The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

Chapter 203

If a depressing thought crosses your mind and you know it can’t change anything, it’s better to simply not dwell on it.

Not that I’ve been plagued by guilt over the past few years. I’ve merely accepted it as something inevitable.

This applies not only to the children I couldn’t save but also to Count Crowfield, whom I killed, and the countless nameless individuals I’ve faced on the battlefield. This is the kind of world we live in. It would have been naive to think I could avoid killing in a world based on a game where death is a common theme.

“Sylvia?”

I blinked at the sudden voice calling my name.

Charlotte was looking at me with a concerned expression.

“Is something wrong? Do you not like the food?”

“No, it’s not that.”

I quickly answered.

I had just briefly recalled my conversation with Alice from the night before. It wasn’t that the food was bad or that I’d forgotten how to speak because of it.

In fact, the food was delicious.

The meals served at the Academy or the Imperial Palace were already quite good. Despite the internet memes about "British cuisine," even the Empire’s aristocrats wouldn’t tolerate eating unappetizing food.

Well-cooked steak, hearty English breakfasts, a variety of desserts for tea time—they all tasted wonderful.

Besides, the Empire didn’t strictly stick to traditional Imperial cuisine. Just as people in Korea eat a variety of global foods instead of Korean dishes every day, the Empire embraced culinary diversity. Complaining about food was rare when you attended the Academy.

In that context, I had always been curious why Charlotte often expressed dissatisfaction with Academy meals. How much better could Belvurian cuisine possibly be?

...It turned out, it was genuinely excellent.

Not to the point of being so mind-blowing that I’d never eat anything else again, but there was something subtly different about it. The texture of the meat, the delicate aroma infused into it, the sweetness and consistency of the sauce—everything came together in harmony.

Eating the same dish felt like an entirely new experience.

“It’s excellent.”

“Is it?”

Charlotte replied in a tone that was polite but devoid of emotion, much like a noblewoman responding out of courtesy. Still, her gaze briefly flickered toward Alice.

Alice wore a slightly frustrated expression.

...Why was she reacting like this to my opinion? It wasn’t as though I were some renowned food critic.@@@@

“I worked hard hunting to afford this. I sold everything I didn’t absolutely need, except for a few essential marbles.”

This was a notable difference from the game.

In the game, even if you earned a lot of money, you couldn’t buy anything outside event-specific items, healing recipes, or equipment. But in this world, money could buy practically anything.

Charlotte’s gaze briefly fell on the camera, clearly made in the Empire, before turning back to Alice.

Alice was smiling smugly.

For a moment, Charlotte’s expression turned frustrated.

...Why were they getting competitive over something that wasn’t even theirs? I had thought they’d matured somewhat, but they were still kids in many ways.

“So, can we take a picture together? Since we’re here, I want to capture the memory properly.”

Claire’s suggestion seemed to break the tension between Alice and Charlotte.

After all, despite their bickering, everyone here was a friend.

“An excellent idea.”

My words sealed the deal, and even Charlotte and Alice nodded in agreement.

The camera, of course, had no selfie function. Everything, from the rangefinder to the focus, had to be adjusted manually. No one passing by seemed skilled with a camera.

Fortunately, Claire had anticipated this and pulled a tripod out of the large bag she’d been carrying since morning.

Setting up for the photo, we stood in a line with Lutetia Palace visible in the background.

“Okay, ready!”

Claire shouted as she pulled a lever on the camera and quickly dashed back to us with the agility of a swordswoman.

Sliding between me and Alice, she hooked her arm through mine.

“Ah—”

Before Alice could complain, the shutter clicked.

That evening, when the photos were developed, the result showed Claire beaming brightly at the camera while everyone else looked slightly startled, glancing in her direction.

Still, it was a good picture—everyone’s faces were clear, and the mood was cheerful.

...If not for the shadowy figure that had accidentally crept into the corner of the frame.