Chapter 5: Crap, I Got Promoted Too Much!
“What are you doing!? Showing up at logistics again without learning your lesson…”
Bowman’s voice rings out from outside the coffin.
“Shut up! We’re not doing anything! Just here to see his face!”
“Yeah, you small fry, keep quiet! We got proper permission from a superior this time, so if you’ve got complaints, we’ll beat you down!”
What a noisy wake… or is it a funeral?
I don’t know if this eroge world’s funerals match Japanese customs exactly.
“Is this guy your lover?”
“…”
Huh? Yuri’s asking Nirvana about our relationship, but I can’t hear her response.
Well, Nirvana cried for me because I, as Noct, risked my life to save her. It’s not about love or hate—it’s beyond that. Besides, it was the logistics team that actually saved her.
“Yuri, you take that side.”
“Don’t order me around.”
The twins, opening the unnailed coffin lid, peer at my face.
“Hmph, pathetic! He took down an S-rank Gigantes with a single stray shot, something even we couldn’t touch…”
It’s not like the Kurchatov twins followed us here, right? A train full of demons spawning would be the worst.
Irina slips a single small pink flower, resembling a plum blossom, into my chest pocket.
A thyme flower? I think its meaning is courage.
“You’re such an idiot, getting yourself buried like this! If you’d beaten us… I was thinking maybe I’d let you take me on a date or something…”
“Huh? Irina, you’re into gloomy losers like this guy? Your taste sucks!”
“What are you talking about!? His face is a hundred times better than yours! Sharp nose, sexy lips, clean jawline—way better than you, Yuri!”
“What!?”
Here we go again with the sibling bickering. Pretending to be dead is getting exhausting. If I were actually dead, starting a fight in front of my corpse would be so disrespectful they’d get kicked out!
I hear Nirvana’s footsteps.
Looks like she’s going to scold the two for their irreverence in the morgue. That’s Nirvana for you.
“No way, absolutely not. I won’t allow you to go on a date with Noct!”
Huh? Instead of stopping the sibling fight, Nirvana’s saying something that sounds like jealousy.
My disguise is perfect—there’s no way she’s figured out Noct is Nord!
“That Gigantes, named Barus, was the one that crushed a fortress in a single blow. The battalion that took it down gets the Dragon of National Defense Medal and a three-rank promotion, but dying only gets you a two-rank promotion? What an idiot…”
Irina lightly taps my coffin.
“What a waste. A three-rank promotion guarantees officer status, right?”
“A nobody rising to officer? That’s insane!”
The logistics soldiers, watching with bated breath, react to Irina’s words, whispering among themselves.
Wait, that Gigantes… had a name!?
I struggle to keep my eyebrows from twitching in shock as Yuri adds to Irina’s comment.
“Irina, you’re wrong. This guy took down Barus, a monster even a battalion might not handle, all by himself. That’s equivalent to a battalion’s strength. Every nation would kill for a soldier like that. So, to keep him tied down, the higher-ups were considering giving him a general’s rank.”
“What!?”
Hearing “general” from Yuri, I’m so shocked I bolt upright.
“Eek!?”
“Whoa!?”
“Noct, Noct!!”
Seeing my upper body rise from the coffin, Irina, Yuri, and Nirvana turn pale, like they’ve seen a zombie.
“He’s turned into a ghoul! Someone grab a «Red»! We’ll cremate him right here!”
“Yes, sir!”
Bowman orders the nearby soldiers.
“Wait, wait, wait! I’m alive…”
Unable to keep hiding, I reluctantly confess…
Inside the Carriage to the Imperial Capital
I had zero interest in medal ceremonies, but seeing it as a prime chance to restore Nirvana as an imperial princess, I decided to accept the honor.
But there’s a problem with my fellow passengers.
“Why the hell are you two here?”
Nirvana, I get—she’s my buddy. But besides her and me, the Kurchatov twins are in the carriage. The seating: Nirvana, me, Irina, and Yuri across from us.
Yuri turns his face away with a huff. Nirvana snaps at Irina, sitting next to me.
“Irina, didn’t you badmouth Noct?”
“Dunno~ Did I say something like that?”
Irina clings to my arm, playing dumb in response to Nirvana’s question. A vein seems to throb on Nirvana’s forehead.
“Let go, Irina. I haven’t approved this relationship. And Noct, why the hell are you hogging my sister and Fana!? Want me to put you back in that coffin!?”
Yuri stands, trying to approach our seat, but the carriage hits a rut or something, throwing him off balance, and he falls on his ass.
Irina points at him, giggling mockingly.
“Wow, male jealousy? That’s hilarious!”
“So pathetic.”
Oh, right, the Kurchatov twins are recon soldiers in the combat division, aren’t they? Recon, yet with ridiculous combat strength.
“We got stuck with guarding and monitoring you… Totally against our will…”
“Can’t even properly thank your savior, huh? Yuri, what a kid~”
“Grr! I didn’t lose to Noct!”
Yuri glares at me but doesn’t touch his staff-rifle, showing no intent to attack.
“You two should protect Fana, not me. I don’t need your guard.”
“Hmph! I never planned to guard you in the first place!”
“Me neither~ I’m fine just being with Noct~”
Irina’s blatant flip-flopping makes me want to go deadpan.
“Huh!? Why’s Irina with Noct? He’s my buddy, so you stick with Yuri!”
“Noct~ Fana’s saying stuff like that. Scold her.”
Yup, Irina’s definitely a minefield girl…
Oiraan Empire Court
An old hag—BBA—sits cross-legged on the throne, puffing a long pipe like she’s the emperor, looking down at me.
(T/N: BBA refers to a Japanese slang means Baba could also be said as old hag)
It’s Antonia, the public concubine.
A long red carpet stretches across the marble floor, and I stand on it. I try to kneel, but my body refuses, only managing to bow my head. In my past life, I lived by always yielding, flattering, and reflecting. If I’d lived with Nord’s arrogance, every day would’ve been a PR disaster.
“Raise your head.”
A portly man, likely a minister, speaks with a voice trembling—maybe from anger.
My eyes meet the BBA’s.
So this is the vixen who seduced the Oiraan emperor. She wears a red off-shoulder dress emphasizing her cleavage, flaunting youthfulness in a painfully obvious way. Oh, right, she’s got a spending habit, blowing fortunes on beauty treatments.
The BBA speaks in a syrupy, brothel-like tone.
“Are you the man who defeated the fearsome beast that crushed the fortress our empire prides itself on?”
“Yeah, I took it down.”
Since I’m already exposed, no point hiding it, but I let my guard down and screw up. I speak casually to a woman who’s practically the empire’s ruler in the emperor’s absence.
“What’s that tone!? You’re in the presence of Antonia-sama! Your attitude, combined with your earlier insolence, is too much!”
The minister steps forward, slicing the air with a hand chop, but a voice quickly stops him.
“Wait. More importantly, is there any reward you desire?”
The minister, scolded by Antonia, shrinks like a chastised dog, but Nord’s arrogance takes over me.
“Hmph! Why should I care about a mere commoner, not even the emperor or royalty? I did what you lot couldn’t—a national hero. If you want respect from me, make me submit first.”
Bad, bad move. So regrettable… (sobs).
“What!? Guards! Seize this man!”
The minister’s anger hits its peak at my attitude.
But, contrary to his wishes, Antonia says something unexpected.
“Stop.”
“But!”
“Are you defying me? Guards, send this ungrateful fool to the Insect Dungeon.”
“Antonia-sama, anything but that!!”
Oh no… The minister is grabbed in a chokehold by one guard while another lifts his legs.
“Eek, nooo— I don’t wanna go to the Insect Dungeon!!”
He clutches the doorframe as he’s dragged from the throne room, but a guard smacks his arm, and he vanishes beyond the door. The Insect Dungeon won’t kill, but those who enter are buried in swarms of ghostly cockroaches, becoming extremely docile.
“Now, the barking mutt is gone. What can you do for us?”
Antonia removes the pipe from her mouth, exhaling a long, thin stream of smoke with a languid expression. I walk to a map of the empire hanging on the throne room wall. The courtiers in front scatter in fear.
I slap the map, my hand landing on Zetsuringen, where demon invasions are fiercest.
“Me? I can wipe out every last one of the Demon Lord’s army invading Oiraan. Got a problem with that?”
“My! You love to boast… but your strength seems real. Very well, I’ll appoint you as a general. Go wild and crush the demons.”
“Wait. I don’t need a shitty rank like general. Instead… Nirvana, come here!”
“Ehh!?”
Not her alias Fana, but her stolen true name, Nirvana.
When I call her name, a maid among the courtiers flinches. I’d put Nirvana in a maid outfit and had her stand by.
I take her hand, pulling her close.
Nirvana’s cheeks flush red. It’s scary how even a cheesy move like this looks cool when I’m Nord…
“Kukuku… Reward? I want only one thing. Restore Fana—no, Nirvana Liliya Karlün von Oiraan—as imperial princess. Nothing else. If not, I won’t lift a finger for Oiraan.”
The throne room buzzes with murmurs.
“Noct!? W-What are you saying!? There’s no way Antonia would allow that…”
Nirvana, clutching her fist to her chest, looks down. I’m pissed that this vixen has even stolen her confidence.
“Since when did you sink to a mere commoner? Is there any noble who cares for the people as much as you? Isn’t now the time for you to rise as a princess?”
“U-Uh…”
She nods hesitantly. So I turn to the other party.
“What do you think? Demons are invading, and you’re squabbling internally? If you want to play politics, wipe out the common enemy first. Don’t get the order wrong!”
Surprisingly, Antonia listens, and the mood suggests Nirvana’s restoration is one push away.
But! The throne room doors burst open, and a man in a white navy-like uniform strides toward Antonia.
“Mother! Where’s the insolent fool!?”
It’s Crown Prince Siegfried, entering dramatically. Sharp eyes, blond hair—a pretty handsome guy. In [Rising Hero], he’s smitten with Elise. His cape flutters, and he gestures grandly with white-gloved hands, appealing to his mother, Antonia.
As the courtiers’ eyes turn to us, Siegfried catches on, pointing at my chest and ranting.
“Restore that incompetent!? You’re mistaken. Nirvana volunteered to go to the battlefield. It was her choice.”
I nod, arms crossed, listening to Siegfried’s argument.
“I see, I see. Then why strip her of her princess title? Just send her to the battlefield as a princess, like you!”
“You… mocking the crown prince in the Oiraan Empire’s palace? You’ve got some guts. Want to be cut down here?”
“Unfortunately, I’m testing if this crown prince is worthy of my loyalty. If you’ve got a problem with my actions, come at me anytime. I’ll take you all down. But like I said, it’s not too late to deal with me after the demons are dead. Or do you lack even that much capacity or strategy? That’s all from me.”
“Grr… keep talking…”
Siegfried grits his teeth, but Antonia hides her mouth with a fan and laughs.
“Hahahaha! Interesting! Very well, if you annihilate them, we’ll restore her.”
“Restore her now. I could tell the emperor you’re abusing Nirvana.”
Even after all this, they stubbornly refuse to restore her, and I’m pissed, but beating up Antonia or Siegfried won’t solve anything—it might cause an international incident.
Antonia snaps open a tacky gold-decorated black fan, declaring.
“No matter how many giant beasts you slay, the empire’s crisis remains. Defeat the Demon Lord invading Oiraan, and we’ll restore Nirvana as princess.”
“That’s a fine idea, Mother! Everyone will accept that. Though I’ll beat you to it!”
Damn bastards!
Even so, this is their turf. I’m holding back, so they’re underestimating me. But being underestimated works in my favor. I’ll rack up undeniable achievements, restore Nirvana, and make her vassals acknowledge her strength—even if the achievements are mine.
“Kukuku… One thing to confirm: it doesn’t have to be Nirvana who defeats the Demon Lord, right?”
“You say the most entertaining things. Whether you live or die is of no concern to me,” Antonia replied.
“Hah! No matter how much you boast, overreaching will only lead to your ruin!” Siegfried sneered.
“Oh, I’d rather you make it crystal clear now, so there’s no confusion after you’re dead.”
“…Fine. If you defeat the Demon Lord, we’ll restore Nirvana as princess.”
“Mother! You’re taking this guy seriously!?”
“Siegfried, be quiet. This isn’t a bad deal for you.”
Antonia calms the eager Siegfried. As expected of the woman wielding the empire’s power in the emperor’s stead—she’s sharper than the shitty crown prince.
“In exchange for her restoration, all credit for defeating the Demon Lord goes to Siegfried. Will you accept that condition?”
“Hmph, I figured as much. Fine. I’ll hand over the credit for killing a Demon Lord or two.”
Credit makes movement tricky—better to give it away. The Sky Demon Lord did the same with credit.
—Nirvana’s Private Room
My plan to restore Nirvana hit a snag, but with the achievement of slaying Königslime, she’s been assigned as Officer Fana Lunas, working with me again.
“Thank you, Noct. I can’t thank you enough… But how did you know I’m a princess? I never told anyone…”
Gulp!?
Nirvana hits a sore spot I didn’t want to touch.
“There were plenty of rumors you were a princess. I just baited those vixens, and my guess hit the mark. Besides, I haven’t restored you yet. Save your thanks for when you’re a princess again.”
“I see, you’re amazing, Noct. I’m clueless about rumors…”
Even if she’s dense, Nirvana’s doing great. Despite her noble status, she works tirelessly in logistics without a single complaint, inspiring me deeply.
Sipping Ackersen tea on the sofa, I wonder how Meina-san and Marie are doing.
Then Nirvana sits beside me, sets her teacup on the saucer, and touches my hand.
“By the way, Noct, you talk a lot like my lover. Why is that?”
Pfft!?
I nearly spit out my tea, hastily covering my mouth with a handkerchief. I got so fired up about restoring Nirvana that I forgot I’d been speaking in Nord’s tone the whole time.
And when did I become her lover?
“When I visited Ackersen incognito, I reunited with a boy named Nord Villance. A fateful reunion. That’s when I thought, ‘Ah, I’m going to marry Nord.’”
“I-I see, that’s great. A bit early, but congrats.”
No, no, wasn’t Nirvana set to be engaged to John?
How did this happen!?
It’s not set in stone yet.
Nirvana’s sensible—she’s just caught up in nostalgia for Nord. She wouldn’t do something foolish like breaking her engagement with John…
Wait, if she falls for Kain, I’m seriously screwed!
“Hey, Noct… promise you won’t laugh?”
“What? We’re buddies, aren’t we?”
“Right. I… I’ve never dated a boy. The only time I kissed was when I reunited with Nord. I gave him my first kiss… on the cheek, though…”
Uh-huh, sure.
For a moment, I suspected Nirvana might’ve figured out that I, disguised as Noct, am actually Nord, but as she herself said she’s dense, she hasn’t realized Noct is Nord.
I was listening to her tedious, girly love talk, but the distance between us was gradually closing.
“So, I have another request for you, Noct. It’s fine if it’s too much. Will you… listen?”
“Don’t beat around the bush. Depending on what it is, I’ll do what I can.”
“I said earlier I’ve never dated a boy, right? It’s embarrassing to be this old with no experience with men. So… Noct, would you help me practice? You talk like him, so I think it’d be good practice.”
I get where she’s coming from. In my past life, I was a wizard myself.
“I understand, but do that stuff with that Nord guy. If you’re already lovers with him, wouldn’t it be betraying him?”
“I don’t want to lose. There was this cute maid named Elise by his side. She definitely loves Nord. It’s a woman’s intuition, but the way Elise looked at him said it all.”
I’m at a loss for words.
“I don’t know this Nord guy. But you’re into a womanizer like that?”
“When I’m with Nord, my heart feels at peace. When we’re apart, it’s like a thick needle stabs my chest. Seeing him talk with Elise hurts the same way… but I’m his childhood friend and lover, so I have to endure.”
“Then tell Nord not to mess around with Elise. If he doesn’t change, give up on him.”
“I can’t give up that easily…”
A maiden’s heart is complicated…
“But you’re engaged to Ackersen’s young king, right? You’re destined to part with Nord eventually.”
“I know… Wait, how do you know that, Noct? Hey, why?”
Crap! Was that still classified info in Oiraan!?
Nirvana grabs my shoulders, leaning her weight into me. I slide off the backrest, my back hitting the sofa’s seat. She straddles me, staring down intensely.
Her emerald-green eyes peek through my black hair.
They remind me of a tropical sea, unclouded and unfaded despite her princess title being stripped and the harsh military life. In [Rising Hero], Nord clouded those eyes…
“…I’ve got connections in the intelligence division, so I know that much.”
“Okay, I know you’re no ordinary guy. So teach me how to make a boy like me…”
“Be devoted. Straddling a guy you don’t even like is outrageous. If that Nord guy saw this, he’d dump you for sure. Chastity—that’s the only way.”
“If Nord dumps me, will you pick me up, Noct?”
“Our statuses are different! You’re a princess, I’m a commoner.”
“Antonia’s a commoner, but she had a child with Father.”
H-Hey, Nirvana, what’re you doing!?
She unbuttons my jacket and pulls it open.
“Don’t just undress me…”
“You’re a general now, not just an NCO. Leading an army… It’s only natural for an NCO like me to help you undress.”
Nirvana points to the white general’s uniform on the table.
“Phew, I’m sweating because Noct wouldn’t let me undress him easily.”
No, I… I didn’t resist at all…
Nirvana, now in military garb instead of a maid outfit, raises her arms and carelessly tosses off her jacket.
Oiraan Empire’s specialty: boob curtains!
How about the southern hemisphere to go with it?
That’s what her shameless shirt screams. Naturally, I’m ogling her underboob from a low angle.
Elise has long, massive breasts, while Nirvana’s are bowl-shaped and huge…
Both are top-tier… no, impossible to rank.
Nirvana’s thighs and my hips fit like Cinderella’s slipper, and if I keep staring at her jiggling, erotic underboob, my Neo Great Omega Armstrong Cannon down there might fire any second.
“Hah… hah… Noct, won’t you comfort the future me who gets dumped by Nord?”
Nirvana’s cheeks flush, her breathing heavy.
Was Nirvana always this intense with her assumptions?
As I divert blood from my groin to my brain, digging through my past-life memories of her actions in [Rising Hero], a loud BANG rings out, and the door swings open.
“Nirvana-sama! Thank goodness you’re safe…”
A dark elf with long ears and brown skin, Barbara, bursts in joyfully, only to see us in what looks undeniably like a compromising situation.
Barbara’s brown skin pales as if drained of blood.
“Barbara!? Get a grip!”
«Nirvana’s Perspective»
The next day, I visited Noct’s camp, holding an outfit I wanted him to see…
“Is Noct here?”
“Yes.”
But my superior, Bowman, was at the camp’s entrance.
“He’s off treating wounded soldiers. Grumbling, ‘They’re so damn sloppy!’ as usual.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle—it’s so Noct.
But the next day, and the day after, I visited his camp again, and he wasn’t there…
I wanted to comfort him.
As I thought this, Barbara appeared at the camp. Maybe she was following me.
“Young maidens mustn’t indulge in lust like a bitch in heat!”
Barbara’s lecture began… I was seated on her camp’s bed, while she sat across on a chair, nagging endlessly.
The night deepened, with only owls hooting.
“We were just warming each other’s cold bodies…”
“Then why did you take off your jacket, Nirvana-sama? If you’re cold, keep it on.”
“Ugh…”
I never imagined being seen mid-intimate moment would be this embarrassing…
But it’s Barbara, someone I trust.
There’s no need to hide anything. I share my honest feelings.
“I wanted to take it off! I craved human touch!”
Nord is different from Barbara. I want him to know all of me eventually, but it’s still a bit embarrassing… Barbara’s like my mother. No, calling her that might sadden her… my big sister, then.
I don’t know Barbara’s exact age. With her carefree nature and long-lived elf blood, she stopped counting her age after leaving her clan.
“Barbara!?”
Her tall frame wraps around me, embracing me tightly.
So warm…
Despite being mistreated by humans, Barbara never stopped trusting them. I’m lucky to have met her.
In the Oiraan Empire, where I have almost no allies, only Nord and Barbara are on my side.
“Nirvana-sama… you really love Noct, or rather, Duke Villance’s heir, don’t you?”
“Eh!? You noticed too, Barbara?”
“Likely, Duke Villance’s heir thinks we haven’t noticed…”
As expected, Nord’s disguise is easily seen through by those who know him. He seems perfect, but his little flaws make him endearing.
Did Barbara guess my thoughts? She worries for me.
“I understand how much you care for him, Nirvana-sama. But that man is dangerous. It’s clear he’s after your body and trying to manipulate you!”
“I don’t think so. With Nord’s status, he wouldn’t need to disguise himself and infiltrate…”
“If you say so, Nirvana-sama, I’ll defer.”
“Hey, Barbara… about that. Should I tell Nord he’s terrible at disguises?”
“You’d better not. With his pride, he might get upset and return to Ackersen.”
“You think so too?”
“Yes…”
I decide to follow Barbara’s advice and keep quiet.
«Nord’s Perspective» (Guest Room)
With Barbara’s return, I move from Nirvana’s room to a prepared guest room. With her around, even Antonia can’t easily touch Nirvana.
Entering a room with the calm vibe of a four-star hotel from my past life, I doze off. Holding back Nord’s speech must’ve exhausted me.
When I snap awake, something’s off. Two girls sit on the bed, looking down at me. Their outfits are scandalously thin—see-through babydolls, hiding nothing that should be hidden.
Our eyes meet. Their familiar looks make me tense. Their lustrous red hair is just like their mother, Antonia’s. The sharp-eyed, fang-toothed beauty with twin tails tied by a large black ribbon is the fourth princess, Karla, the elder. The droopy-eyed, long-haired beauty is the fifth princess, Rinne, the younger. Antonia’s twin daughters, Nirvana’s half-sisters.
Their age-appropriate flat chests are kind of charming.
They must’ve been waiting to ambush me, giggling mockingly as I stumble in.
“What’s this? This is my room. Get out.”
I stand before them and declare.
“Ehh? We were gonna entertain a virgin like you~”
“Karla, is this virgin bravado?”
“Yup, pretending he’s not interested when he totally wants to.”
“So lame!”
“The worst! Stay a virgin forever!”
I wanna smack those smug faces!!
“You lot…”
“Seriously? You wanna know?”
“Will we catch virgin cooties?”
So annoying…
“Stop yammering about virgins. I’m… whatever. If you want to mess with me, leave. I’m resting.”
“Huh? You don’t even know why we’re here? This is why virgins are such a pain.”
“Yeah, we’re saying we’ll entertain you, virgin boy.”
Their darkness runs too deep.
Antonia seized Oiraan’s power and made her illegitimate son Siegfried crown prince by honey-trapping influential men.
Making her middle-school-aged daughters do the same is messed up.
Even if they’re bratty, they deserve better lives, so I order them to leave with harsh words.
“Don’t screw around. You think I’d sleep with just anyone? You think I’d want girls who look down on people from the start?”
“Oh, come on, stop acting tough.”
“Hehe, acting all saintly.”
They cover their mouths, eyeing me with disdain. Since they won’t get it, I decide to speak plainly.
“You’ll be married off for politics, sent to other countries. No need to sleep with guys you don’t like now.”
I can’t believe they’re as resolved as Nirvana. Their immaturity suggests Antonia’s using them as pawns to seduce me.
“Let me be clear: I’m not a virgin, and I’m not into snot-nosed brats like you. Scram before I tell you to lick my ass.”
Harsh words, but for their future, I want their first time to be with someone they love. I pat their heads.
“What’s that? Total buzzkill!”
“No way? You’re refusing our service?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself, idiots!”
They swat my hands away, glaring. But I can’t let them walk the halls in babydolls, so I toss them their coats, which they snatch up.
“Idiot! Idiot!”
“Loser! Loser!”
“‘Unbelievable! So rude!’”
They hurl insults and leave.
I try to sleep in the unfamiliar Oiraan bed. As I dim the lights and doze, a click and a creak signal the door opening.
An assassin?
They’d hide inside, not enter through the door. It might be paranoid, but it could be Nirvana. Better confirm who it is before acting. Sensing the air, someone approaches slowly.
«Torchlight»
Using daily magic, a bright, dazzling LED-like light appears. The intruder is revealed, holding a bear plushie half their size, covering their eyes with one hand. They wear baggy blue pajamas and a pointed hat.
“Rinne, huh… What’re you here for?”
Her half-hidden hands in cute sleeves remind me of Marie.
“Couldn’t sleep…”
“Hmph, sleep in your bed. I’ll take the sofa.”
“Wait, didn’t you hear? I can’t sleep, so I came. You’re older, you know what to do, right?”
She pulls my hand, leading me to the bed. It’s a honey trap, but she looks like Marie, so I can’t refuse and end up sharing the bed.
“You should’ve done this from the start. You’re so stubborn, Noct.”
“I’m sleeping. You sleep too.”
“Okay…”
I start dozing again, and Rinne doesn’t seem to be planning anything.
As my consciousness fades, the door opens again.
Handling it like before…
“What, Karla? It’s late. Go back to your room.”
“What!? I came to check on you, and Rinne!? What’re you doing!?”
Karla notices Rinne sleeping beside me, who rubs her eyes sleepily, mumbling.
“Why’re you naked!?”
“Oh, Karla. I got a head start.”
Stop saying things that’ll be misunderstood!
Rinne’s somehow completely naked.
“What’re you here for?”
Absolute life-or-death chaos…
I’m confident I didn’t touch Rinne, but sharing a bed with her naked leaves no room for excuses. So, I act like Karla’s interrupting an affair.
“You were starting to impress me, but you’re the worst. Seducing Rinne for dirty stuff…”
“You’re the ones who came to seduce me, right? What’s with the sudden change?”
“Well, yeah, but…”
I’m shocked she was impressed at all… I just wanted to avoid trouble. When I argue back, Karla’s response is hesitant.
“Karla, Noct-oniichan is kind. Totally different from that guy.”
“Oniichan!?”
Karla’s eyes widen at Rinne’s words. I’m surprised too, but it’s easy to imagine the childish, self-absorbed Siegfried isn’t a great brother to these brats.
“Me too… Let me join. I don’t wanna be left out…”
“Huh? What’re you!?”
Karla slips into my bed, peeking out from the covers.
What’s going on here?
I’m lost.
“I thought you were just a sleazy pretty boy, but your body’s amazing…”
She slides her hand under my pajama shirt, touching my abs and chest.
The brat’s touch tickles.
“Hmph, you’re all high and mighty, but I’ll admit you’re not fake.”
Karla strokes my body thoroughly, then snorts smugly.
“You’re pretty high and mighty yourself.”
“Well, I am a princess.”
“Right.”
I pat Karla’s head, and she narrows her eyes like a cat petted by its favorite owner. She starts opening up.
“Siegfried’s nice to girls at first…”
“Then he tosses them aside.”
Rinne chimes in perfectly. [Rising Hero] showed Siegfried, bitter over losing Elise, sleeping with and discarding noblewomen and maids—a true scumbag.
“Noct didn’t look at us with pervy eyes.”
“First time a boy’s been this kind to us.”
Ugh!? First time I’ve been touched kindly by twin beauties…
Karla presses her body tightly against my chest. The cool touch of her hand on my stomach nearly makes me gasp. Her hand slides downward, reaching my lower body. As I resist Karla’s temptation, Rinne presses herself against my back.
“Noct-oniichan, this part of you is even more impressive.”
She grabs a sensitive spot I’d already been teased into heightened awareness. With her body plastered against my back and her tongue caressing me, it wouldn’t be surprising if my staff-rifle fired a «White» cartridge with gusto any second.
“Hehe, you wanna get naughty, Onii~? I’m in my birthday suit right now. Get it?”
“If it’s Oniichan, it’s fine. You’re at your limit, aren’t you?”
The twins press their budding, rosebud-like breasts against me.
“Don’t underestimate me.”
Mentally or physically… I endure.
No way I’m laying hands on girls their age.
But trouble comes regardless of my will. Rinne taps my shoulder, trembling.
“O-Oniichan… something’s wrong… weird juice is coming out from between Rinne’s legs. It won’t stop… what do I do?”
Huh!?
“Check it, Oniichan.”
My butt does feel faintly wet…
Rinne pulls back the covers and kneels. The pajamas she just put on are discarded, leaving her stark naked.
“Rinne has a habit of stripping. Even when we sleep together, she’s naked in no time…”
Karla helpfully explains.
Meanwhile, sticky fluid drips from Rinne’s crotch.
“Look, Oniichan…”
Rinne parts her hands from her crotch as if raising the curtain for an opera.
A downpour…
Seeing Rinne’s smooth, glistening skin, I realize a forest’s water retention is needed to prevent flooding. The dam has burst, and the torrent reaching her knees soaks the sheets.
“Karla, you wipe her.”
“Eh!? Me?”
“She’s your sister, right?”
“W-Well…”
I recall wiping Marie long ago.
Even for siblings, that felt dangerously risky. But now, there’s help.
“Here goes, Rinne.”
Rinne nods silently to Karla’s words. Karla presses a white towel to Rinne’s floodgate, and it quickly becomes damp.
Rinne’s chin tilts up, drool dripping from the corner of her mouth—a bratty girl, yet insanely erotic.
“O-Onii… m-me too, weird juice is coming out…”
“What!?”
Could it be some twin empathy thing!?
I hand Rinne a new towel, which she takes with trembling hands.
“You two wipe each other.”
“L-Lies!? Isn’t Onii supposed to wipe it?”
“You think I’m gross, right? Then handle it yourself. Or what? You’re old enough to want me to wipe your piss?”
“Fine, I’ll do it…”
Karla grits her teeth, looking frustrated, but with no choice, they wipe each other’s bodies with towels.
Instantly, I regret it. The sight of immature twin beauties wiping each other hits my crotch like a critical strike. I lean forward, acting as their towel exchanger, but their wiping grows intense, and they finally collapse onto the bed, exhausted.
In the end, I care for them like I did Marie, tucking them into bed.
Marie’s cute, then and now. I wish these two would learn her sincerity, but their sleeping faces look angelic.
Covering them with blankets, I lie on the sofa.
As I snap my fingers to extinguish «Torchlight», Karla speaks.
“You know… Mother told us to seduce Noct and make you putty in our hands.”
Karla’s still awake, spilling her heart like it’s a school trip pillow talk.
“What, you’re up? I figured as much from looking at you. Now sleep.”
“Noct, you got a lover?”
“Why do I have to tell you?”
“Oh, so you don’t have one, right?”
Meina-san’s more like a mom, Elise is a pushy maid, Mao’s like a sidekick… Lost in thought, Karla’s voice, from the bed, whispers in my ear. Startled, I try to sit up.
Red hair flashes before my eyes like a scorching flame, and Karla’s lips touch mine. A kiss so hot it feels like it’ll melt me…
Spare me this tsundere brat nonsense.
Acting like she hates me, then pulling a sneak attack? That’s just unfair.
“You said to give your first to someone you like.”
Karla smirks, smug about stealing my lips.
Goddamn, these brats are impossible!
The next morning, the twins drag me down the hall.
“Why’re Noct, Karla, and Rinne together…?”
Trouble—Nirvana’s coming from the opposite direction, her face pale with shock.
Considering Nirvana’s feelings, maybe getting chummy with her half-sisters was a bad move?
“Noct belongs to Karla now.”
“No way, Noct’s Rinne’s boyfriend.”
“Eh? What’re you both saying? Noct’s my…”
Karla tugs my arm, Rinne presses against me. Nirvana’s lips tremble.
“What? Nirvana’s engaged, right?”
“Is she two-timing? That’s sneaky, Nirvana.”
Karla and Rinne exchange glances, nodding with a “Right~”. Nirvana looks ready to cry. I don’t think they’re serious about liking me, Noct—it’s like an extension of their make-believe. Even if I, as Noct, dated them, it shouldn’t matter to Nirvana, who’s hung up on Nord…
“That’s… not true!”
“Nirvana!?”
Suddenly, she turns to leave.
“Wait.”
Is she wary of the twins? If so, she’s wrong. I grab her arm to stop her.
“Let go…”
“Karla and Rinne are your allies.”
“Yup, yup.”
“Totally.”
Unlike Siegfried, the twins aren’t trying to sabotage Nirvana.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?
The twins swore to me they’d support Nirvana.
“Oh… okay… Thank you…”
If even a few more people in the court support Nirvana, the injustices she faces should lessen…
That’s what I thought then.
—Kannenberk Fortress
We left the capital and returned to Kannenberk. Siegfried, having recaptured the border town of Tobils, joined us.
“Siegfried-sama!”
“Look over here~! Oh, you’re the best!”
As Siegfried flashes his white teeth at the female soldiers, they squeal. He raises a hand in response.
But Siegfried’s a massive pain.
He’s holding an idol-like handshake event right in the middle of the supply depot. What the hell’s he thinking…?
He claims it’s for morale, but then invite the male soldiers too.
This is a critical battle to crush the demons invading Oiraan, yet he shows zero tension. We’re swamped preparing for the final battle, and I can’t summon golems in front of the soldiers, so his nonsense just adds to my irritation. As logistics soldiers suffer in silence, I carry a supply crate past Siegfried.
“You’re in the way of the mission. Move.”
“What? Jealous ‘cause you’re not popular, upstart?”
“Unfortunately, I’m not lacking for women.”
Just the other day, Karla and Rinne’s visit was trouble enough… Would Siegfried lose it if he knew his sisters were taken by me?
Before I can say anything, Siegfried snaps.
“I’m the crown prince of the Oiraan Empire! You know what happens if you defy me!”
“Hmph. The weaker the dog, the louder it barks.”
He jabs a finger at my chest, raising his voice, but I wish he’d show that bravado against real enemies.
As I sigh, the female soldiers clear a path.
“Siegfried! You gotta put this upstart in his place!”
Oh! That seaweed head…!
Who was he again?
“No need for Hans to tell me. I spared you in the palace for Mother’s sake, but there’s no mercy here. You’ll be remembered for generations as the fool who defied me.”
I can’t help but laugh.
“Kukuku, hahaha, perfect! The Oiraan crown prince himself will tell the tale. Your defeat will be sung for a hundred, two hundred, no, a thousand years!”
“Unforgivable. Hans! Bring my staff-rifle «Eckesachs».”
“Already got it ready.”
“Sharp as ever.”
“We’re best friends, after all!”
Siegfried and Hans grip hands like they’re arm-wrestling, flashing their white teeth.
What’s with this BL vibe?
Resisting the urge to blast them with a fake self-destruct mode, I wait for the duel to start.
As Siegfried removes his white gloves, Hans approaches me.
“Hmm? Your face… looks familiar… Nah, no way. Even Nord couldn’t outrank me.”
Hans rubs his chin, suspicious, tilting his head to peek at my eyes through my bangs.
“I mean, I rose to officer in just a few months. I’m on a different level, you know!”
He laughs haughtily, hands on hips. Seems he worked hard in the Oiraan army—or more likely, climbed ranks by sucking up to Siegfried.
I nearly blurt that I became a general in under a week, but that’d make Hans-senpai sulk and throw childish punches.
Guys like him need «Vision Block»!
I flick my bangs slightly. Our eyes meet, and a flash like an eye exam blasts into Hans’ eyes.
“My eyes! My eyes!!”
“What’s wrong, Hans!? You sick?”
Hans clutches his eyes, stumbling aimlessly.
Siegfried notices something’s off and tries to touch Hans’ shoulder, but Hans keeps moving, making it impossible.
“Medic! Where’s a medic!?”
“I’m a medic.”
“What!?”
Even a high-magic royal like Siegfried can’t sense my magic use… No wonder Nirvana wants Ackersen’s bloodline.
Then the dimwit Siegfried says something ridiculous.
“No way a mere medic could become a general!”
That’s your rule, right?
It’s like something the admin of the biggest anonymous forum in my past life would say.
This guy’s the crown prince?
“I was made a general by your mother, Antonia. Got a problem with that? Questioning me is questioning your precious Mother. You okay with that?”
“Grr… a mere medic getting cocky!”
As Siegfried grits his teeth, Hans circles him, yelling.
“Eyes! Eyes!!”
“Shut up, Hans! It’s just your eyes, don’t make a fuss!”
Guys like him probably overreact worse than Hans if it happened to them.
Hans-senpai’s antics warm my heart.
“Eyes! Eyes!!”
Hans wails like a lamb lost from its mother. The magic’s effect will fade, but leaving him like this feels cruel. I slip away from Siegfried and later undo «Vision Block».
His magic defense is as useless as ever…
As I load supplies onto a wagon, I notice something odd.
Huh? Nirvana, who was just beside me, is gone.
“Where are you, Nirvana!?”
We agreed to call out if we separated on the battlefield…
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