I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 72

<Lucius’s affection has slightly decreased.>

<Adrian’s affection has slightly decreased.>

Adrian, who came in with Lucius, had a similar expression. Both of them, who simultaneously lost affection points, blankly stared at Dietrich.

A heavy silence followed.

Dietrich, who was receiving their gazes, stopped crying and wiped the tears staining his cheeks.

I tightened my grip on the hand I was holding and asked, “…Would you like to get up?”

“Yes, Saintess.”

Dietrich immediately answered and stood up quickly. After wiping away all his tears, he spoke naturally with a composed face.

“You came early.”

“What were you talking about with the Saintess…?”

“Lucius.”

Dietrich interrupted Lucius’s words with a smile. Between the two, Lucius sighed and pressed his temples.

As if deciding not to question further, Lucius changed the subject.

“I felt the binding seal move. Can we confirm it?”

What does he mean by confirmation? If he felt the magic move, isn’t that enough?

I tilted my head in confusion. Dietrich seemed to understand what Lucius meant and let go of my hand, unbuttoning the front of his clothes.

“Here.”

“It’s really gone.”

Dietrich parted his clothes and exposed his chest. My gaze naturally followed. Dietrich’s skin was notably pale, making his partially revealed body appear even more provocative. I stared blankly at his firm chest before Dietrich let out a small laugh.

Caught up in his impressive figure befitting an R-19 game character for a moment, I smiled awkwardly and looked at Dietrich’s eyes. I could confidently say that if Dietrich went around exposing his chest, no one would remember the color of his eyes.

Dietrich, meeting my gaze, smiled faintly as if it was fine and fixed his clothes.

“What about the Saintess?”

“I’ll check.”

Lucius, who confirmed the seal was gone from Dietrich’s chest, looked at me and spoke. He seemed to want to confirm that the binding seal had been transferred to me.

Dietrich frowned at Lucius’s firm tone and blocked me with his body before answering.

Dietrich asked apologetically, “Saintess, would it be okay to confirm it for a moment?”

“Yes, Dietrich. If you’d like, go ahead.”

“Thank you.”

As I answered without hesitation, a satisfied smile spread on Dietrich’s face. Carefully, he reached out to check my chest, his hands trembling slightly.

“It’s here.”

His neat fingers brushed over my chest. A faint heat spread where his fingers touched. At the spot he swept over, an unfamiliar, strange-looking seal was engraved.

“Did the Saintess about the seal? Why did this happen?”

“She knew. This probably happened because…”

“Maybe it’s because, during the prayer, I thought I wanted to transfer the binding seal?”

Dietrich, who had been staring at the seal, answered Lucius. Seeing Dietrich’s troubled expression up close, I removed his hand that was following the seal and continued his words.

After fastening my collar and standing in front of Dietrich, Lucius and Adrian’s gazes focused on me.

“Did you make that prayer knowing the meaning of the binding seal?”

“Yes, I knew.”

“Then what are you asking for in return for such an action?”

“Lucius, what’s important now isn’t questioning her, but protecting her,” Dietrich interrupted Lucius’s sharp interrogation.

“Since Gillian wanted your magic, now that the binding seal has moved to the Saintess, he will likely demand her holy power instead.”

“Yes, probably.”

“Since refusal isn’t possible with the seal in place, we need to protect the Saintess—”

“Do I have a reason to protect the Saintess, Dietrich?”

Dietrich’s expression hardened at Lucius’s interruption.

Dietrich stared at Lucius and said, “Are you saying you won’t help?”

“I’m saying I don’t have a reason to help. Rather, this is a good opportunity—if we deal with Gillian here…”

“Lucius!”

Dietrich raised his voice at Lucius’s words.

I, who was listening to their conversation with interest, grabbed Dietrich’s arm and asked, “Can’t we deal with Gillian? I agree with that too…”

“If the owner of the seal dies, the person marked by the seal also dies,” Dietrich replied through gritted teeth.

A fierce gaze was exchanged between Lucius and Dietrich. Watching the tense atmosphere, I tilted my head slightly.

So that’s why Gillian hasn’t been killed. But this feels like it could lead to a Dead Ending if done wrong.

If Lucius makes up his mind to kill Gillian, I’ll die along with him because of the seal.

Hmm, will it hurt when I die? If it’s not too painful, I wouldn’t mind seeing the ending now.

Adrian, who was observing me calmly while I thought so casually, spoke up in defense of Dietrich.

“As Sir Dietrich said, we need to protect the Saintess.”

As even Adrian added his voice, Lucius’s face twisted noticeably. Sitting down without hesitation in a shabby chair, Lucius gestured toward Adrian with his fingers.

“Explain more. Give me a reason I can accept.”

Despite Lucius’s arrogant attitude, Adrian continued without showing any discomfort.

“Sir Dietrich is responsible for the Saintess’s residence. If something happens to the Saintess, he will bear the consequences.”

“Then just move her residence and deal with her afterward. The Holy Kingdom doesn’t care about the Saintess anyway, so what’s the problem?”

“Don’t you think the fact that the Saintess is listening to this conversation is the problem?”

“If you lock her up and prevent her from contacting others before killing her, it won’t be an issue.”

“Well, I don’t think Sir Dietrich would just stand by and let that happen.”

Adrian was right. The more Lucius spoke, the more Dietrich’s beautiful face twisted painfully.

There’s no way Dietrich, who has already been captured, would just watch me die.

Seeing Dietrich’s expression, Adrian added, “The same goes for Sir Dion.”

“I thought she was a fool, but she’s sly. I shouldn’t have left the Saintess in Dion’s hands…”

Lucius muttered discontentedly before reluctantly agreeing.

“Fine, I get it. Until we figure out a way to move the seal, I’ll protect the Saintess.”

***

“Saintess, for now, let’s return to your room…”

“No.”

Since the hunting festival had just ended, my body was tired. Rubbing my stiff eyes, I noticed Dietrich kindly making a suggestion after realizing my condition. However, before he could finish his sentence, a sharp voice interrupted.

Lucius spoke firmly, “Now that the hunting festival is over, Gillian will come looking for you. If he meets you, there’s a high chance he’ll realize the seal is gone.”

“Gillian didn’t seem to notice, though.”

“He probably didn’t because of the distance. And since I was in between, it would have been difficult for him to pinpoint the source of the magic.”

Leaning my tired body against Dietrich, I frowned without realizing it.

Then where am I supposed to rest?

“I just want to rest because I’m tired…”

Since I didn’t have any restorative potions with me, it was hard to recover my energy right away. When I murmured gloomily, Dietrich frowned and supported me.

“I’m sorry, Saintess. I’d like to move you to your room, but given the circumstances… Would you like to sit on a chair for now?”

“Yes.”

Dietrich promptly moved, leaving me standing momentarily. He wiped the dust off a chair with his hands and even placed a handkerchief over it. Only after doing so did he help me sit.

It was a demeanor that fit perfectly with the title of “The First Worshiper.” Watching Dietrich’s actions, Lucius let out a scoff.

Dietrich, who had been carefully checking to see if I was uncomfortable, raised his head gracefully.

“So, are you saying if Gillian and the Saintess get close, he’ll find out that the seal has transferred to her?”

“That’s right.”

“That would be a problem.”

“Yes, it would be a problem.”

Lucius’s sarcastic tone was clearly meant to provoke, but Dietrich, unbothered, lowered his head with a troubled expression.

“Saintess, Gillian was trying to use the binding seal to drain Lucius’s magic. Do you remember what happened during the welcome banquet? I heard Lucius helped you…”

Dietrich knelt down slightly to meet my eye level as I sat on the chair and asked with concern. Recalling Dietrich’s words, I thought back to the incident when the system malfunctioned right after Gillian held my hand.

When Gillian grabbed my hand, the system did glitch.

Nodding, I answered, “Oh, are you talking about how I felt dizzy after Gillian grabbed my hand?”

“Yes, that incident. Magic is similar to life force, and if holy power is the same…”

“Dietrich, there’s no need to share unnecessary information, is there?” Lucius asked threateningly.

Ignoring Lucius’s intimidation, Dietrich continued, “I mentioned before that you die if your magic disappears, right? If holy power is similar to magic, losing it could mean you might die.”

“Oh…”

Hearing Dietrich’s explanation, I frowned and began thinking.

That’s strange. I don’t have a setting where I possess holy power, though. The glitch during the welcome banquet was with the system…

“Don’t worry, Saintess.”

Seeing my frown, Dietrich gently wrapped his hand around mine and comforted me.

“We’ll find a way to move the seal before Gillian notices. Until we figure it out, please stay with Lucius.”

“What?”

Lucius, who had been unexpectedly mentioned, straightened his posture.

“Stay with who?”

“You said you’d protect her. With you by her side, Gillian won’t be able to approach. You’re the most suitable person to protect the Saintess.”

In front of Lucius, who was laughing bitterly, Dietrich leaned closer to me and whispered, “I’ll come back as soon as I find a way. Please wait just a little longer.”