Chapter 19

19. The Jester, the Hero, and the Parrot (1)

Did he notice my manly gaze?

Luna met my eyes and replied.

"Why?"

"Can I ask you for one favor?"

"Sure. I don't know what it is, but go ahead."

"…Without even hearing what it is?"

"We made a deal."

One favor from me, and I get the right to ask Luna a question.

That's what she meant.

"I have hundreds of questions for you. So, whatever it is, you have to help me. As you said, I'm the one in a hurry. And…"

"And…?"

"T… T… T…"

T…?

"Because we're friends…"

A tiny voice, like the fluttering of a moth's wings.

But I heard it clearly.

'Luna… You've grown so much.'

To call me a friend.

Is this how a father feels watching his daughter grow?

I felt like tears might well up.

Well, just a feeling, but still.

"Anyway, if you have any worries, just let them out! I'll go first!"

Luna suddenly stood up and threw the tray into the serving area.

Then she fled from her seat as if running away.

I shouted towards her back.

"Miss Luna! Let's meet at the school gate at 9 AM tomorrow!"

There was no reply.

She just raised her middle finger while running.

'That means she'll definitely come tomorrow.'

A perfect interpretation!

I was practically a PhD in Luna Studies.

I chewed on a piece of chicken, lost in thought.

'But is it really okay?'

I've already decided to go for it, so I'll proceed.

The NPCs I need to meet, the places, the order of conversations.

I remember all of this perfectly, so it should go smoothly.

The current problem is:

'The final battle.'

The battle with the "Fragment of the Demon" is the issue.

While attack power is important, health is the most crucial.

Because it's a gimmick where multiple people need to take turns to share the damage.

'The common strategy among veterans was to clear it after Episode 3 due to health issues.'

This means the best records of veterans are in the early part of Episode 3.

No one has challenged it from Episode 1, especially not in the first week after the start of the semester.

If I succeed, I'll be the first and the best.

My enthusiasm surges. But.

'The only one I can rely on right now is Luna.'

A two-person party… no, practically a one-person party.

I'm an incompetent with only 21 stats.

To clear it without issues, I need at least two more people.

Or one incredibly strong person.

'Is there any high-level passerby…? Hmm?'

Rodelin entered my field of vision.

She was giving demerits to the freshmen who were fighting.

There's a high-level player.

Luna and Rodelin.

With these two, the attack power is more than enough. Both use their family's secret techniques.

While health is more important for clearing the "Fragment of the Demon," what I'm planning isn't a normal strategy.

'A strategy that theoretically requires no health at all. I'll attempt it.'

Alright, decided. I'll also "push" Rodelin.

After clearing my plate, I headed towards her.

Is it too much to get close to Rodelin, a member of the 1st party?

Who knows. There's a hidden piece at stake.

Moreover,

'Luna is already marked. If I hesitate, the game story will proceed as is.'

Losing an arm and wandering until death. That's Luna's future.

I didn't expect her to get into a fight with the Terion faction on the first day of school.

Luna can't win on her own.

So, I need to get stronger.

I slowly approached Rodelin, who was organizing her demerit notebook.

"Hehe, you look busy today."

"Hmm? Is it you, Zero? I hope you've reflected on your previous actions."

Previous actions?

Oh, right. That incident.

When I cornered Rodelin against the wall and pressured her to be my friend… no, I encouraged her to be my friend very healthily.

"I was just enthusiastic about making friends. As you know, I don't have any friends…"

"Hmm! Is that so? But I can't just ignore the demerits. Make it up by doing good deeds."

Indeed, Rodelin is firm. But it's fine.

If I'm a PhD in Luna Studies, I'm at least a Master's in Rodelin Studies.

"Actually, that's why I came to talk to you. Do you have time tomorrow morning?"

"Morning… I don't have any special duties except for patrols."

"Then how about helping maintain order in the square together?"

"Maintain order?"

"Yes, I heard there's an event. Criminals will likely cause trouble. As students of the Academy, we can help maintain order."

Thugs, fights, pickpockets, queue jumpers.

Events are prime times for criminals, so minor crimes will be rampant.

The town square is right in front of the Academy, so it's not strange for students to help.

It promotes the Academy, protects people's safety, and preserves children's smiles.

"A threefold benefit, you could say."

After a moment's thought, Rodelin nodded.

"The idea is good. However, let's exclude the first reason. Public safety for the sake of promotion is unacceptable."

"Understood. By the way, do you like children?"

"Hmm! I do. They are the future of the Empire. The more, the better."

I already knew this.

When I progressed this hidden piece, Rodelin always played with the children.

A military family, a rigid tone, and a strict distinction between public and private.

The sight of Rodelin playing happily with children was a fresh shock to players.

"Hehehe, the more, the better… That's great."

"?"

"Then, I'll see you at the school gate at 9 AM tomorrow."

I left, leaving Rodelin with a question mark above her head.

Everything was going according to plan.

* * *

Late at night.

Just before going to bed, Rodelin reviewed her schedule for the next day.

"Tomorrow's schedule… Early morning patrol, and then security duty with Zero."

Rodelin thought Zero's actions were aimed at earning points.

Of course, she wouldn't refuse the points.

'If he performs his duties well, that's a good thing in itself.'

As long as he completes his tasks and has a positive impact, it's fine.

If the event ends without any injuries or damages, 1 point would be a cheap price.

Rodelin, who learned flexibility last year, was capable of this.

While changing into her pajamas and undoing her hair in front of the mirror,

"Hmm, come to think of it…"

What was the meaning behind Zero's significant smile?

He usually had a smiling face, but it was definitely a smile with a hidden meaning.

Rodelin recalled the previous incident.

Cornering. Senior and junior. Man and woman.

And connecting it with today's events…

This, this can't be…

"A date!?"

A date she had never experienced in her life. And it was a weekend date, no less.

Rodelin was flustered, and her normal thought process broke down.

'Then, asking if I like children… Could it be…!'

Was he indirectly asking if she would bear his child?

"What did I answer…?"

The memory quickly came back. Rodelin was a bright child.

- The more, the better.

"…"

Yes, that's what I answered. The more, the better.

From Rodelin's scholarly perspective, this was almost a declaration of a nymphomaniac.

Combined with Zero's significant smile, Rodelin couldn't take it anymore.

Boom!

Something exploded, and her face turned bright red.

A face she couldn't bear to look at.

Rodelin fled from the mirror and crawled into bed.

Wishing that tomorrow would never come.

* * *

The next morning, between the school gate and the square.

I was facing a very awkward situation.

"Explain what happened yesterday properly."

"…What?"

"You asked if I like children. It's best to explain what you meant by that."

"???"

Asking if I like children means asking if I like children.

What more explanation is needed?

Snap!

Her eyes were even more intense. She had her arms crossed, ready for battle.

A complete defensive stance. Is she preparing for war?

"I only asked because I need to play with children. I received a request for help. If you dislike children, it would be a problem…"

"…Is that really it?"

"Y-Yes."

"Then why just the two of us? There are quite a few people, so wouldn't more help be needed?"

Rodelin, it's because I don't have any friends.

You can't imagine how hard it is to make friends with this appearance.

But I didn't need to make such an excuse.

A savior appeared from behind.

"Hmm? What's this? Why is the Vice President here…"

"A… You're the one from last time…"

Rodelin couldn't finish her sentence.

After some deep thought, her face suddenly turned crimson.

"A… Ah! That's it. S-Sorry, Zero. I misunderstood you."

"What kind of misunderstanding…"

"Go, go quickly! You said you have a place to be, right?"

Rodelin mumbled and fled.

Really.

She was a strange woman.

* * *

"So, where is the place you received a request for help?"

"It's just a bit further."

Unlike in the game, moving by foot isn't easy.

But there's no need to worry. The person I'm looking for is very distinctive.

'A jester.'

Not only his appearance, but the fact that he's always with a child makes him easy to find.

After about 10 minutes of searching the square,

I finally found the jester.

He was giving balloons to children, dressed in his jester costume.

I have to work with him for a day.

Then I'll receive a skill, which is the starting condition for the hidden piece.

'While I didn't actually receive a request for help, it should work out somehow.'

Rodelin was maintaining her distance, so I could easily deceive her.

As soon as a group of children left with their balloons, I approached the jester.

He grabbed my shoulders, surprised.

"L-Lutherus!? Is it you?"

…Why is he reacting like this?

This is the first time I've heard this line, and I was more surprised by the jester's reaction.

'The jester is always supposed to have a smiling face.'

An NPC known as the "Mask of Madness" among players.

He always smiles, even during conversations, performances, and even when resting.

So much so that he's called a "mask."

But now, he's looking at me with a surprised… no, a desperate expression.

A reaction I've never seen in thousands of playthroughs.

This means an unknown hidden piece has been triggered.

'I must have been mistaken for a child named Lutherus…'

Fortunately, I know about the character Lutherus.

I recalled all the information related to him.

The hidden piece starting with the jester, the hero, the fragment of the demon, Lutherus, and the parrot.

The connection between the jester and them, which veterans never fully uncovered, only guessing.

Fitting the last piece of the puzzle I just found, a perfect picture was completed.