[Vol. 7] Chapter 164: The Protagonist and the Heroine
As Carinvega returned to her academy’s designated area, she was greeted with an enthusiastic welcome from her companions, friends who had stood by her side for years and had built a deep bond with her.
“That was amazing! Your Highness, your speech just now was incredible! Did you see the looks on those foreigners’ faces? They were all completely stunned, some were even jealous of how impressive you were!”
A petite figure with short, orange hair was the first to rush into the princess's arms, nuzzling against Carinvega’s already well-developed chest like a kitten, making soft, purring sounds, showing a particularly affectionate manner towards her.
This girl was Noelle, one of the main heroines in [Starlight Concerto].
She belonged to the mixed-blood catfolk, a race commonly found within the Austre Empire.
Due to their naturally attractive appearance and features that aligned with popular beauty standards, catfolk women were highly sought after in the slave market, often treated as prized "pets."
The Austre Empire followed a philosophy of power and strength above all, meaning social class differences existed openly, even slavery was legal.
However, unlike the Human United Kingdom and other regions, the nobility wasn’t inherited.
Anyone who failed to prove their worth would be stripped of their status, and even slaves had the chance to climb the ranks if they were strong and capable enough.
In other words, there was no racial discrimination, only the rule of strength.
Noelle’s mother was a mixed-blood catfolk slave, and by law, the child of a slave was also considered a slave, with ownership automatically belonging to the mother's master.
Due to certain circumstances, Noelle was sold to the slave market at a very young age.
She grew up there, struggling to survive while waiting for a new master to purchase her.
In [Starlight Concerto]’s main storyline, Noelle was supposed to be rescued by the protagonist, Rosie, a few months after she enrolled in the Imperial Royal Academy.
During a massive fire that broke out in the slave market, Rosie would find Noelle trapped in the flames and save her.
Originally, the fire would have been catastrophic, killing most of the people in the market.
Noelle herself was supposed to lose her left arm and left eye in the disaster.
Her exclusive character route revolved around Rosie and the other heroines searching for a healer capable of treating such severe injuries, and through this journey, Noelle would slowly open up, heal emotionally, and become a trusted companion.
However…
Because Carinvega already knew the game’s plot, she discovered the cause and timing of the Imperial Capital Fire ahead of time.
Acting early, she purchased Noelle from the slave market before the fire ever happened.
Using her authority as a princess, she set up a countermeasure, and at the critical moment, she personally captured the mastermind behind the incident, successfully preventing the disaster from ever occurring.
Noelle was able to avoid the tragic fate of losing her arm and eye, and after personally witnessing the princess and her companions' bravery in preventing the disaster, she was deeply moved. From the bottom of her heart, she acknowledged Carinvega as her savior and decided to devote herself to following and serving her.
This event was actually a crucial step in unlocking the hidden true route in [Starlight Concerto]'s first chapter. Players could only obtain the key information needed to prevent Noelle’s injuries on a second playthrough, after completing her story route at least once.
Originally, this was supposed to be Rosie’s role as the protagonist.
However, Carinvega couldn’t just spill everything she knew as if she were predicting the future. And as the disaster drew closer, she had no choice but to step in herself.
She had briefly hoped that the "world line" might correct itself, so she even brought Rosie along, thinking that Noelle would naturally develop admiration for the protagonist as she was meant to.
But somehow, things didn’t go as planned.
Instead of becoming devoted to Rosie, Noelle ended up swearing loyalty to Carinvega.
Even Rosie herself changed her attitude toward Carinvega because of this event, significantly deepening their relationship and accelerating their bond.
And so… that’s how things ended up the way they are now.
“Admiration and jealousy? Yeah, right... This isn’t the Imperial Capital, we’re not in some peaceful and stable environment. I was so nervous my legs were shaking the whole time…”
Carinvega gently patted Noelle’s head, smiling indulgently.
Due to years of malnutrition, Noelle’s growth had been stunted. Despite being around the same age, she was barely tall enough to reach Carinvega’s shoulders, making her seem more like a little child.
Carinvega’s casual remark was half-joking, but it only earned her a round of good-natured laughter from her companions.
“Even after six months apart, Your Highness is still as humble and charming as ever.”
“Honestly, even without looking through rose-colored glasses, you were by far the most well-received and respected among the five major nations' representatives.”
“I saw it clearly, even the delegations from countries that have been at odds with the Austre Empire lately didn’t show any open disdain toward you. That in itself is quite an achievement.”
“The people backing them are powerhouses who have no reason to fear the Empire’s strength. So the reason you earned their respect clearly wasn’t because of the Empire’s influence. It was entirely because of your own personal charisma.”
“Haah…”
Carinvega let out a small sigh, feeling helpless.
‘Personal charisma? Come on… That was my first time meeting most of them. All I did was recite my speech properly. How much charm could I possibly have shown?’
She wanted to say that, and honestly, she truly didn't think she possessed some overwhelming charisma that could instantly win over foreign dignitaries.
But Carinvega also knew that arguing about it now would only make her seem modest to the point of denial in everyone’s eyes.
So instead of continuing the conversation, she simply smiled and let it go.
She turned her gaze toward a girl standing nearby, dressed in formal attire like the rest, but with a real sword strapped to her waist.
Her short black hair was neatly styled, exuding a sense of efficiency and discipline. She had a strong, commanding presence, her tall and lean figure giving off an unmistakable aura of strength.
Gladys Wickliffe.
She was the granddaughter of Hugh Wickliffe, the legendary martial artist who served as the Imperial Palace's official combat instructor.
Gladys had inherited her grandfather’s extraordinary talent in martial arts. Despite being only in her early twenties, she had broken through the limits of mastery and reached the level of legends.
She was known as the strongest martial arts prodigy the Royal Academy had seen in decades.
Of course, Gladys was also one of the heroines of [Starlight Concerto].
As a senior several years ahead of both Rosie and Carinvega, she had once dominated the academy, holding the titles of Strongest Student and Student Council President during her time there.
After graduating, she had immediately joined the legendary mercenary group [Silver Claw], one of the three most powerful mercenary guilds in the world, which was founded by her own family.
She had since built a fearsome reputation through real-life battles and had become the main combat powerhouse of the protagonist’s group in many major events.
At the same time, she had also sworn an oath of loyalty to Princess Carinvega as her Guardian Knight.
She was now known as the "Lotus Blade", and alongside another girl who had also pledged allegiance to Carinvega, the two were called the "Twin Lotus Stars."
…Of course, this part wasn’t supposed to happen in the original story.
In the game’s true ending, Gladys was actually supposed to swear loyalty to Rosie, the protagonist, not Carinvega, the so-called villainess princess.
But for some unexplained reason, ever since Carinvega was reincarnated into this world, things had taken a different turn, and now, here they were.
Now in their fourth year at the Royal Academy, Carinvega and the others were preparing to graduate.
Gladys, however, had already graduated two years ago and was currently active as a legendary mercenary.
About half a year ago, due to some major incident, she had left the Imperial Capital to carry out missions alongside [Silver Claw].
Upon hearing that Princess Carinvega would be traveling to Sainz for the conference, she rushed back and had only recently reunited with the group.
Finally managing to return to her seat amid the lively crowd, Carinvega took a quick look around.
Something felt off.
Leaning slightly toward the girl beside her, who had long golden hair tied in a high ponytail, and an elegant yet intellectual demeanor, with a face that was pure and gentle, she whispered,
“Hey, Rosie… is Orluk still not back? She left before the banquet even started, saying she wasn’t feeling well… but it’s been way too long now. You don’t think something happened, do you?”