IN HIS MIND, Prince Kyanite tried to communicate with the System. Although he failed multiple times, at last, he was able to ask, ‘Tell me, System. Am I about to die here?'
The familiar short beep and the translucent screen appeared, and the Human Prince could not hide the disbelief that etched his light gold eyes.
【Prince Kyanite in the river was the last scene written by Mushroom Potato. The following events will result from your actions and dialogues.】
'Isn’t my death supposed to be the anime’s ending? The title was “The Tragedy of a Human Prince”, for goodness’ sake!’
【Mushroom Potato had clarified that your death was just the beginning of another adventure. He then died right in front of the interviewer on national television.】
What an unlucky guy! ‘So, you were saying, I can either die in his hands or escape my death here?'
The System had minimized after clarifying to her she had to act like him and that the following events would result from her actions and dialogues as Prince Kyanite. But, how on earth is she going to act and speak like this guy when she knew nothing about him? Hell, she doesn’t even know that this ‘The Tragedy of a Human Prince’ animation exists!
Prince Kyanite sighed and shook his head after another round of processing things in his mind.
"What are you sighing about?" asked one man.
"Huh? Nothing, nothing!" he replied. That wasn't loud. How did he hear that?
"Your Highness," he called Prince Chalcedony; "His Highness is lying."
"W-What?! No, I wasn't!"
Prince Chalcedony chuckled. "Your Highness, have you really forgotten? Howin's special ability is to see through lies."
"Special ability?"
"Your Highness, what if His Highness really had forgotten about everything? That might explain why he miraculously survived," the other man told Prince Chalcedony.
The System popped up.
【A new plot of "The Tragedy of a Human Prince" develops. The actions and dialogues of the character (Prince Kyanite of White Rose Palace) are acceptable. Player No. 8 (Lazuli) episode score: +50. Total accumulated score: 50.】
"Score?!" Prince Kyanite gasped.
"What?" asked Howin.
"T-There's just something I recalled," lied Prince Kyanite once more. The System then minimized after giving a brief response.
So, the only freaking way out of this shitty anime world is really to act as this character and continue his story? What the fuck! Damn you, System! Go to hell!
However, even if Lazuli cursed the System a hundred, thousand, or million times, the only way out of this new world was to continue the story of this Human Prince and gather enough points to reveal the final choice: to return to her world as herself, or stay inside the System and permanently be Prince Kyanite without activating any OOC Alerts.
Howin stopped and eyed the poor human with his piercing deep red orbs. He stated, "You are lying."
"No—!" Prince Kyanite's words were cut by a sharp pain in his head. The System's translucent screen popped up, blinking bright red, and accompanied by loud beeping noises.
'You mean to tell me Prince Kyanite does not lie??'
【OOC Alert! OOC Alert!】
"SHUT UP!" he suddenly exclaimed with eyes shut tight and both palms against his ears.
【Deduction of 10 points from Player No. 8 (Lazuli)'s total accumulated score.】
"Your Highness!" called the second man with a tinge of worry.
Prince Chalcedony held out his arm to refrain him from approaching Prince Kyanite. "Fachnan, His Highness might be acting. Let us not put our guard down. Howin, carry him to the cellar."
"Yes, Your Highness." Howin bowed his head and carried the Human Prince on his back.
-
PRINCE KYANITE WOKE in a small, dark room with a pile of hay underneath him. He held onto his forehead, still feeling the aftereffects of the severe headache. He looked around and found no other entity aside from him.
"System, where am I?"
The System was back to its usual appearance as it popped up.
【You are in one cellar of the Cold Blood Palace. Prince Chalcedony has held you captive.】
"You said I am in an unfinished anime and Mushroom Potato clarified that my death was just the beginning of another adventure. Then, is this still airing on TV?"
【Everything is being recorded and divided to be aired per episode, except for the players' interactions with the System.】
"When will this end?"
【The story's real ending is yet to be defined. The animation will finish airing when the perfect ending scene is crafted.】
"Will everyone cease to exist after the ending?"
【The question is invalid. The System will not answer.】
This is definitely bullshit. Maybe I have survived the fall, and this is just a dream in my comatose state? Right, right… I’ll just take a nap for now.
-
A MAN RAN around the Four Seasons Forest, constantly calling for his Master. He traveled from the White Rose Palace of the North, passed through the bustling capital cities, sought for his Master in the Yellow Bell Palace of the East, and now he’s passing through the forest that separated the south palace from both the east and west palaces.
Horror filled his entire body as he ran into the river in the middle of the forest, the water reaching his waist as he stretched for the sky-blue robe that got stuck between some rocks. He brought the clothing ashore and draped it across the grass. He checked the fabric, the sewing, and the details of the robe. By its neck were stains of crimson. Although most had been washed, there were still a few that confirmed his terrifying thoughts.
He gathered the robe in his hands, and with a trembling voice, he whispered,
“Your Highness… Where are you?”