“Ha, you forcibly intercepted the contract… that was a dangerous move.”
“I couldn’t just leave it as it was.”
“Well done. If someone incapable of resistance had signed the contract, it would have been disastrous.”
I’m not sure if that pathetic creature really has the strength for it. Even now, Merlin is swatting away my hands with tentacles, but his power is so weak that he can only lightly shake me.
[If the contractor wasn’t a complete weakling, I could have swatted away such hands in no time! Argh!]
He’s started babbling again.
This is the problem. It’s so annoyingly noisy. I just want to finish the inspection quickly and read this noisy guy’s mind, but how long is this taking? Still, I guess I should be thankful that Principal Merlin is ignoring all the resistance and investigating.
While waiting for the inspection results, I noticed Principal Merlin putting down the book and looking at me with a mysterious expression.
“I’m not sure. The magic book contains unknown knowledge. The mana patterns are of a completely new kind. It’s different from other magic books… the only thing I can say for certain is that it contains magic that negatively affects the mind.”
Is he talking about that hypnosis beam coming from his eyes?
“This type of magic book can lead to disasters if not handled carefully. Well, it’s reassuring that it’s in your possession… but then again, your mana is so low that you won’t be able to utilize it properly anyway.”
“Is that so.”
“I’m not slandering you. It’s a blessing that such a dangerous item is bound to you, so don’t take it to heart. I pride myself on having seen many magic books, but this is my first encounter with something like this… after all, isn’t the unknown often the most terrifying?”
So it’s a type I haven’t seen before. I mean, as someone who has completed several endings through the wizard tree, I’ve never seen such a magic book, so it’s only natural that they don’t know about it either. I would’ve preferred to get a book that synergizes well with my skills.
The kind of magic book I would be using properly would take at least another year to acquire, so at this point, it seemed better to view getting this magic book as luck. I’d need to prepare at least a chunk of mithril to buy a single magic book.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“If something feels off, come find me.”
[Ugh, I don’t want to go…]
What are you going to do about it if you don’t want to go?
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Good work.”
I grabbed the doorknob and turned it. With the sound of old hinges creaking, the brown corridor came into view. There are hardly any signs of life.
It’s only natural since the first semester has ended and summer vacation has begun.
[When I get home, that redhead will treat me like a dog again!]
People returning home were returning, and those staying would prepare for the next semester, so it was time for me to be busier as well.
In the game, summer vacation was the timing to do the side quests I had put off and grind for levels.
I planned to find a way to solve the curse stuck in Karina’s body if possible. The general flow seems similar, so whether Karina’s body is okay or not could determine a lot in the upcoming incidents.
Recovery magic that can make a dying person healthy is rather significant.
[Contractor! You’re not trying to leave it to her again, are you?]
“Give it up. Even if I don’t take her, she’ll find her way here on her own.”
[Noooooooo!]
Oh my head. I smacked the book with my palm to quiet it down.
“Be quiet. My head is ringing. If you keep that up, I might accidentally lose you.”
[What?]
“If I accidentally lose you, Millia, who had been following me around, would probably pick you up. I plan to pretend I don’t know for 24 hours.”
[…]
“Behave yourself. Got it?”
[…Yes.]
Of course, just because it says to be quiet doesn’t mean Millia wouldn’t take it with her.
I swallowed my words and headed toward Yeomyeong-gwan.
————
In the dark study, I lit a candle and was engrossed in Rue when I heard a husky voice along with a presence. It was a familiar voice. I turned my head and looked up at its owner.
“Still up? What are you doing?”
“I was reading a book.”
“Really?”
The brown skin peeking through her clothes caught the soft candlelight and shone charmingly. Dressed in a light shirt, Renny approached with a casual gait and plopped down on the chair next to me.
I diverted my gaze from her and shifted it back to Rue.
“What are you reading so intently?”
“It’s a magic book.”
“Ah, that magic book that Millia tied up and took for a walk… It’s not dangerous, right?”
“Seems like there’s no problem.”
“That’s a relief. Or should I say congratulations? It’s really hard to form a contract with a magic book.”
“Though I can only use simple magic since my mana is low.”
“Still, having some is better than none, right? Your mana will gradually increase with use.”
As she said that, Renny leaned over the table. The weariness in her movements highlighted her sensuousness. Before I knew it, I was looking down at her instead of the magic book.
“Ugh, I’m tired…”
She claims there is no charm as a woman, yet any man would find it hard to look away from her. The reason people avoid her isn’t that she’s unattractive; it’s because she’s frightening.
The rabid dog, Renny.
Some say she’s the hound of the Saint.
A knight who is eternally loyal to the Saint but merciless to her enemies.
I never imagined I’d become her companion.
In the game, I had cussed out the boss with all kinds of foul language only to become her ally from the start. If this were a game, I’d be cheering about the potential for easy wins. I could even build an extreme entertainment character and still see the ending.
…Though I’m currently in a state that’s semi-forced comedy.
“How’s Karina doing?”
“Same as usual. She gets up, takes walks, studies, eats, studies again, washes, and sleeps…”
It’s a very simple cycle. Well, the life cycle of a patient couldn’t really be that complicated anyway.
“I’m glad her condition isn’t worsening.”
“She checks the curse once a day, thanks to Elisa. It’s not as good as Professor Lennon, but she does it pretty well.”
Renny, sitting across from me, raised her upper body and stretched. The weight of her chest, accentuated by her lightly draped shirt, was noticeable. Overall, she has a slender appearance, but from this angle, she has the body of a game character—where it should look good is good, and where it should look thin is thin.
“Ah… I’m so tired.”
“If you’re having a hard time, just sleep a little more.”
“If you know I’m having a hard time, then you should cover my shifts a bit. Sigh…”
“I’m sorry. I’ll take the morning shift, so can you take a brief nap?”
“No way. You said you were going to do something tomorrow.”
“I’m used to staying up all night.”
In the early days of living on the deserted island, I worked during the cooler evenings and nights rather than under the hot sun during the day. One reason I couldn’t sleep while living alone on the deserted island was that…
“No way. Just do it in the morning. I can manage to get some more sleep during the day. Sigh, I need to find someone to guard soon…”
If the strongest knight protecting Karina falls, the wolves will pounce. They’ll find all sorts of excuses to intrude under the pretense of increasing the guard. No matter how much Karina is a Saint, she doesn’t have absolute power. There’s also the possibility of the royal family or the upper echelons of Kalon Church reaching out.
So far, the continent is in chaos and hasn’t reached out, but… it’s better to stay vigilant.
No matter what happens with Kalon, the royal family… I can’t trust those trolling bastards. How can I trust those who keep grabbing my ankles no matter what route I take? The rewards are pretty good, so they’re useful to a degree, but…
“Don’t overdo it.”
“Protecting Karina is my duty. I must do my best as much as I can.”
Renny’s voice was quite serious. That’s only natural. She was betrayed, and the young Karina saved her life when she was dying. That’s why Renny would never betray Karina, no matter what happens.
That’s the source of my courage to take bold actions.
As long as there’s a final stronghold, I can endure even if I push myself a little.
“If you collapse, what’s the use? If you collapse, there won’t be any guards.”
“But you’re here.”
“You’re a shield, and I’m a sword. No matter how much you try to block, you can’t defend better than a shield.”
“…Aren’t you raising me too high? I’m just a mere guard knight.”
Renny’s cheek, reflected in the moonlight, blushed with a warm glow. Did I say something too embarrassing?
“I’m not sure.”
“You often say awkward things. Stop trying to charm women.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Wow, you have no self-awareness. If you had any, women wouldn’t be flocking to you like that. Or else you might be heading for a real crash.”
“…I think I should start wearing armor from now on.”
At my words, Renny chuckled and got up from her seat. She seemed ready to return.
I quietly covered Rue. I could read the rest tomorrow.
This tentacled book had been quiet, perhaps due to being tormented by Millia before coming to the study. Thankfully, it didn’t interfere with me reading the magic book, but… I still couldn’t understand it. I remember the basics of how to use it, but it feels somewhat vague.
I don’t know if it’s because my mana is low or if it’s because the compatibility is bad.
“I guess I should be heading out soon. I have a lot to do, and there are also those pesky guys lately… No, you should read a bit and sleep too.”
“Go ahead.”
As I watched Renny’s back as she left the study, I clasped Rue tightly to my side.
As Renny said, I had things to do tomorrow, so it was time for me to get some sleep.
[How many women are you juggling?]
I ignored Rue’s grumbling voice and headed to my room.
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