Chapter 2: The TS Villainous Noble Son

My SAN (Sanity) points are zero thanks to the creepiness of Kain harassing Inarsha...

"Norn-sama, are you okay?"

"I'm not okay..."

Because I felt a terrible chill, we decided to return to my room for a break, but as TS-me and Elise in her maid outfit walked side-by-side, the girls of Hero Academy were covering their mouths and whispering.

—Look! That girl is cute!
—Not Elise-sama, that's obvious.
—No, the black-haired girl.
—Ah, ah, I feel like I'm going to fall in love.

No, you guys are too easy!

Setting Kain aside, is Norn's appearance cute? Well, Nord is good-looking, so it wouldn't be strange if the TS-transformed Norn is cute, but...

I felt dizzy and nearly stumbled. It seems I haven't fully recovered from the debuff of Kain's creepiness yet. The recovery is clearly slower than when I handed over the Replica Holy Sword...

"Are you okay, Nord-sama?"

"Ah, yeah. Somehow... eh, ah? Elise, what are you!?"

Elise offered her shoulder to the wobbling me. Well, she is a girl like a natural-born saintess. Borrowing the shoulder of Elise, who was pulling a wife-move she couldn't hide, I returned to my own room.

Back in the room, Elise moved briskly and prepared tea.

"Haa—! I'm coming back to life!"

"I'm glad. I tried brewing an O-Herb Tea with nourishment and detoxification effects."

O-Herb... It makes me remember the Ojou-sama with purple vertical drill rolls, but by the time I finished drinking, the chills had completely healed. Truly, there are no words other than Saintess.

Holding the tray to her chest, Elise watched me with a buoyant look. Even though I’ve become a girl, there isn't much change from when she interacts with Nord.

I looked at the full-length mirror hoping the TS would wear off, but there was no change at all; I was Norn herself.

"To tell the truth, I knew because Nord-sama's bangs haven't changed."

"Ah, is that so..."

As expected of a girl. It seems they check hairstyles even on strangers. Wait, does that mean Elise observes me that closely...? While I was smacking my lips over Elise's herb tea, the door opened simultaneously with a knock. No, there's no point in knocking, Mao...

"Huh? What? Is a relative of Nord here? Ah. I'm Mao. Nord's wife."

"Please don't teach lies! The marriage was annulled. Nord-sama is... Nord-sama is... my future hus..."

Just as Elise was about to say something, the sound of knocking echoed again, and this time Nirvana arrived. Even for the same Imperial Princess, manners differ if the country differs.

"Huh? I thought Nord came back... he's not here?"

But it seems the target for both of them is me.

Three people gather, and you have the wisdom of Metia. Following the proverb surrounding the Goddess of Wisdom Metia in the Rising Hero world, I decided to ask the three beautiful girls if they had any hints to undo the TS.

After all, even with my obsessive Rising Hero game knowledge, while I know of magic that can cause TS, I don't know the reason why it won't undo...

"Elise, don't tell me you confined Nord because you wanted him all to yourself."

"I did not!"

"Then, hid him with concealment magic?"

"I can only use Holy Magic, you know."

Because I wasn't there, Elise was being interrogated by Mao and Nirvana. For this one time, Elise is completely innocent.

I raised my hand softly toward the two searching for Nord, throwing out a lifeline.

"I am Nord... I'm going by the name Norn Soln right now, though."

"Hah? Oi oi, give talking nonsense a rest. A cute girl like this... wait, hold on."

Mao placed her thumb near my lower eyelid like an ophthalmologist and stared intently at my eyeball.

Can you tell with that...?

"Eh, what what? No way! You've become girlish, but there are traces of Nord."

The beautiful girls looked at me, unable to turn back from being Norn, and squealed in excitement. Their proximity is closer than normal compared to when I’m the male Nord, so I had the illusion I might be running a slight fever from being flustered.

In Nord's case, when alone or when they get passionate, he receives fierce approaches, but usually, they mind the public eye somewhat, keeping a lover-like distance.

No, even that is close...

As I was bewildered by how to distance myself between opposite and same sexes, Mao said something outrageous.

"Elise, you... so you swung both ways after all!"

"That is incorrect! I serve only Nord-sama!"

"I think it's fine, though. Even if a girl likes a girl. Though Elise might have relationships with too many different girls."

"I don't have relationships with anyone!"

I tried to defend her, but somehow suspicion of Yuri arose around Elise, and she was being looked at dubiously by the two. I personally would be grateful if Elise got along with my family, but...

"But... if it's with Norn-sama..."

"Eh!?"

Elise pressed her body against my chest like a cat. The scent of her beautiful silver hair tickled my nostrils. Many girls smell nice like soap, but Elise was exceptional even among them.

"Ah! Only Elise is being sly!"

"Wait, don't hog Nord."

"Everyone hates girls, right? In that case, this is my exclusive privilege."

"You said that wasn't true just a minute ago."

"That's right, that's right!"

"I forgot."

Sticking out her tongue bleh, Elise played dumb. Having been with me the longest, she seemed to be one step ahead of the two. I was captivated by the wholesome teetee scene different from Nord's, but I can't stay in this form forever. I consulted the three about something that was bothering me.

"I see. So power doesn't come out like when you were Nord. Then, let's have a match."

Mao put her right elbow on the table. Then, like a kung fu star of yesteryear, she curled her fingers toward herself, inviting me.

Clack. Our palms overlapped.

"Are you ready? Ready... Go!"

Just as I thought Elise placed her hand on our joined hands, she shouted the start signal and pulled away. How far can I go against Mao, the strongest of the three...? Incidentally, when I was Nord, I was often challenged by Mao, but I turned the tables on her every time.

"Hmph!"

I pushed in with force enough to twist Mao's arm up...

"No... way?"

But she stood in my way like a wall, not moving an inch...

"Fungigigigiiii!!"

Plop.

"Winner, Mao-san."

It was an anticlimactic end. Even though I tried hard enough to burst a blood vessel, Mao took down my arm expressionlessly, pressing the back of my hand to the table.

"Then, can I try too?"

When I switched players to Nirvana and competed...

Plop.

""""Eh?""""

Everyone there was surprised.

"Ah, um, maybe it's because I was special training with Barbera so I wouldn't burden everyone."

Nirvana is probably trying to follow up for me in her own way. But to think my strength has dropped this much... The heavy atmosphere drifting in the room was perfect for a Do-yooooon sound effect... A cheerful voice cut through it as if to break it.

"Norn-sama, it is okay! You can win against me!"

"With that, Elise will lose on purpose, right?"

"Auuu..."

Putting her hand to her chest, Elise made a sound like a toddler does when things don't go well.

Yeah, cute.

No, that's not it... What I predicted has come completely true. Strangely enough, it proved my intuition was correct, but avoiding death flags with these slender arms will be difficult.

I really have to undo the TS...

"Well, what you don't have, you don't have, so you just gotta deal with it. More importantly... let's do that."

"No wait, I need mental preparation..."

"No questions allowed!!"

Mao came to capture me, now devoid of arm strength. My shoulders were held down by her, and I was forced to sit on the dresser stool...

While Elise and Nirvana exchanged opinions on this and that, they arranged my hair in a Nord style. Both Elise and Nirvana have attendants like Waiting Maids who are hair-and-makeup stylists, yet they seem to be doing everything themselves right now.

Why is it that these girls have no arrogance?

I felt like I was going with the flow, but telling myself they are heroines who should originally be with Kain, Mao released my shoulders and started laughing loudly, clutching her belly.

"Ahahahaha! What is this, Nord! Damn cute, oi! Your sulky face is the best too, ahahahaha!"

"I am not a dress-up doll!"

Mao looked at the hairstyle arranged by Elise and Nirvana and was teary-eyed from laughing too much.

Looking in the mirror, my hair had been put into twin-tails, making me look like a black-haired kohai from a light music club in a fluffy slice-of-life show. Though the hair color is different, the thin long tails... this is exactly getting "Norru-Noru'd."

"Mao-san, it is rude to laugh."

"That's right."

"Even Fana was holding back laughter earlier, right? I know it!"

"I wasn't laughing. I was just trembling at the fact that that Nord became this cute."

Just as Nirvana says, from any angle, I had been turned into a lovely maiden. With this, few would realize I am Nord.

But could you please stop piling on fancy accessories? Although I vaguely predicted being treated as a dress-up doll...

Elise put her hands to her cheeks, entranced.

"Nord-sama, you are very cute!"

"Haaaaa... Don't toy with me!"

The Nord-speak meant to explode in my brain somehow lacked impact. Moreover, keeping both elbows to my sides, even my gestures had become girlish.

"That is right, regarding what we discussed earlier; I figured something out while preparing Norn-sama's appearance."

"What did you find out?"

We waited for Elise's answer with bated breath.

"Yes, it seems a strong curse by someone has been placed on you."

"Then, can Elise dispel it?"

"I am terribly sorry. Even I cannot easily dispel a curse this strong..."

To think I received a curse that even the Saintess Elise cannot dispel...

"Cursing Nord is terrible! When he's such a good person..."

"Exactly."

Nirvana and Mao were indignant, but there were too many potential culprits to identify the person. The possibility of Kain exists, but I don't think he has that much curse power...

"Whoever it is, if I don't dispel it, I'll have to live in this form. If that happens, Wald will disinherit me, having lost my power, and exile me..."

If that happens, what will become of Meina-san and Marie? Marie and I might no longer be used as materials for Dalia's resurrection by Wald, but navigating the world as is would be difficult.

I could be violated by creepy boys like Kain or monsters like Orcs and Goblins. Nord could brush them off easily, and being a man, there was no worry of being assaulted in the first place, but...

Will I also end up like Inarsha, impregnated by Nord in Rising Hero? Just thinking about it makes chills attack me again.

"Nord-sama... Please do not worry. The Elon Papal Agency should cover the methods to dispel any and all curses!"

"Really!?"

I almost held my head, but TS or not, I am Nord. A reflection of me pondering with a difficult face, hand on chin, was in the mirror.

"Whether Nord or Norn, either way, I have to go to the Elon Theocracy, huh..."

On the surface, Wald wields his power for the Ackersen Kingdom, but in reality, he is a madman who would sacrifice all citizens for his beloved wife...

I think it is the duty of me, who strangely enough reincarnated as Wald's child, to stop his rampage.

No use brooding over it here.

Well then, shall I start moving to live a slow life with Meina-san and Marie in the remote regions!

"I'm going to the Elon Theocracy for a bit. And I'll return as Nord, so everyone wait here."

I declared in front of everyone. Obviously, I couldn't go report the information obtained at Oho-goe Monastery to Wald in this form, so I wrote a letter to Marie instead of a report.

I hurriedly noted down the list of Homunculus researchers in the Elon Theocracy designated by Wald. The current Priestess Pope Ellis was also on that list. Also, in the literature I scavenged in the little time I had, the words Defiled Saintess and Reappearance Room caught my attention. If I recall, Inarsha's Soeur, Lucitania, was chosen and imprisoned there...

—【Ray's Perspective】

Ordered by Wald-sama to spy on Nord's movements, I watched him, but surprisingly, Nord had defeated a Demon Lord again... Just as Wald-sama says, at this rate, Nord might become too powerful to control, or so I end up thinking.

Everyone, Nord, Nord...

Certainly, Nord piles on effort without being arrogant about his natural talent, and while foul-mouthed, he possesses ability befitting the title of Black Hero and the benevolence to save people in trouble... But for even Mother to think of Nord as more precious than me is too much. Mother's eyes looking at Nord are completely the same as a maiden in love...

To take my precious Mother from me!! When Mother is my only real family!!

On the way back from the Oiraan Empire, I swore I would definitely steal back all of Mother's favor from Nord. When I returned to the Villance Duke's mansion and tried to go report to Wald-sama, Nord and Wald-sama seemed to be having a parent-child quarrel again without learning, so I stepped away from the door.

Hearing loud, thumping footsteps, I pressed my back against the wall by the door.

Nord opened the study door roughly and ran down the corridor as if flying out, leaving outside. I made myself hard to detect with concealment magic, but Nord didn't seem to notice me at all.

Nord, my milk sibling... And Nord, who stole all of Mother's favor from me...

I knocked formally on the open door and called out to Wald-sama inside.

"Wald-sama, I have returned."

"Ray? Enter."

Entering the study, Wald-sama faced his desk as if nothing had happened, looking over documents. Without giving me a single glance, he asked.

"The item?"

"Here."

When I opened the multi-sealed box, a stone like a gem placed on cotton illuminated the entire room.

""Ugh!?""

Hit by the brightness and strong miasma, Wald-sama and I covered our eyes with our arms and covered our mouths with handkerchiefs in our other hands. The Magic Core taken from the carcass of the Demon Lord Malachaital, whom Nord defeated, shone ominously purple.

When I stored the Magic Core away, Wald-sama spoke unexpected words.

"Ray, well done."

I even thought I misheard. This is the first time I have been praised by Wald-sama; even Nord or Marianne have never been praised...

Suppressing my voice from trembling, I feigned calmness and asked Wald-sama.

"What do you intend to do with such a thing?"

Usually, he would say "You wouldn't understand even if I told you" and answer nothing, but...

"As a reward for carrying it safely, I shall tell you... A Magic Core is crystallized demon factor. It is said that if you implant a Magic Core into someone with immensely strong magic power on rare occasions, a new Demon Lord is born."

"Why such a dangerous thing!?"

"To obtain a stronger Magic Core. Implant the Magic Core in a Hero, and hunt them. A latent power several times stronger than this Magic Core resides within a Demon Lord-ified Hero."

This person is insane... To turn a Hero, who naturally hunts Demon Lords, into a Demon Lord!

I don't know what Wald-sama is thinking to try and turn that frivolous Hero Kain into a Demon Lord. But with the current Nord, I didn't feel he would lose even if Kain turned into a Demon Lord. It's frustrating, but Nord is stronger and more reliable than me... and by Mother's side...

"Ray, I have high expectations for you."

"Yes."

Storing the Magic Core in the study's safe, Wald-sama looked outside and spoke to me as if muttering, his back still turned. That cold Wald-sama, to me...

—【Inarsha’s Perspective】 (Hero Academy Principal's Office)

"I am the Hero Academy Principal, Lillian."

"I am Inarsha Clazit, serving as Student Council President at the Elon Theocracy's Sanct Maiden Academy."

"What business does the famous Ice Sword Princess have at the Hero Academy?"

"Saying I am famous is embarrassing. I have merely taken the lead in following Elon's teachings... Actually, I came here to request studying abroad; would that be possible?"

If I study abroad, I can spy on Nord's condition.

Rather than spying from afar, being closer should yield more information.

"Ah, of course, it is possible. Then I will have the documents brought, so please wait a while."

While signing the handed documents... mostly written oaths... I asked Lillian about something that was bothering me.

"Oh right, regarding my business, where is Lord Nord Villance?"

"I am sorry considering you came all the way to the Ackersen Kingdom, but Nord is on vacation. It seems he won't return for a while. Good grief, if he's taking a vacation, he should say so sooner. On top of that, sending Elise to give a message... he should say that much himself."

She was extremely angry. It seems the man named Nord is quite tricky.

However, the rumor that Nord ruined the Magdalia Count family and hired her as a maid seems true. I was thinking of judging after seeing what kind of person he was, but...

Preying on women is outrageous!

Moreover, they say he does unspeakable things every night to my childhood friend Elise... It seems there is no other choice but to have him atone for his sins with death.

No, more importantly, if Nord isn't here, is there any meaning in studying abroad?

It was when I was thinking that.

"Is that so? Thank you for taking the time... Hmm!?"

When I happened to look out the window, Elise was leaning close to that lovely beautiful girl named Norn near the Principal's office, walking intimately.

'Norn-sama, leave the guidance to the Elon Theocracy to me.'

'Hmm, I intended to go alone though.'

'Don't say that. If I am there, I will be of help.'

'Understood, I permit it, so don't stick so close.'

'Nirvana-san was stopped from accompanying by Barbera-san, and Mao-san declined due to being former Demon Lord Army... Fufu, with this, it's just the two of us, Norn-sama.'

'Hmm? Did you say something?'

'No, nothing.'

They boarded a carriage just like that.

"Principal Lillian! I cancel the study abroad!"

"Eh? Ah? Wa-Wa-Wait!? Where are you going!?"

Abandoning the flustered Lillian, I flew out of the Principal's office and chased after Norn and Elise.

Even while I prepared to ride my beloved horse Hadashi, the carriage Norn and Elise rode departed, becoming a dot far in the distance before disappearing from my sight.

But without panicking, I gave water to the pure white-coated Hadashi. I stroked Hadashi's mane as she quietly drank from the bucket filled to the brim. White-coated horses are rare even in the Elon Theocracy, but Father gave her to me, saying a girl like white snow suited me.

"Let us go."

—Hihin.

Hadashi neighed quietly in response to my words, then began to gallop with momentum as if understanding my eagerness. If my wish comes true, I want to put Lucitania on her back and regain those fun times we galloped with Hadashi. I don't know why, but despite having met Norn only briefly, I held hope in her.

I don't know...

Just looking at her wells up courage that makes me feel I can do anything.

By nightfall, I caught up to the carriage Norn and the other were riding. They seemed to be resting in a small town by the highway, but knowing their destination, I hurried ahead.

Late at night, swaying on Hadashi's back, I dozed off, rowing the boat between dreams and reality...

'Norn, your tie is crooked.'

'Oh my, how embarrassing... Inarsha Onee-sama, thank you.'

An image floated up of Norn wearing the unfamiliar Sanct Maiden Academy uniform and me fixing her tie.

Ah... A droplet from my eye ran down my cheek and fell onto the back of my hand.

To think Lucitania would be chosen as a Defiled Saintess... Certainly, she openly criticized Priestess Pope Ellis's doctrine as different from what Elon originally preached, agitated the students of Sanct Maiden Academy, and even went to the Papal Agency to demand improvements. The result was being locked in a cramped underground dungeon, treated horribly, forced to intake merely gathered magic elements into her body...

I will achieve merits that convince Ellis and definitely save her! I strongly determined so.