of sight of the audience, I hurried down the quiet hallway.

“Dietrich!”

Running through the deserted corridor, I shouted loudly. My voice echoed in the maze-like halls.

What? Where could he be?

I opened every door I came across, but there was no sign of Dietrich.

At this rate, the ceremony would end before I found him!

Roughly sweeping my disheveled hair back, I scanned my surroundings. Hoping to catch even a faint sound from Dietrich, I strained to listen in the silent corridor, but nothing reached my ears.

Of course, I wasn’t Adrian; there was no way I could locate Dietrich by sound.

If Lucius found Dietrich first, capturing him would become even more difficult…

<You have been rewarded for entering a new route.>

While I was anxiously thinking, a system window suddenly appeared.

<Reward: Location of capture targets is now viewable.>

• Ardal
• Orias
• Dion
• Dietrich
• Lucius
• Adrian

<This reward is available only once.>

<Select one capture target.>

As the sparkling system window popped up, I stared at the list of the capture targets. I was confused.

Why is it so uncooperative when I try to log out, yet so accommodating when it comes to capturing characters?

This reward was clearly meant for my convenience. While my head spun trying to deduce the system’s intentions, I selected Dietrich’s name without further hesitation.

<Searching for the location of capture target ‘Dietrich.’>

<Follow the guide.>

What does the system really want? The reward seemed intended for me rather than Haniel, adding to my tangled thoughts. Unable to untangle them, I decided to simply follow the system’s instructions.

Forget it—I’ll figure it out later. Right now, I need to act. Let’s go find Dietrich.

“Dietrich.”

Dietrich was standing absentmindedly at the location indicated by the system. Startled, he flinched when he saw me.

“Saintess.”

Dietrich greeted me with a faint smile. As he pushed himself off the wall he had been leaning against, he stumbled unsteadily.

“Dietrich, are you all right?”

“I’m fine; I just feel a little dizzy…”

Dietrich’s unsteady movements were nerve-wracking to watch. Despite this, he smiled gently and waved me off, signaling me not to approach.

Leaning against the wall again, he asked, “Why did you do it?”

His tone was sharper than I expected.

Confused by the unexpected sharpness in his voice, I tilted my head. Despite his affection level being at its maximum, Dietrich seemed excessively sensitive.

He muttered reproachfully, “You knew I was suspicious of you. So why would you transfer the binding seal without asking for anything in return? You must have known that without it, I wouldn’t guarantee your safety.”

“Dietrich, you’re too—”

I opened my mouth to calm the overheated Dietrich, but he continued to pour out his thoughts.

“You told me to do as I pleased, to act like a master if I wanted. Why… toward me…”

Without giving me a chance to respond, Dietrich’s muttering made me furrow my brows instinctively.

Come on, let me answer.

I stepped closer to Dietrich, who kept talking without leaving any room for interruption. As I approached him without hesitation, he pressed himself against the wall as if wanting to avoid me.

He refused to meet my gaze, his eyes darting nervously. With nowhere left to retreat, he began inching sideways.

Grabbing his arm to stop him, I held him in place. Dietrich froze stiffly as my hand touched him.

His face twisted slightly as he looked at me, his lips parting as if to speak but failing to produce words. Offering him a faint smile, I tightened my grip on his arm and clasped his hand firmly in mine.

Clasping his hand as if in prayer, I spoke calmly, “Dietrich, I told you—I want you to be free.”

“I… suspected you, thought about killing you when the seal was transferred…”

Dietrich stammered, his words laced with guilt. Gently stroking the back of his hand, I waited patiently. His voice faltered, and tears began to fall onto his hand.

The tears, of course, were Dietrich’s.

<Dietrich’s New Route: ‘The First Worshiper’>

• Progress: 100%

<Dietrich’s capture has been completed!>

<A new route has been created.>

<The probability of entering the Reverse Harem Ending has increased!>

• Captured Characters: 4/6

<Charm Increased by (+20)>

<Bonus charm awarded for completing the new route.>

• Additional Charm (+20)
• Current Charm: 150
• Higher charm levels make capturing characters easier.

<Charm Has Exceeded 150>

• Passive skill ‘Allure’ significantly upgraded.

<Allure Lv.5>

• Passive Skill
• Accelerates affection growth.
• Increases favorability toward the player.
• Base affection of non-capture targets rises to 60.
• Event occurrence probability increases.
• Maximum level: 10

The system window obscured Dietrich’s tear-streaked face without regard for the situation.

Seriously? Didn’t I tell you not to block faces in moments like this!

As I grumbled internally, the system window shifted aside, revealing Dietrich’s delicate features again. Despite his character’s lascivious background, his face appeared pure and immaculate, a detail I found deeply satisfying.

“I’m sorry… so sorry, Saintess.”

Dietrich collapsed to the floor as if his strength had left him. Clinging to my hand as though it were a lifeline, he repeated his apologies.

“I’m sorry…”

Lucius, who arrived late, let out a frustrated sigh as he knelt down and observed Dietrich sobbing on the floor.

“What the hell is going on here?”

Lucius muttered a short curse as he turned his gaze to me, his expression filled with disbelief.

***

[Dietrich Captured!] Character Information Unlocked

Capture Target 4: Dietrich

• [Grand Duke]
• [Disposition: Evil+ ]

<Gameplay Difficulty: ★★★★☆>

• Entering Dietrich’s route introduces adversarial characters for the player.
• High gameplay difficulty due to interference from Gillian and Tricia.

<Capture Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆>

• Clear capture methods.
• Limited freedom in strategy; however, following the system’s guidance ensures successful capture.
• Recommended for beginners.

<Capture Entry Method>

• Trigger conversation with Dietrich followed by submissive actions.

1. First Trigger Dialogue: Any phrase implying a desire to leave (e.g., “I want to get out” or similar expressions).
2. Second Trigger Action: Submission during intercourse with Dietrich.

Essential Characters for Route Progression:

• Tricia, Gillian, Lucius

Preferred Trait:

• Dependent individuals who can be easily controlled.

(Note: While aligning with Dietrich’s preferred trait grants a baseline level of affection, it does not have a significant impact on the overall capture process.)

Character Design:

• [Silver/Purple]

[S] Playstyle Preference:

• Sadism, Coercion, Domination

1. Due to Gillian’s influence, he cannot become aroused without engaging in sadistic acts.
2. Dietrich himself does not acknowledge this tendency.

Revealed Events

1. ‘Gillian’s Trap’

• Connects to ‘Gillian’s Trap (2)’

1. Dietrich’s Capture Event ‘The Source of Fear’

• Connects to ‘Overcoming Fear’
• After overcoming fear, the route ‘The End of Fear’ becomes accessible.

(Tricia remains uncontrollable; destroying the event ends the route.)

[Dietrich Endings]

Happy Endings:

1. [Information Hidden] (True Ending)
2. ‘The End of Fear’ (Normal Ending)
3. ‘The First Worshiper’ (Generated by Player Actions)

Bad Endings:

1. [Information Hidden]