Somehow, I’m the Otome Game Villain 23: (Patreon)

Somehow, I’m the Otome Game Villain 23:

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Wordcount: 2500

Commissioned by LordMarksman

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Alzer is undeniably better than Holfort, but I had to admit a simple fact: it wasn’t apocalypse proof.

“I’m going to have to go back over there.” I had just reviewed my plans for the third time since returning home. All signs pointed towards the same, frustrating conclusion. “They’re going to lose, if we don’t do anything.”

“It is to be expected. They are weak in intellect and spirit.” Ideal stated simply, hovering over the papers, and making a show of reading it. It didn’t need to, but it liked reading about the weaknesses of New Humanity. “The Principality of Fanoss and Kingdom of Holfort are the same creature wearing different guises. At the very heart of their society is a fallible people bereft of any true ability. They are to always go to war over meaningless things.”

“I’m pretty sure regular humanity had plenty of wars over pointless things.” I idly pointed out, more out of habit than anything else. I wasn’t about to defend New Humanity. They were giving me too much shit to deal with.

“Perhaps, in your time. True Humanity had over two centuries of peace before everything fell because of the machinations of New Humanity.”

“Right, I’ll need to read up on that. It’s probably bullshit, though.” I rolled my eyes. Humanity at peace for 200 years? Impossible. There’s no fucking way. Maybe, if we were actively sacrificing innocent children nonstop for peace every year, I’d believe you. There’s no way humanity manages to make a utopia without something inherently fucked up happening in the background. I’d rather believe humanity’s at constant war with itself, thank you very much. “Anyway, Fanoss needs to be defanged before they do anything stupid. How long do we have before they launch?”

“Minimum two months. Maximum four. They have many old ships mothballed that they are refurbishing. Many merchant ships are being refitted after being seized, too. They are cannibalizing themselves, as well as breaking out strategic reserves. Even in victory, their nation will lose.” Ideal luxuriated as it explained, preening with all its might, by looking upward and shutting the iris over its blue ‘eye’ sensor into a half-lid. This AI learned to emote just to enjoy schadenfreude a bit more. Honestly, I respected the effort. This isn’t ordinary hatred. This is advanced hatred. “As for Holfort, they are militarizing quickly behind the ‘protagonist.’ That little girl is gathering followers up and impeding practically all efforts of the nation to advance socially. Soon, the lower classes and upper class shall fall under matriarchal rule with the men demeaned.”

“I guess that makes sense. That’s the only way the protagonist can manage to have her reverse harem and become part of the ruling party.” Holfort’s true elite and their lower classes didn’t subscribe to the Otome game genre. Hell, men had multiple wives and consorts. Their king had a whole harem of JK school girls in a separate royal palace that he preferred over his wife. Their kids were all born out of political necessity. A primary heir, a spare, and finally a daughter to marry off for political power. Don’t worry, Mylene-sama, I’ll save you one day. “Things are getting bad pretty quick, though. I guess that’s just the protagonist’s power at work.”

“If by power, you mean ability to sway the hearts and minds of others through magic, then you are correct.” Ideal stated, and I grimaced. I’d always thought it hard to believe that the protagonist of the game could get away with upturning so much of society in the reverse harem ending, even with her powers as the Saint giving her so much clout. “She is using her power to its fullest extent. Everyone she meets falls under her sway, as long as they are male.”

Yeah, the protagonist’s ability to charm and sway hearts was definitely lubricating her path to power.

From what I learned of my new life, rising stars were usually kept down by those in charge. Too much change, too quickly, after all threatened revolt, especially in places like Holfort where whole sections of the population were both undermined and had lots of land and resources at their disposal. Over here in Alzer, those in power are so established that we can ignore rising stars and just really compete with one another. It’s not good, but I’m at the top, so I’m naturally pre-disposed towards keeping the system or usurping it.

Holfort, though, was a powder keg filled with rising stars and people with barely enough to stay at the top. They had a whole frontier filled with repressed nobility that they were keeping down. Adventurers finding treasures that rose to nobility instantly. They had a Church with enough power to have their own fleet and army. Finally, even the highest echelons of power, they had numerous nobles banding together with one another and forming factions around the strongest.

Not exactly a place where someone could shoot from the bottom to the top without interference, but that was exactly what was happening.

Mind control and charm magic made it make sense.

“If we didn’t need her, I’d get rid of her. She’s too much of a destabilizing force.” It felt cold to say, but I was seeing it through the lens of a noble of Alzer. Stripping away what I knew of the bullied girl who just wanted to learn, I now saw a power player in a massive country that had a large military and strong, talented people. If she topples the current structure over towards her, she’ll become a revolutionary, young leader with a nation unified at her beck and call. Not just a queen, but a threat to the whole region of space around Holfort, which Alzer happened to be in. “You know what. Put the plans to retrieve the other magical flute forward, as well as completely destroying Fanoss’ ability to wage war. We’ll take out doomsday, then take the protagonist out of the picture completely.”

“Who are you and what’ve you done with my spineless master?”

I grimaced.

“I gave her a chance. I’m fine with her playing around with a bunch of boys and enjoying herself, but what she’s doing now has a chance of setting the world on fire.” What did this woman have in mind with all her power, ability, and allies? Did she intend to spread Holfort’s matriarchal customs across the entire world in force? What comes after she marries the most influential houses in Holfort, becomes a war hero, and essentially rises to the throne? Would she be content to stay and play around or was she going to use her popularity, power, and influence to her own, unknown ends? The protagonist, quite plainly, looked like a budding apocalypse herself. “She need to be put down if we don’t need her.”

“I agree wholeheartedly. That magic is sickening indeed. Loathsome as it is to agree with you, I shall support you completely in this endeavor.”

“You should support me completely in every endeavor.”

“Never.”

Ideal chuckled and, after a moment, I leaned back in my desk and allowed myself a moment to laugh, too.

Never thought I’d use my room to plan out assassinations and thefts of WMDs, but here I am doing exactly that.

I wanted to ask Ideal if we could imprison Olivia, but in the end I decided against it.

That would just make her a martyr.

Hell, taking her out at this point would make her a martyr, too.

Unless, of course, it’s a massive freak accident that everyone just thinks is a tragedy.

“Hey, Ideal. Can you try to make it look like an accident?”

“It depends. How many others are you willing to see die to make it believable?”

Damn.

“We’ll shelve that idea for now, then. I don’t have the stomach for it.”

“I see.”

…

Though Angelica and Clarice greeted my parents when they arrived, they were foreign dignitaries from a Duke’s household and an Earl Household. Not only that, but Clarice’s father Earl Atlee was also a one of the ministers of Holfort. I didn’t recall which one, but with their connections to air-bike manufacturing, it was likely that it was related to transportation. Duke Redgrave had a ducal household at his back and practically had a self-sufficient territory that hosted its own armed force under his command.  Ducal houses like that of the Redgraves were like nations onto themselves.

So, if they were visiting, there had to be a show.

Anything less that a gala for a single evening would demean the visiting households and make us out be paupers.

Honestly, I didn’t get it, but that’s just how society functioned so I dealt with it.

“Thanks for dealing with everything.” I met up with Angelica and Clarice after the opening ceremony and speech. I had to talk a bit of my time there, imply that I found something as extraordinary as Ideal, and generally dispel rumors that I went over there to play around with women… after bringing in Angelica and Clarice. I called them dear friends and trusted companions, so that pretty much made it clear that they were not to be touched by any of our friends and foes. “How are you both?”

“Oh? Where’s the well-spoke gentleman I just saw mere minutes ago?” Clarice had a smile and gave me a quick embrace. I felt myself blush as she placed a kiss against my cheek. Angelica blushed, but moved in to do the same. I had to rub away the lipstick they left with a handkerchief. “He seems to have disappeared and turned into a well-dressed rascal, instead.”

“You know how it is. Speeches are formal and professional. Actual talking can be casual.” Both girls nodded at my words. They were joking. They’d make the same jokes with their own peers, as they all were raised in a similar way. They know when to exude professionalism and grace and when to be calm and casual. It depended on the audience and the situation at hand. “It’s the same here in as in Holfort… though a bit less formal than in your country.”

Alzer was a bit more modern and forward, though it had plenty of old traditions that were plenty fucked up.

Holfort took the cake when it came to pageantry, though.

I heard that they’d spend whole days just giving medals out one by one, if needed back there. Then, there was the fact they held full-on galas for their dance parties for their studies. I mean, we had a dance at my school, too. However, it was more akin to a social event set up by the students. We had to fundraise from our families, sell the thing, and work through all the permits to host it… then, we get to dance and have fun with our peers after working hard.

According to Marie, setting up the dance had the best romance cutscenes before the forced wedding came about and the love interest had to save the protagonist.

How did we get all the way over there?

No idea.

Marie only watched the cutscenes.

I’d complain, but I never even did that.

“This is plenty fancy for an evening, though. I appreciate having a bit of time to myself, rather than spending the evening meeting everyone.” Clarice mused and looked up. Her lips pouted as she thought deeply. My cheek felt a bit warm just glancing at her. She probably did that on purpose. “You have a lot of families under your family, Leon-kun. You said that the Six Families are pretty equal?”

“That’s incorrect, my brother was understating it. Our father holds the position of Chairman. The effective head of the Alzer Republic.” Louise spoke up and sidled up next to me. In an instant, she caught my arm and brought me close to her side. She held a glass filled with champagne in a gloved hand and wore a white and blue shoulder less dress. Flush against me, she smiled at Clarice and Angelica, who both seemed very… defensive? Guys, she is my sister. “It would be appropriate to say that my brother is the equivalent of your nation’s prince.”

The defensiveness of both Clarice and Angelica turned into shock as they both suddenly turned my way with wide eyes.

Suddenly, I felt a chill go down my spine.

“I-it’s not that simple. The whole thing is decided by vote. The six families are equal. The Chairman is basically a title. The spokesperson of the whole council, basically.” Somehow, I felt like I was digging my own grave, while Louise tittered beside me and hugged me closer. She’s usually not this clingy in public. Then again, we haven’t seen each other in a few months. I wasn’t about to complain. She’s the best big sister that I could’ve asked for. “Look, I didn’t lie. It’s not like I’m guaranteed to be Chairman once father stops being one.”

“And, who will you have there? A Barrielle? A Druille? A Feivel?” Oi, at least mention Granze and Pleven. Even if they are on the out and focused on being merchants, they’re still part of the council! Don’t look at me like I’m an idiot, Louise. My feelings will get hurt. She reached out and pinched my cheek. “Admit it, Leon. You’re the only one fit for the job. Anyone else will see Alzer ruined… so, you two best come here understanding that you’ll both be our allies and good friends, okay?”

Louise aimed the political equivalent of a ship’s broadside at Angelica and Clarice… and they both endured it without flinching.

Guess after all that they’ve been through, Louise’s intimidation barely registered.

“Don’t worry, Lady Rault, I know my goals and my place. I dare not ask for more… even though I know I can make Leon-kun squirm a lot if I did.” Clarice giggled, and I felt a shiver down my spine at her words. Somehow, I felt like I was in great danger. Louise glared at her a bit, but seemed to accept her answer. Atlee curtsied after a moment. “I look forward to properly speaking with you later, Lady Rault. I have much to share about your lovely brother.”

Angelica cleared her throat and spoke a moment after.

“Thank you for clarifying your family’s position. Rest assured, I understand my position. My family is gaining much with the current plan. Any more will just be greedy and shine our house in an unfavorable light.” Angelica gave her own curtsy towards my sister, but her eyes were steely and filled with determination when she looked at me. I felt like I was going to be crushed under her pressure. “Lady Rault, I will assist you in your efforts. I will make Leon-kun rise to his fullest potential.”

Whether I like it or not, went unsaid.

For a moment, Louise was quiet, but soon she turned my way with a smile and whispered.

“You’re screwed, dear brother.”

You don’t have to rub it in, dammit!