Chapter 31

In the underground dungeon.

Having managed to get the guard to leave, I recalled the various guests who had come before.

I had even had tea prepared and made time for them.

They were all a bunch of no-gooders. Some wanted me to teach them how to control a Partner in exchange for money, or offered to let me join their group... Well, they were all pretty terrible.

Many of them even threatened to kill me if I didn't comply.

Luxion was also exasperated.

"Can't something be done about the nobles who say they'll spare your life if you hand over the Partner and the Arrogants?"

"I don't think so. They'll kill you as soon as you hand them over, yet they can still lie so convincingly."

They had confiscated the Partner and the Arrogants, but they couldn't control them.

It was ridiculous for them to come to me asking how to control them.

"They even tried to disassemble them but gave up halfway. It's pitiful how badly the Partner is being treated. Master, should we overthrow the kingdom?"

"Rejected."

The Arrogants are in a container that can't be tampered with.

The Partner seems to have been quite vandalized inside the ship.

"...Is the reason you haven't given up on the kingdom because of Angelica and Mileine? I think Claris also ranks high in your priorities, but since they are in the ruling class, you want to protect the kingdom? I recommend reform from within."

Do you want to protect the kingdom because you have a woman you like?

That's not the case, and I have no intention of reforming from within.

"Do you really think I want to protect the kingdom?"

"Isn't that the case?"

To be honest, I don't care if the kingdom falls.

Why do I want it to survive? Because without a country, the people will suffer? It's true that things will get difficult without a ruler.

"I have no intention of running a country. If I were to destroy it, the people living there would suffer. I think it's wrong for someone who doesn't want to do it to do such a thing."

"Is that fine? If the Duke faction fails, you will be executed. Of course, I won't let that happen."

"If the kingdom abandons me, I'll just run away."

Fortunately, Heltrude and the magic flute are still in the kingdom's hands.

As long as they don't take them, the kingdom won't lose.

I think there will be considerable damage, though...

"Shouldn't you stand up for the people?"

"I don't want to."

In this world, war is not about gathering the people and giving them spears. To make the people soldiers, education is necessary.

Because of the airships, conscripting the people is difficult.

While there are some lords who rule with an iron fist, the Holfaht Kingdom is relatively kind to the people in this regard. It's a setting fitting for a dating sim world, isn't it?

Fighting is the job of knights and soldiers.

The dating troubles are only a problem for a certain layer of the ruling class.

There are complaints everywhere, but the ones with the most complaints are the barons and viscounts in the awkward position I'm in... What a terrible world.

In short, even if I rebel, there are no people who will follow me. It's sad.

"Besides, I'm a knight, so I have to do my job."

"Is the job of a knight to be kind to women and be a convenient existence for the state?"

"Idiot... To protect the people, that's what a knight is."

"Is that just a facade?"

"I love facades and pretty words. It's much better than being at the mercy of the girls at the academy and working my fingers to the bone for this country. Also, saying that makes Livia happy."

Ange looks a bit troubled.

"What a light-hearted resolve. You've ruined the moment I was about to be moved."

"What do you expect from me?"

"I wish I could exterminate the new humans with you, Master."

...This guy is scary.

Then, Luxion's single eye turned toward the entrance of the dungeon. I thought the guard had returned, but the footsteps were multiple.

"...Master, it seems it would be better to run away. The kingdom cannot meet your expectations."

Even Milene couldn't do it.

Luxion disappeared, and I made sure I could remove the handcuffs at any time. When the door opened, the noble who had visited the dungeon several times was there.

His title was Viscount.

He was of high rank and had knights following him like lackeys.

In his hand was a wine bottle that didn't seem to fit the dungeon.

"Viscount Baltfort, I've brought you a drink."

The armed knights.

The wine the viscount held was probably poisoned.

"I'm not drinking alcohol yet. You can take it back or share it with everyone."

The viscount laughed at me mockingly.

"How long do you plan to live so stubbornly? I think a noble should die with dignity."

With dignity, huh? I want to die of old age in my second life, so I don't like that.

Still, it's very disappointing that it ended up like this.

Just as I was thinking about escaping from the kingdom, I heard hurried footsteps.

When Luxion appeared, the viscount and his men were surprised and aimed their pistols and rifles.

"Is this the familiar you reported? Capture it!"

"Even if I were to die, I wouldn't obey you. Rather, you should be careful behind you."

Chris burst out from the entrance and knocked down the knights behind the viscount with a stick.

"Baltfort, are you okay!"

Why is Chris here? Just as I was wondering, Zirk entered the room and shot the pistol the viscount was holding.

"I won't let you take Viscount Baltfort."

The viscount, holding his hand, spilled the poisoned wine and glared at Zirk and the others.

"You, you don't know what you're doing—"

Luxion dropped her body on the viscount's head, knocking him unconscious.

"Be quiet."

When Zirk unlocked the door, he spoke to me.

"Hurry up."

...Why are they here to save me? When I looked at Luxion, her single eye moved up and down as if nodding.

Is it okay to run away?

"Why are you here?"

"Miss Marie asked us. We tried everything, but we had to resort to force. Come on, quickly."

Pushed by Zirk, I went out and ran up the stairs of the dungeon.

Waiting there were Blood and Gregg.

The two were looking down at the restrained guard.

"You guys are here too? What about him?"

"He was already restrained when we arrived."

"More importantly, we need to hurry. Julius is waiting."

After confirming that the guard was alive, I moved through the palace with the four of them. When we were hiding from the patrol, the ground shook.

◇

The four led me to the courtyard.

Standing in the shade of a tree in the courtyard was Prince Julius.

"I've been waiting."

"Hey, why did you lead me to the courtyard? We're not running away?"

Prince Julius said with a bit of pride,

"There's a secret escape route here that only the royal family knows."

"Don't tell me such secrets! Are you stupid? You really are an idiot, aren't you?"

"Even though I saved you, what kind of attitude is that. —Oh, it's shaking again."

While we were whispering, the ground shook again.

In the courtyard surrounded by buildings, the six of us gathered and talked when Luxion said—

"Master, we're surrounded."

"What?"

The courtyard was suddenly illuminated, and I shielded my eyes from the brightness. The sound of armed knights approaching on the run could be heard.

Just as I was about to give orders to Luxion—

"Wait, Prince Julius! We are not your enemies!"

A knight shouted, and Prince Julius stepped forward to protect me.

"Then, will you let us through?"

The knight who called out said it was not possible.

"We came to rescue Viscount Baltfort."

"Me?"

I was hesitant to believe it.

They might be lying.

Luxion told me, "It will take a few minutes to bring the Arrogants here," so I tried to negotiate to buy time.

Just then, someone appeared in front of me—

"...Father."

Prince Julius lowered his sword.

"Julius, I won't harm you. Put down your weapon and come here."

It was Prince Julius's father, King Roland Rafa Holfaht.

He had long, slightly wavy gray hair and a beard.

He was tall and had a lean, well-built body despite his age.

He was a man with the dignity of a king.

Realizing it was His Majesty, we knelt.

"Viscount Baltfort, I'm sorry for the trouble. But thanks to you, we've taken care of things on our end."

Does that mean they won?

When I looked at Luxion, she averted her gaze. Could it be that she had intended to let me escape from the beginning? She's a cautious one.

"Father, Baltfort was about to be killed!"

When Prince Julius said that, His Majesty nodded.

"I know. But we don't have time to talk."

The ground shook, and His Majesty looked down, seemingly troubled.

◇

After taking a shower and changing clothes, I was led to a room that looked like a conference room.

Sitting there were the country's dignitaries.

And His Majesty and Her Majesty the Queen—Milene was also there.

Vince was there too. So, this was a gathering of the people who had been defending me.

"You look well, Viscount."

"Y-Yeah, somehow."

I wanted to say something sarcastic, but I couldn't be too aggressive since I had been saved.

Looking around, I didn't see Prince Julius and the others.

Noticing who I was looking for, His Majesty explained to me.

"Julius and the others are waiting in another room. Or, I should say, they are being detained."

Hearing that, I became wary, but Milene reassured me.

"Don't misunderstand. I'm hiding them to protect them. Just like you, León."

"May I ask why you summoned me?"

Vince said it was natural, but Bernard, Claris's father, explained.

"The Principality's fleet has landed on the mainland of the kingdom. Over ten reconnaissance ships and defense force vessels have been sunk, and nearly a hundred suits of armor have been shot down."

While the kingdom has the upper hand in national power, dispersing forces across the country means they can't gather a significant number.

Moreover, the Principality, which had been at peace until now, had its forces reduced.

"The enemy fleet is about 150 ships. The number of suits of armor is unknown. The number of monsters they command is reported to be countless, covering the sky."

The first thing that came to mind was Heltrude and the magic flute, but Vince denied it.

"His Highness and the magic flute are still in the kingdom. The Principality must have had another magic flute. I suspect it is being handled by the second princess."

I was listening solemnly, but I had never heard of the second princess.

There's a second princess?

...I haven't heard of it.

His Majesty said, "And,"

"Other countries are also on the move. We've received requests for assistance from the noble lords guarding the borders. We're being attacked from all sides."

Bernard took over the explanation.

"The troops stationed in the regions have moved there. It's too late to recall them now. Besides, the kingdom currently has no fleet that can sortie."

"What about the capital's defense forces? And the kingdom's regular army nearby—"

Milene answered my question.

"A few days ago, the temple requested assistance. After a meeting, we decided to cooperate and provided forces. The number was 200 ships."

Milene said this with a downcast expression.

With Marie there, the temple side had become more assertive and had teamed up with the faction centered around the marquises.

As a result,

"—We were defeated by the Principality. Only about ten ships returned."

◇

A few days ago.

After seeing Julius and the others off, Marie was visited by a temple priest.

"Marie, it's time to show your power as the Holy Maiden."

"Can't be helped, I guess."

She got on the airship with a carefree attitude—

"...What?"

On the deck of the airship.

Marie, dressed in the Holy Maiden's attire, held the necklace, bracelets, and staff that symbolized the Holy Maiden.

The wind was cold and the air was chilly.

Before she could complain about her hair being blown around and other issues,

"...I wasn't told about this!"

The temple had a fleet of about thirty ships.

With the addition of the kingdom's forces, the fleet numbered 200 ships.

In terms of numbers, they could fight the Principality, but the enemy had the power of monsters, which could be used as expendable forces.

The sheer number of them was overwhelming, and Marie was terrified.

As the monsters surged forward, Marie raised her staff.

"Don't come any closer!"

The staff held by the Holy Maiden glowed and a large shield enveloped the fleet.

The large, glowing shield with white patterns enveloped the fleet, and when the monsters touched it, they disappeared.

The surrounding priests and temple knights praised Marie.

"It's the power of the Holy Maiden!"

"We can win. We can win!"

"Move the airships forward! Let's push back the Principality's fleet!"

With Marie neutralizing the monsters, the morale of the troops couldn't help but rise. Marie, with a strained smile, was relieved that she had managed to do something.

(Well, I can do it. I was a bit worried, but...)

Marie was alone without Julius and the others.

The temple side had wanted them to accompany her, but they were unfortunately busy rescuing León.

Kai was also not present.

The temple side had not allowed him on the airship.

Therefore, Marie was fighting alone, surrounded by unfamiliar faces of temple priests and knights.

She felt a bit weak.

As the luxurious airship Marie was on moved forward, the monsters that collided with the shield were blown away and disappeared.

"...That's right. It's not easy. I'm the Holy Maiden! Don't think you can defeat me with this!"

She was worried about the absence of Julius and the others, but the current Marie was intoxicated by her own power.

◇

The Principality's side was watching the kingdom's fleet led by Marie approaching.

Heltrude was looking at the battlefield laid out on a table inside the ship, with the pieces of allies and enemies arranged.

"The Holy Maiden's power seems to be real."

The dignitaries around her were looking at Heltrude.

Standing up from her chair, Heltrude took the flute—the magic flute—from a woman standing beside her.

One of the dignitaries said,

"Princess, we are already on the kingdom's mainland. It's different from the plan, but there's no problem."

"—That's right."

Saying that, Heltrude looked at the flute with a serious expression, took a deep breath, and put it to her lips. There was no turning back from here.

She was tense but determined as she blew the flute.

The sound was enchanting and beautiful.

The people around her closed their eyes and listened to the melody.

(Well, Holy Maiden—can you