So, "love." What's the deal with that, anyway?
Science says it's just hormones. Chemicals that make humans feel physically or sexually drawn to each other, all to achieve this process called "love." No matter how you slice it, it sounds pretty lame, both biologically and in reality.
What's so great about falling for someone? How do you know your partner feels the same and isn't just playing you? Who's to say it's not just one of the many weird sides of being human?
If you ask me, falling in love is kinda pathetic... yeah, definitely.
...Man, I totally went off on a tangent.
Oh, right! I've got more important stuff going on.
"Rudel-san, we're ready."
A voice snapped me out of it.
I was sitting, waiting for the people I came here with—a costume shop.
I'm Rudel van Bradford, third son of a baronial house. Due to certain circumstances, I got a new life. Yeah, you heard that right, a new life. I'm a reincarnate.
My last life ended pretty tragically, and now I've woken up in this strange fantasy world.
There's a lot I miss from before.
But honestly? No regrets.
Okay, maybe that's a bit of a lie. Leaving behind my video games, movies, unclaimed subscriptions, and especially my... *ahem*... adult magazine collection stings a bit. Sometimes it hurts to remember what I lost. Luckily, I found something way better and more important.
My best friends, Alisa and Airi.
Two girls I met in this world. We've been through fun times, sad times, awkward and embarrassing moments—stuff I wouldn't trade for anything.
The third semester had started; the first year of the academy was almost over. Meaning I'd survived the first chunk of annoying school life.
Anyway, back to where we were.
The three of us were in this costume shop because a celebration similar to one from my old life was coming up. Weirdly, it even had the same name, and it was in October, just like before.
The shop had all sorts of outfits and uniforms, from sailor suits to... dominatrix gear.
We went in because Airi wanted to try some on. Alisa and I agreed, since we were all just figuring out where we wanted to go.
It was the weekend, so we decided to hang out in the capital, hitting up stores.
Part of me died a little inside when I had to dress up as a dog.
But then... something awakened in me. Seeing Airi dressed as an adorable little black kitten, with Alisa right beside her as a cute brown-eared puppy.
To make it even more intense, they both started making animal noises and raising their paws.
I don't know what came over me, but this strange feeling bubbled up. I wanted—no, I craved—to have them both.
I have no idea what that was.
Hope it wasn't something bad.
After a bunch of outfit changes, that's when my mental spiral started.
I changed before them—I'm a butler.
Sorry to disappoint if you were expecting some handsome, polite butler type. Not my fault I've got a scary face, with my iris and pupil the same color, making my eyes look like dark voids. Got shadows under my eyes like I haven't slept in days.
But you know what? I'm still happy.
After waiting forever, they finally came out.
I was floored by the sight.
I expected them in regular maid outfits, but they blew my expectations out of the water with something way better.
They came out together in a set straight from a maid café.
The skirt was thigh-high short. A huge white bow on the back of the waist matched the uniform. A Katyusha headband tied in their hair. A red ribbon at the neck.
They were laughing as they showed off their look.
They started talking to each other, too... but something was off.
"Alisa, you talk and act just like a real maid!"
"That's because I spent some time serving the Queen. As the only woman among the Three Great Lords, I was prepped to become queen myself in case I had to get engaged to His Highness Liam or if there was no qualified heir."
"That must have been tough."
"It was. Thanks to Her Majesty the Queen. She never let me slack off, wouldn't even let me sleep if I didn't finish my tasks for the day."
Alisa laughed playfully, and that's when I started seeing that weird thing again.
"I was a real rebellious kid. But thanks to Rudel, I feel like that little girl is still alive in me."
"I would've loved to see a little, rebellious Alisa. You must've been adorable."
Without any warning, Airi moved closer and hugged Alisa around the waist.
Alisa hugged her back. Then, to make it weirder, they started saying things that didn't match the mood at all.
"I'm serious! I really would've liked to see little Alisa. I bet you got to eat lots of delicious desserts."
"I did, but it wasn't all great. As you can see, it seems like everything I ate went straight to my chest. And it's really annoying having to check that they don't get any bigger."
"That's not true! Alisa, you look beautiful, radiant, with a figure anyone would envy. I wish I were as slender as you."
Alisa hugged Airi tighter, bringing their faces close until their noses touched.
"But I like Airi with some meat on her bones. I'd love to have slender legs with thighs like yours. Even your chest is a size I wouldn't mind having."
Hearing that, Airi puffed out her cheeks like a balloon.
"Gosh, Alisa, you're so mean!"
"Hehe, sorry, I couldn't help it. Teasing you is just too fun."
"Silly."
The girls laughed together. The shop owner was watching them, her face bright red like she was seeing something she shouldn't.
Meanwhile, I was just thinking:
(WHAT THE HECK AM I LOOKING AT?!)
(I know ever since we made up, our relationship's gotten better, and theirs even more so since they're both girls...)
(...BUT CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME?!)
(Girls are different from guys in how they open up to others... BUT WHAT IS THIS SORCERY?!)
(It's almost like a gateway to some hidden realm opened up and they stepped right out of it!)
(The scariest part is that when I look at them... FOR SOME MYSTERIOUS REASON, THERE'S A PINK, HEART-SHAPED AURA AROUND THEM!! Am I the only one seeing this?!)
My head was gonna hurt if I tried to analyze what my eyes were seeing. Better to just focus on the clothes.
"You two look great. If I were a sleazy noble, I'd definitely want maids like you, haha."
I tried to lighten the weird, pink-tinged mood with a joke. It didn't work.
A little laugh, please?
◇
We bought a few outfits before leaving the shop. Then we went for some nut ice cream—the girls love ice cream. And again, I saw that strange aura around them as they fed each other with their spoons. Am I the only one seeing that giant heart forming around their heads?
◇
Alisa took off running.
It was because another group of harassers—aka her entourage, aka fake friends—wanted to win her forgiveness.
We were walking towards the academy. Even on a Sunday like this, you have to wear the school uniform. Normally you don't see teens on the streets, so it'd be weird not to.
Alisa said a quick goodbye and bolted at high speed. As she ran, I noticed her beautiful, anguished red eyes, her shining golden-blonde hair like the sun, braided behind her ears into an arch. Her hair was super long, but that style made it look shorter, leaving just a little ponytail that swayed in unison with her white skirt.
I had to laugh at the Olympic-level speed she took off with, leaving a trail of dust.
The harassers chased after her, begging for forgiveness.
Meanwhile, Airi and I waved her off.
I turned to see Airi smiling as she waved at the sporty Alisa.
Her light blonde bob-cut hair swayed in the wind. Her sea-blue eyes met mine as if asking, "What's up?" to which I just shook my head.
What was that feeling just now?
Worry for Alisa? Nah, she's a duke's daughter. Only an idiot would lay a finger on her.
Must be my imagination.
◇
"Our country faces an unprecedented crisis!"
At the academy entrance, a crowd of students had gathered around a guy standing on some boxes.
"I'm sure you've all heard the news of the insurrections and uprisings by commoners on the kingdom's borders."
I stopped to listen to this guy in the white uniform.
The students' voices were loud, so I could catch bits of their conversation.
"Isn't that Margrave Raleigh's son?"
"I think so... if I remember right, commoners in his territory set fire to officials' houses and even attacked the margrave and his wife in broad daylight."
"In my brother's territory, there were uprisings too. They had to kill all the commoners who revolted; they were too hostile."
I wasn't liking where this conversation was going. Airi was beside me, hearing it all.
With my free hand (the one not holding shopping bags), I took her hand and we quickly headed into the academy. The student's voice grew louder with each step we took inside.
"The situation looks problematic, but there's nothing to fear! For we have a hero among us! His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Liam, the Silver Phoenix!"
(Liam, what the heck have you been doing since we got back?)
◇◇◇
"Silver Phoenix? They call me that?"
Liam was at a party in the Royal Palace. The room was packed—ministers, important aristocrats backing his claim to the throne, knights important enough to be considered generals.
Two guys were with him. The three of them looked radiant with elegance.
The tallest and most muscular of them, with red hair and black roots, was chomping on a chicken wing with his mouth open. This was Chlust van Arses, heir to an earl—a border count, in other words.
To his right was a handsome young man with green hair tied in a bun at the back. His eyes were the same green. This was Frey von Nightray, son of a margrave, and he was explaining the situation to the boy in front of him.
"You see, Your Highness, thanks to your heroic deed a few days ago, you were hailed as a hero. And even though you lost your crown prince title because of Bradford, luck was on your side. You defeated that man and were recognized as something special. Like a phoenix, you rose heroically from the ashes. That's why they call you that."
Frey proudly told Liam the reason for his title.
The boy with the childlike face, platinum hair, and purple eyes looked sad for a moment. That was because he hadn't really done any of what was said. But it didn't bother him for one reason.
This boy, Liam von Altfode, was special. He was the most unique person in this world, which wasn't just some simple fantasy world like Rudel mentioned. This was a world based on an RPG theme, and Liam was the protagonist.
Every protagonist needs a co-star. Someone to save them in tense moments and help with their development. That person was a girl, one who would become his wife and future queen of this country. An existence known as the "Priestess."
"Your attention, please!"
And that girl...
"It is my great pleasure to announce that the Priestess..."
...was not who was being introduced.
"...Lady Erselica van Reinfield... has arrived!!"
When a guard checked the corridor, he quickly called out to everyone.
As the doors opened, a girl dressed in white, with crystal accessories on various parts of her body and a large white staff in her right hand, walked toward the entrance.
Behind her were two girls from the Priestess's sanctuary, acting as her escorts.
Erselica—Priestess Erselica—entered the room. People's voices erupted.
Among all those guests, three shouted her name in amazement.
They were three bright colors that approached her.
The first to speak was red, followed by green, and finally platinum.
"You look super radiant, more than the roast chicken on the table!"
"Shut up, you talking ape! Your words are poison to human ears! Don't listen to him. What is true is that you look very beautiful."
"Lady Erselica, I'm glad to see your affairs are settled. This party is for you."
"Th-thank you."
With her small voice, she thanked the three, but her expression was a bit uncomfortable because they were crowding her.
Guests' voices buzzed about what they just saw.
"The crown prince took her hand..."
"That means the two of them..."
"Considering their roles, this would be most favorable for the kingdom."
Liam had taken Erselica's hand without her noticing. Behind him, the other two wore faces of envy and displeasure.
In the game, this happened, but the jealous glare from those two wasn't part of the script.
Suddenly, someone approached them.
A man in ministerial clothes. He had a nose like a toucan's beak, dead, bulging fish eyes, brown hair with wavy eyebrows, a mustache like a toothbrush, and lips as thick as a barracuda's.
The man who held two court positions: Minister of the Interior and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
His name was Marquis Moldred von Balzac, a man who, in a single generation and through years of work, had risen to become a marquis.
"Good day, Your Highness, Priestess. I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but I have something to discuss with the lady."
Liam knew the marquis from when he was a child, always seeing him arrive at meetings with stacks of documents. When the marquis noticed the prince's presence, he'd give a kind smile despite his scarecrow face.
Liam didn't have uncles, but he considered this man one. Not even when he met the Three Great Lords—not Duke Belmont, not the father of his childhood best friend Klein, and certainly not Alisa's father—did he feel this way. Oddly, only the marquis spoke to him without honorifics, treating him like a small adult. To Liam, he was the most terrifying of them all.
"Marquis Balzac, what business do you have with Lady Erselica?" Liam asked, a normal question with no hidden intentions.
Erselica looked at Liam and replied, "Your Highness, it's just an unimportant matter for you, but personally, it is for me."
She responded seriously and firmly while holding his hand.
"That's not true! Lady Erselica's problems are my problems! Because Lady Erselica is my...!"
He noticed Erselica's face was red.
He got embarrassed too, let go of her hands, and, bowing his head, said in a slightly high-pitched voice, "Lady Erselica is an important friend to me. I wish to help her in any way possible."
He felt embarrassed saying it because his heart was racing like crazy. He didn't know why; he just felt that seeing, hearing, and speaking with the girl in front of him was a happiness he'd never known. This was also part of the game, so the "plot" was being followed, albeit incorrectly.
Erselica smiled at Liam, then told the marquis it was fine, and the two left the room together.
Liam watched Erselica walk away, looking a bit sad. The other two also looked downcast.
Deep in the back of the hall, near a pillar, two people were watching the marquis leave with Erselica.
One was an old man who had helped a certain boy escape death, and beside him was an older woman watching the scene with a frown.
"Liam, please don't tell me it's what I think it is..." said the woman, who worried like a mother—because she was one.
◇
I was lost.
Ixion, a super-technology from ancient humanity that I found, notified me that Alisa had arrived. I told Airi, and she ran off to find her. I was in the restroom, giving birth to a very stinky brown baby, so I couldn't accompany her.
After cleaning up the baby's birthplace and giving it a proper burial (not before washing up, of course), I ran out too.
A boy with light blue hair and glasses was reading a bulletin board. I accidentally heard what he said as I rushed past.
"'Enrollment open for foreign students. Come study for a year at the Supreme Kingdom of Aster,' huh?"
I had only one thing to say about that, but no time to say it.
I'll ignore it.
◇◇◇
In an elegant room in the palace, two people were present. Erselica on the left, Marquis Balzac on the right.
Both were serious.
"Well?" said Erselica, her smile gone, face stern.
"What thing?" replied the marquis, matching her expression.
"Don't play dumb, Lord Balzac. How is the matter with them, the Kingsfort family, proceeding?"
"...I spoke with the duke. He said that, thanks to you, the legal problems his family has because of his son are being resolved."
Hearing that, Erselica smiled and took a sip of the tea on the table in front of her.
The marquis continued.
"I was very surprised when you arrived out of nowhere with the Supreme Pontiff and he told me the Priestess wished to speak with me."
"I was very skeptical at first. But when you cut your finger and healed it with that light, I could see it was all true."
(Actually, it was just high-level water magic. The room's lighting made it seem to glow... No need for them to know about a little white lie.)
After finishing her cup, Erselica poured another. There were no servants, as this was a private conversation.
Before taking another sip, she remembered something.
"How foolish of me, I forgot. How are the countermeasures against them going?"
The marquis smiled in a terrifying way upon hearing that.
"You are definitely not a pure maiden, are you?"
"Please, spare me the nonsense. This is for the good of the kingdom and the Royal Family."
(That's right. We're only a few weeks away from that event where Rudel betrays the kingdom, and the despicable Bismarck Household, seeking revenge for the end of their harlot daughter, decides to betray the kingdom and attack the country alongside the Republic.)
(Fortunately, the combined fleet of the other two dukes managed to wipe out those traitors once and for all.)
Staring at the marquis, she continued her train of thought.
(Despite his odd looks, Marquis Balzac is a reliable man who rose to the position of prime minister due to the other one's incompetence.)
According to the game, the current prime minister died of old age. There was no one more reliable or prepared than Marquis Balzac.
There was also talk of Duke Belmont, but he never appeared in the game. He always lent his fleet, but his presence never showed up in the story, not even in the character guide.
Meanwhile, Duke Kingsfort managed to turn his land into a veritable principality.
With a look of delight from the marquis to Erselica, he too had his own thoughts.
(Thanks to her, I'll be able to get rid of that nuisance Ritzburg, the irritating Siegwald, and...)
His thoughts halted at one person, which made him smirk.
(That Bradford boy... his Lost Item is too dangerous. Before that buffoon Dixit tries to take it for himself, I must make my move.)
"Pardon me, my Priestess," he called in a pleasant tone.
"What is it?"
"Something I'd like to confirm."
"Say it."
"You are affiliated with the sanctuary through our beautiful country's religion. I imagine you don't have a patron in politics yet, do you?"
Without a second's hesitation, she replied, "I was going to ask you sooner or later. I want you to become the new prime minister, unlike that useless old geezer."
The marquis heard that and was stunned, mouth agape. This was undoubtedly something he never expected.
"I-I appreciate your wonderful words. Don't worry, without a doubt, that old man, the Bismarck's, and that brat Bradford will be destroyed before the academy ends."
"No."
"Pardon?" He was taken aback by her sudden response, but what she said next made him smile.
"Before December. Those three... well, Bismarck and Bradford are the priority. Not the geezer. Those two must be destroyed by December without fail."
The marquis stood up and then knelt.
"Your words are my orders, my Priestess."
Seeing this, Erselica thought one thing.
(That's right. This is the best way to fix things. Soon, everything will improve and follow the normal flow.)
◇◇◇
In a field on the frontier, several men were working.
One of them was plowing a field, wiping sweat with a dirty rag.
The tools, work uniforms, and a construction unit—all paid for by a noble to improve the commoners' quality of life.
They were grateful to have such a kind lord.
(Today will be as productive as yesterday!) the man thought, gripping a hoe tightly to cut weeds.
Suddenly, he heard something beside him.
"Renor, what's wrong?" he asked his friend, who had suddenly dropped his shovel.
He approached his friend and, before touching his shoulder...
"IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!!"
A terrifying scream rang out.
His friend, for no reason, screamed, grabbed the shovel from the ground, and swung it to attack the man.
He used the hoe to defend himself.
"WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Still concerned even in this situation, the man defended himself. That's when he heard more terrifying noises.
"IF ONLY YOU DIDN'T EXIST!"
"WHY AM I DOING THIS?"
"I DON'T WANT TO, BUT THERE'S NO CHOICE!"
The other companions who were farming suddenly began attacking others without any reason.
The construction unit walked over to a man and stomped on him repeatedly.
The man with the hoe kicked his friend and ran from the field.
(What is happening?)
As he ran from the field to the village, he saw the same thing happening there.
For no reason, peaceful people he knew were setting houses on fire, attacking others, and doing more terrifying things.
Age, gender, or status didn't matter. They were attacking various people who were defending themselves.
The man reached his house to get his family.
"Wyatt! Martha! Are you okay?"
Entering, the man saw the lights were off.
Sunlight streamed through the windows.
Near a table were two people. They seemed to have been eating, but now they were standing.
The man called out to both, crying with happiness seeing his family was safe.
Then, without reason, terrifying voices—a woman's and a child's—sounded.
"IF ONLY YOU DIDN'T EXIST!!"
"IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!!"
As they both turned, the light reflected two things: a large knife in each of their hands, and...
"IF ONLY RUDEL DIDN'T EXIST, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO KILL MY HUSBAND!!"
...a strange insect-like creature on their heads, piercing their necks with its tails.
The two approached the crying man.
The knives were raised, and then...
"IF RUDEL DIDN'T EXIST, MY FAMILY WOULD LIVE IN PEACE!!"
A sea of flames covered that village. Other villages experienced similar things. Then, the "commoners" went to attack the residential areas where the officials and feudal lord lived.
This act continued. The only reason neighboring nobles could think of was that it was an uprising against the inhumane treatment the commoners suffered.