The Extra's Harem In Dead End Game

Chapter 112: A Meeting of Monsters

Exactly two days had passed.

Regina was sitting on a bench where she could clearly see the Tower of Light standing tall in the central square. The prophecy of Max Celtrine, which she once thought was absurd nonsense, was starting to seem otherwise.

The first part of his prediction had turned out to be absurdly accurate.

Professor Karen had taken the day off from all lectures due to a severe cold. Could this have been predicted? It might have been possible if there had been some signs.

But Professor Karen, as seen yesterday, seemed perfectly fine. It didn't seem possible she would fall ill the next day.

"It's difficult."

Yes. It's difficult to predict. If it could be predicted, it would be a skill. However—

"It's still not enough."

One instance is not enough to make a judgment. And it shouldn't be. That's why she was here—to check the second prophecy.

"Not yet?"

Regina took something out of her pocket while looking at the Tower of Light, which appeared no different than usual.

A platinum cigarette case. It wasn't something she originally used. She had received it from Max two days ago.

"Ah, it's an engagement anniversary gift."

It was the first time Max remembered the engagement anniversary and brought a gift.

After all, he was a fiancé with no expectations, so she hadn't cared much. But now it was different. Max, who had started to slowly reveal his hidden true colors, was indeed a person who piqued interest.

The wealth of the Celtrine family—she thought that was the only help, but maybe his own power could be helpful too. Of course, it was still unknown.

Above all, the relationship was tied through a political marriage, and it was unclear whether they could trust each other on a personal level.

However—she liked the gift. It was a perfect gift for a smoker.

And then—

"Eternity."

Platinum signifies eternity. That meant Max had clearly expressed his intention with this gift—a clear intention to continue this engagement relationship.

Not bad.

At least the uncertainty concerning the breakdown of this relationship was now gone. A strategic marriage personally pushed by her deceased grandfather. She didn't want it to break.

Regina took out a cigarette from the platinum case and lit it with a flick of her finger, using the energy of fire. It was a very easy trick for her.

"Hoo."

She deeply inhaled the cigarette smoke and exhaled it shortly. Inhale deeply, exhale shortly. It was her smoking habit.

Her mind settled into a pleasant calmness. She couldn't quit smoking because of this addictive sensation.

While she was enjoying the cigarette—

*Kwaang!*

Suddenly, a loud explosion sounded. Flames soared high. Thick black smoke stained the sky.

'So, I don't know the answer either.'

They were both humans so flawed they could be considered rotten. In the end, what mattered was not to cross either of them and to keep them in a good mood, regardless of whom you chose.

It required survival tactics. How many times I had died just to begin to grasp those tactics.

"Why aren't you answering?" Princess Oskar's question brought me out of my thoughts.

She was thoroughly hiding her true nature now. So there was no need for perfect tact.

But caution was necessary. If you upset her by accident, you could be marked. Being marked by the crazy princess was one of the most dangerous things.

"Ah, I apologize. I was so surprised to meet the princess whom I had only heard about in rumors for the first time."

"How did you know I was a princess if you're seeing me for the first time?"

Oskar, who, despite being the First Princess of the Empire, spoke humbly and politely.

She was a typical polite-speaking character. The fact that such a setting belonged to a character with a broken personality made it all the more chilling.

"I knew because the only first-year who qualifies to enter this special training ground is Your Highness."

Princess Oskar was wearing a first-year uniform. Each grade had a slightly different design and color, so it was easy to recognize.

Moreover, while there were many talents in the so-called Golden Generation of the first year, only Princess Oskar had reached the Master level so far. So my response could be considered without issue.

"Aha, I see. That's how you knew. I understand. Then who might you be?"

Princess Oskar asked. She didn't know who I was, as she had never seen my face and I was wearing plain clothes. After all, from her point of view, why would she care about an extra as insignificant as a maggot?

"I am Max Celtrine, a second-year, Your Highness."

"Now that I see, you're a senior. Max Celtrine. Could you be from the Celtrine family?"

It seemed she knew of the Celtrine family. After all, it was a family with some recognition in the Empire.

"Yes, that's correct."

"Ah, the one known as the 'disgraced prodigal'?"

Princess Oskar, quite openly, knew even the nickname of Max, whom she would not even notice otherwise. It was unexpected that she knew.

"Yes, that's correct."

"I see."

A strange and unsettling smile appeared on Princess Oskar's lips. Knowing her true nature, it was an unpleasant smile.

"I understand who you are now. But why have you come down here?"

"That's because—" Just as I was about to answer,

"I called him here, Your Highness," Regina's voice interrupted us.

Regina's voice echoed clearly in the narrow hallway, cutting through the tense atmosphere between Max and Princess Oskar. Both turned towards the direction of the voice. From the shadows, Regina appeared, her expression calm and collected, as though she had predicted this meeting all along.

"Regina," Max greeted her with a slight bow, relieved that she had arrived just in time. If the conversation with Oskar had continued any longer, he wasn't sure what might have happened.

Princess Oskar's unsettling smile remained, but her gaze flickered with mild curiosity.