Chapter 105

Prologue Premonition of an Otome Game Sequel On a terrace kissed by gentle sunlight, Aileen Jean Ellmeyer—now empress of Imperial Ellmeyer—drinks tea prepared by her brilliant lady-in-waiting. This is her precious time of rest. Even if it’s only for a moment, it’s important to pause and refresh like this. Otherwise, she stops noticing the subtle changes from day to day, like how the wind has lost its chilly bite. She wouldn’t have noticed the vivid green buds pushing their way up beneath the shade of the trees, either. Atmosphere truly matters. Elegantly setting her cup down on its saucer, she murmurs to herself, “It’s nearly spring.” “Speaking of spring, I think it’s going to trigger a new otome game, Lady Aileen!” This reply immediately ruins the all-important atmosphere and almost makes a vein pop out on Aileen’s temple. Keeping her smile firmly in place, she glances across the table at her sister-in-law, who’s munching on cookies without a care. “Lady Lilia. Haven’t you realized why I, the empress, take tea with you once a week?” The woman looks at her blankly. Her smooth, chestnut hair and lovely face give her the sort of charm small animals have. This appearance contrasts sharply with Aileen’s, whose resplendent golden hair and sapphire eyes overawe others. “Gracious, of course I do. It’s an opportunity for us to brainstorm ways to handle the next game, isn’t it?” Their positions, mindsets, and everything else are polar opposites as well. A second vein throbs on Aileen’s temple. “How many times must I tell you not to speak of that?! I am spending this time with you to drum into your head the bare minimum of etiquette expected of the consort to the emperor’s younger brother—” “Anyway, Lady Aileen. I do think it’s standard for otome games to begin in the spring.” “Listen when others are speaking! You’ve graduated from being ‘the player,’ remember?!” Aileen shrieks. After all, Lilia has brought up the topic of their previous lives with no regard for who may be listening. This world is identical to the stage of Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens, an otome game series that both Aileen and Lilia played in their past lives. The countries featured in the game exist here, as do the characters. Many events from the games have played out in this world as well. No matter how ridiculous the idea may seem, it’s been proven beyond a doubt. However, this world is no game. It’s reality, and the characters are living humans. That is how Aileen—a villainess who, according to the game’s story, was destined to die in a haphazard way—has built a different life for herself. She’s romanced the demon king and married him, making them emperor and empress of Imperial Ellmeyer. Meanwhile, Lilia is the game’s heroine. Like Aileen, she has memories of her past life. Calling herself the player, she treated Aileen and the others as her pawns, referring to them as “characters.” Saying that Aileen was her “biggest favorite,” of all things, she shrugged off events and tragedies as simply part of the game. However, recently, she’s begun to think of this as her own life—or so Aileen assumed… “But, Lady Aileen, I remembered something quite clearly the other day. Game 5 really did get released.” She’s referring to an entry in the Regalia of Saints, Demons, and Maidens series. So far, Aileen has lived through a variety of events that occurred in Games 1 through 4 and their fan discs. On every occasion, she’s smashed the many death flags that menaced her husband, the final boss. In other words, if Game 5 exists, it will mean getting dragged into yet another tiresome incident. “I’m not positive, but I think I died on its release date. I did manage to snag an early copy, so I’d already cleared it by then.” As Lilia’s story begins to sound increasingly specific, Aileen’s expression tenses up. “Stop that. There is no Game 5. Y-you must have been dreaming.” “Not only that, but it also sounded like they’d begun working on Game 6. The producer publicly announced that the characters from 5 would appear in the sequel.” “Don’t bring up even more troubling things. Was the series even popular enough for that?” “I mean, probably? Lady Aileen, you really don’t remember 5 or 6?” Lilia cocks her head. Aileen’s gaze wanders uncertainly. She remembers up to Game 4. Unlike Lilia, Aileen had been a relatively casual player, so she didn’t know all that much about the games. She simply romanced the characters who piqued her interest. However, she hadn’t been enthusiastic enough to preorder the games, and she never proactively hunted for information about future installments. On top of that, Game 4 had been built around Imperial Ellmeyer’s legend of the Maid of the Sacred Sword and seemingly capped off the series, so she isn’t sure she noticed that Game 5 had been released— No. Wait. “Was 5 a sort of Mafia story…about secret societies?” Lilia’s face lights up. “Yes, set in Ashmael! The hero was the young boss of an underworld organization that had custody of the fiend dragon’s seal, and he was also the director of the Divine Maiden Academy, a school devoted to the first Daughter of God! That meant despite being a school story, it was centered around the denizens of the underworld. The Divine Maiden Academy is built on top of an underground ruin that houses a sarcophagus containing the first Daughter of God’s body, and it’s a girls’ school, so no boys allowed! That sounds deliciously naughty, doesn’t it?!” “If it’s a girls’ school, aren’t all the romanceable characters older professors…?” “Oh, there are boys of the same age there, because of course there are. The prince who infiltrates the school in drag to investigate it is the heroine’s age, and I’m pretty sure the academy’s director, the main hero, is twenty or so. Oh, and the homeroom teacher is actually the boss of a rival organization! And then there’s the good old final boss; he’s an adult character in his midtwenties.” “‘The good old’…” The phrase makes Aileen’s expression go taut. Lilia leans forward. “He’s actually an evil god, but he’s the school doctor, and the designated fan-service provider! It’s a pretty good scenario, no? There’s no route where you can romance the final boss this time, though. It may be foreshadowing for Game 6, but not being able to romance him is just…” Lilia gives a regretful sigh, pressing one hand to her cheek. “The heroine is a survivor of the Levi tribe who fled to Ashmael. She hides the fact that her magic is strong to avoid persecution. However, in Ashmael, her powerful magic makes her valuable, so before she knows it, she gets pulled into this underworld war. She’s the redhead right in the middle of the cover.” “Oh, right… The red hair is proof of her magic, after all…,” Aileen responds without thinking, and she catches herself with a start. Lilia doesn’t slow down, though. “At the Divine Maiden Academy, there’s a sketchy religion known as the World Unity sect. It’s all the rage, and the villainess—one of the students—is exalted as its divine maiden. Even though she’s a villainess, she has strong sacred power. She claims she’s the true holy king of Ashmael and declares Divine King Ares a usurper. She’s plotting to overthrow the government, but as it turns out, the founder of the religion is the school doctor, our final boss, and she’s just being used. The final boss only wants to eat the fiend dragon and regain his power as an evil god, you see.” “Quit dropping spoilers as if there’s some sort of competition! It feels like you’re going to make me remember the cover… Besides, there is no fiend dragon now; she’s become the Holy Dragon Consort! The final boss won’t get his power back. The end!” “Oh, and for some reason, he speaks with a Kansai accent. He uses the body of the first Daughter of God in an attempt to break the fiend dragon’s seal, but then he gets attached to the corpse, because he says she looks just like the oracle-princess from the Queendom of Hausel who sealed him away eons ago. What a pervert. Still, he’s a hot evil god with glasses!” “Nobody needs an evil god who smashes up worldviews like that. Master Luciel is quite enough!” As she recalls her father-in-law—the hero and final boss of Game 4, a god who ruled the demons in the demon realm and attempted to reclaim his wife, Game 4’s villainess—Aileen clutches her head. For some reason, this makes the memory of the game packaging grow much clearer, and she whips her head back and forth. “As I said earlier, though, you really can’t romance the final boss of 5. Maybe that means his partner is supposed to be the reincarnation of the first Daughter of God or something. That final boss is definitely a prince of the Queendom— Mmph!” “Enough. I’m through listening.” Aileen has covered Lilia’s mouth with both hands. Based on her previous experience, Aileen knows the moment she remembers, she’ll realize the game has begun. That’s right. I always remember these things at the worst possible time! …And so she’s decided to forget that cover immediately. As long as she does that, this peace will last. Even so, shaking off Aileen’s hands, Lilia shouts at her, “Come on, Lady Aileen, listen! This might be useful information!” “I don’t want it! Why can’t you understand that?!” “If you keep talking like that, I won’t help you no matter what! I’ll be your enemy instead!” “Nothing is going to happen, so I don’t need your help. And when have you ever been my ally?!” “Hullo, Aileen. Got a minute?” With brilliant timing, a voice addresses her from the sky. Looking up, Aileen sees a spectral beauty in men’s clothing. It’s the villainess of Game 4, Grace Dark, a woman who left the stage of history dishonored as the Maid of the Cursed Sword. At this point, she calls herself Claude’s mother and refers to Aileen as her daughter-in-law. In a seemingly weightless motion, Grace descends to stand beside Aileen’s chair. “Mother. Where’s Father—Master Luciel?” “Oh, I left him at the old castle.” Grace has managed to continue persisting as nothing but a soul, while Luciel has apparently ascended to virtual godhood. Neither of them fits the description of “human,” and they currently live in the demon realm. However, these two originally founded Imperial Ellmeyer with the goal of creating a land where demons and humans could live together. They boldly built the old castle directly above the entrance to the demon realm, and they often drop in for visits. “I have something I’d like to discuss with you regarding my future self. Do you have a moment?” Eyes widening at the unexpected remark, Aileen nods. “Of course. Should we go elsewhere, perhaps?” “Yes, I’d prefer that. I’ll be waiting at the old castle. I’d like to speak with you alone, if possible.” Grace gives her a cool smile, leaning in just a little too close, then flits away. She and Claude have a similar air about them, and between that and Grace’s polished, knightly bearing, Aileen catches herself staring. She clears her throat, regaining her composure. “Very well. Rachel, escort Lady Lilia all the way back to her rooms, if you would.” “All right. But, Lady Aileen, that will leave you by yourself…” “No matter. The demon king’s army waits in my shadow.” Aileen’s husband cast a spell on the shadow at her feet, transforming it into a portal for the demons. If Aileen says the word, demons will pour out of it. “What’s more, my wedding ring is charged with Master Claude’s magic. It’s as if he’s always at my side. Don’t worry.” Rachel nods. Lilia pouts, kicking her feet in an ill-mannered way. “Oh, come on! The villainess of Game 4 is asking for your advice! I want to hear this, tooooo!” “That obviously isn’t going to happen. You don’t even try to understand your position, do you?” “Even though a new game might already have started?!” “Refrain from linking every little thing to the game!” “Booooring! Serena’s all busy now that she’s a bureaucrat; she never comes over, and Sahra’s gone back to Ashmael…” Lilia puffs her cheeks out, sulking. The names she’s just mentioned belong to the heroines of Games 2 and 3 respectively. In addition, Aileen’s lady-in-waiting, Rachel—who’s been pointedly ignoring her bizarre conversation with Lilia—is the villainess of Game 2. “The hero and final boss of Game 2 are in the duchy of Mirchetta. The final boss of the Game 1 fan disc has become Grand Duke Levi and shuttles back and forth between here and his homeland. The characters from Game 3 live in Ashmael. The final boss and hero of Game 4 is in the demon realm, living happily with the villainess. Heh! In the end, the only loser in Game 4 was the heroine.” Lilia summarizes the current situations of the game characters, counting on her fingers as she goes. When she reaches the last one, she flashes an ironic smile, and Aileen’s expression sobers slightly. Amelia, the losing heroine of Game 4, is Lilia’s biological mother. “They’re living their lives, that’s all. Lady Amelia didn’t simply end as a loser, either.” “True. Ohhh, you know, I bet that woman knew about the developments of Games 5 and 6, too.” Ignoring that idea… With an exaggerated sigh, Lilia slumps back in her chair. “I’m worried, Lady Aileen. The villainess of Game 4 back there…” “Lady Grace. Refer to her properly, by name.” “…Lady Grace, then. I wonder if what she wants to talk about is damage caused by the story not developing as the game intended. About her ‘future self,’ she said. Even if she is in the demon realm, sticking around as just a soul is the same as whittling that soul away. At some point, she’ll hit her limit and be destroyed, just like Amelia was.” Aileen frowns, and Lilia’s shoulders droop. “And yet here you are, Lady Aileen, with no sacred sword.” “A world with no need for sacred swords is best, isn’t it?” Lilia blinks at her, and then her eyes grow moist. “That’s you all over, Lady Aileen! My biggest favorite!” “As I keep telling you, would you please grow out of that already?!” “I knew it! If there’s no sequel, I’ll just have to make one! Leave it to me, Lady Aileen!” “…Enough. I’m going.” Tiring of this conversation, in which no actual communication is happening, Aileen quickly excuses herself. She has mountains of work to get through. Claude is attempting to build the foundation for a country where demons and humans can live together in peace even after he’s gone. His ultimate goal isn’t merely being emperor. They’re building a future. A future for Aileen and the others, one that has nothing to do with the game. Currently, as empress, Aileen’s most important task is producing an heir. Thinking about it makes her cheeks flame. Before she’s managed to shake off the memory of those sultry nights, a voice calls to her. “Aileen.” “Yesh?!” She’s flubbed her response, and the man who’s come up behind her looks perplexed. He tilts his head, his jet-black hair streaming to the side, and blinks those ruby-red eyes. Claude Jean Ellmeyer is both the emperor of Ellmeyer and the demon king. He’s also Aileen’s husband, the most magnificent in the world. “I-is something the matter, Master Claude? Where are your guards?” “I teleported and gave them the slip.” “Gracious, you’re doing that again?” Aileen frowns. Her mischievous husband cocks his head again. “By the way, could you explain that extreme reaction of yours a moment ago? I’m curious.” “It was nothing! You spoke to me suddenly, and it startled me, that’s all!” It certainly wasn’t because she was thinking of something indecent in broad daylight. The only indecent thing here is Claude’s face; her stray thoughts aren’t to blame. However, her beautiful husband’s gaze doesn’t miss her flaming cheeks. “Was that really all?” “Yes, it was. What else could there possibly be?!” Aileen bluffs. Claude watches her steadily, then breaks into a smile. Aileen’s brings her hands to her cheeks. It feels as if he’s seen right through her. “Well, never mind. I have a little free time. Would you like to get some tea?” “Oh, I’m told your mother and father are visiting the old castle. Let’s invite them, as well.” Claude leans to the side, peeking at Aileen’s face in a coaxing way. “Can’t it be just the two of us?” Ngh! For a moment, words desert her. Her cheeks, which she finally managed to cool, flame up again. “N-no, it can’t. I mean, um, Mother wants to speak with me, and I’ve already promised her.” “Mother does? I hope it’s not something tiresome again.” “I can’t guarantee that it won’t be, but I did promise her first, so today isn’t…,” she mutters, making excuses. Claude backs down without a fuss. “I see. I suppose we’ll leave it at that, then.” “Oh, b-but some other time— Um, the two of us could…” The fact he’s given up so easily makes her want to keep him from leaving. As the emperor, Claude rarely has free time to begin with. Aileen peers up with a look that says she wants to monopolize his scant time in spite of herself, and her husband gives her a gentle smile. He lowers his voice slightly and whispers softly in her ears. “I’ll see you again tonight, then. Just the two of us.” “I—I didn’t mean one of those times!” Aileen blushes bright red. Claude chuckles. “One of which times?” “—Y-you’re teasing me, aren’t you, Master Claude?!” “Perish the thought. I’ll have to take my time and get my adorable wife to tell me exactly what she was thinking once night falls, though. Including that part just a minute ago.” “As I said! I wasn’t thinking anything shameful—” “Master Claude, Lady Aileen,” calls a quiet voice. Looking puzzled, Claude turns away from Aileen. Interrupted midcomplaint, Aileen’s gaze shifts, too. “I thought they got here awfully fast. It’s you, hmm, Keith? What happened to Walt and Kyle?” “I sent them to gather everyone. I suspected Lady Aileen would probably be with you, so I came here.” “…Has something tiresome happened?” Claude asks. Slowly, Keith nods. “His Majesty the holy king, Baal Shah Ashmael, just sent word that the Queendom of Hausel’s floating palace has vanished.”