A Rider Doesn't Need a Youth Romantic Comedy [24]

The newly arrived D-Class wasn't much different from the previous D-43426.

Only four or five questions later, he'd become completely controlled by the dice.

Everything from breathing to blinking to responding to Dr. Seymour’s questions—every single decision relied on the dice.

During the sixth question, Institute members standing outside entered the room under Dr. Seymour's permission and attempted to seize the dice from the D-Class personnel’s hand.

They were met with fierce resistance.

The D-Class desperately clung to the dice, refusing to let go.

Only after the dice were finally taken from him did he stare down at his hands as if suddenly waking from a dream.

He appeared unable to comprehend what had just happened.

“Doctor, the first report is ready.”

Dr. Seymour's assistant handed him the compiled notes.

———

Containment Item: Question-and-Answer Dice
Object Number: AO-313
Object Class: Euclid

Description:
AO-313 are dice packaged individually, with each face labeled with two "YES," two "NO," and two "MAYBE" replacing standard numbers.

All samples are carved from pine wood, dyed with ordinary yellow pigment, and sealed with anti-abrasion chemical coating. The lettering (MS Comic Sans) consists of trace amounts of toner, dye stabilizers, and [REDACTED].

The cardboard backing of each clean plastic package bears the label "The Factory."

AO-313's anomalous effects manifest upon direct human contact.
Subjects experience an intense urge to use the item. The subject then asks a binary (yes-or-no) question and rolls the dice. The dice will provide an answer. If the dice result is "MAYBE," the subject continues rolling until a clear YES or NO appears.

Subjects will unconditionally follow the dice’s final answer, regardless of consequences.

Over time, subjects become reliant on AO-313 for even decisions typically made subconsciously.

Recommended Containment Procedures:
AO-313 samples are to be locked in opaque containers. All other samples, except those required for containment, are recommended for destruction.

———

Dr. Seymour briefly skimmed the report before setting it aside.

The experiment wasn't completely over yet; talking about destroying the object now felt premature.

So far, the dice weren't too dangerous.

If nobody actively used it, this dice was nothing more than a regular novelty.

Though this novelty might lead ordinary people to their deaths.

“Dr. Seymour, can I leave now?”

Rōma, standing quietly on the side this whole time, finally spoke up.

He felt entirely out of place here.

Everyone in this room, at minimum, held a doctorate-level education.

Rōma, as a mere high school student, felt like a husky among wolves, or maybe a Dalmatian mixed into a herd of cows.

Quite painful, indeed.

Their technical jargon was totally beyond his comprehension.

He couldn’t even count as filler here.

“Oh, you can go.”

Dr. Seymour looked up blankly at Rōma, as if only now remembering his presence.

He stared at him for two seconds before finally recalling who Rōma was.

Waving a hand, Dr. Seymour motioned Rōma to leave.

Before he left, Dr. Seymour casually added:

“Don't forget to get your psychological evaluation and adjustments.”

Though Rōma appeared normal at the moment, such procedures were mandatory for every operative—not only because of regulations, but also for their own safety.

“Yes, Doctor.”

Nodding, Rōma gently closed the door behind him.

Next, he planned to take his psychological test, then figure out what else to do today.

Rōma vaguely felt skipping out on school entirely wasn't ideal—should he go back for a couple of classes?

After Rōma left, Dr. Seymour continued communicating with the Institute members.

“Have you prepared the next one?”

“He's already here, Doctor.”

A pale-faced man was escorted into the room by Institute members.

Unlike previous D-Class personnel, this man was tightly restrained by special devices.

An iron muzzle covered his mouth.

It allowed speech but made eating impossible.

Entering the room, the man stood still, clearly resisting.

Seeing this, an Institute member directly shoved him onto the chair.

Click, click.

Two sharp sounds echoed as the man was locked in place.

“Alright, begin the experiment.”

Dr. Seymour's voice crackled through the speaker.

The pale-faced man cast a sideways glance toward the monitor but remained silently slumped in the chair.

Dr. Seymour didn't get annoyed.

He'd seen plenty of uncooperative test subjects.

In the end, didn’t they all obediently participate?

“Prepare coercive measures.”

“Understood.”

Pressing the mic near his ear, the Institute member nodded and left the room.

The man's ear twitched slightly.

Seemingly sensing an opportunity, he became restless.

“Don’t move.”

A cold gun barrel pressed against the back of his head.

Any rebellious thoughts instantly vanished.

Forget it, better behave.

...

Leaving aside what was happening in that room, Rōma himself was facing a small, inconvenient problem.

“Um, can I help you with something?”

Looking at the princess before him clutching a teddy bear, Rōma felt like today was officially his unlucky day.

He'd planned on going back, yet here he was stuck dealing with this problematic princess.

She might look weak and fragile, but Rōma seriously doubted his odds if she decided to fight.

After all, this was someone who had beaten the Demon King half to death.

Just to ensure a good night's sleep, she’d repeatedly pummeled every monster in the Demon King's castle.

Such feats were beyond even most legendary heroes.

Her combat ability was unquestionable.

“I'm looking for new pillow stuffing.”

Yawning softly, Princess Syalis’s eyes glistened with tears.

Clearly, she hadn't slept well last night.

About that, the anomaly she'd beaten for over an hour this morning certainly had plenty to say.

“So, you're saying...?”

“I want something fragrant I can stuff into my pillow.”

Princess Syalis tapped her chin thoughtfully.

She believed this might help her sleep.

“I'll... go and ask.”

Scratching his head, Rōma promised he'd inquire about such items for Princess Syalis later.

Nodding in satisfaction, Princess Syalis turned and walked away.

Watching her retreating back, Rōma sighed helplessly.

This Tuesday really was turning out to be irritating.

---

T/N: after foublechecking its acc Princess Syalis from sleepy oprincess

This is a fan translation of 骑士不需要青春恋爱物语 by 青琮 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!