I Became the Older Brother of a Villainess - Chapter 5.2
“Bishop, I sincerely thank you for today.”
“Duke Cierra, coming here in person to express your gratitude.”
Another heart above the bishop’s head twinkled. It was an opportunity to increase my favorability.
According to the status screen, the bishop’s personality was ‘Jealousy.’ Stimulating jealousy might help raise favorability more provocatively.
“I would like to express my gratitude for today’s events and make a small donation to the church.”
“Oh no, such sincerity. The Lord will surely look favorably upon Duchess Glutoni.”
A sly smile played across the bishop’s lips. As if pretending to search his pockets, I made a motion, and the bishop’s gaze followed my hand. I paused, ceasing the motion, with an indifferent tone.
“Oh, did you hear the news? A new church is being established on the outskirts of the duchy. They say a new bishop will take office.”
“Ah, I’m aware of that news.”
The bishop’s expression immediately turned uneasy.
“Before your mother passed away, she left a request. She asked for support for the newly established church in the future.”
“Oh, is that so?”
pulled out two pockets simultaneously, then, after a slight pause, hid the larger one inside. The heart above the bishop’s head promptly lost its sparkle.
“I intended to stop by on my way back and make a donation, but, alas, my feet led me elsewhere.”
The heart above the bishop’s head began twinkling again. He was an easy-to-read figure. I deliberately provoked the bishop’s jealousy subtly.
“I’ve heard that the new bishop is also outstanding, especially in preaching skills.”
“…If it’s about preaching, I, too, deliver sermons three times a week.”
“Given that you’ve earned the trust of my late mother and assumed the role of bishop, your skills must be remarkable. Surely not surpassing yours, but I hear the new bishop is quite capable.”
As I uttered these words, the status window suddenly appeared, displaying a notification.
[Cierra’s Penetration Trait Activated]
I wasn’t sure why the notification popped up all of a sudden, but regardless, it seemed like a positive development, right?
I handed a small purse to the bishop.
“For today, I’ll make a donation of this amount ‘here.'”
“…I accept it gratefully. May the blessings of the divine be upon you.”
[♥♥♥]
Another heart was added. I smiled with a sense of redemption. The bishop seemed to be brimming with thoughts of playing along with my game anyway. His gaze lingered in the direction where the larger purse was concealed.
“I’ll visit occasionally to make donations. I ask for your company in conversation to alleviate the loneliness of losing your mother.”
“What stories interest you?”
In the game, the church was a hotbed of rumors. A place where everyone came to exploit gossip rather than nurture faith—a morally ambiguous location.
I directed my gaze toward the carriage from the royal palace. The bishop nodded approvingly as if it were a natural response.
“I heard that His Highness, the Crown Prince, has a profound faith. I, too, have a great desire to emulate him.”
This was a request for information about the Crown Prince.
“I understand your intention well.”
The bishop received the purse and discreetly concealed it in the folds of his robe.
“I entrust it to you.”
On the way back after acquiring a new informant, it was quite a satisfying first day in the new world. Cierra Glutoni’s impression had changed, and I discovered the status window and magical abilities.
Above all, dressing Daria in a yellow and beautiful dress made me feel good. Even in my past life, I wanted to dress my sister in such clothes at least once. Now, I can do it to my heart’s content. It was bittersweet in its enjoyment.
I glanced at the housekeeper while gently stroking the sleeping Daria’s hair.
[♥♥♥♥]
At this level, it should be considered that they love me, shouldn’t it?
=================
Name: Alberto Macrofus
Occupation: Apprentice Swordsman
Personality: Loyalty – Loyal to the Glutoni family. Receives a constant increase in attack/defense. If betrayed, incurs a significant debuff.
Specialty: Protection – Reduces the damage taken by the protected target.
=================
“How was I today?”
For some reason, it seemed like the housekeeper would praise me.
“You seem lively.”
“Besides that.”
Because I had an expected answer, I persisted.
“How was I at the funeral?”
Well, how did I do? Do I look okay? What do you think, Mr. Housekeeper, with ‘Loyalty’ written in your status window?
“A bit…”
The housekeeper hesitated in response.
“Quite clownish.”
“Well, you are a vassal after all. Judging by the way you fearlessly tease with your words.”
“I apologize.”
The housekeeper twitched his mustache and cautiously raised his chin.
“Master Cierra, no, Lord Duke. May I ask the reason for provoking the royal family at today’s funeral?”
This question was expected.
“Entering the funeral late, dressing the lady in yellow, and even using magic at the funeral. It could become a thorn in the royal family’s side. While you are wary and fearful of the crown prince…”
“Fearful of the crown prince… That might be the case.”
“Whatever the reason, my lord.”
His voice carried sincere concern. To reciprocate that sentiment, I, too, could only respond with sincerity.
“Because, among the protagonists in this game, the crown prince is the most unlucky.”
“Yes?”
“I’m serious. He’s really unlucky.”
“Yes?”
“Good family, good abilities, handsome. Despite having a bad personality, he’s a scam character that everyone likes. Unlucky, isn’t it?”
“Yes?”
The housekeeper’s cotton-candy-like eyebrows both lifted upwards.
“Unlucky people are unlucky, saying it out loud. Doing things that reveal me without caring about others. Giving only good experiences and good people to my younger sister. I do what my heart desires. Doing things that I couldn’t do before.”
“…”
“Why, don’t you like it?”
For some reason, the butler’s heart was filled with one more and sparkled. A wry smile emerged. In reality, the butler probably wished for Cierra to live confidently.
Now, he will live like that.
“Daria, what do you think?”
The child dressed like a yellow chick blinked her sleepy eyes and answered, “I want a lizard…”
“…”
“…?”
I gently patted Daria’s head.
“Get more sleep.”
