Through subsequent dark-element magic study with Reina, we learned several things.
Activation conditions:
The caster and target must each be reflected in the other’s eyes.
This is the biggest hurdle. Hence Floné’s actions to win trust to expand her puppets.
Effect depends on caster and target mana volumes. The more mana the target has, the more mana the caster spends — similar principle to my [Magecraft Funeral].
Another feature: continuous magic consumes mana while active.
I bet that’s why Floné didn’t use dark magic on Mashiro.
And [Brainwashing] can’t enforce multiple commands simultaneously. Still powerful magic.
The crucial methods to lift dark-element brainwashing are two:
One — caster death. Killing the caster auto-releases brainwashing.
Two — the caster releasing it themselves. A bit unusual compared to other magic.
Few magic effects persist permanently; after chanting, the effect manifests immediately for most magic.
In other words, nobles currently mind-wiped by Floné won’t recover unless she dies or whimsically releases them.
…… But Reina and I thought of one method.
[Magecraft Funeral]-based release.
Dark magic is still magic.
So [Magecraft Funeral] can erase the effect.
The probability is very high.
“So Floné dislikes me as an unknown variable because dark magic may not work on me with my magic-canceling skill.”
“Natural conclusion. This confirms it.”
“Yeah…… I have the best matchup against Floné.”
To think the skill I devised to survive in this world would become my burden……!
I’ll be dragged to the battlefield in the near future.
If wishes came true, I’d never stand on a battlefield.
But knowing dark magic, that option is closing.
Leaving Floné would mean the world’s end under her rule.
A world far from harems or relaxed isekai life.
A world choked with death’s smell.
So someone able to stop her must stand.
”…… Let’s take a break. Worrying doesn’t bring good ideas.”
”…… Right, let’s go to the surface. I’m a bit hungry.”
“Snack time. Let me work my hands.”
“Thanks, Reina.”
Learning from last time, the clock I’d brought showed the sun starting to slant.
…… Now that we know enough about dark magic, I have to report to Father.
That my [Magecraft Funeral] would be effective too.
Telling him means farewell to this relaxed long-break time.
For everyone’s bright future…… still, life-stakes battles weigh heavily.
[Floné the Lightning Strike] is stronger than any past opponent.
Honestly, a different level of being.
If I challenge such a fierce enemy and lose?
I’d never grasp Mashiro’s brightness, Karen’s kindness, or Reina’s smile again.
Or memory taken, I might hurt the three against my own will.
Floné would definitely do that.
If even I’d think of it, she’d do worse.
”…………”
The pressure on my shoulders differs from before.
My feet to the surface grew heavier.
”…… Ouga-kun.”
“What is it?”
“Eih~”
“Whoa whoa……”
Before entering the office from the hidden room, Reina called me back.
She hugged me.
“Reina? What’s this suddenly?”
“This report — I think it’s fine either way.”
”…… Can’t, Reina. I have to do it.”
“Really? The kingdom built a society where magicless are at disadvantage; relying on you only when convenient is selfish.”
“That……”
”…… But I knew. You’d choose to save everyone, Ouga-kun.”
Reina’s arms tightened.
Pressed close, I couldn’t see her expression.
“But remember this. Since that day, my life is with you, Ouga-kun. ——If you ever want to escape something, let’s escape together.”
”…………”
“Whatever you choose, I’ll be by your side forever. Even if I die, beside you.”
”…………Yeah.”
I tightened my embrace of her thin body.
I’d thought her so frail until recently — her warmth now felt very dependable.
”…… Thanks, Reina. That energized me enough.”
“You’re welcome. ……But — I just happened to be here; Mashiro and Karen would’ve said the same.”
“Haha…… I’ll ask later.”
“Please do. Everyone would throw everything aside to follow you.”
…… I’m loved.
I indulged in one trivial fantasy: myself fleeing the battle, Floné.
…… What a pathetic figure.
I don’t want my supporters to see that back. Even if they’d respect my choice.
This is my pride as a villain.
Does a wretch like that qualify to call himself a villain?
Taking what I want is my royal road. Being taken from is unacceptable.
Heh heh heh…… fine. I’ll do this, Floné.
Mashiro, Karen, Reina…… I won’t drop any of you from my hands.
I’ll uphold my conviction and crush your ambition……!
Resolve decided.
Resolve for battle. Resolve to face the three.
When I win against Floné, I’ll marry all three.
This summer, my plan was to cross a line with them.
Fool-me had been pretending not to notice, but the truth was — I knew my feelings.
The feelings for Mashiro, Karen, Reina.
”…… Right. Let’s talk to Father when he returns.”
“You look much better than before. Cleared up?”
“Thanks to you.”
I stroked the head of Reina, still clinging.
We can’t stay here forever.
Confirming the office was empty through the peephole, we returned to the surface.
“Before tea, let me get some fresh air. Stretch the body. That place is cramped.”
“Really? I like it. Small, so I’m closer to you, Ouga-kun.”
“Heh heh heh. Teasing me won’t fun, Reina.”
How many times have I been told similar things in my past life and misread?
…… But going forward, I’ll push the offense even if it’s misreading!
Reina likely has affection from me saving her…… probably.
Then like to love — my first goal.
A random uninteresting woman — I have no reluctance using power.
But Mashiro, Karen, Reina — I want proper romantic marriages.
Once I decide to marry them, the path differs.
The problem: I have little romance experience…… learn as I go.
”…… Ouga-kun, you might be quite dense?”
“Sorry. Did you say something?”
“No. Just thought I need to work harder too.”
I’d missed her words while thinking.
…… Bad. This is also a minus point.
I have to listen better……
For now, let me bask in sunlight in the courtyard…… mn?
Exiting the entrance, Alice was receiving several envelopes from a courier with a serious face.
Two types of couriers come to House Veret.
Nobility-only, delivering Father, Mother — i.e., House Veret’s important documents; and the commoner-servant one.
This time, the latter. So Alice received them……
“Alice? Something wrong?”
”…… Lord Ouga.”
She turned to me with a startled face.
The next instant, back to usual…… but the envelope bundle was pressed tight against her chest, slightly crumpled.
“I was receiving mail. They’re letters for the servants.”
Alice doesn’t receive letters.
She changed her name, and Chris Lagnica is off the registry.
…… Could she be lonely?
Other servants get letters from family occasionally. But she doesn’t.
That’s why her grip on the envelopes tightens.
Heh heh heh. Then let me erase that loneliness.
“Alice.”
”……Yes.”
“Come to my room tonight. I’ll give you something good.”
Something good…… of course, a thank-you letter from me.
Alice causes me daily worry, but equally daily I haven’t forgotten gratitude.
Without her, my current strength wouldn’t exist; consequently, Reina wouldn’t be by my side either.
She, my devotee, would surely cry with joy.
Relations with Reina, Mashiro, Karen matter, but I can’t fail to value the Alice who supports me closest.
In a future where I succeed Father, she’ll keep supporting me, so one or two letters is cheap. I’ll write as many as needed.
A change of pace really sharpens the brain.
Worry gone, nothing impedes my mind.
“My, an enjoyable time, Ouga-kun?”
“Reina. Don’t act like Father.”
“Please, Lady Reina. Such things are not possible. Absolutely not.”
Mm, Alice gets it.
She’s emphasizing it.
“Thank you, Lord Ouga. I’ll come tonight.”
“Yeah. And I’m taking a break now. After distributing the letters, gather Mashiro and Karen…… to the courtyard?”
The slanting sun makes the temperature comfortable.
Let me relax at the open terrace.
“Understood. I’ll bring tea snacks too.”
“Thanks.”
Bowing slightly, Alice turned and entered the manor.
Her pace seemed faster than usual.