NOVEL NEXT chapter 4 - Outing (1)
The injury was resolved faster than expected.
It was probably thanks to Lionel, who had given prior notice to the Knight Order’s infirmary, telling them to treat him with utmost care.
Because of the influence of a heavyweight like the Grand Duke, Carlyle was able to use a wealth of luxurious medicines that an ordinary recruit would never even get near.
“……”
And yet, despite such extravagance, Carlyle sat there glaring blankly ahead with a dark expression.
The so-called “possessor’s privilege” was, in truth, a word Carlyle had mixed feelings about.
If it weren’t for the regression ability granted to him, he would’ve died a long time ago, so in that sense, it had saved his life. But throughout all his regressions, it had never once strengthened him directly.
‘In novels or comics, all the possessed or reincarnated guys just fly around like gods.’
How should he put it—those characters usually had powers that made them feel like the center of the world. Scamming their way through life with cheat skills was just part of the routine.
Compared to them, all Carlyle ever did was endlessly cater to the main heroine, who was the center of the world.
In that kind of situation, this was the very first time he had awakened a skill and a trait. Not being surprised would be even stranger.
…So.
If it was going to startle him anyway, it would’ve been nice if it was something that made him genuinely feel good.
[ Skill Info ]
◆ Instructor
You are the only person who knows about the future.
Exert your influence over “important individuals” in the world—including the Hero—and reshape their futures!
The deeper your influence over a target, the more of their abilities will be inherited by you.
▶ When a new “Instructor Target” is added, a new Trait is granted.
▶ An “Instructor Target” becomes more susceptible to your words!
“……”
Carlyle, silently skimming the text, ran a hand through his hair.
Honestly, irritation came before anything else.
“So this only unlocks after reaching the final loop?”
If it was going to open up, it could’ve done so a bit earlier.
The unlocking condition must’ve been “exerting influence over the Hero during her childhood.”
It was clearly an ability that couldn’t even be unlocked in any other timeline.
“All that work was for nothing.”
So what the hell were all his struggles in those past loops for?
“……”
Carlyle took a deep breath and scratched his forehead.
Think positively. At least it unlocked now.
And looking at the content, there was no doubt that it was a good ability.
“I inherit their abilities…”
He didn’t know the exact mechanism, but it seemed like the abilities of those he “trained” would somehow be passed on to him.
“That’s not bad.”
He didn’t know to what degree or in what form he’d receive them, but these were the powers of the Hero, the center of the world.
From the perspective of someone who has nothing, there’s no way any of that could be bad.
And more than anything—
▶ An “Instructor Target” becomes more susceptible to your words!
Carlyle stroked his chin and stared hard at that sentence.
That was the core.
They become more susceptible.
There were a lot of ways that could be interpreted, but the way Carlyle understood it—
“…So they’ll actually listen to what I say.”
If so, it was a downright broken ability.
Because the person he could influence… was none other than the Hero. The main heroine.
In short—
He couldn’t be the center of the world himself.
But he had obtained a power that could move the center of the world according to his intent.
Still, one part nagged at him.
▶ When a new “Instructor Target” is added, a new Trait is granted.
Carlyle stared intently at that sentence.
How should he put it—
It wasn’t just the bizarre nature of the skill. That line bothered him even more.
As if… as if the Hero wasn’t the only one he’d need to train.
It was like…
There were more landmines buried in this world than just the Hero—
“…Let’s think about that later.”
Even just dealing with the Hero was enough to make his head explode right now.
Whatever else was waiting for him, it was more urgent to deal with the current situation first.
He’d confirmed what the bizarre skill “Instructor” was. Next up was the Trait that had been unlocked.
[ Specialty Info ]
◆ Hero’s Companion
You are the person who knows the Hero, “Gray Chasefield,” better than anyone else.
You are the only one capable of forming a human connection with her.
Guide the Hero down the correct path!
▶ A “Reformation List” will be provided.
“What the hell is the ‘Reformation List.’”
With a sigh, he called up the other tab attached to the Trait window.
[ System Message ]
◆ Loading “Reformation List”!
◆ The more flaws you erase, the greater the rewards!
[ Gray Chasefield ]
◆ Hatred of Humanity [100%]
◆ Arrogance [100%]
◆ {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Obsessive Cleanliness [100%]
◆ Violence Addiction [100%]
...
...
...
The moment Carlyle saw the list packed full of entries, he pressed a hand to his forehead.
My god. All of these are flaws packed into one person?
“Hero.”
[What.]
“You really weren’t human, were you.”
[…Are you trying to start a fight, all of a sudden?]
The Holy Sword grumbled.
Seeing this all laid out, Carlyle felt certain: the Gray in this world and the Gray inside the Holy Sword were completely different people.
For someone with a personality this utterly destroyed to be having at least some kind of conversation with him now, even if it’s just bickering—that was astonishing in itself.
“So it wasn’t just lip service.”
She really had meant it when she said she wanted to reflect, that she’d do anything to make up for it—that was the feeling he got.
[I don’t know why you’re suddenly picking a fight, but—]
While Carlyle was chewing on that thought, the Hero inside the Holy Sword suddenly opened her mouth with a sulky tone.
[Isn’t this a good opportunity? You’ve gained the right to stay by my side under the Grand Duke Chasefield’s official recognition.]
“…About that. Mind explaining it to me?”
He sighed as he spoke.
It was only yesterday that he heard Lionel say something about wanting him to tame Gray.
And today, he was riding in a carriage to visit the Grand Duke’s estate because of that conversation.
Technically, all Knight Order members were part of the Imperial military sworn to the Emperor, so normally other nobles couldn’t give them orders. But this wasn’t just anyone—this was the founding contributor of the Empire, the Grand Duke.
He clearly remembered the administrative officer of the Knight Order pale-faced and trembling as he ordered Carlyle to hurry to House Chasefield.
“Why exactly am I being summoned to the Grand Duke’s residence? What is it you’re asking me to do?”
[A comrade.]
“…A comrade?”
[The Hero may choose comrades to stand beside her and protect humanity together. It seems I intend to select you as one of them.]
…Ah, that’s right.
Carlyle was more familiar with the term “Hero’s party.”
Drexler, Pannhaima, Vespa.
Carlyle fell silent for a moment, recalling the Hero’s party from the previous loop.
The Hero inside the Holy Sword fell silent too.
“…I won’t say anything more about that time.”
[…Thank you.]
There was no reason to keep digging into someone who was genuinely trying to reflect.
And whether those sins could ever be forgiven by mere reflection… wasn’t something that needed to be judged right now.
“More than that, are you really the type to just go along with something so important just because someone else tells you to? You, of all people?”
[I was still quite young. I vaguely remember listening to my father a fair bit. He is my parent, after all.]
“…Hard to imagine, honestly.”
[Well, after I crushed my father in a sparring match with a single blow, I stopped listening to him altogether.]
“……”
Of course.
While Carlyle stared at the Holy Sword with narrowed eyes, the Hero casually brought up another topic.
[And, I doubt he said that just to recruit a party member.]
“…Excuse me?”
[If I remember right, Father kept asking if there were any decent men among my companions. He probably hoped things would develop in that direction—romantically, I mean.]
“……”
[…]
“…Seriously?”
[…Could you not make that utterly repulsed face? I get the message.]
The Hero let out a deep sigh and continued.
[Still, it’s a good opportunity regardless. Your goal is to reform my past self, isn’t it?]
That was true.
Carlyle stroked his chin and fell into thought for a moment.
‘I pissed her off from the very first meeting…’
It was going to be a rough start. But still—he had to try, no matter what.
***
…He really did want to try.
From the bottom of his heart.
If only the opportunity were given to him.
“Die—!”
“Gray, sweetheart, wait a moment—at least talk to your father—”
The instant Gray saw Carlyle, she launched an attack without a word, and the Grand Duke—who stepped in front of Carlyle to take the blow instead—staggered, coughing, as he tried to speak.
He was bleeding profusely from where Gray had hit him, yet he was smiling. It was clear this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened…
‘…Impressive.’
He really was one of the top martial figures in the Empire.
“Shut up, Father!”
“……”
“You said you were going to introduce me to someone worth considering as a companion, and this—this man is who you brought? What kind of joke is this?!”
But her furious shout sank the conversation instantly.
Hmph.
Wasn’t this the same man who, as an adult, always kept his composure and spoke in that antique, noble tone?
Now the veins across his forehead were bulging, and the bloodshot glare in his eyes was leaking murderous intent.
You could call this man a beast rather than a human and no one would object.
[Utterly vulgar.]
‘That’s you, you know.’
[Still vulgar, regardless.]
‘……’
Well. At least her standards were consistent.
Being able to scorn herself with this much contempt—that was worth some praise.
“How dare you show your face after humiliating me like that? I’ll kill you right here—!”
“Sweetheart, I’m sure this boy didn’t mean any harm. Right? Right, Carlyle?”
The Grand Duke’s gaze shot urgently toward Carlyle.
The look in his eyes screamed: Say something, anything—just calm her down before we both get turned into paste.
‘…No, hold on.’
You get me dragged into this mess, and now you want me to fix it?
To be honest, he just wanted to hand Gray back over to the Grand Duke and walk away from this whole situation.
That is, if something hadn’t suddenly popped up in front of his eyes.
[ System Message ]
◆
◆ Persuade the Hero!
◆ If successful, you will gain one-time use of the “Command Authority” under the skill “Instructor”!
Carlyle blinked at the screen.
‘…Huh?’
Command Authority.
Command Authority?
There was no word more intuitive in terms of purpose than that.
If he got his hands on this, there was no question he’d use it.
Just being able to tug this mad dog’s leash once was worth its weight in gold.
He glanced sidelong at the Holy Sword.
‘Hero, you got anything? Some way to calm her down?’
[…I do.]
Gray responded in a clearly reluctant tone.
‘What is it?’
[…]
After a long pause, Gray let out a deep sigh and began to speak.
And the moment Carlyle heard it, his face contorted like it was rotting from within.
It was immediately obvious why she’d hesitated so long to say it.
‘…Seriously? That’s what you want me to do?’
[Seriously.]
‘……’
[At that age, I still had a soft, sentimental side. It’ll definitely work.]
Holy shit.
Fucking hell.
‘…There’s nothing else?’
[If you don’t like it, don’t do it. I went through the embarrassment of telling you, and that’s your response?]
Carlyle stared at Gray, silently cursing in his head.
The Grand Duke was practically being swung around by the scruff of his neck at this point. Just watching a father getting tossed around like that by his daughter was pitiful enough—he had to do something.
“…Hero.”
Carlyle shut his eyes tight and opened his mouth.
“……”
“…I was wrong before. I acted on impulse and went too far.”
That part was doable. An apology wasn’t so difficult.
Over all the countless regressions, Carlyle had gone out of his way to appease the Hero’s moods more times than he could count.
“You think that’s going to fix it—”
“In return, would you like to go out into the Capital with me this weekend? I’d like to buy you some clothes.”
Now this was harder.
“…I’d like to gift you a beautiful dress worthy of your jewel-like beauty.”
“……”
“I’ll have a matching ring prepared as well.”
Gray’s movement halted completely.
Her face was still burning with rage, but beneath it… there was an unmistakable glint of curiosity.
Wow.
She’s actually listening to this.
‘…A dress and a ring? Seriously?’
The kind of girl who would normally respond to bad moods with a blade or a punch?
While Carlyle marveled in disbelief, the Holy Sword muttered sulkily:
[That was the age when I loved being treated like a princess.]
‘……’
[…Shut your damn mouth.]
I didn’t even say anything.