A/N: So, unlike some of the other chapters I did kinda have to make this more original due to the fact that I decided to include Gamma in Cid's shenanigans. Although I gotta say, I don't think Gamma ever has had a one-on-one mission with Cid, even including the stuff in Master of Garden. So, when I had Cid saying "It's been a while since we've gone on a mission just us" well, I just straight up lied, I guess. Gamma, at best, just briefs him on things one on one. Even then though, she usually has her army of servants and/or Nu with her.
Btw we're on the 10th page of QQ now, so that's cool.
Also, this chapter has two lemons. One with Leon and Angie, another with Cid and essentially four girls.
Also, also, I'm going to just rant at the end before the comments about some stuff I noticed. You can ignore it though, I just figure I might as well rant about it somewhere and it is related to the fic.
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.
-Cid/Minoru/Shadow…Mundane Mann-
With the preparations under way, Gamma and I are now making our way to register for the Bushin Festival. Though of course, Gamma and I are currently wearing our new identities.
I am Mundane Mann, a pathetic and frail looking man that has more in common with a corpse than he does any dark knight or spell sword. Black hair, pathetic and sunken eyes, similarly sunken face, gray-ish skin. Then for my outfit I have some armor on my chest, shoulders, and arms. I have some old boots, a ratty green scarf, and some day clothes underneath the armor. I look like I dumpster dived for my outfit, essentially.
Which is exactly what I set out to do!
"You know, I still don't understand how you accomplished that considering how high quality everything you're wearing is." Mentioned Violet from within my head.
Clothes make the man, and that just plays more into what I want to accomplish.
I can feel Violet nod, "Right…! You want to play the part of a secretly strong man… a Mundane Mann, if you will."
Violet was trying to tease me, likely expecting some kind of form of annoyance like a person who just said a pun. But if anything, I'm happy that my soul partner understands exactly what's going on.
"C…*Ahem* Mundane, try not to doddle. We're almost there." Said Xianyun, pushing up her glasses with one hand and tugging one of mine with her other.
Gamma's disguise as Xianyun consists of a more Chinese looking appearance compared to her normal western/Asian blend that the elves all seem to share. She has her black with a green underside hair tied up into a long pony tail with some swooping bangs that frame her face. Some red glasses hide her now green eyes, but I made sure to leave her beauty mark. After all, keeping some features the same helps her sell the disguise a lot more.
When we picked out her outfit, she originally wanted to wear her red and white qi pao, or this skintight outfit. But I felt like it didn't fit her role as a sword master all that much.
"That and you were worried about all the stares she'd get." Teased Violet.
Pfft. If I was worried about the stares the girls would get, then I wouldn't have let them dress up as they do in the slime suits.
I feel Violet lean on my shoulder and poke my cheek, "Oh? You mean the outfits they designed themselves and they only wear around other women or in front of people that are going to die soon anyway?"
…Anyway, it was decided that we'd lean into the same vibe the skintight outfit would give and instead go for this all white pantsuit looking one. There's a small cape that hangs over her shoulders that starts with white feathers, before going into teal cloth. Her outfit does show off a bit of her hips, but it's hard to be mad when she told me that was for me. She is wearing normal pants though… and heels.
(A/N: I went with Genshin Impact Xianyun's beta design… or should I say her Gamma design? Eh? Eh?... sorry)
"Pgayh!" said Gamma as she stumbled, before I pulled her back up since we were holding hands.
"I'll admit, using her clumsiness as part of her disguise was a nice touch." Said Violet as she lightly giggled.
Right, although with the new and improved slime suit, I had created for the girls with the help of Eta, her team, and the tech I was given by Lea. We had made Gamma's first, using the tech in Leon's armored angel set that helps him stay upright while flying to allow Gamma to perfectly maintain her balance.
However, for her current disguise I thought it would be a good idea to have her pretend to be a sword master who no longer practices and isn't well known due to the fact she was once injured. Gamma's natural clumsiness now instead looks like someone stumbling due to injuries…
Gamma did pout a bit when I pitched it to her, but she couldn't argue with the one FREE chip I cashed in.
"You know she's probably expecting you to use that for something right?" pointed out Violet.
…Huh. Thank you, I almost disappointed her.
…
Wait shit, I promised Alpha and Eta I'd help them with something tonight. And their expressions told me it wasn't related to the normal kind of research.
"Aren't you used to taking on multiple opponents at once?" asked Violet, knowing full well how panicked I felt right now. "fufufu, better pick up some stamina potions."
My grip on Gamma's hand increases a little. She squeezes back happily.
As we get closer to registration, I start to notice some of the participants talking.
Participant A said, "Hey, that's…"
While participant B chimes in with, "Huh? Is that…! Annerose of Velgata's Seven Blades."
"Oh yeah," recalls participant C, "the one who beat an ancient warrior at the Goddess' Trial a while back."
"Wasn't it just a few weeks ago?" questioned Violet.
Swordsmen work on different time schedules, after all it takes naught but a fraction of a second to change the course of battle.
Violet nods within my head, as if saying 'fair enough.'
"Man, talk about an imposing aura…" said participant A.
Gamma and I walk over to sign up. But right before I can sign, I feel my hand grabbed by someone. I look over and find a woman in all blue armor and similarly colored hair and eyes.
"You there." Said the swords woman.
"Huh?" I reply as Mundane, secretly exhilarated.
"Oh? Should I and the other girls be worried?" said Violet with a cold voice.
Oh no, I'm happy due to the fact that she's setting up things exactly as I wanted.
"Hey, I don't think you should enter the Bushin festival." Said the woman, who I recognize as the Annerose the other participants had been talking about. If I recall correctly she went on before Leon in the Goddess' Trial.
"Why would you say that?" I mutter.
Annerose gestures to all of my appearance, "Your sword is cheap, and your body is frail. Nothing is redeemable in the slightest."
Inwardly I nod happily. Just as I thought, this is the scene where the wimpy guy tries to enter the big tourney that always happens without fail.
Annerose shakes her head, "Look I'm telling you this for your own good. Don't enter. Take this lightly, and you'll be lucky if you can walk away in once piece. I'm sure your…" Annerose looks at my hand still joined with Gamma's before she continues, "wife…?"
"Master." Clarifies Gamma, smugly pushing up her glasses.
"Did you make those a little big on her on purpose? I feel like they shouldn't be sliding that much." Asked Violet.
Oh no, that just happens with all glasses.
In any case I look back to Annerose's now slightly disturbed face as she does her best to continue, "…I'm sure your… master… wouldn't want to lose you."
Gamma and I share a look before sighing. Annerose raises a brow as I rip my hand away from her, looking firmly into her eyes and telling her, "You shouldn't judge people by their looks."
Annerose slightly fumes at this, "What? I'm trying to look out for you…"
"Save it." I said as I finished signing up.
"My disciple," said Gamma as she does the same, "Is far stronger than he looks. I didn't train him to accomplish nothing."
Annerose makes an 'oh' face at the mention of disciple, but before she can say anything I hear someone from behind us.
"Woah there," said the man, "when someone tries to help you it's best that you listen."
We all turn around to see the stereotypical canon fodder buff guy. Large build, bald head, eyepatch, facial hair, yup checks out. He looks the part of a brutish pro wrestler.
To his credit, the big well-worn sword at his waist and the scars across his face also give him the air of a dude who's seen his fair share of battles. He's probably the strongest person here besides me, Gamma, and Annerose.
"Yeah, I just said that!" said Annerose while frowning.
The man gestures at himself with his thumb, "The name's Quintion. I've fought in the festival plenty of times, and there's always chumps like you ruining the mood. So, take you and your girl's fine ass home."
I, Gamma, Violet, and Annerose all frown at that last statement. Only getting more pissed as his cronies begin to heckle us.
"Hahahaha! You tell 'em!" cackled Heckler A.
Looks like I have no choice.
"Oh man." I say aggravated, drawing their aggro.
"What was that…?!" one heckler shoots back.
I turn to the group fully, one hand on my sword and using the other to push Gamma behind me. "I'm stronger than you at least."
I can hear Gamma smile at this, while Annerose seems to gasp worriedly. But I gotta ride the big wave!
Quintion growls at this, while he is egged on by his cronies.
"He's givin' ya lip, Quntion!" they shout. "You just gonna take that?"
Quinton finds his frustration growing even more, and he tries to reach for my collar. But before he can-
The familiar *VRRR* of a laser bladed sword interrupts the commotion. Quintion stays still as we all glance over to the side and see the current crown prince of Holfort.
Oh, and he's here with Iris too… is that a tiara? Since when did she wear one of those?
"*gasp* look at her hand…! Looook!" said Violet, shaking my soul as hard as she could. I do as she asks and see a ring on Iris' left hand.
Ah, that would explain why Claire hasn't bothered me lately.
"Hey now," said Leon with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, "the fights haven't started just yet. Unless you want to fight with me here and now."
Quinton looked closely at Leon who not only has this sick as fuck laser sword, but also has his favorite sawed off shot gun in the other. I can tell you, Leon can one hand it if he needs to.
Quinton decides to make the right choice and backs off. Iris takes a good look at me and Gamma.
"You know," said Iris, "I'm not one to judge based off of appearance alone, but perhaps you should consider what you're fighting for. If it's a job you need then I could offer you a place in a number of platoons."
I shake my head.
Gamma pushes up her glasses once more, and states, "I'm afraid that we have something to prove here."
Iris folds her arms and nods in understanding. "Yes, I suppose I can understand that much. However, I will warn you, I'm going to be participating this year as well."
With that Leon and Iris left after Iris signed up for the tournament. Looks like Leon isn't participating this time. Meh, considering what he probably did a while ago his now fiancés are probably eating up all of his time.
As Gamma and I walk away from Annerose who seems to be sheepish in some regard, probably for starting everything, I start to think that maybe I should get Claire a gift or something to celebrate her engagement. Part of me is a little curious how it all went down.
-Leon 1 week ago-
A while ago Cid and Luna gave me the offer of ordering some rings through Mitsugoshi. I had picked them up as well as some custom ordered tiaras. Honestly it was the day after I had woken up and we arrived at the capital of Midgar that I went straight to Mitsugoshi and picked up my order.
I was pretty grateful that Luna, who I am decently sure is a reincarnated woman given everything I've seen in Mitsugoshi, had made it so every Mitsugoshi is essentially the same. I think I've heard that the ones in the capitals of kingdoms are a little different compared to ones in other towns or cities, but I'm not sure.
In any case I remember walking straight to the jewelry area where Luna herself had happily handed over he large parcel to me and Luxion. From there I went to Partner after asking Luxion to ask everyone to meet me in a couple of hours. I remember being something of a nervous wreck and asking Cleare a bunch of stuff to pass the time.
"So, you're saying that technically Elves are clones of Old Humanity?" I asked.
Cleare shook her little orb body (I suppose if you wish to say that they were created with Old Humanity's DNA then yes, but no. Elves cannot be considered human. As I explained, I was created as a research focused AI, tasked with creating the next step in humanity. I was mainly working with the diabolos cells and seeing how they'd react with humans.)
"…I'm going to guess it wasn't with willing volunteers." I deadpan.
(Actually, I had a few, and it's with their DNA that I created the elves and therianthropes.)
I blinked, "Wait so you created all of them? But I thought you said that your testing sight was pushed there after Diabolos' arm was found. Which kinda implies that the three heroes already existed."
(Ah, yes. I was moved there. I existed before hand. You see I had been tasked with seeing if Old humanity could be changed to adapt to magic, be tougher, and live longer.)
I recognized that those were all traits the elves and therianthropes shared.
I scratched my head, "Wait… but how did you get them to… y'know, live?"
(Oh, well most of my experiments resulted in what people referred to as 'horrifying chimeras' or 'affronts to God.' I wasn't the one who did that.)
"So how did it happen? A miracle?" I asked.
(…Well, most of the people that worked with me were male. It's why I speak with a female sounding voice despite possessing no gender as I am an AI. So, I had the idea that perhaps I could get DNA samples the old fashion way.)
I admit it took a few seconds for the realization to hit me, but I couldn't help but go "Oh god no." when I figured it out.
Cleare's mechanical laughter rang through the air as she continued (Hihihi~ Yes. I had made several of my test subjects resemble voluptuous women and the lonely male researchers were glad to donate their material. They even would make some requests.)
I cross my arms as I think on the implications of that, "…I mean, I know that technically those weren't people… but that's kinda messed up when I think about it…"
(Oh, I can assure you that most of my co-workers were lonely desperate men that treated their pseudo wives quite nicely.)
"Wha…" I say baffled, "But weren't they members of the Cult? You're telling me they were nice to the creations when they did all those messed up things to the children?"
(Well, a lot of them were just doing their jobs.)
…
I remember taking a breath.
"But the children? They didn't feel anyway about them?" I couldn't help but ask.
(Oh, most of them loved them! Why else do you think there's elves and therianthropes walking around? The researchers took their 'wives' and children out. Not all of them survived doing so, but one way or another the cult ended up shrinking in size and scope and elves and therianthropes became a normal part of life. You know, it's funny but despite the low birth rate elven and animalistic features are dominant genes, so if a human were to do it with such a species, they'll have a child with those features.)
"So, it's just the seriously messed up people that stayed and did all that." I said, feeling a little better about things.
(Oh, how rude. I was one of the ones who stayed you knoooow~)
[Precisely]
(You're so mean~ I'm going to cry~ sob sob sob)
I chuckle sardonically at the by play until I feel someone pinch my cheek. I look to the right and see a wild pouting Livia.
"Lux-kun it's not nice to tease your girlfriend like that," chided Livia as she pinched both of my cheeks this time, "I may love Leon and all his eccentricities, but you shouldn't copy him like that."
[…I believe I just experienced something of a cold shiver going down my robotic spine.]
(You're so meaaaaan~ Waaaaaah~!)
Cleare then flew out of the room, but I got the impression that she was just playing around. I looked to Luxion as Livia stopped pulling at my cheeks and kissed them instead.
[Sigh. I'll go after her. But I'll remind you that I am an AI. Neither of us have feelings. Much less towards each other.]
Luxion then flew after Cleare, and I can't help but feel like he's only proving Livia's theory.
In any case, I turn around and see that right now it's only me and Livia. Right, I asked the girls to meet me at night so since the sun's still out this wouldn't be that.
"Hey." I say while kissing Livia on the cheek, "Just wanted to see me?"
"There's never a time I don't," replies Livia, "but I wanted to talk about something."
"Shoot," I replied.
"The staff has been fixed. But… I was waiting for you to wake up before I tried to touch it." Admitted Livia.
I nodded and grabbed her hand, kissing her one more time. Livia returns it, and even tries to force her tongue in—the little minx—but I use all my mental strength to pull away.
"Okay, let's go get Angie and anyone else you want there. I'm sure that Mary won't be able to do anything to you with all of us there." I said with my best smile.
Livia smiled beautifully back.
-Olivia 1 week ago-
Leon, Angie, Claire, Deirdre, Clarice, and Iris all stand behind me encouragingly as I look at the now completed staff. I know that it's floating in air because of Lux-kun's technology, but the way it stays suspended in air thanks to a glowing light makes me a bit hesitant to actually touch it.
I gulp nervously and look back to everyone.
"You can do it Livia!" Cheered Clarice.
"The only one who has something to be scared of something is the staff," crooned Deirdre.
"Yeah! Just put on your best scary look and you'll be good!" said Claire. "Just imagine that Leon's doing something stupid again!"
"*Chuckle* if it helps, I guess. But know that we're here with you the entire way, okay?" said Leon.
"If you'd like I could try to grab it with you." Offered Angie, "Given our experience with Ann's accessories I imagine we'd have an easier time with Mary's together."
Iris chimes in too, "I may not know much of everything. But I know this, you have a warrior's look in your eyes."
I nod gratefully, "Right… I'm going to do this by myself. But if I need help, I'll ask."
Everyone smiles and I start reaching for Mary's staff.
As I do I start to feel Mary's wave of negative emotions as well. She's sad. She's angry. She's desperate.
Yet…
At the same time I feel like she's calmed down a bit since the last time I was close to the staff. As though she's not holding onto the thing anymore.
I take one deep breath and finally touch the staff. I feel all of those negative emotions watch over me and-
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Livia…"
Huh?
"Livia…."
Leon?
"Who?"
I open my eyes and see the familiar face of a boy that I admittedly don't talk to much.
"Julius…?" I ask as I get up, doing my best to rub the sleep out of my eyes. Looks like I fell asleep or something when I tried to hold the staff.
But…
To my horror…
As I take in my surroundings I realize two things.
One: I am in a church.
Two: Julius and I are wearing the outfits of a bride and groom.
"Julius…" I say as though the mere utterance of his name hurts to say. "Where are we?"
Julius chuckles, "That good of a nap, eh? Livia, it's our wedding day."
…
I get up immediately, my head hurting. I look around and see that we're in the bride's waiting room.
I can hear the faint hum of a piano playing in the background.
…
My body… it feels week. I can barely feel any trace of the magical energy that I've been building up over the past few years…
"Julius…" I whisper, feeling faint. "Where's the others?"
Julius smiles, or at least I think he does. I can't stand to look at him right now.
"Brad, Chris, Greg, and Jilk are all waiting for us at the altar." Said Julius.
…
No!
NO!
"Where's Angie?" I demanded.
"Angie…?" questioned Julius.
"Angelica. Where. Is. She." I demanded, my voice shaking.
Julius chuckles once more, and it's the worst sound I've ever heard.
"She was banished a long time ago. You don't need to worry about her bothering us. If she did show up again, we'd deal with her." Julius tries to walk closer to me but I keep pacing in the room, so he stops, "Look, last I heard Jilk mentioned something about how she was married off to some ugly Baron. From what we've heard they actually get along pretty well."
Baron.
Ugly.
Gets along with Angie…
"What about Leon?" I asked.
"Who?" said Julius, completely confused.
I don't turn around, as I feel tears beginning to well up in my eyes, "Leon Fou Barfort. He is a renowned adventurer. He is very dear to me. Where. Is. He."
Julius stays silent. "…I don't know anyone by that name. But what do you mean dear to you? Livia-" don't call me that "-You didn't have any friends back at the academy."
Yes, I did.
Yes, I do.
I want to yell. I want to scream.
I look to my right, preparing to do something. But then I see my reflection in a mirror.
…
It's Angie. But with one red eye and one blue eye.
…
Wait…
I turn back to my front and look up, there's a stain-glass picture of the Saintess. I've seen it a billion times before in my hometown church. Every Sunday I'd go with my parents and worship her and the story the priests would tell us about how she had saved the world and helped found the kingdom.
But…
None of that really happened, now did it?
No. I've been in the front row, finding out about how false much of my entire world was built on lies.
…But!
I know one thing that was true.
"Mary," I say while staring at the depiction of the woman who seems to be staring back at me, "This is your memory, isn't it?"
I feel a hand on my frail shoulder, and the man that I thought was Julius turns me around to him. His voice looks like it's been scribbled out by a black marker to me, but his mouth is still visible, especially as he yells, "Ann! You can't seriously still be thinking about Mary and Lea! After everything we-"
I look at the monster that's holding on to me. On to Mary. I remember what he did. I feel around for any and all mana that I can gather. I think back to my friends.
I want to learn more about Iris. I know she's fiercely protective of Alexia and easy to tease, but we haven't spent much time together.
I want to go airbike riding with Clarice, she promised we'd make an entire day of it.
I want to have try on outfits with Deirdre, since she said she'd teach me how to make my hair all curly like hers and wear those big poofy dresses.
I want to go on an adventure with Claire. I want to work side by side with her as we uncover something of our own, or just have fun while we look.
Angie… I want to have another tea party with you and Leon. I want to hold you, sleep next to each other, and give you a big kiss.
Leon… I saw those orders for the rings, and I'm not leaving until you put one on me and a baby in me! Damn it! I want to grow old with you! I want to have as many kids that you, me, and the other girls will put out and raise them with more love than anyone would expect!
I'm going to go see everyone again!
My body is filled with mana, and I look at Julian. I look at the monster that separated me from the people I loved once before. I coat my fist in magic.
I swing it just like Claire and Leon taught me, square in the face.
And the world shatters around me.
.
.
.
.
.
"Livia…?"
I open my eyes immediately. I'm holding the staff, but it doesn't feel sad anymore. It's wistful if anything.
I looked up, and I see Leon. My Leon.
"Livia…" he asks with that adorably concerned face.
"Leon…" I say with a large smile threatening to burst my face open. "It's really you right?"
Leon nods, "You scared us there for a second, but…"
"We felt you call for help, so we gave you all the mana we could." Finished Angie.
Claire walked up and pointed to the staff, or to be more specific its gem. "I don't know exactly what happened, but after you took all the mana you could, that changed, and you woke up a couple of seconds after."
The gem once was a solid red that glowed in a menacing pattern, but now looks like a swirling heart pattern of red and blue. Iris and Clarice help me to my feet, and I wave the staff a little bit back and forth, admiring how it feels in my hands.
I then looked back to Leon.
My Leon.
My precious and now low mana Leon.
I smile, slam the staff on the ground, and call forth chains that shoot out from the gem and capture Leon.
"Whoah!?" shouts My Leon as I drag him towards me.
When he gets within arms distance I place my hand on his body.
"Hama." I chant. Normally this is used an instant kill move, however this time, I use it to immediately rip off all of Leon's clothes. Well, less 'rip' and more 'turn to ash.'
"Livia!?" shouts My Leon as he tries to hide Balmung and its accompanying jewels.
I turn to the other girls who are all some shade of red, especially Iris who is desperately trying not to peek while also not doing a proper job of covering her eyes.
"I'll be borrowing him for a bit." I say, offering no alternative before I drag off Leon. The girls all waving cheerfully in some manner. Deirdre and Clarice in particular are laughing.
-Angelica 1 Week Ago-
I had originally expected for Leon's plans to change following Livia awakening the power behind the staff. However, once he had been freed—and healed—from his activities with her he asked for us to continue as we had originally planned.
Luxion, who had finished making up with his wife Cleare, had asked us to dress nicely.
So, I obviously had no choice but to wear the black and red dress that I know drives Leon absolutely crazy. All the girls wore something that fit them rather well.
Livia wore a dress that looked somewhat like the Saintess' dress but if it had a black and blue color scheme instead.
Clarice wore an all-white dress that flowed off her in such a way that made her look like an angel or perhaps a fairy.
Iris wore her crimson knight outfit, and also brought a sword with her for some reason.
Clarice wore a suit much like one of Leon's as well and put her hair into a high ponytail.
Deirdre wore a rather… fetching outfit that showed off her body rather well, especially considering the gold chains that helped to highlight it.
(A/N: So, for Livia and Deirdre's outfits, imagine F/GO Morgan le Fay's outfit (the one with the veil, Livia doesn't have the crown/veil but yeah that one) and BB Dubai's outfit.)
All in all, we were essentially prepared for war. Literally in Iris' case. We had to ask her to please not try and stab Leon. She shyly exchanged her sword for a wooden practice one.
We then walked through the doorway to the lobby room that Leon was waiting in, we were greeted by the sight of our beloved man in his finest suit standing in front of the now golden room that resembled the starry night sky behind him. He turns to us and smiles.
Now, I'll admit that for as much as that face of his is my favorite face in the world. It isn't most people's definition of attractive. It's mainly due to the fact that he is a bit shorter than the likes of other men, and his face is rather exhausted looking. I find it cute. But there are moments where he smiles, and his eyes come back to life. And in those moments…
Mm…
I looked to my left and saw Livia wiping some drool off of her face. I made sure to check mine as well.
"Hey, glad to see you all. Care for some tea?" offered Leon, as he always does. We all accepted and enjoyed him pulling out the chairs for us and beginning his normal routine of serving us all tea. However, I believe all of us are capable of noticing how his hands had shaken this time around before he took his own seat. I can't help but smile, knowing what he likely has planned.
…
Or he plans to ask us all if we would do it with him at the same time, which I suppose I am not opposed to, per se, but I would appreciate it if he kept such requests to himself until we are properly married.
Eventually the silence is broken by the sound of Leon clearing his throat and standing up again, "*Ahem* so… I… *ahem* I want to start tonight by making sure that you all know… what I think any woman in a relationship should know about me."
Ah that's right, Leon had only told the others about Lea's existence and hinted towards the reincarnation angle.
Leon looks to me and Livia and we smile encouragingly, spurring him to continue, "So… this may sound like a work of fiction, but to be honest so does a lot of our lives currently."
"Tell me about it," mutters Iris.
To which Claire sardonically chuckles and adds in "Here, here," before clinking her cup with Iris' like they were toasting.
The by play helps Leon relax a bit, his shoulders drooping just enough to still be formal but not tense. He continues, going on to talk to the girls about everything.
His past life as Lea of Bart's fort. How he had come across said information. His confrontation with Lea which I was able to confirm.
His past life as Hiro, and how in that life he had been sister to a woman named Hanabi, who'd reincarnate as Marie Fou Lafan. But more importantly, how that life would end with him playing the story Alto Liebe.
There were many questions about that, of course. Especially from Claire and Iris given that in that game apparently the Midgardian kingdom having to send its students to Holfort's school wasn't a thing. But when Luxion had confirmed Leon's Old Human heritage, as well as giving the summary of what that entails, they accepted it.
We took some breaks, Iris and Claire even exchanging some blows with practice swords to calm down. They weren't angry with Leon, no, but the amount of knowledge that we were given over the course of the two hours got to everyone.
Eventually we all took our seats once more. Claire, as always, was the most driven one and broke the silence with a question, "So… why bring this up? I mean, sure we're dating you right now, and I appreciate the honesty, but like… I don't see much of a purpose other than being sweet."
Leon takes a deep breath. A habit of his lately.
Then he says the words I had been expecting but sweep me off my feet nonetheless, "Because I want to marry you… I… I don't want to be another King Roland, some asshole that keeps bringing in new girls and makes you all feel bad as a result. I don't understand how our relationship has ended up the way it has, but I'm not going to ruin it. And I want to give you something that shows my sincerity."
Our relationship with Leon was based upon the premise of marriage, all of us. Yes, there are some political aspects to it, given all of our stations, but still. I know for a fact that most of us love Leon with all our hearts.
Leon walks over to the far side of the room and deactivates something. When he does, a table which has a row of jewelry cases, two for each of us, is shown.
Leon nervously starts to ramble while looking away, "I…I-uh can't exactly do the kneeling thing so-uh I thought this might be more romantic? Or familiar…? I guess… Uhm, but I… I got you each a ring. And a tiara. Because I am going to be King of Holfort, so you'd all be-like princess consorts if not queens or something… I-I know that traditionally there's a whole party to announce engagements, and I felt like that could be more one on one. But… I wanted to do this, in my own way too, y'know?"
I imagine the look on Leon's face is rather adorable, but I couldn't see it due to the tears going down my cheeks. I do know that we all raced up to our respective rings, but I can't even recall what was said after he slid the ring on my finger and the tiara on my head.
I do know that we all slept in the same room, and yes slept given that we were so overcome with joy that the thought of lust didn't cross any of our minds.
When I woke up, however…
A/N: Here's the Leon x Angie Lemon
Angie showing Leon how much she loves him.
A/N: Lemon's over
-Cid/Minoru/Shadow/Mundane Mann-
After Claire had spent the better part of an hour describing how last week her sweet Leon was so sweet and cute for proposing to her, getting her a ring and tiara, etc. etc.
Like, props to Leon. I only gave my girls promise rings so far. But I didn't need to hear about all that for an entire hour.
"Don't try to lie to yourself while I'm in here." Teased Violet, "You're happy for them."
Some things go without saying.
In any case, I now find myself waiting outside Midgar Academy's dorms. Eating a tuna burger from Tuna King as Gamma, Eta, and Alpha get something ready in my room. I'm a bit nervous as to what that is, honestly, but with how much they indulge me and my hobby I figure I'll be a good boyfriend and let them take the reins this time.
Hopefully I was able to play the part of a pathetic man that might have more about him well enough. Honestly it would have helped if the bald guy tried to beat me up and someone saw that I was perfectly find after, but then Gamma might have stepped in and it wouldn't have worked… actually now that I think about it that seems more like the plot of some NTR trash than something an Eminence in Shadow would do.
Mm, good old Leon, taking care of stuff I either don't care about, don't notice, or didn't want to.
"Again with that… it's not a hobby, the cult is real!" said Violet, slightly frustrated. I got the impression that she was stamping her foot like a petulant child, which given her deceptively light voice paints a rather funny picture. "… Am not…"
In any case, the first heat is next week so I have plenty of time to just spend time with the shades and Leon will probably keep Claire busy, and probably Alexia too given Iris.
Suddenly the flutter of some honey-colored curls interrupts my thoughts. I look behind the bench I'm sitting on to see Rose. She has her hair tied up in a ponytail and she's wearing the training gear provided by the school. Y'know, I don't think I've spent time with her one on one like this before.
"That's a very carefree look on your face," pointed out Rose as she circled around the bench and took a seat next to me. "You should be vigilant at all times."
I made room for Rose, and she smiled gratefully. I decide to be nice and ask, "Hey. Were you practicing? How diligent."
"Yes. And I see you've been to Tuna King?" Rose nods in my direction before smiling as she recalls something, "Their food is delicious. I went there with Alexia and Miss Natsume the other day."
"Oh?" I said pleasantly surprised at Beta's ability to make friends, "You three are close?"
Rose nods again, "Yes. I've especially been hitting it off with Miss Natsume lately! And Alexia is a very kind girl. So, it's easy to get along with her."
Come to think of it, Alexia is usually nicer to girls. Maybe she has problems with guys? Wait no it's just me she acts like that with. Man, wonder what I did to piss her off so bad. Like sometimes when she sees me now, she'll immediately turn red with anger.
"Oh my gooooooood. You're lucky you're cute!" groaned Violet.
Rose's smile loses a bit of its luster, "Listen… Cid. The truth is… I'm going to meet my fiancé after this."
I blink in surprise. I'd think that she'd have mentioned this before.
Rose bows slightly like she's apologizing to me, "It's true… please, don't make that sad face. I have already betrayed many people's expectations due to my selfish behavior. And I might end up causing disappointment again. But… this time I'm not doing it for myself. Whatever happens to me… I hope that you'll believe in me. That's all I wish for. I hope we can meet like this again."
My one few platonic friends then turns away. I admit, I feel a little bad.
So, I get up and get her attention, "Hey," I say before tossing a burger her way, "Take it. You should relax a bit"
Rose fumbles with the bag a bit and as she does, I notice something.
"That girl is showing signs of possession…" points out Violet.
I got room for one more good deed today, I guess.
"Rose, mind staying still for a sec?" I say.
Rose nods, a bit confused.
I place my hand on her shoulder, and she closes her eyes and leans in. This of course makes it easier for me to touch her solar plexus and reduce her possession symptoms. Unfortunately, when it comes to curing humans, it doesn't just go away like it does with the others. They'll have the bruises for a couple of days before it finally fades away. I give Rose a platonic hug and send her on her way.
See Violet? If the cult was real, then Rose would've freaked out at me curing her possession.
"Or she didn't realize what was going on because you're so dense." Grumbled Violet.
I roll my eyes at that and decide that it's probably been long enough to go back to my room.
As I open the door, I see that my bed (which I somehow got a queen in my tiny room) has three elves in adorable looking pajamas.
"Cid," greeted Alpha as she always does, "Welcome back. Please get ready for bed."
I nod, "so… we're just cuddling today?" I asked as I got ready for bed.
"Eta and I did a lot today, so we'd prefer to do it early in the morning if it's alright with you." Said Alpha.
I nod, not seeing the harm in it.
I lie on my back like always, and Alpha takes my right arm, Gamma my left… But Eta…
"Eta," I asked, "What are you doing?"
Eta, who had burrowed her way underneath my shirt peered with her cute purple eyes in confusion, "Getting…comfy…zzz…"
Alpha, Gamma, and I all sigh at this but decide to go ahead and go to bed.
But that morning…
A/N: Here's the second lemon
Cid chained up and does it with Violet through use of slime, then teased to hell by Alpha and the other girls.
A/N: Second lemon over
After everything with the girls, I figured I'd have a slow day. As far as I know the classes aren't going to start again until after the Bushin Festival. I did end up promising Eta that I'd go check on Leon's armor again, but that can wait until later.
However, when Alpha and I went to the garden while my room was… airing out-
"Cid!" shouted Leon as he ran up to me and Alpha, "Have you seen Rose?"
Alpha and I looked at each other and shook our heads no.
"Has something happened?" questioned Alpha.
Cid pursed his lips before taking out a newspaper and handing it to us.
Front page reads: Princess of Oriana—attempted king slayer!? Princess Rose Oriana is on the run after attempting to murder her fiancé!
Man, he must be some kind of perverted ass hat.
.
.
.
A/N: Okay, that's the end of this chapter. Here's where the next arc starts proper. I suppose this is technically another filler, but eh.
So rant is here, skip to the comments if you want to see that instead.
Couple of things I've noticed while reading the other fanfics of both Mobuseka and EiS is that a lot seem to forget that the series will timeskip a lot. Like for instance, Leon and Livia hung out for about a semester at school before the end of term ball. It only takes place over a few chapters though so people likely forget the times if they don't have the original pulled up like I used to.
This happens in EiS a lot as well. It's part of the reason that the game can say that all the events happened, because it may as well have given how much time was spent at each location. A lot of the time Cid spends at school is just skipped over, and I don't think we get a lot of dates, other than by the time he meets with Alpha in the bar after the school death game arc, a year has passed.
It bothers me a lot because some people seem to forget that stuff when asking why the characters acted the way they did. Like Leon, he doesn't go from reincarnating to getting the engagement pressed on him immediately. He grows up from a little kid to a 15-year-old appreciating his life and the way it is. Yeah, he gets complacent, up until Zola forces the marriage issue, he's actually pretty happy with where he's at. Like it could've been better, but Zola was an outlier to him at that point. He found out how bad things really were thanks to Luxion and his own experiences when he got to the academy.
Also, just a funny thing I noticed was that some readers seemed to not like EiS. Like they kinda don't like my fic because it's a crossover. Like, to each their own, but it's pretty funny.
Speaking of people mentioning my fic: the Leon working for a black company thing was made up. Like he might've, it's not really mentioned though. What is canon about his self-deprecating personality's origin is that it's mentioned is that he only recalls his mom, from his past life, being the one person to say she loves him prior to Livia confessing in the fanoss invasion. Which… makes me feel bad for him and explains a lot about him and how he accepts others feelings.
Last thing, apparently some people really don't like 10k word chapters, thinking that 2 K would do a lot better. Like, I know there's no pleasing everyone but… *looks at this chapter being 12K with the NSFW bits* Nyoops. To be fair I think my favorite fics have chapters at about that 2K length though.
Rant over, let's answer the comments:
QQ-
Someone ani: Yeah, I really think Gamma is underutilized too, especially when considering one of Cid's few passions is money.
Cid having someone to be the 'straight man' to his antics mentally is kinda what led me to lean into the persona based magic system. I originally thought of crossing over EiS with persona instead of Mobuseka for that reason.
Oh and as the game has proved recently, all the demon forms are hot as fuck. Can't wait to see if/when Alpha gets one considering how nice Beta's two alternate costumes were.
Zackman2k12: thanks for reading!
Someone ani (omake): Yeah before I started playing the game I never realized that about the two and I think Epsilon's relationship with Eta is just stupid cute. I hadn't gotten that convo yet, but nice to see.
Dragon_cloud16: This story isn't going anywhere, just read at your own pace. It makes me happy to see new comments.
I hadn't had Clarice talk for a bit and figured that since I gave the other girls a turn it'd be nice to give her one again. The girls know about Mylene, they just don't all know she's the queen.
So part of it was his fight against her ancestor's clone, but also because of Leon's stolen armor pieces.
Aurora is both amused and annoyed. Most people's reaction to spending time with Cid.
As for your comment on the omake, I think maybe you skipped the last paragraph. Since there she immediately runs up to Beta and tackles her to the ground in an impromptu make out session.-
Guest: Oh no, I acknowledge it's a little off sometimes. But sometimes like with the truth seekers event, I felt like it still worked.
Thanks for reading, and yeah I think Gamma's fight was my favorite part too for that reason. All of the shades care about one another, so they'd be overjoyed for Gamma.
SB-
MWKillKenny84: Honestly I think having any sex is what sets most people apart from a shounen protagonist.
Lmao yeah Julius's going to be pissed about Leon being with Mylene.
Ao3-
Totntotbt: Glad I could show you the demon outfits lol. They're great.
So it's like bits and pieces of the souls. Other bits have other memories but are still linked to her somewhat.
Deathfang1920: thanks!
Wolfpaladin: I guess the Mylene lemon was a little bit of a surprise, but I could have sworn I mentioned that I was going to write it.
Eta got her turn today and that accounts for all seven shades now.
She's only sorta an agent, she's too pure to really be a member honestly.
Oh yeah the John Smith arc is going to be painful. :D
Gamma's intervention won't really pop up till the major events.
I mean Beatrix isn't in Shadow Garden. She knows Alpha's safe and alive if that's what you meant.
But yeah Leon and the gang are going to change the fight a bit.
I think Rose's recruitment starts next chapter. Like yeah it's not a done deal till the end of the arc, but I think it starts next time.
Guest (Guest): Huh, didn't know that about the author. I did know why they split up the fic though. Honestly it's kinda funny that there's a fic where Cid takes over the story of Naruto considering all the times the reverse happens, though those are the kinds I usually hate.
BOY4_GOW: Ah, I thought that's what you meant but wasn't sure.
Lmao, yeah true. I can't imagine I made her life any better by making her a member of a cult ran church.
Yup. Fun thing about Aurora, she really does look like a ghost. I mean, in her Yukata alt in MoG her skin is actually really pale/white compared to the others.
I wonder how much force is needed to crush Luxion like that, he's hit a bunch by Leon after all.
Luxion is only going to be more fed up now that Cleare's here. Lol.
It ain't Cid if he ain't dense and in denial.
Rainsensei: That sounds like an interesting approach to it.
DivineDemonDragon: Lmao, that scene with her ancestor was hilarious. Kinda want to draw Epsilon doing that with Beta in some kinda like 4-koma format.
Anisomeone: damn. The accidental predictions continuing is one of the most hilarious things about writing this fic. Also I tried to get the alt with three 10 pulls but didn't get it. Hopefully I can get her demon alt when it comes out.