The Classic "I'll Be Right Back" Trope

I would like to offer my sincerest apologies for the lack of updates.

Currently, I’m busy working on the light novel manuscript and haven't been able to find the time for the web version. I’ll resume once the book-related work has settled down. It will be a bit of a wait, but I appreciate your continued support.

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"So, why exactly is there no food?"

Margari-san answered my question with a look of pure bitterness.

"Blame the damn nobles. We were the ones holed up here first, but they waltzed in after us and hogged every last scrap of food for themselves."

"Whoops..."

Total post-apocalypse vibes.

"I see. That’s why you wouldn't open the door when we first arrived," Christina noted.

Margari-san gave a heavy nod.

"Where are these nobles now?" I asked.

"They've barricaded themselves on the upper floor. They’ve got guards with them, so we can't even touch 'em."

"To save only themselves... that’s the lowest of the low," Christina said, her voice dripping with disdain.

"Yeah! What she said!"

I made sure to chime in with my agreement.

"Though, I do wonder why they left the Special Beauty Drop DX behind," she mused.

"Because those candies taste like crap," Margari grunted.

They’re gross? Okay, now I have to try one.

"How rude. You should say they have a 'healthy' flavor."

"Gah—ugh, disgusting!"

I immediately spat the candy out. I’d made sure to pocket a few earlier just in case something like this happened.

"That's defamation! They aren't bad!" Christina protested. "Their reputation is that of a sophisticated flavor that can only be understood by a 'Chosen Beauty.'"

Ah, the Emperor’s New Clothes system.

"So, in other words, one requires an artistic palate to truly appreciate them?" I asked.

"Exactly, Cid-kun. You get it."

Christina picked up the candy I’d just spat onto the floor. "It’ll be fine if I wash it," she muttered.

...Well, food is precious, I guess.

"The question remains: what are we going to do about the food situation?" Christina asked.

"You two are nobles, aren't you?" Margari suggested. "Can't you go up there, negotiate with that lot, and get them to share?"

"I’m just the son of a Poor Baron Family from the Midgar Kingdom," I said.

"Figured as much. Don't worry, kid—I wasn't expecting anything from you in the first place."

I trembled with genuine emotion. This is it. This is the peak of perfect 'mob' treatment.

"But the lady here is different," Margari continued. "I can tell just by looking at her."

He wasn't wrong. Christina was practically radiating a high-class "protagonist" Aura.

"I am from a Marquis family in the Midgar Kingdom, but... do you know who exactly is up there?" she asked.

"If I remember right... it was the Marquis Ijirwa Family."

"I am so sorry."

Christina apologized instantly.

"Wait, does that mean negotiation is impossible?" Margari asked, sounding worried.

"No. It’s just... I had a specific reason for coming to the Oriana Kingdom."

"Indeed," I interjected, completely ignoring the fact that I had no business being here either. "Why did you need to come here during such a chaotic time?"

"I have relatives in the Oriana Kingdom, and they brought me a marriage proposal."

"At a time like this?"

"Apparently, they wanted to settle the matter before the war broke out."

In other words, they wanted the money.

"I’m a fourth daughter, and the deal would have provided a deep connection with the Marquis Ijirwa Family of the Oriana Kingdom. If things had gone smoothly, it wouldn't have been a bad arrangement."

"Doesn't sound like things went smoothly," I noted.

"Right. The proposal was finalized, but then I got swept up in all this mess. Honestly, the fact that my family managed to escape was a stroke of luck in the midst of all this misfortune."

"So, basically, your fiancé is the Marquis Ijirwa currently upstairs?"

"That’s the long and short of it."

"Man, being a Marquis family sounds like a lot of work."

"I’m the fourth daughter; I was prepared for this. I didn't have anyone I loved, so as long as the partner wasn't a horrible person, I was fine with it."

"He’s hoarding food while people starve downstairs, though," I pointed out.

"I'm sure he's not a bad person! There must be some kind of misunderstanding!" Christina paused. "...Is what I wish I could say."

"I really wanted you to say it. That would have been a great dramatic beat."

I could feel the commoners around us staring at her with literal murderous intent.

"I think I’ll pass. Still, the Marquis seems to have a thing for me, so I think I can at least negotiate."

"Spoken like a pro. To be honest, the moment I saw you, I knew you were a beauty whose face could topple an empire. Please bring back lots of food."

"Hehe, thank you. I suppose I have the Special Beauty Drop DX to thank for that."

"I'm sure that's it."

"Well then, I'm off to negotiate."

And with that, Christina headed up the stairs.

"So," I turned to Margari-san. "Do you think she’s actually coming back?"

"Who knows? We just have to trust the lady’s conscience."

"She is a Marquis’s daughter, after all."

Statistically speaking, the 'abandoning the commoners' move is a total classic.

"Well, if she were in love with a kid like you, then maybe she’d hurry back, but..."

"No way. Don't worry, though—I took out an insurance policy."

"Insurance?"

"I told her she was a beauty that could topple an empire."

"And?"

"That’s it."

"...I see."

We both stared up at the landing in silence.

A few moments later—

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

Christina’s scream echoed through the building.