It was very nosy in the mansion for some reason, when I asked why they had said Harold had come. But if that all it was then, it wouldn’t make the mansion this nosy.

But the problem was that Father and Brother was not here when Harold had come to visit.

I was told by Kiryuu that an urgent matter had come up and they had to take care of it fast. Erika when thinking why Harold had a uneasy feeling.

“Where is Harold-Sama”

“He is currently in the guest room”

“Thank you, Kiryuu”

After Kiryuu had left her Room, Erika quickly got up and got out of her room.

Being always avoided, always treated with a cold att.i.tude, those type of things now did not bother Erika, she not weak anymore, she had grown stronger and wanted to become even stronger to continue being beside Harold.

In front of the guest room, Erika first sit down in a formal stature and open the door to the guest room saying,

“Excuse Me” (Erika)

Like always a cold att.i.tude but it maybe I was ignored, as expected, as Kiryuu said, he will say some very harsh words to you, but Erika expression showed that she would not back down now. But to Erika surprise, Harold reply to her was to enter the room. As I had permission to enter and opened the door and entered the room.

“It has been a long time, Harold-sama”

Erika did a formal bow before Harold, but Harold just sighed and said

“What kind of plan do you have against someone like me”

Harold, without a doubt in his mind was sure Erika hated him and since his plan was for Erika to hate him. Thus he is sure that Erika would not visit him just because she heard he was at her mansion.

Erika also was sure without a doubt that Harold hated her and thus had choose her word quite carefully since the possibility of being kicked was close to 90%.

” I have absolutely no intention of bothering you, We do not always do things with intentions.”(Erika)

” Then for what reason have you come here.”(Harold)

“Harold is my fiancee and very important guest to the Sumeargi Household, since my parents are not home at the moment I am required to keep you company until they have returned.” (Erika)

“Uneeded, I do not want to your company when I am here” (Harold)

Although she was denied Immediately, Erika does not falter. Though he was her fiancee and they were both connected by Sumeragi Household, She still needed to lay sensible reasons and use them to her advantage.

” I am sorry but due to the sudden visit, we are unable to do the proper preparations for the moment. But as a representative of the house of Sumeragi it is my duty to keep the guest company until the preparations are done, please forgave us and we thank you for your understanding” (Erika)

“……..”

Seeing that Erika has no intentions of moving from the room, Harold spoke no longer. He knows that it is also his fault for coming without any notice thus decided to be patient. Erika seeing that she has received his acknowledgement of being permitted to stay in the room, Starts the fireplace and begins to boil some water in a iron pot.

Harold stayed silent and did not even look at Erika. Erika looking at Harold every now and then saw that he was somewhat different, His sour look was still on his face but the atmosphere of intimidation was weak or not there at all. Harold is a person who has not shown weakness once in front of her thus why start now wondered Erika.

If someone saw Harold right now they would think he was no different than before but Erika who had seen him cry, harsh and cold towards her knew that he was different. Harold put on a arrogant behaviour as cover to hide that he is always alone thus was the reason Erika wanted to be his support.

“Here” (Erika)

As Erika was conducting the traditional tea ceremony, Harold was thinking very deeply and watching her without any intention of disturbing her process. As Erika pa.s.sed Harold the tea he spoke.

” You, how is your situation, is everything going well” (Harold)

Harold asks in a very low voice, Harold is still not looking at Erika but she indeed hear the question that was asked of her.

It was a question that was quite the opposite of Harold, he was the type of person that would not care about other people situation or pays any attention other than the future plans.

Maybe this was question to his opponent or to himself but to ask this question might mean that he right now feels very cornered and chased right now. This worried Erika a bit but she answered without reserve.

“I am very satisfied with the environment I have been granted, I have absolutely no dissatisfaction to being born as the only child of household” (Erika)

Depending on the reply, it may give Harold some relief. Erika did not know why she was being asked this but he is clearly has something he is worrying about. Erika who was sympathising with such feeling hoped to give some salvation to Harold.

But Erika thought she did not want to see Harold like this, Harold was better suited to be always proud and overbearing, who carried himself though so much.

She felt an anger within when seeing Harold like this but she was ashamed that she could suppress such as thought. If I could give him support right here than I could never hope to become his true support when it is truly needed.

That’s why Erika chose to forsake herself, If she can help Harold get back on his feet and keep him moving forwards. That’s why she considered unnecessary kindness would have the opposite effect right now.

“Say the truth, I cannot imagine the pain of someone who would have to go through a marriage with a person they did not love or even care for”

Erika thought, rather one of the main reason she was very satisfied with being born in this household was meeting Harold, and having him as his fiancee. But no matter what happens, she promised she would not say this aloud.

” I was born as a child of this Household, being raised in this loving environment and being loved by both my family and the servants. I am able to make any sacrifice to help my family” (Erika)

This was Erika’s lie within a lie, Even if Harold was worse than the Harold she knew before, she would still marry that person if it will save her family and the people of her domain.

But Harold had crushed this resolve of hers in a good way, Harold who was planning on dissolving his engagement with her asking this was quite ironic.

” But are you not also someone who has to marry someone he does not love or care for, I am not that dense as to not realise when she is being hated or is treated coldly”(Erika)

Hearing Erika answer his questions with such resolve and pa.s.sion, Harold says in a very low voice.

” …Then why are you able to stay smiling even though you have such a hard reality.”(Harold)

It is for you.

I wanted to scream this truth out aloud,

I was always attracted to the life of protecting the things that matter even if you have to gave your life in the process without hesitation.

I was fascinated by Harold who was strong and unwavering, and thus before I knew it I fell in love with you.

That why I wanted to say that you being in such a weak state does not fit you, especially as a person who loves you wholeheartedly and wants you to always stay strong and brave.

This was a mix of love and admiration which Erika suppressed as any further, she would say unnecessary words.

But I could not do that, it would increase his worries even further and deepen his troubles. I try to say something that would change the topic and cheer him up.

” I think Harold-sama power is quite wonderful, to not feel envy or jealously towards such power would all be lies.” (Erika)

I suddenly change the topic to his strength, which when mentioned, Harold showed both an expression of disgust and delight. It was quite the expression but very soon it returns to his normal sour look.

“Ha ha, I see that you are flirting with me now.”(Harold)

“It is just a feeling of admiration, Harold-sama power and skill is truly something anyone including is envious of” (Erika)

Not just having power and skill, but also knowledge and intuition, knowledge that has slowed down the plague significantly and LP farming method. Intuition that looks into other future and predicts the right actions to take.

Every time I think of this, I remember my father’s words

“Harold-kun is excellent, but he is too excellent, a power without rival will lead the one to a lonesome road” (Tasaku)

That’s why Erika hoped she could become someone who is always beside Harold, someone who could provide to support to him.

TLnote: So she wants to become a cleric like in the game

That’s why she was envious of his strength, as she is fully aware at her current self, she would be a burden.

“However, no matter the human, they will all reach a limit.” (Erika)

“…..” (Harold)

“Just because you can do it by yourself does not mean you have to do it yourself, Having someone support you or relying on someone can ease some pains.” (Erika)

Harold, himself is able to do many things, this may why he does not want to rely on people but this may also have happened because there was no one to rely on. At the end of such a path may only lead to death? Erika wonder if that was the end he was looking for.

“Don’t speak as you know everything” (Harold)

“That is true, I am not knowledgeable as Harold-sama, but I believe there some I know that you don’t know.” (Erika)

“What?” (Harold)

“Harold-sama does not know that there are people who spare no effort to cooperate with you” (Erika)

Tlnote: she means that there people who will help him no matter what he does

Harold has adapted to being always alone, He believes it is natural for him to be alone. It may be because he could not trust anyone beside thus he always acted alone. Erika wonders how painful it must be to live in such an environment, the very thought frightens her.

But now was different she knew, at least Harold has her Father and Brother to trust and rely. Erika knows that her family is eternally grateful and wholeheartedly likes Harold. Harold may already trust other people other than himself.

“I ask of you this only once, Please look very carefully at the people around you” (Erika)

Erika believes that if he does this, he will find others that he could rely on and support him. Erika felt a small tinge in her heart at the chance, she maybe one of the people who do not end up beside him.

————————————————————————–

Harold POV

“No matter how excellent a person is, they can only do so much alone” Erika

Those words Erika had said ringed inside Harold mind. Though there was no Justification to the claim, Harold knew himself how excellent his body was and that only the mind inside the body was mediocre.

His mind only had one technique that was useful, his memory of the game, the Original Knowledge that he possessed. It was only because of this technique he could beat those monster from before

Other the hand, this technique which could also be called prediction of the future can lead him to many more enemies than right now.

To not let anyone find out about the knowledge he has, the knowledge of the future, is the reason he must handle everything alone.

But as Erika said before, there is a limit to how much one person can do, much less a kid like him. This was the reason he came to the Sumeragi household, as this can not be handle by him alone.

As he fall down on his back, he starts to think of the past. Regarding rescue of Clara and the LP farming method, it would not have been possible without the help of Norman and the others. But to say he had full confidence in them is wrong.

The reason he does not rely others is not only being afraid of letting people find out about the knowledge but also if he does actions that deviate too much from the future he knows too much. The only weapon he has to his advantage would become useless and gone.

Harold feared this the most.

(“But is it like that now”) (Harold)

Harold thinking over his actions up until now, realised that it was a mess.

Clara survived

LP farming was developed

He helped the Sumeragi with antibody drugs

Joined the order three years earlier than original

Most of these were to prevent the death flags that came with them.

However, I was lost as to follow the original or change the flow with the matter corncening Robinson group. But I am forced to partic.i.p.ate in that battle and for advice, I came to Tasaku but talking to Erika has cleared this up for me, and I feel much better.

To avoid all the flags would be impossible alone. The whole situation, Harold Spirit, the actions of people who were not in the original work, maybe are all solution that the world has come up with. Maybe with just defeating Justus can resolve the whole situation and allow the fundamental reorganisation of the story.

Is this a foolish plan? That more I deviate from the original work, the more my disadvantage becomes.

Moreover, the world has already deviated from the original work with just Justus plan being sped up. Maybe the liners will not make it but I have no desire of dying on that battlefield with the star race.

(“…. If so then I am going all in, Robinson survival, Delay Justus, Liner’s Strengthening, let’s do it all at once!”) (Harold)

Failure will mean death, But that is not important right now and besides ever since I became Harold the scythe has been behind me all the time. But if this goes all according to plan then I will have a much greater chance at clearing the game while avoiding my death.

Man if I thought about clearly, there was no way a trainee like Harold could persistently avoid risk. I have to make this bet to get a chance at the survival route.

I felt much better now than before. If I can’t do it alone than rely on others for help. such a simple conclusion yet I was not able to find it.

I will now stop trying to stop involve others and rely on people when needed.

I felt like I had gotten a sudden revelation. I am thankful to Erika.

“However, no matter the human, they will all reach a limit.” (Erika)

“Just because you can do it by yourself does not mean you have to do it yourself, Having someone support you or relying on someone can ease some pains.”

“Harold-sama does not know that there are people who spare no effort to cooperate with you” (Erika)

For someone who she hated, she really gave me some useful advice. She really is a gentle and attractive girl.

As expected of someone who was always the most popular character in the game.

I may have made a wrong move to be hated by Erika.

Harold thought such thing with a smile on his face.