Chapter 24: Once spoken, the words were like water spilled
In this world, everything is relative. There is prosperity and brightness, but in contrast, there will also be the breeding of deep darkness.
For a colossal metropolis like Belrand, one of the greatest on the continent, the shadows lurking in its underbelly have long reached terrifying proportions. This can be seen from the underground black market where “anything can be bought.”
This has long been a kind of abnormal expansion. Yet, due to the indulgence or tacit consent of certain individuals, in recent years, these shadows have not only failed to recede but have even shown signs of encroaching upon the light.
But shadows are just shadows; they cannot withstand the light. While they may thrive in the darkness, once they catch the attention of the ultimate authority in this country, namely, the “Emperor Majesty,” they inevitably face utter destruction.
“I remember, there were similar events in the original book.”
“It started with someone placing a bounty on the life of the Emperor’s most beloved consort in the black market. And unbelievably, someone took up the offer and succeeded in assassinating her.”
“Enraged, the Emperor ordered the Royal Knights to thoroughly cleanse the underground world of Belrand. That brutal manhunt lasted for a full three months, resulting in so many deaths that even the sewers of the royal city ran red. Hence, it became known as the Blood River Incident!”
“After that incident, the protagonist even complained that for quite a while, even petty thieves disappeared from the royal city!”
“But that should be an event that happened two years later!”
Muen’s face turned pale as he realized:
“So, unknowingly, just because I gave my household maid two days off, it resulted in a major event in the original book, crucial to the protagonist, happening two whole years ahead of schedule!”
“Damn, what a butterfly effect!”
Muen couldn’t help but curse.
“Huh? What butterfly?”
An looked at Muen with a puzzled expression.
“Nothing, nothing at all. I meant to say that the butterflies this year are exceptionally beautiful. Yes, exceptionally beautiful.”
“Heh heh.”
Muen casually brushed off An’s inquiries and plunged back into contemplation.
“But, upon further reflection, it shouldn’t be considered ahead of schedule. After all, this incident couldn’t possibly compare to the Blood River Incident in the original book since the assassination didn’t actually succeed. So, most likely, it was just a warning to others.”
“But even so, the underground world of Belrand should remain quiet for a long time. At the very least, no one would dare to attempt another assassination on the royal family!”
“So, the assassination of the queen, which was supposed to happen two years later, might not occur now.”
“If the queen doesn’t die, the real Blood River Incident won’t happen.”
“But the Blood River Incident in the original book was a significant event that greatly impacted the protagonist in the middle stage!”
“The protagonist, who participated in the underground market auction, was embroiled in the struggle between the Royal Knights and the underworld. They faced numerous crises, during which their strength grew rapidly thanks to their destiny aura!”
“It can be said that the Blood River Incident is a crucial chapter that transitions the protagonist from the academy phase to the later savior phase.”
“But now… it’s all messed up, all because of me, Muen Campbell, giving my own maid two days off!”
“Oh no, could it be that because of this, it will affect the protagonist’s salvation mission later on?”
Muen’s thoughts spiraled into a state of extreme fear.
If the protagonist couldn’t defeat the final boss, that demon that broke free from its seal, the whole world would be doomed!
Just because he gave his maid two days off, the world would be gone!
“No, no, no, that’s not right, that’s just overthinking. The world isn’t that fragile!”
“Even if the Blood River Incident truly doesn’t happen, there will definitely be other events for the protagonist to grow from!”
“And the Blood River Incident might not be off the table yet; it’s all just my speculation!”
“I really don’t need to worry so much. The protagonist has all sorts of plot armor; there’s no need for me to fret!”
Muen comforted himself inwardly, finally managing to calm his emotions. In reality, it was because a tiny deviation from the original plot had led to the assassination of Selicia, leaving Muen with psychological trauma. He was afraid that his small butterfly effect might trigger another major event.
“Anyway, let’s just trust the protagonist!” Muen shook his head, deciding not to dwell on these thoughts any longer.
…
“Well then, young master, rest well. I’ll take my leave now.” Seeing that it was getting late, An bowed and prepared to leave.
“Alright.”
“Oh, by the way, young master, there’s a letter for you.”
An suddenly handed a sealed envelope to Muen.
“A letter?”
Muen turned the envelope over and found no postmark or sender’s name on it.
“Whose letter is this?”
“It’s from Her Highness, Princess Selicia,” An respectfully replied. “She personally instructed me to deliver it to you.”
“…It’s from her.” Muen was somewhat surprised but didn’t say anything. He simply dismissed An to rest.
He then stared at the white envelope for a long time.
“Anyway, it’s probably just some scolding from her,” Muen chuckled self-deprecatingly.
“For someone like Princess Selicia, who values chastity more than life itself, what I did to her… she wouldn’t write a letter just to thank me for saving her.”
“I just hope the scolding isn’t too harsh.”
Muen opened the envelope.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t a scolding at all.
Written in graceful and neat handwriting, the letter contained a simple sentence that seemed puzzling at first glance.
“Consider yourself half a man, Muen Campbell.”
Half a man? Can a man be divided into halves?
Muen was puzzled at first, but soon he understood why Princess Selicia would say such a thing. It was because of something he had said before.
“Now… Do I look like a man? Your Highness.”
That was what he said when he was trying to show off while blocking the sword for Princess Selicia.
However, if he had died because of that, those words would have been his last, and Selicia might never forget them for the rest of her life.
But… he hasn’t died yet!
If he hasn’t died, then this line is too edgy!
It’s like something out of a Mary Sue novel where the domineering CEO would tilt the chin of the female lead and smirk, saying:
“Do you think I’m man enough? Woman.”
Ah ah ah ah!
It’s too embarrassing!
Can I go back in time and slap my past self for saying that!
You’re dying, just die already! Why act all edgy before you kick the bucket!
And you’re playing it so awkwardly!
Even the princess can’t stand it, she had to write a letter just to mock you!
“I can’t take it anymore!”
Muen quickly tore open the envelope, wrapped himself in the blanket, and wriggled around like a worm.
…
“Half a man?”
Outside Muen’s room, An stared at the door intently, muttering to herself:
“So, does that mean, for you, Princess, there’s still a possibility for Master Muen to become a man?”
“What would happen if he became a man? Would you fall in love with him?”
“Oh, no, Master Muen, that’s not possible. How could you accept the love of another woman besides me?”
An’s gaze turned increasingly cold.
“It seems that some things need to be expedited.”
The hell wrong with this maid?
Tsunder girl in love (maid )
You mean yandere?
Wadoh