Chapter 2: Max Celtrin [1]
When I came to my senses, I found myself in the body of a human named Max Celtrin.
The situation was straightforward, but the problem wasn't as simple as it seemed. If there was any consolation, it was that I knew the world of this game very well.
But that wasn't much of a comfort.
For starters, I had never cleared this game, so I didn't know the ending.
"This is driving me crazy," I muttered, feeling like I was losing my mind.
It would have been better if I had been transmigrated into the protagonist body.
After all, the game is centered around the main character, and of course, I had only ever played the game focusing on the main character.
Even in the worst-case scenario, it might have been tolerable as the protagonist.
But this guy?
"… … An extra," I muttered in frustration.
That was exactly it. I was a year ahead of the protagonist at the same academy, with the lowest skills and grades.
On top of that, his personality was so vile that everyone avoided him. He didn't stop there; he was obsessed with women and money, a walking collection of the worst human traits.
The only redeeming qualities were his prestigious family background and his decent appearance.
"Oh, there's one more thing," I corrected myself.
Come to think of it, this guy's fiancée was none other than Regina Ernbert, one of the greatest knights in the world. But even then, the engagement was quickly broken off due to his scoundrelly behavior.
Ironically, Regina was the character who betrayed the protagonist in my last playthrough.
"Well, that's not important," I continued thinking.
Max Celtrin, this passing extra A, only gets properly involved with the protagonist once.
It was a scene where a drunken group of people were making obscene remarks to the protagonist's childhood friend at the Academy's founding anniversary festival, and Max ended up getting beaten up by a wooden spoon.
By the way, the reason alcohol is allowed at the Academy festival is that the Academy in the game is like a university course in real life.
Anyway, he was used as a tool for a small, satisfying event that passed by, and he was mercilessly kicked out.
Oh, it's not exactly a complete exit.
This guy's true demise occurred later in the 'Tragedy of the Red Moon.' His final fate was to be the first to be brutally mauled and killed by the undead summoned by the mad necromancer, the mastermind behind the tragedy.
This was a tragedy that the protagonist could not prevent, no matter how he resolved it. Since Max was just an extra, the developers probably didn't pay much attention to him.
"Hmm? That means…" My face hardened as I realized something.
It had to be that way.
This is me now, isn't it? Doesn't that mean I'm going to die too when the time comes?
"Fuck," I cursed under my breath.
I jumped up from the sofa and began pacing around the room, lost in thought. After quite some time had passed, I stopped.
So, the conclusion is, "I have to survive."
The most important thing is my life. I must somehow find a way to survive the 'Red Moon Tragedy.'
And the next most important thing: "The hero."
Yes, the main character. If the protagonist fails, the world will fail anyway.
I have to make sure the protagonist can save the world by any means necessary.
Of course, it was a nearly impossible mission.
… … Let me say this again: I have never cleared this game. But…
"… Well, what can I do? I have no choice but to clear it."
Otherwise, my life is over, and there's no other option.
I've always claimed that I am qualified to clear this game. Ironically, I now had to risk my life to prove it.
In this game world.
***
knock. knock.
There was a cautious knock on the door.
"What is it?" I straightened my posture and said.
There's nothing strange about this guy's speech in the game since he's always like this.
"Your Majesty, it is time to leave now."
At those words, I walked over and opened the door. The maid standing outside flinched and quickly bowed. Even without looking closely, I could tell that her body was trembling slightly.
She was barely hiding her fear.
It was easy to guess why.
The human I transmigrated had the worst personality imaginable.
Being the heir to the Count Celtrin, this was a situation that I found absurd, but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing since I wasn't used to it yet. I didn't have to be conscious of everyone's gaze and tiresomely package myself.
"Lead the way."
"Yes? Where…?"
At those words, I unconsciously frowned and fell into thought.
I was just wondering because I didn't know, but it seemed the maid had taken it differently.
"Sorry, sorry. I'll take you right away."
The maid stuttered, nodding her head repeatedly, possibly misunderstanding that I was glaring at her. Then she started walking ahead with trembling steps.
I clicked my tongue inwardly and followed the maid.
The face itself was clean, so it wasn't bad, but the eyes were narrow and sharp, giving off a nervous look.
It probably felt that way even more because even the tone of my voice was cold. It was obvious that this kind of reaction would become commonplace in the future.
'How luxurious,' I thought as I glanced around the interior of the Celtrin Count's mansion.
The Celtrin family itself is not one that has much contact with the protagonist in the game.
So, I didn't know much about it, but I knew it was a prestigious family with a reputation that was by no means small. Especially in terms of wealth.
As your reputation in the game increases, you can build relationships with various noble families and borrow money from them.
At that time, the Celtrin family also lent money, and the amount of money that came in at once was several times that of a regular noble family.
While I was thinking about this, the maid's footsteps suddenly stopped.
'hmm?'
My gaze naturally turned forward.
There stood a young woman whose eyes looked just like mine. The maid bowed. That was enough to tell me that the woman held an extraordinary position in the family.
The woman walked towards me briskly. Before I knew it, our eyes met.
"Behave yourself," she said coldly.
Clearly, we weren't on friendly terms. But who was she to talk to me like this?
I kept silent, unsure of what to say.
Then I thought to myself, Who on earth is this woman?
Certainly not my parents. But who else would dare speak like this to the heir of the Celtrin family?