Chapter 2: The Villainous Scion Masquerades as a Mob Soldier

Now that Nirvana had left, I stood there dumbfounded.

I’d gone out of my way to ensure she wouldn’t suffer any sexual violence that might tarnish Kain, but her affection toward me had skyrocketed to the point where she kissed me…!

To lower her favorability, I’d imposed training so Spartan it’d be too harsh for any girl. I expected her to break down crying or complaining to Kain, but she showed no such signs. Far from giving up, she nearly completed it all.

My only saving grace was that Kain didn’t witness the scene. If he had, given his personality, he’d be burning with jealousy and come at me with a sword. For my dream of living a slow life to come true, I need to play matchmaker for Nirvana and Kain, ensuring they end up together.

As I walked down the gentleman’s dormitory corridor, hand on my chin, bobbing my head while pondering a clever plan, I noticed something.

What’s this?

«To my beloved daughter Elise»

I unfolded a letter that had fallen on the corridor floor, addressed to Elise. The sender was Count Magdalia. It seemed to be a request for Elise to return and help revive the count’s family.

Talk about keeping things close to the chest—she could’ve told me sooner.

“Coming in,” I said.

Even though it was my own room, I knocked. The moment I opened the door, I was speechless.

“Onii-sama! Welcome back!”

“Nord-sama!?”

“Sorry… seems I was lacking in consideration…”

“N-no, it’s not what it looks like!”

“Let me know when you’re done…”

I said a quick word to Elise and Marie, then gently closed the door. I’m not so tactless as to intrude on a yuri moment. Marie was suckling at Elise’s bountifully ripened breasts.

As expected, I need to stay wary of Elise… Not only has she charmed Meina-san, but now even Marie. To think she’d get so close to my precious family, filling the outer moat to trap me—she’s not to be underestimated.

As I admired how Elise had grown so close to Marie, who usually only opens up to me and Meina-san, the room’s door slowly opened. Normally, Elise is meticulous about her appearance, but she must’ve been in such a rush that her maid outfit’s hem was disheveled… and somehow erotic.

“Nord-sama… i-it’s not what you think…”

Elise lowered her brows, offering an awkward excuse, but I’m not so narrow-minded as to say a servant can’t fall in love with her master’s sister.

“My bad,” I said.

“Eh? Nord-sama, apologizing…?”

“I didn’t realize you were so into breastfeeding play. Marie’s starved for a mother’s love. Don’t worry about me—give her plenty.”

“Ehh!? No, that’s not it… I was just having Marie-sama help me…”

Help? Oh, the shocking scene made me forget something important—the letter.

“Come up with a better excuse. More importantly, you dropped this.”

I pulled the letter addressed to Elise from my breast pocket and handed it to her.

“Did you read it?” she asked.

“Only the bare minimum.”

“I’m not going back. I’m staying with Nord-sama.”

What!?

Elise responded as if she’d read my mind before I could even speak.

I’d prefer if she went back to her parents… It’d reduce the hate Kain directs at me.

“Wait! You’re loved by your parents. A child’s place is with them.”

“For me, the best place is with Nord-sama.”

Argh! She always has a comeback…

Elise is stubborn—unyielding when it comes to things she won’t compromise on.

No choice… I didn’t want to resort to this, but here goes.

“Go back to your parents. That’s an order from your master!”

“…Y-yes.”

Seeing Elise hold back tears, desperately trying not to cry, made me feel like I’d done something wrong.

In [Rising Hero], Elise became Nord’s lust-fulfillment maid to save her parents from the guillotine after falling into his schemes. Yet now, she doesn’t want to leave my side…

But I steel my heart.

I have a goal: to protect my family, Marie and Meina-san, and live a slow life.

“Onii-sama? What’s wrong?” Marie asked.

“Marie, Elise is going back to her parents for the fall break.”

“Elie-tan, is that true?”

“Yes…”

“Hnng…”

When Elise replied weakly, Marie’s mouth curved into a sad frown, letting out a sorrowful sound. I placed a hand on Marie’s head, soothing her.

“Marie, it’s like Elise is visiting home. Let’s give her a farewell gift.”

“Okay…”

Marie and I packed our respective gifts into a box and handed it to Elise.

“Thank you… Separating from Nord-sama and Marie-sama feels like my heart is tearing apart, but I’ll return to my parents, hoping to see you again. When I come back, I’ll serve you twice as hard to make up for the time missed!”

“Yeah, serve your parents well while you’re there.”

“Nord-sama!”

Elise, overcome with emotion, hugged me tightly. She must’ve really wanted to see her parents.

I can lower Kain’s hate.

Elise can spend time with her family.

What a brilliant strategy!

After most students had left the Hero Academy, Elise leaned out of the carriage window. The window was small, and her bountiful chest seemed to struggle, but…

“Nord-sama, please stay well.”

“You too.”

“Eli-tan, see you!”

“Yes, Marie-sama. I look forward to our reunion.”

We shook Elise’s outstretched hand. After farewells, the carriage arranged by Count Magdalia’s house took Elise away from the Hero Academy.

“Now, shall we head back?” I said.

“Yup!”

As Marie and I prepared to return to Villance territory, a man in a tailcoat rode up on horseback to the Hero Academy’s main gate.

“Nord-sama!”

It was Graham.

He showed the Villance family crest to the gate guard, entrusted his horse, and hurried to us. After bowing respectfully to Marie and me, I spoke.

“What’s with the rush? Is Wald on his deathbed?”

“Haha, don’t jest. No, it’s indeed about Wald-sama…”

From Graham’s urgency, I figured it was about Wald, but my dark Nord humor hit too hard. Marie hid her mouth with a fan, stifling a laugh, while Graham’s shoulders twitched.

“Anyway, here…”

“Got it.”

Graham untied a rolled letter, knelt on one knee, and handed it to me.

To my foolish son Nord

His Majesty John and the Oiraan Empire’s third princess, Her Highness Nirvana, are betrothed.

You are to head to the Oiraan Empire immediately, seduce Nirvana, and make her Ackersen’s puppet.

Do not fail.

From Wald

Seduce her? No way I’d do that to such a self-sacrificing, good girl!

The letter was trash, so I burned it with «Torch», and charred scraps fell to the ground. Graham and Marie clapped.

“As expected of Nord-sama!”

“Onii-sama, destroying evidence so fast is amazing!”

R-really? I just burned it because it pissed me off…

I absolutely refuse to seduce Nirvana, but I have a bad feeling some crisis is looming over her. Wald’s proposal is a convenient excuse. If I leave her be, she might end up a plaything for the military. I have to save that reckless girl… Wald’s letter has fully locked me into the Nirvana route. At this rate, rather than dying from a death flag in Wald’s Dahlia revival plan, I might get killed by Kain on the Nirvana route. I resolved to save Nirvana first!

«Elise’s Perspective»

Sigh…

“Eli-tan, what’s wrong?”

I let out a deep sigh after being rejected by Nord-sama again. Marie-sama kindly approached and spoke to me. Just seeing Nord-sama’s gaze fall on that foreign student Fana makes me lose it. I want him to look only at me…

“Y-yes… I wanted to serve Nord-sama with my breasts so much…”

Wait, what am I saying!?

Swayed by the adorable Marie-sama, I nearly blurted out my true feelings.

“Marie thinks it’d be great if Eli-tan became Onii-sama’s bride. Then we could live happily with Meina-mama, Onii-sama, and Eli-tan-neesama.”

Ahh! Me, marrying Nord-sama!!

“Thank you, Marie-sama.”

Touched by Marie-sama’s kindness, I couldn’t help but hug her.

“By the way, Onii-sama’s late.”

“Yes… I’ll check.”

Curious, I parted from Marie-sama and looked toward the main gate from the window.

What!? Unbelievably, Nord-sama was being kissed by Fana!!

Unforgivable… To boldly steal Nord-sama’s lips like that!!

The moment I saw it, my chest tightened.

But… if it’s been stolen, I’ll just take it back!!

“Eli-tan! What’s wrong!?”

“I-I’m fine. Sorry for worrying you.”

“Eli-tan’s so cute, but Onii-sama ignoring you is a sin.”

“Marie-sama, what!?”

“I’ll make Onii-sama see Eli-tan’s charm!”

As I clutched my chest, Marie-sama latched onto my breasts.

Then, Nord-sama returned to the room…

«Kain’s Perspective»

That bastard Nord not only stole my precious Elise and made her a maid but is now targeting Fana-chan too—unforgivable! But I still have a trump card to turn this around.

After the closing ceremony, Nord and Fana-chan stood at the podium.

“Fana, don’t you have something to tell them?” Nord said.

“Yes… It was short, but I have to return to my country…” Fana-chan began, biting her lip, looking deeply regretful.

I know why she’s upset. It’s obviously Nord’s fault.

“That’s a lie! I can’t believe Fana-chan’s leaving! Nord messed with you, didn’t he!?”

When I called out Nord’s atrocities, the entire class’s eyes turned to me.

“Kain’s just trying to unfairly slander Nord-sensei, so ignore him. More importantly, my parents told me to come back… The time I spent with Nord-sensei and everyone was so much fun,” Fana-chan said.

—Fana-chan, don’t cry!

—We had fun too!

—Come back, let’s study together.

As expected, Fana-chan’s been brainwashed by Nord. She said she’s returning to her homeland, but I hope I can make it in time. Who’d have thought what I did to help my family back in Swope Village would come in handy? Filial piety really pays off.

For the final touch, I reached down and grabbed some hair.

“Fngh!”

To break Nord’s curse, strong love is needed. Pulling the hair sent sharp pain, and tears fell from my eyes. I stuffed the plucked hair into cotton and sewed the back shut.

Done! The Hero Kain Doll!

Made from Mormor sheep felt, stuffed with cotton. A sword-wielding design blending cuteness and coolness. Durable enough for daily hugs or naughty uses without staining.

With this, Fana-chan will think of me even in her homeland.

Modestly speaking, am I a genius? Strong, smart, kind, and dexterous… Man, I’m such a sinful guy. So why do all the girls go “Nord, Nord”? Could it be… Nord’s using his professor position to threaten grades or promise good marks to prey on girls…

How envi—outrageous!

I need to appeal to the headmistress and become a professor too! After all, I defeated the Demon King and was certified a hero. Frankly, I’m above Nord.

Headmistress’s Office

“Headmistress Lilian! Please make me a professor at the Hero Academy!”

I slammed the headmistress’s desk, spilling tea from the cup onto the saucer. That’s how strong my plea was.

“Huh? What’s this out of nowhere…?”

“Nord’s a professor, but it’s unfair that I, who defeated the Demon King, can’t be one.”

“Kain… the only thing unfair is your brain. Sure, you may have defeated the Demon King’s Four Heav—er, the Demon King. But look at your grades! Chant Studies: two stars. Magic Circle Studies: one star. Magic History: one star. And more… With these five-point-scale grades, you’re a joke. Nord has five stars in everything.”

“That’s because Nord’s treating me unfairly. If you test me now, I’ll get good results!”

“No need for a test! Look at this!!”

“Why’s my answer sheet in the headmistress’s office!?”

“Obviously! To check if professors are cheating. Let me be clear: you’re holding Nord back! Always getting the worst grades! You got lucky defeating the Demon King, but you’re barely passing, let alone fit to be a professor! And Nord kept it quiet, but he recommended you to become a hero!”

“Headmistress! No way! Nord, of all people, for me…?”

Furious, I stormed out of the headmistress’s office.

What a meddling jerk! He’s probably trying to indebt me so I’ll approve of his relationship with Elise… Wait, Fana-chan!? Why’s she with Nord…?

Then, through the corridor window, I saw a sight that made me doubt my eyes.

Eh, eh, Fana-chan!? No way, it can’t be! It’s a lie!!

Fana-chan was kissing Nord.

«Nord’s Perspective»

—Near the border.

“Kruru, this spot’s good.”

—Kyurururun♪

The wyvern Kruru let out a high-pitched cry, like a horse’s neigh, responding to my request. Larger than a small Cessna, with massive wings, Kruru landed on an open plain.

—Kyuru…

Kruru nuzzled its long, crocodile-like head against me, letting out a lonely cry.

“Yeah, I’ll feed you tons of meat when I’m back. Wait at the Hero Academy till then.”

When I petted its head, Kruru narrowed its eyes affectionately, looking pleased.

After seeing Kruru fly off, I walked a bit and reached the main road. Beyond this path lies Karlün, the Oiraan Empire’s capital.

As I prepared to store my two swords—the holy sword and the accordion sword—in «Treasure Vault», a voice interrupted.

“What’re you doing!?”

The holy sword’s spirit backflipped into existence behind me, complaining.

“Oh right, you exist… Your name was…”

“X-chan! Forgetting a beautiful girl like me’s name, Nord, you’re nuts. You never let me out, and now you’re sealing me again. And with that creepy, bad-vibes sword! What’s your deal!? If that thing violates me and I end up with a baby, will you take responsibility!?”

So annoying…

“A baby!?”

“Yeah! X-chan’s precious, precious hymen’ll get pierced by that thing’s tip, and it’ll pour weird rusty iron into me!”

“You’ve been a virgin for nearly two hundred years—a shriveled spinster. If anything, I’d praise the accordion sword for taking on a troublesome leftover like you.”

I don’t even know if the accordion sword has a spirit. If storing them in «Treasure Vault» synthesizes a new sword, that’d be a win.

“W-well, I want to choose the guy I do it with…”

X suddenly turned shy, like a maiden her age.

“Whoa!?”

Seizing the moment of silence, I opened «Treasure Vault», covered X from head to toe, and ignored her surprised yelp. I flipped the vault and tossed the accordion sword in too.

I wasted time on pointless nonsense, but as I trudged along, trying not to stand out, a carriage passed me on the road. Since Ackersen and the Oiraan Empire are allied nations, the security is relatively good. As long as you watch out for the occasional monster on well-maintained roads, traveling alone isn’t too difficult, and trade thrives.

I entered the Oiraan Empire from a buffer zone surrounded by grasslands. That’s when I noticed the carriage that had passed me earlier was stopped on the roadside. Next to it stood a shabby hut.

As I approached the front of the merchant caravan, a man in the Oiraan Empire’s black military uniform was eyeing the lead carriage with the lecherous gaze of a molester sizing up a target. The coachman turned his face away, seething with frustration. The soldier smirked, tapping his palm with a baton.

“Hm? This isn’t something allowed into the Empire. Confiscated!”

The soldier pried open a crate’s lid, revealing wine bottles nestled in straw padding. Ackersen wine is wildly popular in the Oiraan Empire and fetches a high price.

But it’s definitely not a prohibited import.

As the soldier dragged the crate toward the hut, the coachman protested.

“That’s outrageous!”

“Shut up!”

The soldier raised his baton to strike the coachman. I watched the scene intently.

I meant to silently destroy the baton with chantless magic to avoid drawing attention, but for some reason, Nord’s sharp tongue exploded instead.

“That’s no different from a bandit. I heard the Oiraan Empire was more advanced than the Ackersen Kingdom, but a soldier illegally plundering civilians’ goods? That’s lower than a third-rate nation. Pathetic.”

The soldier, baton still raised, shifted his target to me, while the coachman placed a hand on his chest, exhaling deeply.

“You… who the hell are you!?”

“Me? Just a traveler. But are you really a proud Oiraan Empire soldier? No, you’re not. The soldiers I admire don’t rob civilians. Oh, I get it now!”

“What’s there to get!? You mocking m—ngh!”

I shoved the bottom of a wine bottle from the crate into the soldier’s mouth.

“How’s the taste of stolen wine?”

The soldier, teeth broken and mouth bloodied, glared with fury.

“You bashtard, I’ll kill you! Messh with an imperial sholdier, you’re done!”

“Oh? You steal from civilians, and I’m the criminal? That’s a funny joke. Why not switch careers to a jester? I could introduce you to the Jester Guild if you want.”

“Shut up, you’re dead!”

The soldier gripped his standard-issue staff-rifle «Metrics» with both hands, thrusting the attached bayonet at me.

A staff-rifle, simply put, is like a gun that shoots magic.

I let the bayonet get close enough to graze my chest. My coat tore under the sharp blade, but the soldier, certain he’d hit, lost balance and fell.

“Hm? Isn’t the basic drill to stab and then fire a magic bullet?”

According to [Rising Hero], magic bullets allow even non-magic-using commoners to mimic magic by loading scrolls into cartridges—an alchemical masterpiece of the Oiraan Empire.

But relying too much on staff-rifles and alchemy has weakened the magical prowess of Oiraan’s nobles, which is laughably tragic. It reminds me of my past life’s society, where overreliance on convenient, high-tech cars led to careless driving and constant accidents.

“Damn it!!”

The soldier reached for the staff-rifle’s trigger, but it only clicked uselessly. Panicking, he checked the trigger and found a twig jammed in it, preventing it from moving. I’d set it up in that fleeting moment of crossing paths.

“If that’s the case, I’ll kill you all!!”

Tossing the twig aside, the soldier aimed the staff-rifle at me, the coachman, and the carriage.

“Help!!”

The coachman fled in panic, but at this range, a cartridge explosion would be deadly.

I stood my ground and declared to the soldier, “Unbelievable—an imperial soldier, meant to protect civilians, trying to kill them! No, wait! You’re not the imperial soldier I admire. You’re a fake!”

As I finished, he pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. The coachman, who’d turned away and covered his ears, looked back, puzzled by the silence.

“No cartridge, no alchemy.”

I twirled a gleaming brass-like cartridge in my palm before the soldier’s eyes. I’d removed it from the staff-rifle.

“Ngh! Ngh!”

The soldier yanked and pushed at the staff-rifle’s handle, but it didn’t budge.

“Let go!”

“Got it.”

“Huh!?”

Granting the soldier’s wish as he tugged with all his might in a tug-of-war stance, I released the handle. He stumbled backward with fierce momentum, crashing his head into a tree at the road’s edge with a loud thud. The coachman cautiously pointed at the soldier and looked at me.

“Haha, he’s foaming at the mouth!”

Checking the tag on the soldier’s uniform collar, I saw the name Noct Axis. A single yellow stripe on his shoulder epaulet… seems like he's a private second class.

I stripped the delinquent soldier down to his underwear.

“Sir!? Are you into that!?”

“Want this to be your gravestone?”

I stabbed the ground with the staff-rifle’s butt, and the coachman flinched.

“Eek!? S-sorry! But, sir… who the hell are you?”

“Me? I’m with the inspection team that disciplines delinquent soldiers.”

I tied the soldier with rope from the coachman and left him in the hut.

“Leave him there. My comrades will pick him up later.”

The coachman was doing something but quickly stepped away from the soldier when I called out.

“Oh, right… If you don’t mind riding with the cargo, hop on.”

“Thanks, I owe you.”

“Having a bodyguard like you makes me feel safe.”