A/N: This chapter is likely going to be a lot shorter than last time as it's mostly a set up. Although I write this before I even write the chapter, so who knows?
Disclaimer: I do not own Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs, nor The Eminence in Shadow
-P2W-
The last day of the vacation had arrived.
After spending 1 week with their respective lovers and the second mixed, Leon and Cid find themselves with one day just for themselves.
…
Or rather, the latter half of one day.
After spending some more time with their lovers, Leon and Cid had met in the kitchen, chugging as much water as possible.
"*PWAH~*" Leon gasps for air after finishing, "Ugh, man, wish there was some kind of better drink to hydrate myself with."
Note to self, thinks Cid as he continues drinking from the tap, show Gamma and Eta how to make electrolyte drinks. We'll call it Shadow-ade or something.
"I'm surprised you aren't limping or something Cid, I always got the impression you weren't too athletic." Said Leon as he sat down on a nearby stool.
Cid followed suit, "I'm confident in my ability to focus on what matters."
"HA! My man!" Leon barked with laughter and stuck out his hand for a high five. Cid meets it.
The two sit in silence for a bit, trying to recover from the state their respective lovers put them in.
Never expected for the girls to be so enthusiastic, but I guess at their age it makes sense. Plus, there's the whole summer vibe thing going on. I think things will cool down once we get back to our regularly scheduled program. Figured Cid. Hm… but I wonder if my own emotions were caught up in the summer flow. There was that time the bandit tried to call Beta a bitch, but then I remember getting angry when Zeta said someone hit on her when she was undercover, not to mention how I felt when Alpha and I waited outside Mitsugoshi for the first time when everyone was talking about her.
"Something on your mind?" asked Leon as he noticed Cid seemingly concentrating on something.
Hmm… I guess I did mean to talk to Leon about this. He probably knows what's going on. Thought Cid.
Cid then sat up, "Yeah, is it cool if I ask you something?"
"Shoot." Said Leon as he leaned backwards onto the table.
"Recently… I've felt like I'm losing sense of myself. I've always had this image of who I wanted to be, but the more time I spend with the girls to more I find myself… acting in ways I don't expect… wanting to do things that I don't think I would've before… I… I don't really get it. Do you?" asked Cid.
Ah… thought Leon, I've acquired another little brother.
"Leon?" said Cid.
Leon began to grin impishly and put a hand to his mouth, "Ooooo~ You got it baaaaaad~"
"What?" said Cid confused, "What do you mean?"
Leon pulls Cid in and noogies his head, "You're in looooooove~"
Cid shoves off Leon, "I knew that!"
…
My face is hot. Thinks Cid.
Leon continues to grin.
Cid narrows his eyes. What are the chances I could get rid of him? …No, then I'd have to deal with Claire. And Alpha likes hanging out with Olivia and Angelica, so I probably shouldn't make them sad.
"Well," started Leon as he adopted a more natural smile, "It's pretty obvious that you're not used to feeling in love. My dad gave me some advice about this, since he married my mom for love, maybe you should ask yours later…" Leon sees Cid making a humorless face, "*Ahem* In any case, my dad said that when you fall in love, like genuinely begin to love someone, you'll find yourself changing. You'll get possessive, protective, and find yourself becoming pathetic."
"The three P's" joked Cid.
"Yup." Confirmed Leon, "The three P's. That help?"
"…I mean I guess." Said Cid. "But like I said… I never really saw myself… ever being like this, or at the very least, not this soon in my life."
Leon nods, "Well, maybe I should start by asking, are you unhappy?"
"What? No. God no." protested Cid.
"Then what's wrong?" asked Leon.
Cid leans back and closes his eyes.
Ever since I can remember, I've always wanted to be one thing: The Eminence in Shadow. But recently I can't but feel like I've leaned away from that and started to become some kind of… harem protagonist. I can't say that I hate being with the girls, if anything it's the opposite, I've fallen in love… but is love something The Eminence in Shadow feels?
Cid opens his eyes and begins to speak, "…I never really planned on falling in love… I think… I think I'm worried about how it's changing me. Because sometimes it feels like something that deviates from my life plans."
"Didn't you say that you planned on getting married at some point?" asked Leon with his head quirked, "How did you see that playing out."
Cid attempts to think.
He can only imagine himself in Alexandria. With the Shades and The Shadow Garden. With children.
Ah. Realized Cid, I'm 'down bad' aren't I?
"Look, I don't know what your plan was, but you're a smart guy. Whatever it is you can just bounce back. So, your first plan didn't work out, that's fine. Even the best laid plans often go awry, I mean, did you think I started out wanting to be king? No, but I just realized that it was likely necessary for everyone I cared about." Said Leon.
"…What did you want? Like before you realized that?" asked Cid.
Leon scratched the back of his head, "Honestly, nothing more than I had at my family's territory. Well, besides a wife or two. But when I started to go out of my comfort zone and paid attention to my surroundings, I saw that the only way I could do that, happily, would be to change my expectations. I might not be relaxing everyday enjoying the easy life, but honestly if I never left my father's territory and went on that adventure, I never would have gotten to be with my girls… and I probably wouldn't have been happy."
Cid digests Leon's words.
To accomplish some plans, I need to sacrifice others… but I don't want to sacrifice being The Eminence in Shadow… and I'm past the point of ever so much of thinking of giving up on the girls. Thought Cid.
"But hey," Said Leon as he started to get up, "Maybe you don't have to give up on anything. Maybe you could find a way to have your cake and eat it too."
Cid laughed, "Doesn't that phrase exist to say that you literally can't?"
"I never really got it to be honest. Plus, we live in a world full of magic, dragons, mechs, etc. I feel like if there's a will, there's a way." Said Leon, leaving with one last statement, "make sure to let your girls know that you appreciate them from time to time, they set this place up for you after all."
Cid was left contemplating, show my appreciation…
-Alpha-
"You need to spend a day by yourself relaxing. You have no say in this." Said Cid as he pushed me out of my office in Mitsugoshi.
I couldn't help but be befuddled.
I of course can't ever deny Cid anything, but…
"But… but I just came back from vacation, I'm plenty relaxed." I pointed out.
Cid shook his head as I found myself helpless in his hands, several of the numbers watching curiously as I slid across the floor.
"No, you spent basically the entire break working for me whenever you got the chance. You always are taking care of the others, even when you're supposed to just be having fun. Things are likely going to get even busier from here on out so no, you aren't relaxed, today you're going to, that's an order." Insisted Cid.
As we got to the entrance which marked the cross between civilian life and that of The Shadow Garden, I can't help but ask, "…What do I do?"
Cid shrugged, "Anything that doesn't have to do with politics, economics, or cult like behavior." I open my mouth, but Cid continues, "Which includes helping the girls out with anything, even Delta. You'd just spend the entire time trying to dote on them instead of actually relaxing."
Cid opened the door for me and gestured for me to move. But I couldn't.
"What…" I struggled, "What do I do then?"
"Alpha…" said Cid in a concerned voice, "What do you usually do to relax?"
"…Spend time with you." I admitted.
Cid palms his face, "You do nothing but try your best to serve me when we're together."
"That is what makes me happy." I said honestly.
Cid sighs and grabs the sides of my face. He smooshes my face like he would Delta's whenever she was younger. I smile, enjoying his ridiculous affection.
"Alpha." Said Cid firmly.
"Cid." I replied with a smile on my face.
"Alpha." Pouted Cid.
"Cid." I continued to smile at his attention.
Cid began to pinch my cheeks this time.
"Okay look," said Cid with a somewhat serious expression, captivating my attention, "All the girls have already agreed to help out to give you the opportunity. So, you can't refuse this even if you wanted to. Go… take a nap or something. Read some books. Just don't do anything related at all to work. Or… I'll be angry."
With that Cid left me to wander about.
I didn't really have anything in mind, as Cid had said I wasn't allowed to help the girls. I wasn't tired, and I rarely read books unless I was going to review something Beta had written. That really just left me with exercising. Given that I was instructed to relax I figured a short walk would be fine.
It had been a while since I've visited any kind of forest. Part of me thought that perhaps I could try and find Beatrix, but I can't say that I'd be able to relax around her… not yet. Besides, last I was told she had been seen departing with Iris while everyone was at the resort. They recently left for Midgar and won't be back until after a week or two after school starts up. Sadly, that means that they'll miss the culture festival.
*Rustle*
Hmm? This presence.
I looked near some bushes and found a familiar looking head of pink hair. Although this time it's full of leaves.
"Ah, Sherry." I exclaim.
"Alice?" said Sherry. "What brings you here…? Did Cid send you out to get something?"
"Something like that." I reply.
I walk over to Sherry and begin to help her out of habit. Her appearance reminds me of whenever Delta would come home after hunting something.
As I fuss over Sherry, her giggling a bit, I ask, "What about you? You seem to have a picnic basket prepared, were you here with Ms. Offrey?"
Sherry shook her head. "I… I came here to find something." Sherry then held up the basket and showed it was mostly empty save for some food, "I want to fill this basket with flowers."
"Flowers?" I asked.
"Mhm. For Stephanie… um, can I talk to you about something Alice, I'll let you have some of my sandwiches." Said Sherry.
Not having anything else to do I decided to listen in. I quickly found a log for us to sit on and used my sword to smooth it out for Sherry with one quick swipe. I enjoyed how she applauds my work and enjoy the sandwiches she had prepared. It reminds me of what Epsilon used to make when she first started cooking.
"What seems to be troubling you?" I ask Sherry in between bites.
The adorable girl adopts a troubled expression. "Alice… do you think that families are always there for one another?"
"Of course," I lie.
"Hm… I think so too. After all my mom was… when my mom was alive, she was just the best. She read me stories every night, played with me every day, and made the best food… but one day my mom… someone did something bad." Sherry doesn't tear up, but I can tell she's full of sorrow and heartache. It reminds me of all the times the other members told me of their past.
I pull Sherry into a big hug, and she clings to me tightly.
After a few seconds, Sherry continues, "My current father… he found me shortly after my mom's funeral. Apparently, they used to be friends, so he wanted to honor the help she used to give him, and he adopted me. He never really spent time with me though, he was too busy. I heard he used to have a wife and daughter, so I think that maybe having me around was difficult for him."
I nod, "I could understand. He never took that out on you, did he?"
"No, if anything he was doting in his own way. He… he introduced me to the women he guarded, and we were pretty good friends actually, but since they were busy too, I mostly just spent my time researching. Wanted to do my mom proud, y'know?" said Sherry as she begins to pull herself together. "Then one day, I got the opportunity to come to Holfort's academy. And I was given a guide."
"Stephanie," I deduced.
"Mhm. Stephanie always… kind of scared me at first." Admitted Sherry as I pat her on the head, "She always seemed so angry about something, but she never showed it to me."
"Oh? How could you tell then?" I asked.
"Stephanie would make these weird faces whenever she thought I wasn't looking. I used to think that I was imagining things because she's so nice." Said Sherry with a smile.
"Stephanie Fou Offrey… is nice?" I asked.
Sherry smiled sadly, "I… I know. I know what kind of stuff the Offreys used to do. I'm not stupid. But… I don't think Stephanie is like them. Not really."
This gets my attention, "What do you mean?"
"…Stephanie's like a big sister to me." I forced myself to react incredulously, and Sherry catches on, "I-I know what you're thinking, but really! Stephanie helps me a lot! She helps me do my hair every morning, she hangs out with me every day, she helped me become friends with you and Cid, and sometimes when I have trouble sleeping, she'll let me sleep in her bed!"
Hm… That last bit seems a bit too intimate to be part of an act. How curious. From what my intel had told me all of the Offreys had been rather callous individuals, and that's putting it lightly. I was rather glad when Cid and I had taken out the pirates that worked for them…
Hm…
Wasn't there something about that night that stood out to me? What was it…
"But-but" said Sherry her pink hair's cowlick bobbing and up and down, catching my attention, "Even though she's so nice… she's always so angry… and sad. Sometimes, I'll catch her looking at Lord Field with this… wistful look on her face. No anger, no sadness, just… sort of staring at him. Usually… after she comes from back home."
"Has she ever talked to him?" I asked. "And does she go back home often?"
Sherry shakes her head and then nods, "She's never talked to Lord Field. If anything, she seems happy that he's with Marie."
"Just 'Marie' not Lady or Miss?" I point out.
"Oh, I'm friends with her!" cheered Sherry.
…Sherry. Why do you attract the most dangerous people? I'm starting to worry about you.
"How did that happen?" I asked.
"This one time, I had been having trouble sleeping so Stephanie asked Marie for help. I don't know how they knew each other but Marie came over and did this weird thing to my hand with her thumb and I was able to fall asleep right away!" beamed Sherry.
That sounds like something Cid had shown us before. Pressure points I believe. In any case I decide to bring the conversation back to its original point, "…So what was it that brought you out here?"
"I think… I think Stephanie's family hits her." Said Sherry sadly. I find myself with complicated emotions as well. "When she came back from her family yesterday, she had a bruise on her face that she had to cover with makeup, and I think I saw some scars on her back. I said that we should take her to Marie to get healed since she was back too, but Stephanie said no. But I still wanted to help her, so I researched about anything that could help, and found that there's a flower that can help the mind and body relax."
I nod and then get up while brushing off my skirt. I extend a hand to Sherry to help her get up, "So, what are we looking for?"
Sherry beamed and I was reminded of Beta when she was younger.
We had to look quite a bit, encountered a bear that I dealt with quickly, and Sherry had this plan of dangling off of a cliff using a Mitsugoshi branded rope to find them. I did allow her to do so, but perhaps I shouldn't have, she was rather scared.
Eventually, we went down the cliff (I carried her) and we found an entire field of them. We quickly finished the rest of the sandwiches and other snacks she had packed so that we could fill her entire basket with the flowers.
"So," said Cid after I recounted this to him, "You spent the entire day working."
…Ah.
"N-No! I was just… hanging out with a friend!" I insisted as I felt myself rooted in place by fear.
"You ignored my order. You bad girl." Said Cid
"I-I-I-I" I couldn't help but stutter, I hadn't meant to do that at all! And what was this feeling that permeated my body with that last sentence!?
I found myself being lifted by my own slime towards Cid. Then I was bent over his knee.
"CID!?" I shouted in fear, "You aren't going to-!?"
*SMACK*
I won't describe the sound I made.
"Was that back talk?" said Cid.
I was lucky that the room was empty, otherwise the others would point out how flush my face was, and not with embarrassment.
"N-No"
*SMACK*
"No what?"
"N-No sir!"
*SMACK*
Things went on for a while, and then continued in our bedroom. Best rest day I've ever had.
-Leon-
Since my return to school, I've noticed a few changes.
For starters, I was offered the opportunity to move to a much better dorm, however Angie and Livia wanted to continue to stay on Partner so I declined. I suppose it is safer that way too, I know that in Alto Liebe it was pretty common to see your room trashed depending on the route and choices you took.
Second, I had expected 1 of two responses. Either all the students that aren't my friends would do their best to get in good graces by brown nosing as much as possible, or I'd be completely hated. What I didn't expect was for them all to part like the red sea if I went around in the halls or run off if I stared at them for too long.
Third, I seemed to be having some weird dreams again.
The same kind of dreams that I had because of Ann's necklace.
I thought I was kind of done with all that, considering the peace I made with Lea, but come to think of it, I never really finished that one thing with the woman in Luxion's hangar. I put her head back in place and saw her spirit or something, however it works, but I never really thought about why I could do that.
Was it another life? Did I know that woman with the platinum blonde hair? Was I was that "JOU_ MOU_" guy that was next to her?
I feel like it's something I should look into. After all there's no way I can just forget about my past if it's heavily involved with Luxion and the old humans.
…Not to mention that I'm not even really done with Lea's history. There's so much I don't know about it. Even though we've sort of… merged I don't have all his memories. I'm not sure he does either.
Maybe I should look into getting the Saintess' staff. I held off on it because I didn't want Livia to be forced to become the Saintess though…
Gah! There's so much to consider!
Not to mention The Shadow Garden and that cult they're fighting! I was able to maybe find one member in our school but that was because of all the things they hadn't realized they needed to look for. Now they know, and it made my jobs so much harder.
It was already difficult enough considering that all of their members wear cloaks and masks, not to mention how they somehow have fog censor their features whenever shown on cameras.
If I go just off of circumstantial evidence at hand, then I'd probably have to accuse Cid's wife Sara of being Delta, but that's not enough. According to some of the research Luxion did there's hundreds of wolf therianthropes with the same black hair and purple features. Plus, there's no way that adorable puppy that whined whenever Cid stopped petting her could be the same one that outran an air bike and tanked a rifle stun-shot.
Plus, if that was the case, Cid would probably be Shadow. Yeah right, the same guy that feels bad about how much his girlfriends love him and hit his rebellious phase is the same guy that can nuke a city. What's next? Alice is Lady Shade? Yeah, right. Alice is a total sweetheart that looks out for everyone, with her only rival in the area being Livia.
Next someone's going to tell me that I was married to the Queen of Holfort in a previous life and am going marry her in this one.
"Yo! Aniki! Where do I move this?"
"Stop calling me that, and to the left." I respond.
Speaking of Holfort's Royalty…
I watch as Julius and Greg move one of the tables to the right.
Over the break I had told Marie that she needed to at least earn 1000 Dia for her debt before she could think of doing anything else. Obviously, her boytoys decided to help her out and they all ventured into the dungeons countless times. During that I had Luxion monitoring them and giving them tips when he deemed necessary, because of that they seem to hold me in high regard, especially Julius who thinks that because he's going to be with Marie, I would also be his older brother.
Apparently Marie told him about the reincarnation stuff in an effort to scare him off, he just fell for her harder.
I don't care for it, but I can exploit it.
For starters I've had the five ikemen distract Angie's old followers whenever they try to get close to her again. Second, I've been having them help with a project that Master had asked of me.
See, he figured that many of the students were currently scared of me due to the fact that they didn't know much if anything about me. So, he figured that if I participated in the culture festival it would help bridge the gap. I decided to open a tea shop, figuring that one, I should have some fun by indulging in my favorite hobby, two, everyone would get a kick out of their future leaders serving them, and three Marie was going to set up a host club if I didn't force her and her reverse harem to help us out. She caved in after I said that they could keep the profits.
So now we're setting up a maid and butler café. I look over to Daniel, "Hey Daniel! That tea set is expensive so be careful!"
Daniel and his fiancé Elouise immediately start walking a lot slower than they had been. Lmao.
As soon as they set down the tea set where I told them to Daniel starts yelling at me, "Why are you using such expensive stuff for a school festival!?"
"Tell us before we start handling the items your highness!" Whined Elouise.
Raymond adjusted his glasses as he took a closer look at the stuff I was using, "I know that this festival is divided by faction and not classes, but there should be a limit on how much you spend, no?"
Raymond's fiancé Hermoine agreed, "It would be poor form to spend to much, it'd make you look like a king that would spend his money frivolously."
"Don't bother," deadpanned Marie, "Aniki's loaded. He made bank off of the bets, not to mention his other business ventures."
I just cackled in response.
"Mou~ Leon are you teasing them again? That's a big no-no!" said Livia.
I turn around and am grateful for being alive. Livia wears her maid outfit adorably. I don't have the words. Except for ah;aksdhgiodha
"Um…" said Livia as she timidly poked her fingers together, the blush on her face only making her more adorable, "Do I look weird? I'm no used to wearing such things…"
"You look great!" I manage.
"Adorable!" agreed Elouise.
"You're a lucky guy aniki!" exclaimed Greg.
"don't call me that." I respond.
"Hmph." Said Angie as she emerged. "There's a bit too much emphasis on the chest. I think a simpler look would be better."
A/N: If you want to see them in the maid outfits then it's Vol. 3, Ch.15 of the manga.
Again, no words. Just a;hadhkhgaosidbvalkjwehfasdjbhauh
"Angie, you look like you're used to dressing like that. Even though you're an Ojou-Sama." Remarked Livia.
"That's because I spent 2 years working an apprenticeship in the royal palace as part of my etiquette training. I think Leon may have mentioned when I gave him the fake name of 'Ann' correct?" answered Angie. "People of standing such as myself do many different things."
Angie then walked over to Livia and gave her a big hug. "Livia, you look great too. Especially this air of innocence."
Livia smiled cutely, though come to think of it I don't think she can smile in any other way, "I like this uniform too! It's so cute!"
I begin to cry, "What a beautiful sight…"
Daniel and Raymond laugh at me, but I know that if they weren't head over heels for their own girls, I'd be beating them up for looking. Julius and Greg also eye Marie, probably wondering what she'd look like in the maid outfit.
"What are the boys going to be wearing?" asked Elouise.
"Depends on if we're serving or cooking." I answered, "It's a maid and butler café. So, we'll have our own outfits later on. I just wanted to see how things would look with Angie and Livia first. Claire and Merce should be coming by with the butler outfits in a bit."
"Yeesh," muttered Marie, "I feel bad for any sucker that's going to do a café with how much you're putting into yours."
"Doesn't help that Leon's a bit tea crazy." Remarked Raymond.
I give him a friendly dig in the arm, "Shut up. I'm not tea-crazy. I'm just mesmerized by master's tea."
Angie teases me, "Hm… just the other day you left the two of us behind to go buy tea with that professor of yours."
"Wha-" I exclaim while the others give me judgy looks, "What are you talking about, we were already on our way home! Hey, Livia, back me up here."
Livia pouts, making me worried for a second, before she giggles and sticks out her tongue.
"Damn, guess we know who the real rulers are." Muttered Marie.
I glared at her while Livia begins to fidget.
Olivia timidly says, "Hm… now that I think about it, maybe I shouldn't wear this outfit. I've been having so many snacks lately that I've…"
Angie walks up to her and begins to flirt aggressively, though she'd deny it, "I like them plump you know? It's alright if you pack on a little more meat."
As Angie grabbed her sides Livia tears up with a small blush and whispers sweetly, "I-I want to have great looks like you Angie…"
I see Marie look at the two as their chests mash in the way they do when they hug, look down at her own, and then get back to cooking.
Suddenly the door opens with a loud boom.
"LEON!" shouted my other annoying sister, "Listen to my story for a second!"
I just level a glare, "…I'm not using my authority to assign you a husband. Stop asking. Also, Miauler close that door before the crowd gets in."
Miauler does just that while the crowd of girls who came to stare at Julius and the others whine. I assigned Jilk, Brad, and Chris to distract them by handing out fliers but I guess they're busy or something.
"…I wasn't going… to… okay so there's this guy." Jenna tried to start something, but I just opened a window and started to drag her towards it.
"Leon, you shouldn't go that far with your own sister!" cried Livia.
I sighed and stopped.
"That's right, you should be comforting me more." Cackled Jenna as she began to hide behind Livia, "At the very least can't you serve me some tea."
"…Ellie, remind me to thank Madam Deirdre again." Said Daniel.
Raymond took off his glasses, "Hey, let me join you too. I thought I was done seeing the women of the academy like this."
"Honey," said Hermoine, "just because you take your glasses off doesn't mean they're not there."
I rolled my eyes and gave my sister some tea, "Whaddaya want."
Jenna pouted before drinking some tea and started to explain, "You see… I had a fight with a friend."
"A fight?" said Livia as she brought Jenna some snacks, "Then I think you should try to make up."
Jenna shook her head, her ponytail comically hitting Miauler a couple of times, even funnier was him batting at it with his free hand, "That's not going to happen. After all, we were fighting over a man."
"You're in the wrong, please leave." I say while snatching the teacup out of her hand.
"Hey! You don't know that!" shouted Jenna.
"Let me guess," I say while putting the fine China away, "You tried to steal a rich guy from your friend because marriage is all about money to you despite what everyone but Zola says. Now you want me to use my authority and/or power to fix things in your favor."
Jenna looks away.
"Miss Jenna!" gasps Livia, Elouise, and Hermoine.
"Look, I already helped you get one lover, Miauler. And given that our parents made me install soundproofing in your bedroom I bet that you really like him." I pointed out, making Jenna blush, "If anything, I'm going to give a public statement saying that I don't back up any kind of relationship you seek because I know you and what you'd do with any kind of power."
"Ugh! You suck! C'mon Miauler!" said Jenna as she stormed out.
"Yes, Ojou-sama." Said Miauler as he walked up to Jenna and held out his hand for her to grab.
If she was just a little nicer, I'd dote on her like I do Finley and Merce. Hell, she might realize that she actually really likes Miauler. Whatever, she's an adult and can figure it out on her own.
"Hey, didn't one of your followers have an elf servant?" asked Julius, "From what I recall she was a trained maid, wouldn't it make sense to have them help, Aniki."
"Don't call me that," I respond, "But they are helping. I told Cid and Alice to go hand out the pamphlets and hold a sign for advertisement."
*Clank*
"Eeep!" yelped Livia as she and Angie jumped into my arms.
I watched as the metal shutters around the windows closed.
*SLAM*
The door once again opens as several students rush in, including the rest of the five idiots as well as Jenna and Miauler and a handful of random girls.
"Luxion, is that you?" I asked.
*CLANK*
The last shutter door in front of the wooden door entrance closes.
[Master, there's an emergency.]
"What!?" I yell.
[Please, be quiet.]
"what," I whispered.
[Intruders are on campus. Due to The Shadow Garden getting rid of most of my other bodies I had deigned to assign what was left to look over your friends. I apologize but I hadn't noticed them until it was too late.]
"What do you mean too late" whispered Angie.
[…]
"Luxy?" whispered Livia.
[Playing footage.]
-Cid-
A school festival. Something I didn't expect to experience in a western styled school, but I suppose it's rather interesting in itself. As Alice and I go through the novel experience of advertising the maid and butler café that Leon's running we find Rose and Deirdre.
"Ah, Cid, Alice, good day to you." Greeted Rose with a smile.
Alpha and I full body bow.
"Come now," said Deirdre as she helped us back up, "We're friends and colleagues, there's no need for that."
"S-sorry. W-what brings you two here?" I asked while doing my best to seem like a nervous mob. After all Rose is a princess and Deirdre is technically a princess consort or something.
"Our student council duties require us to check out the festival and make sure that everything is up to code." Explained Rose, she then began to fidget slightly while looking in our direction, "… I don't suppose the two of you would like to join us?"
"Sure!" said Alpha with a smile that totally is forced, "We'd love to accompany our friends on a tour around the festival."
"Great!" beamed Rose. "I'm glad to hear it. If there's anything you want just ask, it'll be my treat."
From there Alpha and I would go from vendor to vendor alongside Rose and Deirdre. Alpha and I were able to serve as taste testers for all the food places. Alpha was also strangely insistent on having Rose pay for it all, but Rose was more than happy too. So whatevs.
Honestly the amount of food places was a bit of a let down, I was hoping for a haunted house or something.
The only deviations there were, was a musical performance (Where they tried to play some of Epsilon's—read: Beethoven's—pieces but fell a little flat.), a theatrical performance of Beta's—read: Shakespeare's—Romeo and Juliet, and then finally a small shooting range set up by Clarice's group.
"Hey-Hey! Cid!" said Clarice who was wearing some sunglasses, "Step up and win your pretty elf-girl a prize!"
I shrugged, I'll probably mess up on purpose and get Alpha something else later.
"How does this work?" asked Alpha.
"It's a magic toy," explained Dan, "You channel a bit of your mana into the gun and it'll shoot out the cork at a decent enough speed."
"Knock over enough of these bottles and you get yourself a prize! 10 Dia for 5 tries! 2 hits gets you a tissue packet, 3 hits gets you a small prize, 4 hits gets a small prize and a candy, 5 gets the jumbo doll." Said Clarice.
"Ah, I remember my parents buying me a similar toy when I was younger," recalled Deirdre with a nostalgic look on her face.
Simple enough I suppose.
"May I go first?" asked Rose, becoming shy as we all stared at her. "I-I never tried anything like this before so…"
Clarice smiles as she takes the payment from Rose.
While they do that Alpha and I do our best to practice emitting small amounts of magic.
"Huh?" remarks Rose, "It's not working?"
Only.
Dan takes the gun and checks it, "Let me see… huh. Is this one defective?"
I can't.
"Try this one." Said Clarice as she takes out a new one.
At all.
"…No, this one doesn't either." Said Rose while shaking her head sadly.
Something is disrupting the flow of magic…!
"We just checked these!" yelled Clarice while frustrated.
And… I can sense something coming closer.
Just for the sake of it I say, "It's coming."
Alpha turns to me to ask what but before she can-
*BOOOOOOM!*
The entrance to the shooting range flies off with an explosion, Alpha tackles me out of the way and I think I see Dan do the same for Clarice.
Some of the other students and Clarice's followers begin to panic.
"KYAAAAAH!"
"W-WHA!?"
"AN EXPLOSION?!"
"EEEEK!"
"HELP MEEEE!"
As the students descend into pandemonium, I see a few dark clad men emerge from the flames.
No way…
"Nobody move!" order the men, "Hands in the air!"
I see men dressed in a shitty version of my outfit then all raise weapons at everyone shouting, "We are Shadow Garden! The academy is under our control! Drop your swords!"
They went and did it! The thing every boy dreams of! The thing that we will always remember from our youths!
The thing where terrorists attack the school! They actually fucking did it…!
Alpha and I get up, doing our best to look scared.
After all, with our magic sealed a dark knight would have trouble showing resistance. From the way these posers exert themselves I'm guessing that this is happening all over the academy. I'm probably the only one besides Alpha that understands what's going on.
Yes…
I can see it before my eyes!
The endless possibilities of a 'terrorist attack'!
How many times have I fantasized about this… hundreds? Thousands? Perhaps millions?
Finally, the moment I envisioned in all kinds of variations is here!
These posers seem to like taking the role of terrorists. Not bad, not bad at all! Very underworld-ish.
However, the best approach is to be on the students' side!
What should I do? What move should I make…? I won't get another chance like this!
Before I can think of doing anything to get rid of my mob role, my trembles of excitement could be easily mistaken for fear, Rose acts like the main character she is and walks up to the terrorists while unsheathing her sword.
"Looks like you don't quite understand what you're walking into," Said a very angry Rose, "Taking over an academy of dark knights and Holfort's finest adventurers… sounds like the ambitions of madmen."
"I told you to drop the sword toots…" said one of the posers.
"I refuse." Said Rose, "As the student council president, I will not watch this unfold silently."
"Hmph. Then I'll make an example out of you first." Shouted the lead poser.
Rose attempts to swing her sword as usual but hesitates when she notices something.
"…!?" gasped Rose, " I can't… use magic!?"
However the poser still could and he laughed, "Ya only noticed now? Well too late!"
Wait crap.
I quickly whisper in a speed only she could hear, "Ball under the armpit." To Alpha before charging.
Stop! You're doing it wrong!
She's not supposed to fall victim to terrorists!
I can't allow that to happen.
Getting killed in situations like this…
Has always been…
THE MOB CHARACTER'S ROLE!
I shove Rose out of the way with a cry of "STOOOOOOOOOOP!"
-Rose-
As my sword shatters and I close my eyes to not see how I'll meet certain doom thanks to my own prideful nature, I hear a voice.
This voice made an impression I'd never forget, it's the voice of a dear friend…
It's the voice… of the man who always stood back up, time after time.
I fell to the ground. After I notice blood on my face, I quickly get up to assess whatever damage I must have accumulated.
Only…
I hear the shouts of several of the female students, "KYAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
"No… oh no…" uttered Dan in disbelief.
"Cid!" shouted Deirdre.
"Cid! This can't be real!" cried Clarice.
I stare in horror at the sight of my friend… bloody… still… on the ground.
Because of me.
I open my mouth, feeling words of horror well up in my throat, but-
"Cid…?" whispered Alice.
I froze as I watched her walk over to her lover's body. She lifts him, slowly.
Alice tries to stop the bleeding, "Cid…? Why…? *Sniff* Why would you…?"
Cid grabs Alice's hands.
"*COUGH!*" Cid coughs some blood, splattering it over Alice's pretty white outfit.
"No…nononono… Cid! Cid hang in there! Cid! You promised you'd live at least 1000 years!" sobbed Alice.
Cid smiled sadly. He reaches for Alice's face.
"*Sob* 300! At least 300! Cid! *Sob* Cid! I'll take just 1! CID PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME!" begged Alice as tears streamed from her face.
Cid wipes away a tear from Alice's face.
And then his hand falls and goes limp.
Then I hear the most heart wrenching, blood curdling, sorrow filled cry I've ever and likely ever would hear.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Alice lies down on Cid's bloody stomach.
She doesn't move.
Oh…
How could I have been so foolish?
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry Cid.
I'm sorry Alice.
My dear friends.
How could I have done this to you?
Cid…
Seeing that content expression as you fell, I finally understand.
Why you showed such bravery during the tournament.
Why your eyes reflected such an indomitable will.
Why you saved some girls without a second thought.
Why you sacrificed yourself to protect me…
Your heart is so big.
Due to my position as princes… I have been approached by many individuals.
However…
None of them were able to show such strong feelings, for not only me but others.
No one has shown that they'd throw away their lives for me.
You would do it for anyone.
And I robbed you of this planet.
…
…
…
I see a shadow approaching me. I grip what remains of my sword and turn quickly, vowing not to let this be the end.
But then.
[Firing.]
A bright flash of light shows as the crowd of men are covered in electricity.
"ASHOGHSOHGSKD!" They shout until they all fall to the ground.
[You all need to evacuate, now!]
"Luxion!?" recognized Deirdre.
[My apologies for not intervening sooner, I needed to charge to hit the entire group and plan an escape route. But it would be in your best interests to leave this place now. Head for Master's tearoom, it has impenetrable walls prepared. Go, now!]
I look over to Alice.
[…I detect no heartbeat from that area. Please, do not let it be in vain.]
With one last glance at my dear friends, I allow Deirdre to pull me away.
-P2W-
[Ending Playback]
Save for the muffled sobbing of Olivia, the room is silent.
No one moves.
"Luxion." Said Leon.
[Your orders?]
"If you still work while our magic doesn't, does that mean that the armors will? Or our regular guns?" asked Leon.
[Yes, how many should I begin transporting here.]
"All of them." Leon moves Olivia to Angelica's arms as he makes for the exit. "They'll pay for this."
.
.
.
.
.
In the room no longer observed by anyone a sound can be heard.
*Thud*
*Thud*
*Thud*
A/N: Stopping here for today. Sorry. Starting with the EiS events now though, so there's that. Now for those of you familiar with Mobuseka, you might have questions about a certain character… she is here. Heh.
I will spoil something though, Vandel isn't. More on that in the next chapter though.
Now let's answer the comments, there were less this time around. Still none on spacebattles, I think there's not even likes. Oh well, I'll keep posting anyway.
AO3:
Wolfpaladin: I have plans for Aurora. It's actually pretty interesting how she got in Claire to begin with. That's a good idea for Hertrude actually, I'll consider it, but I did plan on one person from Mobuseka joining Cid's harem, just probably no one expected.
Hopefully I answered some of your questions about Delta/Sara. Just to reiterate, Shadow Garden wears rather elaborate disguises, aren't recorded properly on cameras while in slimesuits thanks to the mist dragon's blessing, Delta has very common features that I figure she inherited from her harem-king of a dad, and DivineDemonDragon mentioned, is very different for her friends than she is as an enemy.
DivineDemonDragon: Yeah, lol. Beta loves fairy tales. (Doesn't hot minute mean a good while? I guess that's not wrong in this context).
Cid's still a boy his age after all.
Yeah Leon has some trauma with Zola, it's played to comedic effect usually so I wanted to show it differently.
Yup, the wonders of a good support system.
That's definitely good for Claire, especially since I wanted to keep the comedy of her relationship with Cid but needed to cut out a little bit of it because I had her get with Leon.
As for the Earth Arc, I mean time travel is sorta a thing in EiS so probably.
Deathfang1920: Leon's relationship being good is fanon. I think Finley kills her in canon or something. Balcus always suspected Rutart and Merce weren't his kids, but for this fic in the beginning of chapter 2 Leon mentions that Zola had strongly protested getting a blood test and that kinda tipped everyone off. This led to Merce wanting to get in Balcus' and everyone's good graces.
DragonBlaze10: Hope you enjoy this one too.
BOY4_GOW: Glad you loved the interactions.
:
Guest: Yup, Beta is the standard Pick-me dere-dere girl. Totally fits the mermaid image.
Honestly Eta was the hardest to write since she doesn't have much screen time, I haven't gotten her (adult form anyway) in Master of Garden yet (gotta grind those damn character gems in the shop and one node, or hope she spooks me at some point), and Cleater SV hasn't posted much of her adult versions conversations. I mostly have the Kage-Jitsu shorts to work with. Glad you still liked her.
Golden Nova: …I mean, they gotta meet their in-laws.
EDG1999: Zola has a role in later volumes (that the manga hasn't gotten to yet) so I figured she can live in fear for now.
I think Claire doesn't mind too much. By the way did you know she's good at sewing? At least according to the chibi spin off manga, she apparently used to make dolls to play with Cid.
QQ (on page 6 now, woo!):
Someone ani: Yeah I didn't even think I'd get that many words, it surprised me too. Glad you liked it.
Yeah Alexia is at best a distraction for him, like you can tell they're friends but I don't root for her becoming more in canon unless she somehow forces him. Here I wanted to develop her honest side a bit more.
Yeah the chibi manga is great. I actually included it in the scene right before they knock down Leon's original ship, where Cid and Delta were talking about the kentarus.
Lmao yeah, the unintentional fourth wall breaks. Sasuga Shadow Sama.
Bladist: I guess it was a bit of a confusing read, but Zola wouldn't have known about the resort. Lol.
Next time he'll have the literal princess of another country (Iris) just imagine.
I love Yukime too, but I haven't gotten her in MoG yet, nor have we gotten that far in EiS in this fic yet. So, I'll probably include her, but later. Maybe joke about how technically Shadow met her before Alpha (given he was still stylish bandit slayer then).
Havefeith: Glad I can make you laugh. But yeah Angie was not getting any sleep, lmao.
Otoshi17good: Hope my explanation helped, but thanks for reading nonetheless.
Bladist (second time): Maybe for an omake or something, can't see it fitting too much in a non fanservice arc.
