The Protagonist’s Party is Too Diligent – 94
EP.94 A Woman with a Story (4)
“Hah, seriously.”
There were few people on the terrace. No, to be precise, it seemed deliberately arranged that way. Unlike the casino below, which had no windows, just two floors up, I found a grand ballroom lined with large windows. The building extended several more stories above us—probably leading up to the hotel section. Though the Northwood Castle, where the academy students stayed, held an almost immeasurable value, I suspected that even if they charged guests, it would fetch a lower rate than this extravagant venue.
“You know, as a truly devout follower of the Goddess, I can tolerate a little touching, but going all the way? No way. Should I strip here just to show you?”
She playfully drew the terrace curtain closed and spoke in a teasing tone.
From here, I could see other terraces where men and women were engaging in such acts. Mostly, it was just people sitting on laps and groping each other.
Maybe this terrace was meant as a… staging area, before things got more intense.
Though the area was open, the distance between terraces was quite far, and while there was light coming up from below, it was high enough that identifying faces from a distance would be difficult.
“……”
Without responding, I walked over to the guest sofa and took a seat, crossing my legs. Then, I gave her a steady, unwavering stare as she flirtatiously tucked her hand beside her chest.
“……”
“……”
“W-what? You actually want me to strip?”
She asked, flustered by my silent stare.
“If that service comes included with the 30 pounds I paid.”
When I said that, she hesitated for a moment before flashing a bold smile.
“Didn’t expect Her Highness to have such… tastes.”
“If you can’t do that, then consider it a payment for information.”
“So… you came here knowing where I’m from?”
“Of course. Lady Veratti.”
At my words, her face hardened.
“I came here to find out why Lady Chiara Verratti is here in such a place.”
“And you didn’t already know?”
“To be precise, I’m here to confirm what I already suspect.”
“So, you came here fully informed, then?”
With a resigned expression, Chiara Verratti dropped her hand, which had been inching toward her clothing, letting it fall to her side.
“The Vatican had a reason for telling me to be careful, I guess.”
“Even if you’d exercised caution, it wouldn’t have hidden the truth from me.”
At my words, Chiara Verratti shrugged.
“Well, if you say so.”
She looked around briefly before returning her gaze to me.
“But if you think this pocket change will buy you any real secrets…”
“I know. But you don’t need to worry—the ‘classified information’ your people think they’re guarding is already in my mind. Once again, that payment was just to confirm details.”
“So you’re saying you’re fine with spilling whatever you know?”
Chiara Verratti asked, looking both incredulous and suspicious. I held my gaze steady, unchanging.
Of course.
After all, I planned to confirm what I needed and then reset time.
“If necessary, I could even share some information myself.”
“You’re proposing an exchange of information? You, with me?”
She asked, her surprise evident.
“Does that seem strange?”
“Of course it does. Considering your attitude at last year’s event.”
She replied, raising a brow.
Was she there?
Well, it wouldn’t be surprising if she was. She could have been one of the nuns that accompanied the Cardinal. Back then, I hadn’t even spared a second thought.
“I’m just acting in the Empire’s best interest right now. At that time, I thought forming alliances outside the Empire would harm it. There were no personal feelings involved.”
The truth was, personal feelings had driven that decision, but there was no need to tell that to this Templar Knight.
“And if I do give up my information, what exactly would you give me in return? Just so you know, this check…”
Chiara Verratti withdrew the check from between her fingers, letting it dangle for a moment.
“…are worth less than a handful compared to the entire Papal State—”
“I will tell you the contents of the Book of Prophecy the Empire possesses.”
I replied calmly.
Her words stopped.
The Book of Prophecy was one of the treasures the Papal State coveted. They hadn’t done anything because they had no way to retrieve the book from the deepest part of the Imperial Palace, but if they had a way, they would have forcibly taken it. They believed that all treasures left by the Goddess should be managed by her successors, the fanatics. And the prophecy book’s value lay in its contents, not the book itself. Chiara Verratti, standing before me, knew this well.
“…If you’re lying…”
“Then everything I say from now on will be worthless to the Papal State. It will be less valuable than the 30-pound check in your hand.”
“……”
Despite downplaying the value of the money, she’d led me all the way here for a reason. It would’ve looked strange for a bunny girl to turn down such a large sum. Perhaps she was thinking of her options—whether she might cross a line or simply keep me entertained for now. Either way, she knew I was a princess and had decided it was worth talking.
“Fine.”
After a long, conflicted silence, Chiara Verratti spoke, taking a seat. The terrace seating wasn’t meant for facing each other directly. The chairs curved in a semicircle around the terrace edge, so she sat at the far end, a comfortable distance from me. It was close enough to observe each other’s expressions clearly, though. Though it was a stark scene without a drink, I didn’t feel like getting friendly, so I began to speak.
“First, let’s talk about your identity. Your name is Chiara Verratti. A nun of the Saint Antonio Monastery and one of the four Templar Knights, armed with the sacred spear. You’ve come here to ‘reclaim’ a relic from the ruins of Northwood. Is that correct?”
“The Empire knows about the relic?”
“At least, I know.”
I replied.
If there had been tea on the table, I would have taken a slow sip.
“It’s a fragment of an ancient weapon. Located not far from where this casino now stands. Am I wrong?”
From ages long before this world had taken its current shape, a civilization had existed in the world before everything collapsed. Out of all its structures and artifacts, only a select few had survived the great upheaval intact. The Papal State labeled these places and items as ruins and relics, stirring up interest as “divine treasures” and investigating them in secret wherever they could. To avoid discovery, they often shifted blame for their actions onto others—sometimes bandits, other times a sudden monster attack, an unlucky natural disaster, or occasionally, a so-called “warlord.”
“……”
There was no verbal answer, but I knew beyond a doubt that the events unfolding here were closely aligned with the main story.
“If you won’t answer, then there’s no prophecy.”
“…Fine.”
Chiara Verratti spoke through gritted teeth.
In truth, there was no reason for her to be so angry. The moment I displayed my knowledge of their plans, the Papal State’s entire scheme had already begun to unravel, and any chance of success had all but vanished. Rather than denying the inevitable, accepting it and gaining something in return would be a wiser choice.
In that sense, my offer was indeed a generous one.
“Impressive. Truly fitting for the next Empress of the Empire.”
“I’m not the next Emperor.”
Though her tone wasn’t mocking, I corrected her admiring words.
“So, you left that other princess trailing after us? Because the next Emperor you’ll serve has to know the full story?”
She gave me a knowing look.
…Someone else following us?
“Are you trying to mess with me?”
When I didn’t respond, Chiara Verratti’s irritation was evident. She stood up, strode to the terrace entrance, and pulled back the curtain before I could stop her.
“…Ah.”
I could see them clearly now, the group behind the curtain. Claire, dressed lightly like me, and Leo, seemingly following Claire, and in front of them…
Alice.
Alice in a sky-blue bunny girl outfit.
“……”
Alice and I locked eyes silently.
Alice should have been shocked by the prophecy and other things I mentioned, but… she looked far more embarrassed about being seen by me in such a revealing outfit.
I sighed deeply, realizing what I had to do.
Again.