Chapter 257

Clael, Reina, and Reina's three friends passed through the entrance and were guided to the party venue by an attendant boy.

The spacious venue had chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and numerous tables were arranged. On the tables were various dishes, and men and women dressed in suits and dresses were gathered around them, chatting merrily.

"Please, your welcome drink."

"You are...?"

And then... just as the group stepped into the venue, a woman approached them.

The one who smiled in welcome and handed over a glass of drink was someone Clael recognized. Not an acquaintance, but she was also a character who appeared in Beyond the Rainbow Gleam.

"Carrot Laurel..."

Clael muttered in a voice too low for others to hear.

Carrot Laurel.

In the game's story, she was referred to as the 'villainous noble lady,' an enemy character.

A daughter of the Duke Laurel family, which produced the previous Saint—not an adopted child like Reina, but one who inherited true noble blood.

Carrot admired the Saint and wanted to become one herself.

However, when the Saint appeared—Reina, who lacked noble blood and knew nothing of manners or etiquette—Carrot began to harbor jealousy and hatred.

Her ill feelings exploded when Reina caught Eric's attention.

She relentlessly tormented Reina, and near the story's climax, she even tried to take her life using monsters.

In the end, she was condemned. Due to Carrot's banishment, the Demon King was resurrected.

"Ah, Sister Carrot. It's been a while."

Yet... despite being her nemesis and a semi-final boss, Reina smiled warmly at Carrot Laurel.

It wasn't the polite social smile she had shown Eric earlier. It was a genuinely affectionate expression.

"Yes, Lady Reina. Good evening."

"Please don't use 'Lady.' Even if we're not related by blood, you are still my sister."

"You're right... Then, Reina, welcome."

Reina and Carrot began chatting peacefully.

Clael was surprised by the sight but managed to keep his expression neutral.

"Allow me to introduce you. Sister Carrot, this is Clael Byrne."

"Ah, so you are Mr. Byrne. I've heard much about you."

"Yes... Miss Carrot. You weren't in my class, were you?"

Carrot was the same age as Eric.

Though she was a student at the academy, she hadn't chosen theology or music.

"I apologize... I've been learning the subjects Mr. Byrne teaches from my private tutor. For experience, I chose other classes."

"I'm not criticizing you. Reina is always in your care, isn't she?"

While expressing his gratitude, Clael cast a probing glance at Carrot.

Originally, Carrot would have been an enemy... yet she seemed genuinely close to Reina.

It wasn't impossible that she was acting, but in the game, Carrot wasn't someone with that kind of self-restraint.

(Is it because I haven't pursued Eric's route, so she doesn't see me as an enemy... or could it be, she's also...?)

"A reincarnator?"

"Pardon? Did you say something?"

Clael muttered in Japanese, but Carrot only tilted her head in confusion. She didn't react in any particular way.

She probably wasn't a reincarnator. If she was pretending, she was quite the actress.

(If that's the case... did my education of Reina cause some kind of butterfly effect...?)

Judging by this, at least Carrot likely wouldn't bully Reina.

Nor would she be condemned and, in desperation, resurrect the Demon King.

That meant the greatest threat in this game would not appear.

"Likewise. Please continue to take care of my little sister."

Unlike her in the game, Carrot offered a gentle smile and handed Clael a glass of drink.

Welcomed by Carrot, Eric's fiancée and the host of the event, the group joined the party.

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