Confined Together with the Horror Game’s Male Lead - Chapter 74
Chapter 74
Translator: Yonnee
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“……”
That’s why I didn’t say anything and tried to hide it.
“Fine. Should I not help you then?”
Should I not care whether you live or die?
“If you want, I won’t do anything. Don’t ask me to let you out anymore.”
“……”
“Don’t die in front of me either. If you’re going to die, do it somewhere I can’t see.”
As I let go of Dietrich, his gaze slightly quivered.
“Take this.”
I handed him an item I found in the room where Hesta died.
“This…”
“Don’t misunderstand. I just found it, and that’s why I’m giving it to you.”
[ ‘Dietrich’ has acquired a portion of S’s diary. ]
[ The contents of the diary shall be shared with Charlotte. ]
He looked at the disappearing hand and finally spoke.
“Charlotte.”
“…What.”
“I don’t… really understand you.”
We are trapped in an infinite cycle we can’t escape.
Deception and lies. The wheel has turned several times.
‘Ah, yes.’
I think I understand why it felt like being caught in a well-orchestrated scheme.
It’s as if this cycle was predetermined.
‘I really, truly don’t like this.’
* * *
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It’s fascinating.
I’m not sure what to say. His paintings looked different from other artists’.
I had seen the paintings of his master, Santorini.
But even compared to his master, Valek’s paintings seemed superior.
“Artists are supposed to just paint, but it seems they also have a knack for deception.”
However, the lady scoffed at the painter’s work.
“So where exactly does this painting shine?”
At the lady’s comment, other painters who had been admiring the painting offered their thoughts one by one.
“Your Ladyship, a painting can never truly sparkle on its own. But still, look at this painting. Isn’t it remarkable?”
“The whole painting has been coated with oil. Look. Doesn’t it shine?”
“Indeed, Milady. This is quite something…”
“Let’s not listen to the excuses of a miser.”
All the painters gathered here were masters in their own right. Despite their unanimous praise, the lady disregarded the words of the other artists.
“You. Your name was Val… what was it again? You failed to keep your promise, so you’re no longer needed. Go ahead and leave.”
However, the painter remained calm, as if he had something more to offer.
“Not yet.”
At the lady’s words, Valek silently picked up his painting and stood up. He headed towards the spot in the room where the light shone the strongest.
When exposed to light, the painting emitted a glow.
“My word…!”
At this astonishing sight, the painters exclaimed in amazement.
“I’ve never seen such a painting.”
“What in the world is this?”
The painting literally shone.
The painters gathered around Valek, who had confidently intended to dismiss the artist.
Even the lady who tried to oust the painter was left dumbfounded.
“What is this, exactly?”
“What materials did you use?”
“I’ve never seen luminous pigment in my life!”
Someone exclaimed in admiration.
“Did you say your master was Santorini? You surpass your master as a pupil!”
The wager was won by the painter.
Thus, the lady’s portrait was to be painted by the artist, Valek.
—Excerpt from S’s Diary
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After Charlotte left, Dietrich remained alone, reading the diary in front of the room where Hesta died.
His eyes followed the words, but he couldn’t concentrate.
Still, he had a rough idea of the answer.
“…Luminous paint, hm.”
Finding the answer didn’t spur him to action.
Another layer of illusion he had wrapped around himself shattered.
The woman with red eyes is bad, and the woman with blue eyes is good.
Such a dichotomous way of thinking.
Their emotions kept circling the same spot.
They wanted to move forward but couldn’t escape this cycle.
He could no longer place his trust.
Dietrich forced himself to stand up.
He needed to leave this place.
To leave them behind…
He stepped into the burnt room.
His steps were weary and exhausted.
Powerlessly looking into a corner, he found something that hadn’t burnt in the room.
The wall glittered.
Dietrich slowly approached the wall. Touching it, he felt a cold, hard texture.
‘An ore?’
[ What is this, exactly?
What materials did you use?
I’ve never seen luminous pigment in my life! ]
Ah, I see.
It’s the material for the pigment.
Dietrich, wielding a dagger, extracted the mineral.
At the same time-
Ding— Ding— Ding—!
The sound of a new door opening echoed.
Dietrich slowly headed out of the room.
Unlike before, when multiple doors opened, this time only one door opened.
Light streamed into the hallway as if inviting him in.
Ah, that’s why.
The second floor was nearing its end.
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