MagicalExplorer
Reborn as a Side Character in a Fantasy Dating Sim
“I’ve never been in anything like this before,” Yuika remarked as she sat in the VIP section of the high-speed train.
When an imperial family member like Ludie was set to travel cross-country, what was the right call?
If I was someone with authority over the situation, I’d probably set her up with a form of private transportation, then assign several bodyguards to watch over things.
The same thing had basically happened in reality; Ludie’s parents had assigned her several personal bodyguards without a second thought and had opted to have her come home on a highly secure form of transportation.
Despite this journey having capable and powerful individuals like Claris and Yukine along for the ride, she had only slightly fewer bodyguards than usual.
“They really didn’t need to go this far,” Ludie said. Her exasperation made sense, as she had been given her own personal train car, and there were elf warriors on guard in the neighboring cars, too. This level of security was a bit overkill.
In addition to Ludie’s bodyguard, Claris, there was me, Yukine, Nanami, and Yuika. Unless some seriously bad news popped up, we would probably be fine.
Still, I could understand the perspective of Ludie’s family, too.
“I think they’re spooked by what happened before.”
A while back, Ludie had been betrayed by her fellow elves, and since there was no telling where the Church of the Malevolent Lord might be lurking, it was little wonder her family was anxious.
“Another reason for the extra security might be the fact that you’re here, Master. You are a member of the Hanamura family, after all,” suggested Nanami.
Oh, wait, because of me? Did the Hanamuras really need that level of consideration?
“Who cares about the reason? Travelling this way is super comfy and a lot of fun. My brother’s really missing out. He should’ve come along, too,” Yuika said.
“He did show an interest in coming. However, Master Iori was quite busy, so I imagine he didn’t have a choice,” Nanami responded from the aisle on the opposite side.
Yukine nodded. “And the student council has their overnight training camp this time of year, so his hands were tied.”
Iori had actually been invited, too, but he declined the offer, saying he had stuff to do. Based on my brief exchange with him earlier, he seemed to be going through the class rep event. He also had his hands full with the student council events and his magic shop-related events, so his schedule couldn’t get much more overloaded. Hell, he was probably knocking out more events than I was. I could only hope he’d keep up the pace and get even stronger.
“Okay, but the empire, though. What sorta place is it, anyway?” Yuika asked.
Claris was the one to answer her.
“It’s a gorgeous land, abundant with natural beauty. Many of the people there are calm and genial owing to their elven heritage, so the atmosphere should be a bit different than what you’re used to in Wakoku.”
In the game, the empire is portrayed as a harmonious blend of nature and magic technology.
“Really? I’m excited,” Yuika said.
“Me too,” I added.
During a playthrough, all sorts of events happen in the Tréfle Empire, and several dungeons are unlocked there, too. A huge event for the empire was also added via an expansion disc, and since I was working on a time limit, it would probably be impossible for me to finish up everything while we were there.
This really brought back memories.
The empire expansion patch was sold for just five hundred yen, which came as quite the shock to me considering it had several thousand yen’s worth of content. Usually with this sort of DLC, my first impulse would be to balk at the price for how little content was on offer. But I would end up caving and paying the full cost regardless, as I had been trained into thinking buying the DLC would ensure the developers could keep making games.
“You say that, Takioto, but you’re totally just excited about the dungeons, aren’t you?”
“Hey now, that’s not true! I’ve picked out a ton of places I want to check out, okay?”
The empire was an elven country filled with beautiful men and women, and it had a great many tourist attractions thanks to its scenic beauty. In fact, I had flipped through several of Nanami’s L*nely Planet and Fr*mmers guides in search of sightseeing spots. I planned on going to… Hmm? Wait, something was off here.
“…Actually, I might’ve only planned on hitting up the ramen shop and the dungeons.”
“Is that the ramen place I wanted to visit by any chance? Run by the elf who apprenticed in Wakoku?”
That was the place. Since the ramen shop was Ludie’s idea, that meant the only plans I had actually made myself were visiting dungeons. Wait, seriously?
“Don’t worry, Takioto, the dungeons are what I’m most excited about, too. We can find time and go together.”
“Yukine…!”
Ever my guiding star. Whether it was in the game or in real life, Yukine was someone I could always count on.
“I mean, I’m interested in the dungeons, too. We just better be sure to hit up a treehouse café or something after we’re done, got it?” Yuika said.
Actually, visiting a café sounded like a pretty good idea. I would be down for that, too.
“The coffee beans and tea leaves harvested in the empire are quite delicious, so I would certainly recommend it. Of course, visiting dungeons isn’t a bad idea, either,” Claris commented.
“It’d be nice if you could show us around a bit, Claris.”
“Good point,” I said, before a thought crossed my mind. “Yeah, that’d be nice and all, but first I’d like it if you could help us out when we meet Ludie’s parents.”
Even though we had Ludie with us, we were still meeting the imperial family. We had to be really careful.
“Yeah, talking with the Emperor himself? I’ll be a bundle of nerves for sure.”
“But everyone here has talked with Marino, and she’s in a pretty high position,” Ludie said with a weak smile.
“That’s fair. But Marino is pretty approachable, isn’t she?”
Yuika had a point.
“If I may offer a suggestion, how about we practice for the meeting while we have the chance? If it is not too presumptuous of me, I can stand in for His Majesty,” Nanami said.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Yukine agreed. That said, Nanami playing the part of Emperor had me nervous. It looked like Yuika shared the same apprehensions.
“I’m cool with the practice itself, but I’m a little nervous about what kind of curveball questions Nanami is gonna throw at us…”
“Well then, allow me to give you an example? While I may fall short of Miss Yukine, I am confident I will be able to play the role far better than you, Miss Yuika.” Nanami casually provoked Yuika, who took the bait hook, line, and sinker.
“Excuuuse me? That’s some big talk there, Nanami. All right, go ahead! If you’re so confident, show us what you’ve got.”
“Control is an important aspect of conversation. Guiding the discussion toward a topic the other party can speak on comfortably is extremely effective,” said Nanami.
She certainly wasn’t wrong, but that was easier said than done.
“Miss Yukine, can you ask me something as the Emperor, then?”
“All right, let’s see.” Yukine fell into thought for a little while after Nanami turned the conversation to her. “Hm. Okay, something simple… Maybe likes and dislikes? Does that work?”
Sure, there might be a chance the emperor would ask us something like that? Maybe?
When she heard this, Nanami grimaced.
“What I like and dislike, is it? I like good governance, and I abhor taxes.”
“Uhhh, yup, I’m thinking that’s lèse-majesté!!”
Sure, nobody liked taxes. Still, that wasn’t something you could say to the person who had instituted those taxes in the first place. That wasn’t just dark humor, it was pitch-black!