"Absolutely not," Sera said for the fifteenth time.
"It's a PUBLIC festival," Eliza countered. "He has to attend. He's the Lord Governor."
"It's also a PUBLIC assassination opportunity!"
"Which is why we'll have security measures."
**[SERA]: Security measures won't stop a determined assassin. I would know. I WAS a determined assassin. This is a terrible idea.
We were in the war room—which was really just the dining room with a big map—planning for the Harvest Festival in three days.
Marcus, our clumsy informant, had revealed that Blackwood's remaining allies were planning something big. But his chatbox showed he didn't know specifics.
**[MARCUS]: I only caught fragments of their conversation. But they kept mentioning "harvest" and "blood" and "the boy lord won't survive." Pretty clear intent. I hope Lord Henderson believes me. And maybe offers me protection because I'm definitely dead if Blackwood's people find out I talked.
"Marcus," I said, "you're sure they're planning an attack AT the festival?"
"Positive, my lord. They specifically mentioned the crowd cover."
**[MARCUS]: Also I'm being weirdly starstruck. The legendary Kyle Henderson is talking to ME. And his three bodyguards are terrifying. Especially the blonde one with the daggers. She keeps staring at me like I'm a threat. I'M NOT A THREAT. I'M HELPFUL.
"Crowd cover means multiple potential assassins," Sera muttered, pacing. "Civilians as shields. Escape routes through the festival chaos. It's actually a smart plan."
"Speaking from experience?" Aria asked pointedly.
"I'm an intelligence officer. It's my JOB to think like an assassin."
**[SERA]: Also yes. I've used festival crowds for cover before. Which is exactly why I know how DANGEROUS this is.
"We could cancel the festival," Aria suggested.
"And look weak," Eliza countered. "Blackwood's allies want to create fear. Canceling proves it worked."
"So we attend and risk Kyle's life?"
"We attend and PROTECT Kyle's life. There's a difference."
**[ELIZA]: ████ I'VE DEFENDED ██████ AGAINST WORSE ████ WE CAN ██████ HANDLE THIS ████ PROBABLY ██████
"Ladies," I interrupted, "what if we use me as bait? Again?"
"NO!" all three said simultaneously.
**[ALL THREE]: Not happening. Absolutely not. We're not using him as bait again!
"But it worked last time!"
"Last time you almost got thrown out a window," Sera pointed out.
"And you fought two guards alone," Aria added.
"This time there could be MULTIPLE assassins in a CROWD of civilians," Eliza finished.
**[SERA]: I'm not watching him walk into danger again. My heart can't take it.
**[SISTER ARIA]: The Goddess preserved him last time. I'm not testing her patience twice.
**[ELIZA]: ████ ABSOLUTELY ██████ NOT ████ WE NEED ██████ A BETTER ████ PLAN ██████
"What if," I said slowly, "we DON'T use me as bait, but we prepare for every possible attack scenario and I just... attend the festival normally?"
They considered this.
"Define 'normally,'" Sera said suspiciously.
"Walking around. Talking to citizens. Enjoying festival food. Like a normal lord."
"While we shadow you at every moment," Eliza said.
"And I pre-bless every food stall for poison," Aria added.
"And I infiltrate the crowd as a civilian to spot threats," Sera finished.
**[SERA]: If I'm in the crowd, I can watch for suspicious behavior. Also stay close to Kyle without it looking like official protection. Win-win.
"That... could work," I admitted.
We spent the next hour planning:
SECURITY PLAN:
Sera: Undercover in crowd, civilian clothes
Aria: Openly accompanying Kyle as chaplain
Eliza: Military presence with visible guard patrol
Marcus: Monitoring known Blackwood associates
Secret: I'd use chatbox reading to identify assassins
**[ELIZA]: ████ THREE-LAYER ██████ SECURITY ████ VISIBLE ██████ HIDDEN ████ AND CHATBOX ██████ DETECTION ████ IT'S SOLID ██████ SHOULD WORK ████ ...I HOPE ██████
[HARVEST FESTIVAL DAY]
The town square was transformed into a celebration. Colorful banners, food stalls, game booths, music, and hundreds of cheerful citizens.
It would've been beautiful if I wasn't scanning for assassins.
**[CITIZEN #1]: The new lord actually came! He's not hiding in his manor like Blackwood did!
**[CITIZEN #2]: He looks so young. But he exposed the Duke! Maybe things will finally get better.
**[CITIZEN #3]: Those are some dedicated bodyguards. The pretty blonde is watching EVERYONE.
Aria walked beside me in formal chaplain robes, smiling serenely while her eyes tracked every movement.
**[SISTER ARIA]: Blessing active. Poison detection active. Threat assessment: ongoing. Also, Kyle looks nice in formal wear. FOCUS. Threats first, admiration later.
Eliza patrolled with a squad of guards, maintaining visible security.
**[ELIZA]: ████ CROWD SIZE: ██████ 400+ ████ CHOKEPOINTS: ██████ 7 ████ ESCAPE ROUTES: ██████ 12 ████ KYLE STATUS: ██████ VISIBLE ████ VULNERABLE ██████ DON'T LIKE ████ THIS ██████
And somewhere in the crowd, Sera was disguised as a common festival-goer.
I couldn't spot her, which meant she was good at her job.
**[SERA - SOMEWHERE IN THE CROWD]: Target acquired. I mean, Kyle spotted. He's at the apple cider stand. Why does he look good even drinking cider? Focus. Scan for threats.
"Lord Henderson!" A merchant approached. "Try our festival honey cakes! First one's free for our new lord!"
**[MERCHANT]: Hope he likes them. My family's been making these for generations. Maybe he'll endorse us!
His chatbox was innocent—just excitement and pride in his baking.
I accepted the cake. "Thank you! These are delicious."
He beamed.
**[MERCHANT]: He likes it! Wait till I tell my wife! The Lord actually enjoyed my baking! This is the best day ever!
As I moved through the festival, I activated my chatbox reading constantly, scanning every person who got close.
**[FARMER]: Hope the lord fixes the irrigation problem. Blackwood never cared.
**[CHILD]: Wow, that's the hero! He's tall!
**[ELDERLY WOMAN]: Such a polite young man. Nothing like that awful Duke.
Everyone seemed genuine. No assassination plots. No hostile intent.
Maybe we were overprepared?
Then I spotted him.
A man in a worn traveler's cloak, moving through the crowd with too much purpose. His eyes kept flicking to me.
**[ASSASSIN #1]: Target confirmed. Lord Henderson at the cider stand. Partner should be in position at the game booths. Wait for the signal. Strike during the fireworks. Chaos and noise will cover it. Duke's remaining allies pay well for this.
Found one.
I casually tugged my left ear—the danger signal.
Aria's hand immediately went to her holy symbol.
**[SISTER ARIA]: THREAT. Kyle signaled threat. Where? Who? I see 47 people in his immediate vicinity. Which one?! Stay calm. Stay ready.
Eliza's eyes sharpened from across the square.
**[ELIZA]: ████ SIGNAL ██████ DETECTED ████ SCANNING ██████ CROWD ████ THERE ██████ MAN IN ████ CLOAK ██████ MOVING WRONG ████
And somewhere in the crowd, I knew Sera was now on high alert.
The assassin moved closer, hand hidden in his cloak.
**[ASSASSIN #1]: Almost in range. Just a bit closer. One strike. Fast poison. He'll collapse in 30 seconds. I'll disappear in the panic. Easy money.
But before he could get within striking distance, a "clumsy" festival-goer stumbled into him, spilling an entire mug of cider on his cloak.
"Oh my! I'm SO sorry!" the girl said.
It was Sera. Obviously.
**[SERA]: Got you. Now you're soaked, obvious, and I'm between you and Kyle. Try something. I DARE you.
The assassin cursed, trying to wring out his cloak, his approach completely ruined.
**[ASSASSIN #1]: Damn it! Cover blown. Too obvious now. Abort. Regroup with partner. Try during fireworks.
He melted back into the crowd.
"Are you alright?" Aria asked me quietly.
"First one spotted. Sera intercepted."
"FIRST one?" She paled. "There are more?"
**[SISTER ARIA]: Multiple assassins. In a crowd. With civilians. This is my nightmare scenario. Please Goddess, protect him. Protect all of us.
I kept moving through the festival, chatbox reading in overdrive.
**[BLACKSMITH]: The new lord seems genuine. Hope he lowers the iron taxes.
**[BAKER]: My bread is better than the honey cake guy's. I should offer him samples.
**[MYSTERIOUS FIGURE IN CORNER]: Target is protected. Three guards minimum. The clumsy woman who stopped Garrett was clearly professional. This is harder than expected. But the contract is 5000 gold. I don't fail contracts.
Found the partner.
This one was more careful, staying back, observing.
**[ASSASSIN #2]: Garrett's approach failed. Too direct. I need subtlety. The chaplain never leaves his side. The military captain is too alert. Need a distraction. Big distraction.
I tugged my left ear twice—multiple threats.
Eliza immediately redirected her patrol toward the corner where Assassin #2 lurked.
**[ELIZA]: ████ SECOND THREAT ██████ IDENTIFIED ████ FLANKING ██████ MANEUVER ████ GUARDS IN ██████ POSITION ████
The assassin noticed the guards converging and casually walked away, blending into the crowd.
**[ASSASSIN #2]: They're onto me. How? Did someone leak the plan? No matter. Plan C: create panic, strike in chaos. The fire barrels near the stage should work nicely.
Fire barrels?!
I scanned the area and spotted them—decorative fire barrels for evening ambiance, positioned near the main stage.
**[ASSASSIN #2]: Knock them over during the lord's speech. Fires spread. Panic ensues. In the chaos, a "falling beam" crushes the lord. Tragic accident. Nobody suspects murder.
"Aria," I whispered, "the fire barrels near the stage. Someone's going to knock them over during my speech."
"Your WHAT speech?!"
"Apparently I'm giving a speech?!"
**[SISTER ARIA]: Of course he's giving a speech. He's the lord. Why didn't I prepare for this?! Focus. Fire barrels. Prevent disaster. Protect Kyle. In that order.
She immediately moved toward the stage area, positioning herself near the fire barrels while maintaining her "casual chaplain" appearance.
**[SISTER ARIA]: If anyone touches these barrels, they're getting smited. Goddess forgive me for weaponizing holy magic at a festival.
Meanwhile, I was approached by the festival organizer.
"Lord Henderson! It's time for your address to the people!"
"Right. My address. That I definitely prepared for."
**[FESTIVAL ORGANIZER]: He looks nervous. Poor young lord. Public speaking is terrifying. But the people need to see him. Need to hear from their new leader.
Aria gave me an encouraging smile from her position near the fire barrels.
Eliza nodded from her patrol route.
And somewhere in the crowd, Sera was watching.
**[SERA]: He's going on stage. EXPOSED. VULNERABLE. I hate this. I REALLY hate this. But he can do it. He survived the Duke. He can survive a speech.
I climbed onto the stage, facing hundreds of citizens.
My chatbox reading went into overdrive, scanning the crowd:
**[CITIZEN #1]: He looks so young and nervous. Kind of endearing.
**[CITIZEN #2]: Come on, kid. Show us you're worthy of the title.
**[CITIZEN #3]: Please be better than Blackwood. Please.
**[ASSASSIN #1 - IN CROWD]: Partner's in position. Once he knocks over the barrels, I'll move in during the panic.
**[ASSASSIN #2 - NEAR STAGE]: Almost time. Wait for the right moment. Maximum chaos.
"People of the Western Province," I started, my voice surprisingly steady. "Thank you for welcoming me."
**[CROWD]: He's actually speaking! Not reading from a prepared statement!
"I know I'm young. I know I'm inexperienced. And I know many of you are wondering if I can actually lead this province."
**[CITIZEN #4]: At least he's honest.
"I can't promise I'll be perfect. But I can promise I'll never be like Duke Blackwood."
The crowd erupted in cheers.
**[MULTIPLE CITIZENS]: YES! Down with Blackwood! New lord! New hope!
"I promise transparency. Fair taxes. Justice for everyone, not just the wealthy."
More cheers.
**[ASSASSIN #2]: Getting distracted. Focus. The speech is almost done. Move NOW.
The second assassin started moving toward the fire barrels.
But Aria was already there.
She "accidentally" stumbled, her holy staff "coincidentally" extended, tripping the assassin before he could reach the barrels.
"Oh my! I'm so clumsy!" she said sweetly, while her staff was positioned directly on the assassin's ankle.
**[SISTER ARIA]: Trip me and I'll "accidentally" break your ankle with holy magic. Try me.
The assassin, trapped, could only glare.
**[ASSASSIN #2]: The chaplain?! She's a COMBAT operative?! Abort. ABORT.
Meanwhile, the first assassin was trying to use the crowd's enthusiasm to get closer to the stage.
**[ASSASSIN #1]: Everyone's distracted. Perfect. Just a few more steps. One throw. Poisoned dagger. He'll die before hitting the ground.
But as he reached for his weapon, a hand clamped down on his wrist.
Sera, still in civilian disguise, smiled at him.
"Careful, sir. Wouldn't want to drop anything dangerous in this crowd."
**[SERA]: I will break every bone in your hand if you move. Smile for the crowd.
The assassin's face went pale.
**[ASSASSIN #1]: She's STRONG. Too strong. Trained. Professional. This whole operation is compromised!
I finished my speech: "Together, we'll build a province we can be proud of. Thank you!"
The crowd erupted in genuine applause.
**[CITIZENS - MULTIPLE]: He means it! He actually cares! Finally, a lord who cares!
As I stepped down from the stage, Eliza appeared.
"Two assassins apprehended. Sera has one, Aria's sitting on the other."
"Sitting on?"
"She's very literally sitting on him. He can't move. It's quite effective."
**[ELIZA]: ████ MISSION SUCCESS ██████ NO CASUALTIES ████ KYLE SURVIVED ██████ GAVE A ████ GREAT SPEECH ██████ I'M PROUD ████ ALSO RELIEVED ██████ ALSO... ████ HAPPY? ██████
Within minutes, the two assassins were quietly arrested by Eliza's guards, removed from the festival without causing panic.
The celebration continued, none of the civilians aware of the danger that had just been averted.
"We did it," I said, slightly stunned.
"WE did it," Sera corrected, appearing beside me in her disguise. "Team effort."
"Coordinated perfectly," Aria added, rejoining us.
"Not bad for a first major public event," Eliza said with satisfaction.
**[SERA]: We protected him. Together. The nun and I actually worked well together. That's... weird. But effective.
**[SISTER ARIA]: We protected him. Together. The spy and I made a good team. I hate admitting that. But it's true.
**[ELIZA]: ████ THREE-WOMAN ██████ SECURITY TEAM ████ PERFECTLY COORDINATED ██████ WE'RE ACTUALLY ████ GOOD TOGETHER ██████ FOR HIM ████
"Can I actually enjoy the festival now?" I asked. "Without assassination attempts?"
"We'll see," Sera said, scanning the crowd.
"Probably," Aria added, maintaining her blessing.
"Maybe," Eliza finished.
**[ALL THREE]: We're not letting our guard down. Not when it comes to Kyle.
The festival continued into the evening. Fireworks lit up the sky (carefully monitored by Aria for tampering). Food stalls served delicious treats (all pre-checked by Sera). And the crowd celebrated their new lord (with Eliza's guards maintaining subtle security).
I found myself actually relaxing.
"Lord Henderson!" A young girl approached shyly. "Can you light my fire lantern? For good luck?"
**[YOUNG GIRL]: He's the hero! If he lights my lantern, maybe my wish will come true!
"Of course," I said, taking the lantern.
As I lit it and watched it float into the sky, I realized something:
This was what I was fighting for. Not political power or noble titles. But moments like this. People being happy. Safe. Hopeful.
"Make a wish!" the girl said excitedly.
I closed my eyes.
I wish for this to last. For these people to stay safe. For... for the people I care about to be happy.
When I opened my eyes, Sera, Aria, and Eliza were all watching me with peculiar expressions.
**[SERA]: The way he smiled at that child. So genuine. So kind. My heart is doing the thing again. The dangerous thing.
**[SISTER ARIA]: He cares. Really, truly cares. About everyone. That's so rare. So precious. I don't want to lose this. Lose HIM.
**[ELIZA]: ████ HE LOOKS ██████ HAPPY ████ GENUINELY HAPPY ██████ IN THIS ████ WORLD ██████ MAYBE HE'S ████ FOUND HIS ██████ PLACE ████ MAYBE WE'VE ██████ ALL FOUND ████ WHERE WE ██████ BELONG ████
"Fireworks finale is starting," Eliza announced. "Best viewing is from the hill."
We moved to the overlook, away from the crowd, just the four of us.
The sky exploded in color and light.
And in the glow of the fireworks, standing between three incredible women who'd become so much more than bodyguards...
I realized I was happy.
Genuinely, completely happy.
"Thank you," I said quietly. "All of you. For everything."
Sera reached out and took my hand. "Thank YOU. For giving me a purpose beyond missions."
**[SERA]: I'm holding his hand. In public. I don't care anymore. Let people see.
Aria took my other hand. "For showing me kindness isn't weakness."
**[SISTER ARIA]: I'm holding his hand. The Goddess will understand. Or she won't. Either way, I'm not letting go.
And Eliza stood close, her hand resting on my shoulder. "For making ten years of loneliness disappear."
**[ELIZA]: ████ WE'RE ALL ██████ HOLDING HIM ████ THIS IS ██████ A MOMENT ████ THIS IS ██████ IMPORTANT ████ DON'T RUIN ██████ IT ████ JUST FEEL ██████
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: RELATIONSHIP MILESTONE REACHED!]
[SERA: AFFECTION 89/100 - STATUS: IN LOVE (DENIED)]
[ARIA: AFFECTION 86/100 - STATUS: IN LOVE (CONFLICTED)]
[ELIZA: AFFECTION 67/100 - STATUS: DEEPLY ATTACHED (IN DENIAL)]
[WARNING: ROMANTIC RESOLUTION APPROACHING]
[ALL THREE HEROINES NEARING CONFESSION THRESHOLD]
[PREPARE FOR EMOTIONAL CHAOS]
As the fireworks reached their finale, I stood there with three women who'd started as my would-be killers, became my protectors, and were now...
What were they now?
Friends? Definitely.
Allies? Absolutely.
Something more?
Looking at their faces in the fireworks' glow, seeing the warmth and care in their eyes...
Yeah. Definitely something more.
And for the first time since being isekai'd into this crazy world, I wasn't thinking about survival or conspiracies or political schemes.
I was just thinking:
I never want this to end.
"Hey Kyle?" Sera said softly.
"Yeah?"
"Tomorrow... can we talk? Just us?"
**[SERA]: I need to tell him. I NEED to. Before I lose my courage.
"Me too," Aria added quickly. "I mean, can WE talk? Separately?"
**[SISTER ARIA]: I can't keep these feelings hidden. It's not fair to him. Or to me.
"Actually," Eliza said, "I also need to discuss something. In private."
**[ELIZA]: ████ ABORT ABORT ██████ I'M GOING ████ TO CONFESS ██████ AREN'T I? ████ THIS IS ██████ TERRIBLE ████ AND NECESSARY ██████ AND TERRIFYING ████
All three were looking at me with intense, meaningful expressions.
And my chatbox reading was going WILD with their nervous, determined, lovestruck thoughts.
"Uh," I said eloquently. "Sure. We can... talk. All of you. Separately. Tomorrow."
**[ALL THREE]: Tomorrow. I'll tell him tomorrow. Goddess/Skills/Courage, don't fail me now.
As we headed back to the estate, I realized something:
Tomorrow, I wasn't facing assassins or corrupt nobles or political schemes.
Tomorrow, I was facing something way more terrifying:
Three confession scenes.
From three incredible women.
Who all wanted to "talk."
"I'm so dead," I muttered in English.
"What?" Eliza asked.
"Nothing! Just... tired. From the festival."
**[ELIZA]: ████ HE KNOWS ██████ HE DEFINITELY ████ KNOWS ██████ WE'RE ALL ████ GOING TO ██████ CONFESS ████ THIS IS ██████ GOING TO ████ BE CHAOS ██████
Yep.
Absolute chaos.