"...This can't be possible."
I was in a fetal position, clutching my legs and trembling because of the terrible truth I had just discovered.
(First, I'm a reincarnated person. That is, I died at a young age and my soul was sent to another world.)
(I didn't know that the soul was actually a real thing!)
But that's not what scares me, what truly terrifies me is the fact that I'm trapped in a video game world.
And that world is from an Otome game. A dating simulator for girls.
A world created so some lucky girl can conquer attractive guys and get her happy ending.
"NO FUCKING WAAAAAAAAAY!"
"I'M A MAN! I GET THAT I DIED, BUT... BUT!"
"WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE A GAME FOR GIRLS?!"
(I mean, couldn't it have been a normal game like a regular simulator? Or even an erotic game?)
(Why should I care about a bunch of attractive guys?)
(I'd rather see beautiful young women or mature ladies with huge boobs than pretty boys!)
But that's not the worst of it.
"Of all the existing Otome games... why did it have to be 'that Otome game' specifically?"
The last Otome game was undoubtedly a rarity among rarities.
Despite having romantic elements, the strong point wasn't that but its gameplay.
Its RPG style was its true appeal.
And that's what scares me more than anything.
"The enemies in this world are something to cry about!"
It's exactly as I say.
In this game, the normal enemies, sub-bosses, bosses, and above all, the final bosses, the four great demon kings, were the real horror I didn't want to witness.
Even a goblin or a slime are enemies to be feared, all monsters belong to the demonic race found on the dark continent.
In the game, it was never explained how they got here. Their continent is located in the center of the world, so the distance would be equivalent to going almost halfway around the world.
"Hey, peasant, you've been acting weird for a while now."
On this continent, called Ixion, there are various countries; from large to small. Poor and rich. Powers and those oppressed by them.
"Hey, don't ignore me."
Luckily for me, this country is the ultimate personification of economic, labor, and magical prosperity in the world. So I don't have to worry about going hungry or theft.
"... Hey, what did I tell you?"
As a major power, it's envied by many, so it has enemies everywhere. For something as strange as that, it still remains in the feudal system, that's what they said in the game, so in this reality I find it very strange.
"STOP IGNORING ME!"
I was kicked by a small foot and my face smashed against the ground.
As I lifted it and spat out dirt, I remembered who I was with.
The cruel and despicable villainess, Elize.
She was a beautiful girl my age; her hair was long down to her lower back, silky like fine imported fabric, the color of her hair was a light blonde which was very golden, it shone with the little light the sun gave her.
Her eyes were a bright cherry red, matching her dress.
Although she's a very pretty girl, when she grows up she'll become a pain in the ass.
Her attitude will be so horrible that she'll make everyone hate her.
She'll be so arrogant and presumptuous that no one will approach her, only her entourage, and that's because their families are vassals of the Duke's Household.
For that reason, her fiancé, the justice-loving and peace-loving third imperial prince, Regulux, will get fed up with her and in a key event will end their relationship and begin his happy life with the protagonist.
In the end, this horrible girl sees three possible endings depending on her atrocious acts being discovered.
Life imprisonment with torture.
Exile to some distant place.
Death by hanging.
Any of those three endings she will always get, whether you reveal all her atrocities, she loses.
Personally, I don't care.
(I mean, she might be a spoiled brat now. But isn't she already horrible at this age?)
She hit me for being disrespectful, well, I deserved it, but she's still horrible.
She jumped from a very high place and if I hadn't used magic to resist her fall, we both would have died.
Besides, now that I remember, almost every day I come, she uses me as her personal toy.
(Definitely, she's an odious girl.)
"Peasant, stop acting like you don't know where you are."
I looked at her annoyed since she doesn't know I'm annoyed with her. (It's easy not to pay attention to your surroundings when you're a spoiled little brat.)
"Anyway, let's go inside to play."
She took my hand and forcibly made me stand up to run to the mansion.
I didn't notice, but her hands, like mine, are small.
(That means I really woke up in a child's body.)
(A very ugly one.)
(In my previous life I was also ugly, but I think this is punishment.)
(I'm sorry Buddha, or whoever controlled my world. I'm sorry for being so lazy, but... why did you make me so ugly?)
◇
We walked for at least five minutes to reach the mansion.
There, an elegant old butler with his long hair tied in a bun was waiting for us.
"Lady Elize, you mustn't do that."
"Yeees~"
The little villainess seemed to accept that what she did was wrong but didn't give it much importance.
The butler saw me and told me to go take a bath.
A large Japanese-style bathhouse was near the mansion.
It seems to have been built for employees who don't come in dirty.
I went straight there.
◇
The bath was very refreshing and they gave me used clothes until the clothes I came in were dry.
Once I came out of the bathhouse, the little villainess was waiting for me. She was showing an obvious spoiled brat pout.
"Slowpoke!"
I apologized so she wouldn't bother me anymore.
"I'm very sorry, but I had to wait for the healer mage to close the wound."
(It was a world and country advanced in many ways, but the role of healers was almost the only means to cure wounds and diseases, it was known as healing magic, people thought it only served for that until she appeared.)
We entered the mansion.
The place was enormous, not just from a child's point of view, from an adult's it was too.
The entrance door measured the same as the back of a cargo truck.
The little villainess didn't let go of my hand and we headed to the stairs, there was a small elevator.
(It seems the staircase is just a large, numerous ornament.)
From the elevator I saw the numerous mirrors, vases, furniture, and marble statues.
(Everything was very elegant and surely expensive too.)
After going up to the designated floor, we got off and walked to a small vehicle.
We got in and she drove it.
(Really, the situation leaves me more intrigued than amazed.)
(What kind of strange and surreal fantasy world was this?)
◇
We went around the same floor several times and then arrived at the destination.
It was a normal door, but it was made of gold and the knob was a diamond, she opened the door and we entered her room.
It was the equivalent of a banquet hall.
We sat at a table and she poured me tea.
No joke, real tea.
It was ice cold and tasted horrible.
◇
Hours passed and the sun was setting.
(My dad probably must have finished his work.)
"I think it's time for me to go?"
The little villainess heard me and stopped.
We were playing doctor, she would put gelatinous things on my back and then say they were leeches.
"Eh? But you're still at risk of death!"
(It's terrifying that, being a game, it really gives the impression of being one.)
"My father must have finished his work by now, so he's probably waiting for me at the gate."
She seemed upset.
"Okay, but next time I'll operate on you."
(I'm scared.)
◇
After getting off the elevator, at the large gate, two men were talking.
One of them was my father, who was dirty, that's because he's the gardener.
He's apparently one of the best since we've been serving the Duke's family for almost 100 years.
The man by his side noticed our presence and said.
"Did you have fun, precious?"
"Yes, lots."
The man was tall, slim, wavy blond hair, a thin mustache that covered almost his entire mouth, blue eyes, and wore a very elegant and expensive brown suit.
He was the head of this house, one of the seven dukes of the empire. Alvin von Rosenberg.
He didn't even ask me if I had fun.
(This was the difference in social classes.)
(If those of high status aren't interested in you, it's best for you.)
The duke said to my father.
"I'll contact you soon."
My father bowed instead of saying something, I did too, and we both proceeded to leave.
Before stepping onto the magical escalator, the little villainess called me from behind.
I turned to see what she wanted and she said.
"I'll be waiting for you this Thursday."
I didn't want to answer, so I just nodded.
Apparently, she made a proud face seeing me.
As we went down the stairs, my father told me.
"Tomorrow you'll go to the duchy's adventurer guild. It's time for you to register as one."
My father didn't say anything else until we got home.
◇
The next morning my father said he had matters to attend to, so I had to go alone to the adventurer's guild.
(Like in any RPG game, it was normal for there to be one.)
In all territories there is a headquarters, which are connected to each other like a spider web.
I had to come in a carriage-taxi. (It sounds weird to say it, but that's what it seems like.)
(I'm outside a large building, it looks like a luxurious mansion since its size occupies several streets.)
Upon entering, the view was undoubtedly that of a medieval but modern place.
The chairs were wooden, but the tables were metal.
There were wooden cups coated with silver which contained alcohol.
Silver and gold spoons and forks.
There were men and women wearing different clothes.
Some had copper or silver chainmail.
Others had expensive armor made from monster parts or precious minerals.
The weapons were simple; swords, spears, axes, bows, and rifles.
Those who used rifles were undoubtedly nobles.
In the game, only those who could afford the maintenance of firearms and buy bullets, which weren't normal bullets but magical bullets with different elements, could acquire them.
(Of course, I'm talking about non-playable characters according to the game's lore.)
(It was also said that nobles reject the work of an adventurer. Which is very strange since when the empire was still a kingdom, the most profitable profession and the one that boosted your status as a noble was being an adventurer.)
(It seems that's influence from that other game they were inspired by for various things.)
(Since nobles are very egocentric and petty, many create pseudonyms to come and do adventurer work.)
(So there's nothing wrong with being one if no one catches you, even if they're known they don't say anything.)
I approached the receptionist lady.
I was amazed because a beauty was attending me, not just any beauty, she was a beauty with cat ears.
"Very good morning nya~. How can I help you nya~?"
(She said it!)
(She said a super cliché game phrase, but my virgin heart feels happy to hear that!)
In this country, I don't know if it's throughout the world since the game never said so. It seems that demi-humans are treated coldly by many nobles. There are laws that protect them, like humane treatment of commoners, but only as appearances to boast that they are better than other countries.
"H-Hello, good morning. I'd like to register as an adventurer. I turned seven a couple of weeks ago and my father signed all of this."
(The age at which you can join the guild as an adventurer is from seven years old and with your parents' approval.)
(The legal age to live alone is twelve, while at thirteen you can start working if you wish in something that isn't adventuring.)
(At fifteen you are officially recognized as an adult. Being able to drink alcohol, smoke, and even do things you shouldn't with women who charge for a special service.)
(In the game this was never said, but in the forums they managed to find out things that the developers didn't want you to know.)
"Understood. Everything seems to be in order, please, your signature here."
The cute cat-eared receptionist had me sign a form in which I accepted that the guild is not responsible if I die during a mission or after collecting my reward.
(How terrifying.)
(The language of this world was a mix between English and kanji.)
(Since everything is written horizontally, it's easier to read and write.)
"Ready, now to finish, please spill a drop of your blood."
The receptionist was doing something, I couldn't see her since I was very small, but she came out from her place to approach me.
She had a brown laminated ID card.
With a small knife I cut my thumb and then as if I were putting my fingerprints, I pressed it.
A shining magic circle appeared while she said.
"Congratulations. You are now a young member of the adventurer's guild. You can visit any guild throughout the empire. Since you are very young, you can only start with missions within your limits."
On one side of my name was a large golden letter, it was my rank as an adventurer. (I'm at the lowest of all, rank E.)
(There are five ranks in total. Rank E is for novices and children.)
(Rank D is for those who have already finished the tutorial and begin their adventure.)
(Rank C is for more capable ones and missions ranging from protection like escorts to bodyguards.)
(Rank B is for experts and ranges from killing extremely dangerous monsters to being personal army captains for some noble.)
(The hardest to achieve is rank A, only those who are at the level of a knight of the empire can be recognized as such.)
(In fact, they say a sword saint comes to verify whether you are worthy or not to advance to that rank A since the country might ask you for help.)
(It's a bit hypocritical if you think about it and at the same time very amazing.)
(As an E rank, it means I must complete missions like looking for cats, walking dogs, gathering herbs, etc.)
(Tasks that no one wants. Curiously, I remember watching an anime where some adventurers refused to kill goblins, but D ranks are the ones who request it the most.)
Now that I have my adventurer's ID, I proceeded to leave the place, not without first hearing a certain conversation.
"Hey, did you hear what happened to Klein?"
"No. What thing?"
"The poor idiot entered the lawless city to capture the king of the eternal night."
"That guy must be a tremendous idiot if he thinks that fortress of spawns can be penetrated by a B rank. Is he alive at least?"
"As if. He's dead as hell, hahaha. They found his dismembered body at the entrance."
"Uwahh, how disgusting. Good thing the empire doesn't meddle in that place. Who knows how many of us would be treated as cannon fodder if we entered."
"Hahaha, you're right."
(The king of the night... just hearing his name gives me chills, but it's not something I should worry about since the protagonists will take care of it sooner or later.)
(My real reason for being an adventurer is another, so I absolutely cannot die for anything in this world.)
◇
Thursday had already arrived without issue.
My father took me to the duke's mansion, it seems he had to talk to him about something.
Once I arrived, the little villainess did the same as the other time.
"Coooommooooneeeeeer~!"
She threw herself from the heights again to land on me.
(This time I came prepared.)
I took out a magic toy made of slime.
It's like a kind of inflatable chair, but actually it's a beach ball.
(Very strange, this whole world.)
The little villainess landed sinking into the slime. It had a small button with which you could deflate it.
Doing so, the slime ball shrank and wrinkled more and more.
The little villainess stood up before it completely deflated and told me.
"It seems this time you will entertain me more, ufufu."
She made that strange sound while looking at me.
◇
Today we had a better time than the last time.
Now the tea was warm and there were rice crackers to eat.
The sun was setting. Soon it will be time to go home.
"Hey, peasant."
The little villainess called me, looking at her, I noticed that her eyes were looking at her plate and she seemed to have a red face.
(Is she sick perhaps?)
(Don't infect me if so.)
"Yes?"
She took small glances at her plate and at my face, then, with a timid voice she said.
"... D-Do you have anything to do this weekend?"
I replied with a simple, "No."
She cheered up and gave a slight jump, her shoulders rising.
Now her tone towards me was humbler for some reason.
"I-If you don't mind and don't have any pending matters... would you mind coming to my party?"
A party, huh?
"It's a tea party. So your friends should come instead of─"
"You're wrong."
She suddenly cut off my words.
Her gaze was increasingly embarrassed and shy.
"It's not a tea party... it's my birthday."
My eyes opened in surprise.
"If that's the case, it's the same answer."
"It's just that..."
She looked at the plate while answering me.
"I don't have anyone else to celebrate it with besides my family."
(This is a surprise.)
"I can't interact with other girls until I'm twelve as my mother indicates."
"That's why my father asked yours if he had a son or daughter to be my playmate."
(I think I'm understanding everything now.)
"… And since we've been playing together for months, I'd like to be able to celebrate it with you too."
(This little spoiled brat is alone.)
(She has no one to play with... I think, that's the reason she was the way she was during the bullying events.)
(But since none of this was ever revealed, no one could guess what she was hiding.)
"I'd like to come. But I don't have money for a gift."
Her eyes opened wide at my words. Her red cheeks were flushed and her mouth showed her teeth covered in cracker remnants.
"That's not necessary, just you attending is enough!"
"In that case, I'd be very happy to come, Lady Elize."
"Eli..."
"Excuse me?"
I made a confused expression at what she said.
She touched her fingertips clumsily while turning her head away from mine.
"I allow you to call me Eli. That's what my parents call me when they want to spoil me."
(It seems very strange for me to call her that, but what can you do.)
"Lady Eli."
"The honorifics are unnecessary."
"Alright.... Eli."
"Yes?"
I called her by her name, I felt very embarrassed for some reason. She looked at me expecting something.
"You can call me Razel if you wish."
She nodded and said. "Nice to meet you, Razel."
(Wow, I can't believe this villainess is so cute.)
(Maybe... should I help her to prevent her from becoming a horrible girl in the future?)
(Well, I'll find out this weekend.)
◇
"See you this weekend, Razel~"
Eli said goodbye to me from the large gate.
Her small hand stretched as far as it could.
I also said goodbye to her.
While going down the magical stairs, my dad told me.
"What does she mean by this weekend? Do you have plans?"
"Yes. I actually─"
My father killed the good mood I had with what he said next.
"As of today, we have ended our 100 years of service as a knightly household. The imperial palace sent me a document saying that we are recognized as a baronial household without territory. Razel, we will move tomorrow to the imperial capital."
I couldn't express absolutely anything at what he said.
"If you have any business with her, you should go up and tell her. It would be bad for a girl, even if she's from a duke's household. I already spoke with him and he gave me a letter of recommendation."
(I should go up and tell her, but that would end much worse.)
(It's better if she learns what disappointment means at an early age, so, when the event where Prince Regulux breaks off his engagement with her occurs, she won't do the crazy thing of attacking the protagonist with her magic.)
(I hope she doesn't bother her either.)
(Goodbye Eli, our paths will never cross again.)