Copy Skills with Affinity! - Chapter 16

I had only just learned that the bond type in the Weaver of Fate could be changed, but even more shocking to me than that was something else entirely.

* Additional skills available for copying will be unlocked!

The point I needed to pay attention to was this very sentence.

I had looked over Katya’s skill list a few times before, but when I heard this and checked her skills again, it was so absurd that I was left speechless.

‘…Unbelievable.’

As I scrolled through the list, I found myself muttering those words inwardly without realizing it.

I had only checked because I was curious what skills would be added.

‘…Every single class is in here?’

Even in the game, all the main characters grew along different paths, each taking their own route.

Noel or Katya, for example—their overwhelming power that looked almost monstrous now was, in fact, still only the beginning. As the main scenario progressed, depending on which field each person chose to specialize in, their “major” would diverge.

If I were to take Noel as an example, there were paths like swordsmanship specialization, physical enhancement specialization, or adding magic to become a magic swordsman.

But the skills that had now been added to that list covered every specialization imaginable.

‘Once a specialization is set, you aren’t supposed to be able to learn the others…’

Even the Weaver of Fate I had could only copy the skills the target currently possessed.

And yet, just from the bond changing, the pool of skills I could copy had exploded beyond measure.

As if.

I could now copy the entirety of these people’s “futures”—that sort of feeling.

“Your Highness, so…”

“I’m not going back.”

“…”

“More importantly, hand over the adjutant position.”

I didn’t even have time to follow through on those thoughts. A brusque voice landed right in front of me.

It wasn’t enough that she had just made the astonishing declaration she wouldn’t return to the Holy Crown Kingdom—what Katya said next was enough to make Noel clutch her own throat in desperation.

Having learned that the position of “adjutant,” the one who always accompanied her to official functions, was currently vacant, Katya’s demand was nothing short of relentless.

Thanks to that, a rather difficult standoff had been going on.

Though to call it a standoff wasn’t quite right—since no matter what was said, Katya let it go in one ear and out the other, while Noel desperately tried to persuade her.

“For a royal of one nation to behave like this in another is simply unthinkable, Your Highness. Whether by custom, by culture, or administratively—”

“Adjutant.”

“—As I’ve been explaining repeatedly, not only will it create problems for the Empire, it will also put His Holiness the Pontiff in an awkward—”

“Adjutant.”

“…”

“Adjutant.”

“…Please compose yourself.”

The last remark had come from me when I saw Noel slowly inching her hand toward her sword sheath.

The movement was so genuine that I honestly thought she might really draw it—since the person she was about to strike wouldn’t die anyway.

‘…Compared to the way they were trying to kill each other not long ago, I suppose this is an improvement.’

By the standards of that time, this much was practically endearing.

Still, it was fortunate Noel had such a good-natured disposition. To be able to treat someone who’d done such insane things without holding a grudge—she really was remarkable.

“To begin with, isn’t the situation itself a little strange right now?”

Whether she was aware of Noel’s condition or not, Katya interlaced her fingers behind her head and spoke with a languid tone.

“You two are about to be seen as a married couple and attend all sorts of official functions. Without an adjutant, how were you planning to handle those schedules?”

“…”

That was true enough.

Come to think of it, hadn’t Noel previously said she’d appoint an adjutant, then put it off because she insisted on selecting someone truly outstanding?

“It’s strange. Servants are one of the best ways to show your stature. With your position, not having one is almost enough to draw disdainful looks.”

“Is it really to that extent?”

“…It’s common sense in high society. Lionhearted, how exactly are you treating your husband?”

Good grief.

It was bizarre enough to hear the word “common sense” come so effortlessly out of this woman’s mouth, but seeing Noel awkwardly clear her throat in response was even stranger.

“Before official events, I can personally help with escorting and other miscellaneous duties. I simply haven’t found anyone yet who meets the standards.”

“Well, whatever the circumstances, the point is that if you deliberately go around without one, you’ll never get a favorable impression from those around you.”

Katya lightly tapped her cheek as she continued.

“Like I said earlier, sending someone out alone and unguarded to those sorts of events will damage both your and your husband’s reputation. You know that, don’t you?”

Since there wasn’t much she could argue with in that, Noel pursed her lips in silence.

“…Then I’ll just avoid taking Aiden to such events whenever possible.”

“If you don’t bring your soon-to-be husband into high society at all, what do you expect people to say? Rumors about your marriage will run absolutely wild.”

“That’s something I’ll handle myself. Neither Aiden nor I want him to be entangled in major affairs.”

…What?

I stared at Noel, who was speaking firmly, almost incredulously.

“I don’t want to be such a burden to you.”

Thinking it over again, sometimes this person was so inflexible it was hard to believe.

But instead of being put off, Noel’s eyes rounded softly, as if she’d heard something she never expected.

“What? But…”

“Things like that, we can just attend together. Wasn’t the whole point of marrying me in the first place so you wouldn’t have trouble in those situations?”

“…That is true.”

“Then you should make use of me. I ought to do my part, don’t you think?”

Although the beginning of this had been closer to a kidnapping than anything else, even so, it was something I felt in my bones every time—this person sincerely tried to help me.

Whether it was money or convenience, Noel always seemed to give her best, even beyond what was “contractually agreed upon.”

Returning something in kind wouldn’t be so difficult.

To begin with, I’d heard she’d “hired” me precisely because leaving the official position of husband vacant would create all sorts of complications.

“…Ah.”

But at those words, Noel hesitated, fidgeting with her lips.

She looked like she was deliberating over what to say for quite some time.

“Thank… you.”

“….”

Seeing that reaction—like she simply wasn’t used to anyone’s goodwill—left me completely at a loss for words.

To be honest, it wasn’t even goodwill, just something obvious, and yet she still looked a bit uncomfortable. It was absurd.

‘How did she end up with a personality like this?’

With this level of ability and this position, it was almost incredible how little self-regard she seemed to have.

I let out a deep sigh and continued.

“Well, if Your Highness really doesn’t like the idea of acting as an adjutant yourself, can’t you just pick someone, anyone, and have them stand in for now?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“That’s nonsense.”

Both of them dismissed that without even a moment’s thought.

“An adjutant is almost always in close contact with you. No amount of vetting is ever really enough. There’s a reason I haven’t chosen anyone until now.”

“The professions most convenient for assassinating dignitaries are chefs, tailors, and personal secretaries or adjutants.”

“….”

It was probably the first time I’d ever seen these two completely in agreement.

If they both rejected it so decisively, I could gather just how dangerous it must really be.

“…So, in other words, you can’t just appoint anyone as an adjutant.”

“That’s why I’m offering to do it. What are you so conflicted about?”

At Katya’s words, Noel shot her a sidelong, exasperated look.

“You’re taking this far too lightly.”

“There’s a regular imperial palace banquet coming up soon. Whatever else you avoid, you have to show up to that one, don’t you?”

“Even so, Your Highness becoming Aiden’s adjutant is an entirely different issue—”

“…No.”

I cut Noel off before she could finish her sentence.

Rubbing my chin, I sank into thought, as though running calculations in my head.

“That… actually doesn’t sound quite as bad as you think.”

“….”

Noel stared at me like she’d been struck on the back of the head.

“What on earth—”

“If it’s only an issue because she’s royalty, then just disguise her.”

“Pardon?”

“As long as no one finds out, it’s fine. There are plenty of ways. Even just covering her face should be enough.”

“Oh—you actually make sense.”

While Katya beamed and said that with a bright smile, Noel pressed a hand to her forehead and spoke with visible effort.

“…Aiden, you seem…different than before.”

“No. It’s just…we need to leave a ‘good impression’ on people.”

“…What?”

“It’s our first event together. Shouldn’t we make sure it goes well?”

“….”

Noel widened her eyes at me.

She clearly hadn’t expected something like that to come out of my mouth.

After all, I’d spent all this time avoiding hassle at every turn, and now here I was practically welcoming it.

But I couldn’t simply ignore what Katya had brought up.

If it were any other formal event, maybe—but not this one.

‘If it’s the regular imperial palace banquet…’

In the game, it was the kind of thing that got mentioned in passing—“there’s this event”—and then glossed over. But if you dug into the details, it turned out to be quite significant.

It was an occasion where not only members of the imperial family and powerful nobles appeared, but influential figures from other nations as well.

A place where the main scenario’s key players were very likely to show themselves.

Because.

-Skill Info

◈ Weaver of Fate

Only you know the truth of this world. Form bonds with the main story’s important figures to obtain new rewards!

…In other words, it was an opportunity to use this to its fullest.

Now that I had a reason to actively involve myself in the main scenario, gathering powerful abilities as quickly as possible had become even more important than before.

And I already knew exactly who my first targets should be.

‘The shaman. And the prince.’

The shaman of Urgan, who would have come across from the Tribal Alliance.

And the Empire’s legitimate heir to the throne…who also happened to be the suitor clinging to Lady Noel. The very reason I was in this situation.

They were both figures with enormous influence on the main scenario’s course.

“…Aiden.”

Noel spoke up again, rubbing her temples as if her head ached.

“I do trust in your abilities, Aiden, and I’m grateful for your consideration. But the nobles’ social circles are, in every sense, a battlefield. It’s a place where even the smallest thing can be seized on as a pretext for ridicule. Would you reconsider?”

“When you say pretext, which part do you mean exactly?”

“The etiquette, the customs—people there will try to undermine you over the slightest nuance, the tiniest gesture. Anyone who’s never been to such a place will find it difficult to have a positive experience.”

“….”

Seeing Noel speak like she was spitting the words out, I tilted my head slightly.

It wasn’t common for her to express such outright negativity about anything.

How should I put it?

“…Forgive me if this is rude, but… have you had some unpleasant experience?”

“…I can’t say I have any fond memories.”

Hearing that flat reply, I let out a wry smile.

I could imagine that, given her nature, she’d have kept her distance from backstage dealings, subtle politics, and all the delicate human entanglements.

And if that was the case—

“Then I’ll give you a little confidence.”

“…What?”

“I’ll make sure no one dares look down on you.”

It was about time I did something to help her, too.

‘After all… we’ll need to stay close from now on.’

…I had no desire to see her purely as a skill vending machine, but even so, the “relationship” between us would be a crucial pillar for my survival.

In that respect, offering her my help was hardly a poor investment.

Etiquette? Customs? Subtle cues?

Unless it was a place where raw violence decided everything, any venue where those things counted as “weapons” was practically my home ground.

After all, what had I been making my living on?

And—

I knew just the skill to give wings to my talents.

-Skill Info

◈ Weaver of Fate

…

『 Lionel XIII 』

* Bond: Level 1

* You may copy 1 skill.

The copy right I’d received from the Emperor himself.

It was time to use it.

[ Copying “Special Skill: Imperial Bloodline.” ]

▣

In the nobles’ circles, where the wind never blew quietly, the stories of countless people inevitably tangled together into a complex web that drifted from mouth to mouth.

Especially in an imperial banquet—an event that drew people from all over the Empire—the effect was all the greater.

A noble lady from somewhere had supposedly broken off her engagement, some high noble had allegedly taken a lover…

These gatherings were a hub of rumor, a place where gossip scattered in every direction.

And today’s banquet was being stirred up by one particular topic more than any other.

“They say His Highness the Prince will be attending the banquet tonight.”

“To think we’ll have the fortune of seeing that noble face again—it must truly be our lucky day!”

Among all the types of men admired in society, there were many different kinds, but there was hardly anyone as flawless in every respect as the Prince.

Status, ability, appearance—and on top of all that, he was still remarkably young, with an unshakable standing within the imperial family.

It was no wonder that just his attendance was enough to set tongues wagging.

Simply hearing his name brought bright laughter and a warm atmosphere drifting among the noble ladies.

“Oh, there is one other interesting tidbit I heard.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“They say the ‘Lionhearted’ will also be attending today, accompanied by her spouse.”

“…Ah, is that so?”

In stark contrast to before, a subtle tension spread across the table.

“The Lionhearted… She really is an extraordinary knight.”

“Indeed.”

They spoke the words, but on each face, what showed was derision—and a delicate displeasure.

There was no denying she was an impressive person.

To have built up that kind of standing by her own hand, at her age, was undeniably remarkable.

But.

“…So she really does have a husband. I’d heard she was married, but I assumed it was just nonsense.”

“I always wondered who could possibly like such an aggressive woman—but I suppose there must be men with unusual tastes.”

The noble ladies, who cared little for the intricacies of political alliances, tended to have little respect for the Lionhearted, even though she was the kingdom’s most renowned knight.

No matter how many achievements she’d earned in the great continental war that turned the entire land into a mire of battle, it didn’t feel real to them.

Despite all the influence she’d amassed, in society circles she was known, above all else, for being stuffy, inflexible, and refusing to open her heart to anyone—an attitude that had firmly cemented her as “arrogant.”

From Noel’s perspective, she would have said she simply didn’t want to be swept up in any faction and kept to a neutral stance, but from their side, that wasn’t their concern.

And more than anything—

“Shall we see just how impressive her husband really is? What did she think she was, to so boldly refuse the Prince’s courtship—”

One lady, unwittingly voicing her true feelings, fell silent as the sharp glares of those around her descended on her at once.

Even here, no one was so naive as to think it acceptable to say such things aloud.

But the fact no one raised a word of protest showed that they all agreed with her sentiments.

That she had dared to spurn the Prince’s proposal—a thing none of them could have even dreamed of—was, from their point of view, utterly galling.

“Lady Noel Astrea Simus of the Imperial Capital Command is entering!”

They said even a tiger appears when you speak of it—sure enough, the subject herself was making her entrance.

The noble ladies all lifted their fans to cover their mouths, casting haughty looks toward the entrance as the pair stepped inside.

The first thing that caught the eye was the Lionhearted herself, striding forward with that same emotionless expression.

“…In uniform again?”

“How dreadfully dull. I’ve long known she has no sense for attire, but she could at least pretend to make an effort.”

Not even bothering to match the basic dress code—she truly was an arrogant woman.

Sharing such thoughts, the noble ladies soon shifted their gazes beside her.

And then.

The sight of the groom, walking in with his arm linked so naturally through the Lionhearted’s—

“….”

“….”

“….”

The same women who had been ridiculing her with such scorn a moment ago all fell silent at once.

No doubt they were all thinking something similar.

…So her standards were that high.

If any of them had had the chance to take a husband like that—

At least in terms of outward appearance, it was hard not to reach that conclusion.

He wasn’t a sculpted Adonis, nor some great magnate draped head to toe in visible luxury. Such things would hardly elicit this reaction—society was filled with people like that.

Rather.

The man standing beside the Lionhearted would normally be the sort dismissed as a nobody—someone unworthy of setting foot in a place like this, drawing only sneers.

But.

That “aura,” so often spoken of in hushed tones regarding the Prince—

That “dignity,” which one sensed only among the imperial family—

It radiated from him.

At a glance, he made it perfectly clear he was no ordinary man.

“F-First impressions…he’s rather presentable.”

“Hm. Hm.”

As someone gave a faint cough and murmured that, the others reluctantly let out little sighs of agreement.

But the appraisal wasn’t over yet.

Simply looking refined didn’t make him a husband of proper stature.

Without real ability or a worthy lineage, he would still be nothing more than a gilded fruit, all gloss and no substance.

While each of them privately reached that conclusion, the hall’s security moved to bar the two from proceeding further.

“The identity of the person beside you…?”

Everyone knew the Lionhearted’s usual escort was Dame Stella, her adjutant—but the man beside her, clad in a full suit of armor with even his face hidden behind a visor, was a complete unknown.

Hence the challenge.

“Adjutant.”

That short reply came from the Lionhearted’s partner, and in the next moment, a form of identification no one could contest began to rise from within the armored figure.

A colorless flame. Small, but impossible not to recognize—

A supernatural power.

Those who could wield the Holy Flame fell into two categories. Royals—and the paladins bound to them by sacred vows.

There was no way he was royalty, so the only conclusion was that he was a paladin.

And the instant that realization spread, a hush settled over the hall—far deeper and more palpable than before.

Not only the noble ladies at the nearby tables but everyone who’d been quietly observing this entrance was struck speechless with shock.

“…Th-the Holy Flame…”

“Is that…a paladin of the Holy Crown Kingdom serving as his adjutant…?”

Paladins were the most crucial forces assigned to protect the royal family itself. The strongest martial order in the Holy Crown Kingdom.

Having one as an “adjutant” was undeniable proof that, at the very least, this man was regarded on par with royalty.

It was an extravagance even most great nobles could never dream of.

“….”

“….”

Someone audibly swallowed.

At that moment, it was seared clearly into everyone’s minds.

That man standing there—

He might well be the most “important” figure in the entire hall tonight.

▣

-Skill Info

◆ Unique Ability: Imperial Bloodline

Those born of noble blood in the royal house possess an innate charisma that naturally captivates crowds. When under public scrutiny, their “charm” increases explosively.

Additionally, they automatically resist certain mental interferences, and while this effect is active, some “actions” will trigger automatically.

…Just as I thought.

It was worth copying this.

I looked at the system window floating before me, thinking so.

-System Message

[ The majority of people present are paying attention to you. ]

[ Many feel goodwill toward you. ]

[ These are optimal conditions to use “Weaver of Fate!” ]

…Perfect.

Seeing that message, I whistled inwardly.

Coming here prepared—dressed up, planned out—had been absolutely the right choice. I’d even succeeded in making a vivid impression on Katya.

‘Now all that’s left…’

Was to extract as many skills as possible from the “important figures” gathered here.

With that thought, I stepped forward, and from behind me, a sharp whistle followed.

It was Katya, hidden in her full suit of armor, snickering as her voice echoed faintly from within.

“You said you’d give her some confidence, but you’re like a fish in water out here.”

Her voice drifted to Noel’s side, half-whispered, thick with the intention to tease. Perhaps she still held a bit of a grudge from their fight not long before.

“….”

Hearing that, Noel silently pulled her hat low over her face.

That gesture made it abundantly clear she had no intention of letting anyone see her expression.

But judging by how red her ears were, it wasn’t hard to guess.

“Now everyone will be gossiping that you’ve found yourself quite the husband. Wherever you go in high society, no one will dare to look down on you anymore, Lionhearted.”

“…Be quiet.”