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nTLN: It has come to my attention that I don’t provide enough weeb juice to serve as daily sustenance for some of you. As a result, I’m going to try increasing my -desu levels and see if that will sate your earthly Nippon desires.

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nTo translate that into English, I’m going to keep in honorifics and also some other nuanced Japanese-specific terms to see if you guys prefer that. I personally don’t, but if the majority of you do, I will adjust future releases of this novel accordingly.

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nWhat is love?

nI, “Leon Fou Baltfault”, am an honest, slightly reserved youth who’s been thinking about such philosophical matters.

nI also happen to be an ordinary schoolboy who had reincarnated into “that” otome game, the one I had been forced to play against my will during my previous life.

nI’m a virtuous guy who loves peace, but in this otome game world, I’m just a mob who doesn’t stand out that much.

nAt least, that’s what it was supposed to be!

nFor some reason, I’ve been promoted to a viscount.

nBeing of the lower fourth rank within the royal court, I’m in quite the grandiose situation.

nWhile still being a student, a very opportune position as a lower fourth ranked viscount awaits me.

nDue to that──I’ve been worried about matters relating to love.

nSometimes, there’s the cliche where love will solve everything in a story, and there’s no doubt that the otome game follows that pattern.

nLove determines everything.

nEven Luxon, the supposedly undefeatable endgame boss, would have been defeated by the love between the protagonist and the male capture targets, resulting in a happy ending.

nAll matters are resolved by love.

nLove is a big deal in this world.

nA force more potent than any weapon.

nAn influence more potent than any diplomatic endeavor.

nDomestic affairs will resolve themselves as long as love is there to help.

nLove is a big deal. Love is supreme! Love will save the world!

n──In this world, love is the ultimate weapon.

nOn that topic,

n“Why did things come to this?”

nIt’s all your own doing, Master.

nI’m not in the wrong at all, and yet my accomplice “Luxon” was being cold.

nIt took the form of a metallic sphere with one red eye.

nIt’s main body is a spaceship equipped with an AI.

nThe softball-sized sphere is an extension of it──a mere computer terminal.

nBy all rights, it’s supposed to be more respectful to me, its master.

nHowever, this thing is way too harsh towards me.

nStill, it’s quite capable, so I keep it nearby since it’s a frightening thing that will do who knows what while spouting “Exterminate the new humans!” if I take my eyes off it.

nGood grief, nothing but incompetents all around me.

nNow then, stopping my escapism, I glanced at a pile of letters piling up on my desk.

nThe amount of letters sent to my dorm had reached the point where they made a mountain.

n“It’s quite the new experience to have this much of a turnabout happen.”

nThe senders of those letters were girls from the academy’s advanced class.

nThough the contents of the letters were pretty condescending, there were some braver ones who wrote something like “make preparations for a tea ceremony three days from now.”

nThe girls who ignored my invitations for tea ceremonies up until now had made a complete 180 the moment I got promoted and wrote letters to take the initiative.

n“──This is too much.”

nThis situation is pretty discomforting.

nIt’s a little amusing to think that the girls who took no notice of me up until now were suddenly trying to get closer to me.

nHowever, the fact of the matter is that this is not ideal.

n──Pull back. It’s normal to pull back here. This is discomforting.

nYour promotion was made final prior to winter break.

nDuring the school trip in the second semester, troops from the Fanoss Principality had attacked.

nI managed to drive them away somehow, but the actions I took during that time ended up with me being promoted.

nDue to that, the girls made a frightening turnabout when I came back to the academy.

nIt’s especially frightening now that I’m going from the second semester into the third semester.

n“They’re not attracted to my own self, but to my status and property. How low of them.”

nThis is a matter of marriages between nobles, so there’s not much meaning to ones own self in the first place. In fact, take a look at this letter.

n一A single letter floated up.

nI took it to look over its contents.

nIt seems that Luxon’s able to check the contents of a letter without opening the envelope.

nWhat a convenient thing.

n“Is there something interesting written here? Whoa.”

nWhen I looked at the contents of the letter, they were yet again terrible.

nWritten inside were someone’s conditions for marriage, including the construction of a residence in the royal capital that can hold about ten people and to also look after her troublesome lovers.

nAre the girls who present such harsh conditions sane?

nThen again, I’m dealing with the academy’s girls.

nWomen domineer over men──this is the reality of “that otome game”.

nWhen the game world became a reality, things were so harsh that I felt the strange urge to laugh.

nAll the girls are quite awful. Just whose child are they are planning to give birth to?

n“If I were to get married, I would want to produce a heir and then just live a free life. It’s not like I’m asking for something unusual. I mean, my father’s legal wife is doing the same.”

nAre these kinds of things even allowed?

n──Unfortunately, this world indeed allows such things.

nThis really is a cruel world.

nIt’s odd that marriages are this bizarre. Considering that males are few in number, it wouldn’t be strange if marriage was male-dominated. I’ve noticed that it’s particularly bad for those of the baron and viscount ranks.

nThe ranks above and below those don’t have it as bad.

nIn fact, most marriages for earl families and above are under quite normal conditions.

nI can’t say that they’re all like that though. There are some bad households too.

n“This is an otome game, right? No matter how deeply I think about it, I won’t find an answer.”

nCould it be that? Could it be the fact that the girls walk around with sub-race exclusive servants?

nWhen trying to implement that setting into the world, could it have created this kind of inconsistent reality?

nThis is going nowhere. Thinking about it won’t bring up any answers.

nThat being the case, I’d rather not think about it.

nAfter dumping the pile of letters into the trash, Luxon spoke to me.

nOh? You’re not going to invite anyone to a tea ceremony? Considering who you are, I was thinking that you’d take the time to be naggy and make some snide remarks towards the girls who proposed a tea ceremony with you.

n“Just who do you think I am? Such a kind and ordinary person like me would never do such a thing.”

nBy all means, I’d like to hear what your definition of an ordinary person is. I think that what the general public believes an ordinary person is and what you believe an ordinary person is are different.

n“You’re being noisy. Whatever, let’s finish this.”

nCertainly, I thought about being naggy and making some snide remarks, but in the first place, it would be troublesome having to hold a tea ceremony for those girls who made a complete 180.

nDespite how things look, I’m busy.

nI have to make some tea for Livia──the protagonist of this otome game world, known officially as “Oliva.”

nI also have to do the same with Anjie──the daughter of a duke, known officially as “Anjelica Rafua Redgrave.”

nFurthermore, I’m also anticipating that I’ll have to make tea for the second year student Clarice-senpai and the third year student Deirdre-senpai. Those two helped me out with some things, so I wouldn’t be able to refuse if they asked me for some tea.

nI also got some high-class tea leaves and a tea set, making it tough for me to refuse.

nHuh? Now that I think about it, the only people I’m having tea with are girls.

n──Well, whatever.

nLeaving that aside, there’s one bigger problem.

nI have suspicions that “Marie Fou Lafuan” is someone who reincarnated here, just like me──she’s the youngest daughter of a poor viscount family, but has been officially recognized as a saint.

nNormally, if one knew about that otome game, they absolutely wouldn’t snatch away the title of the saint.

nAfter all, in order to defeat the final boss──Livia’s own power is necessary.

nIt’s become evident that I have to take measures against Marie, who disregarded such risks and impersonated as the saint.

n“Seriously, why did things turn out this way?”

nIsn’t this your own doing, Master?

nIs this thing planning to make all of this my responsibility?

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nOne girl sat on a bench with a gloomy aura.

nHer navy blue, long hair was fairly disheveled.

nThere were noticeable stains and tears on her uniform.

nHer name was “Cara Fou Wein.”

nHer household was that of a semi-baron’s, being classified as a knight household under the Holfault Kingdom.

nShe was formerly under the guardianship of the Olfery earl household, but the Olfery household had been destroyed.

nThe head of the family and the heir were executed for joining forces with sky pirates.

nThe other family members were deprived of their status and assets.

nThe Olfery household’s daughter, who Cara had followed, disappeared from the academy.

nThe households who were closely under their guardianship had also disappeared. Practically all people related to the Olfery earl household had disappeared from the academy.

nEven so, Cara remained in the school.

nPerhaps it could be said that she was left behind.

nThough the fact of the matter was that her household had no relation to the sky pirates, there were other factors contributing to her situation.

nA group of girls happened to pass by Cara, who hung her head.

n“Look, it’s the traitor.”

n“What a disgrace to the nobles. She should just hurry up and vanish.”

n“She was involved with sky pirates, so why is she still in this academy?”

n──Her situation served as a sort of warning.

nGiven no option to quit school, Cara had to accept her current position.

n“I──I…”

nFrom Cara’s point of view, a follower like herself had no right of veto.

nShe knew very well about the Olfery household’s conduct, and also knew that they would dispose of anyone who made the mistake of opposing them.

nHowever, now that the Olfery family been torn apart, she was being treated as a traitor.

n“What was I supposed to do? What could I have done?”

nShe couldn’t defy the Olfery household’s daughter.

nIt was obvious that she would have suffered a bitter fate if she did.

nIf she betrayed them, it was highly likely that she would be crushed and have further revenge await her.

nUnder such circumstances, what could she have done?

n(Even I had to put up with that woman. And yet…)

nWhile weeping and thinking of such things, a small girl approached the group.

nShe was someone acknowledged by the temple as a saint──Marie.

n(She sure has a lot of followers.)

nMarie never had a single follower up until recently, but after becoming a saint, people gathered around her.

nAs a saint and as the former crown prince’s lover, Marie was someone to be sought after.

nIt was inevitable that noble children would draw closer to her.

nThe girls who had badmouthed Marie before were now praising her.

n“Marie-sama, you’re as lovely as ever today.”

n“As usual, your clothing today is wonderful. You’ve got good taste.”

n“Marie-sama, a new cafe opened up. Do you want to visit it together?”

nThe girls in the academy made a complete 180.

nFurthermore, exclusive servants and boys accompanied those girls, resulting in there being many people around Marie.

nUnder such a situation, Marie──

n“Sheesh, didn’t I say to just call me Marie?”

n──was having a lot of fun.

n“But, calling Marie-sama such a thing would be too much.”

nWhile the girls were bewildered, Marie made a smile.

n“I prohibit using -sama. I mean, aren’t we already close friends?”

n“Marie-sama, how kind of you!”

n“Jeez, I said to stop that~.”

nCara looked at Marie, who was asking the girls to stop while enjoying her time, and cast her eyes downward.

n(They’re going to bully me again if they don’t go away soon.)

nCara, who had put Marie’s lovers Brad and Greg into a trap, had stayed away from Marie for fear of retaliation from her.

nA girl, seeing Cara, made a loud voice.

n“Ara~, it’s the one whose been a disgrace to us nobles.”

nCara, whose shoulders quivered, quickly attempted to flee, but was blocked by the boys.

n“You’re still in this academy?”

n“How can someone like you call yourself a noble?”

n“How truly annoying.”

nNormally, the boys would be reserved in front of the girls, but were allowed to do as they pleased with Cara and began taking the offensive.

nPeople gradually gathered and surrounded Cara.

nThe people around laughed at her as she became frightened and curled herself into a ball.

nAs she quivered and shook, Marie then approached.

nWhen Marie’s hand approached Cara, the latter closed her eyes and braced herself for an impact.

nHowever, no matter how long she waited, she didn’t feel a slap, nor did anything happen to her.

nAs she nervously opened her eyes, she saw Marie smiling while reaching a hand out to her.

n“Eh? A, ano?”

n“You must be Cara. A lot had happened, but let’s be friends.”

nThe surrounding people were surprised at what Marie said and advised her against it.

n“Marie-sama, this is the girl who led Brad-sama and Greg-sama into a trap. Besides, she’s a traitor connected to sky pirates.”

nMarie shook her head towards that.

n“There must be some reason for why she’s here. It seems that she already apologized as well, so it’s fine. Besides, it’s not good for everyone to gang up on someone and bully them.”

nThe people around her went silent.

nAfter speaking, Marie took Cara’s hand.

nThe small Marie grasped Cara’s hand while making an expression of respect.

n“So, Cara. You and I should be friends.”

nCara was delighted. She shed tears while nodding towards Marie, who seemed to be sparkling.

n“R, right.”

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