3 bar menu

Ruler Vol 6 Chapter 39

Author: Anit666

Editor: Weasalopes

【Sam’s POV】

“So, what did you get?” Phiria asked while I was lying on my bed like a salted fish.

“Some shirts and trousers, two pairs of pyjamas, two suits and some type of black military uniform.”

I actually bought more clothes than any of the girls did. And to think we were supposed to shop for them.

It’s a testament to the quality of the shop Sherry took us to. 10 out 10 from me, chief.

“I get the shirts, trousers and pyjamas, but why the suits and military uniform?” Phiria raised her eyebrows.

“For special occasions.”

Like a royal party with all the influential nobles attending, or a meeting with the king of this country. I can’t go to such events in a pyjama and shirt now, can I?

It sure would be a chad moment though.

Imagine you are the most powerful and influential man in a country of millions and have Demigod level existences at your beck and call. One day, you summon a mere adventurer to have to grace him with your presence.

However, that lowly adventurer has the sheer audacity to show up to the meeting in fucking pyjamas.

If someone did that to me it’d be instant hands.

“They usually provide you with the attire for these special occasions.”

Oh my, do they? I didn’t know that. Silly little old me.

“Well, what if I don’t like the clothes they prepare for me?”

I mean, this is an entirely different world, so it’s entirely possible that the fashion sense of the guys here is different than mine.

What if I am attending a large royal party which is crucial for Ex-Sam’s Grand Plan, and they prepare a fucking red suit with blue checks on it, along with a pink shirt and yellow tie?

Absolutely disgusting. I’d rather go in there naked and flex my frankly awesome muscles to the ladies than wear something that abhorrent.

But I don’t think flashing myself right in the middle of a fucking imperial occasion attended by the royal family and influential nobles and making the entire nation my enemy would be the most tactical decision of my part, so I bought the suits.

It sure would have been an alpha chad move though.

So many chad moves. Maybe I am the chad?

“Right,” Phiria rolled her eyes, seemingly seeing through my thoughts.

The goddess of life sure is scary.

“What about you?”

We were already back from our little shopping trip yet I didn’t know what Phiria, my co-conspirator who had accompanied us, had bought.

Kinda sad, now that I think about it.

I knew what the others had gotten, though; I was forced to critique their choices, after all.

And by god did I do my job well.

I praised those who picked dresses that suited them and didn’t hesitate to reprimand and guide those who had made poor choices.

Samuel Critic Hayden, at your service.

By the way, Susan had chosen clothes that prioritised mobility over appearance (relatively speaking; it’s not like she had chosen filthy rag tags just to move better). Her choices were perhaps influenced by her ‘Hero’ background.

Chloe, on the other hand, went for the outfits that made her look good, ranging from enhancing her cuteness to emphasising her curves. My guess is that she wanted to impress me.

Shiggurath, our friendly Dragon, made some… awkward choices. She didn’t seem as experienced as her peers, but thankfully, I was there to help.

Cornellia and Sherry went for normal clothes; not too gaudy, but still charming. Cornellia also got a gorgeous gown for herself.

No idea what Ms. Goddess bought because she didn’t sign up for my critique services. Maybe she wasn’t interested in showing herself to someone who wasn’t Ex-Sam.

So the winner of today’s competition was Cornellia. She made the most sensible choices and got the most out of our shopping trip today.

As expected of Cornellia-sama.

Anyway, back to Phiria.

The fact that I can complete such a long monologue while having an actual conversation with someone would never cease to amuse me.

“A one-piece dress and a gown.”

“Rather normal.”

I was expecting something… wilder from our feisty Goddess.

“Normal is best.”

I guess the attire of us lower lifeforms didn’t catch her interest.

“If you say so,” I shrugged. “Anyway, how was my performance today?”

Not as a critique; I know I was simply spectacular, but acting as Ex-Sam to fool the lasses that I went on a shopping trip with.

“Better than expected, to be honest,” Phiria nodded slowly. “But you could still use some work in some areas.”

“Such as?”

“The way you handled the situation with that trifle; the real Sam would never have been that impulsive.”

Holy fuck, she’s actually giving me constructive criticism. I was not ready for this level of intellectual conversation.

“Perhaps, but I was with Sherry, so I didn’t feel the need to hold back.”

Sherry already knows that I’m not the Ex-Sam who supposedly saved her, so there was no point pretending to be him in front of her.

Hmm, though it would be amusing to try to convince her otherwise.

What if I could act so perfectly that Sherry, despite knowing that I have lost my memories, would be forced to believe that I am her Sam?

Sounds like a nice little challenge to amuse myself with.

“But the others were still there, and they know what happened. I wouldn’t be surprised if they found it odd.”

“I feel that they would just brush it off as ‘Sam being Sam’. After all, there’s not much that they know about him, is there?”

Ex-Sam was more secretive than me, after all.

“It was still an unnecessary risk to take,” Phiria’s eyes narrowed. “Seems to me you’re getting drunk on your newfound powers.”

Whoa, no need for that personal attack.

“I won’t deny the possibility,” I nodded. “But I saw an opportunity for a play there, so I went extra harsh on Count Vindalo even though I had neither the need nor the desire to do so.”

“What play?”

“It wouldn’t be fun if I told you right now, would it?”

Well, frankly speaking, the probability of the events going down the way I want them to is, let’s just say, lower than the chances of getting a 4 star in a gacha. Too much has been left to fate and the decisions of others.

If I have read the involved people right, then they should go down the paths I want them to. But human nature is fickle. One can never predict with absolute certainty what someone will do in the next moment.

So I wouldn’t be too surprised if the chosen people decided to just destroy the laid out paths and go on new ones, though it would be a loss.

But hey, it was just an opportunity that randomly presented itself to me, so it wouldn’t really matter even if nothing came out of it.

I’ll have plenty of chances to seize the political power of this country.

“I’ll keep my expectations low, then,” Phiria sighed. “You’ll probably fuck it up, anyway.”

How incredibly rude of her. Would it kill her to have even a semblance of faith in me?

I mean, sure, she’s madly in love with Ex-Sam (that’s an understatement, by the way), but it’s not my fault that I took her lover’s place.

If anything, it’s the result of her and Ex-Sam’s incompetence.

“You do you. Anyway, can you please leave the room for a bit? I’m about to have a meeting with someone which I’d like to keep private, so please retire for the night. Oh, and eavesdropping isn’t allowed.”

“What are you up to?” She frowned.

“I’m just moving the plan ahead. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“…I don’t think I need to remind you, but do not mess this up,” she threatened. “It will not end well for you if you do.”

“I shall remember that.”

What a feisty woman.

With that, Phiria left my room. A few minutes after that, the guest I had been waiting for knocked on the door of my room.

“Come in.”

The door opened and Sherry stepped in.

“Did you need me for something?” She asked, clearly on her guard.

“Mm,” I sat up at the edge of the bed. “Sherry, it is my understanding that you love Michael. Am I correct?”

“W-where did that come from?” She frowned and took a step back.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

“…”

“Well, Sherry, rejoice, because I have a proposition for you that you will be very interested in.”

“…What proposition?” Sherry scowled.

Well then, let the game begin, shall we?