Treasure Hunt (6)

[The unique ability, , summons an ancient tale.]

Take 1. El Dante Border Region (Night/Outside). Count Ertinez pulls the sword that struck the monster, causing the monster's corpse to collapse.

Count Ertinez: "Is this the end of the nearby monster horde?"

Knight 1: "Yes, my lord. The city that requested aid is nearby."

Count Ertinez: "We'll move quickly."

Take 2. Sinistra Castle Gate (Night/Outside). The Count's hunting party arrives in the village. The knights are horrified as they look upon the city trampled by the monsters.

Knight 2: "Damn it, are we too late?"

Count Ertinez: "Hold for a moment! …There's a human presence."

Count Ertinez stops his horse. Immediately, sharp fragments fly through the air, and his startled horse bolts. Count Ertinez is thrown from the saddle and rolls on the ground.

Knight 1: "Who's that?!"

From the wreckage of buildings, a boy gripping a rusted sword walks out, followed by children. The Count is shocked.

Count Ertinez: "…Did you protect all of these children?"

Flap. The page turned.

Take 1. Sinistra Square (Day/Outside). Count Ertinez sends a letter containing his decision to delay his return.

Knight 1: "Are you sure it's fine to delay your return, my lord?"

Count Ertinez: "It's necessary."

Count Ertinez looks at Archbishop Butier and Sir Orlie.

Count Ertinez: "Is that child the boy hero of Sinistra?"

Sir Orlie: "Haha! Quite unexpected, isn't it? Recently, the monsters have been multiplying, and so the Goddess was forced to hire a mercenary group… And within that group, that frail little kid, guess what? He dealt with the monsters more ruthlessly than anyone else."

Count Ertinez: "His talent is remarkable."

Sir Orlie: "I agree. The poor people in the outskirts of the walls are all saved by that kid."

Count Ertinez: "He was with a mercenary group, you say?"

Sir Orlie: "Yes. The group seems to have a bad reputation, so I tried to coax that little rascal out of it, but he wouldn't leave, no matter what. Seems like he doesn't want to become a knight. Haha!"

Take 2. Sinistra Alley (Day/Outside). Count Ertinez approaches the alley.

Count Ertinez: "What's your name?"

Silence.

Count Ertinez: "It seems your comrades didn't give you a name."

Silence.

Count Ertinez: "I have sons about your age. My eldest is Ferdinand, and my second son is Leonardo. They look really similar, yet their temperaments are completely opposite, so it causes me a lot of trouble. My youngest, Celestina, is only four, but her way of handling her brothers is already extraordinary…"

As the Count sees that the boy is about to leave, he offers him bread to keep him from leaving and continues telling stories about his family.

Count Ertinez: "I've been lonely since I left home, so thank you for listening."

The page turns again with a soft rustle. This time, there is no number assigned to the scene, but through the description, it is easy to infer that it follows the previous content seamlessly.

Take 1. Sinistra Alley (Night/Outside)

Count Ertinez: "I heard the mercenary group will leave tomorrow."

Silence.

Count Ertinez: "I came to tell you that you have other options."

Silence.

Count Ertinez: "I'm not just talking about your talent. I've seen your nature in protecting people, and that's why I'm saying this. It's something anyone could try, but most fail because it's too much to bear."

Silence.

Count Ertinez: "I heard you're leaving through the south gate. My knights and I will exit through the north gate, but I hope to see you there."

Silence.

Count Ertinez: "I will wait."

Take 2. Sinistra North Gate (Day/Outside)

The sun rises over Sinistra. Count Ertinez, mounted on his horse, paces back and forth.

Knight 1 (whispering): "That kid… he's so blunt, he barely speaks."

Knight 2 (quietly): "What can we do? The Count seems to think highly of him. He even delayed his return by weeks because of that kid. Normally, he would have rushed back, thinking of his wife."

The knights chat idly while waiting.

As the sun fully rises, a smile appears on Count Ertinez' lips.

The soft sound of the page turning marks the end, its fragile sound signalling the nearing conclusion.

Take 1. Ertinez Castle (Day/Outside).

The sound of a horn announcing the return of Count Ertinez and his hunting party. Count Ertinez pats the back of the stiff child.

Count Ertinez: "It'll be alright."

The castle gates open, and the Count's three children approach.

Ferdinand: "I'm glad to see you returned safely, Father."

Leonardo: "Hello, Father. Celestina, say hello."

Celestina: "Hello."

Countess Veronica: "Leonardo, now that Celestina can walk, you don't have to carry her so much… Ah, you. I'm happy you're back."

Count Ertinez: "I missed you, my love."

The three siblings, as if accustomed, avert their gaze, then suddenly open their eyes in surprise.

Ferdinand: "Father, who is this…?"

Count Ertinez introduces the child.

Leovald: "…I am Leovald. Nice to meet you."

And the page stops.

Without turning to the next one, it just stays like that.

[Serious corruption has been detected in the script.]

At that moment, all my senses returned to reality. I had shrunk into a small period or ink stain, swimming between sentences and cutscenes, until I was once again able to see the situation in front of me.

In the dark of night, with Ferdinand holding his sword high and Leonardo, who had his arm around my shoulder, standing beside me.

Everything turned grey, and the world seemed to pause for a moment. It felt as if the writers were trying to reset the world or rewrite it with their narrative power.

[To enhance the script, we can partially utilize the previously written 'original'.]

[Would you like to apply it?]

With a sense that seemed to be driven by instinct, I accepted the suggestion.

[Extracting main keywords from the summoned 'Origin'…]

[Extracted keyword: #family]

[Which character would you like to apply this keyword to?]

The system is attempting to communicate with me in an unusually kind and gentle manner. For some reason, I have a strange conviction that, in this moment, will function as expected.

With that, I open my eyes and look at Ferdinand.

[Accessing information of the specified entity.][Viewing information.]

Rank – Minor Character (Scenario Weight 16.90%)

Role – Ferdinand, Young Count

Script – …

Dialogue – …

! Abnormal status – This entity is under the influence of a special ability, . (Caster: ■■■)

And as I inserted a word before Ferdinand's name, the information window rippled like a calm lake, and the sentence about the "abnormal status" slowly began to change into something else.

"You trust no one. Not even your family."

Was that a form of brainwashing from Sub-Writer 1 directed at Ferdinand? The situation itself seemed suspicious enough, but recalling the instant he aimed his sword at Leonardo with such unhesitating aggression, I quietly observed the change. And that sentence was deleted without hesitation.

"You trust no one. Not even your family."

[Notice: The modification has been completed.]

Then, the wind began to blow again in the still grey world.

The clouds moved, the leaves shook, and the tip of Ferdinand's sword lost its direction. Like someone just waking from a terrible nightmare, Ferdinand, clutching his head, staggered.

"What…!"

It seemed that he was just now becoming aware of the presence of those surrounding him. Then, Leonardo dashed forward.

"Duck!"

Ferdinand quickly lowered his posture, a belief without hesitation.

I helped the staggering Ferdinand and pulled him back. He blinked as if dizzy, then slumped down. I quickly checked his pulse, but to my relief, Ferdinand's pulse was strong.

He was either exhausted or simply asleep from the effects of my actions, his eyes closed as if in rest.

[Sub-writer 1: Finally found it.]

Words form in the air.

[Sub-writer 1: I was wondering where you had hidden it…]

Though the text carried no voice, an indescribable sense of joy or perhaps a similar emotion surged within me. The bright moon cast a dazzling light over my face, wet from the rain.

That solitary message, like a whispered remark, was soon followed by a light sigh, as if it were the start of something more.

[Sub-writer 1: The effort put into preparing all of this is admirable, but─]

And then.

['Sub-writer 1' Roll-back Request: Reverting to a certain section.]

[Reason for Request: Unusual behaviour of a character.]

Like a lie, such a message appeared.

[Sub-writer 1: Now that I know where the ledger is, it would be cleaner to discard this scenario. Don't you think so?]

It was as if it knew that I could read the message now. It casually spoke to me.

[Sub-writer 1: The newly written scene will be cleaner and more pleasant to look at. I promise.]

A voting meeting for the rollback has been held.