Chapter 39

Marie, who had been moved from the dungeon to a room in the palace, had a dissatisfied look on her face.

"…I don't like being confined to the countryside."

"Even though I saved you, why are you acting like this?"

The reason I'm having this conversation with Marie, who is complaining, is that I wanted to ask her various things.

About her parents.

…To ask about what happened after I died, I kept her alive.

Also, because my parents from my previous life would be sad.

Personally, I can't forgive her, and if I could, I'd beat up those five guys. Wait, can I hit them now?

"I'm a woman who shines in the city!"

"Are you going to complain about the territory I carefully cultivated?"

"My brother is too negative and pessimistic, that's why he's no good."

Living a slow life isn't negative or pessimistic. Are you crazy? No, you've always been crazy.

"Your good deed in your previous life was giving your parents a grandchild. Everything else is negative, and your parents are pitiful."

"You died before our parents did!"

"The reason I died was because of you!"

"You were always grinning at those games with girls! Dying from that is impossible!"

"You were grinning at games with guys too!"

…As we argue, it gradually turns into a discussion of who is to blame.

"It's your fault, brother!"

"It's your fault!"

Luxion, who was floating around, looked at us with disinterest.

"Luxion, you should say it too. It's all your fault for aiming for a reverse harem and leading to the worst possible ending!"

"You have the villainess and the protagonist by your side too!"

"In my case, it's a pure relationship! Not like your corrupt one!"

"You just can't make a move because you're a chicken and a coward!"

"Luxion! Tell her. The one who's wrong and has a poor head is you!"

"Hey, round one, tell us who's right. For the sake of this poor, useless brother!"

Luxion, looking at us alternately with one eye, said,

"Then, I will give my opinion. The parents of the two of you in your previous life must be the most pitiful, don't you think?"

…Did he really say that? Is he really going to say it?

As I suddenly feel cold and a sense of guilt spreads in my chest, Marie whispers to me.

"Hey, isn't he terrible? Can't he read the room?"

"It stings, doesn't it? I didn't want to hear it calmly."

"Isn't it the truth? Besides, Marie, can you face your daughter from your previous life?"

Marie pressed her chest and her gaze wandered.

"But… she's not here… and… we sometimes talk, but she wouldn't abandon me over something like this."

Did she have some awareness as a mother?

"She's a kind daughter who worries about me, asking if I'm living well, and we eat together."

…Though I haven't seen her face, my niece seems to have grown wonderfully.

As an uncle, it's frustrating that I can only wish for the happiness of my niece and parents.

"…If she heard that her mother was deceiving six men and had a reverse harem, she would surely cry."

Marie collapsed to her knees, and I laughed, holding my stomach.

"See! You're the worst, aren't you!"

"Master is the same."

"Eh!?"

Luxion starts listing my bad points.

"You're running away from the confessions of both of them right now. Why don't you make up your mind already?"

…That day.

When I was called by the two of them—

◇

In the garden on the roof of the palace.

There, I stood in front of the two nervous people.

I was also nervous.

There was no time to appreciate the beautiful sunset.

"Leon—I like you."

She confessed, looking straight at me.

…My breath caught in my throat.

"Since when, I don't know. I started thinking about you more than the prince. I enjoyed being with you."

As I opened and closed my mouth, Ange gave me a very good smile.

"I like you."

—The second confession in my life.

Next to her was Rivia, who had given me my first confession.

I awkwardly turned my head to look at Rivia, and she was also smiling.

…What should I do? I don't understand.

Why are they smiling?

Should I ask Luxion for help? As I tried to seek help with my eyes, there was a fake Luxion, a white sphere.

"Who are you!?"

"It's Claire. Long time no see."

Long time no see? The feminine electronic voice was familiar. It was the AI managing the ruins in the elf village.

"Where is Luxion!"

"He's too old-fashioned, so I asked him to step back. I told him that if he wasn't here, you would be in trouble, and he happily left."

…Isn't his personality too twisted?

"Mr. Leon"

"Y-Yes!"

Straightening my back and turning to Rivia,

"I still love Mr. Leon very much. I believe my feelings are unmatched by anyone."

"R-Right."

I said "right" but I hadn't anticipated this situation.

I hadn't planned for two people to confess to me at the same time in my life.

"—So, please tell me. I want to know your answer here."

Ange put her hand on her chest,

"Ange and Rivia… or, it's okay if you like someone else. I won't resent you no matter who you choose, or even if you don't choose. So… please tell me your feelings."

I was thinking of dodging and running away, but seeing their serious faces, I made up my mind.

It's getting warmer this season.

When the wind blew, their hair swayed.

Bathed in the sunset, they looked divine.

I spread my arms—

"I like both of you!"

—They both smiled and slapped my cheeks.

◇

—It was intense.

First, Ange slapped my cheek, and then Rivia slapped the other cheek. It was a wonderful combination.

"You're the worst."

"—Look, two cute girls confessing to me, it's the second time in my life but the first time for this."

As I made excuses, the woman who had a reverse harem was looking at me with disgust.

"Unbelievable. You're the worst."

"What? What do you want to say to me, a guy who's been in six relationships?"

When I provoked her, she looked regretful.

"…I'm reflecting. A reverse harem is just troublesome and not at all enjoyable. I wanted to end it."

Now I understand her half-baked knowledge.

She only played the game halfway and watched images and videos. She had different information from the start.

As a result, she became a saint, messed up the situation, and is now being pursued by six men.

"I sympathize with that."

Marie, who had grown tired of the reverse harem, tried to end her relationships with the five men other than Kyle.

But all five of them said they would make her fall in love with them someday, which was an absurd answer.

Her current situation is that she has to support five men who are destined to be unemployed in the future.

…Both of us are no good.

"Well, do your best. I'm out of here."

"Huh?"

Marie looks very surprised, but I think I've done enough.

"I've done more than enough in this world. I didn't expect Heltrude to have a sister, and you caused a lot of trouble."

I've done enough.

"Sister? Heltrude?"

"Yes. There are also other subtle differences. Is this it? The pattern where thinking of it as a game world is wrong? Anyway, I saved the country. I've done enough, so I'm out of here."

Originally, could there be any more events? It's like I've cleared the game.

The protagonist, Rivia, didn't end up with anyone, and Marie ended up with six men.

It's not a bad ending, but the situation is awkward.

But… I can only think that I cleared it safely.

Marie's eyes widened.

She nodded a few times as if she understood only herself,

"—I don't think you know, brother."

Saying that, Marie told me the truth of this world that I didn't know.

◇

A few days later. In the cemetery of the capital.

Many people gathered to mourn the fallen.

Those who lost family.

Those who lost lovers.

In any case, the dark side of the story is shown.

It's not the end, but the beginning.

I saw such a scene from inside the carriage.

"I'm sorry to your family, but I wanted to talk to you. I'm sure it's disappointing that it's not a young person."

The person sitting across from me was Lady Mileine.

After the ceremony, I was invited and thus in the carriage.

"That's a bit harsh. Are you angry?"

"You always do that. You show a carefree face to everyone, but you keep your problems to yourself. You have dark circles under your eyes."

She touched under her eyes. …I didn't sleep well last night.

"Thank you for all your hard work this time. There's only one thing left for the ceremony."

Victory celebrations and various ceremonies have been ongoing, making for a busy time.

"About my dismissal and reward?"

"Yes. Even if it's temporary, you became the supreme commander, so you deserve appropriate treatment."

Officially, I will receive a large reward from the kingdom.

I've given a lot to the kingdom, but it has to look like I received a reward. If not, it would be a problem for the kingdom.

It would be fine if they were troubled, but I don't want a rebellion or independence movement—basically, another war.

Honestly, I don't want to be involved.

"It's the first time someone has asked for a demotion as a reward. Well, I plan to formally take away your title and achieve the desired outcome when things settle down."

It might not be possible immediately, but it will happen gradually over a few years.

"A viscount and a fourth rank are too much for me. I've lost my territory, so I'll just be a knight, right? I can't be of any use without Palturner or Arrogance."

Lady Mileine looks troubled.

If I say it's payback, she pouts and turns away.

What a cute woman in her thirties. I want to pin her down.

"And about that matter, it was recognized without any problems."

"That's good."

The situation is becoming favorable for me.

"What concerns me is your lost item. Can it be repaired?"

"I've recovered it, but it's difficult. It's stored in our factory."

"…I really have relied on you a lot, Leon. If there's anything I can do, please let me know. I'll do my best to help."

For a moment, I had a perverted fantasy, but she's the queen. If I touch her, my head will roll.

"I'll keep it in mind. It sounds more interesting that way."

"I owe you a lot."

We talked about various things, and the palace came into view through the carriage window.

Well, time for the last job.

◇

In the waiting room.

It was noisy and hectic with family members.

"Is this okay?"

"You've got the buttons wrong."

My mother was fixing my father's clothes, and my brother was checking his in front of a mirror.

My father was promoted to the sixth rank "upper" for participating in the war.

"Why do I have to attend? If Father and Leon are going, I don't need to be there."

I calm down my complaining brother.

"Because you're the next baron, right? Your first battle was impressive."

"I didn't do anything. …More importantly, what about Lutoart's brother? I mean, he's not a brother, but what about his family?"

Zola's mansion was destroyed when an airship fell during the defense battle. The capital itself is in ruins and will be busy with reconstruction for a while.

However, with powered armor, the work is progressing very quickly.

"Since he fled, Lutoart's knighthood was probably revoked, right? Besides, Zola is a noble's daughter but doesn't have a title, so she'll be left alone. Lutoart is no longer a knight, so he'll be treated as a commoner."

If abandoned by her father, Zola has no choice but to return to her family.

But her family also fled in this incident and was dissolved.

Many noble families were dissolved, including Zola's family. That's all there is to it.

"You know a lot."

"I heard it from Lady Mileine—the queen."

My brother had a very subtle expression.

"Why are you close to the queen? …I don't think you've done anything, but please stop. I don't want to be involved with you anymore!"

That's disrespectful. I understand that I shouldn't touch her.

"More importantly, where's my sister? I thought she would be excited to attend such a ceremony."

"Jenna is holed up at home. Father killed her personal servant, so she's screaming. Yumelia is taking care of her."

…If we buy her new slaves, she'll probably come out of her room soon.

However, the academy is changing its policies significantly.

They are moving towards abolishing personal servants.

This time, the right arm of the magical armor—taken by the Black Knight—caused significant damage, and since it was stolen by a slave, they are banning it.

There was a knock on the door of the waiting room, and it seems the time has come.

"—Well, time for the last job."

This is really the end.

◇

In the audience chamber.

Kneeling on the red carpet leading to the throne, I listened to the king's words.

Starting with "Your efforts this time are truly commendable," he praised me with dramatic lines, and the surrounding nobles also praised me.

I was hoping it would end soon, but the king said,

"Viscount Leon Fou Bartalf, no, Earl. I hereby relieve you of your duties as supreme commander. And in this place, I elevate you to the rank of earl and grant you the third rank!"

The surrounding nobles were murmuring.

I looked up with wide eyes.

…What did this idiot say?

"Your Majesty, may I speak?"

Confused by the sudden turn of events, I asked for permission to speak, and the king, stroking his beard, looked down at me and said,

"Go ahead."

"Thank you! What do you mean by earl and third rank? I don't have an earldom or a position suitable for the rank!"

I was confused and tried to convey that "I can't be an earl! I can't do anything with the rank!"

The same was true for the others.

Among the voices I could hear were "An earl at that age," "He's really risen to the top," "An earl in one generation is unprecedented," and "Third rank—practically the highest position."

Putting aside the title of earl, if we talk about the third rank, it's already at the minister level. In practice, I've reached the highest position in the kingdom.

I don't feel happy about such a rank!

If you told a student that they would be a minister from tomorrow, they would say "What?" In a company, it would be a senior executive. I can't take responsibility, and I can't do the job!

When I looked up, Roland was grinning down at me.

"To reward such great achievements, the kingdom must grant you a suitable title and rank. Don't worry, I'm sure you will eventually make contributions worthy of the title and perform duties befitting the rank."

Thank you for the high praise, but I feel like throwing up!

He knows.

He did this knowing that I would hate it.

Looking around, I could see that the officials were also confused.

Lady Mileine had wide eyes and seemed to have not heard anything.

…This guy promoted me on his own.

What a joke.

If I tried to say something, Roland would speak first, with his annoying, dramatic tone.

"If anyone is dissatisfied, speak up now."

No one spoke up.

There might be people who don't like my promotion, but they would be troubled if it were canceled. They know that if I don't get promoted, it will be harder for them to get promoted in the future, even if they achieve something.

When they are promoted, they will be compared to my work, and many of them won't be able to advance.

"Earl Bartalf, I look forward to your future work."

"…Thank you."

How nice it would be if I could shout "What a joke!" here.

My family is also here.

Depending on my attitude, it could cause trouble for my family.

Both my parents are causing me trouble.

Seeing Roland's smiling face, I made up my mind.

…Someday, I'll get back at him.

◇

Back in the room, I was raging.

"That bastard! He made me an earl even though I said I didn't want to advance!"

I threw a cushion that was on the sofa.

I couldn't throw anything breakable because I was scared.

My father and mother were whispering to each other as they looked at me.

"Hey, should we use polite language with Leon, who's now an earl?"

"Probably? But I don't think he would care about such things."

"But he's an earl. Third rank, he's practically a god."

"…Then, we'll use polite language."

I turned to them,

"An empty title like an earl is ridiculous! This is just bullying in the palace! And using polite language with parents is creepy, so no!"

My brother suddenly remembered something.

"Hey, if Father returns the