CHAPTER 46………………………..
The reason why the ever-rational Schwaben became unusually emotional in front of his long-cherished dream of “discovering the New Continent”…
‘It must have been the author’s intention to highlight Perez’s charm even more—the man who would later recognize Colombershu’s true worth and invest in him.’
According to the story’s timeline, less than a year after Colombershu’s “discovery of the New Continent,” a Great Depression strikes.
‘A massive economic downturn. An opportunity that must be prepared for thoroughly.’
Aria paused at that thought.
When she first left the Grand Ducal castle, she believed the plans she had carefully made would proceed without issue. But she had spent far more time at the slave market than expected.
On top of that, the chaos brought by the Founding Day celebration was far greater than she had anticipated.
As the sun set, the streets became even more packed with imperial citizens, to the point that there was barely room to set foot.
‘I have to deliver the line at the right timing in front of Colombershu. I can’t be late.’
The four knights following her were imposing in both build and presence.
Thanks to them she wasn’t hurt, but it made hurrying difficult.
Aria squeezed her way between pedestrians, doing her best to push toward the clock tower as quickly as possible.
Warning. Two minutes remain until the quest time limit.
Just as her anxious breath rose to her throat—
Reader has entered character Colombershu’s field of vision.
On Founding Day, there were always plenty of wish-orbs due to the massive crowds.
Aria reached out and grabbed one floating in the air.
‘I would never make a wish like this. But even if it’s me, not Chloe, saying the line—if Colombershu is moved by it, that’s enough.’
“Please let everyone in the Etenhofer Empire be happy. Ah, and I believe the New Continent will be discovered. Please let the people of the New Continent, who will soon be discovered, become just as properly happy as the people of our homeland.”
Aria recited Chloe’s lines exactly as she had read them in the excerpt.
The orb glowed blue, signifying that her wish had been inscribed upon the leaves.
Reader’s wish has been engraved onto the clock tower’s vine leaves.
Character Colombershu has heard Reader’s words.
Character Colombershu is moved. He will never commit massacres and will strive only for positive achievements.
Quest success condition achieved!
Perhaps because it was such a dramatic success, her heart pounded as if it would burst.
Tulip Bubble collapse penalty has been canceled. The flow of the Tulip Bubble will proceed according to the original work.
Level has increased.
Congratulations. The skill “Immersive Reading” is now available.
Aria looked around, trying to find Colombershu, who must be watching her from somewhere nearby.
She needed to become his sponsor; if she could approach him under the guise of coincidence and at least exchange words, that would be ideal.
But then—
Aria had to stop even breathing in the next moment.
Because she had spotted someone she never expected.
“……”
She almost bit her tongue.
Because unless she was mistaken—
“Perez…?”
She could clearly see Perez.
Even though countless people filled the space densely between them, Aria recognized him instantly.
Though he was far away, he was unmistakably the male lead.
Had he sensed her gaze? Perez turned his head and met her eyes.
When she had struggled so desperately to run into him “by coincidence,” he never appeared—yet now he showed up right after she completed the quest.
Aria was so flustered that for a split second, she felt as though time had stopped.
“……”
It wasn’t only her who had recognized him.
Aria was clearly reflected in Perez’s blue eyes.
‘This is my chance. I can’t miss it.’
Aria was a rational person.
She quickly regained her composure, her mind spinning fast.
“My lady, I know this may be rude… but I’ve been watching you for some time, and you seem truly kind. You are nothing less than the reincarnation of a saint—”
“Knights. I’m sorry. I’m in a hurry.”
“Pardon?”
For the first time, Aria felt grateful for the overwhelming crowd.
She slipped through a gap before the knights could grab her and began shaking off her escorts.
‘Thank goodness.’
That was the first thought that came to her when she finally faced Perez alone.
In the original story, during a conversation between Chloe and Perez, he had made it clear that he disliked speaking while surrounded by guards.
“Um, Perez, there was something I was upset about.”
“Do you not often feel upset with me, Chloe?”
“That may be true, but do you remember? I was walking down the street and saw you by chance, so I happily greeted you—but you just disappeared. Do you know how hurt I was? I even wondered if you were tired of me.”
“I prefer meeting people alone. If you were accompanied by many guards that day, I may have unconsciously avoided you.”
Even knowing that the knights would cause an uproar if they lost sight of the Berkshire princess, Aria had no choice but to shake them off.
If she had approached Perez with her escort in tow, he would have naturally excused himself.
‘By pushing that baby bird, I managed to arrive ahead of where Perez would go and wait for him.’
Aria had pressured the baby bird quite harshly in her urgency.
Perhaps discouraged, it agreed to guide her—just this once.
A deserted alley behind a building.
The Perez standing before her was still astonishingly attractive.
His glossy black uniform, made of what looked like cashmere, appeared incredibly expensive at a glance.
Buttons that seemed to be made of real gold, and a restrained brooch design.
Most boys in their growth years prefer ready-made clothing since their bodies change so quickly—but this was a perfectly tailored fit, accentuating the contours of his body.
Though he was not yet fully grown, his broad shoulders, sharply defined jawline, and the firm physique that clearly spoke of constant sword training were evident even through the uniform.
From head to toe, he was clad in black.
With the backlight behind him, the boy seemed to carry the darkness alone, his presence strikingly distinct.
It felt as though the very air around him was different, dominating and curling around the space.
‘Even I, who got used to my father’s face, flinched. As expected, the male lead is extraordinary even from a young age.’
Adrian had been excessively handsome, but he had never given off this kind of oppressive aura.
Meanwhile, Aria once again found herself in rags, just as the first time she met Perez.
The precious dress worn by the princess had become filthy with grime after crawling through a dog hole.
“It’s been a while, Lord Perez.”
She took a step forward and spoke first. Perez hesitated and stepped back.
He was known to prefer cleanliness, so it was understandable.
“You are now the Princess of Berkshire. What is with that appearance?”
“I was afraid I might miss you, Lord Perez. I had to hurry. I was worried you wouldn’t speak with me, so I had to shake off the knights… and the only path I saw was through a dog hole…”
Aria smiled while catching her breath.
Perez quietly observed her.
His flickering blue eyes were chillingly dry.
“Your debt is now 12,968 gold. Do you have a repayment plan?”
Even though she was being pressed about her debt, Aria widened her eyes in delight simply because Perez was speaking to her.
“You remember exactly how much I borrowed? I thought you considered it small change and had forgotten.”
Aria did have a repayment plan.
But Perez interpreted her words as a lack of intent to repay, and lightly furrowed his brow.
“The only thing about you that’s remotely tolerable may be those pink eyes.”
Perez’s words were brief.
Aria fell silent.
Because it sounded like a threat—that if she did not repay the money, he would make sure she found a way to come up with the funds, by any means necessary.
