Prologue: Beginner Town

Life in the Bartfort Barony could be classified as peaceful most of the time. Not much different from a typical countryside in Japan, except for the fact it was all contained on one floating island. This world was weird that way.

The current peace was, however, interrupted by the clashing of steel. By a riverside, Leon was sparring with his elder sister, Claire.

"Go, Leon!" their younger brother, Colin, cheered from the sidelines. "Go, Claire!"

Sparring with Claire was a typical part of the training Leon did, coming from a lineage of magical knights. Today however, Leon could tell Claire was in a mood and was using him to vent her frustrations. Her blows were heavier than usual and her attacks lacked the usual subtlety she employed. For example, her current attack from the right had multiple openings Leon could capitalize on. He could see the counter-attacks he could perform ending with a slice to the neck.

But Leon did none of these and just blocked the attack with his sword. As expected, the blow was strong enough to send him flying into the river. It was barely deep enough for even an 11 year old, so nothing too harmful for him, except for returning back to land soaking wet.

"Jeez, still as strong as expected," Leon muttered to himself.

Speaking of which, Claire seemed to have finally calmed down after knocking him into the river. Though she might have sprained something as she was rubbing the side of her neck.

"That was amazing, Claire!" Colin ran up to her with gleaning eyes. It earned a small smile from Claire and a pat on the head. "I can't wait to fight like that." Colin performed slashing motions with an imaginary sword.

"Once you learn how to use your magic properly," Claire smiled at Colin fondly. "As for you," she turned to Leon. "You need more effort."

"Yeah, yeah," Leon responded half-heartedly as he tried to squeeze out the water from his clothes.

Leon was saved from further rebuttal by some new arrivals.

"Finally found you guys," Nicks, their eldest brother, came in tow with Finley, their younger sister.

The siblings were now complete. Five of them in order: Nicks, Claire, Leon, Finley, and Colin. An anomaly for typical noble families who liked to keep theirs small to make inheritances easier. Though maybe because their mother wasn't the official wife of their father. The 'concubine line' in crude terms. It was complicated, something that was typical for noble families.

"The Mistress is gone and we can come back now," Nicks informed them.

"You still brought Finley with you?" asked Claire.

"She was upset," Nicks frowned. "Rutart and Mercer found her and well…"

On closer look, Leon could tell Finn had recently been crying and still looked sullen.

Claire clicked her tongue in disapproval, her mood having returned. However, she went to Finley and comforted her by picking her up. Despite barely being a teenager, Claire comfortably carried a 10 year old with ease in her arms, a testament on Leon's older sister's strength.

"You want a ride back?" Leon asked Colin. While he might not be able to imitate their older sibling, he was more than strong enough to give Colin a piggyback ride.

"Ew, no you're wet!" Colin said in the innocently-not-meaning-to-insult-way only a child could do. "Nicks, I want up!" He asked the eldest sibling instead.

"Fine c'mer."

Leon could only sigh as he followed his second-life siblings back home.

Late at night once the rest of his family was asleep, Leon quietly got up from his bed and snuck his way on the rooftop of his mansion. With the moon gone, the only light were those coming from the stars. A far cry from the metropolitan cities of Leon's past life.

"Master, I've located the bandits," a mechanical orb with a red lens hovered beside Leon.

"Where are they tonight, Cid?"

It had been almost a year since Leon found the AI in the dungeon. Since then, Leon had managed to scrounge a good amount of programmable matter and trade them for a lot of items. One of which was a mobile terminal for Cid. Said terminal projected a holographic map of the barony and marked a location.

Leon grinned in excitement. "Time to farm."

Black particles shifted on Leon's form and solidified to his new attire. Plain black mechanical armor with an all encompassing helmet. The visor augmented his sight allowing him to see through the darkness.

One would think that with floating islands and flying ships, banditry would be harder to accomplish. Inter-island transportation wasn't worth attacking and any worthwhile volume of goods (or kidnappings if they wanted to go that route) came from airships. So it made sense that piracy would supplement typical banditry.

Unfortunately, whoever designed the otome game didn't take that into consideration and still included 'bandit elimination' as part of their repeatable quests. In the game, they were just exp fodder for raising new units; but in real life, they were a real concern by the local population. Concerns that the Bartfolt family had to deal with.

Strangely, while reports of bandit camps were constantly reported to the barony, whenever the authorities went to deal with them, the bandits were already unconscious. A portion of the missing goods were also unrecoverable. When interrogated for the reason the bandits were attacked, all they could describe was a 'Dark Knight'. A shadow given form.

"Give me your goods and no one gets hurt!" an electronically modified voice demanded.

Despite the demand fitting one a bandit would say, those words actually came from Leon. A group of bandits starred in bewilderment at the black armored figure in front of them. Then they started laughing.

"It's just a midget!" a bald headed bandit exclaimed. "Take care of this wannabee knight!" he ordered his men.

What followed was a one-sided beatdown, courtesy of Leon and his superior technology. His slime suit was now properly upgraded with a host of combat enhancements. He even had enough materials to create a sword to compliment his skills. Against garden variety bandits, Leon had no problem dealing with them in a group. Adding both magic and sci-fi was just cheating.

"You left the new-humans alive again, Master," Cid floated beside him once they had properly tranquilized the beaten bandits. "I would suggest tossing them off the island."

"Jeez, I'm not that cruel," doing that would mean they would be eaten by the monsters inhabiting the water. "And still no killing."

"But leaving them with life-long debilitating injuries is fine?" the AI retorted.

"Hey, they're still the bad guys," Leon turned his attention to the goods. "My consciousness is clean."

As to why Leon was willing to take care of the local bandit problem? It wasn't because of a sense of justice or a way to train himself. His family covered both already. The one thing Leon really needed was more resources. Specifically, more programmable matter to turn into more items.

In the otome game, the cash shop was released to fix a difficulty imbalance, but the developers also knew not everyone would willing fork over real world cash. So technically, the currency could be earned in-game instead. It was a small amount compared to actually buying outright, but it gave the game a defense against pay-to-win accusations. The currency usually came from farming repeatable quests. Quests that could range from dungeon clearing to procuring goods, and of course bandit clearing.

Leon was too young and lacked resources, such as personal transportation, to do any of the high rewarding quests. It was by chance that Leon overheard a bandit report being delivered to his father, the baron. Reckless and/or crazy enough to test another otome game information, Leon decided to try robbing a bandit camp. To his surprise, they did have programmable matter in their possession. Thus began Leon's crusade against bandits in the barony.

Eventually, Leon moved from stealthy robbing them to just attacking them outright. Faster and simpler sometimes. Not something one would consider doing, especially with the physical stature of a child. But even in his old-world life, Leon had fought local thugs and kidnappers without much care about safety.

"Damn, they sure stole a lot," Leon looked over the goods the bandits were guarding. "No way this came from our barony."

"That is correct, Master," Cid flew up to him after scanning the items. "Markings on the goods match those used by merchants more commonly seen in other noble territories. It would seem this group intended to use this place as a resting point before moving on."

"Bandits and smugglers? I wonder if that means more currency rewards," Leon tried to remember the reward structure of the game. "Do they have any?"

"Confirmed. Programmable matter is stored in one of the compartments," Leon cheered at the success of tonight's excursion. "They also have a rather curious specimen."

"A 'specimen'?" Leon approached part of the goods covered by a tarp. "A cage? Maybe a creature?" He lifted the cover. "Ugh gross, a dead body."

At least that was Leon's best guess. It barely looked like a body, more like a mound of rotting flesh.

"Correction, Master. The body is still very much alive. Also, a scan of it's skeletal system shows it belongs to a humanoid individual."

"Holy shit," Leon backed away from the cage in reflex. "A possessed?!"

'Possessed' were known as those afflicted with a mysterious illness that causes the body to rot and eventually die. It afflicted all beings, whether they be human, elf or therianthrope. But weirdly only afflicted women. However, the biggest issue was that there was no cure for the possessed.

Well, no known tangible cure. Supposedly, legends claimed that the 'Saintess of Holfort' could cure the illness with her divine healing magic, but there was never any concrete evidence. Modern healing magic never displayed the ability to do so.

"What shall we do with this, Master?"

"I dunno. Do we even need to do something about it?" The level of possession displayed meant that they would likely die soon anyway.

As there was no cure, the go to for the possessed was death. Usually the Church handled these matters, in the name of benevolence to save the victim's soul. But it was just covering up the fact that it was basically euthanasia.

"A shame," Cid floated closer to the cage. "I've always wanted to analyze this so-called 'Possessed'."

"Really? What's the point? Try to find a cure?" Leon sarcastically responded.

"A possibility."

The reply actually caught Leon off guard. "Wait, you really can? If there was, someone should have found out by now."

"Clearly the New-Humans haven't," the AI was delighted to point out the failings of his hated enemies. "Even with their detestable magic."

"Hey." reprimanded Leon.

"But their technology is primitive and ours is superior."

Leon had a feeling Cid just wanted to one up the New-Humans on something. Still, Cid was a research AI with a remote laboratory. Their technology could have a better chance of succeeding where everyone else failed.

"You really think you can?" Leon asked seriously.

Cid floated back to Leon, recognizing the change in his master's tone. "I was designed to develop counters against New-Human weapons, including possible bio-weapons, and even what you would refer to as 'magic'."

Leon thought hard about the ramifications of effectively allowing human experimentation for the AI. Then again whoever was in the cage was going to die anyway. At least this way, their death could mean something?

"We'll take it." he finally decided.

"Excellent choice, Master."

It didn't feel like one, but there was a reason he was interested in finding a cure.

"I'm going to have to carry this back to the base, aren't I?

"Indeed."

Another day, another training session with his sister. Claire seemed to love beating his bu- sparring with her younger brother ever since Leon was old enough to hold a sword. It was only thanks to his old memories of fighting styles he used to practice, that he could even keep up with her. Even Leon could tell his older sister was a prodigy with the sword. She would have no trouble making a name for herself in future tournaments.

As they both grew up, Claire got stronger. To the point she once defeated their eldest brother and almost gave their own father, an actual knight, a run for his money. Yet, even when his sister could practice with better skilled opponents, Claire still regularly dragged Leon into the training fields to kick his bu- spar with him.

At least it got him out of his chores.

In fairness, while Leon never won against his sister, even he could admit he was learning something. Even if it was just to survive against Claire.

Right now, it meant controlling his magic to strengthen himself. A common technique for spellswords, but Leon was trying to further refine his control for more efficient output. It would allow him fight longer, and help him with another matter outside of combat.

"Hmmm?" Claire let out in confusion as she locked blades with Leon.

Taking advantage of it, Leon retreated and then attacked with a swing of his training sword. His sister easily blocked the blade but didn't counterattack. Leon continued his assault while his sister stayed on the defensive. When he thought he saw an opening, Leon thrust his sword, only to be deflected by a parry from Claire. The strength from the deflection caused Leon to lose his wooden sword as the force knocked him backwards. He landed sitting on the ground, handedly defeated by his sister.

"Tsk," Claire seemed unhappy despite beating Leon as usual.

"Whew," Leon tried to catch his breath. Manipulating his magic using a new method tired him out more than he expected. "You're too strong, Sis."

Hopefully buttering her up would get her to take it easy on him.

Instead, Leon earned a flick to the forehead. Considering it was a magically augmented flick, it hurt a lot and Leon yelped in pain.

"If you put half your effort complaining to training, you'd be a better fighter," reprimanded Claire. "Your future as a knight depends on it."

"But what if I just want to be a farmer?"

This quip earned him a knuckle to the head. She grinded them for good measure.

"What are you, a commoner?" Claire scolded as Leon cried in pain. "Ours is a lineage that gave birth to many powerful magical knights. You have a duty to our family."

"I get it, I get it!" surrendered Leon.

"Then don't be so lazy!" Claire ground one harder before releasing Leon from his torture. "I swear you'll forget to breathe if I'm not here."

"At least no one will be dragging me off for make believe adventures," Leon shot back.

Claire turned red in embarrassment. "I haven't done that since the dungeon!"

Only because their parents grounded her so hard she could barely leave the estate grounds. It unfortunately left her bored and she redirected those energies to more intense training sessions.

"And our kingdom was founded by adventurers! You should be excited to explore dungeons."

"Eh… maybe when we're older. I'm sure those dungeons will still be there once we're old enough." Leon's response earning a defeated sigh from his sister

"If I'm lucky." muttered Claire.

"What?" Leon barely heard her words.

"I said you're in luck since we're stopping today," said Claire. "Dad has visitors coming and mom said we need to be not in front of the house by then."

Greetings, Lord Bartfort.

Glen! Balcus is just fine.

Leon was eavesdropping on his dad's meeting. It was one of the ways he gathered information on potential bandit camps, by listening to these meetings. While Cid could just sneak into his father's office and scan the reports, he might miss stuff that they didn't bother writing down.

How's life inside the Knight Order? Leon heard scrapping of furniture which he assumed was the two sitting down.

Hell, ever since you left. They both laughed. No shortage of enemies to fight and the paperwork is just as deadly. Did you really have to sign so much when you were commander?

Ugh… You complain about knight paperwork. Wait till you run a territory. So what brings you all the way out here? Last I heard you were getting offers from the bigger territories

How? Heh, I should have known you would still be updated. I have but it's still too early for me to leave the order just yet. Maybe after a few years. Right now, I'm here to handle the transfer of bandits you caught for interrogation.

I didn't expect a knight from the capital to handle a backwoods problem. Also wasn't expecting a visit, not that I mind since it was you.

True, I wouldn't normally bothered visiting the local lord for a simple transfer, but I do need help from 'Kageno'.

'Of the Shadow'? Leon didn't expect a japanese name here.

He heard his father sigh. I wish people would stop using that. Getting a title from the first dungeon relic I found wasn't how I wanted.

Ah. Probably just a word they found.

At least it's better than ol' Pantshitter.

Yeah poor Pantshitter. At least he didn't have to live with it long.

A moment of silence for the unfortunate soul.

Back to what I need help with, some of that 'Kageno Wisdom'. There was a sound of papers slamming the table. I need your opinions on these.

List of deceased knights? Shit, these kids are barely of age. But this is nothing new, even during our time as newbies. Not all rookies make it out alive.

Their deaths were all unfortunate losses but that's not what caught my attention. I was working on the deceased paperwork, all that stuff needed to inform next of kin, when I noticed something. More shuffling sounds of paper. These ones have the same next of kin listed. So does this group, and this ones as well.

They died years apart so they could just be branches from the same families.

You're right. Same families, but not by blood. By marriage. To the same person per group.

Leon winced in pain when the earpiece transmitted his dad's very loud expletive.

Soldier's compensation. They're sending kids to die for money.

As expected of the Kageno wisdom. Pieced it faster than I did. Once I realized that, I tried to investigate further and found a group of 'noble wives' responsible for this: "Forest of Ladies"

Outside the meeting room, Leon was starting to get bored. While a possible scandal in the knight order and upper nobility might have been interesting, it was something that he didn't want to bother with. If the meeting had nothing to do with the local bandits, then it wasn't really something he needed to care about.

If you already figured that out, then why bring this to me?

Because your family might be next.

Leon found himself suddenly paying very close attention.

All of these kids come from lower nobilities. Third sons and lower.

And as a Barony, I have boys that fit the bill. Shouldn't you be reporting this to the higher ups?

I tried but I encountered two hurdles. One, while marrying these kids and sending them to die is reprehensible, it isn't illegal. If you ask around the capital, the Forest of Ladies is simply a gathering of noble wives upholding the values of the kingdom. You know how women have higher standing there.

Even Leon swore along with his dad at that. Otome game logic at work.

Two, I think someone higher up is in on it. Or is at least paid off by the group. The group also give a sizeable donation to the Knight Order.

Wonder where they're getting all the money from. Leon could hear the sarcasm from his dad.

I was hoping to find something actually illegal connected to them, when I found a lead. Or rather had a lead.

Had?

One of the earlier bandits captured in your territory mentioned the Forest of Ladies by name during his interrogation. By luck, I was in charge of interrogating him at that time. I went out of the interrogation cell for a moment to get my notes, but when I came back, he was already dead. Someone higher up insisted to write it off as suicide but it definitely wasn't.

Which is why you're here personally, to make sure a potential lead doesn't just 'disappear' again.

Correct. And I was hoping I could get your help in this matter. Or at least some advice on this matter.

Leon heard the biggest sigh his dad ever let out.

Look, Glenn. Despite what they used to call me in the order, I'm just a poor Baron. I can barely send enough money to the capital with what we make here. I'll see if any more bandits we find here know about this Forest Ladies. But if you really want my advice? Don't investigate this while you're in the Knight Order. Find a noble who you think can support you in this and pledge yourself to them. Trying to investigate this while inside will only get you killed.

"Cid, please record the conversation. I'll listen to it later."

"At once, Master."

Leon felt pissed. Maybe hunting down some bandits would fix that.