In the Middle Ages of Dolores’s past life, dreams were considered part of “augury” in theology.
Most dreams were blurry and chaotic. Although the Church acknowledged that the Gods could transmit divine revelations through dreams, they also warned the common people that most dreams were false and were likely the deceptions of demons.
Divine revelations were supposed to be clear and distinct. For example, in the case of Joan of Arc, the revelations she heard were clear “voices.”
After learning about the connection between divine revelations and dreams, Dolores had some doubts about the Church—
Authorized clergy members could interpret dreams, and the Pope could recognize a specific dream as a “divine revelation,” just as he could recognize someone as the king of a certain territory.
It felt like a case of deja vu.
Dolores’s understanding of the concept of dreams came entirely from her chats with Little Flower Fish. Although the original game was a Japanese-style Western fantasy, it didn’t stop it from incorporating some classic, serious Western elements.
In this world, dreams could provide true revelations, predict the future, or allow one to revisit the past. Under extremely strict conditions, they could even manifest in the real world.
There was even the classic trope of actually being tempted by demons.
Therefore, dreams in this world were not just hollow or simple fantasies. Not only could they achieve the incredible feats mentioned above, but they could also bring illusory things into reality.
For instance, the branch Grimm had presented to Fields IV was real. Because of that, no one doubted whether the dream was true—other than a dream, there was no other place that could produce such a legendary object.
However, dry theories failed to pique Dolores’s interest; otherwise, she wouldn’t have remained so ignorant of the game’s plot.
Little Flower Fish had once said that she fleshed out the dream setting just for the sake of a single trope. She thought it was wonderful to have cold, distant characters be won over in a dreamscape, only to be separated in reality, leading to a “regretful pursuit” plotline.
The person one loved so bitterly was right there, but one only realized who she was at the moment of parting or death. Little Flower Fish found that kind of remorse quite delicious.
Dolores thought it was a good trope too, which was why she had dabbled in the lore. She didn’t know which character Little Flower Fish had applied this plot to, but it certainly wasn’t Dolores.
It was precisely the understanding gained from that bit of interest that allowed Dolores to answer Arbekko’s questions more smoothly and with fewer flaws now.
She understood the symbolism of dreams.
She also knew what happened in her past life. As for the missing parts, she could simply brush them off by saying she hadn’t remembered them yet.
To gain Arbekko’s trust, Dolores had to weave a similar lie that could explain her unusual behavior.
Arbekko’s story was half-truth and half-lie, and Dolores intended to do the same.
“I also dreamed that I was with Grimm. I was his wife, and I traveled through many countries with him, seeing countless people and things.”
“But in many of those dreams, I wasn’t the only one by his side. There were many other girls. He was always being hurt by them, and the ‘me’ in the dreams was always there to comfort him.”
Arbekko listened, finding nothing wrong with the story. After all, that was exactly Dolores’s role in her past life.
Grimm was indeed always surrounded by women, trapped in a repeating cycle of meeting, getting to know, trusting, and then being betrayed by them.
“I can’t understand what kind of charm he has that makes me so obsessed. Maybe we’ll experience things in the future that will change my mind, but for now, I cannot accept liking a man who is unfaithful.”
Dolores spoke seriously. This part was actually a lie; whether Grimm was unfaithful or not, the mere thought of liking him disgusted her.
There was a hurdle in her heart she couldn’t get over, and she had no reason to try.
“I can feel that he has known me for a long time, but he’s hiding it… Perhaps he sees me as the person from those dreams, coming close to me, pursuing me… but to me, it’s all too sudden and strange.”
“I won’t deny that he’s a good person, but I haven’t reached the point of liking him yet…”
Inside, Arbekko was filled with confusion. ‘Was Dolores’s personality like this in my setting? Was it?’
‘She was supposed to be a character who was gentle to the core, someone who showed unconditional tolerance toward Grimm, right?’
But considering the trajectory of the past life, it was possible that Dolores only fell for Grimm over those several years, leading to her infinite gentleness and tolerance.
It seemed normal for the current Dolores to have this reaction. On the surface, it was perfectly reasonable. She had passed the test.
“Sorry, I seem to have gone a bit off-topic… What you wanted to ask me about was Silbelle, right?”
Dolores said to Arbekko with a fake apologetic look. She had gone off-topic on purpose. From her perspective, Arbekko was clearly a capture target as well.
Dolores felt it would be better to build rapport through the topic of Grimm. Now, it seemed they had become close friends to some extent.
They shared “common” memories of a past life and the “shared” identity of being capture targets.
“There’s no need for further explanation, Princess. Since you’ve put it that way, I understand.”
Since Dolores had said so much, the issue with Silbelle was naturally glossed over. Arbekko didn’t plan to delve into the details.
Dolores remembering her past life was completely outside of Arbekko’s expectations. Many of her plans would have to be adjusted slightly.
That included the pendant.
When they first met, Arbekko had given Dolores a Blue Gem Pendant. It had the effect of maintaining one’s sanity and preventing corruption.
This also worked against the System, as it could lock favorability at 99 to prevent it from reaching 100.
Originally, Arbekko had no intention of telling Dolores about this function, but now she felt a hint of hesitation.
The current Dolores didn’t seem to like Grimm that much, but it was hard to say. If she truly remembered the tender moments from those dreams…
Would she still be able to firmly claim she didn’t love Grimm, just as she was doing now?
Moreover, the existence of the System was quite troublesome.
Once favorability reached 100, the person was basically no different from a different individual. Thus, Arbekko was currently torn over whether to help the other girl escape Grimm’s control.
She had already gained a portion of Grimm’s trust.
However, even though Dolores was a character Arbekko had created herself, it didn’t seem worth it to antagonize Grimm for her sake.
At the same time, she felt a sense of pity for Dolores. Like Grimm, the girl was essentially her child.
“In that case, Princess… regarding those things you said back then, did Grimm do something bad to you?”
Arbekko asked curiously. She suspected it was the work of Grimm’s System that had made Dolores notice something was wrong.
However, Dolores wasn’t supposed to be able to detect the System’s influence because the mechanics were too subtle. But now that she had unexpectedly remembered her past life, Arbekko couldn’t be sure.
There was a second listener to their conversation: Vesperian.
Vesperian wasn’t one of Grimm’s capture targets. She was fated to die before Dolores and Grimm married, but she was a trustworthy person who was loyal only to Dolores.
Therefore, Grimm recognized Vesperian but showed no signs of hostility toward her, since she hadn’t betrayed him yet.
Dolores, having remembered her past life, should know this, and she would likely try to save the maid who protected her.
Arbekko felt that Dolores probably had her own plans regarding Vesperian, so there was no need to interfere.
But Dolores didn’t just lack knowledge of Vesperian’s plot; she didn’t even know Vesperian’s name.
The memories of the original host she had recalled so far didn’t include that part. Consequently, since she had transmigrated, she had never called Vesperian by name.
Her impression of Vesperian was simply “the very reliable, purple-haired personal maid.”
“I feel like I’m gradually starting to like Grimm. He did things that made my heart flutter, and he even risked his life for my requests.”
“But I always feel that my affection is strange, as if it’s being influenced. I’m constantly worried that something is changing my thoughts…”
Dolores remembered very clearly that the reason she had initially sought out Silbelle was because the other woman had a way to block the System’s erosion.
Later on, all the legitimate capture targets had similar means. Therefore, Arbekko, who was right in front of her, should also have something similar.
If it was an item, and if the other party didn’t know about the System’s existence in Grimm, Dolores felt she could try to get it from her—even if she had to use deception.
She could only try her luck with Arbekko now. She was likely only able to maintain her rebellious thoughts because Grimm wasn’t in her sight.
‘Familiarity’ at 50 had already made her almost completely let down her guard against Grimm; ‘Trust’ at 70 would be even more terrifying.
If she couldn’t find a way to resist, she would soon be unable to fight against the System within Grimm at this rate.
Arbekko had become her literal life-saving straw.
“Do you think Grimm is the one doing it?” Arbekko asked.
She could tell immediately that this was the System’s doing, but it was surprising that Dolores could actually perceive it.
“I said some strange things back then… but I don’t think he would do it. He’s very good to me. I’m just worried that other people with ulterior motives might be trying to use me to harm him or do something else…”
Dolores spoke with a face full of worry, showing Arbekko the image of an uneasy, conflicted girl under the illusion of falling in love.
Under the premise that Arbekko was a capture target, Dolores certainly couldn’t speak ill of Grimm. However, she needed to indirectly probe if the other party had a way to resist the System’s erosion.
“I see…” Arbekko murmured.
It sounded reasonable, but somehow everything felt a bit off. So, Arbekko asked for clarification:
“Then, Princess, what do you think I can do to help you?”
Dolores continued with her prepared answer:
“The fact that the dragon specifically destroyed the seals is quite suspicious. Coupled with my inexplicably influenced mind, I find it hard not to suspect that someone wants to use this disaster for their own ends…”
Arbekko’s mouth drifted open slightly, a look of surprise appearing on her face.
She hadn’t expected Dolores to actually guess correctly. Although the part about Grimm’s System was wrong, there truly was a mastermind behind the dragon’s attack.
Otherwise, the dragon wouldn’t have focused solely on destroying those few sealing circles, causing the ground to collapse into holes and releasing monsters.
However, that mastermind couldn’t possibly be paying attention to them right now; they were likely keeping an eye on the palace.
Dolores hadn’t guessed the truth about Grimm’s System, but she had unexpectedly deduced that someone was behind the dragon’s attack.
Was this a lucky guess or a sharp intuition?
‘I really shouldn’t underestimate Dolores,’ Arbekko thought. ‘I can’t just view her through the stereotypical “virtuous wife” template.’
“I don’t love him yet, but I won’t tolerate someone using my feelings without my consent to achieve some dark purpose. That’s why I need your help, Arbekko.”
“I don’t intend to tell Grimm yet, to avoid worrying him or making him overthink—and to prevent others from noticing anything unusual.”
“You were by his side too. I believe you have the ability or something special that can definitely help me.”
Arbekko’s eyes widened like saucers. Wasn’t this just putting her in the hot seat?
She could indeed find a few items to delay the System’s erosion, but if she gave them to Dolores and Grimm found out later, she would be the one to suffer.
But if she didn’t give a response now, wouldn’t Dolores become suspicious and waste the rapport they had worked so hard to build?
If she didn’t show any willingness to help, Arbekko would still be in trouble once Dolores was finally captured by Grimm and they recalled this conversation.
After all, she wasn’t just some ordinary college student. If she weren’t special, how could she have been by the side of those protagonists?
Now she was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
‘If I didn’t know so much, maybe I wouldn’t be in this dilemma.’
But Arbekko clearly couldn’t remain silent forever. After weighing her options, she spoke up:
“The problem you mentioned… I think I might have a few solutions…”