Volume 2, ‘The Otome Game Heroine’s Strongest Survival II,’ is available for pre-order starting today! The comic adaptation also starts on August 30th! For more details, the cover image is also available in the activity report!
Even as demons threatened to appear in the kingdom’s shadows, in the Royal Capital, life went on as usual: people laughed, men drank after work, and women adorned themselves, flaunting their splendor in their daily lives.
Within one such aristocratic mansion, soirées and tea parties were held almost daily, where nobles gathered in their respective factions to exchange information and make their faces known.
Those who owned mansions in the Royal Capital were the wealthy, and in this particular mansion, owned by a count’s family, a large number of nobles gathered, regardless of whether they belonged to the Royalist, Aristocratic, or Neutral factions.
“—It seems we’re finally seeing some progress, don’t you think?”
“It truly was a tragic incident.”
“I had even met some of those from the training corps who passed away.”
“Yes, truly regrettable losses…”
“But, the burnt-down temple, at last…”
“This is all thanks to His Highness Prince Amor for arranging such an occasion.”
“He is truly a devout man.”
“Rumor has it that His Highness the Crown Prince and the High Priest-sama are also cooperating.”
“God is watching over our actions as well, isn’t He?”
“Oh, speak of the devil—”
As the well-dressed Prince Amor descended the grand hall’s staircase, the nobles whispered amongst themselves.
Amor had repeatedly held such soirées, using his name as the King’s younger brother, to gather donations for the reconstruction of the burnt-down temple.
If he had been the ‘Prince in name only’ he once was, with no real power, he likely wouldn’t have gathered so many people even if he had called out. However, the ‘Saint,’ newly recognized by the Holy Church, approved of his actions, and devout nobles who were followers of the Holy Church and had caught even a glimpse of her, eagerly made donations.
With Crown Prince Elvan’s faction covering the insufficient funds for the soirées and personnel dispatched from the Holy Church, Amor, who had been called a prince in name only, enhanced his force and spread his name.
But what was Amor’s reason for doing this? What was Crown Prince Elvan’s reason for cooperating? There were rumors it was merely for publicity, or that the Crown Prince and the Saint were close, but no one yet knew the truth.
“—And are you aware of the ‘rumors’?”
“You mean about ‘that person’ who is said to have caused the fire?”
“For some reason, the Holy Church decided not to pursue the matter, and it’s said the Royal Family also protected her.”
“I wonder what has gotten into His Majesty as well…”
“The devout Elvan-sama should become king soon.”
“But isn’t one of his fiancées that person?”
“How terrifying…”
Due to the presence of eyewitnesses, the involvement of the Daughter of the Count Lester Family in the temple fire incident had become common knowledge among high-ranking noble families.
Because the Holy Church did not pursue the matter and the Royal Family moved to suppress it, no one spoke of it publicly. However, as those harboring distrust towards the country due to domestic and international instability gathered and spread rumors, those who could not comprehend the Royal Family’s intentions or reasons began to burn with unnecessary righteousness.
“You mustn’t say such things. That person is still so young.”
“She’s frail and unable to go out, so she probably doesn’t know common sense, right?”
“That’s right. If she too knew God’s will, she would surely understand.”
“We must teach her the splendor of believing in God.”
Karla had never attended soirées since she was young.
Even among those who had seen her, many had seen her for the first time at the Crown Prince’s fiancée unveiling. Before that, their only memories were from before her two older brothers had suddenly died (・・・) within the mansion.
Most people only knew the person named Karla through rumors.
Even in high-ranking noble families, while the heads of the house and their heirs knew the danger, the younger siblings were not taught its meaning (・・).
That is why there was no one to stop them from acting.
For they believed they were doing the right thing, guided by a ‘Divine Revelation.’
＊＊＊
“Karla-sama, we are planning to hold a soirée two days from now.”
As if timing it with the departure of the baron’s daughter, who was the princess’s escort from the Royal Capital, several young ladies descended upon Karla, who was having tea in the palace courtyard.
“It is a soirée for young people only. We have come to earnestly request your participation, Karla-sama.”
The girl who stood at their forefront and spoke was the third daughter of House Sandora, who had entered the academy as a new student this year. Brushing back her vivid scarlet hair, she stepped towards Karla, who was drinking tea on the café terrace, her expression full of confidence.
These girls, too, only knew Karla through “rumors.” They had been ordered to do so by their mothers and had impolitely come to invite Karla directly.
The girl in the lead was from a count family, like Karla, but the young ladies behind her were daughters of viscount and baron families. Even if they knew of Karla through rumors, most of them only knew her as ‘the Crown Prince’s fiancée.’
Normally, when a noble invites another noble, they inquire about participation via letter several days to several weeks in advance. However, the Daughter of House Sandora’s actions, perhaps due to her youth, were quite ill-mannered.
Karla’s Count Lester Family is a distinguished family of Magicians that has produced many court Magicians, but because of this, their governed territory is small, and their standing is slightly lower compared to older, high-ranking noble families.
Leaving aside the Daughter of House Sandora, who was influenced by her parents’ attitude, the fact that even the young ladies from middle-ranking noble families, who seemed to be her entourage, acted as if this was natural, appeared somewhat unnatural to onlookers.
Seeing this, the castle maids’ complexions changed. As Karla slowly brought the cup to her lips, paying no attention to the girls, the Daughter of House Sandora and her companions also showed a hint of unease.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has also said he will attend, and House Sandora will take full responsibility for preparing the venue!”
As the Daughter of House Sandora said this, speaking slightly quickly, Karla suddenly turned and offered her a cheerful smile.
“Yes, of course, I shall attend.”
“Thank you very much, Karla-sama!”
Realizing Karla was not the fearsome young lady her father and brother had described, the Daughter of House Sandora, while inwardly sneering, returned a beaming smile.
Two nights later, Karla, having traveled from the royal castle to the House Sandora mansion in the Royal Capital, alighted from a stately, black-lacquered carriage and spoke to the elderly butler by her side.
“You may return to the castle now. I’ll find my own way back when it’s over.”
“…Very well, milady.”
The elderly butler, who had cared for her since she was a child, knew her better than her own parents. Nevertheless, his aim was to prevent any further harm to the members of the Lester Family. From the day Karla’s two older brothers died, he, knowing his own remaining years were short, had resolved to sacrifice himself. Thus, without trying to stop Karla, he quietly bowed his head.
As Karla slowly advanced, those guarding House Sandora opened the gates.
But why were the gatekeepers not the Royal Capital guards, nor House Sandora’s soldiers, but Temple Knights of the Holy Church?
With no escort from her butler, no welcome from her fiancé who was supposedly attending, and everyone keeping their distance, Karla entered the mansion. Inside, a dozen or so teenagers were already engaged in pleasant conversation.
“My, welcome, Karla-sama!”
The Daughter of House Sandora greeted Karla as she arrived in the grand hall.
“It is a small mansion, but we pride ourselves on having more history than other count families. Karla-sama, you haven’t had many opportunities to attend soirées, so there must be many things you don’t understand, right? Please ask anything.”
She too must have gotten used to (・・・) Karla’s appearance. She looked down on Karla, who smiled faintly with dark circles under her eyes, and tried to assert her superiority.
Taking that as a cue, those around them began to gather one after another.
Fundamentally, in noble society, it is the superior who initiates conversation. But, just as they had said it was a soirée for young people only, the youths approached Karla with casual greetings, as if speaking to a friend at the academy.
“To get used to places like this, why don’t you try going out more?”
“In that case, how about attending services at the Holy Church? It will surely be a wonderful experience.”
“You are His Highness the Crown Prince’s fiancée, after all. You should also attend the soirées for donations.”
“You are frail, aren’t you? Isn’t being a fiancée a burden for you?”
“If it’s too painful, no one will blame you for withdrawing.”
“In that case, why not yield to the Saint-sama?”
“My, that would be a good match, wouldn’t it?”
Anyone perceptive would have realized that all the attendees were either followers of the Holy Church or members of noble families whose relatives were followers.
To summarize what they wanted to say: God’s teachings are wonderful. The Crown Prince is wonderful. The Saint is better suited for the position of Queen. If even a homebody like Karla knew God’s teachings, she too would understand this—or so they implied.
“What do any of you know about El-sama?”
Karla, a faint smile on her lips, quietly posed the question. The young people she addressed paused for a moment before bursting into laughter, and the Daughter of House Sandora spoke as if explaining something obvious to a child.
“When it comes to His Highness, we know more about him than anyone else, you see.”
What could those words mean? But before I could grasp their significance, one of the maids announced the arrival of Crown Prince Elvan. Hearing this, the Daughter of House Sandora beamed a radiant smile and called out to everyone.
“Yes, let us all go and welcome him!”
And Elvan, who appeared guided by the maid, offered a mature, refreshing smile to the young people who had come to greet him.
“Thank you for the invitation.”
Then Elvan noticed Karla. He spread his arms wide as if to embrace her, directing a beaming smile at Karla.
“I’ve missed you, Karla—”
ROAR!!
In that instant, a spear of flame pierced Elvan. Karla, who had unleashed it, also greeted him with a beaming smile.
“Yes, I’ve missed you too.”
That’s Karla for you (lol)
What will become of Elvan!