I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made – Chapter 209

“It’s been a while, sister.”

“Woo-sung, you.”

“Why are you glaring at me like that? Isn’t it a bit harsh for someone who saved your life?”

Kim Woo-sung, ignoring Kim Ha-neul’s venomous glare, smiled and put his bow back in his artifact pouch.

To show he had no intention of attacking, he playfully raised his hands above his head, and with a resigned sigh, Kim Ha-neul rested her spear against her chest.

“Sister, what happened to your original spear?”

“…It broke.”

“What? You’re joking, right? That was a premium artifact. It shouldn’t have broken unless it was poorly maintained—”

—Oh dear.

At Kim Ha-neul’s feet lay her beloved artifact, shattered into pieces.

It goes without saying that low-level assailants like these could never break an artifact of that caliber. It was safe to say they were already at their limit.

‘A branch of the royal family couldn’t even maintain one artifact?’

Although Kim Woo-sung had been too occupied with his own survival before and after the交流会 to pay attention to Kim Ha-neul, her situation seemed far worse than he had imagined.

Perhaps secretly leaving from this small airstrip was… the best she could do under her circumstances.

“Sister, you look quite worn out?”

“…Speaking of which, didn’t you get into serious trouble for messing with that fortuneteller? I heard your faction in the palace was utterly wrecked.”

“Should we talk about how you ended up on the Crown Prince’s bad side?”

“…………”

It was common knowledge that Kim Woo-sung had been wrecked for irritating Namgoong Min.

While it was dressed up as Jo Kyung-jin’s fault on the surface, anyone with political insight would have sensed the real dynamic. But even if they did notice, it didn’t matter.

What really needed to be kept secret was that Kim Woo-sung had joined Namgoong Min’s side… and that post-graduation, he might receive another chance.

‘Until then, I guess I’ll just look like the disgraced royal.’

That pretty much was the reality. If he hadn’t smashed his head into the ground when he next saw Namgoong Min, he would have been cut off entirely by now.

But no matter how you slice it.

While Kim Woo-sung had merely touched a “friend,” Kim Ha-neul had openly sided against the Emperor by opposing the Crown Prince.

There would be no forgiveness for her.

‘If the Emperor had won, our situations would be reversed.’

In the end, the Crown Prince was the victor, and the Emperor was effectively cut off from all power and influence, left to his own devices.

Seeing Kim Ha-neul like this… momentarily reminded him of his mother, and he sighed.

But now was not the time for such thoughts.

“…What are you plotting?”

“What am I plotting? I just saved you from danger on the road.”

“Woo-sung, you’ve been good at wrapping up nonsense since way back. Look at the location of this airstrip. Even if we make a hundred allowances that people like you could walk this way, at this hour? Especially today?”

“Um.”

“Woo-sung. Annoying, unpleasant, and disgusting as it is, we’ve known each other since we were kids. We were the only two smart ones in our branch, weren’t we?”

“Sister, you don’t seem to be thinking clearly anymore. You’ve chosen the wrong side.”

“………I don’t regret that yet.”

“What?”

“Anyway, it doesn’t matter. What I want to know from you is, what’s your agenda? Do you really think I would believe in your coincidence nonsense?”

Well, it was obvious she wouldn’t believe him.

If the roles were reversed, Kim Woo-sung wouldn’t believe for a second that he had just randomly saved her.

‘But here, it has to be coincidence.’

That was also Namgoong Min’s order.

And Kim Woo-sung himself thought it would be much easier to “work” that way.

Hadn’t Kim Ha-neul said it herself?
He had always been good at wrapping up nonsense.

“Sister, I know there’s a crowd, but don’t you think you’re being overly suspicious?”

“What?”

“Right now, do you really think I’m worth investigating and saving on purpose?”

“…………”

Kim Ha-neul gritted her teeth at his piercing words.

Yes, she likely knew it well.

Unless it was a fluke—not that he had any reason to save her.

“I may have gotten wrecked once by the Crown Prince, but as long as I’m lying low, that’s enough. So I shouldn’t do anything noticeable. Yet you want to investigate someone whom the Crown Prince dislikes and then rescue them?”

“…Even if it were sheer coincidence, that wouldn’t give you a reason to help me.”

“Why wouldn’t it? Ah, of course, my sense of duty to you is a bit lacking. But I also have a duty to the palace, you see?”

“What… nonsense are you talking about?”

“Look at these assailants. It’s obvious they were sent to take care of you; if this had been sent by the palace, it would have been much more thorough. Did you see their level?”

“………So?”

“Then that must mean it’s a power outside the palace, but that’s unacceptable. You’re a fallen daughter of the Daehan Empire. As a member of the royal family, there’s no way I can just stand by and watch a royal get killed by these little vermin.”

“Ha.”

“If this news reaches His Majesty’s ears, you might even get praised for saving the royal family’s prestige. A royal getting killed by another faction within the Romance Academy? Is there any greater disgrace? The Emperor would probably want to dismember you in public! A royal has to die within the palace walls, after all.”

“…………”

“So just trust me a bit, will you? I just went for an evening stroll. In fact, I’d be the one protesting, you know? This is usually my nighttime walking route.”

“…A usual route?”

“Low foot traffic and pretty scenery, just perfect for me. The bizarre thing is, this is a public space? I went out like usual for a walk, and there you were, along with the assailants? So I had to make a flash show, didn’t I?”

That’s nonsense. Objectively, it was fantastic nonsense.

No evidence, no witnesses, all just lies.

But the truth lies hidden beneath it. The dazzling display, the fact that he saved Kim Ha-neul, the insistence that royalty should die within the palace.

The cleverly mixed truths… and Kim Ha-neul’s state, exhausted both physically and mentally.

Eventually, she lowered her head.

“…Okay, I might have been too suspicious of you.”

“What? So, what were you doing here? At this hour, at this airstrip?”

“…………”

“Are you really not going to say anything? Well, then I guess I have no choice. If anyone hears me talking to you like this, I might have to kneel and beg before the Crown Prince. I’m leaving.”

“Wait, just a moment!”

“What is it?”

“…I was going to return to the palace.”

“What about the Academy?”

“I… dropped out.”

“Really?”

Feigning shock is the easiest trick in the Art of Survival.

Although Kim Ha-neul might typically sense the awkwardness, she was far too exhausted to notice at this point.

Someone pushed to the brink, it didn’t matter who extended their hand.

Though they couldn’t even call it a good relationship, Kim Ha-neul wanted to lean on Kim Woo-sung.

“You noticed too, right? I’m not in a good situation. I couldn’t even get my spear, which I’ve wielded since childhood, repaired… With the palace’s support cut off, and that Crown Prince now seeing me as undesirable, all my funds dried up. I was kicked out of my base, surviving on convenience store meals, and somehow managed to sew together my clothes.”

“…………”

“But I held on. I gritted my teeth and endured. If I give up now, I’d just be a loser, but at the very least… If I can get a graduation certificate from the Romance Academy, I could make a fresh start. I could escape the Daehan Empire, gather strength and power based on that diploma, and wait for my chance.”

Opportunity, chance.

At that word, Kim Woo-sung narrowed his eyes.

‘Ordinarily, even if someone says they want a fresh start, they wouldn’t think of returning to the royal family.’

Was it because Kim Ha-neul’s ambitions were beyond imagination?

Or was there a reason she had to cling to the royal family?

“But… now I want to return.”

“You managed to hold on for several months, and now you’re throwing it all away?”

“…Let me make it clear, it’s not because I cracked under the pressure of food, clothing, and shelter. I could have endured until graduation, even if I had to throw away all my pride.”

“Then?”

“…………”

“Aren’t you going to say anything?”

“I… received a letter, a letter from my father.”

“…A letter?”

“What letter?”

“From… the Emperor.”

“………!!”

In that instant, cold sweat trickled down Kim Woo-sung’s neck.

The Emperor, who lost to Crown Prince Kim Sung-il in a political fight. It wasn’t a taboo to mention him.

It wasn’t because Kim Sung-il was imprisoning or pressuring everyone related to the Emperor.

It was simply.

‘This is huge…!’

It was clear that this situation represented an opportunity beyond his imagination.

The loyal hunting dog for Namgoong Min was salivating.

This was likely going to yield a pretty sizeable reward.

It was enough to request a plea concerning his mother.

Kim Woo-sung hid his desire to break into a grin.

*

“…What the hell.”

No way, the Emperor surfaced?

Seeing the confident expression on Kim Woo-sung’s face, I involuntarily cursed.

As a result, Kim Woo-sung’s confidence began to wane.

“Th-That Namgoong Min? Could it be a bad thing…?”

“No, not at all. This is definitely a tremendous opportunity. A chance to uproot the Emperor’s last remnants.”

I still had doubts regarding the Emperor.

The reason he was complying with the trade, his true intent.

After dealing with the Principal and The Mediator, the only remaining issues were the Emperor and the Pope, along with myself.

…Looking at it this way, that seemed like quite a bit, but still, if it could completely tie up the Emperor’s business, that would be great.

In the end, the reason I cursed under my breath was not because of the Emperor himself.

It was my instinct telling me that things would not unfold easily.

“The Crown Princess has always been on the Emperor’s side. It’s only natural that a letter from the Emperor would find its way to her.”

“Of course. But isn’t it a wonderful outcome in terms of having physical evidence this time?”

“The problem lies with the content.”

“…I’m sorry.”

As if anticipating this moment, Kim Woo-sung immediately lowered his head.

Sure, I got it that a letter arrived. But what was in it? That part had to be the actual highlight.

However, Kim Woo-sung couldn’t uncover the contents of the Emperor’s letter.

Kim Ha-neul’s defenses were too solid.

“I tried to win her over, but she wouldn’t show me the letter itself.”

“Is it possible for this letter to be a lie?”

“Not likely. If she were going to make up a lie or excuse, she wouldn’t go out of her way to claim it was from the Emperor.”

“Have you ever thought about that?”

“Huh?”

“You know, to Kim Ha-neul, Kim Woo-sung, you’re also someone who irritated Crown Prince Kim Sung-il. Of course, your situation is better than hers, but wouldn’t there be no issue if she harbored resentment toward you?”

So.

“Were you planning to… pull me in on purpose? To join sides with the Emperor?”

“It doesn’t sound entirely unreasonable? If the Emperor needs as many people as possible by his side, you would be a perfect fit.”

Thus, it’s highly likely that Kim Woo-sung lied to me.

Perhaps he had indeed been asked by Kim Ha-neul for assistance but purposely left that out.

In other words, he could have been trying to play both sides between me and the Emperor.

Despite noticing my suspicions, there was no change in Kim Woo-sung’s expression.

“You might be right. Kim Ha-neul could indeed try to win me over.”

“And if so?”

“…However, that won’t happen.”

“Why’s that?”

With an unusual calm, he confirmed his words.

As I continued to press him, he eventually answered with a bittersweet smile.

“That’s because… Kim Ha-neul’s mother.”

“……….”

“My mother was poisoned to death because of her.”

“…………………….”

“So, there’s no way Kim Ha-neul would ask for my help… and even if she did, I wouldn’t assist her.”

*

<To Kim Ha-neul.>

<It’s been a while since I wrote a letter... I apologize, I told a lie right from the first line. In truth, it’s the first time writing to you.>

<You were one of my many children, and while you were exceptional, that was it. The only reason I remember you was that you shared a name with my late wife. How dare you use the name of a Empress? It was a gravely disgraceful act, but the day she got angry, I stopped her. Instead, she showed you kindness.>

<I thought that would be the last time I'd hear your name. But you proved yourself. You entered the Romance Academy, and you became the best candidate to keep my son in check. Thanks to that, I took advantage of you, and you were able to raise your standing.>

<But now, I have lost. I lost to that son of mine and that fortuneteller. I can maintain my status as Emperor even after dying, but you must be cornered now. Or perhaps you’ve already fallen.>

<Still, I wrote you this letter. There’s only one reason.>

<I will challenge the failure again. While it’s an act against the natural order, I can’t give up.>

<And for that, I need your strength. If you haven't given up, if you haven't forsaken your ambitions, return to the palace.>

<I will be waiting for you.>

<Oh, I have one more thing to add regarding Kim Woo-sung.>

<If things get difficult, seek help from him. If she’s really your daughter...>

<I'm sure she will assist you and come to my side.>

<Make him lie to both the fortuneteller and my son.>

<He will definitely be a sharp dagger for both of them and for us.>

<Kim Ha-neul, my daughter. I shall say this one last time.>

<I am waiting for you.>