A Background Character's Path to Power-Chapter 392: What Others Are Doing...?

’So, the second trial has already started, huh?’ I squinted after quickly scanning the window. ’And this time it’s a trial of the mind. The first one was titled "The Trial of a Heart." Then, if I have to guess, the remaining two will be about either body, strength, or a king. The final one will probably be the Trial of the Throne itself.’

Whatever the case, I was relieved by the fact that the princess and Vance were doing fine.

’Then, let’s take a look at the others...’

I closed the window and focused on the second title - «The Spring Festival».

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Scenario: «The Spring Festival»

Linked Storyline: The Merchant Queen System: From Ruin to Riches

Summary:

Spring marks renewal, prosperity... and competition.

As the capital prepares for its annual Spring Festival, the merchant districts erupt into celebration, trade, and political maneuvering. Beneath the lanterns and music, old contracts are tested, new alliances are forged, and rivals sharpen their knives behind courteous smiles.

For Cassandra, this festival is not just a simple opportunity.

It is a crucible.

Her rapid rise has drawn attention she cannot afford. Established merchant houses, threatened by her growing influence, have begun to move openly. Economic pressure, sabotage, and covert intimidation escalate as the festival approaches.

On the day of celebration, when the streets are most crowded, and vigilance is lowest, the danger will peak.

This is not merely a battle of profit and reputation.

It is a struggle for survival.

Those who misstep will lose more than coin. Some may lose their lives. Even... The Merchant Queen herself...

➤ Scenario Progress: Preparatory Phase

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’...’ I stared at the window, Cassandra’s parting figure flashing through my mind.

I still remember that moment, well, how could I not?

I was even worried for days whether that Viremont brat would trouble her. Fortunately, my thoughts didn’t come true, at least that’s what Cassandra said in her message telling me she arrived in the Empire just two days ago.

’Yet, she is already in trouble again...’

’Thankfully, I have that achievment effect. If she truly falls into danger, I can teleport to her side and save her in time.’

Or so I consoled myself.

Because of my weak strength, it definitely won’t be impossible to contend against whatever forces they will send against her.

Instead of saving her, I might make the situation even more miserable. Unless...

’Well, Virion’s blessing and Glacia Sinfonia can help me cross to peak tier 5 in terms of strength, but the duration will be limited...’

I sighed inwardly, closing this window as well. ’I will send a warning to her later.’

’For now, let’s continue.’

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Scenario: «A Sweetheart’s Final Wish»

Linked Storyline: My Sword Skills Are OP, But My Love Life is a Disaster!

Summary:

’Some wounds are invisible. Some curses are inherited...’

Aeron’s childhood friend, Emilia, has fallen into a deep slumber.

Some call it a sweet dream, some sweet death, while it is actually E.S.S. (Eternal Sleep Syndrome), an illness said to make the soul slowly detach from the body, until waking becomes no longer possible.

Therefore, if not acted upon in time, she will fall into eternal sleep.

Maybe, knowing her situation was hopeless, Emilia had made a final, selfless choice.

A month ago, she left without a word.

A parcel arrived for Aeron a few days ago — her Final Wish, for him to find happiness without her, and her Will, leaving him every resource she’d secretly saved to build that life.

She believed she was setting him free.

But she made one mistake.

That Aeron would never want that kind of happiness.

So now, armed with nothing but her parting gifts and a terrifying, focused desperation, the fallen prodigy has finally returned.

He is hunting for a cure that official channels say does not exist. He will delve into forbidden archives, bargain with dangerous entities, and walk into traps a sane man would flee — all for a single, fading heartbeat.

The clock is ticking. And a desperate man is the most predictable, and most dangerous, kind of fool.

➤ Scenario Progress: Ending Phase

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’...Damn!’ I cursed inwardly as I finished reading. ’Aeron, you... You really have a disastrous love life!’

I rubbed my temple, a tired breath slipping out. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

’First Livia, who would’ve fallen into a coma if I hadn’t interfered, and now Emilia?’

It was as if fate had a personal grudge against Aeron’s love life.

And let’s not even start on that yandere sword-waifu of his, Vespera. I had a feeling things with her weren’t as simple as "master and loyal weapon" either.

Though I had to admit, this guy was a disaster magnet for tragic heroines.

"...What a mess," I muttered.

Still, I couldn’t step in.

Not now.

If I suddenly appeared near Aeron, even with my current identity, it would raise too many flags.

I would risk exposing myself to my pursuers and add more trouble to his already messed-up life.

All I could do was hope the plot armor of the main character would hold. Maybe, just this once, his desperate, foolhardy quest would actually work.

’I’ll research this "Eternal Sleep Syndrome" later,’ I promised myself, filing the information away. ’If there’s a known cure in the world’s lore, I need to find it.’

With a heavy sigh, I closed the tragic window and focused on the final title.

«The Sun’s Awakening».

I braced myself for more bad news.

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Scenario: «The Sun’s Awakening»

Linked Storyline: A Sky Too Small For the Both of Us

Summary:

The orphanage survives on thin margins and thinner hopes.

Shaela, the prideful yet pitiful Sun, is nearing her coming of age — the same age when one’s Awakening must take place. It is a once-only rite. Miss it, and the dormant potential within her may never surface... or worse, awaken broken.

But ceremonies cost money.

Money the orphanage does not have.

Donations have dwindled. Promised sponsors have gone silent. Even the caretakers have begun preparing themselves for a future they refuse to speak aloud.

As the deadline approaches, matters worsen.

To make it worse, together with the spoiled Moon, she has become entangled in trouble with a shady local gang — one that operates in the margins of legality and thrives on leverage rather than violence. What began as a reckless attempt to "fix things" has spiraled into obligations neither of them can easily escape.

The orphanage is no longer just poor.

It is exposed to the ugly side of the world.

If the reserved Moon does not return in time to intervene —

then the coming of age may arrive without an awakening.

And when the sun fails to rise on that day, the cost will be paid by more than just one life alone.

➤ Scenario Progress: Critical Phase

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