"What a beautiful day."
I was on Brynhild's deck, fishing.
Well, not exactly. Drones and automata were collecting the remains of the planes.
I didn't want anyone else to have this technology. It scares me to think that one day they might create ballistic missiles or, worse, an atomic bomb.
That's why I'm making the exaggerated and selfish decision not to let anyone else have it but me. Obviously, I won't use it for weird purposes like conquering the world.
I just want to prevent this chaotic and horrible fantasy world from killing itself with its own hands.
That's why I'm going to secretly spy on the world in the future. Not now, but one day I will.
"I'll give the kingdom the undamaged parts that can be repaired. They'll undoubtedly be happy with this gift, don't you think?"
I was sitting in a peculiar chair.
"I-I'm sure they'll be happy... if you'll excuse me, Baron-dono, could I ask you to hand over the ragnite magic stones to the Commonwealth..."
So they can also be called magic stones. That's fine by me since the name was too long.
My talking chair was, in fact, a person: none other than the coconut head.
When we caught him, he tried to squirm away by declaring stupidities.
But I grabbed his stupid hair and made Ixion shave his mustache with his laser.
It was hilarious how he cried when the laser burned that ridiculous facial hair; the laser didn't even touch his skin to think he was crying from that. Then I put my butt on his head and rubbed it as if he were a mangy dog; I even accidentally let out a fart.
I forced him to watch as his allies abandoned him.
For some reason, there was a boat with an old man who seemed to want to turn back, but his subordinates wouldn't let him.
After watching the chickens escape, I went into my ship to tell them everything was fine.
The captain and some teachers came to ask me why we were waiting to set sail home. I told them I had to gather evidence of what happened, but everyone could rest in their rooms.
There weren't many rooms, so they had to share. Some complained, but I threatened to send them to jail like the traitorous girls, the prisoners, and the fools who tried to use Liam as a bargaining chip.
That's how I ended up here.
The coconut head was very submissive, giving me very interesting evidence.
He had a letter with him that said a minister named Orwel was requesting their cooperation. There was a lot more crap written.
It seems the one responsible for all this was that son of a bitch Klein without his father's consent. He was also responsible for the pirates, the noble bitch who bothered Airi, and apparently paid for a large part of the trips.
The cruise ship going to the extreme sports place was for Liam, the cruise ship I was on was for Alisa and other troublesome nobles' children, and the one I was originally going on was also going to be attacked.
I feel sorry for those guys, but there's nothing I can do for them.
Without a doubt, that bastard Klein is very mouthy, at least in writing.
With this here, I'm sure Mayer-san and Siegwald will be very happy.
Now, answering my chair's question.
"No~pe~"
"I am the winner. Therefore, everything here belongs to me... umm, now that I think about it, there will be several ship parts and armed units that can't be delivered, so maybe there will be a shipyard and a repair workshop at home. Yes, that's what I'll do. Thank you, Count Mustache, you've made me very happy!"
I looked down at this guy's face, which gave the impression of saying, "Please no, I beg you!" But I'm not a good or kind person. Sorry, but fuck you.
In the distance, I watched as a small fleet of ten ships approached; only one of them was the largest and most decorated. He was the one this guy was waiting for. Let's have some fun...
◇
A man with a very unhealthy pale complexion appeared before me.
He came from a boat with guards to Brynhild's deck.
His clothes were similar to Siegwald's, with the difference that his shirt had stripes that made him look like a supermarket employee.
His eyes were almost colorless gray, his nose had a large black bump on the right side. His eyes also seemed dead, and to make it even weirder, his hair was shaped like a mushroom.
Is it fashionable in the Commonwealth to have such weird styles?
The mushroom head introduced himself.
"Good afternoon, I am the Prime Minister of the Talis Commonwealth, Rocco Lagussa Borzak."
The guy introduced himself to me with a confidence that implied he wasn't seeing where I was sitting.
According to the guy below, the mushroom head was supposed to come to see the person in charge to execute them or negotiate a mountain of money for them. He probably didn't even check that his target was a woman.
"How's it going? I'm Baron Rudel van Bradford. Look down."
The guy made a strange face, and when he looked down where I was sitting.
"C-c-c-count Cornello!"
"I'm sorry, Prime Minister."
The coconut head apologized, looking at the ground since he was my chair. I stared fixedly at the mushroom head and said, "You and I need to talk, not here but in the kingdom."
He seemed hostile, and when he gave the impression of telling his guards to use their weapons, that's where my newly reloaded companion Battler appeared.
He was tying up the good parts of the ships and armed units. Brynhild is so strong that it can drag hundreds of tons without engine overheating. Ixion rejoiced that he could carry everything that fell into the sea, but he didn't want that to go to his head.
Battler pointed its shoulder machine guns at these guys while Brynhild extended a cannon to aim at the flagship in front.
"You have no choice but to come with me willingly. If you try to escape, you'll perish before you can even turn around."
The mushroom head's face was very angry, so he fell to his knees in impotence.
Then he cursed this event while his fists pounded the deck.
Don't dirty my ship with your grubby mushroom hands.
◇◇◇
Airi and Alisa were in the same room. Because Rudel fought with them, he converted their rooms into single rooms. So now they shared one room.
From the moment they entered the room, both threw themselves on the bed to rest.
They hadn't even showered; they were so tired that they rested happily in their sweaty clothes and with their wounds.
"Eh! So that's what happened?"
Airi responded, very intrigued by what Alisa told her.
Both looked at each other while their opposite hands held firmly so as not to let go.
"Yes. It seems the Clovis family was involved in fraud. When Father finds out about this, he'll surely break the engagement."
Alisa discovered, thanks to a sailor who was nearby when Rudel caused a commotion, that her new fiancé's family was involved in fraudulent and illegal acts.
Deep down, Alisa felt happy not to be engaged for now; she felt only a little sorry for him. But after talking with Airi, that sorrow, like other stored things, came to the surface.
Airi did the same.
Both told each other everything that happened in their childhoods up to the moment they separated.
"What was your wish at the temple?" Alisa asked curiously since Airi would have run while crying.
"What if we say it at the same time?"
"Okay."
"One... two... and..." the girls said simultaneously.
The girls, who according to the game's plot would never get along or be close.
"I wished to be with you and Rudel-san again."
"I wished for something to happen and bring us together again."
They were expressing their purest wishes of friendship.
Airi was perplexed by Alisa's answer, while Alisa herself was amazed by it.
Sincere laughter came from the depths of their throats.
A laugh that expressed happiness, joy, purity, and friendship between two people from different social worlds and roles. They were demonstrating that the heart is what unites everyone.
Suddenly, Airi stopped laughing, and Alisa asked, puzzled, "What's wrong?"
Airi responded in a somewhat worried tone.
"Do you think everything will return to normal with Rudel-san too?"
Alisa was thoughtful for a moment and then responded.
"I'm sure of it because if it weren't, he wouldn't have done so much for us, much less save us again while screaming for that man to get away."
Airi remembered what happened several minutes ago. Suddenly, Alisa asked her something else.
"If you want, can we go ask him?"
"But he must still be talking outside, right?"
"From the window, you can see that we passed a cloud. We're definitely moving now."
Airi was a little scared thinking she wouldn't talk to Rudel again, but Alisa reassured her because of what he said when he rescued her.
So Alisa got up, and Airi did too. Holding hands, they went to Rudel's room to ask him.
They knocked on the door, but there was no answer. That's when Airi noticed it was open, not closed.
With both hands, they pushed it open, and what they found was a rarity for them.
Rudel was sleeping like a small child.
The sheets were messy, and his mouth was open, showing its inside.
The girls laughed upon seeing him.
Suddenly, Airi walked towards Rudel. Alisa was about to ask her what was happening when, out of nowhere, Airi lay down to his right.
Alisa didn't say anything; she just smiled and did the same to the left of a sleeping Rudel.
The girls laughed and then whispered, "Let's give him a surprise when he wakes up."
In the end, both fell asleep too.
◇◇◇
Ixion was in Rudel's room to verify a strange rise in temperature.
He was observing a strange scene.
The girls were sleeping next to Rudel. They were very attached to him to the point of generating a feeling of happiness in his body.
Ixion, with a thermal viewer, observed how Rudel's blood gathered in one place and his temperature increased.
He was finally hoping to observe the mating act of the new humanity. At the end of the day, his illusion died because when the girls got up, they observed how Rudel's body greeted them happily from under the sheets.
Both slapped him and ran out of the room.
That day, Ixion was once again angered by not obtaining samples.
◇
We had arrived at the kingdom.
What I expected happened. A large number of mobile knights received us upon seeing a Commonwealth fleet approaching.
I explained everything, and the Prime Minister himself came to see the commotion since we were at the Royal Palace.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing, but I calmly explained. Immediately, I also went to meet Siegwald.
We talked for a while, and then a guy came in crying.
Apparently, he was the famous Orwerl; he begged Siegwald for forgiveness. But the latter gave him an annoyed look and ordered the guards to take him away.
Mayer-san explained to me that this guy was the kingdom's finance minister and part of the Bismarck house faction.
I spoke in detail about what happened. The other witnesses will also give a report, but since I ended up winning, I went to give my report.
Mayer-san left the room very happily.
I was left alone with Siegwald and told him what happened between Alisa and me to have a clear conscience.
At first, he seemed angry with me. But when I told him about that Clovis guy that Ixion told me to tell him about, and then about how I heroically rescued his daughter, he seemed happy.
For me and for him, we were served a drink of expensive and strong liquor.
Before taking his drink, he said, "If you do that to my daughter again, I'll kill you with my own hands."
It was the first time I truly felt fear of a man.
◇◇◇
"Eh? Why is the credit for defeating that knight something for the prince and not for Rudel-san?"
Airi was talking with Alisa. Both were at the Royal Palace because the investigations into what happened included the house of Archduke Kingsfort, his heir to be more precise.
Alisa was a little sad when she found out, but then she gained strength and said, "Klein committed a horrible sin, trying to kill not only me but also the heirs of other houses. He also cooperated with enemies of the kingdom, so he is someone who deserves to receive an appropriate punishment for his betrayal." Alisa didn't seem sad saying that; Airi stayed with her in case she might cry, but not a single tear fell.
Alisa had already gotten over Klein thanks to the events that happened.
"That's right, it's not as weird as it seems; it's even understandable."
Alisa explained to her friend why Liam was rewarded for being the one who defeated Bandell when Rudel was the true hero here.
"You see, the prince boarded the cruise ship that wasn't his. His guards, who were assigned to him, reported that he wasn't in his special room; they realized it very late."
"And since he ended up involved in the problem of our cruise ship, he would be severely punished. But Rudel thought about that too, and that's why he declared that it was His Highness Liam who defeated that man using an armed unit from the cruise ship and a weapon from Rudel."
"I understand..." Airi nodded, a little sad.
Rudel had lied to save Liam's butt, but there was something deeper in it that no one knew except Rudel himself.
"Thanks to that statement, His Highness was able to return to being the crown prince, and now the ministers and other officials treat him as the greatest hero of this country."
Alisa talked about Liam as if he had received what he needed most, while Airi was a little gloomy because Rudel wouldn't receive anything.
They were awarded a medal of bravery, while the others who fought for their lives were granted the medal of honor and effort.
Rudel also declared that he only rescued Alisa and brought his ship after fleeing to look for it.
Airi knew that much of that was a lie, but she couldn't do anything. That's when an unexpected person arrived.
"Alisa."
Upon being called, she turned and found a face that was all too familiar.
"Onii-sama!" Alisa exclaimed in surprise at meeting her older brother, who had some papers in his hands.
As always, he wore elegant armor; his body was tall, and despite wearing armor, his toned body showed. His face was as handsome as his sister's; both the eyes and hair color indicated they were true relatives.
"What are you doing here?" Alisa asked, puzzled, since her brother would normally be serving in their house's knight corps.
With a slightly mocking smile, he responded.
"Father called me because apparently we have more problems in our faction. There's also a big diplomatic mess thanks to Rudel-kun."
"Rudel, you say?" she wondered, a little puzzled.
"You see, the Commonwealth Prime Minister filed a complaint against Rudel-kun. He seems to be mentioning a bunch of lies and problems. Normally this wouldn't happen, but Marquis Balzac is talking about how this would be a very troublesome international problem."
"They asked for several silly things to be granted; the only one we reluctantly fulfilled was handing over the prisoners and magic stones. Of course, we won't hand over that man even as a joke. Prime Minister Ritzburg presented a countermeasure to the ridiculous order he requested; apparently, only he matters among all the prisoners."
Airi spoke now.
"Marquis Balzac? Who is that?"
It was Alisa who responded to a confused Airi.
"The Marquis, or rather, Minister Moldred von Balzac, is one of the men with the greatest political influence and leader of one of the three main factions of our country."
"I understand..." Airi said, still not fully understanding.
Alisa noticed and explained it in a simpler way.
"He is someone on the same economic, social, and political level as my father."
Airi made a big "oh" due to that explanation.
Alisa added further.
"Father has been complaining about him since I can remember. Since he holds the positions of Minister of the Interior and Foreign Relations, being the only man with two positions leads to a lot of distrust of that person, even if he does an honest job."
"Your father certainly has a lot of distrust of him, doesn't he?"
Alisa was silent for a moment and then responded to Airi without the smile she had on her face.
"That's because that man is an ultranationalist..."
"Ultranationalist? What's that?"
"..."
This time, it was Vayne, Alisa's brother, who spoke.
"It means he's a very extreme patriot. He's the kind of man who would trample commoners if they threatened the country's peace or anyone else who has hostility towards our kingdom. For that reason, he wanted to execute Rudel-kun."
Airi made a panicked expression upon hearing that.
Vayne continued speaking.
"To make it even more annoying, he is a close friend of one of the three lords, the leader of the other faction with influence. Archduke Belmont, he is also an ultranationalist."
Airi didn't understand very well what Vayne was saying about faction leaders, but she knew that if a terrible person and someone like him are allies, it means trouble.
"Archduke Belmont is not a sociable man; he rejected the minister position several times despite having great power and influence... this conversation has become very scary; I'll change to another topic."
Vayne understood that the good atmosphere the girls had changed because of an extreme person who wanted to execute Rudel for possible treason.
"Alisa, Father is already selecting your new entourage; you should go check who they are in advance."
"Stop, please!"
Alisa suddenly cut off her brother's words.
She had something very important to tell him.
"Brother, I... I..."
Alisa was panicked about what she was about to say, but upon seeing Airi, who smiled at her, her face gained strength and conviction in what she was going to say.
"Brother, I don't wish to have an entourage or a fiancé again. I wish to have by my side those I love and my only friend, whom I consider my own sister!"
Alisa grabbed Airi's hand, and she responded by squeezing it very tightly to give her more confidence.
Vayne saw that and made a laughing face.
"I understand. Equally, the problems you've had with your fiancés have been very annoying, so Father opted to postpone it for now. And about your entourage... I suggest you never let go of your friends' hands."
Alisa smiled and looked at Airi. Both smiled with happiness at no longer having to deal with that problem.
Vayne turned halfway to leave when he stopped for some reason.
"Oh, I forgot. Have you seen Rudel-kun?"
Both shook their heads, and Airi responded, "All we know is that he's at his house making arrangements and contracts about the workshop and shipyard he'll open."
Vayne became thoughtful about that.
Alisa asked him, "What's wrong?" worriedly.
Her brother responded, a little intrigued by what they said.
"You see. He correctly filled out and requested the documents to build both structures at his house."
"Is that a problem?" Alisa asked anxiously.
"It's not, it's just... forget it. More importantly, have you heard the news about him?"
"News?"
"Are you talking about the rumors about him or his shameless harassment of the queen? He mentioned that none of that was his doing and didn't know he had flirted with the queen; he ran to apologize when he found out... brother, Rudel isn't someone horrible; he's an idiot who does weird things, but he's not a threat to the palace!"
"Calm down, calm down, I'm not talking about that but about his reward."
Alisa was happy that the problems surrounding Rudel had diminished, but now she was intrigued by what he said.
"Reward? Wasn't he supposed to receive nothing?"
"No. You see, this is what was discussed..."
◇
"I don't understand why I'm here?"
I was in a bad mood since I was suddenly called to the palace.
I was dressed as in my knight naming ceremony.
In this waiting room, I was sitting on a piece of furniture, thinking about what went wrong with my brilliant plan.
(I made sure to say everyone participated in the battle and fought heroically.)
(Then I made sure that upon returning, Liam was guarding that bloody bastard; I even made sure to give him his weird weapon as further evidence that he was the one who defeated him.)
(Finally, I said I rescued Alisa and fled to look for my ship.)
(Where did I go wrong?)
(I reported that everyone except me fought fervently. I don't understand how they're giving me a medal instead of a demotion?)
Every minute I spent here made me feel very sad.
I didn't want a bunch of strange old men to bother me again. I want to enjoy what remains of my vacation peacefully!
Without a doubt, this day sucks. My family even feels weird about coming to the palace again.
My parents wearing the best clothes they can buy with my money and trying to look good.
My brothers, especially Lyle, were combing their hair since usually our hair can't be stabilized for combing.
And last but not least, my sweet little sister, Pola. She was in a beautiful dress, smiling at me and giving me affectionate words.
"Onii-chan, did I tell you that if you asked for forgiveness, everything would be fixed?"
"You were right; I'm sorry for not believing you."
The reason I said that wasn't just because I told them I redeemed myself from my bad actions. There were also other guests present who weren't my family.
"Rudel, stop acting so pitiful; the ceremony will start soon, so you must put on your best face."
"She's right, Rudel-san; you can show your best smile so they see how great you look."
My friends, Alisa and Airi, were present for some unknown reason. I have no problem with that, but it's weird for someone other than family to be here. What was happening?
Suddenly, I opened my big mouth to say how I felt.
"I don't understand why they're making such a fuss if it's just the awarding of a medal like yours, and even more so wearing this?"
Alisa was about to open her mouth, but someone beat her to it.
"That's because it's not a normal and ordinary award."
I looked in the direction of the person speaking; it was someone I truly didn't understand why they were here.
"What are you doing here?"
The person who heard that got annoyed by my question.
"How rude you are."
She approached me, walking in a beautiful dress that was the same cyan color as her lips and hair.
It was a girl named Eleonora von Roseblaire.
What is she really doing here?
Even her cliché ninja was sitting in a corner meditating while wearing his yukata.
The curly-haired girl was a third-year senpai and stood in front of me, looking at me.
Her fleshy lips moved to tell me a strange event.
"You should thank me and Madarao, since we were able to gather evidence of people who wanted to blame you for what happened and even of wanting to use His Highness the restored crown prince's title."
I let out a foolish "Huh?" at that revelation.
"It's just as you hear; I asked my father to deliver the gathered information to the Prime Minister. Plus, I told part of the truth."
Again, I let out a foolish and longer "Huhhh?"
"It doesn't sound bad at all to pass off His Highness Liam as the hero of this country for defeating a threat on a worldwide level."
(Whattttt!! Is that guy that dangerous? ...But it doesn't matter since I kicked his ass and now he's in the palace's underground jail.)
Senpai kept moving her fleshy lips.
"I was a little skeptical about what you were talking about, but it was noticeable that you're a man of more action than dialogue. It's fine that you demonstrate the power of a patriot against a possibly invasive foreign force."
"...Invasive?" I said, a little strange about that.
(Patriot?)
(Invasive force?)
(Wasn't it just an exaggerated assassination attempt!?)
I was even more puzzled by that. Then she spilled the drop of misfortune.
"The Prime Minister was right to make your promotion the best final presentation."
"..."
The whole room fell silent for a few moments.
"...W-w-w-wait, s-s-s-senpai??"
"W-what do you mean by promotion!!??"
I looked at everyone, seeking an explanation, but everyone averted their gaze from me except my cute little sister.
Alisa responded to me upon noticing my panicked look.
"I don't know why you're surprised; it's natural. Did you think for a moment about what you did?"
Huh? What is she talking about?
"I haven't misbehaved for you to tell me that."
"I'm not talking about that... listen."
"What did you do there that day?"
I thought for a moment and told her to analyze the strange reason for my promotion to knight.
"I rescued you."
That's one.
"Brynhild came."
That's two.
"I rescued everyone."
That's all I did.
"You're right, but you're missing something." Alisa added that and more.
"You fought alone without backup and being someone without combat experience against enemy armed units while everyone evacuated."
That's certainly true, but it was so everyone could escape.
"You infiltrated enemy territory to rescue me while we were being attacked from all sides."
Also true.
"You shot down a mysterious technology that had never been seen before with more tools that were in your lost item."
(T-that's also true... huh? Are they taking into account the small and omitted details?)
"You even saved the prince who had sneaked in."
"If you add that and your achievements of defeating pirates and making the kingdom's trade and travel routes to other places safer..."
"I don't understand why you're surprised?"
"Whattt!! That old man is rewarding me!??"
Mayer-san said he would reward me for my services in the future.
Is this what he meant?
Reluctantly, I accepted my reality.
*sigh*
"I guess a knight's promotion is annoying after all..."
"Rudel..."
Alisa suddenly called me.
"What's wrong and what's with that face?"
Both Alisa and Airi had the same expression of knowing something and not wanting to tell me.
But the one who spoke wasn't her but senpai.
"The Roseblaire house was your ally in this case, and as its future heiress, it gives me pleasure to inform you that for your achievements in the last few months. You, Rudel van Bradford, will be promoted to the eighth lower rank. Congratulations, soon you will be a Viscount."
There was an awkward silence.
But the first one to speak was the person who was most scared of this.
"Whattttttt!!"
Lyle, the firstborn.
He let out a strange scream while it seemed his eyes and tongue wanted to escape from his face.
Of course, then my family and I did the same.
Except I'm more upset by this weirdness.
But I have a question about what I heard.
"What the hell is the eighth rank, and even more so, lower?"
This time it was Alisa who spoke.
"Don't tell me you don't even know about the court ranks established by the palace two hundred years ago? The entire social hierarchy and structure are based on it!"
Averting my gaze, I said in a pitiful voice.
"S-sorry, but I'm not interested in knowing that."
When I said that, she grabbed my cheeks firmly while criticizing me.
"Without a doubt, you are the worst noble I have ever met!!"
"I-I'm so sorry!"
I told Alisa to forgive me for being honest while she pinched my fragile cheeks hard.
"I can't believe someone like you would--!"
Alisa suddenly stopped and looked at the wall behind her for some reason.
Her face turned red before turning away; Airi spoke to her to ask what was wrong.
But seriously, what the hell are court ranks?
Senpai spoke again.
"What she says is true."
I looked at her, a little sad because I was going to be promoted.
"About what?" I asked, and she responded with a strange smile.
"That you are the worst noble ever seen. You lack education, manners, and expressing your words better. You are a pitiful man."
I responded, "Thank you very much for your criticism." But suddenly her smile grew, and her fuchsia pink eyes looked at me intensely.
"I wasn't criticizing you," she said. "I was just pointing out your negative points; you can change those flaws and improve," she added.
I thought it was very nice of her to say that about me, but her next line was very weird.
"For that reason, I would like to educate you myself."
Her hand with a long, thin, slender glove touched my chin while her face approached mine.
"You are the kind of man who leaves others with words in their mouths; at the same time, you are a man capable of demonstrating that you will use force to subdue your enemies. I want to learn more about your true self; what do you say? Would you like to join the Roseblaire house and its faction?"
I have no idea what she's talking about, but right at the end of her sentence, Alisa came to my defense.
"Hey, what are you planning to do with Rudel?"
Senpai removed her hand from my chin, and her face approached Alisa's; for some reason, both looked hostile towards each other.
"I didn't say anything, Lady Bismarck. I just told him what would benefit him most according to his rank. Belonging to a faction is important whether you are of low or high status."
"That's true, but stay away from Rudel anyway!"
Alisa sounded very annoyed.
Senpai added more things while crossing her arm over her large chest and showing her fan.
"Ara~? He's going to become a Viscount soon, so it's normal for these things to happen, or are you bothered by something as normal as this for some reason?"
Alisa was silent for a moment and then responded with a confidence that was definitely the usual Alisa.
"He is my squire! Yes, that's correct. Rudel is my personal knight, so he is associated with me since I am his patron. He belongs to the Archduke's house!"
Alisa suddenly sounded very energetic, but senpai wanted to say something when the door sounded.
Without saying permission, someone entered. The figure I saw brought me discomfort, not because of rudeness but because of who it was.
Reluctantly but politely, I greeted.
"Good day, Supreme Pontiff."
A man in white clothing with a large belly had mysteriously arrived.
"Likewise, good day, Baron, no, Viscount Bradford."
He greeted me first and then the others. He had a friendly smile, but I don't trust someone who smiles so much.
"I had some matters to attend to here and by chance I saw a sign with your name and took the opportunity to congratulate you."
"Thank you very much." I thanked him, hoping that was all.
But then I noticed something; his gaze before turning halfway focused on Airi.
"Miss, were you the one who helped several people during the attack?"
How does he know that?
"Yes. It was me." Timidly, Airi responded; she looked charming showing that shyness.
"One of the students is the son of a shrine adherent. He said you were a commoner and healed him along with others."
Don't you dare say what I think it is!
"Yes... I did."
Airi, don't talk anymore.
"That's wonderful! What do you say, would you like to join the shrine maidens?"
Immediately, I stood up to avoid the worst possible ending.
"I'm very sorry, Supreme Pontiff."
I spoke in a loud and friendly tone so he would know I was serious.
"She doesn't possess magical power if that's what you believe; she certainly helped the wounded, but you see. All that was thanks to me asking her and giving her one of my lost items."
I approached Airi and shamelessly placed my left hand on her left shoulder, making it seem like she was my partner.
"I regret that you came all this way if you wanted to recruit a future healer for our magnificent Holy Church. But don't worry, I will donate a large amount of gifts for taking the trouble to come exclusively."
I squeezed her shoulder tightly and smiled as if it were a photoshoot of those hypocritical politicians.
He also stared at me fixedly, smiling, and said, "Perfect, today was a great day for the Priestess's Sanctuary."
After saying that, he left the room.
I sighed because I managed to avoid a bad ending for Airi. Once I said I wouldn't like to see her involved with that type, I will keep that promise to the death.
"Umm... Rudel-san..."
I heard Airi call me in a low and timid tone.
When I turned my face to see her, I didn't notice that her face was very close to my chest since I had pulled her very close to me.
Noticing that, I immediately removed my hand and stepped back.
She stayed where she was, and her face was red like a tomato.
Immediately, I apologized.
"I-I'm so sorry! You see... I did it to protect you!"
"I-I know. Alisa had already told me in advance not to get involved with the sanctuary."
I said "Huh?" at that unexpected response.
Alisa, on the other hand, only said.
"Just like the ranks, I'll tell you another time. Finish getting ready to go to our places."
Alisa sounded a little annoyed since she kept looking at me and then at Airi, making rotational changes.
Then I looked at Lyle, who was still trembling.
I wanted to bother him more, but better not.
"Don't worry. I still have no heir, so you inherit the territory, and I have my island. So you shouldn't worry about annoying things like trying to kill you and take over the territory."
"..."
I guess I didn't have to say that since everyone looked at me with a face of having revealed my macabre plan.
I reassured them, and then I heard trumpets sounding that the King had arrived.
It was about time, but...
"Alright."
...I don't want this.
"I'll escape!"
When I said that, I ran out of the room.
Lyle and Bram came after me; Pola also ran to catch me, thinking it was a game. They caught me and didn't let me escape.
That sad day, I became a Viscount and was promoted to a mid-rank knight.
◇
I had that dream again.
It was a large white place. Everything my eyes saw was white.
I thought everything would be the same until I found it.
The person who was crying and was at a distant distance was now in front of me.
I and that person were sitting face to face; I couldn't see him well, but he was very short. Almost the size of a child.
He still had a white aura surrounding him, making it impossible to see his face clearly.
I asked him, "You're not crying anymore; are you okay now?" And he responded, "Don't hurt them again."
I wanted to ask what he meant when I was called from behind by familiar voices.
"Rudel-san, here you are."
"We were looking for you, Rudel."
I turned around, and there they were waiting for me. My friends, Airi and Alisa.
They were coming towards me, and for some reason, behind them, the white scenario was turning into the academy with each step.
I remained seated because I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing.
I wanted to ask them what they were doing here.
When suddenly, Alisa took my hand.
"Rudel, we were looking for you."
And Airi took the other.
"That's right, Rudel-san, today you promised to accompany us to eat that delicious limited-time ice cream."
Slowly and with force, they pulled on my hands to make me stand up.
After getting up, I noticed I was outside the academy.
They pulled on my arms to go to a store.
Then I understood everything.
I turned to see if that person was still there.
He was no longer there.
The white place wasn't either.
While tears welled up in my eyes, I said in a low voice.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry for not realizing before."
I thought I saw someone smiling and waving goodbye among the crowd.
"Rudel, let's go," said Alisa, hurrying me.
"They'll run out if we're late!" Airi shouted while pulling on my arm.
I smiled while holding their hands and from the bottom of my heart, I told both of them.
"Of course!"
We ran to get to the store.
◇
"A dream..."
I was waking up at the table of a familiar room.
It was the academy. I was here because the vacation was extended due to the recent problems, and I came to ask my instructor some things.
"It was such a real and sad dream."
I was having a strange dream, but I don't remember very well what it was about. I only know it ended happily, like the endings I like.
"Master, they're here."
Ixion was with me; his existence was no longer a secret, but he still didn't like being seen, so he hid sometimes. Is he perhaps shy?
About the people waiting at the door. It was something I had to face sooner or later.
"Alright, let them in."
There was a very important thing I had to do before anything else; I only avoided it out of panic, but I won't do it anymore. It's time to demonstrate my manliness.
◇
Alisa and Airi entered the room I had prepared.
In it, they found...
"Umm... Rudel, what are you doing?" Alisa said, confused about what she was seeing.
...Me making a very strange plea in an even stranger position.
The moment they entered, I got up from the chair and performed what I learned from the ragged old man after leaving the temple.
He told me it was called "dogeza" and was an apology that represented the seriousness and remorse of someone with a heart by humiliating themselves.
The position I was in was one where my body seemed to form a turtle shell.
I seemed to be crawling with my legs touching my stomach, my butt in a submissive position, and my arms lying down with my hands seeming to fold napkins.
When they entered, I proceeded with my humiliation of remorse.
"I... am an idiot!" I screamed from the bottom of my heart.
"No matter how much or what I do, it will never be enough to atone for the sin I committed against you two!!"
I was afraid to do this because of the result that would come; I didn't want to see it, but I have no choice if I want to see a glimmer of hope.
"I know an apology is not enough to compensate you! Even if I have to spend every day of my life apologizing, I will do it!"
I want to walk with them again, but I don't deserve to do so.
"I spoke ill of you, I hated you, I didn't care about your safety, and yet you supported me in a critical moment! I have no excuse for my actions!"
They supported me when I despised them. I want them to be happy even if I must suffer not seeing them again.
"Even if you wish it, I can strip naked and run through the campus in my birthday suit!"
It's embarrassing, but I'm willing to do it just so they will speak to me again from now on.
"Rudel-san..."
Airi was the first to speak.
"Rudel, lift your head."
Then came Alisa.
The voice of both sounded very dry and unwilling to speak.
I lifted my head slowly out of fear.
Raising my gaze, first I marveled at their splendid legs, followed by their slender waists, their large breasts, and finally their faces.
They made a face that said they were annoyed.
Please, don't look at me like that, or I'll cry.
When I was about to beg like a child.
"Pu... hahahahahahaha."
They started laughing mysteriously.
Their mouths widened to laugh at me while tears came from their eyes. Please, don't laugh at me; I'll cry with more pain.
Alisa, still laughing, was the first to speak, followed by Airi, who was still laughing.
"Rudel, you, hahahaha. Are you a fool, right?"
"Hahahaha, it's true, Rudel-san, don't tell me you were still thinking about it?"
I let out a foolish "Hah!?" at what they said.
In the same order, they continued, no longer laughing at me.
"Rudel, if we hadn't forgiven you already, we wouldn't have been with you since that day."
"It's true; besides, I thought you had also forgiven us since then, but it seems it was still on your mind."
This time, I spoke while still on the ground.
"I don't understand what you mean by forgive you? I was the one who didn't want to understand or listen to you!"
Again, in the same order, they spoke.
"What you say is true, but we were also responsible for it."
"It's true; if we had had more confidence among the three of us and truly wanted to talk, none of this would have happened."
What they say makes sense, but still...
"Rudel."
Alisa spoke to me while grabbing my right hand.
"Rudel-san."
Airi took my other hand, and both made me stand up after squatting.
In the same order but with a smile, they spoke to me.
"Rudel, what happened was painful for everyone, but thanks to that, I was able to obtain what I longed for so much."
"Rudel-san, we all suffered that time, but thanks to that, now is where our friendship can be reborn with greater strength and honesty."
Their eyes were shining with joy as they spoke to me.
"We won't be a man and two girls. Or a noble, an aristocrat, and a commoner."
"We'll just be three friends who want to spend time together."
That's why it feels so familiar to the dream.
I smiled at these wonderful girls.
"If you really want to be with me so much, let me give you this gift to celebrate our new and improved friendship."
On the table, there was a large paper bag since I asked Ixion to prepare a special gift.
I hadn't opened it yet because I didn't want to see, but now is the moment, so here we go.
I opened the bag to take out the gifts and...
"What the hell is this, Ixion!?"
Ixion didn't respond; there were three packages for each of us with our names.
Each had three homemade dolls of us.
Their eyes were sewn with corresponding buttons.
The girls' dolls were exactly alike.
A smile and friendly gaze for Airi.
A smile of an elegant lady with a strong gaze for Alisa.
Mine, my dolls had different expressions on their faces.
"Ixion, damn bastard, come here!"
I shouted for him to come, and he didn't appear from his hiding place.
The girls took my shoulders and turned me around.
They had left the dolls on the table in this room where we normally had our tea meetings.
"Alright, alright, let's go, Rudel," said Alisa, grabbing my left arm.
"There are more important things to do, like trying that new limited-edition ice cream," added Airi while pulling on my arms.
Huh? This feels really familiar.
But... to hell with it.
"I hope it's a very delicious flavor."
I said what my heart wanted while we left the room.
Really, what did I do to deserve wonderful friends?
◇◇◇
Ixion was camouflaged as an ornament.
He was watching everything.
He didn't want to come out because...
"The master is undoubtedly a fool."
He didn't want to tell Rudel the meaning of those faces.
"I can't believe he didn't realize. Those girls have his living image manifested in those dolls. You too."
From the window, Ixion watched as the three walked away with a smile.
Then he turned to look at the three dolls, each holding hands. They were separable, but the detail is that when joined, they form a pyramid. Three sides, three people. A friendship that represents a bond of acceptance and self-love.
Rudel's dolls had a different face, starting with Rudel's; his doll had a bad face. This is because Rudel usually goes around with an unfriendly or disgusted face towards others.
Alisa's had shark teeth, representing the day she was saved from Klein's abuse.
While Airi's had a mocking smile, remembering the day he also saved her.
The girls realized it instantly, but Rudel didn't.
Ixion wanted to sigh, but he couldn't since he was an artificial intelligence in a mechanical body.
But he didn't want to sigh for Rudel but for something else.
The day they returned home, Ixion was reviewing the spy drone recordings. In one of them, he found something weird. A strange being coming out of Rudel's head.
Ixion didn't know what that was, and now he spent every day investigating.
Again, he looked out the window to see the peace and tranquility in the kingdom.
"I wonder if that thing was a prelude to something that is going to happen?"
Ixion, to be a machine or automaton superior to others, had a strange feeling because of that mysterious being.
◇◇◇
At the same time, below a certain island, there was a large black stain.
The black stain bubbled, and these seemed to say something in a language never heard before, but in human language, this would be translated as.
"...Rudel..."
"...Error..."
"Kill..."
"I..."
"...Personally."
"...Kill... Rudel!!!"
"Giiiiiiiaaaaaahhhhh!!!!"
It let out a strange scream and sank to the bottom of the sea.
Nothing could be seen, but the bubbles that came out formed a strange, terrifying, and perverse silhouette of someone laughing.
Exactly what was that being, and moreover, its obsession with Rudel?