I'm depressed.
The reason is that I discovered I love Alisa and Airi.
It bothered me to ruin our friendship, but it seems my stupidity prevented me from reasoning whether I truly wanted to be with them.
The reason for my depression is that, at the moment of confessing, I ruined it.
I said I loved the Queen.
They hit me and left angry.
I can't blame them.
That was on Tuesday, and its now Saturday afternoon.
I don't feel like going out, but Ixion said the new aircraft is ready and anchored at the new port.
It seems my dad is really working hard.
Almost daily I see him going back and forth from the territory to the capital.
We moved the shipyard location to the territory of a margrave who fled; it now belongs to my family since we bought it from the palace.
The repair workshop is on another island, the former territory of a marquis.
Yes, it's exactly as anyone wouldn't have imagined.
It was Balzac's. Since he and his relatives were executed, his territory was left without a ruler.
Actually, the kingdom proposed it to my father. I don't know if it's good or bad.
Another problem is that the workshop heads, shipyard foremen, thaumaturgies, and master artisans like the weird old guy who harassed me...
They were annoyed with my family. I don't know what my father did, but they reached an agreement.
I was remembering all this while being carried like a sack of potatoes by a robot.
◇
We arrived at the port.
Both my family's territory and the place where the workshop and shipyard are located are packed with merchants and clients.
If I still had my island, I'd be promoting everything I'm going to sell.
The robot was carrying me, and everyone saw my pathetic self being carried by a floating trash bin.
In the middle of a large crowd, I spotted a certain spherical body in the distance.
It was Ixion, who finally stopped using drones and built himself a new body.
It was round as always; its size was lighter, like a softball. Its color was white with dark lines and a round red eye in the center.
It seems many people were amazed by what they saw.
He must be showing off.
The robot parted the crowd with my voice being played back.
Upon reaching Ixion, I saw what everyone was curious about, and it certainly deserved the amazement.
It was an amazingly long aircraft; the robot showed me a hologram, and it seems to be 700 meters long!
Ixion has definitely gone crazy with this. The shape is also similar to an elegant sword. No, seriously.
It's literally a sword in the form of a futuristic aircraft, and it's all black.
I was amazed that my new ship is a monster.
It no longer matters if people see Ixion or the super technology after the war.
But I don't want the palace to think I can build monsters like this at will.
Ixion came floating over to me. I told the robot to let me down, and after feeling my legs again, I spoke.
"You want attention, don't you?"
"You're mistaken. This boy is for another reason."
"And what is that?"
"Observe."
As he said that, the aircraft lifted by itself, rising and descending at will.
Brynhild was moved by robots like any other ship, but the number of them is very scarce, and the way it moved as if it were a limb...
"What did you do?"
"You want to know? Fine."
"Let me introduce my new body, Schwarzer! After the war, I understood I was limiting myself too much, which is why I moved my consciousness to a larger machine to have more power."
"Of course, who you're speaking with is nothing more than a terminal created for conversation. It's something like a phone, according to your crazy ideas."
"...That's definitely impressive. Wait. How do you expect me to take this monster abroad!?"
"What are you talking about? This boy is for me. Since Brynhild sank and I was annoyed, I decided to create something incomparable to her, but it's on par in weaponry and speed."
"The ship we'll be going on is over there."
Ixion pointed in another direction where there were fewer people, but the amount was still impressive.
I walked in that direction and now I was truly amazed.
It was a beautiful ship.
The hull's color was gray and the rest red.
It had a dirigible in the shape of a rugby ball connected by steel cables to the ship.
Several hot air balloons and propellers to simulate it being a fake ship.
The stern had something similar to a cetacean's fin; the sides had wings for stabilization, and from my position, I could see two large twin cannons on the deck.
The most interesting part was that the prow had a large horn; it almost looked like an orca. It was undoubtedly a marvelous ship.
"Ixion, you've outdone yourself with what I asked for. It's marvelous, elegant, and rugged. I'd kiss you if you weren't junk."
"Please don't. I'll self-destruct if you do. By the way, the large horn is the reason for its name, Schwerts."
"Schwerts, huh? You love weird names, but with this, we can go unnoticed over there."
"You're in no position to talk; I don't forgive you for my name being that of a cat. And, do you have everything ready? We only have one week left before leaving."
"If only that idiot hadn't said that danger still remains in this world. I'd be enjoying my new life at the academy."
Just remembering what she told me makes me want to vomit.
◇
It was yesterday. I went on a palace ship to visit Erselica after forgiving her (lie) and wanting more information about what she told me while in jail.
Upon arriving at the port, I was guided to the area where these idiots are living.
It's a green island with few houses for the servants and guards.
After a couple of minutes in a carriage, I arrived at the mansion prepared for them.
It was undoubtedly the mansion where the future king would stay.
Although no future king would be on an island hiding, and even more so when the ministers want to hang him.
In the garden, I found the three idiots trying to cultivate; they used construction units to plant seeds.
Without wanting to—possibly it happened that way—they destroyed the ground where they were going to plant their food.
I moved on after watching several servants holding back the urge to cry or get angry.
A maid told me Erselica was in a room separate from Liam; the reason was more than obvious.
I knocked on the door, and upon opening it, she jumped on me crying.
The maid saw her do it, and I threw her inside so she wouldn't think badly.
I'll prepare tea, and we started talking.
I told her I forgave her for what she did to them (lie, I'll never do that).
Then she told me that after everything that happened, Allen and Cana are living here as her personal servants and trusted friends.
That's true since I saw them cleaning the hall upon entering.
She also told me something I couldn't process.
"Wait, wait, wait... are you telling me you not only became Liam's girlfriend... but also those two's!?"
This girl has been more of a flirt than she seems.
She averted her gaze from me while talking.
"...Well, after everything that happened and what I did to them, and even more so when they confessed their love to me. I felt bad not reciprocating."
"No, no, no, it's not just one, it's three guys. You have three boyfriends, and one of them is the prince."
"Do you think I don't know? His mother gave me a cold look when I boarded the boat that brought us here and said the following with her eyes."
'You will never take the throne.'
The Queen is definitely a wise woman.
I'm glad to know her heart is serious and cold at times.
"You have it coming. After all, a large part of what happened was your fault."
"Stupid Onii-chan, don't remind me!"
"That reminds me, you came to find out more about what I told you, right? The threat that will come in this second year."
Obviously, yes. Do you think I miss you and want to see you? I must be agonizing first!
"You said Bandel was a threat and the final boss of the game, but that in the second year something more dangerous would come. What is it?"
She ran to a shelf and grabbed something, returning to her seat without showing me what it was.
"Well, let me tell you quickly what happened at the end of the first year..."
She told me that after the first-year incident, which wasn't a war but a struggle against the Bismarck Household...
The kingdom went into crisis; they were attacked from different sides.
Even Duke Belmont rebelled against the kingdom.
At that time, Balzac was named as the new Prime Minister, and Liam was used as a messenger to defeat them.
The second year is only similar and repetitive events that are boring.
The only worrisome thing is the third year. Around the middle of the third semester, the war against the extinct Commonwealth happened.
Airi was named Saint, and they defeated Bandel thanks to the ship and the Mobile Knight destroyed in the first semester.
The game ended there; the rest was supposed to be living quietly until being named king.
It was here that the unexpected twist arose.
The developers said it would be very boring if it were only like that.
That's why they added a new difficulty, a secret ending.
That ending involved me and a country called the Holy Magical Empire of Weissland.
That country has a weird guy called the Pope-Emperor.
That guy labeled Liam as a threat and, along with his allies, declared war on the kingdom.
This war is called the Third World War.
This war is lost by the kingdom, therefore game over.
The reason for their defeat is nothing out of this world; their stats were 100 levels impossible to reach.
For that reason, the developers introduced, through paid offers—better known as micro transactions—ways to gain experience and weapons to defeat them.
Among all of them, there's a special one, one that has its own story and development.
She pulled out that paper she grabbed and didn't show me.
She almost rubbed it in my face until I read what it was.
"Onii-chan, this is where not only is the danger but also our hope, the super weapon that will kick everyone's ass!"
I grabbed the paper and read aloud what it said.
"Welcome to all foreigners who wish to learn the different blah blah blah..."
At the end, there was the most important part, the place.
"Supreme Kingdom of Aster. Is that where I have to go?"
She shook her head.
"This scenario exists, meaning, I found out this country exists in this world, which means if everything proceeds the same, the danger will come to us before the end of the second year. But what they make there will also be our salvation. Onii-chan, Liam doesn't have the skills, power, or resources to do it himself."
I don't like that pause.
"Therefore, you, who have tilted the plot in your favor, it's your responsibility to find that weapon, destroy the coming danger, and in the process, prepare us for the war in the third year."
Why does this happen to me? I didn't ask for any of this, but it's no use since I don't trust any of you useless people anyway.
I looked at Erselica as she yelled from the window at those idiots who made a lot of noise.
◇
"It's incredible that a simple peasant has so many responsibilities he doesn't want."
Remembering what happened yesterday and that I have to go abroad just to avoid the possible end of the world and a war I don't want to get into. It makes it seem like my second life or the next two years will be a pain.
Ixion kept boasting about both ships. The larger one will be halfway between the kingdom and the supreme kingdom... that name is too long, so I'll just call it Aster.
It will be halfway between the kingdom and Aster in case something happens.
Meanwhile, I will go in this beautifully decorated 400-meter-long ship abroad to search for that weapon and figure out how to steal it without being detected or causing problems.
I hope it doesn't take a whole year...
Out of nowhere—or rather, without warning—the mayor, old Morgan, saw me.
He was selling local food to merchants and traders who came here to negotiate for some reason.
He told me the following:
"Young Master Rudel, your father is calling for you. Go directly to his office to see him; it's urgent."
I wonder what my father wants? Anyway, I said goodbye to Ixion, who was boasting to the bourgeois about what he's capable of.
◇
"Excuse me? Could you repeat that?"
I arrived at my father's office. My mother was to his left from my position.
Both were very serious; my mom seemed like a secretary beside him, and my father with his arms crossed.
After closing the door, my father said the following:
"Get your best suit ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow you get engaged."
When I heard that, I felt like a bullet pierced me.
"E-e-engaged. Are you talking about Lyle?"
"No. Your engagement."
This is bad; this isn't something I had any knowledge of, much less any indication.
"Wait a moment, this is very sudden! Shouldn't Lyle be the one to get engaged before me? Also, what about Bram?"
My mother spoke for my father.
"Bram has many requests since they're not only from knight houses but also from noble daughters. Since he's not an heir, but still receives a percentage of the business profits, many are interested in an engagement with a non-heir. Meanwhile, Lyle... since both businesses are under your father's name, he will inherit them, so it's very dangerous to get him engaged without knowing what benefits or advantages that chosen family will give us. Paula won't enter the topic until she's fifteen."
"You heard her. So only you remain, the non-heir son, but who is his own boss of an independent family branch."
"Huh?" I don't understand.
"What do you mean by that!?"
"This came up when I went to deliver a report to the palace yesterday; the Prime Minister notified me that letting you leave without a fiancée is very risky. So, I got you a lovely future wife; you should thank me."
Wait, there's something wrong here.
"But I don't have territory or much wealth anymore! Who's the idiot who decided that?"
They stayed silent until the silence was broken by my father.
"You can be a noble of higher rank than the family, have a position at court, and be an independent branch. But, you're still a Bradford who is tied to his father until turning 18 according to the kingdom's laws."
"...Wait a minute, I don't even know that family, much less that girl!?"
"...It turns out that family and that girl do know you. She was very interested in you since the cruise ship incident and after seeing you fight in the war. Oh yes, she sent you a letter for a party, and you destroyed it."
I remembered something Ixion told me several weeks ago. Of all the letters sent, only one didn't seem shameless, according to him. Don't tell me!?
"I don't even know her name, I don't know what she looks like, and I don't even know if her family is trash that wants my ship, and more importantly! I don't know her personality!"
I'm scared; this is something not even comparable to when I fought those weird things or the pirates.
"...Since when do you care about personality?" my father said while continuing.
"She's a beautiful girl; I met her yesterday. Her father is a man with a rank at court and wants to get along with the family. So there's no problem."
"Of course there is! You're talking about someone I don't know who will be my future wife! This is—"
"Rudel..."
My father gave me a cold look.
"This engagement is important for you because the kingdom won't let you leave without being engaged. Besides, if you refuse, you'll make our family and that house look bad. You never know what a girl with a broken heart is capable of."
"Sleep well since tomorrow I'll prepare your clothes, as you'll stay at her house until you leave," my mother said without changing her expression.
Why? Why does life always trample and spit on me when I try to be happy in my own way?
I lowered my head and left the office, heading straight to my room.
◇◇◇
When Rudel left and his footsteps were no longer heard.
"Phew~"
His father deflated.
While his wife seemed nervous.
"Is it okay that we lied to him? I feel very bad; didn't you see his face? Can't we tell him who it is?"
Her husband scratched his head while relaxing.
"Do you think it was easy for me? I'd also be scared if I were told I had to marry a woman I've never met. Besides, they were the ones who asked us to say that. The palace really wants to know if he's going to study or escape."
"That boy isn't going to escape. He's a coward like his father."
"Why are you calling me a coward?!"
Walt defended himself while his wife gave him a bad look.
"I remember when we got married, you almost ran away; your father had to aim his rifle from the entrance so you wouldn't flee."
"That's different! I was young and hadn't had much fun before something so important."
"Oh, so I ruined your libertine youth, and that's why you go out at night to flirt?"
"I should tell those kids their father only made them because he wanted to vent."
"You're wrong, Sonia!"
Walt stood up to hug his wife; she seemed to refuse being hugged.
"I know in these twenty years I haven't been the best husband, but I want you to know there was only one woman I've been with and will be with! And it's you!"
His wife stopped trying to fight.
"How do you expect me to trust a man whose son inherited his cowardice and indecisiveness?"
The hug became stronger, and she turned red.
"I'm no longer a young girl for you to want to play at being in love."
"Who says you're not? I don't see a single day when the girl who could hit drunks with a spatula has lost her roughness."
"They touched my butt, and I was Rudel's age!"
Walt's hand lowered to her hips.
"It's because this butt is the biggest around; four healthy children came out of it. Thank you, Mr. Butt."
His wife started to laugh.
"Oh, is that so? Well, some children weren't made alone. It seems there was something I needed to help them form."
"Would you like another Rudel or another Paula?"
Walt threw the things off the desk.
"I'd like a boy who isn't a fool, but it would be bad for women if another heartbreaker came out."
The servants recruited by Sonia passed by as intense sounds and noises came from the head of the house's office.
◇
It was already night.
I haven't moved at all.
I had a long discussion with Ixion about many things, among them asking him to find out who that family was; he refused.
I looked at the ceiling wishing tomorrow would never come.
It will be a horrible day, and with only a week left to rest before leaving.
Ixion was putting away my things instead of my mother.
For hours, I've been hearing a strange sound downstairs.
A maid who works here because we are now officially nobles; I asked her what was happening, and she said the horses are having fun.
Those horses sure make a lot of noise to be heard in the house.
"Is there really nothing I can do to avoid it?"
I asked Ixion, but he ignored me.
The worst of all is that not only couldn't I ask the girls for forgiveness, but if I get engaged to a stranger, it would make our relationship like in my simulation.
I don't want to see them cry again; this really sucks.
"Tomorrow will be a great day, Master."
The chatterbox said while ironing my suit that he sewed in a mysterious way.
My head hurts; I just want to sleep and think this was all a dream.
Before my consciousness faded, I visualized the girls.
For some reason, both were in white dresses, smiling at me.
◇
The morning of the worst day of my life finally arrived.
I was dressed in my white suit with a white rose on my chest.
Before reaching what in the distance was a church from my previous life but run by people from the sanctuary, my family covered my face for some reason.
We entered, and I heard voices; then we headed to a special room for us.
My mother and Paula weren't here; only I and the other males of the family.
Lyle was nervous about something; since we returned from the war, he no longer dyes his hair or uses contact lenses.
I thought he had been replaced by a spy, but I see it's the same.
Bram tried to fix himself while repeatedly looking out the window.
My father, on the other hand, guarded the door; it seems he thought I was going to run.
In fact, I want to run.
I'm analyzing if jumping from a third floor; while covering myself with magical power, it wouldn't kill me.
It's terrifying to the extremes I'm thinking just to not marry someone I don't know.
The worst is that Ixion disappeared, and I don't know where he is.
Sitting near a table to fix myself, I saw how I sweated and my hands trembled.
I really don't want to get married, even more so with a girl I don't know.
Someone knocked on the door; my father stuck his head out to talk and seemed to jump for something.
"Alright, everyone is ready!"
Upon hearing those words, my fear increased more, and my stomach churned.
A serious Bram and a scared Lyle grabbed my shoulders.
They seem to know I'm capable of running.
"Alright, boys, let's deliver the groom."
They made me stand up and took me straight to the slaughterhouse.
Goodbye, filthy fantasy world.
◇
"...What's going on?"
I wondered because of what my eyes were seeing.
After entering the place, which is supposed to be a huge chapel to meet my future and unknown wife, I got a surprise.
Along this red carpet lay not one, but two brides.
Both to the left and right were two girls in white, covered by a veil.
Their dresses were the same; they were long, with gloves up to their elbows, leaving their skin up to their shoulders exposed.
They had a pearl necklace that matched the bouquets they had. Both were different colors. The girl on the right had a red one, while the one on the left had a blue one.
Their bouquets were at stomach height.
The chest part was exposed, showing the skin and half of the cleavage visible.
The weirdest thing of all is that I shouldn't see that cleavage, nor those colored bouquets, much less those very transparent smiles behind the veil.
"What's happening here!? What are they doing here? And more importantly, what about the bride I was supposed to marry?"
I was starting to tremble and sweat more until I saw it descend.
"Ixion, explain this to me!"
This floating sphere was also dressed up; it had a black bow under its eye to simulate being elegant.
"What are you talking about? It's your engagement ceremony, not your wedding. You can't get married until you're 18 or expelled from your family."
"Really? ...That's not what I wanted to know, but about that over there!"
I pointed with my finger to where I pointed.
"Why are Alisa and Airi here?"
No matter how you look at it, they are here.
I... am going to get engaged to my first and only friends, the women I love. I should be happy it's not an old woman or a weird girl, but...
"I don't understand! Why am I getting engaged to the girls?"
Ixion looked at me with his red eye; he seemed annoyed.
"You keep denying reality, huh? Fine. I organized all this. If you didn't get engaged to them before leaving, your own dishonesty was going to bring you a heart disease for being such an idiot."
My mouth opened when he called me an idiot.
"I spoke with Alisa's father, the Prime Minister, your family. They all agreed except Mayer, but I used a sedative to convince him. Oh, I forgot, the Queen and the King sent you some letters."
Ixion took out two letters from his body; they were floating for some reason.
I read Leonis's first.
"Wahahaha, welcome to death in life, brat. I accepted this engagement because I wanted to see you suffer, but the fat Lecia didn't want to get involved in something that doesn't concern her, so I can't see your stupid face right now. Are you going to cry? Are you scared? Wahaha, suffer like I am being tied to a woman; don't try to break this engagement since I approved it. Enjoy having Sieg as your father-in-law, wahaha. From your fantastic, majestic, glamorous, and splendid King Le—"
I crumpled the letter since it was just pure trash.
"That miserable son of a bitch!! He just became my archenemy!!"
My face was full of anger and hostile, unpleasant feelings towards that guy who calls himself King.
I read the Queen's letter hoping it would be something more interesting.
"Alisa is a wonderful girl; she's been through a lot, and in all my life, the only thing I'm more sure of is that you are the man she's been waiting for. I don't know your friend, but she trusts that girl a lot, so you can have two wonderful girls by your side."
The letter was very touching until I read the last part.
"Kyah!! Not one bride but two! Even the best love triangle novels I've read don't compare to a real one, kyah!"
(A mature woman shouldn't act so innocent, dammit!)
I could imagine her writing this without wanting to while shouting with joy.
I folded it and put it in my pocket to treasure this moment in the future.
Just as I did that, I noticed someone approaching me; it was Vayne, Alisa's older brother.
He was in a black suit with his hair down, showing a fresh air.
"Rudel-kun, I'm glad to know that from today we'll be family."
"...Thank you,"
(No, no, no, it's tempting, but I don't want Siegwald as my father-in-law, much less after mocking him and yelling at him that he was a terrible father.)
(Just look at him; there he is sitting, looking at me out of the corner of his eye as if saying this is taking too long. I don't want that guy to be my father-in-law!)
(Helpppp!)
Vayne seemed to see through me and gave me some kind of encouraging words.
"...I'm not good at giving encouragement, but Alisa is a great girl; I'm sure she's been waiting for this day since she accepted her feelings, and between us..."
He approached to tell me something that made me even more nervous.
"If you want to have fun with them alone, I can prepare an island for you three to spend time having fun like any young people, and I think my father wouldn't mind if you make him a grandfather before finishing the academy."
That only scared me.
The worst is that he smiled as if saying 'deal.'
"Well, don't take too long since they'd get scared thinking the worst."
(I'm the one who's scared, you know!)
"You're making them and the guests waste time. Bell, let's push him."
"At your service~"
I felt two spherical bodies pushing me.
They made me walk on the carpet.
To the left, I saw people I didn't know; they must be relatives, friends, and members of the Bismarck faction.
While on the right were ministers, officials, rich merchants, and my family.
I saw how my father and Bram gave a complicated look about how to feel.
Paula watched in amazement; my mother cried for some reason, and I heard what she said.
"Thanks to the Saint, I thought this boy wasn't attracted to women and would die alone."
Hey, don't say that to your son!
And finally, Lyle; he just bit a handkerchief as a sign that it annoyed him to see me happy.
After a couple of seconds walking slowly, I reached where they were.
With one hand free from the bouquet, they removed their veil.
I could see their faces clearly.
Both smiled upon seeing me.
Airi's hair was silky and very soft, judging by its smell and appearance.
Alisa's was like when we met, cut to the neck, only this time her braid covered almost her entire head.
I asked nervously.
"Are you okay with this?"
Both looked at each other, and then Alisa commented.
"If you want to run away, the exit is free."
"Please don't joke about that! Your father will chase me to the end of the world if that happens."
"You don't want to be here?" Airi asked, still smiling.
"...It's not that I don't want to; I think this is a bit rushed. We're still young and not in a hurry."
"...Are you making fun of us? No one believes that, Mr. Maternal Breasts."
"That's right, Mr. I-want-to-monopolize-your-mother."
Both said a line that scared me. It was from when I fought Liam for the second time.
"...How do you know that?"
"Everyone knows."
"If it weren't us, any other girl would look at you with contempt, but we don't, because we love you."
I wanted to shrink and cry at their cruel words.
"Why are you so defensive? An ambitious and lustful man like you should be boasting about having two girls for himself."
"It's as Alisa says; I don't think you're scared just because you're getting engaged to us."
I had forgotten.
"Airi is a commoner; what is she doing here?"
Both looked at each other again, and it was Airi who answered me.
"It turns out no one cares if a commoner gets engaged, but if it were related to an important house for the palace, then they would intervene. Alisa's dad told me I had to be part of Alisa's faction and a vassal of the Bismarck Household to be here; I accepted after hearing it."
The smile she made hurts me, especially because you're the future Saint and not just any girl.
That's true!
"Y-you can say you want to be with me. But do you know how I am? Do you know the kind of shameless man you'll marry who isn't afraid to hide under his mother's skirts?"
"We know."
"Being a crybaby and a weirdo, we love you from the heart."
What they say hurts more than they think!
"I don't have my island anymore!"
"My father said he'd give us an undeveloped territory as a gift. Thanks to Ixion, I'm sure we can develop it quickly. Besides, you forget I'm a Duke's daughter and received a high education; I could work while you rest all day. Honestly, I don't mind earning money with the sweat of my brow while you sleep like a cat."
"Please, don't make me feel like a parasite!"
These girls are getting closer and happier.
"You say you love me, but what if one day you wake up and say something like 'if only I hadn't married him' or 'I'd be happy with someone else,' huh?"
Both looked at each other and then, one by one, lifting the bouquet, said.
The order was from red to blue.
"You're the man of my life; the one I always waited for, that's why I won't let you escape. Rudel, I want you to be my husband."
"Rudel-san, I love you more than you can imagine; I want to always be with you, as you have been with me; I won't let you escape either. Please, make me your woman."
I should be happy to hear that, but a part of me was terrified by certain lines they said and even more by what I'm seeing. It must be a hallucination because it's impossible for this to happen.
I know it's a fantasy world, but I don't think it's physically possible, even with magic, to manifest hearts in their pupils.
Both are looking at me very happily, but I'm more focused on the fact that their pupils have become hearts. Those hearts look at me intensely as if they were going to suck me in.
"I think we've already agreed on everything, Airi."
"Yes."
Alisa approached to grab my right arm; Airi the left, and their legs made me walk to the pastor.
"Rudel, congratulations, you have two flowers in each hand to show off."
"That's right, your life with a harem has just begun, hehe."
I was terrified; this wasn't part of what I expected from my life. Just after walking to the center.
I, someone who never knew love in my previous life, found it in my new life. And it's with my friends, whom I love, but for some reason, this terrifies me.
On that day, I got engaged.
◇
"Congratulations on your engagement."
My two AI servants were here with me.
After signing a registry with our names and being blessed by the sanctuary, my engagement to the girls became official.
There was a banquet afterward in another place.
I was nervous since a bunch of important men and women gathered to congratulate me.
Among them was Siegwald, who just didn't say anything.
That terrified me more.
Alisa's brother came for his father to go with the girls to greet my family.
They, my family, were very nervous.
When I thought this day would end, I remembered I was going to stay a few days at my fiancée's house, which turned out to be Alisa.
I was sent in separate transport to the Bismarck Duchy, their official territory.
I had been here before, but today was weird since I was like the fiancé of the lord's daughter.
Upon entering the house, all the servants, both men and women, greeted me.
Although there was someone among them who gave me a strange look.
They told me it was fine to stay in Alisa's room, by order of their lord, but I told them it was too rushed, and they agreed to give me a guest room.
At this rate and with these people, I'll lose my virginity without being aware of it.
Now I was scared, sitting on a bed.
The reason is that it was night, and it seems the girls have already arrived.
Ixion and Bell were with them, which means they also came here.
"The Master is very scared, isn't he? He looks like a small animal."
"That's because he's a coward."
I was too scared to answer them since it's true; I'm scared to death.
Something like this never crossed my mind.
I wanted to have a wife one day, but I never thought it would really happen. Who would think that two girls really loved me so much? Me, with this face that's like a simple villain from a shitty game.
Ixion kept criticizing me.
"Honestly, I don't understand how someone like you, who has faced death so many times, fought powerful and numerous enemies whom you defeated thanks to my technology and your strength, is scared of having two girls by your side?"
"I think the same, Master. I've known you for a short time, but that short time is enough to know that you'd normally be showing off those two to your brothers and then groping them. Is this what they call bipolarity?"
"You're wrong, Bell. The Master really wants to show them off and grope them; he's the kind of shameless man who shows off to others so his existence is noticed."
I looked at Ixion because of that last part.
He also looked at me and sighed with a strange electronic sound.
"...Don't tell me you never realized the problem here? Honestly, I don't know if you or the prince, who is the true idiot disguised as a human, is worse."
"W-what do you mean?" I asked, very anxious.
"According to what you told me about your past life, I deduced several things. The first is that you are someone with rock-bottom self-esteem."
"...Huh?"
"It's just as you hear. The rebellious, unsociable, antisocial way, a large part of your stupidity and your terrible attitude towards others is simply because you don't consider yourself a human being."
I started trembling after that.
"The second is similar to the first; you suffer from self-contempt. Every time you talk about being a poor peasant, having nothing but my technology, and mainly, when you talk about your face. You emphasize that you never saw yourself as a human being."
I lowered my head because of that.
"The last, but not least, is your twisted sense of reality. From the moment you found me, you stopped being a normal person. From when you interfered in Alisa and Airi's bullying, your life changed forever."
Wait, Ixion called her Alisa?
"Why are you calling her Alisa now?" I lifted my head to ask, very curious.
"...Their names are too long, so I call them as you do. Let me continue with your therapy."
This is therapy?
"And after the war, you never had nor originally had a normal life. I'm not saying you shouldn't be afraid of what the future holds, but on the contrary, I tell you to stand firm in life and accept what hits you hard."
You know, that last part doesn't make me feel better.
But I think I already understand something about myself that I didn't know.
The reason I averted my eyes when lying, why I was terrified of this day, and even more, why despite understanding my feelings for the girls, I was still terrified.
I consider myself a human defect, but it's not something that came to this world. That was already from my previous life.
The day my uncle threw me out of his house, he yelled the following at me.
"Your life is worth nothing."
That day, something strange was born in me.
When I got my first job, I only lasted two days. When I asked the manager what I did wrong, he responded, laughing.
"Seriously? Haven't you seen the mood with which you work? I'd be surprised if you found a company that really wants to hire you."
That's how it went successively until I found my last job.
And in love, it goes without saying. It didn't matter if it was my adolescence or being an adult; women ignored me or rejected me to go into another's arms.
That's why I tried to alter the perception of myself with laughter. Both in my previous and new life.
The mere idea that Alisa and Airi love me seems so unreal, and even worse after what Erselica said.
Airi was originally Liam's partner; if everything had gone as planned, she'd be in his arms.
As for Alisa, I told Klein before blowing him up. If he had been a normal guy and not trash, he'd be happy with her right now.
Both are wonderful and charming girls. I never expected that they would really matter to me to the point of denying what I felt too.
"Being me really sucks."
"And how about that... Bell, we need to talk about something important. Let's leave them alone since they need to talk."
I didn't understand what Ixion was talking about until someone knocked on the door.
"Rudel, are you awake?"
"Rudel-san, can we come in?"
I got scared upon hearing the girls were behind the door.
When I turned around looking for those two, they had disappeared.
The girls asked again.
I mustn't keep them waiting; I must talk to them about what happened that day and about us.
"C-come in," I said in a weird, trembling voice.
The door opened, and I averted my gaze for some reason until I heard the door close.
"Rudel, turn around and look at us."
Alisa said in a normal tone.
I listened, slowly, I listened and shouted in amazement.
"Wahh!!"
My scream was weird, but what was in front of me was the reason for it and unique.
Alisa and Airi entered my room in a nightgown that ended at their thighs.
The room was illuminated by a magical lamp; it wasn't powerful, but even with that scarce amount of light, many things were visible.
They obviously came in sandals, but their attire said only servants or no one should be around.
Their plump, white thighs were outlined in that light fabric.
My eyes wanted to pop out because their underwear was slightly exposed; it was black, a black that stood out against the white fabric.
Raising my gaze, I noticed how their hips were outlined in the fabric, and their waists were marked by the shadow of the light; their stomachs and navels were clearly visible.
The higher I looked, the more my eyes wanted to pop out because the lower part of their breasts was marked by the light and the wrinkled fabric in that area.
Further up it was dark, but their faces were visible. They were red-faced and embarrassed.
"...I know we said we're your harem now, but could you not devour us with your eyes? We're still not used to living with a man."
I immediately averted my gaze, but before doing so, I noticed Airi had a heart-shaped pillow behind her, and Alisa had both hands behind her back, hiding the same pillow.
"Rudel-san, we want to spend the night with you."
I gave a slight jump at those words; I never expected not only to get engaged but now I'm about to enter manhood, not with one but two girls.
"W-w-w-wait, you two. It's not even the first day, and we're going to level up our relationship without even giving each other a kiss first!"
"Huh, what are you talking about? We came to talk about what happened today; that's why we spent the whole day with your family, asking what terrified you so much about the engagement. In the end, we found out nothing, and Ixion told us you had to tell us yourself."
"I-I see... that explains a lot. And that appearance?"
"Umm? It's our pajamas we normally wear to sleep. What's weird about them?"
(So they weren't seducing me! ...Why do I feel worse now? Are those pajamas for girls?)
"...Rudel-san, can we sit by your side?"
Airi asked me very nervously.
"Y-yes, if you like!"
They walked after that to sit each at my sides so I wouldn't run away or avert my gaze, I suppose.
My hands were firmly gripping my pajamas while Alisa on my right and Airi on my left pressed very close to me.
Our thighs touched, and they left their pillows aside.
"Rudel, we want to know the reason you look like this. It seems very weird to us that you're behaving this way."
"Alisa is right; I thought it was just a stage of nerves and that you'd come to our room wanting to see us after arriving. But you didn't. Rudel-san, are you unhappy or bothered by this?"
They have a lot of things I know about, but they know almost nothing about me; maybe that's partly why I consider this so unreal.
"I-I'm not bothered, shocked and amazed, yes. And... I'm not unhappy, just that..."
"What thing?" they both asked at the same time.
Ixion said I have many traumas and personal problems. But I have something much worse than that; it's a conflict that won't leave my system for anything in the world.
I tried to get it out, but I couldn't.
"We're very sorry for not telling you, but the palace insisted we not say anything, nor your family, much less. They wanted to make sure you wouldn't escape the kingdom under the excuse of studying abroad."
Tell those old men that, with this, it really could have happened since it never occurred to me.
Their hands touched my legs, making me tremble more.
"Rudel, we asked you if you felt something for us, and you denied it with a joke."
I didn't deny it; my mouth said something I didn't mean.
"If you really meant it... we'll respect your decision; Alisa and I won't get in the way of your life."
Huh, what are you talking about? Why are you averting your gazes from me and lowering your heads?
"This engagement was backed by His Majesty Leonis, so breaking it is impossible, but Rudel, that doesn't tie you to being with us."
They removed their hands from my legs.
It's not what you think! I'm not displeased with this outcome.
The fault is mine, not yours.
"Despite being your official fiancées. No one says you have to love us or much less be with us. You can be with whomever you please; Alisa and I understand it's a political marriage."
Stop, don't continue! You're wrong! You're not the problem; I am!
"...Remember it's still your obligation to have an heir; Airi and I wouldn't mind if you bring your lover to live with us-."
"You're wrong!"
I couldn't take it anymore; I don't want them to think they are a burden; if I don't say it now, I'll never say it.
"You're mistaken!! I... I."
I took their hands because it was time to tell them the truth.
"I love you! I love Alisa, I love Airi, I love you both! In the ship's hangar, the one who couldn't recognize what he felt was me; I really want to be with you! You're wonderful, kind, fun, intelligent; each one is special and unique, but they are so similar that I... think it's too good to be true! Girls like you deserve a man at your same level."
I didn't want to separate from them; I don't want to move away from them; I want to grow old with them.
"That's why I refused to accept reality! That day of your confession, I was going to tell you I loved you; I lied when I said I love the Queen; for me, she is an ideal woman because she's a fusion of you two! But what terrifies me the most is this!"
I bit my lips and closed my eyes as I said it.
"I really haven't forgotten what happened that day!! Every day I think about what I did to you that time!"
"My head is still full of all the hurtful comments I caused you! The contempt I generated towards you and about! ...The tears you shed because of how I treated you!"
My cheeks felt wet.
"I really can't forgive myself for offending you and making that semester the worst for everyone..."
I hate remembering that, because of my stupidity and stubbornness, I hurt the people I love and my first friends.
Both took my hands; they said something that cut my tears instantly.
"Rudel, are you an idiot?"
"I don't think he is, Alisa; I think he's just very foolish."
"It's the same; this boy is undoubtedly empty-headed. Oh, don't take it the wrong way; listen to us first, Airi."
I was stunned by what they said.
"Rudel-san."
Airi let go of my hand and instead went to grab my face so I could see her.
"First of all, thank you, thank you for letting out your true feelings; it makes me happy—no, it makes both of us very happy to know that we matter so much to you and that our love is reciprocated. But there's a problem here, and it's what you said."
"...What do you mean?"
Her lips opened to show me the reality.
"We forgot. What happened that time was everyone's fault; we said it ourselves. I thought you had accepted it too."
She let go of her hands, and my face was grabbed to now look at Alisa.
"Rudel, we didn't imagine that event would really mark you so much. Yes, it hurt us what happened, but it's precisely thanks to that that both Airi and I understood we loved you. Then what happened in the middle of the past and the war happened. All those bad, sad, and tragic experiences served to unite us more than we were."
I watched as tears fell from their cheeks.
"I'm grateful you say you love us; it makes me happy to know you reciprocate my feelings. Marrying through a political marriage isn't something I want; I really wanted to love my husband; you were the one who filled that position. I'm happy to know I'll be your wife, and Airi your concubine. But Rudel, forget it; leave that event in the past."
"...I understand, but I really—"
Airi hugged me before I finished.
Then Alisa; I could feel the warmth of both.
"We forgot we lost the dolls you gave us; we forgot the humiliation Erselica caused us. So, you forget that too. Let it go like water from a river."
Both hugged me very tightly.
"Rudel-san..."
"Rudel..."
Their voices made me understand with the following...
"From now on, just worry about being happy with your girlfriends."
That I was a winning person in this new life. I got a family, a future at the palace (which I don't want since they're forcing it on me), super technology that will make me millions within a year, and above all...
"Thank you, both of you."
That I have a happy future with the first girls I met in this world, the first friends I made, and the women I love.
I hugged them both in response to opening my eyes.
It's time for me to leave everything behind, my past life as well as the bad things I did, that includes those I killed.
I must focus on the fact that now I have not one, but two wonderful girls as my future wives.
"Girls, thank you for making me see I had a problem; I thank you."
"No, we want to help you in everything we can."
Alisa said, turning her face that was on my chest towards my face.
"We're not friends anymore; we're a couple; we must help each other since from now on we'll live together... together."
Airi added, having her face on my chest without taking it out, but out of nowhere, she repeated the same thing a few times.
"...Alisa."
"Yes?"
"Now that Rudel-san has accepted his feelings and ours..."
"...Yes?"
For some reason, both were looking at each other.
"It means we are his women, right? Can we do couple things now?"
"...You also want to do couple things, don't you?"
"I... I do because my heart wants to become one with him, but..."
Their faces looked at me with moist eyes.
Wait, that means that will happen, right? It will really happen right here and now.
There are no contraceptives in this world!
It's really wonderful that they want it too, like me, but there's a problem. They're still at the academy!
Yes, I am too, and I'm a guy over thirty inside with two teenagers as girlfriends.
It would be wrong if I were someone who cared about age.
But that's not the problem; rather, if I do it, they run a high chance of getting pregnant while still in classes!
I'm sure if we do it, it will be to the end; I'll be happy, but they'll have to carry my children while I'm not in the kingdom.
I don't want that; I want to be with them watching their stomachs grow; I want to be there when they're born.
But, but, I.
"...Rudel."
Alisa looked at me; her eyes were very moist.
"...Rudel-san."
Airi also called me; both had eyes that couldn't take it anymore.
My conscience and my nature are in a struggle now.
There's only one way to achieve stability.
"Alisa, I'll start with my legal wife!"
Alisa was surprised; I removed Airi's hand and approached Alisa's face.
For the first time, I really touched her.
My hands touched her cheeks; they are devilishly soft.
It's like touching a soft, creamy cake.
I touched her once, but I had gloves. Now I can touch her all I want.
My fingers reached her ears, then slowly descended to her neck; I couldn't help it and put my lips there.
"Mmm."
She made a cute sound; I kept kissing that swan neck until I reached her chin; there I found two plump red lips.
I looked at them intensely; my hands now touched her hair.
It's very silky; it's the silkiest I've ever touched. It's as if a super-fine garment melted in my fingers; those blond, smooth strands provoked me to devour them.
Without much further delay, I said, "Alisa, may I taste you?" She looked at me with very moist eyes, which then went to where Airi was; I did the same since it would be very disrespectful to ignore her.
She nodded that it was okay, hugged me to get closer, and watched how I was going to take her friend's lips.
For some reason, saying I'll take her friend or that my girlfriend watches as I do the same to her friend only makes me want to do it more.
Without thinking more, I brought my face to hers, and our lips met.
Alisa's lips are so soft, so plump, that I feel it's unreal.
Our tongues touched clumsily, but as time passed, we took a breath and repeated.
I think it was fifteen minutes or more like that since the intensity of our kisses escalated to more adult.
My tongue entered her mouth; our tongues entwined. Occasionally, my tongue touched her teeth and the walls of her mouth.
But I don't care; I want more. Much more!
I abruptly removed my tongue from her mouth; she was breathing very heavily; I could hear her heart beating.
I turned to see Airi, who looked nervous.
I looked at her to indicate she was next; in an adorable and very shy way, she accepted.
I did the same as with Alisa, but with differences.
I hugged her; my right hand on her shoulder and my left hand on her thighs.
She jumped a little from the surprise.
My right hand slowly climbed to reach her neck.
I approached her in the same way after calming her.
My left hand touched her thighs. I'm not exaggerating when I say it's like grabbing a large, soft, fleshy piece of meat.
My hand went up and down; the tips of my fingers seemed to dance playfully on her skin.
I kissed her neck; it was the same as Alisa's, a swan neck.
My right hand reached her hair; the sensation was different.
Her hair was like spiderweb threads; they were so fragile that my fingers also played with her hair.
"...Hus... band."
She called me husband in a clumsy way; that indicated I should treat her as my woman.
That's right; the future Saint and the villainous daughter of a Duke are my women. And I am a greedy hero who has both completely different women to be happy and enjoy our future together.
I brought my lips to Airi, but I decided to tease her a bit.
I nibbled her lower lip while she stuck out her tongue. Then, I kissed her cheeks, and my left hand gave a spank to her butt.
I could feel how my hand sank and the undulations.
I decided to do it again until she surrendered.
After a few minutes of feeling her great butt and nibbling her lip.
She stuck out her tongue and forced it into my mouth.
What a mischievous girl.
I hugged her as her man.
Our tongues met without rest, and in the same way, I didn't let her pull away.
I could feel saliva falling from our chins onto my shirt.
I groped her back in the same way you play a violin.
It was then that I realized she wasn't wearing a bra. That means her breasts are so vulnerable I can play with them.
But for now, I prefer to play like this.
I got into a more comfortable position by mounting her on top of me.
With my left eye, I watched Alisa watching us intently.
I freed my left arm from her back and brought it to her shoulder to bring her closer to me.
"This is how a hero should have a good time!"
I removed my tongue from Airi and, with a trail of saliva, introduced it into Alisa's mouth.
After a while, it went back to Airi's.
I don't know how much time passed, but my mouth hurt a lot.
Now, our tongues were one.
The sensation of tasting my girlfriends is undoubtedly gratifying.
So I decided to cut it since my lower part was already rising.
At this rate, I'll assault both of them, and I'll be the one screaming in ecstasy.
Before finishing, I decided to perform one last act of heroism.
I grabbed both and pressed their breasts against my face.
"Girls!"
Alisa's enormous breasts hit me with their firmness and hardness, while Airi's large breasts buried me in their sponginess and softness.
Finally, I could kiss and touch breasts. If I die now, I'll be happy.
I freed my face from their breasts, grabbed them firmly, and threw myself onto the bed with them.
I finally could grope them all I wanted; three more wishes were missing, two of them were the same but different concepts.
I was making a fool's face while the girls breathed very energetically, and I played with their breasts, the area between the armpit and a few inches below.
I understood that Alisa possesses breasts comparable to Ixion's current size; while Airi seems to be two or three cup sizes smaller.
If they grow, it means I'll be able to experience opponents of the same level.
Happiness will continue, but for today, let's leave it at that.
"I'm sorry, girls, but it would be very bad if I decide to continue, but I promise I'll take you to paradise in the most romantic way possible after graduation."
I left their breasts alone to stroke their heads.
They were still breathing heavily, but little by little, they returned to normal.
"...Rudel, you're a pervert. Look what... you make us feel like."
"...You're very cruel, Rudel-san. You were gentle and rough. But even so, I don't complain about it."
I asked them something without wanting to.
"Why don't you come with me to Aster?"
I'd be very happy if my girlfriends came with me, but I got scared since they might know what I was going to do, and it would be dangerous for them.
Fortunately, they said the following.
"Thank you for the offer; we're glad you proposed it, but we can't accept it."
"...That's right; the director asked us to stay weeks ago. There aren't many noble students, and of those who got the best grades, only we remain. We'd like to go to be together, but we'll see each other during the vacations."
I felt a little bad because they won't go.
"Well, it can't be helped... the night is young, so, how about we talk about us?"
Both were lying on my chest; upon hearing what I said, they approached my face to say.
"I want to know everything about your childhood and what you did before meeting us!"
"We'll tell you our lives too; we have a whole week for that."
I smiled upon hearing them while stroking them.
"My, I really have some very spoiled girlfriends."
And so begins my life as an engaged man with the women I love.
◇
The week of the newly engaged had ended.
Rudel and the girls returned to the capital on Sunday night to leave their things.
Today, Monday, was the day Rudel left to study in Aster.
In a room of the newly improved academy, Alisa and Airi were.
They drank tea with cookies they prepared together yesterday.
Near them, a white sphere was watching through a window.
"Are you sure you don't want to go say goodbye to him?"
Airi happily ate a chocolate cookie in the shape of Rudel.
Alisa drank contentedly, and it was she who answered Bell.
"We had a whole week together to enjoy. Besides, it's not that we won't see him again; it will be like before we met."
Airi added to what Alisa said after finishing eating.
"It's true; besides, he said we'd see each other again for the summer vacation."
Bell watched as, besides tea and cookies, there were other items on a table.
They were books about magic, territory improvement, and gifts from Rudel that didn't belong to this era.
Bell also observed something that captured her interest even more.
"You're happy about those gifts, aren't you?"
On the ring fingers of both left hands, there was a silver ring with a diamond.
Both smiled even more, remembering what happened a week ago.
"It's such a weird tradition from his territory, but it's still very beautiful."
"I never imagined rings were given for something other than luxuries. What did he call them? Engagement rings, right?"
They were happy; their love was finally accepted, and happiness awaited them after finishing the academy on a new island to live.
"...It's true we'll miss him, but if we go to the port, we'd start crying."
"Yesterday we said goodbye upon returning to the academy and almost cried."
Since they returned, Rudel said goodbye to his family in his own way, then to the Queen—a not-at-all-disguised look of disgust at the King—and several tears for his mentor.
Rudel's mentor of tea and chivalry was named the new director of the academy.
The former fled in a very shameless manner. The remaining teachers nominated him unanimously since the palace wanted to put a special noble in charge.
The mentor accepted and asked the girls to stay to improve education.
Alisa drank her tea made by Rudel before heading to the port.
Airi bit another cookie in the shape of Rudel they made together yesterday.
They had the same thought while looking out the window at a certain ship rising.
"...I wanted to go with you too."
◇
I was supposed to be leaving after finishing some matters in the capital.
The reason for my delay was her.
"Are you going to try to sneak on board?"
"It sounds very tempting, but I only came to say goodbye in person before going to my job."
Eleonora—or rather, Ellen, since she asked me to call her that or else she'd spread strange rumors about me.
I found her by chance at the port after returning from the academy. I'll leave Bellion in the kingdom; I only need Ixion.
I did it because I need someone to watch over the girls in my absence; I told him if any suspicious guy approached them, to get rid of them. Not kill them, obviously.
Ixion's new body, Schwarzer, will stay anchored at the borders between the kingdom and Aster in case danger arises for either.
I'll go on Schwerts and stay until I've obtained that ship.
Ellen harassed me in a not-at-all-subtle way.
"I'm engaged."
She laughed in a very mischievous way.
"Do you think I care? I wouldn't mind being number 2 in your little harem; a requirement is supposed to be having a large bust, and I meet that requirement."
She lifted her large breasts for me to see.
"Thank you, but I already have breasts at home—I mean, girlfriends. Two beautiful girlfriends who pamper me!"
She shrugged upon hearing it.
"It's a pity, but I'll tell you this. I'd feel offended if Lecia-sama ended up as your lover and I didn't."
"The Queen and I have nothing!"
I'm trying to forget all the harassment I caused her; don't add more fuel to the fire.
She seemed amazed by something; I half-turned to see what it was.
There was nothing there, but what happened was that she suddenly approached me.
Her hands grabbed my shoulders, her breasts pressed against me, and her tongue.
Her tongue entwined with mine.
It was a wild movement; I didn't hold back and responded aggressively until I realized she wasn't my girlfriend.
I withdrew my tongue, but she hugged me completely; our faces came close.
"I don't care if you play with the Bismarck daughter and that other girl, or even if you have fun with the queen or any other woman. I'll accept all your lovers, and I, by the end of your studies, will become your woman. Look forward to it, da~r~ling. ❤"
She withdrew, looking at me with those seductive eyes; for a moment, I thought of telling her to become my second wife. Honestly, as her name indicates, she's a real lioness.
She turned halfway and walked to the port exit.
I had another woman's saliva in my mouth; I won't lie, I cleaned it with my tongue instead of a handkerchief.
I watched as her butt swayed purposely from left to right in that black dress.
"She's a bad sign; I must avoid contact at all costs."
I boarded Schwerts to set sail at once after being notified by a noble who disembarked that its cargo was already installed.
I said goodbye and shouted to Ixion.
"Ixion! Did you see that?"
"See what?"
"Don't play dumb with me; you have eyes everywhere."
"It's true; I'm just proud you're finally a man. You already have three women at your disposal; you just need to think of a plan to conquer the queen."
"Stop saying weird things and let's go! Straight to Aster!"
"That's the east; there are no fairies there. Aster is to the north."
"Let's go straight to Aster!"
"...At least he pointed correctly this time."
I pointed north.
Schwerts rose, slowly flying straight to where I'll be an infiltrator to search for a weapon and steal it.
Studying abroad as a cover to steal their technology; I feel like a spy.
I watched as kingdom ships arrived at the port.
The wind on my face while walking on the deck with Ixion by my side.
"Won't you miss them?"
"...Yes, but they're safe. Erselica and the idiots are safe on their island; my family is famous, and I am a hero. Life is starting to smile at me."
"I see."
"I wonder what kind of adventures and danger await us in Aster?"
I laughed as I said it because this filthy fantasy world of a generic RPG game doesn't know who I am, nor what I'm capable of, nor much less know that I'm its worst nightmare.
I smiled at Ixion upon seeing him and said my best line.
"No matter what awaits us. I'm a cheater; I'll win using tricks or not, because Rudel von Bradford is the kind of man who does whatever it takes to win."
The horizon awaited me, a window to show this world that I'll kick its ass because, above all, I am...
"A villain!"
And nothing will stop me from being happy.
_________________
End of the arc "Total War! Super Technology Vs Black Thing."
First year successfully completed.
Now begins the new game of the second year.
Volume 3, finished.
__________________
Subject Status.
Name: Rudel von Bradford.
Van (previously).
Von (currently).
Age: 16 years old (17 soon).
Family: Bradford Barony.
Walt (father and head of the family).
Sonia (mother).
Lyle (older brother, firstborn, and future head of the house).
Bram (older non-heir brother).
Paula (younger sister).
Leo (great-great-grandfather).
Erselica (cousin from his previous life).
Affiliation: Bradford Barony.
Bismarck Duchy.
Royal Palace of Altfode.
Enemies: Many, almost too many to count, and many eliminated like the Kingsfort family, Marquis Balzac, and Bandel.
Erselica (previously).
Liam (previously).
Leonis (archenemy).
Court Rank: Third lower rank.
High-rank Knight.
Minister of War.
Noble Title: Baron (previously).
Viscount (previously).
Count (currently).
Marital Status: Engaged.
Relationships: Alisa (official wife).
Airi (concubine).
Eleonora (possible love interest).
Lecia (possible love interest).
Servants: Ixion.
Bellion.
Other Names: Trash Knight (previously).
Impostor Knight (by Bacchus).
Hero of the Kingdom (currently).
Demon of the Kingdom (currently).