Life's a Pay to Win Game

by swordmaster888

Eminence in Shadow and Mobuseka Crossover. I read some fanfics that had self inserts take over, and some stuff that was like Light vs Shadow. So I since I made the connection of Luxion Light and am not that fond of how the self inserts kinda make the original protagonist needless, here we are. I'm pulling from as many sources these stories have as I can

25. Chapter 24

A/N: The beginning of this chapter's first Cid section was inspired by another person's comment, the guest on Ao3 Shadowy Guy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs nor The Eminence in Shadow. The only Beta reader here is the elf.

-Marie-

When I signed up for the field trip I was hoping to be able to go to the Japan inspired place, to hopefully get the charms, however instead I was sent to the section with Julius and Jilk. There's not much to say about this island, other than it's a big city type of place, like the capital, but with an emphasis on trading.

In the game it's supposed to be a fun section where Julius and/or Jilk will spoil the player rotten by buying them all sorts of outfits. However,

"Thank you for shopping at Mitsugoshi, please come again!"

The only place that had anything my size that didn't also make me feel like I was being dressed like a toddler or some kind of gothic Lolita was the same store from near our school…

"This vacation kinda sucks." Said Kyle.

Julius and Jilk who were eating some fries from one of the Wc Ronald's knock offs looked up, and sheepishly smiled.

As he rubbed the back of his head Julius said, "Yes… I suppose that going to a store that we usually go to isn't very vacation-like."

Jilk harumphed and chimed in, "Honestly, those other vendors should be ashamed of not being able to give Marie anything her size. It's not as though she's the only student her height, so not being able to provide anything she liked in her size was bad on their part."

Grr… don't think being cute and spoiling me rotten makes me any less annoyed with you two!

"Huh?" said Kyle, "There's students the same height as Marie?"

I pinched his cheek, as Kyle whined adorably Julius pointed over to his left where I saw a familiar looking head of pink hair.

"Is that Sherry?" I wondered out loud.

"Ah yes," confirmed Jilk, "that's the friend you made through Miss Offrey, yes? The researcher that had trouble sleeping."

"…It looks like she's alone." Noted Julius. I notice that too, Sherry is sitting alone at a table, pitifully eating slowly, as though she's afraid to make a sound. The fact that she's sitting at the bench with nothing but a bag accompanying her makes me feel even worse for her.

…

Just like me when I waited for mom to bring Himawari to me…

*Sigh*

"Marie?" said Julius.

I walked over to Sherry. As I got close, I noticed that she didn't look as sad as she looked from a distance. Rather, she looked… forlorn, I think. Like she was thinking about something really hard.

"Sherry?" I asked.

Sherry jumped in her seat immediately, her little cowlick on her head standing up straight like her head was part of an exclamation point.

"M-m-m-m-marie!?" shrieked Sherry.

I waved kindly.

"You waiting for some friends?" I asked.

Sherry shook her head.

"N-no… Cid and Alice went to the temple town with His highness," I can hear Julius and Jilk flinch in the background as Sherry talks, "and Stephanie…"

As Sherry Trails off I can't help but get a little worried.

I sit next to Sherry on the bench seats and put a hand on her shoulder, "She didn't…"

Sherry looks at me confused. Her face scrunching up in confusion, just like Himawari, before she panics. While flailing her arms she shouts, "N-no! She's… fine-ish. Er, um, I mean. She's just not coming to school anymore! She had to drop out and move to Midgar!"

I breathe a sigh of relief.

"That's good," I say, "I was worried she was hurt in the attack."

Sherry nods and looks away.

"So what's wrong? Just not have any friends here?" I asked.

Sherry shakes her head.

"N-no, I'm fine. I was actually with Princess Alexia earlier. She just left after seeing this therianthrope woman." Said Sherry. "It's… It's just that… um…"

Sherry quickly glanced over to the three boys I was with.

I nod, "Wait here."

I walk over to the boys.

"What's going on?" asked Julius.

I motion for the boys to get in close so I can whisper, "Look, Sherry needs some privacy. Girl stuff, y'know? Can you three leave and come back in a bit?"

"Are you sure it's okay for you two to be on your own," whispered back Jilk, "I mean no offense of course, but you're both rather petite women."

I smile a little bit.

Wait, no, you're annoying! Grr… but that's a good point.

"Just… go to the second floor while I talk with her near the lobby area. You know, the place with the massage chairs?" I said. The three boys nodded and followed my orders. I walk over to Sherry and motion for her to follow me, "Let's go somewhere a bit more private, yeah?"

-Cid-

I tossed my good luck charm up and down as we walked up the way to the shrine. It's about 10 AM. I usually get up around 5, but since we're on vacation Alpha and Zeta had insisted on sleeping in… well it was more Zeta that wanted to sleep, meanwhile Alpha had wanted to make out for a bit. I thought it was a little mean to do that right next to Zeta, but as soon as Alpha left to get breakfast Zeta immediately jumped on me.

Good news, her tongue isn't barbed.

Bad news, when she and Alpha get together, they spoil me rotten. Not in the way that Gamma does, where it feels kind of nice, but it gets to the point where I'm pretty sure I'd wouldn't have to move a muscle ever again if I didn't want to. That's a bit much though, so I have to put my foot down every now and then.

In any case, we did make plans to meet with Leon and his girls so when we finished eating we met up with them and started walking up the stairs to the shrine.

"So," I said while walking next to Leon, Deirdre and Angelica were holding both of Olivia's hands while Zeta and Alpha walked behind me like I was some kind of old timey Japanese husband, "What did these charms even do?"

Leon thought about it for a second, "Well… I'm not sure how much of it translates to real life, but Zetan's will power her up the more she works with others."

I nod, "Power of friendship."

"Right," confirmed Leon, "I never used it because you kinda needed to go the romance route to get the good endings, plus the Saintess's staff offers something similar but better overall."

I suppose that if we were in an Otome game it would make sense for the power of friendship not to be as good as the power of love. Come to think of it though, "What about Alice's?"

Leon looks away.

I eye him with suspicion.

"Okay… so it did give you some benefits like the Saintess's necklace, based on the power of love and all…" said Leon as he looked away.

"But…?" I asked.

"So the only reason you would equip it over the Saintess's gear is because there was a small chance that if you had, it would change the ending CG, oh wait you don't know what a CG is… uh, so each ending had a specific painting for it, it would change what it looked like if you had Alice's charm equipped." Said Leon.

"Change it how?" I asked.

Leon looked at Alpha and Zeta who were totally able to hear us, but he still tried his best to whisper to me so they wouldn't be able to, "Livia would have a noticeable bump in her wedding dress."

Noticeable bump…

…

…

Ah.

I glance behind me to see Alpha's ears wiggling and her mana surging just enough to make her hair move as though it's being blown by wind, even though there's none to be found today.

I should probably start doing all the solo eminence stuff while I can.

"W-what. *Cough* what about mine?" I asked while trying to change the topic.

Leon shrugged, "Well either it's a slight boost in luck, or it could help you cast this spell called 'Lost Word.'"

'Lost Word'? That sounds cool.

"What's it do?" I asked.

"Well, it was pretty random. Either it gave everyone a boost in all stats, decreased all stats, healed everyone, or did any of those three to the enemies, or if you were really lucky, a unique almighty attack unleashed on the enemies. But even then there was only a 1 in 5 chance that you could even get the charm with the spell." Said Leon. He turned to me and sighed. My excitement must have been obvious, as he stopped. "Okay, so, the attack was super powerful area of effect type, like the Megido line. So, if you want to try your luck how about you aim in that direction."

Leon pointed to the open skies, and I obliged. I mean, destroying buildings is really cool but I feel like I can't get away with it in these circumstances.

The girls all stopped to watch us as Leon instructed me on how to cast the spell.

Come to think of it, I should probably aim a little further away. If I use an almighty attack I can't actually hide my power for some reason.

Probably should have thought about that before I asked for instructions on how to cast it, but whatever.

"Lost Word." I chant.

I feel something use mana, so I imagine that I cast the spell, but I don't really see anything.

I chant the words a few more times but at some point I cast it so far away that I can't even see if I did it properly.

"Looks like it was a dud." Said Leon.

I shrug. "Guess so."

I cast it enough times, wonder if I hit something.

-Leon-

Although it wasn't too long of a walk from our hotel to the shrine, even including the stairs up the hill, I felt the need to breathe in deeply as soon as I saw the giant buildings that make up shrine.

I feel like I'm home, but somehow… not.

The red torii gates and shrine buildings. The fortune slips. The box and ropes connected to bells. Everything that I know was designed based on what the devs had lived through.

But…

No, it's not.

This isn't a game.

This is a world with its own history.

…

Huh.

Never thought I'd experience a sort of mental dysphoria like this but here we are.

A little girl in a shrine maiden outfit holding a broom walks up to everyone.

"Hello there," I greet, "Is this the place with a god of knot-tying?"

The child beamed, and I think I saw Livia swoon from the cuteness. "Yes! Indeed! Our God also provides blessings for combat!"

Heh, somebody who wants to become a knight couldn't ask for more. If I didn't have everything I do now, I could see myself donating a ludicrous sum.

Angie, who also swooned from the child's cuteness, recovers and approaches her. Crouching, she asks "How do go about performing a shrine visit?"

The child takes Angie's hand, to which Angie let out a small "kyah!" and explained, "Then I shall teach you! First go to the ablution pavilion to purify yourself with water…"

She's so soothing…

We eventually find ourselves at the ropes and shrine box. Livia takes out some coins, Angie a full bill, and me a few bills.

I think that Mitsugoshi was the one to create these modern editions of bills now that I think about it… Man, Luna has her hands in everything related to business. I should check up on her every now and then, who knows how many Shadow Garden members have infiltrated Mitsugoshi.

"A-Are you supposed to donate that much?" asked Livia as she balked in shock, the village baker girl's sense of money making her cringe about how much Angie, and I are giving away.

Angie tilted her head confused, "I'm not? Pretty sure that's quite average in the 'church'."

I chuckle and move to explain how it's generally believed that the more money you give the better results you may get. However-

*THUD* *THUD*

The three of us look over to see two big bags of coins on top of the shrine box.

Ah, that's right. Blessings of marriage also include childbirth.

Alice and Zetan pray with all their might after clapping and ringing the bells.

I look slowly to Cid who is probably doing his best not to blush.

I put my hand on his shoulder.

"Can I be the godfather?" I asked.

Cid chased me around with a broom he stole from one of the children, to which the children shrine maidens cheered. And that made Angie and Livia chase me as well for setting a bad example. It was a fun day.

-Alexia-

"So, you're saying you approve." I said to the wolf therianthrope in front of me.

"Mhm." Responded Sara as she ate through the food I gave her.

I'm sitting in the middle of one of Mitsugoshi's many restaurants. I was going to meet with Iris a little bit before I headed to Lindwurm, and she offered to accompany me on a shopping trip before she'd have to go back to Holfort and assist with the reconstruction efforts with the academy. I killed some time by hanging out with Sherry since Stephanie was strangely missing, and I don't really have any other friends. While with Sherry, I managed to spot Sara in the middle of the store. She was wearing a rather fitting white blazer and black slacks, although the shirt was open enough so that I could tell she didn't wear a bra. Which is weird considering she's sister wives with the woman who started selling them.

Er, anyway, I flagged her down and managed to convince her to eat with me. I asked if she could give me some advice in return for me buying her some food. I did pay a little more than I expected. Though that's my fault for expecting the therianthrope that runs on all fours to have a small appetite… or to use utensils.

"No catch?" I asked.

The girl's, admittedly cute, ears and tail perk up. "You wanna play catch!?"

"Maybe later." I said, I'll admit that does sound a little fun. "I mean that you don't want anything in return for being able to be with Cid?"

"You already bought me food." Said Sara.

…

Okay, so this girl's a bit simple.

Or is she? What if this is some kind of ploy to lull me into a false sense of security…

"You're okay with Cid being with other people?" I asked, although this wasn't for the first time since I started speaking with her.

With a loud *crunch* of a steak bone, Sara answers, "Uh, yeah. Duh. Bossman deserves to have as many wives as he wants so he can have as many babies as he wants. I said this already."

Well sorry, but that sounded sarcastic the first time.

"Was that all you wanted rabbit lady?" asked Sara.

I blink.

"Rabbit?" I asked.

Sara pointed at her head, "Uh, yeah. Cause you got the white hair, red eyes, and even put your hair to look like two ears."

…

Is that why Mom and Iris liked to call me their little rabbit when I was little? I never got it till now.

I can only nod, "Uh, well, can you tell me what the other girls might want me to do? I need to get their approval too."

Sara licks her fingers and thinks… for exactly one second.

"Uh, well. Sara's not sure. Sara thinks that as long as you have bossman's approval you should be fine." Said Sara.

That doesn't tell me anything!

I'm getting nowhere with her.

…

Well, there's one thing I want to ask.

"Why do you keep calling him bossman?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Because bossman's the strongest, duh." Said Sara.

I held in a scoff. Cid's a lot of things, but strong isn't one of them.

"Really?" I asked in the most neutral tone I can muster.

Sara doesn't seem to notice though, "Well yeah, haven't you seen Bossman's body? Bossman has an eight-pack."

My jaw drops, "Wha-"

"Bossman is shredded." Finished Sara.

…I didn't really get a good look because he kept avoiding me for the most part. I did get to talk to him one night, but Claire was there too.

Sara gets up and leaves some coins on the table.

But I said I'd pay?

I blink and immediately feel a hand on my shoulder.

I looked up to see Sara who crossed the distance between us with no sound despite the bell on her tail. She leans down and whispers into my ear so that only I can hear, "Bossman doesn't like meanies."

And then she prances off like I didn't just feel as though my life was in danger.

I knew it! She's a cold-blooded killer!

After taking a few seconds to compose myself, I walk out of the restaurant. Sara had gotten the last word and paid for my meal as well apparently.

While walking I bump into someone.

"Oh sorry." I said, I have to keep up appearances after all.

"Not at all." Replied the familiar voice.

I look back and see a woman with long black hair and red eyes. She's scrapped up a bit so I think that it's Claire… wait no, she's missing a couple of things.

"My eyes are up here, Princess Alexia." Said the woman in an angry voice.

"Sorry, but I thought you were familiar looking but now that I think about it you're not the person I'm thinking of." I say kindly.

The woman tilts her head, "But you haven't met Hertrauda since before she hit puberty, how would you know to differentiate us that way?"

"Her…trauda…? Oh!" I realize who I'm talking to, "Princess Hertrude! It's been so long!"

Princess Hertrude of Fanoss. She's a woman of average height but under average weight. If anything she's closer to a skeleton. That is paired with a long black dress, black choker, and black bracelets. The only thing about her that isn't black or white is her red eyes, which I've heard people say stare straight into your soul.

"It really has, Princess Alexia." Said Hertrude as she curtsied. I return the gesture. "Would I be correct in assuming you're here for the school trip?"

I nod before asking, "Yes… not to be rude, but I don't recall you being in school with us. What brings you here today?"

"Oh, nothing important. I mean, I did have some other plans this morning but… they ended up derailed. For now I'm here to pick up a friend of mine before going home." Said Hertrude.

A friend…? Stephanie's been gone, so there's no way it's her…

Wait… no way.

"Do you mean Sherry Him Zenden?" I asked. Him Zenden is the name of The Black Knight after all.

Hertrude smiles politely, under normal circumstances I might be scared but after dealing with Sara I find this rather pleasant, "Yes, are you acquainted with her?"

I smile back, closing my eyes so I don't see her reaction, "Yes, we're not particularly close but I'd say we're good friends. I was actually with her earlier, I could lead you to last I saw her if you'd like."

"That'd be lovely." Said Hertrude.

I lead Hertrude over to the Tuna King but we manage to spot Sherry sooner than I expected. What also was unexpected was that Sherry was one of the meanest little bitches that the academy had to offer, Marie something something. What was the most surprising was that… Marie was comforting Sherry like a mother would a child.

Hertrude power walks as fast as she can in their direction, and I'm close behind.

We seem to come at the end of a heartful conversation.

"*Sniff* So I'm not a freak?" said Sherry.

Marie wiped away Sherry's tears, "Of course not, it's completely normal, just look at Leon's lovers Angelica and Olivia. Besides, would you ever have said that about Stephanie?"

Sherry shook her head quickly, "N-no!"

Marie hugged Sherry, "So why would it be any different for you?"

"Y-You're right. Thank you, Marie." Said Sherry.

…What is my life now?

-Leon-

As the ship that brought us to the vacation spot takes off, I stand by myself and watch the clouds in the distance. Well, technically Cid is with me, but he's nursing a stamina potion while doing his best to get feeling back in his legs after he had another session with Alice. I can't help but wonder how he'd be fairing if Zetan wasn't busy talking with Livia about something.

In any case, I'm leaning over the balcony, looking at the clouds so I don't feel tempted to look at the island we were leaving since I was feeling strangely sad as we left. I can only really see the path to the shrine from here but still. Suddenly, I hear a rather annoying voice.

"Barfort," greeted Chris, "Are you busy?"

I turn my head in his direction, "You're not going to do something dumb like challenge me to a sword duel, right?"

"Dumb!?" exclaimed Chris.

I shrug as I turn back to the clouds, "I offer to help you guys grow and you just beat the dead horse of only ever relying on sword skills. Aren't you good enough when it comes to sword fighting?"

Chris walks up next to me, I scoot away, before adjusting his glasses and saying, "Not once have I considered my swordsmanship good, that's why I need to improve it."

I rest my head in hand, not very interested since I can basically tell what he's going to say, "Now that's not the way a master swordsman like yourself should be talking, I would expect something more grandiose."

"I'm not lying," insisted Chris, "I've been training for my whole life and my father says I have no talent at all. The other day he said that if it weren't for you and your offer to train the prince's entourage, I'd have been expelled from my apprenticeship."

"Ah, light blue and his inferiority complex. So annoying. Wait, scratch that, they're all annoying pains in the ass." I mutter in Japanese.

[Master you are not one to speak.]

After giving Luxion a quick 'urusai,' I do my best to speak in Holfort's language, which admittedly rather than feeling like I'm speaking another language I learned it's always felt like I've switched brains or something, "You know, even if that were to happen, nothing would stop you from continuing to train in swordsmanship, if anything maybe it'd be better for you to take some time to practice something else. Like magic, where you really suck at."

"Kuh!" grunted Chris as my cutting remark hit him. He got back up quickly enough though and responded, "But how can I master swordsmanship if I stop training with it!? Wouldn't I just lose my skills if I give up on it? What right do you have to say something like that!?"

I sighed and stood up straight.

"Which one of us won the duel again?" I asked. Chris flinched again, but I didn't let up. "Besides what does the title of sword master even mean to you? …No, let me put it this way, if something were to happen, and Marie, your family, and everyone you know were to be in danger, what would matter more? Your title as sword master, or their safety? Because let me tell you, there's several monsters that are immune to physical attacks and need to be done in with the use of magic."

Chris merely stood silently.

Cid finally shot up and uttered the words, "Something's coming."

*DIRIRIRIRING*

"What!?" Yelled Chris, "An Alarm!?"

Ah, right on cue.

Chris, and several of the other students gasp in shock at the sight of a veritable army of monsters approaching. They're all rather disgusting looking, some looking like centipedes, monstrous jellyfish, and all other sorts of creatures that look like they belong in the deep sea. I suspected something like this, but to this degree? And what's with the thing floating in front of their heads?

The staff runs out, none of them wearing any kind of armor or bearing weapons, showing just how unprepared they were.

"What on earth is happening?!" screamed Chris.

The head of staff raised their hands in surrender, "I don't know. Monsters showed up all of a sudden… This is my first time seeing something like this…!"

I take in our surroundings. You'd think monsters would charge right in but apparently, they're just surrounding us.

"Why are they surrounding us but not attacking?" I ask.

[It seems they are working under some leader. Nothing like that exists in my database.]

I glance at Luxion. It looks like he's decided to deactivate his cloaking function. He does it a couple of times in front of my friends and lovers but never in public like this. He must have deemed this situation dangerous enough to do so.

*FWOOM*

Luxion gives me a good look of the symbol that's hovering in front of the monsters heads.

"The Principality of Fanoss!" I gasped, causing Cid to look over and give a similar response.

The Principality of Fanoss used to be a duchy in the Holfort Kingdom. But long ago they declared independence as a principality. I always knew I'd have to fight them, not because of any personal hatred. But because they're an enemy that shows up late in the game no matter the route.

[Master? Your reaction seems… like you know something.]

I nod, and let Cid hear this as well, "The Principality of Fanoss is a country that declares war on the kingdom in the game. But this is too early, I thought they wouldn't have done anything until our third year."

Cid ponders, "…I know their symbol is on the front, but like, how do we know they're behind this for sure?"

"The principality possesses a magic flute," I start to explain, "Which was capable of manipulating monsters in the story… But I never thought it could control all of… this." I gesture to the sea of monsters surrounding us.

Unfortunately the kingdom of adventurers spawned a bunch of whiny babies who all delve into a panic.

I hear some of the girls shriek, "Hey… that number of monsters is just abnormal…!"

"This ship should be fine, right?!"

"It should have some weapons loaded on it, no?!"

Even though I was able to see with Deirdre that there is some defense mechanisms, it's not enough to defend against this number. After all it's just a cruise ship.

"N…NOOO! What's going on?!" cried one girl.

"Let's run away!" offered some simp.

One of his friends cut him off, "Where?! We're hanging in the sky here!"

Some shmuck pulls out a rifle and starts shooting.

"UWAAH!" shouts the shmuck.

Then some of the staff members get a hold of him and hold him back, "Stop! Don't provoke them!"

"They're in total panic." Said Cid.

[Partner and your armor are ready to be deployed at any time. Shall we begin the slaughter?]

I shake my head. "Not yet. We were going to use this… okay, maybe the armor… Arroganz."

As I talk to Luxion a loud sound starts to echo through the air. It… It sounds like the call of whale.

To my horror, through the clouds a whale, it's mouth full of tendrils, and the emblem of Fanoss in front of his head, chains coming from the mouth fasten what looks like the bridge of a ship.

"What…" whispers Chris, aghast, "What is that…?!"

Oh, I know. A monster used as an airship, that means the princess decided to show up!

"Using monsters as airships… how strange." Remarked Cid.

I shrug, "They have to invade somehow, and they don't have the money to make airships so they're making up for it in another way."

Suddenly I hear the sound of some familiar footsteps…

Damn, recognizing them by their footsteps, even if they're running, how down bad am I?

"Leon! We finally found you!" shouted Deirdre as she tackled me with a hug. Livia's not far behind and joins in. Angie and Alice hugged me and Cid respectively as well. Zetan shows up last and drags Cid back into the ship. Fair enough I suppose, Cid's more of a support type anyway.

"Leon," whispers Angie to me, "Do you know why the monsters have the principality's emblem on them?"

I nod slightly so Chris can't see.

Angie breathes a sigh of relief, guess that means I better not let her down.

"Wait! Somebody is coming out of the ship!" shouted Chris. We all strain our eyes and see… two people. One sporting a familiar head of pink hair, and the other a woman in a black dress with long black hair, pale skin, and red eyes.

"Princess Hertrude, huh?" remarked Angie.

"And Sherry as well." Chimed in Alice.

Livia turned to Angie and asked, "Do you know them?"

"I've met Princess Hertrude before, as part of my training to become Julius' bride," explained Angie, "As for Sherry, she was friends with Alice and Cid if you recall. However, I only knew her as a researcher invited from Fanoss, something about trying to maintain a good relationship with Holfort… but why are they here now? With all these monsters as well?"

A magic circle stems from the monster ship and suddenly Hertrude's image is projected to be larger than our own ship. This gets every to fall silent.

"Heed me, for I am the first princess of the Fanoss principality, Hertrude Sera Fanoss. We declare war against the Holfort Kingdom. O' Foolish descendants of the kingdom's nobles. I shall grant you the time to steel your resolve. Surrender or die. I shall wait only one hour." Declared the princess before her image faded.

Angie slams her hand on the railing and screams, "They're planning to use us as hostages! Such cowardice!"

Hm.

"Luxion, do we have the means to make that big of a hologram." I asked.

[I'm insulted you'd think I'd say no.]

"Leon?" asked Angie composing herself slightly, "What do you plan on saying?"

"I think we should call for a talk, after all I am the new crown prince, I'm guessing that's part of the reason that they chose us specifically to capture, not to mention you, the daughter of a duke, and Chris, son of the sword saint." And that bomb thing Angie's followers had, I decided not to add. Afterall, if I start pointing stuff that might have speed run this whole thing they might point out me becoming the crown prince didn't help.

…Speedrun…

As I suspected, it's Marie's fault. Yup, that's my fault and I'm sticking to it.

Angie nods. "It's a sound idea."

"What would that entail?" asked Alice, "Your conversation I mean. What do you plan on offering?"

I shake my head. "Oh no. We're just going to flip the script."

"Eh?" said Alice.

I smile.

-Angelica-

I sit calmly beside my lover in the darkly furnished hall. I have one hand on a teacup while the other is resting on my lap where I've hidden a device provided by Luxion in my pocket. I use the joy of my skirt having pockets to help calm myself. I need it considering we're on the monster ship surrounded by enemy soldiers.

Alice stands in between our sofa and the one that Sherry sits on.

"It has been a while Angelica," said Princess Hertrude, "Although all we did then was exchange greetings I must say I am glad to see you in much better health and mood than before."

I take a deep breath.

I place the teacup down and ask, "Are you really waging war even considering the principality's military strength? This will be hard to pass off as a minor dispute. You are aware of the difference in military prowess between the principality and the kingdom right?"

This is just odd. Ignoring the monsters there's only one ship. How could they dispatch such a small fleet knowing the difference between the two countries…

Hertrude takes a sip from her tea and smiles hauntingly, "True there is an absolute difference between the strength of the two countries. But haven't you noticed anything after seeing the scenery outside?"

"You were controlling monsters," said Leon, using the voice that befits his status. "But do you really think that alone will be enough to win against the kingdom?"

I briefly see Hertrude react to Leon, though I can't place her reaction, confusion perhaps. "Do you have something to say your highness?"

Leon smiles, "Well for starters, your sole ship is rather banged up, isn't it?"

Hertrude's cup rattles slightly, so slightly that anyone not trained in etiquette might have missed it. However, I can't help but feel a bit confused, the ship looked fine, if a bit disturbing, to me.

"Plus," continued Leon, "This could just be me and my ignorance to the way higher nobility operates, princess, but you seem to be operating on the possibility that this was a surprise attack."

The room falls so silent that you could hear a pin drop.

Hertrude sets her cup down. "…What are you talking about."

"I can't just give everything away, you need to barter, you know?" taunted Leon.

I look to Alice, who is closer to Sherry than she was before.

"Very well," said Hertrude, "Let's talk."

Leon nods and leans forward, resting his head on his folded hands. "You don't plan on taking any of our citizens hostage, do you?"

I'm appalled and Hertrude smirks.

"Caught on to that did you?" she admitted.

Sherry makes some sort of noise suggesting she wanted to speak up but didn't. Hertrude glances at her before moving back to us.

"I suppose I could allow you to add some hostages if you'd like, after all you did treat Sherry so kindly during her time at your now destroyed academy… my condolences by the way, I know how much of a symbol for the country that was." Said Hertrude.

I grit my teeth but luckily, we did have a plan going in here.

"How nice," crooned Leon in that damn voice of his. Then he took a darker expression, "Can't help but wonder where these callous actions came from."

Hertrude laughs, "What do you mean? Surely you know what the so called nobles that serve you are like?"

Leon nods, "I do. But what about you?"

"Pardon?" asked Hertrude.

"I know the method behind controlling the monsters." Said Leon, causing Hertrude to frown, "and I know what it'll do to you the more you do it. That's why you had the monster lure deployed, isn't it? Because the more monsters you summon and the stronger ones you summon the more you risk at becoming one of the possessed."

Hertrude says nothing.

Leon continues, his words echoing through the room, "So, why would you be willing to go so far? Because I hold no hatred for your country, despite the fact that your privateers constantly war with the border barons, and only our border as well. So don't try and lie to me that they're just pirates."

"That's right…" said Sherry, "His highness Leon used to be a baron before he found out his lineage through his adventures."

I nod, "We plan on changing our country under our rule. We acknowledge several of our failures… do we truly have to go to war?"

Hertrude scoffs, "what empty words. You all have been clearly enjoying yourselves as students. And do you really think anyone will listen to some bumpkin even if he did have the same blood as royalty? Besides I heard the story of what happened to his ancestor, surely that's evidence enough that your country deserves to be burned to the ground!"

"*Sigh* You're right." Admitted Leon.

Hertrude smiles, "Of course I am, now, I believe that you had what two other-"

"Lullaby" I chant.

Suddenly about half of the soldiers in the room fall asleep.

"Alice, Luxion, now!" shouted Leon.

Alice raises her arms above her head and shouts with Leon "MAZIOGNA!" Shocking the entirety of the room.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" demanded Hertrude.

I marched over to her and immediately knocked her out with a punch to her face.

"Hertrude!" shouted Sherry in concern, having thankfully not been hit by any of Alice and Leon's lightning.

Alice quickly takes Sherry over her shoulder, said girl flails rather adorably, while Arroganz's arm punches through the outer wall of the room we had been in.

"She'll be fine," I reassure. "Livia and I can heal her later, but for now we need to go!"

"Wait." Said Leon, "Luxion, can you find where the flute is?"

[There are signs of an artifact being beneath the floorboards, I recommend checking there.]

Leon nods and immediately kicks some of the boards in. After about two tries he manages to uncover a box with a flute with a sinister aura about it.

We all jump into Arroganz, which while I need to sit on Leon's lap, there's room for Alice and the other two behind his seat.

Okay, now for the hard part.

-Olivia-

When Leon had first declared his plan, to go pretend to negotiate on the ship but in reality stage a kidnapping for Princess Hertrude and Cid's friend Sherry, I held my breath. I have faith in my love's ability, especially since I know that Partner and Luxion are nearby, but it wasn't until Arroganz returned with everyone that I was able to safely breathe.

Angie, Alice, Sherry, and Princess Hertrude (who is knocked out and being carried by Alice) all come out of Arroganz. However, Leon stays on.

As I give Angie a hug and kiss on the cheek I hear Leon's voice play through Arroganz's speakers.

"I am going to make myself clear." Arroganz slams it's shovel into the deck, calling everyone's attention as it heroically rests its arms on the handle, "We have a few moments before the seal holding the monsters wears off and we are going to be attacked. You have two options. 1. Join me in defeating them. Or 2. March yourself into the jail cells."

This sends everyone into an uproar, it frightens me a bit and I reflexively start walking towards Arroganz.

"Fight!?"

"Like hell we'll listen to you!"

"You upper class losers really think that you can order us around at a time like this!?"

The entire room descends into random shouting, people squabbling over their social statuses, contracted demi-humans saying they wouldn't serve their employers anymore, and all kinds of arguments.

"QUIT BABBLING YOU FUCKING LOUSY PIECES OF SHIT." Ordered Leon. Everyone turns hostile towards Leon but stays still with angry looks. Leon continues, "Listen up. I am going to be your king. What I say is law. If you wish to disobey the law then join Angelica's foolish followers in the jail cell. We aren't in school anymore, this is real life. So listen to me when I say fight. IF YOU DON'T WANNA DIE THEN FIGHT!"

One student shakily yells, "F-Fuck off!" which inspires others to join in, "If you wanna fight then do it yourself!"

Leons evil and sexy chuckle permeates the air, forcing them all to listen, "But of course I'm going to fight. After all I'm a real noble, not a fake like all of you." Leon swings Arroganz's arms open wide, gesturing to our surroundings, "Look at the situation we are all in! You're all on the verge of dying by monsters controlled by a nation that just declared war on us and you all are crying for someone else to fix the problem for you! YOU DISGUST ME! YOUR ANCESTORS ARE ROLLING IN THEIR GRAVES AT HOW SELF ENTITLED BRATS LIKE YOU THRIVE BASED ON THE HARD WORK THEY HAD PUT IN! ALL YOU DO IS WHINE AND GRUBMEL EVEN THOUGH OU'RE ABOUT TO GET MASSACRED! YOUR ANCESTORS SHED SWEAT AND BLOOD TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL ADVENTURERS, BUT NONE OF YOU HOLDS ANY VALUE!"

Arroganz stomps, making the ship sway slightly and forcing everyone to kneel.

"THEIR COURAGE TO SAOR IN THE VAST SKIES, THEIR WISDOM WHEN CHALLENGING THE DUNGEONS, AND THEIR STRENGTHS THAT SLAYED MONSTERS. NONE OF YOU MISERABLE FAILURES INHERITED ANY OF THESE! PRINCESS HERTRUDE SAID YOU WERE NOTHING BUT A BUNCH OF COWARDS THAT DESERVED TO DIE AND I HAVE TO AGREE WITH HER! YOU LACK THE PRIDE AND HONOR OF BEING THE DESCENDANTS OF ADVENTURERS, YOU'RE JUST A BUNCH OF COWARDS CLINGING TO THEIR ANCESTOR'S GLORY!" I can hear Leon take a deep breath and practically see the look of disdain he must be leveling at everyone, "Your mighty grandpas must be crying… no! they must be laughing as their heartbreaks to know that everything they did went to waste. Their successors ended up being you, after all. Their countless glories will be overwritten with your patheticness. You'll bring shame to your successors and all your relatives and acquaintances will say: 'They were a disgrace to nobles!'"

Shaking, some of the students still try to act, one raises their head and cries out, "D…Don't ridicule us! I… I won't bring any shame to my forefathers!"

"What a wonderful thought, but if you're not taking action then nothing changes." Said Leon. Arroganz puts it's hand over where it's heart would be, "Put your hand on your chest and listen. Can you hear it? The laughter of your forefathers at how miserable you are!"

I see almost everyone put their hands over their hearts.

"Or are they actually sad? Maybe disgusted? Well, if they're on the good side they're at least going to say: 'I have no need for grandchildren who would run away when someone picks a fight with them!'" shouted Leon. I see many flinch and bow their heads once more. "Is the blood of nobles—of ADVENTURERS—flowing through your veins fake? Are you going to sit there and die? Is that the end you wish for!?"

I see Deirdre emerge from the crowd and she says, "The Roseblade Earldom has offered up vast islands to the kingdom, and conquered numerous dungeons! Just as my ancestors earned their reputation I shall earn mine! It would be an embarrassment to everything I've worked towards to die here!" Giving us a wink that only we can see Deirdre turns to the crowd and points at them with her fan, "Everybody! Are you just going to let him run his mouth like that!? At this rate we really won't be able to look our forefathers in the face!"

Everything is silent for a few seconds before everyone rallies in an uproar. I would consider this a scene straight out of one of my novels… except,

"Don't look down on us, Bastard! Somebody bring me a weapon!"

"We'll show you how much we've trained in the dungeons you damn first year!"

"I don't care if you're the crown prince, I don't need to be told that by you!"

"We'll clear out these monsters and then it's your turn!"

"Don't you dare make fun of us, bastard!"

"We'll kick the principality's and your assses!"

I can hear Leon laugh before Arroganz turns back around.

"What a nice sentiment. Listen up, I'll be leading the charge. Your job is to survive any monsters the get past me. I have several well trained individuals who can lead you, since I doubt you want to take direct orders from me." Said Leon before he took off.

I see several other boys yell in frustration before turning to me and Angie.

"What are your orders Lady Redgrave!?" demanded several boys.

"Those of you that have scored a 90 in the armor training classes follow Chris to the hangar, there are several armors there. Everyone else find a rifle or man a canon. Don't fire till the monsters get within 20 meters of the ship. Any spell casters shall join me and Livia in creating a path for the ship to go through!" Angie gave the orders with practiced ease and everyone began to obey.

Deirdre turned to several of the girls, "Why am I not hearing anything from the girls? I won't allow cowards to run anywhere but off the ship or to the prisons."

One girl tries to say "But fighting is for boys…"

Only to be cut off by another yelling, "I'm going to fight… I won't let that bastard of a leader look down on us!"

Hehe. I guess this what our lives are going to be like in the future. Oh well, at least it'll be fun.

Plus Leon looked super cool.

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A/N: Okay, I'll stop there for now. So I want to say, that I cut out somethings thanks to Cid accidentally using a almighty spell on the fleet. Idk I felt like it wasn't necessary and didn't exactly fit with how Leon's the crown prince. Every noble does fear him to a degree, but they don't respect him since they know he used to be a baron's son. Plus the academy nobles are notoriously stupid, so, you know.

As for the fading seal comment, that's me trying to make sense of things. The way I see it, in a game Hertrude probably had served as a boss and then her sister another, but since they're twins you as a player wouldn't have noticed. I figure that Hertrude would do something similar to this arc's events, be killed, and then you face Hertrauda as the final boss.

Here I think that as a way to prevent you cheesing the fight by directly taking out Hertrude the monsters would just lose the seal and probably attack both you and the Fanoss fleet (as they did have some ships, Cid just accidentally took them out here.)

Now onto the comments, which I seem to be getting less of nowadays. Oh well, at least the regulars are still chiming in.

(Nothing on SpaceBattles, although I did a get a bunch of likes from someone who I think just discovered the story, so that's nice.)

Fanfic:

Guest: Actually, that line about Eta and Shadow Wisdom was ripped from the game. I thought it was cute and helped explains how she sees Cid as a romantic partner.

The way I interpret it is that she does love Cid, but more in the way that he's her special autistic interest rather than the way one normally loves someone. However, she wants Cid to view her the way he views the others, maybe even above them.

Hope that explains things a bit, I'll keep Eta in character as much as I can, mostly relying on the game to do so. As even if the interactions aren't exactly canon, they are meant to be in character.

Ao3:

Cosmos (Guest): I can't really understand what you mean. I'm guessing you thought that the way Alexia was joining the harem was cowardly on my part? Like the way I was writing it. I thought it was interesting, or really the only way it'd make sense in line with everything else I have.

Soulbow109: I didn't realize he gave Shadow vibes, but I feel that's fitting.

It's the same day, she stayed on the ship for safety since the school was kinda… gone.

I thought about giving her a date, but it's been a few chapters since I had a lemon and figured why not. But yeah the throne room is surprisingly unused in other fics with smut. Even though that's exactly where I think an Eminence would fuck if he did in fact fuck.

Cid just melts around his girls.

Yes exactly, the gap moe is what made me like Claire so much too.

Stephanie definitely has an uphill battle. Oh that's not even the scariest thing I plan on having Sherry's mom do.

Yeah, the summer event kinda showed how much they will dote on him so I figured that was fitting.

BOY4_GOW:

Fate/Unlimited Blade Works abriged, yup.

Leon suspected it since Shadow arrived in Luxion's hangar. Though it's been a bit since that chapter.

I guess you liked this paragraph? You forgot to say something after including it.

I feel like Leon and Cid would do everything in their power to prevent that meeting lol.

Deathfang1920: Thanks!

Efthee: Thanks! Glad to see I'm getting better at it. Nice profile bic btw.

DragonBlaze10: Thanks.

DillanG: Maybe Beatrix, pero me gusta much Yukihime.

Wolfpaladin:

I planned on having some dialogue about the nuke comment but I think I can fit it later. But yeah Cid literally will mention it outloud, usually to people who are seconds away from being atomized, but still you'd think some would ask by now.

I did sorta copy the one person who makes good nsfw art of EiS, Mibry, so that's why Gamma did that.

Eta's is probably coming before Zeta's for that reason. I say probably because maybe I'll find something that fits better, but again Zeta doesn't have a lot to work with.

Yeah I want to write more of Clarice too, I think I can do it in Lindwurm alongside Mylene.

Anisomeone: thanks for the congrats. I think that Cid would have to use magic to keep up at that point.

QQ:

Hunter81095: Thanks! And yeah the charm scene was one of my favorite things that shows Leon's character.

Someoneani: thanks! I think I'll go for smaller chapters. I'll just have to make sure to find good stopping points.

Bladist: That's at least two lemons I've written that got you to read, nice. I feel like a good laugh can heighten the experience though, but I'll take that into consideration.

I feel like I explained the charms better this time around, have to use some game knowledge to make things interesting.

The Mylene Misunderstandings, lmao I might have to use that for Omakes.

To be fair, Cid also comes from a different country that Leon has visited once as a kid, for all he knows Cid has dressed in those outfits before. Plus therianthropes use those during new years and Cid has at least two therianthrope wives.

28th00: It definitely was like final destination to those poor fleet members, lol.

Lmao Spider Mom. I actually thought about having her shape the slime like spider legs but decided against it at last second (Unless I did include it and forgot that I did.)

I mean, yeah. I think the only reason the statue of him in Alexandria is wearing clothes is because none of the members had seen him naked yet.

Hope you liked the scene here!

Slime has many uses, given that non one seems to comment on it being sticky when being used as clothes I figure it can get those uncontaminated samples easily… or she can use her thighs.

I don't think those old-humans actually show up, but are just hinted at.

I have plans for Aurora, hope you like them… in about two chapters, given the pacing so far.

Zeta and Delta just missed each other, given that the vacation destinations appear to be close to one another in the manga. Though it also was a small-ish panel so maybe that's why.

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Oh and Bladist thanks for the meme, one of my friends immediately saved it for later use, lmao.