The reason for my offer was rather simple. It was a conclusion I'd reached after scouring my memory for any details of Song in the novel.

Although Song hadn't been a character of any importance in the novel, her family, the Baek clan, had been proper thorns in Rowan and Racheal's sides. Among the Republic's high-ranking nobles, they were in the faction supporting Aurealius.

Naturally, their daughter would be aligned with supporting Varic. It was also the reason she'd clashed with Maki. She was too chicken to fight Racheal, and was subsequently trashed by the heroine.

While she'd received memories from Earth, the girl hadn't broken off her connections to Varic. Which meant she was in the perfect position to serve as my rat in Varic's camp.

I tried explaining this logic to her. Unfortunately, she didn't seem very agreeable to the idea.

"It's too risky. What's going to happen if I'm found out?"

"Why worry about such hypotheticals? You won't be found out."

"…"

"Look, just trust me on this, okay? I don't even need much from you, just information about the 'prince' and his dogs' whereabouts."

Song rested her chin on her arm, rubbing her forehead as she considered it.

"Even so, I think it's a little too much for just one favour."

I'd already expected her to say something of the sort, so I'd long prepared a counter.

"According to the deal we first made, we have to help each other out and resolve plot problems. I'm pretty sure the commoner/noble tensions count as a plot problem. Hell, I shouldn't even need to use a favour for a request like this."

The girl merely shook her head in reply. I could practically see the gears in her mind turning.

"Technically, you're already well on your way to resolving the tensions. All you need my help for now is to avoid getting beat up. Which, in my opinion, doesn't contribute meaningfully to resolving the plot problem. It sounds like a personal problem to me."

'What bullshit.'

I didn't even have the energy to start breaking down that argument. Looking at the smug grin on her face, I could tell she was intentionally doing this to extract another favour from me.

'How can she be so shameless?'

It wasn't like I'd ever exploited her desperation to gain a favour before.

"You know? This is why you're a third-rate villainess."

"Mhm, give me two favours and maybe I'll help you."

She sidestepped my bait entirely.

"I'll give you one."

"Two."

"One."

"Deal."

'Just great.'

I'd be owing her a favour in the end, but this much was fine.

'I'll just have to scam her out of one later.'

"You can have your favour. But you've got to help me with Varic."

Having successfully whistled a favour out of me, the girl's exhausted face seemed to gain some wind. She looked at me rather smugly.

"Sure, I don't see why not. Just don't expect much besides information, I can't afford to garner any suspicion from them."

That much I could agree with. Keeping our cooperation here secret was extremely necessary, at least for the meantime. With Varic's faction watching me, it wouldn't be long before they noticed something off.

Which meant less meeting in public from now on.

"That's fine. I only have to keep this up for a month."

"Right, I was curious about that. How do you plan on dealing with Varic then? There's no doubt he's going to duel you for your post."

I shrugged.

"Sure, I can tell you, but it's going to cost a favour."

"All of a sudden, I'm not so curious anymore."

"Thought as much."

I pushed myself off the couch, getting ready to leave the insomniac's den, when I heard her trailing voice.

"Wha…"

Turning to face Song, I found her stunned, staring at seemingly empty air as something white flashed within her green eyes.

"What's wrong?"

My voice snapped her out of her daze, though the moment it did, her face twisted in a mix of surprise, worry and even betrayal.

The girl scratched her already messy hair in frustration, before looking at me. She hesitated a bit, then swiped the air in front of her.

Just like that, my interface popped up, showing an image sent from Song. It was a screenshot of a rather empty chatbox, with a single message within.

I sat down to read it.

[You've been engaged to Varic]

"Wha…"

My brain struggled to even comprehend what I was seeing. I looked at Song incredulously.

"This has to be some sort of troll, right?"

She rubbed her forehead frustratedly, all the energy she'd gained from swindling me now completely drained.

"It's from my mom."

"Oh."

That was all I could say. I hadn't expected this, not at all. Nothing even close to this happened in the novel.

'What even caused this?'

It sure as hell wasn't me. I tried linking all the facts I knew together, and suddenly the explanation became clear. Honestly, it should've been obvious.

It was Song's second awakening.

Song's family, the Baek clan, was one of Aurealius's— and in relation, Varic's— staunchest allies. They had the strength and resources to back it up.

In the novel, this already strong bond might've been strengthened, in typical noble fashion, by marriage. But back then, Song had been a wastrel, low-potential, third-rate villainess. There was no way such an engagement would ever go through.

This simply just wasn't the case anymore. She now had the potential to become a demigod, came 3rd overall in the simulation, and although she still had that nasty third-rate villainess personality, they'd certainly be willing to turn a blind eye to it.

I scratched my hair awkwardly.

"Well, congratulations I guess?"

I got a milk carton to the face for my troubles. Fortunately, I'd already begun ducking the moment I saw her move. I wasn't one to fall for the same trick twice.

Recovering from the maneuver, I caught her glaring at me. Another milk carton rested threateningly in her hands.

"Do I look like I need any well wishes?"

I lowered my hands in a calming gesture, attempting to reason with her.

"Why not? Don't you have, like, a really huge crush on Vari—"

"What!?"

The second carton went flying.

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