If I could turn back time, how the hell would I act?
Would I have secretly helped Libya and
If that were the case, the situation in the
A society that still puts women above men would keep going, and I’d surely have struggled.
Thinking that, maybe my current state isn’t so bad after all?
The royal family is trying to use me to rebuild their shaky regime.
Seeing the royal family as a source of frustration, the Redgrave dukes are plotting a coup to rebuild the kingdom.
The nobles are also dissatisfied and don’t want to obey the current royals.
Those who’d been enjoying privileges are now bitter, having been cut off, and they hate the kingdom.
—It’s exactly like playing with fire in a powder keg.
«Man, we’re totally screwed!»
‘When it’s this cleanly screwed, it’s refreshing, huh?’ Why does everyone keep leaning on me in this mess?
«And again, do I have no choice but to get involved? This feels like a punishment game.»
My head starts hurting.
‘Then just order the extermination of the New Humans right now—’ «Denied. You’re being persistent, you know that.»
‘Think of it as an instinct etched into the program.’ «Ugh, what a nasty instinct.»
What does an AI even have an instinct for, anyway?
I’m trying to figure out future plans with
«Anyone, just govern without spilling blood. Honestly, even Mr. Vins would work, you know?»
Then Luxion predicts a future nobody wants to hear.
‘In that case, the Redgrave house will probably eliminate the current royals to appease the lords’ grievances. In a public execution, I bet Mireille will keep spitting curses at the Master.’ «What a nasty future.»
‘Erika won’t be an exception either.’ «I can’t side with the dukes.»
Executing Erika? Never happening.
Mireille cursing him? No way I’d want that either.
‘If they don’t go that far, things won’t settle. It’s less a kingdom than a forest of ladies who tormented the Master. They’ve earned too much resentment.’ It’s understandable that the lords can’t stand a kingdom that just lets that happen.
«So, what now?»
‘What the Master wants for this country is the key. If it’s a hassle, maybe just sink it.’ «I told you I don’t want that!»
‘Even if the Master sides with the royals, discontent will linger. The spark of rebellion will keep smoldering and eventually burn the continent.’ What a hassle they’ve caused!
I want to grill the old kingdom’s officials about the past.
«I’d love to beat up the people who decided to favor women.»
‘But back then, it was the local lords who forced the kingdom into those decisions.’ The Fanous Duchy—no, the Fanous ducal family—used to be tormented by the local lords. Their grievances were huge, I hear.
If the old officials heard about the current state, would they just roll on the floor laughing? Or think we went too far?
‘Actually, the lords are already gearing up to attack the kingdom. Maybe suppressing them wasn’t such a mistake after all.’ From the kingdom’s viewpoint, maybe.
From us, the suppressed, it’s intolerable.
«What do you think would happen if someone else took over the kingdom?»
‘The local lords would probably get a surge of power and run amok again. The Redgrave house might think of using the Master’s power—my power—to keep them in check.’ No matter how I look at it, I’ll end up being overused in the future.
«Why isn’t this otome game world a fluffy, sweet place?»
Couldn’t it just be a world where I worry about romance?
Why is it so absurd?
‘The Master’s world is a harsh one, huh?’ «So, any countermeasures?»
‘It depends on the Master.’ «Give me at least an idea.»
‘You want a plan before we even have a policy? That’s pointless. My optimal solution is: after destroying the palace, secure the royal family’s members, then let the Master dominate the continent. That’s the best route.’ —I don’t want to govern a continent.
Kings are a hassle no matter how you look at it.
«What about
‘No go.’ They’re basically symbols of the cursed old regime. If we’re building a new nation, they’re out of the question.
Besides, Julius, obsessed with skewers, would be terrible at statecraft. He’d probably start protecting a skewer shop.
«Why am I struggling so much?»
‘The timing was off. It’s not just you who’s having a hard time, Master.’ «Right…»
As I was about to decide the next policy, Luxion cut in.
‘Master, it’s time to go out.’ «Already that time?»
Today’s the day we meet up with the same group of friends.
I’m a marquis now, but I belong to a poor baron family’s circle.
I grab the stack of documents on the desk.
«Alright, let’s roll.»
◇ It was a crowded izakaya.
We’d booked the whole place for the boys from the academy.
Specifically, the poor baron families living on the remote islands.
Now that I’m a third‑year, I’m the leader of that ragtag group.
«So, it’s been about a month since we enrolled. You guys getting used to academy life yet?»
When we first started, the underclassmen were cute newbies who didn’t know a thing.
Now they act a bit cocky, as if they know the academy’s inner workings.
«Today we’ve got a modest celebration. Have fun.»
We clink glasses, and the seniors and juniors start chatting.
«Man, the girls keep hitting on us—especially the third‑year seniors, they’re so kind—»
Seeing the happy first‑years, the third‑year seniors give a warning.
«Listen up, never get fooled. If you make a move, you’ll have a responsibility problem. Don’t rush. Always check the other person’s situation first.»
«Uh, well, but—»
«Idiot! They act all proper now, but third‑year girls are the worst when they’re at their peak! They’re still proper now, but not long ago they were terrible!»
It was terrible, for sure.
They’d parade around with lovers and personal servants, treating men like servants.
They expected total devotion. It was a rough era for guys.
Daniel was teaching the juniors the reality.
«Some girls have changed, but many just put on a front. Watch out. Lots of guys end up married and thinking, ‘It wasn’t supposed to be like this.’»
Raymond echoed the warning.
«After engagements or marriage, many girls flip their attitude. Supposedly they all divorce quickly.»
Alumni are even worse. This is a chance for a divorce festival. What a nasty festival.
I heard even Lukur senior got divorced.
Women were rethinking marriage conditions, but the men hit their limit of tolerance.
I don’t have to cling to my current spouse.
If Daniel and Raymond’s stories are true, there are plenty of marriageable women. If men are scarce, you know who’ll be desperate.
Roles have flipped.
But that doesn’t mean everyone gets it.
People keep saying «That doesn’t exist in modern times,» like drunk driving.
Even though enforcement is stricter, some still think they’re invincible.
Seeing the seniors’ earnest words, the juniors wear serious faces, and I slap my hands together.
«Alright, can I speak now? Actually, my family runs factories that make airships and armor. I’ve got some sweet deals for you.»
The third‑years’ faces turned awkward.
The juniors, on the other hand, lit up.
They bombarded me with questions.
«Hey, is it true we can get an airship for free?»
«No purchase cost.»
«What about the armor? I heard it’s the latest model—true?»
«Yeah, ours is the newest. Performance guaranteed. —What do you think, everyone?»
Daniel, holding his face with one hand, nodded.
«Performance’s solid.»
Raymond took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes.
«
I pulled out the contract I’d prepared.
«Happiness is something you share, right? Airships are a big deal for rural lords. If you act now, we’ll even buy old airships at a high price.»
The juniors listened, excited.
«My family’s new airship is finally arriving!»
«A marquis is something else.»
«Marquis is awesome! Hug me!»
Haha—last one’s a joke, right? Just drunk and red‑cheeked.
Some juniors were skeptical, but I’d expected that.
I held up the contract and explained.
«It’s not a shady deal. I just want you to use our factory for future maintenance. Plus, if a lot of people use it, it’s good publicity.»
I explained politely, and their eyes lit up.
The third‑years looked melancholy.
I get why they want airships, and I can’t just shut them down.
We’d all profit.
Raymond said to me, «Leon, you’re still as low as ever.»
«What? I’m a wonderful guy who cares about friends.»
Daniel pointed at me.
«A ‘friend‑caring’ guy doesn’t threaten anyone!»
«Threaten? Don’t misunderstand. I just made sure the contract’s kept. I’m not at fault. Let’s stay buddies.»
Seeing me grin, the third‑years wanted to say something but stayed quiet.
Well, I didn’t just use them, after all.
«Senior, I’ll sign!»
«Me too!»
«Then, me too!»
One by one, the juniors signed the contract.
«Don’t be so hasty. And make sure you contact my family. If you need help using it, ask the seniors.»
Daniel and Raymond wiped tears from their sleeves as they watched the juniors.
«Damn—can’t stop this.»
«Sorry. Forgive me. Being with Leon has its perks, after all.»
I laughed.
«Everyone, let’s stay friends forever.»
◇ At another izakaya, Finn was waiting.
When I brought up the contract talk, he slumped over the table.
«That’s a free contract, right?»
«Oh, you knew already?»
«Of course!»
The base price is zero, but we’ll recoup the cost elsewhere.
«It’s not a bad deal. No intention to scam.»
«Why are you recruiting so many allies?»
Finn asked, so I answered.
«Just in case something comes up. And maybe out of sympathy—being a poor baron family on a remote island is rough.»
Finn, recalling my story, took a sip and double‑checked.
«Is this the one where you were almost forced to marry a 50‑year‑old woman?»
«It’s true.»
«Yeah, that’s harsh.»
«What about the Empire?»
Finn thought a moment.
«It’s not that there’s none, but noble marriages are mostly political. The reverse happens too, just less often.»
A man in his fifties marrying a teen girl—heard that in a past life, not shocking. Looking back, that otome game feels like a gender‑flipped galgame.
Maybe that’s why
Just swapping genders makes it a pretty nasty setup—well, maybe a bit different.
It could’ve been nasty from the start.
«Hey, how about we hit a hot spring? Mia’s interested in the one Marie mentioned. She’s into post‑bath milk, apparently.»
«Again, super specific.»
«I can get coffee milk, but a hot spring’s a bit tricky.»
Hot springs are rare when the land itself floats. My floating island uses heated stones to make a hot spring—thanks to Luxion.
«That island’s now under the palace’s jurisdiction. You could go, but there’s basically nothing there.»
«I want to grant Mia’s wish as much as possible. Can you help?»
«I’ll check, but you’re being overprotective.»
Finn smiled sadly.
«In a past life I wanted a sister but couldn’t, so this is my atonement.»
«—I don’t think it’s a sin.»
«You’re doing the same stuff to Erika‑chan, huh?»
«Don’t compare. I’m just repaying a favor.»
«Did you even realize you’re ‘paying’? The fiancées will be mad. Also, why are the protagonist and the villainess paired?»
«I said I liked both, so we dated.»
«No way. That line’s not even yours. And there’s a third person, too.»
«No, Noel—she has status and ability.»
«You don’t like her?»
When Finn says that, I’m at a loss.
«I told her I liked the third one the most.»
«You’re the worst.»
Seeing Finn’s disgust, I started telling how hard I’d been.
«Hold up. If you only hear the result, you’ll think that way, but hear the process and you’ll understand. First, Julius—he was the problem.»
All the trouble stems from Marie and Julius and the rest.
It wasn’t my fault; they just stirred things up.
What an absurd world.