Chapter 77

"The location of the ambush has changed."

Originally, Livy was supposed to use her experience as an actress in a traveling theater troupe to join the local theater group, and the scenario was that she would be ambushed by the waiters when the first play started.

However, this time, the wedding ceremony seemed to have become the target because it was the place where the most unarmed residents gathered.

Clyde dodged the spear swung by the approaching waiter and, in one swift motion, plunged into his chest, striking his abdomen.

Thud!

“Gah-!”

The waiter crumpled to the ground like a piece of paper.

“Therese, come here.”

I quickly took Clyde’s outstretched hand.

Even without a closer look, it was clear that no one here was stronger than him.

Clyde, holding my hand, picked up the spear with his other hand and headed towards the entrance, knocking down the waiters.

Ding!

[Seat 'Selfish Gene' has donated 10,000 coins.]

[Why does it seem stronger even though the magic was nerfed?]

Ding!

[Seat 'Black Flame Noble' has donated 10,000 coins.]

[Hehehe! I really like it. Sweep away all the scum!]

The waiters were armed, and most of the people here were of no help in the fight.

Thus, everyone naturally turned to Clyde for protection.

The waiters shouted.

“Soldiers are coming! Retreat!”

As they said, toy soldiers were rushing in.

Clyde glanced around, scooped me up, and ran out at a fast pace.

It felt like I was a bride fleeing from a wedding.

“Miss! Come this way!”

As we left the church, I saw the castle’s maids beckoning us.

Clyde and I exchanged a brief glance.

The devil is in the castle.

This was an unexpected opportunity.

“Let’s go.”

Clyde nodded at my words and slipped through the slightly open door the maids had left.

Once we were safe, Clyde set me down.

“Are you both alright?”

“Yes, we’re fine.”

“Oh, thank goodness. Since it’s chaotic outside, please stay here until things calm down. The lord will surely allow it.”

The maids seemed to have more authority than they should.

However, Clyde and I did not point this out.

“Thank you.”

The maid, who seemed to be leading us to our room, shook her head in disbelief.

“Why did such a terrible thing happen…? If you can only do what you love, isn’t that enough? If you don’t even want to do that, is there any point in living?”

I smiled quietly without answering.

The maid, perhaps not expecting an answer, continued to vent her frustrations.

“The waiters consider even what they love as labor and are lazy. Then they extend their lives by committing the heinous act of stealing others’ bracelets.”

Her expression was twisted as if she had seen a bug.

It was clear how much she despised the waiters.

The maid opened the door to the guest room on the second floor and turned to us.

“You can use this room. Oh, by the way, you’re still in your wedding attire. I’ll bring back the clothes you came in.”

The maid left to fetch the clothes, leaving us alone in the room.

I sighed lightly and realized I had been holding the bouquet tightly like a weapon, placing it on the vanity.

Then I noticed the bracelet, which now had a faint greenish hue.

“I didn’t expect the waiters to suddenly jump out during the wedding. But it seems my dream was completed safely.”

Clyde narrowed his eyes.

“I always think you’re lucky.”

Ding!

[Seat 'Question Mark Killer' has donated 10,000 coins.]

[This is a virtual world created by the devil contractor to their liking, yet there are negative elements?]

Clyde answered for me.

“The dungeon is a ‘temporary dimension’ borrowed from reality, so things that could happen in the real world often occur beyond the contractor’s will. It seems this place is a frequent battleground between those who dream and those who don’t.”

“But the waiters probably won’t invade the castle, right?”

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

At that moment, a sound of something approaching from outside was heard, followed by someone knocking on the door.

Clyde frowned and nodded.

This was a role assigned by the dungeon, so he couldn’t refuse the request.

“I’ll be back. You stay here and gather information about the castle.”

“That’s my specialty.”

I received the uniform from the maid, who had just returned, and said to Clyde as he left the room.

“Be careful.”

Clyde paused for a moment, then said without turning around.

“…You too.”

I was oddly pleased that the grumpy guy had at least responded.

After seeing him off, I changed from my wedding dress into casual clothes.

The maid then showed me around the castle and treated me to a meal and a bubble bath.

I felt almost guilty for being treated so well while Clyde was out catching the waiters.

By the time it was past 5 PM, the maid brought me back to my room, saying she had forgotten something.

“By the way, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it?”

The maid smiled and said.

“Don’t go outside after 6 PM.”

Clyde still hadn’t returned by then.

* * *

This dungeon had one distinctive feature: there were clocks everywhere.

I needed to confirm the time when the spirits, who were active at 6 PM, would start their activities.

And just as I was on edge, the time when the spirits, filled with despair, became active—6 PM—arrived.

The knocking began at that moment.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

A clear and precise knocking sound.

This was an event that occurred when staying at the castle.

At this point, the choices appeared as follows:

[1. Open the door.]

[2. Ignore it.]

Option 1 was a trap. Opening the door would result in immediate death by the spirit. So, ignoring it was the correct choice, but…

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

Even if I covered my ears and buried myself under the blankets, I couldn’t ignore the knocking.

‘I’m sorry, Livy. What have I done?’

To include such a scenario…

My past self must have been a psychopath.

Six hours passed.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

Ding!

[Seat 'Romance Hater' has donated 10,000 coins.]

[Why does the immoral spirit keep knocking at night? Does it want to die?]

Ding!

[Seat 'Betting on Therese's Life' has donated 10,000 coins.]

[Oh Lord, I will possess this broadcast and kill that kid and go to heaven.]

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

I was driven nearly mad by the relentless, malicious knocking.

‘Please stop!’

Screeeeeeech――――!

Suddenly, a chilling scream came from outside the door.

The scream didn’t end with just one cry; it gradually faded away.

I lifted my sweat-soaked face, confused by the situation.

It was 1 AM. The spirits wouldn’t retreat until morning.

“Hey. Are you in there?”

It was Clyde’s voice.

“…Clyde? Clyde, is that you?”

“Yeah, it’s me.”

I rushed to the door.

Clyde, hearing my footsteps, said firmly.

“Don’t open the door. The spirit will come in.”

I slid down the door in relief.

“Oh, really…”

Tears welled up in my eyes.

Actually, a few did fall.

“…Clyde, will you be okay on your own?”

I knew that even if I opened the door, I couldn’t do anything to the spirit.

Still, I placed my hand on the door, wanting to feel Clyde’s warmth, even though I knew it was meaningless.

Somehow, this made me feel closer to Clyde, and I found a sense of calm.

Clyde answered a bit gruffly.

“Once exposed to the spirit, it’s useless to go anywhere until dawn. We just have to hold out until 5 AM.”

I never expected that his gruffness would be so comforting.

“Are you scared of the spirit?”

I felt guilty, knowing that Clyde would have to face the terrifying spirit alone.

Clyde, as if he could see my expression, added.

“I can’t use the pocket dimension due to the dungeon’s rules, but the power of the holy relic still protects me. These spirits are no match for me.”

“Right. That’s true. That’s true.”

“What do you mean ‘That’s true’?”

I burst into laughter.

It was strange. It wasn’t even funny, but I couldn’t help but laugh.

Clyde was silent on the other side of the door, but I had a strange feeling that he was also laughing.