Volume 2 Chapter 14 Catherine - Change Of Plans -
Something's wrong.
Something is definitely wrong.
Isn't it? The second semester just started, and I should be getting closer to everyone, but Dario has already called off the engagement.
I haven't done anything yet.
Besides, the engagement being called off is only for Dario's route; Cecilia should still have the white marriage route. So why is there no engagement anymore?
This is definitely strange. Just...
"Ah, Sir Dario, good day!"
"Ah, Catherine, are you heading home now?"
...Dario seems normal, though.
"Sir Dario, has anything changed recently~?"
Other than the engagement being called off, of course. I can't say that last part, but Dario should understand. After thinking for a moment about my question, Dario finally spoke up.
"My father has been acting a bit down lately."
His father? Dario's? The Prime Minister is feeling down? Hmm.
"Speaking of which, my father was worried about whether you were doing well."
"Oh, mine was too. He was concerned about how you were doing, Dario."
Edgar and Chris chimed in, and Dario raised an eyebrow, asking, "Why is that?"
But both of them just replied, "I don't know," as if they didn't really understand. It seems that when they asked their parents if they were doing well, they only got "That's good" in response.
"Isn't it because Dario's engagement was called off?"
Arthur said cheerfully, and everyone nodded, "Yeah, that could be it." I can only think of that too, and if that's the case, it makes sense that the Prime Minister is feeling down.
I remember that Cecilia's family is an old noble family. They were saying something about having a prestigious background even in the reverse harem route, so it might have been shocking for the Prime Minister.
...Wait a minute. Does that mean I'm the cause?
"Could it be that I'm the reason for the engagement being called off?"
I asked cautiously. If the Prime Minister has his eyes on me because of this, it could be a big problem.
"No way, that's not it."
"I, I think so too."
Dario tilted his head, and I was grateful that Chris agreed. That makes sense. We haven't deepened our bond yet, so it's not like we're in a romantic relationship, and it's fine for boys and girls to get along at school.
...That's okay, right? We're just friends, so it's fine to be friendly. We're not holding hands or secretly meeting alone, so it's safe, right?
"This cancellation was something the Hartfield family said unilaterally."
Dario explained that Cecilia's family took the compensation and then called off the engagement, leaving Dario's family in a tough spot.
"Still, Lady Cecilia's family is getting compensation──"
"No, apparently, they started a new business."
With a sigh, Dario told me that Cecilia's family is producing beauty products, and Elizabeth's family is helping to sell them.
Beauty products? Huh? Isn't that the classic reincarnation business?
I froze for a moment because I had heard this before. Plus, Elizabeth's family is involved in the sales.
It must be that reincarnated girl. I can't stand it. She's trying to get ahead of me by making beauty products and profiting... what a greedy woman. This world is supposed to be for me!
"──Cathe..."
It seems that Elizabeth is involved in this change of plans──
"Cathy."
"Ah, yes?"
──I realized I was being called and forced a smile at Edgar, but I felt a bit guilty seeing his worried face.
"Did you not know about the beauty products?"
Edgar asked suspiciously, and I accidentally nodded, "Uh, yeah." According to Edgar and the others, it seems to be quite famous at school. Everyone is talking about how beautiful Elizabeth and Cecilia's skin is...
...Oh no. I don't have any female friends, so I'm missing out on the information. Wait, could this also be Elizabeth's trap?
"Indeed, Miss Cecilia and the others have become really beautiful."
Arthur's carefree comment made Edgar and Dario awkwardly say, "Y-yeah, that's true."
Huh? Are you kidding me? You're getting all worked up over a girl you tossed aside! That really hurt.
Fine. I'll show you how much it hurts when a girl hears something like that.
"Lady Elizabeth and Lady Cecilia are both beautiful, unlike me~."
Edgar and Dario hurriedly said, "N-no, that's not true," after my sad whisper. If this teaches them a lesson, they better not say anything stupid again.
"If Cathy uses that beauty product, two of them won't even compare with you."
"Yeah, that's right."
"I see~."
Since they all praised me in unison, and Chris and Arthur agreed too, I guess I'll forgive them.
For now, Dario's father seems down, probably because Elizabeth did something weird. And selling beauty products? She's definitely a reincarnated person.
If that's the case, I have a plan.
I'll put the harem route on hold for a while and focus on building my own strength. From what I've seen, Elizabeth is probably trying to ruin my reverse harem route. So, I'll turn that against her and take down Elizabeth... no, the reincarnated person who's probably laughing in the middle of it.
If my reputation as a Saint grows, I'll be able to receive divine guidance in the game. If I spread the word that Elizabeth is possessed by a forbidden witch... that would be perfect. I can get rid of the obstacles.
Unlike the game's story, I'm going straight for the final boss, and the opponent is a nation, but please forgive me. They started this fight.
I might ignore the reverse harem events to some extent, but I know everyone's worries and personalities well. While saving the world, I'll slowly build new bonds.
It's totally fine if the Saint who saved the world ends up in a romantic relationship with her friends.
Now that I've decided, I should finish the nearby Saint event first. I think the rural area near the royal capital is being attacked by a few stray beasts──a Big Ape.
There haven't been any human casualties yet, but I believe people will be attacked tonight. We'll visit the troubled village, defeat the beasts, heal the villagers who were harmed, and even provide food.
It's a small event that will slightly raise my virtue and reputation as a Saint, and while there's still time before it disappears, it's better to do it sooner. It's just right for us now.
Plus, the Big Ape's movement involves orcs, and the true cause is the giant Armor Lizard. If we all work together, we should be fine, and it will help everyone level up. Most importantly, our adventurer rank will go up.
If our rank goes up, we can explore new dungeons... okay. Let's clear the Saint event first.
"By the way, everyone, do you have any plans for tomorrow?"
"No, not really..."
At Edgar's words, Dario, Chris, and Arthur looked at each other and nodded. Yeah, I know. I know that everyone has the day off tomorrow. After all, in the game, tomorrow is a free exploration day. You can go out with anyone, of course, even with everyone.
"If it's okay, I'd like to go to a nearby village."
"A village?"
"Yes."
I nodded and explained that the nearby village is covered in an evil presence.
"What?"
Edgar reacted, and the other 3 were curious, asking, "Is it a Saint's prediction?"
"Yes. I think it's a Big Ape or something."
According to the village head in the game, there should be a request at the adventurer guild today, but no one has paid attention to it yet.
The damage is minor, just some crops, and the information is uncertain. Plus, the reward is low. No wonder adventurers aren't taking it. If it really is a Big Ape, people would probably focus on investigating the root cause instead.
The Big Ape lives in the forest.
But if we leave it alone, other adventurers will take it down, so we have to hurry to the village and help before that happens.
"Catherine, is that evil presence pretty strong?"
"It's still weak, but I think we shouldn't ignore it."
After I answered Dario's question, Edgar and the others looked at each other and nodded.
"Then we'll set out first thing tomorrow morning."
"We have to prepare, so it can't be helped."
Under the instructions of Edgar and Dario, it was decided that everyone would gather at the east gate of the royal capital first thing tomorrow morning. A few Big Apes and some scattered Orcs are not a problem, but the Armored Lizard deep in the forest is quite tough, so I need to get a good night's sleep to recharge.
After all, it all depends on my buffs.
Just wait, Elizabeth. I, the Saint and the heroine, will show you.
* * *
While Catherine was fired up about changing plans...
"Which part of this is tasty, Liz?"
"I don't know...?"
"Don't be silly. Just grab whatever."
...Randy, Liz, and Ellie were struggling with a lot of Orc meat in the forest near the royal capital.
They were carefully selecting the Orc meat they had defeated to take as souvenirs to the rural village where they would stay for the night. And of course, Randy and the others had no idea that this was the reason for the event Catherine was aiming for.
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