Chapter~29
Twelfth, Going on a Date with My Superior
After deciding to keep my distance, I fully threw myself into the knightly missions.
Day after day, I was busy with assignments.
Perhaps because of that, autumn passed by quickly.
“Good work today, Sonnet!”
“You too, Fay.”
As the refreshing breeze began to carry a chill and eventually turned sharp, I had finally met all the conditions required for the “Best Knight” ending.
All except the fame stat.
[Sonnet Eduke]
Age: 17
Stamina: 500
Strength: 500
Intelligence: 10
Grace: 100
Morality: 5
Fame: 250
Fatigue: 50
Skills: Intermediate Magic (3rd Circle), Advanced Swordsmanship (Sword Expert User)
Traits: Game System, Adaptability
Titles: Caregiver, Knight of the Edenrosa Marquis House, Lover of the Young Marquis, Mad Duelist, Fiancée of the Young Marquis
It was really barely enough—if I wanted to be stable, I had to keep raising it.
However, I had recently been handling a lot of the knightly work, so it didn’t seem like a big problem.
Monster hunts and escorting VIPs also gradually increased my fame.
“Big sis! You’re back?!”
“Yes. Did you have a good class today?”
“You’ve been going out so much lately! Tell the Young Marquis to give you less work!”
“Haha…”
The issue was that most missions that increased fame were long-term.
I deliberately chose such assignments to keep my distance from the Young Marquis, but little Mabel had no idea about that.
After returning from long absences, Mabel often clung to me.
It didn’t feel right to leave Mabel entirely alone. Even though there were servants, she was still a young girl seeking family.
“I’m just working hard. If it’s too much, I’ll try to choose shorter assignments in the future.”
Also, once my fame exceeded 250, small tasks barely increased it.
Since Mabel was so fidgety and efficiency was low, I had to prepare for bigger incidents.
By now, the Young Marquis was probably used to not seeing me often.
“Promise me!”
“Okay, promise.”
While soothing Mabel and talking, I realized she had been visiting the temple frequently lately.
“The temple?”
“Yes! The daughter of the Marquis of Cartier invited me! I also go with other friends often!”
“They must be close, huh?”
From other social gatherings, she seemed to have many friends.
Having a wide social circle was good.
I recalled Mabel’s stats from last month’s settlement:
[Mabel Eduke]
Age: 13
Stamina: 20
Strength: 20
Intelligence: 50
Grace: 200
Morality: 150
Fatigue: 10
Fame: 80
Faith: 20
Skills: Basic Etiquette, Beginner Oratory
Traits: Overflowing Talent
Titles: Lady of the Blueua Social Club, Center of the Young Social Circle, Diligent Devotee
Unintentionally, she was on a “cultured noble route,” with high grace.
Since she started visiting the temple, her morality had increased and her faith stat had been activated.
Come to think of it, if morality, grace, faith, and fame reach certain thresholds, doesn’t the Saintess route unlock?
Either way, it suited Mabel.
“Mabel, I’ll support whatever you do.”
Since I could reach the ending as Sonnet alone, there was no need to pressure Mabel.
My only concern was, if I reached the ending and gained clues to return to the original world… what would happen to this world?
Would the original Sonnet return? Or would it be as if I had never existed?
Either way, I hoped Mabel wouldn’t feel anything strange or lonely.
“As long as you’re happy with whatever you do.”
“I’m happy when I’m with you, big sis!”
“How can you speak so sweetly, our angel!”
So first, I decided to save up a lot of money.
So it wouldn’t matter if I were gone.
My businesses had already started running well, generating income, but I still needed to communicate with Mephisto in various matters.
I was also preparing things so that even when the original Sonnet returned, the businesses would continue automatically.
“I’m off!”
“Come back soon!”
I set off for work happily, seeing Mabel off.
I needed to report the results of the recent monster hunt mission.
I entered the knightly headquarters with a brisk step—and there was the Young Marquis.
“Huh?”
I expected the vice-captain to be there as usual, but my guess was wrong.
I froze for a moment, flustered, as he calmly processed documents and asked:
“You’re here? Report.”
“Ah, yes!”
Normally, knightly duties would be handled by the vice-captain while he worked in his office.
He was busy with other marquis family duties… could he have come just to see me? No, that couldn’t be it.
I swallowed the questions rising in my mind.
“All the monsters that appeared near the capital have been dealt with. Analysis shows poor management by the mages of the Magic Tower.”
“So it wasn’t the black magicians. Thanks to the large-scale hunts, things have calmed down recently.”
“Haha…”
It was strange that the dungeon we got involved in caused all this… but never mind.
From what the princess said, it seemed she had used the info I gave to gather evidence that the Second Prince isn’t of royal blood.
“A large-scale search on the Magic Tower is set for autumn, so everyone must still be busy.”
“They’ve caught quite a few there. Seems there’s infighting from passing the blame…”
Surely this was thanks to infiltrating the Magic Tower. Some black magicians had been inside.
“Since you want to rest, let’s skip small talk and stamp this mission as complete. Good work.”
“Thank you.”
The stamp of completion went firmly on the paper detailing the mission.
Good, mission complete!
“Ben told me. After this mission, you’ll get a few days’ leave.”
“Yes.”
After working like crazy for a while, the vice-captain had suggested it first.
I also accepted because Mabel would worry if I didn’t.
With that done, I could go home and spend time with Mabel—
“So, Knight Sonnet will be on hiatus for a few days.”
“Ah… yes?”
“Have you planned what to do during your leave?”
“Probably rest at home.”
Then the Young Marquis said something significant.
“Then you’ll have time to meet your lover. You can do so without worry.”
“Eh?”
“A date. As a proper couple.”
“Ugh…”
It was a bolt from the blue.
“I think I’ve endured enough.”
Pierre said this as Sonnet nervously tried to avoid his gaze, breaking out in a cold sweat.
She looked troubled, but Pierre would make no more concessions.
After three months of barely seeing each other, how could he stand it?
And they worked in the same mansion!
He was full of discontent.
“At the very least, shouldn’t we appear as a proper couple to others?”
Pierre recalled what had happened three months ago.
After the engagement ceremony, he had been trying to slowly assert himself, and suddenly she brought up such unexpected talk!
“Since the engagement is over, people won’t easily suspect our relationship. I’ll take on longer assignments now.”
Hearing that he’d see her less often, he shut his mouth.
It was hard to argue with a knight working as a knight.
“If rumors spread that we’re distant, it’ll be troublesome. Weren’t you at my side to deal with pests for smooth operations?”
“Yes, we just got busy and couldn’t meet often. Everyone knows the Young Marquis is busy. And once I take on full-scale missions, it’ll only get worse.”
His flimsy excuse was decisively shut down.
“By making those around us aware of our unfortunate situation while working, we maintain a good image. This helps separate public duty from private matters, which is beneficial. The reason you were at my side was to handle pests efficiently, wasn’t it? Not emotional attachment. Maintaining that image is best.”
“…I see.”
His words came out smoothly as if already prepared, leaving him speechless.
She was right.
In the early days of pretending to be a fake couple, he had thought the same.
He had no choice but to let her go for now.
“As you say.”
For the time being.
He swallowed the words with difficulty.
The chapter highlights:
- Sonnet’s busy knightly life and stats/progress toward the “Best Knight” ending.
- Mabel’s social growth and stats, showing she is on the “Cultured Noble” path.
- The Young Marquis, Pierre, pushing for proper public display as a couple, emphasizing appearances despite busy schedules.
- Careful balance between duty, personal life, and protecting Mabel.
