Chapter 278: APRIL’S SPECIAL 4: Benjamin’s Worst Day—a Logical Explanation for this...

"He was just leaving." Then she turned and went inside her room without another word, the door of woven bamboo closing firmly behind her.

Benjamin turned slowly to look at Marina, gazing directly into her eyes as they stood there in silence for a long minute, the distant sounds of the forest filling the awkward gap between them.

"What is it?" She finally asked, her voice flat and guarded as she waited for him to speak.

"Are... you all ignoring me?" Benjamin mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper as he stood there near the swaying vine bridge, the leaves rustling softly around him in the morning breeze.

"What makes you think so...?" Marina asked him back, her tone flat and guarded as she tilted her head slightly, arms crossed over her chest.

"I’ve been getting... a weird treatment since this morning..." he answered slowly, his oceanic blue eyes searching her face for any sign of the warmth he used to see there so easily.

"Just this morning? I think you must be imagining things," she replied with a small shrug, her gaze drifting away toward the distant canopy. "At least, wait till dawn fully breaks before concluding anythin—"

"Uhm... I have to go." Benjamin said abruptly, cutting her off as he disappeared in a swirl of teleportation, leaving Marina standing alone on the bridge with a faint sigh escaping her lips.

***

When he appeared again, the world around him had shifted completely.

He now stood in the vibrant kingdom of the beasts, Shishi-no-su, where the air carried the rich scent of blooming cherry blossoms mixed with the earthy aroma of well-tended gardens.

Tall wooden structures blended seamlessly with the surrounding forest, their roofs curved like gentle waves and decorated with colorful banners that fluttered in the wind.

Benjamin made his way straight to Sakura’s office, where one of the attendants politely told him to wait in the comfortable waiting area just outside — a shaded pavilion with low cushions and hanging lanterns.

He sat down, trying to keep his nerves steady as he watched attendants move about their duties.

When Sakura finally came out, Benjamin beamed brightly and stood up to greet her, his arms opening instinctively for a hug.

But she quickly extended one hand to gesture for him to stop right there, her expression calm and professional.

"And when we talk about renovations, we do not just mean making it appear better on the surface," she discussed smoothly with an elven guest who looked high-class, dressed in flowing silks and adorned with delicate jewelry.

The elf nodded attentively, but his eyes kept drifting toward the paused Benjamin standing awkwardly nearby.

"Yes... But..." the guest turned his gaze fully to Benjamin for a moment, "Do you not have more important business with the god-touched? I will soon be in my way."

"Ahaha!" Sakura chuckled lightly, waving her hand dismissively. "That is personal business, which is far removed from official kingdom matters. He shall wait for m—"

"Yes, she’s right," Benjamin smiled and assured the elf politely, though the smile felt tight on his face. "You should attend to matters of the kingdom’s well-being first."

And with that, he immediately teleported away, the familiar folding of space carrying him elsewhere in an instant.

[Sys... what do you think?] he asked internally, his thoughts heavy with growing unease as he reappeared on a quiet hillside overlooking part of the beast kingdom.

{...Master, I suggest we do not overthink the matter. There must be a logical explanation for this.}

[Yes. That I have suddenly become a lousy pain in the ass to everyone.]

{That is not the truth! Master is not a—}

[No need to patronize me! I have not done much since coming to Elyndor. I have only littered the place here and there, enjoying my new life without really imparting anything meaningful to others.]

{I believe that is incorrect. Master is tied to the joy and sanity of the people Master is involved with; Master is only reacting strongly to this one awful day...}

[...]

{I advise Master to meet other people and see if it truly is everyone acting strange.}

[...Fine!]

Then he traced Midori’s location and teleported directly to her.

She was standing near a cluster of flowering bushes in one of the outer gardens, her posture relaxed but focused.

"Ah, morning there," she shrugged casually when she noticed him, adjusting the strap of a small basket on her shoulder. "I have something real important to do in the Capital’s green house. Meet my sisters for now."

"C... Can I not join you?" Benjamin asked, his voice carrying a hopeful note as he stepped closer, desperately wanting it to be just his imagination playing tricks. "You know I love nature too."

"Hmmm." Midori thought about it for a second, her fingers tapping lightly against the basket before she clasped her hands together. "Please, let me go alone. I need to listen to myself a bit more. Sorry."

"..." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

He said nothing more, simply teleporting away again in silence.

Next he appeared near Kuro, who was sharpening a blade near a training post.

"I think Gin was looking for you. Go meet her," Kuro said without looking up, her tone brisk and dismissive.

He went straight to Gin, materializing in the shaded courtyard where she was sorting through scrolls.

"Welcome, Ben-sama. I think Sumire was asking of you a while back," Gin said calmly, not even pausing in her task.

"Huh?!" Sumire, who had just walked into the area carrying a tray of tea, lashed out immediately. "How dare you toss him my way! That is unsightly."

"Well, someone tossed him my way. I had to do the same," Gin stated calmly, finally glancing up with a neutral expression.

Then Sumire turned toward Benjamin with a quick, forced smile. "I am sorry, Ben-sama, but I am not availa— Huh?"

She realized he had already left them alone, teleporting silently away without a single word.

The same pattern repeated with all the other girls he tried to visit.

Each one found some excuse, some gentle push to redirect him elsewhere,l.

Their voices were polite but their eyes avoiding his, their bodies subtly shifting away as if his presence had suddenly become burdensome.

They were trying to avoid Benjamin somehow, the rejections piling up one after another like quiet blows to his chest.

Finally, feeling the weight growing heavier with every failed attempt, he rushed to the other district... to meet the bunnies.