IHDOE Ch 52

How should she define her relationship with Tyron?

Duke Bersabet loathed the half-beastkin Tyron, but Satina used to like him quite a bit. Perhaps because they shared the burden of unreasonable expectations from their fathers, he at least never tormented or ignored her.

Whenever they crossed paths at banquets back then, Tyron bore fresh wounds as if he had just been fighting, and Satina would heal those injuries for him.

Yet one day, he began distancing himself without explanation. On top of that, he began relentlessly tormenting her. From intentionally forcing her to witness the Crown Prince cheating with other women to hurling insults and sabotaging her carriage to prevent her from attending balls, his transgressions were too numerous to list.

She shook her head to dispel those past memories.

Whatever. He has nothing to do with me now.

A cold hand brushed her forehead. Startled, she looked up to find Katan staring intently down at her.

[Katan] "Are you alright?"

Leading the knights to the West Fortress, Satina had brought him along. He was a far more reliable card than the ducal knights, and above all, leaving him alone at the mansion while he was in an "Anxious" state was impossible.

If I finish this quest and return, he might burn the estate to the ground before escaping.

That kind of ending held no appeal whatsoever.

[Katan] "You seem to have a fever."

[Satina] "I'm fine. Just lost in thought."

[Katan] "Is it because of Lord Tyron?"

[Satina] "You're quick on the uptake."

[Katan] "Shall I kill him?"

He offered the suggestion offhandedly, as if asking whether to fetch a glass of water.

To Katan, taking a life likely differed little from fetching water—merely a matter of difficulty. Murder carried no hesitation or guilt for him, which explained his casual tone.

[Satina] "Forget it. Killing someone isn't that simple."

[Katan] "It doesn't matter. I will do anything Master commands."

His pitch-black eyes fixed on her. Words so sweet from such a handsome face made it sound as if she were the only person in his world.

Yet Satina disbelieved him. Reaching out, she touched the magical crest encircling his neck.

He pledged loyalty solely to remove the magic binding his neck. The original Katan had been no different. He had played the faithful slave to win the heroine's favor, only to abandon her in a crisis when blinded by the prospect of freedom.

[Katan] "I'll... I'll be good. So please, please don't abandon me!"

Satina recalled the scene from the game where Katan trembled violently, clinging to the heroine.

He certainly seemed cuter and more affectionate back then.

Looking at his stoic face—cold enough to bleed ice—she pondered.

Is it because his master is different?

Even Katan seemed adorable compared to Tyron. At least he wouldn't force Satina and the knights into a death trap.

---

Reflecting on Tyron sitting across from her, she questioned him again.

Summoning her under the guise of an urgent assignment, she had never expected such an outrageous task.

[Satina] "So you're telling us to uncover the transmission route of the plague spreading through the West Fortress?"

[Tyron] "Yeah."

[Satina] "You do realize we are knights, right?"

Knights who knew how to slay beasts efficiently, not cure diseases.

[Tyron] "I know."

He kicked a crossed leg casually, responding with an unbothered expression.

Naturally, he knew. As the West Fortress Commander, he held operational command and military control. He undoubtedly received advance reports on every person and item entering the fortress.

[Satina] "You know that, yet you're ordering this anyway? You expect knights, not doctors, to investigate an epidemic?"

An epidemic was dangerous even for trained physicians. Yet, he demanded knights who knew nothing of medicine to investigate it.

[Tyron] "Hey now, Satina. Why humbly exclude yourself?"

He pointed a forefinger at her.

[Tyron] "You're here. Our esteemed saintess candidate, who cures people with a single song."

Her brow twitched.

[Tyron] "What? Can't do it? Then take your family's troops and get out of my fortress."

He was blatantly provoking her. Yet, retreat was impossible. The moment she turned back, the imperial court would demand knight regiments in her place, driving Duke Bersabet into a frenzy. That would plummet Sharlan's Affection and ruin her plans to break the betrothal.

Satina gritted her teeth.

[Satina] "Fine. But since the West differs vastly from the capital, assign us a soldier who knows the area."

[Tyron] "None available."

[Satina] "Tyron."

[Tyron] "I'd love to give you one, but circumstances are tight. The beasts have grown wilder and far more numerous lately. I've got no spare manpower."

The situation in the West was dire. Located near beast habitats, the fortress saw battles daily. Lately, beast numbers had surged alongside the outbreak of the plague. Still, sparing one or two soldiers was hardly impossible.

All excuses. He's determined to screw me over.

[Satina] "You really..."

[Tyron] "Investigate the plague with your knights and die of infection, or pack up and head back to the capital. Just as I can't lay a hand on you because you're my lord's fiancée no matter how much you piss me off, you have to follow my orders here no matter how much I piss you off."

He tapped his finger against the desk, a malicious grin spreading across his face.

[Tyron] "Because I am the Commander of this fortress."

Is this bastard doing this just because I teased him earlier about being the Crown Prince's fiancée?

Did he think she actually wanted to marry that guy? Breaking the betrothal was her goal too. Given the chance, she would stamp the annulment papers this instant.

Since he can't kill his lord's fiancée with his own hands, he's trying to let disease do the job.

Furious indignation trembled through her hands as she chewed on his scheme.

Noticing her trembling hands, Tyron offered his cheek with a smirk.

[Tyron] "Look at you, ready to collapse. Why not just hit me? I can take a single slap."

[Satina] "...Shall I?"

Without holding back, she swung her hand and struck his cheek.

Smack!

The crisp sting vibrating through her palm confirmed a clean hit. Stunned that she had actually slapped him, Tyron stared in shock.

It was understandable; the Satina he last remembered was a timid, fragile girl who couldn't raise her voice. Yet now, she locked eyes with him and offered a bright smile.

[Satina] "Thanks. Just as you said, slapping you really clears my head."

[Tyron] "You... you...!"

He raised a hand as if ready to strike her back, but she didn't flinch.

[Satina] "Why? Want to hit me back? Go ahead, try it. The moment you do, I'll return to the capital and spread the word that you assaulted your lord's fiancée."

[Tyron] "You...! Do you think His Highness cares about a woman like you?"

[Satina] "Of course he doesn't, but public opinion will. 'Tyron Ascalon, loyal servant to the Crown Prince, assaults His Highness' fiancée.' Wow, what a fascinating tale, right?"

[Tyron] "Are you completely insane?"

[Liv] "Tyron's Affection decreased by 3."

Doesn't matter.

The targets needed to achieve the Normal Ending were already chosen: Sharlan, Katan, and Serpens. Who cared whether a bastard like Tyron lost Affection?

After constantly stressing over how to raise Affection scores, hearing one drop actually relieved her stress.

You are now my official punching bag number one.

---

News that Tyron ordered Satina to investigate the plague quickly reached the Bersabet knights accompanying her.

[Knight] "Damn it, House Ascalon is determined to kill us!"

[Knight] "This is all her fault! Who in high society doesn't know she and Lord Tyron despise each other?"

[Knight] "Even on the day we arrived, Lady Satina and her slave provoked them for no reason!"

[Knight] "That slave even picked a fight with us before. Completely arrogant!"

[Knight] "Dying from investigating a disease instead of fighting beasts? A knight's honor dragged through the mud!"

Informed of the situation, the knights blamed Satina. Had it not been for her, they wouldn't have received such an assignment. They waited for her orders with disgruntled faces, yet her words stunned them.

[Satina] "I will investigate the plague alone. All of you are forbidden from stepping outside and will stand by."

[Knight] "Pardon?"

[Knight] "My Lady, what do you mean by that?"

[Knight] "We will help as well!"

Though holding resentment toward her, they never expected her to shoulder the entire burden alone.

[Satina] "It is dangerous. I can't sacrifice you as well."

Flushed red, the knights stared at her. They were knights, sworn to loyalty, protecting ladies and children. Dislike her as they might, she remained a fragile lady under their guard. Yet here she was, worrying for their safety and stepping into a death trap alone.

Did she notice our resentment toward her? Even so, to resolve this by herself...

[The knights perceive noble dignity in the player's choice.

Fame increased by 2.]

What? Why?

Satina couldn't comprehend why her Fame rose. She had merely made the most practical decision.

What good is bringing knights along when we don't even know what this plague is?

Lacking basic medical knowledge, they would only wander around trying to inspect patients and end up catching the disease themselves.

I have Liv to alert me if I get sick, plus holy power to heal myself, but these guys have nothing.

Unable to state the truth bluntly, she had merely packaged it nicely—yet their reaction was strange.

---

Requested by readers—hope you enjoy it! If you do, feel free to leave a rating or review on KakaoPage, Naver Series, Ridi, and Novel Updates.