Inside An Ad*lt Game As A Former Hero - Chapter 44

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Clearly, Eri thought that Cloud would be resentful against her. Or that, he would atleast have a negative outlook on her, even if he wasn’t resentful.

But what was this?

Why did he suddenly bring her to his own room?

How did the dungeon suddenly appear out of nowhere?

No, rather than that, why are Neria and Ophelia already in his room??

What kind of situation is this?

Fortunately, it seemed she wasn’t the only one who was unaware of the situation.

Because Neria and Ophelia had a similar expression to her own.

Then the only person who can explain this situation is Cloud.

And, Cloud is…

“Thank you, Frillite. Thank you for listening to this troublesome request of mine.”

“It’s no big deal. Shouldn’t friends help each other in times like this? Rather, take this.”

“Huh? What is this round medal?”

“It’s a VIP badge. A badge that proves that you are a VIP of our family. It won’t hurt to take it with you.”

“You’re a member of a Ducal family… This badge should have a considerable weight, right? You sure, you can give this to me without consulting your family?”

“As long as you don’t abuse it, it’s alright.”

“Of course, I won’t do anything that will bother you. Thanks, Frillite.”

He was conversing with the famous Hero, Frillite, without wavering.

Seeing the two of them like this, Eri was quite surprised.

She had guessed that their relationship was quite friendly considering what happened in the banquet.

But, were they so close that Hero Frillite even handed him a VIP badge so imperturbably?

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Not just of any other noble family, but the Perdiac ducal family’s?

‘…even the Royal Family would have to give certain weightage to this badge’s holder…’

Proffering such a thing as if she was giving a normal gift.

How did they grow to trust each other so much?

“Then I will be going back. Let’s have a good chat when we meet later.”

“Thanks for your help, Frillite. Let’s have a drink next time.”

“No alcohol, you promised.”

“…Ya, right, no alcohol.”

Seeing Cloud with a downcast expression on his face, Frillite smiled and left the room.

‘What the hell did I just see..?’

Hero Frillite was smiling?

What’s more?

They even drink together?

Eri felt as if her head had turned dizzy from the flood of information.

Just then.

“Hey, Cloud..?”

Neria raised her voice.

His gaze, looking at the door, which Frillite had just used, turned to Neria.

“What is it, Neria?”

“Is that… are you close with Hero Frillite?”

“As you can see, I guess?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

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Eri looked over.

Neria’s eyes trembled.

Neria was also concerned.

“That… how did you become friends with Frillite-sama?”

At Neria’s question, Cloud tilted his head.

“Is that important?”

“Uh…?”

“Is it important?”

Cloud spoke sharply as if drawing a line.

Not only Neria but also Eri and Ophelia were nervous.

Right… he hadn’t completely forgiven them.

“Oh… no. It doesn’t matter.”

Neria shook her head excessively.

‘…Now that I see him, he has changed a lot too.’

Neria had never shown weakness in front of Cloud, she has always behaved like a strict and determined knight.

But now…

‘Well… Neria must be the most guilty and desperate among us.’

Her strict and determined self would probably not come out for a while.

Because she might have to live with his antagonism.

Meanwhile, Cloud smiled, satisfied with Neria’s answer.

“Right. That’s not what’s important right now. The important thing is that we’re back together like this! Nice to see you guys again! After all, we were quite a good team! Let’s have fun exploring the dungeon together!”

Cloud raised the atmosphere that had fallen due to his sharp rejection. He began to explain his future plans in a bright tone.

In the middle of his explanation, Ophelia raised her hand indicating that she had a question.

Cloud didn’t stop explaining, and she had to put her hand down with a flushed face.

After the explanation, Cloud looked around at the three women and said:

“Now, did you all understand what I said? We will leave the Imperial Capital tomorrow in the early morning. Get some sleep right now. The room is not spacious, but it will be enough for three women to sleep in. I’ll go downstairs and sleep in the hall.”

Before the three women could respond, Cloud opened the door and went out.

Just before the door completely closed, he added.

“Right, guys. As I said in advance, I’m afraid that this party might not bring you as many conveniences as before, because we don’t have the channels! So, you can come forward and tell me whenever you are in need of something, I’ll try. And, no stabbing with a dagger from behind~ If it happened again, that would feel really… bad.”

His last words were said in such a light tone that it felt as if he wasn’t serious but rather, just joking.

But.

Eri, Neria, and Ophelia flinched. They thought that the ‘again’ he said was referring to their past.

Just when they were in a hurry to apologize…

“Good night then, see ya!”

Cloud closed the door.

-…

Silence fell all over the room.

* * *

I was going to leave the next day as soon as it dawned.

But—I couldn’t.

“It’s the first time we’ve met each other alone. Hero, Cloud.”

Because the Imperial Emperor’s wife, the Empress, called for me.

Thanks to which, I was enjoying the tea time with Ms. Empress in the middle of the filthy huge and splendid Imperial Palace garden.

“Nice to meet you, Your Majesty.”

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“Nice to meet you, Your Majesty.”

The Empress, who put down the teacup, smiled gracefully.

While wandering around this world, I have heard all kinds of rumors at the taverns.

One of the rumors is that the Empress of the Empire is the most beautiful woman on the whole continent.

When I first heard the rumor, I thought it was just one of those rumors that was deliberately spread to lift the name of the Empire.

‘Now that I’m here, I can see why the rumors were circulating.’

I don’t know if she’s the prettiest on the continent, but honestly speaking, the Empress is a great beauty.

The hair on her head dyed in blue and silver, neatly braided. All the splendid ornaments on her hair and dress were nothing compared to her natural beauty.

She exuded the noble presence of the Imperial Royal family.

Perhaps the rumors came from the coachmen and her servants; which entered into the ears of the nobles who admired her, and talked about her.

But why would a person of such a great stature call me?

“It is an honor to meet Your Majesty the Empress. May I be so rude, as to ask for why did I receive such an opportunity? I’m a little nervous because there’s nothing to base my guess on.”

The Empress laughed a little.

She said, “Huhuh, Hero Cloud, this Empress has heard a lot about you from Frillite. We were puzzled because the rumors we heard were different from what Frillite conveyed, we heard about what happened at the banquet too. We were curious. Meanwhile, excuse us for the abruptness.”

Yes, awesome.

“Not at all, Your Majesty. Who would refuse the Empress’s call? So, Hero Frillite conveyed on what happened?”

“Yes, indeed. Frillite and we are close friends.”

“…Yes?”

Frillite told me that I was her first friend?

“If it’s not rude, may I inquire when Her Majesty first became acquainted with Frillite?”

“It was 4 years ago, when Frillite was selected as a Hero.”

As if the Empress recalled some nostalgic past, she had a bright expression on her face.

Four years ago… it was before Frillite and I became friends.

Frillite said I was her first friend, and she’s not a liar.

That is…

‘She has mistakingly started to consider Frillite her friend…’

From Frillite’s point of view, it must have felt like she was just talking to her boss. However, the Empress seems to have interpreted it arbitrarily.

‘They say the Emperor has a hysteria and is in control of his wife’s life, so the rumors were true.’

If it weren’t for that, she wouldn’t have considered someone a friend with just a few words.

…poor woman.

With a heart full of pity, I listened to the Empress’ words, while trying hard to keep attention on what she said. The Empress’ smile widened even more, maybe she was satisfied with the fact that her own words were being heard.

“Oh, right. We didn’t invite Hero Cloud today just to talk, how rude of us. Alfred, can you bring us what we had prepared?”

“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress.”

Alfred was absent for a while to carry out Empress’ orders.

What he brought was an ornate box adorned with a golden leaf.

“Open it.”

Alfred opened the box.

Inside the box was a light blue jewel necklace.

It was a round, large, sky-blue gem.

“This..?”

“It’s a necklace made of moonstone. It clears the mind of the one who wears it. It goes without saying that it increases one’s resistance to mind contamination magic. We want to gift this to Hero Cloud. How is our gift?”

‘Of course, it’s a no brainer. Who would refuse a necklace of moonstone?’

An ornament made of moonstone.

Although there are no other effects, it is an item that definitively prevents confusion and berserk state abnormalities.

It’s an item I needed to procure for a teammate who will I recruit later.

In the game, Moonstone has a setting that is bizarre compared to its effect, while equipping it, you cannot wear any other accessory

I carefully accepted the box.

“Why have I been given such a precious gift?”

“It is not an item of great value to the Imperial family, so there is no need to feel burdened. It’s just a personal gift we are giving because we want to get acquainted with Hero Cloud, who will become a noble Hero in the future.”

“I want to know… is it the Empire’s stand?”

The Empress smiled.

“It’s more like our husband’s support.”

* * *

After receiving the gift, Cloud spoke a few more words with the Empress, then he left the Imperial Palace.

There was a woman staring at him from behind as he left…

‘How the hell did this happen..?’

It was the key swordsman of Gis’ Party and his henchman, Adreana.

The reason she was spying on Cloud was simple.

‘That pommel. It belongs to our family…’

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The pommel of the sword, which Cloud had picked up from the floor.

She instantly recognized it, because the pattern engraved on the pommel was the symbol of her family.

‘I was always annoyed by my damn father.’

Her father was a f**king a**hole. While traveling, he slept not only with nobles’ wives, but also with commoners if their looks were okay.

Thanks to him, once or twice a year, her half-brothers would come to their hometown.

Of course, she couldn’t take care of so many half-brothers, so she quietly dealt with the people who came.

But this half-brother is different.

‘I think Cloud must be my younger brother.’

Maybe not.

He didn’t have that pommel before.

However, there is a difference between the Cloud who has the pommel and who didn’t.

When he didn’t have the pommel, he was weak, now that he has the pommel, he is strong.

So she thought.

Maybe he started equipping himself with the pommel because he is now able to protect himself…

‘Don’t they say that Cloud is an orphan?’

In many ways, the situation is matching. Conjecture gradually turned into certainty.

‘As an orphan, he will have a strong attachment to his family.’

What if she digs into it?

Maybe she can pull Cloud into her grasp and use him.

And if that’s the case…

Gis’ love will be hers for taking!

‘I have to thank my damn father for today.’

Thank you, father!