“When I had such doubts about Orent’s whereabouts.

“I have no intention of forcing you to go if you do not wish to.”

When none of us hastily answered, Mother spoke in a calm voice.

“But Your Majesty, the news has likely already reached the Grand Temple.”

Elder sister Gloria carefully said.

The Grand Temple was the central temple that encompassed all the temples across the continent that served the chief god Baldur.

Under the influence of the Grand Temple, there were countless local temples in each country, and the Grand Priests and priestesses of small kingdoms held positions nearly as powerful as the royal families.

Only the Azester Empire was an exception where the Emperor’s power was stronger than the divine right, and that was all because Mother’s faith was as thin as paper.

“I am the Emperor of Azester.”

Mother raised one eyebrow fiercely.

“Mere servants of the Grand Temple cannot strike at me.”

Mother’s tone was filled with displeasure at the mention of the Grand Temple. If someone had heard it, they would be greatly shocked, calling it blasphemy.

‘Mother had a poor relationship with the Pope.’

To be precise, it was more accurate to say Mother unilaterally disliked the Pope.

I had never actually seen the Pope.

However, rumors were rampant across the continent about how much the Emperor of Azester hated the Pope.

I heard it was a ill-fated relationship that began even before I was born.

Mother would not even thank the Grand Temple for the gifts they sent every year, instead saying she could not stand the sight of them and tossing them into the warehouse.

Nevertheless, seeing that they sent gifts and flowers again this year, I thought the Pope must truly be a magnanimous person.

‘Indeed, not just anyone can become a clergyman.’

However, elder sister Gloria’s concern was valid.

The high priests of the Grand Temple, who were gnashing their teeth at Mother’s actions, would use this oracle as an opportunity to strike at Mother in any way possible.

“I have afternoon schedules, so I shall take my leave first.”

Mother stood up without even finishing her meal.

[SYSTEM] enters a state of anxiety.

However, contrary to her dignified gait, the system notification that followed informed me that Mother’s heart was troubled.

[This is the timeline separator]

Originally, the direct imperial family members were not allowed to go out alone for safety reasons and had to be accompanied by maids and knights.

I had no dedicated knights until now, so I used to ask the knights of the Imperial Knights.

But now I had just awakened as a Sword Master.

“Even if I bring a knight, I would have to protect their safety.”

“That, that’s true, but…”

“I have somewhere to go alone today. Don’t let anyone follow me.”

The maids could not stop me and came to see me off to where I took the carriage.

However, while passing through the corridor outside the Princess Palace, I noticed that the outside atmosphere was a little more chaotic than usual.

“What’s going on?”

“I heard Duke Hamilton went bald.”

“What?”

“So he canceled today’s audience schedule. Her Majesty, who was already in a foul mood, became very displeased that the Duke unilaterally postponed the audience.”

“……”

“So there’s a lot of talk among the maids right now. Perhaps even His Highness Prince Orent, the son of Duke Hamilton… might go bald too!”

“……….”

I swallowed dryly.

Because one thing suddenly crossed my mind.

Item

A potion that the Bald Kraken cherishes to maintain its shiny baldness. Drinking it makes one bald.

When I opened the reward that arrived in my mailbox after defeating , there were 10 unnecessary potions that turned people bald.

‘Could it be…’

I could tell instinctively.

This was Anselot’s doing.

Even if I did a handstand on a horse and thought about it, it was Anselot’s doing.

‘Did he secretly mix the potion into what the Duke drank…?’

As a result, Mother’s mood soured and the atmosphere in the Imperial Palace was not good at all.

“Princess, do you know something?”

“No, how could that be. Poor Duke Hamilton. He already had poor eyesight, and now he’s losing his hair too.”

When the maids saw my expression and asked with tilted heads, I quickly shook my head and drew the line.

It’s best not to get involved for no reason.

“I’ll be back then.”

I waved my hand brightly at the maids and got on the carriage.

[Wow~!!! It’s been so long since we’ve seen the outside ♪(๑ᴖ◡ᴖ๑)♪]

The system window spoke in an excited tone.

“Hmph, what are you talking about. We went out quite often.”

[No, this is the first time? I’m supposed to stick close to you by default. So I can only go where you go ❤*.(๓´͈ ˘ `͈๓).*❤]

Huh? Hezen must have looked around here and there when he was the player, right?

[Since the last time we first met by that lakeside, you haven’t ventured outside ｡°(っ°´o`°ｃ)°｡]

When I still blinked with an uncomprehending face, the system window displayed a new message with a startled emoticon.

[Wait, don’t tell me you’re confusing me with the previous windows? Σ(‘◉⌓◉’)]

‘Previous windows? Is it like a predecessor?’

[The previous windows retired due to poor health. They were beaten to a pulp by that brutal bug ‧₊˚(✘﹏✘)]

I remembered the system windows that crackled and shattered with an error sound whenever Anselot made his presence known, urging Hezen to kill me.

The talkative system window in front of me now seemed to be a separate entity with a different ego from those system windows that tried to get me killed.

“Hmm…”

I narrowed my eyes and stared intently at the system window.

“But why did you think I was the player?”

[What else would I call you when you’re the player (｡・ω・｡)??? Just because you play dumb like that while carrying such a strong aura from another dimension, doesn’t mean you stop being the player (˘̀^˘́҂)]

Another dimension’s aura. It felt like it knew I had possessed this body from another world.

[I may be short on experience, but I’m a messenger who’s exceptionally good at sensing auras! (˘̀^˘́҂҂҂)]

‘Looks really proud.’

I turned my head towards the carriage window, mulling over the system window’s messages.

[I just hope you start the scenario quickly (◞ ‸ ◟ㆀ)]

An emoticon with drooping eyebrows appeared before my eyes.

I was about to make a bored expression, thinking it was starting to whine again.

[Otherwise, the system administrator might put you in danger too. The administrator of this branch is notoriously ill-tempered.]

I unwittingly flinched.

‘It sounds like it’s worried about me.’

Perhaps because I was not used to such concern, I felt my heart softening despite myself.

“Well, the moment they used the Saint of Taal Kingdom to proclaim a strange oracle, it already became dangerous. And there’s nothing more dangerous than proceeding with the scenario.”

I coughed a few times and curtly replied.

Then the system window fell silent.

The carriage that had already arrived at the capital’s square dropped me off.

Since it was an unofficial outing, I wore a to avoid catching people’s eyes as much as possible.

This item, which Hezen used when facing , not only erased one’s presence from monsters but also made one’s presence feel faint to ordinary people.

Unless it was someone who directly knew me, they would not immediately think of Luibel Azester upon seeing me.

[SYSTEM] You enter stealth mode.

However, despite going through the trouble of wearing the item, I was soon discovered by someone.

There was no voice calling me, no hand grabbing me, but I could tell. Because…

[SYSTEM] ‘s favorability has decreased by -10. (Favorability: -140)

The system window that popped up in front of my eyes clearly informed me that I had been precisely detected by the other person.

“Your Highness Luibel Azester, the 3rd Princess.”

He called out to me in a somewhat stiffly hardened voice.

“Hello, Duke Klaus. Fancy meeting you here again.”

[SYSTEM] ‘s favorability has decreased by -10. (Favorability: -150)

The moment our eyes met, his favorability dropped again. Seeing it once more, it was truly a neat and pretty number.

“I am aware that direct members of the imperial family are not allowed to go out alone.”

“I will be fine. As you know, not long ago…”

[SYSTEM] ‘s favorability has decreased by -30. (Favorability: -180)

“I will accompany you.”

“……”

I tried to persuade Klaus as I had done with the maids, but I gave up upon seeing the plummeting favorability.

‘At this rate, his favorability might dig into the negatives.’

It’s not that I particularly desired Klaus’s affection.

However, if the favorability dropped too low, it could be dangerous as I might face penalties.

Just as I felt murderous intent towards Hezen when I hit -999, I could not guarantee Klaus would not do the same.

“Then I’ll ask for your escort, Duke.”

[SYSTEM] ‘s favorability has decreased by -10. (Favorability: -190)

“……”

No, in what case does the favorability drop even when I comply with his request?

There were many things I wanted to say, but I held back.

Finding the Black Guild Merchant took priority for now.

The reason I came here today was to search for clues about the system administrator.

‘The one who handed the Horn Flute to Hezen must be the system administrator.’

However, the Horn Flute could not be found in regular stores or even the player-exclusive shop.

So I set out to find the Black Guild Merchant on the off chance.

‘If it’s a place that trades the Horn Flute, couldn’t I also find clues related to the Horn Flute?’

I had never visited the Black Guild Merchant before, but finding the location was not difficult.

I could utilize the minimap, one of the functions in the interface.

The minimap, in the form of a small map, displayed the locations of key places that aided the player’s progress.

However, to activate the minimap, one had to complete a visit at least once.

‘Reaping the benefits of that Hezen fellow.’

Thanks to Hezen wandering around here and there, not progressing the scenario but trying to woo female characters, the minimap displayed every secret corner of the capital.

“Wait outside.”

I stopped at the entrance of the Black Guild Merchant and spoke to Klaus.

“It’s dangerous. I will go in with you.”

“This is overstepping your authority, Duke Klaus.”

“…I understand.”

When I insisted on going in alone, Klaus replied with a displeased face.

Given that his favorability dropped sharply even when he responded politely, I was worried about how much it would fall this time with his evident displeasure.

But…

[SYSTEM] ‘s favorability has increased by +10. (Favorability: -180)

‘What?’

As if to prove he was Sylvia’s brother, his way of expressing his heart backwards was exactly the same between the siblings.