A slightly early spring break.
Having returned to my family home, I went to the factory set up on my old man's territory.
What I saw before me was the two-hundred-meter-class flying ship [Einhorn], characterized by its single horn. Its appearance was truly luxurious.
"That's a lot of decorations."
『Prepare a flying ship not shameful as a representative of the Kingdom of Holfart. That was the condition from the Royal Palace, after all.』
In the factory, humans and robots were busily moving about, working.
The robots did the work, while the humans handled the odd jobs.
The factory had only been operational for a few months, so there were no skilled engineers to begin with.
I was told that in a few years, they'd be able to entrust the work to them.
Until then, the robots would cover the work.
"I can't bring Partner out even though it's been repaired, so it's really a pain. Huh? What happened to Creare?"
『I left that one in the Royal Capital. It seems she's taken a liking to Olivia and Angelica.』
"An artificial intelligence freer than you, huh."
『I can't deny that. Well, I'm sure it'll be fine since she won't betray us.』
A new flying ship had been prepared.
The reason—was to study abroad.
"...Who could've predicted that otome game would become a series?"
What came to mind was my conversation with Marie.
◇
That day when I talked with Marie at the Royal Palace.
"Big bro probably doesn't know this, but—that otome game became a series."
"...Huh?"
Marie began saying that the game—the one with terrible balance that caused an outcry of complaints from users—had become a series.
"Hertrauda is a character who appeared in the third game."
"Th-The third game?! Hey, wait. Hold on a second!"
If there's a third game, that means there's a second game in between.
...I didn't hear about that. Or rather, I don't know about it.
"It's only natural you don't know. You died after clearing it, Big bro. Sequels came out after that. In the third game, Julius's younger brother appears."
"That guy had a younger brother?!"
"He does. The King has a concubine, so he's half-blooded with Julius. That's why he's a cool character with a slightly shadowed feel. Kind of outlaw-ish."
I didn't hear about that setting.
No, wait! ...Now that you mention it, I saw a kid like that several times in the audience chamber. I'd completely assumed Julius was the only prince.
If I think about it properly, having only one prince is definitely a problem.
"So, that monster was the final boss of the third game?"
"That's right. The guardian deities of the sky and sea are the final boss of the third game. By the way, at the start of the third game, Julius and the others are third-years. So, it came with the bonus of being able to get involved in various things and also enjoy seeing how they are after graduation."
I don't need that information.
"There wasn't that vibe at all. There wasn't any event in the game where Julius's younger brother enrolls when they're third-years!"
"What are you talking about? —It's obviously a retcon, isn't it?"
Thanks for the blunt explanation.
"A-And, those guardian deities? Since we defeated them, everything's fine now, right? There's no crisis for the Kingdom?"
Marie grinned.
"...Big bro, the stage of the second game isn't Holfart. It's the [Republic of Alzer]."
Huh? That's a country I've heard of somewhere.
"W-Wait. Hold on! Then—"
"The boss of the second game is alive and well."
As I watched Marie's grinning face, I held my head and sank down on the spot.
"That's a lieeeee!"
It shouldn't be allowed. I don't want to believe that this world—that otome game has a sequel and the world's crisis isn't over. I thought everything had ended!
Marie wore a triumphant smile.
"Now then, shall we negotiate?"
It pissed me off how Marie suddenly took a bullish attitude.
When she found out I had no knowledge of what's to come, she must have judged there was room to negotiate.
"You've got a big attitude."
"Are you sure you should be saying that? I have knowledge of the game that Big bro doesn't have."
"...What do you want?"
"Let's see. First of all—please send me an allowance! I want living expenses!"
Marie's request, suddenly prostrating herself, was for an allowance.
"You don't need it. You guys are getting shoved onto a floating island, so you should be provided with what's necessary. Or rather, you don't need it since everything necessary to live is gathered there."
"No way! 'Learn some hardship,' they said, and it turned into a self-sufficient life! The necessary tools and things are prepared, but those five? Putting Carla and Kyle aside, do you think those five can do farming? They'll definitely fail."
...Well, they're rich boys, so farming would suddenly be a high hurdle.
Or rather, Carla's going with you too?
"I'll send rice and things properly, so please give me living expenses! Julius and the others' families are pretty seriously angry too, so we can't expect any allowance!"
The reason Marie was anxious about their future livelihood seemed to be that the five had an attitude like "farming's easy, right?"
It was because they were optimistic, thinking self-sufficiency didn't sound bad.
"No way. If it's left to those five, they'll definitely fail. My intuition tells me so. Because, they all say the same lines as my ex-boyfriends from my past life. They're just like my ex-boyfriends who were freeloaders, saying sweet things and dreamy stuff like 'it'll work out somehow'!"
What a coincidence. I share the same opinion. It's obvious those guys will fail.
Or rather, this girl is really popular with worthless men. Do worthless men approach her, or does she make men worthless... now, which is it? Maybe she emits some kind of signal that attracts worthless men?
Marie implored me quite desperately.
"So, I'll sell you information, so please send an allowance!"
...Well, since I want the information, I'll approve the allowance.
"I'll give you an allowance, so talk about that Republic of Alzer."
"Thank you, Big bro!"
Delighted to get an allowance, Marie stood up and danced a little jig. When I told her to hurry up and talk, Marie cleared her throat and spoke about the Republic of Alzer.
"The Republic of Alzer is an aristocratic republic. It's more advanced than the Kingdom, and there's an academy that commoners can attend. There, the protagonist gets close with the male capture targets."
Same as the Kingdom of Holfart.
"And then, the protagonist is a girl descended from a great noble family that was supposed to have died out."
"Hmm."
"Ultimately, that protagonist revives her house with a male capture target, but—"
I was dumbfounded by the information I heard from Marie.
◇
"Stop with the world crisis if the capture fails. Give me a break."
I'll skip the story, but anyway, if the protagonist of the second game doesn't get things right, the world might be destroyed in the worst case. This world is constantly on the verge of destruction.
『Master is quite the worrier too.』
"How can I leave a world crisis alone?! Damn, if only I knew nothing, I'd be living leisurely as a second-year at the academy."
『You're a Count, rank three below, after all. I'm sure you're in high demand. I hear that because of this recent incident, the number of men decreased more than women. The positions of men and women have reversed.』
Men can choose a marriage partner from a large pool, but women have no choice but to choose from the few men available.
Moreover, there's the reality that even if women graduate, there are few marriageable men. Rather, it seems the current situation is that marriage becomes harder after graduation. It can't be helped since there are so few men.
In the midst of that, smart women were starting to panic.
『If you stayed here, a happy academy life would be waiting for Master, though.』
"I want to stay too. But I can't just leave it alone, right?"
The problem is the existence of a reincarnator like us.
I haven't confirmed whether one exists or not, but if there is one—thinking they might do as they please like Marie and, in the end, the world falls into crisis, I can't rest easy. To have worked so hard only for the world to be destroyed would make it meaningless.
"...I'll check things out while studying abroad. If nothing's happening, it'll just end as a simple study abroad trip."
『How is your language ability?』
"I've learned enough for greetings, but conversation is probably impossible."
『I can interpret, if needed?』
"Then say that first! I studied my ass off, uncharacteristically, didn't I?!"
『Let's do your best there.』
While we were making a racket, Nicks came to fetch me.
"Leon, the old man's calling for you."
"The old man is?"
◇
When I showed up at the mansion's office, I heard the story from my old man and was surprised.
"Engagement?"
"That's right. There's an engagement ceremony, so you get ready too."
"Could it be, big sis?"
"Jenna's no good. According to Mom, she can't even do proper housework, so she can't even be married off. Besides, there are fewer men now, you see. If we try to marry Jenna off, it'd have to be to a family below the rank of Baronet or lower."
If she were to marry into a family below Baronet, various problems would arise with my sister.
Her being completely unable to do housework is out of the question.
My mother is currently re-educating her from scratch.
With my connections—or rather, as the sister of a hero—she could probably squeeze in somewhere. But, perhaps thinking that would be ridiculous, our parents absolutely won't allow it.
Then, the only one getting engaged is my brother.
As the heir to the Baron's house, my brother currently helps with the old man's work.
He's already graduated from the academy and is now helping out at home, so is it just right?
"Why not marriage?"
"There are various circumstances. Sorry it's hectic, but you'll participate too before heading to your study abroad destination."
Is it an engagement because they want me to participate?
It's possible the woman is still a student and hasn't graduated from the academy.
"No problem."
"Really? Then, make your preparations."
◇
Leaving the room and going down the stairs, Jenna, who had been promoted from second daughter to eldest daughter, was there.
She was being taught how to clean by Yumeria-san.
"Young lady, you mustn't wipe so roughly. Like this, you have to wipe carefully."
My sister, silent, looked extremely dissatisfied.
"Ah, no! There, you do it like this—"
Even though she was being taught cleaning by Yumeria-san, who's cute despite being a mother of one, my sister threw the rag.
"I can't do this! Something like this should just be left to the servants!"
"B-But, I was told to teach you cleaning."
Perhaps still not understanding reality, my sister does nothing but dream.
"If I go back to the academy, there are heirs to Baron houses. I just have to marry one of them. Ah, Leon! You introduce me to your friends. For this occasion, I'll settle for a rural territorial lord noble."
Yumeria-san was flustered and bowed her head to me.
I faced her with a gentle smile, "Ah, it's fine," and directed a nasty grin at my sister.
"Hey, you've got some nerve towards a Count. Incidentally, my friends are already receiving passionate approaches from women and are in a position to pick and choose. They likely don't have you in their sights at all."
...It's really enviable.
For me, my status as a Count gets in the way, so the women approaching me are all young ladies at a ridiculous level.
I'm happy they make a fuss over me, but if I lay a hand on them, I'll be forced to take responsibility immediately, so I'm not even allowed to fool around carelessly.
"Y-You, what kind of attitude is that towards your older sister!"
"I'd like you not to forget that when you were about to be in big trouble because of your own slave, I was the one who covered for you."
In fact, my sister nearly got held responsible too.
It was me who resolved that with the power of money.
Seeing my sister biting her lip in frustration—clears my mood. What a refreshing day today is.
"U-Um, Young Master? No, Count-sama? H-Huh? A-Anyway, Leon-sama, Jenna-sama is pitiful."
I'm healed by Yumeria-san.
For me, who only has sisters with trashy personalities, this person feels like a cute little sister.
In reality, she's older than me and a mother of one, though.
I like this slightly airheaded feel of hers. On top of that, she's serious and kind.
This person is the best.
"I'll forgive you since Yumeria-san said so, but be a little serious. If I speak seriously, at this rate, you'll have no one to take you as a wife, you know."
"...If I just go back to the academy, I'll have my pick of men."
"Look at reality."
When I laughed at her, my sister picked up the rag and threw it at me. It was laughable how she got worked up and turned bright red.
I splendidly dodged it, but our mother was watching the scene.
"Jenna, it seems you still don't understand."
"Mom! I've had enough!!"
I watched Jenna run away, laughing.
I hope this will improve her marriage-hunting situation a bit... but looking at my sister, it felt like there's still a long way to go.
◇
Night.
Lying down in my room, I was lazily chatting with Luxion.
Since I was getting sleepy, my replies weren't very conscious either.
『So your elder brother is getting engaged.』
"Yeah. Gotta give him my congratulations."
『Incidentally, how about Master? Do you love Olivia and Angelica both about the same?』
"You're an idiot. As if I'd know my own feelings even myself. I love them, but... as I thought, thinking about responsibility and things is scary."
While yawning sleepily, Luxion arbitrarily drew a conclusion.
『In other words, you love them so much you can't choose, correct?』
"That's right. So when I said 'both,' I got slapped. Even though I answered honestly, isn't this too cruel?"
『Do you have the intention of marrying one of them?』
"...If I could, that'd be nice. In the first place, if I could, I wouldn't be suffering. I love them, but. Because I love them, I want them to be happy... and I'm not good enough for them."
They're too good... I don't think I'm worthy of them.
They're girls who'd even prostrate themselves for my sake, you know? If anything, they should marry a better man and be happy...
『Master... I'm looking forward to tomorrow.』
"Yeah. Let me sleep already. I'm sleepy..."
When I closed my eyes, I saw the smiling faces of Livia and Angie.
◇
The next day.
In a waiting room where relatives had gathered, I was clad in luxurious attire.
"Isn't this weird? Today's main event is my brother, right?"
Nicks was also wearing an expensive suit, but I stood out more.
"...Well, see, you're a Count. I'm just the heir to a Baron's house."
"No, that's wrong. You should look sharper, Nicks."
Our younger brother Colin was looking at me.
"Leon-bro's clothes are amazing! They're glittering."
My old man stood in front of the door looking nervous.
Somehow, I felt he was on guard.
When I cast my gaze around the room, my mother was also fidgeting restlessly.
"Luxion, isn't the atmosphere strange?"
『...Everyone must be nervous.』
Well, it's my brother's engagement ceremony.
We'd come to a shrine within the territory and the ceremony was about to take place... but even so, it was strange.
"We aren't greeting the other party's relatives?"
Nicks averted his gaze from me.
"That's how the schedule is. We'll greet them after everything's done."
A truly hectic engagement ceremony.
Thinking that, as I waited in the room, my old man looked at the clock—
"It's about time. Alright, let's go. Leon, this way."
"Yessir."
I'm attending an engagement ceremony for the first time.
But, since the star today is Nicks, I was thinking about teasing him later and such.
◇
"...Old man, what's the meaning of this?"
"As you can see."
The shrine is like a church-like place.
A red carpet is laid, and alongside it, benches for attendees are lined up.
Those attending are the Duke's family—the clan led by Vince-san.
My brother had nonchalantly blended in among the attendees.
At the back where the priest is waiting, two women wearing pure white dresses are waiting.
"Did you deceive me?!"
"Don't say such misleading things. I never once said it was Nick's engagement ceremony. You just jumped to conclusions on your own."
No matter how you look at it, the two waiting for me are Livia and Angie.
Their faces are hidden by veils, but I recognized them immediately from their figures.
Moreover, Vince-san is attending too. If it's gone this far, isn't there no escape?!
"I didn't hear about this!"
"...After hearing what those two had to say, it's because you were being wishy-washy and pathetic. Besides, unless we make this clear before you study abroad, we don't know what you'll do over there."
I'm thinking about various things too, you know!
Don't call me wishy-washy.
I just don't want to take responsibility!
My old man looked towards Vince-san.
"If you run away here, you'll be smearing mud on the face of the Duke's house."
"That's low. Creating a situation where I can't run away is low, you bastards! —Wait a sec. Luxion, you knew about this, didn't you?"
Luxion, floating nearby, looked somehow happy.
『Yes. Thinking that Master, who remains always indecisive, was pathetic as a man, I made the arrangements on this side.』
What the hell have you done.
As we were arguing at the entrance, Gilbert-san came over.
He was smiling, but his eyes weren't.
"Leon-kun, Angie and the others are waiting. You mustn't keep them waiting forever. Or perhaps, you're dissatisfied with Angie?"
N-No, I have no complaints.
But, as a man, I wanted to play more!
I didn't hear anything about an engagement!
My old man, with a troubled face, talked to me about my situation.
"You probably don't know, but marriage interview offers are coming from various places. There were so many shameless marriage interview offers that we were troubled. From above fifty to single digits below for marriage interviews. Even you'd hate it, right?"
Aristocratic society is rotten.
I'd had the fifty-plus ones before, but single digit is a child, isn't it.
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
Gilbert-san supplemented my old man's story.
"If you get engaged to Angie, you'll be freed from those nuisances. Besides, you don't hate her, right?"
When I looked at Luxion, the bastard averted his single eye from me. This guy blabbed my feelings to other people.
"B-But, I'll be studying abroad and all."
"Ah, that's why we decided to have you engaged before that. When I consulted His Majesty, he happily approved this marriage. I also have a message from him."
Receiving a single sheet of paper and opening it—I immediately crumpled it up.
『Welcome, to the grave of life. Also, I love things that you hate. Hearing you'd hate it, as you're running away from marriage, I pushed the talks full force towards you marrying both of them. You'd better thank me. by The Competent King』
...I will never forgive that bastard.
My old man pushed my back.
"Hurry up and go! Those two are young ladies too good for you. Or rather, you really are a troublesome guy. When those two say they'll marry you, be happier about it. I mean, what are you wishy-washily thinking about? Hurry up and get married. It's troublesome."
It's because they're too good for me that I held back, dammit!
Vince-san's gaze was scary, and when I walked towards the two, applause rose.
Seeing my face, Nicks averted his gaze, and my sister, seeing my attitude, was clapping with a very nice smile. Yumeria-san was even clapping while crying happily.
My mother? She was crying. "That such a good bride would come for that child," she was saying. Words pierce my heart repeatedly. ...My parents' faces from my past life came to mind.
Approaching the two of them, as I lined up, Angie spoke to me in a whisper.
"Sorry for the sneak attack."
"You didn't have to go this far."
Livia, while slightly looking down, reproached me,
"It's because Leon-san always dodges the issue."
...I'm still only about a second-year high schooler.
Is it because remnants of my past life's sensibilities remain that deciding my life feels far too early?
"...Don't blame me if you get fed up and end up thinking you shouldn't have gotten engaged."
Livia, with a happy-sounding voice,
"I won't think that."
"A-And even if you call me a Count, I have no income..."
Angie, with confidence,
"I'll support you. Rest assured, even so, I'm the daughter of a Duke. For the support necessary to be independent, I've gotten promises from my family home. I have received a certain amount of education, you know. If you have no income, I'll simply provide for you."
Too manly, I'm shocked.
Angie turned around to look at the entrance.
"The escape route is over there."
"Even if I went back, I think what awaits is hell, though."
Forward is hell, back is hell... then I have no choice but to advance into hell where there's still bright hope.
"Why do you fall for someone like me?"
"It's because you're like that that I fell for you. I want you. Leon—become my husband."
My heart went all doki-doki at Angie's reply.
"Y-Yes."
Livia nestles close to me.
"It's because you're Leon-san that I fell in love with you. I will absolutely never let go."
I get shivers at her line with a slight yandere touch.
"Have it your way. I won't run away."
"—Yes!"
Even wrapped in her veil, I could tell she was smiling from ear to ear. Well, in the first place... I don't dislike the two of them.
I like them, after all. I love them.
My only lingering regret is that I wanted to play around more as a student.
The priest was saying some kind of congratulatory words, but they didn't reach my ears.
I was deceived, but... it doesn't feel bad.
◇
『Congratulations on your engagement.』
"Is that all you have to say, you pieces of junk?"
『Ara? Blaming even me, isn't that too cruel? I just gave those two a little push. I thought if cornered, Master could do it.』
Both Luxion and Creare deceived me together.
It's certainly true I'm glad I escaped marriage hunting, but hearing about it afterwards, it's full of problems.
"I didn't hear that marriage hunting doesn't end even if you get engaged."
Inside the room, Luxion and Creare, floating, faced their single eyes at each other and shook them sideways with a "good grief" gesture.
『Master is a hero who saved the nation. For the reconstruction of the ruling class which has become a wreck, you're a necessary existence.』
『If you put your mind to it, a harem isn't just a dream, you know. You did it, didn't you.』
"I'm not happy! Even though you were cold to men until now, if you suddenly do an about-face, it's troubling! It's scary, if anything! I can only think there's an ulterior motive!"
『Please rest assured. The situation won't change that rapidly. The reform of women's consciousness is still lacking, and it will take five to ten years to reach a balance. Well, for consciousness to truly change, it will likely take about twenty years.』
That's not happy information either.
You mean there are still many women with the same old condescending attitude?
This world really is harsh on men.
"Even with the engagement, I'm studying abroad immediately. I feel like I'm being transferred away alone right after getting married."
Creare was laughing.
『I'll be staying here, so you can rest easy.』
At the ruins she seemed serious, but after getting a spherical body, her personality seems to have gotten slightly lighter.
Is the cause in that round body?
Hearing a knock on the door of the room, I answered.
"It's open."
"Excuse us."
There, was Livia in nightwear holding a pillow— and—
"What's this, you haven't prepared to greet your wives."
—Angie was standing there.
"Kyaaaaaa!"
"Why are you screaming?"
I, who was sitting on the bed, jumped up in surprise.
"B-Because. It's already night, and on top of that, you two are in nightwear."
That nightwear is a negligee that looks like nothing other than—an invitation.
"Leon-san, since you'll be departing for study abroad right away, before that, um... properly."
Please don't say the rest.
I'm a man too.
I want to do it, I want to play, but when responsibility and such get involved, I end up thinking about all sorts of things.
"N-No!"
To that opinion of mine, Angie tilted her head.
"Why?"
—Oh no, our values are too different.
"Please wait. I'm not mentally prepared."
"What are you saying? Livia said she wants to talk?"
Ah, that kind. So that's it, huh...
"Talk?"
"Um, I wanted to talk about various things. Up until now, we've been busy with one thing or another and didn't have time to talk calmly."
Is it no good? Livia implored me so cutely, I could do nothing but nod many times and say "It's fine."
It's a secret that I felt a bit disappointed.
"You, what were you thinking?"
Angie looked at me with a mischievous grin, so I averted my gaze.
"I was contemplating love."
"Ho, love, is it. That's good. I'd certainly love to hear about your love as well."
...What is love, I wonder. Even I can't come up with an answer.
Before I knew it, both Luxion and Creare had vanished and were hiding.
Those guys really are unreliable.
The two sat beside me, at a distance where our skin touched...
In the end, we ended up talking until late that night.
◇
The day of departure.
A floating island in the sky above the Royal Capital.
There is a port, and it was crowded with people who came to see me off as I departed for my study abroad.
Daniel and Raymond, as friends, were happy for my studying abroad.
"It's a shame for Leon too, isn't it. Even though the invitations from girls increased so much."
"I never thought men would be the ones getting invited. If Leon stayed, he would definitely have been hugely popular."
My friends' smirking faces were supremely irritating.
Even I would've loved to go back to the academy where the marriage-hunting situation improved.
I wanted to enjoy academy life, man.
"...You guys, remember this when I return."
"As expected, Leon is that kind of guy."
"On the contrary, I'm relieved you're normal as usual. I thought you might say 'I am a Count, show respect!' or something."
You guys, just how do you see me?
While I was talking with the two of them, Claris-senpai approached.
"Studying abroad really is too bad."
"Claris-senpai."
"And, congratulations on your engagement."
I have no idea what the smiling Claris-senpai is thinking. Looking at her entourage, they were glaring at me.
Are they angry that I got engaged?
Since the start of my life, it was the first time I'd been popular, but I'll probably never again experience being wooed by multiple women like this.
Perhaps sensing the indescribable atmosphere, both Daniel and Raymond distanced themselves from me and shut their mouths.
The one who came there like a savior was—Master.
Her standing figure looked dazzling.
"Master!"
"Mister Leon, you'll be departing, won't you."
"Yes!"
Master, actually, it had been decided that she would become the Academy Head from this academic year onward.
The academy would also undertake a major policy shift, and it was decided to place a suitable person.
That person is Master.
"Seeing a foreign country will also be good experience. Make sure you study well."
Actually, I'm just going to check on the state of the Republic of Alzer.
"I'll continue my tea practice even over there."
"That's very good. However, I expect growth as a gentleman—no, as a person. I look forward to seeing Mister Leon come back one size larger."
Master—I'll aim to be a gentleman like Master!
Luxion informed us of the time.
『Master, it's time to depart.』
"Ah, let's go."
I boarded the Einhorn.
◇
Creare was at Livia and Angie's side at the academy.
『Didn't you need to see him off?』
Angie, while drinking tea,
"If I cried where people are, it would bother him."
Livia is the same.
"Besides, we finished our farewells before his departure."
Creare teased the two of them.
『How admirable. Master is lucky to have such good fiancées.』
Angie, placing down her cup, dropped her gaze to the empty cup.
"And, you know. We have our own things to do."
Seeing Livia also give a small nod, Creare asked.
『Did you have some kind of plan?』
"I want to be of help to Leon-san. For that, I'll study a lot and become someone he can rely on."
Angie was the same.
"It's a suspicious story, him suddenly saying he'll study abroad. Leon, that guy was a man who normally said he hated foreign countries. That guy suddenly said he'd study abroad. You'd think something's up, right?"
Creare was convinced.
『Well, I suppose. Master must have his own ideas, don't you think?』
"It was difficult for us to study abroad too due to circumstances, but... it's also a bit frustrating. 'Are we that unreliable?' we thought."
『Hmm, isn't that a different matter?』
Livia seemed to agree as well.
"I understand. But, this time we want to be relied upon. In order to be of help to Leon-san, we have to study much more about various things. Don't you want to surprise Leon-san when he comes back?"
Creare's single eye turned towards the books on the table. For Livia, books related to magic. For Angie, books concerning territory management were placed.
『...It depends on conditions, but if you ask me, I can get in contact. For simple messages, right away. Communication might be a bit difficult. Well, let's get that twisted guy to do something about it. Endure until then.』
Angie smiled.
"At that time, we'll ask you."
Livia looked up outside the window.
"—I wonder if Leon-san is inside the flying ship by now."
◇
My private room on the Einhorn.
I was lying on the bed—
"Damn it! I set off nicely on a whim, but I don't want to go to some foreign countryyyyy!"
I was flailing around behaving like a child throwing a tantrum.
Originally, I held the idea that even for travel, within the country was sufficient.
What's so sad that I have to go to a foreign country?
『You're slow to give up.』
"At least let me complain! Why do I have to go to a foreign country and watch over someone else's love life?"
If the new protagonist's love doesn't succeed, the world is in danger.
Can such unreasonable things be allowed?
『That aside, how about coming out?』
A box in the rattling room.
I'd been curious about that extremely suspicious box.
"What's this?"
『An item sent from the Royal Palace.』
"Ah, now that you mention it, they made me bring souvenirs for the Republic of Alzer along with my study abroad."
『Calling gifts exchanged between nations "souvenirs" is just like you, Master. Incidentally, this one is addressed to Master.』
When I opened the box, Marie was inside, sitting in a fetal position.
I seriously felt like I was watching a horror movie.
When I closed it again, Marie burst out.
"Why are you closing it?!"
"It's scary! I broke out in a cold sweat normally."
Why is this girl here?
When I looked at Luxion, it seemed he knew from the start.
『It's better to hear from Marie.』
When I looked at Marie, she fidgeted with her fingertips together in front of her chest, looking embarrassed.
"W-Well, actually—I used up all the allowance I received."
"...Huh?"
"It's not me! Not me! ...Those five."
◇
The floating island dedicated by Leon was moved to the sky above land managed by the Kingdom.
Marie and the others, who were to live there from spring onward, immediately ran into a problem.
"—What's this?"
In front of the mansion Leon had prepared for himself, there was something covered by a tarp.
Julius, with a smile, stripped off the tarp.
"I prepared it for Marie. I thought you'd be pleased."
What was there was a stone statue, depicting Marie in a goddess-like form.
(...Wh-What is this! Really, what is this?!)
Jilk directed his gaze at Marie's statue as if beholding something divine.
"We had a famous artisan among the young ones make it."
Brad also seemed satisfied with the result.
"It was hard getting them to correct it since they kept trying to make the chest bigger right away."
Looking, the chest was flat, about the same size as Marie's.
(M-My chest is bigger! Or rather, didn't you shave it down too much? No. That's not it. I have to confirm the important thing.)
"Wh-Who exactly prepared this?"
Greg, giving a thumbs-up,
"We prepared it with everyone's money. There was plenty, you see. Well, to commission a skilled artisan, it was still a little short, so we sold off things on this island to make money."
Important farming equipment, the food sent from Leon, and so on... the five had sold them off.
They seem to think if they ask, he'll send more immediately.
(C-Could it be, they entered Big bro's floating island before us for this? You're kidding meeeee!!)
In the first place, the five didn't know that Marie had prostrated herself to obtain it.
Chris also seemed unrepentant.
"If it's going to be deposited every month, this much is cheap. If there was a bit more, we could've prepared something bigger. Even so, isn't the allowance from our families a bit small? Since it's an island with nothing, we want to prepare various things..."
The five were trying to prepare a fountain decorated with Marie's statue.
They seemed to think the money was being deposited by their own families.
"There's no allowance coming from anyone's family!"
The five were shocked by that fact.
Kyle was completely put off by those five.
"There's no way they'd deposit money every month after you angered them by doing all that. That was a year's worth of living expenses."
Carla, who had been carrying Marie's luggage, was also dumbfounded.
"Y-You spent all that money?!"
Julius tilted his head with a puzzled look.
"Is that so? Then let's contact the Royal Palace and request additional budget."
Marie's vision went dark at the five's recognition.
(Why are these guys... If they weren't rich, they'd just be gods of misfortune.)
Marie held her head and fell to her knees on the spot. She didn't have the leeway to care about things like getting her skirt dirty.
(I-Impossible. Even though it was an allowance I finally managed to get by asking Big bro!)
The reason she had him send cash in addition to supplies was because merchant ships came regularly. It was originally a measure to teach the importance of earning money by buying and selling crops they raised themselves.
Unable to think that would be possible from the first year, Marie had relied on Leon.
"If we could make such a request, I wouldn't be sufferinggggg!"
To Marie, who ended up crying and screaming, Kyle and Carla rushed over to comfort her.
◇
Marie, pale-faced, was looking down.
"Even though I'm not at fault at all, I got lectured by Her Majesty the Queen."
"O-Oh."
Summoned to the Royal Palace, Marie and the others, who had suddenly reached a level where they couldn't live, were apparently lectured by Mylene-sama.
In the first place, I can't think their sense of money would change in such a short period. Having grown up as rich boys for over ten years, a life of sudden poverty is unreasonable.
"Then, they said it was a mistake to suddenly throw you out—so you should go study a little, they said. They said if Big bro was there, that might be good too..."
That's the reason for studying abroad?
...Huh? I'm looking after these guys? Looking after these gods of misfortune?!
"Hey, what about the rest of them?"
"They're in the cargo hold. Also, here."
Marie handed me several letters she had.
The first I roughly opened was from Roland.
『Handle the troublesome matters well.』
I immediately tore it up and threw it away.
Next was a letter from Her Majesty the Queen. Opening it carefully,
『I ask you to look after Julius and the others. Actually—』
Apparently, there's a faction that can't forgive Marie and the others. Due to the assassination incident too, they seem to want to evacuate them out of the country temporarily.
Or rather, Prince Julius—no, just Julius is fine.
Julius has almost completely lost his right to succession, and on top of that, the Royal Palace, battered from the war with the Principality, is incredibly busy.
It seems their honest feeling is that they're too busy with reconstruction to deal with Julius and the others.
...If they'd stayed in the country like that, I might have ended up involved whether I liked it or not.
Thinking that, maybe studying abroad is a good thing?
Mylene-sama's letter also had content worrying about my well-being, which made me want to cry. I won't forgive that bastard Roland, but I want that person to be happy.
"Huh? There's one more—"
"That's from Hertrude."
◇
I went out on deck and read the letter.
The content of the letter was a simple greeting.
I thought it might have written complaints about me killing the Black Knight, but such a line was nowhere to be found.
Just—
『If I had obtained you, perhaps the Principality would have been slightly better off.』
—something like that was written.
What awaits her is a harsh life from now on. The reason the Royal Palace kept her alive was because it's more convenient for governing the House of Fanoss. Rather than executing her and sending someone else, they'd send a royal family member like Julius and have him produce a child. That way, the vassals' opposition would be less.
『I should have seriously tried to win you over.』
Seeing that line, I thought everyone expects too much from me.
I'm just an ordinary person who happened to obtain Luxion.
I haven't even mastered that power.
I posed a question to Luxion floating beside me.
"Don't you ever think you'd rather serve a more competent master?"
『Even if competent, I dislike descendants of the New Humanity. In the first place, I don't expect competence from Master.』
"You really are a nasty guy."
I sat down on the deck.
"—A foreign country, huh. I wonder what kind of place it is."
I can't have much hope for the Republic of Alzer I'm heading to now.
After all, it's the sequel to that otome game.
...Really, give me a break.