What? I Actually Reincarnated As Stepping Stone In Another World?



Arthur walked towards Carina's room, lost in thought.

Finally, he arrived at the door and noticed two maids standing guard.

He greeted them lightly and asked, "Is Lady Carina inside?"

The maids respectfully bowed their heads and replied, "Greetings, young master."

And one of them promptly responded, "Yes, young master."

"Lady Carina is waiting for you inside."

"Please come in."

With a nod of acknowledgment, Arthur entered the room.

...

Arthur entered Carina's room only to find it empty.

His brow furrowed slightly as he ventured further into the room, until his gaze fell upon a breathtakingly beautiful woman seated on the balcony, leisurely enjoying a cup of tea.

With her shoulder-length black hair and captivating blue eyes, she exuded an air of elegance.

Clad in a fittingly simple black dress, she looked stunning.

As Arthur approached, the woman seemed to sense his presence and turned her gaze toward him, offering a warm smile.

"You've finally arrived, Arthur," Carina greeted him, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

Arthur nodded in acknowledgment and settled into the seat beside her.

"Would you like some tea?" Carina asked softly, extending the cup she had prepared.

"Yes," Arthur replied nonchalantly, his expression unchanged.

He couldn't muster the energy for idle conversation with someone as dangerous as Carina.

Carina, unfazed by his response, poured the tea into the cup and handed it to Arthur.

"Please give it a try."

"I've put quite an effort into making this tea, you know," she remarked in a gentle tone.

"Oh?" Arthur raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.

In a way, Arthur had a fondness for tea and possessed considerable knowledge about different varieties, thanks to his experiences in the previous world.

However, in this current world, that knowledge had been pushed to the back of his mind, nearly forgotten.

When Carina mentioned that the tea had been hard to acquire, it sparked his curiosity.

Intrigued, he promptly took a sip from the cup, and a surprised expression crossed his face.

"The flavor and aroma are truly exceptional," he silently praised himself, indulging in another sip to relish the exquisite taste.

This sensation was something he had truly missed.

Just as he finished savoring the tea, Carina's voice reached his ears.

"Did you enjoy it?" Carina asked, her voice tinged with playfulness.

Arthur nodded and placed the cup back on the table.

"The tea is truly exceptional. It was worth the effort you put into obtaining it," Arthur remarked casually.

Carina smiled, appreciating the compliment.

"Thank you," she replied.

As Arthur gazed at the woman beside him, he seized the moment to express his intended point.

"Is this invitation of yours an indication of your decision regarding my offer?" Arthur asked in an indifferent tone, his gaze fixed on Carina.

Upon hearing his question, Carina offered a faint smile and met Arthur's gaze.

"Regarding your plan to overthrow David's rule..." She paused momentarily, then shook her head.

"I'm sorry, but I cannot intervene or join you," she stated firmly, as if there were no further negotiations.

"Oh?" Arthur's smile turned cold, and he fell silent for a moment.

The two of them ceased their conversation, engulfed in silence.

Eventually, Arthur took a sip of his tea and then regarded Carina with a composed expression.

"Are you absolutely certain you won't lend me your aid?" Arthur inquired, his voice filled with persistence.

"If I succeed, I can guarantee your safety, you know," he offered once again.

However, Carina's response remained unwavering.

She shook her head and replied, "My decision has been made."

"I cannot assist you in any way, and besides, you're well aware of the extraordinary power David possesses."

"How do you intend to confront him?" Carina asked, her expression carrying a hint of mockery.

"You also know that I am just an ordinary woman."

"How could I be of any assistance to you?" She continued in an odd tone.

Nevertheless, Arthur chuckled at her words and regarded the woman before him.

Arthur couldn't help but admire the assassin's eyes that stood before him.

Carina's acting skills were truly remarkable.

Even without the context of the novel's plot, he could still discern her facade.

However, unraveling her true intentions would prove to be quite challenging.

Arthur didn't respond immediately.

Instead, he took another sip of his tea, lost in his thoughts.

"It seems that there's no other option but to resort to coercion," he silently sighed.

After a moment, Arthur, with his signature smile, spoke lightly.

"You're right. It appears that your decision is resolute," he remarked with a hint of resignation as if acknowledging her stance.

"But did you know that hasty decisions can sometimes lead to unexpected disasters?" Arthur asked, a playful smile adorning his face.

Confused, Carina furrowed her brow and inquired, "What do you mean?"

Rather than providing a direct response, Arthur posed a counter-question.

"I have an intriguing story to share. Would you like to hear it?" He asked Carina, leaning back slightly.

Carina, still puzzled by Arthur's intentions, nodded slightly.

With a chuckle, Arthur began recounting the story.

"One day, in a small village, there was a teenage girl brimming with dreams, her gaze fixed upon the sky," Arthur began, his eyes focused on Carina, who maintained her perplexed expression.

"This teenage girl had been living alone in the village since she lost her parents as a child," Arthur continued, noting Carina's continued frown.

"One fateful day, a group of kidnappers arrived in the village, abducting young women, including the teenage girl."

Arthur narrated. As Carina listened to the story, her heart inexplicably raced.

"After being taken captive, the teenage girl soon discovered that her kidnappers were none other than a renowned organization of assassins," Arthur added.

"The kidnapped women, including her, were subjected to forceful training by the abductors to mold them into members of their organization," Arthur continued, maintaining a steady tone in his voice.

"Yet, among all the captured women, only the teenage girl managed to endure and survive the brutal training," he paused, directing his gaze at Carina, whose complexion had turned pale, covered in a thin layer of cold sweat—quite a stark contrast to her earlier elegance.

"Do you know the name of that woman?" Arthur asked Carina, his smile taking on a peculiar twist.

Hearing his words, Carina looked at Arthur with disbelief, her expression incredulous.

"Yes, that woman is you, Carina," Arthur stated, his gaze fixed on her as he continued, "Or rather, should I say Selina?