After the battle against the Olston's disguised as pirates, the palace finally appeared.
They arrested them all, and their trial will begin once the interrogations are finished.
The Campbell family is the most harmed, so it's most likely that the Olston's will be erased and their territories and businesses handed over as compensation.
For my part, I was telling everything to Mayer-san, who was not at all happy to see me again so soon.
"You know, we saw each other less than five days ago, and now we meet again, but to fill out a report on what happened, including the damage you caused."
"Be honest with me. You're doing it on purpose, aren't you?"
"Do you want this old man to not sleep well? Are you laughing at me?"
"No, of course not."
He was clearly annoyed because he has more work to do, but when I get involved, he feels it was my fault.
He sighed and scratched his head.
"With the information we have from the family itself, the involved parties, and the Campbell's, there's no doubt they'll be executed for treason. There are still remnants of Balzac, it seems."
"Cleaning up the filth in this country is really stressful at my age."
"I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Why was framing the Campbell's so important to them? Business rivalry? Jealousy?"
Mayer-san poured himself a little tea before answering me.
"All of the above. Often, you don't need a deep motivation to hurt others. You can leave; I already have your testimony."
After saying that, I stood up and prepared to leave, but he suddenly stopped me.
"Rudel-kun, have you ever heard this word. Kaynethists?"
"No. Why? Should I know it?"
"It's nothing. Rest a little."
I was very confused, but it didn't matter.
◇
I returned to the Campbell house because I was staying with them until I went back home.
I was welcomed by everyone, who thanked me for what had happened.
Everyone treats me like their hero because I saved their home.
"Rudel-san, did you tell the Prime Minister?"
Alicia was asking if I had given Mayer-san the document stating I accepted her and her sisters as my concubines.
Of course. He stared at me and said, "You know, I was a womanizer when I was young too, but there are limits, you know?" It's clear he wasn't pleased with this, but he accepted it after I told him the Bismarck family wouldn't have as much power over Ixion in the future, and he was very happy.
"We'll talk about that later, with everyone. For now, let's rest, okay?"
"Yes. That's fine."
Alicia was very cute. She's like Airi and Lucy; she makes me want to hug and kiss her.
So I told the rest of her family what happened with us, omitting what Anne and Mary did, and everyone was surprised.
Little Layla jumped on me.
"Does that mean you'll be my new big brother?"
"You could say yes."
"Yes! I have another big brother, and one who *will* let me ride in an armor!"
This girl is very energetic, like Paula.
Lionel shook my hand.
"I'm happy with this. I eagerly await the future to come."
His parents were equally happy, I'd say too much.
"Finally, my daughters will marry. That makes me happy."
"Marquis—Rudel-kun. The best thing that could have happened to this family was meeting you."
"I don't think that's the case. You were already a great family before I came."
"No, I insist."
"Is that okay?"
That was weird, but it doesn't matter.
Once dinner was over, I gathered everyone in my room, including Wendy and Rosetta, who was sniffing.
The first one I spoke to was Wendy.
"Wendy."
"Y-yes?"
She was very shy; it seemed like she knew what I was going to say, but she was mistaken in that thought.
"Do you want to be with me? As I told Alicia, things like what happened to you are something you could experience constantly by my side."
"Problems and idiots seek me out, so if you don't want to live in fear, feeling your life is in danger, you can withdraw. Of course, that doesn't mean I haven't considered your family's situation. I spoke with the Prime Minister, and he said that just because your father worked for Balzac doesn't make him an accomplice, but they are still investigating those involved, so they can't release him yet."
She was happy to hear her father might recover what was taken from him. Obviously, I'll make sure they keep their word.
"Th-thank you very much, Marquis!"
"I am deeply grateful to you!"
"And about the other thing... I've never been in love, but seeing you fight the pirates without armor and only with a rifle..."
"I was amazed. It's truly the first time I've felt this, if this is what they call love. I-I would really like to get to know you better, Marquis."
"If those are your true feelings, then I look forward to getting to know you more in the future."
After saying those words, I got up from my chair and went to hug her; she hugged me back shyly.
"P-please treat me well from now on, Mar—Rudel-sama."
"Rudel is fine."
"Rudel-san, then."
"That's better."
Next were Alicia's sisters. Rosetta thought it was her turn, but I skipped her, and she started crying again.
"The same as I told Wendy. I know something already happened between us, but I'd like to know your opinion."
They hugged me in response.
"Are you kidding? Of course I accept!"
"With a man like you, I feel you could take on the world, and any woman would want to be with you."
Both hugged me tightly and hid their hands, which were about to touch my parts.
"Besides, you owe us a lot."
"I hope you're prepared; I want at least five children."
Certainly, these girls act like my girlfriends even before becoming one.
It's good that I've already taken them as such, because otherwise, it would be serious.
Next was Alicia, just to confirm what I already knew.
"I already gave you my answer. I want to be by your side forever."
"I'll make sure to make you all happy."
I told them, and with that, it would mark the end of the conversation.
"Please wait!"
Except for that one problem.
Rosetta started crying on me.
"Please accept me! Am I not pretty?"
"There's a reason I saved my purity for my husband, unlike my friends who got married while I'm still single."
"I'm 25 years old and still unmarried!"
"Weren't you 24?"
"One or two years doesn't make a difference! Uwaaaah!"
"If I don't get married now, I'll reach 30 as an old maid!"
Rosetta broke down crying in desperation.
Seeing this girl cry like that, I could only think one thing.
(Now I understand why I don't want her. She reminds me of Erselica.)
Just like Erselica, she's a pitiable woman, and just because she's pretty, I wouldn't accept a pitiable woman.
But, just like Erselica, I feel that if I leave her alone, she'd end up in many more troubles, and that would leave a bad taste in my mouth.
I sighed in desperation.
"Fine. I'll accept you, but as my secretary. You'll have the benefits of a concubine, but I won't let you into my bed."
She stopped crying; she still had snot hanging from her nose and looked happy—pitiable, but happy.
"Really? Thank you so much, Marquis! I love you!"
She lunged at me, crying with joy.
"Get away, you're getting your snot on my face."
Then I heard a noise coming from my door; I pushed Rosetta away and went to open it.
Ellen and the others fell to the floor.
"I told you not to lean so hard on the door."
I was confused.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the palace?"
Sara, whose wig had lost its color, told me.
"Rudel, I understand you want several women by your side, but this is ridiculous."
"Do you know how many women there will be now?"
"We're like 10 women and one possible mistress."
"Shut up, Eleonora."
Lecia was being crushed by them; they got off her and she raised her head; she was about to cry.
"Rudel-kun!"
She had lost the black color in her hair and could now be easily recognized.
I tried to avoid it, but she stood up to confront me.
"I'm angry with you because you said we'd spend time together! But now you spent time with other women when I have to work tomorrow!"
"I said I'd accept being your secret mistress, but you just got more women! How do you expect me to feel seeing this?"
"Don't worry. I'll reward you. But Letty... your hair..."
Lecia then understood what was happening.
Everyone was looking at her.
Mary was the first to speak.
"That's... Her Majesty, the Queen."
Alicia brought her hands to her face as if having a revelation.
"That woman was the Queen wearing a wig!"
I thought she'd be disappointed in me, but it was the opposite.
"You're amazing, Rudel-san! You managed to conquer the Queen too!"
Her sisters were astonished.
"Conquering Her Majesty, the Queen..."
"As expected of our husband, his appetite knows no bounds."
"Rudel-san even went after the Queen; he really is a man who fears nothing."
"Yes! If you could take a married old lady, you can take me!"
Lecia's gaze focused on Rosetta for being called old.
Now that we'd been discovered and they don't seem to see it in a bad light, I needed to explain.
But before that...
"Ixion, come out."
"Incredible. You can notice me even when I'm invisible."
Ixion was on the ceiling, camouflaged with the wall.
"Explain this."
"It's actually very simple. He has more women to repopulate the new humanity, but he wants to keep his relationship with Lecia hidden. It's more convenient for him if they know about this so he can hide it more easily."
"The only real problem is those two. I doubt Lucy will be angry with you after what happened with Jude."
"Though, if you wish, I can erase their memories. Of course, with a lobotomy."
"Stay away from them, Ixion. I'll explain everything to you all; give me a moment for that."
"That will be later. There's an emergency message from Bell."
"Did something happen at home?"
I asked, intrigued, and his response was in character.
"She doesn't want to say, but she says we must return as soon as possible."
"That doesn't bode well for the situation. Something must have happened with Lyle and Elaine-san."
"Don't worry, we'll explain it to them. Go home peacefully."
Sara said while pushing me toward the door.
"Alright. When I return, I'll explain everything."
I hope nothing serious has happened, but for some reason, Ixion seems to be in a hurry, as he gets very agitated when he sees me.
It's a bad sign, I suppose.
◇◇◇
A new day had dawned for the kingdom.
The new school year was about to begin.
The new students were preparing to go to the academy.
A boy was in his room, looking in the mirror to adjust his tie.
His comb ran through his blond hair to style it in his favorite way.
Casual, but not too much. Like a businessman with quarter-length hair.
Someone knocked on the door.
"Your Highness, it's time."
"I'll be right out."
The boy was the second prince of the Kingdom of Altfode.
Liam's half-brother, who would enter the academy as a first-year student.
"It's time to gather vassals and remove my incompetent older brother from his pedestal."
He took a step out of his room, and with that, he marked the beginning of the end of the final game.
________________
Volume 8.5 — Completed.
Mini Arc "Meeting the Campbell Family" — Completed.
________________
Did you like the Campbell family? I feel they are better people than most families that have appeared, but as characters, they need more screen time. Look at Rudel's family, how they are becoming part of the plot when they were just NPCs at the beginning.
What about the new harem members? It's evident that more development is needed, but I think Alicia handled herself well here, and very well at that.
As for the Olston's, it's obvious no one cares, but what about Edmund/Clyde? I feel he has potential since he wasn't that bad; he just wanted to be recognized by his bastard father. Do you think it's worth sparing him from execution or not?
The next volume is the third of the "What If." In this one(I'm writing it right now; I might release it on Sunday.), I feel I'll do the same here and focus more on development than on fanservice. In this volume, we'll end Aster's story differently, and I also want it to last between 5-6 volumes.
We'll meet again in Volume 9, but... what will come after the Razel arc, which is next?
To finish, the fanservice is for the next waifu of the following volume: https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/10152095