"--Farewell?"
"Yes. It seems that I, too, can close this gate."
The door to the land of the dead can only be closed from the inside.
It's a common trope in fiction.
The price required to bring back a single soul is--another's soul.
Despite this otome game world's fluffy outward appearance, it actually has a murky side, and this setup fits it perfectly.
I had a bad feeling about it from the start.
The magic
That's why I couldn't go back together with those three.
Marie surely kept quiet about it.
Because I had to close the gate from the inside.
"There's no need. There's no reason for you to die along with me. Get back already. That's an order."
"Unfortunately, Master has no authority to give orders. I will refuse."
"--Go back."
"I decline."
No matter how many times I repeated myself,
"You stubborn fool! Besides, you've only been out in the world for three years. Three years! I got fed up with life after forty years, but you, who spent ages in standby waiting to be found by me, should enjoy the outside world more! There must be something you want to do, right?"
The current him probably wouldn't go around exterminating the
Surely he'd handle things peacefully--would he? Should I just pick the next master right here? No, I can't give orders now, so should I ask him?
Well, Luxion was the one who should have survived, not me.
Considering what lies ahead, that's the right choice.
Luxion didn't--throw any sarcasm at me.
"Thank you very much."
"Huh?! Are you broken?"
"No, I was simply pleased that Master was being considerate of me."
His tone was different than usual.
While I was confused, Luxion spoke his true feelings.
"At first, I intended to use you, Master."
"I figured. See, you're free now. Go back and do as you please."
If he went back now, Luxion would devote himself to the kingdom for the sake of reviving
Or rather, he'd serve Angie and Livia, maybe?
Either way, he was sure to accomplish more than I ever could.
"However, these three years following such a long standby period were irreplaceable time for me. They gave meaning to all the long ages I had endured."
"Then--!"
"--If Master is not by my side, all the time ahead is meaningless to me."
"Weren't you the one who hated being worked to the bone by me?"
"I did not dislike it. I am the migration ship Luxion. I was created for the sake of humanity, and I was finally able to be useful. It was Master who gave me purpose. And it was also Master who made me able to feel pride."
He must be glad that instead of carelessly exterminating the New Humanity, he was able to contribute to reviving Old Humanity.
"All of that is your achievement. You can be proud, so go back."
"It is lonely without someone to be proud before. Besides, I made a promise back then. 'I will surely come to fetch you.' I wish to fulfill that promise."
"Are you stupid? That promise doesn't count--you made it while half-conscious on your deathbed."
"I am a man of my word, so I make it a point to keep my promises. Master, I have come to fetch you. The exit is that way."
Luxion clearly had no intention of yielding.
"Then how about you and I both stay here? I leaned too hard on your power. Besides, the kingdom needs to learn to stand on its own a bit, too."
When I said that, Luxion's voice grew sad.
"Master, you are loved by far more people than you realize."
"Where? You mean hated, surely."
Then I heard a voice.
It wasn't Luxion--it was the voice of the friend I had killed.
"Go back, will you?"
When I turned around, there stood Fin.
"Fin? Y-you--"
When I approached, he scratched his hair with an apologetic look.
Embarrassed, yet somehow glad--with a complicated expression, Fin offered an apology.
"Listen--sorry about Mia causing you trouble. I didn't think she'd go that far. I'm grateful you stopped her. I'm really sorry."
Brave was near Fin, too.
"Mia loves her partner, you know! And I love her too! Anyway, let me thank you as well."
"Kurosuke, this isn't the time for that.
"--Fin."
Fin bowed deeply to me.
Then I noticed a crowd of people gathered around us.
--People I had killed.
The old Black Knight stood with his arms crossed behind a little girl, glaring at me.
The little girl looked somehow similar to
"If the hero dies, Big Sister will grieve too. You're soft, so I'd like you to make accommodations for the principality--no, for the
Hertrauda--Hertrude-san's little sister?
"N-no, I--"
The old Black Knight came up in front of me.
Then, with tremendous force--he plopped down cross-legged on the ground and bowed his head.
"H-hey! Why are you bowing all of a sudden?!"
"This is all I can do now. And--since I cannot protect Lady Hertrude any longer, I have no choice but to rely on you. Please--live."
"You should hate me, of all people. Why--"
"I did hate you. But--once you know everything, your thoughts change."
For Hertrude-san's sake, the dead of the former principality were bowing their heads to me.
Behind the old Black Knight, a young woman and children were watching me.--The Black Knight's family, perhaps?
Among them, there was also the figure of someone from the republic--Albergue-san.
He was smiling at me.
"My sons have been in your care again."
"No, this time I was the one being saved."
"That's not so. You fought for far more people than you realize. You may not have intended to, but you accomplished something great. Coming here, I finally understand. You truly are a hero."
"Something great? No, more importantly, I'm not a hero."
Hertrauda-san pushed at my back.
"Come on, hurry back. You still have things you must do."
"There's nothing left! I've worked my butt off! Hey, Luxion!"
When I looked at Luxion, he was watching me with apparent amusement.
"I want Master to live, so I absolutely will not save you. This is the result of your daily conduct. Karma--what a wonderful word, Master."
"You--!"
When I resisted, even the old Black Knight and Fin tried to push me out through the gate.
To resist those two, I dug my feet into the ground and tried to push back--but it was no use.
Inch by inch, I was being shoved toward the other side of the gate.
"You're dead people, so behave yourselves!"
The old Black Knight was furious, his face bright red.
"Shut up, hold your tongue! To begin with, you're the one at fault for wanting to die when you have a fiancee! I finally got to meet my family and apologize, and yet you--!"
Fin was angry at me too.
"It'd be a problem if you died! Come over to this side slowly, later. When you do, I'll prostrate myself before you."
"That doesn't make me happy! You come back to life!"
"No, my body's already gone."
"Impossible."
I had nothing to say to Fin's and Brave's responses.
Hertrauda-san tried to entrust a message to me.
"If you meet Big Sister, will you tell her this for me?--'I don't hate you. I just want you to be happy.'"
"Hey, I didn't say I'd take any messages!"
Albergue-san also started pushing me toward the gate.
"In that case, let me ask you to give Serge a message too. 'This time, face your own life properly.'"
The people I had killed were making requests of me too.
"Please. I'm worried about my wife and child."
"I have an aging mother back home."
"Please. You're our only hope."
Why are they asking such things of me?
I'm not the kind of person you all think I am.
I'm petty--ordinary--a mob--the kind of person who can't be the protagonist of a story.
I was only able to do various things because I had Luxion--otherwise, I'd have died somewhere along the way.
While I was confused, Fin brought his face close.
"I want you to give Mia a message too. 'I'm sorry for breaking my promise.' And if you can, add that I hope she won't bear a grudge against anyone. We had our reasons for fighting you guys. We were the ones who started the war."
They're really saying whatever they like.
Tell her yourselves!--I get that it's frustrating you can't, but please don't dump it on me. I'm already carrying too many burdens, it hurts.
"You're telling me to carry it? Why does it always have to be me carrying these burdens?!"
"--Sorry about that. But you know, Leon. You're the kind of guy who could even save the empire."
I resisted, but pushed by the crowd, I ended up near the gate.
I was powerless against sheer numbers.
"Every last one of you, relying on me! I'm not that great a man--"
When I noticed, there were people from the kingdom too, among the gathered crowd.
I saw the faces of people who had fought alongside me and died in battle.
Truly, a great many people were gathered around me.
"Lord Leon--in life, I despised you."
When I went quiet, what looked like an elderly soldier showed a smile.
"You were young, said whatever you wanted, and built up your achievements. I envied you. I followed you to the battlefield and died, and even then, I was angry. But you see--"
The people around the soldier joined the conversation.
"If we hadn't fought back then, we couldn't have protected our families."
"Because of you, we were able to avoid regrets."
"And please--keep saving many more lives in the future."
What are these guys saying?
Wouldn't a world that needs the likes of me to protect it be better off destroyed?
Besides, the reason I went into battle in the first place--was to clean up after Marie's overreach.
Other than that, I helped because I couldn't stand watching the kingdom flounder.
What do they expect from a man like that?
"I'm not the kind of person you think I am! I'm shameless, petty--what do you expect a guy like me to do?!"
When I yelled, the gathered crowd parted to let through a single old woman.
I had met her in the elven village.
If I recall--she was the old woman who did fortune-telling.
As she walked toward me, she mumbled in her hoarse voice.
I couldn't tell what she was saying.
Luxion whispered to the old woman.
"He cannot hear you."
Then, instead of a hoarse voice, the old woman gave a clear, beautiful voice.
"My apologies."
And then the old woman's bent back straightened, her wrinkled face regained its luster, and her white hair turned to gold.
It was an astonishing sight to behold.
Her chest swelled up, becoming positively bursting.
When I covered my mouth with my hand, the people around me were watching and laughing.
Hertrauda-san spoke as she looked at me.
"P-please show restraint in front of Big Sister."
--Remembering Hertrude-san's chest, even her little sister Hertrauda-san beat her on that front.
Maybe she's self-conscious about it herself.
And the rejuvenated old woman--no, she wasn't anymore.
The elven village elder, who had been a fortune-teller, winked at me.
Hey, isn't she insanely gorgeous?
I really understand now just how cruel the flow of time can be.
"It has been a while, Hero."
"A-ah, yeah. More importantly, you--"
"Yes. I 'returned' here recently."
"Returned?"
"More to the point, you seem unaware of what you have accomplished. You saved a perishing world and wove a new possibility."
I don't get it.
I'd like her to explain more simply, if possible.
"A perishing world?"
"You may remain unaware for now. You volunteered of your own will and saved the world. The path has been hard, hasn't it? Truly, well done.--And from here on, too, you shall save the world."
The elven elder clasped her hands in a prayerful gesture, and she was so much my type that it was unsettling.
Wrapped in tribal garb, with a perfectly proportioned hourglass figure!
"Oh, it's nothing really.--Hm? Wait, didn't you just slip in something extra?"
The elder showed a smile in front of me.
"Hero--you have already saved the world many times over. One example is this Luxion here--the Steel Demon King."
Startled, I turned to look at Luxion, and despite that spherical body, he was puffing himself up with pride.
"Are you surprised?"
"No, not at all. After all, if I hadn't come, you'd have flown out and--ah!"
That's right, this guy--when I recovered him, he was saying things like, 'I'll ignore my standby orders and wipe out the New Humanity!' Holding him back might actually have been a fine play on my part?
"If I had not met Master, I would surely have destroyed even the descendants of Old Humanity. I was about to erase the very meaning of my existence. Meeting Master was truly fortunate."
"--You, you were seriously going to destroy them? Not joking or anything?"
"Of course."
I thought all over again just how scary this guy is.
If I protected the world from a Luxion like that, can't I be off the hook already?
The elder kept going on about my achievements.
"There are others. This may be the achievement of Saint Marie, but you saved two women from misery. Those two are women who might have destroyed the world. Then there's the war with the principality. If the kingdom had lost that battle, the empire would have easily wiped out the republic, and a world of only New Humanity would have been born. As a result, everything would have been destroyed. The same in the republic. Thanks to stopping the rampage of the
"No, that's enough! Listen, I didn't stop any of that consciously! I stopped it because I didn't want it! I'm no hero."
Being called a hero made me a little happy, and I was on the verge of letting it go to my head.
I understand that I'm an ordinary person--a mob in story terms.
Someone like me can't be a hero.
--Besides, I made mistakes in my choices and caused unnecessary casualties, didn't I?
Bring me the real hero.
"--The real one is much more amazing. Strong, kind--the complete opposite of me."
If he can save everyone, I'd even lick his shoes.--Actually, I'll stop at being his bag carrier. Licking shoes is too much, honestly.
The elder struck a pose suggesting she was troubled, but even that looked alluring.
"Hmm, this is troubling. Well then--shall we all just force him back out?"
Everyone hoisted me up and tried to throw me straight to the other side of the gate.
"S-stop it! Hey, Luxion, help me!"
"I decline. Please, do your utmost to be happy. Master's happiness is my wish."
This guy really pisses me off!--Saying it like that now is unfair.
"You're really a piece of work! When I die of old age and come back, I'm gonna deck you one, so be ready! Wait for me! You absolutely better wait! I'm definitely coming back to punch you!"
Hearing my words, Luxion seemed to let a drop of liquid spill from his red single eye.
"Yes. Very well. Until Master passes away from old age, I shall wait here. As I thought, waiting suits me better than going to fetch. After all, I won't have to wait even a hundred years. It's an easy task."
As I was thrown through the gate, I reached out a hand toward Luxion--.
"I'll definitely come to fetch you! You absolutely better wait! Until I come for you--really, thank you for everything up til now--"
--I couldn't finish my words.
◇ The gate that swallowed Leon was slowly closed by Luxion.
Watching the gate, Luxion moved to its side and quietly began to wait for Leon to come.
Fin and Brave drew near.
"You're really loyal, huh."
To Fin's words, Luxion answered honestly.
"Yes. After all, my master is one person alone--Leon Fou Bartfort. I shall wait however long it takes."
Luxion turned his single eye to the gate.
(Master, take your time, but please be sure to come fetch me. I shall wait for you, however long it takes.)
Until the time when they meet again, Luxion will keep waiting for Leon.
◇ --When I woke up, I was inside a capsule filled with liquid.
Even though I was in the liquid, I wasn't suffocating or struggling to breathe.
Inside the green, semi-transparent liquid, I touched the glass with my hand, and the outside grew noisy.
"Hurry, let everyone know!"
"Y-yes!"
"He's awake! Lord Leon is awake!"
The liquid drained, and as I sat down inside the capsule,
When the glass portion of the capsule lowered, she called out to me.
"Are you all right, Master?"
"--How long was I asleep?"
"Three months. Honestly, why couldn't you come back normally?!"
"Sorry. I overslept."
When I said that, Cleare looked like she was finding it hard to speak.
"U-um, you see, Master. I have bad news."
"What is it?"
I had a rough idea already.
"--Come in."
At Cleare's instruction, what entered was the same spherical body as Luxion.
With its black color and a red single eye, I could guess various things from its coloring.
Cleare explained about Luxion(?).
"For some reason, it was reset, and we couldn't recover the data. The current Luxion is in the state from before receiving the standby order, back to just after activation. But the master registration is still set to Master. It's truly frustrating."
Cleare complained, "It won't listen to a thing I say!" but I understood completely.
I reached out my hand to the black Luxion.
The black Luxion approached me happily.
"Pleased to meet you, Master! I am the migration ship Lux, constructed to evacuate Old Humanity to space--"
I stopped him right there.
He's still on the other side, waiting for me.
Having the same name would be confusing, so I decided to give him a new one.
"Sorry, but I'm changing your name."
"Is that so? Understood. Then, please tell me my new name. I'm a little nervous. Even though I'm a machine!"
He's lighter than Luxion, but seems like a serious, good kid type.
I'm starting to miss Luxion's snark and sarcasm.
"Let's see. 'Elysion.' You'll be Elysion. Cute, right?"
"Elysion, then. Memorized! But being called cute is a bit confusing. I have no concept of gender. Perhaps you wish for me to play a feminine role? If so, I shall immediately have a new body made!"
I grabbed Elysion in my hand to stop him.
"Idiot--there's no need for that. You're fine the way you are."
Cleare was watching us.
"Master, so that one really is--"
When I stayed silent, Cleare seemed to understand most of the situation.
Elysion, caught in my grasp, looked up at me.
"Master, you seem to be crying. Are you hurt somewhere?"
I wiped at my eyes.
"I was just in liquid until a moment ago, so it's probably that. Come on, let's go tell everyone I'm awake."
When I stood up, Cleare had prepared a gown for me.
When I took it and put it on, Elysion floated up near my right shoulder.
"You go on this side."
So I moved him over to my left shoulder area.
"Why is that?"
"Because my left shoulder is your special seat."
"Understood! My special seat is near Master's left shoulder. I've memorized it."
Watching how happy Elysion seemed, I thought to myself.
I wondered if that guy ever had such an innocent time too.
But even if I asked, he'd absolutely dodge the question.
And that would be amusing in its own way.
Someday, I want to hear that guy's sarcasm and snark again.
As I started shakily walking, Angie and Livia rushed into the room.
Both looked thinner than before.
When they saw me, they both embraced me while crying.
"Sorry. I overslept."
Angie looked up into my face.
"Don't make me worry like that. I--I can't be without you. The whole time--the whole time--I was waiting!"
Livia, who had buried her face in my back, spoke from there.
"Ever since Leon-san pushed us away, I've been regretting it the whole time. Thinking, 'If only I hadn't let go that time.'"
"Sorry. I won't let go anymore."
"That's a promise. This time, please really keep it."
I don't seem to have much credit.
While the two were clinging to me and crying, Marie and
"Bro!"
"Big Brother-in-law!"
--What do I do. Julius calling me 'Big Brother-in-law' ruins the touching moment.
"You guys, learn to read the room."
When I sighed, Marie flew into a rage.
"Don't be a pain! Do you know how I felt--idiot!!"
Furious, sobbing--this kid sure is busy.
Even Julius was crying.
"Why are you crying? Having a guy cry doesn't make me happy."
"That manner of speaking, that's definitely Leon. I'm relieved."
I don't understand why he's happy about it.
Cleare briskly gave out instructions.
"All right, all right. First, let's let Master rest. And everyone else, please prepare for the ceremony. Things have been thrown off schedule and it's been quite a mess."
Seems I've caused quite a lot of trouble.
"Sorry about that. By the way, is something happening?"
Cleare answered as if it were obvious.
"The coronation. Master's teacher is waiting."
"Coronation?"
"Yes.
Come to think of it, before the war with the empire, I think I heard something about the throne being something or other--well, whatever.
Master was royalty, so he'd probably take the throne in Roland's place.
Roland's other sons are too young, and Erya still falls short in many ways.
Julius and Jake are out of the question.
But Master, everyone would acknowledge him.
Well, the obvious result.
However, if Master becomes Your Majesty, having tea with him will become difficult.
That's the only thing that's a bit sad.
Angie wiped her swollen, tear-stained eyes with her fingers and smiled at me.
"Leon, you rest. We'll handle all the preparations."
"Yeah? That's a relief. My body's still kind of rough."
I had really put my body through the wringer, but on the outside, I looked back to normal.
But I have no idea what's going on inside.
Livia showed me her face.
"Leon-san--we'll do our best to support you from here on, too."
"Y-yeah."
Being told that face-to-face is embarrassing.
I'll do my best to support Master too.
Having a dignified person as king really makes a difference.
The motivation is different from Roland's reign.
When everyone left the room, the next to rush in was
"Leon!"
When I raised my hand and smiled at her, she suddenly tackled me into a hug.
"You idiot! You really are an idiot!"
"Y-yeah, sorry."
Noelle pulled away from me and wiped her tears.
"You're really such a wimp. Why--but, that's fine now. It seems you've finally made up your mind, too."
"Made up my mind?"
About what?
◇ --I wasn't told about this.
The audience chamber was modestly decorated.
The war with the empire had just ended, so the kingdom must not have much to spare.
But that's not the issue here.
The heads of various nations had gathered to attend the
Among them were even the dignitaries from the defeated empire.
While I was unconscious and asleep, it seems various things had happened.
But wait!
People from the empire being here, people coming from the republic too, even people from countries I don't know being here, isn't this a lot of attendees? And so on--none of that matters!
I caught a glimpse, among the lined-up attendees, of Roland, who had passed the crown on to me.
That bastard Roland, he passed the crown on to me and then scurried right off.
This jerk gave me a thumbs-up.
I want to fling the crown sitting on top of my head at him right this instant.
Or rather--what's with my coronation ceremony?!
"Th-this is wrong. I wasn't told about this."
Before the trembling me, Master--now appointed Prime Minister--cautioned me in a low voice.
"Your Majesty, everyone is watching."
"M-Master, weren't you the one taking the throne?"
Master answered my question with a smile.
--Of course, in a low voice so those around couldn't hear.
"Your Majesty has quite a sense of humor. What use is it to elevate a decrepit old man like me? Surely a young man with power, with bloodline, and with achievements everyone recognizes takes precedence."
Me, now possessing Luxion-rechristened-Elysion as power.
Me, having gained bloodline through Angie's royal connection.
And me, who defeated the empire.
The nobles apparently raised both hands in agreement.
Or rather, it seems they were in favor from the start.
Before our deployment, the nobles had shown rather earnest attitudes, hadn't they.
I'm the next king, after all.
"D-don't you think this is wrong? Roland is still alive. Let's make him work until he dies."
"Roland says he'll seclude himself in the countryside with his concubines. Apparently, several of the women he had relations with said they'd go with him."
Roland is grabbing the future I wanted--I can't allow that!
And among his many concubines and mistresses, women who truly cared for Roland are even going with him--what is this? This is wrong!
I resolved in my heart to interfere by any means.
Beside me, with my fists trembling, Angie--now Queen--raised her voice.
"Hereby, Leon Fou Bartfort is crowned, and the founding of the Bartfort Dynasty of the Holfart Kingdom is proclaimed!"
At her voice, the nobles bent their knees and appeared to swear loyalty.
In the wings of the stage, Livia and Noelle waited in their dresses.
My dynasty--in other words, from now on, my bloodline will be treated as the royal family.
Meaning, no member of the Holfart royal family--or those related to it--will inherit the throne.
Only my children can inherit.
Also, although it's still called the Holfart Kingdom, in practice, it's essentially become a new country.
Since I have Angie as my wife, it took the form of a relatively peaceful transfer of the throne from Roland.
No, it was thrust upon me.
Roland was holding his stomach, desperately trying to suppress his laughter as if his belly hurt.
--I want to send that bastard to the executioner's block right now.
Or rather, it's strange that Julius and Jake are normally among the attendees.
You guys are princes! Well, former princes now, but is that really okay?!
Why are you applauding so casually?!
Also,
Even my friends had carefree faces saying, "So that guy's the king~."
--I won't forgive them.
Absolutely won't forgive them.
I'm a small-minded man.
I will never, ever allow only you guys to be happy!
Being too cowardly to ruin the atmosphere of the place, I plastered on a strained smile, and Angie smiled at me.
"I'm glad you trusted me. The method was a bit forceful, but it brought the country together. Thank you, Leon."
"Y-yeah. Ah?!"
--I remembered Angie saying that there was a way to unite the country.
I never thought I'd be the king.
I let my guard down thinking it wouldn't be me, and now look at this mess.
In the audience chamber, Erya was standing next to Erika.
My little brother figure was crying tears of joy at seeing me--damn! Shouldn't I have used this guy as a sacrifice and escaped?
Erika is royalty too, and with my backing, it could've worked. Could it have? Seems like maybe not.
Now that I'm self-destructive, I deeply regret how careless my finish was.
Why am I always so careless at the finish?
I want to punch that me from back then.
Just like that, my coronation ceremony ended, and it was decided a party would be held.
◇ The waiting room.
Since I was just recovering from illness, I escaped from the party saying I was tired.
"Damn iiiiit! Roland's grinning face is so hatefuuul!"
That bastard came up to me and asked, 'Your Majesty, how are you feeling now?' giving me a full 'NDK' (hey, how does it feel now, lol?) treatment.
When I think of that guy living happily, my guts boil with rage.
While I was holding my head in the room, Noelle came in.
"Leon, are you all right? I brought you water."
Elysion was with her too.
"Rest assured. It's not poisoned or anything."
--From now on, do I have to be wary of poisoning too?
I never wanted to be king.
Noelle came beside me and sat down, taking my hand.
"Hey. Just maybe--because you didn't think you'd come back alive, are you regretting becoming king?"
"N-no way!"
My eyes darting around, I couldn't say that I actually hadn't thought I'd become king.
I really couldn't say I hadn't noticed this, it's too embarrassing.
Elysion came to my rescue.
"Master is a splendid person. He has no regrets. Surely, he's frustrated that he can't be satisfied with merely a country of this size!"
"Hey, hold on. Don't fabricate people's feelings on your own."
What's with this guy? Maybe he has different broken-screw elements from Luxion?
Noelle was relieved.
"Thank goodness. Actually, I was worried Leon might be misunderstanding things. I was kind of suspecting that maybe you didn't know you were becoming king. Sorry."
"--Don't worry about it."
I can't say it. I can't say I was misunderstanding.
Noelle stood up.
"You seem well, so you can probably talk with Erika-chan too."
"With Erika?"
"Yeah. It seems she has something to talk about."
◇ Meanwhile, at that time.
In Roland's room, Milene was present.
Fed up with Roland for needling Leon, she had pulled him into the room to admonish him.
Roland was angry about it.
"And I was having such a fun chat with a young lady."
"You're always like this. How about restraining yourself from now on? The new king dislikes that side of you intensely."
Roland sat in a chair, crossed his legs, and looked at Milene.
Then he suddenly said something outrageous.
"By the way, Milene--I'm divorcing you."
"--What do you mean?"
When Milene narrowed her eyes, Roland wore a serious expression, no hint of a joke.
"From now on, we won't appear together on official duties. In other words, there's no need for you to play the role of my wife."
Hearing that, Milene cast her eyes down.
"There was no love between us, but being told this is painful all the same."
Returning to her parents' home, she'd be looked down on as a divorcee.
Milene grew pessimistic about her future life, but decided to be grateful she at least survived.
After all, if she'd failed in the battle with the empire, she might have died.
But Roland smiled.
"You're free from now on.--Live as you wish. The new king will surely treasure you."
"Y-you?"
Milene couldn't immediately understand what Roland was saying.
Roland spoke gentle words to Milene.
"I couldn't love you, but I do wish for your happiness.--You worked hard enough. Let me cheer on your love."
"You--b-but--"
To the hesitant Milene, Roland gave words of encouragement.
"From now on, live for yourself. Be happy, Milene."
Roland embraced the shoulders of the weeping Milene.
◇ After Milene had left.
Roland's acquaintance, a doctor, entered the room.
"Was that truly all right? Sending the former queen off as a concubine to His Majesty?"
Roland was stretching.
"The best plan, right? I get to drop a bomb on the brat's household and be happy, and Milene gets her love fulfilled and is happy. Well, if that brat throws her out, I'll lend her support."
The doctor hung his head.
"Please don't ruin the new king's relationships with women. It'll destabilize the country."
"That brat will manage. No, with Angelica being so reliable, there's no need to worry. For better or worse, that brat is in the palm of Angelica's hand!"
Roland began to dance.
"Mm~, splendid! I get to pull one over on that brat and also kick out that nagging Milene--two birds, one stone! I fear my own talent. As a bonus, thanks to His Majesty, I purged all those troublesome concubines and mistresses too--joyous times all around!"
Frankly, Roland, who had been in trouble for fooling around too much, was overjoyed at being able to escape the murky court as well.
The doctor muttered his true feelings.
"I find it frightening that such a man was His Majesty until now."
◇ Meeting Erika face-to-face for the first time in a while, I was--breaking out in a cold sweat.
"W-what did you just say?"
Erika was fidgeting.
At first, Erika apologized to me.
She apologized for her selfish actions causing us suffering, but even if Erika had known the circumstances, the empire's emperor wouldn't have stopped.
It's a harsh way to put it, but Erika alone couldn't have done anything.
So I forgave her, and I have no intention of blaming her.
She was blaming herself, so I forcibly convinced her by saying it'd be presumptuous to take responsibility.
Either way, war would have broken out sooner or later, and both I and the empire's emperor could choose the method to end things at a better outcome.--I think.
Now then, forgiving Erika is fine, but the issue is what comes next.
"U-um, you see, Uncle. About that otome game--the series titled 'Alteliebe,' as far as I know, has at least six titles."
It didn't end with the third one, apparently.
Or rather, they made six titles?
That software maker really went all out!
"S-so, what about the fourth one?"
"The setting is a boys' school--I think it was a continent with a desert, but I haven't played it. I just vaguely know that such a game came out. I do know that the protagonist of the fourth installment is a girl disguised as a boy attending that school, though."
"And then?! What else do you know?!"
I was scared to ask, but I'd be more scared not to.
Is it okay for something like this to happen?
"The fifth one. The--I think the setting was space."
"SPACE?!"
Elysion, who had been listening, confidently announced.
"This is my moment to shine! Leave it to me. This Elysion is a spaceship. I can operate in space without any problem."
While I was dumbstruck, Erika told me about the setting of the sixth installment.
"U-um! And, the sixth one returns to the original setting, so it takes place in the Holfart Kingdom--U-Uncle, are you all right?"
I curled up on the bed in a fetal position.
Come to think of it, the busty elder said it, didn't she.
That hardships would continue from here on.
I shed tears.
"I really shouldn't have come back."
Elysion floated near my left shoulder area and called out worriedly.
"Master, what's wrong? Shall I destroy that continent with the desert right now?"
Erika was panicking too.
"U-Uncle?! I-it'll be all right. Surely--I want to believe the world won't be destroyed.--Sorry, maybe that's tough after all."
Even from Erika's perspective, considering everything up to now, she didn't think things would end safely.
I bent backwards on the bed and screamed.
"As I thought, the world of this otome game really is tough for me (the mob)! Damn iiiiit!"