I Became a Fortune Teller in the Game My Little Sister Made – Chapter 90

“It’s over. For real.”

Only after I bound Hector, who hung his head as if unsure, with iron chains could I finally feel at ease.

“Huff…”

…I’ve felt it many times during the fight.

This guy Hector is a real monster.

‘I honestly thought I was going to die.’

In the end, I managed to land only two effective hits on Hector, while I took hundreds of arrows like a pin cushion myself.

What if Hector had brought his own bow and arrows from the family estate instead of standard equipment?

I probably wouldn’t have made it past the first shot, gears and all.

At nearly sixty years of age, with skills rusty from over a decade of not using a bow, lacking artifacts and wielding a mere subpar weapon, I still got utterly crushed despite all the traps and artifacts I had prepared.

‘Thank goodness he doesn’t know about my skills.’

At first, my skills were treated like garbage, but they have surprisingly become my trump cards: <My Little Fortune Teller’s Shop> and <Cleanliness>.

Only the Special Class knows about these skills, and it was a blessing that Rain and Lucas didn’t report my skills to Hector.

That’s what you call an imbalance of information.

On the other hand, I knew Hector’s habits and fighting style fairly well from the setup.

Still, it was quite impressive that I managed to embed arrows into my thigh and shoulder.

“Using my body is definitely hard…”

No matter how I think about it, inciting others or engaging in politics seems a whole lot easier.

By the way, I am an超人 (superhuman), so getting hit by two arrows shouldn’t be too serious.

What should I do now?

‘…Should I go back to the mansion and say I won?’

Then what about Hector? He hasn’t died, but leaving him behind feels wrong.

If I were to kill him, the aftermath would be no joke, so I have to keep him alive for now.

But carrying him or dragging him isn’t exactly feasible with my physical state.

What should I do…

“…Namgoong Min, sir.”

“Oh, Rain!”

Oh, problem solved.

Rain rushed in, breathing heavily, after somehow knowing the duel had concluded, waving her hand.

But when she saw Hector, head down and shackled, her eyes trembled.

“Really… really…”

“Didn’t I tell you, Rain? That I would win.”

“……”

“…Rain?”

“……I said I would speak casually, didn’t I, Namgoong Min?”

Hmm? Ah, right? I forgot about that.

Since I’ve been using formal speech, it feels strange now.

“I forgot, sorry. Then Rain can speak casually—”

“No.”

“So, can I—”

“No.”

“Uh… okay.”

Hmm… she’s a lot more stubborn than I expected.

It’s a bit much to force a refusal like that, isn’t it?

Well, I guess in front of others, Rain will speak informally and I’ll speak formally, so it doesn’t really matter… right?

…Forget it.

“By the way, thank you, Rain.”

“…Yes?”

“If you hadn’t really given me this annex, I wouldn’t have been able to win. Thanks for believing in me.”

Using <Cleanliness>, which effectively reverses time, comes with some pretty strict conditions.

It had to be a closed space, owned by me, and messy.

In order to use <Cleanliness> effectively, I had to transfer the ownership just like during the last mountain climbing class.

‘Honestly, I was surprised when you gave me the property deed right after I said it.’

But I set up traps before receiving ownership from Rain.

The ownership had to transfer while traps were set, so that it would be deemed ‘the original state.’

If I had received it beforehand, the traps would have been included in <Cleanliness> and dismantled.

But if I received it with traps already set, even using <Cleanliness> would only return the traps to their original locations without dismantling them.

<Cleanliness> was an incredibly convenient skill in many ways.

“…You mentioned that you needed my help, Namgoong Min.”

“Yeah? I did say that.”

“If I can be of any help… I can do anything.”

—Really, anything.

“……….”

Chills.

Whoa, why is it so cold all of a sudden? The atmosphere feels way too heavy, doesn’t it?

Isn’t this the right moment to be happy about winning the duel? Why does it feel like this?

It seems like Rain’s gaze is getting dangerous, so I hurriedly changed the subject.

“Ah, anyway! Congratulations! Since you won the duel, we can cancel the unjust engagement and, on top of that, we can get an apology from that guy too!”

“………Apology.”

“Yup. For all the pain and suffering you went through… you should at least be able to get some comfort. Should I wake him up now?”

Honestly, even if he apologizes with words, it won’t wash away all the pain.

Rain has suffered from abuse and gaslighting for over 15 years, and she is just now trying to overcome and take her first steps.

I just hope this can help heal her scars a bit.

“……Apology, huh…”

Rain quietly pondered the word “apology,” alternating her gaze between me and Hector.

Then she said, “……Namgoong Min. I truly apologize, but…”

“Yes?”

“May I have a moment alone with my father? Just for a bit… while he’s still unconscious.”

Well, considering the situation, having an outsider around might be a bit awkward.

Even if my presence caused a shift in Rain’s mental state, the parties involved are Hector and Rain, father and daughter.

It would be best for me to excuse myself for a moment.

“Of course. If anything comes up, call me right away, okay?”

“……Yes, I understand.”

I left Rain, who bowed her head in thanks, and limped out of the annex.

Even if a fortuneteller is physically inept, I guess they have the body of a superhuman.

The arrows lodged in my thigh and shoulder were slowly healing.

“…Or is it thanks to the artifact?”

After thinking it through, it would be impossible for my lousy physical abilities to regenerate like this.

But didn’t <Maiden's Breath> and <Eating Artifacts> have their effect time already expired?

As I stepped outside the annex and sat down somewhere to tend to my wounds…

“…Hah, Lucas.”

… I could feel a small amount of magic.

Did that guy cast healing magic as well as fire magic?

What a sentimental guy.

‘I’ll definitely check out that love fortune for you.’

After smiling at Lucas, who was probably waiting for results back at the main building.

In the dark night, bright letters floated in front of me.

[Event Goal: ‘Fulfill the Command of Head Hector Arthur’ has been completed! The next goal is unlocked!]

“…Oh.”

Finally, it’s here.

This is the first character event clear notification since coming here.

I felt my body relax, realizing I had passed a significant hurdle.

‘Still a lot left to go.’

Character events are a kind of connected quest. While it might be a minor extra event, being pivotal in <Romance Academy> as a significant antagonist, Rain’s character event is likely to be quite lengthy.

Of course, all the details will have changed, but still, the core of defying Hector remains the same, so the next goal should somehow be──

[Next Goal: Achieve a favorability of ‘Friend’ or higher with Rain Arthur.]

[Completed! The next goal is unlocked!]

[Next Goal: Gain acknowledgment from Hector Arthur in any way!]

[Completed! The next goal is unlocked!]

[Next Goal: Achieve a favorability of ‘Lover’ with Rain Arthur.]

[Completed! The next goal is unlocked!]

[Next Goal: Help Rain Arthur realize the truth about her mother.]

[This goal is the final goal!]

“………Huh?”

Huh?

*

An eerie silence enveloped the old annex.

Confirming that Namgoong Min had indeed stepped outside, Rain, with a blank expression, gestured to one of the iron chains binding Hector.

<Telekinesis>.

She casually lifted the thick iron chain and brought it crashing down onto Hector’s back.

Crash—!!!

“Ugh, kuack!?”

The entire annex resonated with the sound of metal, but with telekinesis wrapping around them, a soundproof barrier was created, so there shouldn’t be any worry about Namgoong Min hearing it.

Though she hid it from others, Rain’s superpower had been growing stronger each day since meeting Namgoong Min.

Hector’s eyes opened with a start from the intense shock, and he groaned as he lifted his head.

Due to being bound entirely, he could only move his face.

“…Rain?”

“Father, you lost the duel. Do you remember?”

“…Yeah, that young man managed to defeat me.”

He lost the duel.

To someone significantly younger, less experienced, and with inferior skills, he had been humiliated in such a way.

But even so, Hector didn’t feel bad or humiliated.

Instead, all he felt was the thrill of a splendid duel and the respect and admiration for his rival, Namgoong Min.

“So, where is Namgoong Min? I wish to see the warrior who defeated me.”

“…Namgoong Min has temporarily gone outside. There are things I must discuss with you alone.”

“………?”

Hector didn’t find it strange that Rain addressed him with such high respect.

Thinking of the strong-weak dynamics he had instilled in her, it was only natural.

He was only curious about what they needed to discuss alone.

“The dueling victory of Namgoong Min makes him my representative, so his victory is also mine. Do you agree?”

“Of course.”

“Because of the duel, I gained the opportunity to break the unjust engagement, and I obtained the right to demand an apology from you for all the abuses. What about that?”

“That is, of course, true.”

“……From now on, instead of an apology for the abuse, I will ask for three things from you. Will you accept?”

Asking for three things in exchange for an apology.

Hector hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“Go on.”

“My mother.”

“……Hmm.”

“Where is my mother?”

…Oh, so that’s what she means by asking.

Is she planning to find out everything this time?

But even if she asks, Hector doesn’t have much to say.

“…I cannot share everything. That was a promise I made with that woman.”

“………….”

“But I can say one thing for certain: to my knowledge, she was the most wicked human I’ve ever known, and she died because of it. That’s all.”

“……….”

Was Rain trembling in shock at the news of her mother’s death? She lowered her head, shuddering.

From Hector’s perspective, having known her mother well, he found it difficult to empathize and couldn’t bring himself to think about how Rain felt.

He merely stated the fact matter-of-factly.

After a little bit of silence, Rain eventually raised her head, donning a composed expression.

“…Alright, for the second.”

“Speak.”

“I want your left arm.”

“………Huh, huhuh.”

After her mother, strange as it sounds, why the left arm?

For a moment, Hector’s thoughts came to a halt, but he quickly grasped Rain’s intentions and started to laugh.

He couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Tell me the reason.”

“I wish to preserve it and hang it in my room. Whenever I feel my resolve or spirit weakening, I will look at the severed arm to steel my determination.”

“Haha, ha ha ha ha!!!”

Hahahaha!!!

Is that really it?

She has the same reasoning that I thought of!

“My goodness, you realize how terribly warped that thought is, right?”

“…Of course.”

“Hahaha!!”

Is it because of the abuse and ‘education’ she received since childhood? Or perhaps it’s because she inherited my blood.

She’s trying to overcome her reality, but that twisted thought runs deep within her.

And that’s why Hector laughed. He couldn’t hold back his laughter.

Regardless of how Rain takes it, he saw himself in her youth.

For the first time, he felt something resembling a fatherly connection to her.

“It reminds me of my youth. After winning a fight, I would always do something similar to the defeated.”

“………….”

“Instead of shooting arrows from a distance to end their life, I would approach them and plunge an arrow into their heart. I felt the final heartbeat of a life fading away, and it was pure ecstasy and joy.”

“……….”

“While I might’ve killed the loser, if it ends with just an arm, wouldn’t that be a bargain?”

“………….”

With his lips curled into a perpetual grin, Hector spoke again.

“Let it go. I’ll hand it over myself.”

“…Yes, that would be good.”

With a whoosh…

As Rain signaled, the iron chains binding Hector were released with <Telekinesis>.

Hector stretched his body briefly, then glanced at his left arm, which had been twisted unreasonably from shooting arrows too forcefully.

Crack!

With an arrow in his right hand, he smashed it down on his shoulder.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Over and over again, again and again.

Crack! Creak!!

Though the pain was unbearable, Hector didn’t show a flicker of discomfort as he cut into himself.

He carved through flesh, tore muscle, shattered bone, and finally severed his left arm.

Though the shoulder, filled with shredded skin, muscle, and blood, was a ghastly sight, Hector lifted the severed arm and threw it to Rain.

“Here, catch.”

“………Yes.”

With <Telekinesis>, Rain caught Hector’s left arm, then briefly gazed at Hector’s left shoulder before reaching out.

The tattered skin and flesh around the shoulder began to move.

Rustle! Crunch, crack!

“…Huh.”

Stretching the skin, forcing the flesh together, and knotting it tightly.

Though it was extremely crude, the blood was staunched, and the severed edge was somewhat cleaned up.

Hector smiled at that consideration(?).

“I see, is this what you call filial duty?”

“…From now on, you won’t be able to shoot your bow. Are you okay with that?”

“It seems odd for the one whose arm it is to be the one to ask. Well, as the victor, I have no issue.”

“……….”

The strong-weak dynamics.

That underlying psychology Rain had also resonates with Hector, doesn’t it?

After closing her eyes for a moment, Rain opened them to meet Hector’s gaze.

Steady, resolute.

“You won’t be needing a bow anyway.”

“………What?”

“I’m old, and I’ve long since given up my bow. In fact, it’s a relief that my last memory of using a bow was this thrilling duel!”

“……I see.”

“Then, what’s next? Do you want my right arm too?”

Hector’s casual words had Rain pausing for a moment, and then she looked at him.

Her father was smiling.

…The man who had never smiled in front of her.

He was grinning as if he felt true happiness.

“By the way, you should know this.”

“Hm?”

“I’m desperately holding back the urge to kill you right now.”

“…Hmm.”

“If I had my way, I’d rather sever your neck than take your arm… The only reason I’m holding back is for one simple reason.”

“Is it for Namgoong Min?”

“…That’s right. While he has been considerate of me, even if I receive an apology from you, nothing would change.”

Even if an apology were made, it wouldn’t be sincere, and it wouldn’t alleviate Rain’s pain.

And so, Rain decided to ask for something different.

Information about her mother, Hector’s left arm.

And.

“…I want to take the family.”

“Oh.”

“The head of the family can remain my older brother. I am not coveting that. But from now on, I will not be a mere tool for marriage for the family; I will truly become the master of Arthur.”

“……….”

“What do you think?”

“…Just one question.”

“Anything.”

“Is this for the sake of marrying Namgoong Min? If that’s the case, you might as well confess your feelings to him outright. If it’s him, I’d actively promote the engagement or marriage.”

“………….”

I wonder if Father knows.

Those two pests hovering around his vicinity, clinging like insects to a flower.

Women competing for a man won’t be kind to one another.

They will target each other until only one remains.

“…I wish to live happily with Namgoong Min. I had once considered trapping him in a cage, but I backed off from that audacious idea.”

“……….”

“You see, I simply want to live peacefully with him in a small mansion, hand in hand. But there are other women trying to disrupt that.”

“……….”

“Confess? I’d love to! Honestly, I want to confess my feelings and tell him how fiery my heart is… but if I do, those other two would target me. Unfortunately, my power is weak compared to them, and if they decide to go all out, they could easily kill me.”

So, she must first take the family.

One of them is a wealthy tycoon, monopolizing the wealth of the world.

The other is the crown princess of the most powerful nation.

She would also have to have the entire European aristocracy backing her.

“That’s why I went against you, Father.”

“…I see.”

Hector understood.

While he was consumed by the frenzy of battle, his daughter had been consumed by love.

Whether it was because of the arm sacrifice or because it was in her blood, it’s unclear.

‘If Namgoong Min becomes the noble head, the family would grow.’

That would be enough.

She was his child, raised to expand the family, and now she was ready to put that all into practice.

There was more than enough mutual agreement to warrant this.

“I will actively support you from now on.”

“…Thank you, Father.”

And so, the two exchanged smiles.

Though twisted, ugly, and thoroughly calculated.

It was their own form of warmth.