Chapter 4: Behind the Scenes

Chapter 4:
Behind the Scenes

 

TOGETHER, Hertrude and Marquess Frampton paid a visit to the palace’s vault, home to a number of treasures and Lost Items. Many ancient tools whose functions remained unknown were also on display. Hertrude froze when she spotted a certain item.

I found it, she thought. I heard one was here in the kingdom’s vault, but to think they’ve turned it into a mere decoration. This marquess really is a buffoon.

“Marquess, might I convince you to hand this piece over to us?”

He stroked his beard. “This? It’s quite a precious artifact. I’m afraid I would have to consult the other nobles before making such a decision.”

The right arm of an ancient Armor sat in a glass case, black and spiked. It certainly did have historical value. However, the kingdom clearly didn’t see any modern purpose for it. Marquess Frampton put on an air to gain the upper hand in negotiation, but he couldn’t even begin to guess Hertrude’s true thoughts.

I can’t believe they left something so dangerous lying around. The kingdom is beyond salvation. Even if we don’t use it, it would still be safer in our hands.

“What would you wish in exchange?” Hertrude asked, crossing her arms.

He smiled. “Ho ho ho, it seems you’ve taken quite the liking to the piece. Won’t you tell me what you would do with it?”

Hertrude glanced over the treasures in the room. Her eyes lingered on the Magic Flute. Next, she eyed Vandel’s beloved sword, massive and imposing, its size intended for use by a powered suit. Forged from a unique metal, it was especially valuable. Seeing it lying useless in the kingdom’s vault vexed her greatly.

“You took our other treasures already. Can’t it be compensation?”

“We stole nothing from you. We won your flute and sword in honorable combat.”

Strictly speaking, Leon had done the taking, and he had offered both items as tribute to the kingdom.

Marquess Frampton sobered then, realizing evasive responses wouldn’t deter the princess. “Your Highness, do you truly desire this artifact?”

“I do.”

“For what purpose?”

“It’s an ancient Armor fragment, yes? I have a historical interest. And it has an ornamental charm, I suppose.”

“Indeed.”

Hertrude had been nervous, afraid her insistence would make the marquess suspect her—but he dropped the subject, seemingly satisfied.

“Now, while we’re at it, I would like to revisit the matter of renewing ties between our states,” he said.

“The principality wishes this,” said Hertrude, though her words lacked inflection.

The marquess noticed, but he continued nonetheless. “To that end, I’d like to send Prince Julius to the principality, to act as a bridge between our countries.”

“He’s the Saint’s lover, isn’t he?”

“Embarrassing as it is to admit, yes. I wish Prince Julius possessed the same level of self-awareness as yourself, Your Highness.” The marquess paused. “Allow me to get to the heart of my proposal. We’re prepared to cede some of our territory to the principality. Although to do so, the kingdom will need some ‘cleaning out,’ as it were.”

For once, he had fully captured Hertrude’s interest. “Tell me more.”

“Your family was once a branch of Holfort royalty. We’d like to use this opportunity to forge a real alliance between our countries. I believe we can work together, don’t you?”

He wanted cooperation—but for what?

“How absurd,” Hertrude replied curtly. “You expect us to lay down our weapons for the sake of an insignificant sliver of land? What proof do I have that you intend to honor this offer?”

The marquess smiled. “Princess Hertrude, you seem unaware of the kingdom’s circumstances. Ceding this land would not trouble us.”

“What circumstances?”

“The land between our nations, where we conduct our wars, is not under direct control of the kingdom.”

Regional lords owned the floating islands that separated Holfort and Fanoss. Strictly speaking, those territories didn’t belong to the royal family.

“I suppose that’s true,” she said. “I believe it’s Earl Field who reigns over the island nearest our border. He is of your kingdom’s nobility, is he not? How do you propose to cede the territory of your peer?”

Brad Fou Field, one of Marie’s lovers, hailed from Field House, which served the important role of keeping the principality in check. They couldn’t just hand that border guard over. And yet…

“Their ability to resist the principality relies entirely on the kingdom’s support,” the marquess continued. “Don’t tell me your nation’s military couldn’t handle weaklings left to their own devices?”

“You joke. Our military is perfectly capable. But what merit is there for you in this betrayal?” Hertrude shot back.

Marquess Frampton gave her a toothy grin, his eyes gleaming. “Well, Princess, those regional lords are, in truth, a hindrance.”

“A hindrance, hmm?”

That’s right, Marquess Frampton and Earl Field support different political factions. The complexity of the kingdom’s domestic politics confounded Hertrude, but she was willing to take advantage. “All right. I accept your deal. And since you propose Prince Julius marry into the principality, I’ll take that as his engagement gift.”

She pointed to the black, spiky Armor fragment.

Marquess Frampton nodded. “A splendid arrangement, if I do say so myself. Let me know when the principality is prepared. We’ll clean out the kingdom, and once Fanoss has won the territory we promised, we’ll intervene and call a truce. I think that’s the best course of action.”

“Very well. I swear, as princess of the principality, that we will honor this agreement.”

This fool is grinning as if he thinks he’s sealed an incredible deal. You think I’m dancing in the palm of your hands, but the joke’s on you. Hertrude suppressed the urge to smile, relieved for the first time since her defeat. I need to hurry and get this back to the principality.

She glanced briefly at the Magic Flute also on display. Rauda, my little sister…I won’t blame you if you resent me for my foolishness.

Hertrude bit her lip before turning her attention to her next objective. “By the way, how are things going in regard to the issue with Viscount Bartfort? Have you retrieved his Lost Item?”

The marquess’s smile faded then. “Yes, both the airship and that impressive Armor. I’m sure we’ll finish analyzing them soon. As for that brat, I hoped to have him executed by now, but he is the queen’s favorite at present. We’re running into a bit of trouble on that front.”

Hertrude’s smile only grew. Holfort Kingdom had rendered their greatest weapon useless. How perfect to have Viscount Bartfort out of the picture. Given the behavior of his familiar, I doubt the marquess or his men will be able to assume control of either Lost Item.

“I see. I suppose it will be nothing but tranquility here in the kingdom from now on. Will I be calling you prime minister someday soon as well?”

The marquess grinned. “Oh, no, no. Me, prime minister? That’s absurd.”

Liar. That’s what you wanted from the beginning. You went through a lot of trouble to force House Redgrave out of the running. But thanks to all your efforts, I’ve won. I owe you my thanks, you ambitious fool.

“I would like to send a letter to the principality as soon as possible,” said Hertrude. “Could I trouble you to prepare an airship to carry it?”

“Certainly, at once.”

 

***

 

When the promised airship arrived, hovering over the principality, the former knight Vandel Him Zenden boarded. A large scar extended from his forehead to the top of his skull, and his body bulged with muscles and sinew; he didn’t look nearly as old as he was. He accepted the item the crew brought him without knowing what it was. An Armor fragment, yes, but he’d never seen anything like it before. And it was only a right arm—what good was that?

“This came from the princess?”

“Yes. She said it was very valuable.”

“Don’t tell me… Is this thing actually a Lost Item?”

“So it appears. She wrote that she found it in the kingdom’s vault.”

Vandel wasn’t the only one aboard the ship. Gelatt, an earl who’d once acted as an emissary between the kingdom and the principality, accompanied him.

Gelatt stroked his naked upper lip, a habit he’d developed in the wake of losing his beloved mustache. His eyes burned with the desire for revenge. “I do wish she’d sent something more useful. That Fiendish Knight still hasn’t been executed, has he?”

Fiendish Knight was what the principality had come to call Leon, as his actions were so far removed from the ideals of a true knight. He had refused to kill any of the principality combatants, and they had returned home in disgrace to be ruthlessly disparaged by nobles and commoners alike.

It was just as Leon had said; people treated Vandel as if he was too old to fight anymore. He’d lost his title as the Black Knight.

“I won’t allow you to disrespect the princess.” Vandel glared at the earl. Old as he was, he was as imposing as ever.

Gelatt averted his eyes, scanning over the letter instead. “Th-that wasn’t my intent—hmm?” His eyes flew open, and his gaze flitted back and forth between the letter and the spiky black Armor fragment. “It can’t be…”

“What?” Vandel crossed his arms.

Gelatt’s voice was filled with glee. “Black Knight—no, former Black Knight—are you prepared to throw your life away?”

Vandel snorted. “I’m just a senile old man now—my life has no meaning without knighthood. So if it means saving the princess, I will do whatever’s necessary.”

“Excellent! Allow me to explain. This Armor fragment is from an ancient suit—no, ancient doesn’t even begin to describe how many years ago it was developed. It’s from the time of legends. Even among royalty, only a select few know anything about this Lost Item.”

Everyone present turned their gaze to the Armor fragment.

Gelatt threw his arms wide. “What an incredible gift! Princess Hertrude has done more than enough to fulfill her role. Not a soul can pose a threat to Princess Hertrauda now! When next we meet, that Fiendish Knight’s life will be forfeit!”

“You’re saying I’ll be able to fight him with this?”

“Theoretically, yes, if he ever gets out—he’s been framed by his own people and imprisoned. Ah, what a sweet turn of events.”

Vandel frowned. “It’s a shame I won’t be able to settle this in battle.”

“I struggle to understand you military types. More importantly, thanks to this, no one can stand against Princess Hertrauda anymore.”

Hertrauda Sera Fanoss was the second princess and Hertrude’s younger sister. She was the principality’s ace in the hole, stationed in Fanoss’s skies with an armada and a second horde of monsters at her command. The size of their force blotted out the sky.

Vandel narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the Armor fragment. “I will save Princess Hertrude, even if it costs me my life.” He curled his hand into a tight fist.

Beside him, Gelatt was equally triumphant. His missing mustache had at last been avenged.

 

***

 

It was damp and chilly in the cells beneath the palace. The air was stagnant, too. It wasn’t a place you would want to be for long.

My hands were cuffed to maintain the appearance of captivity. As I yawned, the jailer gave me the signal that a guest had arrived.

The moment Prince Julius appeared, he began hurling insults. “I misjudged you, Bartfort!”

This from a man who might have been king one day if he hadn’t lost the title of crown prince.

I was just as pissed to see him as he was to see me. “Who are you again?”

He went red in the face. “Julius! Julius Rapha Holfort! And what’s this I hear about you betraying the kingdom? I had no doubt you were underhanded, but I never thought you’d do something like this!”

When you really thought about it, I did have perfectly good justification for betraying them. It’s you! You, Prince Julius! Though I supposed it wasn’t really his fault so much as the marriage traditions around here… Kind of made me wish I had turned traitor.

“I haven’t betrayed anyone. It’s a false charge. Please, save me, Your Highness,” I deadpanned.

The prince shook his head. “Obviously you’re still in good spirits if you can crack jokes like that. You’re going to tell me everything, Bartfort.”

Guess he wasn’t here to save me. Well, I wouldn’t have helped him either, if our positions had been reversed. He didn’t have the authority to have me released anyway.

“Tell you what?”

“You have a terrible attitude for someone in the presence of royalty.” He frowned.

“You expect me to have undying loyalty for a country that’s wrongly accused me and wants to chop off my head? I don’t forget and I don’t forgive. Someday, I’ll make sure to pay you back tenfold.”

He ignored my threats. “The kingdom’s knights have taken the Partner and Arroganz. Apparently, they can’t control them, but that’s not the problem.”

Seemed like a pretty big problem to me. But Luxion would deal with them, so I wasn’t worried. Just irritated.

“There are those pushing for your execution, but there are also those trying to protect you. I’m sure they’re just using you as a pawn in their infighting, but something is strange about all this.”

From my perspective, the palace and its nobles were always strange. Like their insistence on promoting me…over and over and over again. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to me at this point. In fact, I would love to hear anyone defend that as a norm.

“So what?” I asked.

“Bartfort, why did you betray us? What are you planning this time?”

How rude. He thought I was scheming, too? He really thought I was so awful? “I already told you it was a false accusation. Someone wanted me in here.”

“What?!”

Why are you acting surprised?! You’re a prince—you live at the palace, right? Use your imagination a little bit! You are way too naive.

“You really thought I betrayed you guys? Come on, if I was going to do that, I’d make sure I didn’t get caught.”

He nodded thoughtfully. “That’s true. Knowing you, you would go about it more discreetly. Though you’d still do it in a way that would infuriate everyone in the end.”

It kinda pissed me off how easily he accepted my explanation. Sure, he had faith in me—faith in me being a rotten jerk!

Prince Julius continued, “I’ve never experienced war before, but the atmosphere in the palace makes it feel like we’re teetering on the edge.”

Why was he consulting me about this anyway? I almost slipped and told him, Yep, one wrong step and you guys will be locked in a civil war, but I clamped my mouth shut. That wasn’t the kingdom’s only problem; they were a large nation with numerous enemies. The principality was just one of them. That was what made it so terrifying: with Holfort Kingdom on the brink of destroying itself from within, the Principality of Fanoss seemed poised to make a move.

I have a bad feeling about this.

“I wonder if this is fate correcting its course…” I mumbled. I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was some strange greater power working here, trying to force the developments of the game to play out the way they were supposed to.

Prince Julius’s face scrunched in confusion. “Correcting what course? What are you saying, Bartfort?”

“I’m just talking to myself. Anyway, I’m behind bars. What do I know?”

The prince put a hand on his chin as if contemplating.

This was my chance. “Hey, let me out of here.”

“I can’t do that. I don’t have any power right now.”

Useless prince.

Anyway, there was something else I found a bit odd. The Magic Flute was the principality’s biggest weapon, but the kingdom had it now, tightly locked away. On top of that, the principality was out one princess. How could they make moves now? Maybe fate really was intervening to get the plot back on track.

“This world absolutely sucks.”

This time, Prince Julius let my mumblings go in one ear and out the other. He turned his back and strode out of the dungeon.

If things were going to follow the game’s story from here on out, I had no choice but to run. Even I—or rather, Luxion—couldn’t beat the principality’s ultimate weapon.

Just then Miss Hertrude entered the underground cells. She must have passed Prince Julius on his way out. She handed something to the guard, and he excused himself after exchanging a brief look with me.

“They sure have put you through a lot,” she said.

“And whose fault do you think that is? Are you sure you should be waltzing around the palace like this?”

“You needn’t worry. I have permission. And I didn’t order your arrest, you know. I will admit to requesting it, but the nobles of the kingdom were all too eager to treat you this terribly.”

Yeah, but you still caused it.

As I sulked, the princess wandered closer to the bars. She reminded me of some kind of con artist, waiting until I was at my weakest to pounce. “Shall I have them release you? You would be wise to serve the principality instead. I promise we’ll treat you well. I’ll give you exactly what you want—a safe, peaceful life.”

I froze. She had done her due diligence, sniffing out my true desire. The kingdom was hopeless in comparison. They hadn’t even tried. Sad, really.

“Foolish, aren’t they?” she continued. “Underestimating the principality while trying to make a pawn of you. I can hardly stand to watch. They wanted to use me to crush you.”

Both she and Prince Julius were royalty, but there was a huge disparity between them. Miss Hertrude was far more competent.

“Bend the knee to me. I’ll make you my knight. I assure you, you’ll find it far more to your liking than serving a rotting kingdom like this. I will promise no status and no honor, just an ordinary, normal life.” She flashed a smile.

“I must refuse.”

Her smile faded into annoyance. “Is the kingdom really that precious to you? Your family has their own territory, right? I don’t mind if all of them swear fealty to me. They can come with you.”

“It’s a tempting offer, but I have no intention of making deals with someone I don’t trust.”

The principality hated me, too. And I hadn’t forgotten that the princess had stuck me into this situation to begin with.

Luxion slipped out of hiding and joined the conversation. “Wasn’t it you who was terrified of Master and had him locked up? And now that he’s weak, you’re offering him the hand of salvation? Typical. Did you assume he’d be too distraught to think critically?”

Her gaze turned to my AI companion. “What an ill-mannered familiar, eavesdropping on our conversation.”

“If you truly intended to take Master in and honor your promises, I would cooperate and help convince him to join you,” Luxion said.

“You really are a pest.” She glared at him. “You don’t think I’m being sincere at all.”

Was she confessing it was all a lie? Well, that was sad. It really was a tempting offer. My heart had wavered as I refused her.

Miss Hertrude stepped away from the bars, her voice cold. “You should be proud. We thought of you highly enough to deem you a threat.”

Then she turned her back and left.

I plopped back onto my bed. “She hates me.”

Although was it just my imagination, or had she looked a bit sad as she left?

“She doesn’t hate you,” Luxion said.

“You sure about that?”

“If she truly resented you, she wouldn’t have come. The issue is, even if you did take her offer, the most she could do would be to keep her people from killing you. That’s about it.”

I sighed. “If she’d been more serious about it, I would’ve taken her up on it. What a shame.”

“That’s a lie. You wouldn’t betray the kingdom.”

“I dunno. That would depend on the conditions of her offer.”

“Really?” He was still skeptical. “I digress. Let’s discuss the culprit who planted that fake evidence in your room—Miauler.”

“My sister’s personal servant?”

“You did stoke the slaves’ resentment before. Shall I exterminate him?”

I stared at Luxion in horror. “You know, you’re a little disturbing sometimes. Although…”

“Oh, the guard is back,” he interrupted and promptly hid himself.

“Viscount,” the guard called, “would you prefer coffee or black tea?”

“Black tea, made from some decent tea leaves this time, please.”

The man scratched his head. “Uh, we don’t have expensive tea leaves here.”

I waved a hand. “I suppose I’m still reeling from the shock of becoming a prisoner after being appointed commander of the Saint’s personal guard. What in the world is even going on with my life?”

“You and me both.” He shook his head. “I think this is probably the first time this has happened since the kingdom’s founding.”

Not a record I was happy to be setting.

The guard headed back outside to prepare the tea, and Luxion took the opportunity to slip back out of the shadows. I yawned and removed my cuffs, swinging them around a finger in boredom.

“Aren’t you a bit too relaxed for being in a dungeon?” Luxion asked. “I do wish you would be a bit more guarded.”

“No, thanks, way too exhausting. You know, it’s a good thing I was close with Queen Mylene. It would’ve been no laughing matter if they’d gone straight into torturing me after the arrest.”

“If that happened, I would have rescued you at once and sunk this entire continent. Or perhaps I would have wiped out all of humanity aside from those you’re close to—”

I held up a hand. “Stop. I’m not here for genocide.”

“How benevolent.”

I’d forgotten, but when we first met, Luxion had gone on and on about wanting to obliterate all of the new humans. Truthfully, he was probably more dangerous to this world than most things, but even he couldn’t beat the final boss. He wouldn’t lose to it, necessarily, but he couldn’t win. The key to victory was the Saint’s power, Livia’s power, and “love.”

You may be wondering what I was doing locked up in a cell, in that case. To explain, we’ll have to go back to the day when I was first arrested…

 

***

 

The day I was apprehended, the guards brought me to a room in the palace with two other people.

“Hi, Mister Gilbert. Look at me, I’m in cuffs.”

The two in front of me didn’t even crack a smile.

One of them was Angie’s older brother, the heir to House Redgrave, Gilbert Fou Redgrave. He wore a look of relief. “You’re not even shaken. Seems the nobles were right to consider you a threat. It takes grit to jest in these circumstances. I respect you for that.”

Grit? Nah. Knowing about it beforehand was what had helped me brace myself.

The other person in the room was Queen Mylene. “Leon, about our current situation… The leader of the most powerful faction at present, Marquess Frampton, has made his move.”

As the saying goes, The nail that sticks out gets hammered down. There were a lot of people that didn’t look too fondly on someone as young as me moving up in the world so rapidly. The principality was just capitalizing on their jealousy.

“The court isn’t a cohesive unit,” the queen continued. “There are many different factions, and they all move according to their own aims.”

Gilbert nodded. “Indeed. Prince Julius’s fall from power weakened my house’s faction. The power my father lost went to Marquess Frampton, and in a way, Leon, you were the one who caused this.”

“Me?”

“That’s not all,” the queen said. “You drove off the principality’s fleet with just one ship. That put a number of the peerage on edge. The marquess was wary of you, and the principality resented you for what you did. I see why they allied with each other.”

So in a way, I’d triggered my own downfall? Well, that’s what you call ironic.

“Leon,” Her Majesty said, “do you realize what this means? Some in the kingdom are more afraid of you than they are of the principality. Marquess Frampton in particular.”

“Huh?” I frowned.

Gilbert sighed in exasperation. “Think about it. You achieved complete victory over some dozen enemy ships. That means you possess at least that much power unto yourself. I know you have no intention of turning against us, but do you think they believe that? Even if they did, do they have any guarantee you wouldn’t eventually rebel?”

I supposed Marquess Frampton’s faction wasn’t wrong to feel that way, but that didn’t explain getting in bed with the principality.

“Fanoss may have lost to me, but don’t you think the marquess is underestimating them?” I asked.

“Some would think you naive for proposing such, but those who remember war understand the threat the principality poses. They may have held their tongues as yet, but they surely feel anxious.”

They know they’re wasting their time on me, then—go back to freaking out at Marie and your enemy goddamn state! I sighed. “So that’s why they decided to have me locked up, huh?”

“Please forgive me, but we’re going to go along with sending you straight to the dungeon. It’s safer this way.”

In other words, locking me up would make the marquess and his faction lower their guard, and my allies would make their moves to counter him. Since Redgrave House’s faction was on the decline, they faced an uphill battle. Queen Mylene wasn’t much better off.

“The circumstances are different now than they were a few months ago,” she said. “Leon, it wouldn’t have been surprising if they tried to assassinate you.”

A cold sweat beaded across my forehead. “The knights who captured me sure did seem gung ho, but I never thought it would go that far.”

“Their hostility was genuine,” said Gilbert. “I’m glad we were able to retrieve you before they carried you off.”

A chill ran down my spine. I’d been in more danger than I’d realized.

“The palace has taken custody of you,” the queen explained. “This is the most we can do right now. The opposing faction isn’t our only enemy. A number of other nobles also see you as a threat. Many of them want your Lost Item to take its power for themselves.” She said this carefully, as if she were a mother cautioning her child (which made me tremble in excitement, but we’ll leave that aside for now).

Gilbert’s voice was strained. “Regardless, things are going to get busy from here on out.”

Queen Mylene nodded. “We mustn’t let fear hang over the palace. If we don’t play our cards right, we may find ourselves in a civil war. And if Princess Hertrude is on the move, that means the principality will also be—and that’s a terrifying thought.”

No kidding. Marquess Frampton sure was a busy man. And I wouldn’t have even bothered with him if he’d left me alone.

There was the problem with Marie as well. For now, it was in my best interest to remain cautious and keep tabs on the situation. “The nobles have to know it’s no time to be quarreling with one another,” I said.

Queen Mylene frowned. “Unfortunately, Marquess Frampton thinks this the perfect opportunity—a chance to undermine Redgrave House permanently. I’m sure he’s willing to take some risks if it means succeeding in his power grab. You were his sacrifice to achieve that end.”

Wasn’t that kind of cruel, getting me involved in their power struggle?

For as exasperated as Gilbert was, he seemed to understand the marquess. “He wants authority, enough to turn traitor for it.”

“It’s sickening,” the queen said.

I had to ask about something else that had been weighing on me. “Do Angie and the others know I’m under your protection?”

Gilbert shook his head. “No. We can’t tell them either. Only a select few know. In fact, my sister went by herself to Princess Hertrude to protest the situation.”

“Is she all right?”

“They released her the moment I weighed in, so it’s fine. Are you worried about her?”

“Of course I am.” Angie was one of a few genuinely good women at the school. Plus, she was my friend. Why wouldn’t I worry?

“My, my, my…” Queen Mylene pressed a finger to her lips and grinned.

She’s getting the wrong idea, isn’t she? Honestly, Her Majesty was far too cute.

Gilbert smiled. “By the way, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Oh yeah? What now?”

 

***

 

And there you have it. By being locked up in this dungeon, I was acting as bait. The only people I had lured so far were Prince Julius and Miss Hertrude, but Gilbert looked into every person who came to see me.

“Can you believe all that?” I asked Luxion.

“I did notice some people seemed to be looking into you and your surroundings. I assume they were collecting information. Possibly they planned to assassinate you?”

“What? You noticed people like that? You gotta tell me these things!”

“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t allow it.”

No, seriously, you should’ve told me. Now I feel like an idiot for acting so carefree this whole time.

“At least say something to me next time it happens,” I said.

Luxion bobbed for a moment. “This kingdom sure is fragile.”

“Changing the subject, huh?” I shot him a glare. “But I agree.”

Miss Hertrude’s maneuvers also roused my curiosity. But surely the nobles hadn’t returned the Magic Flute to the principality, right?

“Miss Hertrude is definitely persistent. Or should I say Fanoss is? They’re taking advantage of the domestic conflict to destroy the kingdom to help it destroy itself. What happened to this being a lighthearted otome game? Isn’t this a bit too heavy?”

“Master, under ordinary circumstances, Holfort Kingdom’s twisted system would be infeasible.”

“Why not?”

“It seems designed to purposefully heighten the dissatisfaction of the regional lords. Under these conditions, rebellion would be nigh inevitable.”

I tilted my head. “Really? My house was so weighed down by debt that we didn’t have time to give that a second thought.”

“Master, please stop using your house as a standard for comparison.”

“Okay,” I said, “so what are you thinking?”

“Just as the principality has its own secret weapon, I suspect the kingdom has something up their sleeve as well.”

A trump card, in other words. “Yeah, I’m guessing it’s that thing…” I mumbled.

“If you know something, I would appreciate you consulting me about it.”

“Sorry. It’s just that without Livia, the thing shouldn’t be able to move. Anyway, what should our next plan be?”

“First, we can start by annihilating the new humans—”

“Be serious.”

“I was being entirely serious.”

I stared at him. “You know, sometimes you really terrify me. I meant, what should we do if things stay on their current trajectory? Who do you think is going to win this? Redgrave House or Frampton House?”

“The answer to that is obvious. It depends on what you feel like.”

 

***

 

Angie headed for her father’s estate in the capital as soon as she was free. When she found the duke waiting for her, she hastily explained what she knew of the situation with Hertrude.

“Revenge? How simpleminded.” He scoffed. “The kingdom certainly seems to suffer from an epidemic of traitors.”

“Father, please, Leon must be released. He’s done nothing wrong!”

Vince narrowed his eyes. “Don’t be a child, Angelica. Treachery is an everyday occurrence in the palace. And even if I used my authority to have him released, he would not have either that airship or his Armor.”

Angie blanched. “Are you saying he’s useless without his Lost Items? He’s worked so hard until now—for me.”

Vince snorted. “What of it? He wouldn’t have risen so far without those Lost Items. I recognize his determination. But without the power of those artifacts, what value does he have?”

Angie’s hands tightened into fists as she stared at the ground in frustration. “I owe him. Leon saved me!”

“And I repaid him. Now, return to the academy.”

“I can’t believe you…” Filled with anger, Angie turned on her heel and stormed out of her father’s office.

 

***

 

Vince watched his daughter leave and expelled a sigh. “Honestly, if only that girl could be more honest with herself.”

With his audacious little girl gone, he stood from his chair and Gilbert waltzed in.

“Father, I just saw Angie flying down the hall with a terrifying look on her face.”

“I’ll send someone to keep an eye on her, don’t worry. I hate keeping her out of the loop, but who knows what she’d do with the truth? That girl is too emotionally volatile. It would do her good to recognize how she feels once and for all.”

“You raised her to think of our house first and foremost. Of course she’s out of her comfort zone now. She still would be, even if you told her outright that she was free to love whomever she chooses. I think she would understand if you explained the circumstances to her, though.”

Vince chuckled. “It’s a delicate operation, Gilbert. We must let her take the helm in the matter, or we’ll be the ones fielding the trouble. And first, she must identify her feelings. Are they only friends? Or is there more?”

Gilbert nodded slowly. There would be no budging his father. “I’ve looked into those reaching out to the viscount.”

“It seems the marquess’s people have panicked with regard to their lack of progress on the Partner. Some of them have theorized the ship might recognize a new master if they kill the current one. They have appealed directly to His Majesty to have Leon executed.”

Vince folded his arms. “Terrified of the viscount, are they? Well, I can’t blame them. He did manage to drive off the principality by himself. Of course they would panic at the thought he might ever turn that power on them.”

“The temple is kicking up a fuss, too,” said Gilbert. “We have a real power struggle on our hands. If this keeps up, civil war may split the kingdom.”

“That only means the inevitable will come to pass,” Vince murmured. “We are responsible for this discontent. It was always going to build and eventually explode. I have made a number of enemies.”

The only question was whether they could still overcome the opposing faction, given the power the marquess had acquired.

“You have made a foolish mistake, Malcom…” Vince raised his head and grinned at his son. “Angie certainly is a superb judge of character, isn’t she?”

Gilbert pursed his lips. Without Angie, Redgrave House would also have been forced to remain on their guard with Leon. Annulling her engagement to Julius had been a serious blow to their family, but now she had brought Leon to their side instead.

“In a way, it was pretty lucky,” said Gilbert. “It’s a good thing we didn’t act rashly and switch our support to the second prince.”

“Indeed. Now, return to our territory and prepare for battle. I’ll stay and manage the situation here.”

Gilbert nodded and hastened out the door.

Vince, meanwhile, made his way for the palace.

 

***

 

Panic grew outside the palace as well.

A kingdom warship hovered above the academy. Some knights surveilled the grounds from their Armors, while other knights and soldiers stood guard across campus. The heavy security thickened the air. All the students felt it. Like a prelude to war.

The moment Angie stepped through the gates, she spotted Livia. Livia hurried over to her, and the two grasped each other by the arms.

“Angie! They…they arrested Leon!”

Angie had to hold back her tears. They were surrounded by students out here, and the crowd pressed in. “I know,” she said. “Let’s go inside.”

Angie took Livia by the hand and pulled her toward the girls’ dormitory.

Livia looked terribly anxious, and with good reason. “After they dragged Leon away, Clarice, Deirdre, Leon’s friends—they all left. What in the world is going on?”

“War,” said Angie.

“War?!”

“Quiet. Someone might hear you.”

Once they safely slipped inside Livia’s room, Angie’s shoulders sagged, and she collapsed to her knees. It was only with Livia’s support that she managed to make it to the bed.

“Someone here harbors a connection to the principality,” Angie continued. “They had Leon arrested and thrown into the palace dungeon. The nobility has taken the Partner and Arroganz as well.”

Livia gaped. “Th-that can’t be! Leon hasn’t done anything wrong!”

“Doesn’t matter. He’s a hindrance as far as they’re concerned.” Angie hung her head. “If only I had more power… I could have protected him.”

Livia’s face lit up. “Her Majesty! If we ask Queen Mylene—”

Angie shook her head. Mylene had certainly already done everything she could. “She’s helping us as much as she can, but if Leon is still being held, we must assume someone is obstructing her. Or…she might have already lost standing from trying, and still achieved nothing.”

A swift and sudden move like this meant only one thing to Angie. Her visit to her father had confirmed her suspicions. She did like the answer, but that didn’t matter.

“Livia, we are about to see a fight, and it will begin in the palace. If the matter escalates, we may well find ourselves in a civil war.”

Livia jumped in surprise. “Huh? Wh-why?!”

“Everyone is on high alert. My father and brother are on the move, too. War has all but begun. The only saving grace is blood has yet to be spilled in the royal hall.” Angie suspected the airship above the school was a precautionary measure in case the worst came to pass.

In that case, could it be Father or Queen Mylene who sent that ship here?

Her father had told her to return to the academy, so it was logical to assume he deemed it safe.

Livia fidgeted anxiously. “What’s going to happen to Leon?”

Angie considered lying to alleviate her friend’s fears, but she paused. Livia had fought so hard not to be protected but to be treated with dignity and agency. So, she elected to tell the truth. “I’m sorry. Redgrave House has decided to cut him off. Father believes that without his Lost Items, Leon is worthless. Given Queen Mylene’s lack of influence thus far… Worst-case scenario, they may execute him.”

Livia’s gaze fell. Trembling, she lifted herself off the bed and made for the door.

Angie caught her by the arm. “Where are you going?”

“Angie, I’m sorry. I want to save him. I’ll do anything—I don’t care what it takes.”

“You…”

Tears streamed down Livia’s face as she reached for the door.

Angie realized abruptly what her friend was thinking. “Wait. I’ll go with you.”

And so the two of them left together, to rely on the only person who stood any chance of saving Leon.

 

***

 

After Marie was named the Saint, the academy bestowed on her a special room, the largest one in the girls’ dormitory. It was fit for a daughter of high nobility, like Angie.

Marie relaxed there on a sofa, her arms crossed over her chest. She gazed at the two girls standing in front of her, thrilled by how deliciously the tables had turned.

“You’re asking me to save that background character? Why should I help him?”

Marie’s followers snickered.

Undaunted, Angie repeated their request. “We thought, as the Saint, you would be capable of helping him. Please. We ask that you save Leon.”

Livia bowed her head low. “Please! Rescue Leon!”

Marie grinned triumphantly and took a sip of her drink. I was over the moon when I heard they arrested that stupid background character, but I never dreamed these two would come begging me for help. This feels incredible!

Yes, of all people they decided to rely on, it had to be Marie—the Saint.

Even so, I’m under no obligation to help that guy out. I wouldn’t even know where to begin.

Marie hadn’t been the Saint for long; she didn’t yet grasp the inner workings of the temple or how to manipulate it. But she wasn’t going to let this chance slip by. She locked her gaze on the two girls. “Do you remember all the awful things you said to me before?”

Angie stuttered, “Pl-please forgive me for that. I was shortsighted.”

“You got that right! And hey, you over there—dingbat.”

“Y-yes!”

Marie was going to die from pleasure. “Don’t you think there’s a politer way to go about making this kind of request?”

“Politer way? Uh, um…” Livia’s face twisted in confusion.

“I want you two to prostrate yourself before me in public. If you can do that, I’ll consider saving your beloved background character.”

Even as Marie said this, she knew there was no way they would accept these conditions.

Angelica has too much pride. Olivia might do it, but it’s both of them or nothing! Which is fine by me. God, can you believe what a creep I’d look like if they did?

 

***

 

Marie instantly regretted ever opening her big mouth.

She stood in the academy’s outer plaza. Angie and Livia crouched on the ground before her.

You have got to be kidding me. Cold sweat beaded on Marie’s face.

People crowded around them, forming a circle with Marie and her followers in the middle.

“Look, Lady Marie. They look absolutely pathetic.”

“I can’t believe a duke’s daughter is bowing her head beside a commoner. They’re even pressing their foreheads to the ground.”

“How unsightly.”

The other students laughed.

Beside Marie, Kyle was utterly exasperated. “Are you sure this was a good idea? Even I find it off-putting.”

The game’s protagonist and villainess—Livia and Angie—kowtowed before Marie. Marie had told them to do it, yes, but she had never dreamed they’d actually take her seriously! Sweat poured down her back. She had a habit of getting carried away, but even she couldn’t laugh at this.

Hold on! Seriously, wait a minute! I can’t even do what you’re asking me to do—that’s the only reason I demanded this! There’s no way I’m going to be able to actually save that stupid background character!

Angie and Livia had held up their end of the bargain by humiliating themselves in public, but Marie didn’t have the first idea how to keep her end.

Laughter roared and echoed. The entire student body delighted to see this unfold.

“I almost want to cry. I can’t believe I was one of that girl’s followers. So much for noble pride.”

“She’s doing it for a guy, you know. What does she find so great about Bartfort anyway?”

Angie’s former followers whispered amongst themselves. It set a dreadful precedent for someone of her status to bow before a lesser noble. That was precisely why Marie had thought Angie would refuse.

Now Marie’s followers were getting riled.

“Come on, you need to properly beg for it!” one of them crowed.

Angie kept her head bowed as she pleaded. “I ask that you save Leon’s life.”

That just fired them up even more.

“That’s not right,” one simpered mockingly. “There’s a better way to ask, isn’t there? As a duke’s daughter, you should know better. You need to humble yourself more if you’re going to beg for a favor.”

Angie clenched her teeth. “Please save Leon’s life, L-Lady Marie!”

Marie was speechless. The kowtowing had been one thing, but the manner of address—that was a serious breach of etiquette, wasn’t it?

“Commoner, you, too!”

“Please save Leon’s life, Lady Marie!”

“You’re both so pathetic when you don’t have Bartfort to save you. You two just hide behind his back and let him protect you.”

Every student, those who were Marie’s entourage and those who weren’t, cackled.

What the heck? These people are terrifying! They’re using this as an excuse to vent, aren’t they? I seriously can’t believe them.

It was, at least, easier for Marie to ignore her part in instigating this situation if she could instead be disgusted at everyone else’s behavior.

And then…

“Lady Marie, this would make a convenient footrest for you.” One of Marie’s followers pointed to the back of Angie’s head.

“What?!”

Her other lackeys joined in.

“Oh, in that case, it would be better for her to use the duke’s daughter as a chair and the commoner as a footrest.”

“Don’t you feel honored, being able to serve as the Saint’s chair, Angelica?”

“Hurry up and answer!”

One of the girls tried to kick the back of Angie’s head, and Marie wanted to scream.

What are you morons doing right now?! Are you trying to give me a one-way ticket to a bad end? If that background character learns what I’ve done, he’ll get his revenge—from all of us! H-he’ll roast me alive! Marie could, with crystal clarity, picture Leon with his rifle in hand and a poker face. Her legs wouldn’t stop trembling. Th-that’s right. He’s got a cheat item, doesn’t he? If he got seriously angry…

Just then, help arrived. Julius pushed through the crowd and put out a hand to stop Marie’s followers. “We see how determined they are by now, don’t we? Marie, I don’t see any point in letting this continue.”

“Agreed,” said Brad, coming with him. “That was quite the display. We gotta show ’em we’re just as sincere.”

Jilk nodded. “We’ll let bygones be bygones. Marie, let’s forgive them for what they did.”

The three of them certainly could act full of themselves.

Then Chris joined in. “If we allow them to embarrass themselves any further, it would only stain Marie’s reputation.”

Greg smacked his fist against his palm and grinned at Marie. “They showed some guts. Now it’s time for us to rescue Bartfort.”

This world had no culture of kowtowing to people. As far as they were concerned, this was just an unusual display and more than enough to warrant forgiving the girls.

Leon, on the other hand, knew exactly what it meant, since he had also reincarnated from Japan. If he heard about what had happened here…

Marie quivered with fear. Oh, crap. If I actually tell them I can’t really save him, my life will be over. Wait. Why doesn’t he just save himself? No, seriously. Is he an idiot?

Then she had an idea. Turning to her five love interests, she asked as sweetly and hopefully as she could: “Do you mind if I entrust this to you all?”

The five of them turned to her, grinning—and nodded.

At least she had saved herself for now. Marie spun on her heel and left the two girls kneeling on the ground behind, her lackeys trailing after her.

“You’re so generous, Lady Marie.”

“If it were me, I would have trampled them.”

“Oh? If it were me, I would have had them stripped naked and then made them apologize.”

Disgusting.

Let’s not think about it for now. Ugh, this seriously isn’t funny. These guys have no idea what they’ve done. What’s wrong with them? This is way different than I pictured.

While the other girls continued to chatter and laugh, Carla lagged behind, utterly quiet.

 

***

 

Other students lingered to laugh coldly at Angie and Livia as the two stood.

“I can’t believe you went that far.”

“Redgrave House sure is on the decline. Does she even realize how shameful she’s being?”

“Such a crude girl—consorting with commoners like that.”

The group continued to sneer as they dispersed.

“I would have been fine doing it by myself,” said Livia. “Why did you join me? I mean, your house’s position is at stake.”

Angie smiled sadly. “I thought it the best course of action. I believe I feel guilty—I’ve done my father a disservice. But…I want to save Leon. I really am an idiot.” She gave a strangled laugh and tears welled in her eyes. Yet something about her expression seemed strangely relieved. “I expect he will disown me for this dishonor. I knew it would happen, but—it doesn’t matter.”

Livia could only think of how, not long ago, Angie had been engaged to Julius. Now Angie had lowered her head to the person responsible for the annulment of that engagement and for everything that had followed. It must have been so terribly hard.

So this is how strong her feelings are for…

Livia’s heart seized. She couldn’t imagine she compared.

 

***

 

An artificial island floated over the Principality of Fanoss, one that was the flagship of a fleet of more than one hundred fifty airships and a horde of monsters. Together, they blotted out the sky.

Holfort Kingdom had seized Hertrude’s Magic Flute, but they were fools to think it the only one. The principality owned another, and the person who wielded it was the fourteen-year-old second princess, Hertrauda. Her appearance greatly resembled her older sister’s, from her facial features to her silky black hair. Where they differed most was in their skill with the Magic Flute; Hertrauda’s power far surpassed her older sister’s, and she commanded an even greater horde of monsters.

Ideally, Hertrude’s vanguard would have wiped out the kingdom, but Leon had single-handedly quashed their plans, leaving the principality in an uproar. Though they hadn’t planned to send Hertrauda out so soon, Leon had forced their hand.

“The Fiendish Knight won’t even stand against us, will he?” Hertrauda asked.

“Correct,” one of her retainers replied. “The kingdom’s nobles have secured his Lost Items, both the airship and Armor. They are a foolish lot.”

“Princess, the preparations are finished,” a knight reported.

The young girl nodded. The principality was staking its future on this war. “We launch our invasion now. Stand tall, everyone! We make for Holfort Kingdom’s capital. Ignore the mice who dare get underfoot—they are inconsequential. Now, move out!”