survivor 6

[If 'Luciana Speda', the person you're assisting, dies, the player will also die.]

I hung my head low at the notification in the status window, highlighted in red.

Suddenly, my life was in jeopardy.

And the person holding the reins of my fate was Luciana, whose death seemed inevitable in every scenario. My own survival was now hanging by a thread.

But that wasn't the end of the problem.

[Luciana's demise progression will now be updated in the status window.]

[Current Progress: 30%]

[If it reaches 100%, Luciana's death will be confirmed.]

The implication was clear.

Her ruin meant death, and her death would be my own.

"My stomach's in knots."

Starting off with negative affinity, her doom was already well underway.

And to think that the little knight who picked a fight with me turned out to be Luciana herself.

"…Huh."

The cause of my turmoil, Luciana, was still absentmindedly touching her face.

Her sapphire-like blue eyes revealed a slight tremble, showing her agitation.

"I concede defeat."

Regaining her composure, she picked up her helmet, which had been rolling in the snow.

"Who would've thought you'd aim for my helmet? Had you not been taken aback by seeing my face, you might have struck at my unprotected neck."

And indeed, she looked more stunning in person than on screen.

With her silver hair cascading down to her waist, her skin like alabaster, and her long eyelashes guarding her deep eyes, she was like a painting come to life.

"Hey, are you listening?"

"…What a graceful concession."

I responded in as calm a voice as I could muster, grateful that my expression remained neutral.

After barely winning against someone I should be serving, and in such a rude manner at that, it was a victory marred by a terrible first impression and only pain.

"I'll keep my word. Having bested my sword, you have earned the right to enter the Duke's estate."

Luciana then tightened the straps of her helmet and pulled down the visor, hiding her face and voice completely.

"Let's continue this inside."

"Wait a moment!"

She stopped at my call, once again the young knight.

"Could you at least tell me why? Why did you challenge me to a duel and try to drive me away?"

The guards, who had just relaxed after the storm, tensed up again at my sudden action. They gave me a look that said, 'Don't make trouble.' But their stares didn't concern me.

Just walk away like this?

As her dedicated servant, I needed to stay by her side to prevent a bad ending, but how could I do that after ruining our first impression?

I needed to know the reason to make any changes.

"Hmm, the reason?"

After a moment of thought, she complied with my request.

"Nothing much. I just thought it'd be nice if the position went to a fellow Northerner."

Her reply was as cold as the northern chill.

– It's going to be a tough road ahead. I've heard the North is quite insular and unwelcoming to outsiders.

I could almost hear my master's sarcastic remark, who had vanished after throwing a book my way.

"…Is that so?"

"Yes. So take this advice: Being a dedicated servant isn't easy."

So, it wasn't just the first impression. My background was the issue.

The very person I needed to work with didn't want me around. What a hellish difficulty.

"Haha. Isn't that how life is? Everyone has their struggles."

But I wasn't about to give up. My life, and potentially the world, depended on it.

'Might as well save the world too,' I thought wryly.

Failing to follow the main story meant heading straight for a bad ending.

For a minor noble's third son like me, those bad endings were like massive storms.

"I'll do my best to assist you. I look forward to working together!"

There was no time to whine or complain. I had to adapt and survive for my future.

And I also wanted to see my favorite character, who is both rigid and upright, live happily and not die.

"Are you the same person who was spouting harsh words just a moment ago?"

"…Please forget about that."

She must have found my embarrassed reaction amusing, as I heard a soft laugh from behind the helmet.

I wished I could see her smiling face.

Unfortunately, her face was well hidden behind that pesky helmet, leaving it to my imagination.

"But you certainly don't lack courage, even compared to the brave Northerners."

Fortunately, it seemed my determination not to give up resonated with her.

[Luciana's Affinity has Increased.]

[-20% (Displeased) -> 10% (Interested)]

The status window confirmed it was just the beginning.

"Do as you please. I won't stop you from following me."

I was in agreement.

According to the updated status window, this was where it all started.

* * *

"Do you realize the consequences of what you did today?"

Luciana must have missed wearing her plate mail armor.

It would have provided some shield from these piercing stares.

Unfortunately, her father, a man more adept at tearing armor apart than snowballing in the North, was ready to reprimand her, "Yes, Father."

Emperor's right hand, Sword Saint, Monster Slayer, Demonkind's Nightmare, War Hero.

The Duke Speda, a man of many titles, did not hide his anger in his voice.

"And your reason for such rash action?"

"I believed the position of our household's servant should rightfully go to someone from the North."

Luciana, though facing reprimand, stood firm in her decision.

A servant isn't just an ordinary aide or butler but practically fills the role of a noble's limbs.

The idea of an outsider, especially as her personal attendant, had caused her great discomfort, even disrupting her sleep.

"Are you saying my decision was wrong?"

Facing her father's formidable presence, Luciana steadied her trembling legs and answered again.

"…Yes, I dare to think so."

"Why is my daughter so inflexible? I'm deeply concerned."

Suddenly, the oppressive aura lifted. Looking up, the previously stern Duke was replaced by a father gently stroking his face.

"Though you've inherited my strength…"

"I apologize."

"It's fine. I'm not much different."

Luciana's eyes wavered.

It was an unusually soft remark for a father known to be as strong as a Sword Master.

"Don't say that, Father. You're the most respectable person to me."

"Enough with the flattery. I might be stronger than most, but there's much I cannot do."

The Duke spoke decisively.

Knowledge of self-sufficiency in food comes from the East, handling public security issues from the West, understanding financial flows from the South, and political acumen from the Central region.

Even a lower noble from these regions could surpass him in these areas, something Duke Speda knew from experience.

A hint of worry flickered in his eyes.

-Northerners' steadfast pride is unlike any other!

He couldn't help but see his younger, more naive self in his daughter now.

Would that prejudice cloud Luciana's judgment, leading her to the same mistakes he once made?

'So I deliberately chose a servant from another region, but perhaps it backfired.'

His intention was to encourage a broader perspective, not limited to strength alone.

He never expected her to reject her designated attendant outright.

"But you didn't send him away."

"I couldn't."

"What?"

The Duke, only hearing the guards' side, was puzzled by the details.

"You couldn't?"

"I challenged him to a duel and lost."

"…Luci, you mean?"

His daughter, whom he personally trained in swordsmanship.

He was confident that, in practical swordplay, no one her age could match her.

And yet Luciana had lost.

"Hmm. How did you lose?"

"His movements were impressively swift. He dodged my sword and managed to undo my helmet strap."

The Duke's eyes narrowed.

Did the youngest son of Baron Byron possess such skill? Impossible.

To defeat his daughter meant significant prowess.

It would be a breakthrough for the Baron, struggling with his domain. There'd be no reason to hide such a talent.

"…Did he hide his identity even from his father?"

"What?"

"Never mind. So, what do you plan to do?"

The Duke was curious.

Luciana, who had never faced defeat except in sparring with him.

What she thought of the person who bested her.

"If you wish, I can cancel assigning Hans as your personal attendant."

Of course.

Luckily, there was no intention of giving up on this unexpected talent that had seemingly fallen from the sky. Whether in the knight's order or elsewhere, he would prove useful.

Yet, the Duke Speda was also a father. He had no desire to remind his daughter, who was in her growth phase, of the sting of defeat.

"No, let's stick to the plan. Make that man my personal attendant."

"…Are you sure?"

Luciana understood her father's concerns.

The defeat hurt, but her curiosity about her opponent was stronger.

-Well, we'll see how it goes.

His instinctive movements in a life-or-death duel, narrowly avoiding her blade, were remarkable.

She knew no Northerner who could fight like him.

-Haha. Life's not easy. Everyone has their own struggles.

Despite being openly antagonized by her future master, he didn't show the expected resentment or anger.

Composure.

It seemed all she could discern from his narrow-eyed expression was just that.

For the first time, her personal feelings pushed aside her pride and duty towards her family and the North.

"It's okay. A daughter of the Speda family won't be brought down by a single defeat."

She wanted to observe more. The desire to keep this enigmatic man by her side was growing.

Unbeknownst to her, this was a form of greed, recognizing and wanting to monopolize something valuable.

"Alright. I'll prepare for him to start serving you tomorrow."

"Thank you, Father."

With desire and curiosity occupying most of her thoughts, Luciana failed to notice a tickling sensation of another kind.

Her loyalty to her family was too strong to recognize this unusual desire.

"Oh, and how are your bridal lessons going?"

"Of course. I'm working hard to be a worthy bride for the Crown Prince."

The Duke Speda nodded in satisfaction.

"Good. Our family's close ties with the royal family make this engagement significant. Don't slack in your training, but also pay attention to those lessons."

"Don't worry. I always keep it in mind."

"And one more thing. Let's move on to practical experience soon."

"Practical experience?"

"Before you come of age, you should try hunting at least once."

Traditionally, hunting was a pastime for nobility. But for the Northern nobility, it held a different significance.

For them, hunting was both a duty and a means to protect their people.

"Your sword is sharp enough to pierce the hide of most monsters. I hunted monsters at your age; you can certainly do it."

A spark lit up in Luciana's eyes.

Thoughts of bridal lessons and attendants faded from her concern.

Only the honorable duty of proving herself as a Northern noble filled her mind.

"I'll heed your command."

Today, she'd have to take care of her beloved sword, preparing it for the task ahead. That was Luciana's resolve.