After Starting a Thread as a Reincarnated in an Unknown Otome Game, I Got Caught in a Battlefield of Beauties - Chapter 46: Alto's Blunder After a Long Time

Chapter 46: Alto’s Blunder After a Long Time

“—So… you need time to break the barrier around the Empire, is that it?”

“Yes. The Empire’s barrier is infused with enormous magical power and unknown magical formations. Our country’s top spirit users analyzed it and concluded that it would take about ten minutes to disable.”

The general said this apologetically. 

He must have just been promoted to general, and now he’s burdened with the responsibility of leading the entire war effort. 

He looked incredibly stressed, despite being exceptionally handsome.

I understood the situation. 

The spirit users must have worked hard to come up with the best solution, which involved me holding the fort alone for ten minutes.

I got that part.

But still…

“Why me alone?”

“…We thought we might get in your way…”

“Oh, this guy gets it. Honestly, weak humans wandering around would make it impossible for me to use my full power.”

Apparently, this new general had earned Hecate’s approval. 

Admittedly, it might be easier to just shoot spells without worrying about those around me. 

Not that I can shoot spells.

“Well, it’s fine with me. I can do whatever I want, right?”

“Of course! After those ten minutes, Sir Alto won’t need to do anything else.”

“Really?”

I asked again, surprised by his words. 

The general tilted his head curiously and then spoke as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Of course. You’re fighting alone for ten minutes, after all. We wouldn’t make you work more than that. You’ll also receive a few hundred gold coins as a reward, and I’ll take full responsibility for anything that happens.”

I started to like the general as well.

“What’s up with that incredibly handsome general? Isn’t he like a game character or something?”

“Don’t ask me, I’m only in this world. Maybe you should ask that strange device you call a smartphone.”

“Yeah… maybe another time.”

I was both surprised that Hecate could look at my smartphone and reminded of the unsettling feeling I got when I closed it earlier. 

My instincts told me not to open the forums for a while. 

At the same time, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I might need to use it soon.

“—Well, let’s not think about it.”

I left the palace, and since I had nothing else to do, I wandered into the city. 

This country doesn’t have weekdays or weekends, so the area near the palace was bustling as usual.

“Oh, maybe I should buy a present for Leticia since I have some free time.”

I hadn’t given anything to Leticia, my fiancée, before, so it seemed like a good idea since I had some free time. 

I wondered if the concept of engagement rings existed in this world.

As I looked around for a good place to shop, Hecate started talking to me.

“Hey, hey, my Contractor! What about me? Don’t I get a present?”

“I’ll get you something next time. I don’t have enough money for both of you right now.”

“…So you like Leticia more than me.”

Hecate sounded like a troublesome girlfriend, so I quickly replied,

“Of course.”

“That’s mean! I worked hard to free Leticia from her brainwashing and keep her safe last time! You’re so heartless!”

“Alright, alright! I’ll buy you something too, just stop shouting! My head is pounding!”

“Hehe, yay!”

Hecate stopped shouting and seemed pleased, making me realize I had been tricked.

You little… You did that on purpose, didn’t you? 

Maybe I should get you a super spicy pancake instead. 

I don’t even know if habaneros exist in this world.

While I was trying to figure out how to get back at Hecate, I noticed a street vendor selling accessories. The vendor saw me looking and smiled.

“Hey there, young man! Want to take a look? Our stuff is a bit pricey, but I guarantee it’s as good as any high-end store!”

“Heh… Maybe I’ll buy something then.”

Even to an amateur’s eye, everything looked high-quality, so I decided to buy Leticia’s present here. 

The stall had a wide variety of items, including earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets.

“Hmm… I’ll take this one.”

I pointed to a pair of silver flower earrings. 

They seemed to fit Leticia’s image perfectly.

“Oh, you have a good eye! Normally, they cost a gold coin, but for you, I’ll make it a silver coin!”

“Really? Won’t your shop go out of business selling it that cheap?”

“Don’t worry about it! I’m still making a good profit!”

The shopkeeper laughed. 

This is what you call a generous person.

“Alright, here you go.”

“Got it. Here, I’ve put it in a bag for you to give to your fiancée. Good luck, ‘young agent’ of this era.”

“Thanks—huh?”

When did I say I was giving it to my fiancée? 

And what did he mean by “good luck”? 

And “agent”?

As I puzzled over the shopkeeper’s words, the present in my hand suddenly shone, and the scenery changed in an instant. 

I found myself not in the kingdom’s city, but in what looked like a library.

“…Wait, what?”

I was stunned, unable to understand what had just happened. After a few seconds, soldiers dressed differently from the kingdom’s soldiers started to arrive, pointing their swords at me and shouting.

“—Who are you!? You dare to teleport into the forbidden library of the Empire so boldly!”

Hearing this, I took a deep breath and shouted,

“—That damn bastard tricked meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”

The next time I see him, I swear I’ll knock him out!

With that vow in my heart, I turned around and ran.

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