Chapter 24: Engagement

......

Alfonso's POV

After I was done taking Alice to the healers, I immediately went to Antelmo's office. Mary who followed me was left standing in front of the door.

Surrounded by painted red walls. Setting inside, I'm immediately introduced by a huge figure sitting on a throne-like chair, of course, there's a table in front of him. Full of papers. Whilst his chair has a design of a dragon.

Tap!

My shoe then resonated after I halted my footsteps and reached his front.

My heartbeat for some reason was so loud that I could hear them inside my ears.

I could feel fear surging through my heart, probably because Alfonso is intimidated by his father. With such occurring things, my face, however, stayed indifferent and my eyes were still as cold as ever.

My hand trembled for a little bit but I was able to manage it.

Soon,

"Alfonso"

Antelmo called out my name.

"Tell me, why did you break the engagement?"

He added. In an instant, his heavy presence exploded and I could feel my body being heavy and overwhelmed.

It's like Antelmo was trying to make me kneel using only his pressuring presence.

I tried to check his status at that moment however just as expected. I could not determine his rank; like Victor.

Trying to look at his status almost made me stumble, my legs shuddered and my head that was just looking at him in the eyes now lowered.

But, with a determined look, I slowly put my strength into looking him in the eyes before speaking.

"Patriarch, it was simply because Valentina... our love for one another is just going to hurt us further and..."

Pausing for a brief moment,

"It's not like she loved me anyway. I was only foolish for her. It was one-sided."

I continued.

"Hoh?"

Antelmo let out a disbelieved chuckle. As if he found my response funny and unbelievable.

He then asked, "Do you even know how important it is to combine forces with the Lopez family for me?" after that, his pressure once again erupted, but this time, a much heavier one.

I could not even flinch anymore because I was putting all of my strength into not lowering my head.

"I will join our family's tradition, as a punishment!"

I said while at the same time, the pressure around me dissipated in an instant.

Antelmo who had this bloodshot gaze turned silent and soon, "KUHAHAHA!"

He let out a terrifying laugh.

The usual villain laugh that I remember in the game.

"KUHAHAHAHA!"

After that last laugh, he finally stopped and his eyes that glared at my soul returned and fell on me. To be precise, his gaze was the same as Alfonso's.

"Now that you mention it... You're almost turning 13..." he said in a contemplative tone before, "GET OUT!" Antelmo ordered.

While in response, I nodded and spoke, “Understood” before I started walking.

Turning my back to him, I then inwardly smiled, why? Because Antelmo was satisfied with my response. Since he is the type of man who likes people who are bold and are entertaining.

Ding!

¹[+50 Points, You have changed your image toward Antelmo]

Thanks to my knowledge of the game, I was able to stop his anger by showing my boldness. Since Alfonso in the eyes of Antelmo was a coward. Antelmo is also a person who deeply likes talented people... So if I showed him that I'm capable, he won't be worried. The other reason why he took a daughter was to increase this family's power. But if I, his son became also talented or maybe capable, what would this mean? It means he doesn't need to worry anymore and can use me as a way to achieve whatever his goals are; Which I think is to strengthen this family's power, influence, or whatever it is!

If I did not satisfy him... I'm afraid Something much worse could have happened to me, like me being caged inside a prison as a punishment.

Inside a dark place that could turn me insane. Probably much even worse because that punishment is light.

How do I know this?

Because at a younger age... If I remember... Alfonso tried to take the punishment of being locked up inside a place where no light can be seen for five months just so he could not attend to his family's traditions.

If I remember the summary of his story in the game… he was so scared that he endured all of that.

Now, What reason could have caused Alfonso to go through all of that? It's simply because he can't make a name since he's weak asfuck. To be more precise, the tradition of the Alfonso family is to set out of the world and make a name for themselves at the age of thirteen. Basically, Alfonso in the game if I speculate, knows that he can’t do that… rather it was a suicide. Knowing that he's almost turning thirteen he tried to endure the punishment which already happened. Fortunately, I had passed that time already before I turned into Alfonso.

Well, if I was in his situation at that time. I wouldn't do that and just make a name for myself.

Nothing will change much. Especially if I have my biggest advantage, which is 'the system!'

However, I wouldn't take Antelmo so lightly... Even though I'm his son... With how crazy and fucked up he is in the game... I could already tell that he would kill me if I overstepped the boundaries even though I'm only his one son. A son that would spread his kin. Even with that much high regard, he still has the ability and will to kill me. That's also one of the reasons why Alfonso is scared of him in the first place.

Because Antelmo treats everyone equally and that includes Alfonso.

Antelmo is a person who did horrendously horrible things in the game if I could remember. But the motivations behind his actions were unknown. The only thing that people and me included could speculate is his greed for power. And that's exactly what made Antelmo terrifying because people don't know what he'll do next.

In the game, Antelmo was not able to protect his son because he was doing something important at that time. That important thing for him still remains a mystery but when the main character fought Antelmo he is already on the side of the demons. Saying he'll avenge his son and his beloved.

With those thoughts inside my mind. I soon realized that I'm already out while Mary looked at me with a surprised face.

"My lord..." Mary let out a worried voice.

‹She's probably shocked that I'm attending our tradition after Alfonso endured those shit... Just so he could not attend›

Realizing that my actions could lead to her worrying again. Without further ado, I raised my hand and gestured to Mary to stop.

"It's okay Mary. Don't worry, I know now what to do"

I muttered in confidence then looked her in the eyes, "Thank you for always being with me. You don't have to worry now since I have a plan in my mind" I said as an unnoticing faint smile slowly crept into my mouth.

It was a face of that of appreciation. I truly felt grateful for her to be honest since she always tries to help me. Especially how she was so worried and how she went through so much trouble just to save me.

Even in the game... She was such a loyal maid. My only speculation about why she betrayed Alfonso is because she had enough of seeing him turning much more horrible. Because of these reasons... I want to make her effort fruitful this time, unlike Alfonso who just took her for granted... but I didn't expect that my mouth would move at this exact moment.

Since I'm so used to my body not showing any slight emotions ever since I became Alfonso. The sudden faint smile I didn't even know surprised me. If it wasn't for Mary having her eyes wide in response, I wouldn't have noticed I'm smiling at her.

Not only that, but a warm feeling is surging inside my heart.

It was as if butterflies filled my stomach, however, such a smile of mine soon disappeared when I realized I have been smiling. It's like my perfectionism and some confusing emotions coming from Alfonso made me not want to smile.

Without wasting any more time, I soon turned my head and started walking again. Only to hear the system ring after.

Ding!

[+300 points, Mary's affection and attraction for you has increased!]

"???" leaving me speechless because of how high the points were. So far, she is the first person to ever give me such high points.

"..."

‹Thanks...› I inwardly muttered. But I couldn't help but speculate something along the way.

‹...Maybe...›

I then shrugged my shoulders as I continued walking to not further my wild imagination.

‹Let's focus for now on what we need to do›

 

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Nighttime, inside a bedroom or to be precise my bedroom. I sat on a chair with paper in front of my table. Whilst Mary who is always there guarding my front door is no other but a different person with the same rank as her.

It should have been her who is there but I remembered earlier how also in the game Mary was not present there.

I, however, already long concluded that it must be related to the assassination before she could even call me to meet up with my father. Since I remembered how she was not present in the game for some unknown reason. Therefore I indirectly said my thanks and good luck to her after I immediately knew what she'll do next back when I connected the dots.

But yes, considering who Mary is before she went out, she said her farewell to me first.

"..."

Silence then followed. Soon, I looked at the paper in front of me.

‹The World's End›

I muttered inwardly with a serious look forming on my face as I pondered the bleak future I will have. Rather than just me but that also includes everybody who lives in this world.

Without wasting time, I then rolled the map on my table. While the paper that I have filled with my plans got covered.

As to why I said the future of everyone is bleak... is because I know how the world almost got destroyed and millions of people died.

In short, the world was almost doomed.

In every route of the female main characters you choose... The story of the world always turns into shit.

It was one of the reasons I played the game so many times... since I wanted a good ending. If you played it right though, you'll eventually get into that part where the world was saved. Though I would like it if the world's ending problem is solved immediately and that millions of people being killed didn't happen.

That's why... To prevent the end of this world in a faster way... I need to get stronger.

Stronger than the main character. Or someone strong enough to help him. I've been also trying to get stronger because when that arc comes... I'm afraid that I would die immediately.

All I want is to live peacefully this time while staying true to my beliefs...

"..."

Without furthering my thoughts, I soon shook my head and muttered.

"‹System Shop›"

In that instant, words quickly formed out of my sight.

"‹~Let's get some more abilities~›" I inwardly whispered as I continued to search for what should I buy after I noticed the points I have earned.

However, as I muttered those words inside my head. The system suddenly rang,

[Ding!]

²{Quest has appeared}