The World of Otome Games is Tough For Mobs

Chapter 132 - Volume 5 Chapter 5

Volume 5 Chapter 5

Chapter 5 - Dense

Part 1

「And so, what? You were exchanging letters with Deirdre and Clarice?」

The location was the royal capital of Hohlfahrt Kingdom.

It was when we were borrowing a room in the mansion of Duke Redgrave there to enjoy tea elegantly.

Doing something like this made me felt really like a noble. It made me let my guard down.

「──Yes.」

In front of me were Ange whose face had turned expressionless and the smiling Livia standing beside her.

「Leon-san, you were also exchanging letters with the queen weren't you? You even made us deliver your letter to her majesty once.」

「I did.」

I asked my fiancee to deliver a letter to a woman who fit my criteria.

Even without thinking hard about it, it was obviously something wrong to do wasn't it.

I was having fun with the tea time until the middle.

But, I let my guard down after knowing that the reason the two of them picked me up at the commonwealth was just a misunderstanding.

Because of that I carelessly ran my mouth 「Haha~, I was flustered back then because I didn't know what made you two angry」.

Stupid me. Stupid, stupid idiot!

I sent a gaze to Luxion asking for help.

It seemed my desire reached him. Luxion gave me a follow-up.

『I wish that you two won't underestimate master. ──His crime doesn't end there.』

After they heard that, their gaze on me turned even colder.

I grabbed Luxion with both hands and pulled him close to my face.

「What's with you? Hey, what's with you!? Do you really hate me that much? This should be a scene where master and servant's hearts are connected and you give me a back up!」

『Master should reflect on yourself more. How about trying to face your sins including all those sins that are still kept under darkness? ──Well, there are a lot of those undiscovered sins though.』

「What sins do I have!?」

『It's a sin to not even know that. Also, I'm being this strict is for master's sake. Don't you think I'm really a loyal servant?』

Don't screw around.

I didn't wish for anything like that from an AI.

You should spoil me more.

Also, what I was wishing from you was makeshift excuse to survive this place.

「Leon, how about you tell us everything? Tell us every details before you return to Alzer, including everything you're hiding.」

Livia hugged my arm.

「Leon-san, we're also busy even though it looks like we aren't.」

Yes, they should be busy.

Ange was acting as the mediator for the second year students, while Livia was acting as the mediator for the scholarship students.

They must be busy with a lot of matters even though it was summer vacation.

「But, we finished almost all of our work at the first half of the summer vacation in order to meet with Leon-san. That's why──we have a lot of time, so please don't worry.」

「Wa~, amazing. Have you finished your summer vacation homework perhaps?」

I was the type who would get serious at the latter half of the summer vacation to finish my homework.

Human should experience testing their limit at least once.

But Ange and Livia were different.

「Don't worry. We already finished them except for a small part.」

Livia also nodded.

「I have also finished everything that can be finished.」

Amazing! Someone like me still hadn't touched the homework that Alzer's academy assigned to me.

「Both of you are amazing. I'll brew even better tea leaves for such amazing women.」

Ange smiled.

「You don't need to concern yourself of that. After all we are your fiancees. If it's tea that you prepared for us, we won't mind even if you use cheap tea leaves.」

I was happy to hear that, but in short her words meant 「We won't let you escape」 wasn't it?

She showed an attitude that wouldn't let me talk my way out of this.

Livia was also the same.

「That's right. That's why, please tell us everything about these other sins.」

──What now.

There were a lot of things that felt like they could be considered as sins. I didn't know which of them that I should talk about.

Part 2

There were some maids who were observing the tea party.

There were also a lot of people who were serving Ange in Duke Redgrave's mansion at the capital.

A lot of the maids came from knight family and received education in the academy.

There were even actual nobles from count house, viscount house, and baron house among them.

Among those people, there was also a woman who had been taking personal care of Ange since she was little.

Her name was Cordelia Fou Easton(コーデリア・フォウ・イーストン).

She was currently 24 years old. She had been working in the duke house since she was little to learn good manners through apprenticeship.

Her age was too far apart from Ange and she couldn't attend the academy together with her as her followers, but she was of the people who had been serving her for a long time.

That Cordelia was peeking into the room with an expression that looked like noh mask.

「That man──even though he already has Angelica-sama, he not only lay his hand on women in foreign country but even other women in this country.」

The other maids were troubled.

「Cordelia-sama, please calm down.」

Her noh mask expression became like a furious demon.

「How can I be calm in this situation!? Do you know how horrible the treatment that Angelica-sama received due to that witch Marie? That woman stole that idiot prince who was formerly the crown prince and even shamed her in front of public eye!」

「S-saying idiot prince is too much isn't──i-it's nothing.」

The maids became quiet in front of Cordelia's fury.

「Angelica-sama is really worried that her fiancee might be cheating on her. And yet even though he understand that, to do something like cheating」

「E-err, it was mentioned that he wasn't cheating.」

「The problem is him doing things that is putting him under doubt!」

Last year Ange's engagement with Julius was canceled.

The reason of the cancellation was something that was completely unforgivable. Even Redgrave family was feeling disgruntled toward the royal family.

What vexed Cordelia was that Ange's followers had also betrayed her.

「Angelica-sama was really depressed because the people near her also betrayed her. Even though that man know about that, for him to actually dare cheating this early in their engagement──unforgivable!」

The people around her thought that she was exaggerating but, when they thought of how harsh things were for Ange last year, they also became irritated with Leon.

However, after the war with the former Fanoss Principality last year, most of the houses that betrayed the duke house had received punishment.

It was also the same with the academy students who betrayed Ange.

Thanks to that the number of high class maids was also very few.

Setting aside that internal condition of the duke house, Cordelia was thinking that she should raise some kind of countermeasure toward Leon.

「Someone should be placed at the commonwealth to stand watch over him.」

Part 3

Around that time, the matter of Leon was also becoming a problem at Bartfalt House.

Nix who had graduated from the academy was in the middle of studying under Barkas(バルカス) to become a feudal lord.

That Nix was fretting.

「Father, is it alright to just ignore this? That Leon, we don't know what he's going to do.」

Barkas was sweating nervously.

If the story he heard from Leon about what happened at the commonwealth was true, it seemed he was picking a fight against a great noble house.

Not just that──.

「I can't face Duke Redgrave like this.」

──He was also suspected to be cheating.

The person himself denied it, Angelica and Livia were also accepting it.

But, he couldn't help but felt uneasy.

After all this was Leon they were talking about.

Nix was in tenterhooks.

「I don't think that Leon will cheat. That guy is completely a wuss when it come to woman after all.」

Barkas looked coldly at Nix who was saying that.

「You're also the same. You haven't found a marriage partner even though you have graduated from the academy aren't you?」

「I have a special circumstance! Besides, I never imagined that big brother Lud──sorry, I mean Ludward(ルトアート) would get disinherited!」

There was a circumstance with Nix.

「Let's return to the topic. I think that if it's Leon then he won't cheat. I believe in him but──that guy, should I say that he is strangely loved by women──he is oddly popular with some type of woman.」

It wasn't just Ange and Livia.

Leon was also close with noble ladies like Clarice and Deirdre.

Barkas covered his face with both hands.

「Don't say it. I don't want to recall it. My stomach felt like they were sawed. Someone like Prime Minister Barnard was asking me『What do you think about my daughter?』. The prime minister himself you know!?」

Even Barkas would be troubled if someone who was far higher than him like they were above the clouds brought a marriage discussion to him.

Bartfalt House was just a baron family located at the countryside.

「Father, what are we going to do if the same thing happen to Leon at Alzer? Don't you think it'll become really troublesome if a noble woman there is approaching him? Besides, that guy is also a man──the possibility of him cheating isn't zero.」

If that happened, they didn't know what Redgrave House would do.

The only thing Nix and Barkas could do in that case would be apologizing for the misconduct of their family member.

Leon's mother Luce(リュース) arrived while the two were in low spirits like that.

「It's pathetic for two men to be looking down like that together.」

「Even though you say that, this is a big problem.」

「In that case, we should also prepare someone to chaperon him over there.」

「Chaperone?」

Barkas tilted his head, the the maid Yumeria(ユメリア) entered into the room.

Her appearance looked like a young girl, but large objects were dangling down from her chest.

She was an elf woman and older than anybody here.

But, she was treated as somebody younger because of her appearance and her conduct.

「E-excuse me! I want to volunteer myself!」

ph_otome5_ill004

Nix looked troubled.

「No, I know that Yumeria-san is a hard worker, but being a chaperon means watching over Leon over there. I don't think Yumeria-san can──ouch!」

Luce slapped Nix's head. She explained to him with a small voice.

「You're stupid. This girl's kid is at the commonwealth right? She is always worried about him, so let's allow her to meet him while making her take care of Leon too.」

Nix understood after hearing that.

Yumeria had a son named Kyle.

Right now that son was taking care of Marie. He was living far away from here.

「I-I understand. So that's how it is. Then I guess we should let Yumeria-san board Leon's ship.」

Barkas also nodded.

This decision was simply the good intention of the three to let Yumeria worked near her son.

──Yes, this decision was from good intention.

Part 4

I stopped by at home before returning to the commonwealth.

I was going to part from Ange and Livia there.

I was going to go back to life of overseas student at Alzer once more.

「──Most of my precious summer vacation here is used up by meetings.」

I thought I would be able to relax at the kingdom, but I never thought that it would take so many days to discuss about the plan ahead.

Luxion admonished my optimistic attitude.

『Did master seriously think that you will be able to do nothing but having fun in your vacation with your position? Currently at the surface it's a turning point for the diplomatic relations between the kingdom and the commonwealth. The kingdom and the commonwealth are both greatly busy. Behind the scene──it's also an extremely important period in the otome game aspect that master mentioned.』

「I know that──even so I want to have a vacation.」

『Master has been able to rest enough though?』

I understood that right now was an important period.

We had to find a lover for Noelle.

If not the world would be in danger.

And the last boss of that otome game's sequel was Albergue-san who controlled the sacred tree was it?

They said that the sacred tree would become a monster and went into a rampage.

Spare me from that.

In the worst case Luxion might be able to deal with it but──it would be hell for the commonwealth after they lost the sacred tree.

The sacred tree had been providing the commonwealth with immense wealth until now.

If they lost that, the commonwealth would be placed in a tough situation after that.

In that second game, according to Marie 「The sapling will become the new sacred tree for the commonwealth」.

Sapling──the sacred tree's sapling, it was unclear whether it would be able to do the same thing like the sacred tree.

And then the sacred tree's sapling──I'd just call it sapling-chan in short.

Sapling-chan needed a priestess in order to display its ability.

Noelle would become the priestess, and then after she chose a guardian who would protect sapling-chan it would become happy end but──.

I looked at my right hand.

「More importantly, can't this crest vanish? This belongs to the guardian right? Why did it appear on me then?」

It was also bothering me why sapling-chan chose me as the guardian.

Normally there was the order of the sapling choosing the priestess and then the priestess would choose the guardian.

But it seemed Luxion had a different thinking.

『Master, do you know the reason why the sacred tree choose a guardian?』

「If it's just like the name suggested then it's to make that person guard it, right?」

『Yes. And then, who was the one who secured and protected that sapling until now?』

「──Me huh.」

『I don't think it's strange for the sapling to decide that master is suitable to be its guardian.』

「But the priestess」

『In the first place, I can't understand that point. Is there really any need to choose a priestess? It's logical for the sacred tree to choose a priestess first in order to understand human. But, the sapling would prioritize its own survival first.』

For some reason the sacred tree's saplings would wither if they were left alone.

They would still wither even if they were uprooted and then put under rigorous care.

Anyway they just couldn't grow up.

The reason why that happened was interesting.

「Even though they were born from the sacred tree, it was that sacred tree that was trying to kill them.」

『I have the feeling that it's mistaken as a plant.』

The source of nutrients for the sacred tree was the magic element──the source of magic power in the air.

The sapling couldn't be grown with just normal nutrients from soil and water.

But, it wasn't like the sacred tree was absorbing all the magic element in the air.

And yet it wouldn't share the magic element with the other saplings.

It was as though it was trying to destroy itself.

『The important thing for the sapling is master's existence that can guarantee its survival. There won't be any problem even if it put the existence of the priestess as secondary priority.』

「So it's different from the game. More importantly, what're we going to do from now? The priestess and the guardian will become lovers right? I already have fiancees. Ah, perhaps the priestess position can be given to Ange or Livia?」

That idea crossed my mind so I said it, but Luxion immediately shook his eye in denial.

『The two of them don't have the attribute necessary to be a priestess.』

「Have you investigated it?」

『Yes. Because it's an information that might become necessary depending on future development.』

Certainly it was necessary but, it was somewhat dissatisfying.

「──Tell me first before you are investigating. It makes me feel unwell that you are investigating on your own accord.」

『I was only doing it on the side while also doing the periodical health checkup. More importantly, I have a single question.』

「There are a lot of questions huh. So, what's this question?」

『Master, as the fundamental rule, the crests that the sacred tree bestowed are differentiated with ranking. The guardian's crest has the highest ranking and the priestess's crest is a rank below it.』

「Yeah.」

『The third in ranking is the crests that are in the possession of the six great nobles but──the sacred tree will prioritize protecting the one with crest of higher rank. If that's the case, there is one story that is strange.』

「What is it?」

『Master haven't noticed?』

Looking at my puzzled expression, Luxion showed an exasperated gesture with his spherical body.

What to do──that gesture was terribly irritating.

「That's why, just tell me already!」

『──Lespinasse House had the crests of the guardian and the priestess. Then why did they lose against Rault House who only has lower ranked crest?』

I too finally understood after hearing that.

That's right.

How did Lespinasse House get destroyed?

Even Marie and Lelia's story didn't explain that.

That question was only get treated as "that's the setting in the game".

「Perhaps Rault House developed a weapon that doesn't rely on the sacred tree's power?」

『The commonwealth doesn't have such advanced technology. I have concluded that they don't have any weapon or countermeasure that can counter the crest.』

There were a lot of weapons that were working by receiving energy from the sacred tree at Alzer.

If the lower rank opposed the higher rank, the sacred tree would stop the supply of energy in order to protect the higher rank without caring of the excuse.

In addition, even Lespinasse House should also have weapons that made use of the sacred tree's power.

Even if they were attacked in surprise and got caught completely off guard, was it really possible for them to lose so one-sidedly?

From what I gathered from Lelia's story, it sounded like they got one-sidedly destroyed.

『Master, this is just my hypothesis but──perhaps Lespinasse House lost their crest at that time.』

The story was getting complicated.

If Lespinasse House didn't have the crests──was it because they were stolen?

Or they simply lost them?

No, perhaps.

「Pierre did whatever he pleased using the sacred tree's power didn't he? Is there any possibility of Rault House using similar trick like that to destroy Lespinasse House?」

『I can't say that there is none. But, isn't such possibility low? If such trick exist, the six great nobles should know something. Also, this is also something that's bothering me. It's impossible to completely erase the fact that Rault House had destroyed Lespinasse House. And yet, Albergue is sitting on the seat of acting chairman.』

Were the other five houses alright with Rault House destroying Lespinasse House?

This became even more confusing.

「──Luxion, why didn't you tell me something like this quicker?」

『I had been planning to discuss this with master, but I was unable to find a good timing. In addition, there is no urgency to discuss about this problem. After all it's a past matter.』

「No, this is really important!」

『It won't cause any big change whether master know about it or not. Master is aiming to reach the ending of that otome game isn't it?』

Certainly, even if I knew about this earlier it was unthinkable that there would be any large change about our plan going ahead.

「Even so you should tell me this kind of thing! I want to know if there is a reason for something like that!」

That's right.

There was also the possibility of us having a misunderstanding.

We were going through a lot of troubles last year because of that too.

『Does master really want to know about the full details? ──If master sympathize with Rault House even more than this, it'll be master who suffer. Albergue will die at the end. And then Rault House will also perish. That's the result that master and others are wishing for.』

I recalled the time when I had dinner at the mansion of Rault House.

I looked down. Luxion then expressed his concern for me.

『Master, there is no need for you to shoulder the responsibility for other country too. You mustn't mistake what is it that you should prioritize.』

I sat down on the spot.

Just what was it that I should do?

Part 5

Inside Einhorn that was going back to Bartfalt territory.

Livia was talking to me who was currently feeling depressed.

「Leon-san, we're going to arrive soon.」

Livia who came to notify me was looking slightly despondent.

「We're going to be separated again for a while. But rather than that, what's the matter? Leon-san doesn't look well for some reason.」

Livia was worried seeing me depressed like this.

「Ah, you noticed? Actually I don't want to go back there. As I thought my own birthplace is number one.」

I showed her a smile, but I faltered in front of Livia's serious gaze.

Then Livia looked down.

「Is there something going on over there?」

「Eh? How did you!?」

I never told Livia anything about that otome game.

That was why she should have no way of knowing what I was doing.

Livia raised her face and looked at me.

「Leon-san, didn't you go to Alzer because there is something there?」

「T-that's not it. You know, I was going there to babysit Julius and others.」

I spewed a lie right away.

The palace was pushing Julius and others on me after I decided to study abroad.

「──I heard from Ange. His highness Julius and others were pushed on Leon-san after you decided to study abroad. Leon-san, aren't you hiding something from us?」

I averted my face.

I'm a reincarnator! How relieving it would be if I could say that.

This world is a world of otome game, and you are its main character.

──If there was someone who said that, I would put some distance from them.

But Livia wasn't angry.

「I don't know what Leon-san is doing. But, I believe that it must be something important.」

「Livia?」

「Because, Leon-san is a kind person.」

When she told me that with a smile, it felt like my heart──became really light.

Livia continued.

「I'm thinking that perhaps, Leon-san has something that you can't tell us at all. But, please, just be careful to not act recklessly.」

While I was at a loss of how to respond, Livia gently hugged me.

「We will also do our best so one day Leon-san will also be able to rely on us. That's why, please wait for us until then.」

「Livia」

I was happy to be kindly hugged like this, but then Livia's arms strengthened their hug a little.

「Also, Ange won't say it but, she is sensitive in regard to cheating.」

「Eh? A-aa, yeah.」

I was troubled even if you told me that.

Even though I didn't cheat at all.

「Ange is worried. That's why, please don't make her sad.」

「I know.」

Ange was sensitive in regard to cheating because of Marie's fault.

She must be unable to calm down if I was staying at a place near that Marie.

I should be more considerate.

Livia let go of me.

「We will come to meet Leon-san again at the next long holiday. Let's sightsee leisurely at that time.」

Livia smiled. I beat my chest saying leave it to me.

「I'm going to investigate any good sightseeing place to prepare for that time.」

「I'll be looking forward to it then.」

Part 6

Ange and Cordelia were in another room inside Einhorn.

Ange sighed and made an irritated expression.

The reason was the words from her big brother.

「Forgive him if it's only one or two mistress──is it?」

He said that he wanted to send someone because he was uneasy after hearing that Leon was living in Marie's mansion.

Her father and big brother were also thinking that such thing was certainly bad.

And so they suggested to send someone from Redgrave House there.

But at the same time, Ange's big brother Gilbert(ギルバート) also said 「It's fine for you to refuse Marie no matter what, but it'll be better if you don't meddle too much into things other than that」.

Her father and big brother were also men.

They could also understand Leon's feeling if he was cheating.

The two of them were also indirectly advising Leon about that, but Leon himself didn't notice.

Ange was also a noble's daughter, it wasn't a problem even if her husband had a mistress──she thought before.

However when it was actually happening in reality, there was a gloomy feeling in her heart.

「Perhaps it was a mistake to consult with father and brother about this?」

She asked that to Cordelia who was the one taking care of her in her home.

Cordelia was a high class maid. She was also educated.

「Perhaps they aren't mistaken as a noble, but personally──as a woman, it's natural to be unable to accept it.」

The reason Ange was talking to Cordelia was because she was the maid who would be sent to Leon's place.

Both her father and big brother planned to choose a young and beautiful maid.

The reason was to place someone that wouldn't be problematic even if Leon laid his hand on her.

Ange looked at Cordelia.

「Even so, I didn't expect for Cordelia to volunteer.」

When they were talking of who to send, they gathered the people in the mansion who fulfilled the criteria.

Cordelia volunteered herself at that time.

「Angelica-sama, please leave it to me. This Cordelia will monitor Count Bartfalt strictly.」

「I-I see.」

Angelica was slightly relieved seeing the enthusiastic Cordelia.

(I, I thought to ask her to indirectly investigate what Leon is doing there, but I didn't expect that she would be this motivated.)

Ange also had faith on Cordelia> She didn't think that she was a bad choice to be sent to Leon's place.

「To be honest, I'm not planning to restrain Leon. That's why, I intend to forgive him if it's just a little bit of playing around.」

「Is that alright?」

「It's fine. I won't ask for anything more if he just returns to us at the end.」

To be honest she couldn't forgive anything like that, but Ange was scared that Leon would hate her if she seriously restrained him.

However.

「However, pay attention to Marie. She is a woman who ensnared five people at such a short time. In the worst case that Leon fall into Marie's hand──I don't think that such thing will happen but, it still weighed my mind.」

Ange too thought that they had to be on guard against Marie no matter what.

Cordelia placed her hand on her chest.

「I shall keep it in mind.」

Part 7

When I returned home, I was told to bring along one person with me to the commonwealth.

It was the elf Yumeria-san.

She was bringing a large traveling bag and standing in front of me nervously.

「──Eh? Yumeria-san is coming along too?」

「P-please take care ohf me! ──I bit my tongue」

She couldn't talk correctly and became teary eyed.

No, was it painful because she bit her tongue?

Well, it didn't matter. Even so, this person was really cute even though she already had a child.

Mother talked to me.

「She will watch over you so that you don't do anything wrong over there. Also, I won't forgive you if you lay your hand on her.」

My family wouldn't trust me.

「I won't do anything like that. I already have fiancees.」

「That's why we are worrying like this. Don't you dare do anything that will make those two cry.」

「I understand that.」

When I said that, mother made a doubtful face that said 「Do you really understand?」.

Next father talked to me.

「Well, her acting as your chaperone is only half of the reason. Look, Yumeria-chan has been working hard at our place, so this is like a reward for her.」

「Reward? Ah, that.」

Yumeria-san's son, Kyle was at the commonwealth.

She must wished to be together with her son.

「Got it. I understand.」

「Do you really understand? We're also serious with her being your chaperone.」

「So even father is suspecting me of cheating!?」

「Yeah.」

He answered instantly. I was trembling while sending my gaze to Nix who had been staying quiet since just now.

Nix made a condescending smile at me.

「Do you think that you won't be doubted even though there are the cases with Clarice-san and Deirdre-san? You're really happy-go-lucky. Or rather, I'm really jealous. Even though I don't have any girl who is close to me.」

I couldn't say anything back after Clarice-senpai and Deirdre-senpai's name came out.

C-certainly, we were exchanging letters.

But, could an exchange of letter be counted as cheating?

「Eh? But I heard that right now girl will approach even if the man doesn't do anything though?」

「It's troublesome because I have you as little brother.」

Nix put his hand on his face with a complicated expression.

Part 8

Now, time to depart──it was at that timing Ange introduced me to the maid called Cordelia-san.

「My name is Cordelia Fou Easton. Please call me Cordelia without any reservation, my lord.」

She gave me a polite greeting, but it felt like there was a wall between me and her.

Yumeria-san was also a maid at our home, but her eyes sparkled when she saw Cordelia-san.

「My lord, she is a real maid. Amazing!」

「Yumeria-san is also a maid you know? But certainly this person seems really prim and proper.」

Of course her conduct was tidy, but for her to have Fou as her middle name meant that she came from a background of feudal lord noble.

She was a daughter from a good family.

When a house reached the level of a duke house, even the people working there would have relatively high status.

Not all of them.

Even so, there were also people like this.

Ange introduced Cordelia-san to me.

「I also have a complete trust on Cordelia. I intend to have her take care of you over there Leon.」

「Eh? But there is Yumeria-san already.」

Then Yumeria-san raised her hand slightly.

「E-excuse me, I'm also ordered to take care of Leon-sama though?」

Livia made a troubled face and looked at Ange.

「We should talk with father-in-law beforehand.」

Ange also nodded, but she said this wasn't a problem.

「Two will be better than one. There is nothing better than having a lot of helper. It'll be a problem to have too many employees, but two people should be just right.」

Cordelia-san looked at me firmly.

「Please treat me well, my lord.」

Yumeria-san also imitated her and bowed her head.

「P-please treat me well! My lord」

I asked the two in front of me to stop calling me 'my lord'.

「Just call me Leon. I'm not used getting called my lord.」

Then Luxion came near me and stopped around my right shoulder. It seemed that Einhorn had finished the preparation.

『Master, the preparation for the departure is finished. There is also no problem with the luggage.』

「I see.」

I looked toward Angelica and said my farewell once more.

「Then, I'm going.」

Livia placed her hands behind her and threw out her chest with a smile.