The World of Otome Games is Tough For Mobs - Volume 12 - Chapter 17

Chapter 17 “The Courageous One”

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Part 1

I was exhausted and was carried to Einhorn by borrowing their shoulders.

The two people lending a hand are Daniel and Raymond.

“No one but Leon could have gotten into a fistfight with a prince.”

Daniel teases me, and I have a wry smile on my face, but the spot where I was hit hurts.

“They’re all my henchmen, so it’s okay.”

Perhaps amused by the statement ‘henchmen’, Raymond laughs.

“It’s very Leon-like. —— But more importantly, we’re going to war with the Empire, aren’t we? There’s a lot of commotion in the royal capital, but you can win, right, Leon?”

My smile fades and I look away as Raymond asks me anxiously, and I look ahead.

“They said they’d let you go if you turned me in, didn’t they?”

Raymond shakes his head and says that choice is not possible.

“I heard that they’re not going to let us go unless we agree to some humiliating terms. Even if we turned Leon in, apparently they wouldn’t likely let us off the hook.”

Is the Empire being so brazen because they think they can win with Arcadia?

When I have questions, Luxion answers them.

[They may have thought that they could destroy us in a war if we accepted their terms, or even if we didn’t. Considering the difference in strength, the attitude of the Empire is understandable.]

Daniel asks, looking at me and Luxion alternately.

“With Leon, we won’t lose, right? Do you need our help again?”

The two must have thought they would be called this time as well, since I had relied on my friends so many times.

I hang my head.

“Sorry, but I can’t say we’ll definitely win this time.”

Daniel and Raymond said in unison, “Eh?”, and they were speechless.

“You don’t have to participate. For once, I don’t have the leeway to protect you. Don’t worry, my big brother will take care of the maintenance of the airship and armor. There will be no penalty, so rest assured.”

Up until now, I’ve used my friends harshly under the guise of contracts, but for this one time, I can’t get them involved.

I ask the two stunned people.

“Nevertheless, I didn’t know you guys were close to those five.”

I didn’t think they would go to the trouble of taking out an airship and sending them to me.

Raymond, who recovered quickly, answers.

“A-Aah, yes. His Highness and the others asked us to do it. We were worried about you too, Leon.”

“I’m sorry I got you involved in this. I’ll put those five on the Einhorn, so you guys can go home first.”

When we arrive at the entrance to Einhorn, I go in alone.

Daniel asks me with a straight face at the end.

“What’s wrong with you? The usual you have more leeway and are more hateful —— But why are you talking like you’re going to lose today? You should be bolder, like you always have been!”

Before closing the door, I say goodbye to them with a wry smile.

“I’m sorry for everything I’ve done. Tell the others that I was apologizing to them.”

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Part 2

After entering Einhorn’s ship, we were treated in the infirmary.

Julius was the one with the worst injuries.

I heard that he had pushed himself very hard against me and that his bones were cracked.

“Jilk! B-Be more gentle.”

Jilk, helping with the treatment, smiled when he saw Julius in pain.

I’d like to think it’s my imagination that he makes a slightly sadistic face.

“Because you’re being reckless.”

After the treatment, I was about to put on my jacket, but I was uncomfortable because Greg was giving me a fiery stare.

“What?”

I quickly put on my jacket and glared at Greg, and he let out a sigh.

“Your muscles are crying. You’ve done some pretty crazy stuff, right?”

I thought he was an idiot, but he seems to have figured out that I started using drugs to strengthen my body.

It seems he was not just a musclehead.

“You can get blast results in a very short period of time. How’s that, you envy me?”

“I ain’t interested.”

Greg looks angry at me as he turns his head away.

Brad, his hands bandaged, shakes his head.

I felt a little irritated.

“Your body is not beautiful.”

“It’s none of your business.”

The two of them are angry, apparently because I was reckless.

——Did they want me to consult with them?

Chris, with a crack in the lens of his glasses, blames me for my choice.

“I understand that it was necessary, but if you push yourself too recklessly and collapse, there’s no point.”

He shows understanding, but does not seem to be convinced.

“Luxion is managing it, so don’t worry.”

When I said that, Luxion, who was helping me with the treatment at my side, was dumbfounded.

[I have told you many times that you have reached your limits, but Master did not listen.]

I feel like the normal Luxion is back.

“Sorry about that. ——Okay, so what do you guys want to do when you bring me back?”

Since I lost the duel, I will follow the instructions of Julius and the others, but what will I do when I return to the royal capital?

If going back is not meaningful, it is a waste of time.

After the treatment, Julius briefly explains what is happening in the royal capital.

“Your fiancees are on the move. I don’t know how many allies they can gather, but they don’t intend to let you fight the Empire alone.”

Ange and the others? I hope they don’t do anything reckless —— or so I thought, as Julius glared at me.

“I told you not to make Angelica cry, didn’t I?”

I don’t want to be told by you! ——I have a feeling that I want to say something like that.

But I was in no mood to argue now.

“I’m remorseful. So you want me to go back to the royal capital and join up with the allies? I’m not going to get ambushed, am I?”

When I divert the subject, Julius looks as if he wants to say something, but continues talking.

“No, it won’t. The nobles are skeptical of the Empire’s sudden declaration of war.”

“Surprisingly calm, huh? I thought they were trying to get my head.”

“Some of them may be, but it’s because they can’t read what the Empire is trying to do. If you explain to them that the ancient war wasn’t over, few of them will believe you.”

Julius shrugs his shoulders and I hide my face with my hands in amazement.

“Did you hear from Marie?”

It was Jilk who answered.

“Yeah, she told us everything. That she was a reincarnated person——”

Chris takes away Jilk’s words.

“——I heard that Leon was her big brother in a previous life. Why did you keep it a secret?”

Jilk is somewhat disgruntled, but he glares at me, as do the other four.

To be honest, I was confused by Marie’s actions.

“Did Marie tell you everything? What was that idiot thinking?”

Greg lets out a loud sigh as I pinch the tops of my eyes with my fingers.

“If you had told us from the beginning, we wouldn’t have had any funny ideas. You’re being too cold to remain silent about it.”

I look around at the faces of the five idiots and they all have a look of complete belief on their faces.

——Unbelievable.

“Did you really believe Marie’s story? That’s impossible, right.”

I shook my head and Brad laughed and wondered what was so funny.

“Impossible, he said? Is it really so strange that we believe Marie? From our point of view, it would be more dishonest for Leon not to tell the girls the truth.”

When I was stunned, Julius nodded deeply at Brad’s words.

“Marie believed us and told us the truth. It is our role as lovers to respond to that feeling. Why don’t you tell Angelica and the others?”

I start to have a weird laugh.

Stupid, stupid, I thought, but these guys are real big idiots.

“Unlike you, gullible people, those three are sane and will not believe it.”

Five people had their cheeks drawn back at my words.

Greg raises his voice.

“You’re really a sarcastic guy!”

The other four people were also whining about how “this guy has a really bad mouth.”

Greg turns his head away, and I look down and say this.

“——My bad. I am grateful to you guys.”

When silence fell over the infirmary, the five of them looked terribly surprised.

Brad shakes his head slowly from side to side.

“I can’t believe that Leon would say thank you.”

You’re making too much fuss over a thank you.

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Part 3

I went back to my room, took my pills, and then lay down on my bed.

I talked with Luxion, who was by my side until the sleeping pills took effect.

“——You were the one who brought them here, weren’t you?”

[Yes. And by the way, I made a move that put Master at a disadvantage in the duel.]

Perhaps he felt a little sorry, the electronic voice sounded slightly apologetic.

As it is, Luxion apologizes to me.

[My apologies.]

“It’s rare that you apologize so honestly. Is there anything else you’re hiding from me?”

I try to trap him into confessing, but Luxion doesn’t answer easily.

[What Master needs now are friends to fight along with rest. They can be counted on.”

“I didn’t think they were that strong. I couldn’t beat Julius, even after taking the drug.”

Even if I was reckless, I couldn’t win against the five idiots.

I’m starting to feel pathetic.

[Julius was reckless in his efforts to stop Master. In terms of ability alone, it was Master who was winning. But Julius was winning on the mental side.]

“——I see.”

Sleepiness gradually attacks me.

As I close my eyelids, Luxion tells me.

[Everyone tries to help Master. Master is a necessary existence in this world.]

“I don’t think so, though.”

[You can’t believe it?]

“I’m the one who doesn’t believe in myself the most. If it weren’t for me, things wouldn’t have turned out this way. ——I want to finish this quickly —— and make the world —— a peaceful place —— for them——”

Unable to resist sleepiness, I broke off my conversation with Luxion.

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Part 4

Ange visited the principal’s office at night.

Sitting at his desk, tidying up his paperwork, is the headmaster of the school, Leon’s mentor.

In front of Ange, the mentor smiles.

“What can I do for you?”

School hours have passed and students are prohibited from entering the school building.

The reason he doesn’t blame her for that is that he knows what Ange came for.

Ange has a look of astonishment and surprise.

“I keep being surprised today. I never realized that you are the younger brother of the previous king.”

The younger brother of the previous king —— For Roland, he would be his uncle.

In other words, he is royalty.

Ange mentions the mentor’s name.

“[Lucas Rafa Horfalt] is officially a court nobleman of the second lowest rank, with the rank of Duke. If it’s been erased from the record, there’s no way to find out.”

Among the noble lords, only two hold the title of Duke, with the exception of Leon, who became a Grand Duke.

One is Hertrude, but she is the acting Duke.

The other is Ange’s family, Duke Redgrave.

As a court nobleman, it was Lucas who held the title.

Lucas’s smile fades and he looks troubled.

Apparently, he does not like the topic.

“——Did His Majesty tell you? Even though I’ve given up my rank and my title.”

Ange puts her hands on the desk and brings her face closer to Lucas.

“I was told that you stepped down due to a succession dispute with the present His Majesty. But you changed your name and remained in royal capital. ——Originally, you would have succeeded to the throne.”

Lucas lets out a sigh.

“Indeed, I was probably the closest to the throne at the time. His Majesty had been playing too much since he was young and was not well received by the nobles. I must have appeared to them as the more decent one in comparison.”

“That’s not true, is it? Chichi-ue told me everything. He told me that the headmaster was the appropriate choice because of his character and abilities. You fled from the throne because you were tired of power struggles, right?”

He was tired of the power struggle and ran away —— such rumors were circulating at the time.

Lucas denies it.

“I did run away, but for different reasons. Even if I had been king, I could not have changed this country. That is why I entrusted it to His Majesty, who has the potential to do so.”

Ange relays words from Roland.

“[Don’t run away this time] —— that’s the message from His Majesty. He seems to hold a grudge against you.”

“I forced the throne on His Majesty, who didn’t like it. But now I am merely the head of an academy with no power.”

Ange does not believe Lucas when he says he has no power.

“His Majesty said. The old acquaintance still remains, and the power of the principal is not to be underestimated. Leon, who adores you, has made up his mind. Please lend us your strength.”

Lucas remained silent for a while as Ange was pressed against him.

Then he lets out a small sigh and relaxes his expression.

“That’s an exaggerated evaluation.”

“You are a master that Leon recognizes. This time, I hope you won’t run away.”

“For my part, though, I want him to be a friend, not a disciple.”

With that said, Lucas gets up from his seat and his expression tightens.

“I have imposed my ideals on him as well, and he has suffered as much as His Majesty. I guess it’s time for me to take responsibility as an adult.”

Ange thanks Lucas for his determination.

“Thank you. I’m sure Leon will be pleased when you stand up.”

Lucas looked a little embarrassed.

“Let’s use my contacts to help Mr. Leon. And how much cooperation can you get?”

How much strength can you gather? Ange answers this question.

“Unclear. But there will be results soon.”

Ange obtained cooperation from the faction centered around the Redgrave family and the royal family.

The Redgrave family will lend their strength, but it is unknown how serious the nobles of the same faction will be.

She continues to try to persuade them, but if they don’t understand, they will only send the minimum amount of force.

The royal family is exhausted compared to when it was in its heyday, so there are concerns about its strength as well.

Lucas, too, was aware of this and braced himself.

“Everything is going to be from now on, isn’t it?”