When I Finished Playing the Terminally-Ill Villainous Omega C34

Chapter 34

I had accidentally opened to a completely different page.

But if I flipped back immediately, it’d be obvious how awkward I felt about the situation.

So I simply kept reading.

Then, as though nothing had happened, I casually turned the page.

Huh?

Something was tucked between the pages.

Looking closer, I found a beautifully pressed crape myrtle blossom.

I was afraid it’d crumble if I handled it carelessly, so I couldn’t bring myself to turn the page.

What should I do…?

I simply blinked at it.

Outside, the coachman and the knight busied themselves repairing the misaligned carriage wheel.

Even then…

I could still feel Locke’s eyes on me.

I tried not to think about it, but it was difficult to ignore someone staring at you for that long.

Before I knew it, I had become overly conscious of every tiny movement of my fingers.

By the time night had completely fallen, we decided to stop and spend the night at a nearby inn.

Beyond the village lay a forest infested with monsters.

Originally, we’d planned to pass through it before sunset.

But repairing the carriage wheel had delayed us too long.

We’d missed our chance.

We’d also fallen behind the Viscount’s carriage.

Locke, the knight, and I stopped before the largest-looking inn in the village.

The coachman headed for the stable to put away the carriage while the three of us entered the inn.

Inside…

The place was already overflowing with people.

The clinking of mugs and bursts of laughter filled the air.

“Hahaha! That hardly counts as entertainment!”

“Who’s next?”

Several men had pushed a table aside and were holding a mock duel in the middle of the room.

Apparently one had just won.

Standing triumphantly atop a chair, he raised his mug before noticing us entering through the door.

One glance at our clothes was enough.

We were obviously nobles.

“There happens to be only one room left in this inn.”

“So we were deciding who gets it through a duel.”

“If you want the room…”

“You’ll have to cross swords with me.”

He slowly looked me up and down.

At his challenge, the knight stepped protectively in front of me.

I gestured for him to stand down.

“There’s no need.”

“This isn’t the only inn in existence.”

“Besides, we need two rooms.”

I turned to leave immediately.

But the knight stopped me.

“Traveling at night is dangerous.”

“Jack and I will look around for another inn.”

After giving a respectful bow, he headed toward the stable where the coachman, Jack, was waiting.

While they searched elsewhere, I spotted an empty table in the corner.

I grabbed Locke’s wrist.

“Let’s sit over there and wait.”

After sitting down, I pulled out a handkerchief and covered my nose.

I was used to places filled only with pleasant fragrances.

The mixture of stale alcohol and sweat made me feel sick.

It even smelled as though someone had vomited nearby.

Just then, the man who’d jumped down from his chair spoke again.

“This is the only inn left in town with any rooms available.”

“If you don’t claim one now…”

“You’ll have to fight monsters all night on your way to Sordel Village.”

“Or sleep inside your carriage.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

Wouldn’t it have made more sense to mention that before my knight and coachman went searching elsewhere?

I looked at him with open displeasure.

It felt as though he’d intentionally waited just to inconvenience us.

“What a shame.”

“If you’d told us a little sooner, my knight and coachman wouldn’t have wasted their efforts.”

“And as I said before…”

“We need two rooms.”

“So we’ll simply wait for my men to return.”

“May the sun’s blessing be with them.”

He smirked.

“If the next guests beat me…”

“Even that last remaining room will be gone.”

At that moment, another carriage rolled into the stable outside.

If what he said was true…

We really might end up sleeping inside our carriage.

“If you keep acting so relaxed…”

“You’ll be greeting the sunrise from your carriage.”

Ciel had once told me about a nasty custom among the nobility.

When someone first entered high society, older nobles often picked on them for not knowing aristocratic etiquette.

Of course, they usually chose their targets carefully according to status.

Still…

Because the practice was so widespread, it was difficult to openly protest even if you were treated unfairly.

Otherwise, people would assume you were so pathetic that you could only survive in high society by hiding behind your family name.

The man’s appearance clearly marked him as a young noble.

He’d probably figured out my status the moment he saw me.

Since a new noble had appeared…

He was most likely trying to give me that infamous “social debut.”

So this is where my introduction to high society begins.

Despite his rudeness, I smiled as politely as possible.

“I’ve suffered from poor health for many years.”

“I’ve barely held a sword in my life.”

“If I crossed blades with someone who just won the championship…”

“The outcome would be obvious.”

“How about another kind of contest?”

“A drawing of lots, perhaps?”

“Hahaha!”

“A true man settles things with a duel!”

“Why speak so weakly?”

“What do you think I’m going to do to you?”

“We happened to meet during our travels.”

“Let’s simply exchange a few blows and enjoy ourselves.”

“Don’t reject me so coldly.”

“Think of it as entertainment.”

“If the Young Master is so frail…”

Someone else interrupted.

“Why not give him a handicap?”

The man nodded.

“Fair enough.”

“Let’s do this.”

“If you can stop my movements for even a single moment…”

“I’ll give you not only the remaining room…”

“But also one of the rooms we’ve already secured.”

“That makes two rooms.”

“What do you say?”

“And what do you want?”

I asked.

The man spun his sheathed sword smoothly before pointing it at my chest.

“I’ll take that badge.”

Only then did I understand.

From the very beginning…

He’d known I belonged to House Hestian.

He wanted to strip away my family brooch and humiliate me.

Now I understood why he’d dared provoke me despite us both being nobles.

The well-informed noble families probably already knew.

The sickly young master of House Hestian would finally be attending Marquis Albre’s banquet.

Cedric was terminally ill.

Ciel had no interest in inheriting the family.

Naturally, everyone had already assumed Cassian would become the next head of House Hestian.

If rumors had also spread that I didn’t get along with Cassian…

I’d inevitably become a convenient target for Cassian’s acquaintances—or anyone hoping to curry favor with him.

It didn’t matter.

As long as he didn’t slash my wrist…

I could simply hold onto the brooch tightly enough to keep it.

What truly irritated me…

Was their rotten character.

Before things dragged on any longer, I stood.

I had no intention of indulging his provocation.

Still…

Securing rooms in case of the worst wasn’t a bad idea.

“Very well.”

“I accept your conditions.”

Cheers and jeers erupted throughout the inn.

In an instant, the common room transformed into a miniature battlefield.

Taking a slow breath, I gripped the hilt of the magic sword embedded with the mana stone Locke had given me.

Just as I stepped toward the dueling area—

Locke moved in front of me.

“If the duel is simply to obtain a room…”

“Wouldn’t it be acceptable if I fought in your place?”

“As I understand it, during noble sword duels, a family’s knight may fight on behalf of their master when circumstances require.”

“I may not officially be a knight…”

“But I am still a member of House Hestian.”

His words hit me unexpectedly hard.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t moved.

He’d never even properly wielded a sword before.

Yet he was willing to step forward to protect a friend from humiliation.

Still…

Just as he wanted to protect me…

I wanted to protect him.

If Locke fought instead…

I’d become a laughingstock.

And he might suffer something even more humiliating—and far more painful.

Suppressing the emotions swelling inside my chest, I spoke quietly.

“I’ll do it myself.”

“You’ve never even held a sword.”

Locke whispered.

His warm breath brushed the back of my neck.

I nearly flinched.

But too many eyes were watching us.

I forced myself to maintain a dignified posture.

“Neither have you.”

I whispered back.

“But—”

“Look at him.”

“He’s wearing clothes that expensive and carrying a magic artifact.”

“That means he’s a noble.”

“In other words…”

“Even if he hurts you, he won’t be punished.”

“But it’s different for me.”

Someone as perceptive as Locke understood exactly what I meant.

After finishing my preparations, I pointed my sword toward my opponent.

Finally giving in, Locke took the handkerchief from my hand and tied it around the hilt of my magic sword.

“If you’re unable to verbally admit defeat…”

“This will serve as your signal.”

“Don’t try to endure for too long.”

“Just humor him for a bit…”

“Then throw in the towel.”

I wondered how Locke knew the customs of noble sword duels.

Before I could ask…

The sound of more guests entering the inn echoed behind us.

I hurriedly turned away.

“Thanks for worrying about me.”

“But if I can’t stop his movement…”

“The four of us will be sleeping in the carriage.”

“I can sleep anywhere.”

“…I can’t.”

He doesn’t even realize I’m trying to get us a proper bed.

As if I actually enjoyed fighting.

I answered gruffly before taking my position.

“I’m ready.”

The duel would be fought with our swords still sheathed.

It was the standard way to prevent serious injuries during sparring.

That didn’t mean getting hit by what was essentially a heavy club would hurt any less.

Swallowing nervously, I tightened my grip.

“Very well.”

“You may use objects around you.”

“But the use of magic or interference from others will result in immediate forfeiture.”

Seeing me shuffle forward awkwardly with both hands gripping my sword hilt…

The man curled one corner of his mouth into a smile.

He must have already imagined an easy victory.

Clang!

“Ugh!”

He rushed forward without hesitation.

Our sheathed swords collided with a loud metallic crash.