Louise Sara Rault was no stranger to social and political obligations. She was the eldest daughter of her house, with her father being Acting Chairman of the Six Great Houses. Due to her status, she was relied upon by her family to take up certain responsibilities. One of those responsibilities had apparently become receiving foreign royalty who had chosen to study at the Alzer Academy as part of the student exchange programs between the nations.

She personally had no interest in the kingdom of Holfort, being raised to consider them as a third-class kingdom due to their reliance on so-called adventurers. Louise even used to think that their insistence to dress up the children of noble houses as adventurers and have them delve into dungeons was an elaborate prank, not a proud tradition. It was why she still couldn't take Serge seriously even after he grew up and the pain he caused her finally faded to a dull ache.

Regardless of her opinion on their country's new guests, she would not be the one to bring shame to her house by being anything less than a perfect host.

When she arrived at the harbor to greet the newly arrived prince, she was admittedly surprised at the method of transportation they had. The massive red ship cut a striking figure as it slowly docked without so much as a sound. Louise was fairly certain that Holfort did not have the capability of building such a thing, thus it must likely have been a Lost Item.

Her surprise was further compounded when the person who disembarked the ship was not the Crown Prince of Holfort. Instead, it was a small girl with long blonde hair who was followed by an even smaller elven boy. The boy was carrying several bags of luggage so Louise assumed that he was her servant. Schooling her expression into a perfect smile, Louise waved at the girl and approached.

"Welcome to the Republic of Alzer. I am Louise Sara Rault, daughter of Acting Chairman Albergue Sara Rault. It is a pleasure to meet you." She introduced herself with a curtsy. She noticed the girl's eyes sharpen for but a moment before it returned to normal. The girl smiled and introduced herself with her own curtsy.

"Greetings Miss Rault. I am Marie Fou Bartfort." Louise noted that the girl's smile seemed to widen as she said her name. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Forgive me, but I was instructed to receive Prince Julius Rapha Holfort and escort them to the mansion they will be staying at." The girl, Marie, nodded at her confusion and pointed towards the direction of the red ship's aft.

"Julius and the others are still unloading their Armors and supplies from my brother's ship." Louise made sure not to give any outward reaction to how casually the girl seemed to speak about the prince. She also mentally filed away the mention that the impressive looking vessel belonged to the girl's brother. "They should join us shortly after they're done handing those over to the Academy staff."

"You seem rather well acquainted with the prince." Louise said, blatantly fishing for more information. Marie simply giggled and tilted her head in a manner that would have likely stolen the hearts of several young men at the Academy.

"You could say that. He is good friends with my brother and I am personally quite close to Julius." Marie stated sweetly. So her confidence stemmed from being friends with royalty? It wasn't anything new to Louise. Indeed, there was no shortage of people who thought themselves special by association with members of the great houses. Louise smiled at the girl but internally scoffed at her. She was of no notice and would likely just be seen as the prince's pet.

What can a single girl like her even do?

…

Marie Fou Bartfort felt a wave of nostalgia as she watched Louise Sara Rault introduce herself to her lovers. It was just like her luck to immediately run into the sequel's Villainess as soon as she had arrived. It was good that her brother and Control made sure that the drone that was floating above her head was also a stealth model. The Nagare launched from the harbor after they were all safely back on the ground, likely headed back to Holfort.

It irked her a lot that she had to spend a year away from her brother just as they were finally back to being an actual family again. She blamed her brother's new attitude rubbing off on her for her inexplicable actions.

"Apologies for the wait, Marie. Louise has arranged transportation for us to the mansion we will be staying at." Julius informed her when she approached everyone else.

"That's wonderful. Thank you very much for your courtesy." Marie said to Louise in practiced ease, making sure to put forth a front of being a proper lady.

"It is the least that the Alzer Republic can do for the crown prince of another nation. Please follow me."

Louise apparently had some official business to talk about with Julius, so they were split up as they were transported to their new accommodations. Julius and Jilk rode with the Villainess while she rode with the others.

"So what did you guys think of Miss Rault?" Marie asked the boys she was riding with.

Chris nodded and adjusted his glasses. "She is a proper lady of her house. Perfect manners as far as I could tell."

"Quite the beauty as well, I wouldn't be surprised if she was already engaged." Brad noted while stroking his chin. Oho? Was she going to have to remind him of her superiority to other girls again?

"Her house must be pretty damn important if she was the one sent out to meet us." Greg pointed out, making the others hum in consideration. Marie already knew that, though. From what she could remember of the discussions about the second game, the Villainess and her family were directly the main antagonists and would cause the most problems. Marie wasn't sure yet how to approach things, but she decided to start by confirming the status of the Protagonist and her Capture Targets once they get to the Academy.

"Mother's breasts are bigger." Kyle proudly stated before completely detaching himself from the conversation and looking out the window. Marie felt a bit bad about bringing him after Leon explained to her the relationship between Kyle and his own new elven maid. Sure, she was a creepy cultist and freaky science experiment but that was just an unfortunate turn of events.

"What about you, Control?" She asked the final member of their group. Marie raised her brow at the lack of response and wondered if the AI decided to spy on whatever Julius and the others were discussing. That was until Control actually spoke out.

There is something very strange with the energies circulating around this island.

Well, that wasn't ominous at all.

Marie sighed and wondered what her big brother was up to.

…

I had a weird sense of nostalgia as I watched the projected live footage that Control was showing me. It was a reminder that once upon a time, I considered myself as nothing but a background character. A mob. Why, you ask?

"Getter Tomahaaaaaaawk!" Because I was watching Deirdre completely demolish the series of training stages, that took me weeks to get through, in a single sitting. We were all in the hangar area with Deirdre in the simulator while Control and I watched her progress from outside.

It was insane how well Deirdre was taking to piloting Black Getter, like watching a natural athlete finally discovering what sport they were meant to play.

It appears that Miss Deirdre is a natural fit to pilot a Getter Robo.

"She definitely hasn't been hitting the same problems I did when I started out." I agreed with a nod while watching her weave between Mechasaurus attacks with a confidence that I didn't develop until much later in my training. She was even flying in ways I didn't consider when I was starting out.

Such things are not unheard of. Do not consider this as evidence of your own inadequacies.

"I'm definitely happy for her. I'm actually wondering if we can give her another Getter Robo to pilot. It'd be a waste if she just ends up as my backup pilot." I told Control. Contrary to being jealous, I was actually glad that we found someone else who could handle piloting Black Getter. That meant that I didn't have to be the only one who could act as the Big Stick whenever the situation called for it.

Black Getter F is meant as the final Getter Robo.

"But can't we build another one from its spare parts?" I argued, the distant memory of a Gundam movie where such a thing was done gave me the idea. Despite not having a face, I could tell that Control was hesitant about releasing another Getter Robo upon the world.

I shall take it under advisement.

That was good enough for me. I wasn't about to push the idea down their throat. We continued to watch Deirdre have fun until she finally called it quits. She was eventually brought down by a group of Mechasaurus that also gave me a rough time the first few tries.

Deirdre exited the simulator covered in sweat, her uniform showing how much effort she put in. Despite her obvious exhaustion, the girl just looked at us with a bright smile on her face.

"That was the most exhilarating experience I had ever had! Thank you both so much for the opportunity!" Her eyes twinkled as she spoke and I couldn't help but get infected with her joy.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." I said as she practically vibrated in place. She was definitely good for some more runs down the line. "We'll arrange more sessions for you to progress through the rest of the simulator missions."

"You would let me pilot Black Getter again after this?" She asked in complete surprise. I laughed and nodded at her shocked expression.

"Control and I have actually been thinking of having you as my backup pilot for Black Getter in case I won't be able to during emergencies or whatever." Deirdre's eyes widened at my words, gulping at the implication of her having an opportunity to pilot Black Getter for real. Control added their own words of encouragement when she still looked uncertain.

It would be a waste of your newly discovered natural talent otherwise.

"I am forever in your debt, Leon, Control! You are irreplaceable friends! If there is anything in my power to accomplish, do not hesitate to ask it of me." She told us, reminding me of another thing that I had to deal with. I did think that it wouldn't hurt to ask.

"Actually, there is one thing I'd like you to take a chance on." My friend nodded in eager attention. She then flinched and blushed at my next words. "You're still looking for someone to be your husband, right?"

I managed to convince Deirdre to have a Tea Party with Nicks. I would be technically hosting, but the event would be about the two of them.

The only thing left would be to actually schedule it and hope that my older brother doesn't blow it.

…

"Please forgive the deception during our first meeting, Livia. You must understand that there are still quite a number of people who would not appreciate my presence." Hertrude Sera Fanoss sweetly said to Livia. We were in my usual Tea room along with Angie to facilitate this little reunion. Sadly, Deirdre couldn't be present due to a prior commitment.

"I understand, Hertrude. Angie and the others told me about the history between our countries. I wish that such suffering had not happened." Livia sadly said. I had already briefed my lovers about who Hertrude was in the scope of Livia's story from my old world and what she represented. They were both surprisingly calm with having the Final Boss in our midst like this.

"And you already prove yourself better than most in that regard." Hertrude smiled as if she didn't just deliver a very thinly veiled insult. While Livia accepted our new guest with open arms, Angie was not of the same opinion.

My other lover was absolutely irked at how quickly Hertrude made herself comfortable in Clarice's usual chair. Livia didn't seem to share the same discomfort and was just happy to see a friend again. The irony of which was not lost to me at all.

"If I may ask," Angie finally spoke out in a cool tone. "What exactly are Leon's responsibilities towards you, your highness?"

"Please, just call me Hertrude." The princess simply took it in stride and gave her explanation to us. "As for Sir Bartfort's responsibilities. I suppose that I am meant to be by his side whenever possible."

"I understand that such a thing would not be possible at all times, of course." She added when she noticed Angie and Livia's expressions. She had probably already pieced together what our relationships were considering we hadn't yet told her that the three of us were lovers.

"Angie and I can protect you whenever Leon can't!" Being the sweetheart that she was, Livia immediately volunteered herself and Angie.

"I would be in your debt, Livia." The girl shook her head at Hertrude's words.

"Not at all. Leon always likes to say that friends don't keep score like that." Oh sure, first she steals some of my uniform shirts and now she's stealing my lines too. I had to order a fresh set when Livia, Angie, and Clarice took all of my old ones for themselves. I couldn't really blame them as seeing the three of them wear my shirts was a view I would never trade anything for.

"Then I shall appreciate the gesture for what it is then." Hertrude said with a smile before she gave me a sly grin. "Though, I am surprised that Sir Bartfort ascribes to such a cute sentiment."

"Leon acts prickly at times, but he's just a big softie when it comes down to it." Livia agreed with her own grin. Feeling threatened, I turned to the only ally I had left at the table.

"Angie help, I'm outnumbered." I lamely begged, only for my future bride to also grin at me.

"I'm sure that the fearsome Doom Knight can handle it." I wasn't aware that it was already Bully-Leon-O'clock but here we were.

"Still, I am grateful that you accepted me so readily. It is quite a shame that you waste such a compassion here in Holfort. You would be much better served coming to the Principality." Angie and I stiffened at the obvious offer from Hertrude. We looked at Livia and she also looked a bit uncomfortable. The princess was about to continue when Livia's face suddenly morphed into an angry scowl.

"Your games are tiresome, girl. I only endured it for the friendship you have developed with my host. No more." Livia was wearing the Saint's Necklace this whole time?! Wasn't she worried that someone could identify it or maybe even steal it?! "Tell me what it is you actually wish to accomplish by coming here, Hertrude Sera Fanoss."

It wasn't a surprise that Hertrude was no match for the original wielder of Compelling Voice. It was definitely a surprise to see how easily Anne could use it with Livia's body using just the necklace. How strong would those two be with all three relics?

"I need Livia to come with me so we can save my sister, Rauda." Hertrude immediately said, surprising us with her motivation. Even Anne looked like she wasn't expecting this response.

"Tell me everything, girl."

What she ended up telling us made me plant my head on the table and groan.