"Patricia told me that I could go get it because I have my Robe of Concealment..."
Apparently, Patricia had asked Edward to come to the Brave Territory’s dungeon to retrieve something for her.
"That is why I disguised my departure and shook off Clive—who I’m sure was ordered to guard me—just to make it this far."
That Clive guy actually seemed like the only sane one in the bunch.
I used to wonder what logic held a reverse harem together besides literal brainwashing, but it seemed the majority of them were just playing along with Edward’s delusions. Realistically speaking, it made no sense for a commoner to be surrounded by royalty and the heirs of the highest-ranking noble houses.
Alicia, Mariana, and I had formed a friendship through a miraculous series of coincidences, but without those, our paths would never have crossed in the first place.
"If I have that... our love will finally be recognized!"
As someone who knew the story of the game, I knew the real Saint was Mariana. There were even high-ranking officials at the academy who dropped hints to that effect. Patricia wasn't the Saint, and in my opinion, no matter how many Holy Artifacts she got her hands on, that fact wouldn't change.
Well, at least as far as I knew.
No matter which way this went, Edward and Patricia’s romance was never going to be officially sanctioned. The only real option for the idiot kneeling in front of me was to realize his position and keep her as a concubine. Only those who fulfilled their duties were allowed to be selfish. It was like being told that if you want to play video games, you have to study and get good grades first.
"So I beg of you, Margrave! Please take me to the deepest depths! If it’s the Lord of this land, where the toughest adventurers gather—the Lord who carries the blood of the Hero! Surely you can get me there!"
Edward’s plea was desperate.
"Is that true, Ragna? About the Hero's blood?" Alicia asked.
"Beats me."
The House of Brave didn’t have any legends like that. I didn’t care, either. My family was all about combat and training, nothing more.
"I won't hold you responsible for any crimes, I swear it. Clive isn't here, no one is here, so you won't be charged. I’m risking my life, too."
I heard him mutter something about Patricia being a little cold lately. He clearly hadn't reflected on his own behavior at all.
I was starting to think Edward was going to die by Patricia’s hand no matter what I did. No, she was definitely planning to have him killed. Deceiving him into coming here alone meant she intended for him to die so she could pin the blame on the Brave Territory. Using the poison of social status to set us up for a loss no matter the outcome—I honestly had to take my hat off to her.
It would be annoying to let things play out exactly as she wanted, so I decided to hold off on killing him for a moment.
"Your Highness, I don’t mind guiding you, but... is that thing really down there?"
"It is! Because Patricia said so!"
Didn't he even think to ask where she got that info? I guess love really is blind. He sided with her unconditionally.
"But like Alicia said, if you wanted it that badly, wouldn't it have been better to contact the House of Brave before coming to get it?"
I would have said no because it doesn't exist, though.
"I couldn't do that on my own authority. I know Patricia suffers because of her status. That’s why I used the Robe of Concealment to come here myself. To prove my love for her."
"Then what will you do if it isn't there?"
"It is! She even gave me a map! It’s right here in her love letter!"
His Highness whipped out a letter. It was addressed to his 'Beloved Prince' in crude handwriting, accompanied by a map that looked like a child’s doodle.
"Is this really Lady Patricia’s handwriting...?"
"She was always embarrassed, saying her writing was messy because she lacked an education. This letter, which she wrote with all her heart, is my greatest treasure."
Both Alicia and I held our heads in our hands at the sight of the dead-serious prince. No matter how you looked at it, those were the letters of a child. There was no sender's name. Even if he claimed it was from Patricia, she could easily claim she was just delivering a message for some commoner kid.
This wasn’t just a case of love being blind. He was as deluded as a celebrity brainwashed by a fortune-teller. Was such a thing even possible in the world of an Otome Game?
"Ragna, what are we going to do? Are you really going to lead him?" Alicia whispered.
"It’s too much trouble to deal with him, so let's just take him there, let him see the truth, and then send him home."
I wasn't about to let my people suffer over the life of a man like this.
"In that case, let’s get it in writing," Alicia said.
She pulled paper, a pen, and ink from the backpack on her shoulder.
"...Can I ask one thing? Why do you have those?"
"We're in a dungeon. I thought I'd take notes in case I couldn't remember the way."
"I see."
As expected of Alicia! What a dedicated student. For a second, I thought she was going to write up a divorce settlement or a formal annulment. But I guess those didn't exist here.
"We can't exactly refuse when His Highness asks for our help, can we? So, let's leave a record stating that His Highness takes full responsibility for everything that happens here. Just in case."
Alicia probably knew a piece of paper wouldn't solve everything, but it was better than nothing.
"Your Highness, we can't take you into the dungeon unless you leave a note in your own hand. It’s that dangerous, so surely you understand? Make sure to infuse the ink with your magic power as you write. This is different from a love letter, after all."
"U-umu. I intended to do so from the start..."
Cowering under her smiling intimidation, Edward broke into a cold sweat as he wrote. Since magic power is unique to the individual, infusing it into the ink made the document far more credible.
"Alicia, add a clause that says if the Holy Artifact isn't there, he has to cut ties with Lady Patricia."
"Good idea."
"What?! Why is that necessary?!"
"You’re certain it’s there, aren't you? Then it shouldn't be a problem. Or do you not believe in Lady Patricia?"
"I believe in her! I shall believe in my path and walk it!"
Faced with Alicia’s logic, Edward obediently wrote it down. This was going to be a sight to see.
"Well then, shall we? Let's go look for this 'Holy Artifact.'"
With Edward in tow, we set off deeper into the ant nest.
Most likely... the moment I obtained the Holy Artifact in the Academy Dungeon, the Edward Route was effectively dead. To Patricia, who would have known that, Edward was likely no longer necessary.
When he finally realizes he’s been played, I wonder what kind of end awaits this pitiful prince.
Though, knowing him, he’ll probably just keep making excuses and refuse to believe the truth.