The envoys from the duchy arrived on the deck.
Their fine attire made their high rank all too obvious.
The attitude they directed at us was openly contemptuous, and as they stroked their immaculate beards, they declared:
"We'll rescue the children of baron-tier families and above. We have no interest in the offspring of lesser knightly houses. The same goes for your demi-human slaves. Of course, we have no use for this airship or its crew either."
As most wore expressions of despair, the only ones visibly relieved were the students of the upper class.
The demi-humans looked like they had something to complain about.
One of the girls:
"W-wait! You have to save my personal attendant too!"
The envoy answered the girl with undisguised contempt.
"Then sink together with your lover. Hostages with attached slaves are far too troublesome. Well, if you wanted to show some noble spirit, going down here would be the proper thing to do. Of course, that's asking too much of the spineless nobles of this kingdom."
It was Ange who stepped forward before the envoy. A bad feeling washed over me.
"And who's this little girl?"
Ange's posture was unwavering.
"...Redgrave. Angelica Rapha Redgrave. You ought to know my family name."
The ducal house was, if nothing else, famous.
Even the envoy's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly broke into a smile.
"I never expected the duke's daughter to be aboard... This kingdom really is run by fools. Sending such an important person on a journey without even an escort."
The envoy spread his hands wide.
"Now then, why would someone of your stature volunteer? Did you think we'd bow and scrape at the mere mention of that name?"
At the envoy's declaration that her family name held no terror for him, Ange let out a quiet breath. She looked like she'd steeled herself for something, and when I tried to step forward, a bunch of guys grabbed me from behind and held me down.
"L-let go! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
I thrashed, but they had me pinned.
The envoy, watching this, tilted his head.
"Who's that?"
Ange answered.
"...He's my friend."
"How devoted to your friends. ...He's annoying. Shut him up."
When I tried to get up with all my strength, fists and kicks rained down on me.
"Y-you guys!"
"You plan to waste Lady Angelica's selfless sacrifice? Shut your mouth!"
Ange's entourage hit me and split my lip. The taste of blood spread through my mouth.
If you knew that, then stop them...
Just as I'd expected, Ange spoke.
"You wouldn't dare say a duke's daughter has no value, would you? Take me as your hostage and let everyone else go."
The envoy stroked his beard.
"A commendable attitude. Well, let's discuss the rest after we return."
Then Olivia cried out.
"Ange!"
The demi-humans around her were holding Olivia back.
"L-let me go! Ange, don't go!"
Olivia was the only one who reached out. As Ange was led away, she turned back and smiled. Her legs were trembling ever so slightly.
"—Rivia, thank you."
With those words, she was loaded onto the boat the envoys had arrived in and carried away.
I was kicked hard and sent rolling across the deck.
Clutching my stomach, I watched Olivia rush over to shield me.
"Leon!"
The boys and personal attendants glaring at me... This was bad. I'd made too many enemies.
"You almost ruined everything, didn't you?"
"This idiotic noble."
"Hey, crew. Throw this guy in the brig."
The crew members who gathered closed in around me.
...You sons of bitches.
◇
Inside the duchy's airship — in the VIP room of a structure built atop a colossal monster — Ange was surrounded by knights.
Across from her sat Princess Hertlude.
"Angelica, shall I say it's been a while? Well, I suppose we've only ever exchanged pleasantries."
Ange was smiling fearlessly.
"Are you seriously planning to wage war with the duchy's military power? This won't just be a border skirmish."
There was a vast disparity in national strength between the kingdom and the duchy.
Ange knew this well, but inwardly she was starting to panic.
(What are these people really after? Have they obtained something that bridges the power gap?)
Hertlude answered with downcast eyes.
"Indeed. But the power gap is irrelevant. Didn't you see what's out there?"
"You were commanding monsters. You think that alone is enough to defeat the kingdom?"
"...We will win."
Then a figure who appeared to be a high-ranking official cut Hertlude off.
"Your Highness, about that luxury liner—"
"Ah, yes. Right."
Ange glared at her.
"You were supposed to let everyone go in exchange for my surrender."
"I did consider that... But Angelica, did the envoy actually say he'd rescue them?"
At Hertlude's words, Ange closed her eyes.
(...So they really are planning to take the children of baron-tier families and above as hostages, just as originally intended.)
But:
"I've been thinking, wouldn't you alone suffice?"
"—What?!"
Knights drew their swords and closed in on the shocked Angelica.
Hertlude continued in a flat tone.
"I hear only two people tried to resist when you were taken? What heartless noble children. They possess neither the dignity nor the justice expected of nobility. Do we really need such people?"
"Wh-what are you—"
"Angelica, why don't we show you everything? The fall of the kingdom, starting right here—"
The envoy was dispatched to the airship carrying the academy students to deliver the news.
◇
Thrown into the brig, I sat staring up at the ceiling.
On the other side of the iron bars, Olivia was crying.
She'd begged them to let me out, but to no avail; now she was clutching the bars and sobbing.
"Stop crying already."
"But... Ange... it's like we're sacrificing Ange all by herself. And you're hurt, Leon, and I can't do anything..."
She's so wishy-washy and annoying — that's what the old me would have thought. The me from my previous life would've hated characters like this.
But isn't it something remarkable, being able to cry for someone else?
The one who came to such a place was Chris.
Chris arrived with a pained expression, and upon reaching the brig, he ignored Olivia entirely and spoke directly to me.
"Bartfort — an envoy came just now. He said Angelica alone is enough for a hostage. He told me to prepare myself."
He said the attack would come again in an hour, and from the looks of it, he'd laughed and told us to go out in a blaze of glory.
The students, the crew, and the demi-humans all seemed to be in despair.
"...So? What do you want me to do?"
I'd had a bad feeling about this.
And yet, handing Ange over like that... I thought her entourage should be ashamed of themselves.
Chris took off his glasses.
"I need your help. This ship apparently has six Armors on board. You and I need to buy enough time for the ship to escape."
I scoffed.
"No thanks."
Chris narrowed his eyes but didn't reproach me.
"Please, I'm begging you. Everyone can't just die here. You can serve as the airship's escort. I'll stay behind."
That wouldn't make a dent. No matter how many Armors we had, we couldn't take on tens of thousands of monsters. Chris had to know that much.
"...Leon."
Olivia was looking at me. Her eyes said she believed I could do something.
Those pure, beautiful eyes frightened me. It was as if she could see right through me...
"Don't look at me like that. What are you expecting from me? You want me to help the students who left Ange to die? Give me a break. And on top of that, they beat the crap out of me. Let them all sink."
When I grumbled, Chris surprisingly agreed.
"Yeah, you're right. Maybe people like us, who can't do anything, deserve to sink into the sea instead of returning to land. But even so, I'm asking you. This is the only method with any chance. Please... help us."
Before Chris, who had lowered his head in supplication, I slowly rose to my feet.
"—No."
Chris lifted his head sorrowfully.
"...Sorry. I shouldn't have bothered you."
I called out to Chris as he turned to leave.
"You idiot. Listen to the whole conversation first. We're surrounded — there's no way to escape. Even if you stay, they'll just swarm you and it's game over. You haven't learned a thing from fighting me."
If this were a strategy game, we'd be starting from a checkmated position.
Chris turned back around.
"Then what do you suggest? Do you actually have some plan in this situation? If you're planning to escape alone, go ahead. I won't stop you."
...So stubborn.
I'm not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed either, but being less flexible than me? That's just sad. Should I cry for you?
But putting that aside:
"Fighting alone won't work. The two of us together won't work either. That means everyone has to fight. The idiots who abandoned Ange need to take responsibility. Got it? I'm not nice enough to save people who do nothing."
"...That's impossible. Everyone's in despair — they can't even stand up. Besides, when it came to this, you were the one I turned to, Bartfort. You get that, right?"
What Chris was trying to say was "the rest of them are useless."
I agreed wholeheartedly, but we had no choice but to put even those useless pieces to work.
I brought my face close to the iron bars. Chris leaned in too, our noses nearly touching.
"We can't afford to spread our forces any thinner. If we're going to do this together, a frontal breakthrough is best."
"Frontal? You're the bigger fool."
"Yeah, I'm a fool. But I'd say it's smarter than just waiting to die. Listen — we'll steal their banner and turn it against them. We break through the encirclement head-on."
Sweat ran down Chris's cheeks as he swallowed hard.
"You defend the ship. This is where you show off that swordsmanship you're so proud of."
Chris answered with a strained smile.
"I don't recall being proud of anything."
"To the world, your actions speak louder than any boast. Show us the fruits of your effort. Everything you've built up — think of it as being for this very day. I don't plan on dying. And you want to live, don't you?"
At those words, Chris bowed his head in thought — then raised it.
"...You're right. I want to see Marie's smile again."
...He had to drop that at the very end.
Are you guys really under some kind of brainwashing?
What even is so great about her?
Chris unlocked the brig with a key, and I stepped outside. I extended a hand to Olivia, who was sitting on the floor.
"I'm going to need your help."
"Y-yes! I'll do my best!"
Olivia wiped her tears and stood up, her expression hardening with resolve. She looked determined to do whatever it took to save Ange.
...She's so much better than Marie. No contest.
Wake up, Chris.
Just as I was thinking that, Chris placed a hand over his heart and murmured.
"Marie, I will see your smile once more. Lend me your strength for that sake."
Clutched in his hand was a charm.
"Oh, that."
"This? I bought it at a festival and it came with this. Apparently it's a charm for good fortune in battle. Now that I think about it, it was a lucky omen."
A small charm shaped like a shield and sword.
I couldn't help but laugh. I was genuinely glad that this particular item had ended up in the hands of the person who deserved it most.
"Yeah, it suits you perfectly. You're incredibly lucky, you know that?"
"R-really? Somehow, hearing it from you makes me blush."
...No, don't actually blush. That just makes things awkward.
◇
In the room where Chris had called together the student and crew representatives.
I arrived in the hall carrying a shotgun I'd purchased from one of the crew along the way.
Many of them had their heads down, either in despair or resignation.
I checked my shot shells — shotgun ammunition — while watching Chris deliver his speech from the center of the staircase in the hall.
Perched on the steps, he cast his gaze across the faces of those gathered below.
"...I've determined that the only way to save everyone is to fight. I need all of you to lend me your strength."
The response to Chris's plea was a barrage of insults.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, first-year!"
"You're not even that strong — what gives you the right to act all high and mighty?!"
"You lost to that piece of trash right there!"
I glared at the boy who'd called me trash, and he scurried away to hide. But I'd memorized his face. There would be payback. Absolutely!
With third-years and first-years all mixed together.
And on top of that, we could all die soon.
Some were already treating the usual hierarchy as meaningless, their attitudes making that painfully clear. The boys from the regular class were laughing.
"'Fight,' they say. The upper-class gentlemen really are something. Do they think everyone will just obey when they give an order?"
"Acting all bossy and giving orders."
"Besides... that guy was disowned, right? He doesn't have any authority at all."
The girls were no better. And the personal attendants were arguing with them.
"Hey, just do what you're told!"
"Shut your mouth, brat! Like I'd ever follow your orders now!"
As the room grew louder and more chaotic, I rose from the steps.
I hefted the shotgun, and every pair of eyes locked onto me.
"All your whining is getting on my nerves, you useless pieces of garbage."
The audience fell silent at the sight of me with a weapon. The stares they directed my way were filled with fear, hatred, and everything in between.
"Listen up. I hold an official baron's rank. On top of that, I'm junior fifth rank — which means I technically outrank the teachers overseeing this expedition. Understand?"
The teachers averted their eyes.
The unremarkable teaching staff were, technically speaking, still nobles. Just not high-ranking ones.
The headmaster probably outranked me... but everyone else fell below.
Was there anyone above me? Maybe my master?
Well, I respected that person as an individual. Even if I outranked them officially, I'd never consider myself superior.
"So here's my order to all of you: fight. If you don't want to die, then fight."
Predictably, someone bristled at my tone and spoke up.
"D-don't screw with us! You fight!"
I slung the shotgun over my shoulder.
"Huh? Obviously. I'm going to fight. Because I'm a noble. Did you know? Nobles are the descendants of once-great adventurers."
I stated what everyone already knew with exaggerated gravity, and they began whispering mockery.
"Did he hit his head or something?"
"Like, that's literally common knowledge."
"See? He's an idiot. He just found out recently and wants to show off."
The girls were getting irritable.
"Hm? You already knew? No way. Because if you'd known, you'd be too embarrassed to stand here trembling in fear, right? You knew the truth and still despaired here? Hey... aren't you ashamed?"
Everyone was wearing an expression that said "What is this guy even saying?"
The personal attendants and crew members — people with no stake in this — were looking up at me.
"Our ancestors braved deadly voyages to discover new lands. They challenged dungeons to claim treasures, and many died in the process. Descendants of adventurers who never stopped fighting — and you can't move forward because of something like this? Aren't you ashamed of your ancestors?"
Some people protested, but I ignored them.
"Oh, sorry. Every last one of you is a coward. The duchy's envoy was right — there's no point expecting anything from you. I'm sure your ancestors are grieving. No... they're probably laughing!"
I doubled over, pantomiming laughter.
"They're probably going, 'My descendants are so weak — lmao lol lol'!"
"Lmao" was internet slang from my previous life. It evolved from "warau" (to laugh) and gradually transformed into "warosu," but naturally, the people in front of me had no idea what it meant.
But sometimes — what matters more than words is conveying your feelings through your attitude and your passion.
I wanted to reach them — not with words, but with this burning feeling, this desire to provoke them into action!
"They worked so hard to become nobles, and their descendants are all spineless, cowardly trash unworthy of the adventurer name. They're surely not weeping in the afterlife — they're laughing their heads off!"
Nobles in this world took pride in being descended from adventurers... or so the lore went. The academy taught this, and there were even a few among them who genuinely revered their illustrious ancestors.
In fact, aspiring to the role of adventurer was what defined this world's nobility.
...So what would happen if I lit a fire under them?
"D-don't you dare mock them! My ancestors were far greater people than you'll ever be!"
I laughed mockingly.
"Oh, I'm sure they were amazing. But that was your ancestors being amazing — not you. You have zero value of your own. What do you think about that? Go on, say it out loud. Tell everyone. And then put your hand on your chest and think — what would those incredible ancestors think of who you are now? Come on, everyone — hands on your chests! Can't you hear them?"
Some hadn't done it, but most had placed their hands over their hearts. Among them were crew members and even the personal attendants.
"Can you hear it? The sound of hearty laughter? Or are they weeping? Are they shrugging in disappointment? Aren't you ashamed? Descendants of great adventurers, giving up and throwing in the towel over something like this?"
Very few could talk back.
Not that it would matter — I'd just laugh at them.
"Our target is the enemy's banner. We'll snatch that princess and escape. Those who will fight — take up your weapons. Anyone who won't fight here and now can sink into the sea and be laughed at by their ancestors for eternity. And if you somehow survive, you'll regret it for the rest of your lives. ...Is there not a single brave fool among you?!"
One boy shouted.
"Screw you, you piece of shit! I didn't need you to tell me to fight! Hey — hand me a weapon!"
And then, other boys started showing some backbone.
"Don't look down on us — we've been earning our keep in dungeons all along! Not that you'd know anything about that, since you were slacking off!"
"Fine, you're on! As if I'm gonna die in a place like this!"
"I'll outdo you, just you watch!"
Once the boys started moving, it seemed some among the girls were ready to step up too.
"...Excuse me, but why isn't a single girl speaking up?"
A girl with ringlet curls that practically screamed "aristocratic lady" shook her hair back and stepped forward. She crossed her arms beneath her chest and struck a commanding pose.
High heels, fearless eyes. She was, in a word, a queen-type upperclassman.
"When the biggest fool in the academy is willing to fight, are you really planning to do nothing? It sounds like you'd all like to become the biggest fools starting tomorrow."
The upperclassman — the girl — looked up at me.
"By the way, what about you? After making a speech like that, I won't let you get away with doing nothing."
I gripped the shotgun with both hands.
"Me? I'm going in, obviously."
The upperclassman flashed a grin.
"My, just as expected of the academy's biggest fool. In that case, you'll need an Armor."
I said:
"All the Armors will be used for the ship's defense. I'll be using an airbike."
"An airbike? Are you planning to die?"
Outside was a sea of monsters, dotted with the duchy's airships. They'd surely deploy Armors in force too.
When I said "Armor," I meant something like a powered suit — a weapon that could fly.
Charging into that with nothing but an airbike would be insane.
"There's someone I have to save. And while I'm at it, I'll steal their banner and laugh in the duchy's fleet's face."
"Angelica? Is this some kind of loyalty from her inner circle? You don't have to push yourself — no one would blame you in this situation."
Ange's dad might be angry, sure. But... that has nothing to do with it.
"Loyalty? No. Every man wants to be the knight who rushes to rescue a princess at least once, right? I might be able to abandon all of you, but I can't abandon Angelica... Ange. Because she's a great woman. Maybe you girls could learn a thing or two from her."
When she became a hostage all by herself, I should've said I held a baron's rank. Then she wouldn't have been taken alone.
Becoming a hostage for everyone else? She's only sixteen. Ange's dad is scary, sure, but if I abandoned a girl like that, I'd regret it for the rest of my life. In this rotting otome-game world, Ange — Ange is my hope.
The upperclassman's lips curled into a crescent moon smile.
"I like you. You're wonderful. It's a shame you're Angelica's favorite — I'd keep you by my side otherwise. It would be fun to break that defiant attitude of yours and make you swear loyalty to me. You'd make an excellent pet."
...Another hopeless girl. Different from the others, but not someone I wanted to get any closer to.
"Thanks, I'll pass."
And then I raised my voice for all to hear.
"Are you ready to pick a fight with the duchy?!"
The heated venue erupted — answers roaring back at me, mixed with a healthy dose of insults.
◇
The airship's hangar.
When I made my way there, the one waiting for me was Luxion.
I'd already prepared the inner suit needed for wearing the Armor, along with gear for riding the bike. Once I put on the helmet, I'd be wearing a vest on top, heavy cargo pants on the bottom, and boots.
The inside of the helmet was synced with the airbike, displaying a view of the surroundings.
"All preparations are complete."
He'd carved out a space for himself within the airbike, and after merging with it, he turned his attention to me.
I straddled the bike, gripped the handlebars, and revved the engine.
The roar of the engine reverberated through the hangar, and the hatch opened.
The crew called out to me.
"You're really doing this?!"
I grinned.
"Of course. I'm going to rip out that envoy's beard and bring it home as a souvenir."
I'd give his prized beard a permanent wax job.
"I'd love that! Ah, actually, never mind."
I gave the enthusiastic crew member a thumbs-up, then hunched low and rode out into the open air.
The airbike burst into the sky, skimming across the air as though riding the surface of waves.
I held the slung shotgun in one hand as monsters began converging on Schwert — Chris's Armor.
"Ready?"
"Anytime."
I raised the shotgun with both hands as Luxion handled the airbike's controls—
"This is the best tool for dealing with fodder."
A magic circle materialized just beyond the muzzle, and then many smaller circles spawned from it. One by one, they locked onto the monsters bearing down on me.
"Lightning attribute, scatter-type, Lightning — fire."
"Eat this!"
I pulled the trigger, and the shot shell tore through the magic circle from the muzzle. The tiny scatter-shot pellets inside burst forth — then, wreathed in magical light, they shifted colors to yellow and blue as they violently changed direction.
The monsters tried to evade, but the light chased them down and pierced through.
The magic spread outward like fireworks — the perfect spell for area-of-effect attacks.
It was an extremely difficult spell, and very few mages could wield it.
After taking out dozens of monsters in a single shot, I let out a hearty laugh.
"Did you see that?! The power of me and Luxion combined! When we work together, we can pull off magic this incredible. I only just found out, though!"
On my own? Sorry, no chance. The cast time alone is brutal, and locking onto moving targets? Forget it.
"Well, I'd say the split is about seventy-thirty."
"Why do you make it sound like you're contributing seventy percent? By ratio, I'm doing seventy and you're doing thirty, Master."
"You just had to ruin the moment. Here come the next wave."
"...You really are the worst."
I raised the shotgun, took aim, and pulled the trigger again — and more monsters vanished in droves before my eyes.
◇
Chris, aboard his Armor, watched as Leon charged out ahead.
"He actually led the vanguard."
The airship changed course to follow Leon, accelerating as it went.
Their target was the hardest point of all — the headquarters on the back of the colossal monster bearing the enemy banner.
At the sight of that, Chris gripped his Armor's control stick.
"...You're strong."
Even if Chris was the better swordsman in a straight duel, looking at Leon now, he knew he'd been beaten.
Magic, courage... everything about Leon was above him.
A solo charge into the fray — something everyone dreamed of but few could ever pull off.
And Leon made it look effortless.
Chris didn't have the guts to do it on an airbike.
"Can I become like you — like Bartfort?"
The charm hanging from his neck swayed.
Chris looked at the bodyguards who had boarded the Armors, and at the students.
"Our mission is to protect this airship. Hold the line at all costs!"
His allies raised their voices in unison. The chest plates of six Armors closed, and the activated machines began to move. Chris headed outside not after Leon, but toward the monsters charging the airship, and cut them down.
His swordplay was breathtaking.
He carved through the monsters, mowing them all down — and the monsters dissolved into smoke and vanished.
Seeing that, the students who had emerged onto the deck cheered.
Chris descended along the airship's flank, slicing monsters apart as he went.
"This is my promise to Bartfort. This ship will not fall!"
◇
The duchy's airship.
Alarms were blaring throughout the ship.
Hertlude rose to her feet, her long, lustrous black hair swaying. Clad in a black-hued dress, she approached the window, but her maid blocked her path.
"Your Highness, you mustn't."
"Step aside. I'll see for myself."
Ange, surrounded by knights, also seemed curious, so Hertlude spoke to her.
"You should come too, Angelica. It seems your classmates have chosen a glorious death. Let's show them their final moment."
Hertlude was watching Ange glare at her.
But she wasn't mocking her.
As Ange rose to her feet with the knights still surrounding her, the knights repositioned to encircle them both.
They stepped outside to observe — and:
Hertlude's eyes went wide.
"What?!"
The luxury liner was heading straight toward them. And it was accelerating.
Hertlude had the magic flute brought to her.
"The magic flute — quickly!"
Ange glanced at her briefly, then looked forward.
The figure fighting ahead of the airship was riding an airbike and unleashing magic. Wide-area attack magic of an extremely advanced caliber.
"What an idiot. If you had that kind of power, you could have just fled... You really are an idiot."
At the sight of Leon, tears spilled from Ange's eyes.
When the maid brought the magic flute, Hertlude raised it to her lips.
A strange, unearthly melody rang out, and the monsters surged forward in unison.
Before that sight, Ange finally understood the duchy's brazen attitude.
"So this is the duchy's trump card."
Hertlude lowered the flute.
"Yes. This is how we overturn the difference in numbers. The kingdom will sink."
She made this declaration, but the monsters that had charged the airship were vanishing one after another.
The students aboard were fighting back desperately.
They deployed shields and unleashed magic, and the number of monsters was steadily decreasing.
...The duchy's envoy had looked down on them, but the kingdom's knights were strong.
Why?
Because they challenged dungeons to earn the favor of potential wives, bringing back wealth and spoils. To keep earning, they pushed deeper and deeper, and by the time they graduated, they'd acquired considerable strength.
This was the result of genuinely pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into winning the attention of the girls.
Watching Leon race across the battlefield, Ange felt her chest constrict.
(I should have let you go. You could have escaped —)
And yet, what he was heading straight for was her... and Ange couldn't help but hope he'd come to save her.
Before the airship's desperate resistance, Hertlude bit her lip.
"...I told you that resistance would only make things worse."
Ange smiled.
"Sorry about that. Nobles of this kingdom don't know how to give up. Just like you said — we're here to show our stubborn pride. And I didn't mention it back there, but... the one leading the charge is Leon Fou Bartfort. One of the finest knights in the entire kingdom!"
"Bartfort?"
The man who'd served as envoy appeared before the two of them.
"You certainly don't know when to quit. But this is where it ends."
As the envoy spoke, the duchy's fleet moved into formation around the airship. They spread out in a V-shape to avoid friendly fire.
They aimed their cannons at the monster-surrounded airship and at Leon.
Hertlude glared at the envoy.
"Acting on your own authority."
"It's for the sake of victory. Besides, we can acquire all the monsters we need."
The envoy grinned menacingly, and hundreds of cannons fired at Leon and the luxury liner, which were swarming with monsters.
At that bombardment — which engulfed the monsters as well — Ange screamed.
"Leon! Rivia!"
Ange was restrained by the knights. The airship was consumed by a massive explosion and plumes of black smoke.