Volume 2 of “The Otome Game Heroine’s Strongest Survival II” is available for pre-order starting today!
The comic adaptation will also start on August 30th!
Details and cover art are available in the activity report!
Even as demons threatened to emerge from the shadows of the kingdom, the Royal Capital bustled with its usual life: people laughed, men drank after work, and women adorned themselves, flaunting their beauty.
In the mansions of the nobility, soirées and tea parties were held almost daily, where aristocrats gathered by faction to exchange information and make connections.
Those who owned residences in the Royal Capital were wealthy, and this particular mansion, owned by a Count’s family, hosted a large gathering of nobles from the Royalist, Aristocratic, and Neutral factions alike.
“At last, we have some prospects.”
“It was truly a tragic incident.”
“I had even met some of the members of the training corps who perished.”
“Yes, it’s a great loss indeed…”
“But the burnt-down Temple is finally…”
“All thanks to Prince Amor for organizing this event.”
“He is such a devout man.”
“Rumor has it that His Highness the Crown Prince and the Temple Head are also cooperating.”
“The gods are watching our actions.”
“Speak of the devil—”
The nobles whispered as Prince Amor, dressed in finery, descended the stairs of the grand hall.
Amor had been using his name as a Prince to host numerous soirées to collect donations for the reconstruction of the burnt Temple.
If he were still the ‘Prince in name only’ he once was, few would have bothered to attend. However, with the newly recognized Saint of the Holy Church endorsing his efforts, devout nobles who were followers of the Holy Church eagerly contributed.
The Crown Prince’s faction covered the shortfall in funding for the soirées, and the Holy Church provided personnel, elevating Amor’s authority and spreading his name far and wide.
But what was Amor’s true motive? Why was Crown Prince Elvan cooperating? Some whispered it was mere self-promotion, or that the Crown Prince and the Saint were intimately involved, but the truth remained unknown.
“By the way, have you heard the ‘rumor’?”
“About ‘that person’ who is said to have caused the fire?”
“For some reason, the Holy Church has turned a blind eye, and the Royal Family is protecting her.”
“I wonder what His Majesty is thinking…”
“Elvan-sama, with his deep faith, should become King soon.”
“But isn’t she, that person, one of his fiancées?”
“How dreadful…”
Due to eyewitness accounts, it was common knowledge among the upper nobility that the daughter of Count Leicester was involved in the Temple fire.
Although no one openly spoke of it, due to the Holy Church’s silence and the Royal Family’s efforts to suppress the matter, those who harbored suspicions about the country’s instability gathered to spread rumors, fueling unnecessary righteous indignation among those who did not understand the Royal Family’s intentions.
“You mustn’t say such things. She is still young.”
“She is frail, confined indoors, and lacks common sense, isn’t she?”
“That’s right. If she learns the will of God, she will surely understand.”
“We must teach her the wonders of believing in God.”
Carla had never attended a soirée since childhood.
Even those who had seen her had only done so at the Crown Prince’s fiancée announcement, and before that, their memories were limited to the sudden deaths of her two elder brothers within the mansion.
Most people only knew Carla through rumors.
Even in the upper noble families, while the heads and heirs knew the danger, their younger siblings had not been taught the meaning.
That was why no one stopped them from acting.
They believed they were doing the right thing, guided by ‘divine revelation.’
“Carla-sama, we are planning to hold a soirée in two days.”
As if timed to coincide with the departure of the Princess’s guard from the Royal Capital, several young ladies approached Carla, who was enjoying tea in the Royal Palace’s courtyard.
“It will be a soirée for young people only. We would be honored if you would join us, Carla-sama.”
The girl at the front, the third daughter of House Sandora, who had just entered the academy this year, tossed her vibrant scarlet hair and stepped forward with a confident expression towards Carla, who was sipping tea on the café terrace.
These girls also only knew Carla through “rumors.” They had been instructed by their mothers to invite Carla directly, however impudently.
The girl at the front was from the same Count’s family as Carla, but the girls behind her were daughters of Viscount and Baron families, who knew little about Carla beyond the fact that she was the “Crown Prince’s fiancée.”
Normally, when nobles invite other nobles, they send a letter of invitation several days or weeks in advance, but the Sandora Countess’s actions were quite impudent, perhaps due to her youth.
Carla’s House Leicester was a family of renowned Magicians, producing many court Magicians, but as a result, their territory was small, and their rank was slightly lower compared to older upper noble families.
Regardless of the Sandora Countess, who was influenced by her parents’ attitude, the fact that her entourage of middle-ranking noble daughters acted as if it were natural seemed somewhat unnatural to those around them.
The maids of the castle changed their expressions upon seeing this, and the Sandora Countess and her companions showed a hint of unease as Carla, ignoring the girls, slowly sipped from her cup.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has also said he will attend, and House Sandora will take responsibility for preparing the venue!”
As the Sandora Countess spoke slightly faster, Carla suddenly turned and gave a cheerful smile.
“Yes, of course, I will attend.”
“Thank you, Carla-sama!”
Realizing that she was not the terrifying young lady her father and brothers had described, the Sandora Countess returned a full smile, inwardly sneering.
Two days later, Carla, having traveled from the Royal Castle to the Sandora Count Estate in the Royal Capital, stepped out of the heavy, black-lacquered carriage and spoke to the old butler beside her.
“You may return to the castle now. I will find my own way back when it’s over.”
“…Understood.”
The old butler, who had cared for her since childhood, knew her better than her own parents. Nevertheless, his goal was to prevent any further harm from befalling the Leicester family, and from the day Carla’s two brothers died, he had resolved to sacrifice his remaining years. He bowed silently, without trying to stop Carla.
As Carla walked slowly, the guards protecting the Sandora Estate opened the gates.
But why were the gatekeepers Temple Knights of the Holy Church, rather than Royal Capital guards or Sandora soldiers?
Without an escort from the butler, without a welcome from her fiancé, and with everyone keeping their distance, Carla entered the mansion, where a dozen or so young people were already conversing in the hall.
“Oh, welcome, Carla-sama!”
The Sandora Countess greeted Carla as she arrived in the grand hall.
“It’s a small mansion, but we pride ourselves on having more history than other Count families. You probably haven’t had many opportunities to attend soirées, Carla-sama, so feel free to ask me anything.”
She must have grown accustomed to Carla’s appearance. She looked down on Carla, who smiled thinly with dark circles under her eyes, and tried to assert her superiority.
This prompted others to gather around one after another.
In noble society, it was customary for superiors to initiate conversations. However, as it was said to be a soirée for young people only, the youths approached Carla with casual greetings, as if they were talking to friends at the academy.
“Shouldn’t you go outside to get used to such events?”
“Then, why don’t you attend the Holy Church’s services? It will surely be a wonderful experience.”
“As His Highness the Crown Prince’s fiancée, you should participate in the donation soirées.”
“Are you not burdened by your fiancé, given your frail health?”
“No one will blame you if you decline.”
“Then, why not yield your position to the Saint?”
“Oh, that would be a perfect match.”
Anyone who understood would have realized that all the participants were either followers of the Holy Church or from noble families whose members were followers.
To summarize what they were saying: the teachings of God are wonderful. The Crown Prince is wonderful. The Saint is more suited to be the Queen. If one knows the teachings of God, even a recluse like Carla would understand—or so they said.
“What do you know about El-sama?”
As Carla quietly inquired with a faint smile, the questioned youths paused for a moment before bursting into laughter. Countess Sandora opened her mouth as if explaining something obvious to a child.
“We know more about His Highness than anyone else.”
What was the meaning of those words? But before I could understand, one of the maids announced the arrival of Crown Prince Elvan. Countess Sandora, hearing this, wore a bright smile and called out to everyone.
“Yes, let’s all welcome him!”
Guided by the maid, Elvan appeared, offering a sophisticated and refreshing smile to the young people who greeted him.
“Thank you for the invitation.”
Then, Elvan noticed Carla and, with a radiant smile, opened his arms as if to embrace her.
“I’ve been longing to see you, Carla—”
BOOM!!
At that moment, a Flame Spear pierced through Elvan, and Carla, who had launched it, greeted him with a beaming smile.
“Yes, I’ve been longing to see you too.”
This is the usual Carla (lol).
What will become of Elvan’s fate!