Chapter 84

<083. Sibling's Method>

Before entering this world, when I was living as Yeongjin.

Online, the word 'run' didn't mean running but rather 'grinding,' like farming runs, coward runs, and power runs.

And of course, there were a few runs in D/Z SAGA.

For example, the glove run in Act 2, where you keep grinding until you get the right gloves for character development.

The farming run, where you eat materials, check the options, and fill your inventory with only the high-quality ones.

Then there's the Emirun, where you grind the Emily route ending to move on to the next chapter if your character development fails.

I remember answering countless newbies who asked, "What do I do if I fail the first chapter?" with, "Cook and watch the Emily ending."

Unlike other bad endings, the Emily ending can be seen relatively quickly and is considered a proper conclusion.

If you can enter it early, you can even plant a flag in Act 1.

Anyway, I adjusted my intimacy with Emily and cleared the field.

I didn't really plan to use Emily. If Emily Hymelody can't open this map, she can never be saved in the story.

But if you ask if this is a salvation... well, let's call it a win-win.

We've teamed up to get a map where we can obtain materials.

“...Thank you, senpai. I will never forget this favor.”

“Hmm.”

“Ah, and... I haven't learned how to make bread yet. Can I come and see you again?”

“Do as you please.”

“Yes, yes! Thank you! Really, really thank you. I will never... never forget you for the rest of my life.”

With that, Emily bowed her head.

This is the only line Emily says in her route.

“Kelters, I will never forget you for the rest of my life.”

Of course, I didn't enter her route.

I broke all the flags and only got the bonus, so what route?

***

【Heavenly Altitude】.

A holy land of ingredients prepared for the chef who neither walks the path of the sword nor the path of magic.

The sea is calm, there are many fishing spots, and fruits and spices abound. There are also many edible animals.

“Hmm.”

Of course, the difficulty is high.

Like the fairy paradise in Act 1, this is also a hidden map.

Hidden maps in each act are often quite difficult, so it's often more beneficial to only tackle the early parts as you grow.

“...Hmm. It's a bit disappointing.”

Of course, as a veteran, there is a completely different strategy.

It's a box run where you eat the treasure chests placed in fixed spots on the map and then escape using the Tier 5 return magic 【Escape from Field】. But if I did that, I'd probably die.

No, it's worse than that. If I picked up items and ran into a goblin, I'd really die.

Of course, I have Partasch, but even our combination might be ignored by a strong monster.

So, I have to tackle this with a completely different method!

“Master, is this really the way to do it...?”

“Hmm. There's no other way.”

“...I see. I understand.”

I pushed Partasch into the portal from the outside and used telekinesis to pull out only the necessary items.

When the monsters inside the portal started to draw aggro with a loud roar, I pulled Partasch out.

Then the stupid monsters, unable to see outside the portal, would put question marks above their heads and turn back.

“Go in, Partasch.”

“...Ugh, okay. I understand.”

This is the entrance grinding.

If you don't have the ability, you have to survive somehow.

“...Is this right, Master? For the sake of pride?”

“Hmm.”

“Even the silver-haired lady Emily, who was ready to fight near the entrance, but what about you, Master?”

Well.

That's Emily's story.

What can I do?

If I get hurt, who will compensate me?

***

The next day.

I boarded the Black King and headed towards the Student Council building.

I was carrying a well-packed lunch box.

...

Do I really have to do this?

What does it matter to me how this kid turns out?

“U-Ulfram-sama, hello.”

The moment I appeared, the other students started whispering.

Looking around, they weren't looking at my face but at the lunch box in my hand.

The lunch box in my hand. A black three-tiered bento.

The precious lunch inside was made by my older brother for my younger sister...

Ah, let's stop. I'm about to go crazy.

“Is that a lunch box?”

“...That's the proof of the celebrity who only eats in the club...”

“I've heard the rumors. What's inside it?”

“There's a story that the Princess Hymelody chases after Ulfram-sama...”

“The lunch that made the Princess fall for him at first sight...”

Really. Stop it!

I can't hear what they're saying clearly, but these students sure love to talk about others!

“Is Eve here?”

“Yes, yes... She should be in the Student Council room.”

“Got it. I'll go in.”

“Yes, sir!”

Saying that, I walked past the Student Council room.

I met Shiphia's gaze on the way, but we didn't say much.

Has she become a bit gentler?

“Eve. Are you here?”

“What is it?”

In the office, Eve was working on documents with dark circles under her eyes.

Several top-tier mana potions were discarded beside her.

Even if Eve can convert mana to health, the efficiency is terribly low.

If it were good, she could have recovered health while filling her mana, and then converted it back to health, becoming a proof of infinite power.

In short, this is Eve's penalty for being one of the worst cheaters in D/Z SAGA.

I'm not sure if it's a penalty, but Eve occasionally faints from overwork and wakes up in the infirmary.

Kelters, feeling sorry for her, joins the Student Council, works hard with Eve, understands her loneliness, and supports her, deepening their bond.

Kelters plays the role of Eve's savior, but I don't plan to go that far.

“Have you eaten? Let's eat together. I have something to talk about.”

“...We didn't make any plans, did we?”

“Just appreciate the effort I put into preparing it. I'm sure it will suit the taste of Eve von Loewen格林, who enjoyed my meals.”

“...Ugh. Who...”

“Do you not want to?”

“I didn't say I don't want to.”

Eve, looking indignant, blushed and clenched her fists.

Even if something happens to her, I don't need to act like Kelters.

After all, in a way that suits Ulfram and Eve.

***

“Another sandwich?”

“Don't complain.”

“I've never complained. ...I'll eat it well.”

As Eve said, the meal was another sandwich.

But it doesn't get mushy even when moved, offers various flavors, and has a good nutritional balance. Plus, to make the most of the ingredients from Heavenly Altitude, sandwiches are the best.

“...Yeah. As expected. It tastes good.”

Eve holds the sandwich with both hands like a squirrel and munches it.

She avoids repeating flavors, clearly enjoying the meal.

Her appearance is annoying... no, it's somewhat amusing, so I just smiled.

“What are you laughing at?”

“No, nothing. There's also soup.”

“...Thank you.”

Saying that, Eve drank the soup I made and finally let out a sigh.

“Sure enough, it's worth the rumors.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

Really, it's a huge compliment. If rumors spread, the convenience store would be flooded with customers.

“Hmm. Honestly, I don't want to admit it, but... it tastes good. I ate well, and I feel a bit lighter too.”

“It's not just your imagination. It really makes you lighter.”

“Huh?”

“It's a dish that boosts health recovery, stamina, and several buffs. Since you ate all three types of sandwiches, you'll definitely feel the effects.”

“...Is this magic food too? You keep making weird things.”

“And.”

“?”

I paused, thinking.

What should I say to Eve?

A disgusting boss will appear in front of you, so keep your mental resistance up with my meals for a while?

Or, get a good night's sleep and maintain your mental health for the next two weeks?

Okay, how do I explain that?

The Act 2 boss is a high-ranking member of the Black Flag, a lackey of the guy in the deepest part of the Black Market! Should I tell her that?

Then would Eve organize a search party to raid the Black Market? The probability is high.

But before that, she'd shake me down to find out how I know.

And in the process, she'd discover my Black Market entry pass and Black Flag badge.

Then Ulfram's neck would be on the line too.

Wow, what a happy ending!

“Speak properly. Why are you suddenly quiet?”

“...No, I was just choosing my words.”

Explaining everything would be difficult.

So, I have to be more direct.

“Eve von Loewen.”

“Yes? What is it?”

The Act 2 boss casts a powerful curse.

It then exploits the heroines' traumas when they are vulnerable.

In the original story, Eve von Loewen's trauma in Act 2 is the 'dead Ulfram.'

“I am here. Ulfram von Loewen is here.”

“I know.”

“Good.”

“I know that you're disgustingly here and will keep doing useless things somewhere.”

“Right.”

“Yes. So, how... really, I can't stand it...”

Eve's muttering gradually faded, replaced by the sound of her sleeping.

“President Eve von Loewen... Oh.”

“Hmm. The president is just taking a nap. Let her rest, won't you?”

A moment later, a Student Council member came looking for Eve, and I stopped him.

“Oh, that... I.”

I sighed softly, seeing the anxious member.

“Is it important?”

“...After lunch, there's a discussion with the Maestros. They've been reserving a spot for Eve-sama for a month... What should I do?”

This kid is doing such things too.

“Hmm. Then I'll attend. Explain the reason, and as a royal, they'll save face.”

“Yes? ...Yes. That's right.”

I stood up and was about to follow the member when I heard a strange complaint mixed in with the soft breathing behind me.

“...Idiot, Ulfram... really...”

“...I see.”

Really.

A troublesome blood mate.

***