Chapter 11

As if to dispel the atmosphere that had unexpectedly grown heavy, Yuno steered the conversation in a new direction.

"By the way, Erika-sama, how do you intend to handle tomorrow’s date?"

"I will go, naturally. It is a golden opportunity to make contact with Lord Harold."

Erika clenched both fists in front of her chest with a determined "Hmph!" to steel herself.

She had been momentarily panicked when he told her to stay away immediately after they met, but Hayden’s intervention had dropped a perfect chance right into her lap. Even if Erika didn't like playing into Hayden’s schemes, she couldn't afford to let this slip by.

"Then you simply must dress up! Since it’s a special occasion, how about one of those Western-style dresses you rarely get to wear?"

"There is no need to be quite that enthusiastic..."

Yuno was making a fuss about it being a 'date,' but the partner was that Harold. Erika couldn't imagine a romantic atmosphere forming between them. In reality, it would likely be a dry tour of the Central District. The word 'inspection' seemed far more appropriate for the mood she expected.

"That attitude won't do at all. A maiden must be cute at all times!"

Yuno preached the "way of the maiden" like a wise older sister, but the sentiment felt misplaced coming from her.

Even if it was necessary during working hours, Erika couldn't help but wonder about someone who spent even her holidays in a smock-apron. In all her memories of Yuno, the woman had never once been seen without it. Being lectured on maidenhood by someone who lived in an apron carried zero persuasive power.

"Why don't you try dressing up for once? You are so beautiful; it is a waste to hide it."

"Hehe, that is a tactic in itself. By showing off a different side of yourself only at the most crucial moment, you capture the heart of the opposite sex."

"Then I shall save my efforts for a crucial moment as well."

"Ehh? But this is your first date! If it goes well, you might be able to turn Lord Harold into putty!"

"He is not the sort of man who would be swayed by such things."

Erika simply could not envision a version of Harold who would show a soft side to a woman. On the other hand, it was incredibly easy to imagine him relentlessly insulting her for showing up in finery.

"I found such a cute dress yesterday! Please, Erika-sama, you must wear it!"

"When did you even buy such a thing...?"

Yuno pulled a frilled dress from her luggage and began to plead. Her appeal had long since moved past maidenly pride or the seduction of Harold; it was now purely a personal desire to see Erika in the outfit.

"Yuno, we did not come here to play. You understand that, don't you?"

"Mumu... how disappointing."

Judging that there was no room for negotiation, Yuno tucked the dress back into her luggage.

Of course, this wasn't a serious argument. Yuno had intentionally lightened the mood to ease Erika’s tension. Erika sensed this and didn't rebuke her further, but she knew she couldn't stay relaxed forever.

"Then, shall we return to the main subject? I'll brief you on the points to keep in mind when dealing with Lord Harold."

"Yes, please."

Under a single roof, the intentions of both parties intersected. The curtain had been raised on a battle beneath the surface, a war of probing motives and hidden agendas.

---

Kazuki—now Harold—had been forced into the role of Erika’s guide, but he faced a significant handicap in fulfilling this mission: he knew almost nothing about the town he was supposed to be showing off.

In the original game, the Stokes Territory was only ever depicted through dialogue and cutscenes. It didn't even have a map, so he wouldn't have known where anything was if Norman hadn't provided a layout of the land. Furthermore, Kazuki had spent the last three months devoted entirely to avoiding death flags; he could count the number of times he’d actually visited the town on one hand. Even then, they were quick stops during travel; he had never once gone for shopping or sightseeing.

In truth, he was the one who needed a guide.

However, he decided to look at this as an opportunity. While Kazuki knew nothing of the town, he wasn't sure how much the real Harold was supposed to know. If there were places Harold used to frequent, his ignorance would seem suspicious.

But this time, he had a perfect excuse: he was "guiding Erika." If he took the stance of wanting to find spots suitable for a guest rather than himself, it wouldn't be unnatural to ask the mansion staff for recommendations. This hypothesis proved correct, and Kazuki successfully gathered a fair amount of intel from the servants.

(Well, it’s not like I actually plan on using any of it...)

He had no intention of being a good guide; he didn't want to accidentally raise Erika’s affection level. He had simply seized the chance to obtain information that might be useful for his own survival later.

Still, the actual situation in town was worse than he had anticipated.

"U-Um, Lord Harold..." Erika spoke up awkwardly. Her voice held a note of pure bewilderment.

"What is it?"

"...No, it is nothing."

Erika fell silent, stifled by Harold’s fed-up tone. An uncomfortable atmosphere dominated the carriage, and the cause was right outside the window: the townspeople.

He had noticed the shift the moment he stepped out of the carriage. Or rather, the change had likely begun the moment they entered the town limits. It was a silence so heavy it made his ears ache.

If Kazuki had to compare it to anything from his past life, it was like that frozen, terrifying moment in middle school when a gym teacher—the kind feared by the entire student body—catches you in an after-school classroom with something that blatantly breaks the rules.

In this scenario, Harold was the gym teacher.

When Harold appeared, the townspeople froze. When he walked, the crowds parted as if to avoid a plague. The face of a shopkeeper he spoke to turned pale with terror, and the gazes of residents watching from the shadows were sharp with clear, cold hostility.

The eerie silence made the town feel incredibly unwelcome. The sheer weight of their hatred was chipping away at Kazuki’s mental state.

(I guess leaving those rumors about me killing Clara alone was the final nail in the coffin...)

He had considered doing something about the rumors, but he had prioritized the safety of Clara and Colette. He’d also wanted to avoid the headache of a confrontation with his parents. Unable to find a middle ground, he had let the rumors fester, and this was the result.

Erika, witnessing firsthand just how much Harold—and by extension, the House Stokes—was loathed, was left speechless. Since the townspeople didn't know who she was, it was only natural they would treat her with the same coldness they gave Harold. Eventually, once she was announced as his fiancée, the town’s hatred would likely turn into the same pity they felt for the Stokes' servants.

Regardless, he felt that staying any longer would cause him to lose more than he gained—mostly in terms of his sanity. After a little over an hour of wandering, Kazuki reached his limit.

"That's enough. We're going back."

"...Yes."

Erika nodded, looking dejected. A visible exhaustion clouded her face. Being continuously exposed to the hostile glares of the Stokes' subjects had taken its toll. For a girl who had been raised with the love of her parents and the adoration of her own people, experiencing such pure loathing for the first time was a shock to the system. She didn't even have the energy to argue.

They returned to the Stokes mansion in total silence.

"That was a quick trip," Yuno noted as they arrived. She didn't ask why. She had been observing them from a distance the entire time and had a good grasp of the situation.

"I had heard that House Stokes lacked the support of its people, but I never imagined it would be that extreme," Erika murmured in a weary voice. To be honest, she had felt a legitimate sense of physical danger.

"It certainly is an extraordinary level of hatred. Though, based on what I’ve heard, it’s entirely justified."

The stories Yuno had coaxed out of the servants and the rumors she’d picked up in the streets were appalling. The subjects were bled dry by taxes, with many forced into a life of sub-subsistence. They lacked even the strength to riot. Conversely, the House Stokes invested an absurd amount in military power compared to other nobles of similar standing, further squeezing the life out of the commoners. Any attempt at an uprising would clearly be a suicide mission.

"From your tone, it sounds like your investigation into the house is going well?"

"Quite so."

Yuno found that if she prompted the mansion staff with one question, they would give her twenty answers. They truly despised their masters. However, among the bile, she had found one piece of information that was impossible to ignore.

"However, there is one story that concerns me."

"A story?"

"Yes."

It was a claim that had made Yuno doubt her own ears, prompting her to ask if it was some kind of mistake. Yet, she had received enough consistent testimonies to make it credible. She hesitated to tell Erika, but she couldn't ignore a potential threat to her mistress's life.

"Apparently, Lord Harold recently used magic to burn a servant and her family to death."

"—Eh?"

Erika gasped, her mind failing to process the horrific words.

"The victims were a maid named Clara and her young daughter, Colette."

"W-Wait, Yuno! Is that true? Are you sure it isn't just a rumor?"

"It’s possible, but I received nearly identical accounts from everyone I spoke to. It doesn't seem to be baseless gossip."

"No... that can't be..."

Harold was foul-mouthed and arrogant. He looked down on everyone, and Erika knew firsthand how much he seemed to avoid her. But he was also the man who had given her the hope needed to save the Sumeragi people. Regardless of his motives, that fact was real. Somewhere in her heart, she had hoped he was different from his parents.

Yuno’s revelation struck her like a physical blow. Erika’s hands flew to her mouth, trembling uncontrollably.

"I will continue the investigation, but from now on, please refrain from being alone with Lord Harold. We don't know what he is capable of."

"...Yes. I will be careful."

"It’s all right, Erika-sama. I am here."

Yuno comforted her with a gentle voice, as if soothing an infant, trying to convince her that she would be safe as long as Yuno was by her side.

Despite the reassurance, Erika's trembling did not stop for a long time.