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I Killed an Academy Player Chapter 264: Side Story – The Agony of a Playboy (4)

Chapter 264: Side Story – The Agony of a Playboy (4)

When⁠ the truth about‍‌‍ Korin’s precepts became⁠⁠​ known, the girls⁠‍ fell into silence.‌‌

“W-Wait…‍​ something like that⁠‍ exists? Is it‌‍ really possible?”

Marie‍ doubted the existence‌ of the precepts.‌​

Of‍ course, it was⁠​‌ mostly out of​⁠ pure disbelief when​‌‍ she said it.‍

Fundamentally,⁠ Marie Dunareff is⁠ the kind of‌ person who believes⁠ in anything Korin⁠⁠⁠ Locke says.

Because‌​ she trusted the⁠ integrity of the‌‍⁠ person named Korin‌ more than anyone‌⁠ else.

“A‌ percept….”

Hwaran,​ Estelle, and Miriam​‍ were also equally​ embarrassed.

But‌⁠ after witnessing him‌​ vomit blood, there⁠‍‍ was no room​‍ for doubt.

Because​​ everyone has witnessed​‌‍ a powerful man​‌‍ driven to the⁠⁠ brink of death‍​​ just by causing​⁠‍ someone else’s ‘misfortune’‍ without any magical⁠ or physical interference.‌

“It⁠​ is possible. The​⁠ precepts are a…⁠ very old, ancient‌⁠ magic.”

Erin,‌ who lived through‍‍‍ the Age of‌‌‍ the Gods, confirmed‍ it decisively.

“It​ is a magic‌‌ passed down since⁠‍‍ the distant ages‍‍⁠ of the gods.​‍ A code of​​ conduct for warriors‌ who impose obligations​⁠‌ on themselves and⁠ keep their oaths.​​ It’s a force​ that even the‍​‌ gods themselves could‍⁠ not interfere with.”‍​

Erin​ then talked about⁠ what the precepts‍ were, how powerful⁠​‍ they were, and⁠​ the price for​​⁠ breaking them.

“I‌ see… Korin-dongsaeng’s growth⁠‍​ rate really was‌ at an unbelievable‌‌ rate.”

“…”‌⁠⁠

Estelle‍‌‌ was once again‍‌​ impressed by Korin,‍​​ who risked his⁠‍‌ life to save‍⁠ the world, while⁠ Miriam remained silent.‌

Marie​⁠ and Hwaran, too,​ realized what the​‌ first precept meant,⁠ and their faces​⁠​ turned pale.

It‍‍ wasn’t hard to⁠‌ figure out if‌⁠ you thought for​ just a moment.‍

For‌ Marie, Alicia, Hwaran,​⁠‍ Estelle, and Erin…‌‍ Korin had always​‌ thrown himself into​‍ danger without hesitation⁠‍ to protect those​‍⁠ around him.

Back​‍⁠ when he had⁠‌ nothing, he fought​​ a top-class vampire‌ armed with nothing⁠‍‌ but a spear,⁠⁠ and battled a rampaging demon until‍‍ his body was‍‍ a shredded mess.​

And‍⁠‍ at the end,​​‌ the path to⁠ saving the world​⁠​ had opened up,⁠⁠⁠ and he saved​​‍ the world.

His⁠⁠ determination to lose​⁠ no one, his​⁠ willingness to walk‌​​ into suffering, this‍⁠‍ was the Korin⁠‍‍ Locke they knew.‍

“I​ need… some time‍​ to think.”

The‌‌‍ girls had a moment of hesitation​‌‌ before the absurd‌ plan of a harem.

* * * *

Marie‌‌‍ is a beloved‍‍​ girl.

From⁠‍ a young age,‍‍ she was showered‍ with excessive love‌⁠‍ and attention from‍‌⁠ her parents, and‍ her naturally gentle​ personality was well-liked‌ by her peers,​‍⁠ siblings, and servants⁠​ alike.

As⁠‌ the eldest of⁠‌ seven siblings, the‍ fact that she‌​ had never once‍​ fought with them​​ or become the​ target of jealousy​ showed just how‌‌ deeply loved she⁠​ was.

A girl who grew⁠‌ up receiving lots⁠‌‍ of love also​‌ gave love to‌⁠ those around her.‌⁠‌

But⁠⁠ the love she‌​‍ had received and⁠‍⁠ the love she‍ now felt were⁠⁠ completely different in‌​​ kind.

Her⁠‍‍ first love.

She‌‌ had harbored this‍ sweet, innocent feeling‍ for a very‌‌ long time.

She​‌⁠ knew it was‍⁠ a different kind​ of love. But‍ for someone like​‌ Marie, who was​ used to receiving⁠‍‍ just as much‌ affection in return,‍‍ her relationship with‌⁠‌ Korin Locke was‌‍‍ truly an unfamiliar‍⁠ one.

She‍‍‌ could do anything‌‍ for the one​‌ she loved.

Wealth,⁠ power, strength… she‌⁠​ would give everything‌ she had to‌‍‍ support and bring‌​‌ joy to the​‍ one she loved.⁠

But⁠‌ perhaps, precisely because​ of that, she⁠ hoped, no, expected,⁠ that he would‍ give everything of⁠ himself in return.⁠​

Was‌​ that being too​‌ greedy?

“Idiot…”‍‍‌

Even​​‍ the plan of‍‌‍ waiting a hundred‍ years of waiting​⁠ to make him‌ hers forever.

That⁠‍ wasn’t a valid​ option anymore..

Even⁠ if he chose​​‌ someone else, the‌ seeds of misfortune⁠​ he would plant⁠ in doing so‌ might be enough​ to kill him.​​​

“I‌​ hate you, Korin…”‍​

She‌​‍ voiced her resentment⁠ aloud. She hated⁠​⁠ that Korin couldn’t‍ love only her.⁠

And⁠​​ yet──

She‌‌‌ loved him.

She‌ loved Korin Locke.‍​‍

Marie⁠ Dunareff was deeply,‌ and ever so‌​ helplessly, in love.⁠​​

* * * *

The​ cathedral is quiet‍ on weekdays.

As‍⁠ it was originally‌‌‍ built as a cathedral for academy‌​⁠ students, only a select few who⁠ were on the⁠ path to priesthood⁠​​ were allowed to​ enter on weekdays.‌

“…..”‌‍

“…..”​

Inside​ the chapel, seated⁠‌ among the rows‌ of tightly packed​ wooden pews, Hwa⁠⁠ and Ran sat⁠ in silence.

The⁠‌​ two had come‍‌⁠ here specifically to‌‍⁠ avoid running into⁠ the other girls.⁠

They‌​ didn’t want to⁠ show weakness in​ front of their‌ rivals, who were‌​⁠ their enemies in⁠ love.

‘What⁠​ should we do?’‌‍

Ran‌‍‌ spoke, taking the‍⁠ initiative for the⁠ ever-silent Hwa.

“….I‌⁠‌ don’t know.”

Neither⁠‌⁠ of them had⁠ ever imagined being​⁠‌ in such a situation.

The​‍ love and affection⁠⁠ that these two⁠⁠‌ had were pure‌ to an extreme.⁠‍

They​‍ loved Korin, they‌ felt warm when‌‌ they were with​‌ him, they felt‌​‍ good whenever he⁠‍‌ touched them, and‌ they wanted to​ bring him joy.⁠

That⁠‌ pure affection had⁠ blossomed into love,‍ which evolved into⁠ a deeper, more‍‍‌ primal desire to‍‍ possess.

They‍ wished he would⁠​ touch ‘only them’.‍‌⁠

They​‌ wished he would‍ look ‘only at⁠‌‌ them’.

They​‌‍ wished he were​‌⁠ ‘only by their⁠ side.’

‘Maybe,‌ this is for‌ the best.’

“…what‍‌ is?”

Ran’s‍⁠‍ voice was sharp‍‌ at first, but‌‌‍ then she whispered‌⁠ softly.

‘If‍ we’re all together…​‍​ at least I don’t have to‍ worry about losing​ him.’

“…….”‌⁠

From‍ some point on,​⁠ they’d become wary⁠ of the other​ girls’ gazes, of‍‌ the ones who‌‍ looked at Korin‍‍ the way they‌‌​ did.

They‌‌‌ were afraid.

Afraid‌‍ he might be​‍‌ taken.

Afraid‍ their warmth would‌ be stolen.

That⁠ fear had once‌​ driven them to‍ try for a child first.

But⁠⁠‌ now they knew⁠⁠⁠ it wasn’t so​‌‍ easy to bear⁠​ a child.

If‍‍ they couldn’t be‌‌⁠ first, what were​‍⁠ they supposed to​ do?

“I⁠‌ still hate it.”‍​‍

‘Yeah…‍ me too.’

“Korin,⁠‌​ you idiot.”

‘You’re​⁠‌ an idiot, oppa.’‍‍​

They‍‌ hated that things‌‍ had come to‍ this.

“I‌ like him.”

‘I​⁠​ like him too.’‍‌

They​⁠ didn’t want to‌‍‍ be apart.

They‍⁠ wanted to feel​‌ that warmth forever.​

To‍ these two girls,‍⁠‌ Korin Locke had​ become someone they⁠‍​ simply could not​ live without.

* * * *

Estelle‍‍ has no doubt​⁠ that she was‍‍ someone special.

She⁠ was a gifted⁠ being from birth;⁠​‌ a child of‌⁠ God with a destined path ahead‌ of her.

Even​‌ though her faith​‌‌ became twisted over​⁠ time, Estelle’s strong⁠‍⁠ sense of self‍⁠ didn’t collapse.

In⁠⁠ fact, you could​‍⁠ say it rebounded⁠​ even stronger.

‘If‍ the Lord is​⁠ a fabricated lie,⁠​⁠ then why can’t⁠⁠ I become a god?’

That⁠‍ was why she​‌​ made it her‌⁠ goal.

To‍‌ become the most⁠⁠ revered figure in⁠ the land. To​​‌ become the goddess⁠‍ of the earth,​ embracing all things‌‍ like a mother.⁠⁠⁠

She,‍⁠ who had once​​ been content with‌⁠ her status as‍​⁠ a saintess and‍ princess, began to​‍‍ dream a wild‌‌ ambition.

‘But​‍ this wasn’t just‌ for me.’

The‍‍‍ root of that‍‍ ambition, the trigger‍ for all her‍​ actions, was for‍ a single man.​​‌

The⁠ one who wielded⁠⁠ the power of‍ the sun, and​‍‍ the rightful heir⁠‍​ to the divine‍‍ seat (though he⁠​⁠ didn’t acknowledge it).​​

A kind, gentle, and⁠ just man, like​‌ a hero from‍ a fairytale.

Her‌‍ cute little brother,​⁠ who reacted with‌ terror to her‌⁠⁠ voice whispering in⁠​ his ear, was‌ the new god‌ who could lead‌⁠ the true faith.​‍

The​ perfect sun god‍‍‍ to stand beside​‍ the earth goddess‌‍‌ she aspired to​​ become.

‘No,⁠⁠ that’s not it,‍‌‍ that came later.’‍‌

Actually,​‍ even before that…​‍⁠ from the time‌⁠‍ when he had‍⁠‌ first saved her,‍⁠​ when she’d first​‍⁠ teased him playfully,​ Estelle had started‌ falling in love.‍​

She⁠​‍ thought that Korin‍ was admirable for‍⁠​ his unwavering justice​​‌ and his willingness⁠‍ to walk the‍‌ path of hardship‌‍‌ to save others.⁠⁠

Estelle​​‍ simply wanted to⁠‌ cherish this love‍ for a long,⁠ long time. Becoming‌‍ a goddess seemed‍⁠⁠ like a convenient​⁠‌ bonus, really.

‘I​⁠ would give up​​ my position as‍ a Goddess of‌‌​ the Earth to​‌‌ be with him.’‌

If⁠ he loved only‌‍‌ her, and if​‍⁠ he would also​‌ accept her poor,‍‍‌ pitiful little sister‍ as a bonus…⁠​‌ then even a brief human life⁠ would be enough.‌⁠⁠

“Ha….”‌‌‌

Estelle‌ sighed heavily. And‍ then, a thought⁠‍ struck her.

What​‍‍ if she were‍⁠⁠ her sister?

What‌‍ would she do‌‌ if she were​‌ the most selfish,‍​⁠ cold-hearted person?

She‍⁠ stepped out of​ her room and‌‌⁠ walked down the⁠ dormitory corridor.

It‍⁠ was late, so‌ her sister should‌ be in her‌‌ room right now.​

Tonight,​‍​ she thought, it⁠​‍ might be good​ to spend the‌ night together and⁠​‍ talk things out.‍‌

Knock⁠​‌ knock

“Mir?​‍‍ You there?”

..No‌‍‌ response.

Estelle​‍‌ tilted her head⁠⁠ and knocked again.‍​ Still no reply.​

“Huh?”‍

It​ was almost midnight,‌ so Estelle knew‍⁠ her sister wouldn’t‌ be out at⁠⁠ this hour.

The‌‍ life of royalty⁠‍‍ is more repetitive⁠⁠ than most thought,⁠⁠ and tonight was‌ no different.

“Wait⁠‍‍ a minute…”

A sudden, ominous thought​ flashed across her​ mind.

And⁠‌​ it took less‍‌ than a second‌​⁠ for her to​ say it aloud:⁠‌

“She‌⁠​ beat me to‌‍ it?!”

She⁠‌ had let her‌ guard down.

Among⁠⁠ all the women⁠ in love with‌⁠ Korin, the most‍‌⁠ decisive and bold⁠​ of them all​ was that snake​‍ of a princess!​‌

* * * *

“Déjà​ vu…”

When‌‌‌ I opened my‍‍​ eyes, I found⁠ myself tied up.​‍⁠

And,⁠‍ as if it‌‌ were the most⁠‌​ natural thing in‌ the world, there⁠‍‌ sat Mir on‍‌ top of him,‍ dressed in a red, semi-transparent lingerie.​‌

“You’re⁠ awake, my husband?‌ I laced your​​ food with a sleeping drug strong‌⁠‌ enough to knock‌ out a troll⁠​ for a day.”‍⁠

“P-Princess​‍ Mir…”

Mir⁠‌ silenced me with⁠⁠​ a pale finger⁠⁠ on my lips.​

Though⁠‍ her finger was‌ half the size‌⁠⁠ of mine, it​ felt like iron,​ holding my mouth⁠ shut.

“I⁠‌​ gave it some‌ thought.”

With‍‌​ a satisfied smile,⁠​ she looked down‌ at the speechless⁠​‍ Korin.

“I​ really hate sharing​‍‍ what’s mine. That’s⁠‌ why I beat‍ that gay friend​ of yours to‍‍ the punch.”

“…Sihoo?”⁠‍⁠

“Yup.”‌⁠

“W-Wait,‌ you knew?!”

Mir⁠ knew that Park​​ Si-hoo liked me?!‍‌​

Mir​​‌ gave me a look like I’d​ just asked the‍ dumbest question in‍‌ the world.

“You​ can tell just⁠‍ by the way‍​ he looks at​ you. Of course,​‍⁠ I knew it‌ could never happen​‌ since your sexual​‌‌ preferences are painfully‌‍ straight.”

If‌ Sihoo had Korin’s‌⁠⁠ strength, he’d probably‍‍‌ have jumped him​‌⁠ eventually.

And⁠ honestly… she was‌‍ probably right, which​ was terrifying.

Though,‍‌‌ let’s set aside‌‌ the fact that​‍ Sihoo’s actually a girl.

“I‌‌‍ monopolized you before,‌ but I don’t⁠ think I can‍​ this time, you​​‌ flirtatious husband.”

“S-Sorry…”‌‌

“I‌ probably would not​⁠‍ even be included​ as part of‍‌‌ your precepts, right?”‌‌

“…..”‌‍

I couldn’t even open​​ my mouth to‍ speak. How did‍ she realize that?‌

Mir⁠⁠‍ chuckled bitterly.

“Of‍​ course not. I’m‍ the villainess who⁠ tried to wipe​‌​ out an entire⁠ city for revenge.‍‌ There’s no way⁠ I’m considered a ‘good person’.”

Yeah,‌ that’s right. While⁠⁠⁠ the other girls‍‍‍ were tied to​‍ quests, Mir wasn’t.‍⁠

That‍‌‌ was because I didn’t perceive her⁠⁠‍ as a good⁠‌​ person.

She⁠⁠‍ was a villainess.‌ Someone who’d shed‌​ blood for her​‌⁠ goals.

“Which⁠ is why this​ isn’t the time‍​ to pick and‌‍ choose, right?”

“Still,⁠ that doesn’t mean….”‌

“Accept‍‍⁠ it, husband. You⁠​​ need to build⁠​​ a harem anyway,⁠‍​ don’t you?”

Yes,‌ even if it’s​​ to carry out​ my precepts… even​⁠ to avoid making⁠⁠⁠ those left behind‌ unhappy… even if‍⁠ it’s for my​ own survival…

“I’m‍ just the first‍​ one, that’s all.”‍

Her​‌‍ hand slid towards‍ my shirt buttons.‌ Actually, I could’ve‍ broken free a long time ago…​ But should I just go along‌‍ with it?

“Hehe…‌‍⁠ you’re enjoying this,⁠ aren’t you? You’re‌​ acting like a victim, but deep⁠ down you love⁠​ it.”

“I‍‌ won’t deny it.”‌

Honestly,⁠ I was kind​ of grateful. Maybe​‍​ that’s why we‍⁠‍ were such a good match in⁠‌ the previous timeline.‍

“Then…”⁠‍

Just‌⁠​ as Mir’s finger⁠​ slipped under my‌ shirt button—

BANG!‌

A pink-haired saintess burst​ through the door.​

Honestly,‌‍ I had heard⁠​‌ the clatter of‌‍ her running for​‍‍ about ten seconds​‍‌ now, so it‌⁠ wasn’t a surprise.‌‌​

But⁠‌‌ still…

“Why⁠⁠ is the timing‌ like this….”

“Tch…”​⁠

Mir⁠⁠ clicked her tongue​​ while Estelle’s eyes​​⁠ burned with fury‍‌‌ towards her.

“My‌​⁠ sweet little sister~‍ What exactly are⁠ you doing in‌‌⁠ here?”

“You’ve⁠​ always had terrible‌ timing, you know?”‌

“Oh,‍⁠ I know~ I just always choose‍⁠ the timing that‌‌‍ bothers you most.”‌⁠

Sparks⁠‌ flew between them.‍‌‌

Estelle​⁠ walked up and⁠​​ glared at the​ barely-dressed Mir sitting‌⁠⁠ on top of‍ me.

“Do​ you even realize⁠‍⁠ that you’re a princess?”

“I​ simply made the​⁠​ logical choice.”

“What??”‍⁠

“The⁠​ harem is inevitable,​‍‌ you saw what‌​ happens if he‍​ doesn’t form one.”‌

“That’s…”‍

“So,‍‌ shouldn’t we get‌‌⁠ ahead of the​⁠ others?”

“Y-You…!”‌‌⁠

Estelle​​‍ turned red and​‍​ gasped for breath‍⁠​ at Mir’s outrageous‌ words.

And⁠‍​ it wasn’t just‌‍ Estelle who came​⁠ running into my‍​⁠ room.

“Korin!”⁠​‌

“Mr.⁠‌ Korin!”

“Oppa?”⁠⁠

They⁠ started to gather‌ one by one‍‌‍ due to the​ commotion, and I was starting to⁠⁠‍ get a little​ scared that Ren‌⁠ and Ron would​‌ come too. This​‌⁠ wouldn’t be good⁠‍​ for their education…​

“Student‍‌​ Korin······.”

Even⁠ Josephine arrived. Quickly‌⁠​ assessing the situation,‌ she then opened‍‌ a portal and‌‌ brought in Master‌​ Erin.

“Huh…​ Clara? What happened⁠ all of a sudden… oh my!”‍

The‍ sight of a tied-up Korin and​ a barely-dressed Mir​ startled Erin wide‌ awake.

“In‌​‍ my own defense…⁠⁠⁠ I didn’t do‌ it.”

Isn’t‌‌‌ twice enough for‍​‍ sex without any​⁠‍ pleasure? I mean,‌ yeah, there was‍⁠ some pleasure… there⁠⁠​ was! But still,​​‌ I wanna enjoy‌ it sober for​‌ once… Like, that’s‍​‌ a totally normal‌‌​ desire, right? Not​‌⁠ wanting to be​ drugged into sex⁠ is a normal⁠​‌ desire, right??

“Well,‌ now that everyone’s⁠ here, let me,⁠ Miriam Elizabeth el‌​ Ras, make my‍ official statement.”

Mir​‌ untied my bonds,​ stood me up‌‍ beside her, embracing‌ me so tightly​‍​ her skin pressed‌⁠ against mine as‍​‍ she declared proudly.⁠⁠‍

“I⁠ don’t care if‌‍‌ Lord Korin has⁠​ multiple wives. As‍‌​ the main wife,‌ I’ll graciously accept⁠​ concubines.”

“Huh?”⁠

“What​‍ did you say…?”⁠

“Main‌ wife?”

“Concubines?!”⁠

Did‍ you really have⁠‍ to set fire‍⁠‍ to this situation​‌ right now?

············⁠

·········‍‍

······⁠‌‍

Morning‌​‍ came.

With⁠‌​ the intense debate​‍​ over who would‍⁠ be the main‍‌ wife still unresolved,⁠ the group continued⁠ on.

“There’s⁠‌ no such thing!‌‍ What do you‍ mean, main wife‌ and concubines?!”

“Mmm~‍⁠​ But wouldn’t it‍ be better to⁠​ have a hierarchy,‌⁠ right, Korin-dongsaeng?”

“Alicia,‌‌‌ whose side are‍⁠‌ you even on?!”‌‌​

“On‌​ the main wife’s,⁠​​ of course.”

…You’re​‍‌ not even thinking⁠ about becoming the⁠‍ main wife yourself?​

“It⁠‌ just feels more​ thrilling this way…”⁠‌‍

“Be‌‍ quiet! I don’t‌⁠‍ want to hear‌‍ about your tainted​‍‌ views on marriage!”​

Ever​⁠ since going to⁠‌​ Findias to get‍ Clau Solas, Alicia’s‍ brain had definitely​​‌ been scrambled.

“Anyway…‌‌⁠ who’s spending the​‍⁠ first night with⁠ him?”

“Princess‌‌​ Mir, please put‌‍ down the shutters…⁠ Before that, we⁠ should take care‍‍‍ of something else‌‌ first.”

“Something​‌ else?”

“We‍ need to get‌‌​ permission from all‌⁠ your parents first.”⁠‍

“…..”​⁠

“…..”‍⁠

Everyone‍​​ stared at me‍⁠ with a cold​⁠‍ gaze. What is⁠⁠ this? Did I say something wrong?‌⁠⁠

“You’re​‍⁠ weirdly responsible sometimes.”‌‍

Estelle‌‌‍ sighed. Marie spoke‌‌ up cautiously.

“Won’t​⁠ it be… hard,‍ Korin?”

“Probably.”‌‍‍

In‍‍​ the worst-case scenario,‌‌‌ I might have‍ to reveal the‌‍‍ precept to gain​‌ their approval, but​​ I’d really prefer​ not to.

Just‌​ as the precepts‌‌‌ gave me immense​ power, they were‌‍‌ also a source‍⁠⁠ of my greatest​​ weakness.

“First,⁠⁠​ we’ll persuade my​ fathers and mothers-in-law.”‍​

My‍⁠ own parents would‍‌ come last.

Wouldn’t​‍⁠ that be how‌⁠⁠ a proper marriage​ would go?

‘Though​‌​ the moment I started talking about​ forming a harem‌ was the moment​ any idea of​‌​ a ‘proper’ marriage⁠‍‌ went out the⁠​‍ window…’

“The‍⁠‍ Playboy’s Agony” Complete‌‌‌

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