I rushed back to the mansion, my objective clear: find Lady Patrice.
As I strode confidently through the estate's hallways, my eyes landed on a young maid. She was average in height, with sleek hair that fell softly over her shoulders. Her crimson eyes glowed with a strange warmth, like embers smoldering in the dark. Her skin was smooth, her features delicate—yet her expression carried a quiet shyness. Her body had well-defined curves, though her chest was modest.
She wore a standard maid's uniform—conservative in cut, to my mild disappointment.But what really caught my eye were the black gloves covering both hands. It was… an odd detail.
Wasting no time, I approached her with calm confidence and asked politely:
—"Hey, excuse me, do you know where Lady Patrice is?"
The moment our eyes met, she froze.A faint blush bloomed on her cheeks, and her lips trembled as she tried to form a reply.
—"H-Hi... I-I think sh-she's... um..."
Her sudden stutter and the way she looked away made me raise an eyebrow.
(My charm's still at 1%, right?) I thought sarcastically.
After a few seconds of awkward silence, she lowered her head, clearly trying to compose herself, and finally spoke with a bit more clarity:
—"In the outdoor dining area... in the rear garden."
—"Thanks. Hey, what's your name?" I asked with a friendly smile, trying to ease the tension.
She lifted her gaze just a bit and murmured:
—"My name's Karen... Karen Owls. N-nice to meet you... and y-you're welcome."
(She's cute...) I thought, studying her more closely.(Wait... isn't she the same Karen from the notification and that filthy count's status window?)
I kept a neutral expression and responded courteously:
—"Nice to meet you. I'm Sam Raymond. A pleasure, Miss Owls."
Karen clenched her fists slightly and dropped her gaze again, like she was processing my words.
—"S-same here…"
Sensing an opening, I tossed out an invitation casually:
—"Wanna take a short walk?"
Her reaction, though, wasn't what I expected.Karen's eyes widened in surprise, and after a brief pause, she shook her head.
—"You're too young, I'm sorry… (You remind me of him.)"
(She raised her favorability... and still said no?) I thought, a little thrown off.
The logic of this world was still weird to me.Maybe my knowledge of women didn't apply here... After all, I came from the 21st century, and this place seemed stuck in the 16th.
I pressed my lips together, silently cursing the way this society treated women.Still, I knew all of that would change eventually—once the players started arriving...
I shook the thoughts away and refocused on the conversation.
—"Anyway, thanks for the info."
Karen nodded and added, more seriously this time:
—"You're welcome... Take care."
(Take care?) I thought, a chill running down my spine.
She turned and started walking back inside the mansion.But before she vanished from view, I brought up her status window.
NPC Status Window
Name: Karen Owls
Race: Human
Age: 18
Title: Successor of the Witch of Death
Level: 32°
Vitality: 3580/3580
Mana: 700/700
Unique Trait: Silent Talent
Job: Slave (F)
Class: None
📊 Attributes:
Strength: 14
Agility: 12
Speed: 16
Vision: 12
Endurance: 13
Intelligence: 10
Wisdom: 13
Adaptability: 10
Luck: 20
Charm: 200
🎭 Skills:
High-Class Cook (EEE+)
Fast Learner (A)
Metal Manipulation (B)
🔒 Condition: Virgin
❤️ Favorability: 76
🔥 Sexual Desire: 08
⚠️ Stress: 70
💬 Status: Harassed by Count Valentine.
I closed the window and exhaled slowly.
(Ah... so this is the Karen mentioned in that filthy count's status...)
The pieces all clicked together.I remembered the earlier system notification—now it made perfect sense.
(All legal here...) I muttered mentally, though a wave of disgust ran through me.(Now I understand what she meant about the age.)
But what really caught my attention wasn't her condition...
It was her title.
(Successor of the Witch of Death... That sounds important.)(My instinct's screaming she'll be vital later. But that's something for another time.)
I shook my head, focusing again on the current mission.
As I walked away, I turned once more and gave a final farewell:
—"See you around, Karen. I hope we meet again."
She paused for a second, turned her head slightly, and replied in a soft voice:
—"Y-yeah… goodbye."
I watched her disappear into the mansion's corridors.And I couldn't help but wonder...
How much longer will she be trapped in that place?And more importantly...
Would I be able to change her fate before it's too late?