After two days of carriage travel, two suspiciously magical lunches, and exactly zero showers, Min Jiwon, now Rosaria Ellis, was starting to feel like a travel-worn rice cracker.
So when the carriage finally crested the last green hill and the capital city came into view, she pressed herself against the window like a kid at a candy store.
She was mesmerized by what she saw.
"Oh. My. Fantasy."
Below them sprawled Amorina, a city straight out of a JRPG opening cinematic. Tall ivory walls wrapped around layers of terraced buildings. Stone bridges arched over canals, red and gold banners fluttered from rooftops, and at the center, a massive cathedral rose like a holy sword stabbing the sky.
Even the clouds looked fluffier over Amorina.
Rosaria blinked. "Is this a city or a deluxe theme park?"
'Welcome to Amorina, where architecture flexes harder than nobility,' Riri quipped from her invisible seat beside her.
She tried to absorb every detail as they descended the hill. Cobblestone roads, flower baskets dangling from lamp posts, stalls selling magical pastries, and people—lots of them. Nobles in embroidered capes followed by their servants or kinghts, real knoghts with swords and everything. Children chasing bouncing light orbs. Merchants shouting about "fireproof cloaks for summer!" and "ice resistance boots, one silver!"
It was busy, loud and colorful.
And then—
DING!
A cheerful, echoing sound rang directly inside her head.
"GAH!" she slapped her ears.
The two priests could only look at her strangely without commenting. After two day the wonder of the saintess had already faded away. They knew the girl sitting before them had something wrong with her head, they could only pray the pope will be able to fix it as they looked at her sadly.
"What was that?!"
'Congratulations,' Riri purred. 'You completed your first mission: Arrive at Amorina.'
"That was a mission? Walking into a city?"
'In heels and frills, yes. Legendary effort.'
Suddenly, a translucent pink screen appeared in front of her. She squinted.
---
✨ [LOVE QUEST SYSTEM LOADED] ✨
Name: Rosaria Ellis
Age: 18
Love Points (LP): 10
Main Quest: Find Love ❤️
Side Quests: (Empty)
Character Panel: (No targets added)
Shop: 🔒 Locked
---
Rosaria read everything twice, then once more for the comedy value.
"…Love. Quest. System?"
Riri floated in front of the screen, flipping a tiny invisible clipboard.
'Yep. Every time you complete a romance-relevant milestone, you earn LP plus some other special rewards. You can later use LP to unlock helpful features in the shop when it's available.'
"And what's this character panel?"
'That's where your love interests will be listed.'
"Wait, wait, back up." She narrowed her eyes. "Love interests? Plural?!"
'This is a reverse harem world, babe. At any time, up to five male leads might appear. Each will have a Love Value (LV) next to their name. When one reaches 100 LV, you win the game. Love. True love. Soul-melting, goosebump-inducing, heart-throbbing romance.'
Jiwon blinked. "And then what, I get a prize?"
'You get to stay here permanently.'
She frowned. "And if I don't fall in love?"
Riri smiled too innocently.
'You'll slowly lose connection to this world. Your body will fade. Your memories will unravel. Very poetic. Very tragic. Very... final.'
"…So, death. You're saying I die."
'Spiritual disintegration. Tomato, tomahto.'
Jiwon groaned and flopped dramatically into her seat.
No pressure, Jiwon. Just fall in love or vanish from existence. Cool cool cool.
---
As the carriage rolled through the city gates, Jiwon caught more glimpses of Amorina's bustling inner quarters. Artisans painted murals on stone walls. Musicians played harps with floating strings. A street vendor roasted glowing marshmallows that floated two inches above the flame.
The scent of baked cinnamon and roasted nuts wafted through the air.
If she wasn't panicking about her pending metaphysical doom, she might've called it magical.
Finally, they turned down a wide, polished avenue lined with flowering trees and crystal lanterns. At the end stood the heart of the city: The Holy Cathedral of Light, one of the two famous landmarks of the capital city.
It was absurdly beautiful.
Carved white marble walls. Stained glass windows depicting angels, saints, and doves. The massive wooden doors had golden vines etched into them. A glowing star sat atop the central spire, radiating soft light like a second sun.
Rosaria's jaw dropped. "This place could host a BTS concert and still have space for a dragon pit."
The carriage came to a gentle stop at the main stairs.
She was helped down by one of the robed priests, though she nearly tripped on the last step. Classic.
Riri, gliding silently beside her, whispered, 'Act saintly. Try not to walk like you escaped from a variety show.'
"Too late," she muttered, adjusting her skirts.
They passed between towering cathedral doors into an equally massive hallway. Tall pillars held up a crystal-dome ceiling that shimmered with multicolored light. Candles floated in the air. Soft choral music played in the distance, seemingly from nowhere.
Priests and nuns in white and gold robes bowed deeply as she passed.
She smiled nervously, trying not to look like a fraud.
I am calm. I am holy. I am not sweating like a roasted chestnut.
At last, the procession stopped before a large set of golden doors, decorated with ancient script and a carving of the sun.
One of the priests stepped forward and knocked gently. The doors swung open, revealing a peaceful chamber bathed in golden light.
At the center sat a single man on a raised chair: the Pope.
He looked ancient. Not "old guy at the grocery store" ancient, but "possibly fought dinosaurs" ancient. His beard was long and silver, braided with glowing beads. His eyes, however, were clear and kind, twinkling with the sort of warmth that made Rosaria's nerves simmer down.
He stood slowly, leaning on a staff carved with vines and suns.
"Come closer, child," he said, voice soft yet resonant.
Rosaria stepped forward, trying not to trip. Her heart was thudding.
The Pope extended his hand.
"Welcome home, child of light."