Raising the Princess to Overcome Death Chapter 78

78. Engagement - Punishment

“Now... now I’m stronger! But... but you...!”

On the night she had stripped off her pride and her clothes, Lena had run out in her undergarments and collapsed, crying bitterly.

You bastard!

You bastard! You bastard!

To think I was engaged to such a bastard.

I must be crazy. I’ve made a terrible mistake in judging someone’s character.

Lena, cursing and condemning him with all her might, eventually calmed down as the alcohol wore off.

She couldn't give him up.

In the darkness, Lena thought deeply. She tried to understand Leo's behavior. After a long while, she found a reason.

His attitude had changed dramatically after her swordsmanship skills had significantly improved, especially after she made a big mistake while sparring with Noguhwa. He had stopped talking to her since then.

‘Yes... He’s distancing himself because my skills are lacking.’

Leo must be disappointed in me for being so far behind in skill. Otherwise, his attitude wouldn't have changed overnight.

Looking back, it was the same when she first met Leo.

Before she started learning swordsmanship from Noel, they didn’t get along well. At the time, she thought he was just a shy scholar from the capital, but that wasn't it. He disliked her because of their vast skill difference.

Yes. That’s it. As her skills improved, she and Leo grew closer. And when her skills nearly matched his... they got engaged.

‘He said he didn’t hate me. Leo... wants me to catch up to him again. Yes, that’s it. Why else would he have come on this journey with me?’

Though his cold demeanor hurt, Lena steeled her heart.

Leo's skills were truly remarkable, but catching up to him didn't seem impossible to her.

It’s cold.

Sitting in the cold hallway in her undergarments, Lena eventually returned to her room. She glared at Leo, who still had his back turned.

You bastard. You could at least say something.

If you’re so dissatisfied with my skills, you could help me improve...

She laid a blanket on the floor and, with determination in her heart, fell asleep.

From that day on, Lena devoted herself to swordsmanship training. She honed her skills with Brian’s techniques and sparred with the knights of Count Simon’s household.

During this time, she saw hope.

She felt she could catch up to Leo if she pushed a little harder.

But that hope gradually faded as she trained alone in Lutetia.

‘How did Leo break through this wall?’ she wondered, finding it incredibly challenging to develop her own swordsmanship.

She believed it was possible eventually, but it seemed a long way off.

She was thrilled when she found hints from sparring with the noble Crio Prellik and his unique swordsmanship, but it still felt elusive.

Lena grew anxious. Every time Leo left their lodging, he would look at her sadly before disappearing. Following him secretly, she found him drowning in alcohol.

‘Leo, I’m sorry. Just... just wait a little longer.’

Leo was never one to enjoy drinking. He must be incredibly frustrated to drink so much.

‘If you’re so frustrated, you could help me, you bastard.’

One weekend, the elderly man who had been guarding Crio Prellik was replaced by someone else.

Introducing himself as Sir Corin, the elderly man watched Lena’s swordsmanship for a few days before clicking his tongue.

Sir Corin was a crusader who had perfected his swordsmanship fighting numerous unconverted barbarians in the southern continent.

Having retired from active duty, he had taught crusader aspirants for a long time and knew well how weak swordsmanship could become in a peaceful environment.

This young woman’s swordsmanship was precisely that.

She seemed to have talent and had absorbed many other styles, but they were still other people’s techniques.

Feeling sorry, he spoke.

“You can’t swing your sword so haphazardly. It’s good to reference others’ techniques, but... It’s hard to explain in words. Let’s spar.”

Lena was slightly annoyed by his blunt and straightforward manner but gladly accepted his offer of help.

The sparring... wasn’t sparring.

Sir Corin genuinely tried to kill her.

Whenever she showed an opening while attempting to use someone else’s techniques, his sword would strike mercilessly.

Lena was hit countless times by the flat of his blade.

Just before being hit, her heart would jolt as if she was about to be slashed by the sharp edge.

Like Noel Dexter, Sir Corin would end the sparring by kicking her hard and then ask,

“Did you feel anything?”

“Gasp, gasp... I’m not sure?”

“Then let’s try again. But remember, never assume I won’t kill you.”

How many times did she feel the chilling sensation of nearly dying?

Lena suddenly realized she was overly fixated on others’ techniques.

The foundation of her swordsmanship lay in Noel Dexter’s style.

While it was fine to mix in other techniques with Noel’s style, trying to mimic them without thought had made her approach chaotic.

With this realization, her swordsmanship transformed remarkably. Sir Corin, satisfied, finally praised her for the first time.

Lena felt it was time to tell Leo. That she had finally caught up to him. That wretched man!

Returning to their lodging, she found Leo passed out drunk.

She felt bad about waking him.

Back in her room, Lena lay awake for a long time, excited at the thought of surprising him tomorrow.

Leo would surely be happy.

Now, she had reached a level where she would be recognized as an excellent knight in any knight order.

Although Leo's rapid accomplishments caused some complications, her dream of becoming a knight and marrying him was almost within reach.

That was until she overslept and rushed to the tavern.

"Now... now I'm stronger! But... but you...!"

Leo looked at the huffing Lena with pity.

As expected, Lena had not abandoned him, despite his cruel behavior.

He wanted to apologize to her, to ask for forgiveness for all his wrongdoings.

But... if he did that, Minseo, that bastard, would make Lena's life difficult by insisting on breaking off the engagement.

He couldn't let go of the foolish hope of marrying "his" Lena to the prince and ending the game.

Leo steeled his heart. He had one more thing to confirm.

"Lena, why didn't you go to Crio Frelic?"

"...What are you talking about?"

"He's a prince of the Sacred Kingdom of Jerome. Crio Prellik is an alias. His real name is Cleo de Frederick."

"So what?"

"You got close to that prince. You might have become a princess if you played your cards right."

"What?!"

Lena's expression went from bewildered to furious.

Her face soon twisted like a demon, and uncontrollable rage poured out.

"You crazy bastard! You! You! Don't tell me the reason you did all that to me was because of this!"

Her body trembled, and her eyes began to burn with anger.

She reached for her waist as if to draw her sword, but it had already been broken and was gone.

She lunged at Leo.

"You bastard!"

It was over.

Leo did not avoid the flying punChapter This way, Minseo's excuses would be completely shut down.

The excuse that he couldn't get close enough to the prince would be rendered useless in the face of Lena's violent reaction.

He prepared to kneel and apologize, waiting for the punch.

My life isn't over yet...

[Your relationship with Lena has been severed.]

'Damn it!'

Lena's fist, which was close to his cheek, suddenly receded.

A familiar darkness descended, and text began to scroll rapidly.

[Thank you for playing 'Raising Lena.']

[Lena Ainar]

[Final Job: Great Warrior of the Ainar Tribe]

[Marriage Status: Unmarried]

[Leo Dexter]

[Final Job: Mercenary]

[Marriage Status: Unmarried]

[Engagement Status: Broken]

- Born at Avril Castle, Lena Ainar spent a happy childhood... (snip) ...After breaking off her engagement with Leo at Lutetia, she returned to her hometown, Avril Castle. She lived her life as a warrior of the tribe, never marrying. -

- Born in the capital city of Barnaul, Leo Dexter spent a happy childhood... (snip) ...Leo tried to apologize, but Lena never saw him again. He left Avril Castle and went to the capital, Barnaul. He stayed at the Dexter family house, drinking his days away, taking up mercenary work when he ran out of money. Leo lived a meaningless life and died young. -

[The scenario ending of the orphan siblings has been changed.]

+ Born in the royal city, Leo had an unhappy childhood. Dragged by people, he was hidden with Lena in a vast field... (snip) ...Chased after his identity was discovered, Leo died at the hands of Irene, the knight of Marquis Benar Tatian, in Orville. +

A picture of Lena, now a great warrior, appeared.

She was sitting astride a giant beast, laughing heartily, but she didn't look happy.

Leo, floating like a sphere, calmed his rising emotions.

Lena had endured enough.

It was amazing that her proud self had put up with this much.

'Do you understand, you idiot? Our Lena... no, Lena would never fall for a prince.'

Leo organized his thoughts carefully to leave Minseo a final message.

'Leave Lena alone. Don't even think about using her. If you try to use Lena again, I won't listen to you. Know that this is the last time, you bastard.'

His consciousness slowly faded, and Minseo's consciousness became clear.

'......'

Minseo couldn't say anything.

He had become aware of the playthrough limits and, feeling rushed, died doing nothing in the previous childhood friend scenario.

He wanted to take proactive action, no matter what.

Since there was no hope of becoming a king... he attempted to break off the engagement, the simplest way to make Lena a princess.

'......'

Becoming Leo, he felt love for Lena Ainar and proceeded with the breakup. The more painful it was, the more he believed this was the right way.

But the result was not as he expected.

Lena didn't give up on Leo, nor did she show interest in the prince.

All she cared about was swordsmanship, and even that was to win Leo's heart.

He had been so focused on clearing the game that he forgot Lena Ainar was a 'person.'

He treated her like a 'tool.'

'......'

He had vowed to make Lena happy before leaving.

But that vow wavered before the limits of playthrough and death counts. The fear of dying made him selfishly try to use Lena.

That, too, was an excuse. Minseo knew it.

Every Leo had always done their best for Lena. Even knowing they would disappear after the ending, they sacrificed for Lena.

When driven out of the church or losing an arm, they willingly brought the ending closer to ease Lena's sorrow and make her happy.

Minseo didn't have that confidence.

Could I really do that for Chaeha? Just for the sake of a few words saying they lived well after the ending?

This Leo also sacrificed for Lena.

Since the person holding the key to Lena's happiness was Minseo... even this self-absorbed Leo Dexter left information and warnings for Lena's future before disappearing.

It wasn't the first time Leo had left Minseo a message. The Leo in the previous orphan siblings scenario also left the words 'Please take care of Lena' before disappearing.

Their wish was only one.

- Make Lena happy.

They never asked for anything for themselves.

Only Lena...

'......'

Minseo didn't make any excuses. He reflected on Leo's last message.

Before he knew it, the pictures and text had disappeared, replaced by a silent message announcing the next step.

[You have not cleared 'Raising Lena.']

[It begins again.]

There was no scenario reward.

Minseo silently accepted the punishment.