HBWnovel Chapter 71
Chapter 71
“Really? That’s amazing, Your Highness (⸝⸝⍢⸝⸝) ෆ!”
“...Well, it’s not that amazing.”
The Crown Prince Raizeol, who was chatting with the character [Versia] through [Archive Talk], scratched his head awkwardly, looking embarrassed.
Having first encountered [Archive Talk] and being able to converse with his favorite character, he immediately became hooked on this content.
From his background in the real world to the countless stories he had experienced within this world, and even the horror game story he had recently played, he had talked about it all.
After so much talking, however, he eventually ran out of topics.
In his search for something to talk about, the only thing he could come up with was the story of the heir lessons he had to take to inherit the throne from his father, the current Emperor.
As someone who never left the Imperial Palace, this was the only thing he had to talk about.
So, he carelessly boasted about the praises he received from his teachers regarding his achievements, and immediately regretted it afterward.
He had read in [The Art of Romance], which he bought after a recommendation from the community, that you shouldn’t brag to women!
Wouldn’t she find it too boring?
Should he have made up a more interesting story instead?
What if she lost interest in his story and never came to talk to him again?
But contrary to his worries, she reacted enthusiastically.
No. To me, it’s an incredibly amazing thing (◞♥ꈍ∇ꈍ)◞♥. After all, you're a prince who leads a whole country.
“Haha.”
Embarrassed, the Crown Prince twisted in his seat.
Well, technically he wasn’t just a prince, but a crown prince.
Still, for some reason, the title of prince, which she used when referring to him, felt pleasing.
“Next time... I’ll definitely... tell a... more... interesting... story...”
After typing his last message, he clicked the logout button and exited the game.
If he could, he wanted to stay inside the game a little longer and continue talking to her.
There was nothing more soothing than talking to her.
But that wasn’t possible.
“I am the prince that Versia is proud of.”
To become the man who suits her, and to find another story to tell her, he would become a perfect Emperor, one he wouldn’t be ashamed of.
With that firm resolve, the Crown Prince strode forward toward his advisors.
He lightly ignored their exaggerated reactions, which were filled with admiration for his newfound enthusiasm.
***
Somewhere in the Heavens,
The Magitech Engineer was conversing with someone in the game through the newly added chat feature in the [Akashic Archive] game, using his terminal.
“This time, it's about food.”
Yes!
“What’s the most easily tricked thing among the things you can eat?”
Tricked? Hmm... I don’t know!
“The answer is salt. It’s easily tricked.”
Kyaahaha! (0▿0)
As her laughter reached him through the chat window, a smile appeared on the Magitech Engineer's face.
“Do it again! Another one!”
“Hmmm... then, how about this? You shouldn't build a prison with stone. Why is that?”
You shouldn't build it with stone? Hmm... why not? Is it hard to build?
“No, because a stone-made room is called a release.”
Ohhh!
“If prisoners are released from a prison, that’s not good, right?”
I see! ((٩( ͈́ ᗨ `͈ )۶)) You’re so clever~!
Her pure laughter conveyed through the emoticon made the Magitech Engineer’s face flush.
What other question could he ask that she would like...?
A question she’d enjoy...
Suddenly, a cold chill settled around him.
Thoom!
The air shifted so abruptly that even his battle-hardened body froze for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden drop in temperature.
“Who are you having such fun chatting with, our Ian?”
He turned his stiff neck to find Kate staring down at him with an expressionless face.
“Ke, Kate...”
She reached out and snatched the terminal from his hands.
No!
The Magitech Engineer hurriedly used his powers to focus on the terminal.
Sizzle!
Sparks flew from the terminal, showing signs of malfunction.
The Magitech Engineer, slipping from Kate's grasp, quickly straightened his crumpled shirt.
Snap!
Vroom!
With a snap of his fingers, several magitech devices appeared from the void.
The beams of light emitted by the devices converged, creating an otherworldly, fantastical scene.
“Ian... What’s this?”
The two found themselves standing in a grand ballroom, far from the Magitech Engineer’s laboratory. Beautiful music filled the air.
They were dressed in an elegant gown and sharp suit.
“I wanted to set a more romantic atmosphere, but... this will do.”
The Magitech Engineer lifted his hair, which had been hanging over his forehead, and adjusted his hairstyle.
An event created with the help of the Dream Constellation and its Apostle, who provided consultation and some of their powers.
“It’s been 300 years since we met. I prepared this to celebrate our anniversary.”
He kneeled on one knee and extended his hand.
“Ian... I’m so confused right now...”
“I understand. I’m sorry. I made you suspicious by acting strange. I just wanted to make sure everything was right for this event. I was only trying to check what kind of things you like.”
“The person from the chat earlier... Could it be...?”
“That's right. It’s you... Well, to be exact, it's the character Saint Kate created based on your human past. I wanted to make sure you’d like everything I’ve prepared for you.”
“Then the jokes you didn’t tell me yet... they were written there?”
“I wanted to only tell you the funniest jokes. If even one was dull, I planned to toss it out.”
“I-Ian...! I didn’t know!”
How could she have misunderstood such an innocent and cute man?
How guilty she felt!
“I’m sorry, Ian!”
“No, I should be the one apologizing.”
“But!”
“Shall we just say it was a mistake from both of us?”
“Ian...!!!”
“Would you dance with me, my lady?”
The Magitech Engineer smiled up at her, and Kate, trying to look as beautiful as possible, smiled seductively and took his hand.
“...I’d be delighted.”
Though they were no longer children but gods, they danced clumsily, holding hands and waist, swaying to the repeating melody. For a moment, it felt like they had returned to the pure, innocent days of their past.
Phew! Didn’t get caught!
While Kate was completely absorbed in the dance with him, the Magitech Engineer secretly operated a floating machine to contact the Apostle of the Dream Constellation.
The man bound by his loyalty should respond to him.
Ding!
While dancing with Kate, he noticed the response he had been waiting for.
Thank you...!
As requested, the man had erased all the chat logs.
He would repay him if given the chance.
Though, he couldn’t stop the Goddess of Wisdom from using her wish to disrupt the plans he had for that man.
That was close.
There was nothing in the chat history that Kate had suspected.
There could be no woman in his life except Kate.
However, if Kate found out that he had approached the character to discover her weaknesses, he wasn’t sure what would happen to him on that bed.
This time, I’ll win.
The defeat he constantly suffered on the bed was something his pride would not allow.
This time, no matter what, he would show his dominance as a man.
He smiled, recalling the weakness he had just discovered about her.
The next morning:
“Ehe~ ♥ Last night was so wonderful, my love ♥.”
“P-please, save me...”
The Magitech Engineer, feeling the painful truth that theory and practice are always different, realized once again the harsh reality of his life.