The Sub-Heroine's Butler Is a Vicious and Innocent Idiot

9. Runaway (3)

“So this is Heirin.”

The full view of Heirin began to come into sight, hazy in the distance.

As expected, it looked remarkably similar to the one in the game.

In the center stood Heirin Castle, a Japanese-style royal fortress, surrounded by a city centered around commerce.

Still, seeing a city I’d only ever viewed through a screen in another dimension unfold before my very eyes felt strangely moving.

“What’s with those sparkling eyes… You really do have a childlike side, huh?”

“I turned fifteen this year. I don’t believe I’m young enough to be treated like a kid anymore.”

“You punk… This big sis is thirty this year. You still look like a newborn baby to me.”

Saying that, Kate pinched my cheek.

If I counted my age before possessing this body, I was close to thirty too.

And if I added the time I’d lived after possession… Kate flaunting herself like that felt kind of cute.

While we bickered like that, we eventually arrived at the entrance to the city walls.

The guards stationed there looked quite different from the ones up north, as expected.

“Kate and her escort, confirmed.”

In the North, they wore full plate armor lined with fur.

But here in the East, in Heirin, the guards wore samurai armor.

I was sure their speed and stamina stats differed accordingly.

“Hah! You’re going to lose your eyes staring like that. If you want to sightsee, come visit the outer guild. I know all the hot spots.”

“I told you, I’m headed to the Temple of Trials… Can you stop advertising your guild already, Miss Kate?”

“What, drawing the line now, are you?”

Saying that, she put me in a headlock again.

Of course, I could’ve broken free if I wanted to, but I stayed still, thinking of it as a sign of camaraderie.

…It definitely wasn’t because her chest was pressing against my face. Definitely not.

‘How did we end up getting this close?’

In the game, she was probably just a minor character without even a proper illustration.

Maybe it was her sociable personality, or the fact that we’d faced death together—whatever it was, I’d grown attached.

Something that would’ve been impossible in the game world.

Lost in thought, I suddenly heard Kate speak in a stern voice.

“I’ll take care of the bounty on my end, so come by the guild and collect it, okay?”

“Thank you. But I really need to head straight to the Temple of Trials.”

“What, not going to enjoy a little sightseeing?”

“I told you, I’m not here on vacation.”

Being close wasn’t a bad thing, but there were more than a few complications.

For now, I needed to receive the hidden piece from the Temple of Trials as quickly as possible and return to the North.

If something happened to Arlot while I was away… I didn’t even want to imagine it.

That’s why I had to avoid wasting any more time deepening my relationship with Kate.

‘It’s about time I left…’

I had already received payment for the escort in advance.

Now that the mission was complete, there was no longer any reason to remain with her.

There was supposed to be a bonus upon completion, but money wasn’t my priority right now.

Instead, I hoped she would accept my sudden departure as a silent apology.

While she kept babbling about the East, I quietly used a skill beside her…

And slipped away from the carriage, vanishing into the shadows of the bustling crowd.

She seemed to realize my disappearance too late, stopping the carriage and glancing around—but it was all in vain.

The heart of this city, so rich in commerce, was far more crowded than I’d imagined.

***

“Huff… Huff… Huff…”

Behind Heirin Castle, modeled after Osaka Castle, loomed a towering mountain.

At its peak, where clouds clung like scarves, a faint temple could be seen.

The temple known for testing human limits through trials—the Temple of Trials.

“Huff… Huff…”

Even from a distance, the majestic staircase of the Temple of Trials stretched from the mountain’s base, forming the first trial that blocked the path of any would-be trainee.

I had to admit, it lived up to the hype.

The seemingly endless staircase had become a truly brutal trial for me.

“Huff… Huff… Huff…”

Still, after a grueling battle that lasted hours, I finally stood at the entrance of the temple.

There were countless moments when I’d wanted to give up midway…

‘I am Arlot-mom. I am Arlot-mom. I am Arlot-mom. I am Arlot-mom. I am Arlot-mom. I am Arlot-mom.’

Instead of the word ‘patience,’ I etched the words ‘Arlot-mom’ deep into my heart, and somehow made it to the top.

It was thanks to my undying love and self-brainwashing for Arlot that I’d managed it.

Some might laugh.

Saying it’s just a staircase—how hard could it be?

I used to think that too.

But this staircase was far from ordinary.

‘…Why does the scenery never change, like I’m not moving at all?’

About halfway up, I started feeling like I was just circling the same spot.

And it wasn’t just a feeling—it really was happening.

Though I pushed my legs forward with all my might, my position never changed.

It was a bizarre phenomenon.

Still, I managed to reach the top by persistently climbing with everything I had.

In the game, the protagonist would’ve just been escorted here—none of this nonsense. Must’ve been some kind of barrier or illusion.

Knock—knock—knock—

Before me stood a massive door, about as tall as a two-story building.

Catching my breath, I knocked firmly on the iron door handle.

No one came, so I pounded at ten-second intervals until finally, I heard movement.

“Who the hell is it?”

A monk opened the door.

Though his robes and shaved head confirmed he was a monk, his fierce expression looked anything but compassionate.

Even someone like me, hardened by the fierce face of the Northern Duke, felt a bit intimidated.

Still, I hadn’t come all this way just to turn back now. I mustered up my courage.

“I’ve come to take the trial.”

I pressed my palms together and bowed deeply.

The theme of the Temple of Trials was ‘Trials’ and ‘Etiquette.’

So long as you kept those two in mind, at the very least, you wouldn’t get kicked out of—

“No can do. But more importantly, how did you even get up here? The Temple is currently off-limits to civilians.”

What the hell was he saying?

I’d climbed all the way up those stairs to get here…

And there hadn’t been a single sign or notice at the start of the climb.

In short, this was totally unfair.

“I didn’t receive any notice. I simply came because I was told I could take the trial.”

“Tch… You must’ve gotten the wrong idea. We’re not accepting new trial applicants for a whole year. Go back.”

“Sir—no, Master. Please, I beg you, let me in…”

Despite my desperate pleading, using my fifteen-year-old body for extra effect—

The punk… no, this bald thug started closing the door on me.

I couldn’t possibly go back now, so I threw myself forward and jammed my foot in the doorway.

I had to avoid leaving this place empty-handed, no matter what.

“Oi, get your foot out! You think pulling this kind of stunt will get you in?”

“Please… I must take the trial and return home.”

“I told you—come back in a year!”

“There’s someone dying back home. Time is running out. I beg you, please let me in…!”

Clearly irritated, the bald thug’s tone grew shorter and rougher.

I found it ironic—wasn’t this the guy who supposedly endured countless trials?

Still, no matter what, I wasn’t going back down that mountain empty-handed.

Forget game knowledge or logic—I leaned entirely on emotion and tried to sway him.

“…Then just kill me. If I go back like this, I’ll…”

“Ha… I swear, I’m gonna—”

Just as the bald monk raised his fist in exasperation, a solemn voice rang out from within the temple.

“Choji, that’s enough.”

“H-H-Head Monk!”

The thug immediately froze at the sound of the elderly man’s voice.

The owner of that voice was none other than the Head Monk of the Temple of Trials.

‘…It’s a miracle he’s even alive.’

He looked like a literal skeleton, his body wrinkled from head to toe.

He looked so old you’d believe it if someone told you he was over 300 years old.

Even in the game, he was described as ancient—but this was another level.

“Master, you came at the perfect time. This rascal here is demanding to be let in—”

“Let him in.”

“S-Sir? But we’re not allowing civilians right now—”

“I won’t repeat myself. It’s late. Show the lad to a room.”

“…Understood, Master.”

Choji, clearly displeased, bowed his head and could not refuse the Head Monk’s order.

Under his begrudging guidance, I was brought to a small room behind the Temple.

He shoved me inside, then returned with a monk robe and handed it to me.

The room felt cramped, like a tiny studio apartment—but oddly comforting, given its resemblance to my Northern quarters.

“Put it on. That will be your robe from now on.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“…Call me Choji. As monk and lay disciple, we’ll be seeing each other often.”

Apparently, the thug’s name was Choji.

‘Lay disciple’ referred to civilians who came to take the trials here.

Those with proper resolve who took refuge in Buddhism became monks.

I had no idea what enlightenment this guy, who threw punches at civilians, had found… but still—

Apparently, Choji was a full-fledged monk.

“It’s late. Get some sleep.”

“Yes, Mr. Choji.”

Despite my polite response, he left the room without another word, clearly still annoyed.

I didn’t have the energy to worry about him. I quickly changed and went to sleep.

Starting tomorrow, I had to blitz through the trials.

‘My goal is to obtain the hidden piece before this so-called “Trial of Flames” period ends.’

Etching that goal once more into my heart, I drifted off to sleep.