A/N: Like how I ranted about before, the amount of time that passes by in Eminence in Shadow's events is pretty vague. However, I guess that's where the fanfic part comes in, since I'll be the one to arbitrarily decide that. I feel like the Bushin Festival happening over the course of a month makes sense. There are the several different rounds that decide who goes to the big matches after all.

Leon Fou [now Rapha] Barfort: Renowned adventurer and current crown prince. / previously: Hiro (pre:isekai)—Lea of Bart's Fort (The true founder of Holfort and lover to the Saintess Ann and Mary)—JOU_MOU_ (someone who used to work in Luxion's facility.)

Angelica Rapha Redgrave: Daughter of Duke Redgrave and ex-fiancé to Julius/ Previously: Ann of Bart's Fort (aka Saintess Ann and lover of Lea of Bart's fort). / Also goes by Angie to close friends and loved ones.

Olivia: Commoner from the Kagenou Barony. / previously: Mary lover and companion to Ann and Lea. When they had returned from their adventures in ancient Midgar, all three had been attacked by the founding heirs as they all wanted Ann. To save Lea and Ann from such a fate, she teleported them away, and swapped bodies with Ann. / Is also known as Livia by her close friends and loved ones.

Cid Kagenou: fiancé to several famous elves but just a regular mob you'd find anywhere / previously: Minoru Kagenou boy from Earth that would be transported to the ancient times of the current before dying at the hands of his friends due to becoming demonically possessed out of grief. / Also dons the secret identity of "Lord Shadow." Leader and founder of The Shadow Garden. / Mundane Mann, a pathetic looking sword wielder that disappeared many years ago and has returned for the Bushin festival.

Alice [Kagenou: Cid's personal elf servant, lover, and childhood friend / previously: Beatrice (this is non canon, but all of Shadow Garden had identities before joining so I made a name up for her.) / Dons the secret identity of "Alpha" or "Lady Shade." Co-leader and second founder of The Shadow Garden, first of the Seven Shades. The name "Alpha" is only used by those in Shadow Garden.

Other Shadow Garden Members: All of the seven shades have secret identities. They see their Shadow Garden names as their true names and will use that in their own thoughts. But to everyone not in Shadow Garden that sees them as their secret identities will use those names.

Beta: Natsume Kafka, renowned writer.

Gamma: Luna of Mitsugoshi, owner of said store and many others, richest Woman in the world. Xianyun, Swordmaster of the fareastern kingdoms.

Delta: Sara, certified good girl.

Epsilon: Shiron, amazing musician known internationally.

Zeta: Zetan. Previously known as Lilim, named after the therianthrope hero, Lili.

Eta: Goes by Eta Lloyd Wright, renowned Architect.

Charlie: Known previously as Carla Fou Wayne.

Yankee: Known previously as Stephanie Fou Offrey

Foxtrot: Sherry's mother.

Aurora: Called Violet by Cid, and now camps out in his soul/brain. Known as the Witch of Calamity, and the Demon Diabolos.

Disclaimer: I don't 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.

-Iris-

When I had first met Leon, back when he was still "Fou" Barfort, I hadn't had the best impression of him. It's not as though I hadn't heard good things about him, but considering the circumstances of me being there only to help find Alexia, I hadn't cared much for a renowned adventurer.

I can admit that I have been wrong though, especially in regard to how he and his lost item were able to locate Alexia far faster than I ever had.

I can also acknowledge that Leon's renown was well deserved. My strength was something I earned through hard work, but his was earned by doing his best to survive. Both in this life and his previous ones. I suppose in that regard it could be considered cheating, but that only goes to say how strong not only his body is, but also his soul, his will. I only meet perhaps one of those; If I were to guess, then I'd say I possess strength of body.

But strength of will and soul help Leon accomplish so much, and as someone who has come to care for him deeply—his place in my heart only just below my family—my heart aches knowing everything he has gone through. I can't imagine what it's like to carry such heavy memories with him.

But when I first met him, then later read a letter from my father stating that I was to make up for my failures in protecting Holfort's capital and being unable to assist in saving my sister by substituting Zenon as the new sword instructor and furthermore, essentially being given away to Leon.

"Do with her as you please."

Those words brought me so much rage when I had read the letter after Leon hesitantly presented it to me. I did my best to channel that rage onto the man I was shown up by and then given to. By which I mean that I immediately tried to beat up Leon, as if that could somehow change things.

Ha.

He handled me with the ease of someone who regularly fought wild animals, not only defending from my assault but also able to pin me down. The ease he did it with, the way he didn't even resent me for it, the strength in his arms…

Ahem*

From there I sought to make the best of the situation. Some part of me even believed that My father… His highness had done this for a purpose. To help me. After all Leon was in fact able to help me get stronger. The constant conditioning, sparring, and even mental training—which had allowed me to see that Lord Kagenou was a rather funny fellow—had helped me grow leaps and bounds. Beatrix had even noticed a change in me when I had her replace me as sword instructor for the week I had been gone.

Of course, I went into said exercises rather bitter considering that Leon had held my check from me to force me to do so, but I had enjoyed my time eventually and looking back am grateful for the experience. Though the most fun I had at the time was watching Alexia make all of her new friends. She always seemed so lonely before, ever since the time I had defeated her and she was crowned Fencer Ordinaire.

But now she had several people of a similar rank and even greater drive that stood shoulder to shoulder with her… though she only ever seemed to care about spending time with Lord Kagenou, and me whenever she couldn't.

Sigh*

I really wish she'd treasure her time with her other friends more considering how willing they are to let her get close if only she'd just try. Why, she was so lonely during the summer. I really was grateful for Claire finding Alexia and taking her along to Lord Kagenou and Lady Luna of Mitsugoshi's resort.

But I suppose that's just another case of me not being strong enough to do something.

I can't let that habit continue.

I won't continue being too weak to do anything, especially when it concerns the people I care about.

"Iris?"

I stop swinging my sword as I had been doing for the past…

I gaze upon the sun and see it had considerably changed its location, meaning it had likely been hours.

A familiar looking course hand waves itself in front of my face, drawing my attention to its owner.

"Leon?" I asked in confusion before adopting a small smile as he began to fuss over me with a towel. As he dried my face off I did my best to talk to him, "H-Hey! I can take care of myself!"

"You're liable to collapse if you try to solve everything yourself you know." Chided Leon as he finished his ministrations and finished with a smile and a quick kiss to my forehead that left me rather giddy.

I then saw dear Livia approach, quickly taking my hands into hers before she'd begin to heal away my callouses.

"Iris, I know how important this is, but you'd benefit from making sure you aren't too lost in your own thoughts at a time like this." Advised dear Livia.

"Apologies dear Livia," I said as I took my hands back, "But I have something that I need to accomplish no matter what, and I will stop at nothing until I see that through."

"Huh, I didn't know you were cool like that Iris." Called out another voice. Turning my head I see it to be Lord Kagenou and his elf-servant Alice as well as Lady Luna. "Guess that makes two princesses willing to do whatever it takes to reach their goals."

Lady Luna and Alice both elbow Lord Kagenou for the remark, but I know he meant well.

Last week Princess Rose of Oriana had apparently attempted to murder her fiancé Perv Asshat. I don't know why, and honestly nothing that I know about the girl would have ever told me she'd do such a thing.

"Lord Kagenou, thank you." I greet before asking, "Apologies, but while I understand that Leon and dear Livia would check on me, I have to ask what brings you three here."

Lady Luna, who had been holding onto Lord Kagenou, bows to me. "Ah, yes. I suppose in most circumstances it would be normal to leave a warrior alone to their devices. However, I come with a business proposal."

"A business proposal…?" I say, admittedly a bit intrigued. Though of course, I can't just show that. My poker face has been perfectly trained against several merchants through the years. I recall fondly how fath—his highness had given me a gold dia and told me that I was to buy ten items of my choosing and end up with a silver dia by the end of the week… I ended up crying about how unfair that was and mother forced him to be more hands on for once.

"It's nothing malicious, I can assure you," said Luna, likely taking my moment of recollection as apprehension. "I would never dare try and hurt one of my darling's friends."

Adorably, I see Cid blush at the word 'darling' before shaking it off. Heh, Alexia should have taken my offer to train together today.

"Not that I doubt you Luna, but maybe it'd help to hear the offer first?" posited Leon. In most cases I wouldn't care for someone speaking for me, but as I feel the necklace holding my ring betwixt my chest, I can't bring myself to say anything negative.

Luna nods at this and snaps her fingers. This causes a black-haired woman to come forth with a duffel bag. I believe I saw this woman before when I went shopping with Alexia. She resembles Luna quite a bit actually, the main difference being that Luna has elf ears and a bit of height on her.

For some reason Leon eyes the woman with suspicion as she takes some cloth out from a box. Oh, it's an outfit.

"This," explains Luna as the woman and Alice hold up the outfit, "Is a uniform modeled after the one you normally don during the tournaments, but with one major difference." The woman turns around the blazer she had been holding. Where a normally blank back is, I can see the emblem of Mitsugoshi proudly taking up all the space.

"Is this a… sponsorship offer?" asked Leon as he stared at the outfit.

Cid nodded, "Yup."

"Apologies, but could you explain the concept to m—my dear Livia here?" I asked, not wanting to give away weakness, and grateful her nodding in agreement. I'll buy her something nice later to make up for this.

"Of course," said Luna with a smile, "You see, I'd like you to wear this version of your tournament ready outfit to advertise my company."

Dear Livia would then adorably tilt her head in confusion, "…But why?"

Alice would chuckles softly, like a mother that heard a child ask something completely innocent. Alice pats Livia's head as she answers, "If Princess Iris were to wear this she'd be saying that her outfit was provided to her by Mitsugoshi. Given that princess Iris would likely meet it far in to the tournament, if not win, she would be telling the citizens that she shops at Mitsugoshi. That would then plant the idea that they should shop at Mitsugoshi, if not in hopes of getting her same gear, or because they trust her opinion."

"Basically," explained Cid, "If Iris wears this, she'll help drum up some business for us."

"An interesting proposal, but as renowned a merchant you are surely you can recognize that I need to gain something out of this as well?" I said.

Luna nodded, "Of course. For starters, I can offer money, but I suppose that as Leon's fiancé you do not want too much of it. But I can also offer supplies, and, I'd like to also offer things such as access to our spas and whatever you may need to relax."

Hm… So essentially I would have full access to Mitsugoshi's items and facilities in exchange for helping them by wearing their emblem upon my person… hm…

"Is that design final?" asked Leon.

"Oh? Do you find issue with it?" asked Luna.

Leon ran his hair through my hair, sending a wonderful shiver through my head, "As you can see, my lovely fiancé has some wonderful red locks… ones that'd cover the area you put the symbol of Mitsugoshi on."

Luna, Alice, and Cid all blinked at this.

We all soon dissolved into a fit of giggles as we hashed out some terms.

Also, they apparently had some other people they wanted to sponsor, one Mundane Mann and Xianyun…

I'll have to keep an eye on them. My first impression of them was a rather weak looking man and the wife he got somehow. Perhaps a winning personality or good sense of humor?

Before I can think about that any further I hear some hurried footsteps coming our way.

"Cid!" calls out Claire as she leaps over the training area's fence in a single bound and snatches her brother in a big hug, trapping his arms so that he can't free himself. Though he does try to kick a bit. Comically Alice tries to stop Claire but is only pulled into the spine crushing hug as well.

Funnier still, Luna also is forced to join in once Cid and Alice crumple to the floor.

"Er, Claire," said dear Livia as she does her best to help her civilian friends from their weakened state. "I like big hugs as much as the next person but the tone of your voice kinda sounded like you needed to say something important."

Claire nodded as she took Cid and Alice from Livia each in one arm, looking a bit like a child with two jumbo sized plushies.

"Right, I needed to find these two and make sure they know they can sit in the VIP area when I have my matches!" happily exclaimed Claire.

Ah, that's right. As the children of a baron family such a thing wouldn't be expected of them.

Claire then marched to dear Livia, their faces only a few centimeters away from each other. Still holding her little brother and sister-in-law, Claire would then make a demand of dear Livia.

"Livia, I need you to do me a favor okay?" said Claire in such a way that left no room for objection, "You need to make sure that Cid and Alice don't go anywhere during my matches okay?"

Dear Livia could only nod slowly, while Cid and Alice exchanged nervous glances. I suppose I can understand both those two and Claire. After all I would want Alexia to watch my matches as well, and it hurt a bit when I had asked but she said she'd probably be too busy. In the couple's case, well, dear Livia is rather a formidable opponent when she puts her mind to it.

Why, I imagine that Cid and Alice wouldn't be able to escape dear Livia should she take up Claire's request.

Suddenly, Claire springs to life as though a candle lit above her head, "Oh, right! Leon. Angie said she wanted you and Iris to get ready. The King and Queen said they should be ready to talk tonight."

Leon, who was laughing at Cid's predicament, suddenly goes pale. Leaving all of us to laugh at him.

-Cid/Minoru/Shadow/Mundane-

"So." I say to Alpha and Beta as they sit in front of me.

"So." Returns Alpha.

"So." Parrots Beta.

I fold my arms and say the words that no one wants to say. "We're kinda screwed."

The two girls who have been with me for the longest clutch their hands in worry at this. I imagine they were hoping I had some kind of answer to this, but unfortunately, I don't. With Olivia being tasked with making sure that Alpha and I are always going to watch Claire's matches, I have no way of doing my Mundane Mann role in other places.

"A shame that Gamma isn't available right now." Mused Violet, "Her brains could really be helpful right about now."

Unfortunately, the brains of Shadow Garden had to get ready for her own match as Xianyun so the last three of us available decided to put our heads together. It was going to just be me and Alpha, but luckily Beta was on her way back from a conversation she had with Alexia.

"Ugh… if only we could be in two places at once…!" growled Beta in frustration, though if that's the current situation or left over from her spending time with Alexia I don't know.

I shook my head, "Sorry but the last time I was able to do something like that was because I just moved back and forth really quickly."

"Right…" mused Alpha as she recalled the incident, "During our days in Holfort's academy you had needed to make it look like you and Shadow were in the same place so you hopped back and forth quickly enough so that everyone present could just barely make out what was going on."

As I recall, during the time Leon left for his meeting with everyone there was someone in the academy acting suspicious. From what we found out it ended up being some debt collector looking for Marie.

But really, I was just lucky that one of the days I thought it'd be fun to go to school as Shadow ended up being so chaotic. The main problem with my quick transformation between "Cid" and "Shadow" was that it generated tons of wind. So trying to replicate that, especially over long distances, probably is a no go.

"Too bad Epsilon isn't here, perhaps she'd have some ideas on how to create a person." Mentioned Violet.

Hm? Create a person…

"Cid? Have you come up with something?" asked Alpha, probably seeing the gears in my head turning.

I look to the drawer I keep full of slime outfits.

I think back to Epsilon.

I think about my mental partner and how she took over some slime during my last romp with my fiancés.

"…I have an idea." I say with only one fourth of an idea really in my head. "We're going to need our slime for it though… so if you need clothes I have some spare uniforms-"

Quicker than I could finish the sentence Alpha and Beta both rip off their slime-suits and quickly change into my spare uniforms. Given the differences in hip size Beta is unable to actually fit my pants on her, while Alpha does just barely.

"Okay, so we're going to do the idea I had, but stay like that for later." I declare, doing my best to ignore Violet chuckling in my head as the girls nod in anticipation.

I then begin to take the slime and form it. From what Epsilon has told me, creating flesh is a bit difficult but mostly possible if you decide to form the slime like you're knitting. Which I suppose makes sense in some regard, if you think of it like the woven threads are essentially flesh.

"Alpha, Beta, I need your help with this." I say, getting their attention.

They both nod with more seriousness than their current outfits would imply.

"What do you need?" asked Alpha.

Still holding the slime with my mana, I start instructing the girls, "I want you to think back to how each of us looked as a child. We're going to try and use the slime to create smaller versions of ourselves."

"Why child versions?" asked Beta as she scooted over to me so she could help form the slime. She also cutely put her head on my shoulder, but I'm not going to stop her.

"We only have so much slime," I explain, "Plus it'd probably be easier to mimic our old bodies first rather than the ones we have now."

The girls nod and begin to help me out.

"Hmm… I suppose that you also need the girls' help to form your appearance since you wouldn't really be able to tell what you look like in the eyes of others." Mused Violet, "But how do you plan on controlling the body?"

Well, theoretically I could do it myself. However… I was kinda, sorta, maybe, hoping you could? At least for a bit?

"Fufufu~ Sure, why not. Though I'll warn you I can only do some simple movements with the slime body. Such as how I was able to interact with you during intimate times since it was really just moving the slime up and down." Said Violet.

That should be good enough. I really just need you to sit in the VIP area and watch Claire's matches while I'm busy. Alpha should be able to help you blend in, and maybe even help you get some snacks.

"Er… Cid…?" said Alpha, catching my attention. She points towards the slime and I notice something.

While we did manage to replicate our appearances as children, because I zoned out to talk to Violet I messed up on the coloring.

Standing before the three of us is a child version of me with blue eyes, and child versions of Alpha and Beta but with my hair color. Alpha's also has red eyes, while Beta's is gray. All three appear to have elf ears as well.

Sniff*

I looked and Beta and saw her crying.

"Th-this is what our children are going to look like…" she whispered in astonishment.

Huh…

I look to the slime modeled children again.

"That's a nice smile." Said Violet.

I'm not smiling.

"You're practically busting your lips." Retorted Violet.

Am not.

What I am doing is hugging Alpha and Beta's shoulders as I begin to try and have the children move around.

"…Y'know what? They're adorable. I want 20." Declared Violet after about 10 minutes of us practicing how to control these guys.

I actually think that Eta and Epsilon would've controlled these better. If I recall correctly Eta has actually used dummies made out of slime before, but I've never really done it. Maye I should try to meet with them at some point.

Well, that would have to come later.

"Girls," I say after about an hour, "As fun as I is to watch these replicas toddle around we should really put them away and try again."

The girls both look like they're going to cry.

I scratch the back of my head, "…We can take some pictures first…?"

Luckily the girls figured out how to make disposable cameras a little bit before The Goddess' Trial, so we all had a couple on us at all times.

"Say cheese~!" calls out Violet as she uses the left-over slime to hold the camera with a singular hand.

Alpha, Beta, and I all smile with our 'children' as we pose for the photo. My arms are around both girls as we sit on the bed, each slime child on each of our laps. It was a nice moment, what's unfortunate is that it was interrupted by a knock at my door.

"Alice?" called out Beatrix from behind the door, "It's been a while since we've been able to meet. I think I accidentally took too long of a nap and-"

What's even more unfortunate is that even though Beatrix had respected our privacy by knocking she had shown her authority as Alpha's legal guardian by coming in anyway.

With her eyes closed Beatrix had toted in a large bag as she talked happily, "I brought some burgers from your shop so we could have a meal and…"

Only to drop them as she saw the slime children.

"Mm… yeah, I'm going to sit this one out. Later." Said Violet as I felt her mentally flash me a peace sign and vanish into the back of my mind.

Traitor!

Beatrix would then comically grasp her head, point at the children, point at us, and then point at herself while asking "HOW LONG WAS MY NAP!?"

"Um, Beatrix this isn't-" tried Alpha only for Beatrix to dive towards her and give her a big hug.

"I'm sorry!" cried Beatrix, "I should have been there for you! I can't believe I could ever abandon you again!"

"Auntie it's not-" tried Beta as she struggled from within Beatrix's crushing hug.

Beatrix then separated from us to hold the children as gingerly as she could. Looking the little ones dead in the eye, she swore, "I swear that I will spend the rest of my life I will protect you."

Ah…

"What are their names?" begged Beatrix.

Ah…

Beta immediately chimed in with some of the baby names I had came up with the girls, "Minato, Asana, and Bianka."

Don't name the replicas! You'll get attached! They're going to melt eventually!

"Those are beautiful names." Said Beatrix.

What do I do!?

-Angelica-

"Okay, so since we are in Midgar currently, we have to play by their rules." Said Leon as he addressed both of our Fanossian guests, "Especially since my future father-in-law requested it as something I needed to do to marry Iris."

I nod in agreement as I watch Leon let Princess Hertrude and little Sherry out of the cell.

"Sherry," called out Leon, even kneeling a bit so that his eyes were level with hers, "I might not be very close to you but I know that you're friends with Cid and Alice. As far as I'm concerned that makes you my friend too," Leon then gives one of his big toothy grins, "So don't be a stranger. If you ever need help know that we'll be there."

"Your highness…" mumbled Sherry gratefully as she gave Leon a very sisterly hug. "Thank you! Oh and thank you too Lux-kun! Thank you for bringing me all those books!"

[You are welcome tiny one.]

Leon then gets up and folds his arms as he looks at princess Hertrude, "Try not to add or subtract from the population while you're away. You're on your own."

Hertrude merely glared at Leon, doing that childish thing where she made her hand move like a mouth while she parrots his words and follows Sherry out.

"Wow, I can't believe there's a princess out there like that." Remarked Alexia who had been sent here to help establish the fact that Leon had peacefully let our two 'guests' out.

Leon and I both just stare at her, perfectly well aware of what our mutual friend Cid has had to suffer because of her.

After Hertrude and Sherry left Alexia turned to Leon and put on her best princess face. Asking, "Leon-nii-chan~ can I ask for-"

However, Leon immediately put up his hand, "I have at least three sisters who have at one point used that exact tone of voice to try and ask me to buy them stuff. Don't bother, it's not gonna work."

"Tch." Alexia clicked her tongue and dropped the façade, "I want to know what you might know about what's going on with Rose… and The Shadow Garden. I know you've been looking into this somewhat."

Leon and I shared a glance. He clearly wants to leave this to me. I suppose he has been busy working with Iris and Livia so I, Deirdre, and Clarice are the only ones in the know of what's going on. I can't say I hate this dynamic.

In some ways it is like what I've seen between King Roland and Mylene, but at the same time it's much more like my own parents' relationship, and I know for a fact the latter is much more loving. If Leon is to handle the more practical aspects of running a nation, doing his best to protect it no matter what it takes. Then I shall do my best to make it a place worth living in.

I nodded to Leon and led Alexia away to the conference room where Deirdre and Clarice had been in, working with Luxion and Cleare to try and locate Rose.

Leon served us some tea, gave Clarice, Deirdre, and me a goodbye kiss, then patted Alexia on the head before leaving.

"I mean, Rose attacking her fiancé!? It just happened out of nowhere, I don't get what could have made her do that!" insisted Alexia as she took out a newspaper and showed the front page to us.

I could only sigh as I drank some of the tea, "After stabbing her fiancé it seems that she headed north during her escape. The security at the boarders has been strengthened so we are pretty sure she's still in the capital."

Alexia slammed her newspaper on the table, "I know that! I already talked about this with Natsume! I know all about her fiancé that showed up out of nowhere! That weirdo Doem Ketsuhat!"

[…Is that his real name?]

"Yes, why?" said Alexia.

(Hihihi~ It means something funny in Japanese. One of the languages of Old Humanity.)

"Oh?" asked a curious Deirdre, "What would that be?"

[Roughly, Doem would mean "Super Masochist" while Ketsuhat could mean "Spanking with a bat."]

All four of us burst into laughter at this.

"A-any *Snnrk* Anyway, you said you wanted to look into The Shadow Garden?" said Clarice as she attempted to come down from her laughing fit.

"*Giggle* Y-yeah." Said Alexia before she straightened herself out, "*Ahem* so, I think that they're probably going to do something during the tournament, and I wanted to know about what the plan is to catch them."

"Oh well, did you enter the tournament?" asked Clarice.

"N-No…" said Alexia.

"Did you plan on using your authority to monitor the situation at hand?" said Deirdre.

Alexia scratched the back of her head.

"What were you planning on doing?" I asked.

"…asking you all for help? I… I really don't know what to do." Admitted Alexia.

I smile, "Well, let's get you caught up on what we know then. First I believe that we should make sure you have the knowledge you need to defend yourself."

However, before I could get into it, Deirdre stood up.

"I'll be back in a bit," said Deirdre, "But I need to get ready for my own match."

-Gamma-

The Bushin Festival can be summarized as such:

4 rounds of Qualifiers, the 3 rounds Preliminaries, the 2 rounds of semi-finals, then—obviously—the finals.

The first two rounds of Qualifiers are more of a battle royale than standard tournament duels, and honestly in most cases people are taken out the day before. Such as how that weird bald man, Quinton I believe, tried to take out Mundane and I. As I recall, the first two rounds also don't have any spectators due to who quick and uninteresting it usually ends up being from a spectator's perspective.

There's also something to say about how low budget these lower rounds are, so the spectators may get caught up in the crossfire.

I had just finished my own 3rd round Qualifier as Xianyun, it being pathetically easy to smack the large man charging towards me out of the arena. …Although that was because Cid did allow me to use the balance enhancements on my arms to help sell my role.

In any case, I decided that I'd stay nearby and watch a few of the matches, if only to get a better feel for what I might do next year. I could definitely imagine what kind of armor and weapons I might sell for the battle royale section.

Legs folded, and head in hand, I watch as though this is the most boring thing in the world.

"Not that exciting, eh?" called out a unfamiliar voice.

I turn to my right and find a certain figure I hadn't expected.

"Princess Hertrude." I greet.

The pale woman with red eyes smiles from beneath her umbrella. She's accompanied by a few guards provided by the royal knight order, although they're trying to disguise themselves amongst the small crowd.

"Oh? You know me? Am I so popular in the east?" said Hertrude.

I look back to the arena as I see the announcer get ready to start the match.

"Not particularly. I just read up on the recent political movements in the west before I came here with my disciple." I said.

Hertrude nods at this. "A sound decision."

The two of sit quietly as we watch the two entrants show up. As the announcer introduces them, one is a reoccurring participant in these tournaments. Goldy Gilded. As his name would imply he is a blonde man in all gold armor.

"Hm… you know from what I've heard that's actually all gold? Impractical, but his skill backs it up." Pointed out Hertrude.

The next entrant enters, and they're a bit more familiar to me. One Raymond Fou Arkin.

"Heh, that mushroom looking fellow cuts quite the image next to Gilded." Cackled Hertrude.

I suppose that much is true. Raymond is a rather average looking fellow. However…

"One would do to not judge solely based on appearance," I say, quoting the Shadow Wisdom.

The match began, and while Goldy did show some experience in his craft, enough for me to say that he's far above the average combatant, so was Raymond.

As the two exchanged blows I briefly heard Raymond's fiancé Hermoine Fou Farraday cheer him on. I thought it was cute.

Hertrude however, "tsk, there's no need to cheer so loudly."

"Have a problem with people showing their love?" I asked in a flat tone of voice.

Hertrude rolled her eyes, "I've read into the lad. He doesn't have much of anything going for him aside from his connection to prince Leon. The girl clearly only showed interest for that reason."

Actually, from what I heard she's of similar status to him and was introduced by the lady she was in waiting for. Though Xianyun wouldn't know that so I don't bring it up.

Unfortunately, this gave Hertrude more reasons to keep talking, "Gilded must know this as well. As I'm sure you're aware he possesses a keen sense of worth. I've heard that he can accurately gauge a person's strength with a quick glance."

At this I chuckle.

"What's so funny?" demanded Hertrude.

As I witness Raymond block one of Gilded's blows, fully stopping the man and hurting his wrists, followed by grabbing Gilded's shirt, headbutting him before taking his sword and winning the match with a final blow, I get up.

I turn to a now baffled Hertrude and state, "I think you'll find that judging things at first glance only leads to failure. And apologies, but if you were going to try and recruit me, then I'll have to say no. I don't think I could work for someone who jumps to conclusions like you."

With that I left, even managing not to trip until I turned into the street.

-Cid/Minoru/Shadow/Mundane-

Beatrix furrowed her brow in worry after I had told her everything.

"You mean how you and the girls skillfully lied through your damn teeth?" laughed Violet.

Well look who's back!

"Ah~ Scawwwwwy!" playfully shrieked Violet.

"So… you're members of The Shadow Garden…" said Beatrix as she patted 'Asana' 's head to calm herself down. 'Asana' being the girl that looks like a combination of Alpha and me.

"Only technically!" fretted Alpha, "T-they kinda help us get more employees for Mitsugoshi and helped protect us during the early days."

Beatrix nodded at this and held Asana up, "And this child… is actually just slime you manipulated to look like your future children."

"R-r-right! We've been… er… trying a lot lately so we thought it might be fun to use the slime to… do this little experiment, y'know?" said Beta. "P-plus we were only going to do this for a little bit until we like… figured out how to make body doubles. Lot's of people kinda don't like us for who and what we are, y'know?"

"…What… do you normally use the slime for?" asked Beatrix.

I roll it up into little pieces and do the little crossbow thing I did during the school invasion, shooting a empty can off of my nightstand.

"I…see…" said Beatrix. She looked around a little bit, "Are… are you safe…?"

"I think so…" I said, unsure of how I could really answer that. "I mean… considering how I met them, I think."

Beatrix rose a brow at this, "How DID you meet The Shadow Garden?"

I look at the two girls, see their nervousness, and decide to tell a story I hadn't before. However, before I do that I extend a pinky to Beatrix.

"What's this?" asked the elven woman.

"I need you to promise me," I saw with a serious expression, "That you won't tell Claire, or anyone that might tell Claire, what I'm about to tell you."

Beatrix looks at my pinky, looks at the slime children, and then wraps her pinky around mine.

"If you break this swear, you'll have to swallow a thousand needles~" I sing as children often did back in my old world. I hear the three women in the room gulp at this.

"Of course they did! That was so creepy! Children said this!?" shrieked Violet.

Oh yeah, all the time. Except for this one time I heard a girl say You will be burned inside the bell.

"…On second thought. Maybe just… one for each of the seven is fine… and space them out a bit." Said Violet.

"S-so…" said a creeped-out Beatrix, "What is this story that I'm keeping a secret?"

I pretend that I'm my anxious friend Leon and take a deep breath before diving into a long explanation:

"So, this a story from even before I met Alice,

But basically, one day Claire had won a local tournament in our family's territory. Because of that, she got a bit of a big head. It's not like it was completely unwarranted, since in the tournament she did need to fight against several adults. But still, she got in way too over her head.

See, at the time there was this group of bandits that our Pops had been complaining about. Well, Claire heard about this and got the bright idea that she would be able to take them out.

On her own.

Well, I guess she wasn't completely alone. 'Cause she brought me with her.

…*Sigh* yeah, it wasn't her best moment. We couldn't have been any older than 8 and 11 at the time, too.

In any case things went about as well as you'd think it would. The bandits knocked out Claire almost immediately, and then started to torture me. I think some of them even said they were going to… do bandit things and make me watch.

Because of that, I… felt this… burning sensation in my body. I didn't know it at the time, but I was essentially forcing my body to take in more mana than my body could actually handle so I could fight back.

And… it worked. I let out a huge blast and managed to kill all of them.

But… Well, like I said—all of that mana I gathered was too much for my body. As a result of doing that, I ended up triggering something that lied dormant in my body.

I somehow activated the possession in my blood.

It…

It was terrifying, you know? My body started to shift, and transform. I've heard before that men typically don't suffer from possession, and so I never really considered what could have happened during it. But, like, I basically saw my body start to melt like I was going to turn into a slime.

And…

And

It hurt. It hurt like crazy!

But I couldn't even scream in pain.

I…

I couldn't even cry.

Then, like a miracle, a purple light appeared in the sky.

Suddenly my body started to turn back to normal.

When I got to my feet, I saw him. Lord Shadow. Apparently, he saved me, and Claire, on a whim. But he saw something interesting about me and the Kagenou territory so he taught me how to heal possession as well.

I… uh, I've done it a couple of times.

My sister… princess Rose a couple of days ago… and…"

I close my mouth to close my soliloquy to my audience of one, who was captured with every lie that I spouted out of nowhere. Obviously, Beatrix takes the hint and looks to the girls around me.

"No…" whispered Beatrix in horror.

Alpha could only nod.

"No! Is that…!?" shouted Beatrix, aghast.

"Look, I'm sure there's a lot to talk about here. But I think that maybe we should continue later." I say, figuring that we've wasted enough time. I've got my own matches to get to, and I think Epsilon's in town. So I can tell her about the back story I just came up with before telling Gamma and moving on.

Beatrix nods. But Beta raises her hand.

"Er, what should we do with…?" she asked while pointing to the slime children.

"…Well, it's not like we can't recreate them." I try, but all the women seemed to get attached too quickly and don't like that answer for some reason.

"For such a talented liar, you sure lack tact." Grumbled Violet.

I scratch the back of my head. "Okay, how about this. Close your eyes."

The women look at each other, and hesitantly do so.

While they do I have the kids all toddle around, give them each one hug…

"Hug your kids damn it!" shouts Violet as she forces them to hug me too.

After that I have the kids begin to jump up and down. I see the girls react to the sound, their ears wiggling a little bit. However, after about the 10th time, I close my eyes and turn the kids back into the slime blobs.

Exercising the tact that I totally do have I put the slime in my closet before telling the girls to open their eyes.

I give the girls a brief hug before dipping, figuring that I'd only make things worse at that point.

"You know, I feel a little bad. You should go play your little shadow broker game to cheer yourself up." Said Violet in a comforting voice.

I'm not upset at all, but I have a match to perform to set up stuff.

-Dierdre-

I walk with a pep in my step as the I tie my hair up in the same way Rose would. I don't know where she is, but I hope that if she sees me in the tournament she knows that I support her.

From what I heard and have been able to find out about her prospective fiancé, he's quite the perverted asshat. I would've tried to kill him too. If Leon gets his meeting with the King of Oriana cleared, I'll see if maybe I can talk Lux-kun or his wife Cleare-chan into finishing the job.

Going back to the present, I brandish my sword. I mainly do magic, but at Leon's insistence I decided to take up some physical form of combat as well. I don't think I'll get particularly far, but I believe I could at least get midway through the preliminaries.

I did manage to get to the fourth round of the qualifiers, which is further than some people who trained in the sword for years. Heh.

Well to be fair that battle royale beginning was total bullshit.

Anyway, I walk out into the field and see my opponent.

One… Mundane Mann.

Poor guy, the name definitely fits.

-P2W-

As Deirdre met her opponent in the form of Cid in his Mundane Mann disguise, two figures meet in the seats.

"Hey there missy. Talk about a coincidence." Called out Quinton, getting Annerose's attention as he sat down next to her. His lackey's missing, having been knocked out earlier in the tournament. "You here for his match too?"

Annerose makes room for Quinton as she speaks up, "As I recall you're…"

"Quinton," confirms the man before adopting a serious look, "You watch the guy's third round? His opponent was someone I knew, so I was there."

Annerose nods, having been there too.

"So about that match… what do you think? Annerose of 'Belgata's Seven Swords.'" Said Quinton.

If Annerose had any feelings towards that title she didn't respond with them as she said, "…I have already discarded that title. Now I'm just Annerose."

Quinton nods, "Well, sorry 'bout that then… The result of that match just didn't sit well with me. The way Gonzales, his opponent at the time, was slain in an instant… it was freaky. I think that fella Mundane must have used some kind of forbidden artifact."

"Can't deny that possibility," agreed Annerose, "I also… don't believe that Mundane won because he got lucky and his opponent tripped." Annerose then rested her head on her folded hands, "A moment before his opponent fell, I saw his hand moving swiftly."

"What…? So what did he do back there!?" questioned Quinton.

"I am sure I will find out today," said Annerose, "From what I hear his opponent is something of a prodigy. Deirdre Fou Roseblade."

"A noble girl?" scoffed Quinton, "What can she possibly do but chip her nails?"

"Well for starters she was one of the heaviest hitters during the attack from Fanoss and their monsters on Holfort's academy's kids. You know, that story about how some kids on a trip were attacked?" said Annerose.

"Huh… so maybe she's not like the bitches I usually work for." Noted Quinton.

Annerose nodded. "She's not like Goldy, who quits whenever he thinks he's going to lose. She fought her way here. So that makes her a warrior like the two of us."

Quinton could only nod in agreement.

In the arena, Deirdre curtsies to Mundane who nods in acknowledgment.

"Mundane was it?" asked Deirdre as she unsheathed her custom made rapier, "I am Deirdre Fou Roseblade. I hope that you treat me as seriously as any other opponent."

Mundane only nodded once again.

The referee gives the signal and Deirdre goes straight for a slash, not even enhancing anything but still achieving a speed that someone her age wouldn't be expected to without at least 5 buffs.

Back in the stands Quinton shouts with excitement, "All right! So the little Rose gots thorns! HAHA! And look at that speed, Mundane can't dodge that!"

"Hmm…" hums Annerose as she narrows her eyes in concentration, "Or can he?"

"Wha!?" shouts Deirdre as she notices her blade miss her opponent due to him having slightly tilted his head. Knowing that there's no time to gawk Deirdre backs off, not confident that since she paused she'd be able to press forward.

Mundane, however, then begins to slowly take out his blade.

Deirdre takes the time to briefly reassess how she wants to go about the fight. Magic isn't disallowed per se, but if Jimina is truly as quick as she thinks then she can't afford to hold back.

"What was that?" questioned Quinton as the two in the arena took new positions. "Did you see missy?"

Annerose nodded, "Just barely. Roseblade struck for her opponent's throat at just the right angle, however… just as the blade was about to hit Mundane, he cracked his neck." Annerose then cracked her own neck, "Casually, like this."

"WHAT!? So…" said Quinton, "He had a stiff neck and just so happened to move it at the perfect time to dodge!?"

"Yes, that's what I saw. It all happened at an incredible speed." Confirmed Annerose.

Quinton stood up to try and get a better look, "There's no way that a coincidence like that could really happen in real life. Something must be up!"

"I can see that I didn't take you seriously enough… well, sad to say but I'm really more of a mage than I am a sword fighter. So I'll have to use the skills I usually practice to win." Said Deirdre.

"…"Mundane said nothing. But Deirdre could see the tiniest hint of a smirk.

Irritated, Deirdre decided to go all out. "Heat Riser, Debilitate."

If Mundane had any intention of dodging the debuff or interrupting the buff he didn't let it show.

But on Deirdre's side…

-Deirdre-

With my buff applied and a debuff levied at Mundane I make a move to close in.

But my leg is cut off.

….

N-no it's not. It's still there.

I ready my blade again. I charge in.

This time it's my arm.

I can hear someone screaming.

But I'm fine.

It must be the nerves.

I rub the arm that's still there, yes, for sure, and ready myself again.

I move in and this time feel a blade get close to my neck.

I feel it touch me, but at the same time I feel something telling me to keep going and-

What's with that screaming?

Oh.

As I feel Heat Riser wear off, I can tell.

It was me.

Heh.

-P2W-

"D-Dierdre Fou Roseblade has been knocked unconscious! The round goes to Mundane!" shouted the announcer.

To the astonishment of the crowd, despite the fact that Mundane had done nothing but unsheathe his blade, Dierdre had broken down screaming. Constantly charging in but then charging back.

"What the fuck was that…" said Quinton. "Missy did you-"

But Annerose had long since charged after Mundane.

Managing to catch him before he got to the locker rooms Annerose stopped Mundane.

"Hey." Said Annerose as she leaned against the wall in the large empty hallway. "Not bad."

Mundane, who is Cid in disguise, was inwardly thrilled.

Aw yeah, thought Cid, This is where the character everyone looked up to says something cliché like "I've figured out all your tricks"!

Violet responds to Cid's inane ramblings, There's no way that she's-

"But I'm going to tell you right now that I've figured out all your tricks! So get ready for the time when you face me because they won't work!" declared Annerose.

You gotta be kidding me… no wonder you think everything is just a game, you can't write this. Complained Violet.

Cid inwardly nods in satisfaction, Duh. Now, this is the next step: walk past her like you got nothing to say. They'll try to stop you immediately. Look, look!

"Hey!" shouted Annerose, "What's so funny!?"

…Maybe your girls did pay some people… no! NO! You won't gaslight me! Shouted Violet in defiance.

Cid however decided to continue with his little charade. He took off several weights hidden beneath his clothes.

"How about I give you a warning of my own?" said Mundane, "My shackles have only JUST been removed. The time for games is over…"

Cid then tried to walk away.

"W-wait!" shouted Annerose, causing Cid to turn back around. "Just so you know! I can d-do this too!"

Annerose then began to crack her neck. And again. And again.

A/N: According to the chibi manga, it's not good for you to do it too often, lol.

What a weirdo, thinks Cid as he finally leaves.

-Cid/Minoru/Shadow/Mundane-

I glare at Beatrix who tries to assure me that this isn't her fault.

"So Cid…" said my buddy Leon as he looked at me from above, given that I was forced to sit in a seiza position, "What's this I heard about you being part of Shadow Garden?"

"I'll prepare the needles." Said Violet.

.

.

.

A/N: Okay, ending things here. I feel like I kinda dded too much as is, but that's kinda what this arc is like even just in EiS. Especially considering that I'm not just covering Cid, Alexia, and Rose. Instead I'm also covering Iris, Leon, and Gamma for this arc. I only have myself to blame honestly.

Oh and I posted this on QQ, but even though I was having doubts of adding Louise to Leon's harem because of the incest undertones, since I saw the manga artist's rendition of her and Noelle… Well, I changed my mind. She's definitely getting in now.

Now let's answer those comments.

QQ-

Someone ani: That sounds like a good progression to follow. Close to what I originally had planned too. I liked the Earth Arc. Honestly it was less about Cid and more the world he left behind. It's like, filler, if EiS ever had filler.

Also yeah it's strange how little of the girls we really see in some of the media, with the anime and game having to change that. I mean, I like EiS because the MC is more than a self-insert. He's his own guy and infinitely more interesting and compelling for it.

It probably was the longest lemon, considering there were four girls involved counting Violet. The way EiS differs from all its mediums makes me want to include it all in some way. So yeah, merch, anime, games, manga, some of the light novel technically.

Zackman2k12: Thanks for reading, hearing that made my day.

Bladist: You know, I almost had it be Yukime be the one to talk to Gamma instead of Hertrude. But I figured that was way too soon. I will say that the current plan is to merge the Red Moon and John Smith arcs with Alzer, to make it more interesting and bearable.

Ao3-

Wolfpaladin: Yup, now I can think about adding in Lambda or Nu properly. As well as Stephanie and the rest of Eta's subordinates. Though that's after this arc really.

I planned on having the proposal from Leon earlier, but I felt like I should wait until we saw Iris again. For reasons that become important in about two chapters.

I remember thinking it super funny when Olivia asked Luxion if Cleare was his girlfriend because I recall it was like the only time he talked down to her. But yeah, Luxion seems like nothing but a tsundere to everyone.

Olivier just hasn't met Shadow. When we eventually get a skin for Alpha (assuming Olivier doesn't get her own separate thing) I imagine that it'd be because she respects him or something. I will admit that I kinda got my reading of Olivier pretty damn wrong though.

Cid's setting up a rube Goldberg machine in his psyche right now, lmao. Violet's getting worried.

Anisomeone: Yeah, I thought it was an interesting angle too. But I wasn't that interested after the switch to a new fic so I kinda just dropped it.

I think they hinted to Alpha getting a demon form before the last major reset in the first part of the requiem event. Where she had to kill Delta after Delta killed everyone else.

Rainsensei: Oh yeah, it's going to hurt a lot. Especially with the thing I'm going to reveal at the end of the Fanoss war.

DivineDemonDragon: Yeah, I probably get Clarice and Claire mixed up more than I should.

I don't think that just because they were lovers in their current life they needed to be in the last, but it would be cute. I just need to see more of what the past lives were like honestly.

Soulbowl109: I've been having fun with Violet and having her backseat Cid.

Yeah I felt bad for Gamma too, especially when those insecurities manifested in the demon form from the game.

Iris's stuff is going to change, which is why I did the thing that happened to her with Deirdre this chapter. Because it was a good scene but doesn't fit anymore. And yeah I never joined the bandwagon of bashing her either.

Erica won't be in either harem, but we will see more of her eventually… If I get to the part of Mobuseka where she was relevant. And the Earth arc of EiS.

Yukiterulight: Thanks! I hope you continue to enjoy reading.

BOY4_GOW: Yeah, I figured that's how it would work too. Weirdest win-win ever.

Yeah it was supposed to be Claire.

I mean that escalation was how it happened in the Manga.

Yeah I'll stick the 10K ish length, it's just what I'm used to planning around at this point. Thanks for saying that though.-

Guest: I haven't seen that line yet. But I will definitely consider it when I can fit it.

SB-

MWKillKenny84: I mean, the beta design looks less like Bayonetta than the final design, but I suppose it still fits.

Leon and Cid to Luxion: One of us. One of us.