Osmond's eyes met Joshua's as he opened the door and entered.
At that moment, Osmond felt a surge of boiling anger from within.
“You’re asking if I'm uncomfortable? Are you being serious right now!”
“The decision to lock you in here was Sir Rodwell's judgment. I wasn't involved.”
“If you'd just kept your mouth shut, none of this would've happened.”
Joshua let out a sigh.
He closed the door he'd left open and sat in the remaining empty seat.
“As for me, it's only natural to help Rodwell.”
“Yes, that would be natural.”
“How do you think things will go from here?”
“Are you planning to threaten me?”
“No. I came here to make a proposal.”
“A proposal, you say?”
“I'll not only get you out of prison, but I'll also make sure you leave with your hands full when you return to the city.”
Osmond appeared a bit surprised.
He quickly composed his expression and began to work his brain.
He shouldn't look down on this boy by thinking of him as the problem child of the past.
He'd seen how much Rodwell trusted the youth's words.
It was highly possible that, as he said, he was the strategist of the Starlight Knights.
“Do you even have the authority to do that?”
“I believe I showed you enough of that in the conference room.”
“What do you want? I don't think you'd do something like this for free.”
“I want nothing.”
“Nothing?”
Joshua smiled lightly.
His goal was to survive.
To survive, there were opponents one had to confront and those one had to avoid.
Osmond was closer to the latter.
Even if he executed Osmond and hung his head at the tower gate, Kundel would just stand by.
However, standing by didn't mean forgetting.
If the delegation was wiped out, Kundel would remember this incident for a long time.
That was a death scenario.
“Hmm, it seems I've been misunderstanding you.”
His attitude changed the moment Joshua mentioned letting him live.
He must've been terrified deep down despite hiding his expression.
“But what do you mean by leaving with my hands full?”
“It means someone other than Sir Rodwell will be accompanying you. It's Lady Lucille.”
Osmond cleared his throat.
Even if her rank within the knights was low, Lucille's family status was high.
It was clear who a man chasing fame would prefer to have.
“I know you spoke with Lady Lucille separately.”
“W-What!”
“Is that not true? You'd better not lie to me. If there's one thing that makes me different from Rodwell, it's that I don't give people multiple chances.”
Osmond hesitated.
If he confessed, he'd be handing a blade to the boy.
But other than him, would there be anyone in this cramped room willing to reach out a hand?
His deliberation didn't last long.
“We spoke for a short while. I asked her how she'd feel about going to the city.”
“What did she say?”
“I didn't get an answer, but she didn't seem to dislike the idea.”
“I see.”
“I beg of you! You must never let Sir Rodwell know about this talk. If he finds out, my head really will roll off my neck this time!”
Osmond looked ready to lick Joshua's boots if it meant he could live.
This was the terror that death brought.
If Joshua hadn't possessed [Cool] or [Steady Nerves] himself, he might've taken that same stance at any time.
“Calm down. I have no intention of telling him. More importantly, if I send Lady Lucille with you, that'll be enough of an achievement for when you return to Stalia, right?”
“It's not just enough, it's more than enough! The Rainwood family is one of the most prestigious in the kingdom!”
“You might even get a promotion. If things go well, you'll have to treat me.”
“Is that really possible? Has Sir Rodwell permitted this?”
“I'll persuade him.”
Osmond was now truly afraid of the boy.
Just from listening to him, it felt like the boy was the true power within this tower.
“If I succeed in persuading him, you'll owe me a debt, Osmond. You don't have to pay this debt back immediately. But one day, I'll collect.”
Power seemed to dwell in those final words about collecting.
He was only eighteen.
He was a mere fledgling who'd lived only half as long as Osmond.
Yet his gaze was extraordinary.
“Understood. I'll keep that in mind.”
“Write a document for me.”
“Does that mean you can't trust me with just my word?”
“As much as the world has changed, these things must be finished carefully. Don't worry. Your own handwriting will suffice. I could use magic to force it, but I won't do that.”
Osmond hurriedly completed the contract, fearing the boy might change his mind.
“Now, pray that my talk with Sir Rodwell goes well.”
“I'm trusting you! Please convey my intentions well, saying that I meant no harm.”
“Don't worry. I'll resolve this very well.”
Osmond pleaded to the point of kneeling.
Joshua turned and left the prison.
With this, he'd ingrained the nuance that he was the savior.
When he headed to the city in the future, he'd be able to avoid a sudden and meaningless death.
[Hidden Quest - Welcoming the Delegation completed.]
[You've acquired 20 coins as a reward.]
[Coins Held: 90]
A hidden quest.
It was a secret quest whose contents weren't revealed in advance.
There was only one reason the game gave coins: it was when the player overcame death.
There were too many people hiding their teeth and claws nearby.
And there was still one more scenario left to twist.
* * *
“Release them.”
When he met Rodwell, he'd already reached the same conclusion as Joshua.
Detaining the delegation would only result in losses for them.
“I thought you'd say that.”
“You're talking as if you were reading my mind.”
“It's because I think Rodwell and I think similarly.”
“Hmm, Joshua. It might just be my imagination, but it feels like you're playing over my head.”
[Cool] prevented his expression from faltering.
Indeed, the man's insight was remarkable.
If he knew that Joshua was settling things without his knowledge, he'd surely fly into a rage.
“I don't have such an ability.”
“Is that so? I trust my intuition quite a bit. This intuition is telling me that you're manipulating me.”
Joshua didn't know what kind of intuition the man had.
Was it giving direct advice like a personality trait?
He didn't think that was possible.
The [System] was strictly the player's unique privilege.
[Clever] also denied it, saying that wasn't the case.
“Anyway, if we're of the same mind, that's enough. Setting that matter aside, did you bring what you mentioned?”
“They're radish seeds.”
“……I didn't think you'd actually bring them.”
“Have you ever seen me make empty promises?”
“I haven't.”
“If you leave them to the tenant farmers, they'll grow them well on their own. They'll grow enough to be eaten in about a month.”
Rodwell nodded his head.
“Thank you. With this, I might not have to drive them out anymore.”
He showed a faint smile.
He was genuinely relieved.
He let his shoulders slump and released his tension.
Then he covered his face with his hands.
“Don't tell me, are you crying?”
“I'm just tired. What are you looking at! Turn your head away this instant.”
“It's a scene that's a waste for only me to see. Should I call the people in the hall? They'd be moved if they knew their captain was shedding tears for them.”
“Are you trying to make me a laughingstock!”
Rodwell composed his emotions and lifted his face.
“You aren't my subordinate. What's the reason you're going this far? I don't think liberating the knight's warehouse is everything.”
Joshua smiled.
He'd tried all sorts of things to see the ending of this game.
But he'd failed.
Through numerous failures, he'd learned tips and know-how.
To survive, he had to make many people his own.
“It's quiet now because it's winter. But once the season changes, the zombies will attack more fiercely, more strongly, and in greater numbers than before. I'm preparing for that time.”
“Does that mean you need me for that preparation?”
“Yes, I need you, Rodwell.”
“It's unusual for you to speak so weakly. Can't you do it alone?”
“I found I couldn't. I've tried many times.”
“You speak like someone who's repeated this life.”
“I've done it countless times.”
Rodwell tilted his head.
“Is it magic? Regression, or something like remembering a past life?”
“It's something like that.”
“Kuhaha! Make some sense. Even a Deus (1st class) mage can't do that.”
“True.”
He didn't seem to believe it.
Well, anyone would react that way regardless of whom he confessed to.
No one understood him.
Unless it was someone who'd possessed a character in this game like him, they wouldn't know his feelings.
But if he could survive, it didn't matter even if he wasn't understood.
“Assuming your words are true, I'm curious about one thing.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Why aren't you going crazy? If I were you, my mind would've collapsed long ago, and my emotions would've worn away until I became a living corpse.”
[Cool] claimed it was the primary contributor.
[Clever] also appealed to him, not wanting to be left behind.
The quiet [Patience] also sent a careful signal not to forget it.
Even [Steady Nerves], who always worked silently, was an exception this time.
“I have some friends who are good at their jobs. Though they're a bit rude.”
His personality traits voiced their complaints.
They'd been quiet lately, but they were always like this whenever they had something to gripe about.
Ah, his head ached.
“Hahaha!”
The headache eased along with Rodwell's burst of laughter.
“Now I know for sure.”
“Know what?”
“Even if everyone in this world collapses, you never will. I don't know why, but I get that feeling.”
“That's a compliment, right?”
“It's more than a compliment, it means I respect you. There might be people stronger than you, and there might be people with more than you, but there'll be no one more solid than you.”
An awkward atmosphere flowed.
The man himself seemed embarrassed by what he'd blurted out, as he scratched his cheek.
“Say, do you have any interest in working under me?”
“I feel like I've heard that at least three times already.”
“It's just that I'm regretful. I don't want to let go of a guy who shows such promise.”
“My answer remains the same.”
“Is that so?”
Rodwell laughed happily.
He must've expected the answer.
“In that case, I'll no longer view you as a mere student or a boy. At least in public, I'll respect you as the leader of a group and call you Sir. Of course, in private, I'll treat you comfortably as I do now.”
“Understood.”
“Aren't you happy? This is recognition from none other than me, the knight captain. It's okay to be a bit more pleased.”
“I am happy. It's just that I'm poor at expressing it.”
Rodwell stood up.
Since he'd gained the hope that was the seeds, he had to run around busily to persuade the knights and survivors.
“Rodwell, there's one more thing I need to discuss.”
“What is it?”
“It's about Lady Lucille.”
“……Well, I can guess what you're going to say.”
* * *
Three days passed after that.
Joshua returned to the farm to give Rodwell time to wrap up the incident.
[Hidden Quest - Knight Rebellion completed.]
[You've acquired 30 coins as a reward.]
[Coins Held: 120]
The message that the quest was completed floated in front of him and then vanished.
The death variables that could've arisen from the delegation's visit.
A chill suddenly ran down his spine.
It was obvious where those sparks would've flown if he hadn't stepped in.
“I'm tired.”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
Leonard turned his head at the sudden lament.
He'd succeeded in hatching the egg Joshua had given him previously.
He was now fully occupied with caring for it.
Even as he spoke, he didn't let the chick out of his arms.
“I'm saying I sacrificed this body for our group.”
“I don't think there's been anything you could call hard work lately.”
“Ignorance is bliss.”
Joshua shrugged his shoulders.
It wasn't something he should receive thanks for.
It was just a bit bitter that no one could ever know.
[Cool] comforted him.
As expected, these were the only guys who understood him.
“I'm going out for a walk. Keep a good eye on the house.”
As he arrived near the tower, he saw knights at the main gate.
It was the faction leaving this place.
Osmond, who'd been released from prison, was settling the situation.
“Ooh, Joshua.”
He ran toward Joshua happily upon seeing his face.
“Sir Rodwell has released me. Not only that! It's been decided that Lady Lucille will return to Stalia with us.”
“I see.”
“Just what kind of magic did you perform?”
“I just got lucky.”
“Keke, anyway, thank you. I might even snag a position thanks to you. If that happens, come to Stalia anytime. I'll talk to Sir Kundel and do my best to ensure you're well treated.”
“Thank you, Osmond.”
“Why the thanks? I'm the one who should be thanking my benefactor!”
Osmond gave a frivolous smile.
Becoming close with him would be convenient in many ways.
It was like gaining a decent ally.
“You seem busy, so let's end the greetings here. I hope you have a safe trip back.”
“Right, I hope to see you again.”
As he moved away, someone naturally came to find Joshua.
It was Lucille Rainwood.
Seeing her face for the first time in a while, she looked even more tired than when he'd first seen her at the dormitory.
She must've had a lot of stress.
She said another subordinate had deserted.
From her perspective as someone with a strong sense of responsibility, it must've been hard to accept.
“What, we haven't met in a while and you aren't even going to say hello?”
She playfully punched his chest with her fist.
“It's been a while, Lady Lucille.”
“You look like you're living the high life huh? The rumors I've heard lately are incredible.”
“It just happened that way.”
“You're as humble as ever. Ugh, how annoying.”
“You're as prickly as ever too, Lady Lucille.”
“What! So you've grown up, I see.”
Lucille came close, wrapped her arm around his neck, and mimicked a chokehold.
A pleasant scent wafted from her.
He could feel her firm yet soft skin through the gambeson she wore.
“Are you going to the city?”
“Yeah, that's how it turned out.”
“Since Kundel Glover, the master of Stalia, is an authoritarian man, he won't mistreat Lady Lucille of the Rainwood family.”
“Are you worried about me?”
“Yes.”
Lucille pulled on his cheek as if he were cute.
It was a bit uncomfortable for Joshua, who was thirty on the inside.
“Since I'm the one leaving, if you have any heart for me, please look after Tania.”
“Is she not going with you?”
“I don't know how you charmed her, but she won't listen to me. She stubbornly insisted on staying here until the end. She was a child who'd always follow my words without question.”
Lucille bit her lip as if she were frustrated.
It was an unexpected development.
Joshua had never experienced a route where Lucille and Tania separated in this manner.
His efforts had opened up a new route.
“It's because of you, so you take responsibility. If anything happens to that child, I'll curse you for the rest of my life.”
“I'll do my best. She's precious to me as well.”
“Don't tell me, you aren't harboring any ulterior motives, are you? I'm sorry, but I'm going to marry Tania off into a better family.”
“I mean she's precious as a comrade.”
Lucille had a subtle expression, as if she didn't know whether to be happy or annoyed.
She seemed a bit angry as well.
[Clever] tried to read her emotions, but soon gave up, saying it lacked information.
“My cutie is going to be a bit hurt.”
“Pardon?”
“It's just a lady's monologue! You don't need to know.”
Lucille gave Joshua a tight hug.
The knights waiting behind them glanced over.
Their gazes were full of envy.
Some even gestured for him to get away quickly while shouting boos.
Lucille was a beauty, after all.
Since she was the only woman among the knights, she must've had a status like an idol.
[Clever] advised him to hold the hug longer just to spite them.
“I felt like I hadn't been able to properly say thank you.”
“Why are you acting so unlike yourself?”
“Things have been hard lately, and there was no one to accept my complaints.”
“There's Sir Rodwell.”
“He looked precarious too. But I felt like you'd have some room to spare.”
Lucille slowly stepped away.
Her face, having cast off her lingering thoughts, was full of life.
“I'll write a letter if I can. I'll also try to send support supplies if possible. And I'll seize control of the factions within the castle in preparation for when you guys come later…… stay healthy and well.”
“You take care too, Lady Lucille.”