The World's Strongest Faker

Grand Plaza

Three days had passed, Ernest rushed to the nearby bench and picked up the water bottle in his bag, and gulped it in a mere second. His workout routine or daily quest has been intense. Running for about 20 kilometers with the scorching sun is truly exhausting to the point he almost died of heatstroke.

Ernest stared blankly at the sky, a system interface prompted. A notification bell chimed.

[Congratulations: You’ve reached level 30.]

[System Integration can now be implemented.]

‘System Integration.’ Ernest repeated those words in his head, he had heard the word integration before. From that day, he always wondered about the purpose of it but now he can now unveil its mystery.

There are two floating tabs in the front of him. Yes or No.

Ernest extended his hand and reached the “Yes” icon. When his finger was about to touch it, a voice similar to thunder called him.

“Ernest!!”

Ernest looked to the source of the voice. It was Christine, his exercise partner, but it doesn’t mean she’s doing the same exercise routine as him.

She staggered as she approached Ernest. Based on her gait, she looked very exhausted that her clothes were damp with sweat. Ernest watched her breathe heavily and offered her the extra water bottle he had saved for her.

“Here there is some water. Don’t worry, it’s not opened and it’s clearly not been touched by a boy’s lip.” Ernest chuckled.

“...I would love it if you touched it...even if just a little.”

Christine muttered to herself, but the sound of her voice was enough for Ernest to hear her ramblings.

“What?”

“No, never mind! Bring me that water bottle!” Christine snatched the water bottle away from his hand and gulped it.

“Hmm, what should I do, should I integrate my status now?” Ernest mumbled.

“Uhm...Ernest!”

Christine suddenly yelled, Ernest hurriedly looked towards her.

“What is it again?”

“Uhm...do you have free time tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow...Why?”

When she was asked that question, Christine’s body began to squirm and fiddled with her hands. Her face’s beet red. “Uhm...Nothing...I was... wondering... if you’re free tomorrow…”

Ernest's only reply is a smile that indicates Christine to spill out more.

“...Uhm...Eh...Hypothetically...What if you and I...you know...g-go...on a d-d-da-.Gwaaaa!?”

Christine was startled at the sudden chimes of Ernest’s gem communication rune.

“U-hm...S-Sorry. Let me take this for a second.”

Seeing the caller’s ID, Ernest immediately picked up the call.

“Sophia, what is it?”

So the one communicating with him is Sophia, Ernest’s little sister.

“Uhm...brother, are you free tomorrow? Would you like to go shopping with me?”

The call was on loudspeaker, Christine who had just heard it clenched her fist in irritation… “That...Sophia…”

But Ernest’s next word surprised her even more than that.

“Sure...I’d be happy to.”

“Huwaaaaaaaaaaaaa…!” Christine snapped. “HEY!”

“Wha...What?!”

“I was about to say the same thing to you!”

“Huh? What do you mean...Ahh..I see, you’re about to invite me on a shopping trip, aren't you?” Ernest teased.

“That is unspoken.”

“Well if you like then you can join,” Ernest informed Christine.

“Eh? Really?”

“Of course. It’s just a shopping trip and she's probably going to buy something she’d like since I got my first big pay on the dungeon we’ve cleared. As thanks, I’d love you to join us.”

“Re-Really?”

Christine’s mind was still in a trance. But her expression told Ernest otherwise.

“I see...as far as I know, royals aren’t that free when it comes to traveling, right?”

“Y-you misunderstand..! I would love to go with you tomorrow.”

“That settles it.”

As Ernest successfully invited her for tomorrow's shopping trip. He had abandoned the idea of integration of his system and investing the points he had earned from leveling. It’s not like it’s going to go away.

…

On the morning of the day they arranged to go on a shopping trip, Ernest and Sophia Teucher stood waiting at the grand plaza of the shopping mall’s main gate. Grand Plaza is a haven for both nobility and commoners, here they can buy anything they’d like. Cosmetics, clothes, foods, watching a play, or just window shopping. Everything a person wants, they can find it here.

They weren’t in their usual clothing; Ernest had a comfortable-looking shirt and trousers, and for some reason, Sophia looked even prettier than usual. She was wearing a Gothic Lolita outfit that made the best use of her blonde hair and small build, greatly raising the charm of a girl who was originally a bisque doll. She looked much better in these clothes than in her school uniform. Though the cost of buying one outfit is three days’ worth of working.

“I’m sorry, I took too long picking out what to wear.”

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Christine’s voice sounded. Ernest looked left and right and saw her walking towards them gently. The moment his eyes met her dazzling beauty, Ernest let out a sigh of admiration.

She was wearing what seems similar to Elie Saab’s gown (Author’s reference.) that accentuates her beautifully carved collarbones and shoulders that gleamed like alabaster. Her large bust in front was also captivating as well, enough to draw the leecher’s eye around them. Ernest was somehow infuriated at those reactions to the point he wanted to run and cover her.

But why the heck is she wearing an outfit that is too revealing?

“You could’ve used simple clothing, you know.” Ernest was visibly displeased.

“Eh? You don’t like my dress?”

“Of course I do, but your outfit is too revealing...By the way, did Her Majesty approve of you coming here?”

Yesterday when Ernest agreed on taking her on their shopping trip, Christine went to the palace and requested permission from her mother, which is the mother of the nation. As far as he knows, Royal families are kind of isolated from the outside world but after seeing her here, it appears that it doesn’t.

“Well, she agreed to my pre-planned reasons where I told her that I’m going there to have fun. Of course under disguise.”

“Disguise?” Ernest looked at Christine again, disguise was supposed to be covert not to attract attention.

“Well anyway, let’s go!” Christine said joyously.

“No, not yet.” Ernest denied, “I can’t have you wander around showing too much skin...As much as I’d hate to admit it, I can’t stand those lecherous looks.” Ernest sneered at the man who's staring intently at her.

Hearing that from Ernest, Christine began to blush a little and reflexively covered her skin. Seeing that, Ernest approached her and stood by her. Then he glared at those men, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent enough to scare away those perverts.

“Sophia? Where’s the nearest clothes shop here?”

“Uhm...I believe they are located on the second floor. Probably.”

Ernest nodded, “Let’s go there first, Sophia lead the way.”

“Okay, brother.”

As Sophia began walking towards the entrance of the mall, Ernest grabbed Christine’s hand and followed Sophia.

‘Omg...I’m holding hands with the princess...I can’t believe what I just did..!”

In Christine’s perspective, she thought the same as Ernest.

‘Wuhaa...wha-what is he thinking? Why is he shamelessly holding my hands like that? Isn’t this a couple’s thing?’

…

On the second floor of the mall, Ernest bought Christine a coat enough to cover her revealing skin.

“That should do it...What do you think?” Ernest asked.

“We-well. It’s good and comfortable and it’s not that cold anymore...thank you. I will pay for it tomorrow…”

“No no…” Ernest rejected, “Please Christine just this day, let me look cool.”

“Ah…I see.” Christine covered her mouth with her hands and softly giggled. “In that case…”

“Christine…?”

“Brother?”

Christine suddenly entwined her arm with Ernest’s as if it was completely natural. It was a position she took while walking with Ernest.

“Whoa!” Ernest yelped. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Christine’s face was all red. “Why are you so clueless? Is that how a gentleman reacts to a lady clinging to their arms?”

“Brother...what is your relationship with her highness?” Sophia asked in a stern voice.

Ernest gulped. “Nothing…! She’s just my friend.”

“Hah?! A friend huh?” A sharp voice sounded on his side.

“Argh...Okay fine! If this is what you want then let’s cling our arms together until we reach the food court shall we?”

“...Fi-fine!”

…

At the fourth floor of the mall, there is a large food court and Ernest decided to eat there before watching the play which will be aired in one hour.

"Nn~. This is delicious~"

Christine's voice started to waver at the taste of the crepes they bought on

Sophia's recommendation. Christine agreed and nibbled away with her small mouth.

"I thought they were ridiculously expensive, but they're really worth it."

Ernest nodded as well.

"It is, right? The crepes from this court use some very rich cream―♪ But if

it's ice cream, I'd suggest the Thirteen Ice Cream shop on the third floor."

"You seem familiar with a lot of things."

"Well, visiting this place from time to time pays off. And pastry is something

every girl lives for―. I was always treated here by my classmates so I know a lot of things.”

"Sophia is definitely the one to ask about sweet pastries or beautiful clothes if you're looking for anything.”

"I haven't seen any shops that sell dresses for a cute princess, but for tasty sweets, I can point you to a number of places. Shall I be the guide today?"

"Really? Wow, that sounds fun! What other stores do you know about?"

"Well, there's a coffee shop in this mall, and the cappuccino there is―"

While the girls had fun eating crepes and discussing food, Ernest watched

from outside their circle. He didn't like sweets that much, so he couldn't find

a way to join this conversation.

While Ernest sipped his iced coffee in solitude, he noticed a bit of cream stuck on Sophia's cheek.

Uh oh.

That would sully the make-up. Sure, Ernest felt nervous about Sophia's

appearance, and he was relieved and thankful to not be mesmerized anymore, but…

…But still, the makeup took so much time to prepare, spoiling it would be

such a waste.

"Hey, Sophia."

"Yes? What is it?"

When Sophia turned towards him, he wiped the cream off her cheek with

his finger and―

"This was on your face. Since you went to the trouble of dressing up so

nicely, you should be more careful."

―he licked it off without any hesitation at all.

Sophia's whole body went red as if she had burst into flame, and she lowered her face, covering her countenance. Taking cover immediately whenever she got embarrassed was one of Sophia's old habits.

“Wh-wh-why are you doing that so suddenly?”

From the side of the table, Christine started coughing violently.

"Huh, Christine? What's the matter? Do you have a cold or―"

When Ernest turned, he saw Christine's whole mouth covered in cream, like she was wearing a Santa Claus beard.

"What's the matter, Ernest? You look so shocked. Is there something on my face?"

"You think there isn't!? That's even more shocking!"

"I-I-If there's something… then… that… can't you wipe it off, l-like with

Sophia?"

"No, it's not an amount I can wipe off with a finger! I'll bring a towel, so just

wait a bit."

"Huh? But―"

Not pausing for Christine to finish her words, Ernest went to borrow a towel from the shop clerk.

…

After the four of them finished eating crepes, they ended up chatting until the play was about to start.

"It seems to be about time, so let's go to the fourth floor."

When Sophia proposed that, all of them prepared to leave the food court,

which was when Christine raised a very late question.

"Hey Ernest, what play are we watching today?"

"I don't know yet."

After all, the invitation came from the cute little sister Ernest. He wouldn't refuse in any case, so he didn't ask for that detail.

“Sophia, what movie are we watching?"

"Just a normal love story."

"Of course it is. You see? I was right to tag along!"

Christine sighed.

"And the title?"

"I Fell in Love with My Little Sister. Rated R-15."

"How is that a normal love story!?"

.