A shrine a short distance away from the summer festival site.

　As I sat down on those steps, I looked down and cried out in frustration.

　Is there something wrong with a Japanese summer festival or a worldview?　Don't complain to me. I think I'm crazy too, but this is a crazy damsel-in-distress world. It's the ones who think they're sane.

"Godd*mn it I wanted it.

　I was tempted to go after them now and buy them all up. But I won't allow that to happen, Angel and Olivia.

　They're keeping an eye on me.

　The two of them, seeing that I was very depressed, were pulling the opposite way.

'So, you wanted it that badly?

　Angel looks into my face.

　He seems to have escaped from his cronies. Since I'm not on their side, they must be desperate to make up for the lost points they left behind during the duel.

I've been looking forward to this day so much. I couldn't sleep last night.

　Wipe away the tears.

　It's a play, right?　I'm crying because I'm seriously frustrated!

　Olivia spoke to me, but it was very awkward.

'But I don't think you should do that. I don't think money can buy you out.

　I know what you mean, but I don't think you can deny the whole idea of buying things with money.

'I'll pay for it, it's good. You could have paid ten times as much.

　I doubt that it's really worth it, but if it really works, it's an amulet I'd be willing to pay a hundred times more for.

　The item I wanted to collect on this floating island is the amulet that man was selling.

　I just don't know what's in it.

　In the game, it's completely random, and even if you miss it, you'll still get a [Good Luck] amulet.

　The next best one is the [Martial Luck Charm], which will improve your close-combat abilities and your physical status growth rate.

　The jackpot is the magic-based 【Attribute Charms】. With this one, there is a game-like effect of increasing your aptitude for magic.

　It's an excellent one that increases your magical growth rate and your aptitude for attributes.

　Because of this, I chose this floating island as a school trip destination in my first year. It's sad that I let the teacher hold the money to come here and not get it.

　I had only minimally challenged the dungeons, just in case, since I would get a growth bonus.......

　All the plans I've been planning for the strongest growth method have fallen apart.

　Both Angel and Olivia looked extremely troubled.

　They didn't expect me to cry.

　As I was giggling and crying, the men came back as the summer festival was coming to an end.

　Most of the items he had seemed to have sold out.

''Ah, here they are. Nobleman, we have two more, so here's one for you.''

　I get up and buy those two amulets.

'Hit it!'

No, no, there's no such thing as a good luck charm. They're all good luck charms, just different kinds.

　I pay and take two bags of money and slowly take off the white paper.

　My face turns red with nervousness.

　Underneath the slowly removed paper was a white ball about the size of a marble. It was an amulet with hardware and a red string attached to it.

　........no. I have no talent for white .......healing magic.

　There's no point in having it.

　Peeling the second one roughly, a red ball appears this time. They are both very beautiful colors, but they only look like key chains.

　Will it be beneficial?

"Red I don't have the gift of red.

　Angier nodded his head.

'What are you talking about?　But it was good, wasn't it?

　Seeing Angier's relief, the man walks away up the stairs.

'Then I'll be back. Please take good care of yourself.

　You think you're more suited to Angier and Olivia than I am?　Well, yeah.

　What I wanted was yellow, or blue.

　I wasn't going for red.

　Sorry to say it, but it was an outlier for me.

　My shoulders slumped and I handed each of the two men a good luck charm. Before I knew it, the men were gone up the stairs.

'Ku, can you give me that?'

　Angel is pulling back a bit. He looked at me as if he didn't mind getting something I wanted so badly that I was crying.

'It's not what I was after, and...'

Yeah?

　When I give it to Olivia as well, she refuses to take it.

'I can't take it,'

Just take it. I wouldn't want to take it. I don't have anything of value.

　I tossed it to her and handed it to her, and Olivia took it in her hand and gave me a troubled look.

　I sit down on the stairs, let out a deep sigh and hold my head up.

'Rion-san ... ah, um...'

　Olivia was about to say something, but Angel's cronies came to this place.

'Ah, miss!'

　Hearing his voice, Angier rushed away.

'Wow, sorry. I'm going.

　The girls chase after Angier, who is running away, and their cronies chase after him. However, they didn't have their personal servant in sight.

　When I saw Angel and the others fleeing, their cronies found me and surrounded me.

　There were three of them.

''Baltphalt, it's you again,''
Don't let a little promotion make you feel better.
"The poor nobleman who cajoled the young lady

　I looked up and saw the incompetent boys' faces. That's the extent of your perception, that's why you guys are no good. And for goodness sake, realize that. Once you betrayed us in an important situation, your trust in us won't be positive even if you try to do something about it in the future.

　It's a negative now, and if you spend your whole life trying to get it down to zero it's too late to get into it now.

''Eh?　Are you sorry?　Are you jealous of the fact that the lady likes me?　That's a shame. If you guys hadn't abandoned me during the dueling frenzy, you would have been Angier's favorite. You guys are good at reading the atmosphere of the school, but you should read the aristocratic world, or rather the world's atmosphere, better. Aren't you ashamed of trying so hard to take in now?

　I aggravate her and she almost puts her hand out.

　I'm so frustrated that I stand up to buy a fight, and Livia stands in front of me and extends her hands in front of me.

'Ke, no fighting!

　One of the boys yells at me.

'You were the one who put up a fight first!

I'm sorry. So, but no fighting.

Come on, let's go. You pathetic bastard hiding behind a woman.

　I'd like to return the favor. They just want a shield called Angel, a habit.

　As the boys leave, I say to Olivia, "You could have just left them alone.

I say to Miss Olivia, "It's a good thing you didn't let them go. They couldn't cause any more trouble, so I pulled out.

　I've agitated someone I know I can't touch.

　Well, they may be young enough to be violent, but when they are, I'm going to sanction them socially. Adult fights don't end with fisticuffs, you know.

　Olivia-san looks down.

''I'm ... sorry. Leon-san, I'm really sorry.''

　I brush my hair in front of Olivia, who is crying and apologizing.

'You have nothing to apologize for. In the first place, Olivia-san deserves someone more than me--

　As I was about to say that much, I turned my attention to an old woman who had come near me.

　How long on earth had she been here?

Well, who are you?

　When I spoke to the old woman, Olivia looked surprised, too.

　The old woman with her cane was laughing.

'No,' she said, 'my son has been a great help to me, and I wanted to talk to you.

　I look away from the old woman. I thought my son would be the man who sold the amulet.

'I'm very sorry for what I've done to you--'

　As I started to make excuses, the old woman took out a white bag from her pocket.

It is the first time I've ever heard of someone wanting my good luck charm, even if they had to pay a lot of money for it. However, there are many people who are looking forward to the festival. I'm sorry to be the one that's left over, but here it is.

　The white bag I received was a good luck charm for martial arts?　It was.

'Does this look different?'

'You're quite an expert, aren't you? That's what I was going to prepare for next year. I made it as a test, if you like.

　It's not exactly what I wanted, but I'm glad I got it.

'Oh, thank you. Oh, please pay for it--

I don't need it. If you insist, you can pay a visit to the shrine. This is a shrine of matchmaking, and it's good for you.

　Then an old woman walks up the stairs.

　Is she related to the priesthood?

　I look closely at the amulet as Olivia looks up the stairs in surprise. Instead of a martial luck amulet with a sword and shield, I raised the amulet with three crossed swords up to my face level, looked at it, and then clutched it in my hand.

''Well, even if it's not a jackpot, it's not bad if you consider it a hit.''

　Let's assume it was worth the amount of money I scattered about.

　But still, the shrine of matchmaking.......I'm afraid to go there at night, so I'll come back tomorrow morning to visit.

　Come to think of it, I remember in the game the main character and the target of the attack went to the shrine to close the distance....

　Olivia-san is going to ask me about it. She looks embarrassed.

''Rion-san, matchmaking is that--''

It means exactly what it says. It's good for the luck of the draw. We'll come back in the morning. Good luck to you.

　I should ask for a big load of money.

　Seeing me leave the place, Olivia-san looks sad, but leaves it alone.

　........You shouldn't get involved with me.

◇

　The next morning.

　The airship was leaving at noon, so we had to tour the island before that.

　Anyway, floating islands are easy to develop their own culture.

　There is no sea, and the only way to get to the other islands is by airship. Some of the islands have not even had their own airship and have built their own society.

　Discovering such floating islands is an adventure.

　...Well, sometimes the bad guys just invade them.

　No matter how much we try to patch them up, they're just a rough bunch of adventurers.

　In fact, I've done things like raiding ruins to get Luxion, too.

　We walked up the stone-piled stairs.

　The torii gate I see and the shrine is very Japanese.

　Since the floating island itself is Japanese, I felt as if I had entered a different world.

　I found a miko (shrine maiden) cleaning the grounds of the shrine.

　She looks like an elementary school girl.

Thank you. Is there a god of marriage in this place?

　The pretty miko nodded at my question with a smile.

''Yes. There is a god of marriage. There is also the benefit of martial arts and magic.''

　It seems to be a grateful god for warriors and wizards.

　When I was about to thank them and head to pay my respects, a person comes over while I was talking.

''Ah.....
"...you guys.
...uh, well...

　I let out a goofy voice, and Angel looked at us in turn, as if he was troubled. He must have met Olivia downstairs and come straight up.

　The little miko was greeting us with a smile.

''Ah, it's the noblemen of the school, isn't it? Um, do you know how to pay your respects?''

　A lovely miko who carefully teaches me how to be a miko.

　Ahhh, it's soothing.

　It's like the unreasonableness of the otome game is being purified.

　
　...awkward.

'Oh, you're going to make an offering. How much would be good?

　A troubled Angier took a gold coin from his wallet.

　Miss Olivia looked at it.

Oh, you're gonna pay that much?

'No?　This much is normal in a temple...

　I'm glad the temple isn't monotheistic and exclusionary of other religions. I really don't want a religious war or anything like that. That's the first time I've ever appreciated the loose setting of a damsel in distress.

　Next to them, I put in the wad of bills and gold coins I was supposed to pay yesterday. Think I've lost my mind?　Wrong. In the game, if you pay a certain amount of money, the favorability of the character to be attacked will be blown up. I pay a lot of money, believing it's a blessing.

　I even remembered last night and regretted that I should have brought more money with me.

　As they look at me stunned, I make a polite request.

''God, we don't have the luxury. Please ... please ... my wife!　Make a connection with a sensible, kind woman!　I don't want a woman who looks down on her husband or makes her raise someone else's children. Please give me a good marriage!

　My strongest wish escapes my mouth.

　They look dumbfounded, but it's a very important issue for me.

　I've worked so hard, but everything has backfired and I'm having a hard time, please listen to my wish, God!

　Beside me, praying desperately, both Angel and Olivia-san started to wish.

　As expected, no wishes escaped my mouth.

　What did they wish for?　Well, Angier is definitely about the person he's married to, that's for sure. Is Olivia your lover?　By all means, with the three of us, minus Brad and Greg - oh, no. Not that Zilk bastard.

　Anyway, I think I'm going to stick with the rest of Julius or Chris and hope that they stick together.

　Well, I'll just pray for myself.

'Preferably a woman with big breasts and a nubile waist. If she's a little naughty, even better!　To be honest, it's a mature and s*xy thing that spoils me--

　Hearing my lustful wishes, Angel and Olivia shyly pulled my ears out.

'Wait!　I have a wish I haven't told you about yet!　I still have something to tell you!

　Angier's face turned red.

''What are you talking about in front of the kids, you idiot!

　When I look at her, the young miko is blushing.

　........isn't she terribly cute?　No, not in a pedophile way, but in a way that made it seem noble to be an untainted girl like this.

　Olivia was apologizing to the miko.

'I'm sorry. Forget about it.

Well, uh, you know, I'm fine. You know, I'm just surprised by all of this.

　I waved to the miko who gave me a bitter smile and we went down the stairs.

◇

　The precinct where Leon and the others had left.

　A girl in a miko costume looked at the donation box.

'I don't know if I've ever seen anyone put that much money in a donation box before. I'll have to tell my grandfather.'

　The girl runs to the shrine.

　

◇

　Back on the luxury liner, I watched from the deck as we moved away from the floating island.

　I took out the amulet I clutched and turned my gaze towards it.

　I'm not sure if Luxion is interested, but he called out to me.

''Why don't you carry it around your neck?''

Hey, do you think it's good for you?

'There's nothing wrong with relying on something mentally, as long as you don't rely on it too much. You just need to not rely on it too much.'

　He doesn't deny that he's asking God for help, but he doesn't think it's going to bring him luck.

　I held it around my neck and squinted up at the summer-like sunshine.

'It's hot.'

'Yes. By the way, I was wondering if you could help me out a bit.

What?

'Could it be that the reason you didn't actively challenge the dungeon is because you didn't get that talisman?　For game-like effect?'

No, you idiot, no.

''I see. I was suspicious because you never recovered that guy called the Sacred Bracelet.

Oh, you're an idiot.

　To be honest, I didn't go into the dungeon expecting the effect to be as necessary. It was because I was hoping for a game-like effect, but I'm not sure how it would work in reality.

'It's good to get to a place to collect them, though. It's a place where even the upperclassmen have a hard time. We needed to be prepared if we were going to collect it safely.

'I see. I was worried that you weren't in a hurry. I was concerned because you didn't seem to be in a hurry to get to Marie's presence.''

　If Marie had played the game, she wouldn't do anything stupid.

　It would not be until the third semester that she would be able to do the dungeon attack in earnest.

　From there to the middle of the second year, I'll be earning money from dungeons--.

''Even so, I thought I could unveil 【Schwerdt】 all the way...''

'You named that air bike after yourself?　You know, I'm the owner of that thing. Well, Schwert, right?　Not that it's cool, but... what do you mean?

"...Master, do you know that sometimes air bikes are compared to fish? They're small compared to airships.

I've heard of that. So what?

'No, it's nothing. Schwert means "sword.

It's good!　I like it. Come to think of it, it's got a sharp tip and it's kind of nice.

"Yes, really, it's nothing, ma'am.

　My hat's off to this guy for his naming sense.

　Well, I brought it with me, but I didn't use it. There were some guys riding around on floating islands, but I was having a hard time finding that good luck charm salesman.

　For some reason, we didn't know who he was.

　Even the locals said, "Oh, he's that guy!　Who was it? It's a reaction like.

"They've done a lot of work on it. They even changed the color to a metallic color.

'That's good. Want to mix a little blue?

'Yeah, I'll ask you next time. We'll stop at a floating island somewhere on the way, and I'll be happy to ride then.

'Let's be prepared. Schwerdt is a prancing horse and is difficult to adjust. Master, take care of your ride.

　What's that?

　

　Come to think of it, I think Paltner was kind of cute too.

　

　As I was there, Chris came out on deck.

　With a tired look on his face.

I don't think I have time to be alone at all.

　He was uttering a line that seemed to be running away from the girls.

　Is this guy trying to pick a fight with us boys?

　When he realizes I'm there, he approaches me, making a scowl. His blue, well-groomed hair was a bit disheveled by the wind, but even that was annoying because it was cool.

　He took off his glasses and spoke to me.

'Baldfart, I heard you had a match with Brad. Why don't we have a swordsmanship match with me too?

　He wants to beat me at my own specialty.

　I snickered.

'Brad challenged me to beat you in my weakest area, but with you, he wanted to beat me in my strongest area... that guy had more guts than I did.

　As soon as I quoted Brad's name, his expression contorted.

　The children.

　Don't let this level of distraction disturb you.

'Come on, let's try to compete in a field you're not so good at.

　This man, Chris, is a swordsmanship specialist. Because of this, he is a character that is no good when it comes to other fields.

''Wow, I--I've never thought of myself as being good at swordplay either.

　I was dismayed at Chris, who looked down and put his glasses on.

''It's unseemly. I wish Swordsman-sama would be more imposing.''

I'm not lying. I've been training with the sword all my life. Still, my father said I had no talent.

　

　They all have ridiculously cumbersome settings. That's the kind of setting that would be dozens of sheets of manuscript paper.

　When I whispered a complaint about how troublesome it was, the hidden Luxion would say something like, ''On the contrary, the master's life is so thin.

　May!　That's right, just call me a transmigrant and nothing else!

　Still, it's better than all the other troublesome people out there...

'So you're a hardworking person who became a swordsman?　We can't even be swordsmen, and we're no better than you with no talent.

　Chris glares at me.

'If I could say the same thing to you, dedicating everything to swordplay, I'd apologize or whatever. What do you know about me?

Nothing?　On the other hand, what do you know about me?　If you want me to feel sorry for you, you can tell Marie, "I'm sorry for myself - if you want me to feel sorry for you, you can tell Marie. I've said it before.

I hate guys like you who haven't even tried hard enough.

　...effort?　I've done it too.

　I've done things like work in the fields for a living and study under the light of a lantern.

　While my second and third daughters were in their rooms studying under the lights and not working the fields.

　They said girls need to be taken care of!　That's disgusting.

　It's disgusting.

"f*ck me. I hate you guys too. I hate you, especially Brad and Greg, for setting me up to fail. I had high hopes for them.

　More than anything else, I'll pinpoint the thing I hate most I'll make sure I get my revenge.

　And so we talk and stare at each other, and suddenly an alarm goes off.

　We look around.

'What?'

Is there a monster in here?　No, but this alarm is a bit of a quandary--

　That's when Chris was about to say something strange about the quicksilver.

　A large number of monsters appeared from within the white clouds.

　The number of them that broke through the clouds and appeared one after another was not on the scale of tens or hundreds.

''........What the hell is that thing?''

　The monsters, which looked like they were imitating marine life, were flying around in the sky like they were swimming in the ocean.

　Their numbers had already been counted, yet they still flew out of the clouds.

　They were a distance away from the floating island, and there were no other airships in sight around them.

　The sailors came out with their weapons, but they were frightened by the overwhelming number of them.

　Some of the young sailors were trembling with the weapons they had brought with them.

　Chris crowded the sailors.

'What on earth happened!'

Wow, I don't know. The monsters just appeared out of nowhere and I don't think I've ever seen anything like this before.

　Chris is getting impatient, but so are the sailors.

　I looked up at the sky.

''Well why don't they just surround us and attack us?''

　The monsters that usually attacked us anyway if we came across them were strangely quiet and kept to surrounding the airship.

　Luxion floats around my shoulder and reports back to me.

''You're in control. It's an action that the data doesn't show.''

　Even if they were working in packs, I've never seen or heard of a group of monsters so well controlled.

　The monsters are white with a slight pinkish tinge - but I could see something in the forehead area.

　I can't confirm it, but Luxion projects an image around me.

'A sigil?　Where have I seen this before?

"The Coat of Arms of the Duchy, isn't it? Coat of arms of the Duchy of Fanworth.

'Fan Oth?　....Oh no.

　The Duchy of Fanouse. It used to be the dukes of the Holfert Kingdom - but they called themselves a duchy long ago as an independent duchy.

　You must have seen it on the streets.

　After all - it's the enemy that appears at the end of the game.

Do you know anything about it?

"The country that started the war in the game is the Duchy of Fanarth. But it's too soon. I thought I'd have plenty of time to make it to the third grade.

"You think it's connected to the monster?

The Duchy's magic flute. They were supposed to control the monsters. But I didn't know they could control that many monsters.

　Thousands, or maybe tens of thousands.

　As we were facing such a number of monsters, the girls were making a lot of noise on the deck.

'Hey, someone do something about it!
Babe, don't you have a gun on you?
I've never seen that many in my life.

　A few dozen or hundreds might be able to hold out, but the number in front of you can't be managed on a large luxury cruise ship.

　The airship is loaded with weapons, but it is an airship that prioritizes habitability over that.

　It was not built with combat as its main purpose.

　The girls and their personal servants flee into the ship. The commotion gradually grew, and there were even some sailors who were freaked out and firing.

　Luxion was calm.

''I'll have the main body and Paltner sailed. ''Master, your permission.''

Get me out of here now!　What's the ETA?

I'll try to hurry, but I don't think I can do it quickly enough.

　As he did so, a distinctly large monster emerged from the clouds. On the back of the monster, which looked like a whale, I could see a structure that seemed to have been prepared by a person.

''That thing that turned the monster into an airship........is it the appearance of a princess?

　 I never thought I would be dealing with a Lasso boss at this time of my first year.

　More at the end of the day--I thought I'd be dealing with it in my third year!

　Around such a large monster that the princess rides, a fleet of airships - airborne battleships with the emblem of the duchy - formed a formation.

　From behind them, a thing that had been converted from a floating island into an airship broke through the clouds and appeared. Before long, the large cloud had scattered in four directions.

　It was devoured by the duchy's fleet and monsters.

　Chris adjusted the position of his glasses with a slightly trembling finger and squeezed out his voice.

'Principality. What in the world do you think you're doing walking into the airspace of the kingdom?'

　By all accounts, they're planning to invade.

　The number of airships is not much in terms of strength, but the monsters make up for it.

　While many of the students were running from the deck to the inside, it was Angel and Livia who came outside. When they find us, they run up to us.

'Leon, there you are!

Miss Lyon!　-- and, Mr. Leon, there's something floating around!

　The fact that Luxion is floating by my side is probably just as alarming. Did he decide that my life was at stake if he didn't try to hide?

　Surely this number is.........

　Two of them were looking at Luxion. They're also looking at the images floating around me.

'Duh, are you okay?'

　In response to a worried Angier, Olivia-san was fingering the image projected in the air. Curiosity seemed to win out.

　Then she looked at Luxion.

''Rion-san, this round thing--''

　I was too lazy to explain, so I took Luxion--

"Oh, this guy?　It's the messenger Luxion. Here, say hello.

　However, he didn't like it from Luxion's point of view.

''An errand boy?　No, I'm not convinced. I am not related to demons, I am a product of science. That is absolutely non-negotiable. Nice to meet you, ladies. I am the Master's support person, Luxion. I'm not a messenger, but an artificial intelligence.

　Olivia listened to Luxion's explanation with admiration, but Angier ignored her. She must have decided that this situation was a higher priority.

''You're an unusual messenger. You, do you even have a talent for magic?　Well, that's okay. The problem is them. It looks like a duchy, so why are they with the monsters?

　Monsters attack people.

　They can't believe they're so close and not attacked.

　I shrugged.

　I know why, but it would be weird for me to know that under the current circumstances.

　Chris opens his mouth when he sees the big monster.

'Wait, someone's coming out.'

　Angier narrowed his eyes. The one who came out was an enemy country - the princess of the duchy, [Hertrude Serra Fanouse].

''Princess Hertrude?''

　Livia asks a question about the princess, wondering about Luxion.

'Oh, um, do you know her?'

I've only met him once before. But how did you end up in this place?

　Then a large figure of Princess Hertrude appears, projected above the large monster's head.

　As we are all on alert, she announces to us over the loudspeaker.

'Duchy of Fanous, First Princess Hertrude Serra Fanous announces. We declare war on the Kingdom of Horphath.

　The still young woman announced with a blank expression, a declaration of war.

　........I knew it would come eventually, but I wasn't prepared for the quicksilver.

''Hey, hey, there's a limit to how far you can go in advance.

　Where the hell did the plans go wrong?

　Originally, there should have been time before the war....

"Foolish children of the nobility of the kingdom. Time for you to make up your minds. Surrender or die you have just one hour to decide.

　The grace given is an hour.

　Angier taps the railing.

'You're going to hold us hostage you coward.

　They'll use us as a bargaining chip as soon as the war starts.

　I looked around.

　The sailors were cringing, but some of the students stranded on deck were relieved to see some of them.

　A small boat with a messenger coming out of the Principality side.

　Luxion gave me the

"Master, this is a mess.

Yeah, I guess so.

　I looked at Angier. I'm not like the rest of us woodworkers, I'm a duchess connected to a royal family.

　I'm sure the dukedom can't help but want to secure them.

Where in the world did we go wrong?

　Why would a third grade event come here?

　I wanted to hold my head up.