Save 27 – Karma
It was supposed to be a beautiful December morning at the Royal Palace...
"Why are you so stubborn about accepting the facts, Lord Ritzburg?!"
...Or, that's what it should have been.
"Our savior has finally appeared after so long! Why do you try to deny the Holy Church from entering government positions?"
In a private salon, a small group of men was gathered.
It was a round table with two sides "conversing."
On one side was the Prime Minister, an elderly man of marquis ranks named Mayer von Ritzburg. He had graying hair, closed eyes, and three warts on his forehead that made him look like a UFO. Normally, he was someone who, despite any situation, remained calm. But that wasn't the case now.
On the other end was an older man with a bald head and hair on the sides, wearing white robes with golden crosses embroidered on the sleeves, a purple stole with the same crosses, and a large belly.
Mayer was with a small group of ministers from his faction. The members couldn't be counted on two hands, but now that number could almost fit in one hand. There was a reason for that.
(Not only did it happen to Barnett Household... yesterday, two other families were murdered as well!)
A report had come in a few days ago about how nobles from his faction had been murdered with their families. According to the reports, it was rebellious commoners.
His face showed indignation at what he read, but it wasn't hatred for the attackers—it was for someone else.
(You finally did it, didn't you, Balzac?)
(There's no way something as stupid as rebellious commoners in areas where the territory lord treats his workers humanely and pays above the bare minimum would result in murder.)
(I've known for decades you want my position. I have no proof to blame you for my wife and son's death...)
(But what I do know is that I won't let you get away with it.)
(It doesn't matter if members of my side leave, like Count Roseblaire did. Family safety is more important than one's own. I can't blame or criticize them for that.)
Mayer's teeth clenched tightly, visible to everyone.
(What the hell is this nonsense about Rudel-kun being the mastermind behind the uprisings?)
(Don't be an idiot! That boy can't lie, and something as elaborate as this isn't something he'd do since he gains nothing from it!)
His closed eyes didn't show his inner fury, as he didn't allow this information to leak.
(The worst part is that now these idiots from the sanctuary are trying to get into official and ministerial positions. What the hell is that? Everything looks very suspicious, especially that girl who came out of nowhere!)
His face showed his displeasure. The ministers beside him noticed, and panic showed in their eyes.
Mayer finally spoke.
"Sorry, my mind wandered."
"Now then, regarding your request..."
The large-bellied man, Supreme Pontiff Dixit, smiled victoriously.
"Rejected."
But the Prime Minister shattered his illusions quickly. Dixit's face twisted into a terrifying expression.
"May I know the reasons?"
Mayer smiled upon hearing that.
"Very well. First, the sanctuary is this country's religion. The sanctuary and the palace are separate entities."
"Second, the royal family was chosen by the Saint, but that family did not belong to her followers, which implies she herself knew two different entities were needed to manage the country."
"And lastly, the Queen herself backs me up, in case you try to say something. But she and I agree that that 'girl' is not fit to be the prince's fiancée or queen. She doesn't have the prepared education like the Bismarck daughter, she doesn't have appropriate status, so aristocrats would complain their daughters weren't given a chance. Finally, it's His Majesty the King who decides most things, so if you don't believe anything I say, you can consult His Majesty."
Mayer gave him a look that said he'd won the "conversation."
Dixit could object to everything, but the last part was checkmate to any possibility.
He stood up without a word and left the room with his followers.
Mayer sighed and said aloud, "One less problem for now."
Then a thought crossed his mind.
(I must make sure none of these insects try to get close to or use Rudel-kun. If that were to happen... it would undoubtedly be the end for our country.)
◇◇◇
Dixit and a man in a red stole walked together down a palace corridor.
"That old man is getting in the sanctuary's way. It's sacrilege!"
"And he dared to criticize the Saint. Of course he would, since only the palace knew that the first Saint's staff was stolen years ago and hidden somewhere."
"I won't let this end like this. I'll contact Marquis Balzac to request an audience with His Majesty."
The man beside him asked something.
"What should we do now, Your Eminence?"
Dixit smiled upon hearing that question.
"If I'm not mistaken, Viscount Bradford isn't affiliated with any faction yet, is he?"
"That's correct," said the man beside him.
"According to a report from a follower's son, the Viscount isn't affiliated with any faction, be it the Student Army or the sanctuary."
"Excellent!" Dixit exclaimed.
"We'll bring the Viscount to our side. That way, the Prime Minister will have no choice but to allow the sanctuary to interfere in governmental affairs."
"Understood, Your Eminence. I'll contact our followers to notify their sons."
"Good."
The man excused himself since Dixit was hungry. The man in the red stole bowed as the Supreme Pontiff entered his private room in the palace.
Inside, there was a girl. She was very beautiful and young.
The girl wore the clothes of a sanctuary maiden.
She knelt to greet him.
"I am honored to have been summoned by Your Eminence for my personal guidance on the Saint's word. I am the fourth daughter of Marquis Wisehugh. My name is Rita."
After introducing herself, the girl stood up. Her smile showed purity and kindness.
Dixit approached her...
"I'm very hungry. The work of being the highest authority of the sanctuary is very exhausting."
The girl didn't understand what he was talking about.
...And then.
"I had asked for the first daughter, not the fourth... but you'll do."
Suddenly, he grabbed the girl and threw himself onto her on the bed.
Two servants stood outside as guards. Suddenly, a scream full of horror echoed.
◇◇◇
In a garden of the Royal Palace, Liam and Erselica were together.
They were having tea and cookies.
The table was decorated with expensive, elegant ornaments and a white tablecloth.
Around them were servants, sanctuary members, and knights.
They were on a rooftop that had been decorated with flowers by Liam. Just like in the game, Liam had done this to confess to Airi.
"The tea is exquisite, and the cookies are very delicious. Thank you very much for allowing me to taste such delicacies, Your Highness."
Erselica smiled at him with the same smile Airi had in the game.
Seeing her, the protagonist's heart raced.
His cheeks were red. He wasn't looking at her face, even though he was taller than her.
Suddenly, he spoke.
"Um... Lady Erselica, you see, I... I invited you because I had something to tell you."
While eating a cookie like a hamster, Erselica opened her eyes.
"Is that so? What is it?"
Liam bit his lip.
(Come on, you went through something terrifying months ago! Confessing shouldn't be a big deal!!)
His mouth was opening. The words that came out...
"I... I wanted to tell you..."
...Were those of a coward.
"...That I'll be going on an expedition with the White Phoenix group to the border and won't return until almost the end of the month. So I entrusted Chlust, Frey, and Allen to look after you."
Liam laughed as if he'd told a bad joke, but Erselica responded.
"Is that so? Please take care of yourself, then."
Hearing that, and not the words he hoped to say, depressed Liam, making him lower his head.
A servant arrived with a letter for Erselica.
After thanking the servant, she opened it, and its contents made her jump.
"U... UWAAHH!!"
Liam also stood up in panic upon hearing her scream.
He thought it was something horrible.
Erselica, with a panicked expression, stammered.
"M-my f-father..."
"Your father? Did something happen to him?"
"My father says he'll punish me if I don't go fulfill my obligations as the next head of our family!"
Both the prince and those around them let out a dumbfounded "Huh?" at what the Saint said.
◇
"Hey, peasant! You're Bradford, aren't you?"
Some idiot approached me out of nowhere. Who the hell are you?
I was enjoying my studies with Airi in the boys' dining hall since the academy wasn't holding classes, so we resorted to self-study. Fortunately, my instructor is always willing to teach me about the path of order, whether he's working or not. What a great, exemplary man he is.
Back to the idiot.
"I am the heir of Earl Norden, Jake van Norden. I heard you still haven't joined His Highness Liam's Student Army."
Obviously, who the hell wants to be near that colorful-headed guy?
"First: yes, I'm Bradford, but the way you're talking to me indicates you already knew that and were just trying to force a conversation. Second, you heard right. I haven't joined, and I don't plan to."
Lately, a group of generic students has been talking to me shamelessly as if we were great friends.
"Rudel-san, look around..." Airi called me, tugging my left sleeve. When I turned, I saw her beautiful face wearing an uncomfortable expression.
I moved my eyes from left to right. What I saw was an unusual scene.
The students were looking at me with nasty expressions. It didn't matter if they were 1st or 3rd years, or if they were acquaintances or not. They were all staring at me with horrifying faces.
Their voices were so clear I couldn't deny reality.
Alisa had told me that students, regardless of rank or status, were joining factions.
It seems the group supporting Liam is made up of young people, adults, ministers, high-ranking knights, sanctuary members, and that darn Saint.
Personally, I don't care what those kids get into, as long as they don't include me.
Was it so strange that someone hadn't affiliated with a faction?
I guess I'll lie a bit so he stops bothering me.
"Indeed, I know about His Highness, but I'm not interested since I receive direct orders from the Prime Minister, and the Duke Bismarck's daughter is my patron. So I don't need to join any other group. You can leave us alone now."
I wanted to say something ruder, but I learned from that countess incident, so I'll first investigate his house and then ask Mayer-san for permission to destroy it.
I thought that would make him leave, but he gave me a bizarre, arrogant smile.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"...What did you say?"
"You don't know? I'll tell you."
A group of boys and girls started gathering around the idiot.
"Both Duke Bismarck and Prime Minister Ritzburg are losing support. It's not big news or anything."
"What do you mean?!"
"Word is Bismarck Household doesn't even have 10% influence in court. And according to my father, who is one of the sanctuary's biggest donors, rumors say that by the end of the year, the next Prime Minister will be Marquis Balzac, who is also the Saint's sponsor."
I didn't know how to respond. I quickly looked at Airi to see if what this kid said was true.
She noticed my gaze and then lowered her head. So it's true... but why did they hide it from me?
I looked back at the kid.
His gleaming smile shone. His hand combed through his greasy orange hair as if he'd won.
"As you can see, that's the current situation. I've heard from several students that you have a unique ship strong enough to take down an entire fleet. Why not use that power for the prince? If you want, I can make you my second-in-command, since I'm the captain of one of the 12 cavalry units chosen by the Saint's faction."
(Looks like I'll have to use my sharp tongue to get out of this...) I thought things might turn violent.
"Even if that's the case, you're only the captain of the 6th group, not the 1st, to talk about greatness. Besides, you're not even a knight to call yourself a cavalry captain."
But fortunately, a goddess of salvation arrived. It was Alisa.
She had gone to the palace today since her father summoned her. I'll ask her later about what this idiot said.
The boys and girls turned to see who it was and were frightened when they saw her.
Everyone stepped aside. It didn't matter if their uniform was white or black. They were all of lower rank compared to a Duke's daughter.
The only one who didn't move, despite being scared, was the greasy orange-haired kid.
Alisa walked straight toward us. The kid stood his ground to show his courage. I hope she destroys him.
"E-even so... I was chosen by the sanctuary and backed by the palace! So I'm a knight without His Majesty the King needing to appoint me, because I'm a warrior chosen to serve the next king and the Saint!"
Alisa only said one word, and the kid collapsed to the floor.
"Move."
After falling on his butt, the kid looked like he was about to wet himself.
I was about to thank her. Airi and I stood up, but Alisa didn't seem happy for some reason.
"Rudel..." she called me. I didn't know that pause would mean the biggest pain in the butt in my second new life.
"...You have been appointed as the Saint's head knight, captain of the 1st Student Army cavalry, and the Brynhild is her flagship..."
I had only one thing to say. Both I and everyone who heard it let out a collective "WHAAAT?!"
◇◇◇
Yesterday, a meeting was held at the palace.
It was about the Saint. All the ministers were there except the Prime Minister.
That's because no one told him. Those still in his faction found out the same day, so they expected the most important person among them to know, but he wasn't present.
"My, what a shame. It seems even after an hour of starting this urgent meeting, the Prime Minister hasn't come. Age is a terrible enemy for a minister."
One person in the meeting knew what Marquis Balzac said was a lie, but had no means to counter it. Besides, he was annoyed because two houses—of count rank—had abandoned him. In fact, one of them was present on the marquis's side—the youngest one.
"Well, let's return to the discussion. The Saint's father, through this letter I hold, said his daughter must fulfill her obligations to protect her territory since pirates have been sighted. The Viscount is on the other side of the border, so a commoner from nearby informed him, and he relayed it to his daughter."
"I tried to talk to her about ignoring it, but she said she doesn't want to anger her father."
"We have no choice but to choose an escort for her. Any suggestions?"
The ministers gave names of many students or graduates who had been recruited.
Suddenly, a name came up, and everyone paid attention. It was the marquis himself who named it.
"Since we're dealing with pirates who have managed to evade our most experienced forces, I say we entrust it to Viscount Bradford."
There were outraged voices, whether from his faction or not.
"Why him?"
"I'm sure our youths can handle it alone! That's why they're captains!"
"Marquis, aren't you trying to recruit that boy to your side?"
Everyone paid attention to the youngest voice who said that.
All the ministers' eyes turned to Marquis Balzac's mouth.
His lips moved.
"Ever since the report that he fled the battlefield, leaving the students to their fate, it gave me a bad feeling. That's why I believe this occasion is perfect to demonstrate his worth for the future of our beautiful homeland. Besides, I don't think there will be problems since he's not the guard dog of his family, right? Duke Bismarck?"
The marquis was in the center of the left side, while Siegwald, Alisa's father, was on the opposite side, arms crossed, wearing a very evident, displeased scowl.
His long blonde hair with a few grays covered part of his serious face, which seemed carved from stone. His rabbit-red eyes gave an unpleasant sensation, and his strong arms showed his veins from how annoyed he was.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Come now, if you insist, I'll tell you. I mean your daughter and Viscount Bradford are very close, aren't they? Considering the tragedy with her previous fiancé and her almost-new fiancé, it wouldn't surprise me if their relationship is so close it might possibly be intimate."
The eyes of both men stared intensely, but one showed enjoyment of this "chat," and the other didn't.
"Nonsense. Between the Viscount and my daughter, there is nothing but disinterested friendship."
"...Is that so? The thing is, they're young, and one never knows. If we take into account that she is a beautiful young lady who is almost a member of royalty, it wouldn't be strange for a peasant with a reputation as a skirt-chaser to be after her."
Siegwald wanted to object to that, but he himself had once pondered that same question.
Why had Rudel never tried anything with his daughter?
He learned they established a good friendship after the end of the 1st semester. Then, their fight and reconciliation happened in the 2nd semester. And finally, the question his son asked her a while ago.
Normally, a noble seeks a partner, male or female, to rise in rank or benefit from it. But Rudel had never shown any strange or obvious intentions toward his daughter. Even when Rudel himself threatened him, he swore he would never hurt her again with a very frightened face.
As a noble and a man, Rudel's existence was a rarity.
After thinking a bit about his question, Siegwald only sighed and said,
"I hope that's the real reason and not something else. Or am I mistaken?"
Seeming to sink his fangs into his enemy, the marquis responded with a very obvious lie.
"Of course not."
"It seems no one is against me. Very well. As the one with the greatest influence among all, patron of the Saint, the one receiving Duke Belmont's help, and the soon-to-be next Prime Minister, I declare Viscount Bradford as head knight and personal bodyguard of the Saint. His ship will be her flagship, and he will be the captain of the 1st cavalry of the 12 captains."
Several voices were heard.
"But the 1st position was held by Bourdon Household! What will happen to them now?"
"It's time for that boy to show his usefulness."
"This is also a good opportunity to try to get closer to his shipyard and repair workshop. I heard many personal master craftsmen of important houses are on strike."
Siegwald listened to those voices and only said one thing.
"Sorry, Viscount, but this man can do nothing for you. These old foxes have finally decided to sink their claws into you."
◇
I was in my room on the Brynhild. A super-aircraft of ancient technology that I found.
We were heading to a specific direction to deal with pirates.
And I say "we" because some old bastards have turned me into many things.
A head knight in charge of the personal guard of a girl called the Saint—who, coincidentally, is a mysterious girl present in several weird incidents last semester that involved me.
Also, I'm the captain of the 1st cavalry. I don't want it, but the look of frustration on that guy's face... Jason, I think it was? It's pure gold.
I was reviewing some letters I had piled up. The contents were grotesque.
One said, "I will accept being your wife only if you win this amount. You can give me lots of money for my shopping and support my family."
Obviously, I crumpled it and threw it in the trash bin, where there were more of that type.
Another contained, "As the daughter of a margrave, I have my luxuries and needs. I will bear your heir, but first I must have lovers. Only then will I accept your proposal to be your wife."
I tore it into pieces without even finishing reading it.
I said to someone with me,
"Destroy them."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course."
I handed Ixion all the letters piled on the desk.
Ixion was an AI or automaton created to serve ancient humanity. But now, he was my faithful servant/companion/slave, so he couldn't refuse my requests.
Lately, I hadn't seen him, and when I asked where he'd been, he said, "It's a surprise."
His medium-sized spherical body approached. He used his strange, thin pincers to grab the letters. I observed as his gray color and cross-shaped lines gave an ugly look to my nice room.
He threw them into the trash bin, and a laser beam shot from his red eye.
Good. I'll reward you with some nuts.
"Master."
He suddenly spoke.
"Yeah."
"This letter doesn't look as horrible as the others. Its contents seem better. It says the daughter of Cavendish Household was present the day of the cruise ship attack and that you saved her from some monsters. Since she's a shy girl, she didn't know how to interact with you, so she's taking this opportunity to get to know you—"
"Stop." I quickly silenced Ixion.
"What are you doing reading that? I said burn them all."
"This letter contains words that, through the handwriting, erasures, and even being the only perfumed one, indicate the owner made an effort to show her honest feelings."
"I said burn them all, didn't I? What are you waiting for!"
Ixion looked at me before throwing it away.
I didn't feel bad because it was surely a honey trap—a method where someone talks charmingly to a poor wretch to make him fall head over heels. It's never happened to me, but I know about them.
Is it so hard to find a beautiful girl who loves me for who I am, won't cheat on me, and has big breasts?
An image of a smiling, blonde-haired girl appeared in my head.
It must have been a mirage, no doubt.
It must be, since the opportunity never came.
After standing up, I was about to go out to get some wind and sun.
Ixion followed me. It wasn't necessary to hide him anymore, but it was still annoying when people asked what he was and if I could sell him.
I opened the door, and as I thought,
"It feels good to get sunlight."
I said it so cheerfully that I didn't notice a servant was near the railing.
He was very small, about Paula's size. His hair was brown, and when he turned, I saw his scarlet eyes.
"Tch."
The little bastard made that sound upon seeing me.
Did you forget you're a servant, a child, and a commoner? Do you want me, as the polite adult I am, to become oppressive with you?
Say it. Just say something, and I'll throw you overboard.
"The trip isn't so nice anymore."
Okay, I'll throw you overboard.
I approached the little bastard when he said something interesting.
"Just because the territory has improved doesn't mean the lord of the land stops being trash."
I stopped upon hearing that, and a thought escaped me unintentionally.
"What are you talking about?"
He turned to look at me and said something shocking with a lot of sense.
"I'm one of the many commoners who lived on your family's lands. My parents left there never to return. I remember perfectly how the Baron raised our taxes, and we barely had enough to eat."
I remember that. The debt collectors threatened to take Paula if we didn't pay them.
It was only once that my dad did something like that. He knew the commoners and we lived just getting by. It was a difficult season, no doubt.
That's why I "lent" them money with the excuse of improving their lives. It was my way of repaying them with interest for what they suffered because of us. I wasn't going to charge them a single cent after the allotted 4 years passed. I was going to say that with the hard work they did, the debt was paid.
But this kid is a reality of how badly everyone had it.
"Only my older sister and I were left. She said that when things get worse, they improve in the future."
Your sister is right. Because, thanks to me, you all achieved a promising future.
"I yelled at her that she was an idiot!"
Huh?
"Improve how? Is my sister stupid? This trash territory is doomed!"
(This kid is a...)
"So I left at a very young age and got a job as one of Kingsfort's Household servants."
"..."
"After a while, she sent me a letter saying things had improved thanks to the 3rd son I didn't know existed."
"Hey."
"I didn't believe her. Then I found out you came to the academy and kicked my patron's butt at the end of the semester."
"A happy ending, right?"
There was an awkward silence thanks to my punchline joke.
After waiting a few seconds, he spoke again.
"No matter what you're plotting."
Huh? What is he talking about?
"Greedy, cynical people like you always fall. My patron was horrible as a human being and fell into disgrace in the end. That's why I'm warning you. You'll fall too because of the way you are."
What's wrong with this little cretin?
Enough. I'll throw you overboard.
I approached him to grab him when an angel saved him.
"Rudel-san!"
I turned to see who was calling from the rear, and indeed, it was the angel Airi, with Alisa beside her.
I stopped upon seeing them coming toward me.
After arriving, Airi noticed I had hidden my hands.
She lectured me.
"Rudel-san, what are you doing?"
"N-nothing," I responded in panic.
She looked at me, puffed her cheeks, and said, "You were about to do something bad to poor Allen-kun, weren't you?"
So his name is Allen, the little cretin.
She grabbed my hand. My face turned red. It wasn't the first time this happened, but for some reason, my heart started beating very fast.
She approached the little cretin. He got defensive, and she spoke for me.
"I'm very sorry. He's not a bad person. He's a bit rude, so could you forgive him?"
Airi gave him a heartwarming smile. The little bastard blushed, averted his gaze, and shouted in panic.
"Th-there's nothing to forgive since nothing happened!"
He quickly left.
I asked how she knew him, and she said, "I met him when I went to your parents' house for the first time. The commoners were very kind, and he was the only one with clothes that didn't fit there while accompanied by a beautiful girl. A man told me their names: Allen and Ada."
Huh? Ada? I feel like, for some reason, this is an unexpected revelation because that name sounds familiar.
"Rudel."
I turned to see Alisa, who had called me.
I was surprised by what I saw.
"How much longer until we arrive?"
I haven't asked her about what I heard about her family since it would be awkward, but the girl here in front of me is making a face I've never seen before.
Her smile stretches from cheek to cheek, which are flushed with excitement. Her eyes sparkle as if she were a child seeking adventures.
I forgot that nobles' ancestors were originally adventurers. It must be her pure blood indicating the event about to happen, unlike mine, which is some kind of strange mutation.
I told her, without making her lose that charming expression,
"According to Ixion, it won't be long. We're going to hunt pirates, but there's a dungeon on that island according to reports, so we can go in after we finish."
"I see!"
Her childlike eyes sparkled even more.
Airi was also that happy. A while ago, we fought because of my fault. They hadn't been on my ship for a long time. After what happened, I tried to make up for the lost time we didn't have.
I took them to that eastern island once more. Since it was another season, there were no events.
So I decided to hold one in my family's territory.
The commoners were surprised to see another culture. My family too. I tried to give back every moment of joy they lost because of me.
It was very fun, though I almost died. I was lighting fireworks with Ixion. I used his eye, and accidentally hit a very large one that ignited the others, and they exploded.
Airi healed me since I had minor injuries. She cried, Alisa panicked, and so ended our vacation.
Now, back to them after finishing remembering good times.
"No matter how many times I see it, I still can't believe this boy is responsible for running everything."
"The ancient technology is very fascinating, especially having created a fairy without magic."
The girls were touching Ixion with their index fingers.
The first time they saw him, they asked what he was, and I said he was a fairy.
The second time, they fondled him so much that, for some reason, he vanished and ran away.
The third time, he didn't run away, but when Airi asked, "Can I call you Ix-kun?" for some reason, his red eye glowed brightly, and his body shook. After turning away, he said, "Do as you please."
Was it my idea, or was he embarrassed? Can a cold, emotionless machine feel embarrassed?
"Indeed, I am the one who controls everything. Praise me more, and I'll give you your own ship."
"Hehe, he's a very nice fairy," said Airi while playing with the spherical body.
"I'd really like to have something like you, but you're Rudel's property, so I'll settle for being able to touch you and thank you for saving us all a while ago," exclaimed Alisa, touching Ixion's polarized glass eye.
"There is a way for you two to be with me and at the same time be happy, and that is—"
Ixion's strange conversation was interrupted by footsteps approaching us.
Looking in the direction where the spoiled brat Allen went, I observed the person most annoying to me heading toward us with her entourage.
Behind her were several students, men and women, wearing insignias of belonging to the sanctuary or the student army.
To the left and right of the annoying girl in the center were two familiar, very annoying colors.
They were Chlust and Frey. That's them, right?
The little pest named Erselica called me.
"Hey, servant, how much longer until we arrive?"
"Hah!" I showed my teeth in annoyance for ruining the good moment I was enjoying with my friends.
She seemed frightened, so the green and red colors came to her defense.
"Viscount Bradford, you're being rude to our goddess."
"Just because you're the captain of the 1st squad and her security leader doesn't mean you can get full of yourself."
First of all, I'll say this.
"Goddess? Don't make me laugh. Her chest needs to be at least this big to believe she's a goddess."
I put my hands to make a silhouette of two large globes. If it were Alisa or Airi, I'd definitely say yes, but this girl doesn't fit into their category, so rejected.
...Wait! Why did I call them goddesses?
"Don't talk nonsense!" shouted Chlust.
"Small ones are better! Charm lies in personality and heart!"
"Just as the idiot said!" shouted Frey to back up his friend.
"Erselica-chan's slender body makes her charm light up the skies! Giving her breasts would only corrupt her divinity!"
"Hah, are you idiots? Big ones are better because they encompass the dreams and hopes of millions of men!" I said from the bottom of my heart.
"You're wrong!" they shouted.
"Rudel-san, please be quiet!" Airi shouted, seeming on the verge of tears.
"Rudel, stop embarrassing us!" Alisa exclaimed while covering her face.
"WAAHH, all of you shut up and stop talking about my breasts! And just in case, I do have them, they're just small!"
◇◇◇
In a cave—more precisely, the underground prison of the Kingdom of Altfode.
A guard was walking, everything calm, with his lunch to change shifts with his partner.
He was sleepy since only the two of them watched the prisoner.
He had a lunchbox for himself and his partner, who had been on guard all night.
Upon arriving, his eyes saw his frightened companion.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Guard B asked Guard A.
Guard A was startled and turned around. He was looking at the prisoner's cell.
Guard B put the lunchboxes on the table and asked again, "What's wrong?"
In response to his partner's question, Guard A said in panic,
"Hey, about this guy... haven't they decided his execution date yet?!"
"Huh?"
"I'm asking if there's still nothing about when they'll execute him!"
Guard A immediately covered his mouth and looked toward the cell to see if the prisoner was alarmed.
His partner, Guard B, approached to look, and upon peeking, he saw something that scared him.
"H-hey... you're joking, right? That guy can't be human. No human being can do that, especially with his muscles!"
In the cell was a man named Bandel. The cell was a damp, cold cave. The bed was a steel plate with blankets hiding bedbugs. He wasn't given water, and his only drinking source was a stalactite dripping mineral water.
He had several buckets for defecation, all full. Due to the bad smell, the guards entered to dispose of them. The food given to him was leftovers from the horses' meals that fell on the kitchen floor and were spat on.
That "man," despite having many disadvantages, was doing something strange with an even stranger body.
"You're joking, no... despite even the torture, how can he be in shape and even exercising?"
The guards watched in panic a human being who should be weakened and almost dead, but what they saw was a healthy man, with his normal physique, exercising in the cell.
"At night, he was making noises. When I looked... he was doing push-ups! Not normal ones—they were push-ups where he buried his fingers in the rock and his thumbs to lift his body!"
"Then he started stretching while seeming to climb the wall!"
"And now what you see."
"He's doing pull-ups on the ceiling!! His toes are piercing solid rock and moving his upper body up and down!!"
"Even confined, without healthy food and cold... this man is still scary just with acts as normal as this!"
The guards were afraid. Bandel heard them but didn't care, because he only had one thought in his head.
(Bismarck and Rudel... very soon, the King of the Consortium and Bacchus will make their move, and I... will be able to get my revenge!! Guhahaha.)
The pieces on the board toward the end were moving faster and faster.