I Reincarnated into a Game Filled with Mods – Chapter 142

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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I mulled it over in my head about how to go about answering Aurora’s question.

I had a lot on my plate.

No, not just a lot, an overwhelming amount. So much that I needed to prioritize before even beginning to tackle my to-do list.

I still needed two more runes to complete the Darkest Light mod’s melee build, and one Dark Magic spell for the same reason.

That meant visiting two more Rune Dungeons, not to mention weapon upgrades, leveling, and countless other tasks.

I knew I would be very busy for a while there.

‘I can postpone the main story. If it comes down to it, I can ask Aurora to send the ring.’

I decided to focus on leveling for the time being, putting the main story on hold. Returning to the Imperial Palace wasn’t a good idea right now.

“Yes, I do.”

I cut off my train of thought, seeing Aurora’s expectant gaze.

A flicker of disappointment crossed her face.

“Really? That’s too bad.”

“What did you want to ask me? You look disappointed.”

“Hmm… 24/7 close protection duty?”

“Why the question mark?”

“I just thought of it. I didn’t have anything specific in mind. I was just wondering if it was possible.”

“That’s a rather shameless answer, My Lady.”

Aurora, unfazed, leaned back in her chair.

“I don’t mind being shameless. You’re the knight who defeated a dragon. It’s only natural I’d want to keep you close.”

“I didn’t defeat a dragon. Those are just rumors.”

“But Her Majesty herself confirmed it.”

“…”

Immediately, I felt a headache coming on. With Cecilia’s endorsement backing me, there was no way to refute the rumors.

And the rumors were believable, which made it worse. If I had actually defeated the dragon, I could at least understand, but that wasn’t the case here.

After an hour of one-sided conversation with Aurora, I was finally able to excuse myself.

I still had no idea why she had asked me to visit her.

Had she really just wanted to talk?

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“Is he gone?”

“Yes, Master. He just left through the main gate.”

Hearing that Delta had left, Aurora slumped back in her chair.

Lana, who had been standing respectfully beside her, asked in a flat voice,

“Did you fail?”

“You came all the way to my room, so you already know the answer, don’t you?”

“Of course, I know. I am merely helping you acknowledge your own inadequacy. So, Master, do you now realize how pathetic your behavior was?”

“…”

Aurora, speechless, stared up at the chandelier.

Lana, not one to initiate conversation with her master, remained silent.

While her pathetic behavior truly began with her developing feelings for a man who was already taken, Aurora was clinging to a single possibility.

A possibility she had started to believe when the Empress herself confirmed the rumors about Delta repelling the dragon.

He denied it vehemently, but considering how he had attributed the discovery of the Crystal Scroll to Minerva, this was likely a similar situation.

He was probably deflecting the attention because he was uncomfortable with the excessive praise.

Delta wasn’t one to boast about his accomplishments.

“…Still, it’s strange.”

The silence was broken by Lana.

Aurora, surprised, turned to her.

“I know, right? It was really strange.”

“What was strange, Master?”

“You initiating a conversation with me.”

“Consider it a testament to how frustrating your behavior was.”

A maid insulting her master was an act of grave insubordination, punishable by death depending on the master’s temperament. But Aurora merely furrowed her brow.

Lana was her most trusted confidante. There was no reason to be angry over such a trivial comment.

Furthermore, Aurora was aware of her own shortcomings. Considering her recent actions, Lana had every right to be frustrated.

“So, what was strange?”

“You are not usually one to be easily embarrassed, Master. Yet, whenever you are in his presence, you become unable to express your feelings honestly, resorting to roundabout expressions and playful banter. If you had acted like your usual self, he would be in here right now, and I would be instructing the other maids to stay away from this area.”

“…”

Silenced by Lana’s eloquent and pointed observation, Aurora averted her gaze, unable to meet Lana’s knowing stare.

Lana’s expression was as impassive as ever, but her words felt sharper than usual, hitting a little too close to home.

“Don’t you find it odd? Given your usual personality, instead of resorting to such pathetic attempts at seduction, you could have simply pushed him against the wall and—”

“Alright, alright, I was wrong. Can you please stop now?”

Having successfully elicited a response from her master, Lana promptly fell silent.

While the maid’s boldness seemed to increase with each passing day, Aurora didn’t seem to mind.

Lana’s comfortable demeanor was a sign that she had found peace of mind. Aurora even wished she would tease her more.

A very small part of her did, at least.

Besides, Aurora was the one who had taught Lana those suggestive jokes. She was reaping what she had sown.

“Yes, I know. I know this kind of foolish behavior doesn’t suit me, but I can’t help it.”

A blush crept up Aurora’s cheeks, tinting her skin a delicate peach.

She fidgeted uncomfortably.

“I-It’s just… I’m embarrassed to say I like him.”

Lana stared at her, momentarily speechless, then spoke in an exasperated tone.

“I have just realized something, Master. You needn’t worry. If you show him that expression, you won’t even need to say the words. He will —”

“Lana!”

“I’m joking. Why do you become so flustered whenever he is involved? You are usually much bolder. Is there a particular reason?”

“…I don’t know.”

Aurora turned away, a pout on her face.

Lana clicked her tongue, her expression like a mother chiding her childish daughter.

It wasn’t far from the truth.

“Master.”

After a moment of contemplation, Lana stepped closer to Aurora.

“What?”

“Then, how about trying this?”

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“…”

I sat speechless, staring at the uniform design Lakscia had presented as the final version.

The regular knights’ uniforms remained largely unchanged. Variations in stocking length and style, based on the revealing bunny girl outfit, would distinguish rank.

The only differences were minor refinements to the design and… slightly more exposed skin. I had been briefly taken aback by the increased exposure.

The real problem was the reverse bunny uniform for the Vice-Commanders. I had initially assumed the lack of variations on the initial design meant they had opted for a single, unified design, perhaps due to the difficulty of incorporating stockings.

I was wrong.

Beside the reverse bunny drawing, there was a detailed chart of stickers designed to cover the nipples and… nether regions.

Each sticker was labeled with the name of the Vice-Commander who would be wearing it. This was their solution for distinguishing rank.

There were five sticker variations: circle, star, heart, clover, and X.

‘Can you even tell them apart with those?’

It was absurd, but since it was their choice, I couldn’t object.

I sighed, folding the paper in four.

“Commander, are you alright?”

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

Startled, I quickly tucked the paper into my uniform, like someone caught reading something illicit.

It felt like the appropriate reaction.

I sat down, trying to regain my composure, and called out,

“Come in.”

The door opened, and Lakscia entered.

She wore the sports bra and leggings of her former Golden Twilight Knights uniform.

Perhaps due to her previous… humbling experience during our duel, she had become the designated messenger. She didn’t seem to mind, so I hadn’t objected.

“What is it?”

I had given up on maintaining a dignified tone.

After several attempts, I had concluded it simply wasn’t me.

“There’s a visitor.”

“A visitor? Who is it?”

“Well, that’s…”

Lakscia hesitated, her expression troubled.

She seemed to be struggling with some internal conflict.

I wondered what was wrong.

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