Chapter 8: How to Interfere in the Main Story (1)
The winner of the succession duel was Yulian von Renorf.
It was the outcome everyone expected, so everything afterward moved quickly.
In less than three days, the formal succession ceremony was held.
And in place of the family head, who was away on a northern campaign, Yulian received full authority from the elders to manage the family.
People assumed the first thing Yulian would do was exile Ian, or impose something similar.
Even as the legitimate victor, Ian’s existence was still a threat.
There was no reason to leave him alone.
But contrary to everyone’s expectations…
Yulian did nothing to Ian.
“He allowed him to remain in the family on the condition that he stop wasting money on women.”
That was all Yulian would say when asked.
And he refused to explain further.
Many people doubted Ian would actually change just because of such a promise.
But as if proving them wrong—
Ian abruptly stopped visiting the baron’s estate, where he used to come and go as if it were his own home.
And he didn’t stop there.
As if reflecting on his reckless life, he began going to the training grounds every day and disciplining himself.
“What got into him all of a sudden?”
“He’ll quit again soon enough.”
At first people only mocked him.
But when his behavior continued for three days…
Then half a month…
Then over a month…
People slowly changed their minds.
“He really trains every single day.”
“I heard he hasn’t touched even a drop of alcohol.”
“Did he actually come to his senses?”
A younger brother reformed to keep his promise to his older brother.
An older brother who trusted him enough to let him remain.
The people in the estate were moved by what they thought was a changed relationship between the brothers.
Even though neither of us wanted that.
The misunderstanding spread beyond rumors inside the estate…
Until it covered the whole territory.
***
“What a load of bullshit.”
Yulian tore apart the picture book I had brought him.
Shredded it on the spot.
“What do they mean close brothers?! This is all something you orchestrated!”
He looked ready to arrest the people who sold the book.
Seeing his red face, I laughed so hard I nearly lost my breath.
“The fact they turned it into a book this fast just proves it’s a popular story.”
I even told him wandering bards had started singing about it.
At that, he nearly grabbed the back of his neck and collapsed.
“Did you come just to tell me useless nonsense?”
“Useless? If used properly, this could have some value—”
“Get out!”
If I teased him more, I thought he might go mad and forget the contract altogether.
So I quickly calmed him down.
“I’m joking, joking. You think I came all this way just for this?”
When I waved it off, he finally sat down again.
Then let out a deep sigh.
“So what is it?”
“I need to go somewhere. I want a permit to use the warp gate, attendants, and some guards.”
“Missing the baron’s daughter already?”
“I told you, I’m never going there again.”
I had no interest whatsoever in the baron’s daughter Ian had once been obsessed with.
I knew she was beautiful.
But she was still just an NPC in a game.
No way I’d develop romantic feelings.
The only thing I cared about was how to clear this game and return to reality.
That was all.
“There’s something I need to verify.”
“So you won’t tell me more than that?”
“You’re quick.”
Yulian frowned for a moment.
Then pulled out a sheet of paper and quickly scribbled something.
“Show this to the butler. He’ll prepare things.”
When I took the paper, he didn’t let go at first.
His fingers held firm.
“Problem?”
“At least tell me where you’re going.”
“A village in Deklen territory, southeast. Frisia.”
The name seemed unfamiliar to him.
He rolled his eyes, searching his memory.
“What are you going to some backwater village for?”
“I said there’s something to confirm.”
I snatched the paper and headed for the door.
“You’re not doing something dangerous, are you?”
To anyone listening, it sounded like a warm older brother worrying for his younger brother.
Reality was different.
Yulian only cared about his own life.
If not for the contract, he wouldn’t care if I died abroad.
“Worrying suits you poorly. I value my life too.”
In Hardcore difficulty, one bad choice could kill you.
And my only skill was a random draw.
Why would I walk willingly into a death trap?
‘No matter how much I trained, no new skills appeared…’
Thanks to the Half-Baked Blessing, the random draw had some practical value.
But it wasn’t enough to clear the game.
‘It’s risky, but I have to check in person.’
The reason I was going all the way to a remote rural village…
Was to confirm whether the main quest existed.
Can someone who possessed an extra NPC interfere with the main quest?
After living in the training grounds for so long, a basic question had suddenly occurred to me.
If clearing the main quest was truly how to return to my world…
Then in the worst case…
This NPC body might not even be able to start the main quest.
Meaning I could be trapped here forever.
That thought wouldn’t let me sit still.
“Oop.”
As I opened the door, I nearly bumped into several maids standing outside.
Why were they crowded there when it wasn’t cleaning time?
Before I could ask—
They startled, stepped back, bowed frantically, apologized over and over…
Then ran off as if fleeing.
“Were they eavesdropping?”
Even if they were, it didn’t matter.
Nothing we discussed was especially problematic.
I had more important things to do.
Getting to Frisia.
***
After gathering supplies and people, I headed straight for the warp gate.
In the game, it was a mid-to-late-game travel facility you could only use after building fame.
But now I was a noble backed by the Renorf family.
Even as a bastard son, that mattered.
With a permit, I could use it.
No reputation needed.
“May I see your identification and travel permit?”
I showed the prepared documents to the guard.
After carefully checking the seal and signature, his suspicion vanished.
He gave a professional smile.
“From the Renorf Marquis family, I see. Your destination?”
“Frisia in Deklen territory.”
“Ah… there’s no direct gate to there. Is that alright?”
Of course the Empire, obsessed with efficiency, wouldn’t build warp gates for tiny villages.
I expected this.
“That’s fine. Connect me as close as possible.”
“Understood. How many travelers?”
“Two, including me.”
This was just a confirmation trip.
One maid to carry luggage was enough.
“The fee is 200 gold.”
At my signal, the maid beside me handed over a pouch of gold coins.
After counting them, the guard led us to the gate.
“Safe travels.”
With that, the gate activated.
A light dizziness hit me.
And when it faded…
The scenery around us had completely changed.
“Wow…”
The maid looked around in wonder.
It was probably her first time using a warp gate.
For a commoner, that wasn’t something one normally experienced.
“Go hire a carriage. Don’t worry about cost.”
“Y-Yes!”
The maid hurried off, struggling with heavy luggage.
“That was… Chloe, I think.”
She was one of the servants I pulled from prison.
I vaguely remembered her name.
Seeing her small frame struggling looked a little pitiful.
But I deliberately looked away.
If I let myself feel sympathy over consequences they brought on themselves…
I’d only make myself look foolish.
“I got a carriage.”
The carriage Chloe returned with was not only decorated lavishly…
It was far too large for just two people.
I had said not to worry about cost.
But I didn’t expect her to choose something like this.
“She’s got nerve.”
“…Did I choose wrong?”
“No, it’s fine. It’s not my money anyway.”
That kind of boldness probably explained how she’d stolen from her master without hesitation.
I gave a bitter smile and climbed aboard.
“Hyah!”
The carriage began moving.
Warp gates.
Carriage travel.
Things I’d never experienced in my old world.
And yet strangely…
They felt familiar.
‘Maybe Ian’s memories are blending with mine.’
At first this place felt completely foreign.
Now it was starting to feel natural.
That had to be Ian’s memories.
And that made me uneasy.
What if, as time passed…
My sense of self leaned more toward Ian than me?
‘I need to leave this place as soon as possible.’
There were too many things to worry about.
No time to be leisurely.
“U-Um, Young Master…”
I turned from the window at Chloe’s nervous voice.
“What?”
Because I’d been deep in thought, my tone came out colder than intended.
She flinched.
“I realized I never properly greeted you… so I wanted to say…”
Her voice nearly disappeared.
Then she inhaled deeply and bowed hard.
“I’m sorry for daring to touch your belongings! And thank you for sparing my life!”
She sounded sincere.
Unfortunately…
I felt almost nothing.
“It’s fine. It’s in the past.”
Spilled water couldn’t be gathered back.
They had been caught stealing.
A criminal mark didn’t vanish because of apologies.
If they knew it was wrong…
They shouldn’t have done it in the first place.
“Th-Thank you…”
For some reason Chloe looked moved.
Did she think I had forgiven everything?
If so, that was a shameless misunderstanding.
But there was no point correcting it.
So I let it pass.
“Ah… we should be arriving soon.”
Breaking the awkwardness, Chloe spoke.
I looked out the window again.
A small country village in the distance.
Frisia.
And seeing it…
I muttered blankly,
“Why is it intact?”
“…What?”
Chloe looked confused.
Naturally.
Asking why a village looked normal sounded absurd.
But I was the one who didn’t understand.
‘It should be burning from a monster attack because of the main quest.’
Man or woman.
Knight or pickpocket.
Noble or beggar.
No matter the character’s gender, class, or background…
Frisia always appeared burning before the player.
It was the first event of the main quest.
An unavoidable event.
Absolute.
‘And yet I’m seeing Frisia untouched.’
Back when I was obsessed with unconventional playthroughs…
I had tried everything to see an unburned Frisia.
Maxed teleportation to arrive from another kingdom in an instant.
Used clairvoyance from afar.
Tried every trick imaginable.
And every single time…
The monitor only showed a village in flames.
Yet now…
Why was I seeing the peaceful sight I could never achieve before?
Then the answer came.
Of course.
I’m not the protagonist.
I’m an extra.
