Chapter 43

Sokoku Shouri. A genius mage of fire and the heir to a prestigious ducal family.

And he is a god who has reincarnated in the world of "The Night of Magic." At least, Shouri considers himself a god.

This is because Shouri, a big fan of "The Night of Magic," has read the novel's story and delved into the setting materials, knowing everything about this world.

He hasn't played the game that was called an "original work destroyer," but it was ultimately just a popular garbage game. He didn't even want to touch it, let alone remember it, so it shouldn't be a problem that he knows nothing about it.

Recently, the god-like Shouri has been restless and unable to settle down.

"Next month is the debut event at the imperial city. Hehe, I've been waiting for this. Finally, the time has come to get involved with the original work."

For ten years, Shouri has been waiting for this moment, and he was smirking while reading a manga in his room.

Shouri's room, as the heir to a ducal family, is a high-end room that costs a fortune. Of course, there are separate rooms for receiving guests, studying, and sleeping, and the room is spacious enough to host a small party. The bed in the bedroom is a canopy bed.

Furniture worth several years' average annual income and decorations worth several decades' worth are placed and displayed. Everything is top-notch. Shouri himself is wearing a brand-name, magic-imbued outfit that costs tens of millions.

Given such a luxurious room, Shouri has been doing as he pleases. ... Although it might be difficult to say he is doing as he pleases, as he has become much more restrained compared to before.

... The room, with its high-end and refined taste, has a unique character as Shouri's room.

Namely, anime posters on the walls, manga and light novels lined up on the bookshelves, and figurines worth millions placed under paintings. On the canopy bed, there is a hug pillow printed with a half-naked anime character.

Shouri, who has become an otaku again in this life, just like in his previous life, has completely ruined the refined atmosphere of the room.

Well, this could be considered a natural conclusion. If an otaku reincarnates into a modern fantasy world, most people would likely become otakus. Even if the environment changes, hobbies are hard to change.

And human nature is also hard to change.

However, in an environment like a ducal family, human nature may not change, but actions will. In his previous life, Shouri, who called himself a freeter, thought the environment was bad. He wanted to go to university, but his poor parents told him it was impossible and to get a job. His teachers were noisy, telling him to come to school properly, and his classmates looked down on him.

Now, it's different. He is rich, has power, and, most importantly, has a talent for magic. Shouri, who used to be violent, had at least graduated from high school in his past life.

Therefore, elementary school studies are easy for him. His tutors and teachers, though violent, praise him as a genius and highly commend his talent. Of course, there is some flattery, but it is praise that Shouri has never experienced before.

Pleased by this, Shouri has been studying diligently for advancement recently. Praise can make even a pig climb a tree.

Moreover, because of his talent for magic, he hasn't experienced simple bullying. In his past life, he would have avoided the presence of strong and stupid classmates, but now he can walk with his head held high. Moreover, with power and money, his parents have probably told others to be nice to him. He has both male and female followers.

Yes, there are girls among his followers. Shouri, who is easily flattered, probably due to the backlash from being despised in his past life, gets carried away and treats them well. Therefore, not only men but also women are among his followers.

His sense of fashion is also good. Having lived in a ducal family for ten years, surrounded by high-end items, and with maids preparing high-end, stylish clothes, even the most discerning person would develop a good eye for aesthetics.

It's like living in a foreign country and being able to speak the language, at least to some extent, after two years.

Although he still uses violence against servants, these environments have elevated Shouri to a person of high ability.

The biggest factor is that he is making some effort. He studies when praised. In his past life, if he didn't understand something, he would have lost motivation even if praised, but in this life, with a solid foundation taught by tutors and his high specifications, his efforts are reflected, making him an excellent person.

However, the biggest factor is the existence of his father, Enraku. Recently, he realized that his father, who had no inner description in the novel, is not the character he expected.

He is generous and dotes on people he likes. This was Enraku's position in the novel, but Shouri understood that he has a hidden face.

Cunning and cruel, capable of long-term plots, and possibly more evil than the novel's boss. No, as a high-ranking noble, it is natural.

The fire in his eyes is far from that of a generous and good-natured man; it is dark and murky, and Shouri is afraid. In the original work, Enraku regretted failing to educate Shouri and apologized to the protagonist, but now, in reality, Shouri is certain it was just a pose.

After being disinherited, Shouri's fate was tragic, but the plot was often contrived. When reading the original, he didn't find it strange and laughed at the foolish characters, but thinking realistically, it was often unnatural. Gradually, it seemed that someone had set a trap, and he was forced into a corner.

If this is his father's strategy, the villainous daughter's pattern of being condemned is mild. He would be destroyed without realizing it. Perhaps his hot-blooded younger brother, who is supposed to take over as heir, will be forced out in the future. The younger brother is not capable of such plots. There is no story after the original ends, but a tragic future is not at all surprising.

Therefore, out of fear of death, Shouri remembers to make an effort every time he meets his father.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Shouri, raised in such an environment, has become an excellent person.

However, his human nature has not changed.

"This is my chance to become the saint's lover. The first event."

He smirks, thinking he will finally meet one of the heroines he has been targeting in the world of "The Night of Magic." Among the heroines in the protagonist's harem, he has been targeting the ones who are easy to get and his favorites.

One is the protagonist's ex-fiancée, who is supposed to be won in a bet. The other is the saint.

The heroine, a saint in a world where healing mages are rare.

"I have the event progression firmly in my head. The timeline for that girl's events is clear."

He leans back in his chair, creaking it, and thinks about which heroine he can get. Since coming to this world, he has been considering this.

The foolish heroine who will be won in a bet is secured. But he also wants to experience pure love. That's what Shouri thinks.

Shouri's idea of pure love is a woman who is deeply in love with him and always affirms him. Those who hear his wish would say it's not pure love, but Shouri genuinely believes it is.

Treating a slave who lives a miserable life well, giving her good food and clothes, and improving her treatment. Rescuing a woman who is being abused by her family and letting her live a luxurious life. Giving a woman with a void in her heart the words she wants and helping her in a crisis.

She will become dependent. If asked if this is pure love, Shouri would say it is. At the root of it, there is a hidden desire for a cute doll that depends on him.

"Hehe. Good, I'll show her my cool side. The protagonist's role is unnecessary. I, the god, will slightly change the story."

To achieve this, he must work hard at the party, so he throws the manga aside and heads to his desk. There are middle school study materials on the desk, but it's no problem. Shouri's abilities are high, and the knowledge from his past life is still useful.

He grips a pen, and a maid brings him iced tea. As he tries to study, glancing sideways at the maid who picks up the discarded manga, bows, and leaves silently, he frowns at a knock on the door.

"What is it?"

He is surprised that someone would knock at this time, but he nods at the maid, who opens the door.

There stands a butler, standing straight, and bows respectfully.

"Master Shouri, the head of the house has called for you."

"Hmm? ... Is something wrong? Well, okay. I'll go right away."

Shouri nods and leaves the room, heading to the study where Enraku is waiting. It's bad to upset him. Even if his expression shows it, in this life, his father only laughs heartily and doesn't show his true feelings, so caution is necessary.

Shouri is bound by fear, not love. Of course, with immense wealth and power, he thinks it's better than a poor life with love. He considers a life with immense assets and no love far better than a life with love and poverty.

As he walks down the corridor, he notices many people passing by, which is unusual. Some are even wearing "Magic Armors," and the atmosphere is hectic and dangerous. Frowning at the unpleasant smell, Shouri knocks on the study door.

"Father, it's Shouri."

"Ah, come in."

He bows slightly and enters, raising his head and stiffening his face.

In the study, his father, Enraku, is fully equipped. He is wearing his specialized "Magic Armor" made of ruby and holding a halberd. His confidant is also armed.

"Is it war?"

Confused by the ominous scene, Shouri asks, and Enraku, unusually looking displeased, responds.

"Not war, but it's going to be troublesome. Shouri, get your specialized equipment. We're leaving right away."

Shouri frowns slightly, thinking it's going to be troublesome, and asks what's happening.

"Yeah, we're going to the slums. It seems another noble has entered my territory."

Does the ducal family have land in the slums? Shouri is surprised but refrains from asking more questions and returns to get his equipment.

Thinking that a noble challenging the ducal family is troublesome.