Tea Party? Boston Tea Party Reference?

Anyway, neglecting every material in front of me, what are these panels even about?

All of these seem strange if not peculiar.

In my entire life, I've never even read any isekai with these kind of panels. Not even once. Most of them are just fancy classic fantasy stuff.

And oh, didn't I tell you I 've got a sister who told me about these stuff? Not even once I touched manhwa so I could only hear from what she was saying.

Well, none of those cliche stuff could beat manga anyway.

You know what? Forget it. Let's just focus on what matters at hands.

I then delicately propped my chin, hiding my face with a fan to come up with some lines to improvize,

"So, dear my servant... would you please remind me where I am currently? Apologize if I might forget. My mind is not exactly the brightest after the clumsiness struck."

Right, that would do without saying I really forgot.

In all fairness, I had been thrown here without knowing the exact personality let alone everything about Clarisse von Fahrmann. So, I had to gather evidence.

"Oh, Milady... are you perhaps disremembering the sequence of events you have taken thus far?"

What in the robotic a** question that was!?

Too stiff, too monotone. Not humane enough. Or is this just every single servant acted?

Either way, I needed to tell her right away.

I mustered a calm and threatening voice, done perfectly a la vilainess.

"Yes. Now, you have my permission. Since no one is here, Elysia."

"I have earned you the privilege, so no need to be so formal."

Anyway, after I said that, those panels suddenly disappeared.

Per chance, did I just trigger an unwanted sequence of events?

All of a sudden, she no longer merely acted the servant role, as if taking up a new personality in a graceful, delicate manner.

She is now the princess with whom I shall protect at all costs.

Also the one who will take me to the glory.

Elysia von Schmidt.

"I see..."

"So, Clarisse. Currently we are having a survey for the tea party."

"I merely acted a servant under your request as to be the surveillance."

Tea party? What tea party?

No, hold on. Wait.I felt like I've heard something like this this from my sister. She would be the one who would spoil the story in front of me without caring if I ever paid attention.

But tea party? What kind of trope to be precise?

Okay, think about it again, Yui. You are a genius detective, you should have deduced this way earlier. Ain't no way this kind of simple thing would slip.

First of all, tea party usually is associated with the act of royalty. It's the party where royal families would gather and discuss in an uncannily peaceful manner. But it might also be the source of disaster. For example, the Boston Tea Party which also was the beginning of American people's revolution against United Kingdom.

"Uh, pardon me?"Those were the words I uttered after hearing such an atrocity, spoken purely out of confusion.I mean, come on. The next one?

What kind of insane trap were we about to set this time?

Apparently, she hadn’t thought this through. There was no reasonable way to accept such an atrocity—not to mention the aftermath, whether it succeeded or not.And for f**k’s sake, I’m a police officer, not a goddamn criminal!

“If a poisonous tea wouldn’t be enough, perhaps a forceful attempt would do.”

No, wait—this is full-on murderous intent!How could she even come up with something so reckless?

Not methodical enough to be murder. A forceful attempt would raise anyone’s guard. A subtle manipulation with coercion would be more effective… oh no, wait…Did I just think like a criminal?!

Screw it. 

We ball.

[Elysia von Schmidt is known for her cunning methods. She is capable of disguising herself flawlessly, utilizing perfectionist-level makeup and attire to deceive anyone she meets.]

Oh. So, something like a handy assistant—but not quite a sidekick.I understood now...

Apparently, I had begun to treat the sudden appearance of these information layers like it was normal.

And honestly? I wasn’t even sure anymore whether that was a terrible thing or not.

Presumably the former. Because I might actually be going insane.

“How fascinating. What about a simple cover-up for an unfortunate scenario?”

I let out a slight smile—the kind that could cut through silence and make anyone uneasy.Still, I couldn’t believe I had just said something that nasty. That wicked.

It came out far too naturally—like slipping into a dress tailored for someone else.Then again… who was I even performing for?

I sounded like an actress—trapped mid-scene, reciting lines I never rehearsed.

Not that it mattered.I didn’t even know who I was talking to anymore.

The audience? Maybe.

Or maybe just the past of someone who I used to be.

“Clarisse, you certainly have the audacity to come up with an atrocious idea yourself,”

She said, lifting her sleeves as if preparing for something. Not quite sure what.

Atrocious? More like audacious.

Let’s see how well she would respond to this little mind game.

“Indeed. Well... surely, I shall entertain your thoughts... for now.

”I said it in the most well-mannered and convincing tone I could muster.It felt like I was slipping into a role—a noblewoman who pretends to be composed and elegant just to buy herself time.

“Oh my, how admirable you are, Miss Fahrmann.”

“Very well. It’s important to indulge in the plan—even within atrocity.”

And right after I said that, the translucent panel appeared again.

[What information do you want to know? (The choice you make will affect your route in the future.)]

[You have 15 seconds remaining to choose.]

Route?!

What the actual f**k is this, an otome kind of game?

And why the hell is there a timer even?!

Without any hesitation, I instinctively scanned the panel's edges.

And in case you're wondering, like I’d mentioned when I first arrived in this... story, world, delusion—whatever it is—time freezes whenever these panels show up.Which means, the timer?

Yeah. It's just to scare me off. Somewhat petty and manipulative, if you asked me.

So no, I didn’t need to rush at all—despite that oh-so-'convenient' countdown ticking away.I took a glance at the available options:

[Gevurah Kingdom]

[Elysia’s Fiancee]

[Yehwach Kingdom]

[The Esteemed Celestial’s Members]

...