To Save My Favourite Character, I Decided To Destroy the Game’s Plot

Arjanne pointed to a place where a few children were holed up in a corner of the main street, as if they were taking up a spot for a cherry blossom viewing.

"Master! There are four of us here today!"

　Arthur, one of the kids, shouted with a big smile on his face.

Two of the four were children I didn't know, but I recognized Arthur and another girl with brown hair pulled back in a pigtail, whom I had once seen in game.

　Liliana.

　Arthur's childhood friend and one of the main heroines.

The story goes that when she was involved in a war and mortally wounded, Arthur was determined to become strong because of his frustration at not being able to protect her.

"That's good to hear. Shall we start the assembling as soon as possible? Arthur, please teach her if she is new to this."

"Oh, I'll take care of it! "

Arthur, his chest puffed out, was the first to begin work, carrying the planks and framework on a cart.

　He must have experience in this field, as he assembled the stalls with an experienced hand.

Arthur explained the process to the children who were confused about what to do, and the children, led by Arthur, quickly completed the stalls. (Arjanne will do the high assembly later.)

"Norwin, I'm going to ask you to clean the dishes that have dust on them.'"

'Oh, okay".

"Yes, please. I'm leaving for now."

"Uh, yes."

I had been out of time, so I started to follow Arjanne's instruction as she left.

There were several large baskets of water, probably brought by the children from a well or something, ready for me to wash with.

It seemed to be enough to clean with.

　There was no detergent or soap, as one would expect.

　Instead, there were sand and ashes, things that were actually used for washing dishes in medieval Europe.

In the olden days, sanitation was not so hygienic, and it was common to use these things to clean the dirt.

It was a privilege of the nobility to be able to use soap and the like in abundance.

I think I was very fortunate to have been blessed that I was given possession by an aristocrat's child.

If I, who had a Japanese standard of living, had been suddenly driven to the bottom like this, I have no doubt that I would have gotten sick for sure.

　As I was moving my hands, I was suddenly interrupted by someone from the side.

"I'll help you!"

'Oh, "

　It was Arthur. It seemed that he had finished the assembling earlier and had come to help us.

　Behind him is Liliana, who is bowing apologetically.

She is the one who is pushed around by Arthur, who is like a wild horse, sticking his neck out everywhere, you know.

"How's your job?"

"Well, certainly."

"Arthur, he's an aristocrat, isn't that right? You're a nobleman. You should speak to him with respect."

'Liliana is a pain in the ass. It's okay. He's not the kind of guy who talks nonsense".

Oh, I remember this too.

　Arthur is the kind of guy who always causes problems for everyone around him. But he solves them with his great ability and charisma, and in the end, he brings everyone together and...

　Well, that's not good enough. If he bumps into a noble who doesn't tolerate disrespect, his head will roll the moment he bumps into him.

"Arthur. I'm done with that, but if you run into a nobleman, use honorifics in the first place. If they don't, you won't be the only one who gets a punishment".

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Liliana there and the others around you will also be harmed".

"Oh, no! Are you serious? I'll definitely be careful next time! But you're okay with that, right?

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Look at Liliana! He's a good guy!"

He's not just ------ for forgiveness. I'm sorry."

　Liliana, bowing apologetically, can't help but smile.

No, don't apologize. You take good care of him.

"Of course I will. He always does weird things when I leave him alone!"

What do you mean, " weird things?"

"The other day he ate Uncle Parmot's sugar without permission, and he got his bones beat!"

"Because it's so good!"

　Oh, no. Well, it's childish and cute, but....

We chatted and worked for a few minutes. Finally, when all the preparations were finished, Arjanne came back.

She was carrying a large package on both hands.

"What did you bring? Is it poison?'

"A package this big is poison. Yeah, are you trying to poison an old dragon? It's just waste food."

"Waste?"

'Yes, that's right. When I open a store, I collect discarded foodstuffs from various places like this."

　I approached and peeked inside the package, and sure enough, there was a large amount of vegetables in it. The other package contained meat, also in large quantities.

　It would be very difficult to gather such a large amount of meat, but Arjanne is very good at it.

"Now, everyone, it's time to get to work."

　Arjanne, who had placed the wrappings on the stall, which was complete except for the roof and other high parts, spoke to the children.

"The proceeds from today's sales will be split among everybody, so please work hard."

「「「「Yes! 」」」」

Four cheerful replies.

　Four cheerful replies. One sigh.

Arjanne's opened her restaurant, leaving a slight element of anxiety in the air.

Discarded vegetables, discarded meat, and only a little salt and strong smelling leaves as seasonings.

The three children, except for Arthur, cooked the soup using those ingredients.

Meanwhile, Arthur was doing something akin to peddling his wares on the main street.

It seems that this is because Arthur cannot cook, but the sight of an innocent boy working so hard seems to be enduring, and a good number of customers come to look at the food stalls.

And so they came to see and hear...

"Welcome, welcome! It's industrial waste soup stuffed with scrap meat and discarded vegetables. It's not that tasty, but it's cheap!"

This was Arjanne's advertising slogan, which she was joking around with with all her might.

She had been pretending to be a cool-headed adult in front of the children, but this was too much of a sudden and unexpected insanity.

I turn around in surprise, but Arthur, Liliana, and the others are going about their respective business, completely unfazed.

No, huh? What?

"Come on, Norwin, speak up."

"What do you think you're doing?"

 

;What are you doing, touting?"

"What kind of a customer would come up to you with that line?"

"This is more effective than you think. See?"

"What?"

　I noticed that a crowd had gathered in front of the stall.

'I heard they were open again today, so I rushed over here."

"Thank you very much."

"By the way, Arjanne, you are a solid person, aren't you? You're giving these kids a place to work and money.'

'No, . I just have these kids help me with my hobby."

'You keep talking that way again."

　I'm very happy with the reception. I mean, is this seriously a normal situation where there is no mention of Arjanne's craziness?

　Hmmm, no. I have no idea.

Is it Arjano or Arjanne, what is this person thinking, and why is this person working against the human race?

I don't know anything about this person.

"Hey, noblesama! You should be working too!"

"Oh, excuse me."

　No, why should I apologize? I was frustrated like that, but I had no choice but to move on to my work. Because if I don't help with this, I won't get to learn about Arjanne's plans.

One hour later.

The soup was sold out fairly soon and the place was closed, and Arjanne split the day's profit evenly.

　The profit was very small because of the low unit price, but it was still a lot of money for a small child.

　Arthur and his friends received the money and ran away from the stall, their eyes shining.

　They must have a lot of things they want to buy.

　I was surprised because all of them were so skinny that I wanted to cover my eyes.

　Maybe because they are not satisfied on a regular basis, their greed explodes the moment they get something.

"Here you go, Norwin."

"Thanks."

　"Away from the main street. I take a break in a back alley where there is no one around, and I get today's allowance, too."

I'm sure that the clothes I'm wearing now are more expensive than this. I feel the difference in status.

I am given more value from my surroundings than what those kids have struggled hard for an hour to finally get.

　It's not just one thing. I can't even count the number of times I've been told, "That was fun.

"That was fun."

"You had fun?"

"Yes, I did. I've always dreamed of owning my own business someday. It's always fun to try it out, even if it's just for practice."

"You can do it anytime you want."

"Not really."

"Why not? You'll..."

"This inconvenience you'll come to understand. It's a little late in my life to give it all up and be happy."

"What?"

　Again. Suddenly, he inserted seriousness into the conversation. How am I supposed to react when I don't know anything about Arjanne?

"I hope you will take this as advice from a kind-hearted senior colleague. You, if you want to go back, now is the time to do so."

"No, what? What are you talking about?"

"You can still turn back. You can still lead a normal life. , but not from here on out. You can't go any further, and the world will never leave you alone."

"What's your point?"

"I told you, didn't I? Help me with the store and I'll tell you what I'm up to."

"Yeah."

Oh, so that's what you're finally going to tell me.

I straighten my stance and wait for the next words. Well, I guess it doesn't matter what shape I'm in.

　Now that I have the absolute upper hand and can be killed at any time, my outfit, my mindset, and everything else is meaningless in front of Arjanne.

　Still, or perhaps that's why.

　I prepared myself to face Arjanne with all my heart and soul.

"The war that will take place a little while later involving this land, yes. It's a war that's going to take place a little while from now, and I am going to be a part of it."

"What? Does that mean you're going to fight?"

"No, it will be on a much larger scale, though. It's a real battlefield, which I haven't seen in recent years. To tell you the truth, Schneizel alone won't be able to control it.

"Why do you say that?"

"For development".

"Develop?"

　"What?"

　No, wait. But, huh? No, , , why these guys. But then, it certainly fits the narrative.

　Don't tell me these guys are raising Arcadia?

　That would explain why they didn't kill Almire and the others in the attack on the royal castle two years ago.

　But why?

Isn't the Ulgor Evil cult an enemy of Arcadia?

　No, wait? Could the premise be wrong in the first place? If one considers that they are not enemies of Arcadia---

'In this war, I intend to make Schneizel worthy of being a great general. Yeah. And you know what, Norwin? Your development is part of the plan".

"Me too?"

"A war that could shake the world. I'm going to put you through your fair share of rough patches in the course of the war, and if you make it through all of that... well, I'll leave you with a few results from the martial arts tournament. If you break through all of them, it will not be a simple thing like a small result in a martial arts competition. Your name will go around the world with glorious war results."

What's wrong with you?

Aside from the fact that Arjanne's words are to be believed, if what is being said is true, it would only be nice to have a step up in convenience.

If the world recognizes you too late, it may be difficult for you to live like an ordinary person. But then again, you know, you already have me involved with the royal family, so isn't it too late for that?"

"No, it's not. Being recognized by royalty and being successful in war are two very different things. You don't understand that."

"What is your point, after all?"

"I guess so. No, that's right. I wonder. I don't really know what it actually is".

"What's that?"

　He doesn't know? That's how much stuff is going on with me?

"Well, yeah. Now's the time to run away. You should run away. If you're going to live a happy, honest life, this is the breaking point."

"I don't get it."

"I guess you do. The bestsame thing was said by me at the beginning".

　Arjanne smiled as though she were in a daze, and did not utter another word.

A few minutes later, I was finally freed from Arjanne.

In total, I had been missing for more than five hours, but it seems that Arjanne had been using magic to fool me.

Specifically, she made my phantom appear in the mansion from time to time and made me act as if I were there.

No, I really wonder what kind of bullshit enemy this guy is, if he even has that kind of technology.

　If I were to set up a business with Arjanne, I would be relentlessly interfered with from inside and outside, and I don't think I would even be able to compete in the first place.

What's the reason they've gone to the effort to reveal their hand? Is it that we should have at least this much countermeasure?

I am not sure if Arjanne is the enemy after all, if she is trying to diminish one of our weaknesses---but I don't know if I should really consider it that way.

　After all, I was just pushed around from the beginning to the end.

　---I managed to make it back home...