Episode 68: Admonishment

In Isan, surrounded by nature, there are many places scattered about that are called famous spots.

If you ask the townspeople where the beautiful places are, you’ll surely get different answers from each person.

That being the case, I had no idea where I was being taken until the very last moment, but after being guided by Eleanore for a while.

“Look, please watch!”

Her expression overflowing with joy, she pulled my arm and the sight that came into view was absolutely breathtaking.

The boundary between sea and sky, a brilliant sunset faintly tinged with red, quietly melting like a candy drop into this horizon free of any obstacles.

Torn red clouds swam in the darkening sky, bathed in the full reflected light of the golden-dyed ocean.

There was no presence of other people, and as our eardrums trembled only to the rustling of the peacefully illuminated trees, we simply held our breath at that scenery.

“It’s so beautiful…”

“Yes, truly.”

Eventually, I nodded at Eleanore’s murmur, which came out like a sigh.

The place we’re at now is called Tesnus Cape.

This Isan with its many spectacular views… whether one should say “but” or “therefore,” it’s a relatively lesser-known spot.

However, that’s not to say it’s inferior to the numerous famous places, and one can’t help but be at a loss for words at that scenery filled with a fantastic aura.

…But to be honest, when I realized we were heading to this place, I smiled wryly in my heart.

After all, this is one of the prominent “confession” event spots that appears in the game.

Basically, confessing and reaching the goal is the final destination in “Celestia Kingdom,” but along the way there’s an ultra-sweet event where lines fly out that make you want to shout “That’s basically a confession!”

It doesn’t quite establish a couple, but the affection level jumps up dramatically like nothing else, and it can become the decisive blow toward the ending.

I was standing at the point where such an event occurs.

“As expected of a ‘very romantic’ place.”

While hiding my inner wry smile and various other thoughts, I said that.

Well, it’s probably a location the game production team put effort into making, so it’s natural… swallowing down such unrefined thoughts.

“Yes. I’m getting such a romantic feeling.”

Eleanore moved half a step closer to me.

Dyed golden, she faced the sunset while sending me a sidelong glance as if urging something.

That profile was… how should I say, like a completed painting, and I couldn’t stare at it intently.

…Damn it, our ojou-sama really is beautiful.

I shook my head slightly.

I cleared my throat to regain my composure and opened my mouth.

“There’s something I want to give you… Eleanore-sama.”

I took out a rather impressive-looking small box and held it out toward her.

Eleanore’s eyes widened for just a moment, then she immediately showed a mischievous yet unable-to-hide-her-joy smile.

“It’s called ‘Mrs. Dawn.'”

I gently opened the small box.

A crystal hanging from a thin golden cord, with an unusual design that wasn’t too flashy but captivated the viewer.

A necklace with such a design lay grandly within.

“Oh my, how wonderful this is!”

Eleanore picked it up and held it up to the setting sun.

Perhaps because of the sunlight reflecting off the crystal, her eyes seemed to shine more than usual.

“Are you pleased with it?”

“Yes! Thank you, Arcs!”

Her smile radiating pure brilliance, beaming happily.

Just as a relieved smile was about to leak out, seeming that she liked it, at that moment.

“…Then. Right here, right now, could you please put it on me?”

At Eleanore’s words, it felt like time stopped for just an instant.

I stared at her, at a loss for words.

In a world dyed red by the setting sun, her expectant gaze was directed straight at me.

“Eh, um… me, put the necklace on Eleanore-sama?”

“Yes. Since Arcs chose it for me… I’d be even happier if you put it on with your own hands.”

My heart began asserting itself with a thump.

The words “Why would you want that—” almost spilled from my mouth, but they were easily swallowed up by her eyes that seemed to overflow with expectation.

At this point, there was no way around it.

“I, I understand. Then… excuse me for a moment.”

I received the necklace from her and held it with both hands.

The moment I approached, a faint fragrance drifted from Eleanore’s hair, and agitation rippled through my heart.

I took a deep breath to concentrate and checked multiple times whether my palms were sweating.

Then I reached around her neck from the front and carefully put on the necklace.

The thin golden cord touched her white skin.

Having approached to an extremely close distance, Eleanore stirred slightly for a moment while looking straight up at me with upturned eyes.

I endeavored to calm my heart while skillfully fastening the clasp.

“I, it’s done.”

“…Thank you, very much.”

I gently withdrew my hands and stepped back.

Eleanore had a somewhat embarrassed look as she played with her hair.

…Why is the one who suggested it acting embarrassed! I wanted to lament.

“How is it, does it suit me?”

“Yes, of course. It suits you very well.”

To Eleanore asking timidly, I nodded firmly.

As expected, such beautiful ornaments look good on her.

Well, aside from this necklace, everything Eleanore wears probably suits her.

Seeing her smile awkwardly, I felt relieved for the moment.

…In any case, I’m glad she accepted it.

I sighed with various thoughts in my heart.

—The reason I set my sights on Mrs. Dawn.

There are various reasons, but if I had to narrow it down to one, it’s because of the effect of “reducing the decrease in the target character’s affection and happiness levels.”

It’s a unique effect even within the game, and I was indebted to it during the conquest routes.

Just by equipping it, the effect is activated, so the stability is incomparable.

…If asked whether I’m trying to conquer Eleanore, that’s not the case.

My reason for giving this is solely as part of “not letting Eleanore step onto a bad ending route.”

Even if I… the existence called Arcs were lost, to limit the psychological damage as much as possible.

I have no intention whatsoever of leaving her side, but I’m still immature.

You never know where or when something might happen that could cost me my life.

Insurance for such times is also necessary.

…It feels somewhat unpleasant that the description about affection decreasing less is like brainwashing that interferes with individual sensibilities.

Well, even in the game, how the effect is brought about isn’t properly depicted, and I don’t even know if it will actually activate in this world, so it’s like a charm.

I had the feeling from the start that I wanted to give Eleanore something anyway.

“Hey, Arcs.”

In any case, I accomplished my objective.

Just as I was thinking about heading back, my name came from Eleanore’s mouth.

“Actually, I also have something I want to give you.”

“Eleanore-sama… to me?”

At this completely unexpected development, I unconsciously confirmed again.

She smiled happily while taking out a small box similar to mine and holding it out to me.

When I slowly opened it, what was inside was…

“…A ring?”

“Yes. I thought it would surely suit Arcs.”

Eleanore smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

That expression was just like a child whose prank succeeded, stirring up a strange emotion in my chest.

The ring in the box, while not flashy, had a design that somehow conveyed dignity.

Elaborate patterns carved into a thin silver band.

It gave off a dignified impression, but at the same time, I could feel faint waves of magical power from it.

“If you’re going to say that, Arcs, this necklace is also a magic tool, isn’t it?”

“No, that’s… true. But for a master to give a present to a servant—”

“…Oh, come on!”

As if losing patience, Eleanore grasped one of my hands.

And then she forcibly slipped the ring on.

“At times like this, you should accept without saying anything.”

She narrowed her eyes and looked at me.

There was a somewhat joking atmosphere, but there was definitely dissatisfaction in it.

Seeing that, I regretted my earlier statement.

…I know that Eleanore is dissatisfied with me drawing a line based on our master-servant relationship.

But that’s also a kind of admonishment for myself.

If I removed everything, surely that wouldn’t be for her benefit… that’s what I think.

“…You’re right, I apologize.”

That said, I don’t want to make Eleanore uncomfortable either.

Stubbornly refusing to accept it was certainly not good.

When I shrugged and said that, softness returned to her expression.

…Um, I need to say something so it doesn’t get awkward.

Looking alternately at Eleanore and the ring now on my finger, I opened my mouth.

“Um, does it… suit me?”

“Yes, more than anything could!”

Eleanore once more tightly grasped my hand with the ring on it and stared intently at it.

Just as I wondered what intention she had, in the next moment, she whispered near my ear.

“…When you wear that ring, bad bugs won’t be able to catch you.”

A sticky tone, a whisper with a somewhat oppressive and deflating feeling.

I involuntarily swallowed.

“So, absolutely… don’t take it off, okay?”

As if admonishing something, her pitch-black gaze that slowly crawled from my hand pierced through my eyes.

Even while enveloped in the powerful flash of light characteristic of just before sunset, those jet-black eyes continued to capture me.

“Now then, the sun will set soon. Let’s hurry back to the hotel.”

Immediately after, Eleanore’s expression switched completely.

And as if nothing had happened, she tried to return the way we came.

But I stared at my own hand in a daze for a while.

Won’t be caught by bad bugs… does it have some kind of curse-warding effect?

Well, whatever effect it has, it doesn’t change that I’m happy.

…It’s just, one thing bothers me a little.

The ring finger of my left hand, where the ring was forcibly placed.

It doesn’t have any… deep meaning, right?

Even while thinking that, the restless emotion somewhere deep in my heart wouldn’t settle.

Under the sky where the setting sun had sunk, I quietly caught my breath.