What is this now?
After a brief silence, I casually turned to look at Leonardo.
"Aren't you going to offer any flowers?"
"Oh."
Leonardo, who had been staring blankly and in a daze, suddenly snapped to attention. He unintentionally squeezed his hand, causing the lily stem to bend, and he stared at it with an unreadable expression. I watched him quietly, waiting without a word, until the square emptied out and grew still.
While Leonardo gazed at the coffin in a daze, I watched the dispersing crowd. Their presence was lighter than air, with a scenario importance so faint that, once Butier and Orlie had left, and Leonardo's gaze was no longer on them, they quickly dissolved like feathers, slowly scattering away—like dust or ash.
I had come to understand what it truly meant for the "scenario importance to converge to zero" and for one's existence to be erased. It was an end far worse than death. The crowd of Sinistra, their existence wiped out, left no trace—no remnants, no proof they had ever been there—before vanishing into nothingness.
While I froze in fear, the entire crowd scattered, and Leonardo crossed the quiet square, offering a single lily before returning. As if nothing had happened, he recited a line.
"Well done. Looks like you drank too much the night before. You should rest and head home."
"...Home?"
"Ah, looks like you've even forgotten where home is."
At that, Leonardo made a troubled face. Of course, that made sense. After all, his true body was buried under that stone, Leovald, and now it seemed his soul had somehow settled into this young, drunken fool's body. I couldn't help but question him with incredulity.
"Have you really forgotten where your home is? Or is it that you have no place to go?"
"….."
"Unbelievable. So, even on a day like this, you're wasted and lying in an alley… Ugh. Whatever."
I gave Leonardo a light shove.
"Even though the weather's warm, if you sleep outside, your lips will get chapped. Come on, follow me."
"Where are we going?"
I didn't even know myself. The only reason I stuck close to him was because if I let go, I felt like I'd be a goner.
"…You'll see when we get there."
I led the way as we crossed the street. And then, I witnessed something strange. When I turned the corner first, I only saw an empty white space, completely blank, but the moment Leonardo followed me around the corner, an ordinary alleyway unfolded before us. It seemed that anything outside the protagonist's line of sight was treated as a blank space.
"The path's a bit complicated, so keep up."
I said that as I moved ahead aimlessly, as if I knew this alley like the back of my hand. Because of that confidence, Leonardo didn't even seem to consider that I was just as lost as he was in this unfamiliar city.
After turning a few busy corners, we found ourselves standing in front of a building's door. When I glanced inside through the window, I saw nothing but the same white emptiness I'd expected. I almost said, "As expected."
Seeing the blank space outside the protagonist's perception, a theory began to form in my mind. This world seems to be designed based on the scenario and the protagonist's awareness. In other words, when the scenario note says "The funeral at Sinistra Square," that place becomes the square. And when the protagonist perceives this as a complicated alley, then that's exactly what it becomes.
This hypothesis was proven when I subtly dropped the hint earlier: "The path's a bit complicated, so keep up." Instantly, the previously simple street transformed into a more intricate alley. It was true. This world was being constructed in real-time, heavily influenced by the protagonist's awareness.
I casually pointed to a random building and said, "This is where I run… a tavern. Not bad, right?"
The moment I said "tavern," an incredible transformation happened. Leonardo's gaze shifted toward the building, and the background morphed into something far more natural. The rigid limestone walls softened into brick facades. The empty white space inside the closed windows became a cozy tavern, complete with wooden furniture and a crackling fire. A soft lilac curtain fluttered in the open window of the second floor, and a wooden sign bearing the tavern's name appeared as if it had always been there, giving the place an ancient, established vibe.
I was somewhat surprised inside, but I pretended to be nonchalant as I opened the door. As expected, there was no one inside. The counter was empty, with no innkeeper to be seen. This must've been because Leonardo had just recognized me as the owner of the tavern, freshly created in this moment.
"You don't seem to have a place to go, so I'll give you a room. I won't charge you either, since I won't be doing business today, out of respect. Consider it luck," I said.
"Ah, thank you…"
"Go wash up for now. You reek of alcohol. Leave your clothes outside the door, and I'll take care of them."
I wrinkled my nose and waved my hand dismissively. Leonardo nodded sheepishly, then I grabbed the key to the first room on the second floor from the wall hook and handed it to him. He awkwardly headed toward the stairs.
As Leonardo's figure disappeared around the corner, my gaze shifted to the corner of my vision, where a timer had been floating, counting down. And once again, letters began to form in the air.
[The waiting time has expired, and a new scenario note has been assigned.]
Take 1. Inn (Day/Inside). Leonardo looks at the mirror, horrified by his reflection.
Leonardo: "What is this…?"
As he frets, the innkeeper arrives and hands him a pocket watch.
Leonardo: (internal monologue) "This symbol… is it from the Count of Ertinez?"
Take 2. Inn (Night/Inside). Leonardo overhears a conversation between drunken patrons.
Customer 1: "By the way, King Godric is such a wise ruler. Seems like the death of the national hero really shook him. After hearing about Sir Leovald's passing, he's been hiding inside the castle, refusing to come out."
Leonardo grips his cup tightly.
Leonardo: (angrily, internal monologue) "That cowardly murderer!"
Leonardo sinks into deep thought, wondering if there's any way to contact those who followed him.
Main Character: Leonardo
Scenario Clear Condition: [Leonardo discovers the truth behind his death. He recognizes "Leonardo Ertinez."][Viewing personal information]
Rank: Extra (Scenario weight 0.89%)
Role: Innkeeper of Sinistra
Script: [Finds a clue related to the original owner of Leonardo's body from his clothes and conveys it.]
[Serves free food and drinks to Leonardo and the guests.]
Dialogue: "Is this yours? It looks valuable. Take good care of it."[Processing rank adjustment rewards. Please wait a moment.][!Warning! – If the scenario weight reaches 0.00%, your existence will be erased. (Main Scenario Failure)]
The second assigned scenario note was set in an inn. Moreover, my role had changed. From being a silent citizen #1,001, I had been promoted to the innkeeper with lines, and not as an extra, but as a minor character. Quite an impressive achievement.
It seemed that the events that took place in the empty "between the lines" before the scenario notes were assigned had an impact on the scenario. Or perhaps the spaces between the lines are also part of the scenario itself.
As long as the curtain doesn't fall, everything that happens on stage is part of the story, isn't it?
Thanks to that, things had become somewhat easier. After all, the background of the scenario now happened to be the inn I had just acquired.
And as for the grade change reward… I had no idea. It was still unknown information, so I decided to set it aside for now. Instead, I used the clues I had to speculate on a few facts about the current situation.
First, Leonardo is currently inhabiting the body of someone connected to the Count Ertinez family. Second, it's highly likely that the death of his original body, Leovald, is somehow linked to King Godric in a negative way.
I moved quietly up to the second floor. Outside the door, there were Leonardo's clothes, which had been left out. They were in quite a sorry state. I took the pile of clothes down to the first-floor counter and shook them out. A bright silver chain slipped out, and a small pocket watch fell to the floor.
Click.
When I opened it, I saw the engraved pattern inside. It was the crest of a swallow holding a white flower. Beneath it, Leonardo's name was embossed in relief. This must be the symbol of the Count Ertinez family. I inspected it carefully before setting it aside and soaking the clothes in a basin filled with lye water. As I did the laundry, I began to think of ways to raise my scenario weight.
How could I use this to increase my scenario weight? As a simple, ordinary innkeeper, I wouldn't last long. I needed a more long-term and influential role.
Then, a sudden idea struck me.
If being a regular innkeeper was the problem, then maybe being an extraordinary innkeeper would work. Yes. A kind but suspicious innkeeper who knows too much, perhaps…
But if someone who seems to be kindly and ordinary suddenly changes, it would break the believability. Plus, the amount of information I have right now is so limited that it's hard to act suspiciously like I know something. It seems better to follow a scenario that's more plausible. I wonder if there's no way forward.
And just then, by some stroke of luck, words suddenly appeared in front of me.
[The settlement has been completed!]
[Due to the rank change (Extra → Minor Character), special abilities have been unlocked.]
[Special ability unlocked:
Special Ability: Innkeeper's Insight
「The inn is a place where all information gathers. You are specialized in collecting information with your sharp ears and subtle presence.」
• You can now access information about specified targets. The amount of information available to you may be limited depending on the target's role and rank.
It was a jackpot. Things were falling into place so smoothly that it was almost suspicious. The ability to access information about others! It sounded vague and somewhat nonsensical, but with this, I could shape the direction of my role.
From now on, this place wouldn't just be an ordinary inn—no, it would be a suspicious information guild disguised as one. And I would be its leader. Of course, I wasn't planning to stay as just a minor character. At the very least, I was aiming for a lead supporting role. I couldn't afford to die in a place like this. Having been given a second chance, I wasn't about to throw it away.
Sometimes, it's not the protagonist who draws the most attention, but the compelling supporting character. Someone with many secrets, or a sidekick who turns out to have a main-character-level personality, or even a seemingly ordinary person who emerges as the final antagonist at the end.
I put on a casual smile. Holding the pocket watch in my hand, I climbed up to the second floor, pressing my ear to the wooden door. I could faintly hear Leonardo's voice.
"This isn't… right."
And as soon as he finished speaking, I knocked. Leonardo opened the door, his face slightly flustered, as if he was worried I had overheard something he didn't want me to hear.
"Don't worry. I didn't hear anything." Of course, I already knew what it was about from the script, but I played dumb and handed him the pocket watch.
"This is yours, right?"
The designated line came out naturally. However, instead of simply reciting the line, I added a subtle tone, as if I knew the meaning behind the pocket watch.
"It looks valuable. You should hold onto it."
What was meant to be just a casual remark turned into something much more significant. He hesitated for a moment before taking the pocket watch. As he did, he clearly saw the crest of the Count Ertinez family engraved on the back. Leonardo glanced at me, but it seemed he only felt a vague sense of unease for now.
"Get some good rest."
I tacked on a line that wasn't in the script, narrowing my eyes into a sly smile. Then, I activated the Innkeeper's Insight.
It seems the specified entity's rank is higher than mine, so most of the information is unavailable for viewing. It looks like Leonardo's details are off-limits due to his higher status. However, this doesn't completely block all insights—I might still be able to gather some details in other ways. At the same time, a strange event occurred.
[Viewing information.]
Rank – ■■ (Scenario weight: ■■.■%)
Role – Leonardo (Leovald)
Script – ■■■■■■–
Dialogue – ■■■■■■–
Special abilities – ■■■■■■–[Viewing information.]
Rank – Minor Character (Scenario weight: 3.8%)
Role – 'Leonardo Ertinez'
Script – [Second son of the famous knightly family, the Count of Ertinez. However, due to his lazy and arrogant nature, his physical abilities are poor. He has a reputation as a reckless, good-for-nothing troublemaker who relies on his family's influence to get by.]
[He has an older brother, Ferdinand Ertinez, and a younger sister, Celestina Ertinez. After their mother died, he became estranged from his father, the Count of Ertinez.]
[After a large argument with his father, he runs away to the bustling city of Sinistra in the Count's territory.]
[He dies from acute alcohol poisoning in a secluded alley in Sinistra.]
Dialogue – None
The information display overlapped twice.
Thud.
Leonardo's door closed, and I stood still for a moment before slowly moving my feet.
So… it seems that the spirit inhabiting and simultaneously the protagonist, Leonardo, and the original owner of the body, Leonardo Ertinez, are considered separate individuals. That's why the information windows appeared stacked together. It was an unexpected event, but it worked out well for me. With this, I had an advantage in terms of information.
While I stood quietly in the hallway, gathering my thoughts, something strange happened outside the window. The sun set rapidly, and within a few minutes, the dim twilight of dusk descended.
I realized that this sudden change was part of the transition to 'Take 2' of the scenario. The setting for 'Take 2' was the night at the inn. Once the sun had completely set, Leonardo would mingle among the guests on the first floor, drinking and gathering information.
The inn, which had been eerily quiet except for the crackling of the embers, suddenly filled with voices. Without the sound of a door opening, people began to appear and chatter. They felt like strange intruders to me, yet there was nothing I could do about it.
As if it had always been done this way, I wiped the cup with a dry cloth at the counter, a chill running down my spine. I soon discovered something through conversation: when talking to extras, I received no response at all, while minor characters at least gave simple reactions.
However, their words were nonsensical and didn't connect logically. It was like a broken cassette tape, or perhaps like a parrot that could only repeat the same words over and over. These were lines required for the next scene. It was as if they were soulless automatons, only performing the roles they were given. I spoke to every guest in the tavern and checked their lines thoroughly.
"Come on, let's have a drink! For the national hero and commander of the Sinistra frontline, the brave Sir Leovald!"
"My cousin works in the military… the first field commander, and those close to Sir Leovald during the operation, they insist that they didn't die during the mission. They kept denying the official announcement by the royal family."
"They even openly doubted His Majesty. There were rumours that some of them were either detained or had disappeared without a trace."
"Impossible! You must have misunderstood something. Even if something like that happened, there's no way a kind person like King Godric would do such a thing to soldiers who lost their mental anchor."
I carefully organized the information I had gathered.
One, Leovald was the field commander of Sinistra and hailed as a national hero.
Two, there are doubts surrounding his sudden death, and Leovald's closest associates raised objections, only to meet a tragic end.
Three, King Godric, who seems to be behind the incident, is outwardly merciful but likely is not as kind as he appears.
It was a predictable development, but there was no better way to convey the outline of the incident to the audience at this stage of the play. After verifying the information, I selected a few guests who had mentioned key lines related to the unfolding of the story and quietly pushed them into the underground storage where sausages and beer were kept. Sorry. But I can't help it if I want to survive. Once the tavern closes, I'll let you out. Your lines will have to be handled by me… so please bear with me.
Having finished my task, I checked outside the window. The sun had already hidden itself, and a deep night had settled. Returning to the counter, I noticed Leonardo descending from the second floor. He looked around the crowded tavern with a surprised expression.
"Weren't you supposed to be closed today?"
In response to his question, I shrugged and answered.
"That's right. So everything's being offered for free. On days like this, everyone needs a place to gather and mourn, right? If you want a drink, a juice is fine. We don't sell alcohol here."
"It's a tavern, and yet you don't sell alcohol? Is that drink that person over there is having some kind of herbal beverage?"
"Heh, what's the harm in a little lie? Logically speaking, would anyone really serve alcohol to a drunk fool at the funeral of a national hero?"
I gave a half-smile as I poured juice into a glass and handed it to Leonardo. He scratched his cheek and sat down at a table. The sounds of drunken guests celebrating grew louder around us.
"Cheers! To the national hero and field commander of Sinistra, the noble Sir Leovald!"
It was time for me to start making my move as well.
"Drink up! On a day like this, you've got to drink to lift the spirits!"
The already tipsy guests shouted in unison. Some muttered sadly.
"I can't believe it. Sir Leovald is really gone like this…"
"What was the cause of death, again? In the palace, they said?"
"They claimed it was an accident during the operation. Honestly, it's hard to believe… but in the end, he was human, too. Even the heavens are cruel. To take away such a hero in such a meaningless way."
Among them, some mourned the dead while also airing their own troubles about the living.
"By the way, King Godric is such a wise ruler. It seems like he was deeply affected by the death of the national hero, and after hearing about Sir Leovald's passing, he hasn't been seen outside the palace."
"Yeah, of course. Didn't His Majesty and Sir Leovald have a close friendship since childhood?"
"The shock must be immense for him."
"How pitiable."
The people soon change the subject and continue their conversation.
"They say it was King Godric's decision not to bury Sir Leovald in the capital, but to leave him in Sinistra."
"Really? I thought he would want to be near his close friend's grave and visit it often. How could he…?"
"Perhaps he prioritized the greater good over personal ties. For the people living in Sinistra, the significance of that man is immense, isn't it? He saved a city that was on the brink of ruin…"
"Indeed, King Godric. He truly has a deep heart…"
Leonardo tightly grips his cup. Without knowing his thoughts, the guests regain their lively mood. I glance at Leonardo's hand out of the corner of my eye. The veins on his hand are bulging. It seems that 'Godric' and 'Leovald' were not on friendly terms after all. While I wiped the counter with a rag, I calmly sat down across from Leonardo.
"I thought you were just a drunk fool at the funeral, but I guess you're very interested in Sir Leovald's story, aren't you?"
"Well… for one, he's famous. It's natural to be curious."
"Yes, a famous person. Like King Godric or Sir Leovald, people are always eager to gossip about well-known figures. But if you want to understand the essence of the event, you need to look at the people around it."
I squinted my eyes and seized the opportunity to subtly share the information I had already gathered. Sorry again, extras, for stealing a few lines.
"First Field Marshal… I mean, those who were close to Sir Leovald, they outright denied the cause of death officially announced by the royal family."
"What?"
"They even openly questioned King Godric, and as a result, they were either detained or quietly disappeared at some point. Rumours say some were demoted too."
Leonardo looked shocked.
"What happened to them?"
I shrugged my shoulders casually.
"Well, who knows? Probably only the parties involved know. You seem to be quite interested in this. I'd love to sell more details if I were paid for it, but I currently don't have any more info. If you find out anything, let me know."
At those words, Leonardo looked at me.
"Why would you need such information?"
"Because in a tavern, all the information gathers, you know. Sometimes, there are secret deals too… It's a place where even wandering travelers can find a bed, so why wouldn't it hold some secrets?"
I added with a cheerful laugh.
"Oh, noble young sir, I guess you don't understand how common folks live, do you?"
[Scenario weight 1.92%]
The words were aimed at the vessel, 'Leonardo Ertinez', that housed the soul. Leonardo paused and glanced toward me.
"Well then, young master Leonardo, second son of the Count of Ertinez. You've come all the way from the Count's mansion to this far-off place, not even a stone's throw from Sinistra. I wonder if this shabby inn is uncomfortable for you?"
[Clear condition achieved!]
['Scenario Note #002' has been successfully completed. There are 8 hours and 13 minutes remaining until the next scenario note assignment. Until the scenario is assigned, the characters will begin 'free action' to fill in the empty spaces of the script. Please act naturally to prevent them from recognizing the discrepancies in the world within the story.]
He lightly scanned the air, then smiled slightly. Leonardo set his cup down with a soft thud.
"I…"
"Don't deny it," I said with a teasing tone.
"How are you so sure I'm 'Leonardo'? The pocket watch only had the family crest on it, right?"
"Well… it's obvious, isn't it?"
As I refilled his glass with juice, I continued to make my assumptions.
"From the moment I saw you, your attire told me you were no ordinary citizen. I knew you were from the Ertinez family when I saw your pocket watch and the family crest. And if there's someone from the count's family who could be wandering around in a drunken stupor on the day of a hero's funeral… well, there's only one person it could be. The troublemaker, Leonardo!"
"Trouble… You speak of such things right in front of the person involved."
"I know how to choose my words, depending on where I lay my head."
Leonardo awkwardly tried to cover up with a sullen expression, then asked with a hint of curiosity:
"…Is that so? Well, then tell me more, go ahead."
"Don't you know? I'm selling all this for money. Do you have any?"
"I don't."
I exaggerated a sigh and said:
"This being your first time, I'll make an exception and let it go on credit. Pay me back later."
And then, without missing a beat, I began to spill the information.
"The second son of the Count Ertinez family. However, due to his lazy and arrogant nature, his physical abilities were miserable. He acts out under the protection of his family's name, and his reputation is at rock bottom. No wonder he's considered a good-for-nothing. He's the second of two sons and a daughter, and since his mother passed away, his relationship with his father, the Count, has been pretty bad. He's practically a discarded child, it seems. Oh, and for some reason, he ended up a vagrant after running away from home. If you want more details, that'll cost you."
"….."
Leaning against the counter, I smiled.
"So, the second young master, with no money and a tarnished reputation. Looks like you've got nowhere to go now? Ran away, huh?"
"…Seems like it. Unfortunately."
"Sounds like you're talking about someone else."
I pretended to ponder for a moment, then asked:
"Do you have any useful skills?"
"Fencing."
"Don't lie. Everyone knows your swordsmanship is at a disastrous level, even the street kids."
"….."
I grinned as I teased Leonardo, then, with a shrug, spoke more amicably.
"Well, fine. You can stay here for a while. As long as you stop acting like a fool while you're at it. Help me out with some work while you're here. I'll make sure your food and lodging are taken care of."
I had subtly dropped the formal tone again, but Leonardo didn't seem to mind. Instead, he looked somewhat bewildered and asked in response:
"Why are you helping me?"
Why? Well, you're the protagonist, and my role in the story is still just a minor one, so we can't part ways yet.
"I'm just a philanthropist, you know? I get soft-hearted when I see someone with nowhere to go, so I tend to help out."
I gave a sly smile, then added calmly:
"Also, I ran into you on the day of Sir Leovald's funeral, and it didn't seem like a coincidence. He did a lot of good things while he was alive, so I thought I'd try to do something good as well… just for the sake of it. Ever heard the saying 'kindness comes back around'? Something like that."
Honestly, I had no idea what Leovald had done to earn the title of a national hero or what contributions he made to the city of Sinistra. But I threw it out there to add some weight to the flimsy backstory. Leonardo seemed to accept it with some degree of understanding.
"I won't give a drunkard any alcohol, but is a tavern only for drinking? Have some fun while you're here, then go upstairs and get some rest."
Leonardo nodded. He lingered for a bit longer before heading up to his room. I watched the group of customers chatting away. Their conversation was nothing more than background noise, a meaningless babble of insignificant details, adding nothing to the moment.
Then, after quite some time had passed, the extras, having completed their roles, dispersed like ash in the wind. The minor characters, as if they had somewhere to go, left the tavern nonchalantly. Most of the ones I had shoved into the underground storage also scattered or left without incident, as if nothing had happened.
I watched them quietly before opening the tavern door. I had expected the street to be as blank as the empty white paper I had seen on my way here, but instead, a strangely familiar alleyway appeared. Upon closer inspection, the outlines of the buildings along the alley twisted and shifted, then flattened out again, almost like they were undergoing a stabilization process.
Before, it had felt like anything could be built upon the empty white page. Now, it seemed like the basic framework of "Sinistra City" had been set, and I was slowly adding layers of imagination to the vacant spaces within that structure.
The world, which had been soft and fluid with possibilities, was now hardening into shape. Like setting up stage props on an empty stage, the scene began to gain density, bit by bit.
"Truly a strange world. It feels odd that I'm gradually adjusting to this peculiar place."
I sat, resting against the doorpost, watching the process of the world solidifying through the night. The perfectly straight brick paths became worn, covered with soft moss and scratched with the marks of age. The once neat eaves showed signs of rust from the rain, empty wine bottles rolled around the once pristine corners, and the scent of life slowly began to permeate the air.
At last, Sinistra Square was no longer a haphazardly constructed place on a blank canvas. It had become a massive city, more real than reality itself.
I rose to my feet as if in a trance and stepped into the reconstructed city. Shadows of people flickered beyond the windows, but it was impossible to tell whether they were merely a shadow effect cast by the stage props or the actual silhouettes of real people.
That dawn, I had walked through the desolate and quiet Sinistra Square and saw the solemn tombstone of Leovald standing firm. As I passed it and walked toward the outskirts of the city, I found Extra Guard 267, whose features were blurred, standing watch at the city gates.
As expected of an extra, he had no lines to speak. Even though I was loitering around the city gates at this late hour, he seemed completely indifferent, as if nothing unusual was happening.
I had anticipated this. From what I had observed, once they were outside their designated path, or out of the spotlight of the stage, their actions and movements became incredibly simple and automatic.
Beyond the tightly closed city gates, a fog-like mist hovered in the air. I reached out to it, trying to feel its texture.
[Scenario Restricted Area: Access is not allowed.]
[This is the border of the city of Sinistra. Areas outside the currently ongoing scenario zone are closed.]
Indeed. It seems that during the current plot, I cannot leave the designated area. I climbed up the castle wall. The guard, staring blankly at a single point, didn't seem to have any intention of stopping me. As I sat on the wall, the strange, shimmering void below disturbed my vision like an endless snowfield.
It felt like a pure white swamp.
Is the white ground below an empty void, or is there something solid underneath, serving as the floor? I decided to test it. I untied the string on my coat and tossed it into the empty space. The string, sinking like the sky, seemed to turn into dust and scatter… but then, it returned to my hand.
Huh?
And it had multiplied into two.
"A bug?"
Unable to contain my disbelief, I stared helplessly at the two strings now in my hand.