Feeling weak, sister

Zerola, who had scattered a pile of jewels at his feet, opened his mouth in shock.

Was this guy planning to swallow me whole?

“You… what did you just say!?”

“I said you’re vulgar.

To treat your own daughter like a commodity to measure with money—what’s worse, just a mere million.

Kefiel is priceless!”

After all, Kefiel is the protagonist.

Can a protagonist be measured by money?

After finishing my bold declaration with my head held high, I quietly slid behind Kefiel.

In order to cling to Kefiel’s thigh and never let go, I most likely just completely offended the old man.

But… let’s not mention why Kefiel, who promised to ‘protect me,’ is standing there like a wooden post, motionless.

Why is my script still letting me live in front of this uncle?

Hiss… huh?

I saw the uncle come back to his senses and immediately approach with overwhelming pressure!

“I asked you—how do you know I’m an eighth—”

An eighth-rank powerhouse, terrifying as hell… yeah, right.

I wasn’t panicked at all, because Kefiel was also shocked awake by her father’s sudden aggression and stood firmly in front of me, blocking him completely.

Clinging to her thigh really is the sweetest feeling.

“Father, calm down a little.

Do you want me to leave home again the moment I’ve just returned?”

The atmosphere froze.

Probably because I was clinging to Kefiel’s thigh, my script still didn’t say anything about ‘getting slapped to death.’

However, that Louis Twenty-Three sure knows how to pick her timing, jumping in at exactly the worst moment.

Clearly, her heart was set on adding fuel to the fire, but her face put on the expression of a peacemaker.

“All right, Uncle, please don’t be angry.

Kefiel was just tricked, that’s all.

It’s just… sigh, I didn’t think she’d fall this deep.

Let me kick out this idle scammer from outside, and then you lock Kefiel up for a while.

Wouldn’t that make her calm down?”

She says ‘lock her up,’ but judging from the timing, Louis Twenty-Three clearly wants to stir up trouble, make Kefiel lose her chance at the selection, and take the spot for herself.

Turns out this little brat isn’t just a villain—she wants to steal the protagonist’s script too.

Vicious and downright evil.

But Kefiel didn’t let me down.

Worthy of being the protagonist, worthy of being the thigh I cling to.

She didn’t throw me aside over such words, but instead stared straight at Louis Twenty-Three without a trace of fear.

“Drive him out?

Do you have that right?”

That sharp aura made Louis Twenty-Three instinctively step back a few paces.

But she probably thought there’s no way she could lose now.

So she quickly leaned toward Kefiel’s father, pretending to be a good little girl while deliberately provoking Kefiel.

“Uncle, just look!

How could such a scandal happen in our Great Ying Empire’s royal family?”

“Scandal?”

“That’s right, Kefiel.

I’m only thinking for your own good, because soon we’re going to be competing fairly for the spots to enter the ruins.

Originally, Uncle and Her Majesty were going to carefully select candidates—candidates who must be exemplary in every way.

And now, not only have you been wandering outside all day, you even brought back some shady man.”

At that moment, Louis Twenty-Three finally bared her villainous fangs.

Using me, this so-called ‘shady man,’ to tarnish Kefiel’s taste and even her character.

But that’s just her malicious nature.

Her true goal is to snatch away the spot that should rightfully belong to Kefiel!

“If you insist on protecting this thug, then I won’t interfere in your family matters.

However, for the upcoming selection, shouldn’t you have the sense to give up your place?

After all, if word spreads that the only daughter of Uncle Zerola’s family is involved with some shady man, the damage to your reputation… will be unbearable.

Uncle Zerola, don’t you agree?”

“…”

I thought Kefiel’s father, Uncle Zerola, would find some excuse for the sake of family honor or some other nonsense to slap my head clean off.

But who would’ve thought he’d just frown in silence instead?

As for me, I couldn’t care less about him.

All my focus was on Kefiel, standing right beside me.

“…”

I stole a glance at Kefiel.

She was struggling to stay calm, fists clenched and trembling slightly—a clear sign she was holding herself back.

Looks like she knows too: if she lashes out at Louis Twenty-Three here, the girl will twist the story and spread even uglier, nastier rumors.

The thigh I’m clinging to isn’t some brainless musclehead.

So I couldn’t wait any longer!

As a side-character villain, I don’t need to tell Louis Twenty-Three how suicidal it is to challenge the protagonist.

But—snatching the upgrade arc prepared for Kefiel?

Hell no!

Not to mention I’m a victim too.

If Kefiel can’t level up, how can I hold onto her thigh safely?

Hmph, little brat.

Just wait…

You won’t be laughing so smugly soon.

I’ll strip you bare today—right down to the color of your underwear!

I narrowed my eyes and focused all my strength on reading Louis Twenty-Three’s script.

The next moment, as Uncle Zerola’s slightly puzzled gaze turned toward me, I slowly spoke.

“The candidates to enter the Goddess Ruins must be flawless in every way and loyal to the Great Ying Empire, correct?

Miss Louis Twenty-Three.”

“That’s right.

So just look at you—dressed like that, sigh… truly embarrassing for Kefiel.”

“That’s not right, is it?

If having a man by your side makes you unqualified… then what about you?”

Louis Twenty-Three’s lofty tone screeched to a halt.

She stared at me in shock, her face pale with a hint of guilt.

“Wha… what did you say?”

I slipped a little further behind Kefiel.

Then I held up two fingers.

“Midnight, Room 12, Durace Hotel.

That blond guy sure had the size and the stamina, huh?”

—