I’m Trapped in a Bloody Reverse Harem Game - Chapter 98

<Event ‘Interception Preparation’ progress has been updated!>

• Progress: 90%

“Hah… only 90% now…”

Letting out a long sigh, I rubbed my dry eyes with my fingers as I stared at the minimal progress left for the event. Ever since passing the 30% mark, linked events had started popping up like crazy, pushing me to the brink of exhaustion.

In Dietrich’s linked event, I had to accompany him to win over nobles. In Lucius’s event, I emphasized his legitimacy. And in Dion’s event, I even had to personally learn swordsmanship.

To make matters worse, these linked events were happening simultaneously with ‘Interception Preparation,’ which I was conducting with Adrian.

This event was practically designed to make me fail, wasn’t it?

“Ah, I’m so tired…”

Muttering to myself, I gulped down a restorative instead of water. Even with Haniel’s exceptional physical abilities, handling this grueling schedule was too much. My once-smooth skin now felt slightly rough to the touch. Well, it was still better than the average person’s, though.

As I rubbed my cheek, I rose with a haggard expression and approached the office door. As I neared, Adrian noticed and stepped outside.

“Did you finish?”

“Yes, here.”

“Well done. I’ve cleared your afternoon schedule, so head to Sir Dion and learn some self-defense techniques.”

<Event ‘Interception Preparation’ progress has been updated!>

• Progress: 90.5%

Don’t update by just 0.5%…

Feeling a mix of satisfaction and frustration, I checked the system window and grit my teeth at the minor progress increase. Couldn’t it at least update by increments of 1%?

“Sir Adrian, can’t we stop with the self-defense lessons already?”

“You need to be able to protect yourself.”

“But Dion escorts me every day…”

“What if there’s a situation where Sir Dion cannot protect you? He can’t follow you around endlessly.”

Reviewing the document I had written, Adrian replied coldly. Dropping my shoulders, I nodded in agreement. He had a point—I was still being targeted by assassins sent by the Second Prince.

Even while working in Adrian’s reception room, daggers had occasionally flown at me. At one point, I thought I’d meet a dead ending, but Adrian emerged from his office, saved me, and returned as if nothing had happened.

Despite strengthening external security, it was Adrian who dealt with the intruders. I couldn’t argue against someone who had saved me multiple times.

“Alright, I’ll go…”

“Wait a moment.”

As I turned dejectedly, Adrian stopped me. I glanced back, and he disappeared into his office briefly before returning.

“I’ll escort you to where Sir Dion is.”

“You have a lot of work to do, don’t you?”

“Stepping away for a few minutes won’t disrupt my work.”

“Thank you. After training, I’ll come back to help you. Don’t overwork yourself.”

I had said this to Adrian several times while assisting him. Every time, he’d look at me with a subdued expression, as though scrutinizing me.

<Adrian’s affection has slightly increased!>

<Adrian’s affection has risen to a viewable level.>

<Affection Level>

• Adrian: ♥♥♥♡♡

Following these moments, his affection always seemed to rise. This time was no different; Adrian’s affection increased slightly as he stared at me. It seemed that helping him with his work had significantly boosted his affection level, making it viewable now.

“That’s unnecessary.”

Adrian’s firm rejection that followed was something I decided to ignore.

***

“Saintess!”

“Hella? Why are you here… Oh, Tricia and Dahlia are here too?”

Adrian and I, moving to meet Dion at a different location, encountered unexpected faces. Familiar figures had gathered at the training grounds.

This was a training ground restricted to outsiders, as it was reserved for my training. Lucius had ordered that only he, Dion, and I could access it.

“Even Beatrice? Did Lucius approve this?”

Spotting Beatrice next to Tricia, I asked Dion. He approached me and whispered in a low voice.

“He approved Sir Tricia’s presence, but not Beatrice’s.”

“Hmm… So she entered on her own?”

“Yes.”

“What about Hella and Dahlia?”

“They have permission. Hella is being considered for your personal guard after completing her training.”

This unexpected news made me frown. Hella, as my guard? That was ridiculous.

I whispered with a furrowed brow, “What are you talking about all of a sudden? She’s just a kid.”

“She’s keeping up well with the training. She won’t be lacking as a guard.”

“But she’s just a child…”

At a loss for words, I mumbled and pursed my lips. Dion added an explanation.

“It wasn’t my idea. Hella volunteered.”

“Hmm… Even so…”

“She said if she couldn’t be of help to you and only wasted the sponsorship money, she’d rather die. What could I do?”

“Hella said that?”

“Yes. So please accept it. She’ll probably drop it soon enough.”

Whether it was due to her character being tied to the game’s system or her natural personality, Hella had a very extreme way of thinking. Glancing at Hella, who was looking at me with sparkling eyes, I waved awkwardly and reluctantly agreed.

Adrian, who had been listening to our conversation, stared at Hella with dark eyes. His gaze, filled with a complicated expression, lingered on her bright face before he called Dion aside.

“Sir Dion, for a moment…”

“Ah, alright.”

“What about Beatrice?”

“She’ll leave after sparring with Hella. Talk to Sir Tricia about it.”

“Alright.”

Adrian led Dion to a corner of the training ground for a private conversation. Watching their serious expressions, I turned to Tricia. She greeted me warmly, her eyes curving into a smile.

“Hello, Saintess.”

“Tricia, what brings you here?”

“Sir Lucius asked me to discuss your guard schedule with Sir Dion.”

“Sorry to trouble you because of me. If it’s too much, feel free to decline.”

“It’s no trouble at all.”

Tricia answered firmly and smiled lightly, softening her intense features. Though it was just a gentle smile, her striking face naturally drew attention.

I unconsciously smiled back at Tricia, but soon snapped back to my senses when I felt a gaze directed at me. Behind Tricia, Beatrice was glaring at me with a sullen expression.

“Um, Tricia…”

When I lowered my voice and gestured behind her, Tricia turned to look at Beatrice and frowned. As if thoroughly annoyed, Tricia excused herself and approached Beatrice.

“Didn’t I tell you to prepare for sparring?”

“How am I supposed to spar with such a child?”

“You both have a similar level of swordsmanship training.”

The two spoke curtly to each other. Beatrice, who had been responding sharply, eventually moved to the center of the training ground for the sparring session, biting her lip in frustration.

“If I win against this child, I’ll return to Sir Lucius’s palace. Keep your promise, Lady Tricia.”

Beatrice glared at Tricia and stepped forward, holding a practice sword. Hella, who received a sword from Dahlia, stood before Beatrice and bowed briefly.

Hmm, but when will my training begin…?

I alternated glances between the two preparing to spar and those engaged in conversation in the corner. Finally, I approached Dahlia.

“Saintess! Over here!”

Dahlia welcomed me with a bright smile. I patted her head and turned my gaze toward Beatrice and Hella as they began their sparring.

“Sir Tricia!”

Dion, who had been talking about something, called out to Tricia. When Tricia moved to the opposite side of the training ground to observe, only Dahlia and I were left watching the match.

This doesn’t seem safe…

I watched Hella swinging her sword with concern.

“It’s alright, Saintess. Hella is more skilled than Beatrice.”

“Really?”

“Yes, there’s no way Hella will get hurt.”

Perhaps sensing my worry, Dahlia reassured me with a smile. As she said, the difference in their skill levels was evident even to me. Despite being much smaller, Hella was toying with Beatrice.

So that’s why Tricia stepped aside.

Just as I was about to relax and enjoy the scene, Beatrice shot a piercing glare at Dahlia and me. It seemed she had overheard Dahlia’s comment.

Furious, Beatrice charged at Hella recklessly.

<Warning! If the character ‘Beatrice’ dies, gameplay may encounter issues.>

• If ‘Beatrice’ dies, the bound character ‘Hella’ will also die. If the bound character dies due to punishment, the player ‘Haniel’ will face restrictions.

At that moment, red light filled my vision. A system window, flashing red, appeared above Beatrice. Time seemed to stop briefly as information poured in.

Reading the notifications quickly, I exhaled sharply. Ah, this can’t happen. There’s so much to do, and I can’t afford additional restrictions.

Startled by Beatrice’s reckless attack, Hella raised her sword and struck swiftly. The attack targeted Beatrice’s neck.

Another system window appeared immediately after.

<Would you like to protect the character ‘Beatrice’?>

Without hesitation, I nodded.

“S-Saintess!”

<Successfully protected the character ‘Beatrice’!>

• Reward: Secured the safety of the bound character ‘Hella.’

As soon as I agreed, my body moved on its own. Shielding Beatrice, I fell to the ground, wrapping myself around her as the system’s message confirmed the outcome.

“Ugh…”

Once the system prompts ended, I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder.

The onlookers, startled by the sudden incident, rushed toward me. Tricia reached me first, followed by Dion, who had been speaking with Adrian.

“Haniel!”

Feeling pain in my shoulder, I tried to sit up. As my arms gave out while I pushed against the ground, Dion quickly supported me. Wincing as I touched my injured shoulder, Dion brushed my hand aside and inspected the wound.

“Where does it hurt?”

“My shoulder, here.”

“Let me see. Hmm, the wound isn’t too deep.”

“It was a practice sword.”

“Even so, practice swords can be dangerous. Please don’t interfere during sparring sessions again.”

“I’m fine. Beatrice, are you okay?”

The wound was shallow, with only a small amount of blood visible. It felt more like a bruise from a blunt object than a cut. Rubbing my throbbing shoulder, I turned to Beatrice. Tricia, who had reached her, was inspecting her condition.

Tricia carefully examined Beatrice before answering me.

“Thanks to you, she’s unharmed.”

“That’s a relief.”

“It was my fault for losing focus while Hella is still inexperienced. I apologize, Saintess.”

“No one was seriously hurt, so there’s no need to apologize, Tricia. Just be more careful moving forward.”

“Yes. I will be more cautious.”

“Beatrice, can you stand?”

“Ah, yes…”

Tricia bowed deeply to apologize, then helped Beatrice to her feet. As Beatrice rose with Tricia’s assistance, she stared at me in a daze. When I asked again if she was alright, she nodded absentmindedly. As Tricia had said, she seemed unhurt, though she appeared somewhat shaken.

Relieved, I sighed with a smile.

<The player’s actions have influenced the character ‘Beatrice’s’ disposition!>

• Beatrice’s disposition has changed from ‘Evil’ to ‘Neutral.’
• A change that impacts the ending has been detected!

<A special event, ‘Reunion,’ has been triggered!>

• The capture target ‘Adrian’ is in an unstable state!

Reading through the continuous system windows, I froze at the last line and turned quickly.

Adrian was staring at me, his face pale as a sheet.