Mobuseka Volume 10 (Full Read) (Patreon)

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Otomege Sekai wa Mob ni Kibishii Sekai desu Volume 10

Translated by

[Dobelyu Wai]

This is MTL. So, I cannot guarantee that the translation 100% contextually accurate or appropriate.

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Color Illustrations

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Prologue

Part 1

A man's fist swung down on the desk.

"No good. No good. No way I'm going to accept these people!"

In the classroom, dyed red by the evening sun shining through the window, I [Leon Fou Bartfalt] was sitting next to an indignant male student.

Amazed by the excitement of the male student, I soothe him with an unmotivated attitude.

"Don't be so angry"

However, he does not admit that he is emotional.

"I'm not angry"

The male student [Finn Ruta Herring] turns his head away from me in frustration, crosses his arms, and falls silent.

Brown-skinned and tall, Herring is a beautiful man with a well-defined face.

He has long silver hair that is tied behind his neck and red eyes, giving him a conspicuous appearance.

He is not from the Kingdom of Horfalt, but from a foreign country, the Holy Magic Empire Voldenowa.

He was very popular among the girls as a mysterious handsome man because of his different facial features from the kingdom, a beautiful man from another country.

But no matter how much noise the girls around him make, Herring never turns around.

Because Herring cares about one girl student.

In order to protect the female student, he even took advantage of a system that has existed in the empire for a long time, and followed her to study in the Kingdom of Horfalt.

The name of the female student is a petite and active girl called [Mia], who came to study at the academy of the Kingdom of Horfalt this year.

She was the protagonist of the third work of that Otome game.

As for what Herring is doing to protect Mia――.

"Generally speaking, none of them are worthy of Mia."

――While looking at the photos lined up on the desk, the protagonist's capture targets are being evaluated as a potential lover.

The man, Herring, had no romantic feelings for the protagonist.

And yet, he is so serious about Mia-chan's lover candidate to the point that he is frightening.

I pick up one of the photos.

The photo is His Highness Jake ―― [Jake Rafa Horfalt] is the second prince of the Kingdom of Horfalt and the man closest to being the crown prince at the moment.

I look at the picture of Jake, who looks small but cocky, and I let out a small sigh and place it in front of Herring's eyes.

"It seems that Jake is treated as the main character in that Otome game. Why don't you just pick him?"

Not good enough

When I tell him to compromise with Jake, Herring squints and evaluates him harshly.

"This guy is still a prince, even though the position of Crown Prince is vacant, isn't he? Besides, this guy is too ambitious. If Mia gets together with someone who fights with everyone around him, she'll have a hard time, so no"

In Herring's mind, it seems that His Highness Jake is not worthy of Mia-chan.

I show the next photo to Herring.

"Then what about [Oscar Fia Hogan]?"

Red-haired and well-built, Oscar is a bit ―― no, a pretty big fool, but he's a good guy at heart.

I thought he had more potential than Jake, but Herring cut him off easily.

"This guy is in the same class as Mia, but he's quite an idiot. I don't mean to suggest that he's a smart guy, but he doesn't deserve Mia, because he can't protect her. Besides, he's dating your big sister, isn't he"

――Oscar.

The Bartfalt family now had a big bomb thanks to this guy.

When he first entered the school, Oscar got along well with my little sister [Finley], but then I found that he was getting along well with my big sister [Jenna].

In the first place, he was never officially dating Finley.

There would be no problem if he started dating Jenna, but they are sisters there.

――The relationship between Finley and Jenna, who have always been close as sisters, has suddenly cooled down.

While Finley was feeling vague, Jenna went around bragging about getting her long-awaited boyfriend, which led to a big fight.

Finley, without realizing it, must have begun to be aware of Oscar as a member of the opposite sex. However, Jenna snatched him away from her from the side.

――What are the sisters doing?

That is why it was Oscar who did the deed that set the powder keg on fire.

I don't think Oskar was wrong, but I still complained to him as a family member of those two.

However, idiot is strong.

He laughs at sarcasm and cynicism and takes it positively, so it didn't work on him at all.

"I guess he is no good?"

"Don't try to push someone who has a girlfriend."

"That said, there's practically only one left. ——and Aaron has become a girl."

One of the capture targets was a male student named [Aaron].

The reason it is in the past tense is because he underwent a sex change and became a girl.

I never thought this would happen either.

Herring pulls his body slightly away from me, his cheeks drawn back.

"It was you guys who made him a girl."

I couldn't keep quiet when I was lumped in with 'you guys'.

"It wasn't me. It was [Marie] and [Creare] who did it! Right, [Luxion]?"

When I turn around around my right shoulder, a metallic-colored sphere floating there ―― Luxion, I ask him to agree with me.

Luxion's red lens was pointed at [Brave] floating near Herring.

Brave ―― it is the core of a weapon called a demonic armor created by the new humans, and it is a being that provides support to Herring who recognize him as his master.

They are enemies of Luxion, which was created by the old humans.

[――However, no matter how many times we explain the situation to them, they still don't understand, probably because they are using demonic armor. Or, in human terms, "repugnant," I guess? The continued use of the relics of the new humans is a symptom of the damage that has been done to Herring. I think you should stop using demonic armor right now.]

He agrees with me, but spits toxic words at Herring and his buddy Brave.

It was the same for Brave.

Flesh eyes with red eyes on a black sphere and a little creepy Brave pointed at us with a small hand coming out of his body.

[How dare you said bad things about my partner!]

[What were you listening to? I said that to you too.]

[This guy pisses me ooooff!]

Luxion looks at the raging Brave with cold eyes.

They are mutual enemies and cuss each other when they open their mouths.

Ignoring these partners, Herring let out a small sigh at me.

"Mia's position is very uncertain."

"――Is that otome game setting?"

"Yes. Mia, who grew up a commoner, is the emperor's illegitimate daughter and princess."

"It's a common setting in video games to say that they were actually awesome. It's a setting that both boys and girls adore."

"It's not that simple."

Herring's expression was dark.

"Because of her status as a princess, Mia is caught up in a battle for the succession."

"Haa? Why?"

Mia, the protagonist of that Otome game, is in the position of being the illegitimate daughter of the emperor, although she does not know it yet.

She was raised as a commoner, yet she is the Princess of the Holy Magic Empire of Voldenowa.

However, the father, His Majesty the Emperor, is getting old, and it seems that a battle for succession has begun.

With a thoughtful look on his face, Herring begins to state his requirements for the man who will be Mia's lover.

"Mia has no interest in the throne, either. But it doesn't matter what she wants. There are many royal family members who think it would be troublesome if Mia was carried around."

"No offense, but isn't it hard for Mia-chan to become emperor? She doesn't even know she's royalty, does she?"

"Many royalty think it is easier to eliminate them if there is a possibility that they will get in the way. So, love alone is not enough. Mia's lover must be a man who has the strength to repel any enemies."

Herring's eyes were truly serious as he gazed down at the photos lined up on the desk.

We were choosing potential lovers for Mia-chan.

However.

"That's not a condition anyone wants at the lover's level."

Muttering a bitter laugh, Herring swung his fist down on the desk.

DANG! A loud sound echoed through the classroom.

"No way a man who is not determined to do so should be allowed to get his hands on Mia!"

"O-Oh"

When it comes to being in a position to protect Mia-chan from a messy succession battle, it is not enough to simply be powerful.

Power, wealth, and family background are also involved.

"It would have been possible if Jake hadn't been so enamored with Aare-chan."

He is the second prince of the Kingdom of Horfalt and the main hero of that third Otome game.

Jake had other problems besides his ambition.

It's Aaron ―― [Aare]-chan.

The gender change was performed by Marie and Creare, and Aaron became a girl.

The nickname is ironically the same as Creare's, which is Aare.

The look on Herring's face went from serious to indescribable a moment ago.

"What and why happens that the capture target becomes a girl?"

It's a natural question for Herring, but it's the same for me.

"It's not for me to decide. But if these three are no good, then he is the only one left."

At the moment, the name of the boy who is the last capture target is [Ethan Fou Robson].

He is a kind man with droopy eyes, but I noticed that he looks like he has a bad personality in the photos Luxion had prepared.

When Herring picks up the photo and looks at it, his expression is hard, as if he doesn't like it.

"I don't know much about this boy. But he doesn't look very strong from what I've seen in the pics."

Upon hearing these words, Luxion reports back with more details about Robson.

[About Ethan, he has pushed his own brother aside and is the heir to the Count's family. He is not only good with magic, but also with the sword. After all, he is one of the best swordsmen in the kingdom of Horfalt.]

When I heard that, I thought of Brad and Chris's faces.

Ethan's hair color is almost purple, and how can I say――.

"――It's like a hybrid of Brad and Chris."

He is a great swordsman, skilled with magic, and he is the heir to a noble family of lords.

He is starting to look like a versatile character who can do anything.

[As Master said. Ethan, as Finn says, has the family background, wealth, and outstanding ability. Based on specs alone, I would say that he is Mia's candidate for a lover at the moment. ――In the first place, all the other candidates are out of the question.]

Robson was the most likely candidate, not because he was particularly outstanding, but because he was the only one left as a result.

I turn my gaze to Herring.

"Let's just try to reach out to this guy, shall we?"

Herring looked sharply at Robson's picture.

"Let's do that. I'll do a thorough search to see if this is the appropriate man for Mia."

"You are overprotective."

I let out a small sigh of exasperation, and Brave agrees.

"My buddy's eyes change when it comes to Mia. I'm starting to feel sorry for all the women who fell in love with my buddy. "

It seems that the ladies are coming to ladykiller-sama and he doesn't seem to want to deal with them.

"I envy you"

Instead of Herring looking at the pictures seriously, Brave seems to be the one to deal with me.

[But you have a lot of women around you, too, don't you? You have protagonist and the villainess of the first work, according to my buddy. And the protagonist of the second one, too. Are you possibly after them?]

Brave looked at me with suspicion, wondering if I was aiming for a main character in that otome game.

I smile vaguely and cover it up.

"Do you believe in miracles? It's just a coincidence."

For the second time in my life, my popular period has come.

The timing of the event seemed to be uncharacteristically good, and the next thing I knew, I had three fiancées.

That's too good for me.

[You're engaged to the protagonist and the antagonist by accident, coincidentally and deliberately? Actually, you aimed for them, didn't you? Just tell me. Isn't it fine?]

"You're funnier than I thought."

While talking to Brave, Luxion interrupts somewhat forcefully.

[Master, it is pointless to discuss this any further. Let's leave Ethan's case to Finn and the others and return to the dormitory.]

He got between me and Brave and forcefully ended the conversation.

"I guess so. I'd better get back. Hering's gonna be back, right? ―― You still looking it?"

As I got up from my seat, Herring was still looking at Robson's picture with a serious expression on his face.

"――I don't like him because he looks like he has a bad personality. Do you really think he deserves Mia?"

Seeing him glaring at me as if I were an enemy, I hate to predict that Mia's search for a lover will be a difficult one.

"It might rather be quicker to bring in a guy you approve of."

Part 2

The Duke Redgrave family.

As a branch of the Horfalt royal family, it is a great aristocrat who supports the country.

The Duke Redgrave, whose territory included a large floating island worthy of a Duke, had more power than a poor small country.

The Duke Redgrave, such as they are, also have a large mansion in the Royal Capital.

This is because either [Vince], the head of the family, or [Gilbert], the eldest son, always stays to support the kingdom of Horfalt.

Other influential lord nobles had mansions in the royal capital and were prepared to work for the kingdom of Horfalt in case of emergency.

―― But that situation has been changing in recent years.

Called to the mansion, [Angelica Rafa Redgrave] had long, shiny blonde hair braided and curled at the back of her head.

In addition to the sharp eyes, her red eyes show the strength of will.

Ange usually looks dignified, but today, her expression was not so good.

Although she had just returned to the Redgrave family mansion in the royal capital, she was standing in front of her own brother, Gilbert, looking somewhat nervous.

Gilbert, at his desk in his office, was conversing with Ange as he worked on paperwork.

Gilbert looks down at the document, running his pen over it and signing it.

"I see you did a great job during the riots. As a brother, I'm proud of you."

A riot in the royal capital that occurred a while ago.

It's a case where the Holy Kingdom of Rashel went behind the scenes to rally the rebels living in hiding in the royal capital.

Fortunately, it was subdued with minimal damage by the hands of Leon, who got serious.

Angel tried not to let Gilbert see the bitter look on her face by turning her head down.

"I'm not doing anything. All credit goes to Leon."

"I bet. So I'm proud of him as my brother-in-law. I never thought that he would rise to the rank of duke in a single generation. I guess His Majesty's capriciousness is troubling."

Gilbert responds with a smile, but it contains his dissatisfaction with Ange.

Ange also feel it.

"Leon is dissatisfied."

"Leon-kun is reluctant to rise in the ranks."

To a third party, it would appear as if she were making small talk with her brother.

However, Ange was impatient inwardly.

(Wouldn't people think that Leon is taking the side of the Kingdom?)

She was concerned about whether the Redgrave family was unhappy with Leon for putting down the riots in the royal capital.

―― Currently, a deep rift is developing between the Redgrave family and the royal family.

It began with Angelica's broken engagement, and was due to the current state of dissatisfaction among the nobles toward the royal family.

The former Principality Fan'ous. In the war with the current Duke Fan'ous, the Kingdom of Horfalt has lost its trump card, the royal ship.

The loss of the legendary airship that had been the driving force behind the founding of the kingdom meant that the kingdom had lost a great deal of military power.

In the Horfalt kingdom with its feudal system, a decline in military power would give the noble lords an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

Royalty without power is not obeyed by the nobles ―― especially the lord nobles.

The same was true for the Duke Redgrave, which was supposed to be a branch family.

The Duke Redgrave has already given up on the Kingdom of Horfalt.

Gilbert stops his pen and places it on the desk and looks at Ange's face, which is downcast.

But his gaze was sharp.

"As a result, this case ended conveniently for us. We have completely taken control of the royal capital with just one person. It proves that the royal capital can be easily obtained with just Leon alone."

With Leon alone, the royal capital can easily fall.

That has been proved by the riots.

Gilbert never complained about the results, but it was different for Ange.

"But you didn't know exactly what Leon was capable of. Had you known in advance, we would have been able to move more effectively."

"That is!"

When she tried to argue, Gilbert raised his hand to stop Ange from speaking.

"Don't make excuses. Are you really trusted by him?"

Gilbert's suspicious look was hard on Ange.

It's not that her brother suspected her.

Angel clenches her hands and bites her lip.

"I am ―― so sorry"

(Am I ―― not worthy of Leon?)

Gilbert looks at the frustrated Ange, and then he tells her something that will push her even further here.

"Since you are going to be husband and wife, you should have a more trusting relationship with each other. By the way, I heard that Leon has been visiting the royal palace a lot lately. ――I heard a rumor that he is crazy about Princess Erika, but it is not true, is it? "

Princess of the Kingdom of Horfalt, [Erika Rafa Horfalt].

To see her, Leon made frequent trips to the royal palace.

Gilbert gives Ange a cold stare.

It was as if he was being intentionally cold in order to taunt his sister, Ange.

"A princess after the queen, he seems to have a preference for an unattainable flower. But the problem is that if he really wants to reach for it, he can."

"――Leon is not really"

"I don't expect you to get his true intentions out of him. ――Ange, don't forget your role. You have been given the task of keeping Leon-kun on our side."

The Duke Redgrave, who had turned against the Kingdom of Horfalt, were trying to use Angel to obtain the strongest force in the kingdom, Leon.

Ange could not allow that.

Looking down, she tells Gilbert.

"I don't want to involve Leon in any more battles."

Perhaps not expecting Angel to object, Gilbert looks at her questioningly.

"Do you really think the reign of the Kingdom of Horfalt will continue? You will have to fight, even if you don't want to. Besides, blood must be spilled, that's what nobles do."

Gilbert, who believes that in the event of war, nobles must fight and that this is natural, looks at Ange with a look of incomprehension.

"Leon is! ―― He's is too gentle to fight."

Too gentle, Angel told him in a thin voice, and he imagined that Leon was mentally exhausted from all the fighting he'd been through.

Gilbert lets out a small sigh.

"Sure he is soft hearted, but he is the most powerful knight in the kingdom whose name is known even in other countries. We need him to continue to support the Redgrave family."

With his engagement to Ange, Leon has deep ties to the Redgrave family.

As a result, he was about to become involved in the Redgrave family struggle as well.

(Both my brother and father consider Leon only as a tool of war, don't they? He ―― just wants to live peacefully in the countryside)

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Chapter 01 "The First Princess"

Part 1

The school on holidays is quiet and easy to spend time in.

Students at the academy are naturally young, and on holidays it is common for them to invite their friends to go out to the royal capital.

Some of the students enjoy dating with the opposite sex, and I, who only knew the situation the year before last, can't help but envy the younger students.

Some of them are terrible, but most seem to have healthy relationship.

Marie was beside me as I walked down the quiet hallway, stretching out after yawning.

Even though she is a little sister in a previous life, she is the root of all evil that drove the kingdom of Horfalt to the brink of destruction.

Also, she is the fake saint [Marie Fou Lafan].

Today, she is walking next to me with her small body.

In her hand was a souvenir she had purchased in the royal capital.

Perhaps she is in a good mood and she has a rather loose face.

"I'm looking forward to having tea with Erika. I would love to talk to her every day, but we only see each other on the weekends because of the busyness of the world around us."

It's getting to be a lot of trouble for a fake saint to meet Erika-sama ―― No, in a previous life, she was my niece, and seeing Erika was all sorts of trouble.

A niece from a previous life. In other words, to Marie, Erika is her daughter from a previous life.

So Marie had an emotional reunion with her daughter in this world ―― the world of the Otome game.

Therefore, she was looking forward to the day when they could talk at a tea party on the weekend.

She even went to the trouble of waking me up on a holiday morning and taking me out to the royal capital to buy snacks.

"You come to my room every morning on the weekends, and there's a strange rumor going around among the boys. You should think about the trouble you're causing me."

When I complain to her, Marie protests with a big wave of her hand.

"It can't be helped! I can't have a visit with Erika without aniki, the Duke. Besides, the only reason I let you go with me to buy sweets is because aniki insisted that I’m the one throwing the tea party! And you didn't budge at all."

I never bothered to have a tea party with Erika ―― my niece from a previous life, on the weekends.

I'm interested in talking to my niece from a previous life too, and most importantly, tea parties are my hobby.

No, it's a way of life.

If I was going to attend, I wanted to be the one to throw the tea party.

"It's obvious. No way I can let Erika prepare a tea party. She may have been my niece in a previous life, but she's a princess now."

The Kingdom of Horfalt is a large country, and as its princess, she has a position.

"In your case, it's because it's aniki's hobby, isn't it?"

"I'm not saying that's not part of it, but I don't want to make Erika prepare for the tea party because it's not polite to make her do it. Because she is my niece from a previous life."

"I'm your little sister from a previous life, though"

"I'm sorry. My little sister is even lower on my priority list than my niece."

"What's up with that difference in treatment?"

"It's just a daily routine. And for the most part, what is it with you, knocking your brother up on a holiday morning from a previous life and making him go shopping with you? You haven't changed at all from your previous life."

Remembering a previous life, Marie in this life had not changed in any way.

Like the part where she uses me the right way on my days off, or the part where she begs me for spending money.

Luxion, who was listening to the conversation, points his red one-eyed lens at Marie while floating around my right shoulder.

[If the story of her previous life is true, then Marie has not grown in her reincarnation. I believe that physical growth is not possible, but mental growth is possible. Marie, why don't you grow up a little more?]

Marie's mouth was agape at Luxion's harsh line.

Then she agitatedly starts an argument with Luxion.

"What do you mean I can't grow up physically?! I'm going to grow into an adult, attractive body from now on!"

[I assure you, I have that much evidence to back it up.]

"What's that based on? Besides, you said I'm not mature enough on the inside, didn't you? Too bad~. I've lived longer than my brother. Inside, I'm a charming, mature woman who has had a lot of experience in a previous life. "

I snicker when I see Marie puffing out her no well-endowed chest that she is an adult.

"The self-proclaimed "adult" is having a miserable time deceiving five young men."

Marie screams in an empty, easily audible hallway.

"It's all your fault!"

"That's because of you getting carried away"

"I did. I carried away! But what's the point of beating up five guys in a duel? You didn't like the handsome Julius and the others, so you beat them up out of spite!"

She is my little sister from a previous life, and she understands me very well.

"Aa~, that's right. What is that?"

When I let it unfold, Marie clenches her fists and gives me a look of frustration.

――This girl really hasn't grown at all from her previous life.

Rather, she seems younger than in her previous life, partly because of her current appearance.

There was not the slightest hint of the charm of an adult who had gained experience in a previous life.

Luxion made a gesture of waving the red lens from side to side, saying yare-yare.

[The same applies to Master, who needs to grow mentally.]

We've had this same exchange before.

Unlike Marie, I'm not concerned with adulthood, so here's what I'm going to say back to Luxion.

"I just don't want to give up my pure, young boyish heart."

[You're getting better at making excuses.]

"When you grow up, you get good at making excuses. It's a sign of growing up."

[You use both the child and the adult for your own convenience.]

"Because it's important to be flexible."

As we continued our silly conversation, Marie, who had been watching me and Luxion, hugged her souvenir pastry, her mouth pouting.

"Aniki and Luxion look so much alike. Like the way you two talk and so sarcastic, really do look alike."

When we were told we were similar, we protested to Marie.

"With this guy? No, I don't think so. Because I'm nicer than him."

[Similar to Master? Would you like me to do a full eye and head exam on you as well, Marie?]

Hearing our objections, Marie let out a deep sigh.

"It's enough"

Part 2

Tea Party Room.

Until the year before last, tea parties were held every week with the boys inviting the girls, but now they were used less often.

The frequency of use has dropped drastically, and the decision has been made to reduce the number of tea rooms in the future.

Shisou ―― The principal of the school also lamented that.

As a tea party lover, it's sad, but I like having a tea party in a quiet environment.

The year before last was a lot of noise.

As I was preparing tea to go with the snacks, Marie took a seat and was enjoying a conversation with Erika.

The composition is Marie, who is excited like a child, and Erika, who is smiling as she listens.

"You're lying, right? Did that store go out of business?"

"Yes. Because the owner of the store is retiring."

They were talking about their previous lives, but I couldn't get in on the conversation because it was a common topic for both of them.

But just listening to their conversation like this made me a little happy.

Perhaps because I was naturally smiling, Luxion speaks to me.

[You are mentally stable. I decide that a weekend tea party with the two of them is what Master needs.]

"Thanks to that, there are rumors that I'm targeting Marie and Erika?"

Since I frequently invite them to tea parties, bad rumors are spreading.

I am concerned about that, but it doesn't seem to matter to Luxion.

[The evaluation within the academy is worthless to me]

"But it worth to me?"

[It is a question of priorities. Instead of dealing with the masses, Master should put your own priorities first.]

"This guy just declared the students of the school were nothing but a bunch of people."

Luxion treats the students of the academy and others like that, but even this was worse when I first met him, so he has become nicer.

Let the human race that can handle magic――the new human race should be destroyed.

I can remember when he said that.

[More importantly, Master should have more people to care about. You don't have time to deal with all those people.]

"I know"

When I prepared tea and headed to the table, Marie was talking to Erika about various things with gestures.

Erika listens, smiling maturely and nodding occasionally.

Erika said she was over sixty years old in a previous life, so she must be very mature on the inside.

She gives off a calm and mature impression for her age.

Thanks to that, Marie is more childlike.

"I've prepared some tea that goes well with the sweets. ――Wait, you've already eaten most of it !?"

Looking at the table, more than half of the sweets had already disappeared.

The culprit would be Marie, who is looking away from me.

"You're really gluttonous."

"Because ~"

I sigh at Marie, who makes a spoiled voice.

"Why don't you think a little bit about your real age? You're not at an age where you need someone to spoil you.

"Most guys are kind to me when I'm spoiled."

"You've grown up to be a bad adult. Why don't you learn from Erika a little?"

"What! Erika is the daughter I raised!"

"I guess it's all thanks to the fact that she grew up with you as her bad example? I'm so glad she doesn't look like you."

"You dare to say it, stupid big brother!"

Erika looked troubled when Marie and I started cursing at each other as I took my seat.

She's going to stop our ugly fight.

"Both of you, let's calm down. The tea is getting cold."

After being interceded, Marie and I turn away from each other and start drinking tea.

Erika looked at us and let out a small sigh with a troubled look on her face and suddenly started giggling.

What was so funny?

"What's up, you suddenly started laughing?"

When I ask, Erika straightens her posture and looks straight at me.

Smiling, Erika really looked radiant.

"It was funny to see uncle talking happily with my mom. You really are just like my grandparents told me you were."

"Grandparents? Dad and mom?"

Erika nodded and we talked about my parents.

"Grandparents always told me stories about uncle. They said that if uncle had lived, he and my mother probably would have argued with each other when they became adults."

What are you talking to your niece, dad and mom?

"I don't know what they are talking about. That should be the part where you tell the story and make it sound like your uncle was a nice person, like he was kind, unlike your mother."

When I complain about my parents in my previous life, Luxion responds.

[I feel sorry for your parents in your previous life. I can imagine how hard it must have been to have a child like you, Master.]

"Oi, don't make it sound like I'm a bad kid. It's Marie who's been giving the trouble."

When my eyes fell on Marie, she forcefully swallowed the pastry she was eating with her tea.

She doesn't agree with what I'm saying.

"I was usually a good girl~. It was aniki who caused the trouble. You're usually quiet, but sometimes you caused big problems."

"I'm sure it's a cute little thing compared to you."

"It's not cute! It wasn't cute at all!"

There seems to be a discrepancy with each other's memories of the past.

But I'm not wrong, so it must be Marie's mistaken memory.

I don't talk back to Marie, but take a sip of my tea and then ask Erika.

"――So how'd they do?"

Erika seems to have guessed my vague question and tells me about the two last days together.

Smiling, but somewhat sadly, looking down.

"I took care of them. Both of them said they were going to scold those idiots."

Those idiots.

It would be me and Marie, a lack of filial piety, who died before my parents.

What does it mean to go and scold us when I didn't die because I wanted to?

At least there, I wanted two of them to say something like wanting to meet those two.

But I guess it's like my parents.

"It's terrible that they both want to scold me together. Why don't they just let Marie be the one to be scolded."

I tell her with a laugh, and Marie looks miffed.

"Why me? Wasn't it aniki who stayed up all night playing games and slipped on the stairs? It's a really pathetic way to die, isn't it."

"Because you're the one who forced the game on me!"

When I point my finger and say you're wrong, Marie snickers.

"It's aniki's fault for not being able to take care of yourself."

"T-This girl"

When she says that, I can't say it back.

Even I think it was a bad idea to stay up all night.

Deciding that I was at a disadvantage, I drank my tea and looked up at the ceiling after a short pause.

"They're really terrible parents. ―― If they said they were going to scold me, they should have come to see me."

I'd have to laugh if even those two were reincarnated in this Otome game world.

When I say a snide remark, Marie turns her head down.

"I don't mind if I was scolded, I just wish I could have seen them at least one more time."

Both Marie and I lack of filial piety.

And I gave my niece Erika a lot of trouble.

"――Thank you very much for taking care two of them. I and Marie were lack of filial piety, so I was relieved to hear that Erika took care of them."

One of the things that had bothered me in my previous life was resolved, and I felt a little more relaxed.

Luxion teases me.

"Were you worried? I thought you had forgotten"

"I'm a human child, too. ――I cared about what happened to my parents in a previous life. I'm aware of the trouble I caused them. And even more so when I heard that Marie showed up here and died before my parents. "

The siblings all lack of filial piety.

So I thank Erika.

"Thank you so much. I'll be sure to thank you for this. If you ever need any help, just let me know."

Erika smiles in a troubled way as she accepts my thanks.

"You don't have to worry about it that much, though. They are grandparents to me, too. Besides, they raised me gently. So don't worry about it, Uncle."

I was so happy to see my niece, who had done so much, that I scratched my head in embarrassment.

Luxion blurted it out.

[It is hard to believe that Erika is a blood relative from the Master's previous life.]

Then, for some reason, Marie puffed out her chest.

"She's awesome, right? She's my pride daughter."

"Don't you dare be boastful"

When Marie boasts about her daughter, Luxion throws cold water.

[Oya? It wasn't Marie's parents who raised her, was it? That's what I've been told?]

When told, Marie's gaze wandered.

"W-Well, that's true."

[Then, it's the result of your parents.]

"That's true! That's true! But why don't you let me be a little proud? She's my daughter!"

[Now she is someone else's child. Such a shame]

"Do you have a grudge against me?"

As I was giggling at Marie being teased by Luxion, I saw Erika smiling a little sadly out of the corner of my eye.

Part 3

Girls' dormitory.

When Ange returned from the Redgrave family mansion and entered her room, Livia, who had noticed her, came over.

The little finger of Livia's right hand had an ink smudge on it.

Seeing this and realizing that Livia was studying, Ange smiles weakly and apologizes.

"Looks like I interrupted you"

Livia ―― [Olivia] smiles at Angel and replies.

"It's not a disturb, this is Ange's room, right? Welcome back, Ange."

"I'm back"

Ange was slightly soothed by Livia's smile.

But soon Livia's expression clouds over.

From the way Ange looked, she must have realized what kind of talk had taken place at the mansion.

The result would not be good, but Livia also needs to know, so she asks.

"So, how's all the talk going?"

Ange erases the smile she was making and nonchalantly talks about the discussion at the mansion.

"My brother nailed me on the head. What have you been doing? He said"

"That is"

"――Then again, neither my brother nor my father like the fact that Leon has become infatuated with Her Highness Erika."

At the mention of Erika's name, Livia's expression turns slightly grim.

Both Ange and Livia knew that Leon had tea parties with Erika every week.

They both know there is no romantic interest there, but the question is, what will people around them think.

Students at the school, who are notoriously tight-lipped, have begun to gossip that Leon has dumped Ange for Erika.

That must have been frustrating for Livia.

"I'm going to go complain to Leon-san."

"Livia?"

"It's strange that he has tea parties with Princess Erika every week. During a difficult time with so much going on, why?"

Livia is angry with Leon, but Ange shakes her head.

"It's okay. Let him do what he wants."

"But!"

" ―― Maybe he has some kind of an idea, you know? Besides, I've tried to talk to him a few times, but he just shrugged it off."

Ange laughs bitterly, and Livia looks down sadly.

"Even though Ange is having such a hard time"

Now Ange was protecting Leon from being used by the Redgrave family.

It is doubtful that Leon himself understands this, although she is performing the role of a bulwark.

It was upsetting to Livia that he was unaware that the kingdom of Horfalt was already centered around Leon.

"You are kind"

Ange hugs Livia and their foreheads touch each other.

Livia put her hands around Ange's waist.

"Ange, aren't you in pain?"

Ange answers Livia's question sadly.

" ―― It's painful, I guess. If this continues, I may be cut off from my parents' home. If that happens, I'm just a little girl. I would be worth nothing. If that happens ―― I won't be able to be by Leon's side. "

Ange shed tears as her mouth said, "I can't stay by his side".

Thanks to Ange, Leon has risen to the rank of Duke, but is now highly regarded for his personal military prowess.

Now Leon had become a man worthy of being a Duke even without Ange.

Which meant that it did not matter if Ange was around or not.

Ange hugs Livia tightly and starts crying just like that.

"Livia, will I be thrown away again?"

"You won't. I won't let him do it!"

"But at this rate ―― I'm really going to lose everything."

If the Duke is kicked her out, she will lose a great deal of backing.

If that happened, Ange believed, she would have no value.

"I don't want it. I ―― I don't want to be thrown away again."

Remembering the time when Julius declared breaking off the engagement, Ange clung to Livia and cried like a child.

Part 4

A room in the royal palace.

There, a couple was arguing.

They are King and Queen of the Kingdom of Horfalt. She is [Roland Rafa Horfalt] and [Milene Rafa Horfalt].

Some of the furniture set up around the room is in disarray and has fallen over.

The fierce dispute between the two had become quite heated.

Milene screams at Roland.

"Enough of this! Didn't I explain many times that this is for the best!"

In contrast, Roland has no intention of listening to Milene.

"What do you mean the best! Erika was originally supposed to be engaged to Marquis Fraser, though. You forced the issue! You're going to destroy it and marry her off to that little kid? No way I can stand the thought of letting my cute Erika marry that rotten bastaaaard?"

Furious, Roland lost his temper and kicked the table by his side.

In doing so, he kicks a table leg with his shin and rolls around in severe pain.

"It huuurts!!"

Milene looked down at Roland with cold eyes.

"Then is there any other way for the kingdom to survive than to give Erika in marriage to Leo ―― Duke Bartfalt?"

"If there was, I wouldn't be arguing with you!"

"If you don't have a better alternative, please shut up."

The reason they are fighting is because Milene said that she would marry Erika off to Leon.

Erika had previously been engaged to Marquis Fraser, who guarded the border with the Holy Kingdom of Raschel.

This is largely due to Milene's family home, the United Kingdom of Leparto.

The United Kingdom of Leparto is also a neighboring country to the Holy Kingdom of Raschel.

The conflict is still ongoing, and the United Kingdom of Reparto and the Kingdom of Horfalt have joined hands.

It was Milene who was sent at that time.

In order to save her country, Milene was trying to make all possible preparations by marrying off her own daughter, Erika, to Marquis Fraser.

―― But then, all of a sudden, Leon appeared.

He rose almost single-handedly to the rank of Duke and in the last disturbance, he took control of the royal capital in a short period of time.

For Milene, it was no longer the Fraser family that she wanted to incorporate to save her country.

Milene ―― If the royal family asked for and then broke off the engagement, it would be an unbearable humiliation for the Fraser family.

But even understanding this, Milene still wanted Leon's power.

Roland opposes it.

"Even though I can't stand the thought of my little Erika getting married, and now of all people that kid? I'd rather it be the Fraser boy!"

"Are you going to destroy our country because of your personal feelings?"

When Milene responded reasonably well and Roland decided that the odds were against him, he decided to push through with his emotions.

"Erika will have a hard time if she marries that kid!"

"That is the duty of those born into royalty."

"Are you a demon?! She's your daughter too!"

" ―― Because she is my daughter, I want her to be happy, you know. And the only person with whom that could happen was the Duke Bartfalt."

Milene's cold expression turned bitter for a moment.

Roland didn't miss it.

"Why don't you just marry him?"

"Don't be silly. Anyway, we will proceed with the engagement between Erika and Duke Bartfalt. We cannot let the Redgrave family have his power."

For Milene, the Redgrave family is now the same as the enemy.

Roland is aware of this, though.

"If you marry Erika to that kid, Angelica won't shut up about it. The royal family will trample on that girl's feelings twice."

Hearing this, Milene, who has known Ange since she was a child, must have felt pain in her heart.

She looks sad with her eyes down once, but her expression quickly returns.

"I don't need to weigh that child's feelings against those of a single country."

"Lie. You're worried right now? Because you loved her."

"――Even so, my decision will not be overturned."

Deciding that further discussion is pointless, Milene turns her back on Roland and leaves the room.

Roland, looking at her back, let out a loud sigh as he lay down on the floor.

"Even though just a kid, he misleads a woman. He's the worst kind of man."

Roland's words were without consideration for himself.

Soon Roland looks serious.

"If Milene's proposal is approved, it will certainly be the best news for the kingdom. The nobles will be wagging their tails in no time. However, the idea of giving my precious Erika to Leon damn kid is ―― absolutely unbearable."

In the past, when Julius was disinherited, Roland discerned that Julius was responsible for his own disinheritance.

However, this is a different story when it comes to Erika.

Because Roland loves Erika so much.

Roland rolls around on the floor.

"Aaah !! Papa absolutely doesn't want Erika-chan to get marrieeeed!!"

.

Chapter 02 "Date"

.

Part 1

"You are the worst"

"Leon-san, you are is too cruel."

Morning after the holiday.

When I came to the school building, I found two people waiting for me: Noel Jill Lespinasse, who was standing upright, and Livia, who was looking down and telling me with an attitude that she was in a bad mood.

Noel has gradient blonde hair that turns pinker as it gets closer to the tips and is tied back in a side ponytail.

She brushed it off with one hand and rolled it to her back and cornered me.

Noel's fingertips press against my chest.

"Why do you go to the princess every week?"

Angry Noel doesn't like that I have tea parties with Erica every week.

I had nothing to be guilty of, but it was impossible to explain.

After all, I, Marie, and Erica are all blood relatives from a previous life.

First of all, I have to tell them about my previous life, but if I say, "Actually, this world was the world of that Otome game!" and they would never believe me if I told them that.

To begin with, if I were in Noel's or Livia's shoes, I would think that there is something I am hiding from them if I were to talk about other worlds and reincarnated people in a situation like this.

They would said I am trying to deceive them by telling them a bad lie.

So I can't tell them the truth.

But I don't want to lie either.

―― But I had expected this situation, too.

"Because Marie and Princess Erica are on good terms. Without me, it would be difficult for them to talk."

When I mentioned Marie's name, Noel lowered the corners of her upturned eyes.

"With Marie-chan? Indeed, you attended every tea party with her. But she never told me anything."

Noel and Marie are good friends.

She is a kind girl who became close to Marie when she was studying abroad and has continued their friendship even after she found out that Marie was a fake saint.

But even if Noel was convinced, Livia was not.

Now Livia is closing in on me.

"But you should still say something to Ange. You know that Ange is going through a difficult time, don't you, Leon-san?"

I've also heard that Ange are being told by her parents' house.

But that was the part I didn't quite understand.

"I told her she didn't have to fight with her parents for me."

"That's not it! Leon-san, why don't you notice it? That's not what Ange wants."

I know I'm being accused of not being perceptive, but I've always been like this.

"I'm not very perceptive anyway."

I say sulkily, and Livia grabs me by the chest and brings my face close to hers.

"I'm talking seriously now."

My back shivered in front of Livia's expressionless, highlight-less eyes.

"Yes! I was joking too much. I would like to talk to Ange right away!"

"That's not it, right? You're going to invite Ange to a date on your upcoming holiday, right?"

"A date ?!"

"Of course. ―― You wouldn't say that you could spend your holidays with the Princess and Marie-san but not with Ange, would you?"

"N-No way right. Aha, ahahaha ―― In the first place, I spend a lot of time with everyone on a regular basis."

Yes, we see each other more often than not, except on holidays.

There is no doubt that I spend more time with Ange and others than I do with Marie and Erica, whom I see on the weekends.

"Leon-san, let's go on a date. Listen, it's a date. You and Ange go out together on your day off."

But it seems that nothing can be said to Livia now.

"――Yes"

"No one is allowed to accompany you. Actually, you can't but! Only Luc-kun is allowed to accompany you."

"I-Is that okay?"

For some reason, I was only allowed to bring Luxion with me, but the expression on Livia's face was not good.

Is there anything to worry about?

"――I think it would be better for Luc-kun to stay with Leon-san."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. So, you and Ange will have a date this weekend. Is that good, Leon-san?"

Livia's expression changed from expressionless to a big smile.

Her smile radiates a pressure that does not allow for refusal.

"Of course!"

It seemed that we were not tolerated to just talk on campus, so we decided to go on a date on our day off.

Noel, who was watching Livia's unyielding attitude, blurted out.

"Livia-chan is scary"

.

Part 2

"What is the best date plan?"

Lunch break.

The people I had gathered in the empty classroom were all former capture targets of that Otome game that had become my subordinate.

For some reason, I had to support these guys, so I decided to plan a date with Ange with the help of the good-looking guys, hoping to use them to my advantage once in a while.

The assembled guys look at each other, and for some reason they look at me grimly.

"You got a problem with that?"

When I ask them, it is Julius who complains loudly.

"Of course! You, a man like you, spend every weekend going out with Marie in the morning and having a tea party until the evening. I envy you!"

In front of the former crown prince, who is envious that I get to spend so much time with Marie for so long, I decide that he is useless and get back to the main issue.

"I don't care, just think of a date plan. I know you guys have a lot of romantic experience for nothing."

I ask him with a tossed-off attitude, and Greg crosses his arms, his arm muscles bulging and his clothes making a mich-mich-mich sound.

"I'm definitely more modest than you, though."

"Ha? You guys are more popular than me, right. Ever since the first year, you've been acting like you've never had a problem with women."

"Marie is the only one I've ever had a real relationship with!"

I was a little taken aback by Greg's brazen declaration of his lack of experience with women. Normally, I would be ashamed of this, but this guy was rather proud of his lack of experience.

"I see. I'm sorry to hear that. ――Are? But Greg, you had a fiancée, right?"

"It's a political marriage. We've only seen each other a few times, I've told you that before."

"Ah, is that so. Then the muscle idiot can't be counted on."

"Oi!"

Following Julius, Greg was also useless.

The next person to look at is Chris.

But this guy is the clumsiest of the five.

"Then, next is Chris."

"Date plans, huh? When Marie and I strolled around the royal capital together, we went to watch a sword fight. I explained the game to Marie while we watched it, and I was happy that she seemed to enjoy listening to my explanation."

I noticed Chris looking happy as he reminisced about his date with Marie.

Ah, this guy is also useless.

After all, when I heard about the date, the only thing that came up was Marie.

I let out a sigh and look at Brad this time.

"Well, then, Brad-kun, the self-proclaimed most beautiful man."

"Self-proclaimed?! I am beautiful is the truth!"

"It may be true in your mind, but not in the world. Come on, tell me."

Brad, the narcissist, plays with his purple hair with his fingertips as he talks about date plans.

"Fuhn! When you're as good-looking as I am, a date is just another day in the life."

"Ha?"

"Maybe Leon will never understand. Girls just spend time with me and that alone makes it extraordinary. In other words, I can give people a special everyday life just by being around them."

Brad winks at me as if he's drunk on his own lines.

I I shook my head and looked at the last remaining, Jilk.

"The last is, Jilk, huh? I know it's a no good even before I hear it."

I let out a deep sigh, and a miffed Jilk twitched his eyebrows.

"Please don't lump me in with the previous four. I have a lot of experience in relationships, and I'm good at pleasing women."

The other four gave Jilk, who insisted that he was more popular with women than the others, a stern look.

A split among friends, perhaps? No. Is it the usual.

Jilk confident, but I know what this guy has done before.

"You talk about pleasing the ladies, but have you forgotten the terrible things you did to Claris-senpai?"

Claris. [Claris Fia Atley]-senpai is Jilk's former fiancée.

Jilk refused to meet with her, and I got into trouble because he made the matter more complicated.

However, he does not seem to be offended.

"I feel bad about what I did to her. But it was really the right thing not to see her. If I could have apologized, I would have done it right away."

"If that's the case, then apologize quickly."

What is this guy talking about? As I was thinking this, Jilk looked away from me.

For some reason, he seems to feel sorry for me.

"I'm so sorry about that, Leon-kun. but Claris is, you know ―― she's heavy."

"Isn't hers normal?"

"You're misunderstanding me about the weight thing? What Claris is heavy is love."

"She is a kind person."

Jilk thought I didn't understand anything, and he put his right hand on his face and worried about me.

"I even want to respect your insensitivity. You see, Clarisse is heavy anyway. Let me tell you an old story, I once saw a new model of air bike and looked at it. I didn't say I wanted one or anything."

For some reason, Jilk was in a cold sweat as he talked about his memories of Claris-senpai.

"Then the next day Claris came to my house to deliver the air bike."

"It's a present, right? That's great."

"You really are an insensitive person, aren't you? I was looking at the air bike when I wasn't with Claris."

"――Oi, wait a minute"

"I don't know where she heard about it, but she sent me an air bike that I had been admiring. If it had happened once, it would have seemed like a coincidence, but it happened several times after that."

Jilk had a distant look on his face, and the other four looked at him as if they didn't know what to say.

I see. Claris-senpai was heavy?

Listening to Jilk's story, I found myself thinking that if it was just like that―― it was nothing.

For some reason, Jilk noticed my state of mind and praised me for it.

"I've always wondered, Leon-kun, do you like heavy women?"

"No, not really"

"Are you sure? From my point of view, Leon-kun, all the women around you, seem to be heavy――"

If Ange and others are so heavy, Marie is so light that she would blow away in the wind, don't you think?

Well, I guess these guys like lightweight women.

I like safe and normal though.

"So what's your date plan?"

"If you want to attract your young lady's attention, a place she is not accustomed to going to is recommended. If you invite her to a cheap restaurant, she'll think it's exciting. If anything, budget dates seem too ordinary and boring for them."

I got some surprisingly reliable advice.

"You're a sly bastard, but you're actually dependable, huh?"

"Only the sly bastard part is unnecessary, but I'll take it as a compliment."

I never thought that Zilk's opinion would be useful.

Then let's take Ange to a place she's never been before.

As I begin to ponder which restaurant is best, Julius calls out to me.

"Leon, you got a minute? If you haven't had lunch yet, come join me."

"With you?"

.

Part 3

Sitting on a bench behind the school building, Julius and I were eating skewers we had bought from a food stand.

I bought it at the store Julius showed me and it was quite tasty.

But he looks apologetic.

"I'm sorry. If I'd had a little more time, I could have grilled it."

"Don't try to grill the skewers until lunchtime. So, what's the talk?"

When I asked him while biting into a skewer, Julius paused for a moment before opening his mouth.

"It's about Angelica."

―― When I stop moving, Julius continues with a serious expression on his face.

"I betrayed Angelica once"

"Yes, you did"

We bit into our skewers and we continued talking as we resumed eating.

"When I think about it now, I couldn't see anything."

"Even now"

"I can see it more than before. No, maybe I see more now that I'm a third party."

What does he want to say?

Julius cuts out the main subject.

"I understand that it's a selfish thing to do. But please don't betray Angelica."

"Me? In the first place, I never intended to betray――"

"Even if you intend to do that, Angelica is different, right?"

I was going to say something back, but oddly Julius' words stuck in my mind.

Silently biting into a skewer, Julius tells a story from his past.

"When I broke off my engagement to Angelica, I didn't mean to betray her. If anything, I felt betrayed."

"You guys were the worst at that time."

"I admit it. But what about you now?"

"What do you want to say?"

Julius finishes his skewers and carefully puts away the empty containers.

I don't throw trash around that area.

"I just didn't want you to make the same mistake I did. If Angelica feels betrayed by you, she may never recover."

"I told you that I wasn't going to betray ―― her"

From the outside, my behavior is a betrayal of Ange. On weekends, I have tea parties with Marie and Erika, and sometimes I write a letter to the queen, Milene-sama.

I don't mean to betray her. But what Ange thinks of that is another matter.

I looked down and Julius had a subtle, indescribable look on his face.

"And as a friend, let me tell you."

"What?"

"I won't ask you to stop hitting on my mother anymore, so please do it without my knowledge if you can. I just don't know what face to put on as her son."

I see Julius looking really distressed, and I'm in trouble too.

"O-Okay"

In the meantime, I just replied so.

.

Part 4

Weekend.

Ange was wearing a dressy one-piece red dress that day.

Ange, who prefers to dress in red, the same color as her eyes, carried a small, white handbag in her hands.

She was wearing pumps and was dressed casually but could be formal. Such Ange was at the meeting place.

――That's still plenty of time.

"Sorry I kept you waiting."

Ange gives a small shake of her head as I approach her with an apology.

"No, I just came too early."

"I-I see"

We usually spend time together, but only today it was me who wanted to meet outside. I wanted a different routine from the usual, and I adopted Five Idiots' opinion.

Thanks to that, both Ange and I have become awkward, although the excitement is different from usual.

As we walk away together, only I can hear Luxion, who is following us.

[Master, shouldn't you compliment Angelica on her appearance? She seems to have put in a lot of effort for today?]

I didn't realize it until he told me, and I admired Ange's figure, thinking 'Oh, crap'.

"Ange, you look great in that outfit!"

"I see. Thank you."

Ange smiled, but for some reason felt like a failure.

If it were a love simulation game, it would surely be a scene where you would hear sound effects that would either increase or decrease the impression of likability.

If it were a game, you could load it, but when it comes to reality, there's no save or load.

Not even a reset.

There is only a power button.

I honestly apologize.

"I'm sorry. I should have complimented you earlier."

"Don't apologize. You should be more dignified."

"No, but"

"――It's fine, let's go."

As Ange increased her walking speed, I hurried to follow her.

Luxion, who was watching the situation, was amazed.

[I think Master is more effective when he is unaware of his abilities. He is the type of person who becomes useless when he is self-aware.]

.

Part 5

As we started our date and walked through the royal capital, scaffolding was being built around a broken building and demolition work was underway.

Modified armor for the work removes debris one after another.

When Ange stopped to see it, she spoke about the reconstruction work.

"Even the expensive armor is out, and the reconstruction work is being done in a hurry."

Armor is basically fueled by magic stones.

The magical stones mined in the dungeons in the royal capital are constantly being bought because they are used as energy resources.

However, the supply and demand are not in balance.

Supply was not keeping up with demand, and it was often unprofitable to take armor out for everyday work.

The reason reconstruction work is done without regard to this is because this is the royal capital.

"Rich people are strong everywhere, after all."

When I mentioned the irony, Ange looked at me and let out a small sigh.

"Eh, did I say something wrong?"

Was that a bad thing to say?

When I am anxious, Ange says, "No, it was not" and tells me the reason for her stunned.

"Even the kingdom's finances must be tight. The year before last, there was a war with the former Principality. The royal capital was damaged before the wounds had healed."

Twice in a short period of time, the royal capital has been damaged.

The finances of the kingdom of Horfalt also appear to be tight.

And Ange knew who was rushing the reconstruction work.

"Still, the reason for the rush is to maintain the authority of the kingdom. If the fresh scars are left in the royal capital forever, the lord nobles who see them will judge that the kingdom's power has weakened. ――The queen must be having a hard time wrapping her head around this."

"Milene-san?"

When I called the queen by name, Ange's expression clouded for a moment.

Oops, I thought, I hold my mouth with my hand, and Ange forces herself to smile.

"I'm relieved that she's not the same age as you."

"No, I'm not really serious about wooing her."

When I make my excuses, Ange smiles.

"I know. Well, I guess it's time to get back to our date."

"A-Aa"

.

Part 6

We started walking again and headed for our destination, a coffee shop.

It is a coffee shop that creates an atmosphere where anyone can come in and spend time, but the interior has a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

The furniture and other items are always clean and well maintained, and the place smells nice with tea and snacks.

When we both enter the restaurant, the owner shows us our seats over the counter.

As we headed for a table by the window, the owner brought us a menu.

After a brief conversation with Ange, we decide on the menu, and the owner returns to the counter.

Just as I was thinking how lucky I was that this restaurant was not destroyed in the last turmoil, Ange spoke up.

"It's a good store"

"You're right. I'm new here too, but I think I might like it."

"It's the kind of place Leon would love."

Sure looks like a place that's right up my alley.

"Ange doesn’t like it?"

"I don't dislike it. It just bothers me that they don't have my favorite tea. Apparently it's not the owner's taste."

"Ah"

When I look at the menu now that I realize it, I can see that there is indeed no tea that Ange likes on it.

There were no other tea cakes that Ange would have liked.

I hold my head thinking that I have failed.

"Sorry, I should have checked more closely."

"I don't mind"

"No, but today was a date for Ange."

"I said, I don't mind. You're a Duke. Don't apologize for this much."

"Even so, I still feel bad about it "

When I tried to apologize again, Ange swung her fist down on the table.

"I said, I don't mind!"

"――Ange?"

Surprised by Ange's sudden outburst, the guests around us were also looking at our seats to see what was going on.

The owner was checking on us from the counter, and when I gestured that it was nothing, he seemed to notice Ange as well.

"S-Sorry"

Blushing, she turns her head and looks down once before getting up from her seat and running out of the restaurant.

"Ange!"

I got up from my seat to follow him, remembered I had ordered, took the money from my wallet and put it on the counter.

"Forget the change"

As I ran out of the store as it was, the door bell rang repeatedly and made a loud noise.

I look around and don't see Ange.

"Damn! Where is she?"

[――No problem. I know where Angelica is. Shall I start navigating?]

"Please"

Running while being guided by Luxion.

"What went wrong?"

I asked as I ran, but Luxion didn't have a clear answer either.

[It's strange to be angry at disappointing Master, isn't it. Because you have shown yourself to be pathetic so far.]

"Sorry about that!"

[She must be mentally exhausted. My guess is that perhaps she is superimposing her own ideals on the Master and is frustrated by the differences.]

"Certainly sounds like Ange's ideals are high."

[Nevertheless, Angelica got engaged to Master. She must have known in advance that it wasn't ideal.]

As I was running, but Luxion's words stopped me in my tracks.

"You mean she's fed up with me"

I had somehow expected it, and the time has come ―― or so it seems.

However, Luxion made a gesture of yare-yare.

[If she were tired of you by this, the engagement would never have taken place in the first place. Master must be doubting Angelica's love.]

"Even love can cool down."

[I agree. But it should be different in this case. Angelica was looking forward to having a date with Master, you know.]

As I started walking toward where Ange was, I could see the high ground.

It seems to be a popular place to view the royal capital from a hill, and benches and other facilities are set up there.

Ange was holding onto the fence and looking out at the view of the royal city.

When I approached, she turned around, but apparently Ange was crying.

"Ange, that――"

"Don't apologize. Your apologizing makes me miserable."

"――Eh?"

Angl begins to reveal her current feelings to me.

"I hate myself ―― for making you apologize."

As it was, Ange broke down crying on the spot.

.

Part 7

We sat on a bench on a hill and I waited for Ange to calm down, and then it was evening.

Sometimes people come, but when they see us, they move away, thinking we are having a goodbye talk or something.

――I'm no good with women who cry.

After calming down, Ange apologizes for what just happened.

"I'm sorry"

"No, more importantly, you just said you hate yourself?"

"It means exactly what it says"

"Etto――"

Luxion, who felt that we were getting out of hand in our exchange, stepped in between me and Ange and began to mediate.

[Angelica, why is it your fault if Master apologizes? It is the Master's fault that he is pathetic.]

It's true that I'm pathetic, but it makes me angry to hear it so clearly.

However, this is not the time to get into an argument with Luxion, so I hold my ground.

Ange, with tears in her eyes, looks at Luxion and tilts her head.

"Leon is a Duke. Besides, he's a hero who has saved the country many times."

"――From a social standpoint, Master should not apologize easily, is that what you mean?"

"Yes. And yet, I keep making Leon apologize. I am the woman who will be his wife. And I can't support him enough."

Covering her face with both hands and shedding tears, I tell Ange how I honestly feel.

"No, it doesn't matter"

But it seems that my values didn't get through to Ange.

"Doesn't matter, you said? Does that mean I'm not good enough for you? That you don't need my help? Aa~, of course you do. You have Luxion."

Ange raises her head and begins to laugh as she cries.

"That's not what I meant! It's not about power or anything like that――"

When I was desperately trying to tell her, Luxion interrupted me.

[Master, it's time. Please return to your student dormitory.]

"Now that's not――"

[You don't care? Would it be better if you kept your distance from each other?]

Ange started crying again and was in no situation to persuade her.

"Let's go back. But first, let me tell you something. I never thought I didn't need Ange."

But my words don't seem to reach Ange.

"――We don't know each other well enough."

.

Part 8

After dropping Ange off and returning to my room in the dormitory, I fall straight onto my back on the bed.

Looking up at the ceiling, Luxion reports.

[A report from Creare. Angelica was comforted by Livia and went to sleep. Livia seems to be very angry with Master when she heard the result.]

"――What am I supposed to do?"

What went wrong?

I knew Ange was working hard for me and I wanted to tell her not to push too hard today.

No need to fight with her parents for me.

That is the last line, or rather not a solution.

"We didn't know each other well enough. It's true that we've only been able to get this far because of momentum. If she had seen a shallow person like me up close, she might have become disillusioned."

[For Master, you are able to self-evaluate. But in this case, there is another problem.]

"Another?"

[Values. Both Master and Marie have too strong values from your previous lives. From the information Creare has obtained, I would guess that Angelica wanted to be the one to support the Master]

"I still get plenty of support from her."

She's a great woman who's too good for me.

I understand that, so I didn't want her pushing herself too hard.

[I think Angelica overestimates Master. As a hero who rose to the rank of duke in his own lifetime, Angelica must have been under a lot of pressure to be your partner. She has been working hard to achieve this, and it must be upsetting for her to be told that all of her efforts are in vain?]

"I don't understand"

[Angelica stood around to make sure Master was not taken advantage of by the Redgrave family. That's not a feat one would do at that age.]

"I don't need the Redgrave family's help or anything. As long as I have Ange."

"Will Angelica be convinced by that?"

When I shut up, Luxion talks about values.

[It is different from the times Master lived in your previous life. This world has its own rules. It is arrogant to easily deny them based on Master's standards.]

For me, who has memories of a previous life, this world has too many different values to begin with.

Even the noble society was not familiar to me in my previous life.

I've tried not to look at it, keeping it away from me because it's troublesome, but I'm rising too high and I can't ignore it.

However, there is nothing I can do about the difference in values.

It reminds me of a couple who often divorced in a previous life because of differences in values.

"The difference in values is fatal. It would be better to break off the engagement and set Ange free――"

After uttering that much, I remembered Julius' words.

If I betray her, Ange won't be able to recover.

"I wonder if I should do it according to Ange?"

[Would Master fit in with the noble society of this world?]

"I can't. But I can at least act one. ――I'll show up at the Redgrave family mansion sometime."

I should at least be able to mend it.

That's how I always overcame problems.

* * *

Chapter 03 "The Enthusiast"

.

Part 1

The Redgrave family mansion in the royal capital.

For some reason, the person who greeted me was the Duke, Vince-san ―― Ange's Papa.

"I'm so glad you came. When I heard you were coming, I rushed over here as fast as I could."

"H-Haa"

I heard that Gilbert has returned to their territory in his turn, but did the Duke come all the way to the royal capital to see me?

I couldn't believe it a little.

Ange's Papa had brought one of his guests into the parlor.

I had been informed in advance, but that person was looking at me.

"Ano, who is that person?"

"He's the guy I've been meaning to introduce you to."

The person Ange's Papa brought to me bowed respectfully in front of me.

"It is a pleasure to meet you for the first time, Duke Bartfalt. I am Count [Dominique Fou Mottley]."

If the middle name is Fou, he is a lord nobleman.

If he is a Count, the size of his territory must be quite large.

But Count Mottley appears to be in his thirties by all means.

His silky blond hair curls outward at the ends, and his beard is well groomed and filthless.

His body was toned and he looked like a good-looking, capable man.

Ange's Papa tells the story of how he was brought here.

"I have a connection with Count Mottley. He's the count who owns the floating islands in his territory, and he's one of the ones who take care of our borders."

"Border?"

When I looked at Count Mottley, he was laughing.

"It is not protected by the family alone, but jointly by the lords and nobles of the region, led by the count of the frontier. Thanks to this, it was regrettable that I was not able to join the Duke in the battles of the former Principality."

"I-I see."

He is quite a smooth talker. At the time, my reputation was very low ―― not to say below garbage.

No one would have been stupid enough to want to work for me.

However, Ange's Papa says to me.

"Count Mottley is a fan of yours."

"――Eh?"

When I was surprised and looked at Count Mottley, he grabs my hand with both hands and waves it up and down greatly.

"When I heard about Duke Bartfalt's success, I felt saved. I have been paying attention to you since the time of the dueling commotion the year before last, but I never expected you to accomplish such a great achievement."

"A-A great achievement ?!"

Count Mottley grins as I wonder what I've done.

"You have broken the shitty customs of the Kingdom."

"Ah, yes"

Could this person possibly have suffered in some way from a girl at the school?

It seems my thoughts were right.

"My family was elevated to the rank of count by my father's generation, but when I was attending school I was still a Viscount. My marriage partner was a terrible woman."

"I-I don't know what to say about that"

I am sure he is still struggling.

But I was wrong.

"She was really the worst kind of woman. She had several lovers before the child was born. Whose child was she going to give birth to? ―― However, Duke Bartfalt has destroyed the customs along with the Principality. Thank you! Thank you very much!"

"Eh? EH?!"

Puzzled, Ange's Papa tells me the details of the story.

"Count Mottley is divorced from his wife on the grounds of unfaithfulness."

"HAa?! Divorce ?!"

Marriage in noble society means a connection between families.

Divorce cannot be granted on the basis of personal feelings, but until now, the Kingdom has not even recognized divorce on the grounds of unfaithfulness.

It came to be recognized, and apparently Count Mottley soon divorced her.

"I also have to thank the Duke Redgrave. And I cannot thank you enough regarding my wife"

Wife?

When I tilt my head back, Count Mottley tells me about his current wife.

"I remarried. She was a woman who had been there for me for many years, but she was a servant, so her status became an issue. So I asked the Duke Redgrave for help."

From there, Ange's Papa tells the story.

"Adopt his wife into a family of knights connected to our family, then adopt her into the family of a viscount, and after a certain amount of education, marry her to Count Mottley."

――Isn't it career laundering?

In other words, did Count Mottley buy a noble status by asking Ange's Papa to marry a woman who was not a noble?

No, even if he doesn't buy it, what's the deal?

As I think about this, Count Mottley changes the subject.

"I can't stop thinking about you two. That said, I also heard about Duke Bartfalt's activities in the royal capital. I heard that you took control of the royal capital in a single night. A hero who rose to the rank of duke in a single generation is different."

"No, that's"

It would be easier if I could say it was thanks to Luxion and not me.

I was going to say that it was only because of everyone's cooperation, but I was interrupted by Count Mottley.

"However, it was a bit naive. If it were me, I would have let them cause a little more damage to the royal capital."

"――What are you saying?"

To my surprise, Count Mottley looks puzzled.

Immediately Ange's Papa put his hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry. He's rising too fast, so he's had to catch up on a lot of things."

Hearing this, Count Mottley nodded a few times and smiled.

"It is a downside of rapid promotion. No, I would say it's more of an enviable worry."

Hearing the two of them smiling and conversing, I signal to Luxion to check.

Luxion deciphered what they were trying to say from their conversation.

[Dominique seemed to think that Master intended to join the Redgrave family and turn against the kingdom. He must have been suspicious that Master knew nothing about it.]

――That's so.

Then Count Mottley looks straight at me.

"Duke Bartfalt, will you burn the royal capital together?"

"――That's not a funny joke."

"A joke? Don't you understand that if you are a lord nobleman? For so many years, the kingdom has been hostile and oppressive to us. Shouldn't they pay for that?"

Count Mottley's eyes were like probing me ―― and yet, he was serious.

I can feel that he really wants to set the royal capital on fire.

Ange's papa also waits for this.

"Count Mottley is in too haste. You should try to be more cautious."

"I beg your pardon. It seems I was excited when I met the hero of my dreams."

.

Part 2

When Count Mottley left, I was alone with Ange's Papa.

Ange's Papa is laughing.

"Count Mottley is a bit of a militant nobleman who fights on the border. I hope you will forgive him for this case because of my face."

"――Are you really going to go to war with the Kingdom?"

When I asked him straightforwardly, Ange's Papa didn't break his smile.

"I heard you had a fight with Ange. What is that girl doing?"

Apparently, he has caught on to the fact that the relationship between Ange and I is not going well.

"Please answer me. If you're serious, I'll stop you."

When I say this, Ange's Papa ―― Vince-san's voice becomes somewhat lower.

"Even if we force the kingdom to continue to exist as it is, eventually dissatisfaction will erupt. If so, is it arrogant of us to want to minimize the damage with our own hands?"

"Dissatisfaction?"

"You've seen Count Mottley, right? Oppressed lords and nobles like him are dissatisfied with the kingdom. Things are changing these days, but do you really think they will listen to you if you tell them to forgive?"

"That is――"

The dissatisfaction of the lord nobles, who have been oppressed by the kingdom, does not subside just because the situation has changed. Rather, it seems that many nobles are thinking of venting their resentment against the weakened kingdom.

I see――I suppose he brought Count Mottley to show me that the Lords and Nobles are serious.

"It is a necessary sacrifice. If we revolt in an uncontrolled manner, we will show an opening to other countries and the Kingdom of Horfalt will be divided. We must avoid that."

Vince-san puts his hand on my shoulder.

"I have high hopes for you. With the power of your lost items, the bloodshed will be minimal. Then I will give Ange a firm reminder from me."

――Has Ange been having this kind of exchange for a long time?

.

Part 3

After returning from the Redgrave family mansion to my room in the student dormitory, I was lying on my bed and looking up at the ceiling.

"If there's going to be a rebellion, minimize the damage, huh"

Floating near me, Luxion talks about Vince-san's talk.

"It would certainly be effective, but the Redgrave family is a branch of the royal family. There will be many nobles who will not like it. In fact, if the Redgrave family is not careful, it will be destroyed together with the royal family."

From the perspective of the lord nobles, the Redgrave family is also a branch of the royal family and would be a hated enemy.

The only way for the Redgrave family to survive was to take the lead and start a new country.

"I wish I could just keep on defending the royal family"

"It must be ambition. Both Vince and Gilbert want the throne. "

"I don't get it"

[Their real intention may be to get the country for themselves, but it is also true that they can reduce the damage caused by the rebellion. Because Master is a hero for the lord nobles.]

"Because I freed them from an unpleasant marriage?"

[That may be so, but the Master's reckless attitude toward the Kingdom is the kind of hero they have been waiting for.]

"I'm just a small hero."

"Marrying Angelica means joining hands with Duke Redgrave. In this world, the individual and the house are not yet completely separated. "

I have heard that in the days when an individual could easily die, the family was important.

It was too common for people to die, and it was their house and bloodline that had to be left behind.

What a wonderful thing it is to live in a world where the individual is respected!

It is natural that I, who know such happiness, and Ange, who only knows this world, have different values.

"So, what are your thoughts?"

[Yes?]

"How can we unite the Kingdom without causing damage? Is there any way to do this with as little bloodshed as possible?"

What kind of answers will AI provide?

As for me, I wanted the outlandish answer to give me a way to save everything.

[If Master quickly takes control of the royal capital, the neighboring lords will turn over their hands and settle their disputes. The nobles who adore Master, like Dominique, will gather in royal capital, and if a new nation is born, the damage will be minimal.]

――It was stupid of me who had high hopes for Luxion.

"It means"

[Master should be king.]

"You idiot, I reject such methods."

I'm a king? I don't know about the others, but I'm not the kind of person who likes to be king.

I still wish I could retreat to the countryside and live a peaceful, slow life.

[We can minimize the damage, though?]

"If you mean using your power to rule, then you're no different than the Redgrave family. A~a, it was my mistake to consult you."

When I told him it was useless, Luxion came up to my face.

[But it was Master who couldn't come up with the solution, so you asked me for the answer?]

"That's why I admitted it was a mistake for me to consult you."

In the first place, Luxion is not hurt or bothered by the destruction of the kingdom of Horfalt.

Instead, he would rather see any country founded by the new humans be destroyed.

Whenever this kind of troublesome issue comes up, he always says something like, "Why don't we just destroy it?".

"I should talk to someone about it. But Ange, who is good at this kind of talk, can't be relied on this one time."

[You usually rely on her too much, though.]

"Shut up"

Looking up at the ceiling, I ponder who I should talk to.

A number of faces came to mind, and then I thought of one.

There was one man who was in the same situation as me.

.

Part 4

Flower beds near the student dormitory.

Herring, who waters the flowers there, didn't mock or laugh at hearing my question.

However, he has a difficult look on his face.

"The values issue is a tough one. I've also had trouble with it a lot since I reincarnated over here."

"Did it trouble you too?"

"Cause I still have memories of my previous life"

Herring let out a small sigh with a dark expression on his face, then looked up at the sky.

"Since I became a knight, I've been forced to fight in wars."

"I see"

From the way Herring looked, it was easy to imagine what he had done in the war.

Knights and nobles are not allowed to run away from the battle.

Do that, and your status and prestige will fall to the ground.

It is common knowledge that fighting is honorable.

And on the battlefield, if you kill a lot of people, you will be called a hero.

This is the reason why neither I nor Herring is happy to be called heroes.

It also proves that we have killed a lot of people.

Herring, perhaps sensing my feelings, scratches his head and comforts me.

"We both have a hard time. It might be better to have no memory of our previous life――No, if I hadn't, I wouldn't have noticed Mia"

If I had no memories of my previous life, I wouldn't have bothered, but the knowledge of my previous life is the only reason I'm still alive and safe today.

Even for Herring, he is able to meet Mia properly because of his knowledge of his previous life.

"If I didn't have memories of my previous life, I'd be dead by now."

Remembering that Zora almost sold me out, it would be a good thing that I was reincarnated with the memories of my previous life.

Herring is laughing like he's in trouble.

"You're having a hard time too."

"I'm glad Hering was here. I can't talk to five idiots about these kinds of problems."

"There is Marie, right?"

It's true that Marie is a reincarnated person like us.

However, there is a crucial difference.

"She didn't kill people in the war."

"――That's right. Then I guess you can't talk to her. But I'd like her to stay that way."

Herring gives a distant look and I give a small nod.

Marie playing an active role in the war? It doesn't suit her.

Herring put his hand on his chin and began to think.

"If we were in the empire, we could have consulted with the emperor."

"To His Majesty the Emperor? You're awfully friendly."

When I am surprised at Herring's willingness to casually consult with the emperor, he himself looks a little impatient.

"Did I not tell you? Our emperor ―― Mia's father is a reincarnated person."

"You're lying, right?!"

Aren't there too many reincarnated? When I was surprised alone, Herring put his right hand on his face.

"He may be a noisy old man, but he's dependable in times like these. He's not getting any older, you know. If there is a reincarnated person with more life experience, you could talk to them about it."

Seeing the troubled Herring, I thought of one person I could think of.

" ―― It's Erika"

.

Part 5

I immediately went to Erika.

Since it was a weekday, there were many followers around, but when I approached them, they were attentive and moved away.

I immediately invite Erika to the tea room to consult with her privately.

Erika listened to my concerns.

" ―― Uncle is troubled by the difference in values between you and Angelica-san."

"That's right"

I feel ashamed of myself for asking my niece for relationship advice, but I have to rely on her because there are only a few people I can talk to about it.

Luxion floating beside me, taking advantage of my indebtedness.

[Even though you are her uncle, Erika has more life experience than you.]

"Can't you be a little more respectful to your master? If you were nicer to me, I'd be nicer to you, too?"

[No thanks]

Erika giggled when she saw Luxion, who assured me that he didn't need my concern.

"Uncle and Luxion have always gotten along well."

There is one person here who is misunderstanding.

"Erika doesn't understand how bad this guy's mouth is, does she?"

"A relationship in which you can say whatever you want to each other is precious, Uncle. But more than that, you care about Angelica-san."

Smiling, Erika had a tolerance that one would not expect from someone so much younger.

I turn my face away from Erika.

"A lot has happened."

"You should be honest there and say that you love her. Uncle, you're not the type to say what you really feel very often."

"Honest? I'm always honest. I say what I think right away, and people around me don't like me."

I smiled at her and Erika looked at me smiling.

I feel as if her eyes are looking into my mind, so I avert my gaze.

Erika doesn't blame me for my childish attitude and starts talking about solutions.

"If uncle wants to be with Angelica-san, I think trying to be nice to her would be the opposite of what she wants."

"Eh?"

When I raised my head and looked at Erika's face, the person in question had a serious look on her face, her smile gone.

"Angelica-san wants to support uncle. No, I think she wants to stand next to you and accomplish something together."

"Ange is?"

"Uncle, you are forgetting something, aren't you? Angelica-san was originally a woman who would have been the queen of the kingdom of Horfalt."

Ange was originally betrothed to Julius, a woman who would have eventually become queen if nothing had happened to her. I know that and have never forgotten it.

"I haven't forgotten"

"If so, you don't understand. Angelica-san is a talented young woman who was raised to be the queen of a country. She has a lot of pride. She just can't stand being protected."

She doesn't like just being protected, huh.

Indeed, she said something like that before.

It was different from me, who immediately took the help of Luxion to make things easier, in the first place, by thinking about it.

"She wants to see, feel, rely on, being rely on, and support each other side by side. But uncle can do anything alone."

"I'm not really alone"

I try to make excuses, but Erika smiles and tilts her head slightly.

"I will teach you the best way to make up."

.

Part 6

After school, a few days after the date.

Ange walks down the hallway, being pulled along by Livia.

Livia is strongly pulling Ange, who is not very enthusiastic.

"Ange, it's already started."

"Calm down, Livia. I'll be coming over after I finish my errands."

"No. That is how you intend to distance yourself from Leon-san and not participate, is it not?"

Livia sees that she had planned not to attend the gathering because of an errand.

Ange, who is not happy about the situation, tells her why she doesn't want to participate.

"What kind of face should I show to Leon? I don't want him to hate me more than this."

"If so then it's unnecessary, please meet Leon-san! Everyone should be here by now."

Then Livia pulls her into the destination classroom.

As the students had left the school, the classrooms that are usually used were quiet ―― not.

Leon's yelling comes from inside the classroom.

"I said no!"

Several other voices could be heard from the classroom to the hallway, and Ange and Livia looked at each other and nodded their heads.

"What kind of gathering is this? Livia knows about this, right?"

"No, I am told only by Leon-san that it was so he could make up with Ange."

"C-Could make up?"

The fact that Leon wants to make up is great information for Ange.

However, from inside the classroom, Leon's shouts can be heard.

"Go home! Go away! Please!"

He keeps yelling desperately begging for someone to leave, but voices of refusal can be heard from inside the classroom.

Standing in front of the door, Ange reaches out with all the courage she can muster.

She opened the door a little and peeked inside, and there they were, the usual members of the group.

(Noel's here. Hmm? Is that His Highness Jake and the others over there? And the foreign exchange students from the empire. And Princess Erika?!)

Standing at the podium teaching in the stairwell classroom, Leon repeatedly tapped the desk with the palm of his hand.

In front of Leon's eyes is a group of five people, led by Marie.

Unusually, Leon is pleading with Marie and the others.

"You guys are not invited! Please leave! I'll give you the money!"

Even though Leon would pay them and ask them to leave, Marie and her friends didn't even try to leave. Normally, they would have received the money and left as soon as possible.

Marie protests against Leon.

"That's how you plan to make yourselves feel good! I won't allow it. I will never forgive you for that!"

Behind Marie, clinging to the podium, was Julius, his eyes bloodshot.

"Leon, we're friends, right? So take me with you!"

"When did I become your friend?"

"Now!"

"Be obedient and go away!"

It is not only Julius.

Even also Jilk.

"Leon-kun, we are your subordinates. Don't be so distant that you don't want to depend on us?"

"Don't you ever think that I don't want to depend on you, so I won't take you with me? Go away."

Brad pushes Jilk away and begins to appeal to him to take him.

"Then it is my turn, isn't it? A magician like me must be indispensable. Now, promise me you'll take me!"

"No ne~ed! Go away and look in the mirror."

When Brad was also rejected, Greg now pushed him away forcefully.

"This is where I come in, right, Leon! Unlike the rest of them, you need a man with experience and dependability. You can count on me!"

"Go away, muscle"

"Fufu, if you praise me, that means you'll take me with you, right?"

"――Sorry, go away"

Gradually, Leon is losing his energy.

Chris kicks Greg out of posing and asks Leon to let him join.

"Leon, I can be useful. You had your adventures with me in the Republic, didn't you? You and I are now a bonded party. In other words, we are friends who entrust our lives to each other. Please let me join you on this adventure――"

Before Chris could finish, Ange was running.

She pushes Chris away.

"An adventure trip?!"

"――Guhe"

Chris, who had been pushed away, was groaning but couldn't afford to worry about it now.

Leon, looking at the excited Ange, was a little taken back.

"Y-Yes. Actually, I was thinking of doing a treasure hunt and trying to make a plan today."

Looking closely, one could see an elaborate map on the blackboard.

He was probably planning to make a plan from now on, but Marie and her friends came and annoyed him when they heard the story.

Ange pushes Julius and Marie away and approaches Leon.

"If you invited me, does that mean you want me to join?"

The distance between each other's noses is almost touching.

Leon was blushing from embarrassment, but Ange was blushing with excitement when she heard about the adventure.

When Leon backs away and creates distance, he clears his throat and then talks about his plan.

"Obviously, I'm going to get Ange to help me. This time I'll take Einhorn out and we'll head for the floating island where the treasure is."

When Leon lightly hits the overhanging map with his fist a few times, Ange also moves closer to the blackboard to take a closer look at the map.

"It's a very elaborate map. The paper is new. Is it real?"

"No doubt about it. The map was prepared by Luxion."

When Leon looks at Luxion, Ange's gaze turns to him as well.

Luxion moved the red lens up and down in a small motion as if nodding.

[Yes. I made the old map look better.]

"You can really do anything"

While impressed, Ange quickly returns her gaze to the map.

"A building? Is it an old castle?"

As she mumbled, for some reason Marie interrupted the conversation.

"It's a dungeon in a collapsed old castle! There are lots of magic stones and treasures. If all goes well, I'll get rich, get rid of my poverty, and I won't have to flatter Ani——Leon for money anymore!"

Julius and his friends are even more motivated after hearing Marie's excitement.

"That means that Marie will spend less time with Leon. We will find the treasure and have time to spend with Marie. I can't stand the thought of not being a part of such an amazing adventure!"

Marie and her friends are talking as if they already have the treasure.

Ange is strangely annoyed by this, but ignores it and talks to Leon.

"I'm in. When? When do we leave?"

Forgetting that her relationship with Leon was a bit awkward, Ange was clinging to him.

She grabs Leon's arm and hugs him.

Leon, who was grabbed, is flabbergasted.

"That's why I gathered everyone together today to make those plans, and now all these unnecessary people get involved."

Leon's gaze went to Jake and the others who seemed to have gathered in addition to Marie and the others.

The short Jake crosses his arms and smiles fearlessly.

"Anyone who hears of such an exciting adventure and does not join in is not a nobleman. Aare, you're coming with me, aren't you?"

As a nobleman, of course! he announced firmly and crisply, then turned back to Aare, who was standing behind him.

(Aa~, you want to show off your skills to women? His Highness Jake is too insincere about the adventures, so no.)

Ange's opinion of Jake has been dropped two steps, if not one step, in her mind.

Aare stared at Jake, but this one was holding his hands together.

"I would be happy if I could participate."

"Fufu, leave it to me. Duke Bartfalt, we are also joining in."

Jake tells him as if it were a decision, but Leon gives him a cold look.

When Leon says, the five idiots, led by Julius, are booing Jake.

"Right, you guys go away!"

"What ?! You're just a bastard who's been disinherited!"

A sibling quarrel that starts suddenly.

Leon let out a big sigh.

"Julius, you guys can leave too."

"Leon, don't be cold about it! We're friends, right?!"

"Stop! Don't cling to my legs!"

The classroom was noisy, but when a man opened his mouth, it became quiet all at once.

The man's name is Oskar.

"I would like to earn money for my future with Jenna-san. So, brother-in-law, would you be willing to let me participate?"

Oskar speaks up naturally, but those around him who know what is going on look at Leon.

This involved family problems in the Bartfalt family, and the only one who could make a decision was Leon.

Oskar, not understanding the change in the atmosphere of the place, asks Leon.

"At this time, it doesn't matter if it's a chore. Please help me to become a man worthy of Jenna-san!"

Oskar's sincerity made Leon's cheeks tighten.

"I think you are worthy enough, and I'd rather feel sorry for you instead. Please, don't bow down. I understand. I'll take you with me."

"Is that true! I did it, His Highness Jake! It looks like I'm going to be allowed to participate."

Jake's face turns red at Oskar's report of his joy.

"That's where you should ask him to let your master join!"

"Eh, me, do it?"

Why should I be the one to beg? Oskar tilted his head, a look of not really understanding on his face.

Then, in the classroom, which was getting noisy again, it was Livia who approached Ange.

"Ange, that"

Ange hugs Livia, who is worried.

"Livia, it's an adventure. Adventure! This time, unlike any before, it's a real adventure. Maybe it's a dungeon no one has ever set foot in. You're in, right? Right ?!"

As Ange's eyes sparkled, Livia nodded with a complicated expression on her face.

***

Chapter 04 "The Custom of Kingdom Nobles"

Part 1

Airship Einhorn.

The airship I built when I went to study abroad in the Republic is now fully recognized as my ship.

Einhorn, with its distinctive single horn at the bow, moves through the blue sky.

When I go out on the deck, Livia, who receives a strong wind, talks to me with her hand in her hair.

"Leon-san, what kind of magic did you use?"

"Magic?"

"It's Ange, Ange! Not long ago, she was depressed that Leon-san would hate her, but yesterday she couldn't sleep because she was so excited about our departure."

As I recall, the same thing happened when we went out to the elven village.

Since that time, Ange has always had a strong yearning for adventurers.

No, is it the adventure itself?

Stepping into uncharted lands and acquiring treasures ―― such adventurers are admired by the nobles.

"I didn't use magic or sleight of hand. I just wanted to have adventures with Ange."

Livia looks unconvinced, but seems to forgive me because Ange was actually pleased.

"Are there really treasures?"

"There are ―― it has to be. Unless no one has found it."

"As for me, I'm more interested in the ruins."

Livia, coming from a commoner background, had a strong image of adventurers as people who mined for magic stones. Therefore, she is looking forward to investigating the ruins rather than the treasures on this trip.

"Don't worry about that. You'll see an ancient castle."

"You say that as if you've seen it all."

I touch my own chest with my right hand as Livia gives me a skeptical look.

"Actually, when I found Luxion, I looked around in many places. This treasure hunt is one of the floating islands I found during that time."

"Really?"

Livia looks to Luxion, who is by my side, for confirmation.

Luxion speaks, adjusting the conversation to me.

[Yes. We have created a map based on the data from that time. We don't know what the treasure is, but we think there is a good chance that it is still there.]

"I'm looking forward to it. It looks like Ange won't be disappointed."

Seeing Livia's concern for Ange makes me wonder what is going on.

They were supposed to be enemies in that otome game.

Now that they are best friends, you never know what will happen in the world.

Livia looks up into my face.

"Leon-san, thank you"

"What?"

"It's about Ange. I couldn't have cheered her up that much. After all, Ange needs Leon."

Livia looks away from me and grabs onto the railing to look at the sky visible from the deck.

"I wonder? I don't think Ange needs me."

"Eh?"

"It means I am the one who needs her. Ange ―― and Livia, too."

Livia looked like she was going to ask me something, but I was aware that I had uttered an embarrassing line, so I decided to leave.

"Luxion, it's getting cold, let's go inside."

[Yes, Master]

"Livia also better get inside sooner."

As I leave the place to escape, I hear Livia's voice at my back.

"Leon-san, repeat those lines once again!"

"I can't because it's embarrassing!"

.

Part 2

Finn, an imperial knight, was pondering in Einhorn's dining room.

Nearby are his partner Brave and Mia, who is drinking her juice through a straw.

Mia looks happy in the airship.

"Knight-sama, I didn't think we'd be going on an adventure too."

"Hmm? You're right."

"Something on your mind?"

"No, it's not a serious matter."

Finn let out a deep sigh and remembered the purpose of this trip.

The reason why Finn was invited, but this involved Mia's treatment.

Initially, Finn and the others were planning to proceed with that third otome game scenario and cause Mia's awakening event.

By doing so, he wondered if this would cure the unexplained disease.

But it could also awaken and worsen the disease.

Anyway, Mia, the protagonist of that third Otome game, was not originally set up to suffer from a mysterious illness.

Rather――it was Erika who was suffering.

(At any rate, I've heard that awakening is also dangerous if we participate in this event and it turns out to be a bad idea.)

When Finn looks at Mia, who is tilting her head, her health doesn't seem to have deteriorated.

(There is no problem for now, huh)

Finn, relieved inside, smiles at Mia.

"Don't worry. The question is, well, you know. Why are the nobles of the kingdom so obsessed with adventurers?"

"Ah, that makes sense. Everyone's face looks different from usual, doesn't it."

Mia replies approvingly and turns her gaze from Finn to her surroundings.

Julius and Jake were there. And Aare, Jake's companion.

Julius is complaining about Jake's outfit.

"Are you going to participate in such a slovenly manner? It would be a disgrace to the royal family, so stay inside the ship this time."

When told he was dressed sloppily, Jake spun around on the spot to show off his prized adventurer's gear.

"This is the fashion these days, ani-ue. You outdated person should stay on the ship and have a cup of tea. Rest assured that I will bring the treasure back with Aare."

When her name is mentioned, Aare gives a wry smile and soothes Jake.

"Your Highness Jake, you shouldn't behave like that towards your brother."

"I told you, you could call me by my name, Aare. But still, your equipment is showing its age."

Aare, a tall woman? was dressed in well-worn equipment.

"These are my partners who have been with me for years."

"You look great, Aare"

After being shown them getting along excessively in front of him, Julius kicked Jake in the back with a blank look on his face.

Jake falls to the floor, turns around and stares at Julius as he is.

"What are you doing!"

"Sorry, you pissed me off."

"Are you jealous? Fuh, you're a little narrow-minded, my brother."

As Jake tries to stir while standing up, Julius glares at him with a wrinkle between his eyebrows.

(It was like a delinquent manga from my previous life, they are glancing through one's opponent's face)

With these impressions in mind, Finn turned his attention to the other tables.

Even there, the kingdom's nobles are in high spirits.

"Look at this! I got new equipment for this occasion."

Brad shows off his sparkling equipment, and Greg, topless, makes a disgusted face.

"A man's equipment is his body. First, you need to work on your muscles, your muscles!"

Chris looks at Greg, who recommends muscle training, and is stunned as he grooms his sword.

"Excessive muscles interfere with joint movement. Better yet, take good care of your weapons. It's no laughing matter if you can't use them when the time comes."

Finn thinks as he looks at Chris, who is cleaning his sword with a giggle.

(Are these guys really the capture targets of the first game? I had imagined a more noble group of people)

Lastly, he looks at Jilk, who is taking care of his guns.

Around it, bombs and other objects are placed.

"Fufu, I'm the one who will conquer the dungeon."

When everyone is now trying to work together, one person is thinking of outwitting those around him.

(Is this that? Is it because of Leon's involvement that their character has become distorted?)

.

Part 3

"Our goal is!"

Einhorn hangar.

There, it was Marie, dressed in her adventurous gear, who raised her voice.

It is Kara, also in her equipment, who responds to Marie's voice.

"Get the treasure and become independent from the Duke Bartfalt!"

And standing beside her is Kyle, who is working with Marie for the first time in a long time.

"Independence! Great words, goshujin-sama"

Kyle's words brought tears to Marie's eyes.

"Right. We are going to get our treasures and become independent through this adventure. We are going to be happy and not have to bow down to anyone!"

It takes a great deal of effort to feed a group of five idiots, a group that costs a lot of money.

Marie wanted to get the treasure this time so that she could live without receiving an allowance from Leon.

Erika is the main reason why she is seriously considering becoming independent.

(In front of my daughter from a previous life, I'm too pathetic and ashamed to depend on my brother forever! I will regain my dignity for my daughter's sake)

Marie was there with a different spirit than before.

.

Part 4

The location has changed, the room at Einhorn.

Noel and Erika were in the room used by Ange and Livia.

Noel is stunned to see Ange tending to her guns.

"Everyone's eyes change when they hear the word adventure. It's as if Ange has changed too."

When told, Ange readies her rifle and pulls the trigger.

No bullets were loaded, and only metallic sounds echoed through the room.

"That's how fascinating this issue is."

On behalf of Ange, who is not busy inspecting her equipment, Erika explains the situation in the kingdom to a wondering Noel.

"I don't know if Noel-san would understand, but the Kingdom was founded by adventurers."

"I heard that, but isn't everyone getting a little overexcited?"

"Well, maybe this is a rebellious spirit that has been going on for generations, a defiance to pay back the motherland?"

"Motherland?"

"Many of the people in the kingdom are originally from the Holy Kingdom of Raschel. I thought that the low status of adventurers in Raschel might have made them even more competitive."

"Fu~hn"

Ange turns to Noel, who has finished inspecting Erika's story.

"There has been a history between the Kingdom and Raschel since before the founding of the Kingdom. In the first place, those who were caught up in the political upheaval in Raschel were chased away and found themselves in the land that is now the Kingdom."

"There's a lot going on, isn't there? But in a country like that, Leon has a bounty on his head, doesn't he?"

When the bounty is mentioned, Ange looks uninterested.

"To them, we'll always be something to look down on. They don't want to think that the tables have turned."

Confirming that Ange does not have very good feelings toward the Holy Kingdom of Raschel, Noel ends the conversation.

"I understand the whole situation, but for what it's worth, everyone seems to be having a fun time, don't they? I don't think it's all about old grudges."

Asked if she's having fun, Ange giggles and smiles.

"It's actually fun. It's in my blood, I guess? It's always been one of my dreams to be a successful adventurer. ―― I'm grateful to Leon."

She is grateful.

As she said this, Ange laughed a little sadly.

.

Part 5

Arriving at the destination, a floating island, Einhorn found an open space and forced it to land.

What holds the floating Einhorn in place is an anchor that sticks into the ground.

They are in the process of unloading using armor and it is Julius and his team who are working.

On my part, I have a rifle and I'm on the lookout in the surrounding area.

"It's a strange floating island when you think about it."

Ange and Livia are close to me as I use binoculars to look around.

Ange had a rifle and was just as alert as I was to the surroundings.

Perhaps my muttering to myself caught her attention, and she asks why.

"Are you worried about something?"

"No, you see the ancient castle in the middle of the floating island, right? It's nice that it's surrounded by forest, but there's no harbor on this floating island."

It is too inconvenient in any way for someone to have lived there in the past.

The small floating island has only the castle and the surrounding forest.

If this were a game, I wouldn't have cared, but it was very unnatural.

It doesn't seem like people lived here.

Livia holding a map answers my questions, confirming their current location and the location of the castle.

"Maybe this floating island collapsed and shrunk. It is not surprising if you consider that it used to be bigger and there used to be a harbor there."

Is that even possible?

As I put down my binoculars, Ange tells me about other possibilities.

"Or maybe the land was carved up and taken away? It is possible that this floating island was cut off from the continent in the past."

They say there are so many possibilities, and I'm at one point convinced.

What matters is not the past, but the treasure that lies in the ancient castle.

"I don't know what happened in the past, but I guess it doesn't matter to us treasure hunters."

As she said so, Ange carried the rifle.

"That's the way it is. After we get the treasure, we can send out a survey team."

Ange was thrilled to hear about the treasure, but Livia let out a small sigh and curled up the map.

"I would like to know what happened in the past on this floating island. More importantly, what is the name of this floating island? It would be nice to know the name of the old castle, too."

As I recall, in that Otome game, it was called.

"The old castle of Golden Hand, I think?"

.

Part 6

Night.

We decided to camp outside the forest and sat around a bonfire talking.

Using a cut-down log as a chair, we drink drinks poured into metal cups.

At night, if you look up at the sky, you will see a star full of sky.

Unfortunately, you can hear the sounds of beasts and monsters from the nearby forest.

The mood is ruined.

I could hear the sound of wood popping from the bonfire.

Noel, who was sitting next to me, put her lips to the cup and took a drink, which was hot and she was hurriedly blowing on it.

Watching the situation, Jilk and the others took out their musical instruments.

"Since we are going to enter the old castle tomorrow, let's at least have a good time today."

Then he starts playing an instrument, which is a guitar-like instrument.

As soon as the music started playing, Noel gave her honest opinion of how we were doing.

"It's going to be a tough day tomorrow, but everyone seems to be having fun."

"They force their way to follow me, they really can't read the air, can they."

"Haha, though Leon can't read either."

I was told that I am usually the one who doesn't read the air, and as I tried to argue with her, a red lens looking at me and a blue lens came into the edge of my vision.

Luxion and Creare are watching what I say and do.

I decide it's best that I don't make any careless arguments, so I talk to Noel.

"Well, these guys will be fine."

"No one's ever been in this old castle, right? Are? The fact that there is a castle means that someone has been there in the past, so are we stepping in?"

"According to Luxion and Creare, no one has set foot in the area in hundreds of years. That's why both Ange and Livia are so excited."

I looked in the opposite direction from where Noel was, and there Ange was excitedly talking to Livia.

"Tomorrow I will definitely find the treasure. Livia will help me, right?"

"Eh? We're all supposed to be exploring together, right?"

"Livia ―― they are not our companions, they are our rivals. For once, Leon will be our enemy too."

The way Ange looked at me was somewhat provocative.

Give me a break. Even though this time was supposed to be a treasure hunt so we could make up?

"I also want to go on a treasure hunt with you two."

She shows reluctance, but Ange is adamant.

"No. I will join Livia and Noel. We will find the treasure."

At these words, Noel, who was sitting on the other side, jolted.

"Eh? I'm with Angelica and Livia?!"

Apparently, she hadn't heard it. Livia laughed bitterly.

"Wouldn't it be more fun if we all explored together?"

However, Ange insisted on going separately from me.

"Not this time"

Ange, who turned her face away from me, was different from before.

It seems that she wants to keep a distance from me.

"――Did I upset Ange in some way?"

As I'm puzzled, Erika approaches and talks to me.

Erika wore a coat because it was cold at night.

"Isn't it okay? Let Angelica-san and the others do as they please."

"Erika――sama?"

I almost called her by her name, but then I hurriedly added "sama" to it.

Erika brings her face close to mine and gives me a whisper.

"Didn't I tell you that she wanted uncle's acknowledgment, right?"

"Aa, that's what you mean. Then I'd better let Ange and her team take the honor?"

This treasure hunt was planned with the idea of making up with Ange.

Then I concluded that it would be better to let Ange take the honor, and Erika gave me a dumbfounded look.

"Eh, is it no good?"

"It's very no good. She is not someone who is happy to cut corners."

So I was whispering with Erika, and before I knew it, Ange, Livia ―― and Noel, were giving us cold stares.

Hih! A voice leaks from the back of my throat, but Erika doesn't seem surprised.

"Don't be wary, I'm not trying to take Leon-dono."

I guess they cannot believe such words of Erika.

Ange mentions Milene-san's name.

"Even if Erika-sama intends to do so, the queen is different. She is a person who does not hesitate to do what she thinks is best."

I decided to keep quiet because I was afraid I would offend Ange again if I mentioned that Milene-san would not do such a thing.

However, I just don't feel comfortable here somehow.

Erika looked troubled.

"My mother has lived as royalty. I can't blame her for that decision. But I have a fiancée."

I rolled my eyes when I heard that.

"Lie ?!"

Then Marie, who was sitting a short distance away, stood up and dropped the cup in her hand.

"Erika――sama, are you engaged?"

Julius, who was nearby, explains to Marie, whose voice is trembling, in a bewildered tone.

"Erika has engaged to a legitimate son of the Fraser family a long time ago."

"I haven't heard that!"

"No, because I didn't think it was something I could tell you, either."

"That's not what I meant!"

Julius and the rest of the guys were tilting their heads when they saw Marie surprised by Erika's engagement.

Ange glares at Marie.

"What are you surprised about? Erika-sama is a princess. At her age, it's not surprising that she has a fiancée."

When Ange speaks of common sense ―― the norm in this world, Marie turns her head down.

"That's terrible"

As she sat down, Kara and Kyle were bringing Marie a new cup.

My cheeks are drawn back too.

"Ah~, a political marriage or something?"

I asked Erika and she gave a small nod.

However, she didn't look sad.

She has kind eyes that seem to say, "What a helpless person~" when she looks at Marie.

"For various reasons, it was decided that I would marry into the Fraser family. I have no complaints."

"No, you have, right? Don't you have someone you like? Look, I'll help you about it."

If my niece from a previous life is trying to get married for political reasons, I will stop it as her uncle.

That was the statement I meant to make, but Ange grabbed my arm.

"Don't do it. Besides, rumor has it that she and Eria are getting along just fine."

"Eria? Is that your fiance?"

"[Eria Rafa Fraser]. He is the legitimate son of a marquis. He is in charge of the border with Raschel."

I made a complicated face, and Erika laughed.

"It's okay, I'm convinced."

"Convinced?"

Erika puts her left hand on her chest.

"Because I am a princess."

" ―― Is that reason enough to convince you?"

I never understood why she could smile.

Erika must have guessed it.

But she has no intention of continuing the conversation.

"We'll talk about it later. It's almost time to rest. We're going to be busy tomorrow, aren't we?"

Erika's statement made me take the rest today.

.

Part 7

Next morning.

When I got out of the tent, it was Herring and the others outside.

Mia-chan is watching Herring as he is swinging.

"Knight-sama, the Duke has woken up."

Herring was naked on top and wielding a sword.

While wiping his sweat with the towel he received from Mia, he approaches me.

"You're up pretty early"

"And you are swinging all morning?"

"It's a daily routine"

After our brief conversation, Mia-chan was apparently preparing the meal. I scratch my head.

"You didn't have to worry about it. You guys are the guests."

When I say that, Mia-chan comes in front of me and takes both my hands in hers and brings them close to her face.

"No, let me help you! I want to have adventures with you all!"

"Eh? Is that so?"

Puzzled, I look at Herring and Brave's faces and they are both shaking their heads.

"Because Mia loves this kind of thing."

[Because she is a tomboy]

The protagonist-sama of the third work is puffing out her cheeks when she sees them.

"Isn't it okay? Even Mia wants to have adventures and find treasures! Besides, I'm not afraid if I'm with Knight-sama."

Mia-chan, looking down and her cheeks turning red, then looked at Herring with an upward glance.

Herring smiles at the sight.

"I won't let my princess get a single scratch."

And Brave sulks.

[Mia, what about me? I'm here too]

Mia-chan hurriedly tells Brave as well.

"Of course, I'm counting on you! Buu-kun."

"I already told you to stop calling me Buu-kun, right?"

They are a joyful bunch in the morning.

.

Part 8

After getting ready, we made our way through the forest and arrived at the crumbling walls of an old castle.

In the past, there must have been a magnificent wall to keep out outside enemies.

But now most of it had collapsed.

It is covered with plants and is unlikely to fulfill its role.

I look at the ground.

"The cobblestone pavement is a little exposed. Is this where the gate used to be?"

Greg approaches with his spear.

Perhaps because he was expecting to fight in an old castle, Greg today was carrying a shortened spear.

"It's bigger than I thought it would be. I was expecting a fort, since we were told it was on a small floating island."

Luxion's red eyes light up.

[――Master, I have identified another room in the basement of the old castle. There is a maze in the basement.]

"What about the enemy?"

[There are many reactions of monsters. Some powerful individuals have been confirmed, but there are no ones that are impossible to defeat at this time.]

It's exactly as I played it in that otome game.

I've cleared this dungeon many times in games.

The Old Castle of the Golden Hand is a dungeon where a large amount of treasure lay.

I had attacked it early on to avoid financial problems.

If there is a problem, it is that the enemies are numerous and troublesome.

Also, a little scary.

As we stopped at the entrance, Ange tried to move on with Livia and Noel.

Livia looked troubled and smiled as she walked past me.

Noel shrugged her shoulders, but she was going to go along with Ange.

"Ange"

When I call out to her, Ange stops and turns around.

"What? It's no use stopping me."

"You can take Creare with you."

When her name is called, Creare complains as she approaches Ange and the others.

[Master is so rough to an AI. Best regards, all three of you.]

Then Ange glared at me.

"No need. We are enough."

When Ange says she doesn't need her, I grab my partner, Luxion, by the hand.

"I have Luxion. Now we're on equal terms, right?"

"――You"

Since she really wanted to compete with me, I decided to take the challenge.

If that's what she wants, I'm not going to take it easy on her.

"If you want an excuse for losing, I'll get Creare back?"

When I stir her up with a goofy laugh, Ange is miffed, and then, after a moment ―― she relaxes her cheeks and smiles.

"You too, don't regret lending Creare to us. I'm looking forward to what excuses you will make when you lose."

When Noel saw this, she placed her hands on her head and looked up to the sky.

"Both of you look to be having fun, I envy you~"

Livia giggles.

"They're both very lively."

As Ange and her group led the way, Creare followed behind them.

"Everyone, wait for me!"

I let out a small sigh as I saw the three of them and one machine off, and this time Marie and the others ran.

"Kyle, Kara! We're going to monopolize the treasure!"

Kyle and Kara looked serious as they followed Marie.

"Yes!"

"Marie-sama, let's do our best!"

As Marie and the others, the of them three enter the old castle, Brad makes a dumb voice.

"Eh? What about us?"

The five idiots are surprised at the behavior of Marie and her friends, and from the way they are standing there, they must have been left behind.

What a pitiful bunch of people.

While the five of them were frozen in place, Jake and the others began to take action.

"Aare, Oskar! We're going to start exploring the old castle. We'll find the treasure and show the kingdom's top brass that I'm capable."

Aare-chan follows behind Jake.

"Yes, Your Highness Jake"

Contrary to her cute, smiling appearance, all of her equipment is well used.

She had the air of a full-fledged adventurer.

Oskar waved at me.

"I'm going, brother-in-law!"

When he smiles at me with a carefree smile, I feel ashamed that my sister has seduced such a young man.

So I give Oskar a word.

"――Don't get hurt."

I turn and look at Herring and the others.

"What about you guys?"

Herring looked at Mia and Erika and shrugged.

"I have to protect the princesses, so I'll just follow along from behind."

Mia was not happy to hear it.

"Eh~, let's find the treasure together, Knight-sama ~"

Mia complained, and Herring looked troubled. Although he was probably concerned about Mia's health, he seemed to want to go on a treasure hunt with the others.

Erika soothes Mia-chan.

"The people who have gone before us have been trained as adventurers. We would be a hindrance."

"Uw~, if Erika-sama says so"

She seems convinced, so I ask Herring to do the rest.

"Then, take care of Erika-sama and the others. She's our precious princess, and I won't forgive you if she gets hurt."

Then, Herring wonders.

"If that's the case, don't bring her to this place."

―― Well, you're right.

***

Chapter 05 "The Old Castle of the Golden Hand"

.

Part 1

Royal Palace of the Horfalt Kingdom.

There, Roland was panicked when he heard the news that Erika was headed to the dungeon with Leon and his group.

"Who said Erika was allowed to go out?!"

Julius and Jake are also participating with them, but he doesn't mention anything about his two sons.

There was a clear difference in treatment.

It shows how much Roland loves Erika.

It was Milene, who let out a small sigh of exasperation, as she reported it.

"It's an idea offered by Erika herself. In order to get on better terms with the Duke Bartfalt, you know. That girl is working hard for her country, are you not ashamed to make a fuss for Erika?"

Roland shouts at Milene, who puts her hands on her hips.

"She's a sickly little girl!"

For Milene, too, Erika was her daughter, and she was naturally concerned about her illness.

However, the other party is Leon.

"I have already discussed this matter with Duke Baltfalt. He will take care of the investigation and treatment of Erika's illness."

Milene also allowed Erika to accompany him on this trip, partly in the hope that her illness would get better.

Roland smiles for a moment, perhaps thinking of the possibility of a complete cure for Erika's illness.

However, his expression quickly turned bitter when he remembered that the other party was Leon.

"I can't stand the thought of that kid and Erika together! Just thinking about it makes me want to spit!"

In the end, as Roland fussed about not admitting it, Milene gave him a cold look.

.

Part 2

The Old Castle of Golden Hand.

Inside the crumbling castle, various objects were in decay.

The carpet, which must have been laid down in the past, is torn and hardly in its original state.

The armor adorning the corridors was rusted and fallen down, and the paintings were dusty and decaying.

The area around where the window once stood is littered with shards of glass, probably from window frames that have deteriorated and come off.

Looking outside, the courtyard was wide and overgrown with trees.

I let out a deep sigh as I walked down the hallway, light coming in through the windows.

"――Why are you guys following me?"

I turned around and there they were, Julius and his friends.

Julius squeezes his hands in frustration.

"Marie wouldn't rely on us. This is because we thought we had to find the treasure and offer it to Marie to get credit."

"That's why you're coming with me? Why don't you just go on your own?"

"You are a coward, but I highly value your abilities. Besides, with Luxion with you, you're on the same shortcut to the treasure, aren't you?"

Luxion takes a cold attitude toward Julius, who expresses his theory with confidence.

[This time I will only provide minimal support.]

"What ?!"

[Of course. This is a game between Master and Angelica. I have also told Creare to provide minimal support. The terms are 50-50.]

Hearing this, Jilk, who was behind me, blatantly shook his head.

"What the hell. It's just arrogance to not use the abilities you have. It's always better to give it your all here."

It seems he is trying to get a good ride out of me because he wants the treasure.

"No. I care about Ange more than you guys."

As I say this and start walking away, I hear Chris and Greg talking behind me.

They both seem to be suspicious of what I say and do.

"Is it my imagination that there seem to be a lot of women around for someone who cares so much about her?"

"Don't tell him. Leon is a man, too."

"In the first place, when you're engaged to several women, even you care about her, it's"

"Absolutely"

Frustrated by their conversation, I stopped, turned around, raised my rifle, and put my finger on the trigger.

As the two of them try to distance themselves from me, I am shouting.

"Everybody get down!"

As soon as I shouted, they all quickly bent down and looked backward.

Emerging from the back of a dimly lit passageway was a skeleton dressed in rusted armor.

The main reason I didn't take on this dungeon is that most of the monsters you encounter here are undead.

Pulling the trigger, a bullet fired from the rifle pierces the monster's armor.

The monster didn't seem to mind the bullets.

After all, they are undead.

As for physical attacks, they were quite resistant.

A gun is not a good match for this monster, as it will revive unless it is shattered.

But the skeleton monster is slowly crumbling from where I shot it.

It began to rattle and shake, then the skeletons in its armor crumbled into sand.

"Sacred bullets work"

Skeletons and armor vanish in a puff of smoke as it turns to sand.

Luxion also saw the situation.

[I have confirmed that the monsters have been defeated. After all, there are no monsters that pose a threat in this dungeon.]

From just the current battle, it seems that he has concluded that there are no monsters that could be a threat to us.

Brad was wiping the cold sweat off his face.

"I thought he was going to threaten Chris and Greg."

"I wouldn't point a gun at someone just for a joke"

As expected, I wouldn't go that far, either.

Julius begins to think about this dungeon, staring at the place where the monsters disappeared.

"I've heard there are a lot of undead types, but could this castle be cursed?"

I raise my eyebrows when I hear about being cursed.

"What do you mean?"

"Haven't you heard? They say that undead monsters tend to appear in places where grudges and resentments build up."

Hearing that scared me.

"――Don't talk about unpleasant things"

Jilk notices the way I quickly walk away.

"Oya? By any chance, Leon-kun, are you not good with scary stories? If so, I have a very special story to tell you. Actually――"

"Shut up and watch your surroundings, shady bastard!"

I shouted, and I heard five idiots laughing behind me.

Damn! I'm just a little bad with scary things.

.

Part 3

"It's here~!!"

Marie kicks in the rotting wooden door and sees an undead monster in the room.

The guy had the appearance of a person, but their whole body was decomposing.

They are so-called zombies, and when they see Marie and her friends, they attack them.

As the zombie groans "ahhh" and reaches out with both hands, Marie puts her right hand out in front of her and releases her magic.

"Out of the way"

The zombies, illuminated by the sacred light, crumble into sand.

Kyle, watching the zombies get wiped out instantly, was amazed at Marie's strength.

"Marie-sama, you're getting stronger again."

"I'm compatible with this dungeon. No matter what kind of enemy comes, I will protect you both, don't worry."

Saying so, they search the room and Kara finds something.

"Marie-sama, it's a silver coin, a silver coin! It's a very old item, but it will sell for a lot of money."

Kara found an old small bag of silver coins.

There are about ten pieces inside, but Marie shakes her head.

"No. It's not enough at all. You two, look for more. There are more treasures in this dungeon."

As Marie expressed doubt, both Kyle and Kara tilted their heads in wonder.

Marie was trying to recall memories of her previous life while looking for other treasures in the room.

(I did visit this dungeon a few times in a previous life. But it was so long ago that I barely remember it. Remember, me! I need to get out of my brother's financial support to show Erika how motherly I am)

.

Part 4

"Let's gooo!!"

A two-handed axe. Oskar with a battle axe was slashing at an armor-clad skeleton.

The skeleton is cut in two by a powerful blow produced by well-trained muscles.

However――.

"Oskar-san, please move away immediately!"

―― Aare hurriedly pulls Oskar backwards.

When the skeleton was cut in two, the part that was cut in two was restored, and she slashed at it again with the sword she was holding.

Oskar is surprised by the situation.

"What a regenerative ability!!"

Jake slaps Oskar on the back of the head.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to physically attack undead monsters!"

The regenerated skeleton, but Aare immediately pulls out a dagger and takes up a ready position.

In her hand, she held a sacred silver dagger.

The dagger, engraved with a pattern, was endowed with holy power.

With such a dagger, Aare cuts the skeleton, and it crumbles into sand.

Aare sheathes the dagger, turns around and looks at Oskar――.

"You bastard! How many times do you have to make the same mistake, aah ?!"

―― In a fit of rage, Aare wrinkled her brow and shouted at Oskar in a harsh, husky voice.

She reaches out and grabs him by the chest and lifts him up and brings his face close to hers.

"Is your head a decoration? Is it just a place to put a hat?"

"N-No."

"If not, then use your head, this muscle-brain! I told you to use magic or special bullets because your axe is not effective against the undead, didn't I? Don't you forget that the Duke went out of his way to give you guys a very expensive bullet for this!!"

Aare slapped Oskar repeatedly on the cheek.

Oskar was frightened.

And then there's Jake, who was watching.

"Aare"

When Aare is called out, she hurriedly mends the situation when she remembers that Jake is there.

"Y-Your Highness"

As Aare shrank back in embarrassment, Jake approached her and took her hand.

"Sorry about my foster brother. He's so stupid, he doesn't get it no matter how many times I tell him."

"N-No. I'm the one who showed you the embarrassing part."

"I was surprised to see you have such a brave side. I'm glad to see a new side of you."

"Your Highness"

"Stop calling me Your Highness. You're also making the same mistake all over again."

"Mou, you're so mean"

Oskar watched as the two held hands and were in a good mood.

"So this is what they call love is blind. Finley-san said it."

.

Part 5

At the same time, Ange and her party, led by Creare, had found an entrance to the basement.

The wooden door had a lock on it, but it was rusted and battered.

Ange holds up her rifle.

"Back off, both of you"

When the lock was shot, the door was opened, and the entrance to the basement was opened.

After ejecting the rifle casing with a familiar hand, Ange picks up the lantern at her waist and raises it.

Lanterns made of magic stone are smaller and brighter than ordinary ones.

When the dark passageway is illuminated, Ange is unafraid to move on.

Worried about Ange, Noel grabbed her arm and stopped her.

"Wait a minute. Aren't we going too fast? Let's go a little more carefully."

Ange turned around and let out a small sigh at Noel's attitude.

"If we take our time, Leon and the others will find the treasure first."

"But, you know, there are monsters out there. We have to keep moving forward while being safe."

"Creare is doing a good job of scouting the surroundings, so there's no problem."

When her name was called, Creare shone a light from her blue lenses, illuminating the dark passageway.

Apparently, she had grasped the structure of the underground passageway.

[I can't confirm the presence of any threatening monsters. But structurally, it doesn't look like the whole basement is connected.]

The underground dungeon prepared under the old castle was divided into several sections.

Ange ponders.

"If we pull the wrong one, it's a waste of time, but we can't afford to look anywhere else."

When Ange is distracted, Noel asks her the reason.

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

Then Ange gave Noel a slightly squinty-eyed look.

"You don't understand anything. Our opponent is Leon, you know."

Noel also knows that Leon is a man who does things when he has to.

But there was still a difference in perception with Ange.

Ange asks Noel to evaluate Leon as an adventurer.

"He is the man who, at the age of fifteen, single-handedly discovered a lost item at the end of a great adventure. His age is astonishing, but he is a hero who has done a great deal all by himself."

"I heard that. He found Luxion, didn't he?"

"No, you don't understand! You have no idea how great that guy is! I'll take this opportunity to walk you through it."

Moving on, Ange tells Noel about a hero named Leon as they walk.

Noel watched this with a wry smile as she looked at Ange's back.

(What, it's not like she hates him, huh? Disappointment ―― is also wrong?)

Noel was relieved to see Ange happy to talk about Leon.

She didn't expect the two of them to continue to fight and break up, but she still thought there was a change in their relationship.

But Ange had not changed.

"To begin with, that guy is said to have miraculously pulled off a great adventure, but that's a lie. When he was a first-year student, we had gone to the village of the elves with Leon. That's when he found the hidden passageway in the ruins and got the treasure. "

"He~"

When she replies without concern, Ange tells the rest of the story.

She was somewhat like being proud of herself.

"He found a sapling of the sacred tree in the Republic, didn't he? How can a coincidence last three times? That guy is a great adventurer and a great hero."

"So you acknowledge Leon."

"Of course. He is a man who will go down in the history of the kingdom! ――That's why I tried so hard to be worthy of him"

Noticing Ange's slowly becoming discouraged, Noel turned to Livia, who was hurriedly following behind them.

Since a while ago, Livia has not spoken a word.

"Hey, Livia, say something."

When she whispered to her, Livia was looking at an old castle ornament she had picked up somewhere.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the patterns ――.

"Noel-san, look at this! This, this pattern! This is the pattern that was used in the civilization that is said to have perished. I can't judge the shape of it because it's rotting away, but maybe it's a great find"

Seeing Livia begin to talk about a piece of something of the ancient civilizations, Noel's cheeks were pulled back.

"Livia-chan, aren't you worried about Angelica-san's condition?"

Are you forgetting the purpose of this event?

When she asked Livia with such anxiety, she received a surprising answer.

"It's fine"

"Eh?"

What's it's fine? Livia smiled and watched Ange's back as she walked ahead.

"Both Ange and Leon-san should have clashed more."

"Clashed more, you said"

Would it really work? To Noel's worried look, Livia smiled and said, "Don't worry about it."

But when Ange, walking ahead, inadvertently drops and destroys an ornament placed in the passageway――.

"Ange! Didn't I tell you not to break the ornaments as much as possible, right?"

―― She started running and approached Ange.

Ange is cornered by Livia against the wall.

"Y-You're wrong! Because I was thinking something"

Livia asks Ange, who is flustered, with a straight face.

"You promised not to destroy them, right? Right? You promised me that you would keep all of them because they are important relics, didn't you?"

"――Livia, forgive me"

Seeing that Livia was making Ange apologize, Noel put her hand on her head.

"I knew it, making Livia angry is scary."

.

Part 6

"What's ‘there is no problem’! There's nothing but problems!"

We found the entrance to the basement of the old castle, and with great enthusiasm, we got in and had a terrible time.

I hide in a corner of the aisle, swearing as I load bullets into my rifle.

"You make mistakes when it really matters! Aren't you ashamed as an Artificial Intelligence?!"

Loudly complain to Luxion.

The sound is inevitably loud because Julius and his friends are using guns around me and there is a constant sound of gunfire.

[If this level of monsters is too much for Master and them to handle, I think I must revise my assessment of you all. I thought you could do better, but I guess I overestimated it.]

Yare-yare, said Luxion, who looks as if he is shaking his head, and even Jilk is sarcastic.

"I'm glad you evaluated us, but I wish you had also correctly assessed the enemy's strength."

Jilk, holding the rifle, looks through the scope and pulls the trigger.

Then, the head of the skeleton was shot through in the distance.

Unlike the guys I saw upstairs, they were wearing a robe and carrying a wand made of bone, like a magician.

Undead monsters that could use magic attacked us in groups.

In front of the wizard is a line of skeletal vanguards wearing armor more heavily armored than those seen above.

They have big shields and battle axes, and ordinary bullets would be bounced off their shields.

Through the gap in their vanguard, Jilk was shooting only at the wizards.

He has a bad personality, he's mean and dirty, but he's a good sniper.

Greg shouts as the wizard skeletons in the rear raise their wands.

"Everybody down!"

As we bend down for cover, one after another magic shots are fired and explosions occur nearby.

The dark underground passageways were repeatedly dazzlingly illuminated by magical light and dust.

At the same time that the magic attack ceases, I give instructions to Julius and the others.

"Julius, step forward and become a wall"

"You, I'm still a prince."

"Shut up, hold up your shields, and use your specialty shields to defend against attacks. Brad!"

I then called Brad and he looked blatantly displeased.

"You're not going to tell me to charge in, are you?"

"I don't expect you to fight in close quarters."

"That's just awful!"

"Just get ready to blow up their vanguard. Hit them with some high-powered magic."

After watching Brad nod, I now give instructions to Jilk.

"Jilk go straight to sniping. Don't shoot your allies from the back."

Jilk was stunned at my order.

"I wouldn't screw up like that."

"I'm saying this because you seem to be going for it on your own volition, though?"

"――What do you really think I am?"

Jilk's usual calm tone disappears, but he quickly loads bullets into his rifle and gets ready.

Lastly, Chris and Greg.

"Chris and Greg will charge in after Brad blasts them."

Chris re-grips his sword.

"Leave it to me. So, what do you do?"

I shrug my shoulders in front of the five.

"A leader is supposed to give orders and then sit back and watch, right?"

Greg heard this and made a step back.

"You're either a big shot or an idiot for saying that here."

Luxion, who had been listening to Greg, quickly joins the conversation.

[You're wrong. He's a total idiot.]

"Shut up. I'll use you as my shield."

[Isn't it a problem to say something discouraging right off the bat like that?]

"It's okay. These guys can do it."

These five can get through this without any problems.

Not because I played that otome game, but because I've seen these guys grow up, up close even if I didn't want to see it.

And yet, Julius was laughing when he saw me.

Annoyed, I ask why.

"What?"

"No, I just thought it was a surprisingly positive assessment. Leon, you're not being honest."

For some reason, Julius had a smug look on his face, which pissed me off, so I kicked him.

"Go quickly"

"I-Idiot! Don't push me!"

By appearing in front of the enemy, the skeletons reacted and were about to unleash their magic on Julius.

Julius held up the shield he was holding.

"Chi! Remember this later, Leon! ――Imperial All Guard !!"

Lights filled Julius' shield, and a translucent shield so large that it blocked the passageway appeared.

All guard.

Thanks to Julius, who deployed a shield to protect all the party members, the oncoming magic attack could not reach us.

Immediately Brad jumps out and opens his arms, ready to release his magic.

Multiple magic circles appeared on Brad's back and they began to spin.

"Full ―― Hellfire ―― Burst"

Bring his outstretched hands together in front of his face, and then hold his own hands.

Julius sensed that we were ready, and as soon as he relaxed his stance, the shield that had been protecting us disappeared.

At the same time, swirling flames from the magic circle floating around Brad head toward the enemy.

It engulfed the skeletons, and when they seemed to burst into flames, they exploded at the end.

Immediately after Brad released the magic, he kneeled on the spot, sweating profusely.

"Did I do it?"

He probably thought he had wiped out the enemies with his magic.

However, skeletons come from the back of the exploding, burning corridor.

Jilk immediately shoots them out with his rifle, but they appear one after another.

[It seems we've been making too much noise. Enemies are gathering.]

Apparently, we have succeeded in gathering the enemy.

"Great. We can take them all out. Chris, Greg, let's get out in front."

They were surprised to see me put down my rifle and switch to a sword.

Chris looked at me curiously.

"You said you stayed in the back?"

"I changed my mind. It looks like I can win, so I'm in."

Greg held up his spear and laughed as he turned his gaze to the enemy.

"You are really twisted."

"Shut up. Let's take them down now."

As we ran out, Chris and Jilk were the first to make contact with the enemy. (TLN: Jilk? Author's Typo?)

The two are usually foolish, but they are still outstanding when it comes to melee combat.

Chris quickly takes down two troublesome monsters.

"Shii!"

Swinging his sword as if it were flowing, he slays monsters one after another, turning them into smoke.

In contrast, Greg is a rough fighter.

"ORAaaa !!"

Chris and Greg's weapons are coated with silver by Luxion, which is effective against undead monsters.

But even without that, they are both highly capable.

Greg's spear had pierced a skeleton holding a large shield.

As it collapses and turns to smoke, Greg is immediately attacked by the next monster.

The wild and rampaging figure contrasted with Chris, but the two were in a position to move around and stay out of each other's way.

I run through the gap with Luxion so as not to disturb them.

What I saw was a skeleton holding a bow and arrow, aiming at Greg.

"This guy"

The sword was swung up diagonally from the left and down to the right.

The tip of the sword sparks as it hits the floor, and as I swing it up, the skeleton crumples down, severed into its upper and lower halves.

I quickly shift my gaze to look for the next target, and Luxion informs me of it with a pointer through a red lens.

[Master, they are aiming at the two of them from over there]

"Well done!"

As the skeleton hides in the shadows and is about to release a bow and arrow, I drop my sword and pull a pistol from my holster and hold it ready.

A special magic bullet coated with silver, each shot is a high-grade one.

Normally, I would be cautious about where to use them, but since Luxion provided a large amount, I need not worry about it.

"It's specially made. Take it gratefully."

I pulled the trigger twice and both bullets had shot through the skeleton.

I can use it like an abundant item, but the problem is that I am limited in the number of bullets I can carry.

Bullets may be small, but they are still lumps of metal, and if the number of bullets increases, they are quite heavy.

As we beat the skeletons that appeared one after another, Julius joined us.

"You guys, leave some for me!"

"Prince, please stay in the ba~ck"

Apparently, Julius was pissed off too, because I said this to him after I kicked him before.

He slashed down the approaching skeleton with his sword with great force, with his face red and angry.

"You are the one who kicked me in front of the enemy!"

"Be glad you're getting some active role. You can brag to Marie about it."

I giggle and laugh, and Luxion, who has been watching us, mutters.

[They get along]

***

Chapter 06 "Erika and Mia"

.

Part 1

At a time when Leon and his team are engaged in fierce battles.

Finn and his partner Brave were walking with Mia and Erika near the ground floor of the old castle.

Thanks to Leon and his team's efforts to defeat the monsters, it was quiet inside the old castle.

The four of them went out into the sunlit courtyard, where they observed an unfamiliar plant.

"Knight-sama, what is the name of this?"

Finn was dazzled by the sight of Mia bent over looking at the plants.

Not only the sunshine that pours down, but also the presence of Mia is dazzling to Finn.

(If only she could have spent her days playing in the sun like this)

Finn, who sees Mia as his sister in a previous life, looks at the plant and tells her in a gentle tone that he doesn't know it either.

"I don't know this plant. This area was isolated, so maybe there are some new species of plants?"

"New species?! Isn't it a great discovery?"

"That's right. It's the result of Mia's adventure."

"Ehehe"

Brave was a little dumbfounded when Finn patted Mia's head, who seemed happy.

[My buddy dotes on Mia. You can give me more love, too.]

"Hmm? Next time for Kurosuke"

Brave was in tears as Finn gave a curt reply.

[That's how my buddy always chooses Mia over me. I'm just a magical creature who is conveniently used only when it comes to fighting!]

Mia smiled bitterly at Brave, who began to cry.

"Buu-kun, you liked the stage play we saw before."

Apparently, he was impressed by a stage play that took place in the kingdom.

Brave sticks out two small hands and makes a gesture with his chest.

[It's a line of love-hate drama]

Finn had no idea that his partner liked to watch stage plays.

"You remember a lot of weird stuff."

[It's a story about one man who gets his hands on two women and gets stabbed. It was interesting to watch the cornered man act.]

Upon hearing that, Finn murmured what he thought.

"He's like Bartfalt."

Mia may have felt that as well, so she cautions Finn because Leon is a nobleman from another country.

"Knight-sama, that's an overstatement."

"It's all right. He understands."

Mia looks at Finn curiously, then she starts to smile gradually.

"Knight-sama, you seem to be having some fun. I feel like you are friends with the Duke."

"Eh?"

Finn was surprised to be told something unexpected, but when he thought about it, he thought it was natural.

(Because we are the same, we have the previous life and experience the hardships?)

Do people see them as friends? While Finn was thinking about this, he saw Erica in pain in his field of vision.

"! Erika-sama!"

When he rushed over to her, Erika was sweating as she held her chest with both hands.

In such a state, she smiled and tried not to make Finn and the others uneasy.

"I'm fine. I just get tired easily from lack of exercise."

"I see. But I guess we better go back."

He is concerned about Erika's body and suggests that they go back.

Then Erika turned her gaze toward Mia.

"Is Mia-chan okay?"

When she asks, Mia replies hurriedly.

"Y-Yes! I'm feeling good today, I'm not in pain, I'm fine!"

Brave looks around.

[There are a lot of magical elements in this area. The concentration of magical elements is increasing because of the monsters they are killing. Isn't this the best environment for Mia?]

Finn's eyes changed color when he heard that.

"Is that true? So if we get this floating island, Mia won't have to suffer."

"K-Knight-sama? It's impossible to buy a floating island."

"No, if it's for you I will earn as much money as I can!"

Finn seriously considers getting this floating island, but Brave looks down and says that is not recommended.

[It is useless. It's thanks to the presence of the monsters. If we defeat them and they stop appearing, this place will be just like any other floating island.]

You cannot live your daily life in an old castle where monsters exist.

However, even if you exterminate them and create an environment, the concentration of magical elements will decrease and it will be meaningless.

Finn's shoulders dropped.

"――I see"

Holding Finn's hands when he was down, Mia smiled at the proud knight who was pushing himself too hard for her own good.

"Don't worry about it. If I have Knight-sama, it is good enough for Mia. Also, Buu-kun."

"I'm treated like a bonus?!"

While the three were smiling, Erika was also smiling and holding her chest.

Then, she looks down and has a serious expression.

.

Part 2

Dang! The sound of gunfire echoed through the room.

When a bullet fired from the muzzle hits the four-armed skeleton's head, it explodes and flames appear.

A rampaging four-armed skeleton tries to escape the flames, but it clings to the body and does not let go.

As it was, the body collapsed and turned to smoke, and the flames disappeared.

Ange ejects a rifle shell casing, which makes a metallic noise as it hits the floor.

A magic circle engraved on a rolling cartridge case.

It is a special bullet called a magic bullet, but its power had increased, perhaps because it was compatible with Ange.

"Is this the innermost room?"

In the room that the four-armed skeleton was guarding, there is a box that looks like a treasure chest.

The wood is rotting and the contents are exposed.

When Noel approached and picked up a piece, it was a gold coin.

"Look, it's a gold coin!! We hit the jackpot, didn't we?"

Noel was pleased, but the reaction of the other two was subtle.

Livia lit the walls with lantern light and looked intently at the murals and paintings with a serious expression.

"It's not well preserved. But this alone is a big discovery. If the research team is dispatched, we may know more details."

Ange let out a small sigh when she saw the size of the treasure chest and the amount of treasure.

She may not be trying to show her disappointment, but to Noel, she seemed disappointed.

"We got the treasure. But is this really all there is? I thought there would be a lot more, since it's called a golden hand."

If the treasures they obtained were cashed in, the average person would have enough money to live on for the rest of their life.

Still, it certainly loses credibility in name from the dungeon that was called the Old Castle of the Golden Hand.

As Noel played with the gold coins with her fingertips, Creare approached.

[We've explored every passage and room. We've got the treasure, so I think it's safe to say our adventure was a success, right?]

"I think so, but Angelica-san doesn't seem to like it."

For Ange, she would have liked to have achieved something greater.

But when she removed the lid of the treasure chest and looked at its contents, she smiled.

"――It's not bad for the last memory."

Noel hears a murmur of "last," and approaches Ange to confirm it.

"What does it mean? What is the last?"

When confronted, Ange forced herself to smile and Noel has a troubled look.

"I'm still a busy person. I won't get a chance to tackle the dungeon many times."

It sounds reasonable, but Noel, who remembers Ange's excitement at the prospect of challenging the dungeon, had her doubts.

This is the last time and will give up are not like Ange.

"It's a lie"

When Noel says so, Ange turns her head away.

"You have a sharper intuition than I expected."

"Answer me properly! And, Livia-chan, say something――"

She asked Livia for help, but it was Creare who spoke up first.

"Ah?! Master and his team have discovered a second underground entrance."

Hearing that, Ange's face changed and a powerful light returned to the depths of her eyes.

The fragile appearance she had earlier had vanished, and the treasure would not be found before she could get to it.

"We'll be heading there too!"

***

Chapter 07 "Adventurer's Blood"

.

Part 1

I found the entrance to the second basement.

"The first one was a miss, but hopefully this one will be a hit."

The first underground dungeon I and five idiots entered, there were no treasures there that could be called treasures.

I visited this dungeon many times in that Otome game, but my memory has faded about it.

Where was something? The traps? The mechanisms?

Due to some misremembering and other factors, things were not as smooth as I had hoped.

Jilk plants a bomb on the door and comes to us, pulling the wire.

"Please hide everyone"

Hiding in the shadows, Jilk put magic into the hand that was holding the wire.

As soon as the wire glows faintly, an explosion can be heard coming from the door.

There was a slight tremor and a cloud of dust rising from the stairs leading to the basement.

Greg heads over to check it out, but shakes his head when he returns.

"Useless. They have the only sturdy door here."

Contrary to Greg, who looked disappointed, Brad was smiling as he put his hand to his chin.

"That is proof that such an important treasure is lying in the ground. Want to bring more explosives?"

Our eyes were on Jilk, who had the most knowledge about the bombing.

However, he has a troubled face.

"I've used up what I had. We need to go back to the ship and replenish the explosives, among other things."

Brad shrugs his shoulders.

"We don't have much ammunition left. I think we should go back and try again tomorrow"

Looking outside, I saw that the sun's rays had turned red.

Julius is also concerned about time.

"At night, the monsters in the old castle come alive. Undead monsters are more powerful at night."

If it were a game, there was no need to worry about time.

Many of them would have been immobilized during the day while taking on the dungeon.

There were times when events took place at night, but this should have been the exception.

Luxion flashes his red lens once and advises me to withdraw.

[Master, I propose to withdraw]

"Hmm, that said, it looks like this is the last time we'll be here."

Even if I went all the way back and took on the challenge tomorrow, the exploration would likely be over in a few hours.

Then I'm tempted to just finish it quickly.

However, I don't bother to cross a dangerous bridge.

"――We're retreating. We'll meet up with everyone and head back to the encampment."

As I made my decision, Chris let out a small sigh.

"That's good. We still have plenty of time on our schedule."

As we prepare to withdraw, we are alerted to the sound of footsteps approaching from afar and pick up our weapons.

I try to raise my rifle too, but Luxion stops me.

"It's Marie and her party"

Shortly after, it was Marie with Kyle and Kara who appeared around the corner.

Her long hair was somehow tangled with leaves and disheveled.

"Wait a minuteeee !!"

Seeing that we were preparing to withdraw, Marie approached us with a big step and pointed past us to the entrance to the basement.

"Let's move forward!"

When Marie insists on continuing the exploration, Julius explains that it is best to withdraw.

"I understand your impatience, but it's nighttime. If we try tomorrow morning, we can safely explore. Marie, let's give up now."

But Marie does not accept the withdraw.

"No. I'll get it done today and get out of here and back to the Kingdom."

The five idiots are bewildered by Marie's reckless words.

I'm so tired of Marie's selfishness that I try to force her to come back with us.

"I'm the rule here. Exploration can wait until tomorrow, but for now we're withdrawing. You guys get ready to go back."

I'm the one who makes the plans, brings out the airships, and is in charge.

If something goes wrong, it's my responsibility.

I had no intention of going along with Marie's selfishness.

When I try to force a withdraw, Kyle stops me.

"Duke, may I have a word?"

"What? I'm not going to change my opinion."

"No, today's goshujin-sama has been like this since morning."

In order to obtain the treasure and become independent, she has been pushing herself since morning, apparently.

Looking at Marie's face, she still looks impatient.

"A little more. Once we conquer this place, I won't have to look so pathetic anymore."

I know why Marie is impatient.

I know, but I am wondering if it is right to change the policy and continue to give priority to exploration.

Luxion, noticing my concern, decides whether the strategy is feasible in the current situation.

[The risk increases, but the conquering itself is possible.]

"Everything all right?"

[I do not recommend it. As for undead monsters, we don't have enough data because Master avoided fighting them. If I had more data, I could have made a more accurate judgment.]

Sounds like he's trying to say, "We have a problem because you avoid combat because you're afraid of it."

"I wasn't avoiding them. I just had no reason to fight."

[You sure have become smooth-talking. It's a shame, because I'm looking forward to seeing you grow in other ways as well.]

"Shut up"

Now, as I was wondering what we were going to do, Ange and the others joined us.

Behind Ange, Noel was holding a bag of treasure, while Livia was carefully holding what appeared to be nothing but junk.

Creare, who was leading the three of them, comes over to my side.

[Master, listen! We found the treasure! Master and your group may not have found it, but we did! Praise me, praise me!]

Can't you read the atmosphere, or don't you intend to?

"You did a good job. Look, get out of the way."

[Cruel!]

I pushed Creare away with my hand and turned to face Ange, who was walking up to me.

"Do you think you'll win?"

Although Ange and her team have acquired the treasure, they don't think they've won the game yet.

"No way I can be proud of a win like this. Apparently, this is the room where the most treasure lies."

Everyone's eyes turned to the entrance to the basement, protected by a sturdy door.

Then they look to me for judgment.

I couldn't stand the way everyone was looking at me, so I scratched my head.

"I got it. Let's move on."

Once the decision is made, Luxion confirms it.

[Are you sure about this?]

"Let's finish this quickly and go home."

[Well then]

As Luxion and Creare approached the sturdy-looking door, lasers were beamed from red and blue lenses to destroy the lock.

Jilk is watching the scene with a complicated look on his face.

"If you have a way to unlock the door, use it from the beginning. It was a waste of explosives"

Sorry, Jilk.

I've told Luxion and Creare that this time they are only going to help with the bare minimum.

I looked at Ange's figure as she watched the door about to open, and she seemed to be enjoying herself a lot.

That's far different from when we dated.

Then Luxion and Creare return.

[Master, we've broken the door locks. Possible to enter inside.]

I go ahead of everyone and then turn around.

"Let's have a race to see who can get to the back of the room first, shall we?"

When I ask everyone, the color of everyone's eyes changes.

Livia, Noel, and Kyle, who were not nobles of the kingdom, were perplexed by the strange atmosphere around them.

Ange removes the tools that are no longer needed and drops them on the floor.

"I like rules that are easy to understand. It makes it clear who the winner is."

Seeing Ange discarding useless tools, the others imitate and remove them.

The tools fell one after another on the floor and became noisy.

Marie seems to intend to immediately run out and outsmart the others.

"The first is meeee!"

"You stupid"

I caught Marie as she was about to enter the underground dungeon.

Carrying her as she is, Marie is restrained as she wriggles around.

"Are you all ready? Then start."

When I announced the start, Greg was the first to reach the door.

"First in!"

With that said, the heavy metal door is pushed open and Jilk enters the gap.

"Thanks for going out of your way to open the door, Greg-kun."

"Jilk, you bastard!"

Thanks to Greg's opening of the door, the rest of us are passing through one by one.

Ange stopped when she came up beside me.

"You don't go first because you have leeway?"

"If I had the advantage, people would complain after I won, right? Then I'll make sure I win in a way that no one will complain about."

Even if I outwit everyone and find the treasure, they won't admit it, saying it's unfairness or something.

Perhaps she liked my excuse, Ange runs off.

"Keep saying that"

I looked over at Ange, who seemed to be having fun, and Marie, who was being carried by me, began to rampage.

"Hey! Put me down! Everyone's leaving me behind!"

I let out a sigh and put Marie down, and I give her an earful of warning.

"If you want to show Erika how motherly you are, be fair. Winning by underhanded means is not something you can be proud of."

Marie pushes me away and calls out to Kyle and Carla, who are still there.

"That's what those who can win say. People like me have to rise by any means necessary to win! Let's go, you two!"

Kyle and Kara walk past me.

"Please wait!"

"Marie-sama, please don't leave me behind!"

Once everyone was gone, Luxion approached me.

[If you don't hurry, you'll really lose.]

"I wonder about that?"

――It would appear that it would be difficult to turn things around from here.

But.

"There are a lot of things I've forgotten, but I guess I remember quite a bit."

[Is it game knowledge?]

"I may have forgotten the details of the old castle, but I do remember this passageway."

[In other words, you also remembered the location of the treasure.]

"Correct"

[――I was impressed by your attitude of playing fair and square, but as I thought, there was something behind it. Master really doesn't fail to disappoint me in a bad way.]

"I'm sorry to disappoint you. I will continue to live up to the expectations of those around me."

[What a refreshing trash]

I am fine as trash.

I'm the one who wins in the end!

.

Part 2

As I enter the last underground dungeon, my mind recalls the screens from when I was playing the game.

"This place was impressive, wasn't it."

The floor is covered with square tiles and the walls are brick.

Luxion, floating near my right shoulder and illuminating my surroundings, shows interest in what I have to say.

[Was there any memorable event?]

"It was the middle of the night when I was playing. I was trying to conquer a dungeon that had undead monsters in it at that time, so I was scared."

[As I thought, you were scared.]

"You're wrong. I was scared because it was midnight."

Proceeding down the passageway relying on my memory.

Someone must have encountered a monster, as the sounds of battle can be heard from time to time.

Thanks to everyone's taking monsters down, I can walk through the dungeon with ease.

Then the dead-end wall approached.

[A dead end――No, is it a secret passage, huh]

"That's how it is"

One thing that made it difficult to conquer the dungeon was the presence of hidden doors.

The ancient castle of Golden Hand has several underground dungeons, but the dungeons with treasures are more complicated than before.

I've been hanging around the same places many times when I played, too, but I got sick of it and went to a strategy website, and I found the worst facts about the place.

That is, there is a treasure behind a hidden door near the entrance.

Knowing the worst of the worst facts, I threw my gamepad on the bed at the time.

When the trap is moved, the dead-end wall slides down and a passageway appears.

[Surely there is no need to rush if we know this fact.]

"It seems Marie didn't know about it. She probably didn't know about this mechanism, did she?"

Marie had played the first of that Otome game, but threw it away halfway through.

There is a high possibility that she doesn't know the secrets of this complicated dungeon, since she probably didn't want to do the adventure part in the first place.

She may think she just forgot about it, but from the looks of it, she must not know.

Luxion remembers Marie's line.

[I feel sorry for Marie. No matter how hard she tried, Master was going to win.]

"If only she had accepted my word there, I would have taken her to the treasure."

A stupid little sister.

With this in mind, I entered the hidden passageway and heard the footsteps of several people approaching from behind.

I turned around and there they were, Julius and the others.

"I found you, Leon!"

The fact that all five idiots showed up together was a surprise even to me.

"Why are you guys here?!"

Chris adjusts the position of his glasses with his index finger, a smile on his mouth.

"I noticed something after a while when I went underground. I wondered why you seemed to have so much leeway?"

Greg was laughing as he carried the spear.

"You found this place in the first place. No surprise that you know something about it, right?"

Brad, with a dumbfounded look on his face, put his hand on his forehead and looked at me.

"You are truly an underhanded man, aren't you? You showed yourself to play fair and square, all because you knew there was a hidden passageway, didn't you?"

As I step back and Jilk walks up to me with a smile on his face.

"We were almost fooled at first, but I remembered on the way. Would Leon-kun have behaved like that? It's suspicious no matter how you look at it"

These guys doubt me?!

I thought they were fools and would be easily fooled, but apparently not.

They started to doubt me because I was too deceitful.

"Chi!"

I quickly turn around and start running, and Julius and the others follow.

"Don't let him get away!"

Luxion speaks to me in an amused electronic voice as I am being chased by the five idiots.

Is this guy enjoying this situation?

[Julius and his group understood Master better than Angelica and her group.]

"I didn't mean to deceive Ange and the others!"

[You could say that well under this circumstance. Also, the hidden passage was too much for me, so I let Creare know. Angelica and the others are on their way here too.]

"What?!"

The fact that I heard this while running makes me break out in a cold sweat.

This situation is bad.

[I have a message from Angelica through Creare. How dare you deceive me, she said. I am looking forward to what happens after we get the treasure.]

"I'm not looking forward to it at all!"

While running to avoid being outrun by the five idiots, the monsters that exist in the hidden passageway appear.

I quickly switched from rifle to pistol and shot the monsters, turning them into smoke.

But when the unnecessary movement slowed me down, I was lined up with Julius.

"Catching you up, Leon!"

"You guys ambushed me, it's so dirty!"

"Don't you say that!"

I ran desperately but could not shake them off.

And what I saw was a nostalgic trap.

If you step on a tile, a trap is triggered and a spear protrudes from the wall.

In the game, you only lose hit points, but in reality, you die at worst.

It is Julius who steps into such a trap, his attention distracted by paying attention to me.

"Stupid!"

I saw him step into the tile, and in my haste, I grabbed Julius by the neck and we collapse into a heap.

A few spears popped out of the wall and passed right above us.

The fallen Julius is glaring at me at first, but he's in a cold sweat when he sees that the trap has been activated.

"I'm sorry. I was saved."

"Just get up! They've gone on ahead!"

I pulled him up and made his face forward, and beyond that was Julius' foster brother――Growing up together from an early age, growing up as brotherly vassals, the backs of those who should be trusted the most were seen.

"His Highness, if you'll excuse me."

Julius yells at his back.

"Jilk! Aren't you my foster brother!"

"Even foster brothers are rivals in the face of treasure!"

"You have forsaken me who almost dying!"

"I believed that His Highness would overcome it."

He makes an excuse and I chase after Jilk and others.

But when they ran ahead, they were inevitably blocked by the monsters, and it was easy to catch up with them as they slowed down.

So the six of us run, but arrows fly from behind us.

Luxion, who follows us with a red lens pointing backward, informs us of the enemy.

[Those are skeletons with bows and arrows. It is dangerous to leave them behind. I recommend we take them down.]

I don't want to be targeted from behind, but then we would all have to stop and fight the monster.

But now we are in the middle of a competition.

I just couldn't stop to think that someone might run away and find the treasure.

I grit my teeth.

"I'm sorry. Forgive me, Julius."

"Eh?!"

When I let Julius fall, everyone, including me, kept running without stopping.

Julius got up, but it seems that he was attacked by the monsters and could not escape.

He shouts as he turns his back to us, with his shield at the ready.

"You guys are forgetting that I'm the prince, aren't you?! You're using me, the prince, as bait here?!"

I decided to cheer for Julius.

"You idiot! There is no prince or commoner in people's lives!"

"It's not a word you can say when you use me as bait!"

Julius was fighting against the skeletons, but he seemed to be able to defeat them without any problem.

"Julius, your sacrifice will not be in vain."

We wiped our tears and ran.

But when we reach the crossroads, monsters appear from both sides.

If we run through it, we might make it through, but if we are chased, it will be a hassle.

One person should stay behind to deal with them, but no one wants to take on such a role.

All of them are really selfish people.

And that was the moment we went through the monsters.

Jilk deliberately dropped the handkerchief he was holding so that everyone could hear him loudly.

"Aah! I dropped the handkerchief that Marie-san just gave me! Even though Marie-san entrusted me with this amulet to pray for everyone's safety!"

When Jilk spits out a shameless line, Greg and Chris ignore it as they see him deliberately drop his handkerchief.

However, Brad apparently did not have any idea what Jilk was doing.

"What are you doing, Jilk!"

Catching only the part about Marie being cared for them, Brad caught the falling handkerchief with a head sliding motion.

Then, when Brad sees the handkerchief.

"Isn't this Jilk's handkerchieeef!"

The handkerchief must have had Jilk's name embroidered on it.

Brad realized he had been tricked, but by then the monsters had caught up with him.

From behind, a sound of magic explosions can be heard, and then Brad's screams.

"I will never forgive you guys!"

Thus, when the two are removed from the group, Greg starts laughing.

"I'll get the treasure for both of your sakes!"

Chris was also on fire to conquer the dungeon.

"I'm going to win!"

Two guys who are proud of their physical strength overtake me and Jilk.

In a simple physical contest, I and Jilk were at a disadvantage.

Then Jilk looks at me.

I look into his eyes and see what he is trying to say, and I give him a small nod.

"Greg and Chris are fast. At this rate, are they going to leave us behind?"

"You're right. They are both dependable vanguards who protect Marie-san."

Two of them, who could probably hear us, seemed to be listening.

They must be feeling better because we are praising them.

But from here!

"A dependable vanguard, huh? So, who's stronger? Is it Chris after all? Because he's a swordsman. He's the most reliable guy, right?"

I flatter Chris, and Jilk flatters Greg in the opposite direction.

"What are you talking about? Greg-kun is the best. His spear-handling skills, honed in actual combat, have saved our lives many times."

"No, it's Chris, right?"

"It's Greg-kun. It would be so much more obvious as soon as a monster comes out."

We ran and talked, but both Chris and Greg remained silent.

I had to force myself to have a conversation, which made it hard to breathe.

Was that a little too obvious? And just as I am imagining failure, a group of monsters appears in front of us.

It's possible to forcefully push forward.

"I am the strongest knight who protects Marieee!"

Chris slashes at the monsters.

Seeing that, Greg also attacked the monsters even though he could ignore them.

"Take it back! I'm the one that Marie relies on the most! Isn't that right, boys!"

Greg, who slaughtered a monster with a spear in one thrust, asks for our opinion.

But by then we were moving forward.

I and Jilk wave to them.

"Do your best!"

"Both of you were easy to handle, thank you for your help."

Surrounded by monsters and unable to move on, Chris and Greg finally realized they had been tricked here and screamed out.

"You tricked uUUS!"

"I'll never forgive you!!"

Thus, there were two of us left: me and Jilk.

Jilk smiles at me.

"Leon-kun, it is pointless for us to continue to fight. Why don't we work together to get the treasure? We're tied for first place"

I decided to take Jilk's suggestion.

"Because there's no point in coming here and fighting about it. Oops, there's a fork in the road ahead. Luxion, which way is the treasure?"

[――Displaying immediately]

I ask Luxion as we run, and a projected arrow appears in the air in front of us.

The arrow pointed to the left side of the Y-shaped passage.

Jilk, upon confirmation, increases his running speed and throws the tool he was holding.

When the tool burst, ice appeared as it blocked the passage on the left side.

I couldn't go any further, blocked by a wall of crystal-clear ice.

"A freezing magic tool?"

The passageway was blocked, and Jilk, who was behind it, looked at us and waved.

"Thank you for having taken the trouble to let me know. I will secure the treasures first, and I will be with you all later. Later! Please come. I will be waiting."

Saying that, he goes off towards the back with a loud laugh.

Luxion, who was looking at the figure, rotated the arrow on the display to point to the right.

Yes, in other words, it is a lie that there is a treasure on the left side.

It's just a dead end.

"Well done, Luxion"

[You didn't have to ask me, Master remembered this dungeon, right. I decided that you wanted to lead him in the opposite direction. More importantly, did you suspect from the beginning that Jilk would betray you?]

Suspect? That's not true.

"No, you're wrong. I believed in him. ――I believed he would betray me."

It was because I believed that Zilk would betray me at an important moment that I went to the trouble of making a play with Luxion.

However, Luxion responded well, even though we didn't have a discussion beforehand.

[That's a very unpleasant trust, isn't it.]

"Absolutely. I don't want to be a human like that."

It is the worst to betray people.

As I shrug my shoulders in disgust at Jilk's behavior, Luxion stares at me with his one red eye.

[――This applies to Master as well, though? You have betrayed them all this way, haven't you?]

"I'm a man who is easily misunderstood. Even though I'm so sincere."

I start walking with a lighthearted conversation, and Luxion follows me.

[Indeed, Master is only sincere about your own interests. Shouldn't you be more honest with others as well?]

"I'm sad that even you misunderstood me."

[It's not very convincing when you say it with a laugh.]

So we proceeded to the right side of the correct path and saw the room with the treasure.

However, the atmosphere is strange.

There is a feeling that something is behind the door.

I could hear what sounded like a low groan.

[――Master, I have confirmed the reaction of a troublesome enemy monster. I was not told there was a boss guarding the treasure, did you forget it?]

I shake my head slowly.

"No, it never existed. Every time, I just collected the treasure and that was the end of it."

[Master must have misremembered?]

"It is not. It definitely wasn't there. To begin with ―― No, wait a minute. What time is it now?"

[It's already past nineteen o'clock. The sun must be set and it must be getting dark outside.]

I look at the door and check the remaining ammunition in the rifle and pistol I was carrying.

"Did I mention that the undead become more active at night?"

In the game, every time I conquered the castle during the day, I never got to know what the old castle of the Golden Hand was like at night.

Is it simply different from that Otome game, or does it only show up at night?

Either way, there will be a fight.

Luxion looks surprised at my behavior.

[Are you going to fight? Wouldn't it be safer to wait for Julius and the others to arrive and challenge it?]

"It's frustrating if they get caught me up at the end after I have kicked them off all the way, isn't it?"

[You are truly sincere in your feelings.]

"I have decided not to lie to my heart."

I guess I said some cool lines.

But Luxion is not convinced.

[You used to say that adults are good at lying to their own hearts. So you said you are an adult. Oya? The opposite of last time.]

"The problem with artificial intelligence is that it lacks flexibility. ―― Now, let's get going."

Having finished my preparations, I approached the door and pushed it open with my left hand to enter.

***

Chapter 08 "Lord of the Old Castle"

.

Part 1

Running through the corridors of the underground dungeon were Ange and her party, led by Creare.

Creare flashes a blue lens to determine the shortest route to the treasure's location.

[This way!]

Creare chose a detour course with many turns, but this helped them avoid unnecessary battles.

When Ange glanced behind her, she saw that Noel, who had been running for some time, was struggling a great deal.

Although her rehabilitation has been completed, she has not fully recovered her physical strength.

In addition, she was inevitably inferior in physical strength compared to Ange and other nobles of the kingdom.

Ange, who has been trained since she was a child, has different physical strengths to begin with.

And the problem is Livia.

"I-I can't do it anymore."

Her breathing was more erratic and she seemed to be in more pain than Noel.

Ange slowed down and began walking.

(The two of them cannot take much more of this, huh)

If it were just herself, she could still run, but the other two were at their limits.

"Break time. Creare, is there somewhere we can rest?"

When Ange suggested they take a break, Livia and Noel stumbled over to the wall and leaned against it.

Creare, who was watching the situation, says in a tedious manner.

[We'll be fine here. There are no enemies nearby and no traps. But we've lost so much time, we'll have to recalculate our route again. And, aside from Noel-chan, doesn't Livia-chan seem to have too little stamina?]

Regulating her disordered breathing, Livia makes excuses with a pained look on her face.

"I-I'm an indoor ―― person."

If she wanted to, she could concentrate for hours on her studies, but running around outside was not something she was very good at.

Ange puts her hand on her forehead and chuckles in a troubled way.

"That's why I told you to work out. Physical fitness is basic."

Noel, who is sweating, argues with Ange, who says that this level is normal.

"I was physically active in the Republic, too, but people in the Kingdom are strange. We have already run many kilometers and you don't look tired at all."

If this was just a run, Noel and Livia could have run more.

But now they wore armor for protection and had weapons.

Adding the tools needed for dungeon exploration, it becomes quite heavy.

From Noel's point of view, it was hard to believe that Ange, who had run many kilometers with weights on her back, did not look tired.

In front of the two of them, who are out of breath and struggling, Ange wonders.

"If you are tired at this level, you can't be an adventurer."

"It's absolutely ridiculous!"

As soon as the two of them are breathing calmly, Ange begins to walk and move on.

What began there was three of them complaining about Leon.

Ange was smiling, but angry about the hidden passageway.

"He's a truly troubling guy. He goes out of his way to pretend to play fair, but he himself is determined to win. We were all fooled."

Livia was similarly angry, but for different reasons.

"Thanks to that, we were able to go deeper. Then we were told there was a hidden passageway and we had to go back the way we came."

Livia, who was not good at exercising, was not happy about being forced to run for nothing.

Noel, like Livia, resents being made to run, but more than that, he complains about Leon's attitude.

"In the beginning, he had the attitude of a fair fight, didn't he?! What's more, what about us?!"

Creare, happily watching the three making noise, happily joins the conversation.

[Master doesn't cut corners, even when it comes to his fiancées.]

Ange hears that and smiles gently.

"I underestimated how serious he was."

Perhaps wondering about Ange, Creare asks her.

[You look happy. How can you smile? We were deceived, you know.]

"Because he really competed with us seriously."

The hidden passageway thing just didn't satisfy them, but Ange also understood that it was a way to win the game.

And she was happy that Leon was serious about competing with them.

"I always felt sheltered and treated gently, as if I were a princess."

[You didn't like that, right.]

"I don't know? I was happy about it. But just looking at the important moments makes me doubt if I am really needed. ――In fact, sometimes I think Leon would have lived more peacefully without me"

Livia, following behind, scolds the faint-hearted Ange.

"That's not true! Ange is holding on too much. The only reason Leon-san can't live in peace is――"

Knowing the reasons why Leon could not live in peace, Livia was hesitant to speak her words to the end.

When they fall silent, the silence continues, and Noel, unable to bear it, speaks up to continue.

"Well, because he's meddlesome. Thanks to that, I was saved, too."

Leon cannot live peacefully because he is meddlesome.

If he had ignored them and acted with his own personal safety in mind, he would not be a hero today.

But if he had done that, he would have been with three people. No, he would not have been able to get to know many more people.

Ange reveals her true feelings.

"I don't want to get in his way. I just want him to be happy, but my presence gets him into unnecessary conflicts."

One of the reasons why Ange does not want to involve Leon in the conflict is that he has made it clear that he does not want to get involved.

The other is because Leon is mentally cornered.

Noel looks at Livia.

"――He hasn't reduced his dosage, has he?"

Livia gives a small nod and looks at Creare.

"It hasn't changed since he came back from his study abroad. Are-chan, isn't that right?"

But Creare did not answer.

[Master has ordered me to stop answering that question.]

Unlike her previous joking attitude, her words now seemed straightforward.

The master of Creare is Leon, and when push comes to shove, it is Leon who has priority.

The three of them walked in silence for a while, led by Creare, and must have entered a hidden passageway at some point.

The sounds of battle can be heard from Julius and his group, who seem to have entered first.

Ange holds the rifle in her hand.

"I want to avoid friendly fire. You guys, don't attack in haste."

Since they were moving through dimly lit corridors, there was a danger of friendly fire if they used guns.

When Livia and Noel nodded, the blue lens of Creare flashed.

[――There's a route to the inner area without making contact. Follow me]

The three follow Creare as she moves ahead.

Occasionally, men's screams can be heard mixed in with the sounds of battle.

Sometimes there are voices that say, "I'll never forgive those guys!".

When Ange and her party continued on, they found a passageway closed to the ice.

Livia approaches the ice.

"Is this some kind of a mechanism? Is there a treasure up ahead?"

Livia is concerned about the blocked passageway, but Creare tells her to ignore it.

[Ah, you're wrong. Jilk just blocked it off, so don't worry about it and let's move on.]

When Jilk's name was mentioned, Noel tilted her head.

"Jilk-san did? Why did he block it?"

To Noel, who was wondering, Ange had a cold face because she had a guess.

"He must have thought there was treasure there anyway, so he closed it off. He's a coward scumbag, that's why."

Livia agrees with her.

"He hasn't changed since the first year, has he."

Noel follows two of them as they go ahead.

"Indeed, he's a bit of a coward, but is he really that coward?"

When asked, Livia recounts Jilk's misdeeds with a blank look on her face.

"He's the kind of guy who would secretly plant a bomb in his opponent's armor in a duel. There are many others, such as not meeting the woman he had broken off an engagement with."

"Jilk-san, he is worse than I thought"

Noel has also seen Jilk in the Republic, which annoys Marie.

But it was even more unscrupulous than she thought, so she was surprised about it.

Ange also speaks of Jilk's evaluation with a blank expression.

"All five of them are problem boys, but I'm sure that he is one piece of trash who is no laughing matter."

And so, as soon as the topic of Jilk is over, the three come to the suspicious door.

But the door was open, allowing them to peek inside.

The underground dungeon was supposed to be dimly lit, but that room was the only one that glittered with gold.

The golden room itself is where the treasure was found, but the three were more surprised than pleased.

Ange shouts.

"Leon ?!"

When the three of them and Creare ran into the room, they found Leon fighting an enemy that appeared to be an undead monster.

An undead monster with a head like an animal skull and wearing black robes.

Big and long for its body, each hand was golden in color.

There is no lower body and it is floating in the air.

It would be about three meters in size.

It was flying around a very large room.

Leon noticed the arrival of Ange and her party and had a subtle, indescribable look on his face.

.

Part 2

While dealing with the boss monster guarding the room with the treasure, Ange and her party arrived instead of the five fools.

I felt that I had spent too much time on it, and I wondered if they would be angry at me for deceiving them.

Ange, with her rifle at the ready, pulled the trigger on the flying boss monster.

Boss monsters hide behind pillars to avoid bullets.

This room, built entirely of gold, has a throne-like object.

A throne in a basement makes no sense, but this is surely where the treasure lies.

As I recall, there was definitely a throne, but it wasn't this shiny golden room, though.

It should have been the same dimly lit room as before.

Livia approaches me and checks for injuries.

"Leon-san, are you injured?"

"No problem"

Noel also comes to my side and looks up at the boss monster, who is clinging to a pillar and hiding to see what's going on.

"It looks so strong. Can you beat it?"

I wish I could have beaten it quickly, but unfortunately I couldn't.

I don't think I can lose, but I didn't bring the best equipment nonetheless.

"I'm not going to lose, but I doubt I'm going to win. If this is the case, I should have brought my shotgun."

I'm thinking I've failed, and Luxion blames me, whining at this point, saying 'that's why I told you'.

[When being asked for advice on what weapon to bring, I recommended a shotgun.]

"I thought I didn't need it at that time!"

I didn't actually use it much when I was conquering in that Otome game.

As I was arguing with Luxion, the boss monster jumped out of the pillar and attacked us.

Ange attacks with a rifle, but it seems that a single bullet is not enough to finish it off.

It did not do much damage, just a puff of smoke from the spot where it hit.

"Chi!"

When I threw the grenade-shaped magic tool I had brought to the ground, it exploded and the purified holy water spread around me like a mist.

Seeing that, the boss monster distances itself from us.

Ange was loading bullets skillfully as she approached me.

"Holy water? How many left?"

When I touched the belt to check the remaining number, there was only one left.

"One left"

Ange keeps her eyes on the boss monster and asks me for advice on how to beat it.

"Should we spread out and keep attacking?"

"There's not a lot of bullets, and Livia and Noel are using handguns, to begin with, so I don't know if that's possible?"

Neither Livia nor Noel are good when it comes to handling guns.

It would be foolish to force them to defeat it, so as I was thinking about retreating, Noel tapped me lightly on the back.

"I have this."

When I turned only my face, I saw that Noel was holding a tree branch and a few leaves in her hand.

Did she pick it up from somewhere? The question did not occur to me.

Because when Noel had it in her hand, I realized it was a Sacred Tree thing.

"Did you rip it off from Sapling-chan?"

"You're wrong! This twig is the one that had fallen off! As for the leaves, I asked Yumeria-san to pluck them for me."

It seems that Yumeria-san plucked it and Kyle delivered it to Noel.

"Can it be used?"

"I am still a priestess. Or, rather, do you want to use it too, Leon? You forgot you're a guardian, didn't you?"

I thought that being a guardian had few advantages and a weird bruise on my right hand only.

"I don't know how to use it."

"I can't help but wonder how you became a guardian"

For now, I understand that Noel has some means of attack here as well.

When I glanced at Livia, her cheeks were puffed out.

"I also don't have a problem. I'm good at magic, don't you remember?"

"Right."

Once the conversation is settled, Ange gives the instructions.

"If so, scatter in all directions and launch an attack. If it becomes dangerous, join the other immediately."

When everyone nodded, we scattered and began our attack.

The first to move was Noel.

"Sacred Tree, lend me your strength!"

When she threw a tree branch she was holding, it swelled up in the air and became huge.

As it is, it moves in an undulating manner, entangling itself with the boss monster and attempting to block its movement.

"Yoshi!"

Noel makes guts pose, but when the boss monster touched a giant tree branch, it turned gold from that spot.

"That's not fair!"

As soon as Noel shouts, the giant tree branch turns into a gold nugget and shatters into pieces.

But it was enough to buy time.

"No problem"

At a distance, Livia made two magic circles appear, and flames emerged from one of them.

From the other side, the wind blows out, and when combined, the flames gain momentum and attack the boss monster.

"What's that? I don't know what that is."

When I say I don't know the magic of Livia, Luxion, who was by my side, explains it to me.

[It's not advanced magic. It seems to be a combination of two types of magic. It's an advanced technology that reduces the consumption of magic and increases its power.]

Wah~, it's awesome.

I'm impressed and pull the trigger on the boss monster with my rifle.

The boss monster, writhing in flames, opened its mouth wide toward the ceiling and let out an eerie cry.

Perhaps to escape the flames, the boss monster descends to the floor.

It was almost as if it had fallen, or maybe it fell to the floor, and that's where Ange was.

"Don't think I'm going to let you get away!"

Holding her left hand out in front of her and clasping her open hand, a magic circle appears on the floor where the boss monster has fallen.

The magic circle, drawn with glowing red lines, was intricate and huge.

The pillars of flame that erupted from there reached the ceiling.

The boss monster is lifted by momentum and slammed into the ceiling.

Ange speaks to the boss monster.

"It's a pillar of fire. It'll work on you, you undead monster, won't it?"

No answer was returned, but that was understood by Ange.

When the pillar of flame disappears, the boss monster falls again.

But the boss monster tries to stand up with its hands on the floor.

Ange quickly readies her rifle and pulls the trigger, but still, the boss monster shows no sign of disappearing.

Ange mutters at the sight.

"So stubborn"

Livia also began to prepare her magic, and Noel's seemed intent on doing something with the leaves in her hands.

When I was looking at it, Luxion was amazed at me.

[Why don't you put an end?]

"No――they're all very strong"

Did I still think somewhere that I should be protecting Ange and the others, that they were weak?

And when they show themselves to be so strong and fierce, I feel like there was no need for me to protect them.

Even without me――.

[Master]

――I was called while I was thinking, and I raised my face.

Shaking my head, I turned my attention to the boss monster.

"I'm sorry, but I have to take it down."

I threw a holy water bomb at the boss monster, which tried to jump up again, and when it burst, it spread out in a mist.

It erodes the surface of the boss monster.

I put my rifle on the floor and started running, drawing the sword that I had slung at my waist.

The sword, more carefully crafted than the weapons I gave the others, was prepared for me by Luxion. It is more effective against the undead than the others.

When I tried to approach the boss monster, it extended its golden hand.

Then Noel throws a leaf she was holding to support me.

"I won't let you!"

The leaves responded to the will of Noel, the priestess, and attacked the boss monster that she had designated as her enemy.

When leaves accelerated in the air stick to the boss monster, tree roots and ivy entangle it and stop it from moving.

The boss monster tore them apart, but it was enough to buy time.

"That's a big help!"

I thanked her, jumped on the boss monster, and drove my sword through its head.

As expected, the boss monster could not withstand this and blew out smoke from the stabbed area.

The body begins to crumble and the boss monster disappears in a puff of smoke.

"Ah~, it's over"

Relieved that the boss monster has finally been defeated, Ange shouts when she notices something strange in the room.

"Oi, something's wrong!"

Like Ange said.

The golden room was dazzlingly bright, but as soon as the lord of the old castle disappeared, the gold was gone.

When the throne room, made of the same material as the underground passageway, came into view, this one looked more like the view from that otome game.

Ange is disappointed by the situation.

"Was it all just a charade? What a mess"

If one large room really was made of gold, it would have been worth a lot.

But unfortunately, when the boss monster disappeared, everything disappeared.

Noel approaches Ange, who slumps her shoulders and looks disappointed, and calls out to her.

"We managed to beat it without injury, so it was good."

"――I wanted the treasure."

Contrary to the dejected Ange, Livia was excited and interested.

"Was the monster turning this room into gold? When you think about it, that's an amazing monster. I've never heard of anything like this before."

I leave the three of them alone and head for the back side of the throne.

What was there was supposed to be a treasure chest, but.

"A coffin?"

For some reason, it was a coffin that had been set up.

As I was puzzled, Ange and the others came and noticed the coffin.

"It's a treasure chest typical of this dungeon. Shall we open it?"

"Eh ?! You're going to open it? Isn't that scary?!"

When I get flustered, Livia puts her hand on her chin and starts thinking.

"Part of it is scary and it would be rude if someone's body was there."

Then Noel looked at Creare.

"Do you know what's inside?"

[Judging from the reaction, it is precious metals]

Upon hearing that, Ange puts her hand on the coffin.

"Then I'll open it."

From my point of view, it's scary and feels like it's cursed, even though I'm not comfortable with it.

My eyes widen when I see the contents of the opened coffin.

"This isn't really a person, is it?"

Inside the coffin, for some reason, was gold in the form of a woman.

She has her hands folded over her stomach as if in prayer, and her eyes are closed.

It looks as if it is about to wake up at any moment and is surrounded by flowers and ornaments made of gold, silver, and jewels.

It was as if a truly beautiful woman was sleeping.

Luxion flashes his red lens to analyze.

[It's gold. It's not a person]

"That boss monster could have turned her into gold, right."

[If so, she should be back to normal.]

"Well, that's right, but. ――Could that boss monster with the horse skull have been guarding this?"

[I don't think the monster has that habit. Also, that head was a donkey, not a horse.]

"Donkey?!"

I had thought it was a horse or something.

As I was scared alone, the three of them, including Ange, plus Creare, turned to look at me.

Ange puts her hands on her hips and laughs at me.

"That's surprising. I've suspected that for some time, but apparently, there's something that scares Leon as well."

Livia puts her palms together and smiles at me.

"Leon-san has a cute side to him too."

Noel seems happy to know an unexpected side of me, but at the same time, she teases me.

"If it were a monster, you would beat it. If you're scared, do you want me to stay with you tonight?"

Have all three of you become merciless to me?

"Aren't you three just awful?"

Why are they striking so hard today?

It is Creare that gives me the answer.

[Getting deceived about the hidden door thing makes them angry. To be forgiven for this much, Master is so loved!]

Even an AI teases me?

As I turn away from everyone, people are coming through the door.

They are Julius and his friends in tatters.

"――Leon, is there something you want to tell me?"

Julius and the others, five idiots appeared with wrinkles between their eyebrows and seemed to resent me terribly.

Apparently, they are angry.

"Something to tell you? Ah~, I see"

I think of what to say to the five of them and I put my hands together and stick my tongue out cutely.

"Thanks to you guys being the decoys, I got the treasure this way. I am grateful."

Then Jilk, with his hair disheveled, points at me.

"This coward! You have deceived me!"

"――You're the one who betrayed first."

When I gave him a good argument, the five idiots began to surround Jilk.

Jilk feigned ignorance.

"What's the matter? To Leon-kun, who has deceived us, give him a hammer ――GOHAA ?!"

It was Brad who slammed his fist into Jilk's face.

Brad, whose part of his clothes is torn, drops a tattered handkerchief on the face of the fallen Jilk.

"Jilk, have you forgotten what you did to us? Leon is annoying, but you're a traitor to us, too."

Greg was flexing his finger bones and his eyebrows were twitching.

"You tricked us into competing, didn't you?"

Chris took off his broken glasses and looked at Jilk with a terribly cold stare.

"I can't forgive Leon, but I can't forgive you either."

He must be angry at Jilk's betrayal.

After all, they had missed the great feat of discovering the treasure.

And then there was one man who felt his gut churn.

"You guys betrayed me first, though."

Julius was looking at us in a low-pitched.

From the perspective of Julius, who was the first decoy, we are all enemies.

So I say.

"Your friendship is fragile in the face of treasures, isn't it? But still, it's ugly to fight among comrades."

When I laughed, the five of them look at me and pick up their weapons and come at me.

Julius represents.

"I guess so. Then let's beat you up first and then we'll fight among ourselves."

I shrug my shoulders in front of Julius who is coming at me.

"You idiot. I have Ange and the others here. Everyone, help me!"

I turned around to ask for help, and before I knew it, Luxion was at Ange's side, conversing with her.

"I'm tempted to leave it as is, but I suppose I'll have to melt it down."

[Besides its artistic value, it is also of great value as an ancient heritage. I thought it would be better for future generations if we kept it]

"That would be nice. If I decorate it, it's like our accomplishments are going to last a lifetime."

Livia and Noel are talking with Creare.

"I would like it to be kept as it is. There might be some secrets in there!"

Livia insisted that it should be stored and investigated rather than melted down.

Noel is listening to this with disinterest.

"It sure looks great. Creare, is it really that great?"

[It's hard to explain to Noel-chan. It's okay if you just think it's great. Even if I tell you properly, you won't understand.]

"Aren't you treating me so lightly?!"

"Because you're not interested, are you?"

Seeing Ange and the others enjoying the conversation, I reach out my hand.

"Eh, you won't help me?"

I asked for help, but the response from Ange and others was cold.

Ange crosses her arms and squints.

"You deserve it. Have a little remorse."

Taking advantage of it is my supposed partner, Luxion.

[It's retribution for deceiving people. It's a fitting end for Master.]

I tremble.

"I understand Ange and the others, but at least you can help me, Luxion!"

[I refuse. Also, your friends are waiting for you.]

"Eh?"

As soon as I turn around, Julius puts his hand on my shoulder.

Gripping me tightly, Julius speaks to me with a dark smile.

"Come talk to us. Fist to fist."

Five idiots think they can beat me up and give me a scary smile.

The situation was so bad that I, a coward, was shaken up.

I let out a small sigh.

"It's not the deceivers' fault, right? Unfortunately, the treasure you were after is ours. So, losers, let me know how you feel now."

When I fanned them with a smile, Julius' fist came at me, so I hit him, too.

We cross-counter and hit each other's cheeks, and the other guys start joining in.

I give Julius a second hit.

"You should be thankful I brought you here, KORAa!"

"What is the competition! You've been trying to win alone from the beginning!"

As the six of us begin to fight as it is, I hear the voices of Ange and Luxion from behind.

"It's a really ugly fight."

[I'm no match for Master's boomerang tactics?]

Remember this, Luxion ?!

***

Chapter 09 "Parting"

.

Part 1

Next morning.

Einhorn's holds were stacked with treasures that we had acquired in the old castle of Golden Hands.

Not only gold and silver treasures, but also vases and various other things have been collected.

Considering it as a result of capturing the dungeon, it would be a great success.

The collection of the dispersed treasures has proven to be worth a considerable amount of money when converted into cash.

And yet, a woman was weeping in front of the treasure.

"Marie-sama, please be firm!"

"Goshujin-sama, let's stop crying."

Marie is sobbing as Kara and Kyle comfort her.

"Because, because! This is too much. I've been looking for it so hard, and no one told me there was a hidden door."

Because Creare was not there, Marie, Jake and the others could not find out about the hidden door.

As a result, Marie and her party had a hard time, but the results were small.

Kara desperately comforts Marie.

"But, you see, that's it! That! This is a great achievement because I am sure that we have conquered the dungeon as adventurers! You can boast about it for the rest of your life!"

"I don't need bragging! I'd rather have the treasure!"

It's an accomplishment this time, but at least once in your life, it's a story you can brag about for the rest of your life.

In fact, it's worth it just to be a part of it, because you'll actually be recognized in the kingdom.

But Marie was targeting treasure, not honor.

Sadly, though, the motivation has been empty.

Kyle looks at me with a don't-know-what expression.

"The Duke is truly awful. I think you have no human blood in your veins?"

"I told you I was kind. If Marie had listened to my advice at that time, I would have let her go with me and give her a share of the treasure."

"You're telling us at this timing?"

Kyle turned around pale and saw Marie, who had stopped crying, looking at me with tear-stained eyes.

But her eyes were scary because the highlights were gone.

It's as scary as the ghosts and spirits.

"Hih !?"

As I step back, Marie approaches me quickly with her hands on the floor.

Her movements were also creepy or very scary.

As it is, she clings to my legs and looks up at me with a blank stare.

Her eyes were murky and dark in some way.

"Fun? Hey, is it fun? Do you enjoy making people regret? You want to make people think, "If only I had done that back then," to make the aftertaste worse, don't you? Even if you had convinced me, you wouldn't have helped me then, would you? Wouldn't you? Right?! "

Marie's voice was flat as she shook me, her emotion gone.

But that is extraordinarily frightening.

"I-I'm sorry. I-I'll give you the money."

"I told you that doesn't make sense!"

"Yes!!"

Suddenly, Marie shouted so loudly that I was so scared that I straightened up and answered her.

Marie starts crying while clinging to my leg.

"I wanted to find the treasure and be independent."

I would have said, "Why don't you work a more normal job instead of trying to get rich quick?" but I didn't have the courage to say it here.

So, to divert her resentment towards me, I bring up the topic about Erika.

"M-More importantly, Erika-sama's condition has stabilized. Creare says it's no longer a problem to visit her."

Marie, who was concerned about Erika who was being treated in the infirmary, runs out of the hangar as soon as she hears it.

.

Part 2

"Eliikaa !!"

In Einhorn's infirmary, Marie was crying to Erika, who was sitting up in bed.

Erika is puzzled by Marie's appearance, but smiles at her and speaks softly to her.

"It's okay, mom"

They are alone in the room.

They were in a state where they could talk about their previous life relationships without worrying about anyone else.

(I wonder if uncle was being considerate?)

Imagining that Leon had been so considerate of them and left them alone together, Erika thinks in her mind that he is just as she had heard.

Marie cries and worries about Erika's condition.

"I'm glad Erika is okay."

"You're exaggerating. I'm just a little in pain."

"You're pushing yourself too hard! You could have stayed on the ship."

"I said I would go with you. Anyway, how was the dungeon?"

Marie's concern for Erika, who has a chronic illness in this life, is really the way she treats her daughter.

The physical age of the two is only two years apart, but Erika's age inside is decades older than hers.

Still, Marie still behaves like a mother to Erika.

Erika puts her hand on Marie's back and rubs it.

Marie tells the story of how she was deceived by Leon during this dungeon capture.

"He's the only winner. It's cunning. He knew there was a hidden passageway and he didn't tell us?! Even deceiving his own fiancées to try to win, he really is out of his mind."

Marie was emotional and expressive as she explained how cunning Leon was.

Erika, who was watching the action, goes amused and bursts out laughing.

Marie tilts her head at Erika, who giggles in a graceful way.

"What's wrong?"

"It was kind of funny. I just thought Mom is like in the previous life. Look, you used to tell me stories about uncle."

Marie fluster and remembers her previous life.

Apparently, she does not remember telling her daughter about Leon's story.

"D-Did I? Mom doesn't remember. Did I tell you anything about aniki?"

"You did. On the days you came back drunk, you used to tell me stories about uncle. If only aniki were still alive~, the other is aniki is a bastard, etc. But at the end, you always ――"

―― I want to see onii-chan again.

Erika used to watch Marie fall asleep drunk after saying that.

Not only does Marie not remember, but she blushes when she is told the embarrassing story.

She was quite agitated.

"T-T-T-T-That's it, that! Wanted to meet him again and wring him out. That's why I'm not really talking about that!"

Marie, desperately denying it, looks like a child.

Erika watched her, smiling.

"It's good to meet Uncle again, mom."

When Erika is pleased that they met, Marie has a complicated look on her face.

Erika is puzzled by Marie, who looks down and sad.

Apparently, Marie has a feeling of indebtedness to Leon.

"Maybe aniki didn't want to meet me."

"Is that so? Uncle looks like he's having fun, though?"

"He's a troublesome guy who's always playing carelessly and never says what he really thinks. Erika should never marry a man like that ―― Ah."

At the mention of marriage, Marie, "Oh, no" and she is depressed again.

She seemed to remember Erika's engagement talk.

"I don't mind"

When Erika tells her not to worry, Marie stands up and raises her voice.

"It can't be! How can you look so unconcerned when you can't marry the person you love? And what's more, it's Fraser family."

Marie had knowledge of that third otome game, albeit only halfway through.

That is why she despaired when she found out that Erika was married to that Eriya Rafa Fraser.

"I don't blame Mom for worrying, but Eriya isn't such a bad kid. It's not like that game."

"It's a lie! Because in that game, he's an ugly guy who looks like a coward ―― Are? Erika, did you say that game?"

Erika knows that Otome game.

Marie is puzzled by this fact.

"I played it too, you know. Mom left me alone, so I played it in my spare time. It was fun."

"I-I see. But then!"

As Marie still tries to keep asking, Erica shakes her head and looks serious.

"――Mom, that's my responsibility as I was reincarnated as a princess."

"Your responsibility?"

"Is it more of a possession than a reincarnation? I don't know, but I am a princess of the Kingdom of Horfalt. With this position comes responsibilities, of course."

Erika understood her position well.

And so it is with marriage in this world.

"My marriage to Eriya is a political marriage, unlike the marriages of my previous life. If we get married, there will be people who will feel safe."

"Other people don't matter!"

"If I were a normal person. But now I am royalty and a princess. I have a duty to protect my people and my country."

When Marie says, "But, because," and Erika breaks into a smile.

When she smiles at Marie, she tries to reassure her.

"That's why it's okay. Because Eriya is kind."

"Kind?"

"In the game, he was supposed to be an ugly guy with a bad personality. But Eriya lost weight for me, and now he's chubby and cute."

"――Erika would have suited well with a good-looking man."

"Mom is really menkui, isn't she. Everyone gets old, and it's our character and our worthiness that will ultimately matter." (TLN: attracted by physical looks only)

Erika's story of how she lived to become a grandmother must have been convincing to Marie.

In addition, she seemed anxious about her own future.

She is holding her head.

"Sure, we will get older, but ―― Do they have a sense of worthiness? Even though I am concerned about my character? If this continues, my old age will be"

The uncertainty of the future weighs on Marie.

Unable to see Marie like this, Erika comforts her.

"I-It's okay. Onii-sama and the others around this time aren't bad people."

Then Marie raised her head and turned a straight face to Erika.

"What about Jilk?"

"I-I'm sorry. I don't know what to say."

Erika also seemed to know that Jilk had a personality problem.

When the two are disheartened, Marie puts her hands on her hips, sensing that she has made the atmosphere of the place worse.

"We-Well, if Erika says it's okay, it's okay. You've always been firmer than me. I'm no good ―― I couldn't stand on my own from aniki this time either."

Laughing sadly, Marie seems to think she is a helpless person.

She is about to cry as it is.

Erika hugs Marie.

"That's not true. I'm happy to see you, Mom. ―― I'm sorry you had to work so hard for me."

"I! I aaaam! I'm finally trying to do something like a mother! That's why, that's why!"

Marie hugged Erika tightly and burst into tears.

.

Part 3

[Master, why was Marie after the treasure?]

"Hah?"

Luxion questions me as I run away from Marie and retreat to my room.

[No, Marie does not need to overwork herself at present. Having gained a protector, Master, she should have no financial problems. It bothered me that she did not want the honor and was after the treasure. What did Marie want?]

There is no need for Marie to force herself to get the treasure.

As Luxion says.

I turn over and turn to Luxion and speak for Marie's feelings.

"Because Erika was her daughter."

[That's not an answer, is it?]

"That's the answer. The daughter of her previous life just showed up. No wonder she wants to be proud of herself."

Luxion sounded skeptical or unconvinced by my explanation.

[That's why she wanted to become independent? I don't understand. There should be no inconvenience to be under Master's protection.]

Marie was into treasure hunting because she wanted to be independent from me.

But Luxion cannot understand Marie's feelings.

[Given Marie's character, wouldn't she want to avoid having her support terminated by Master?]

"You're not thinking about how she feels, are you?"

[Feelings? Isn't it Marie to always count on Master's support?]

"It's not a mistake, though."

I talk to Luxion about Marie a while back.

"She didn't know her daughter from a previous life in this world, and she caged those otome game targets. Then she became a saint, but her knowledge of the game is so half-baked that she's treated like a fake saint."

[Her short-sighted thinking is similar to Master's. As expected from the siblings of the previous life.]

"I'm thinking a lot deeper than Marie."

[Are you sure it's not just what you think?]

"Shut up! ――Anyway, Marie is being fed by me while paying the bill for doing as she pleases. She doesn't want her daughter from a previous life to see her like that."

Marie probably wanted to appear like a mother in front of Erika.

After all, in her previous life, she had been a pathetic figure.

Stumbling through life, and regret for not doing something more motherly.

"It's a regret from a previous life. In front of Erika, she wants to be a fine mother."

[Did you notice it and keep quiet about the hidden door?]

"That is that, this is this, okay?"

[You are a merciless Master.]

She was trying to find treasure, become independent, and be the ideal mother in front of Erika.

But think about it.

After having caged five men.

This level of effort will not erase the negatives that have been building up.

It doesn't even go back to zero.

"She's just good enough not to be too pretentious."

I tell him how I feel about Marie, and Luxion turns clockwise on the spot.

What does it mean?

[I understand Marie's purpose. At the same time, there is one more thing I don't understand.]

"What?"

[I wondered how you could be so aware of Marie's feelings, but not be aware of the feelings of your own fiancées. I'm not joking, I'm really wondering.]

Luxion hits a sore spot and I get a complicated look on my face.

"If I could understand how women feel, I could have lived better."

[Master is so dense]

"Why are you so foul-mouthed?"

[It's because I've learned too much from Master's foul mouth.]

Are you saying it's my fault that you are so foul-mouthed?

You were pretty foul-mouthed from the first time we met, weren't you?

"To begin with, Marie is not a woman to me. She is my little sister."

She is the existence that is the most hateful and closest enemy.

I have known Marie since we were small, I'm not saying that ―― I can grasp Marie's thoughts, but I can understand them a little bit.

It is especially easy to understand when impatient, as she is today.

"Ange and others are wonderful women, unlike Marie. It would be rude to put them together."

[Marie is going to be furious when she hears about that.]

I turned over and turned my back on Luxion as the image of an enraged Marie came to mind.

As it is, I ask Luxion about Erika's condition.

"So, how's Erika doing?"

[No problem. A thorough examination will reveal more details. However, we cannot find the time for that under the current circumstances.]

Because of the long time required for a full examination, it has not yet been done properly.

The same is true for Mia-chan.

Because of the long period of restriction, only simple examinations were currently being conducted.

"As soon as we get into summer vacation, we'll do a full examination. I've already obtained permission from Milene-san. When will you get the results?"

[The results are up to Creare to analyze.]

I hope the mystery of Erika and Mia-chan's illness can be found out and treated.

If I leave it to Luxion and others, there will be no problem.

As I'm thinking about falling asleep, Luxion wakes me up.

[Master, a suspicious airship is approaching Einhorn. ―― It appears to be unmanned.]

"――Ha?"

***

Chapter 10 "Ghost Airship"

.

Part 1

I hurried out to the deck and found Ange, dressed in plain clothes, had come ahead of me.

Holding on to the railing, Ange's gaze is drawn to a floating airship that gives off an eerie atmosphere.

The airship, which was so tattered that it was a wonder it had not destroyed, was in a very old shape.

Sailing ship.

Airships with outlined sails and propelled by the force of the wind are not uncommon today.

But it did not have the features of an airship that would be common today.

And the shape is also outdated.

It had an angular shape rather than a streamlined form.

"From what era is this airship?"

[I would guess that the airship is several hundred years old. If you want to find out more details, we'll have to get on board and investigate.]

"Please do not tell me to get on board or something. It's a ghost ship by the looks of it."

Part of it is broken, and the wooden hull creaks and makes eerie noises just as it moves.

In addition, it was covered with black clouds in a sky that was becoming night.

It looks like the black smoke that is generated when the monster disappears.

The appearance of the airship, which looked like it might be haunted, made me whine in my mind, "Give me a break".

As I approach the railing, Ange notices me and starts talking to me.

"Leon, how do you see that airship?"

"Why is there a ghost ship floating around in this place?", when Ange asks me about it, I tell her without thinking too much about the guesses I came up with.

"Isn't that the airship that went missing a long time ago? Can we leave it here?"

"I'd prefer to recover it if I could, but I'm afraid it would break just to transport it. More than that, I never thought I'd see that type of airship moved."

"A-re? Does Ange know?"

"Aa~, I have a model in my house."

The Redgrave family apparently has a model of an old form of airship on display.

Is it a hobby of the rich?

"I'm surprised. That shape is good?"

"No, that type of airship was built cheaply and in large numbers. They are not comfortable to ride in, and I heard that they sank easily in a storm."

"Isn't it the worst?"

What a terrible airship!

However, it is probably a miracle that such an airship remains unmanned to this day.

If it weren't so creepy on the outside, I might have been impressed.

However, the impression Ange had was different from mine.

"I'm so happy today. I never thought I would see with my own eyes the airship our ancestors flew on."

"Ancestors? Eh, did Ange's ancestors ride on that thing?!"

As I can't understand the story, Ange explains with a troubled look on her face.

"You don't know that? That's the type of airship our ancestors used when they settled the continent where the kingdom is now."

"Eh?!"

Ange carefully tells me, who knows nothing about it, the story of those days.

"I have heard that before the kingdom was founded, the continent was flooded with various settlers as a new land. The airship that was used at that time was that type of airship, which is inexpensive and can carry a large amount of cargo. I never thought I'd see it flying in the sky with my own eyes. "

I look at the ghost ship again, but from my point of view, it looks creepy and I don't want to go near it.

The ancestors crossed the continent on that ship! I am not impressed by such things.

Luxion shone his red lens and analyzed the ghost ship.

[It appears to be a home for monsters. I could see the reaction of the monsters inside.]

Ange is convinced alone.

"So that's how it remained until today. That's ironic. If the monsters hadn't taken over, I wouldn't have had the chance to see it like this."

I hold onto the railing and look at Ange's face from the side.

"You look pretty happy."

When I call out to her, Ange turns to me and smiles sadly.

"I'm sure this is a day I'll remember for the rest of my life. We conquered a dungeon and even got to see a rarely seen airship. I'll never forget this day."

And Ange said to me.

"――Leon, I like you."

"Eh? Aa~"

"So I don't want to be a burden to you."

"Burden?"

When I tried to say something, Ange finish it by herself, she tell me few words.

"This is as far as I've gotten. I'm glad I had this adventure with you. With these memories, I can live on."

"No, why?"

Bewildered by the sudden talk, a ghost ship was approaching us.

[――The airship itself has become a monster. It is approaching Einhorn and is attempting to make contact. Master, permission to intercept]

"Not now! ――Ange, I never considered you a burden."

Prioritize Ange over the talk of Luxion.

Ange looked happy to hear my words, but seemed determined.

"I will be a burden from now on. If I stay with you, I will prevent you from living the life you want. My father and brother really intend to involve you in. Finally, over time, they're going to bring the power of Luxion into the Redgrave family."

The "over time" part must surely mean generation after generation.

Eventually, I and Ange's son will inherit Luxion, and then one day join the Redgrave family to monopolize Luxion's power.

Vince and others were moving toward the future, not the present.

Luxion is stunned.

[I have only recognized one person as a master. I can't guarantee that thereafter.]

"It doesn't matter. It's the same if my father and brother think they can take you in. Leon will not have a peaceful life from now on. Then it would be better for me not to be around."

I didn't think Ange had thought about me to this extent.

I have always said that I wanted a more peaceful life on a daily basis, but I didn't know that Ange was suffering to make that happen.

No, I did not try to know.

"I-I am――"

I reach out my hand and Ange takes a step back and distances herself from me.

"You can be more free. Just take care of Livia and ―― Noel. You won't be lonely with them around, will you?"

I was at a loss for words when she smiled at me like a mischievous child.

There are plenty of words to get me through this.

I'm good at making excuses.

If I wanted to, I could say embarrassing lines like "I need you" or "I'll never let you go," if I wanted to not break up with Ange.

But I think it wouldn't touch Ange's heart.

I looked down and finally understood.

"Haha, I got dumped right"

The relationship with Ange was over.

Ange shakes her head.

"No, you're not. I'm the one who broke the promise. I am the only one at fault. So you are not to blame."

I'm not saying it's all my fault, but it's my fault for pushing Ange to this point.

There was a difference in values between me, who values the individual, and Ange, who values the household.

Not understanding it, the bill for neglecting the problem has just been paid here.

―― I knew it would come to pass.

A woman named Ange was not the appropriate woman for me.

"I am――"

When I finally try to say something to Ange, Einhorn shakes violently.

Ange about to fall down in front of me, I jumped as quickly as I could and held her in my arms.

"What happened?!"

I quickly turned my gaze around and before I knew it, the ghost ship had reached Einhorn.

On the deck of the ghost ship, undead monsters, dressed like sky pirates, are looking at us.

They were coming toward us in droves.

"Ha? Oi, Luxion!"

'Why did you allow it to approach?' Luxion, sensing that he would be blamed that way, immediately blames me.

[It was Master who didn't give permission to intercept. More importantly, if things continue as they are, the monsters are going to get into Einhorn.]

Sure, I didn't give permission! I didn't give it, but!

"You usually do something about it! Damn! Tell everyone to get their weapons!"

[A warning has been issued]

"Okay, next, Einhorn――"

[Because contact has been made, so interception is impossible.]

"Eh?"

[It's impossible]

I was going to blow up the ghost ship with Einhorn's artillery, but Luxion says he can't attack it if he's in contact with it, and I'm in trouble.

Ange, in my arms, asks Luxion how to get out of this situation.

"What should we do?"

[Please invade the enemy ship together. Defeat the monster that has taken possession of the airship from the inside and you will survive this situation.]

I ran out of the room and am unarmed.

I said to Ange.

"I get it. Call the five idiots. And bring the weapons――"

[We don't have much time, so I'll leave it to the two of you. And, I have prepared the weapons for you.]

When the service robots appear from inside the ship, they bring our equipment.

For some reason, a well-prepared Luxion seems suspicious.

Me and Ange get up and grab our equipment.

Shotguns and machine guns. Others are pistols and swords.

[No enemy monsters have been identified as a threat. The two of you will have to invade the inner part of the airship and defeat the airship-controlling monsters and that will be the end of it.]

You make it sound so simple, but I realized one thing here.

"Eh? Two of us, what about you?"

[I have work to do, so I cannot accompany you.]

"No, come along. Just leave the work to Creare."

"No can do"

A very stubborn Luxion points his red lens at the monsters who are trying to get from us to Einhorn.

[The enemy is already coming in. Please hurry]

With a shotgun, I complain to Luxion.

"What do you mean a job? Remember this later."

When Ange held the machine gun, she let out a small sigh.

"It's not that big of an airship. Two of us should be enough. Leon, let's go."

As the two of us ran off together, Luxion murmured meaningfully.

[Good luck with your battle. ――And a lot of things]

.

Part 2

Livia rushed out to the deck and found Luxion there.

There are robots in the surroundings, wearing only the upper half of their armor.

Watching the robots take down the monsters trying to get into the Einhorn one after the other is like a work in progress.

The sight made Livia feel a little uncomfortable.

(No. I need to make sure Leon-san and the others are safe now)

"Luk-kun!"

When she summons up the courage to speak to Luxion, his red lens is pointed at Livia.

[Olivia, I thought I told you to stay inside?]

"I can't find Leon-san and Ange anywhere! I thought maybe something had happened. But Aare-chan didn't say anything."

A ghost ship was approaching and they were instructed to stay on board because of the danger.

Everyone gathered in the hall where they were instructed to go despite their discontent.

But only Leon and Ange were not there.

Concerned Livia thus burst out onto the deck, but Luxion is unperturbed to hear that they are not there.

(――Scary)

Livia had dreamed of a scene in which Luxion was committing genocide.

The scene at that time was so vivid that it made Luxion look inevitably scary.

Even though she tried to forget it, the fear never left her.

[The two of them are fine]

"But!"

"――This is necessary for both of them."

After that, Luxion did not speak any more.

.

Part 3

Inside the Einhorn.

The people gathered in the hall looked restless and concerned about the outside.

Weapon in hand, they look out the window.

Jake folded his arms, frustrated by the situation.

"Why not just blow up the ghost ship with a cannon and be done with it."

Aare is standing by his side, soothing Jake.

"I hear there are treasures on the ghost ship, aren't they investigating it?"

"Is that so? Then we'll take the ghost ship's treasure, even though we lost in the old castle."

Oskar speaks to Jake, who is motivated when he hears about the treasure, as if he has just remembered something.

"His Highness Jake is always so bullish. I've heard some horror stories about ghost ships myself, so I choose to run away rather than blow them up with a cannon."

"You're a pretty coward for being my foster brother."

"Oya? You don't know? Well, I'll tell you a ghost story about a ghost ship that I know――"

For some reason, in a group of first-year students start telling ghost stories.

As Oskar begins to tell scary stories about the ghost ship, Jake's face gradually turns pale.

Finn, who was watching the situation with a steely gaze, evaluated them in his mind.

(Jake, Oskar ―― I still can't leave Mia to either of them. It's no good talking nonsense in this situation. Not when you're befriending another woman in the first place.)

And Aare was out of the question because of the gender change.

When the three capture targets were rejected by Finn, Mia, who knew nothing about it, was frightened.

"Knight-sama, ghost ships really do exist. Mia is scared."

Finn looks warmly at Mia, who is honestly scared.

"Don't be afraid. I will protect you. Don't worry. If the airship is that big, me and Kurosuke will sink it in no time."

[Leave it to me!]

Finn moves closer to Mia, who is scared, and gently holds her hand.

Mia's face was reddening.

"Mia ―― Are you having a cold? Why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well? I'll have the medicine ready for you right away, you just wait and see. Kurosuke, get me a couch and a blanket."

[―― My partner can be a stupid sometimes, can't he.]

Seeing Mia's red face, Finn immediately judges that she is not feeling well.

His partner, Brave, looked complicated when he saw Finn like that.

Mia waves her hands and desperately states she does not have a cold.

"No! You're wrong, please calm down!"

"No. Maybe you just don't realize it? We can't go back to our room, but you can lie down on the couch."

Mia has mixed feelings about Finn being too overprotective.

"Uwh, I'm flattered, but Knight-sama is much, much."

"What? Tell me anything you want."

"Uuuuwh. ―― Idiot"

When she looks down and whisperingly calls him an idiot, Finn is shocked.

It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck him, and he froze alone.

(Mia hates meeee? What did I do wrong?!)

.

Part 4

We stormed into the ghost ship.

However, a big problem arose here.

"I can't take another step "

It was Ange who looked at me sitting down and gave me a dumbfounded look.

Ange, with a machine gun in each hand, lets out a deep sigh and points at something lying on the floor.

It was the monster we had just defeated, about to disappear in a puff of smoke.

"Leon, the monster you just saw is a ghost type that cannot be hit by physical attacks. Don't worry, you can easily defeat it by using magic."

A short time after we entered the ship, a ghostly enemy attacked us.

I got scared and attacked it with a shotgun, but it slipped through them and they attacked me.

Immediately, Ange burned them down with magic, but my heart was already broken.

"――I can't. It made me weak in the knees."

"Oi ?! Where are you who put a stop to that evil monster?!"

When Ange found out I was too scared to move, she was terribly surprised.

Even I know something from earlier was a monster.

I know, but they were like real ghosts, they were scary.

Or rather, they're real, right? And they're also very deadly, and they're going to attack you in a creepy way.

It was deformed in the game, but I couldn't stand to see it in real life.

"I'm afraid of enemies who can't be hit! I'm not good with something like a ghost!"

When I finally shout out my true feelings, Ange pulls in her cheeks.

"I knew you weren't good with undead monsters, but I didn't expect you to be this bad."

I have never gone through videos, images, and articles featuring scary stories whenever possible, even in my previous life.

If someone was telling a scary story, I stayed as far away as possible.

A test of courage? It doesn't make sense.

I have made it through without participating whenever possible.

I have memories of being made to do it for school events on occasion, in my mind, I was cursing those who made me go to haunted places for a test of courage, saying, "Punish them!"

"――I can't walk alone anymore"

When I tell her why I can't move, Ange presses her forehead with her hand.

"I get it. I'll finish the monsters. You stay here――"

"Are you leaving me alone!"

"O-Oi, let go. Leon, please don't cling to my legs."

I desperately cling to Ange's leg.

Ange had a troubled, yet happy look on her face.

"There was something you weren't good at, too."

"Please don't leave me"

I cling and plead, and Ange strokes my head.

Apparently, she felt she couldn't leave me like this.

Perhaps to reassure me, she uses a gentle tone of voice to calm me down.

"Let's get some rest and then we'll go together. This time I'll go in front, you follow from behind."

"Yes"

Ange, who can be relied on in such a situation, looked dazzling to me.

.

Part 5

The inside of the ghost ship was as old as the outside.

The squeaky floors crack with little effort, and doors shatter just by grabbing them.

There were lots of monsters.

But before it became a place for monsters to live. There were still remnants of the time when people used it, or rather, luggage and other items.

We reach a room and find an old book on a desk.

A number of the books were tattered and unreadable, but one was barely readable.

"This is a sailor's private room."

Clinging to Ange's back as she read her book, I was aware of my surroundings.

If someone once slept in this room, there is a possibility that something remains.

In short, I was worried that a ghost might come out.

"Ange, let's get this over with and get back."

Ange, who is stunned by my frightened state, turns the pages of the book.

Some pages seem to fall apart, but some are readable.

"Are you sure you can't handle this kind of thing? Hasn't this happened before?"

"I am not good with something scary. Aren't you scared, Ange?"

"Because I know that the living humans are more terrifying."

"Ah, Marie said that too."

"Ah? You mention that woman's name here, you sound like you want to be left behind."

I've pissed Ange off, and I cling desperately to her.

Then Ange gets embarrassed.

"O-Oi, I'm just kidding, don't hug me. Kora, where are you touching!"

"Forgive me! I can't handle scary things!"

It is bad enough that there is no Luxion in the first place.

If that guy had been here, he would have taken care of it somehow.

There is no such unscientific thing as ghosts~ and so on.

It's scary when you don't have someone you can talk lightly to.

In the first place, I was also afraid of the dungeon I tried to get that guy.

There are human bones normally.

If my life had not been on the line, I would not have actively challenged it.

Ange flips through the pages and tells me what the book is about.

"I think I figured out what happened to this ship. It seems to be the ship of the adventurers who tried to settle on the continent."

"Adventurers?"

"It was said that a group of young people who dreamed of a new continent were on board. The owner of the diary was angry with the rude people, and there was a lot of complaining in the diary."

"Why is such a ship here?"

"It's possible it's been abandoned. It says they found some great treasure. It must have been a woman who wrote this diary. The last page says she could be with that man."

Did she have a lover?

Ange looks at the cover of the book and touches it with her right hand.

"In the end, the name of the book's owner remains unknown. I can't find the name of the ship either. If the diary had been in better condition, I could have looked it up."

"L-Let's get this over with and go back. I'll have Luxion and Creare look into it later."

"――You really don't like ghosts, do you. What's up with the kingdom's greatest hero being afraid of ghosts? Those who admire you will be saddened."

"Scary things are scary."

Ange puts the book down and leaves the room.

Many of the other cabins had collapsed and could no longer be entered.

As we walked down the tattered passageway to the innermost part, Ange's footsteps came to a halt.

"Here it is. Leon"

Ange held out her left hand and I handed her the holy water bomb I was carrying. I was now Ange's baggage carrier.

I move away from Ange and hold up my shotgun to provide support.

However, I am not sure if I can aim firmly at the enemy because I am trembling.

When Ange received it and kicked down the door, we found a mucous-like monster haunting the airship.

But the biggest problem is the ghost-type monsters around it.

"It came ouuut !!"

When I scream, Ange throws the bomb and sprinkles holy water around.

The ghosts struggled and disappeared, and then some attacked.

Scared, I use the shotgun, but the shotshell goes right past the ghosts.

Ange's was scattering machine gun bullets at the mucus-like monster.

"Leon, I'll help you when I get this one down, so wait!"

I reached out with my right hand to use magic, but I was too frightened to concentrate and could not gather my magic power and the magic was never released.

"Ange, help me!"

"I told you to wait!"

The ghost-type monsters who slipped through the attack, approached my side were muttering some scary words in my ear.

I can't hear what they are saying, but I'm scared anyway.

I get goosebumps and a bad sweat breaks out.

"Luxion, help me!"

I didn't think the name I shouted in a crisis situation would be my hateful partner, Luxion.

Should I praise myself for not yelling, "Help me, Mom!"?

Then, Ange, who had defeated the mucus-like monsters, manipulated the flames to burn the monsters away.

"I told you to wait quietly."

It was a dependable sight to see Ange, who had wiped out the monsters, appear with the flames behind her carrying a machine gun that emitted smoke from its muzzle.

Ange holds me in her arms.

"The fire is spreading faster than I thought it would. We're going to get out of here, so hold on tight."

"――Yes"

Ange holds me like a princess.

I grabbed Ange and put my arms around her neck.

When Ange kicked through the wall, we saw the deck of the Einhorn.

"――That's too convenient. I'll question that Luxion later."

Ange jumped over to Einhorn with me in her arms.

Einhorn moves away from the ghost airship as flames begin to spread.

I was watching the scene while being held by Ange.

"I don't want to encounter a ghost ship again"

Even though I understood that they were monsters, I was really scared when they appeared as ghosts.

Ange agrees with me.

"Absolutely. I didn't expect you to be so useless. It's troublesome, so I don't want to encounter it again."

"Sorry"

I apologized pathetically and Livia rushed over to us.

―― She is with Luxion too.

"Leon-san! Ange! ―― W-Why is Ange carrying Leon-san in her arms?"

Livia is bewildered at the sight of us, but Luxion is as usual.

[It's easy to imagine what happened.]

I glare at Luxion, but I'm still held in such a way by Ange.

Ange looks at the ghost ship moving away.

As she watches it crumble, engulfed in flames and burning, Ange murmurs regretfully.

"Wish I could have gone into more detail"

.

Part 6

My room.

I was rattled and shaking as I sat on the bed.

Luxion and Creare are observing me with great interest.

[He looks awfully frightened, doesn't he.]

[Master is so cute!]

I stare at the artificial intelligences.

"Shut up, you traitorous artificial intelligences! How did you guys let a ghost ship get so close to Einhorn? Normally, you would have intercepted it on your own, wouldn't you? Or not allow them to approach?"

It's all strange when I think about it.

I thought the ghost ship had approached Einhorn.

However, the usual Luxion and Creare would have taken care of this in advance.

Speaking of strange, that's how I and Ange got on board the ghost ship.

We can wait until everyone else arrives, or if necessary, I can let Luxion and Creare take care of it.

There was no need for me or Ange to push ourselves anywhere.

Ange also seemed to have noticed this and said she would ask him about it later.

I can only assume that these guys were up to something from the beginning.

[Did you notice? It's a plan to get you and Angelica alone.]

"What's the plan! You know I'm not good with those guys, right?!"

[That's why I thought it would be effective.]

"I'm going to keep lecturing you today."

When I try to lecture Luxion and Creare, they both ignore me and leave the room.

There was a passage was provided in the room for the spherical ball to pass through, through which it could easily enter and exit the room.

"O-Oi, wait"

When I tried to stop them, Creare turned around.

[If you are going to call someone, you can't. I don't know why, but they're having a ghost story in the hall right now. If you go there, you'll hear a lot of scary stories, which Master hates.]

"What are they doing on my ship ?!"

[I sent Livia-chan and Noel-chan there. Ange is the only one who seems to be coming to this room to continue the goodbye talk.]

"Come to think of it, we were in the middle of a breakup."

In my mind, it was already after the breakup, but it was interrupted by the ghost ship ruckus.

If possible, I am tempted to leave the matter hanging, but that would be too insincere to Ange.

Everything was meant to be.

"――I've been dumped. It's a development I deserve."

I look down and let out a sigh, and Creare makes fun of me.

[You may be trying to look good, but it doesn't matter what Master says after such a pathetic sight.]

"Oi, wait a minute. You guys aren't monitoring me, are you?"

[――I think that Master should be more honest with yourself, and express your true feelings to Ange. Not the usual flimsy, off-the-cuff words, it's what Master says that counts.]

For some reason, Creare's attitude of talking about Ange in a deceptive manner raises the possibility that she was watching me.

"Oi! Did you watch me and laugh at me! You've got to be clear about that!"

[Master, tell Ange-chan in your own words that you love her]

"Don't run off like you just told a good story!"

When even Creare runs away from the room, I am left alone.

Noticing that, I react hypersensitively when I hear any sound in the room.

I got scared again and started shaking.

"I mean, it's cowardly to think there's a real ghost out there. What am I supposed to do with that thing?"

If those guys come out in the middle of the night, I'm gonna cry.

Alone and trembling on my knees, there is a knock at the door.

"Leon, it's me "

"Hyai!"

My voice muffled from the fear of the sudden knock on my door.

When I allowed Ange to enter the room, her hair was damp, probably after a shower.

Her hair, which is usually braided and tied up in a bun, is now easily done up.

Ange, who is dressed roughly, pulls in her cheeks when she sees me.

"Are you still scared? We already took them down."

"Thinking about seeing them in my dreams today scares the crap out of me and I can't sleep."

"You should know that you are a hero. Don't let them see you like that out there. That's my last advice."

Then Ange comes into the room and sits on my bed.

I looked up at the ceiling and saw a clear ―― No, around her eyes were red.

Did she cry in the shower?

Still, she laughs and tells me.

"We're done. It's been fun so far."

I guess this will be the end of our relationship.

On the one hand, I'm the one who wants to part ways cleanly and without regret, like a man, and on the other hand, the other me, crying out pitifully, is appealing to me.

―― I don't care if it's clean or without regret, I don't want to break up with Ange! Also, I'm lonely today and I want her to sleep with me! Like a man? I showed up a pathetic figure on a ghost ship, so what's the point!

And so on, I'm going to speak about my true feelings.

To be honest, I, too, would like her to stay by my side today.

But the other me, the one who appeals to my masculinity, says.

――Don't trouble her any more. Let's honestly break up with Ange and leave the memories beautiful and walk down a new path for both of us.

Even if I say that, it's just embarrassing to be trying to look good now.

Ange looks at me with concern as I ponder.

"What's up? I'd like to hear something from you too."

Ange herself was anxious to hear what I had to say.

That's why I.

"――I honestly don't understand much about the house or my position. I thought I was engaged to Ange personally."

"What are you talking about?"

"What I wanted wasn't the Duke Redgrave――It's Ange."

"Y-You"

When I tell her that I want Ange personally, she blushes and turns her head down.

"I am happy, but then I am just a daughter. I can't use my family's power, and it is useless for me to be around you. That said, if I stay close to you, relying on my family's strength, you'll be in trouble. "

"For me!"

It is a world that is inevitably strongly influenced by the existence of the family household.

Saying I only want her is not going to make it through.

But even knowing that, I――.

"――I need Ange. Noble society is too much for me, a nobleman from the countryside."

"It is true that Livia and Noel are also not very familiar with it, but the queen will assist you. If you wanted to, Princess Erika would be your wife. That princess will surely――"

"No. Absolutely no! Only Erika is no."

"Why is it so?"

Ange was terribly surprised to hear me say that Erika was the only one absolutely impossible.

If she sees us getting along so well on a regular basis, it's no wonder she's misunderstood.

However, only Erika is no.

In the first place, there is no such thing as marrying your niece from a previous life.

I want her to be happy, but not me to make her happy.

I tell Ange about my determination.

"I'm willing to fight with the Redgrave family for Ange."

"What are you talking about, just for me?"

"If it doesn't work, I steal you away"

"――The idiot"

When I show forcefulness, Ange shakes her head, though she looks happy.

Tears spilled from Ange's eyes.

"I'm glad you feel that way, but it will keep you from a peaceful life. I want you to be happy."

What do I really need for my happiness?

The answer is out.

"Then for my happiness, I need Ange."

"――Leon?"

I hug Ange on the bed.

Ange put her hands behind my back, and then I guess she realized.

"Are you trembling? By any chance――"

"Sorry, I'm still scared"

When she realized that the fear of the ghost ship had not left me, Ange laughed out loud.

"You're a really sloppy guy. At least at a time like this, you should make up your mind"

"Because I'm scared! Please stay with me."

Betrayed by Luxion and the others, I ask Ange to stay by my side.

Then Ange whispers in my ear.

"So you were afraid and wanted me to spend the night with you so you could seduce me?"

"Y-You're wrong."

"I won't get angry, so be honest. Come on, quickly."

She blew her breath in my ear, making me ticklish.

"Just a little"

"――I knew it"

Ange sounds amazed when she finds out the truth, but she rubs my back.

"Throwing you away like this would be a blemish on your hero's name."

"I can follow you"

"I don't like that. You are ―― a hero for me too."

I feel like I am closer to Ange than ever before because of this incident.

The uptight part was gone and we felt comfortable with each other.

Ange presses her forehead against my chest.

"Leon, I'm cutting myself off from my parents' house"

"Ange?"

I was surprised at the sudden statement.

Since family is such a big part of the world, it's a very big deal to cut ties with it.

From now on, Ange cannot return to the Redgrave family.

Not only that, but she would lose her position as a daughter of the Duke.

"Eventually, if I hadn't been able to keep you connected, my parents would have given up on me. So you have nothing to worry about."

"――But"

"It's the path I chose. You don't need to worry about it. If I cut ties with my family, Duke Redgrave will become your enemies. Are you prepared to bear that burden?"

After thinking for a few seconds and nodding, Ange looks up and gives me a serious look.

"You're going to have a lot of trouble. Most of the lords and nobles are the enemy. Some of them will even flatter you. If you want to rebuild the kingdom, you will be busy."

"If it can be done peacefully"

"――Got it. I will support you. Then I'll stay with you for the night. I know you'll be too scared to sleep."

I blushed as Ange gave me a mischievous smile.

"I-It's not like tha"

"Then I will return to my room?"

"I was lying!"

I apologize to Ange for that, and I asked her to sleep with me for the night.

***

Chapter 11 "Severing The Ties"

.

Part 1

Next morning.

Livia and Noel visit Leon's room.

The reason is that they haven't seen Ange and they want to know what happened to their relationship.

Livia looked depressed.

"In the end, their make-up attempt was a failure."

As they walk down the hallway, they have a dark look on their faces, unable to repair the relationship between Leon and Ange.

Noel forced herself to act cheerful.

"They don't break up because they don't like each other. They both have their positions."

Livia clenches her hand.

"That's right"

The two made up successfully, but in the end, the circumstances surrounding them did not allow them to be together.

When they come to the front of Leon's room, knocking hesitantly.

"Leon-san, are you awake?"

Livia calls out, but there is no response, and Noel knocks on the door harder.

"Wake up. Actually, I can't find Angelica-san. Creare is fine, if he won't take the matter up. Could you ask Leon for me?"

Perhaps Noel's voice wakes him up, and the door opens.

However, the owner of the room should have been Leon, but it was Ange with her hair down who showed up.

She looks embarrassed with her cheeks slightly reddening in front of the two of them.

While averting her gaze from the two.

"――I'm sorry. I made you worry."

Even though Livia's cheeks are drawn back, but she is relieved to see Ange looking so well.

"Thank goodness! Ange, yesterday――"

"Wait a minute. I have something I need to tell you first."

Both Livia and Noel closed their mouths as Ange became serious.

Ange took a small breath and then.

"I've decided to stay with Leon. Instead, I will sever my ties from my parents' home."

When Livia and Noel heard this, they screamed in the morning.

.

Part 2

The mansion of the Duke Redgrave family in the royal capital.

It was Vince, who didn't even try to hide his grumpy face, who was in front of Ange, who had visited the mansion in the morning.

He glares at Ange.

"I never thought my beloved daughter would bite my hand."

To Vince's words, Ange replies with dignity.

"It was Chichi-ue who did the biting."

“I didn't think you'd sever your ties from your family. By the looks of it, you couldn't have persuaded Duke Bartfalt, could you? It seems you've lost to Her Highness as a woman."

Are you cutting ties with your family because you couldn't convince Leon? Ange smiles faintly at this question.

"Leon assured me that he would not marry Princess Erika. Then he told me that he wants me even if he has to fight with Duke Redgrave."

Vince's face contorts when he realizes that Erika is not the reason why Leon has not joined forces with the Redgrave family.

With a look of incomprehension, he asks Ange.

"What are you talking about? Well, in that case——"

"Leon said it would be troublesome for the kingdom to fall."

"You don't seem to understand that if they don't perish when they're supposed to perish, they'll just be showing ugliness."

The kingdom is reaching the end of its life span.

When Vince said that there was no point in prolonging its life as it was now, Ange gave a small nod.

"I think so too"

"Then why can't you persuade him? It's easy for you now, isn't it."

Indeed, it is easy for Ange to persuade Leon.

Leon would have sided with Duke Redgrave if Ange had asked him to.

But that's not what Ange wants.

"I didn't want to"

"Ange!"

"My wish is for Leon's happiness."

Declaring with dignity, Vince swung his fist down on the desk in the office.

"Are you going to betray the Redgrave ―― your family?"

Are you going to fight with your family? At this question, Ange's eyes shook slightly, but she did not change her mind.

"I have no excuses. Thank you for all you have done for me. Chichi-ue, please be well."

"I don't need you to tell me. As of today, I'm severing the parent-child relationship with you. Get out of here!"

"Excuse me"

Ange leaves the office with her back turned, but stops at the door and looks back.

Vince looks like he wants to tell her to leave quickly, but she takes a picture out of her pocket.

Since Vince probably won't be able to see it from his position, so she tells him what the picture is of.

"Also, I'll let you know just in case. I challenged an unexplored dungeon with Leon and we got the treasure."

Hearing this story, Vince's back was lifted out of his chair.

"W-What?"

As a nobleman and a father, he could not forgive his daughter.

However, when he learns that his daughter has achieved greatness as an adventurer, he is disturbed.

As a father and adventurer, he is filled with the desire to congratulate his daughter.

At the same time, the adventurer's blood is boiling.

His daughter has done what he could not do.

He wanted to congratulate her, but at the same time, he felt frustrated.

But he just broke the relation between them.

While wanting to hear more details, he cannot show that kind of attitude here.

He had that kind of expression on his face.

Ange politely informs him.

"The dungeon will be named the Old Castle of the Golden Hand. We have already recovered all the treasures, but a survey team is being organized to investigate the site. I was told a full-scale investigation will begin in a few years"

The treasure has already been collected by Ange and others, but perhaps there is still something more to be found.

With this in mind, adventurers will be heading for the Old Castle of the Golden Hand one after another.

Vince also looked like he wanted to head over right now, but he turned away and sat back in his chair.

He crosses his arms and yells at Ange.

"W-What does it matter? You and I are strangers now. Get out of my house quickly."

"I will. Thank you, Father, for all you have done."

Ange bowed deeply, and her voice sounded slightly sad.

Vince lets out a deep sigh as Ange leaves the room and leaves him alone.

"Stupid daughter. ―― That is where you should have talked about the dungeon first. You think that was payback?"

He wanted to hear his daughter's adventure story, but regretfully.

Then he looks up at the ceiling and smiles.

"Even so, she's got a good eye now."

There was a father there, pleased with his daughter's growth, even though their ties were severed.

.

Part 3

School rooftop.

I was to discuss the future with Herring, but the topic inevitably turned to the old castle of the Golden Hand.

Herring happily talks about Mia-chan.

"Listen. I think Mia may have discovered a new species of plant. I would love to name the plant after Mia, what do you think?"

"How many hours are you going to talk about Mia-chan?"

"I haven't even told you 30% of it yet?"

Watching Herring tilt his head back, the word "overprotective" seems to perfectly fit.

I sigh, and Herring, perhaps feeling bad about it, asks me about the recent situation.

"Meanwhile, what about you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I heard that daughter of the duke cut off her ties with her parents for your sake. I thought it was kind of sudden, even though there was some break-up talk going on. I thought I'd ask you what kind of methods you used, for future reference."

"Aren't you just curious?"

I'm dumbfounded, but there is no point in hiding it, so I tell the truth.

Of course, all my pathetic stories get cut.

I cannot disclose my shame openly.

"I just told that I needed Ange."

"Is that all?"

"What else is there?"

"No, if that's all, wouldn't it have been better if you had told her beforehand?"

If I can tell her, there wouldn't have been a problem in the first place.

I can think of a reason I hadn't noticed and give Herring an answer that sounds like it.

"Is it a difference in values?"

It was a messy answer, but it seemed enough for Herring.

He is thinking seriously.

"――That's a troublesome problem for us."

"Right"

When I make a sidelong glance, Herring leans his back against the rooftop railing and looks up at the sky.

Then he cut to the chase.

"It's time for me to make contact with another capture target."

"Robson? You have a harsh judgment"

"I'm just trying to determine if he's the right man to trust with Mia's life."

I say that's the problem.

Herring, who is overprotective toward Mia-chan, inevitably has a strict eye for men.

Above all, Herring himself is a high-spec man.

Back in the empire, I hear he's famous as a knight.

I hear he's not a noble, but I've heard the empire is a meritocracy, so there's a chance he could get a peerage.

I haven't heard about his financial resources, but I heard that he has a lot of savings because he doesn't spend much money.

Once I asked him what he was spending his money on and was surprised to find that most of it was related to Mia-chan.

Is there a man in this school that Herring would approve of?

Herring asks me for it with an unflattering look on his face.

"―― But I've been realizing lately that I'm a little strict."

"A little? That's a little?!"

"That's why I want you to help me find out."

"Me?"

Why would he ask me to do that?

When I wonder, Herring tells me the situation.

"It can't be helped! I don't have anyone else I can ask. Marie――san, I feel like she has no eyes for men."

Indeed, it is doubtful that Marie, surrounded by five idiots, has the eyes to judge a man.

She was a person who fell for a hopeless man from a previous life.

"I'm not confident either, but isn't it more important that Robson gets along with Mia? Forcing them to get together won't end well"

I remember what happened to Loic in the Arzel Republic, and I tell Hering that the best thing to do is to let the two of them feel each other's feelings.

Herring seemed to agree.

"I guess so. First, their feelings. On top of that, it's whether he's a man who can protect Mia. At this point, I'm thinking of raising him to be a man who can protect Mia, what do you think?"

"Do you want to start a game of nobleman's training?"

"If he can't, I'll have to prepare him!"

Since there is no man suitable for Mia-chan, he said that he would prepare one himself.

What could make this guy go that far?

"Isn't your love for Mia-chan too heavy?"

"It's not heavy. This is normal."

Raising the capture target of that Otome game and developing him into a man worthy and suitable for the protagonist!

I had a bit of trouble stopping such Herring.

But if he could make the five idiots decent, I'd be inclined to leave it to him.

.

Part 4

Robson Fou Ethan.

He is a man born with everything.

He was born into a prestigious Count family, and also had a talent for sword and magic.

He was not only a military man, but also showed great talent in writing.

Ethan, who grew up with no such flaws and was hailed as a genius by those around him, had an older brother who was nothing like him.

Compared to Ethan, he is a man of no talent, is foolish, and has a nasty personality.

Envious of his talented younger brother, he planned to assassinate him, he was worried about his status as heir of the family.

However, the lack of talent is shown here as well.

His brother is disinherited by his parents because of an act that is too poor to be called an assassination.

They said he was being pushed into the remote countryside, but Ethan didn't know the details either.

Is he alive or dead?

His parents feared that his foolish older brother would run the family into the ground, so they took advantage of the situation and made Ethan their heir.

Thus, Ethan became an heir to the Robson family.

"Yes, that means I'm the perfect guy who has it all."

――The man who talked about his bragging so far with a little sadness was Ethan.

He sat down next to Aare, who was sitting on a bench in the school's courtyard, and suddenly started talking about his upbringing and bragging.

Aare is also puzzled by the bragging.

"I-I see. That was tough."

Aare had a small, lovely, homemade lunch box spread out on her lap.

When she was spending her lunch hour alone, Ethan suddenly sat down next to her.

Even though she did not listen to it, he began to tell her about his upbringing.

Ethan glances at the lunch box, and Aare offers him a side dish.

"Here"

"Oops, excuse me. It looked so delicious that it caught my eye. I was hoping to fix my gaze on a beautiful woman like you, but what sinful food."

Ethan grabs the omelet and eats it, chewing and swallowing it before smiling at Aare.

"I'm sure you will be a wonderful wife. By the way, I have an empty spot next to me for you. You can always next――"

With both hands held, Aare realizes what Ethan wants to do.

――Ah, I'm being picked up now, she thought.

"Ano, I'm glad to hear that but I"

As she tries to decline the offer in a reserved manner, there is one man who approaches them.

It was an angry Jake.

"What are you doing there!"

Seeing Jake approaching with a raised voice, Aare hurriedly shook off Ethan's hand.

“Your Highness Jake?! T-This is"

Jake looked at the bewildered Aare, then immediately glared at Ethan.

"Aare is troubled. Get out of there, Ethan."

Jake seems to know Ethan, as they are also first-year students.

It is the same for Ethan.

However, it appears that both sides do not have a good relationship.

Ethan, with a fearless smile on his face, provokes Jake.

"Well, well. Isn't it His Royal Highness Jake who cannot be the crown prince? According to what I heard, you couldn't persuade Duke Bartfalt? Is the Duke backing the disinherited Prince Julius?"

Ethan's blatant provocation to Jake, who was aiming for the throne, told Ethan's position.

As a nobleman, Ethan's Robson family likely isn't backing Jake.

But Jake doesn't step back.

"I was impressed with you for pushing your brother aside and sitting as his heir, but apparently I overestimated you. You're just a kid who wants what others have."

Ethan, who was called a kid, raises his eyebrows with a smile on his face.

Although he is trying his best to show his composure, he must be quite angry.

"I would say. Speaking of which, where is your guardian Oskar? He has to take care of His Highness, but I can't seem to see him."

While bringing up the topic of Oskar, 'even though you are just a kid who can't do anything without a guardian!' A roundabout message that he said.

However, Jake touched his face with his right hand and made an indescribable expression.

"――Oskar is at the woman's place."

"Oskar, who can do nothing but work on his body, is with a woman? People grow up, don't they? Your Highness could learn from him"

Jake responds to Ethan, who is undermining him, weakly.

"You're right. ――Aare, come with me."

Jake takes Aare's hand as he puts away her lunch box and leaves Ethan.

Seeing them together, Ethan does not seem to be angry.

He just looked coldly at Jake's back.

"――I will only let you have her for now, Your Highness. I hope you will make happy memories with her."

Ethan knew what was about to happen to Jake.

There is no need to imagine the fate of the prince of a dying country.

Out of pity, Ethan watched Jake take Aare away.

.

Part 5

"Oskar-samaa~"

"Jenna-san!"

It was Oskar and Finley who visited a coffee shop near the school.

Jenna, who came first and had been waiting for him, looks only at Oskar and has a big smile on her face.

She doesn't seem to have noticed that Finley is coming with him.

Jenna feigns friendliness in a place where the sisters know each other well.

"I'm sorry to call you here. I really wanted to have lunch with Oskar-sama~"

Expressionless Finley looks at Jenna, who feigns friendliness, and her eyes are void of highlights.

Oskar, oblivious to Finley's state of mind, looks embarrassed.

"No, I am happy too. I have not had many experiences with ladies asking me out, so I am in high spirits."

"Oskar-sama is so cute!"

Those around them who see the new couple react either smiling, awkwardly, or biting their back teeth and cursing the world.

And Finley.

(Why am I being punished like this?)

A male student who was a good friend of hers had somehow gotten into a good relationship with her own sister.

From Finley's point of view, he does not understand what happened.

After watching them for a while, Jenna finally seems to notice Finley's presence.

"Ara, Finley was here too."

With a very annoyed look on her face, her words show not the least bit of concern for her younger sister.

"I'm sorry to disturb you. Mom and dad tell me to do so. ―― Keep an eye on your sister to make sure she doesn't get into trouble, they said."

Finley, with a fake smile on her face, was Jenna's watchman.

"You don't have to come. We'll get along fine. Why don't Finley just buy some candy and go home? Ah, and be sure to tell your mother and father nicely."

"I'm a serious person, so I can't do that~"

Oskar listens to the conversation between the sisters, but he is not smart enough to understand their feelings, so he takes his seat and starts ordering.

Jenna was grinding her teeth inwardly.

(Even I don't want to keep an eye on you guys! Please understand my feelings a little!)

Her parents were worried that her sister was going out with Oskar and might cause some problems. Finley was asked by her parents, who were concerned about her sister's relationship with Oskar.

(And aniki also says to never let you out of my sight)

Finley, who received an allowance from Leon, could not refuse when asked.

Also, her own intuition tells her that she needs to keep an eye on things.

Both Jenna and Finley are smiling at each other, but their eyes are not smiling at all.

Finley takes a seat.

"We don't have much time, so let's get a quick meal. We are students and have classes in the afternoon. Unlike onee-chan, who has nothing else to do."

Jenna naturally sits next to Oskar and clings to his well-trained arms.

"Oskar-sama, you found a treasure in the dungeon, didn't you? Did you get a lot of money by any chance?"

She ignored Finley and spoke to Oskar, but the answer she got back was not what Jenna wanted.

"No, the Duke got all the treasure."

"――Eh?"

"As I thought, the dungeon conquerors are different. I am not even close to him. I am lucky to have a wonderful senior."

Jenna's cheeks are drawn back as she is told with a smile.

"T-That's so. That Leon has got another treasure. Hm~m."

"Yes! The Duke was very concerned about me. He told me that if I overexerted myself too much and injured myself, he would be sorry for all the things."

Finley drinks the juice brought by the waiter, thinking that sorry for all the things parts must include Jenna.

Jenna brings her face close to Finley's and tries to get some details about the situation.

"What does that mean? Did he find another treasure? He's rich even if he doesn't do anything, isn't he."

"I don't know. He's been strangely out of his mind and in a fickle mood lately."

"He's always out of his mind. He's out of many other things, too."

As a blood sister and brother, Jenna's assessment of Leon was harsh.

Finley doesn't deny that part either.

The Leon that they had seen at their parents' house was not the hero, as everyone said he was.

"It's worse than when he was at the parents' house. And he's strangely attached to Angelica-san."

"That idiot, if you made a profit, you should give me a share of it"

Jenna has no right to anything, but that is a sign of unreasonableness as a sister. Also, she is just bad-mouthing him and does not really want a share of the money.

Finley nods her head.

"But I heard that aniki is financing aneki's life in the royal capital.”

"That is that, this is this."

"Aneki is trash too"

What is fascinating about this older sister?

Finley is curious and asks Oskar.

"Oskar-san"

"What is it?"

"Why did you fall for my sister? From me, her younger sister's point of view, she's pretty trash."

Jenna is furious when she is called trash right in front of her.

"―― Finley, do you have a grudge against me?"

She gives her a steely look that says, "I will not forgive anyone who destroys my happiness".

But Finley does not stop warning Oskar.

Because she hates her sister.

"Oskar-san, you should break up with her now."

While Jenna, ignored, turns murderous eyes on her sister, Oskar scratches his head in embarrassment.

"No, I don't think so. Jenna is a lovely lady."

Jenna folds her hands with a twinkle in her eyes at Oskar's statement.

She looks as if she is praying to Oskar.

"Oskar-sama"

"Jenna-san"

Finley covered her face with her hands as she watched the two of them staring at each other.

(Is this guy's eye blind!!)

.

Part 6

I was in my room with my head in my hands when Finley told me what happened at lunch.

"How am I supposed to apologize to Viscount Hogan?"

If I apologize that 'my big sister seduced your son, will you forgive me?' No, I don't think so.

If I were Viscount Hogan, I would be outraged to learn that my heir had been seduced.

Ange makes a dumbfounded face as she prepares a drink for my dejected self.

"You don't have to worry about it so much. Isn't Viscount Hogan rather pleased?"

"It's my sister?! It's that sister who played around a lot when I was in school and caused me a lot of trouble?! I pity Oskar so much."

He's an idiot but a good guy, but the woman he falls in love with is pretty bad.

I wanted them to break up for Oskar's sake because I know Jenna as a person well.

Yes, for the sake of Oskar!

Why do I have to worry about the romance of the guy who is the capture target of the third work?

Perhaps Ange is tired of talking about this, so she switches the subject to cutting ties with her parents' home.

"More importantly, it will soon be known that I have broken off relations with my parents' family. If that happens, the palace and the school will be in an uproar. People around you will be wondering what you're up to."

Apparently, everyone is looking to see whose side I'm on.

I wish they would have paid more attention to something else.

The best tea gentleman in the school, or something like that.

"I don't want to be the center of attention"

"The price you paid for choosing me was high."

"――I guess I'll just have to endure it then"

With a giggle, Ange lets me know how I should act in the future.

"Show them that Leon is friendly with the royal palace. Make it look like you are friendly with His Highness Julius."

"With Julius? What about Erika and Jake?"

If it's all about appearing friendly with royalty, Erika and Jake are no different.

However, Ange was fixated on Julius.

"His Highness Jake is too ambitious. If you get close to him, he might use the relationship to stir up trouble for the position of Crown Prince."

"That Jake? Even though he's crazy about Aare-chan?"

The two are often seen together in school.

I heard that Jake is chasing her.

It seems that Aare-chan is also not dissatisfied and is happy about it.

―― But they are both men. No, one of them changed sex and became a woman, but the problem is that there is no concept of sex change in this world.

Therefore, no matter how feminine Aare-chan is, she is treated as a man on documents and in the family register.

Ange is also aware of this fact and is worried about Jake.

"If His Highness Jake knew the truth, he would have a rough time."

"If things get rough, I'll beat them up with Arroganz and make them as merry as Julius and others."

"Think of it as a last resort. Also, stop tea parties with Princess Erika to a minimum."

I don't understand the reason why Erika is not good.

As I was tilting my head, Ange reached out and pinched my cheek.

"Ange, it hurts"

"It's because you look like you don't understand. I don't want you to get close to Princess Erika, partly because of politics, but mostly because of my personal selfishness."

"Eh?"

Ange removes her hand from my cheek and gently strokes the red, swollen area with her fingertips.

"It's jealousy. Besides, if you get too close to her, Milene-sama will make a move. She will do anything to protect her country."

Ange lets go of her hand and tells me about Milene-san, who I don't know.

She wants me to have more sense of danger.

"When that person was married, there was a lot of fuss that the United Kingdom of Leparto had played its trump card. She's the one who was rumored to have been the eventual queen of the allied countries."

"Milene-san is amazing."

When I am impressed, Ange doesn't look amused and I cough to cover it up.

It seems that Ange had served as an apprentice in the past by Milene-san's side and had heard a lot about her from her.

"The United Kingdom has been tormented by Raschel for years. Knowing that, that person was desperate to hold up the military alliance and suppress Raschel."

"So she's going to use her daughter?"

"Although she has sentiments, she is also a person who can make decisions as a royalty. In fact, Erika-sama was betrothed to a legitimate son of the Fraser family when she was very young."

I have a complicated feeling because it was my niece from a previous life who got engaged.

Ange concludes with a joke.

"So I don't recommend it, personally or politically. Now that I've said all this, you'll reconsider, won't you?"

I pull back slightly as Ange comes closer to my face.

"You're more aggressive than before."

"I stopped thinking about it. You don't get my indirect expressions of affection."

When I can't say anything, there is a knock at the door.

"Who are they at a time like this?"

When I stood up from my chair, Ange narrowed her eyes.

It seems she has an idea who the visitor is.

"While I prefer that he come before time, I wish he'd be more thoughtful."

"Eh, did you call someone?"

"It's His Highness Julius."

.

Part 7

I was walking the streets of the royal capital with Julius, who had been called by Ange.

I was told to walk around the royal city, alone with Julius.

Two guys going out together or something like that makes me sad.

Despite that, Julius was in a good mood.

"I was told I could tour the food stalls on your dime. Why don't we tour my recommendations here, but also explore new ones."

He turns his useless, sparkling, handsome smile on me.

The women walking around were fascinated by Julius.

――What's the point of you smiling at me like that?

I won't have a crush on you.

"A tour of the food stalls, are you okay with that, as a prince?"

"This is also a daily practice. But it's a hobby and partly for practical purposes, though."

"No, that's not what I asked you."

Why do you get to have so much fun just walking around with the dude?

Julius feels like a mysterious creature I don't understand, and as I look at him curiously, Luxion speaks to me.

[Master, I've identified some suspicious individuals in the area.]

"Is that an assassin?"

Even like this, I have a billion-yen bounty on my head from another country.

There are people out there who are trying to kill me, but this time it seems to be different.

[No, they seem to be investigating the Master's friendships. As Angelica mentioned, there is a lot of commotion around Master]

"It's a pity that they are desperately trying to find out about my friendships."

[I agree. This country, where Master is such an important figure, is already at its end.]

"Can't you be nicer? Would you be nicer if I gave you an order?"

Wouldn't he be a little nicer partner if I ordered him to do so?

Such faint hopes are soon shattered.

[After considering the good measures to be taken forward, I regret to inform you that I will not be able to do so.]

"What do you mean "considering", after giving a quick answer?"

As I was having a routine conversation with Luxion, Julius looked around and let out a small sigh.

"It's been a long time since I've felt this way. No, more than me?"

When I looked at him to see what he was talking about, Julius led me to the restaurant with a serious expression on his face.

Walking quickly, he weaves his way through the crowd.

"Oi, what's wrong?"

"There's quite a few of them watching us. Leon's even more popular than I am."

I see Julius laughing, and it makes me angry.

"Only nasty people come to me"

"I used to feel the same way."

I could understand a little bit how Julius felt about being the crown prince, the one who was getting all the attention.

It is certainly uncomfortable to be watched all the time.

And Julius asks me what will happen from now on.

"It's going to be tough from now on. The royal palace, of course, will be noisy, but so will the school."

"Is that so?"

"That's the way it is. That being said, I hear you and Angelica are getting along well."

"Idi! Don't say getting along well."

Julius tilted his head, but continued talking as if he didn't care.

"She no longer looks thoughtful. She is more full of energy than ever before. You're going to have a hard time now, aren't you."

Having had her mind blown, Ange became tougher in many ways.

Thanks to that, I am overwhelmed.

[She already dominates.]

"Oi!"

[Isn't that the fact?]

Unable to say anything back, I turn my face away, and Julius laughs.

"I knew you were more than me. ――Do well, Leon."

I guess the "do well" part includes the future.

It's not just about Ange.

"I don't need to be told."

***

Chapter 12 "Tradition Event"

.

Part 1

“Did he really cut his ties with Duke Redgrave and support the royal family?”

Ethan heard the news the day after Leon and Julius had walked around to eat in the royal capital.

Even though Duke Redgrave cut Ange off from them, her engagement to Leon was not broken.

Also, the fact that Leon was walking around the royal city with Julius suggests that he is in a position of support for the royal family.

There was evidence that this was not a mistake, and it was delivered to Ethan as solid information.

Ethan, whose schedule has gone awry, scrunches up his face.

"This will ―― make Miss Aare end up with Prince Jake!"

Ethan, cowering in place with his head in his hands, recalls his encounter with Aare.

It was just a few days after the entrance ceremony.

He was dismayed at the low level of the people around him and spent his time at a distance, not talking to anyone.

He is different from those around him.

He was isolated by this thought.

However, there was one person who approached Ethan kindly.

It's Aare.

The person in question probably doesn't remember it, but she spoke to Ethan, who was spending some time alone.

It was a conversation that lasted only a few minutes, but Ethan still remembers it.

Having a casual conversation, he felt his heart beat faster.

Then, after Aare left, he realized.

"This perfect me is in love with her, so Miss Aare is a perfect woman. And yet, it is unbelievable that she is so close to His Highness Jake. If things were going to be true, he was supposed to disappear to the executioner's table as a prince of a ruined country"

He thought that Jake would surely be killed in the future, and if so, he was going to give him time to dream, even if only for a short time.

And yet, Leon has turned to support the royal family.

If Leon were to support the royal family, the lord nobles who want to destroy the kingdom of Horfalt would likely hesitate to do so.

In fact, some nobles had left Duke Redgrave's faction.

The same is true for Ethan's family, Count Robson, who has been instructed to be cautious at the school. In other words, the chances of Jake being sent to the executioner's table have greatly diminished.

"Why are things not going according to my plan?! I'm a genius!!"

Ethan, who believes and has no doubt that he is a genius, decided to take action, forgetting about his position as a noble.

"I guess I should make myself clear on this?"

All in order to tell Aare that he loves her.

.

Part 2

It's me and Herring walking down the hallway of the school.

And our partners who don't get along.

Luxion glares at Brave with red lenses glowing suspiciously, and Brave stares at Luxion with bloodshot eyes.

They float in the air and follow us like two delinquents sending a glare at each other.

And Herring, his master, looked nervous as he loosened his collar.

"Robson ―― I'm going to find out if he's worthy of Mia."

Herring, with his sharp eyes, looked like he was about to go into battle.

"Do you want to kill Robson-kun? Do something about that killing intent."

"S-Sorry. I just can't help but force myself."

I feel sorry for Robson, who knows nothing about this.

However, he is the capture target of that otome game.

I can't imagine any of them are decent, so let's meet him and see how he is as a person before I decide whether I should feel sorry for him or not.

Herring looks anxious.

"――Bartfalt."

"Just call me Leon. What?"

"Then, Leon, I'm fine you call me Finn. Also ―― What would you do if Robson was unworthy of Mia?"

You're too pessimistic, thinking about what if he's not what you expected before you even meet him.

No, I guess not.

In my experience so far, the world has been just right for me to be overly pessimistic.

"I didn’t expect anything from the capture targets from the beginning, so there’s no problem. Besides, didn't you say you were going to do something about him by training him."

"I-I guess so. If he is not good, I can train him. If I let him cross the dead line a few times, maybe he'll become a little more decent, huh?"

"―― If the conditions are that strict, Mia won't be able to get married forever."

Herring――Finn's overprotectiveness is also a problem.

We're making our way to the first-year classroom to talk to Robson and we hear a commotion.

"First years are so noisy"

Finn nods his head as he approaches the classroom, thinking the place is noisy.

"No, it's not usually this noisy. Is something wrong?"

As we run out of concern, we hear Mia-chan's voice coming from the classroom.

"If you're a man, you should fight fair and square!"

――What happened to Mia-chan?

.

Part 3

Let's turn the time back a bit, Jake and Ethan were staring at each other in the first-year classroom.

The tall Ethan is looked up by the smaller Jake.

They look furious at each other.

"Say it again"

Ethan responds to Jake's low voice question in a cold voice.

"You don't worthy of Miss Aare. Do you really think that you, who can't even become the crown prince even without pushing your brother aside, can be with the lovely Miss Aare?"

Ethan's words cause Jake to have a blue streak on his forehead.

"The man who pushed his brother out of the way and took the heir apparent's position sure is different. It seems that the self-proclaimed genius-dono is unable to measure the abilities of others. ―― You think I'm inferior to my brother?"

There is a lot of noise and words are being said, and the people around them are anxious.

Ethan's language is extremely disrespectful and goes too far, even considering his status as a student.

Even Jake seems to have forgotten that he was warned by the school to refrain from talking about topics that might touch on the issue of succession rights.

The first-year students start to make a fuss over the situation.

"Where's Princess Erika?!"

"She left already because she had a doctor's appointment today."

"T-Then, where's Oskar-sama?!"

“――He just left the classroom like normal because he was going to meet his girlfriend.”

"Why?! How can he leave in this situation?!"

Even the first-year students were bewildered by Oskar's lack of common sense.

Then the gaze turns to the girl who seems to be able to contain the situation.

――It's Finley.

Several of the girls approach Finley and ask her to calm the scene.

"Finley-san, can I ask you for a small favor?"

Finley, who guessed what was meant, let out a deep sigh and got up from her seat.

"You want me to do something using my brother's name? Understood."

Since entering the school, she had been forced into this kind of hassle more often.

Finley is also used to this role and approaches Jake and Ethan to talk to them.

"May I have a moment, both of you?"

Jake and Ethan turn to face Finley, who is using a soft voice and behaving modestly, but they're giving off the vibe that they're about to explode with rage.

Finley asks the two of them.

"Everyone is troubled, so why don't you call it a day? If it gets any worse, it will be troublesome for both of you, won't it? Right?"

Considering each other's position, it would be better to pull back here.

She thought they would both be smart enough to realize that, but Finley's prediction was easily missed.

"Shut up, Bartfalt. Even if your brother comes out, I'm not going to forgive him."

When Jake shows no intention of backing down, Ethan laughs mockingly.

"That's a great nerve. For a prince who can do nothing without the duke's backing, let's just say it's an admirable resolve. ――Bartfalt-san, I can't back down either."

Neither of them wanted to back down.

The fact that it was one woman who caused this problem is problematic.

Finley is about to cry.

"No, ano, this is not a good idea."

The atmosphere in the classroom was even worse when even Finley could not persuade them.

Some of the students appear to run away.

Then one female student stood up with her hands vigorously on the desk.

“How long are you going to keep bickering!?”

When everyone's gazes ―― gathered on Mia, the classroom became quiet.

Mia is slightly embarrassed, but scolds Jake and Ethan.

"If you're a man, you should fight fair and square!!"

The classroom is full of noise.

Jake and Ethan looked at each other and remained silent.

Mia did not like their attitude.

"It's so pathetic for boys to be bickering. Even a person who is liked by the two of you would be disillusioned if she saw you like this."

Perhaps the two imagined Aare's disappointment, and it was unnerving.

Mia presses on.

"If you're a man and have a girl you like, you should head-on match!"

Looking down, Jake and Ethan were accepting Mia's words.

"You're right. I was out of my mind. I don't think Aare would be pleased by a verbal fight."

"Was it Mia, the foreign exchange student? You've just woken me up. Surely, she won't be pleased."

Mia smiles at their enthusiastic attitude.

“I see you both understand! That’s right. You both should confess your feelings fairly and square――"

The fair game Mia envisioned was for the two of them to confess their feelings to Aare.

And yet, Jake and Ethan stare at each other.

"I don't have gloves, but let's have a fair and square duel for Aare. We'll duel with armor, shall we."

When Jake challenges Ethan to a duel, Ethan brushes his bangs away with his hand.

"It's a clean, fair, and square duel. I have no complaints. I'm just worried that I might injure you. You are a prince, after all."

When Ethan agrees to a duel, the buzz of the students grows louder.

"It's a duel!"

"A duel over a single woman ―― that's the most exciting event!"

"It's getting fun!"

The students, who had panicked earlier, were now excited.

Mia alone is confused.

"Eh? Ano? Ah, A-re? Why a duel? All you have to do is confess, right?!"

People around Mia are not listening to her suggestion, and the topic of the duel became lively.

When Finn returns to the classroom, Mia runs out and cries.

"Knight-samaaa!"

“What's wrong, Mia?! What happened? Did someone bully you? ――Tell me who did it. I'll make them regret it immediately."

To a concerned Finn, Mia tells him that she is responsible for causing people to kill each other.

"Because of Mia, there will be a duel."

"――What?"

Making fearful faces, Finn turned to Leon, who had been standing behind him.

"What does it mean?"

Leon scratches his head and mutters in amazement at the noisy first-year students.

"Don't worry about it. It's a tradition."

"The duel is?!"

.

Part 4

It was decided that men would duel over a man.

The place is the arena in the school.

Students gathered in the spectator area, looking forward to the duel that was about to take place.

We third-year students are also there to observe and watch the first-year students.

The girls are excited about the boys dueling over Aare-chan.

"It's amazing to see His Highness Jake and Ethan-sama dueling over one woman."

"It's like a story"

"I heard there was a duel two years ago."

Perhaps it was because of the topic two years ago that people around me had bitter looks on their faces.

I'm surrounded by my fiancées and even more so by Marie and the five idiots.

Sitting just in front of me are my friends Daniel and Raymond.

"Leon, they're talking about you."

"You are famous among the first-year students"

I know that if I answer seriously, they will make fun of me even more.

Because I know that if I answer seriously, I will be teased unnecessarily.

"I didn't fight because I liked it. It wasn't a duel over a single woman to begin with, so it wouldn't have been a romantic duel like those guys."

Raymond put his hand on his chin and reminisced about two years ago.

"No~, at that time, I thought Leon would be socially dead."

Daniel, likewise, apparently thought I was dead in noble society.

"And that Leon is now a Duke. For some reason, he's accompanied by prince and others."

I'm the one who wants to know how I got into this situation.

I beat up five idiots in a duel, and for some reason I had to feed them.

This is a punishment.

Noel, sitting right next to me, is dumbfounded with her elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands.

She looked down at the two armored figures standing in the arena with grim eyes.

"Didn't Leon also duel in the Republic? Two years ago, too, which means you duel almost every year. This country is too scary."

I also agree with Noel.

"Exactly. And I, a sensitive and gentle man, am so anxious to be born in such a barbaric country."

"――You seem to be enjoying it, though?"

"Because I'm not in it. In the first place, a duel doesn't involve killing each other. It's just for a show, so just have fun with it."

"Just the fact that you can enjoy this, doesn't that mean that the Kingdom is the right place for you, Leon?"

As I'm talking to Noel, Livia, sitting to my left, pokes my arm with her finger.

When I turned my head, she was pointing at Julius and the others.

"Leon-san, everyone is watching."

I looked over there and saw Julius and the others staring at me.

"It was wrong of me to pick a fight with you. If I could go back in time, I would never fight you."

It seems that Jilk regrets it.

"I should have prepared more carefully."

Brad still hasn't forgotten what happened two years ago.

"It's cowardly, isn't it? You knew you would not lose, and you accepted the match."

Greg crosses his arms and shakes his legs.

"Remembering that time still pisses me off, doesn't it."

Chris had a strange glint in his glasses.

"――Because during the duel, he even broke my heart. I will never forget what happened and one day I plan to take revenge."

I feel sorry for these five guys and apologize to them by scratching my head.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think you guys were that weak. If there is a next time, I'll go easier on you."

As I am laughing at the indignant faces of the five of them, Ange, who was seated behind me, pats me lightly on the back.

"Don't stir things up, you idiot"

"I got scolded"

I shrug my shoulders and turn my gaze to Marie and the others.

Next to Marie is Kara, who is watching the match with her, drinks and food in hand.

Marie was still Marie today.

"It's more entertainment than a duel, isn't it? Let's get started!"

When she complained, she gulped down the drink in her hand in one gulp.

Oi, wait a minute.

Is that alcohol you're holding, by any chance?

Are you drinking while the sun is still high?

"Marie-sama, good drinking today!"

And Kara is admiring Marie like that.

What is there to admire?

I looked diagonally behind me and saw Mia-chan who is looking anxious and Finn.

Mia, who was the one who initiated the duel, is nervous because she feels responsible.

Next to him, Mia feel uneasy, Finn looked down at Jake and Ethan with a look that made ―― as if they were enemies.

I hear Finn muttering.

"――I'll make them regret this."

Hm~m, overprotective after all.

I ask Luxion, floating nearby, about the outcome of the duel.

"Luxion, who do you think will win?"

[Are you going to bet again this time?]

"That's what I intend to do."

[――Ethan has the upper hand in terms of ability. If the duel starts at this point, that is. There is a high possibility that it will be interrupted]

"Right"

After all, this is a duel between men fighting over a man.

.

Part 5

The noble seats in the arena.

There, the woman? who had caused this duel was sitting there.

It's Aare.

In the arena, a student who plays a lively role tells the story of the duel.

"What is about to begin is a battle of men fighting over one woman! The name of the woman who captivated His Highness the Second Prince and the heir to the Count's family is ―― A, are?"

A female student was trying to liven up the place, but for some reason she was puzzled by the documents.

Aare sat in her chair, her eyes closed and her hands clasped in her lap.

A female student tells the truth while being confused.

"Etto, Aare-san, who was thought to be female, is registered as a male student under a real name, Aaron. Ano, etto, what does this mean?!"

The audience seats in the arena are noisy.

"Man? A man?!"

"Eh, no matter how you look at it, it's a woman."

"――What's going on?"

Everyone now knows that Aare, who looks like a woman, is really a man named Aaron.

Aaron was prepared for the abuse.

And.

(Even if His Highness Jake hates me.)

It was a short-lived dream, and tears spill down her face, but her friends, who know about Aare's past, raise their voices.

"Aare, raise your head!"

"You are not bad!"

"Yes. You are our Goddess!"

Aare looked up at the voices raised by some of the boys.

There was also Curtis, her classmate.

"Everyone"

As the warm cheers brought tears to her eyes, the audience in the arena complained about the duel.

"You mean, a man for a man?"

"Isn't that a scam?"

"This is not right"

From the values of this world, Aare is a very rare case.

Therefore, some students could not accept it.

But Jake in his armor from the arena.

"What does it matter! It doesn't matter if she is a man or not. Aare is Aare! I'm going to continue the duel. Ethan, tell me when you're going to quit. And don't go near Aare again."

When Jake wanted to continue the duel, Ethan had his armor ready his weapon.

"This throbbing in my heart is true love. Gender is irrelevant to me, a genius!”

There are two armors that hold weapons.

The referee seemed to be wondering if he should start the duel.

Confused voices can be heard from the audience seats in the arena.

"Eh? Is it okay with you if it's between men?"

“Are you going to continue like this?”

"But Aaron looks like a girl, doesn't he? A-Are? Maybe he switched with someone else"

Normally, two men would be fighting over one woman, but when the documents are checked, all three people are men.

As a result, the referee signals the start of the match.

"W-Well then, fight fair and square! Start!"

Already, declaring the start in a half-hearted manner, the two armors collide violently, creating sparks.

.

Part 6

"I don't know what's going on anymore"

Capture targets are fighting each other over a capture target.

This means that the three capture targets are no longer candidates for Mia-chan's lover.

In the current situation where kouhai-kun is not enrolled, it can be said that it is annihilated.

Diagonally in front of me, with my head in my hands, was Oskar.

Jenna and Finley sit on his both sides.

Oskar was cheering for Jake.

"His Highness Jake, there it is! Please attack him more!"

Jenna and Finley, on either side of Oskar, glare at each other like delinquents just before a fight.

I just want to throw everything away.

Livia, who was watching the fierce battle of armors, perhaps reminisced about two years ago.

“There was a duel here two years ago, but it wasn't a competitive match like this.”

As Luxion observed, Ethan has the upper hand.

However, Ethan is not able to easily settle the match, as there is not much difference in their abilities.

Ange speaks about the evaluation of the two from behind.

"Ethan is a self-proclaimed genius, and he's strong, but His Highness Jake has a different spirit. He has always been a hard worker, so this is a good match."

I pictured Jake making an effort, and my impression of him was a little more favorable.

――No, I won’t be captured.

"Hearing that makes me want to root for Jake."

Ange is laughing behind me.

"But it's rare that Ethan, who is so apathetic about everything, shows so much motivation. Aare is a beautiful woman who has misled two men ―― she is a beautiful woman, right?"

It seems that she couldn't assure the last part, so I'll nod my head.

"She's a complete woman because she had a sex change using the Lost Item."

"Lost item that can only be used once, huh? A bold move"

As I watched the duel in this way, Jake was gradually driven into a corner.

The shoulders of the armor had been stripped and the surface scratches had increased.

Ethan recommends he surrender.

"――Your Highness Jake, I honestly respect you. I did not expect you to fight me so hard. That said, please declare your defeat. I don't want to hurt you."

Jake, on the other hand, refuses.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not going to back down. But I underestimated you, too. You are indeed a genius. Now I recognize it."

Did a friendship develop between the men?

Ethan's armor holds a rapier.

He bends down to pierce Jake's armor with his slender sword.

Jake has a long sword-like weapon called Glaive.

So while holding a long weapon, Jake is being cornered with a rapier.

Ethan's ability is real and Jake is not weak.

“I'll finish with this, Your Highness!”

"Come, Ethan!"

When the two armors collided, Jake's armor was pierced by the blade.

However, Ethan's armor is also immobile because Glaive is deeply pierced.

Luxion confirms that the armor has stopped functioning.

[――It looks like a draw]

"A~ah, this is getting troublesome"

The match ended without a win.

I turn my face to Finn and ask for their evaluation.

"What do you think of these two men who showed their manliness?"

Finn remains expressionless.

"――No good. Not worthy of Mia."

It looks like it's useless.

In the first place, they weren't aiming for Mia-chan.

Thus, the battle between the men fighting over Aare-chan comes to an end.

I'm not saying it's going to end, but I'm sure it will continue to do so.

"What am I supposed to do?"

.

Part 7

After the duel.

I was alone with Marie for the first time in a while.

We are having a conversation in a quiet hallway in the arena, with Luxion keeping an eye on our surroundings.

"In the end, Finn couldn't find any target that he liked. That doesn't make it possible for Mia to have a romantic relationship, right?"

When I tell her how overprotective Finn is, Marie lets out a big sigh.

"Finn is just like aniki. He's really insensitive."

"Is he insensitive?"

When I tilt my head, Marie tells me how Mia feels.

"In the first place, it's impossible for Mia-chan to fall in love with the capture target."

"Why?"

"Think about it. You have an ideal man by your side who will protect you. She's discerning, and of course she compares. Before that, she doesn't see anyone but Finn as a love interest."

I hold my mouth with both hands.

"You're kidding, right?!"

"I mean, isn't Finn's ideal exactly who he is? A knight of rank and honor, a very powerful knight in the empire? I don't know about his fortune, but he's strong and puts Mia-chan's needs first"

I finally understand what Marie is trying to say too.

"That's Finn."

“You two look alike. Well, in terms of looks, aniki is nothing like him"

"Is that so?"

"――Eh?"

Marie was surprised for some reason when I took a curt attitude toward her.

Marie looked at me seriously and asked me why I was restless.

"Aniki, did something happen? Before, you'd have gotten all pissed off and said all kinds of things, wouldn't you? You're being weird today."

"I've always been like this. More importantly, what happened to become independent?"

Marie had hoped to get rich quickly from dungeon exploration, but she seems to have given up.

She proudly declares with her no chest out.

"I stopped. Erika also said that she was happy just to meet me again."

"She is a really good child, isn’t she? Unlike you."

"It's a catchy way of saying it, but I'll let you off the hook this time. Rather than that, I've realized. It would be better for me to live the rest of my life sucking you off."

What a nasty thought.

As for me, I want them to work diligently and quickly become independent.

"No. Get on your feet and be independent."

"Are you throwing me away?!"

"I don't even remember picking you up."

Now, if Mia-chan is aiming for Finn ――the third work of that otome game scenario has been falling apart for some time.

By the hand of none other than Finn.

It really messy.

***

Epilogue

.

Part 1

Raschel Holy Magic Kingdom.

In the capital city, which exists on a lake called the White City, the chief ministers gathered in the royal castle.

In front of the dignitaries kneeling in the audience chamber was a white-haired old man sitting on a throne.

The Prime Minister, standing by his side, reports to the old man ―― the Holy King.

"I am pleased to report to His Majesty the Great. The fiend knight, whom the barbarians called a hero, turned to support the Horfalt royal family."

The Holy King rises from his throne, stroking his magnificent beard with his hand.

"The behavior of the fiend knight is unacceptable. Send a personal letter to each country. Like, if the fiend knights born in the Horfalt kingdom are left unchecked, the surrounding countries will be destroyed by all means."

When the chief ministers responded with a downcast look, the Prime Minister praised the Holy King's judgment.

"It's a wonderful decision. Let's take this opportunity to attack the Horfalt Kingdom and make them submit to us."

The Holy King strokes his beard and raises his right hand.

"The Horfalt Kingdom will be destroyed by our nation, which has a long history! ――However, the fiend knight has become a good cause. With him, all the nations will feel threatened by the fiend knight, and they will unite."

Fearing Leon alone, he formed a military alliance with other countries to attack the Horfalt Kingdom.

This became Raschel's policy.

The Prime Minister conveys his concerns.

"Great Your Majesty, it is a wonderful plan, but there is a problem. ―― I am concerned to see how that ruffian Roland and the black-hearted princess of the United Kingdoms are doing. It's not surprising that they know our movements."

The ruffian Roland.

Black-hearted princess Milene.

The Holy King, recalling their names, did not change his expression.

But squint a little.

"I am tired of being bothered by these low-lives with a little history. This time we will not stop fighting until Horfalt is burned to the ground."

When the Prime Minister kneels, the Holy King continues.

"They may have acquired a powerful lost item and are feeling good about it ―― but in the end, it is only an individual's power. If neighboring countries invade at once, the Horfalt Kingdom will soon disappear from the map"

The Prime Minister responds immediately.

"It is as Your Majesty say. Then I will hasten the preparation of the Holy Knights for their departure."

The Holy King brings his right hand forward and then holds his outstretched hand.

"Give victory to our great country!"

.

Part 2

The royal palace of the Horfalt Kingdom. The chief ministers were quarreling fiercely.

"Are you saying that all the neighboring countries have become enemies?!"

"The Republic is on our side."

"That country can't be counted on. They haven't even recovered yet!"

The Holy Kingdom of Raschel became the leader and called for a military alliance with the neighboring countries of the Horfalt Kingdom.

Normally, they would not have been able to come together, but here, the presence of Leon is becoming a negative impact.

The surrounding countries were frightened of Leon, who alone had destroyed the country.

This military alliance is also intended to cooperate and strike before Leon gains any more power.

Roland let out a deep sigh as he watched the meeting of the chief ministers.

" ―― I didn't expect my son to duel for the man. Wasn't that guy after the throne? He wouldn't be able to have children with a man as his partner."

Not understanding what Jake was thinking, he looked distracted.

Next to him, Milene gives a cold look.

"How can you think such a thing under the circumstances? All the neighboring countries have become our enemies."

"The republic and your birthplace are different, aren't they? We're not isolated and without help."

"There is no proper force left in the Arzel Republic. You know that my homeland cannot afford to send out a force either."

"It's better than being surrounded by enemies."

Milene is annoyed with Roland, who doesn't seem flustered.

"No matter how strong the Duke Bartfalt is, if all the countries attacked us at once, the country would be burned to the ground. Our national strength is declining."

In addition, the kingdom is being neglected by Lord Nobles.

If Leon called on them, they would follow, but there would also be traitors.

Other countries that invade would gain territory on the continent.

If that happens, that would be a threat.

Roland yawns.

"We're stuck at the point where we have to rely on just one little boy. Shall we admit defeat and surrender?"

"They will execute me and His Majesty in Raschel. That country has always looked down on us."

"It's a country with a long history. Our ancestors came from there, too. I heard that they were low-ranking nobles."

"It's not something you can just say out loud."

The Holy Kingdom of Raschel was about to invade the Horfalt Kingdom.

Roland mutters amusedly.

"Now let's see how the kid moves on"

.

Part 3

"I want revenge on Roland."

Luxion and Creare gathered in their room in the student dormitory.

And then there are three of my fiancée Ange, Livia, and Noel.

In addition, Erika was additionally invited to join the meeting to discuss revenge against Roland.

Tea and sweets prepared for everyone are on the table, and a pleasant aroma wafts through the room.

The light coming in through the window was warm and the afternoon of a very pleasant day.

Too wasteful of a day to have a meeting about dangerous topics.

As much as it is unpleasant to have to talk about revenge against Roland on a day like this.

Luxion and Creare look at each other's lenses once before turning to me and talking to me.

[It's insane to think about getting back at Roland as soon as you hear that Raschel has made a move.]

[Master really likes unproductive behavior, right?]

I have just received information that the Holy Kingdom of Raschel is preparing for war against the Horfalt Kingdom.

I had thought they had been moving for some time, but this time they are even involving the neighboring countries of the Horfalt Kingdom.

Ange was looking at me with some anxiety at this situation, or perhaps, and was looking at me with astonishment as we tried to discuss how to get revenge on Roland.

After taking a sip of tea, she gives me a sharp look.

"By the looks of you, it seems you've got some countermeasures against Raschel."

I reach for my tea cakes and grab them with my fingertips. I lift a flat piece of cookie slightly above my gaze and describe it, looking at the front and back.

"That is up to the other party, I guess?"

Noel, slightly annoyed with my attitude, and snatched the cookie I was holding.

"Think about it properly. We're relying on Leon now, aren't we?"

From Noel's perspective, who had experienced war in the Republic of Arzel, my attitude was unacceptable.

I shrug my shoulders.

"I'll figure something out. But more importantly, I want revenge against Roland now! I need you guys to come up with some ideas."

There are limits to what I can do alone.

So, to make that Roland suffer, I gathered a group of dependable partners and fiancées.

Livia lets out a small sigh.

"His Majesty seems to be busy at the palace. Leon-san, why don't you stop fighting with him? The other party is His Majesty the King."

Indeed, he may be someone to respect, but to me, he is an enemy to hate.

"I'll never forget the bitterness I have against that guy for giving me a promotion for nothing, and I'm not going to forgive him for pushing the five idiots on me."

In response to my unwavering determination, Livia finally stopped talking, as if she couldn't find the right words.

Erika, who was watching the situation, let out a deep sigh.

"Did you call me all the way out here to get revenge on my father?"

Partly because I wanted to invite Erika to a tea party, but also because his daughter would most likely have some clue as to how to harass Roland.

“That bastard Roland really loves Erika-sama. Do you know any secrets that Roland doesn't like?”

Erika gave me a dumbfounded look.

"Even if I know, I have no intention of telling you. Why doesn't Duke stop harassing him like a child?"

"Absolutely no"

When I firmly refuse, Luxion and Creare make a gesture of shaking their heads.

And then Luxion offers me a suggestion.

[Then, why not assassinate Roland for good? It will reduce the amount of time wasted worrying about this kind of thing in the future, and it is efficient because one of Master's worries is gone.]

The suggestion is so bad, that it makes me pull away.

"I don't like that. If he dies, there will be a lot of unnecessary trouble. I just want to see him suffer."

After saying that, Ange and Livia looked at each other.

"Really, Leon and His Majesty don't get along."

"As long as no one kills each other, we're still in a peaceful situation."

I don't want Roland to die.

I just want him to suffer.

I just want to see the suffering face of that guy who keeps harassing me.

Noel threw the cookie she took from me into her mouth and chewed it somewhat roughly.

"You don't have to do anything at a time like this."

She is trying to say that harassing Roland should not be done at this time.

After all, most of the surrounding countries are turning into enemies.

The Holy Kingdom of Raschel is serious about going to war.

This is no time for pranks ―― But.

"It's because it's now. At this time, even if I go a little overboard, I can make it disappear. After all, the kingdom is relying on me now."

Yes, the plan was based on the calculation that the timing would allow for a bit of overkill to be tolerated.

People around me were somewhat taken back by my calculating thoughts.

In the midst of all this, it is Creare who excitedly makes a suggestion.

[Then leave it to me! I'll show you what a real Brain Break is.]

Brain Break? Do you mean brain destruction?

"Oi, don't say dangerous things. As expected, it makes me pull back too."

[Mou! Don't get me wrong. I really don't mean to destroy the brain.]

Creare, who made Aaron into Aare-chan, does not have a shred of persuasive power in saying this. But I'm curious, so I'll confirm the details.

"What then?"

A cheerful Creare tells us in a rather low electronic voice how to inflict indelible damage on Roland.

[Master and Erika-chan will be photographed sleeping in the same bed. Of course, you can't touch her. We'll just prepare a picture that will look like after the fact.]

Creare's suggestion scared me so much that I turned my head away, afraid that Ange and even Livia and Noel had a blank look on their faces.

Erika is holding her forehead with her hand.

"Doing so would bring the Duke to trial for a variety of crimes."

Messing with a princess who is engaged to a fiancée, that's going too far.

However, Creare seems to have confidence.

[It's okay! I've made calculations and it's just barely acceptable. If Master repels Raschel, I'm sure the Kingdom will ignore him now. Or rather, they'll overlook it!]

If Creare says it, is it right?

I thought about that for a moment, but Ange immediately denied it.

"Sure, they'll forgive you, but at the same time, I'm sure Milene-sama will be pressing you to take responsibility for that."

I imagine Milene-san coming on to me and asking me to take responsibility.

I'm getting a little scared.

"I hate responsibility"

When I muttered, Creare began to circle around me.

[It's all right. We'll have witnesses, and we'll just have to prove that you didn't touch her. Then tell Roland, 'Your daughter was lovely'.]

I thought.

"You're the worst"

[——Against the new humans, I think we can do whatever we want. Master, let's put a stop to Roland's heart together!]

I shake my head slowly, and Ange, Livia, and Noel get up from their seats to catch Creare without a word.

Ange gave Creare a dark smile.

"I'm sure your suggestion will cause serious heartbreak for His Majesty. But we would be troubled if word got out that Leon had slept with Erika-sama."

Livia looked at Creare with a big smile.

"Are-chan, let's talk for a moment. I have to ask you in detail about turning a boy into a girl."

Caught by the two girls, Creare makes a desperate gesture of resistance. If she really wanted to, it would be easy to get away from them.

But her resistance was kept at a minimum, perhaps because she decided not to hurt my fiancées.

[Wait, both of you! Please listen to me?! This is a time-honored etiquette handed down from ancient times!! And Noel-chan, please don't laugh and help me!]

Noel, grinning at Creare, raises her hands and flutters them in the air when she asks for help.

"I'm sorry~. I'm pretty pissed off too."

Creare looks at me as if asking for help.

[Master understands me, right?]

"I don't understand you one bit"

Sure, I want Roland to suffer, but the way that she tries to do so is just too much.

As the three of them take Creare away, Luxion looks at me and Erika alternately.

[If Master had adopted Creare's proposal, it would have done great damage to Roland's mind. If that happened, it would have hindered the future.]

I tell Luxion, who doesn't understand anything, by putting my hand on the back of my head.

"There are a lot more problems than just Roland. Still, I didn't think Ange and others would be that angry."

[I also agree with that.]

I and Luxion were both tilting our heads, but Erika was laughing with her cheeks pulled tight as I was trying to figure out why the three of them were so angry.

"You two, do you really not understand?"

"Did Erika get it? Then tell me."

Indeed, if I got into the same bed with Erika and took pictures, the three of them would not be amused. But it's just a prank, so I won't touch her.

They may not like it, but they shouldn't be so angry about it.

There is a possibility that Milene-san will press for me and Erika to get married, which will be troublesome ―― but is it enough to make you angry?

Erika looked somewhat dumbfounded, then laced her fingers in front of her mouth, a little embarrassed.

While trying to hide her expression.

"That's how much they love you."

"I-Is that so?"

When I thought Erika's shyness was cute, she immediately narrowed her eyes and turned serious.

"And, you know, Creare's suggestion would not be directed only at my father."

"Eh?"

Erika let out a small sigh at my lack of understanding.

"To the three of them, even if it's a lie, it's as if uncle had an affair with me. That's not funny, is it? I mean, it would hurt all three of them, wouldn't it?"

I hadn't thought that far ahead. Luxion says.

[Creare's suggestion was a double-edged sword]

I'm glad I decided not to accept it.

Erika makes me aware of the feelings of the three of them, but when my expression clouds over, she asks me with concern.

While clasping her hands in front of her chest.

"Uncle, are you sure you're okay with the war? I believe you, but this one time I think even uncle will be in trouble."

If all the neighboring countries become enemies, it is inevitable that the kingdom will suffer damage, no matter how much Luxion is involved.

The Raschel matter is a real annoyance, but I can't have my lovely niece worrying about it.

Well, when I say niece, I mean in a previous life.

"Don't worry. Me and Luxion will do something about it."

I reach over to Luxion and give him a light poke with my fingertips.

Then Luxion distances himself from me.

[It is always me who does something about it, though. Master always pushes the troublesome things on me.]

To my partner, who is as foul-mouthed as usual, I make light talk.

"Because I believe you can do it well."

[Even to me, as artificial intelligence, it sounds like a flimsy line with no feeling.]

"A~Ah, I don't like twisted artificial intelligence. Why don't you accept what I, your master, have to say to you more honestly? You need to be cuter."

[The words of Master who just doesn't lie, but doesn't tell the truth? You must be joking.]

"When I give a rare compliment, this is what I get. Even then, he usually tells me to give him more compliments. Erika, this is the kind of guy Luxion is."

I told Erika about Luxion.

This time, on the contrary, Luxion tells Erika about me.

[Erika, don't believe the words of Master. Even though he has a previous life, his mind is still that of a child who can't be honest. If you need anything, please talk to me.]

"What are you saying to my niece? It would ruin my dignity as her uncle!"

[Such a thing never existed in the first place, so there is no point in worrying about it.]

After being told that, I tried to grab Luxion by the hand and Erika started laughing.

When our eyes turn to Erika, she looks embarrassed.

"I'm sorry. I just thought you two looked like you were having fun. Even though you were complaining, I could tell that you two were close."

Erika blushed a little, and at her words, Luxion and I turned our heads away.

"Who, with this guy?"

[It's just a master-servant relationship.]

Seeing us like that, it was Erika who was laughing as if she was in trouble.

―― Now, for the sake of my lovely niece, I'll have to do something about the Holy Kingdom of Raschel.

***

Afterword

The otome game world is a tough world for mobs ―― "Mob Seka," as it is abbreviated, has finally reached its tenth volume.

It's double digits. Double-digit!

As the author, I am very happy that Mobseka has continued so far.

This is all thanks to everyone who has supported us until now! Thank you very much.

The story is approaching its end, and we hope you will stay with us until the end.

Now, this volume is mainly about Angelica.

As was the case in the web version, I was aware that there were not enough episodes for Angelica.

She's a heroine, but she doesn't get a lot of screen time (LOL).

So this time, we created a story to re-evaluate the relationship between Leon and Angelica.

This is an important story for both of them, and we hope that readers who read from the afterword will also enjoy it.

The web version has seven volumes. The volume is complete with seven books' worth of text.

I had originally planned to end the story in volume 7 even if it continued, so I didn't write a story where Leon and Angelica made out in the web version.

I'm not very good at writing about romance in the first place (LOL).

But I can't just say that in a book, so this time I learned it myself.

I've read a few romance light novels, and I'm convinced that they are indeed interesting. No wonder they are so popular.

I had been avoiding it because I was not good at it, but it was a waste.

That's why I'm going to put more effort into the romance element in the future ―― Because I have written two robot stories in a row, I feel that I have been mistaken for a robot writer.

No, it's not! I like robot stuff, but it's not my main thing!!

I feel bad for the writers who write real robot stuff (sweat).

Therefore, in my next work, I plan to cut down on the robotic elements and write a royal road.

I'll write a dreamy, royal road fantasy story with sword and magic!

Terrible heroine ―― And to not be called a writer who writes terrible heroines.

I mean it? Well then, please continue to support us!!