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Otomege Volume 3 Chapter 12Chapter 12 – A Cruel Truth

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Part 1

"The beginning started from the insurrection of the archduke house. You understand that in war, the side that made the first move will have the advantage right?"

When it came to the war in this world, the attacking side will be in advantage in part due to the existence of airship.

"Yes. In fact the defensive battle in the capital was also a pain."

Mylene-sama nodded and continued talking.

"──The royal family was harassed by the archduke house in the past, because of that they feared the second coming of another archduke house. As someone from feudal lord household yourself you surely understand but, when you reach the level above baron house, there is a way to rapidly increase your military strength."

"By increasing the number of airships. I heard that in the past there was a method of attacking other houses and expand your power base like that."

Because there is convenient thing like floating stone, the maintenance cost of airship is surprisingly cheap.

It’s also possible to construct airship cheaply.

Increasing military strength and obtain new floating island through dispute between feudal lords.

In other words, even a baron could make the kingdom quake in fear as long as they gathered military strength and possessed the quick wits to use it.

──It seems there was that kind of era.

"Even worse, among the feudal lords who shut themselves within their territory, many of them thought that the kingdom won’t be any match against them. In fact there were also a lot of feudal lords who made light of the kingdom and attacked."

That kind of misunderstanding bastard lost against the kingdom.

But, the attacked side would be in disadvantage, so the damage to the kingdom also wasn’t light.

"The kingdom prepared the academy is also for displaying their strength. It’s for showing the capital to the feudal lords and made them understand the difference in strength."

Luxion also said something like that.

But, just what relation it has with the truth?

From the way Mylene-sama spoke it felt like that some burden was forced on male but──.

"And then, the kingdom prepared one more plan. That plan was for shaving off the feudal lords’ strength. They planted a new sense of values."

"Shaving off their strength? Sense of values?"

"Do you understand why the females of the nobles were given extremely favorable treatment?"

"That is──"

"Originally the number of male is extremely few in part because of the wars. You won’t notice while in the academy but, after the graduation the number of male becomes insufficient. ──In fact the number of female who cannot marry is numerous."

Then why is the female given preference in marriage when the situation is like that?

──Somehow many things are getting connected.

"The nobles got conditioned to hold a shared sense of values in the academy. In so doing the kingdom favorably treated the female more. Even though it was somewhat horrible, the kingdom continued to take the stance that gave preferential treatment to the female."

──Oi, wait a second.

Could it be, the kingdom was the one who created this situation!?

"Ple, please wait. What is the meaning of doing something like that? Because, you know! When the time comes it caused the nobles to be reluctant to do their duty!"

It was also like that this time.

The youths who were in the same environment like me tried to change side the moment they understood that the kingdom was in disadvantage.

Mylene-sama told me to calm down before continuing her explanation slowly.

"At first the kingdom never imagined that this kind of situation will happen. It will be alright if the feudal lords are taught to have the same sense of values and camaraderie with each other while shaving off their strength slightly, the kingdom only thought that far. But, the effect surpassed the imagination. The females grew impudent."

The number of idiot who challenged the kingdom became few after they learned the kingdom’s true strength in their youth.

At the same time, the idea of prioritizing female is fine and all, but the female grew to hold influence that surpassed the expectation.

The warped marital relationships appeared because of the kingdom’s fault.

"Correct it along the way before it became like this."

"There wasn’t any need for that. In fact, if I was an official at that era I would also ignore it. It was convenient for the kingdom. After all the feudal lords will get impoverished even without them doing anything, and their riches will gather in the capital. The number of nobles that revolted also got reduced drastically."

Mylene-sama answered bluntly. Then she spoke about one more meaning of the academy’s existence.

"──And then, another objective of the academy is to establish an education method."

Eh? Now that she mentioned it, I think I remember Luxion mentioning something like that too in one of his stories that I ignored.

"By establishing an education method, the kingdom intended to educate not the nobles──but the commoners. Do you understand what that mean?"

When I averted my gaze, Mylene-sama smiled.

"It’s to create a world where the nobles are unnecessary a few hundred years later."

──I don’t want to hear it.

If I hear this kind of story, won’t I get erased if I’m careless?

"The royal family at that time prepared the academy with the intention to carry out a revolution of the political system throughout several hundred years. No, they must be taking such action because halfway they realized they had to carry out such plan for the kingdom’s sake."

The royal family grew fed up in going along with the feudal lords and thought hard. The result──they wanted to change the political system.

What’s that? Aren’t they living too much in the future?

"Just as represented by the archduke house at that time, the nobles were overflowing with ambition in that horrible era. Viscount too should understand if you’re a noble."

There were also some good guys, but the majority was trashes that made you wanted to tilt your head wondering if they were really human.

In fact, there were a lot of guys who would try to rise up in life using armed might if they had the power to do it, unlike me.

"The academy also attempted to correct such thinking of the youths. If the nobles are decent, then the kingdom would continue on safely, they thought. But, the situation progressed to a direction outside the expectation of the royal family at that time."

It seemed that the position of the girls became stronger than expected was a problem.

"As the result of ignoring that problem because it was effective for shaving off the feudal lords’ power, a part of the females from the baron house until count house ran wild. It became a situation that was more horrible than the palace expected."

And it led to the current situation.

"What a horrible story."

"Yes, it’s a horrible story. But, it’s also a fact that the riches of the feudal lords gathered into the capital. The females who wanted to live in luxury in the capital were also convenient existence for the palace. This is the reason why burdens were forced on the males."

From the kingdom’s perspective, the nobles──especially the feudal lords couldn’t be trusted.

They created the academy to give education to the commoners and reduced the number of nobles in the future. From the way Mylene-sama spoke, could it be they were turning a blind eye toward the girls who were running wild in the academy?

──It looked as though they were choosing which nobles to be cast away one day.

The houses with rank higher than count didn’t allow their daughters to have slave──might also because they suspected or knew about this truth?

The remaining nobles must be aiming for the important positions in the new system when the political system is reformed.

Even if the nobles who don’t know anything ran wild, the kingdom that possessed the trump card which was the royal family’s ship should be feeling confident.

I never even imagined that the messed up academy actually had such calculation behind it.

I’ll ask about the detail to Luxion later.

Also──.

"Could it be, Livia getting enrolled into the academy was for…"

"It was for the transition to the next phase. The nobles should be having a sense of danger. That girl was to be the beginning with the plan to increase the number of commoners enrolled increased each year. Well, it’s an action that is thinking about 100 or 200 years ahead though."

──I learned this in the school of my previous life.

After the feudalism it would be──absolute monarchy with centralized authoritarian rule was it?

"──Centralized authoritarian rule."

"Oh, that’s a good word to concisely state the result that the royal family is aiming for."

I got praised after displaying my knowledge from previous life, but I’m not happy hearing that in this situation.

She is saying that the kingdom would steal everything from the feudal lords and made the commoners do the noble’s job.

I never even imagined that the academy was established for that.

"But it didn’t progress as planned."

Mylene-sama said that and looked at me with a self-depreciating smile.

──Stop. Don’t test me like this.

Right now I’m really worried that I might get killed after hearing this story.

If the male nobles heard this story, they would go mad with anger.

I understand that it’s pointless even if I blame the current royal family but──this is horrible.

"As expected a hero is different. The likes of me was dumbfounded when I heard this story. But Leon-kun is really calm. Even though I thought that it can’t be helped even if I got yelled and cursed at."

It seems Mylene-sama is misunderstanding from seeing me speechless from shock.

"Also, let me say this not as a queen but as myself personally──"

Mylene-sama stood up from her seat before kneeling on the floor and lowered her head toward me.

──Eh? What’s with the kowtow! Wait a second. There shouldn’t be any custom of kowtow in this world! Is she imitating what I did at the school festival?

"Wa, wait! Please stop it. What’s the matter so suddenly?"

"Viscount Bartfalt. I wish to make a request to you even knowing that how rude it is. Please, can I ask you to save my son Julius? This is my request as that child’s mother."

──What did that guy do?

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Part 2

The six got put inside the underground prison.

Julius, Jilk, Brad, Greg, Chris, and also Marie were silently waiting for their treatment to be decided.

Marie was crying.

"Everyone──sorry."

Julius smiled to console the crying Marie.

"It’s because I could only help you by doing this. Don’t mind it Marie."

Jilk was looking at Julius with a sad expression.

"It couldn’t be helped that your highness couldn’t join the battle. Besides, someone who introduced himself as masked knight gave us help in that battlefield."

Brad also recalled the masked knight and made a dissatisfied expression.

"That guy was suddenly gone. Well, he was quite the capable guy though."

Greg sat cross legged and placed his chin on his hand while talking to Julius about the masked knight.

"I won’t go as far as saying that guy was Julius’s replacement, but I’ll admit he was useful."

Chris also nodded and recognized the masked knight’s strength.

"He was piloting an armor that I had never seen before. His swordsmanship also wasn’t bad. But, we never discovered just who he is until the end. Though it seems Bartfalt knew something about him."

Julius made a small smile hearing those four’s reactions.

"──I see. I also wanted to try meeting him."

"No, there is no need for your highness to meet him. He was a man who suddenly appeared and tried to take control of the place. His identity has to be questioned the next time he appear."

Marie was utterly amazed seeing the five’s behavior.

Are they seriously saying that?Her face seemed to say that.

"Everyone, that man was Julius──"

Footsteps could be heard approaching the underground prison where the six of them were at.

The knights guarding the prison saluted and allowed that man to enter. A black haired girl was also following behind the man.

"Ah!"

Marie looked at the man with her eyes shining──it was Leon.

"──You guys are really stupid."

Behind him her highness Hertrude──no, Duchess Hertrude was also present.

"I’m really astonished by all of you."

Marie clung on the iron bars and asked for help from Leon.

"I have worked hard. So please save me from here."

Leon made a pained face and confirmed the situation while pressing his hand on his forehead.

"Do you guys understand the charges that are placed on you?"

Julius looked straight at Leon.

"I don’t believe we have done anything to be ashamed for at all."

"You guys, be a bit more ashamed! The prince attacking a duchess after signing the treaty isn’t laughing matter! The palace is shamed because of your fault!"

Hertrude sighed and looked down.

"Did you act recklessly like that for my sake?"

"That’s a part of it. Because that treaty was just too horrible as expected. Besides, if it continued like that I would have to marry into your house. Other than that──it was because Marie asked me to."

Marie requested Julius saying  that she wanted to do something for the principality──for the duke house.

"So that’s your true motive."

The palace must be wishing to send Julius to put the Fanoss House under a harsh management.

If he was married off to Hertrude, the emotion of the principality’s populace would also subside somewhat.

By doing that they thought the governing there would also go well, and yet──Julius attacked Hertrude.

Of course, he only pretended to attack.

Because of that the palace’s face was completely ruined.

Even with the treaty in place, Julius’s act made the palace to compromise to some extent.

Naturally the talk about Julius’s marriage was also aborted.

(Even though it would be good if he marry like that.)

Marie thought such thing.

Leon turned his gaze to the other four.

"You guys also understand right?"

Greg’s finger rubbed below his nose looking slightly embarrassed.

"It was to protect Marie. I got no regret."

"Regret for a bit! Are you an idiot beating up the temple’s people who came to take Marie into custody like that? Hey, are you really an idiot? You’re an idiot aren’t you!?"

Chris threw out his chest.

"It was a legitimate self-defense."

"You guys overdid it. The temple sent us a protest! Even though I also got various arrangements created but you guys ruined it all."

The people of the temple that came to take Marie originally only came to collect the saint’s items back.

But, people who found Marie’s existence inconvenient slipped among them and brought poisoned wine with them. They tried to make Marie drank it.

They tried to make Marie shoulder all the responsibilities.

The four came running and then──beat up all the temple personnel and kicking them out of the palace.

So far it was already problematic, but even Leon couldn’t blame them for that. The problem was after that.

"Now see here. Marie was recognized by the saint’s tools. She herself said that she’s a fake, but there is no doubt that she is the saint. Do you understand until here?"

Marie seemed to think she was praised and looked bashful.

"Eh, is that true? What, then I’m really the saint."

"The men of that saint beat up the priests so the matter got complicated though. You guys beat them up without even investigating further, so the temple also got obstinate and said that they won’t recognize Marie now."

Hertrude looked like she wanted to say something, but she didn’t say anything and left it to Leon.

"Do you know how much I’ve been pulling strings behind the scene? Hey, why are you guys making all my hard works futile?"

Brad got enraged and stood up in protest.

"Are you telling us to let Marie die then!? We won’t accept something like that."

"Certainly, you four are in the right. Those guys tried to poison her to death. Even I thought that those guys are a real idiot. But see──you four making a ruckus after driving them away is no good. Assaulting the temple is really stupid."

Marie defended the four.

"Wait! Everyone only protested to the temple because they thought I would be executed."

"You don’t call bringing out armors and rampaging a protest! You call that use of force! Even though it looked like the matter might be resolved nicely because they got found out trying to kill using poison!"

From the perspective of the palace’s official, these six who were thrown into the underground prison must be a very aggravating existence.

Hertrude was pitying Leon.

"You also have it hard. Want to come to my place? If it’s now I can promise you a nice treatment. I’ll prepare a rank of duke for you."

"Not interested."

Leon instantly refused and walked toward Marie.

Hertrude made a slightly vexed and sad looking smile. She was muttering "Even though I’m serious this time, I got rejected again".

"The extraordinarily devilish woman who seduced the five who originally had bright prospect──you’re being talked like that."

"Eh, is that so?"

Leon showed an irritated voice at the bashful Marie.

"Protests are flooding in because of you guys! Your houses are enraged, the palace officials are saying that you guys are absolutely unforgivable, while the temple are raging to execute you all!"

Marie grabbed Leon’s ankle.

"Please save us!"

"I was trying to save you! But you guys messed up everything! Hey, do you guys have grudge for me? How in the world you guys turned the situation to be this outrageous? Everyone was astonished!"

Leon felt like crying.

"You’re wrong! We tried to do something about it by ourselves. But then it ended up like this."

"It’s the worst! Think more before doing something!"

Marie was crying.

"Then, we are going to die?"

Leo was about to say something, but he swallowed his words and turned his back on them.

"──I was also asked by Mylene-sama. I’ll do whatever I can. But, don’t expect too much."

Marie’s expression turned into a smile.

Yes, if her brother from the previous life──Leon was taking action, then most thing would be resolved somehow.

(Thank you Onii-chan!)

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Part 3

I headed to where his majesty is in order to resolve the matter of Marie and others.

Vince-san and Barnard-san are also present around his majesty Roland.

Everyone is showing disapproval at my suggestion.

"It looks like you don’t understand what it means to help those six."

His majesty’s words are cold even though this matter is concerning his son’s like. In respond I──.

"I don’t mind even if it’s in exchange with my reward this time. If it’s not enough then I’ll also offer the assets in my possession."

His majesty scoffed.

"The workshop in your possession has been transferred to your father the baron hasn’t it? As for Lost Items, you have lost all of them. There won’t be any meaning to obtain some fortune at this point. Besides, you even lost our royal family’s ship. Isn’t this your responsibility?"

This detestable bastard is making snide remarks insistently.

It’s possible to repair Partner and Arroganz, but I should keep it quiet here. That way will be convenient for me after all.

"I’m begging your majesty to please be merciful there."

His majesty is looking at me while grinning and acting cocky.

Isn’t this guy hating me too much?

Then Barnard-san spoke.

"It’s easy to save only their lives. But you see, I hope you understand those six cannot be leave to their own device. His highness Julius is a royalty. And then the other four are former heirs of noted houses. And then, there is even the saint who is considered as fake among them."

His majesty looked back in surprise at Barnard-san’s opinion, but even Vince-san is affirming my opinion too.

"It’ll be safer to shut them up in a floating island where they can be monitored, but we have no leeway to prepare such convenient island. The palace also won’t try too hard to search such a floating island. And so, in that case. ──The island that you discovered will be used for it. Is that really okay?"

I’m told to hand over the floating island that I discovered and became mine.

His majesty doesn’t look like he can accept that. He is looking at Vince-san reproachfully.

It seems that in the first place Vince-san and others are thinking that the matter of the royal family’s ship is something that can’t be helped.

They don’t mention that matter at all.

Seeing Vince-san ignoring his majesty made me felt relieved.

But, it’s painful to hand over the territory that is filled with my ideals.

Hm? Wait a second──in the first place I don’t mind letting go of my territory.

On the surface it’ll look like that I have nothing remaining but──that’s just fine isn’t it?

"I don’t mind if their lives can be saved by that."

Barnard-san questioned me.

"You will go that far to protect his highness and others? Can I ask you what make you go that far for them?"

I thought for a bit.

It will be fine to say something that will make them like me here, but I have learned that it will bring a lot of trouble if I forced myself and got favored by the higher ups.

That’s why, I’ll speak honestly.

"I’m tired with my position as noble. I also don’t need the viscount rank. I honestly want to return it back. Actually I just wanted to spend my life leisurely as a quasi-baron or lower."

"Hou"

I don’t know what Vince-san is thinking behind the gaze that he directed at me.

"I also have lost my airship and armor. The me right now has no worth at all, so I’ll start over from zero. As for me helping those six──I guess it’s because of this troublesome inseparable relationship between us?"

The three listened to my talk attentively with serious expressions.

"Inseparable relationship is it? It seems his highness has obtained a good friend. Your majesty, is this fine regarding the treatment of those six?"

"Eh? A, aa, umu. I leave it to you."

His majesty seemed to think of something when Barnard-san talked to him.

Vince-san told me to leave.

"Understood. We will take care of the rest. We have really asked a lot from you."

"You have. That’s why, please help me next. I want to retire and take it easy."

"Having a comfortable retirement in that age? But, I guess. ──I’ll surely show you my gratitude."

It’s good I tried saying it.

Vince-san’s gratitude──I can’t help but looking forward to it.

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Part 4

『Well, the things master lost can be recovered immediately though.』

"Oi, don’t say that. It really hurt to lose that floating island. Even though that island will be able to finally produce rice, miso, and shoyu after this."

I’m talking alone with Luxion inside my room.

『Even so, I’m amazed that they allowed master’s retirement.』

"It’s the fact that they’re troubled of how to treat me, so the palace must also be thinking that it’s not a bad idea. They might be thinking that I’m not a threat at all anymore."

『Master seems happy.』

"I wonder~"

Now that it’s over, the result settled into a form that I wished for although slightly different.

All those hard works are worth it.

"Now then, I’m thinking to depart to a new adventure journey for the sake of my new mob life but, what do you think?"

『I will accompany master. Because, master cannot do anything without me.』

"What a rude guy."

When I become free, let’s enjoy a trip in the sky using Luxion.

I have enough already of troublesome matter.

Wait a second. It will also be nice to take it easy at home. Second elder brother──no.

Now big brother Nix has joyously got promoted as the eldest brother and became the heir.

I can just help him out.

"My life is starting."

『It hasn’t started until now?』

Thinking back, various things happened since I almost got sold to perverted granny and everything was flurried.

"First I got to graduate from the academy. Eh? Is the academy going to get reopened in the first place?"

『I haven’t confirmed it but, with the condition of the capital I think it won’t be able to hold activity like before even if it’s reopened.』

The room’s door is knocked while I’m talking idly with Luxion and it opened.

Livia ran inside in a hurry.

"Leon-san, did you quit being a noble!?"

Livia is out of breath. I said "What, you already heard about it?" and told her to sit down.

However, Livia doesn’t look like she will sit.

"Viscount peerage with lower fourth court rank doesn’t suit me in the first place. I also let go of my territory, so even if I’m able to become independent I’ll only have knight peerage or something at that level. Well, I’ll be treated as knight more or less though."

"Bu, but, that’s horrible even though Leon-san has worked that hard. Even Ange was really──"

"Are you two worried about me? But, this is just right for me."

"That’s not it."

Livia casted her gaze down.

She grasped her skirt tightly and tears gathered in her eyes.

"Ange, she kowtowed to Marie-san for Leon-san’s sake. Now it become a problem. And yet, how can something like this happen to Leon-san too"

"──Eh?"

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Part 5

Ange was summoned by Vince and she was questioned regarding the happening in the academy.

The reason she was called into a room inside the palace was because Vince was busy dealing with the aftermath.

"──I’m disappointed with you."

"Yes."

A daughter of a duke kowtowed at the academy’s public square──what’s more it was in front of a lot of people.

"What you did threw mud on our family’s honor."

"I understand."

She bowed her head for Leon’s sake.

She didn’t regret doing that, but it was a mistaken choice if she thought about her house.

"The man who you placed your expectation on let go of his position, prestige─and even his territory. You disgraced the honor of our house for the sake of such man. How do you think I should deal with you?"

She was questioned, but Ange didn’t try to answer.

She left it to Vince’s decision. Even so if she had to answer──.

"Should I take my own life?"

"That’s some resolve."

Vince looked up to the ceiling.

"I can’t keep a daughter like you in this house. I’ll prepare a fitting person for you, so prepare to marry."

Even this treatment could be considered affectionate.

When Ange replied "Yes" with a small voice, Vince smiled.

"You aren’t interested who you will be married to?"

"Who will it be?"

She wasn’t interested but, if she didn’t at least hear the name then she wouldn’t be able to investigate the person.

Vince said to Ange.

"There is this stupid knight who is trying to let go of his territory, peerage, and even his rank. He is an idiot who is thinking to retire even though he’s still young but, don’t you think someone like that will be a fitting husband for you?"

"Father?"

"This house will take care of it. I have also heard about your friend’s circumstance but, my bad however that girl will be treated as concubine."

It seemed that Vince was aware of the relationship of the three of them. He must had investigated thoroughly.

Vince laughed when Ange lowered her head deeply.

"Tha, thank you very much!"

"This talk is still not decided yet. I will bring it up with the person himself after──"

Gilbert ran into the room when Vince said until that far.

"Father!"

"You’re too noisy."

"Tro, trouble. Leon-kun is──"

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Part 6

"LET GOOOOOO! I──I HAVE TO TAKE THIS GIRL’S HEADDDDD!"

I’m rampaging in the underground prison with my right hand holding a katana.

Marie is begging for her life while trembling inside her prison.

"Wait! It wasn’t my fault. I was only joking when asking them to kowtow in public!"

"Is that all you want to say? Yosh, show your neck. I’ll be slightly merciful and end it with one swing."

Knights and soldiers are holding me down in the underground prison.

"Please calm down!"

"Viscount, put away your weapon!"

"I understand your feeling, so for now let’s calm down!"

Marie is alone in the prison.

The other guys?

Their treatment has been decided, so they were let out of the prison and right now they are being scolded.

But more importantly──this girl is the only one I can’t forgive.

"I was an idiot for pitying you. Pay for your sins with your life!"

"You told me that you will save me!"

"Do you think I’ll forgive you after making Livia and Ange kowtow? I’ll give you your judgment here!"

I dragged the knights and soldiers until near the iron bars, but then someone ran into the underground prison with loud footsteps.

It’s Livia and Ange.

"Leon-san, wait. Calm down!"

"Just what are you thinking!?"

I turned toward the two and pointed to Marie.

"──I want her head."

Both Livia and Ange are appalled by my words.

"Saying you want her head──Leon-san, what will you do with it?"

I wiped my eyes with my left arm. I feel guilty toward the two my tears won’t stop.

"I’ll present it to you two."

"We don’t need it so calm down. It won’t do you any good even if you do something like this."

It seemed Ange also doesn’t need Marie’s head.

The surrounding knights and soldiers also agreed with Ange and stopped me, but I’ve had it with Marie.

She is the only one that I have to end with my own hands.

In the previous life I had also cleaned up after her all the time, but in this life it’s my duty as her former brother to assist with her beheading.

While we’re making noise, Mylene-sama also came down in a hurry.

"Leon-kun, wait!"

The five guys are also behind her.

"Bartfalt, have you lost your mind!?"

I can’t accept being told that by his highness Julius who has lost his mind right from the start.

"Not as bad as you!"

Marie cried toward the five.

"Everyone save me! This guy is trying to sever my neck!"

Greg grabbed my arm.

"Bartfalt, a guy like you! I absolutely won’t allow you to take Marie’s head!"

Chris grabbed my hand and took away my katana.

"I won’t let you lay even a single finger on Marie!"

Kilk stood in front of the prison and told me.

"Step back!"

Brad grabbed my head to pull me away from the iron bars.

"What are you doing causing a ruckus even though the decision has been made!?"

"I don’t want to be told that by you guys! Enough, let go of me! ──Luxion, DO ITTTT!"

Before I knew it the soldiers and knights were taking distance from me with the five surrounding me.

『Is it alright?』

"Do it already! Don’t give any mercy to the guys who got in my way!"

『Then, excuse me──』

Something electrifying is emitted from Luxion and paralyzed us.

"GYAAAAA!"

The scream of six guys echoed in the dungeon. And then we collapsed.

"Yo, you! Dragging even me──"

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Part 7

I’m sleeping on a sofa when I woke up.

Mylene-sama, and then Livia and Ange are near me.

They are relieved that I woke up and also exasperated.

"Good grief. I wondered what happened when I heard that there is a ruckus."

I tried fawning on Mylene-sama.

"Mylene-sama──I want Marie’s head please."

Mylene-sama made a troubled face. It looked like her heart is slightly wavering at my pleading.

My tactic to stimulate her maternal instinct worked well. But, it seems that it’s no good.

"I’m sorry. It’ll be difficult to overturn the decision after it has been made. I’m sorry to tell you this after the many helps you have given us, but the saint has to be kept alive."

It seems she is troubled that I’m saying I want her head after it has been decided to push the idiot six away into a floating island.

Ange is worried for me.

"What’s wrong so suddenly? Didn’t you want to save them so much you even presented your own territory?"

"Because she made the two of you kowtow."

I looked down and muttered so. Livia smiled wryly.

"That was──it’s"

Mylene-sama who also performed a kowtow seems to know about that matter.

"So Leon-kun didn’t know. I thought you know about it, so I asked for help in the same way."

That stupid Marie, what did she want to do spreading kowtow in this world?

I sat on the sofa holding my knees. To such me, Ange──.

"Leon, can we talk for a bit?"

"Hm?"

──When I lifted up my face, Ange and Livia are holding hands.

"A cruel truth"

Otomege Volume 3 Chapter 13Chapter 13 – Game Clear

.

Part 1

Marie who was moved from the dungeon to a guest room is making a dissatisfied face.

"I don’t want to live in countryside though."

"What’s with that attitude even after I saved you?"

I’m talking alone with the complaining Marie because I want to ask her various things.

I kept this girl alive in order to ask in detail about my parents──about what happened to them after I died.

Thinking calmly, my parents in the previous life will be sad if I kill her.

Personally I can’t forgive her at all, and even if she can be forgiven I want to beat up those five.

No, wait. Would I be forgiven if I punch them if it’s now?

"I’m a woman who shine in the big city!"

"You want to complain about the territory that I put much effort into establishing?"

"Big bro has this backward and negative thinking about slow life or the like, that’s why it’s no good."

Slow life ain’t backward or negative you idiot.

"I guess your good deed at the previous life is allowing father and mother to hold a grandchild. But other than that our parents were really pitiful."

"Big bro yourself also died earlier than our parents!"

"The cause of my death was because of you!"

"Big bro was always grinning while playing game that has girls showing up in it! It was impossible for you to die just form that much!"

"You also grinned when playing a game that has men showing up in it though!"

While arguing it gradually grow into a talk of which was in the wrong.

"It was big bro’s fault!"

"It was your fault!"

Luxion lightly float while watching us without interest.

"Luxion, you tell her too. Tell her that it’s her fault for aiming to something like a reverse harem and causing the situation to almost reach the worst result!"

"Big bro yourself is keeping the villainess and the main character for yourself!"

"In my case it’s a pure relationship! It’s not a licentious relationship like yours!"

"Big bro are just unable to lay your hand on them because you’re a chicken and a wuss!"

"Luxion! Tell her quickly. Tell her that she is a wrong and dull witted woman!"

"The round thingy over there, say which one of us is in the right, to this pitiful and useless big bro!"

Luxion’s single eye looks alternately at both of us before he replies.

『Then, allow me to say my opinion. Isn’t it the parents of your previous life who are the most pitiful for having children like you two?』

──This guy, he is saying that? He is really saying that?

I abruptly cool down with guilt spreading inside my chest. Then Marie talks to me with a small voice.

"Hey, isn’t this thing too cruel? Can’t he read the mood?"

"It stab into the heart. I didn’t want to hear those words getting said calmly like that.

『Perhaps it hurt your heart because it’s the truth? Besides, can Marie face your daughter at your previous life like this?』

Marie pressed her hand on her chest and her gaze wandered around.

"Bu, but, that child isn’t here──be, besides, sometimes I would meet and talk with her even after I left her on my parents’ care. That’s why I understand──that child won’t abandon me because of something like this."

So even someone like this girl at least has the self-awareness as a mother?

"When we had meal together she was a kind daughter who would worry for me and asked me 『Mom, are you living well?』."

──It seems my niece grew up wonderfully.

It’s vexing that as an uncle the only thing I can do is wishing for the happiness of my niece and parents.

『If that child hear that her mother seduced six men and formed a reverse harem, she will surely cry.』

Marie fell on her knees. I held my stomach and laughed seeing her like that.

"You hear that! As I thought you’re really the worst!"

『Master is also the same.』

"Eh!?"

Luxion listed my bad points.

『Even right now master is running away from the confession of those two. How about master resolve yourself already?』

Yes──that day.

I was called by those two and──.

.

Part 2

At a garden located in the palace’s rooftop.

There the two of them were standing in front of me nervously.

Even I also got nervous.

The setting sun was pretty, but I didn’t have any leeway to think about that.

"Leon──I love you."

Ange looked straight at my face and confessed.

I gulped.

"I wonder when did it start. The time I was thinking of you instead of his highness increased. I had fun when together with you. I felt pleasant staying at your side."

My mouth open and close repeatedly. Ange showed me a radiant smile.

"I love you."

──This is the second confession in my life.

Beside her is Livia who gave me my first confession.

When I moved my head stiffly and looked at Livia, she is also smiling.

──What to do? I don’t understand the meaning of this.

Why is she smiling?

Should I ask for help from Luxion? Thinking so I tried asking for help with my gaze, but there is a fake Luxion there with white spherical body.

"Who are you!?"

『It’s Creare-chan. Long time no see.』

Long time no see? Just when I thought that the female electronic sound seems familiar, it’s actually the AI who managed the ruin in the elf’s village.

"Where is Luxion!?"

『I asked him to withdraw because his presence will be boorish here. When I told him that master will surely be troubled if he isn’t present here, he happily left.』

──Isn’t that guy’s personality too twisted?

"Leon-san."

"Ye, yes!"

I straightened my back and turned my body to face Livia.

"I love Leon-san even now. I believe that this feeling won’t lose against anyone."

"I, I see."

I tried saying I see, but I never imagined this kind of situation.

I didn’t have any plan in my life for a situation where I got confessed by two people at the same time.

"──That’s why, please tell us. We want to know the answer here."

Ange placed her hand on her chest while saying.

"I and Livia──no, it’s fine even if there is someone else who you love. We won’t hold any grudge no matter who you choose between us, and it’s also fine if you choose neither of us. That’s why, tell us your feeling."

I’m thinking of a way to dodge the question and run away, but seeing the two’s serious face made me resolved myself.

The wind blew──the two’s hairs swayed.

The two of them who are illuminated by the setting sun looked divinely radiant.

I spread out my hands──.

"I love both of you!"

──The two of them slapped my cheeks with smiling faces.

.

Part 3

──It was amazing.

Ange slapped my cheek first, then right after that Livia’s slap arrived on my opposite cheek.

It was an amazing combination.

『The worst.』

"You know, this is my second life, but getting confessed by two lovely girls at the same time was the first time for me."

When I made that excuse, the shitty woman who did reverse harem looked at me with an appalled expression.

"Unbelievable. You’re the lowest."

"What? What does a woman who is six timing want to say to me?"

She is looking vexed when I provoked her.

And then, Marie spoke out her mind.

"──I’m reflecting. Reverse harem is really difficult and yet it doesn’t make me happy at all. That was why I wanted to end it, and yet"

Even her half-baked knowledge is understandable now.

This girl only played the game until halfway and she only watched the movie and illustrations for the later part. From the start the amount of information she has is different compared to me.

As the result, she became the saint and messed up the situation──now six men are following her around.

"I sympathize with that part though."

Marie who got fed up with reverse harem tried to dissolve her relationship with the five other than Kyle.

But, the five of them proclaimed an unexpectedly positive answer "I swear that one day I’ll make you fall in love with me" to Marie.

Marie’s current situation is one where she has to support five men who will be jobless in the future.

Good grief──we have good-for-nothing siblings here.

"Well, do your best. Though leave me out of it."

"Haa?"

Marie is making a very surprised face, but from where I stand I think I’ve worked hard enough.

"I have worked more than hard enough in this world. I didn’t think that Hertrude-san had a little sister, and it was really hard with you messing up the situation."

I worked hard. I’m even thinking that I worked too hard.

"Little sister? You mean Hertrauda?"

"That’s right. There is also many other things that were subtly different, perhaps this is that? The pattern that it’s no good to think of this world as game world? Well, anyway, I’ve saved the country from danger. I’ll get down from the stage from here."

In the first place, is it possible that there will be any more event than this? If this is a game then this is where the game is cleared.

The main character Livia doesn’t get together with anybody, while Marie made six guys into hers.

As the result although it’s not a bad end, there is no doubt that this is one tricky situation.

But, let’s be happy that the game is cleared up safely.

Marie opened her eyes wide.

She nodded several times as though she knew something and,

"──I don’t think big bro know this but"

Marie said that and told me about a truth of this world that I don’t know.

.

Part 4

Several days later. In a graveyard in the capital.

It’s crowded with a lot of people in order to mourn those who fell in battle.

Those who lost their family.

Those who lost their lover.

Those who lost their friend.

Anyway, the other side of the tale is shown to me clearly regardless of my wish.

It’s not over after winning, it’s only the beginning from there.

I’m watching that sight from inside a carriage.

"It’s inexcusable for the families out there, but I wanted to talk with you like this. Though it must be disappointing for you that you aren’t talking with a young girl."

The one who is sitting in front of me is Mylene-sama.

I was invited after the ceremony and we got into a carriage like this.

"The way Mylene-sama said that is a bit thorny. Are you angry?"

"You are always like that. You looked like you’re flippantly laughing to the surrounding while keeping the problem to yourself. There are dark circles under your eyes."

I touched below my eye with my finger. ──I couldn’t sleep too yesterday.

Perhaps I should make Luxion prepare sleeping medicine for me?

"Thank you very much for the matter this time. There is also only one remaining ceremony."

There are various ceremonies being held like victory celebration and the like. The busy days are continuing.

"Is it about my dismissal and reward?"

"That’s right. Although it was only temporarily, you still became the supreme commander. Besides, you showed result."

At the surface I will receive huge rewards from the kingdom.

It’s me who is giving various things to the kingdom, but it’ll be no good if they don’t make a show publicly that I received reward.

The kingdom will be troubled if they don’t do that.

Because if they don’t give punishment and reward strictly, the lower level will be dissatisfied.

"This is the first time there is someone who wish for demotion as their reward."

Even if it’s impossible to immediately demote me, but by doing it bit by bit for several years──I will become a mere knight at the end.

"The position of viscount with rank lower 4 in the court is too heavy for me. I have also lost my territory, being a simple knight is just right for me. I’m useless now that I can’t use Partner and Arroganz."

Mylene-sama made an apologetic face.

When I told her it’s payback for just now, she looked away with a sulky face.

What an adorable thirty year old. I wanted to push her down.

"Also, about that mater, it’s accepted without any problem."

"That’s great."

A situation that is convenient for me is getting formed.

"What bothers me is your Lost Item. Does it look like they can be repaired?"

"They are collected but it will be difficult. They are being stored in our workshop."

"──We have really relied completely on Leon-kun. Please tell me if there is anything that I can do. I will respond to the best of my ability."

For an instant──really just for an instant I imagined an erotic delusion, but the other person is the queen.

My head will fly if I laid my hand on her.

"I’ll consider it a debt. That way will be more interesting."

"We have made a lot of large debts."

We kept talking about various things like that and before long the palace came into view from the carriage’s window.

Now then, let’s do the last job.

.

Part 5

In the waiting room.

My family is there being noisy and hurried.

"I, is it fine like this?"

"Dear, your button is fixed wrong."

There is mother tidying father’s disordered outfit. While at a different spot big bro is checking his attire in front of a mirror.

Because of his participation in the war, it’s decided that father will advance in rank to rank “upper” six.

"Why do I have to come too? There shouldn’t be any need with father and Leon here."

I calmed down the complaining big bro.

"Isn’t it because big bro will be the next baron? It’s great that your first campaign ended in a flashy victory."

"I didn’t do anything though. More importantly, what happened with big brother Ludward? No, he isn’t actually our but brother but, I’m curious what will happen to their family from now."

An airship fell during the defensive battle on Zola’s mansion and they lost everything.

The capital itself is in a tatter. It will be busy with reconstruction work for a while.

But this world has armor that acted like powered suit, so the work is advancing without problem.

"Ludward had even his knight title stripped away because of desertion under enemy attack. In the first place Zola is just a noble’s daughter. She doesn’t have any court rank so she is neglected. Now Ludward isn’t even a knight, so perhaps they’re treated as commoner?"

Zola who is abandoned by father can only return to her family.

But even that family ran away from the war and it’s decided that their house will be erased.

A lot of noble houses are erased. Zola’s family is also included among them. ──That’s all there is to it.

"You’re detailed."

"I heard from Mylene-sama."

Big bro is making a really conflicted expression.

"Why are you close with the queen like that? ──I don’t think it’s possible but, you aren’t laying your hand on her right? Stop it. Really stop it! I don’t want to get dragged into your trouble even more than this!"

How rude. Even I understood that much.

"More importantly, where is big sis? I thought that if it’s her she’ll come to this kind of ceremony happily."

"Jena is shutting herself in her room. She ranted after father killed her exclusive servant. Yumeria-san is taking care of her."

I got the feeling that she’ll get out of her room right away if she is given a new slave.

But, it seems that the academy is going to drastically change its policy, so even that is going to be impossible.

There is talk about abolishing the system of exclusive servant. The talk is progressing well to that direction.

It seems that Jena’s exclusive servant Miall setting me up also became a problem. Also, the male camp is eager to use this chance to thoroughly crush the exclusive servant system.

Woman’s grudge is scary but, man’s grudge is also amazing. The male camp is united as one to re-examine the system.

The door of the waiting room is knocked. It seems the time has come.

"──Now then, let’s finish this last job."

This will really be the last.

.

Part 6

The audience hall.

I kneeled on the red carpet that is leading to the throne while listening to his majesty’s words.

Everyone’s work this time is truly splendid──starting from there his majesty also praised the surrounding nobles who participated in the war with grandiose speech.

While I’m wondering if he can hurry it up with the speech, his majesty said.

.

"Viscount──no, Count Leon Fou Bartfalt. You are dismissed from your position as the supreme commander. And then I grant you an advancement to the peerage of count and the court rank of lower third!"

.

While the surrounding nobles broke into murmurs, I kept looking down while my eyes snapped wide open.

──This idiot, what the hell is he saying?

"Yo, your majesty. Ple, please permit me to speak!"

I’m in shock from the sudden happening, but when I asked for permission to speak, his majesty twirled his moustache while looking down at me and said.

"I allow it."

"My deepest gratitude! Can I ask your majesty what do you mean by count, and also the court rank of lower third? Such position for a youngster like me is──"

In my shock first I tried to convey how "Me as count is impossible! And I can’t do anything even if you give me court rank!"to his majesty.

Even my surrounding is the same.

Among the voices that entered my ears I can hear things like "Being a count in that age?""That’s extreme even for being an upstart""It’s unprecedented to become a count in a single generation""Lower third──isn’t that effectively a top rank?" and so on.

When talking about court rank of lower third──that’s already the rank of cabinet minister class.

The upper third that is above that rank is a rank for people related with the royal family.

I’m not happy at all even if I received such rank!

Even if you tell a student that he is going to be a cabinet minister starting tomorrow, he’s just going to be "Ha?" won’t he? That’s like being the top brass in a company. That student isn’t going to be able to take responsibility, much less doing any work!

When I lifted my head, his majesty──the son of a bitch Roland is looking down at me while smirking.

"The kingdom has to award you with the suitable peerage and court rank after you raised an achievement to this degree. Haha, there is no need to worry. If it’s you then one day you will surely show a performance and contribution that are suitable for your peerage and rank."

Thank you for your high evaluation of me, I’m going to vomit now!

This guy know.

This guy did something like this knowing that I’m not going to like it.

When I looked around, I can see that the officials are also in panic.

Mylene-sama also opened her eyes wide. It looks like she hasn’t heard anything about this.

──This damn bastard, he promoted me without telling anyone beforehand.

Don’t screw around.

When I’m about to say something, Roland opened his mouth first.

He talked with a theatrical act that stunk.

"Come forward if there is anyone who has any complaint."

No one stepped forward.

Even if there is anyone who disliked my promotion, they will be troubled if my promotion is cancelled.

It’s because they understood that if I’m not promoted, in the future──it would become hard to advance in rank no matter what kind of achievement they raised.

When their promotion is considered, their achievement would be compared with my effort and a lot of them would become unable to get the promotion.

"Count Bartfalt, I shall anticipate your contribution in the future."

"I, it’s a great honor to hear that from your majesty."

How nice it would be if I could yell "Don’t screw around!" here.

There is also my family here.

My family can also get troubled depending on my attitude.

These damn son and parent, heaping troubles on me like this.

Looking at that bastard Roland’s smirk, I swore in my heart.

──I’ll pay you back one day.

.

Part 7

I went berserk after I returned to the room.

"That son of a bitch! Even though I told him I don’t want to get promoted, he intentionally made a count!"

I threw the cushion that was placed on the sofa.

Throwing a fragile object is scary so I can’t do it.

Father and mother are whispering to each other seeing me.

"Say, how should I talk to my son now that he became a count? Should I use polite language with Leon as I thought?"

"Ma, maybe? But, it’s unthinkable that child will be bothered about something like that."

"But he’s a count now. Rank of lower third, that’s a god-like existence for us."

"──Then, polite language it is."

I turned toward the two and yelled with my finger pointed to them.

"A count in name only without any substance is just a joke! Something like this is just a bullying from the palace! Also, parents using polite language is disgusting so rejected!"

Big bro recalled something and said.

"You know, there’s that. If father returned the workshop to Leon, your income will also increase."

"I’m not going to be troubled if this can be solved with just that!"

The income from the workshop is considerable. It’s considerable but──it’s no good.

The position of count is very high.

It’s not something that can be covered with the income of just one workshop.

Father hit his palm with his fist and said "That’s right!".

"Then what if you just go and become a palace noble? Look, you will get yearly wage from the palace then. You don’t need to worry even if you don’t have territory!"

"Impossible. Absolutely impossible! With my rank it’s like the class of cabinet minister! I can’t do the work at the level of a cabinet minister!"

"Seems so. I think this country will be over if you become a cabinet minister or some kind of big shot."

I threw a cushion at my frank father. I ran out of the room.

"I’ll leave this kind of country!"

Mother called out at my back.

"Come back before dinner!"

──Yes.

.

Part 8

A voice called at me while I’m walking through the corridor.

"Oi!"

It’s Ange running toward me while slightly lifting up her skirt with both hands so she won’t stumble.

Today she is wearing dress to participate in the ceremony.

When she caught up to me, she calmed down her breathing.

She must have happened to catch sight of me and hurriedly ran after me. Her cheeks are slightly red.

"What’s the meaning of just now? Did you know about it?"

She must mean what happened in the audience hall. I shook my head powerlessly.

"It was something that his majesty decided arbitrarily. Even I didn’t hear anything about it."

"Well, certainly you couldn’t be demoted in that place. It’s also a fact that it’ll be convenient for the kingdom to promote you. But, even father didn’t know about it."

That guy, did he really decide to do that without consulting anyone?

What a troublesome family.

Whether it’s his highness Julius or the son of a bitch Roland, all of them are the worst.

"What now? What do you think I should do? I’m troubled even if I’m seriously promoted into a count."

"Ri, right. Even if you’re given peerage but right now you don’t even have house or territory. There will be problem even if you become a palace noble, I think the best way here will be to obediently marry into a noble family."

Marry into a family?

"If you marry into a powerful noble family, they might prepare a new house and territory for their daughter. If you can marry into such family, you will also obtain a backer. That’ll be a really good deal for you."

So there is also such a way. While I’m thinking that, Clarice-senpai showed up also wearing a dress.

"Oh, it’s not like you need to marry into a noble family, you can also establish a new house. Right now the nobles in the kingdom are reduced in number too much. It will be a chance if you go independent."

Due to the incident this time, the kingdom crushed many houses.

It went without saying for the houses that were connected with the principality, but those who ignored the kingdom’s call for reinforcement are also crushed and their territory confiscated with no question asked. Various punishments are waiting for them.

In other words, there is a lack of manpower there is also an excess of territory, so it will be easy to go independent.

"Clarice, what’s your business?"

"It will be troublesome if you marry into a noble house. It also will be bad for your reputation if a count marry into other house."

"Leon’s case is an exception."

The two started to quarrel.

"Marrying into other house, or going independent──but, in the you will go independent in both options won’t you?"

Then Deirdre-senpai who is wearing a showy dress is approaching this way.

"I’ve been listening from some time ago, but I wonder just what are the two of you talking about?"

Clarice-senpai glared at Deirdre-senpai, but the person herself is making a composed expression.

"Can I ask you to not disturb us, Deirdre-senpai."

"Claiming that there is only the option of being a feudal lord noble when it come to going independent, I think that both of you are too narrow-sighted."

Ange raised an eyebrow and asked.

"──What do you mean by that?"

Deirdre-senpai threw out her chest and brazenly talked about my future.

"Right now Roseblade House is considering to have a palace noble as branch house. It seems that the number of palace noble has also decreased by a lot, so it’s something to aim for. As for substance──Roseblade House will prepare it so the count can use that status and prestige to your heart’s content."

In other words, she is telling me to become the head of Roseblade House’s branch family?

Is this also marrying into a family?

The three started to glare at each other, so I followed my instinct that is telling me it’ll be better to escape soon and got away from that place sneakily.

Then, "Kyah" I heard such adorable voice and my legs naturally headed that way.

I walked through the corridor for a bit and turned at the corner. There I found Livia wearing a dress.

It looked like she stepped on the dress’s skirt because she isn’t used to wear one and fell.

There is a man who is offering a hand to Livia who fell like that.

"Are you alright, young lady?"

"Ye, yes."

"That’s good. If you like, how about we relax in the room over there?"

Livia’s gaze wandered around looking troubled, so I approached the son of a bitch.

This playboy bastard who talked to Livia is someone hateful for me.

"Your majesty, aren’t you embarrassed hitting on a girl in the palace like this?"

"Fool. Everyone did something like this──mu, so it’s you."

When he noticed that it’s me, he turned around and showed a very delighted grin.

"Hey there count. How does it feel to get a promotion?"

"It’s the worst. What happened to the talk about demotion? If I’m promoted, it’ll be troublesome to demote me later on so my peerage will be left as it is, wasn’t that what we talked about!?"

"That? Aa, I thought that. But, it was really troublesome. If the hero who saved the country get treated like that, my dignity will come into doubt. After careful deliberation, I concluded that as expected you should be promoted."

"──I’ll get demoted from here on right?"

"That’s if you do something that become cause for demotion."

This guy, he looks excessively happy messing around with me.

"This is different from the promise."

"Aa, indeed. This also pains my heart. But you see, I hate you. So I decided that I won’t do anything that makes you happy."

This guy, he is telling me right at my face that he hate me.

While I’m getting taken aback, Roland got into a good mood and continued talking with theatrical hand and body gestures.

"It’s unforgivable that you stood out even more than me before the war. What’s with that『If that is what your majesty wish for』. Acting cool like that, it was unforgivable. It’s your fault from getting in my way even though it was finally my time to show off."

"Eh? That’s the reason?"

Livia is standing still looking flustered.

Her troubled expression is cute.

But, the problem is the old man in front of me.

"That was the only time I could show off. I wanted to fluster you with my speech and then make fun of you before showing my dignity as adult, but you ruined my plan. Your conversation with the marquis after that was also standing out. It was irritating."

"Your reason isn’t because I beat up your son or wooing your wife?"

The son of a bitch Roland folded his arms and stared at me from my toes until the top of my head.

"You’re really trash. But, I won’t be fit for life in the palace if I get angry from just that much. It’s my son’s responsibility for getting beaten up, and even if you woo my queen I’ll only think『So?』 at this point. Though I’ll sentence you to death if you lay your hand on my concubine."

──Eh? Isn’t this guy just plainly a trash? Isn’t he a worse trash than me?

Roland turned back at Livia, straightened his posture, and offered her a hand.

"Now, young lady. Shall we create a memory of a night together?"

Come to think of it, the queen was also the main character’s enemy.

But, in the game scenario the king was an understanding person for some reason.

I never thought that the reason for that was because he is a dirty old man who like young girl.

An otome game should have a king that let the player dream!

"Will I get demoted if I beat you up here?"

"Brat. It looks like you want to get death sentence. Very well, I’ll call the palace guards here!"

Even his reliance on the guards is pathetic. While I’m thinking that,

"──Your majesty."

Mylene-sama came with maids following her.

Roland tried to run away when he heard her voice, so I grabbed his hand.

"Le, let go!"

"Where are you going, your majesty~"

He made an amazing face when I smirked and grabbed his arm tightly. It made me want to laugh.

"Yo, you! I’ll sentence you to death for real!"

"Mylene-sama! His majesty wants to execute me. Help!"

"You’re making an advance to a young girl again! And then you’re going to execute the one who remonstrate you for that! What’s with that!? Even though the count is the hero of the kingdom. I really won’t forgive you today."

"Yo, you’re wrong! This is my duty as a royalty! Making child is like a royal duty. Nothing wrong with me laying hand on young girl!"

"Just how many mistresses you’re keeping already with that excuse!"

Mylene-sama dragged Roland away to somewhere.

My quarrel with Roland closed the curtain with my victory.

"Evil is driven away."

Livia smiled wryly.

"Sa, say, Leon-san. Err──"

"Hm? Aa, that dress. It looks good on you."

"Thank you very much. Tha, that’s not it!"

Livia put her hands on her chest and took a deep breath.

"About the matter before"

She grabbed my hand when I averted my gaze.

"Why won’t you answer us properly?"

What came to mind when I looked at Livia sending me an upward gaze with moist eyes is, how happy I will be if I have a girl like this as wife──that kind of delusion.

Even I want to nod if it’s alright but──why are the two of them in love with me?

I should choose between them?

This me?

"I don’t mind if you tell us that we are no good. But, we want a proper answer."

Also──I acted like this world is a game, but is it okay for someone like me to fall in love with these girls who are living with all their effort in this world?

What is my difference with Marie who I had thoroughly criticized?

──That’s why I’m troubled.

Livia tensed her expression seriously, and then she slightly widened her feet before telling me boldly.

"If Leon-san won’t make your answer clear, then I too have my own plan."

"Wha, what!?"

"I absolutely──absolutely will make Leon-san turn toward me!"

What a manly thinking.

When those five said the same thing I thought"Those guys are really idiot", but when looking at Livia, I felt a manliness from her that made me want to say"AnegoBig sister!".

I’ll fall for her instantly if I’m a woman.

"That’s why, please be together with me. Please be together with me forever."

Livia’s attitude changed completely and she looked like she is going to cry. I scratched my head and answered her.

"Sorry. That’s impossible."

Otomege Volume 3 EpilogueEpilogue

.

Part 1

The spring back came a bit faster.

I returned home and showed up at the workshop.

In front of me I can see a 200 meter class airship with a single horn as its characteristic, the Einhorn.

Its appearance has a lot of decoration.

"That’s a lot of decoration."

『Prepare an airship that won’t be shameful as the representative of Hohlfahrt. That’s the condition from the palace.』

People and robots are doing work in the workshop.

The robots are working while the people are in charge of the miscellaneous jobs.

The workshop has only operated for several months, so there isn’t anything like skilled technician here.

Perhaps there would be some among them who could be entrusted with the work after several years passed.

Until then the robots will do the works in their place.

"Partner cannot be shown even though its repair is finished. It’s really troublesome. Eh? What about Creare?"

『She is staying in the capital. It looks like she took a liking to Olivia and Angelica.』

"She is an AI who is even more free than you huh."

『I can’t deny that. Well, she won’t do any betrayal so it will be fine. More importantly, master will have it hard from here on.』

The reason I prepared a new airship is──for studying abroad.

"To think that otome game──has a sequel. It’s completely unexpected."

I recalled my conversation with Marie.

.

Part 2

That day when I talked with Marie in the palace.

I learned a new truth of this world──and trembled.

"I don’t think big bro know this but──that otome game became a game series you know?"

"──Eh?"

It seemed that game with bad balance and caused dissatisfaction to explode from the users became a series.

It’s good that Marie taught me various things but, what’s with her self-important attitude?

"Hertrauda is a character that came out in the third game."

"Thi, third game!? Oi, wait. Wait a second!"

If there is a third game, that means there is the second game in between.

──I never heard anything like that.

"It’s obvious that big bro doesn’t know. Big bro died after clearing the first game. The sequel came out after that. Julius’s little brother appeared in the third game."

"That guy has a little brother!?"

"He has. The king has concubines and he was born from a different mother. That’s why he is a cool character who is a bit shadowy. He has this outlaw atmosphere."

I don’t want to hear about that inconsequential setting.

But, now that she mentioned it, I had seen someone like that several times in the audience hall.

I completely thought that Julius is the only prince.

Thinking carefully, certainly it’ll be a problem if there is only one prince.

"Could it be, the two monsters that I didn’t know about were the last bosses of the third game?"

"That’s right. The guardian deities of the sky and the sea were the last bosses of the third game. By the way, the starting time of the third game is when Julius and others are third year. That’s why, not only it’s connected with the first game’s events, it also came with special perks where you can enjoy the event after their graduation."

I don’t need such information──was what I thought, but there was that kind of event?

I don’t know about any event of his highness Julius’s little brother enrolling into the academy.

"No, in the game there wasn’t any event of Julius’s little brother enrolling when he is at third year though."

"What are you saying? ──It’s obviously a setting that is added later."

──Thank you for the blunt explanation.

Of course it is. That can’t be helped then──you think I’m gonna accept that huh!

"Bu, but, the last bosses has been defeated, so it’s already fine isn’t it? The danger to the kingdom has left right?"

Marie smirked.

"Big bro, the stage for the second game isn’t Hohlfahrt, it’s Alzer Commonwealth."

Eh? I’ve heard that country name before.

"Wa, wait. Wait! Then──"

"The second game’s last boss is in good health."

I looked at Marie’s smirking face while holding my head and sat down on the spot.

"NO WAYYYYYY!"

There is no way this can happen. This world──that otome game has a sequel and the danger to the world isn’t over, I don’t want to believe that. Even though I thought that everything is over!

Marie is showing composure in front of me with a triumphant smile.

"Now then, let’s negotiate."

When she understood that I don’t have any knowledge about the events ahead, she judged that there is ground for negotiation.

She is moving things ahead really confidently.

"What’s with that haughty attitude."

"Is it alright for big bro to say that? I have the game knowledge that big bro doesn’t have."

"──What do you want?"

"Let’s see. First──I want allowance! I wish for living expense!"

Marie suddenly kowtowed. Her request is allowance.

"You don’t need it right? You guys are going to get stuffed into a floating island, any necessary items should be prepared for you. Or rather, that island already has the necessary items for living."

"That’s not it! Our life there will have to be self-sufficient to teach everyone about a little hardship! Any necessary items and the likes will be prepared for us but, this is those five we’re talking about you know? Kyle and Cara will be fine, but do you think those five can do something like farming? They’ll absolutely fail."

Well, they were ignorant young masters, being suddenly told to farm will be too high of a hurdle for them.

Or rather, Cara is going to come along with you too?

"I’ll send big bro with things like rice and the like periodically, so please give me living expense! Everyone’s family is also seriously angry, so I can’t expect any allowance from them!"

The reason why Marie is anxious about her living from now is because those five are showing attitude like "Just farming must be easy".

The cause of her anxiety came from their carefree thinking that life of self-sufficiency won’t be bad.

"It’s impossible. If I leave it to those five, it will surely fail. My instinct told me that. Because, everyone is saying the same lines like my ex-boyfriend in my previous life. They’re the same with my ex who had naïve thinking and spoke about dream and what not or that he will manage somehow even though he relied on me for money!"

What a coincidence. I also felt the same. I can already clearly picture those guys failing.

More importantly, Marie is really popular among useless men. Is it the useless men who approached her, or is it her who turned men into useless men──now, which is it? Perhaps she is even sending out signal that attract useless men to her?

Marie seriously and earnestly requested to me.

"That’s why, I’ll sell big bro the information so please give me allowance!"

I also wanted the information, so I shall accept her request.

"I’ll give you allowance, so talk about that Alzer Commonwealth."

"Thank you big bro!"

Marie rejoiced that she can receive allowance and stood up while doing a little dance.

When I told her to talk already, Marie coughed and talked about Alzer Commonwealth.

"Alzer Commonwealth is a country of noble commonwealth. It’s more advanced than the kingdom and there is an academy where even the commoners can enroll. There the main character will get along with the boys who are the conquest targets."

So it’s an academy setting like the first game.

"And then, the main character is a girl who descended from a great noble house that should have been crushed."

"Hm~"

"At the end, that main character and the conquest target will revive the noble house but──"

I’m dumbfounded by the information from Marie.

.

Part 3

"Stop it already with the danger to the world if the conquest failed. Spare me."

In short, the world will be doomed if things doesn’t go well with the main character of the second game.

This world is always under the risk of destruction due to love affairs huh.

『Master is really a worrywart.』

"No way I can just ignore a danger to the world! Shit, even though I’ll be able to live my second year in the academy normally if I don’t know anything."

『Master now is a count with court rank of lower third after all, surely you will be very popular. The marriage situation is also going to improve due to the case this time, so the boy will be in the position to choose this time and yet──master has to study abroad, it must be hard.』

You can say that the marriage situation has changed 180 degrees.

In the middle of that, the clever girls are starting to panic.

『If master stay here, a happy academy life for master will be waiting, and yet…』

"Even I want to stay here. But, I also can’t leave this problem alone."

The problem is the existence of reincarnator like us.

That kind of existence hasn’t been confirmed but, if they existed──what if they do as they please like Marie and pushed the world into danger at the end. I cannot have a peace of mind when I thought of that.

Even though I have worked hard until now, it will be pointless if the world is destroyed.

"We’re going to observe the situation while studying abroad. If nothing happen then it will end with me simply studying abroad."

『Will it be fine about the language?』

"I’ve learned simple things like greeting, but I think it’ll be impossible to have conversation."

『I’ll be able to translate though?』

"Then say that from the start! I’ve already studied extra hard which was really unlike me!"

『Master should do your best just like that.』

Big bro came for me while I’m making noise.

"Leon, father is calling for you."

"Father is?"

.

Part 4

What is waiting for me when I showed my face in father’s office is──a talk of marriage.

"Marriage ceremony?"

"No, an engagement ceremony. I’ll have you join it too so prepare properly beforehand."

"Could it be it’s for big sis?"

"Jena is no good. Mum said that she can’t even do housework properly so we can’t send her out to marry. Right now it’s the girl who has it hard to marry after all. If we want to marry off Jena, it’s essential to train her in homemaking arts."

Setting aside the academy, the number of male is fewer than the female in general.

The position of the male regarding marriage is stronger.

Amidst that, Jena who can’t do housework at all is out of question.

She is in the middle of reeducation with mother.

She will be able to somehow land herself a husband if we used my connection or my status as hero.

But, my parents seems to think that it won’t be a laughing matter if we do that. They absolutely won’t allow it.

Then, this engagement must be for big bro.

Right now big bro is a heir of a baron house and he is helping with father’s work.

He also has graduated from the academy, so it won’t be strange for him to marry.

"Why is it not marriage?"

"There are various circumstances. Sorry that it’s too rushed like this but, you need to participate too before you go studying abroad."

From the way father spoke, it’ll be big bro’s engagement ceremony as I thought.

"I don’t really mind."

"I see. Then go prepare."

.

Part 5

I got out of the room and walked down the stairs. I found Jena who was promoted from second daughter to eldest daughter there.

She is being taught the way to clean by Yumeria-san.

"My lady, it’s no good if you are wiping that crudely. You have to wipe thoroughly like this."

Big sis who is staying quiet looked extremely dissatisfied.

"Ah, don’t! Do it like this──"

Even though she is being taught to sweep by Yumeria-san who is this adorable despite being a mother of one child, big sis threw away the dust cloth.

"I can’t do this! A chore like this can be left to the servant!"

"Bu, but, I’m told to teach my lady to clean."

It seems big sis hasn’t understood the reality yet. She is still dreaming all the time.

"There will be heirs of baron house when I return to the academy. I can just marry with them. Ah, Leon! Introduce your friends to me. This time I’ll tolerate even if they’re just feudal lord noble in the countryside."

Yumeria-san is looking panicked. She bowed her head at me.

I told her "Aa, it’s fine" with a kind smile, then I turned a ridiculing smile toward big sis.

"Oi, you’ve got guts talking like that to a count. Also, my friends are already receiving passionate approach from girls. They got a lot of choices available. Someone like big sis won’t even enter their sight."

──I’m really envious at them.

My position as count got in the way and the girls who approached me are all young ladies from houses that aren’t laughing matter. I’m happy that many young ladies are fussing over me but, I can’t carelessly play with them because if I lay my hand on them then I’ll be made to take responsibility right away.

"Yo, you, what’s with that attitude toward your big sister!"

"I wish you won’t forget how I covered up for you after you got into trouble because of your slave’s fault."

In fact, because Miall lent his hand to Marquis Frampton, big sis herself almost got asked to take responsibility too.

It was me who settled it somehow with the power of money.

When I looked at big sis biting her lips in frustration──my mood brightened up. Today is really a refreshing day.

"E, err, young master? No. Lord count? E, eh? A, anyway, Leon-sama, Jena-sama is pitiful."

I’m healed by Yumeria-san.

For me who only have sisters with trash personality, this person is an existence who is like an adorable little sister.

Though in reality she is older than me and a mother of a child.

This slightly clumsy atmosphere of hers is nice. In addition she is serious and kind.

This person is the best.

"I’ll forgive you in deference to Yumeria-san but, work a bit harder. Seriously speaking, there won’t be any prospect for big sis to marry at this rate."

"──I, if I can just return to the academy, I’ll have my picks of boys there."

"Look at reality. Right now the number of men is fewer while the women are in excess."

When I laughed at her, big sis picked up the dust cloth and threw it at me.

She got worked up and her face became bright red. It’s really funny.

I cleanly dodged. Mother saw that happened.

"Jena. It looks like you still don’t understand."

"Kaa-san! Forgive me already!!"

I watched Jena running away while laughing.

I’m hearing how the marriage situation is improved but──watching big sis made me felt that the path ahead is still long.

.

Part 6

Night.

I’m lying down in my room and idly talked with Luxion.

I’m getting sleepy so I’m not really conscious of my reply.

『So master’s older brother will be engaged.』

"Looks like it. I’ve got to congratulate him."

『By the way master, between Olivia and Angelica──does master feel like choosing either one of them?』

"Even I myself don’t understand my own feeling. I like the two of them but, as expected I’m scared when thinking of the responsibility and so on."

I got sleepy and yawned, then Luxion formed a conclusion as he pleased.

『In other words, master like them so much you can’t choose either of them?』

"That’s right. That was why I said I loved both of them and got slapped. Even though I answered honestly, that was just horrible."

『Does master has the intent to marry either of them?』

"It’ll be nice if I can do that. In the first place I won’t be troubled if I can do that. I love them though. It’s because I love them that I want them to be happy──but I’m not suited for them."

They are too much of good girls that someone like me isn’t suitable for them.

Those girls even kowtowed for my sake you know?

If they’re going to marry then they might as well marry with even better man and become happy.

『Right now master is a count and a hero. Master is suitable enough for them.』

"──I don’t want to make use of my status. ──After all it’ll make me feel I’ve done bad thing to them."

『Is that so──master, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.』

"Yeah. Let me sleep already. I’ll sleep──and tomorrow morning──"

When I closed my eyes, I could see Livia and Ange smiling happily.

.

Part 7

The next morning.

I’m wearing an extravagant attire in the waiting room for relatives.

"Isn’t this strange? Big bro is the main star of today right?"

Big bro is also wearing an expensive suit, but mine is more eye-catching.

"──You know, it’s because you’re the count. I’m just the heir of a baron house. Perhaps it’s that difference?"

"No, that’s not good. It’ll be better if big bro is the one who dressed crisply."

My little brother Collin looked up at me.

"Leon-niichan’s clothes are amazing! They’re sparkling."

Father is standing nervously in front of the door.

Perhaps it’s just my imagination, but he seems to be cautious toward me.

When I looked around inside the room, mother is also fidgety without any composure.

"Luxion, isn’t the situation strange?"

『Everyone must be nervous.』

Well, perhaps it can’t be helped because it’s big bro’s engagement ceremony but──it feels strange.

"We aren’t going to greet the woman’s relatives?"

Big bro averted his gaze from me.

"──It’s that kind of arrangement. The greeting will be after everything is over."

This engagement ceremony is really hurried.

I’m thinking that while waiting in the room, then father looked at the clock──.

"It’s time. Yosh, let’s go. Leon is over here."

"Yes ye~s"

This is the first time I attended something like an engagement ceremony, so I’m looking forward to it a little.

The main star today is big bro, so I’m also relaxed. I’m planning to tease him later.

.

Part 8

"──Father, what’s the meaning of this?"

"It’s just as you see."

The engagement ceremony is held in a place that is like the church in my previous life──a temple.

A red carpet is laid out on the floor and there are couches lined up beside it for the attendants to sit.

Participating in this ceremony are people from the duke house──including Vince-san, there are a lot of big wigs here.

Big bro nonchalantly mingled among the attendants.

Deeper inside there are two women wearing pure white dress waiting.

"You guys tricked me!"

"Don’t speak something that sound bad in people’s ear like that. I never said that it’s Nix’s engagement ceremony even once. It was only your misunderstanding."

The two who are waiting for me are Livia and Ange no matter how I saw it.

Their faces are hidden behind a veil, but I immediately identified them from their figure.

In addition even Vince-san is attending. I don’t have any place to escape if they went this far!

"I never heard anything about this!"

"──It’s because you’re acting irresolute and pathetic. If it’s not made clear before you study abroad, who knows what you will do there."

Even I have been thinking a lot about this! ──Don’t call me irresolute.

I just don’t want to take responsibility!

Father looked at Vince-san.

"You will throw mud at the duke’s face if you run away here."

"You’re the worst. Creating this kind of situation where I can’t run away is really the worst thing to do! ──Wait a second. Luxion, don’t tell me you knew about this?"

Luxion is floating nearby. For some reason he looked delighted to me.

『Yes. I think that master who won’t make it clear is pathetic as a man, so I arranged this.』

What have you done?

Gilbert-san came over here while we are arguing at the entrance.

He is smiling but, it doesn’t reach his eyes.

"Leon-kun, the two of them are waiting. You can’t keep them waiting forever. Or perhaps, you are dissatisfied with Ange?"

"Do, don’t be absurd."

I, I have no dissatisfaction.

But, as a man I still want to play around more, and yet!

I never heard about any engagement before this!

Father is making a troubled face and told me about my situation.

"You don’t know about it but, there are a lot of request for marriage interview coming to me. There are also a lot of marriage interview request that don’t give a damn about appearance anymore which is troubling. The oldest is at her fifty while the age of the youngest hasn’t even reached double digit you know? Even you don’t want that right?"

──Noble society is really rotten.

Previously there was also talk of marriage with fifty years old hag, but a girl whose age hasn’t even reached double digit, isn’t she still a kid?

──Not a chance. No way in hell.

Gilbert-san added on father’s talk.

"If you get engaged with Ange, you will be freed from those annoying matter. Besides, you don’t hate her right?"

When I looked at Luxion, he averted his single eye from me.

This guy, he blabbed about my feeling to other people.

"Bu, but, I’ll be studying abroad."

"Yeah, that’s exactly why you should get engaged before departing. When we consulted his majesty too, he gladly approved this marriage. He also entrusted me with a message."

He took out a single paper and when I spread it open──I immediately crushed it in my hand.

.

『Welcome to the graveyard of life. Also, when I heard about how you are running around to escape from marriage, I did all I can to direct the talk to the direction of you marrying the two of them. You can cry tears of gratitude and thank me. From the capable and wonderful king』

.

──I absolutely won’t forgive that son of a bitch.

Father pushed on my back.

"Go there already! Those two young ladies are too good for the like of you. Or rather, you are really a troublesome fellow. Those two are saying that they will marry you. Be happier. What are you thinking being so irresolute like this? Get married already. I’m getting annoyed just from watching you."

I’m refraining because they are too good for me!

When I looked toward the venue, I felt Vince-san’s gaze.

──His gaze is scary that I took a step forward.

When I walked on the carpet, applauses broke out.

Big bro saw my face and averted his gaze. Big sis saw how I acted and gave applause with a nasty smile.

Yumeria-san and some more are giving applause while crying tears of joy.

Mother? She is crying. She is saying "To think that child will have wives this good coming for him".

Those words gouged deeply into my heart. ──The faces of my parents in the previous life surfaced in my mind.

When I arrived between the two who are standing side by side, Ange talked to me with a small voice.

"Sorry to ambush you like this."

"You don’t need to go this far."

Livia slightly casted her gaze down, even so she spoke reproachfully at me.

"It’s because Leon-san is always avoiding to answer."

No, I’m still like a student in his second year of high school based on my age.

I think it’s still too early for me to marry. Is it because my common sense from previous life is still remaining in me?

"Don’t blame me later okay. You two might get fed up with me in the future and think if only I didn’t marry him at that time."

Livia replied with a smile hearing my remark.

"I won’t think that."

"Be, besides, even though I’m a count I don’t have any income."

Ange boldly accepted someone no good like me.

"Then, I’ll provide for you. Don’t worry, even like this I’m a daughter of a duke. I have also made my house to promise that they will give the necessary support for you to be independent. Even like this I’ve received education to some extent. If you don’t have any earning that I’ll just earn money myself."

──She is too manly it shocked me.

Ange turned around to look toward the entrance.

"──The way out is over there."

"Though I think that there will only be hell waiting even if you run away here."

It will be hell if I advanced, and there will be hell even if I retreated──or perhaps not.

"I wonder why the two of you are in love with someone like me."

"I fell in love with you because you are you. I want you. Leon──become my husband."

My heart goes *kyun kyun* at Ange’s reply.

"Ye, yes."

Livia drew near beside me.

"I fell in love because of such Leon-san. I will never let go of you."

Shivers ran through my back hearing the line that is slightly filled with yandere.

"Just do as you like. I won’t run away anywhere."

"──Yes!"

Even with the veil in the way, I knew that they are making a wholehearted smile.

Well, in the first place I──don’t dislike these two.

Because I like them. I love them.

My only regret is only something trivial like wanting to play around more as a student.

The priest is speaking some kind of celebrating words, but it doesn’t enter my ears.

I’m tricked but──it’s not a bad feeling.

.

Part 9

『Congratulations for the engagement.』

"Is that all that you want to say, you piece of junks."

『Oh? Isn’t it too cruel to also blame me? I was only giving a push to those two’s backs. I told them that master just need to be cornered.』

Luxion and Creare tricked me together.

Certainly I’m happy to be able to escape from the marriage hunting, but when I heard more about it later there are a lot of problems.

"Even though I’m engaged, the marriage hunting is still not over. This isn’t what I heard."

Luxion and Creare looked at each other with their single eye inside the room and then they shook their eye left and right in exasperation.

『Master is the hero who saved the country. You’re a necessary existence for rebuilding the ruling class of the kingdom.』

『If master feel like it then even harem won’t be a dream. Congrats!』

"I ain’t happy at all! It’s troubling even if they suddenly change their attitude like flipping their hand even though they were really cold to man until now! It’s scary instead! I can only see that they got ulterior motive!"

『Please don’t worry. The situation hasn’t changed that drastically. It might take around twenty years before the people’s awareness change for real.』

──I’m not happy hearing that info.

Is she saying that haughty girls will still be many in number just like before?

This world is really harsh for man.

"I’ll go study abroad right away even if I’m engaged. I feel like a worker who got job transfer away from home immediately after my marriage."

Creare is laughing.

『I will stay over here so master don’t need to worry.』

Even though she seemed serious when in the ruin, it feels like her personality got lighthearted after she received spherical body.

Is that round body the cause?

I heard the door getting knocked, so I replied.

"The door is open."

"Excuse me."

Over there is Livia wearing sleepwear while hugging a pillow and──.

"What, you aren’t preparing to welcome your wives?"

──Ange standing.

"Kyyaaaaa!"

"Why are you screaming?"

I who was sitting on the bed jumped from being greatly shocked.

"Be, because. It’s already night, besides you two are wearing sleepwear."

Their sleepwear is really──they are negligee that can only be seen as them tempting me.

"Leon-san, you are going to go study abroad soon, so before that──we want to properly"

Don’t continue those words further.

Even I am a man. I want to do it, I want to play around but, I will over think it when responsibility and so on come into the mix.

"You, you two──i, it’s no good!"

Ange tilted her head hearing me saying that.

"Why?"

──Oh no, our sense of values is too different.

"I want you to wait. I still haven’t finished preparing my heart."

"What are you saying? Livia is saying that she want to talk."

"──Eh?"

Ah, that. That huh──so it’s that.

"You want to talk? To me? At night?"

"Err, I want to talk about a lot of things. Until now all of us were always busy with something that there was no time to talk leisurely."

Is it not good?Livia requested earnestly. She is too cute that I could only nod repeatedly and said "It’s fine".

──It’s a secret that I’m feeling a bit disappointed. No, sorry──I’m feeling extremely disappointed.

"You, what are you thinking?"

Ange looked at me teasingly, so I reflexively averted my gaze.

"I’m thinking about love."

"Hou, love you say. That’s great. I also wish to hear about your love very much."

──I wonder what is love. I also don’t know the answer.

Without me noticing Luxion and Creare has erased their presence and gone into hiding.

Those two, they really cannot be relied on.

The two of them sat beside me. Our skins touched each other at this distance.

"I wanted to say thanks to you."

Ange started the talk before Livia continued.

"I have been wanting to say this all this time. A lot of things happened since I met Leon-san in the academy. Leon-san has helped me so much."

──It was really a disaster though.

The five idiots who lost their mind with love affair and my little sister from the previous life were really horrible.

"I also have Luxion with me. ──It’s not just my strength."

"You are wrong. It’s because you were there that Luxion helped us. ──Leon, be more confident. You are the man who become my husband."

When Ange told me that──I felt embarrassed for some reason.

I’m still not used with the word husband.

I didn’t marry in my previous life after all.

"Leon-san, please return home safely. We──will be waiting for you."

The two of them hugged my arms. Then we talked until late at night.

──It feels like I’m getting killed slowly.

.

Part 10

The day of my departure to Alzer Commonwealth.

At the port in the floating island floating above the capital.

A lot of people gathered to see me off.

Daniel and Raymond are happy as my friend for my studying abroad.

"It’s unfortunate for you Leon. Even though the invitations from the girls are finally increasing."

"I never thought that boys will be in the side that get invited."

The smirking faces of my friends are the most irritating.

Even I wanted to return if it is to the academy where the marriage circumstance has been reformed.

I wanted to enjoy the academy life.

"──You guys, I’ll remember this when I get back."

"As expected Leon is this kind of guy."

"I’m relieved instead that he is like usual. Even though I thought that he would say something likeI’m a count you know, you’re holding your head too high!"

My image inside you guys is that horrible? It’s a bit shocking.

Even though I’m this earnest, virtuous──and compassionate Leon-kun.

While I’m talking with the two, two girls are approaching.

They’re Clarice-senpai and──Deirdre-senpai who has auspiciously graduated from the academy.

"Congratulations for your engagement."

"Congratulations. It’s extremely unfortunate."

Clarice-senpai is smiling cheerfully while Deirdre-senpai is looking dissatisfied──I don’t know just what they are thinking. When I looked at their hangers-on, they are glaring at me.

Are they angry that I got engaged?

Even my life is finally visited by a popular period, an outrageous one at that for me at my second life huh.

From here on, this kind of fortune──this popular period will surely not come again in my life.

"If you get sick of Redgrave House, you can rely on Attlee House anytime."

Clarice-senpai──what do you mean by those words?

"Oh, if it’s Roseblade house we will accept you even now you know? Rather, how about taking me away and elope just like this?"

Oi oi──if I do that, I won’t be able to laugh at his highness Julius and others.

But, is it just my imagination that Deirdre-senpai’s eyes looked serious?

"You, you two are really good at making joke! Really funny──"

I laughed to gloss it over but, the two aren’t laughing.

Daniel and Raymond seems to sense the indescribable atmosphere and took some distance from me.

"Leon is really popular."

"Yeah. I’m not envying him though."

The one who came at that timing like a savior is──teacher.

His standing posture looked dazzling.

"Teacher!"

"Mister Leon, I’ve come to see you off."

"Thank you very much!"

About teacher, actually it was decided that he will take up the headmaster seat from this year.

The academy is also trying to change. It was decided to place the suitable person to be in charge.

That person is none other than teacher.

"Going to look at other country will also be a good experience. Work hard to study there."

Actually I’m going to Alzer Commonwealth to observe other people’s romance situation but──I can’t say that truth.

"I will continue practicing tea over there too."

"Please do so by all means. But, I’m also looking forward to your growth as a gentleman──no, as a person. I’m looking forward to Mister Leon who has grown even more when you come back."

Teacher──I’m aiming to become a gentleman like teacher!

Luxion came to tell me the time.

『Master, it’s time to depart.』

"Aa, let’s go."

I──boarded Einhorn without looking back while everyone sent me off.

Something like me not looking back because Clarice-senpai and Deirdre-senpai are scary isn’t the reason at all.

It’s because it feels like I’m going to cry. ──Really.

.

Creare was at Ange and Livia’s side in the academy.

『You two, is it okay to not see master off?』

Ange drank her tea while replying.

"It will be a bother to him if we cry in public."

Livia was also the same.

"Besides, we have finished saying farewell before the departure."

Creare made fun of the two of them.

『How praiseworthy. Master has really good fiancées.』

Ange put down her cup and looked outside the window.

The conspicuous Einhorn──could be seen departing from the port.

"Besides, we have things to do."

Livia also nodded a little. Creare asked seeing that.

『Do you two have some kind of plan?』

"We want to be of help to Leon-san. In order to do that, I will study a lot and become an existence that can be relied on."

Ange was also the same.

"From how he act normally, not only he isn’t interested to foreign countries, he is a man who will even say that he hate going abroad. But then he suddenly said that he will study abroad──there must be something."

Creare answered vaguely.

『That might be so. Perhaps master has been thinking a lot in his own way.』

"It feels like he is hiding something but, he won’t tell us because we are unreliable. Then, we can just become an existence that Leon will rely on."

『Hm~, that enthusiasm is praiseworthy but, it’s fine to not get that worked up isn’t it?』

Livia seemed to understand that.

"I understand. But, next time we want to be relied on. I need to study a lot more in order to become helpful for Leon-san. We will shock Leon-san when he come home."

Creare’s single eye turned toward the books on the table.

In front of Livia were books related to magic, while in front of Ange were books related to territory management.

『It will depend on the situation but, I’ll be able to contact the sourpuss Luxion if you two asked me. Tell me if you have something you want to tell master.』

Ange looked happy.

"Really? Then I’ll count on you at that time."

Livia looked outside the window.

"──Leon-san, I wonder what is he doing right now?"

.

Part 11

Inside my room in Einhorn.

I’m lying down on my bed──.

"Damn it! I departed with good atmosphere but, I DON’T WANT GOING TO OTHER COUNTRYYYY!"

I threw a tantrum like a kid.

Originally I’m not really interested with foreign countries. And yet, I got stuck studying abroad miserably.

『Master don’t know when to give up.』

"It should be okay for me to complain at least! Just why do I have to watch over the romance of other people in foreign country huh."

The world will be in danger if the new main character’s love failed.

Is it alright for such unreasonable situation to exist?

『Putting that aside, how about coming over here?』

There is an unnaturally large box inside the room.

I’m curious toward that very suspicious box.

"What’s this?"

『It was sent here from the palace.』

"Come to think of it, they told me to carry souvenir for Alzer Commonwealth."

『As expected from master, calling gift to other country as souvenir. By the way, this one is addressed to master.』

When I opened the box──Marie is sitting while hugging her knees inside.

I felt like I’m watching a horror movie.

When I closed the box again, Marie jumped out.

"Why did you close it!?"

"It’s scary! I’m breaking out in cold sweat here."

Why is this girl here?

When I looked at Luxion, he looked like he knew about this from the start.

『It’ll be better for master to hear the situation directly from Marie.』

When I looked at Marie, she poked her fingertips on each other in front of her chest while looking embarrassed.

"A, actually──about the allowance from big bro, it was used up."

"──Ha?"

"It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me who did it! ──Those five were"

.

Part 12

The floating island that Leon gave up was moved to the sky above the territory that the kingdom managed.

Marie lived there since the spring, but a problem suddenly occurred.

"──What’s this?"

There was something covered in sheet in front of the mansion that Leon prepared for her.

Julius took off the sheet with a smile.

"We prepared this for Marie. We believe it will make you happy."

There is a stone statue there. It’s a stone statue of Marie looking like a goddess.

(──Wha, what’s this!? Really just what’s this!?)

Jilk sent his gaze toward the statue of Marie like he was looking at a holy object.

"I asked a craftsman who is still young but famous to make this."

Brad was also satisfied with the workmanship.

"The craftsman immediately tried to make the chest bigger, so it was a pain to make him correct it."

Looking closer, the statue’s chest was as flat as Marie’s.

(My, my chest is bigger than that! Or rather, isn’t the chest shaved too much? Wrong. That’s not it. I need to confirm the important matter.)

"Thi, this statue, just who was it who prepared this?"

Greg made a thumb up while saying.

"We prepared it with everyone’s money. Well, it was just a bit lacking to request a skilled craftsman to work on it though. That was why, we sold the items in this island to get the money."

Items like the important farming tool, or the food that Leon sent──these five sold off those things.

It seemed they were thinking that if they requested it then the things that were lacking would immediately get delivered here.

(Do, don’t tell me, they came to big bro’s floating island earlier than us for this? IT’S A LIE RIGHTTTTT!!)

The money that Marie obtained by kowtowing was used by these five who didn’t know about the circumstance.

It seemed they got on the floating island ahead of her and prepared this to make her happy.

Chris also showed no guilt at all.

"If we’re receiving money each month, then just this much is a cheap purchase."

The five was happily saying that Marie’s statue would be set up in the fountain that would be prepared later.

Its seemed they were thinking that their house would send them money.

"There won’t be any allowance from your houses!"

The five were puzzled by that fact.

Kyle was appalled by the five who were like that.

"There is no way that they will send you money each month after what everyone has done and they became that angry. The money that everyone used was our living expenses for this one year."

Cara who was carrying Marie’s luggage was also dumbfounded.

"A, all that money, was used up!? That much money, all of them!?"

Julius tilted his head and made a confused expression.

"Eh, is that so? Then let’s contact the palace and request them to increase the budget."

Marie’s sight turned dark from seeing the way the five were thinking.

(These guys, they’re just gods of pestilence when they aren’t rich anymore.)

Marie held her head and fell on her knee on the spot.

She didn’t have any composure to think of anything else like her skirt was getting dirty or the like.

(I, impossible. Even though they were living expenses and food that I finally obtained after begging big bro!)

She was given not just goods but also cash because merchant ship would come here periodically.

Originally they would the crops that they produced themselves. This was to teach them the importance of earning money.

Marie didn’t think that they would be able to do that right away from their first year, that was why she relied on Leon.

"If that kind of request can go through, I WON’T HAVE IT THIS HARDDDD!"

Kyle and Cara ran toward the bawling Marie and consoled her.

.

Part 13

Marie looked down with a pale face.

"Even though I didn’t do anything bad, I got scolded by the queen."

"That’s horrible. Even I feel sympathy."

Marie and others who suddenly became incapable to continue their living got called to the palace and received scolding.

In the first place, it’s unthinkable that those five can change their money sense in this short period.

Being suddenly told to live in poverty after being raised as young master for more than ten years is quite unreasonable.

"And then, the queen said that it’s a mistake to suddenly throw them out──she said, that’s why go study in other country. She said, that way might be better if big bro is with them."

By that, did she mean them coming along with my study abroad?

──Eh? I have to look after those guys? Looking after those gods of pestilences!?

"Oi, where are those guys?"

"They’re in the warehouse. Also, this"

Marie handed me several letters.

First I opened the letter from Roland roughly.

.

『Take care of the troublesome matter well.』

.

I immediately crushed the letter and crumpled it.

Next is the letter from Mylene-sama. I gently opened the letter and──.

『Please take care of Julius and others. Actually──』

.

It seems there is a force that is unable to forgive Marie and others.

Because of that, Mylene-sama want to evacuate them to other country temporarily.

Or rather, his highness Julius──let’s stop using honorific and just call him Julius now.

It seems that in reality the kingdom is busy dealing with the aftermath of the war and cannot look after Julius and others.

After the war against the principality, Julius’s right to inherit the throne is stripped and he became a simple prince.

There are also various other problems and the palace is really busy.

If I stayed in the country, even I might end up getting involved with those problems whether I wanted it or not.

Thinking about it, perhaps studying abroad is the right choice?

In Mylene-sama’s letter there is also writing that is worrying about my welfare. It moved me to tears.

I can’t forgive the son of a bitch Roland, but I’m praying for that person’s happiness.

"Eh? There is one more letter──"

"That one is from Hertrude."

.

Part 14

I got out to the deck and read the letter.

In the letter there is a simple greeting written at the beginning.

I thought that perhaps she was writing her grudge to me who killed the black knight, but there isn’t even a sentence about it anywhere.

But──.

.

『I’m wondering that perhaps if I was seriously trying to win you over, then the future might change.』

.

──Such thing is written.

From here on a painful life is waiting for her. The palace let her live because that way is more convenient to rule the territory of Fanoss House. Rather than executing her and making other ruling the territory, they will send royalty like Julius and made her bear a child. Because by doing that, the territory can be taken in with smaller opposition from her retainers and population.

『Recently I’m often recalling the words of the elf’s village chief. Surely I made the wrong choice.』

Seeing that sentence, I thought that everyone is expecting too much from me.

I’m just a mediocre person who luckily obtained Luxion.

And then, I’m unable to use Luxion’s power well.

I threw a question at Luxion who is floating beside me.

"Luxion──do you have the thinking that you want to serve a more capable master?"

『Even if it’s someone capable but I refuse if they’re the descendant of new mankind. In the first place, I’m not expecting any competency from master.』

"You’re really an unpleasant guy."

I sat down on that spot and put the letter into my pocket.

"──Foreign country huh. I wonder what kind of place it is."

I’m not expecting much from Alzer Commonwealth that I’m heading to right now.

After all, it’s the sequel of that──”that” otome game.

──Really just spare me.