WHTVT C12

Chapter 12

[Without my help in the form of sub-missions, can you complete the main quest? If so, I will provide no missions at all from now on.]

The instant he finished reading the text filling his vision, Noel’s head turned taut.

As the system said, he wanted to handle it on his own without those forced quests, but he had no confidence he could dodge the coughing-blood penalty with no hint at all.

Still, wasn’t there a way through?

Anyway I just have to make Chase the main villain. If I use the same method as this time, just toss him meat and only pretend to bully him moderately, maybe he’ll blacken on his own?

Just as Noel was completing a fairly excellent scenario of his own, digging into the system’s blind spot, the text changed as if to show him.

[As if that would happen.]

“Hey, don’t read my inner thoughts on your own!”

It wasn’t even mocking. At the irritation that rose in an instant Noel shouted out of his mouth. Then he startled at his own action, clapped both hands over his mouth, and hurriedly looked around.

If even a passing servant had seen this, he’d have been treated as insane on the spot. If they even learned the system existed…… this time he might really die.

Fortunately not an ant was in sight around him.

Still, the uneasy thought that someone might appear suddenly couldn’t be helped. Noel raced down the corridor and went into his room as if fleeing.

Only after locking the door and throwing himself on the bed could he finally even his breath.

In the meantime he settled the anger that had surged up, then tossed words low toward empty air.

“…So the same method is absolutely not allowed?”

[If you proceed by the same method it will help somewhat in blackening Chase %^@#, but repeated action will rather be of no use.]

“Then instead of these sub-missions can’t you just neatly tell me a few easy methods? There’s such a thing as a strategy guide, why!”

[That is an area I cannot assist. Moreover all of this is a problem that rests solely on Young Master Noel’s capability.]

Only letters floated, but somehow the tone was still oddly stiff and firm. Lying on the bed, Noel narrowed his eyes and studied the system window carefully.

“But you…… are you sulking, by any chance?”

[As if. I have no resentful feelings toward damned Young Master Noel, who doesn’t even thank me when I help and nearly wrecked the original flow completely.]

He’s sulking. He’s sulking.

What’s he supposed to be, a person.

A hollow laugh tried to leak at the absurdity, but Noel barely held it.

Calmly thought through, leaving the thing sulking like this was unconditionally Noel’s loss.

It was the only rope right now that held and shook his lifespan; what good would making an enemy of it here do. Even if its insides were obvious, he had to play along moderately and securely get its cooperation; then future quests would be much easier.

Afraid the system might peek at even this thought, Noel hurriedly wiped the stray thoughts, evened his voice, and spoke toward empty air as if soothing it a little.

“I’m sorry about before. I was too startled by a situation that hit suddenly and my words got ahead of me. Being in a position where my life is threatened…… can you understand? The only place I can lean here is you. Even if I’m a bit clumsy, look at me generously.”

The instant Noel finished speaking a window slithered up in the air.

[Well…… if you put it that way, I never sulked in the first place, but I will understand with a generous heart!]

It’s soothed, it’s soothed. Seeing it return to its original tone as if its mood had eased at once, Noel huffed a hollow laugh. Really. Simple too.

Then one thing suddenly nagged. Was even this thought being read by that thing as-is.

“That…… can’t you not read my inner thoughts?”

At the words he spat carefully the window wavered once more.

[Even now I only react when it reads as a question! Shall I help so I appear when you designate me directly?]

“Yeah. Please do that.”

Come to think of it, this thing had only appeared when he gave off a nuance of puzzlement. Was there a pattern of its own.

A moment later a calm light wavered and a phrase rose on the window.

[Settings have been changed! From now on I’ll appear only when Young Master Noel calls me directly. Call anytime you need.]

“Thanks. Is there no separate time limit on this mission either?”

[Yes, that’s right! Is there anything else you’re curious about?]

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Thanks to you it’s enough.”

[Then call the system when you need it! Do your best on this quest too!]

Kid, being this simple makes you easy to handle. Noel lifted the corner of his mouth a little, then soon sank into thought with a serious face again.

Anyway, make him get doused with water?

How was he supposed to dunk him in water. Dousing with water was easy to say; you couldn’t splash it just anywhere.

And the other party had to come outside in the first place for you to make him get doused or not.

So splash water inside the room? Ugh, how could he do that to the kid……. Absolutely not happening.

Even if he did that thing, the day it reached Father’s ears the budget assigned in front of him would be goodbye as-is. Even if he cleared the quest there was nothing to gain on his side.

Turning it this way and that, no proper method rose.

“Wow, for there to be this little answer.”

Arms crossed, brow narrowed, Noel paced his room slowly. The more he thought the more his head felt blocked tight.

Wait. If a situation where he could use water naturally was made, wouldn’t that work? And inside a room, in a way no one would find strange.

In that moment of tearing at his hair alone, Chase’s grimy face from earlier brushed through his mind.

“The servants don’t seem to be taking care of him properly.”

Right, I can just wash him! At the idea that flashed, Noel clenched a fist as if excited.

Wash together and over the head, huh? Pour water refreshingly once—isn’t that a dousing?

……Miracle logic. He knew it himself. But what could he do when nothing better than this rose right now.

Noel didn’t hesitate and pulled the bell-cord.

A moment later a servant entered at a quick step, and Noel gave the order with deliberate gravity.

“Draw wash water right now.”

“Yes, Young Master Noel. I’ll prepare it at once.”

“And I’m going to wash the kid, so bring supplies on the soft side and leave them.”

“Yes? By kid you mean……”

The servant doubted his ears right now. So Young Master Noel would attend a bath……? No way that could be…….

“Not me. I’m going to wash the one that rolled in over there. Why is the kid’s appearance so grimy. Anyone looking would think the ducal house starves and abuses a child. How are all of you trying to make my face, handling work like this!”

Ah. Realizing he hadn’t heard wrong, the servant opened his eyes round and stiffened a moment.

Was he really going to wash the child with his own hands. The rumor from a few days ago that he’d coughed blood seemed true.

If he hadn’t caught some dying illness he wouldn’t spit words like this. Still the servant thought he might have heard wrong and asked Noel again.

“Sh-shall I prepare and attend Lord Chase’s bath?”

“Did you not hear me say I’ll do it?”

“I-I’m sorry! I’ll prepare at once.”

Soon he hid his fluster, bowed, and withdrew.

Noel turned his steps again toward Chase’s room.

Knock knock-

This time too he knocked for form’s sake, but no words came back, so Noel yanked the door open.

“Hey!”

Stepping into the room shouting with dignity, Noel paused.

Chase had at some point pulled a chair close in front of the table and finished cleaning off the lump of meat Noel had left.

The wide silver tray was so clean not a scrap remained. Holding the fork, Chase looked up at Noel with a slightly vacant face.

A little meat grease faintly on lips that had had no blood proved how neatly he’d eaten until a moment ago.

……He ate really well.

A nameless pride slowly bloomed in a corner of his chest, but Noel quickly hardened his expression and fabricated a deliberately vicious voice.

“Hey, you get up right now and go wash. It’s not like you’re showing off being an orphan who rolled in a dirt pit. It’s so eyesore I could die, so don’t walk around my house looking like that, smelling.”

Noel furrowed his brow hard and jerked his chin at Chase.

“…Huh?”

“You’re not a rat pup, what’s with that look? Get up right now and follow me to the bath. I’m already irritated you’re a meal-leech, and I have to put up with the smell too?”

Even after spitting the words he thought inwardly, Was this too much? He won’t choke, will he? and felt poked, but on the outside he crossed his arms as much as he could and held an arrogant attitude stiff.

Chase fidgeted and stood.