THE WORLD OF OTOME GAMES IS TOUGH FOR MOBS

Volume 6, Short Story - Marie Route The Fourth

"Now the kingdom is facing its greatest crisis ever!"

It was His Royal Highness Julius who was standing on a platform in the square in front of the school gates, giving a speech.

After school.

Students returning to their dormitories and those about to go out into the city to play stop and listen to His Highness Julius' speech.

The reason is because they're obligated to hear him out. That's the reason most of them are here.

However, some of them are joining in with great enthusiasm.

His Highness Julius added gestures and raised his voice as he looked around at the faces of the crowd. 'You're used to making speeches,' is how I

—Leon Fou Bartford—felt.

"I'm sure everyone has heard of the continuing rebellion in many places. I'm sure everyone is anxious, but don't worry. The army of our Holfort Kingdom is on its way to put them down."

Even though sophomore year is nearing its end, the military is dealing with a series of rebellion's in various parts of the Holfort Kingdom.

It's not uncommon for the nobles to have skirmishes within the country.

So normally the students don’t panic as long as their own safety was not in danger.

However—if it happened frequently in different parts of the country, they would become uneasy, even if they didn't want to.

In fact, the female students listening to His Highness Julius's speech seemed anxious.

"There was an uprising near my parents' home, too." "There are many of them these days."

"I got a letter from my parent's telling me to stay in Kings Landing for the long weekend"

Many students felt uneasy.

His Royal Highness Julius' speech in such a situation attracted the students.

"Our country is strong! Don't be afraid of the frequent uprisings! But—"

Julius closed his eyes and made a little pause.

His eyes widen and he says in a louder voice than before "—There's a country that's working behind the scenes."

As the crowd began to buzz, His Highness Julius just shut his mouth.

In the midst of the commotion, Marie Fou Lovan, who was next to me, looked at His Highness Julius, stunned.

"Hey, are you okay?"

When I called out to her, Marie had a huff and puff look on her face. I'm sure Marie remembers this scene. Of course, I remember it too.

Towards the end of the middle of that otome game, the real enemy is revealed. At that point, His Royal Highness Julius will make a speech.

When the crowd is quiet, His Highness Julius resumes his speech.

'The Principality—the Principality of Fanoss—is behind the frequent rebellions.

The spectators were amazed at the new revelation and shouted.

The fact that behind the uprising commotion is the Principality, which has a longstanding hostile relationship with the Holfort Kingdom, is highly credible.

Amidst the commotion, I talk with Marie. To confirm our knowledge of the game and to see what we're going to do.

"The Principality didn't stop, did it?"

"Why won't they stop? You stole their trump card, didn't you? And yet, what's the point of not stopping the war?"

I'm not going to fight because I don't think I can win. This type of decision seems simple, but it's actually quite difficult.

We were naive in thinking that we could avoid a war by capturing the magic flute, the Principality's trump card.

Last time, in order to avoid the war, we rode into the Principality of Fanoss and retrieved the Magic Flute. It's a tool that summons that otome game's last boss, and it's an extremely troublesome item.

Without the flute, we thought the war would end. But in the end, we couldn't avoid it.

"Leon, are you going to join the war?" Marie also knows what happens after this. What awaits after this—

"Everyone, do me a favor."

—When His Highness Julius held out his hands, he looked divine and radiant.

After all, a good-looking man is always popular. I'm sure no one would listen to me if I were to make a speech.

"This crisis—I want to stop this crisis in the Kingdom. Not as the crown prince. I want to save the kingdom from danger, as Julius, as a knight!

That's what I'm asking for. Please lend me your help!"

The Crown Prince, as a knight, said he wants to save the day. The students were impressed by that.

There are voices calling out his name from everywhere.

"Long live His Highness Julius!" "Long live the kingdom!"

"I can help you!"

Gradually the crowd became invaded by the heat and raised their voices.

“Thank you. Thank you guys! Lend me your power and I will survive this crisis. I—No, we will save the country!”

Julius raised his voice at one point, and the crowd responded with a voice that made the air shake. My ears were aching.

Marie looked at it in horror. It seemed hard to understand."Why do you want to go to war?"

It was a scene that had been talked about like a beautiful story in that maiden game, but up close and personal, it seemed to be a different scene somehow. There was no emotion there.

It was just scary.

I wonder if Marie is the same, and she squeezes my hand.

"You don't think you're going to die, do you? Well, the aristocrats are the ones who stand back and give orders on the battlefield. They don't have much of a sense of urgency."

"And you?"

"Me? I hate it. If I don't have to fight a war, I won't."

Marie had a look of relief on her face. Did she think I would be willing to join in? In the first place, student soldiers would be a nuisance to

professional soldiers and knights.

They wouldn't want to be seen on the battlefield when they hadn't even trained well.

His Highness Julius waved his hand at the enthusiastic crowd.

It was a scene that was quite exciting in the game, but seeing it in person made me feel somewhat empty, sad, and complicated.

Are these guys really going to join the war?

◇

After a few days had passed since His Highness Julius' speech, the atmosphere in the school had changed drastically.

The tense air that had been tense due to the rebellion was now buoyed by the heat.

The boys who wanted to take this opportunity to make a name for themselves had announced in high spirits in the classroom that they would be volunteering for His Highness Julius' army.

"Alan, the son of the Viscount Bourdons, volunteers for the army of His Highness Julius! Anyone else want to join me?"

If they joined with a bunch of people, they would be better remembered by His Highness Julius. This was their ulterior motive.

Also, if you volunteer with a large number of people, you in the army of His Highness Julius—shall we call it a volunteer army? It would have been a volunteer army in that otome game.

Your position in the volunteer army is also taken into account.

If you join alone, you're one of the soldiers, but if you take ten men with you, you're a captain.

Also, rumor has it that if you send out armor and airships with the support of your parents' family, you will be treated as an officer.

Lots of boy's want to join for their future.

One after another, boys from the advanced and normal classes had volunteered to join.

I was surrounded by Daniel and Raymond, who were also poor aristocrats from the countryside, watching the scene from a distance.

Both of them were looking coldly at me.

It's kind of sad that the country aristocrats are more aware of the reality of the situation.

Daniel let out a sigh as he looked at the boys who were floating around.

"For the sake of the country, for the sake of your highness, their tatemae are splendid, aren't they?"

Raymond pushes his glasses up with his middle finger and when he adjusts his position, he talks about the boys' true feelings.

"If you're active here, you'll be popular with the girls. There are a lot of boys who will stick around for this reason."

What a sad reality.

I saw a boy named Alan making a scene in the classroom. He's a boy who wears ornaments and looks like a rich man. He is surrounded by his cronies.

I'm sure he's going to put on a fine airship and armor with the support of his parents' family.

Are the students, whose families are poor, going to borrow weapons from Alan to fight in the war? Well, that's not our problem.

"Daniel, Raymond, do you guys want to join in?" I joked, and they both snickered.

"No,"

"Let's get real. It's not good for amateurs to be on the battlefield. I think the only one of us who's allowed to participate properly is Leon."

"Me?"

Raymond, who made it sound like I'm the only exception, shrugged his shoulders and explained why.

"It was Leon who broke off the two families of Viscount Raffan and Count Offley, right?"

"Oh~ that was my brother. Nix is a really great guy. You guys were watching him, weren't you? You guys were in on it, too."

Yeah, right. Leon was the one working in the background. I mean, we were the ones sending out the airships.

Let's just say that I'm only here to support my brother in making a name for himself. I didn't sacrifice my brother because I didn't want to stand out.

I'm a kind brother who's happy to see my brother get ahead. —No offense.

Daniel laughed.

"I envy the Baldfart family because they are all heroes. But you've made a name for yourself by attacking dungeons. You even have an airship; a lot of students know that."

Will they be pressing me to join them? It's really annoying.

"I wish I could run away."

"I'm not sure they want you. The rich people want to play an active role themselves. They don't want Leon to take all the credit, do they?"

"You think they care more about taking credit for the war than winning it?"

"It's too good a volunteer army."

"People dream too much, don't they?"

If you play an active role on the battlefield and come back to the school, the girls won't leave you alone—what a dream! Besides, if you play an active role here, your future will be open.

His Highness Julius will remember you better, and you'll be able to tell the saga of your activities since your school days.

They don't have to push themselves. Seeing the boys trying to go to war makes me feel empty.

Let the adults take care of it. When we grow up, they can make us participate in the war even if we don't want to, but what are we going to do about it right now?

We should have more fun while we are young. We should not go to war.

◇

A special building has been prepared on the school grounds.

It is a house, not a dormitory, prepared for Olivia. It was prepared for her, and only a few people are allowed to enter.

Armed guards were prepared around the building, and Olivia received special treatment.

But right now, the master is absent.

The people using such a building were the nobles who represented the school.

Julius has a map in front of him that is placed on the table. Several pieces that resembled airships were placed and looked at them.

At Julius's side, Jilk is preparing a cup of tea.

"Your Highness, is there something troubling you?"

Julius responds to Jilk's question by rubbing his fingers over his eyes. Julius's problem is that there are too many volunteers.

"Lots of students volunteered, but the problem is the equipment." "Is it still difficult to rent it from the royal court?"

"Father and Mother only told me to stay at the school. I can't believe that the King is looking at me with his finger in his mouth during this time of crisis."

One by one, the rebels rose up, and even the Principality took advantage of the opportunity to attack.

In this time of crisis, Julius has decided to fight on his own. The reason for this—Olivia.

Jilk laughed as if teasing Julius.

"Aren't you just trying to show Olivia-san your good side?" Don't be a fool!

Julius, who was flustered, forced himself to return the conversation with a deliberate coughing fit, but that just proved Jilks' point.

"Jilk, we're short on weapons. What about the other three? "They're still gathering their strength back at home."

The other three are Brad, the heir to the Field family. Greg, the heir to the Seberg family.

Chris, the son of a swordsman.

All three of them are heirs to powerful nobles and are strong allies who agree with Julius. At the same time, they were also love rivals for Olivia.

Julius puts his hand on his chin and looks down at the map. Then he tells Jilk his decision.

"We will participate in this battle, and we will lead the kingdom to victory."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Jilk agreed. He then suggested to Julius.

"Your Highness, why don't you ask the students who own airships to help you?"

"Own an airship? Are there any students who do?"

"There are very few, but they exist. With their help, we can assemble a fleet of airships. Some of the students have armor, you know"

"Would it be better to have their help now?"

"Yes. After all, this is a matter of national importance." "All right. You're in charge. But don't push yourself." "You can count on me, Your Highness."

◇

"Hey, poor man! I've heard you don't plan to join His Highness Julius's volunteer army,"

Alan, with his cronies, is talking to us in the classroom. I'm surrounded by Marie, Daniel, and Raymond.

Marie raises one eyebrow.

"What? Too bad you're poor? You posh boy!" "No, no, not you."

Alan can't come out strong against Marie, who is a girl. Just looking at her makes boys feel a sense of intimacy.

Because of Alan's shouting in the classroom, the students around us were paying attention to us.

Raymond seemed to think it was a bad idea.

"Guys, let's get out of the classroom. This situation is bad."

As if to interrupt Raymond's thoughts, Alan used his cronies to block our escape route.

"You're running away?"

Looking at the grinning Alan and the others, I feel disgusted.

It isn't a problem if a nobleman doesn't join His Highness Julius's volunteer army. Rather, it would be better if he managed to disband it.

However, the atmosphere in the school did not allow for that.

It's not just the boys around us, even the girls are giving us cold looks.

Daniel looked at Alan and the others in frustration and muttered in a whisper, "It's dirty."

You are free to join the volunteer army. However, refusing to do so would put you in a bad position in the school.

This is because many boys, and to a lesser extent, girls, have also announced their participation in the volunteer army.

In other words, we are in the minority.

No matter how good of an argument we make, our position cancels it out. It's called peer pressure.

Alan talks loudly in front of everyone, on purpose.

"Bartford, you have an airship, don't you? I've heard it's a fine airship acquired through adventure. So how can you not join the volunteer army?

Isn't this where a real nobleman would have volunteered to take the lead? If

I were you, I would have volunteered on the spot when I heard His Highness Julius' speech."

"I am not you and you are not me. Such metaphors are pointless."

It's so embarrassing. It's like an amateur who watches a boxing match, doesn't know anything about it, and says something like, "I would have definitely been able to avoid that straight up now!"

But Alan, with his surroundings on his side, was bullish."You're running away, coward?"

We haven't even participated in the war, but they're treating us like cowards deserting it.

Humans are really stupid.

Marie steps forward to defend me and says what she wants to Alan.

"Joining a volunteer army isn't compulsory. Don't make it sound like Leon is on the run."

It's a good argument, but these guys don't get it.

Alan is really bullish because he thinks he is right. If he thinks that the girls around him are on his side, he will be bullish towards even Marie.

"It's His Highness Julius' volunteer army!" "So what? In the first place--mug!"

Covering Marie's mouth with my hand, I decided to just shut her up for a while. She isn't making this situation better.

—The atmosphere in the school is already strange.

The eyes of the students around us are looking at us as if we are their enemies.

"Sorry, she's my fiancé and quite protective."

When I say that she's my fiancé, Alan makes a blatantly disgusted face.

In the school, boys who have fiancées are the winners of the marriage race.

They are the students who have won, and they are also the objects of jealousy for the boys who are still struggling to get married. Alan also has a frustrated look on his face.

I'm glad to see such a look on you.

"As for volunteering for the volunteer army, I'll consider it positively.

I'm sorry we can't come to a decision sooner. I have a lot of preparations to make, too."

I'm going to decline in a positive way—that's a very Japanese reply in my previous life. It's the magic word that makes it sound like you're

working on something positive, even though you have no intention of doing it.

Alan quickly turns his back on us and walks away.

"Make up your mind quickly. A poor nobleman in the countryside is only worth so much. You should be grateful you're allowed to join His Highness Julius' volunteer army in the first place."

Daniel and Raymond stare at Alan's back, and then quickly turn their gaze to me. Daniel looks frustrated.

"Leon, are you sure you want to keep this up?"

"We can't talk in here. Come with me." "Hmmm! Hmm~!"

We walk out of the classroom with Marie, who’s flailing about. The eyes of my classmates hurt.

◇

Alan and the others headed to the room where Jilk was.

Jilk narrows his eyes at the sight of Alan and his cronies, making no attempt to hide his discomfort.

"You backed down without them making any promises?"

The plan was to have Leon's airship sent out and made Julius's flagship.

Leon had used Partner when fighting Countess Offley, and Jilk had heard about its performance.

If the Royal Palace wouldn't lend them the power to fight, they would have to procure it themselves.

Alan and the others make desperate excuses so as not to spoil Jilk's mood.

"I wouldn't be this pained if I could tell you that. But, His Highness Julius's flagship can be my ship. I can assure you of a comfortable sailing experience."

Alan is a student with a large war chest.

In addition to his airship, he lends his armor to his cronies and volunteers.

He is a valuable part of Julius's fleet. In fact, he is treated as an executive in Julius's volunteer army.

However, it was only the current situation that allowed him to become one.

But Jilk couldn't cut Alan off easily either.

"What I want is a warship, not a luxury cruise ship. You must immediately persuade Mr. Bartford to join us."

"But…"

"You have to convince him. —I don't care how. Yes, I have heard that he had a sister. Why don't you talk to some of his other friends?"

Although he avoided being direct, what Jilk wanted to say was,

"Threaten the people involved with him and use them to get him to cooperate."

Alan and the others leave the room in a hurry.

Jilk sees them off and enjoys a cup of his favorite tea in his favorite tea set.

"They are all useless subordinates. But they are risking their lives to become His Highness's subordinates, so we must be patient and use them.

It's all for His Highness and—and Olivia-san."

◇

We took Marie to Master's room. We were invited into a room that smelled like good tea, and in it, we talked to Master about the future.

Master was worried about the current situation too and provided me with a lot of information.

"Julius's—His Highness Julius's volunteer army? I've heard about it as well; the royal palace doesn't approve of it."

It was Marie who listened to master and agreed with him.

"Oh, I knew it. Because it's weird to send students to the battlefield or something."

Only if it were the end of the world, would they send out student soldiers.

That's fine and all, but I don't understand the feelings of His Highness Julius and the others who volunteered themselves.

"I've also been invited."

Master was stroking his chin."They seem to be aware of what Julius and the others are after," he said.

"They don't want the battle prowess of Mister Leon, they want the airships. They must be in a hurry to get their forces together."

Marie is taking mouthful after mouthful of sweets prepared by her master. Hey, you should be more nervous! Please don't! Don't embarrass me in front of my master!

While he was troubled by Marie, his master graciously allowed her to take as much as she wanted.

Marie said, "Thank you!", and then proceeded to eat them one by one.

—Let's leave her alone.

"Based on the atmosphere in the school, I feel it's dangerous to disobey him."

I seek advice from my master, because I'm sure that if I disobey His Highness Julius and the others, that I would get hurt.

I'm sure they will try to harass us.

"That will happen. The students of the academy are being influenced by the excitement. If that's the case, it might be a good idea to leave the school."

Leaving campus? You want me to run away from the academy? Will I be able to get away with it?

Daniel and Raymond might even volunteer because they don't want to leave.

"My impression of the people around me is the worst. I'd rather be on the battlefield—"

As I said that much, my master smiled at me.

"That's right. Instead of His Highness Julius' volunteer army, Mister Leon should lead his own volunteer army to participate in the war."

Marie stuffed her mouth full of cookies and puffed out her cheeks like a squirrel.

I was startled too.

"Wait! You're asking Leon to join the war!" The Master nodded.

"That's right. Though it's not the kind of battlefield that Miss Marie would think of.

"What?"

Marie looks alternately at her master and me.

She doesn't seem to understand, so I explain to him."Do you know what's important to the war?" "Strength?"

"That's part of it, but we also need supplies. An army can't fight without ammunition, food for the soldiers, and other things. Getting the supplies to them is going to be very important."

My master nodded, so I must have been right.

"Exactly. Partner would be able to transport a large amount of supplies. I'm sure the Royal Army would accept it."

"But would they approve of me leading a volunteer army?" "I'll take care of it myself."

Thank you, Master! But who is master really? Wouldn't he need to have a lot of influence to get my volunteer army recognized? As I thought when I rescued senior Clarice and the others, isn't Master quite an important person?

Then I had an idea.

"Master, this is the volunteer army of His Highness Julius, do you think the kingdom is not going to recognize it as it is?"

Will the King allow it or not? When I ask which will be the case, Master gets a slightly troubled look on his face.

"There's a chance that he will admit it. Rather than letting him run out of control like this, there will be an idea to prepare a battlefield where he can play an active role and let him experience his first battle. That is a possibility."

Then, will His Highness Julius eventually go into battle as well?

This situation is scary because it seems like everything is set in stone. Like a game scenario.

But I'll be the one changing it.

"I would like to have a meeting with His Highness Julius."

At my offer, the master showed a dubious expression—but he immediately smiled.

"Let me arrange it."

"Thank you."

◇

When I met with His Highness Julius, he was in a surprisingly welcoming mood.

"Bartford, I've heard about you. I heard that you have been recognized as a volunteer army by the royal palace."

His Highness Julius, who wanted to lead a volunteer army to war, was regretting that I got the royal court's permission first. However, he doesn't seem to harbor any emotions against me.

"I've been asked to undertake a transport mission with my companions.

I can't expect to perform as spectacularly as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"I'm not allowed to go to war. You're braver than I am."

"That's not true. Soon, the royal palace will recognize His Highness' volunteer army."

I've heard about it beforehand from my mentor and it's almost a done deal.

It was approved by that maiden, so it will go on as it should.

In fact, when Master went to the royal palace to ask for permission to set up my volunteer army, the talks in the royal palace were coming together in the direction of approving His Highness Julius's sortie.

I also got permission from my master to tell him about it.

"Really? You seem to know something about the state of affairs—do you have a handmaiden in the royal palace?"

"It's a secret."

It must be strange for me, a country nobleman, to have a messenger in the royal palace.

Jilk standing by His Highness Julius's side is smiling.it's scary because

I don't know what this guy is thinking.

However, Alan and the others standing by the wall were staring at me in frustration.

So, I smile.

"We'll do our best to be useful in this fight, too. Good luck to you too, Alan."

"I'm gonna do it without you telling me!"

I, who had made a fool of myself so much, is now leading a volunteer army with the permission of the royal court. I guess that's what Alan can't forgive me for.

His Highness Julius grasps my right hand in both of his.

"We'll follow soon enough. If we meet on the battlefield, I'll look after you."

"Yes, Your Highness."

It makes me sad to see His Highness Julius with a twinkle in his eye, looking forward to the battlefield. I wish he'd get the reality of the situation as soon as possible.

I called out to Alan and then decided to leave the room."Alan, don't be reckless."

Alan, who took my words as me mocking him, clicked his tongue.

"You'll see. I'm going to play a part in this war, and I'm going to be a hero."

…You should be happy you're alive. That's all that matters to me.

◇

While Leon was meeting with Julius, Marie was waiting outside the building.

It was not that she would feel uncomfortable about meeting the royals, though, she didn't want to get close to Julius and the others now. It's just that everyone was somewhat tense.

"Sigh, why do men want to go to war? Peace is best, right?"

The boys who hear about the war and are enthusiastic about taking an active role in it.

And the girls who send them out. Marie couldn't understand them at all.

She heard voices from a place hidden in the shadows of the building, and when she went to take a peek, she saw a man and women embracing each other.

"Yulia, I'm going to get a medal for this fight and come for you." "Lloyd will be a hero. Just make sure you come back to me." "Yeah, I promise."

Apparently, the boy named Lloyd seems to be a regular class student. In contrast, a female student named Yulia seems to be in the advanced class.

Witnessing the love between the different identities, she gets a little bit embarrassed. However, Marie immediately thinks.

(You should stop him. He doesn't have to go fight.) Gathering up her courage, Marie approached them. They left in a hurry, and their cheeks were red with a primitive look.

Seeing them, Marie asks Lloyd for help.

"You're a normal class boy, right? Actually, Leon Fou Bartford is leading a volunteer army. Do you want to be a pilot in armor there? We're short on staff."

He managed to mend and solicit with a drawn-out smile.

They were confused by the sudden offer. Only, Lloyd shook his head."I'm sorry, but I've decided to join His Highness Julius' volunteer army." "Oh, yeah? But, wouldn't it be better if it was easier to go into battle?" "No!"

"What?"

Lloyd tells Marie why he dismissed her proposal.

"Yulia's family is a baronial family. There is a need for Yulia to have a husband, but if I, who doesn't have a reputation, asked for a marriage proposal, it would only be rejected. But if I join His Highness Julius's volunteer army, it would be an honor in itself! I'm going to be a hero, and I'm going to be a man worthy of Yulia—a knight!" Yulia looks at Lloyd with her cheeks dyed red.

"—Lloyd, you've been thinking about me so much." Marie was puzzled by the two of them.

She gives up trying to convince them as Leon comes out the building, and rushes to him. Meanwhile, the two resume their love-making.

◇

"The palace doesn't give a damn."

Gritting his teeth in the empty room, Jilk was in a hurry because his planned plan to make Partner his flagship had gone awry.

"If I don't do this, I'll cause trouble for Olivia-san in the royal palace. If I do that, my existence is worthless!"

He held his head in his hands.

He was acting impatient and breathing erratically. Jilk didn't want Olivia to dislike him at all.

He pondered what to do, and then thought about getting a replacement airship.

"Let's scrounge up some airships, even if it's a bit heavy-handed. We've been too lax in the past. This is a battle for the honor of Your Highness. We can't afford to embarrass him."

For Julius' sake, for Olivia's sake—he repeated the same excuses in his head and decided to scrape up the strength, even if it was somewhat forceful.

The plan is to have the students procure it for each other. Of course, Jilk has no right to make them do that.

However, this plan can be realized. All you have to do is create an atmosphere in the school where they will be forced to provide it themselves.

If they don't provide it, he can drive them away as having no noble spirit. It's pretty vicious, but Jilk doesn't hesitate.

He puts on a cold expression and leaves the room.

◇

The port where Partner is anchored is packed with people from the poor nobility.

Both men and women are participating in the war as my volunteer army, to make a track record of participating in the war and—to escape from the school, which is surrounded by a bizarre atmosphere.

I watched from the deck as the people I knew boarded from the ramp.

I could hear Marie's voice. Marie is trying to get the girls she knows aboard."Come on, get aboard! Hurry up!"

"Marie, you're scaring me~"

She pushed the small girl hugging the book and forced her onto the partner.

"Just get in! If you were at school, you'd be holed up in the library, right?" "Yes."

Why are you taking what she said for granted? I looked at the girls who responded like that and I watched, thinking that Marie must be feeling troubled too.

Behind Marie, there were girls who followed behind her— reluctantly following her. They must have been forced out of the school by the atmosphere too.

—But more importantly, aren't there a lot of them? There were more girls than Marie was taking care of before.

Marie doesn't have it easy either.

The girls that Marie is taking care of have a strong habit of taking care of themselves.

The boys in my group are looking at them like hungry beasts.

"If you get on Leon-senpai's airship, you'll have a chance to talk to them!" "You're kidding me?! Give this place up to your seniors!"

"I don't know! If it comes to this, it's a duel!"

Everyone's eyes are bleary-eyed because their lives are at stake. They ignore the hierarchy and fight each other, which is a sight to behold.

She might be a reclusive girl who loves books, but compared to the noble girls at school, her flaws are more attractive. Love books? I'll buy as many as I can! That's what we boys are all about. It's tens of thousands of times better than being asked for precious metals, giving them away, and then them being sold to a pawn shop a few days later.

—again, I think the school is a sad existence for the boys.

In addition to the girls that Marie is taking care of, there are other girls from the poor aristocracy that come aboard. They must have sensed the atmosphere in the school and fled.

"There's a larger group than I expected."

"The current atmosphere at the school is intolerable."

As I look down at such a scene from the deck, Luxion approaches me."It's been a while,"

"Why did you call me, master?"

"I've got a lot on my plate. More importantly, have you finished your errands?"

"Not yet."

"You should prioritize this then."

"Partner's performance is enough to serve the purpose without me. Besides, I'll leave Arroganz behind"

Arroganz—the armor prepared exclusively for me is larger than the standard armor in this world.

"You're going to leave your master alone?"

"Are you lonely? Don't worry. We have artificial intelligence on board the Arroganz, and we have drones in place in Partner. You have nothing to worry about."

Lately, Luxion has been busy, flying around from place to place, away from my side. If I tell him I miss him for that, he'll say something sarcastic again, so I'll keep quiet.

"Artificial intelligence in the Arroganz? Your replica?"

"I'm sorry, but there's no way to replicate my kind of high-performance artificial intelligence in a space as small as Arroganz."

It's like he's trying to tell me he's a genius.

"But I can assure you that it is better than master."

"You're a real loudmouth. —and how did the investigation of the saint's necklace go?

"The investigation is currently on hold due to low priority."

"I want to know what's going on in the country. Make it a priority"

"I've already collected the magic flute. Isn't it unnecessary? Instead, our priority is to destroy the remains of the new humans. That is an objective that should be achieved."

As usual, he has no mercy for new humans. In a way, is it typical of Luxion? If you look at the harbor, drones are in the process of loading and unloading cargo.

To the untrained eye, it would look like they were using their armor to load and unload their cargo.

"Luxion, stay, we need your help,"

The current situation continued to be unpredictable, and I couldn't help but feel uneasy on my own. That's why I'm giving orders to Luxion—

"I'm judging it to be unnecessary. I don't think my performance will be needed. More importantly, if we leave the remains of the newcomers unattended and a problem arises, it will be a disaster. Like the master said, there is a possibility that the world could be destroyed." "Really?"

He's saying that if we leave the remains of the new mankind unattended, the world will be destroyed. I don't think this guy is going to lie to me, so should I make that a priority?

"I'll be back as soon as I can. —I'll be back as soon as I can. I'm sure Master will miss me."

"—That's quite an assumption."

I watched Luxion leave and I looked up at the sky."Is it really going to be this simple?"

◇

The Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Holfort.

There, Olivia is meeting with a traitor named Marquis of Frampton. The Marquess of Frampton himself believes himself to be a patriot who has sacrificed himself for his country, and he has no doubt about it.

But the way he did save the country could not be called patriotic.

Such was the Marquis of Frampton - Olivia. No, I don't hate saints. It's because she's more useful than the rest of us.

"It seems that Jilk is trying hard, too. He's doing some cute things so that I like him."

As Olivia read the report, the Marquis of Frampton was dismayed.

"You're receiving complaints every day from the nobles who have their children in the school,"

"Once Julius goes to war, there will be less complaints. It's a great honor to be part of the Crown Princes' first battle. Isn't it?"

"Well, I guess I'll just have to shut up. But do you really want to send His Highness Julius to war? He doesn't have any formal training, you know?"

He wasn't actually worried about Julius, but rather about the palanquin she carried.

It's the same with Olivia.

"There are plenty of alternatives available."

"You really are a terrible woman. For you to be a saint, this must be the end of the world."

At those words, Olivia laughed at the corners of her mouth in a position where the Marquis of Frampton couldn't see her. Her eyes were glazed over.

(You're right. It's the end of the world for the Kingdom of Holfort.) The saint in Olivia, who acts to destroy the kingdom of Holfort, orders the Marquis of Frampton.

"I'll be on the battlefield too. Prepare me a ship were I can use my power."

"Are you sure? It's a student-controlled fleet. You know how much damage you could do…"

"It's convenient. I'm leaving now."

The Marquis of Frampton stopped moving for a moment in front of Olivia's uncharacteristic childlike spirit. Immediately afterwards, he nodded impatiently.

"Okay."

As Olivia walked out of the room, Kyle, who was waiting outside, approached her.

"Gosh, Master, where to next?"

Olivia replies to the question from a nervous Kyle with a smile on her face."I'll follow Julius on his first battle. Kyle will be taking care of me too, so follow me."

"Yes!"

Even though she was heading to the battlefield, Olivia didn't show the slightest bit of panic.

It was because the saint had experienced this many times in the past.

◇

"Good job, Arroganz!"

"There! There! A little more to the right!" Partner's hangar.

Me and Marie were cheering on the unmanned, moving Arroganz. As for what Aroganz is doing—.

"—Miss."

—admitting that he made a mistake himself, he watched as the crates, stacked in a huge body, crumbled.

Arroganz is playing with the crates left over from the transport of supplies, using them as building blocks. —not.

Arroganz is gaining experience.

Arroganz, newly equipped with artificial intelligence, moves poorly. If it walks, it scrapes. If it flies, it falls for some reason. When he plays with blocks, he fails.

He's still like a tottering baby.

Such is the case with Arroganz as he heads for the corner of the hangar.

"Arroganz?"

Marie calls out to him, and he sits down with his back to us and stares at the wall.

"What's the matter with you, Arroganz? Are you sulking?"

Marie approaches and tries to get him to stand, but the weapon, Arroganz, doesn't freak out. And yet, he makes an excuse.

"—Recalculating."

"You're sulking, aren't you? You're definitely sulking! Come on, baby, do it again. You can do it again. Arroganz can do it!"

I was sitting on the crate watching Marie, who was desperately trying to encourage Arroganz.

The reason I'm watching the two of them interact is because I'm basically bored.

Even though we're out on the battlefield, we students are on a mission to transport supplies in the rear.

The regular army doesn't consider us a force, and we were told to never go into battle.

We should be glad that there are sane adults left in the field. Raymond comes to the hangar.

"Leon, we're about to arrive. Huh? Is Arroganz still playing with blocks?" "Isn't it cute?"

When I bragged about my no-good, cute Arroganz, Raymond didn't seem to understand.

"I don't believe in armour that works unattended. It's not like it's got a ghost on it or anything, is it?"

Raymond and his friends didn't understand when I told them that Arroganz is equipped with artificial intelligence.

Thanks to this, there are rumors that the Arroganz is carrying a ghost. The only people who come close to him are me and Marie.

I get out of the crate and call out to Marie and Arroganz.

"We're about to arrive. We're about to start unloading and you can get some rest."

"Recalculation is complete."

"I'll tell Arroganz to practice while I'm gone." "Just get some rest. We're going working."

When Marie came toward me, she put her hands on her hips. It's Marie's outfit, but since it's strange to be in uniform in a hangar, she's in her ties.

"I'm going to go talk to all the girls," "Do you want me to help you?"

"Of course! If you leave them alone, a lot of the boys go to their rooms. Besides, the boys work harder when they're around."

The boys who want to look good in front of girls will work even harder than usual

Men are sad creatures, aren't they? Raymond laughs.

"I don't blame them for doing so. Well, I'm going to go and talk to the guys."

In the hangar where they left, I look up at Arroganz.

"I don't think anything will come to pass, but if it something does happen, please lend me some help." "…acknowleged."

Arroganz responds briefly, raises his arms high—and hits the hanger crane. This robot is a big ditz.

◇

The volunteer army, led by His Highness Julius, was fighting the rebels.

Watching the battle from the bridge of the airship, Olivia smiled inwardly. She enjoys watching her allied ships sink.

(Yes. Sacrifice your young lives in vain. If you're going to hold a grudge against someone, hold it against your ancestors for making you a noble.)

Julius was shouting at the crew.

"Bring this ship to the frontlines! Our flank is being beaten."

"No! His Highness Julius has orders to not bring the flagship to the front!" "Whose orders?!"

"His Majesty the King!" "F**k!"

Out of concern for his allies, he tried to step forward. But when he found out it was an order by his father, His Majesty the King, he was forced to stop.

Olivia looked at Julius with a worried face. Inwardly, however, she wasn't the least bit worried.

(I thought this battle would go on for longer, so this is disappointing.

Still, seeing them fall is going to be interesting.) On the battlefield, the students with their armor, were battling the rebels. The rebels were a group of renowned air bandits.

They were ordered to retreat if they encountered the regular army, but the volunteer army was easy pickings.

The volunteer soldiers were dropping like flies, by the hands of these experienced men. They were fighting by the textbook.

The air bandits were rewarded for every dead soldier, and therefore fought with tenacity.

This was ordered by Marquis Frampton—and Olivia. Suddenly, Greg's voice was heard on the bridge.

It seems Greg boarded his armor and led his allies into battle."I'm going to help! You guys need support!"

Chris couldn't stand by either. He also led a group of students, with himself at the helm, into the battle.

"You just support them. I'm going to win this battle!"

As the two of them charged in, the bandits were pushed back. But they were experienced too, if you looked down on them, they could turn the

tables.

Chris was chasing them around, sword in hand."Don't run from me coward! Fight me!"

Julius and Jilk showed the same expression at the sight of him."Is the bandits' morale low?"

"Your Highness, I think it's as high as it gets. Now let us rescue our allies."

Seeing Julius, who already knew the bitterness of defeat, even in his first battle, Olivia snuggled up to him.

"Julius, you, the commander can't look down. Everyone is watching." "You're right. I'm not going to let some bandits defeat me."

Olivia smiled at Julius, who had recovered, but she was cold inside.

(It doesn't matter if you fall now anyways, since you're the next King of Holfort.)

◇

A collection point for supplies built on a floating island.

There, supplies were prepared to be delivered to each battlefield. Airships frequently came and went.

They were in a hurry. The harbor was overflowed with people and cargo. Marie and I were in a building in this port.

"We've been here so many times and yet, it's still always beautiful"

Marie watched the scene with admiration. Indeed, the scene of Armor modified for work carrying loads one after another seemed straight out of a sci-fi movie.

This is one of the reasons I enjoy this world so much. How much better it would be, if it weren't war related."Don’t leave, you'll get lost."

"Don't be ridiculous!"

While teasing Marie, I entered a building to get my next order. In it I found a poster plastered on a large bulletin board.

No, it looked like a newspaper.

There was a crowd of people surrounding it.

"I heard His Highness won his first battle."

"He's fighting really well with just a volunteer army." "It says he won three in a row."

The soldiers with the transport mission were shouting in admiration. It seems like His Highness's army was quite active.

Marie looked anxious.

"His Highness and the others aren't going to lose right?"

"Master said he's placed guards around His Highness, who will intervene if needed."

"If they're winning, they'll be fine. We won't all die, right? Right?" Marie looked uneasy until she heard the answer from me."Maybe."

"Maybe? Tell me everything is fine here! How could you not know? I'm insecure! I need you to take away my anxiety!"

"I'm an honest man and I'm a very reliable witness." "Twisted bastard!"

I took the complaining Marie and headed to the room where the big man was.

As for the article I just read, I deliberately avoided negative topics.

How much damage has been done? I don't want to think about it too much.

I want it to be as fluffy and sweet as that otome game world. I'm hoping for a great turn of events where no one dies and they come back.

—What I'm concerned about is that they didn't talk about the damage in the game. I hope they're all safe, but I'm not sure what's really going on. As we left, we stopped as we heard a topic of concern.

"Is the young girl on the battlefield too?"

"The Saint? They're saying she's the goddess of victory or something." "Cute kid."

When Marie heard Olivia's name, she was peeved."…'Saint', is it?"

"What, you're jealous? Come to think of it, someone tried to take the title of Saint and failed once."

I laughed at her, and Marie got pissed and denied it."It was just a dream! You're stupid forever!"

It was Marie who had tried to get into a meeting with His Highness Julius and the others in an attempt to replace Miss Olivia.

She even attempted made contact with them afterwards, but she failed every time.

It would mean that the mob would not be able to do their best, after all.

As I walked down the hallway talking to Marie, the building was emptied. Not just the soldiers, but even the knights walked out.

"What?"

I could hear the knights talking. One of the loudest ones was screaming to the puzzled knights.

"His Highness Julius is here!"

◇

Once His Highness Julius' arrived, he was warmly welcomed by the staff.

We poor aristocrats felt a bit alienated. After all, our highest priority was to resupply, not greet him.

Marie was back on board, but the boys had mixed expressions at the sight of the volunteer army.

I listened to Daniel and Raymonds' conversation as I surveyed the, now decreased in number, fleet.

"There were more than 10 ships at the start, right?"

"They must have gathered more after we left the academy, so there must have been more."

The others were also looking at His Highness with complicated expressions.

It's possible they routed, but if they didn't, chances are they sank."Consecutive victories, huh?"

Every ship except one was safe. The safe one was the flagship.

◇

At the base of the port, Olivia was conversing with the Marquis. Olivia held her glass and observed its contents.

"The Principality is acting quite laid back, isn't it?"

She was being sarcastic but the Marquis didn't mind making small talk."I see you've reduced the pirates by quite a bit."

"It wasn't really worth it."

"I've also seen His Highness. He's grown up a lot."

Olivia's shoulders shook. She was laughing inwardly. The Marquis craned his neck, puzzled by her attitude.

"What's so funny? He'll make a fine king, I'm sure." "Yeah, I know."

Despite her verbal affirmation, Olivia was inwardly thinking the opposite.

(Can you really call that growth?)

The Kingdom was going to collapse, just like Olivia predicted."More importantly, will the Duke of Redgrave make a move?"

Are you going to war with them? The marquis took a sip of his wine before answering.

"It's been arranged for Vince to be the commander-in-chief. Our faction will not participate in the first group, so we won't get sacrificed. But I've managed to rake in the Redgrave house and some other frontier houses.

They'll sacrifice themselves to take him down."

The Marquis is going to use this to weaken some nobles on the frontier too.

"While I'm at it, I'll remove all those who stand in my way. If no one joins me, others will get suspicious."

"They'll pull Vince down, and weaken themselves in the process. They may be a hindrance, but they'll serve us well."

"You're bad." Olivia raised her glass and smiled.

"I want this country and I'll do anything for it. And I'll be the Queen and you the Prime Minister. Let's continue to be friends, Prime Minister Frampton."

The Marquis was happy at those words.

◇

The Royal Castle of the Principality of Vanoss.

Hertrude was getting ready to lead their fleet into battle. There were maidservants around to help her get dressed, with no men in sight. It was her sister, Hertrauda, who barged into the room.

"Sister, please listen to me just once!"

Hertrude takes one look at Hertrauda's face and returns her gaze to the mirror disinterestedly.

"It's annoying, but without the magic flute the Principality will fall apart—"

"Why does that matter?!

"You are royalty, what are you saying?!"

Hertrude was enraged by Hertrauda's words, which made even the maidservants uneasy. She glares at her sister with a sharp look in her eyes

and slaps her as she approaches. A dry thud echoes through the room and the maidservant's distance themselves from the two. The head maidservant tries to warn Hertrude but she ignores her.

"Stand back, I have a lot of things to teach my inadequate sister." The head chamberlain stops her in a hurry—

"But we must hurry!" "Just leave."

The maidservants follow the command of Hertrude, intimidated by her tone, and leave the room.

Hertrauda looks at her sister with teary eyes, in the empty room.

"What was that remark? If you say something like that, the people will think they have been abandoned. Hertrauda, do you understand? You are to be the Queen if I don't return. I can't leave you in charge if you continue such behavior."

"Sister, please listen to me."

"That won't be necessary—I'll be leaving."

As Hertrude turned to leave the room, she signals with her hand to Hertrauda. Once Hertrude sees the look on Hertrauda's face, she feels relieved.

"I'll have Hertrauda reflect on this, don't let her leave the room." "Yes, Your Highness."

(I won't let anyone touch Hertrauda.)

◇

Locked in Hertrude's room, Hertrauda understood what the signal meant.

She found a letter prepared in advance and read it."—Sister…"

Tears spill out of her eyes as she reads it. On it, was an apology for Hertrude's previous attitude. It also said that there was no one she could trust. She doesn't know where they're watching from, so be careful.

Added in the letter were the names of some suspicious vassals. The first was Count Gerrat.

Sitting on the bed, Hertrauda clutches the letter with tears in her eyes. At the end of it, Hertrude requests her to burn it.

She might have to burn her sister's last letter."Everything will be taken from me…"

"We are supposed to be royalty, yet…"

She had just been informed of her powerlessness. Going up to the fireplace, Hertrauda burns the letter. After doing so, she cries and sobs in frustration.

"Of course, My Queen. No, My Saint."

The two smiled dimly, but it wasn't mutual trust. They were hungry to use each other.

◇

A military base at the goods depot.

Partner, who was ordered to stay on standby, was finally given a mission. I'm the one who talks with him, since Marie is busy with Arroganz.

There's an important man throwing orders in front of me. His attitude is clearly looking down on me, but this great man seems to be a noble. He's probably some far back in the succession line. He is definitely not happy with his assignment with commander of the goods depot.

"The Principality has moved, you volunteer army, go deliver supplies to the frontline."

"The Principality of Vanoss?" "Yes."

"Just us? Without an escort?"

"You think we have the wherewithal to do that on this base? We're busy over here. In a few days, new volunteer soldiers will arrive from the academy. We're busy preparing to receive them."

This base commander, he's trying to win over His Highness. I guess he's working hard, if His Highness remembers him here, he might make it to the top.

However, there's some information I couldn't ignore."More volunteer soldiers are coming?"

"After hearing about His Highness's victory, the remaining cowards seemed to have lifted a heavy hand. Other young nobles who graduated from the academy will also participate. We're planning to form a large fleet."

The commander, with no choice, is helping the organization of the fleet. Are they still going to rake in more students, after all the damage?

Moreover, they're fighting the regular army of the Principality.

As if the base commander thought he couldn't stay with me forever, he told me to get out of here.

When I left the room, I caught sight of a familiar face. It was the knight I saw at my brother Nicks's castle.

"Long time no see, Leon-sama." "Yeah, hi."

The knight held out a letter from Nicks."A letter from our lord to Master Leon." "My brother?"

"My lord has been asked to participate in this battle, he has been entrusted with the first line of defense."

I hurriedly skimmed the letter. It seems a lot of things were rushed while I was nonchalantly resting in Partner.

The letter states that the palace has ordered Nicks and Father to join the battle.

"It is an order from the Crown. The same goes for provincial barons or barons."

It can be seen that they are scrambling for strength in a great hurry.

After all, the rebels are running rampant in many places. The regular army can't handle it.

—it's like the same scenario as in the game.

In that otome game, the Redgrave family, who led the first group, should have been defeated. So Angelica's family would have failed.

That's why, it's not good to have my dad and brother there.

I don't want my dad to die, and if my brother dies, I feel sorry for my newly married sister-in-law Dorothy. I can't say this is a good scenario.

The letter said to take care of the rest if you need anything else, but I squeezed it.

"Master Leon, why are you squeezing the letter?" Nicks' knight is upset so I tell him what I'm going to do.

"We're going to participate. We're already planning to deliver supplies to the frontlines. I'm sure the rural nobles in the volunteer army want to support their parents."

The other guy is like, "What is he talking about?".

It can't be helped; I'm not going to leave it to the Redgrave family. Damn it! If only Luxion was here. He could gather more information. That guy is useless at the most important points.

◇

In the fort-like building in the goods depot, the students of the volunteer army led by Julius were holding feast.

There were no knights or soldiers to stop them. Partly because of Julius's position, but also because they had heard the losses of the volunteer army.

In the banquet hall, Julius acted cheerfully.

"My fellow warriors! Thanks to you, our army has won a series of battles! Now, let us enjoy the feast!"

"Long live Prince Julius!"

"We're the best of the volunteers!" "Even the Principality can be beaten!"

The volunteers, raised their mugs and answering Julius's voice, were drinking like they were bathing in alcohol. They were making fools of themselves.

However, compared to the early days, there were fewer of them. With each battle, the number of those Julius called his comrades-in-arms would dwindle. As a result, they were reduced to about half.

Every time they fought, many of them lost their lives, and even the executive class students who participated with their airships were killed in the battle.

Alan was not here either.

Lloyd was also not here. Greg, and Chris and Brad and the others had formed their own groups and were drinking.

Julius is approached by Jilk.

Only Julius and the other noblemen—the boys who weren't the targets of the attack—were safe.

"Your Highness, the report arrived just now." "Oh, how'd it go?"

"New volunteers are arriving from the school. Even the alumni heard of our successes."

The banquet hall is in full swing at the report of a smiling Jilk. Julius stood on a chair and drew the attention of those around him."Did you all hear what Jilk just said? Our exploits have reached the

Capital! Let us continue to fight a decisive battle against the Principality,

and have our name engraved in the history of the kingdom!" The banquet hall was filled with the excitement of the students. Julius put a hand to his chest.

"And let us pray for our dead comrades in arms. They were brave. They will continue to watch over us."

As the audience gets excited, Greg raises his voice.

"Our passed friends would like it too! Come on, people! Let's gain a big victory and make sure our dead comrades aren't forgotten!"

Once again, the banquet hall was in full swing.

It was as if they were daring to make a lot of noise to force themselves to forget the events on the battlefield.

◇

The front line.

Leon quickly departed with the rest of the nobles and arrived. Upon his arrival, two ships with the Bartford family crescent approached him.

Soon, they covered both his flanks. This resulted in Partner being sandwiched between the two. On one side, the ship with his father, and the other, the ship with his brother.

After blocking his escape route, Leon's brother, Nicks, boarded the ship."What are you doing on a battlefield?!"

"Don't be so mad. Even if we die, we have Colin."

"Don’t jinx it! Besides, what's that young boy going to do after our deaths?! That's one of the reasons me and dad came here instead of you!"

If Colin came to the battlefield, I too would be angry. I can understand brothers' anger.

My father was also stunned.

"Leon, why did you come to the battlefield? You don't have any heroic aspirations, right?"

My father, who knows my character well, wants to know what I want. Is wanting to prevent your family's death a heroic aspiration?

I may not have Luxion, but I have Arroganz and Partner. It's not like we're lacking in skill.

I can take care of the Principality without my trump card (Luxion).

—There's only one problem.

"I'm leading a group of weak (in political power, not physical strength) nobles in the volunteer army. They want to aid their families, who live around here."

"Is that really why you're here? Tell me the truth." It's sad, my dad is suspecting me of lying.

"I was worried about my family." Nicks gave me a distant look.

"You're lying."

"Why would I?! I was so worried about you guys, that I showed up here on a battlefield! You need to trust your brother more!"

"A brother who cares about his family wouldn't sell his brother out to some woman!"

"I'm going to tell sister-in-law!" "No, stop! That's unfair!"

—Please don't tell me I sold you out. All I did was introduce a possible marriage partner.

Even if she has a bit of a character, she's still a beauty.

"Relax, both of you. He won't be able to go back home, so we'll have him in the rear with you."

My dad had a resigned look on his face.

I'm sorry, but I'm not so heartless as to abandon my family. If I had to choose between others or my family, it'd be my family.

"Leon, this isn't the same kind of fight as the one with the Olfreys and the Lovans. Are you ready for this?"

At his words I straightened my posture and nodded slowly. Not averting my gaze from his sharp eyes.

"I see. So you're still a stupid kid."

Next to my dad, who let out a sigh, Nix was a little irritated. Not at me, it was at our older brother, Rutart, who wasn't here.

"Dad, are you sure you don't want to call Big Brother Rutart?"

Rutart, Zora and the rest of the family were as uncooperative as ever. They were jealous of Nix, who took over the Olfrey household's Earl ranking and estate.

Rutart also isn't participating in this battle. Though that's not a problem, since only one representative is needed from each house.

But if my father was to die, the Bartford family would be finished.

If Rutart, who is unable to manage our domain effectively, takes over, it could spell the end for the Bartford family.

Nix didn't hide his hope that Rutart would die before dad.

Let's tease him a bit~

"Nix is quite an extremist. You didn't plan to kill Rutart yourself on the battlefield to prevent him from inheriting right~?"

Nix wrinkles his brow at my attitude, but quickly averts his gaze.

—Hey, you didn't, right?

Retracting his gaze, Nix says he's going to tell me everything. As long as I don't tell anyone else of course.

"Dorothea's vassals investigated the situation, to find one of Zora family's weaknesses and keep them from messing with us."

Zora's family want to get rid of Nix so they can inherit the Earl estate and rank.

In order to prevent them from doing anything, Dorothea sister-in-law has been working hard. Real nobles are amazing.

"Doesn't Zora have a paramour? Supposedly, he looks like Rutart, blonde hair, blue eyes. Nothing like us."

Unlike us, who are dark haired, my brother and sister, Rutart and Merce are blonde and have blue eyes.

My father probably noticed, since he doesn't seem surprised.

"Don't worry about it. On the battlefield, you don't have time to worry about others."

"Are you sure? If Rutart takes over, the territory will be a big mess." Nix seems to be worried about our home town.

"Even if Rutart does die, if Merce takes a husband he will inherit the territory anyways. Besides, he's not coming."

Father has tried to talk to Rutart, but he just wants to live like an aristocrat. In luxury without caring for anything else.

I'm surprised this country hasn't ended yet.

"As long as Leon and Nix are alive, the blood of Bartford will continue to live."

Me and Nix go silent. My dad, embarrassed, tries to break the ice by telling us about the history of the Bartford family.

"Yeah, I didn't tell you about our ancestors."

"I've heard about how they accumulated war merits." But my dad shakes his head.

"No, they were former adventurers."

I question the validity of that statement.

"What? We're not accomplished adventurers, though. Wouldn't you brag about your origins if your ancestors were adventurers?"

The Kingdom of Holfort was founded by adventurers. For this reason, the social status of adventurers is high. Even the nobles admire adventurers.

If your ancestors were adventurers, that's a story to be proud of.

"Don't tell me. They were betrayed by everyone and were forced into poverty. I don't want to hear more. Wouldn't that be dangerous?"

Nix is having second thoughts.

"Well, I can't tell you in the first place. Let's just say that our ancestors were tricked. After that, they decided to get some territory on the countryside and live a slow life."

—I understand how your ancestors felt. I'd rather be a farmer than a hero.

"I feel like I'd get along with those old men well." Nix looks at me like I'm an idiot.

"What was our ancestors' name?" "[Lea], [Lea Bartford]"

—Is that true? I didn't think we'd be able to connect so soon.

◇

The fleet of the Principality of Vanoss was approaching the Kingdom. Inside the flagship, Hertrude and Bandel were conversing.

They were alone, since Bandel and Hertrude were high-ranking—and intimidating individuals.

Hertrude was more than a little nervous in front of Bandel, who'd been protecting her since she was a child.

"What can I do for you? Aren't you busy with preparations?"

Not wanting Bandel to realize that she knew of how her parents died, her question was colder than usual.

Bandel however, could see through it.

"I must apologize to the princess. —About your late Majesty and Queen." Hertrude wanted to stop her questioning there, but the emotions inside her were too fierce.

"Why?! Why did a knight as good as you allow them to your lord?!" "So you knew…"

"Huh?!"

Hertrude got flustered after she realized what she just did. Bandel meanwhile, looked sad.

He knelt in front of Hertrude.

"I will make up for this by offering my life. If you let this old man fight, then I will put my life on the line. I know this is unbearable for you, Master Hertrude. But it wouldn't be wise to kill me."

Hertrude can't give the order to kill him. If she did, someone else might interfere.

But most importantly, she's been with Bandel since her childhood. Her emotions were getting in the way.

"Let me ask you this. Why did you let them die?" "For revenge."

When Bandel looked up, his face was twisted in anger. Once he realized Hertrude was horrified he quickly reverted it into normal.

"I can't forgive the Kingdom, the Kingdom who killed my family before my eyes. I have decided that I would definitely destroy the Kingdom, for their sake."

Bandel's family has been killed by the kingdom's army that invaded in the past. For this reason, he remained quiet, knowing that Hertrude's parents were going to be assassinated.

"I tried to persuade the two many times, yet they wouldn't change their minds."

"Of course! How much of a difference in military power do you think there is? We definitely wouldn't win. Not to mention the fact that they didn't attack first."

The beginning of the hostile relationship between the Kingdom and the Principality was the fault of Principality.

In the past, the Principality was a Grand Principality under the control of the Kingdom.

Such a Grand Principality attacked the Kingdom.

"I still see them in my dreams at night! The image of my wife and child who died in front of my eyes! Were my child and wife guilty of something, your highness?"

"The Kingdom too has had such people die Bandel, no more—"

"Yes. I understand, but I still hate the Kingdom that took my wife and children from me. I must send as many of them to hell as possible with my

own hands, or else I won't be satisfied."

In the face of Bandel's strong vengeance, Hertrude gives up. Bandel swears to Hertrude.

"As long as I have my life, I will protect the princesses. It is my way of making amends."

Hertrude, who is a princess in nothing but name, can't do anything about Bandel.

"—Do as you please."

Hertrude sits down on the floor as Bandel leaves.

I can't stop this war, not matter how much I dirty my fingers."So I'll end up leaving Hertrauda alone in this world."

Hertrude hopes that her sister, who is not here, will survive.

◇

It was shortly after dawn when they ran onto the Bridge of Partner. Alarms sounded throughout the ship, waking everyone up.

The robots working on Partner were also scurrying around.

When I came to the bridge, a large monitor showed the approaching airships with the emblem of the Principality of Vanoss on them.

"Two hundred ships. That's a lot more than I thought."

There are three hundred ships on our side. It's a mixed fleet of both the Duke of Redgrave and the regular army.

Right now, they are in the process of forming up in the rear."We've taken their trump card, but it's still going to be war."

I want to question the Principality about why they don't want to avoid the war. But there are so many irregularities that I don't even think it's a problem on their side.

In the game, the regular army that was sent to exterminate the air rebels was in the same form, but they were late to the party against the Principality.

Is it really a coincidence that the same trend as in the game was created?

The friendly airships around us were moving in a hurry, and there was a flurry of noisy communications.

I was about to take a seat in the captains' seat when Marie came in.

She was hugging a pillow, perhaps sleep-deprived, and her hair was a mess.

"The enemy's attacking?!"

"Calm down. The enemy only just arrived. Now go get dressed."

After Marie realized what she was wearing, she rushed out. Turing my head, I lay my eyesight on the sky where hundreds of airships were gathered.

"It was spectacular in the game, but in real life more so."

The allied airships were ordered to stand in formation by the Redgrave family. The enemy mirror our formation.

The cannons have a short firing range.

We use cannons lined up on the sides so that when we fight, our ship's bow doesn't need to face theirs.

However, we're in an airship.

It's extremely tricky to rotate up and down, let alone left and right.

Both sides formed up while ascending, but some of the airships were unable to keep up.

Some of them had poor maneuverability and ended up clashing with others.

"This is no good."

When the crew of an airship doesn't even train on a regular basis, this is about as good as it gets. Some houses take their training seriously, while others don't.

Thanks to this the level of skill is uneven. The airships with good movements are moving with the ones with poor movements, making all of them look bad.

Individually, there are some excellent ships on the Kingdom's side, but taken as a whole, the Principality wins.

The Duke of Redgrave will be dragged down by their surroundings.

In contrast to the nobles' current army, the Principality's army is a regular army that has been trained regularly.

Their moves were flawless, with no motion wasted.

When Marie returned, she had Daniel and Raymond behind her. Both of them had an impatient look on their face.

Marie was surprised by the Principality."Geez! They got the upper hand!"

Even Marie seemed to understand. Gaining the initiative was important in battle. But their forces are still outnumbered.

Daniel is frustrated by the lack of skill on our side. Suddenly, one of our ships ignored his orders to form up and moved forward.

A terrible voice came from the communicator.

"I am Viscount Beaudon Allen! I'm enough to defeat the cowards in the Principality's army!"

Daniel became flustered as he saw the airship of Allen charge at the enemy. He shouted at him, but Allen couldn't hear.

"Allen? He's Alan's brother. He is the second son, I believe. I heard he graduated last year. Why is he on that trashy ship."

The movement of the ship is terrible.

Alan's brother, who was in His Highness's volunteer army, charged forward in a luxurious looking ship. Is no one going to stop him?

Once within range, flashy armors came off the deck of the ship and charged towards the Principality's army. But the moment they entered the cannon range of the Principality's airships, the cannons' started firing.

Even if their accuracy is low, if you shoot enough, they're bound to hit once.

Allen's ship deployed a magic barrier—but it was overwhelmed. The airship was battered and was on fire.

Through the communicator came the voice of a confused Allen."Why is no one coming?! I need assistance! I'm a baron!"

These types of people are born sometimes.

A child born to nobility who is arrogant is taken as standard. You can fix these types of people in the academy to a certain extent, but even if they learn to be polite to the nobles, they will still look down on the commoners.

This attitude seems to be prevalent in the Beaudon family."Help! Duke of Redgrave! Please hel—"

As the airship exploded, Allen's voice was cut off. Marie was blue-faced and trembling.

"Ugh, you liar. I can't believe you died so easily."

He may have had heroic aspirations, but he was still a nuisance. The army doesn't need such people.

He'd never been in battle before, yet he still wanted to take out an airship with his flashy one.

Now the pieces of his airship were scattered among the battlefield.

From the communicators you could hear voices blaming and defending the Duke.

"Why didn't you save him! The duke is using us like pawns!" "It's that kid that jumped out!"

"That doesn't mean you should leave a brave young man to die!" All I can say is 'terrible'.

In that otome game, there's an event where the Duke of Redgrave loses a battle against the Principality.

After they blundered the battle away, the protagonists began to take action.

The detail of the battle were not told in detail.

But if what he was witnessing happened in reality, it would be hard to blame the Duke.

"Leon, the enemy is coming!"

I look forward in silence as Marie grabbed my arms.

I was expecting the worst, but the battle was going as it should. Suddenly, the enemy I least wanted to see, was attacking my allies.

The guy was a full size larger than the armor around him, and he was slashing at airships with a great sword. It slashed through the hull of an airship, then went inside to destroy it completely.

The airship, broken, fell down from the sky."It's the black knight! The black knight is out!"

The allies, scared by the armor, were trying to distance themselves from the Black Knight, Bandel. Some of the airships collided with each other and some were even falling.

Daniel shook his head forcefully.

"If we go near him, we're finished, aren't we?"

The strongest knight in the land. The enemy of the Kingdom. The tyrant of the battlefield. That black knight was attacking Leon's allies.

While the allies were dealing with the Black Knight, the enemy ships began bombarding them.

Raymond understood what was going to happen after this."Leon, let's retreat. We'll lose if we don't."

I'd like to retreat too, but if we retreated, we'd suffer punishment. It would be lighter than the regular army because we're only volunteers, but it's still a punishment.

"It's the other way around. Partner, move forward." "Huh?!"

The look on Daniel's face said, "What the hell is this guy talking about."

But I was serious. Partner's performance is way above the others in this battlefield.

"Don't look down on partner's barriers and armor." As partner pushed forward, shells come flying at it.

The barrier around him however, repelled them. The barrier around Partner was impervious to the Principality's shells.

Even though it was under concentrated fire, Partner continued to float. Seeing this, Raymond adjusted his glasses.

"Great! Great job, Leon! This way, our allies can reform their formation!"

My allies regrouped behind Partner and fixed their formation—I had envisioned such a thing, but reality doesn't seem to be that sweet.

Marie held both her cheeks and shouted."They're leaving!"

Some of the nobles fled, judging they were losing.

They turned and fled, using Partner as a decoy."It's worse than I imagined."

With even the advantage in numbers gone, Marie sticks her head to the window.

"There's a black armor coming here!"

The black knight must have decided that Partner was a threat. But he's too naïve, defeating Partner's barrier is impossible.

"No matter how good a knight he is, Partner—eh?"

As the Black Knight slashed at Partner, the area he attacked was emitting a fierce light. The area seemed to be cracking

"Official cheats are the worst, aren't they?"

Daniel and Raymond were confused by my words, while Marie was shaking with a blue face.

This had gotten out of control, so I got up and started to walk to the hangar—then I saw the armor charging at the black knight. I examined it and once I realize who's it was, my eyes widened.

"What are you doing, dad?!"

◇

When the Black Knight attacked the airship, an armor appeared to intervene.

The armor wasn't flashy, and looked plain. However, it was well-maintained.

The rider's skills weren't bad either.

"So there is a skilled a rider here. But with that level of skill—"

Bandel swung his great sword down at his opponent, who was supposed to be blown away.

But the opponent managed to hold on, despite the numerous slashes he received.

Each slash was the personification of Bandel's anger.

"Your sword arm, and piloting skills! I'm better than you in all of them! You know why? Because of my hatred for you!"

As he made contact with the other man, he heard a voice."My son is on board that ship. I won't let you drop that ship!" Hearing this Bandel's eyes narrowed and he laughed.

"So you have your son on board that ship—if that's the case!" Bandel's great sword slashed off the opponents limbs.

Bandel then grabbed his head."Hey! What are you doing?!"

Hearing his enemy's panicked voice, Bandel bore his white teeth.

"You will suffer as I did! I'll show you how it feels to have your child killed right in front of you!"

The great sword that Bandel's armor is holding is made of adamantis. It is a lost item prepared just for him.

It is the only technology able to break Partners' barriers, since it's a new technology with no countermeasures.

"No matter how much you struggle, this battle was meant to be won by the Principality from the start!"

As he said this, Bandel was repeatedly slashing the barrier, attempting to break it.

"You! Stop! Leon, run!"

Bandel laughed out loud at his opponent's scream."Yes, shout! That cry will heal my heart!"

Bandel recalls the scene he saw that day.

Bandel was on a mission to intercept the Royal Army that was attacking the Principality' capital when he saw his house destroyed.

He saw the armor of the Royal Army smashing through his house and reaching out to his family inside.

He rushed towards the house, but he couldn't get there in time, and his family died before Bandel's eyes.

"My wife was a good woman! A good woman who didn't deserve that fate! She was so young too! She even sacrificed herself for our daughter, yet you!"

Bandel began to cry; his mind unstable.

"For the sake of my family I—I even took away the princesses' parents. I can't stop now. I will only stop when I kill every last one of you."

As the barrier shattered, an armor came out."Let go of my father!"

"Nix, you better run!" Apparently, a different son came.

Seeing this, Bandel made a strong decision.

"I will kill both of your sons! And make you feel as I did!" "Huh!"

The enemy, with a missing limb, desperately tried to resist, and stand in Bandels way.

"You outcasts of the Kingdom! You all are going to hel—"

—Before he could finish, Bandel's army shook violently."Guh!"

As he turned around, he saw a much larger gray armor there. As it swung its blade towards Bandel, he caught it with his great sword.

"What?!"

Bandel was surprised by the opponent's strength. It seems that the one riding there is also the son of that man he captured.

"I would have preferred to save the princess. I don't have a preference for old men!"

He looked like a light-hearted fellow.

"It's the same thing one after the other! No amount of cutting will break my armor!"

I've defeated numerous enemies in the past.

Yet, the number of enemies of the principality never decreases. One after another, they appear and try to defeat the Principality.

The new armor holds up its sword.

"Old man, it's time for the new generation to shine. Retire!" "Keep your mouth shut, kid!"

He threw down the armor he was holding (Barcus), but another armor (Nicks) caught it. Bandel ignored the large armor (Leon) coming at him to dispose of the other (Nicks) first. But the large armor (Leon) closed in on him.

"I won't let you get away, old man!" He must be quite powerful.

With that thought, a new ambition came to Bandels' mind. To kill all the powerful knights growing up in the Kingdom."I'll start with you!"

◇

Leon was riding in Arroganz, trying to defeat Bandel."What the hell is this guy really?!"

—I'm surprised at how strong he is.

In front of Arroganz, who can't help but be called a cheat, the Black Knight was holding a equal—no, more than an equal fight.

I'm the one being pushed back.

The hard armor of Arroganz is being chipped away by his great sword. I'm attacking too, but he avoids my attacks with his maneuverability."Isn't this guy's very existence a cheat?"

When Arroganz's blade caught Bandel's great sword, it shattered. Leon hurriedly got out of range and took out his rifle.

But the Black Knight moved too fast to be hit.

Arroganz tried to make the calculations, but the Black Knight was too fast.

"I don't understand."

Even Arroganz is confused as he deals with the Black Knight."I agree with that opinion, but we can't stop here!"

We're flying in a battlefield.

The Kingdom's army is fighting the Principality, but they're outnumbered.

I want to help them, but I can't take my attention off the Black Knight. Partner is preventing other airships from interfering in our battle."This would have been a close call if I was alone."

I can't stop sweating. I was right to bring friends with me.

"Sure, you're a bit skilled. But without that armor, you're no match for me!"

As he closed the distance, I shot at him. But he dodged the bullet and slashed at me.

I quickly blocked it with my rifle, but it was cut in half."Arroganz, missile!"

"Missiles launched."

Missiles are fired one after another from the container on Arroganz, attacking the Black Knight. The Black Knight, who is chasing after the backward-flying Arroganz, must have never seen the missiles that are attacking him before.

He cuts them with his great sword and charges through the explosion."You overpowered bastard!"

That strength is bullsh*t. I'm also overpowered, but it's crazy that I still can't win.

The black knight closes the distance and one of Arroganz's arms is slashed off.

"Die, kid!"

In front of the black knight who stabbed the big sword into the cockpit, I was prepared to die.

I was feeling pathetic at the stupefying end even though I had Arroganz—.

"Oooh!"

It was my dad who shouted out loud and charged the me with his limbless armor. The black knight lost his stance to the surprised and the great sword missed me.

But the great sword stabbed into the armor (his dad's) cockpit. He leaned to the left to dodge it but it seems he was still injured.

I'm wounded in the right half of my face by the Great Sword and some parts of Arroganz are broken too, and I can't see what's going on outside because the monitor is smashed.

Arroganz seemed to automatically keep his distance from the black knight, so there was no chase.

I heard my dad's voice."Why didn't you run?"

I purged the hatch and looked outside; I could see my father's armor pierced by a large sword.

"—Dad!"

As I shouted, the black knight slowly turned to me and threw away the armor that my dad rode on with a swing of his great sword.

"How does it feel to have your family die in front of you?" I hear the Black Knight's voice and grind my teeth.

"It sucks. It really sucks."

I couldn't help but hate the enemy in front of me. It was impossible for me to control my helpless emotions.

All I could think about was killing the Black Knight.

"That's good. I felt the same way. And killing you like this is worth it."

I grabbed the control stick and headed towards the Black Knight with the battered Arroganz.

But feelings alone won't fill the skill gap.

Arroganz had accumulated a lot of damage during the last fight."Damn it!"

"All that's left is to kill you, sink that ship and be done with it. The Royal Army won't be able to stop us."

Partner has my friends and—Marie on board."It's not going to be that easy!"

The black knight's movements slowed down as he charged at Arroganz, ready to strike me. It was Nix's tattered armor that jumped on him from behind.

"Leon, do it!"

The black knight clicked his tongue and roughly slapped Nix's armor away.

"Don't get in the way!"

Nix was blown away immediately, but it took the Black Knights concentration away for a moment. Thanks to that, Arroganz was able to close the distance.

The black knight stabbed the great sword at Arroganz as he charged at him. He forcefully avoids the great sword that is approaching the cockpit.

I'm convinced of victory when he pierces Arroganz's legs and tries to pull the sword out.

"If you were going to aim for me, you should have made it to the cockpit!" With his remaining arm, Arroganz struck the Black Knight's cockpit.

A fist pierced the black knight's armor, and Arroganz transmitted a voice message.

"—Impact."

At the same time as he said it, he slammed the impact into the Black Knight's

interior. Then, the Black Knight's armor bobbed up and down from inside and exploded as it was.

Limbs are blown off and the great sword also falls.

From the cockpit part that barely remains, the voice of the black knight who is about to die can be heard from the cockpit part.

"I'm sorry—Princess.

The black knight's armor, which discharged with a buzz, exploded in the air as Arroganz threw it away.

"Oh, it's done."

The tension released and I took several deep breaths. Sweat gushes out and I'm relieved to realize that I'm alive.

The reactions of those around me who saw the falling black knight were mixed.

The Principality's troops were saddened, and the allied Kingdom troops cheered.

"That's right. My father! Arroganz, find my dad!"

He immediately goes to find his dad, but Nix has retrieved his dad's armor first. I blame Nix in front of him.

"Why did you make me charge my dad!"

"My dad jumped out at me! And you would be dead if it weren't for me!

—Dad is the only reason you're still alive."

Nix's voice sounds like he's about to cry. Nix's armor hugged the armor that had been pierced through the cockpit.

I couldn't speak either, and I turned over."I could have been faster—"

I was just about to regret it when I heard my dad's voice."Ka, don't judge me dead without checking."

When I looked up, Nix let out a surprised voice."Dad, you're alive!"

"Yeah, so get me to a doctor quickly."

Nix and I left the battlefield, where the Principality was in trouble this time after the Black Knight was defeated.

◇

In the royal capital of the kingdom of Holfort, the victory of the kingdom's army had been reported.

The royal capital was in a festive mood, but in a room in the royal palace, the Marquis of Frampton had a bitter look on his face.

Originally, he had planned to have the Royal Army led by the Duke of Redgrave's family be defeated. That was why he had sent in the incompetent nobles.

Not to mention his political enemies, he had planned to dispose of all the useless nobles and his enemies together.

That was why the Principality won (In the original otome game).

"The Black Knight is getting old. How pathetic; to be defeated by a student."

The people who took out the attackers were related to the Bartford family, one of whom was a student.

Although the three of them had to team up, the defeat of the Black Knight is good news for the kingdom.

Rumors quickly spread, and the reputation of the Baldfalt family is growing even within the royal court. Among others, Nix's wife Dorothea's family—the Roseblade family—was happily mentioning their activities.

This was not amusing to the Marquis of Frampton.

"I guess I expected too much from the useless the Principality."

With the exasperated Marquis of Frampton was Olivia, sitting on the sofa, smiling.

She held a glass in one hand.

"It's a pity this happened. But Julius also played an active role, so let's let it go this time. Besides, the Duke of Redgrave's family will be in trouble for a while."

Due to a fierce battle with the Principality, the airship on which the head of the Redgrave family was riding was also hit.

The head of the family, Vince, was also injured in the battle.

As he is unable to move for a while, his son takes his place. However, the son has probably been injured as well.

Although the plan has been somewhat derailed, Olivia and the others' victory is unchanged.

"Originally, it was supposed to be a spectacular debut match for the Saint."

"I don't mind. More importantly, how is the captured Duchess doing?" At Olivia's words, the Marquis of Frampton replied immediately.

"She knows too much of the unnecessary. Let her meet her royal end.

She would rather die than be captured by the enemy and be a liability to her country."

For this reason, if the Kingdom were to get their hands on Hertrude and she confessed, the Marquis would be in trouble. So here, he's detailing the excuse for her death, suicide, when actually it's murder.) Olivia smiles when she hears this.

"How scary."

◇

Angelica, the daughter of the Redgrave family, was visiting the office of her brother Gilbert, who is acting as head of the family due to his father's injury.

The reason was a protest against the treatment of Hertrude, an enemy princess captured by the Duke and Duchess of Redgrave.

"Brother, why? It was father who took Hertrude captive. And yet, what is the royal court thinking of by ostracizing the Redgrave family?"

Angelica's frustration is that the Redgrave family, who have served in the war, are despised by the royal court.

And the one person Angelica couldn't forgive- Olivia.

"What on earth is His Highness Julius also thinking? Not only did he lead a volunteer army to participate in the war, but he even took that woman with him to show his friendship."

Gilbert let out a small sigh as Angelica expressed her frustration in front of her brother. Gilbert is busy these days, and he understands what Angelica wants to say.

But he tells her that the Redgrave family cannot get involved.

"Now that your father is absent, I'm very busy. The truth is that I can't even get involved in the affairs of the royal court."

"But!"

"The matter of His Highness Hertrude doesn't make me happy here either. The Marquis of Frampton seems to want His Highness Hertrude to be dead."

"Aren't we supposed to be negotiating?"

Angelica is suspicious when she hears that they have the enemy's royalty and won't use it for negotiations.

"We could have them prepare a huge ransom from the Principality for the return of Hertrude, and we have other uses for her."

She doesn't understand why they don't do that and try to make her a deceased person.

"Because thanks to His Highness Julius, His Highness' faction has lost its power. We're out of the mosquito net."

Even Gilbert couldn't seem to determine what was going on in the royal palace.

Angelica clasped her hands together."I will speak with His Highness Julius."

Gilbert shook his head at Angier's offer."Brother?"

"-The details of the royal court are not known to me, but Prince Julius is thinking of calling off your engagement. The news has come to me."

"What!?"

Angelica is upset when she hears that Julius is thinking of breaking off the engagement.

"Why? What did I do wrong?—"

Angelica was furious, but Gilbert silenced her with a sharp look in response.

"It's all your fault. Why didn't you stop His Highness Julius? The same goes for your behavior on campus. What the hell were you doing while you were by his side?"

When Julius led the volunteer army to join them, his fiancée Angelica's family home had not received any news.

And due to the actions of Julius and the others so far, the power of the faction of the Redgrave family has been reduced considerably.

Angelica looks down.

"I have tried to stop him many times, but my voice can't reach His Highness Julius."

Angelica speaks in frustration.

Gilbert, who is busy, can't deal with this situation right now.

"If you'd kept a better eye on her, then this would never have happened." Angelica bit her lower lip as her brother, Gilbert, rebuked her.

If only that woman hadn't been there.

Angelica decides to take action.

◇

Angelica heads to the mansion where Hertrude is being held captive.

Although she was part of the war, Hertrude, who is royalty, can't be put in prison.

When Angelica enters this mansion, the Knights guarding it stop her."I'm sorry. We've been ordered to not let anyone pass."

"It's the Redgrave family who captured her. Shouldn't we be allowed a visit? Besides, I've got the palace's permission."

When Angelica showed the Knights the permission slip, they reluctantly let her through.

Once she was in Hertrude's room, she dismissed the Knights, saying she wanted to talk to her alone.

The room was well-furnished, and didn't look like a prison. However, there were iron bars installed on the windows."It's been a long time, Your Highness Hertrude."

When Angelica called out to her, Hertrude sat down in her chair gave her a quiet look.

"Let's make this short. Why did the Principality invade the Kingdom? Considering the power difference, it's nothing but a bad move."

In this world of war, the side with the initiative has the advantage.

But no matter how quick the Principality is, the difference in power would still be too large to make up.

In most fights, you can see the outcome.

Hertrude looked pale and weak.

"—The Kingdom still doesn't know about that." "That?"

"It's nothing."

Hertrude examined Angelica's appearance—and made some conditions."I need you to promise me one thing—no, two if you can."

"I'm not strong enough to grant your wishes."

"That's okay. You need only do it if you can. Firstly, I need you to keep Hertrauda safe."

She wants her sister to survive, but Angelica isn't going to be able to grant that wish.

"I don't think I can make that happen."

"I'm sure you're right. The power of the Redgrave family has fallen." "You seem to know a lot about the palace."

Angelica knows there are people in the Royal Palace connected to the Principality. Those people would sell information too.

However, Hertrude's next words surprised her.

"Because the reason the Principality invaded was because of an order from the Kingdom."

"What are you talking about?"

"It was a noble from the Kingdom who requested the Principality to go to war. You know the Marquis of Frampton, don't you? He's behind it."

"Stupid."

"If you don't believe me, that's fine. Just consider my words bullsh*t and forget them."

Why would the people of the Kingdom let the Principality invade? After pondering, Angelica came to the answer.

Many of the people fighting against the Principality were either hostile to or estranged from the Marquis of Frampton. The nobles who were friends of the Marquis were having trouble participating.

Were they really going to be discarded?

Angelica was mad at the Marquis' methods. She didn't like the way he used and buried his enemies.

"I knew from the start we couldn't win. I knew from the beginning we couldn't win. But I couldn't stop them. I had no power to stop them."

Seeing Hertrude cry, Angelica asks:

"What's your second wish?"

"I want you to tell my sister—that I loved her. I really wanted to write to her, but I wasn't allowed to."

With those words, Angelica understands. Does he want her dead so she doesn't talk? "I'll do what I can, as long as I can."

"Thank you, Angelica."

Averting her gaze from Hertrude, who looks dead, Angelica heads outside—

—In order to inform the Queen.

◇

The royal palace was busy with post-war activities.

I was returning home to my parents' territory because of my injuries.

The right side of my injured face was fortunately unharmed, but the wound was to remain. I was supposed to have lost my eyesight as well, so if I could only get away with this level of injury, I'd be happy.

It's an admirable victory, even if we had to join up to beat the Black Knight.

It's probably too light a price to pay. Standing in front of the mirror in my room, I cover the right side of my injured face with a cloth.

The eye patch would probably be there forever, but I've prepared a cloth to cover my cheek and eyes temporarily.

However, my eyesight has already been restored, though the injury is still there.

Standing beside the mirror, I look at my current appearance and give a nod.

Beside me, who is satisfied, Luxion is not happy. The reason he is unhappy is because I'm keeping the injury. He said he could treat me, without leaving a scar.

"Are you hiding your face because you're not confident in your appearance?"

As soon as he comes back, he says something like this… "Boys love their eye patch."

"I understand it's to cover your scar. But I can treat it."

"Unfortunately, a lot of people have seen me with this injury. If I go out without it, they would definitely be suspicious. It's best to leave it be."

The reason I'm going through this trouble is because I saw a doctor already. They know about my injury.

But if I go back saying I'm fully recovered; they'll be wary of me. That's what I'm trying to avoid.

"If you'd been there, this would have never happened in the first place."

"That's a lie. Master would not have been serious against the Principality even with me present. At worst, you would try to cut corners and be beaten to a pulp by the Black Knight."

I was having a conversation with Luxion for the first time in a while when Marie interrupted.

"Leon, Clarice-senpai wants to talk to you about something." "She wants to talk?"

Before Leon knew it, Luxion had disappeared.

Clarice Fia Atley, the countess of a count family whom I had previously rescued at the request of my master, is secretly hiding at my floating island.

The same goes for her cronies.

Before Marie could respond to my question, Clarice-senpai showed her face from behind.

"I heard you were injured, so I came to check up on you."

There was only one male crony waiting behind Clarice senior. It seems that they came here from the floating island that I own.

They probably want to hear the current situation from me directly. "It's been a while, both of you. How have you been doing?

On the contrary, they were both dismayed to see me worrying about them. They have the attitude that I should be worried about myself, not them.

Clarice-senpai shrugged her shoulders.

"You're the one who's in more trouble than I am. 'I heard you were hurt.

Besides, didn't you say that Lord Barcus, who is sheltering us, was also badly injured? Is he okay?"

My father was badly injured and is still in the hospital in the Capital. Mum went to the Capital to take care of him.

Thanks to that, the mansion is quiet.

"He's fine. But he won't be able to move for a while, though.

"So you're going to substitute for him? Nix-senpai is too busy with the Earl to take care of his family home."

My dad and I were injured and couldn't move, so Nix was supposed to move around for the ceremony and all that. I was able to take it easy because of that.

I admire my brother for sticking up for his brother who was badly injured even when I could have treated my injuries and such right away.

But I don't want to stand out from the crowd."It's the country, you know. I can handle it."

"Don't get too comfortable. It's at times like these that house fights occur."

Clarice-senpai, a court nobleman living in the royal capital, seems to think that the country and the city are the same. Like it or not, who would want this land? The relatives who knew the value of this land wouldn't care.

"Who would want to manage a fief like this—"

Just as he thought Clarice-senpai was being too mindful, his brother Colin came running in.

"Brother Leon! The wife is here!" "What—?"

Zola and her family came to the territory where his father and mother were absent.

◇

I was assigned to answer Zola's call, and I come to the parlor with Marie.

The servants working in the mansion were frightened when Zola and the others showed up.

They're not usually present in the mansion, but they're high-handed and have a bad reputation.

Zola—the wife who is my father's real wife, but she usually lives in the royal capital. She rarely goes out to the countryside, but when she comes, she always brings trouble with her.

She is dressed in a fancy dress, and Merce, who is sitting on the sofa near her, is also very well dressed.

She was dressed twenty percent more than usual, and her attitude was huge as usual.

But this time, even Rutart is dressed up, which is a surprise. He looked victorious in front of me.

"You look hapless."

"Wounds are a decoration, my brother." "Yeah, you're all talk."

Since he was acting sarcastic, I talked back immediately, but Rutart doesn't lose his bullish attitude, as if he judged my words to be a sore loser.

Only to have Marie blurted out next to me.

"You ran away from the battlefield and didn't even join in, though. For the most part, you're too much of a coward to even refuse to enter the territory."

"Ugh!"

Rutart looked regretful in front of Marie, but he couldn't say anything back since she's a noble. Instead he attacks me

"You let the girls say what they want to say and you shut your mouth?

It's hard to think that this is my brother. More importantly, I can't wait for you to get out of this mansion."

Marie's eyes widen in surprise as she looks at me. —I'm also surprised."—What?"

Rutart told us to leave, and it was Zola who aided him.

"If Barcus is injured and unable to do the work of the head of the family, then we must have a replacement. Rutart is the right person to take his place. In addition, I'll have him replaced, so from today onwards the mansion belongs to Rutart."

You've never looked at us before, and now you suddenly want us to give you our position and territory? To begin with, my father is firmly in the consciousness of his father.

How is he going to stop them?

"This is very sudden. Please wait for me to check with my father."

Basically, 'Go home!'. But on paper, Zola and her family are in a higher position (of inheritance) than me. Even if they don't have my father's blood in their veins.

Merce interrupts our conversation.

"You don't need to consult him. It's a royal decision."

The palace? Why is the royal court going out of its way to make a move for a frontier baronial family?

Why is the royal palace, which has been treating them like lowlife until now, suddenly intervening?

Zola proudly shows me the letter.

"It's a letter from the royal court. 'Rutart is fit to be the new heir of House Bartford. When Rutart becomes head of the family, your other brothers and sisters will not be needed.' Now get out of here."

I got the impression that they were in a great hurry, even if they were to replace him and Rutart became the head of the family. It's as if they want to get rid of us quickly.

Marie stuck to Zola.

"I don't agree with you! Why does that guy deserve in the first place?

You're not going to be in the field of battle, and you can't even do the estate work. Are you sure you're serious about this, Rutart? Didn't you hate the countryside?"

Then Rutart reveals his true feelings.

"The Bartford family can join a prestigious family after defeating the Black Knight. And yet, when the head of the family is an old, country- looking man, doesn't it make you embarassed? I grew up in the city, and I'm the one who deserves to be the head of the Bartford family today.

I looked at Rutart, who was smiling darkly and puffing out his chest, and was relieved to know that he didn't think anything of the territory.

Also, you take us too lightly.

This guy is a colossal fool for telling us about their situation.

However, if they have permission from the royal palace, I can't do anything about it.

I couldn't even think of meddling until now. Merce looks at her manicured nails.

"That's what I mean. You guys have to get out of here. It's Rutart who lives here."

It was Marie who was offended by this attitude.

"Why should we give it to you guys! Father-in-law is alive and well! You have to get his permission!"

I noticed the fan on Zora's mouth. It hid a grin.

"We don't need that man's permission. The royal court's permission is enough for me."

"You've got to be kidding me!"

I evacuate the room with a heated Marie.

"Let's take a short break. Marie, you come over here." "You can't do that! Talk back to her!"

"I don't care."

I forced her out of the room.

◇

I headed to the other room and found my brother Colin—and my sister Finley—with Clarice-senpai.

Colin looked anxious.

"Clarice-san, are they going to kick us out?"

Clarice-senpai smiles at Colin, who is worried about being kicked out. She comforted Colin with a gentle voice.

"It's okay. I'm sure Leon-kun will take care of it." "Yes."

I'm glad senior Clarice and my brother trust me, but I personally can't do anything about it. Because if the palace gives permission, I can't go against them myself.

At best, the only solution I can think of is for everyone to take refuge in the floating island I own and live as is.

I don't want to abandon my hometown, but Rutart was going to take over eventually. He knew that sooner or later; this day would come.

"Mrs. Clarice says this, what do you think Marie?"

"Why do you call me that? Why do you guys not address me with an honorific, when you call Clarice 'Miss'? Hey, why? I'm older than you!"

Finley and Colin looked at Marie, who was unconvinced."Hey."

"Yeah. Marie is family, you know."

Seeing Marie's complicated face, Clarice senior became uncomfortable or changed the topic.

"Even so, they're being quite forceful even though the head of the family hasn't even died. I suppose they want the achievement of defeating the black knight, but he himself hasn't even been to the battlefield, right?

Rutart refused to go to war. That in itself didn't make my dad angry because he expected it.

He didn't expect him to come out, and he didn't want him to be deputized in the territory.

"Rutart refused and didn't participate, did he?"

He's already 20 years old. He himself doesn't work and lives in the Capital.

Come to think of it, I've never heard of him having a wife.

What is he doing in the Capital? It's such a tenuous relationship that I don't even know. So we don't even recognize each other as family, and we weren't actually family.

Marie crossed her arms in frustration.

"Does he think you can take credit by taking away the family name?" Clarice-senpai answered that question immediately.

"He's not wrong. Even if he didn't participate, it's true that Leon-kun and the rest of the team got the credit for it. Once he inherits the house with those merits, they have an effect on his reputation."

Clarice-senpai predicts the future.

"I'm concerned that they're being too forceful. I don't know, maybe they'll take Partner from Leon. Or worse, Leon's floating island."

I hear that and anger flares up inside of me."What? What's to be taken away?"

"That's why you're so desirable. That's how attractive it is, I suppose, that most people want it, even if they have to use forceful means. I'm sure there are a lot of people who would like to have partner in the royal palace, too."

I really don't want to get involved with the intentions within the royal palace or anything like that.

It's too annoying and irritating.

Trying to take my utopia away is unforgivable. That island holds everything I have in it.

Anyone who takes it away from me will taste my vengeance, no matter what I have to do. The trouble with the current situation is the Zola family.

As I was thinking, a woman entered the room we were discussing, swinging her hair in a vertical roll.

She opens the door boldly and gives us a smile.

"How are you, Hero-dono? Oh dear, I never imagined the Lady of Atley would be in a place like this."

The one who appeared with a white attitude was Deirdre-senpai, Dorothea's sister-in-law's sister, Deirdre-senpai. She's graduated from the school now, but she's still our senior.

Clarice-senpai breaks out in a cold sweat, but Deirdre-senpai immediately turns her gaze towards me. You don't intend to pursue it?

"Time is short, so I'll be quick. The Bartford family has become embroiled in a power struggle within the royal court."

Marie holds her head and shouts it as it is.

"It's the worst! Why would we get involved in this?!" Deirdre-senpai laughed.

"It's only natural since you have defeated the Black Knight who has been tormenting the kingdom for years. The Baldfalt family's military reputation is growing. —And there is a movement in some parts of the royal palace to get such a Baldfalt family on their side."

Thinking that we wanted to be left alone, Clarice senior nipped at Deirdre-senpai's story.

"Part of it means that it's not an official decision of the royal palace, right?"

"You're right. As to be expected of the Atley daughter."

As me and Marie both nodded our heads, Clarice senior explained in detail.

"Someone gave the order without permission and those people took advantage of it. No, maybe they are being used. If we can target that point, we can drive those people away."

Marie turned her gaze towards me.

"Hey, this means that they forged an official text, right? They're not good?"

The Zola family seems to be crossing a dangerous bridge. Deirdre-senpai praises Marie.

"It seems like you've noticed. Yeah. There are people in the royal palace doing dangerous things. Isn't it nice to be related to the Roseblade family?"

That's a big help! It was worth it to sacrifice Nix! I'm glad I played the role of Cupid, for the love of Nix and sister-in-law Dorothea.

"I can't thank Nix enough for what he did (marry Dorothea)" "How can you say that when you lied to him?"

"Call me love cupid. I just brought the two together as a perfect match."

Finley, who was listening to me, didn't like it, and Colin is nodding his head.

Marie mutters, "You're a lousy cupid," but I ignore her and decide to get my act together.

"So, how far is the Roseblade family willing to help us?"

Deirdre-senpai smiled.

"—I'll be happy to support you if you take over the house." "No, I have a floating island."

'Well just rule them both. Oh, and I got a message from your brother-in- law, Nix. 'Don't think you're the only one who can escape.' he said. Huh.

Brother-in-law Nix is very nice to prepare a territory for his brother."

I was surprised that Nix was called brother-in-law, but more importantly, what's the point of letting me take over the family home? I was hoping to have a floating island to chill on!

Colin compliments me.

"I don't understand, but you did it, brother Leon!" This is the worst.

Fucking Nix, he forced me to manage my parents' house. That's a disgusting thing; to sacrifice your family!

◇

Back in the parlor, Deirdre-senpai was sitting in front of Zola and the others.

She crossed her legs and showed them a sexy posture.

If it were only for looks, she would be considered beautiful too.

"But still, did you think you could get away with such a sloppy operation?"

Zola was shrinking in front of the much younger Deirdre-senpai. She was shrinking in front of the daughter of a Earl House.

The same was true for Merce, and when it came to Rutart, he was cringing.

Zola managed to let out a protest.

"This is Baron Bartford's problem. The Roseblade family has no right to interfere."

"It's my relative's house. It's a relative's house and it would be a disaster if something happened to them, so we obviously offered help. But it's only those with very strong bloodlines that can help you now, though."

It was clear Zola was annoyed. Merce crowded Zola.

"Mother! My marriage is at stake. If I get this house, I can marry into a court nobleman's baronial family. Do something."

I can't help but almost laugh because she's so goofy.

Leave it to Deirdre-senpai to handle it, and it will all come full circle. That being said, I'll get back at Nix someday.

What the hell was that guy thinking, forcing his cute little brother to manage his family home?

Deirdre-senpai crossed her arms.

"You should be relieved. Your viscount family will be disqualified." "What?"

When Merce shows a surprised face, Deirdre-senpai tells her with a smile.

"It's only natural since you prepared the documents under the pretense that it was the decision of the royal palace. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. You should go home with an open mind."

As Zola stands up in frustration, Deirdre-senpai stops Rutart. "Oh, and Rutart-dono"

"Excuse me?"

Watching Rutart go easy on Deirdree senior, it makes me sad to see how weak he is to the girls after all that bravado.

It's the fate of school boys.

"I heard that you stood by in your territory and didn't move to aid the royal capital during the crisis? I can't help but wonder if you are qualified to

be a knight. House Roseblade questions your qualifications to the royal court."

"What? What? It's none of your business! And besides, I just didn't see the point of participating in a fight like that!"

"The head of the family, brother-in-law Nix, and even Lord Leon went into battle, but you, the heir, are running away? It's an embarrassment for the warriors. Shame on you."

Unable to speak back, Rutart leaves the room, almost in tears. Zola and Merce were complaining to Rutoart about it."Totally, if he had gone to war, this wouldn't have happened."

"He's really useless." I felt a bit of sympathy for Luthier's position within the family.

◇

Rutart walked through the mansion.

Every now and then, when he found a decorated jar, he would pick it up and throw it.

"Damn! Damn it! You're making fun of me!"

The reason they didn't go to war was because they didn't think they could win.

In fact, there was a rumor among some that the first group would be discarded in order to crush the Duke of Redgrave's army.

Hearing that scared him.

"It's not my fault. If it were true, I wouldn't even want to inherit a territory like this. What I deserve is the estate that Nix got. I was supposed to be the earl."

If only I could be an earl myself—as he was thinking about this, he heard a voice talking.

He was about to yell in frustration, but he is surprised to see someone in the room and closes his mouth.

(Why are those guys here!?)

The ones in the room were Marie and—Clarice.

"Senpai, am I being looked down upon? Colin, you too. I'm your sister-in- law."

"Maybe it's because you're family."

"—Colin, you call your sister 'senior' honestly, don't you? I can't get you two to treat me like that?"

"I'm sorry about that." From their conversation, Rutart realized that Leon knew about this too.

It was impossible that Marie knew and her fiancé, Leon, did not know. And this is the mansion of the Baron Bartford family.

It was obvious that Barcus also had a hand in it.

If I bring this information to the royal capital, I'll have a chance.

Rutart was annoyed at Deirdre for saying so many things to him, but he smiled and quietly walked away from the front of the room as it was.

◇

Zora and her family had left, and Deirdre-senpai-senpai and Clarice- senpai were also resting in the room they were prepared.

Since it was nighttime, me and Marie were talking with Luxion.

"Aren't you embarrassed to dump all the work on Deirdre-senpai? If you're a man, tell her!"

Marie was crowing at me for not telling her.

"They wouldn't be convinced by what I said. Sometimes it doesn't matter who said it, even if it's true. Wouldn't it be more persuasive if it was said by an expert rather than an amateur?"

"Don't mess with me! You were never going to get in trouble for that!" Marie seemed to have seen through it.

It's true that it's a hassle, so I threw it all out there, but if the result is the same anyway, it's bound to be easier.

Luxion shook his one eye and reproduced his dismay."While I was away, Master was still the same as ever, right?"

"It would have been less of a hassle if you'd been by my side!"

"I don't think you should be driven to that point with Partner and Arroganz. I'm sure Partner's main gun would have kicked the Principality's troops down onto the curb."

He suddenly becomes quiet.

"—Maybe you didn't want to kill them?"

I let out a sigh. At first, I thought that even the Black Knight could be left alive. However, I was too naive.

"I didn't want to get used to killing students, at least while I was a student."

"I didn't want to, and I still regret it."

If I had been serious from the beginning—but if I had, I would have been more notorious and more people would have died.

"The world doesn't work the way you want it to, does it? More importantly, what's going on with you? Can you stay for a while?"

When I asked Luxion about his future plans, the answer that came back was as expected.

"I was called out on short notice, so I just came back in a hurry. I have a lot of plans for the future."

"Is that going to take much longer? I have to ask you something." "What is it?"

I can't help but wonder about that grudge spirit that shouted my ancestor's name.

"It's about the saint's necklace. Your remember the grudge spirit that haunted that one? I need to talk to it."

"—He's quiet these days, but if Master comes in front of it, there's a good chance he'll go wild. Besides, weren't you scared?"

"Don't say I'm scared of it! I'm only scared of ghosts!"

Marie asked me what I was going to do when I said I had something to do with the grudge.

"What are you talking about?"

"A lot of things. I'm too far removed from that otome game than I thought I would be. There's something disgusting about it, so I've decided to give it a good look."

Marie seemed anxious about that, too.

"That's right. And since we saved the Redgrave family by mistake, we've robbed Olivia and His Highness Julius and the others of their show.

But since the lass boss didn't appear, it's fine, right?"

I understand that—but I'm still getting a bad feeling about this. I don't like my premonitions because they're usually true.

"If it's nothing, then it's fine. Luxion let me talk to him at once." "I have a schedule to keep, so please hurry."

Luxion who wanted to leave at once was rushing Marie and me.

◇

After winning the war, the Royal Palace of the Holfort Kingdom was busy dealing with the post-war situation.

The civil servants were working hurriedly and usually stayed up all night.

Angelica hurriedly visited Queen Mylene and relayed the information she extracted from Hertrude.

"Lady Mylene, I can't just stand by and watch. That woman is also connected to this Marquis of Frampton. She's dangerous!"

The presence of Olivia, who controlled Julius and other noblemen behind the scenes, was terrifying to Angelica. It seemed as if the Kingdom was crumbling from the inside.

After hearing about the Marquis' case from Angelica, Mylene let out a small sigh.

Then, she responds in a surprising way.

"Angelica, I'm sorry, but Hertrudes' testimony isn't enough to get rid of the Marquis."

"Then why don't we interrogate the people in charge? If we don't act quickly, His Highness Julius will be in danger. He was seduced by that woman into joining the army! Lady Mylene, can't you get rid of just her?"

It was partly due to intuition that Angelica saw Olivia as dangerous.

That's no good. I didn't notice it before, but that woman can't be kept at His Highness's side.

If she was just a love interest, she wouldn't have gone this far. Although dissatisfied, she would accept her as a mistress.

But the current Olivia is no good.

Even from Angelica's view, her influence increased massively. She went from a commoner to a woman who could change the country.

"Clarice has been trapped by that one too. Many of the opposing students in the school have been removed, and now no one will stand against her."

In front of Angelica, who is making a desperate plea, Mylene looks a little sad. She seems to be wondering whether to tell her right here. As if she made up her mind, she grabbed Angelica's shoulders.

"Angelica, listen to me carefully." "Lady Mylene."

Angelica was silenced by Mylene's unusual forcefulness. Mylene closes her eye in frustration.

"The Royal Palace has officialy decided to end your engagement with Julius."

"—it's true? So they weren't just talks about ending them, you actually did?"

She didn't want to believe her. Mylene nodded quietly."I'm sorry."

She felt her excitement cool down quickly. Angelica felt the strength in both her legs leave. Mylene hugs and supports her as she collapses. Angelica asks Mylene in a shaky voice.

"Why? I have worked so hard for His Highness. I've worked hard every day to make myself a worthy wife. Have I done something wrong? Lady Mylene, please tell me. I will fix it right away. So please wait for me before breaking the engagement."

Angelica was in tears.

Most of her life was her being groomed into a queen worthy of Julius. If he discarded her, what would be left of her?

To Angelica, Julius was everything.

"You've done very well. I would have liked to call you my daughter-in- law. But there are things in this world we cannot control."

"Because I nagged His Highness? Did His Highness complain about me?"

She thought she had been thinking of Julius in the academy and advising him. Angelica was aware that she had been forceful.

But it was necessary for Julius' sake. Someone had to say it, and she thought she had been trying to be that devil.

Since Mylene didn't answer, Julius must have said something to her as well.

However, after a short pause, Mylene told her the truth.

The real reason why she broke off the engagement, even if she had to fight with the Redgrave dukes.

"I have no complaints with Angelica. She has done well so far. But you see—even I can't help it. A girl named Olivia has been admitted to the temple as a saint."

"Oh, it's a lie. Why is she a saint?"

A saint—that's the bloodline of the sixth adventurer involved in the founding of the Holfort Kingdom.

It is said that because of her, the Holfort Kingdom was born, and its power is still considered sacred today.

She is a miracle-working saint who can overcome any difficult adventure with her help.

No other being is more worthy of the worship of adventurers.

As a royalty, the lineage of the five adventurers remained in the family, but only the saint was lost.

It is commonly reported that after the founding of the country, she was deemed to have completed her role and set out on another adventure.

And now, a woman with the power to be a saint was even chosen to be a saint from time to time.

Ever since the saint's necklace and bracelet were taken away from the temple decades ago, the position of saint has been absent.

Without the three tools, the power of a saint cannot be recreated.

Until now, surrogates who could not replicate the power of a saint had always called themselves saints, but Olivia was different.

But Olivia was different.

"Reports from the temple say that she has recreated her power even without the saint's tools. I have received reports that she is a true saint, a true saint who is on par with the First Lady."

Not a fake, but the real thing.

What this means is that she is worth a lot more than Angelica."Impossible. That one's a saint or something! He's the only one who—" Mylene slowly pulls away, embracing a confused Angelica.

"You know how big of a deal saints are in this country, don't you?" "No, no. Lady Milene, I don't!"

Milene turned away as Angier squirmed and looked at her.

"There's a move to promote Saint Olivia as Julius' fiancée. It's the Marquis of Frampton who's behind it. And many of the nobles have accepted this as a celebration. There is nothing I can do to change this trend."

Angelica crumbled to the spot and cried out loud as she could.

◇

The royal capital of the Holfort Kingdom.

A special stage had been prepared in the square, and knights in armor were on alert for their surroundings.

A ceremony with a number of monstrous guards was prepared for one girl to assume the position of a saint after many years of absence.

Backstage, Julius hugged Olivia and put his hands around her waist."You look beautiful, Olivia"

"I'm glad, Julius."

Olivia accepted Julius' words with a smile, but inside she had a dark smile on her face.

I've finally made it here. When I am resurrected as a saint—I will do everything possible to destroy this country.

A white dress was prepared for Olivia.

She holds the saint's staff given to her by the temple and wears a bracelet on her left hand.

Julius is disappointed to see the replica prepared in place of the saint's necklace.

"I'm sorry that I could only prepare a fake for your fine day. I've been looking for it for so long that I couldn't find it. Everyone else looked for it too, but we couldn't even get a clue."

Olivia shook her head.

"It's fine. I'm just happy to be able to wear such a beautiful dress.

Besides, the wand and bangles are too expensive for me, and I think I'd be put off by them."

Julius was thrilled with Olivia for saying something so 'new'. It was a statement that was based on Julius's inner feelings of being fed up with the noblewomen dressing up.

Well, I don't really need a wand or an arm band, though. They're just vessels inhabiting my power. —I wonder if the part of me that dwells in the collar is doing well?

He was concerned about the saint's necklace, which had never been returned to them.

If she made it known in a big way that he was here, he would surely come running to it.

At that time, I'll change my mind about taking it back in.

"I'd better get going. I'll go say hi to everyone."

"Oh, let the people of the Capital see what a saint looks like." When Olivia pulled away from Julius, she walked up to the stage. Olivia clasps her hands together as she walks up the stairs.

We're almost there, Lea. I'm going to get my revenge on those guys.

Tens of thousands of spectators cheered at Olivia's arrival as she took the stage. The cracking cheers shook the atmosphere.

As Olivia slowly spread her arms out, the crowd naturally grew quiet. And then Olivia's voice reaches all the spectators.

It wasn't a loud voice, but it was a voice that reached the hearts of all those around her.

"I am Olivia—I am Saint Olivia. People of the Kingdom of Holfort, the saint has returned to this land once again."

The crowd was mesmerized by the smiling Olivia.

Some of them were moved to tears, as if they had seen a goddess.

"I have only one wish, and that is to bring true peace to the land. It is to bring true peace to this land. Please, ladies and gentlemen—please give me strength."

If she clasped her hands and showed a gesture of prayer to the heavens, the spectators, let alone the knights and nobles who were on guard, would admire her appearance.

Olivia—the saint in Olivia stretched out her hands to the heavens.

Yes, I have only one wish. Only to get this land back into the hands of those who should be. I will use you all up for that.

Olivia's eyes, looking up at the sky, were severely muddy, even though she was looking at the blue sky.