**[Title: Does anyone know why this is happening again? ????????????]**  
Content:  
[Image] This was the original party setup.  
[Image] And this is the party setup now.  

Why is this happening? Why did the heroine suddenly leave the party? And why has her affection reset, and she's acting indifferent?

- **Comment 1**: Should’ve handled it better, man...  
- **Comment 2**: Did you try hitting on the heroine?  
- **Original Poster**: Why the hell would I do that, you idiot?  
- **Comment 3**: Maybe you should have been more forward, dude.  
- **Comment 4**: I once invited someone for lunch after a run, and they told me they couldn't make it anymore.  
- **Original Poster**: WTF, I didn’t even do anything!

- **Comment 5**: That's it, then. If you didn’t do anything, her affection reset.  
- **Comment 6**: Women are tough, man...  
- **Comment 7**: If they don’t like it when you hit on them and they don’t like it when you don’t, what are you supposed to do?  
- **Comment 8**: They just don’t like us, man.  
- **Comment 9**: Our lives are just one big dark fantasy.  
- **Original Poster**: Seriously though, no one’s giving me a real answer? If I can’t restore her affection, I might have to start all over.

- **Comment 10**: Did you by chance take a carriage near Bondales?  
- **Original Poster**: Bondales? How did you know? I just finished farming in Haieorn and was on my way to the next region.  
- **Comment 11**: Was there some guy with a golden sun emblem on the carriage?  
- **Comment 12**: Oh, hahahaha, you got ‘Eron’d’ man! ????  
- **Original Poster**: I fast-traveled as soon as I got on, so I didn’t notice. What’s this ‘Eron’ thing?

- **Comment 13**: It’s a random event that can happen near Bondales. If a girl in the party has low mental resistance, there’s a chance she’ll be mind-controlled by this guy.  
- **Comment 14**: Yeah, sometimes male characters get affected too.  
- **Original Poster**: Why the hell does he mind-control male characters though?  
- **Comment 15**: Guess it’s not a dark fantasy—it’s a brown fantasy.  
- **Comment 16**: I looked into it out of curiosity—it’s a weird condition. If the female character resists the mind control, he controls the male character instead to make her angry.  
- **Comment 17**: This guy is the PC’s ultimate gold digger...  
- **Comment 18**: The worst part? If a female player rides alone, the event doesn’t trigger at all.  
- **Comment 19**: Eron’s got a twisted moral code. He only bothers with NTRALAL flagged characters...  
- **Comment 20**: Even a vegan wouldn’t be as extreme about this—gotta admit, it’s impressive in a messed-up way.

- **Original Poster**: No way, lol.  
- **Original Poster**: [Image] Look at how they’re protecting this golden bastard when I try to kill him. ????  
- **Original Poster**: And on top of that, she’s given him all the items I gave her. ????????????  
- **Original Poster**: Forget it. I’m done playing.

---

**[There were signs]**

**["Why are you yelling all of a sudden!?"]**  
**["I’m not yelling, it’s just that you weren’t answering me—"]**  
**["Then couldn’t you have waited until later to talk?"]**

**[It was the first time.]**  
**[The first time she looked at him with that expression.]**

**["What?"]**  
**["Eron was talking. I was listening. Why are you interrupting just to say something trivial?"]**  
**["What... what do you mean? Why are you talking to me like this?"]**  
**["Oh, look, you’re yelling again. How ungraceful... Just say what you need to say. Can’t you see Eron’s watching us?"]**  
**["Oh, I don’t mind. I’m sure it was something important. Please, go ahead and talk. You’re all comrades, after all."]**  
**["You’re so kind... So, what is it that you wanted to talk about?"]**

**[It was the first time.]**  
**[The first time she had looked at someone else like that.]**

**["I wanted to ask who’s going to take the night watch tonight."]**  
**["...Annoying. That’s what you wanted to talk about? If it’s that important, why don’t you take it?"]**  
**["But I took it last night."]**  
**["Then how about the two of us take the watch together tonight?"]**  
**["What?! No! It’s my job; you don’t have to help, Eron!"]**  
**["Oh, but I insist. I can’t just sit back and relax while a lady does all the work."]**  
**["You’re so thoughtful... How can someone be so different?"]**  
**["Well, now that the night watch is settled, how about we move somewhere else to continue our conversation?"]**

**[It was the first time.]**  
**[The first time he saw her eyes look so dazed.]**  
**[As if she were under a spell.]**

**[And it wasn’t just her.]**  
**[Everyone in the group was acting like they were under his spell.]**  
**[Everyone except for him.]**

**[It felt like he had been left alone.]**

**[He thought it was just a misunderstanding.]**  
**[That everything would be fine in time.]**

**[He had no idea the end was already upon them.]**

 

---

Good looks? Check.  
A friendly personality on top of that? Even better.

People like them can brighten up the atmosphere of any place just by being there.

Eron, a man whose appearance was more aptly described as beautiful than handsome, led the conversation, and the mood in the carriage quickly became lively.

"I originally planned to escort a merchant’s carriage all the way to Bondales, but they were already fully staffed. In the end, instead of earning money on the road, I ended up losing some."

"Oh, I see! You looked a bit troubled earlier—so that was the reason. When I first saw you, I actually thought you might be a mercenary."

"Mercenary? Come on, Eron! That’s a bit hurtful! Mistaking us for some low-life mercenaries like that!"

The people who had introduced themselves as the "Marik Party" were adventurers based in Bondales. As Marik mentioned, when they had first boarded the carriage, they had been in a rather foul mood.

Their steel and leather armor was well-maintained, and they carried an air of discomfort and suspicion, freely giving off an intimidating vibe.

But now, they were all smiles as they interacted with Eron.  
To them, Eron was naturally likable, a person who attracted goodwill with his charm. And it wasn’t just his good looks that made him appealing.

"Now it’s my turn to ask a question, Eron. What business do you have in Bondales?"

"Oh, not much. A friend of mine is hosting a social gathering there, and they wanted to introduce me to the attendees."

"A social gathering... Does that mean... nobles—"

"No, nothing like that. It’s just a gathering of like-minded friends from the city."

"...But I assume some nobles will attend, right?"

"Probably. Considering the nature of my friend’s business, there are likely to be more nobles than commoners."

"Ah..."

Eron’s words made the adventurers’ eyes light up—filled with awe, reverence, and anticipation for high society.

This was the moment. The adventurers cautiously voiced the thoughts they had held since they first laid eyes on Eron.

"So, you’re good friends with someone like that... Does that mean you’re a noble too, Eron?"

"Haha, a noble? Do I really look that important?"

A noble wouldn’t ride a shabby carriage like this between cities. His clothing, though well-made, was too plain for nobility. And nobles wouldn’t interact with adventurers so casually.

But despite these doubts, Marik’s party had already come to a conclusion.

Eron was a noble.  
At the very least, he had to be someone of high status, comparable to a noble.

After all, not all nobles were the same. In a world as vast as theirs, it wasn’t strange for someone as modest and charismatic as Eron to be a noble.

And with that handsome face, that aura of confidence and ease—  
If he wasn’t a noble, who else could be?

"Are you saying you’re not?"  
"Who knows~?"  
"Well, we’ll leave it at that, then. Eron, or should I say Lord Eron, must have his reasons for being discreet."  
"Haha, you’re putting me in a tough spot. You really are adventurers through and through."

"Have you had many dealings with adventurers?"  
"A friend of mine once said the hardest part of their business was dealing with adventurers. Apparently, they’re more cunning and perceptive than most merchants, and talking to them feels like it’s draining their blood. At the time, I didn’t really understand what they meant, but after talking with you, Marik, I think I’m starting to get it."

"Hahaha! I wasn’t trying to make you feel drained, Eron!"  

From that point onward, the attention and affection Marik's party showed toward Eron noticeably increased.

Everyone gazed at him with shining eyes, hanging on his every word and action. It was as if the carriage now belonged to him.

And Eron couldn’t help but smile to himself.  

Chuckling to himself—  
He accidentally let a bright smile slip out.

"What was that, Eron?"  
"Oh, nothing. Just an idle thought that crossed my mind."

Eron gently covered his mouth with his hand. Behind it, his lips twisted into a crooked grin, forming a sneer that the others couldn’t see.

It was a sneer far removed from the image he had shown so far. This was the real Eron.

Eron was thoroughly enjoying himself. Watching these foolish people completely fall for his facade and open their hearts to him without question was exhilarating.

More than anything—  
"So, is Catherine your lover, Marik?"  
"Uh, well—"  
"Hahaha! Looks like you’re in trouble, Marik. Catherine’s eyes are turning into little hearts for someone else."

Watching a woman forget the man she cared for and become enamored with him instead—  
'Pathetic, wretched creatures...'

These moments only reinforced Eron's contempt for the lesser beings around him.

All that was left now was to wait for the seeds he’d planted to bear fruit. They didn’t realize it yet, but they were already under Eron’s control.

The power of seduction.

Eron planned to release them from this power when it fully blossomed—  
At least, he planned to free the men from his spell. Then, he would take the woman right before their eyes, making them feel the ultimate defeat and basking in the ecstasy of their humiliation.

"..."

Just then, something caught Eron’s attention.

"By the way, you two have been awfully quiet."  
"Sorry, were we being too loud?"  
"Why don’t you join the conversation? How often do you get a chance to speak with someone like Eron?"

Marik’s party addressed the other passengers—  
A man and a woman who hadn’t spoken a word since they introduced themselves.

They were the only ones remaining silent amidst all the chatter. Sitting quietly with their heads down, cloaked in plain gray robes with their hoods pulled up, they stood out precisely because they tried to remain unnoticed.

"Shall we?"

The man answered, but Eron’s gaze lingered on the woman.

"..."

Eron remembered the brief moment when he had caught a glimpse of her face. He had seen many noblewomen and young ladies before, but none had carried such a delicate and mysterious aura like she did.

Eron felt his lips and tongue dry up.

But he couldn’t rush. He needed to understand the relationship between the man and the woman first.

"Rishir, was it? What business do you have in Bondales?"  
"I have several reasons, but primarily to broaden my magical knowledge."

Oh?  
Marik’s party looked at Rishir in surprise, continuing the conversation on Eron’s behalf.

"Rishir, are you a mage?"  
"Yes, though I still have much to learn. I'm on this path because it's my only way to make a living."  
"Hah! That’s one way to put it!"  
"You’re an interesting fellow."

"...?"

Eron felt a sense of discomfort watching them converse so easily.  
They were sitting right in front of him, but they were paying attention to someone else—a lesser being.

This wasn’t simple arrogance or jealousy.

Marik’s party was under the influence of his power of seduction.  
It wasn’t fully complete yet, but it wasn’t weak either. Normally, they wouldn’t be able to divert their attention from him.

Eron suddenly realized—

'My power... it’s gone?'

Somehow, the power he had planted within them had vanished.

---

 

"Everyone, why don’t you chat with me instead? It seems like Rishir would prefer some peace and quiet."

"Oh, really? Rishir, are we bothering you?"

"No, it's fine. I’m already sitting down, leaning back, so I’m not exactly uncomfortable. I could lie down on the floor if you want me to rest more, though."

"Haha! Rishir, are you really a mage? I’ve never met a mage who jokes like you!"

"Maybe it’s a sign that I have a long way to go in becoming a proper mage."

"Hahaha! What a unique guy!"

"I never thought I'd laugh at a mage's jokes…"

Despite Eron trying to redirect the conversation, Marik’s group continued talking to Rishir.  

Bondales was known for its many adventurers and mages. The Marik party knew full well how difficult and arrogant most mages could be. They often rivaled the arrogance of nobles themselves.

But Rishir wasn’t like that at all.

He wasn’t just devoid of arrogance—he was polite and even humble. He exuded an air of dignity, even though he didn’t seem to be trying to.

Was it his glossy brown hair? His pale, flawless skin? His strikingly vivid blue eyes?  
Or perhaps it was his peculiar way of speaking that made him stand out so much?

Marik, pondering this, suddenly widened his eyes.

"Rishir, I have to ask…"

His voice trembled.

"Are you by chance… from a noble family?"

"I cannot say."

"...Why not?"

"Because I am a bastard."

"...Pfft! Hahaha!"

Marik’s party burst into laughter. They thought Rishir was joking by calling himself a "bastard."

After all, no bastard would casually and openly admit to such a status with a smile on their face. Bastards often harbored deep insecurities, and they tended to act more arrogantly than anyone else when interacting with commoners, trying to hide their lowly birth.

But Rishir was different from all of that.

"If you laugh this much, I might start to get hurt."

His calm response only made them laugh harder.

"You don’t seem like the usual mage. You must get told you’re interesting often."

"I suppose I’ve heard that a time or two."

As a result, Marik concluded that Rishir wasn’t a noble after all. A noble, even a bastard, wouldn’t be this humble. The more Marik’s party talked with him, the more they liked Rishir. He was refined like a noble, but lacked the arrogance, and even as a mage, he was surprisingly approachable.

"So, where did you learn magic?"

"I was lucky enough to meet a great teacher."

"Is the person with you also a mage?"

"She’s not a mage, but she’s just as strange as one, so I’d suggest keeping your distance."

"..."

"Hahaha! I’ll keep that in mind!"

Once again, the atmosphere in the carriage grew boisterous. It was even livelier than when they were talking to Eron.

"..."

Eron frowned as he watched the scene. Could his seductive power have vanished because of **him**?

'No.'

It couldn’t be. Eron was also a user of magic, and from what he could sense, Rishir’s magical power was nothing extraordinary. There was no way Rishir could have broken his spell.

And the woman next to Rishir? Eron couldn’t detect any magical energy from her at all.

This meant one of two things:  
Either her magical energy was so faint that it was undetectable, or her magical power was so vast that it was incomprehensible.

As a mage nearing the 4th rank, Eron refused to believe the latter. It was simply impossible.

But then why?  
Why had his power of seduction failed?

For now, it didn’t matter.

What truly bothered Eron was that Marik and Catherine, even Catherine who had shown clear interest in him earlier, were now captivated by Rishir.

It was something Eron couldn’t tolerate.

"So, you’re adventurers, right?"

More than anything, what irked Eron the most was Rishir’s noble-like speech and mannerisms. It grated on him. ‘Is that bastard really not a noble?’

Eron, who had meticulously crafted his image to seem noble himself, could tell.  
Rishir’s casual demeanor, his refined speech—all of it radiated a nobility that Eron had to work hard to project.

Eron couldn’t stand it anymore. He extended his hand to Rishir.

"Rishir, you said you're a mage, right? I walk the path of magic as well. Which school of magic do you study?"

Eron was fishing for a flaw, eager to demean Rishir and regain the attention of the party. He also wanted to reassert his dominance using his power of seduction once more.

Rishir took his hand.

"School of magic? Hmm, I wouldn’t say I belong to any particular one."

Just as Eron was about to smirk and belittle him, something shocking happened.

"...?"

Eron hastily withdrew his hand and stared at it in confusion.

His once lustrous, golden hair began to lose its shine rapidly.

---

[Resisted]  
[Target: Power of Seduction]  

---

Eron’s expression twisted with disbelief as he stared at Rishir.

‘What... is this?’