I’m Looking for the Male Lead for the Ending - Chapter 40

Chapter 21.1

‘…Random penalty? Isn’t that crazy?’

My head throbbed painfully.

A random penalty. In the end, it meant that if luck wasn’t on my side, I could die because I failed this mission. Of course, if luck favored me, it might just mean a slight decrease in the favorability of the people involved, and that would be the end of it.

In any case, since the penalty could mean death, relying solely on luck wasn’t an option.

‘I have to succeed no matter what.’

I swallowed back my irritation and checked the system window.

[ …The current location of Perideline Kaisian is the eastern part of Erhel, in the border forest zone. ]

‘If it’s the border forest…’

To reach Neitzia, where the World Tree was located, you had to pass through a vast forest, which was precisely the border forest. While it may seem close when described as the eastern part of Erhel, it was actually quite far away. So, it meant that even if I were allowed to use a carriage, which I couldn’t due to my probation, I wasn’t in the position to get there in time.

…No, even if I could go by carriage, with a time limit of two hours, it would be tight.

In frustration, I found myself unconsciously gnawing on my lips.

‘Is it just planning on making the mission fail? It’s not like I can teleport, so what can I do…’

“I didn’t expect you to be fun to watch. Why don’t you let me know what you’re thinking?”

Diel’s voice pierced through the thoughts engulfing my mind. Sipping the tea with a leisurely expression on his face, he frowned when our eyes met.

‘…There was a way.’

It was possible for Diel to transport me to the border forest in the east of Erhel and return to the mansion before my father noticed.

“Do you realize how ominous the Young Lady’s gaze on me is right now? This is so exhilarating.”

I asked him, who was smiling with a faint smile.

“If there was a way for the Grand Duchy Kaisian to repay debt to you, would you consider doing it?”

“…What?”

“I thought you might be interested.”

His eyes narrowed as if it was an unexpected remark. Diel, who had been momentarily trying to gauge my thoughts, soon smiled playfully and opened his mouth.

“Young Lady always delights me with unexpected words that go beyond my expectations…”

“Grand Duke Kaisian’s younger sister, Young Lady Perideline, is in danger.”

Diel’s face stiffened at the words that I spat out quickly. I hurriedly continued, aware that time was slipping away even at this moment.

“I’m sure Lord Diel is aware that Grand Duke Duke Kaisian received a mine producing mana stones as a reward from the Emperor for his victory in the Battle of Replica two years ago. So, would you consider rescuing Young Lady Perideline this time in exchange for a portion of the mana stones produced there?”

For a moment, a strange glint flickered in his eyes at my proposition. Emotions swirling in his pupils vanished, and his lips pressed into a straight line.

Sweat dripped from my tense hands.

‘Diel surely won’t ignore my words. So, there’s no need to be nervous.’

Diel had recently noticed that people who had been petrified by his magic for a certain period would die within a few days, even after the spell was lifted, as their organs failed to function properly. Of course, he wasn’t someone who cared about people dying due to his magic.

There was only one thing that bothered him.

The fact that his magic wasn’t perfect.

‘That’s why I gave a lame excuse when he cast a petrification spell on Marie earlier.’

Currently, Diel discovered that he needs a significant amount of mana stones to solve the problem. However, all mana stone transactions were overseen by the government, so there was a limit to how much he could negotiate.

‘But I can’t just ignore this problem.’

If I remember correctly, he had already used the petrification spell several times. If the problem weren’t resolved now, people would continue to die, and eventually, he would be summoned by the Emperor. Contrary to his desire to avoid getting involved in troublesome matters, Diel found himself entangled in the most troublesome matters of his life.

In reality, he had been brought to trial for failing to resolve the side effects of petrification magic in time, as had happened countless times in all my lives. Of course, as they couldn’t turn the Magic Tower into an enemy, he didn’t receive a severe punishment, but the important thing was the fact that all these series of events were going to bother him.

‘But it’ll be different if we can get a supply of mana stones. He’ll be able to solve the problem much earlier than what I’ve seen.’

After finishing my brief thought, I added while he was still looking at me quietly.

“The imperial family closely monitors the trade of mana stones to prevent their misuse for treason. However, His Majesty has promised not to oversee any transactions related to that mine granted to the Grand Duchy of Kaisian for the next five years.”

“…Is that true?”

As I nodded deeply at his question, Diel, who had been silently observing my reaction, opened his mouth with a peculiar smile.

“If what the Young Lady says is true, then it’s a story I didn’t expect.”

“….”

“But it’s quite strange.”

“….?”

“From what I remember, you were placed on probation by the Marquis and haven’t stepped outside the mansion since the competition, right?”

“….”

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