Somehow, I’m the Otome Game Villain 29:

Somehow, I’m the Otome Game Villain 29:

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Wordcount: 2500

Commissioned by LordMarksman

…

Marie stared at me.

Luxion shook its ‘head’ side to side slowly.

Ideal sighed.

“…So, I’m guessing none of you approve of cutting Clarice and Angelica loose?” I called Marie back from her efforts to make money using knowledge from our previous world, so the four of us were assembled properly for the first time since leaving Holfort. We’ve all been busy working on our own projects since then. “Isn’t the best way to go about doing this? We’re going to be effectively conquering the place. We don’t want their people caught up in it.”

“They’ll be caught up in it regardless!” Marie put her two cents into the ring without a hint of hesitation. She practically slapped the surface of the table doing so. “People in Holfort know they’re here. Their families let them be here. Cutting them off isn’t going to happen without any repercussion, Leon!”

“Not only that, but my societal analysis of the Holfort situation has confirmed that the breaking off of engagements has soured relations between their families and the crown. It is unlikely that Minister Atlee will remain in the cabinet, and the Redgrave family is already galvanized towards seeing Angelica wed to you.” Luxion provided information to counter my argument smoothly. The red-eyed orb brought up pictures along with its statements. Satellite images of the Redgrave territory reinforcing their borders with the rest of Holfort, the lack of visits of either to the capital unless necessary, painted a poor picture. “They are already invested in creating a relationship with Alzer. I suggest that we take them in.”

 Clarice’s father, was a pretty prominent individual in politics within Holfort. He had connections to many industries ranging from airbikes to ships, which made him the equivalent of the minister of industry in this world. Not someone you want to see quit your cabinet. Duke Redgrave was one of the largest and most prominent families in the whole of Holfort and if the current line ended, they’d have the clearest claim towards throne. Not to mention the fact that they had a powerful military, a large population in their territory, and managed their finances extremely well.

“As much as it pains me to allow the coming tragedy to happen, the amount of violence and bloodshed it would take to stop Holfort’s collapse would be unacceptable.” Ideal piped up. It was surprising how fast the AI came around when it realized that most of the people outside of the Empire were descendants of humanity. The AI practically cherished life now. If it didn’t constantly plan on dropping massive rocks on the Empire, I’d think it was a wholly different AI. “Toppling it early, then going in there to establish ourselves before they can start fighting one another in a civil war, would be for the best.”

After settling the matter with the Principality, we had to acknowledge a simple fact: Holfort was a ticking time bomb.

“Dammit. This sucks.”

“Would you rather Angie be tossed to the hicks into a loveless marriage where she takes her own life? Or for Clarice to become an untouchable woman spending her lives with slaves?” Marie piped up. “Because that’s what happens to them, while their families fall from power, in the best ending, if we don’t do anything.”

“Augh. I get it. I don’t want to happen, but… taking them along for the ride while we take over their country is messed up, too. Right?” At my statement, there was silence from my trio of advisors. Though I didn’t claim to be their leader, more like the guy who assembled them so that we could all work together and not end the world and greased the wheels, I knew I had to step in. “Look, I think it’ll be best if I try to break ties with them and scare them away. Give a formal statement to their families that we’re chivalrous or something and that we’re not holding them hostage before we attack all Holfort.”

Marie scowled and crossed her arms at my words.

“Break ties and scare them away? You’re trying to skip around the fact you’re going to break their hearts. Even if you think that they don’t like you, what you’re doing is still horrible for people who are just friends.” Marie didn’t hesitate to go right for the throat. Luxion and Ideal obviously sided with her with how the two of them were nodding.  “If you want them to be safe, you should tell them the truth, Leon. Tell them what we’ve found out about Holfort and let them make their own decision. You saved them, and they do need help, but they’re still two brilliant young woman who can make their own choices!”

Both of the AI would look silly if they nodded any faster than they already were.

Meanwhile, I was getting a headache trying to navigate this political time bomb, and being upfront sounded pretty good… so…

I surrendered.

“Alright, we’ll bring them both up to speed. I’ll try to convince them to go back to their families and prepare, but if they want to join us, I’ll gladly take their help.” The Atlee and the Redgrave families weren’t critical to Holfort, but they were pillars that the nation could lean on. Removing them from play, even if I had to guard them, would make Holfort flimsier. If those two decided, for whatever reason, to join our effort then it was the least that I could do to keep them and their family safe. “If they decide to join, I want us to be able to move in quickly and keep their families and lands in Holfort safe.”

That got me a nod from Marie, but Luxion and Ideal hesitated.

“We’ll need to be considerate and move carefully with our limited numbers. We can only do so much until more units are built and given full hulls. We cannot be everywhere at once.”

“I don’t plan on moving against Holfort that fast. We’re not moving until at least one ship is present to protect either territory. I just want to make sure that if they betray their nation, we’ve got their backs.”

“Then, if we stay within a reasonable time frame, that can be done.”

“Good, we’ll work with that. Now… I’ll deliver the news.”

I prepared myself to tell Angelica and Clarice about the situation.

A part of me hoped that they’d choose to run away back to their families.

Another part of me hoped that they’d stay.

Marie, Luxion, and Ideal were right in the end, though.

It was their choice to make.

…

“If you take me as your wife, I can convince my father to secede to Alzer, especially as you are set to rule over it.”

“Hm, I can also have papa start working hard to get everything over to Alzer. I’m fine with being second and just having my children rule over our territory in Holfort.”

“Bwuah?”

Both Angelica and Clarice’s responses to my explanation of the situation, of my intent to conquer Holfort, were completely different from what I expected. I expected to be screamed at, called horrible, or even slapped if they found my plans to conquer Holfort a betrayal.  If they accepted betraying their country, I thought that they’d harangue me and make sure that they’ll be rewarded for doing so.

Instead, I got two marriage proposals!?

“H-hold on, you’ve both lost me.” I raised up my hands. I was tempted to make a time-out gesture. Both Clarice and Angelica simply gave nods, while I considered the situation. In effect, I told them what I planned on doing, Holfort’s situation, and I aim to conquer their nation with overwhelming force. Yep. That’s what I did. I expected them to leave or to accept allying with me. I received marriage proposals. Mhmm. Yeah. I’m lost. “Why? You know that allying with me is enough to keep yourselves safe, right?”

Angelica looked at Clarice who nodded in deferment.

“It is a matter of risk and reward, Leon. While it is true that we can avoid any pitfalls by joining you, we would receive nothing by doing so. No risk and no reward.” I think that there’s plenty of risk joining up with me against Holfort! Just how bad is the Redgrave’s situation after your engagement has been called off!? We’re practically talking open rebellion here! “Father is distrustful of the crown and our relationship with them has all but fractured. Keep in mind, his grandson was meant to be the next prince of the throne. The Redgrave family gave much to the Crown in wealth, power, and such things for the opportunity.”

I took a second to take that in and try to think on the matter from their perspective. It was a bit difficult. After all, Alzer’s form of governance is different. Sure, we inherit seats on the ruling council and my family was seen as the ‘head,’ but it wasn’t absolute rule. We coordinated with the other council member families, worked with the families under our rule, and there were representatives from our populace that could put forward laws and such.

 Holfort was… more feudal than I expected, I guess.

“So, in exchange for an engagement, your family will ally with us and actively participate in the rebellion?”

“Father wouldn’t raise a hand to help the Crown, even if we weren’t allies. If Alzer attacked now, he would parley from a position of strength with our house’s forces. If our territory was ignored, then we would do nothing to help Holfort.” Angelica’s features were cool and icy, but I could almost feel the hidden heat in her words. I hadn’t given it much thought. I just helped her because it would’ve felt wrong not to do so. But with all this context, it was plain to see what really happened. Julius fucked up massively. “If we are engaged, my father would commit to assisting you with his forces and treasury. I am also sure that there are many discontent lords on the outskirts of Holfort that would join with Alzer, especially if the certain practices are abolished from their ranks.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll need some time to think about engagement. It’s something I need to discuss with my father, naturally.” Angelica gave a nod at my words, then I turned to Clarice who had a big smile on her face as she looked my way. I almost paused before nodding her way. “And, I’m guessing your family will also support me because of your broken engagement?”

“Yes. Jilk was set to be the highest minister of the land of Holfort. A highly esteemed advisor of the future king of Holfort, and his children would’ve been the same. Though he had no family of his own, he would’ve elevated my own family’s standing immensely in the process. My father and my grandfather labored for decades to achieve this goal.” Clarice’s smile was as cold as ice and spine chilling. It didn’t reach her eyes. In fact, as she spoke, her eyes were practically dead and dull. I almost wanted to tell her to stop talking. Jilk’s one of the smart ones of the bunch. He should’ve known all this. Still, he went off to be with the protagonist. It was almost insane to consider. “My father has told me to find myself a place by your side, and to see relations with Alzer bloom. Much like Duke Redgrave, I believe he no longer has an interest in serving the Crown.”

When placing everything in the context of a feudal nation, instead of Alzer or Japan, it made sense. Rising in the ranks in the noble hierarchy takes generations of effort and time. Both the Atlee family and the Redgraves did everything that they could.  The protagonist coming in and seducing them essentially fucked over the future of Holfort, especially since the other three male leads were also meant to marry for the sake of the kingdom’s future, and those marriages were made possible only through generations of effort.

The confusing thing was that in-game, the protagonist should be racking up achievements as the Saintess, and becoming a public figure that can pull Holfort together. She should go through dungeons, triggering events, and other things that enable her to gain enough reputation. Marrying all five would essentially bind the families together and establish a new cornerstone for Holfort, especially with the Royal Family’s prized airship at their disposal.

But Julius is comatose and showing no signs of waking up, and Fanoss has been defeated.

Meaning that the protagonist would have to beat me and Alzer with the Royal airship to get the capstone achievement that would cement her as a heroine of the people.

Things were falling into place and I was getting a clearer picture of how fucked Holfort was.

I didn’t like it one bit.

Angelica suddenly cleared her throat.

“I will be contacting my father regarding your plans and set preparations into motion to at least stay back. If your lord father has other intentions for you to have a head wife, I’m afraid it will be unlikely father would ally with you fully. He will only entrust his military force to your cause if his grandchild will be akin to a king.” Angelica stated curtly and gave a small bow. However, when she raised her head, there was curiosity in her eyes. “May I ask how many Ancient artifacts you hold in your possession? I presume that your Knight Armor is one, correct?”

Okay, assuaging them of my abilities through Luxion and Ideal should be easy.

I need to make sure that they can feel confident in allying with me, at least.

“I have two Ancient Artifacts. Both are powerful ships guided through their version of familiars. Ideal and Luxion are powerful, but what they can truly do is create.” Luxion was an interstellar migration ship, while Ideal was a military logistics ship. One of them alone couldn’t make more AI, but working together, they were able to pool resources and production ability to build AI and military ships. “As we speak, I’m making a fleet of Ancient weapons and intend to elevate Alzer to rival the Empire and subsuming all other lands.”

There were a whole lot of games in this series, and I had no intention of letting their plots play out. The best course of action now was to just take over and stop stupid things from happening and ending the entire world.

I gave both Clarice and Angelica a nod, hoping that my speech was enough to assuage their concerns with allying with me.

Don’t worry, you two, with Luxion and Ideal I should be able to protect my allies without any doubt!

Wait, why are the two of you walking towards me and taking your clothes off?