I opened my eyes suddenly.
The ceiling I'm seeing right now is unfamiliar; the fan was moving calmly, a cool breeze coming in through the open windows in the walls.
Sunlight filtered in and illuminated the entire room. I blinked once to adjust my vision.
I sat up in the bed where I was resting and...
"I'm hungry." A clean smell associated with hospitals reached me. I let out a tired yawn and noticed I had a very comfortable cream-colored blanket over me.
Where am I?
My head feels disoriented. I tried to remember and...
Jakob...
I'm Jakob.
I...
"...kob..." A sweet voice made me look to the side.
I felt strange at what I saw. Armine had her head resting on her crossed arms while she slept and murmured something.
THUMP
My heart skipped a beat. For some reason, I found myself captivated by Armine's face.
My mind was trying to describe and decipher this girl. Pink hair cascading down her back like a waterfall, full red lips and...
I stopped instantly.
No, I should never disrespect my friend like that.
I laughed lightly.
Friend—of everything I'd experienced so far, that was the most incredible.
I slipped out from under the blanket without moving it too much. I felt a slight pain in my body, like when I first started my routine.
Without thinking much about it, I decided to stretch to wake up properly.
First, the arms...
During my exercises, I recognized the room I was in. The infirmary: a long hallway with black ceramic floors, beds as far as I could see, and a quite pleasant atmosphere.
Now that I think about it, while I continue stretching my legs... I feel very light...
I looked down.
Yes, I'm wearing a medical gown.
Well, I'll finish and sit down to wait for a nurse or something.
While touching my toes, I heard a door open behind me.
...Well...
"Shit."
"Nice ass."
I don't recognize that voice.
I stood up and turned around.
Normally, when that kind of thing happens in my original world, it rarely has a good ending or even a good start.
It usually becomes material for heavy jokes that last until something worse happens to the one who discovers you.
That would be if the one who discovers me is a friend.
But... I don't have that much luck.
In front of me was a middle-aged woman wearing a wimple with a curly blonde lock sticking out above it.
Her white dress with long sleeves and skirt gave her a professional beauty that left me speechless for a moment.
Not to mention it was fitted, outlining her mature body.
I'm not proud of having stared at her body longer than I should have.
The white apron she wore had the King's Cross of Swords of Souls in gold with a black outline.
I know her.
"Cornelia, right?" Her emerald irises gleamed dangerously. I decided to focus on the mole under her left eye.
She's very beautiful.
"Yep." Her smile was very bold. She's enjoying this.
"...I was stretching," I said in a flat voice. She widened her smile, and the gleam in her eyes let me know I'd never hear the end of this.
"Please." She quickly sat on a nearby bed and set aside the paper bag she was carrying. "Continue."
I'm not sure if it's good or bad that a MILF likes seeing me half-naked while I stretch.
"I'd like to be better dressed," I said, standing up and facing her quickly. "And eat something first."
"Ooh, well..." The disappointment in Cornelia's voice was so evident that I had to remind myself this is an eroge world.
She stood up from the bed and smiled at me more like a nurse.
"...That was easy..." I'm slightly surprised that worked. "That reminds me, a girl with orange hair and broken glasses..."
"Ah, little Primrose." Primrose has nothing little about her body. "Were you the one who sent her here?"
I nodded.
"She seemed to need help," I said in a tired tone. Cornelia gave me a sympathetic motherly look. "I hope it wasn't a bother."
"Not at all." Cornelia suddenly looked less sensual and more professional. "But let's set that aside for a moment. Are you aware that you almost died from poisoning and blood loss?"
I figured as much. This isn't a game; I faced the consequences of my actions. It was lucky I had that Rûaj candy with me and...
"I was arrogant," I admitted seriously. If things had gone differently... "Thank you for saving me."
Cornelia's face took on an expression of maternal happiness.
"You're a good boy, no doubt." She immediately looked behind me. "But you should thank her."
I turned around and looked where Armine was sleeping.
The sunlight on her seemed to give her an almost divine appearance. Her incredible beauty left me entranced for a moment.
I felt something warm in my chest.
"...Armine." For the first time in a long while, I could feel the weight of distrust lift from my shoulders... Armine is "My friend."
I said with a smile. When was the last time I had a real friend?... I laughed realizing that neither the original Jakob nor I had many of those.
"Ahem." I heard Cornelia's voice. I turned to see her; she had an amused and knowing expression. "Do I see love developing?"
I smiled at her.
"Nah," I said casually. "Armine is too good for me."
"You should have more confidence, boy." The mature woman gave me a playful wink. "You're not bad in terms of looks."
I laughed lightly at that.
"Maybe, but..." She's someone special, unique, and important in this world—a possible Goddess. I can't compare to someone so... "I'm not worthy of such a wonderful person."
...I'm mud compared to the gold that is Armine.
"..." Cornelia blinked with a slightly surprised expression. "Wow... That must have sounded really incredible, right?"
Cornelia headed to the bed.
I felt a bolt shoot through my body; shame and fear made me swallow hard.
Shit...
I turned around slowly. Armine had woken up; her golden eyes stared at me intently with a curious gleam and her face red.
"Did you hear what I said?" My nerves showed in my voice.
"Jakob..." I noticed Armine's voice seemed to break when saying my name. "JAKOB!"
The half-Giant launched herself at me with her arms extended.
My teacher wrapped her arms around me. I went blank.
I don't know how to feel; my arms trembled, I felt my eyes burn, and something in my heart tightened.
When was the last time I received a hug?
In my first life. Right before my mother passed away.
That had been the last hug I was given.
By instinct, I returned it; I clung to Armine tightly.
I closed my eyes, feeling tears run down my cheeks.
"Thank you," I said to Armine with sincerity, barely controlling my voice.
"Thank you..." she said with a voice of relief. "For staying alive."
"..." I couldn't help but smile. She's possibly the best person I've met in a long time. "You really are the best, Armine."
"Hehehehe." Damn, even Armine's laugh is melodic.
"Ahh... young love." Cornelia's voice made me realize how we must look hugging like this. "Sorry to interrupt now, but I think it would be better if the little noble got dressed properly."
The MILF pulled my right ear, separating me from Armine.
"Hey, hey, no need for so much violence." I looked at Cornelia, who had a look of professional severity. "..."
I stared fixedly at the nurse, who seemed to be evaluating.
"Go put on something more appropriate to talk to your knight in shining armor," she scolded me like a child. I felt ashamed remembering how I was dressed.
"...Where do I change?" Nervously, I looked everywhere for an empty room.
Armine and Cornelia's laughter made me blush more. The shame I feel now is more than I ever felt in my previous life.
"Go to the back, honey," Cornelia said with some complicity. I never doubted my ability to withstand shame, but this time... "Go get pretty for your heroine."
"Excuse me!" I ran quickly, feeling my face burn with embarrassment, and yet I could hear part of the exchange between them.
"Ahh, young love..." Cornelia let out a theatrical sigh.
"It's not that!" Armine shouted, probably with her face as red as mine.
"Fufufu... so obvious." I could almost see the nurse's superior expression.
I reached the room and locked myself in quickly.
"..." My two hands held the doorknob; I felt a bit stupid. What am I doing behaving like a teenager with his first crush?
...Well...
In my past life, I never experienced something like this properly.
I looked around the room to avoid thinking about unpleasant things.
Full-body mirrors on the walls, small black wooden benches, and elegant furniture.
Part of me wondered if this wasn't a clothing store for nobles.
I noticed the open closet to my right: various prepared garments and a hanger with a uniform ready for me.
They're professionals.
That's the only explanation I can find—elegance befitting a place made for nobility.
Speaking of nobility...
I looked at my reflection.
"Huh?" For some reason, the face of... my face looked less fantastical. I touched my right cheek with my index finger. "What is this?"
This body previously seemed grotesque and repulsive to me; everything about it felt distant from what I considered normal.
Maybe that explained the natural discomfort that separated me from this world.
I could eat, talk, see, and hear, but it was more like a mannequin being forced to move.
Even my consciousness seemed to be there and not there at the same time.
I felt in a trance.
Now?
My flesh felt real: the warmth of the skin, the heartbeat, even the sensation of hunger and the need for water were more present, more real.
I examined this body, my body; Armine's routine had chiseled my muscles and given me more strength. I didn't linger on that detail; I examined the wounds from my adventure.
My shoulder had marks from something that had pierced me; my abdomen still had the line where I'd been stabbed; light cuts here and there.
They're evidence that I'd taken the first step off the path the gods had prepared for Jakob.
Huh?
Gods?
I meant developers.
I ignored that slip. I focused on my face; it's certainly an improvement over my previous appearance.
I laughed, realizing Cornelia was right.
I took the uniform. For some reason, I touched the fabric to inspect the quality; I smiled—excellent.
Worthy of the school founded in the Creator God's palace.
Also the colors: an aesthetic and military-style mix. I appreciate the refined taste of whoever designed this...
Hey... What are these mannerisms?
I searched my memory and noticed it was a noble custom to evaluate clothing quality.
And it turns out Jakob is a bit too much of a fashion fanatic.
Well. Wow...
With the uniform on, I looked at myself in the mirrors—not bad... Should I dye my hair? It would be a good way to detach from the original Jakob.
I wish there was a way to customize one's appearance like in a game. That reminds me, that was a highly criticized point of [Kings Roads] in its day.
I just realized: this room is the class and character selection room for the player.
Wait... that doesn't make any sense...
Someone knocked on the door with some delicacy.
"Jakob," Armine's voice sounded a bit nervous. "Is everything okay in there?"
How sweet she is...
My heart skipped another beat.
"Everything's fine," I said with my cheeks burning without my consent. "I just got distracted a bit with the rest of the clothes."
...What did I just say?
"Ooh." Armine didn't seem to notice anything odd. "Okay, Cornelia said that if you feel better, we can go to the cafeteria."
My stomach growled.
"Excellent idea." I opened the door suddenly and found Armine smiling at me affectionately. "I'm capable of eating a horse."
"Ehehehe." Her laugh left me dazed for a few seconds. She extended her hand with a smile. "Let's go."
I took her hand; something in our contact made me feel better instantly.
"Hold it right there, both of you." Cornelia appeared from behind Armine with a sly smile and a paper bag in hand. "Take this, tiger."
I had to separate my hand from Armine's to catch the bag. I looked at the contents curiously.
Two metal cylinders the size of a mug with tight lids and a small jar of what seemed like mint-green candies.
"And this?"
Cornelia hit her ample chest with confidence; the movement was quite interesting.
"I'm a professional at my job. You may seem completely recovered, but..." The look she gave me was very much like a mother scolding her child. "Don't think you're out of danger. These pills and ointments are for pain and scars."
Wow, what an interesting duality I'm seeing right now.
"Thank you." I wanted to convey all my honesty in that word, but... "When I can, I'll pay for your kind services."
The nurse smiled at me with great tenderness.
"It's my job, kid... although..." Cornelia made a very exaggerated gesture of reluctance. "A bit of flan is always welcome."
Armine and I laughed; soon Cornelia joined us.
"Understood," I said with a smile. I held the bag Cornelia had given me with one hand and extended the free one toward her. "Jakob Liedschlag, at your service."
Cornelia was surprised, and Armine let out a squeal—it wasn't surprising. In this world, it's rare or impossible for a noble to use those words with a commoner.
I'd just put myself at her disposal within all possibilities.
The nurse quickly composed herself, took the edges of her skirt to spread them to the sides, lowered her posture slightly, and bowed her head.
"Cornelia Whitechapel," she raised her gaze to meet my eyes. "The pleasure is mine."
I nodded.
"We'll see each other later." I looked at my friend, who seemed lost in thought. "Let's go."
"Sure." She bowed one last time to Cornelia, and we both left the infirmary.
The hallway greeted me with its already familiar solemn and dignified atmosphere.
I remembered that the Castle's OST was one of my favorites... I miss the background music.
With that in mind, I started walking alongside Armine.
"That was a nice gesture you had with Cornelia," she said after a few steps. "Few nobles would show such gratitude."
I felt tempted to say I'm not a noble, but I remembered that Jakob, despite everything, was one.
"My mother taught me to be grateful." I'm talking about my mother before being Jakob—possibly the only ray of light I had in my previous life. "Treat others as you want to be treated."
A basic principle, and so ignored.
"She sounds like a good person," Armine said beside me.
"The best." Wherever she is, if the kind God she believed in is real, I hope she's with Him. "But we'd better go get something to eat; I'm famished."
Armine laughed at my comment.
"Foreigner." A quiet, indifferent, and hollow voice said behind us. "Jakob Liedschlag."
Armine reacted first. Without armor or weapon, she put herself between the voice and me.
"Adorable." The voice exuded the utmost condescension; her steps toward us were slow and with a hint of boredom. "I have business with your companion, Half-Giant. Step aside."
Zofia advanced confidently. Her large black fur coat dragged on the ground; her blue eyes shone like stars, and her gold monocle gleamed.
"Jakob." Armine must recognize her, but that doesn't make Zofia any less intimidating. "Is she speaking honestly?"
Armine gave me a doubtful look. I sighed and looked into Zofia's eyes.
Bad idea.
The gleam was still so unnatural and beautiful; her indifferent gaze produced a certain terror in me for some reason.
"It's fine, Armine," I said, stepping out from my friend's protection. She looked at me doubtfully; I could only give her a forced smile. "Don't worry; she's just going to help me with magic."
I walked toward Zofia, who kept her expressionless face.
I stood beside the Mage and looked at my friend; her eyes seemed very worried.
"Come back safe and sound," Armine gave me a trembling smile.
I raised my fist, feigning confidence. I was going to say something, but Zofia beat me to it.
"Enough." Again, before I realized, I was standing in a dark room illuminated by a chandelier emitting blue light. "Your exterminator skills are far below expected, but I suppose it's not so bad if you achieve the goal."
Zofia didn't wait for me; she walked toward the only door in the room—a white wooden one that looked old.
"Are you going to teach me magic?" Part of me felt strangely anxious; the blue light above me made me feel watched for some reason.
"Follow me," she opened the door abruptly; a light blinded me for a few seconds. "And try not to go mad."
The light stopped bothering me; I looked at the door and noticed a veil of light in the frame—it reminded me of entrances to boss fights.
I took a breath and cursed not having any weapon on me.
I really have no choice.
I entered. In front of me appeared a room with an oval glass dome showing a night sky full of stars.
"Impossible." I know it was daytime until recently. I searched for Zofia with my gaze, but this room seemed to distract my senses and lead me to focus on other things.
It was a circular room. Marble walls that looked decayed; there was a painting of Zofia on the central wall and what seemed to be a completely black mirror beside it.
Hundreds of shelves filled with white leather books; candles floated in the middle of the room, glowing in a golden color.
"..." Something in particular caught my attention.
Black armor with blue details and a white cape. On the sides, on the wall, were a shield and a bastard sword equally black.
I didn't recognize that set; I might well be seeing content no one had unlocked with Zofia.
I looked at the floor. A blue carpet covered everything; in the center was a black wooden table where the tea set from our previous encounter rested.
The air in this room feels murky, like static and some gas concentrated in one place.
Finally, my gaze settled on the most common piece of furniture in this place.
A closet.
I stared at it for a while. How anticlimactic.
"Are you going to check it?" A voice beside me asked.
"No." I shook my head in denial. I have enough problems already.
"Boring." The voice told me, and I turned toward it.
"How long do you plan to play with me?" There was no one beside me. "Huh?"
Wait...
"Have you lost your mind already?" I looked where Zofia's voice came from—right there, sitting with a steaming cup in her hands and an almost bored expression. "Feel free to go mad at any moment; I hope you're one of the theatrical ones."
For some reason, I felt irritated by what she said. I walked to the table and sat in front of her with my brow furrowed.
"...What are you playing at?" It's not a good idea to sound annoyed in front of a being that escapes my reasoning, but honestly, I don't like being manipulated. "I thought we had a deal."
The smile she gave me infuriated me even more.
"You're very funny, boy." She took a sip of her tea and waved her right hand.
A porcelain cup appeared in front of me, empty.
"..." I remembered the last time I drank from that cup; a mix of disgust and fear ran through my body. "...Help me..."
I don't know who I said that to, but I thought of that strange dream between life and death I had during the fight with the Rat King.
That man. The King...
"...Interesting..." Zofia said in an absent tone. "...Coffee or tea?"
I lifted my gaze from the cup, examined Zofia's beautiful face and her terrifying star-like eyes.
"Coffee." I need to keep my mind as focused as possible. "No sugar."
"Good." I watched the cup fill with coffee on its own. No matter how terrifying this is, I must pretend I'm calm. "...Do you fear what you can't understand, foreign soul?"
Of course. But I can't say it honestly.
"Will I be able to do something like this with magic?" I took the cup with the black liquid, took a sip, and I'd feel less terrified if the answer is positive.
"No." Of course, it wouldn't be that easy. "Are you prepared for horrors beyond your comprehension?"
I smiled, almost laughed. Everything that's been happening in my life lately is beyond my comprehension.
"...Why have I been brought to this world?" If anyone has an answer for this, it's her or Helal.
I watched her play with the contents of her cup, as indifferent as always. For a few seconds, her eyes settled on me.
"I don't know." Her tall wizard hat covered her face; only her blue orbs were visible. To my horror, the two eyes became four. "Ascend to the heavens and ask the Gods."
I opened my mouth to say something, but no sound came out.
Suddenly, everything around me darkened—profoundly black. Not even the darkest night has left me so far from any light.
I tried to scream, but I couldn't find my voice. I'm falling without falling; this body doesn't respond to my commands.
My thoughts are erratic.
My mother, my ex-girlfriend, my stream followers.
Love, affection, appreciation, hope.
My father. My ex-girlfriend.
Hate. Hate. Hate. Hate.
My thoughts start to blur; finally, I'm dying.
Intense brightness.
The white Moon was in the black sky, bigger than ever.
I'm on my knees; the grass on the ground is blood-red, the earth gray like ash. A large white, dead tree was in front of me.
Its branches extended toward the sky like a hand trying to touch the heavens.
I took a long breath of oxygen.
I almost choked; there was something wrong with the air. My mind feels scattered.
It's hard to breathe, as if the oxygen is fighting with me and something else to exist.
I couldn't stand up; a terrible pressure kept me on my knees and glued to the ground.
I could only move my eyes to see the tree or the Moon.
"..." Something moved.
There was nothing around me; in this infinite red field, there was no one who could move.
The Moon.
I watched in horror as it unfolded, extended, and stretched like a creature rising from lethargy.
Vaguely, as if my mind refused but still tried to understand what was happening, I found words to describe what had awakened.
Long masses with a marble and crystal appearance extended in spirals without apparent origin; small pieces of what seemed like ice floating around and producing an ethereal glow.
Like a white halo.
There was no mouth, eyes, ears, or even anything that could mimic them.
It wasn't humanoid; its only vaguely human-like feature was an appendage extending with three small protrusions parodying fingers.
The rest was so alien that I fear trying to understand it could drive me to madness.
The thing didn't descend to where I was; it didn't move a centimeter from its place on the horizon, and yet with its false arm.
It touched me.
Not just my skin.
My muscles, my nerves, my organs—I felt the touch throughout my physical existence.
I can't scream or refuse this.
Then it got worse.
It started going deeper. My soul, my psyche, everything I am.
"Jakob," my original mother's voice said this body's name.
It's not my mother.
Pain.
Intense, beyond reason.
I'm breaking into pieces before this thing; my body was covered by something.
It was thick, dense, and starting to corrode me.
Then I felt an intense stabbing pain, as if someone was running a knife over my skin.
And...
I was spat out.
I impacted roughly, like a star.
I'm nailed to the ground; my mind and body are scattered. I'm not entirely sure who or what I am.
"Stand up."
I stood up, on the darkness of deep space. Below me, the white of the moon, glowing ethereally.
I looked forward; a blue, green, and white sphere was suspended in nothingness.
A beautiful world, but...
Over it condensed a deep darkness, close to covering it entirely, but with other bright-colored auras.
No.
The darkness is in constant struggle against the different energies.
I noticed a shining structure near the world.
The Palace of the King of Souls.
I extended my hand toward the planet; there I could see I was holding a milk-colored pistol.
Six chambers; I removed the cylinder, which I spun absentmindedly with my fingers.
It reflected the dim light emanating from the moon; I was mesmerized by its beauty.
"Aim."
A million and one voices said in unison. My body followed the order, extending the weapon. I fixed on the auras and shadows over the planet.
"Shoot."
I pulled the trigger.
An immense pain coursed through my body, but I could endure it decently. I stayed on my feet despite feeling my muscles scream in pain and my nerves begging me to cry out.
The spectacle before me was more than enough; I must endure the pain.
A white light shot from the weapon, pierced the energies, and freed the world from their influence.
I didn't stop there.
In a trance, I aimed with more precision.
I pulled the trigger six more times; white light trails like stars swept away the darkness and the other colors.
Seven shots.
The pain I felt after the shots coursed through my entire body, but this time it was too much.
I dropped to my knees, feeling my muscles tense, and I gritted my teeth.
"AAAAHHHH!" I screamed; I couldn't hold it anymore.
I felt an unbearable heat emanating from my body; I could even notice steam starting to form around me.
I smiled.
All this is madness; nothing makes sense.
I looked at my hands and...
My right hand seemed to be fusing with the revolver.
My skin and the steel seemed to be the same; a morbid fascination invaded me.
"Enough."
A song began to play.
In front of me now was a beautiful woman.
White.
Her clothes, hair, skin, and eyes. Everything about her was an immaculate white.
Her face—I feel like I've seen it somewhere else; it's like a distant memory.
She extended her hand and took my face gently.
She gave me an affectionate smile.
"Return now, heir." Then she brought her lips close and kissed my forehead.
Immediately after, her other hand pierced my chest.
"Huh?" My blood formed a pool below on the moon's surface. I tried to say something, but more came out of my mouth.
I saw the woman's smile while my heartbeat seemed to flood everything.
THUMP
THUMP
THUMP
TICK
TOCK
I was back in Zofia's room; I could hear the movement of a clock's hands, and my body was in perfect condition.
"Here." Zofia placed a cup of coffee in front of me. "This time I added sugar."
I stared at the black liquid; my reflection looked much paler now. When I tried to move my hands to take the cup, I noticed the white revolver was in my left hand.
"..." I instinctively touched my chest; my heart was still beating, and there were no traces of any wound. "..."
I slowly raised my weapon and aimed directly at Zofia's head.
I'm furious; my mind understands little to nothing of what just happened, but I don't care. The source of it all is sitting there as if nothing.
She arched an eyebrow without looking very impressed.
"Careful," she said in an indifferent tone, not intimidated by having a firearm pointed at her face. "You could hurt yourself."
I pulled the trigger.
Nothing.
Zofia's face remained as indifferent as ever.
"Damn it!" There are no words to explain the huge frustration I feel right now.
I don't know what happened; maybe it's all my fault, but... None of this feels right.
"Congratulations, by the way," Zofia said calmly. I watched her take a sip of her tea before giving me a look... she looked human. "Few keep their sanity after an encounter like that."
I felt something inside me break.
"Shut your mouth," I said without any delicacy. I looked at the coffee and drank it all in one gulp. "Let me go; I don't want to see your face for a long time."
I said that with more venom than I intended; Zofia's eyes, which looked more human now, seemed... hurt.
To hell with her emotions.
"Agreed." With a snap of her fingers, I ended up in the castle's inner forest.
It was already night; everything was dark. The only thing illuminating the world was the...
"Moon." I looked at the object in the sky intensely; the whitish color seemed dirty to me, and the beauty I saw before was gone. "..."
Its light covered me.
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Murmurs reached my ears; there were too many voices. I put both hands to the sides of my head.
A deafening ringing seemed to drill into my brain; I gritted my teeth hard and dug my nails into my skull.
"DON'T FUCK WITH ME!" I shouted at the sky, at the moon. At the Gods, I don't care. "...Don't fuck with me..."
The sound stopped, but the moon's whitish light still covered me.
I noticed it in the deep silence around me. I looked at the hand holding the weapon I'd received from that thing.
For some reason, the more I looked at it, the more fascinated I felt; my mind felt more distant as I contemplated the white object.
The vision of a White Lady suddenly came to my mind; she was standing on the moon's surface.
Her clothes fluttered lightly with a nonexistent wind.
She had her back to me.
She's completely indifferent to me; she kept looking at the world.
The Moon.
Suddenly, I felt fear. Would it unfold again to profane me? Would it force me to do something against my will and...
I looked at the revolver still in my hand; I felt nauseous remembering how it seemed to fuse with my body.
I threw it and ran away.
It's the most absurd thing I could do right now.
But... is there really anything else I can do?
Panting, I reached the nearest forest and entered just to avoid being under the light.
I leaned against a tree and looked at my hands.
"..." The revolver was back there... "Ahahahahaha."
I laughed—what a terrifying thing.
I doubled over near a bush and vomited everything in my stomach.
"Damn," I said, wiping the vomit remnants with the back of my hand. I collapsed against a tree and tried to stay away from the moonlight. "What kind of idiot wants to be isekai'd?"
How many are truly willing to face the horrors of an unknown world?
I felt a sarcastic smile on my face.
What a good joke...
Is this what going mad feels like?
I dropped the revolver to the side and brought both hands to my face.
I don't care about achievements or fame, nor the waifus, and this world is fucked in every imaginable way.
What's attractive about escaping to another world?
I remembered my mother and also that dream with the man who called himself 'King.'
Something moved among the trees.
Sighing, I stood up.
My mind cleared suddenly.
Something inside me asked for calm and blood.
"Oink." A red boar—one of the easiest species for crafting items to find. Its bright yellow eyes stared at me fixedly.
It seemed to take position.
"Fucking pig," I said, assuming a stance Armine had taught me for these cases: fists raised and extended. "Come on; I need to distract my mind."
"Oink." The boar let out a sound and charged straight at me.
I jumped just as the boar passed where I was a second ago. In the air, I used {Valior} to enhance my strength.
I felt the same pain course through my body as that time—like acid through my veins.
I landed a blow on the boar's back; the sound of its bones breaking and organs destroyed brought me morbid satisfaction.
I fell behind the boar, turned around, and leaned to examine the body.
"At the end of the day, we're both the same to the gods..." I searched Jakob's memory about these animals. I could sell the boar; they'd give me good money for it. "Simple resources and a way to distract the mind."
It's the second living being I've killed since being here.
I must mentalize myself: in this world, eventually, I'll have to kill more and more.
I felt a strange emptiness in my chest.
With the rat, I felt nothing but satisfaction. With this creature? Nothing; it was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"...I suppose that really applies to me too..."
I'm not fooling myself.
Out of all the Kings Road players, I was the one who got this result...
A misfortune worthy of a tragedy or a miracle I still don't understand.
Whichever it is doesn't matter.
"Whatever." It's been a long time since I felt like this—this almost comical emptiness in the face of everything happening. "I just have to keep going."
"But aren't you forgetting to live?"
My instinct acted faster than my mind; in a second, I jumped away from the voice's origin and aimed with the revolver that had magically returned to my left hand.
In the shadows was a figure covered by darkness; the only thing I could distinguish was her bright, almost predatory green eyes.
My brain finally recognized the voice.
"Primrose?" I lowered the weapon, and she approached me slowly. How stupid I feel now. "...This thing isn't even loaded."
I said in a tired tone.
What a ridiculous day.
I heard her laugh.
Great.
I embarrassed myself in front of one of the best warriors in this world.
"You seem to be going through a moment." When she was two steps from me, I could make out her face. "I didn't peg you as someone who uses firearms... Besides, aren't they prohibited for first-year students?"
True. In the first half of the game, according to the lore, you can't use firearms (which doesn't matter since Aeono is given special permission and a custom-made weapon). Later in the second half, it'll be more normal.
Sighing, I set those thoughts aside.
I stood up and walked toward Primrose.
When I was two steps from her, I stopped to think about how surreal it was to be in front of what used to be a bunch of data shaped into a waifu.
What would one of her fans feel having her in front of them?
Maybe they'd lose self-control and throw themselves at her asking for absurd things; or perhaps not even that—they might be reduced to nervous, sweaty messes in front of their idol.
Standing before her bright green eyes in the darkness, I can notice the details I overlooked.
Even in the dark, I notice the difference. I smiled, knowing Primrose could kill me whenever she feels like it.
What a comforting thought.
I had to laugh; now I'm also a character in a game.
I imagined myself standing inert in a corner, waiting for the player to talk to me.
"Like a puppet." I thought of myself, of Jakob, and how everything around me suddenly feels so... fake.
I felt an unpleasant shiver.
A doubt appeared in my mind: How free am I in this world? How much of my fate is governed by a script?
I could kill the Rat King, but in the grand scheme of things, is it even relevant?
I feel my mind increasingly fragmented.
"Adam"
"Son"
I...
Am I really who I think I am? Is my life before being Jakob real?
I grabbed the left side of my face; it's such a painfully insane situation.
"What a shitshow," I said, being too close to the girl. The only thing that revealed a reaction from her was a slight movement of her pupil.
In the darkness, I felt her hand take my cheek.
"Are you okay, Jakob?" I felt electricity run through my body from the touch. I have to always remember she's a being designed specifically to seduce as many people as possible. "Can I help you with something?"
I doubt it; nothing is real. Even if I try to give logic to the world, I won't be able to.
I laughed heartily at that; I must sound and look like a madman.
I stopped laughing after a few minutes and looked into her eyes.
Hey, fictional character... Can you give meaning to my life now?
In this absurd situation, what exactly should I cling to?
My stomach let out a growl.
"...I'm hungry," I said more calmly, with my mind clearer, looking into Primrose's eyes.
"Understood!" I closed my eyes for a moment; when I opened them again, Primrose was gone. "I have good food!"
Her hand took mine, and I could feel her guiding me as she ran forward.
We passed through the darkest parts of the forest—better that way; I can't be under the moonlight without feeling sick.
Her green eyes glowed in the darkness like a feline's, and that was the only light guiding me.
My mind got distracted from what I'd said before.
Help me?
I've just been mentally violated by a lunar entity; I have a cursed revolver that refuses to leave my hand, and I've vomited everything in my stomach.
What kind of help could she give me?
"We've arrived!" A wooden cabin that looked cozy, a lit campfire, and what seemed like a clothesline. "Now, how can I help you?"
Primrose made me sit on a cut log in front of the fire while she sat right in front of me.
...I extended my hand toward the fire; its light and warmth kept me sane. I smiled; for some reason, I want to cry.
There's something fundamentally wrong with this world. I held back tears, watching the fire dance before focusing on Primrose's eyes.
"...No," I said finally; my voice sounded raspier than intended. "I don't think you can."
How could she help me? Even with her good intentions and big heart... this simply isn't something that can be solved.
Primrose didn't move; her gaze was fixed on me. The sound of the fire and all the nocturnal animal life was what reached my ears.
It's strange.
Primrose is unusually silent.
In the game, she was described as "socially awkward" and "too direct for her own good." Seeing her now, in the forest's darkness, with her predatory eyes fixed on mine...
What's going through your mind, huntress? Are you free from the ideas that torment humanity?
Someone like you, so extraordinary, surely has deep and complicated thoughts.
"You smell like vomit," she said with a serious expression.
I almost laughed at the absurdity of her words; I opted to smile and relax my posture.
"I know."
"And boar blood."
Really? I looked at my hands again... there was nothing there, and yet she could smell it...
"Ohh." Honestly, that's the smartest thing I can say.
"And something else..." Primrose sniffed the air, closing her eyes for a few seconds before opening them. "Something I don't recognize."
I felt a shiver.
Does my body give off a strange smell?
The vision of the moon made me almost scream; somehow, it seems my physical body has remnants of that thing...
I lowered my hand and...
"Primrose," I said with an unsure voice; my hands trembled as I spoke. "What do you do when nothing makes sense?"
I felt stupid. In the remote case she has something to say... How is that going to help me?
"I hunt," she replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "When everything seems against us, we must use what's closest to keep our sanity."
I looked at her, really looked at her. Her eyes saw me and didn't at the same time; her posture and face, outlined by the fire, make me notice her prepared stance.
Of course.
Huntress.
I never stopped to think about the depth of what she really is. It's too easy to rationalize everything with 'This is an eroge world' or fictional, but the person in front of me has a soul and a history I'm not fully aware of.
"Does everything make sense when you hunt?" She smiled at me, stood up, and entered the cabin.
In the solitude of the night, alone with the fire accompanying me, I felt small; I looked at the sky—the stars and moon were there.
How small I am.
"Here."
"Huh?" I got lost in my thoughts; Primrose was now beside me, offering a wooden bowl with a spoon.
"It's deer and bear stew." She also had a bowl; the smile she gave me was pure. "Two meats that complement each other."
I took the food and looked at the broth; there were carrots, onions, and potatoes among the meat.
The smell was delicious; it seemed there were different herbs. I closed my eyes and took a long whiff of the aroma.
"Thank you," I said to Primrose after opening my eyes. She smiled and sat beside me. Too close.
"Bon appétit!" With an enthusiasm I can't imitate, Primrose started eating.
I stared at the stew, brought the spoon to my mouth, and ate.
Before I knew it, I'd emptied the bowl.
"Ehehehe." Primrose laughed with some arrogance. "Is it good?"
I turned to her with the empty bowl.
"More." She stared at me, her face expressionless and a very unsettling gleam in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" I said after a few seconds of silence.
"Your eyes shine like spilled blood." This beautiful girl is saying disturbing things with a very perturbing expression. "They're beautiful and remind me of the most difficult and interesting prey to hunt."
Nothing ominous at all...
"And am I an interesting prey?" I couldn't help asking in a slightly joking and nervous tone.
The smile she gave me was... unsettling.
"I haven't decided yet."
Okay. I definitely need to change the subject.
"...I'm still too young to marry," I said hoping to distract her.
She frowned with an adorable pout.
"My parents married very young." I felt a new kind of fear now. Hey Primrose, don't even think what I believe you're thinking. "But it's not that; you reminded me of an albino wolf and deer, which are always the hardest animals to hunt."
Albinos? Yes, I suppose my appearance is practically that of an albino.
"I don't see what's interesting about my appearance." I looked back at the fire. "I'm not even a real albino."
The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable.
The fire consumed the wood, and the sound of nocturnal fauna made me wish for something to drink.
Primrose's face had an... expectant expression.
"I'm not going to ask what happened to you," she said after a moment, her eyes fixed on the forest's darkness. "But I am going to tell you something."
I waited.
"When my mother died, my father and I spent three days in the forest without eating or sleeping." Her voice was casual, as if talking about the weather; her green eyes reflected the fire almost mystically. "We just hunted. We killed everything that moved. Not for hunger. Not for need."
Her profile was serene, almost melancholic.
For the first time, I saw what lay beneath the surface of the character who had captivated so many people—it's... fascinating.
"Why then?" I couldn't help asking.
"Because we needed to feel we had control over something." Her green eyes met mine. "Anything."
I thought of the boar's corpse a few meters from us.
Shit.
She read me like an open book.
"...Did it work?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"No." Primrose let out a soft laugh. "But it kept us busy until we could return to some normality."
Normality... is that possible in this world?
Suddenly, I felt nostalgia for my past life—so ordinary it was boring.
I laughed.
"What does it feel like?" For some reason, I couldn't help that question. Everything around me had stopped making sense a while ago, and I was just avoiding that growing madness with every minute.
Part of me felt on the edge of insanity and just needed a push...
She stayed silent for a few seconds.
"No idea." She looked at me with an unusually serious face. "According to people, I'm not normal."
...
...
"Pfff." I can't hold it. "Ahahaha."
I laughed like never before; I had to hold my abdomen from laughing. I fell backward, unable to stay seated, and stayed on the ground for a good few minutes.
Of course. I forgot who I was talking to for a moment.
I got up from the ground, sat back down, and looked directly into her eyes.
"Thank you."
The word hung in the air; I felt... calm, as if all the weight on me was suddenly lifted.
Maybe it's just something of the moment, but... I really feel less... terrified.
"Why?" Primrose looked at me as if I'd said something weird.
I smiled.
"For being you." Amid all the absurdity my life can be right now, it's good to know there are people like this...
I stopped short.
This is the first real interaction I've had with her without actively avoiding her.
I closed my eyes and sighed. Great, now I feel like an idiot.
I remembered the King's words in my vision: "Your story isn't over yet." I felt the phantom weight of the revolver in my hand.
In these moments, I must cling to whatever...
"Jakob," Primrose's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Can I ask you something?"
"Depends."
"Why did you help me that night?"
The question took me by surprise.
That night? When I found her with her suitcases?
"...It was the right thing," I said without thinking much.
"...Wow," she said surprised.
I blinked.
"Pardon?"
"Is that the reason?" Primrose looked at me with an intensity that made me feel exposed. "I saw how you looked at me. Like you were afraid of me."
Silence.
She's right.
I'm afraid of her.
It's risky to get involved with her.
And yet...
"I'm sorry," I admitted finally. "I'd been through a lot that night."
It wasn't a lie.
Primrose's eyes softened.
"You're a strange person, Jakob Liedschlag."
I smiled genuinely at that.
"You have no idea." She laughed sweetly.
"No," she shook her head. "Not as an insult. You're... different. From the other nobles. From the other students. From anyone I've known."
I felt something twist in my chest.
"You're different too," I said instead. "No normal huntress would sit next to a guy covered in vomit and pig blood in the middle of the night."
Primrose laughed.
A genuine laugh, without artifice.
"You're right," she admitted. "I guess we're both weird."
The silence returned, but this time it was... comfortable.
The moon was still in the sky. I could feel its light filtering through the leaves, seeking me.
But here, in the shadows, with Primrose beside me...
It didn't feel so terrifying.
"Hey," I said after a moment.
"Hmm?"
"Thank you."
Primrose looked at me curiously.
"Why?"
"For not asking."
She smiled. A sweet smile; she almost looked like an angel.
"You're welcome." She stood up, shaking out her clothes. "But in return, you owe me one."
I smiled; better this way.
Nothing is free in this world.
"What do you want?"
Primrose extended her hand toward me.
"That you accompany me hunting tomorrow."
I stared at her.
Hunting? With her?
That's exactly what I've been trying to avoid. Getting more involved with a main heroine is...
"Agreed."
...exactly what I just accepted.
Damn it.
I took her hand and stood up.
"But first," I said seriously, "I need more food, sleep, and possibly a therapy session."
I said that last part quietly.
Primrose laughed again.
"What's therapy?" I stared. I'd heard her, of course.
Of course. Sighing, I stood up.
"Nothing important." She narrowed her eyes, looked at me doubtfully, and...
We started walking back to the castle.
The revolver appeared in my left hand. I didn't even try to drop it anymore.
I must start getting used to this.
The moon was still in the sky. I could feel its presence, expectant.
And Primrose walked beside me, her steps silent.
I don't know what awaits me tomorrow.
I don't know what the revolver, the moon, or the White Lady means.
I don't know if I'm going mad or just adapting to this world.
But for now...
"I can teach you to shoot if you want," Primrose said in a calm tone.
I remembered her boss fight; she was one of the deadliest with a firearm.
"Really?" She nodded with a smile.
"My father taught me to use all kinds of firearms."
If I recall correctly, weapons were divided into:
Light.
Medium.
Heavy.
I looked closely at Primrose; only the most powerful anime logic could allow her to lift a minigun's weight with one hand.
God.
How dangerous this girl is?
And apparently, I have a hunting date with her... you know what? I've already dug this hole; better to jump fully into the grave.
"Hey Primrose." I smiled with pure audacity.
"Yes?"
"Train me," I said calmly; I almost sounded eloquent in a direct way, if I may say so myself.
Of course, this could well be a mistake.
Primrose smiled at me affectionately, but with her green eyes wide and shining with excitement.
Yes, this was a mistake.
"Of course!"
Well, might as well go to the gallows happily.
Speaking of the dead...
"Does the boar I killed serve any purpose?"
She stopped, looked at me, and then seemed to think about it.
"...Do you want us to take it?"
Honestly, I crave bacon.
"It would be a waste to leave it there."
Primrose observed me for several seconds with an indecipherable expression.
"You're definitely weird," she said finally.
"Is that a yes?"
"It's a 'I'll carry it because you look about to faint.'"
I couldn't argue with that.
I watched her disappear among the trees with inhuman speed.
I was alone for a few seconds.
The revolver glowed faintly under the moonlight.
I stared at it.
"I don't know what you are," I murmured. "I don't know what you want from me."
The weapon didn't respond. Obviously.
"But if you're going to stick to my hand, at least be useful when I need you."
Silence.
"...I'm talking to a pistol," I realized how ridiculous the situation was. "I definitely need sleep."
Primrose returned with the boar over her shoulder as if it weighed nothing.
"Everything okay?" The sincerity in her voice and her worried expression made me want to hug her.
"No," I admitted. "But let's go anyway."
And so, covered in vomit, blood, and with a cosmic weapon in hand, I walked back to the castle alongside a huntress who could probably kill me in less than a second.
The time for Aeono to make his appearance has shortened; man, I can feel the shadow of his presence over me.
"Hehe." I laughed, knowing it wasn't really funny. Looking at the Moon, I felt shivers. "Tch."
What a shitty world.
I hate isekais.
...
...
...
Primrose left the boar in the kitchen (she said she left it in my name as a donation or something) before returning to the forest. In those moments, I took the opportunity and ate a good sandwich before going to my room.
Tomorrow will be a busy day.
I need to rest.
"Will I even be able to sleep?" It wasn't unusual for my thoughts to keep me awake for a while, but this time it's...
The image of that thing appeared in my mind for a second, and I had to bite my lower lip to force myself not to scream in fear.
Everything around me disappeared; in the midst of immense nothingness, there I was.
The surrounding darkness is suffocating; I see and don't at the same time, I hear but not really, I feel without ever having done so.
How sublime nothingness and death are in these moments.
My mind is fuzzy; I remembered my mother, I smiled.
Why do I cling so much to my life? I'm not Jakob; I'm not even sure who I was before... and even if I was...
In the face of existence's immensity, what value does life without purpose have?
My life.
Primrose...
Of course... give up? What nonsense is that? In this world, I can only walk forward.
I think...
I...
"Jakob?" A sweet voice spoke to me; the light it brought returned me to reality.
There was a person in my room's doorframe; my still fuzzy mind only saw her silhouette.
"Armine?" It took me a while to process who it was; her beauty left me dazed for a few seconds. "What are you doing in my room?"
Her expression reminded me of when my mother worried.
"I," her gaze was doubtful; the gold of her eyes was still majestic. "I was worried... you didn't come back and..."
She looked nervous; her eyes fixed on the floor, and for a few minutes, I felt lost.
Ooh, she was waiting for me all this time, and I...
My body moved without my mind registering it; I took her hand.
"I'm sorry," I said. She looked into my eyes; she gazed at me as if seeing someone hurt.
She took my cheek; I saw tears form in her eyes.
And there was a mix of emotions in her gaze, but the most predominant was fury.
"What did she do to you?" I didn't understand what she meant or her anger. "Her."
She must have noticed my doubt. She's talking about Zofia.
I gave Armine a tired smile. What should I tell her? For a second, the possibility of telling her everything came to mind.
Who I really am, why I do everything I do, and...
I discarded that idea immediately.
"She gave me this." I raised my left hand; the revolver was there, of course. "I had a deal with her; she might also teach me magic when she can."
Armine observed the firearm closely first, then looked fixedly into my eyes.
"...You're telling me the truth." She seemed slightly surprised; then she stepped aside to let me into my room. "Come in."
It's weird to be given permission for my own room; anyway, I followed my teacher's orders.
I noticed a wicker basket on the study table.
"Will you use firearms now?" Armine sat on my bed with her arms crossed.
Hey.
What are you doing in a guy's room at this hour?
Do you have any idea what this does to my heart? Wait, I remembered that Armine
"How did you get into my room?" I thank God I clean this place every morning; I don't know how I'd feel if Armine saw my room messy.
The look she gave me was between playful and slightly annoyed.
"I asked first, but to answer," her gaze turned sweet for a moment. "When I informed the Director about your intention to accompany me to the drainage, he gave me a copy of your key."
I was speechless for a few seconds... the Director, of course, makes sense.
...Wait...
"...Why would the Director do something like that?" What an irresponsible man. Just then, I remembered he was the type of person who used to throw his students into dangerous and insane scenarios so they could grow.
He said it was good for his students to form strong bonds of friendship and companionship." I could imagine that guy saying that with a friendly smile and giving Armine the key. "He said he was surprised and happy that you were opening up to others."
Mmm... at least he's someone who genuinely cares about his students.
"...It still seems very irresponsible to me," I said with a tired sigh. I sat in the desk chair facing her. "A lot happened today."
Armine observed me in silence.
"I can see that," she said softly. "You look... different."
Different is a kind way to put it.
Broken would be more accurate.
"Zofia showed me some things," I wasn't lying, technically. "Things I'd prefer not to have seen."
Armine's brow furrowed.
"That woman..." there was venom in her voice, a contained rage that surprised me. "I should have refused to let you go with her."
"You couldn't have stopped me," I said honestly. "Besides, I needed what she had to offer."
I raised my left hand. The white revolver glowed faintly, almost mocking me.
Armine observed it with a mix of fascination and distrust.
"..." The intensity of her gaze surprised me a bit. "I think you should return it."
I noticed the tension in her voice.
Honestly... she might be right, but.
"It's just a tool." God, I hope it's just a tool. "I'll use it for now."
The silence stretched between us.
"I hope you know what you're doing," she said doubtfully. Me too, Armine; I hope I know what I'm doing. "Anything else you want to tell me?"
I could see the questions forming in her mind—all the things she wanted to know but didn't dare ask.
I must tell her now.
"Armine," my voice sounded graver than intended. "There's something..."
"What is it?" She leaned forward, her hands on her knees, ready to help with whatever.
What a wonderful person.
I swallowed hard.
"For a while... I won't be able to train with you."
The words fell like stones in a still lake.
I saw the gleam in her eyes fade slowly, like a candle burning out.
"What?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
"An expert in firearms is going to train me," I continued, feeling each word like a self-inflicted stab. "I need to learn to use this."
I raised the revolver as evidence.
Armine's face went through several emotions in seconds.
Surprise.
Confusion.
Caution.
"Do you trust this person?" Armine seems to ask the questions I should be asking.
"I don't know," no point lying about this. "She's an expert in all kinds of firearms, but honestly, she terrifies me."
I discarded the image of the game's Primrose from my mind; technical information was worthless when everything had become real.
"I understand," she said finally, her voice professional. "It's... logical."
No, you don't understand.
And it hurts that I can't explain it.
"It's not that I don't want to keep training with you," I hurried to say, noticing her shoulders tense. "It's just that—"
"It's okay, Jakob," she interrupted with a friendly smile but sharp eyes. "I trust your judgment."
"Armine..." I wanted to tell her everything, who I really was, but I didn't even know if she'd believe me.
"I brought you these." She stood up from the bed, took the basket, and put it on my lap. "You're probably starving right now."
She smiled at me, this time completely.
"You're right." I immediately took out the contents; the ravenous hunger I feel is weird even for me. "Great."
They were like small pizzas.
"Flammkuchen." The word came out of my mouth automatically; Jakob's memories took control of this body just for that. "I love these things."
That was something Jakob and I shared.
"They eat them where I come from too." Armine looked happy while I devoured the pizzas. "I made them myself."
I stopped instantly.
Armine made these wonders? Every second that passes, she's more and more perfect.
"They're perfect," I said between bites, and she laughed—probably looking like a kid right now. "Thank you."
For everything.
She smiled at me.
"Well then..." she said approaching the door. "Don't be a stranger. When you finish your training... and even without needing help, you can come and talk."
...My brain found it fascinating: a genuine friendship. Something that supposedly no longer existed in my original world.
"Sure," I said with a smile. "Thanks."
How many times must I repeat that word? As many as necessary.
Armine stopped halfway to the door, her back to me.
"It's late, Jakob," her voice trembled almost imperceptibly. "You should rest."
"Armine..." I started; I really don't know how to continue. "Your training was perfect. Thanks to you, I could survive down there. Thanks to you, I have the strength to keep going."
She turned around; she had a kind smile on her lips.
"That's what friends do." The word still feels a bit surreal to me, amid all the madness of this day.
This is the most comforting.
"Thank you for making me stronger," I said instead. "You're a great friend."
Armine smiled at me.
"...Will you take care of yourself?" she asked with genuine concern. "Are you going to be okay?"
I laughed, more than anything because really...
"I don't know," I said strangely serene. "But that shouldn't stop me."
"You'd better," she said in an attempt at her usual tone. "When you return, I expect you to keep up with me properly."
I smiled relieved.
"I wouldn't expect less from my teacher."
"Hmph." Armine looked away, but I could notice the blush on her cheeks. "Idiot."
She let go of my hands and walked to the door.
Before leaving, she stopped.
"Jakob."
"Yes?"
"If you need help, tell me."
I blinked.
"Huh?"
"If something happens, no matter how small, you can come ask me for help," Armine said in a tone that brooked no argument. "Understood?"
I couldn't help smiling.
"Understood."
Armine nodded once, opened the door, and left.
But just before closing it, I heard her murmur something.
"...he didn't even ask if I could teach him to shoot..."
The door closed.
I was left alone in my room, the revolver glowing in my left hand and a mix of guilt and warmth in my chest.
"...Can you use firearms?" I asked the air, remembering her class was exclusively physical strength and sword.
Silence.
Of course she could. This world is no longer just a game...
I sighed, letting myself fall onto the bed.
"I'm an idiot," I murmured to the ceiling.
The revolver seemed to glow in agreement.
Great.
Even the cursed weapon mocks me.
I closed my eyes; amid all the surreal things happening in my life... the most insane is... that I have people who care about me.
And that...
"That's not bad," I murmured before finally letting exhaustion take me.
...
...
...
I sat up suddenly; I felt a presence in the darkness. By instinct, I got off the bed and searched for my weapons.
"Your reaction is too slow."
The voice came from nowhere; I searched erratically with my sight and found the dark figure sitting on my window frame.
Her green eyes glowed like a predator's ready.
Dawn hadn't broken yet; moonlight entered through the window and gave me chills.
I'd slept only a few hours, and the scenes of the thing on the moon were still fresh.
"I could have killed you at any moment," Primrose's emotionless voice disturbed me. "Get ready; we'll leave soon."
"What time is it?" I know it's the stupidest thing to ask now, but honestly...
"It doesn't matter." Primrose's voice lacked her usual warmth. "Beasts don't care about our schedules or customs."
"...You have to be kidding," I murmured, getting up with difficulty.
The revolver had appeared in my left hand.
Of course.
"Jakob." Primrose entered my room fully. "I'm going to teach you like my father did with me."
She approached me little by little until looking directly into my eyes.
What overwhelming intensity.
I'm scared.
"My weapon has no bullets..." I said as an excuse. Primrose raised her right arm and dropped something.
It sounded like coins.
"Pick it up," she ordered with an authority that made me kneel and search in the darkness for the object.
Luckily, the metal gleam helped; I surprised myself for not having guessed what they were from the start.
"Bullets." I raised my head to see Primrose.
Something pressed against my forehead.
Sweat formed on my forehead; I could feel the cold metal and focused on Primrose's emotionless eyes.
"You're dead." Primrose stopped pressing her weapon against my forehead. "Stand up and get ready; I'll be waiting in the forest. Don't take more than twenty minutes."
With a jump out the open window—we're far from the ground—I ran to see if she was okay.
Primrose walked with her back to me and before running faster than I could register.
...
...
...
I opted for something practical: sturdy black pants, leather boots, a plain white shirt, and a dark vest I found in Jakob's closet.
When I looked at myself in the mirror, I let out a small laugh.
I look like a vampire hunter dressed like this, gun in hand.
The irony.
Thank God I still have a sense of humor.
With heavy steps and quite a lot of anxiety, I headed into the inner forest.
The academic year hasn't even started yet, but the security in this Academy is already abysmal. No guards, no staff—nothing to stop reckless, suicidal people (like me) from wandering into a dark forest.
Although, now that I think about it…
Maybe no one believed anyone would be insane enough to actually do it.
"Honestly getting used to the lack of common sense in this world" feels both tragic and worrying.
Worrying because I'm currently standing in the middle of a dark forest, thinking nonsense while waiting for a redheaded girl with large breasts…
For some reason that doesn't actually sound so bad… Okay, I need to stop thinking of this as some kind of romantic encounter.
I glanced around.
Mist drifted between the trees, dew clung to every leaf, and the silence was almost absolute.
Only the occasional bird call or rustle of small animals broke the stillness.
There had clearly been a flaw in my logic—I forgot that Primrose doesn't operate on the same common sense as I do…
A shiver ran down my spine.
I started scanning for her everywhere. I wasn't late, but there was no sign of her.
Something pressed against the back of my neck. Again. Before I could even process it, Primrose already had me exactly where she wanted.
"Dead." Her voice—so professional, so devoid of warmth—still unnerves me. It's a side of her I never expected. "That makes 700 times I could have killed you."
Such a huge number. And the cold I feel right now is intense. It's impressive how the human body can sweat without giving off any heat.
"Between the room and coming to the forest?" My mind is desperately trying to rationalize this.
"No." With that single word, I decided it was wiser not to question Primrose's greatness. "Only since you entered the forest."
Primrose is one of the most fascinating bosses in the game. Her third phase—when she fully embodies pure predation—is legendary.
She never cracks the top 10, but she's consistently ranked among the most satisfying fights in any playthrough.
Knowing that, I can understand just how terrifyingly efficient she is at killing.
"…What's next?" Her weapon left my neck and moved to my right side.
She was smiling—kind, bright, full of happiness.
Hey, don't make faces that terrifying.
"Now you'll have to do everything I say." She grabbed my arm and pulled it very close to her chest. That dazzling smile made me deeply uneasy.
Every instinct in my body was screaming at full volume.
RUN.
It felt like having my head caught between the jaws of a beast.
I barely had time to roll across the ground and avoid the strike that came from above.
Something embedded itself exactly where I had been standing a second earlier.
"Hoh?" A long, imposing bone-white spear rested in the hands of the kneeling man. "Good reflexes."
I can't say I felt anything in particular seeing his face.
"Conlaoch." I'm not quick enough to figure out why he would be here.
The sly grin he gave me made me want to punch him.
"I'm starting to see you're not just her type." Conlaoch lowered his stance slightly and pointed the white spear at me. "But is there anything more to you than good reflexes?"
I shot a discreet glance at Primrose. She smiled at me fondly.
Of course.
"I guess it wasn't such a bad idea…" I had loaded the revolver before coming here. Strangely, it felt noticeably lighter now. "I don't see how fighting you is supposed to help me learn to shoot."
Conlaoch smiled.
"You need to leave your passivity behind." It was Primrose who spoke. Despite her smile and gentle gaze, her words carried no warmth. "You need to abandon your cowardice."
What?
For some reason her words sparked irritation and indignation. What exactly did she know about me to call me that?
"You don't know anything about me," I said, more forcefully than I intended. "You have no right to call me a coward."
Still smiling, Primrose took a step back—and literally melted into the darkness of the forest.
My eyes tried to follow her. Useless.
She…
"You shouldn't get distracted so easily." Conlaoch was already behind me, spear aimed at my stomach. "Lack of attention is the number one cause of death on the battlefield."
He thrust the spear straight toward my abdomen. I dodged by barely a few centimeters.
I growled as the tip grazed me, drawing a thin line of blood.
No time for this.
I have to take advantage of the fact that we're so close.
I aimed the revolver at his bicep. I don't even know how much damage this thing can do to a person, but—
BANG
The recoil nearly shattered my arm from the inside.
The bullet didn't hit him. The bastard was faster. Before I knew it, he was at my side wearing a predatory grin.
"Bad luck."
His kick sent me flying several meters backward until I crashed to the ground.
"Magnificent…" I muttered, exhausted, lying on my back staring at the moon. I can't catch a damn break in this world. Problem after problem. "One bullet less…"
I have no idea what Primrose is really planning, but running out of ammo seems like a terrible idea.
My arm hurts…
"How long are you going to lie there?" Speak of the devil. Primrose's voice came from directly above me—her legs conveniently spread over my head. "That's exactly the passivity I'm talking about…"
From this angle, Primrose's figure does interesting things.
Today she's wearing white underwear…
"Understood." I raised my left hand and pulled the trigger. The bullet traced a straight line upward, passing through her skirt and grazing her cheek. "Better?"
I fired deliberately to avoid serious harm. My arm still suffered from the recoil, but at least I actually hit something this time.
"…You deliberately chose not to hurt me?" Primrose sounded exasperated.
I had to get up and put distance between us.
I don't know much about this character, but in all the dialogue compilations I read online, I never heard her speak like this.
Sweat formed on my forehead and back. This was completely new territory…
I saw her standing among the trees. The bullet had snapped several branches, letting moonlight filter through. Her green eyes gleamed coldly.
"Primrose…" I tried to find the right words to handle her right now.
"Don't try to run away now." The next thing I felt was sharp pain in my stomach. I clutched it instinctively—then something struck the back of my head, slamming me to the ground. "Living like this must be exhausting."
No time to react. A kick stole my breath.
Then she grabbed my hair and crouched to whisper in my ear.
"Fear is killing you." Her voice mixed disgust, pity, and absolute certainty. "You have two legs to stand firm against the world and two hands to fight whatever comes… and yet!"
Her barrage of blows to my face left me dazed. All I could hear was a deafening ringing.
I tasted metallic blood. My vision blurred.
I clenched my teeth.
"Don't fuck with me…" I could barely make out what was in front of me, but honestly I didn't care. "What the hell do you know about me?"
Her face was inches from mine. Our breaths collided.
"I know enough." Primrose stared straight into my eyes with terrifying coldness. "You're afraid of every step you take, of everything around you, of everyone. This way of living is turning you into a beast just waiting to be put down."
This bitch—!
I saw red. I pressed the revolver barrel under her jaw.
"All I have to do is pull the trigger." I said it with every ounce of contempt I could muster—and right now there was plenty.
And yet she kept looking at me like it was nothing.
"But you won't." My heart clenched. I couldn't help the bitter expression that crossed my face. "Because you're kind. And because you wouldn't be capable of it unless it was truly necessary."
I stared at her. She was right.
With a sigh, I lowered the gun and closed my eyes to calm down.
"You're right," I said, exhausted—mentally and physically drained. "Can we please start the actual lessons now?"
I'm tired.
Primrose looked at me like I was an idiot.
"These are the lessons."
Oh.
"It must be really fun beating me up…" Honestly, every idea I have in this world just turns into a new way to experience pain. Though if I'm being truthful, I still prefer this to the moon. "Can we move on to a different lesson?"
I glanced toward the horizon. The black of night was giving way to blue. Internally I thanked whatever force was responsible—being under moonlight makes me more uncomfortable than I expected.
"Not yet," Primrose said flatly, still pressed close to me. "I need you to at least face the fear. Otherwise we can't continue."
How convenient.
"That's why Conlaoch showed up." Speaking of him— "By the way, where is he?"
"Here." His voice came from above. When I looked up, he was comfortably perched on a tree branch. "I didn't want to interrupt such an intimate moment."
The grin he gave both Primrose and me made me let out an exaggerated sound of disgust.
"You're an asshole," I told Conlaoch with complete sincerity.
The bastard looked at me like I was the idiot. Hey—I only accept that look from a girl who can kill me.
He can kill me too, but he's not a girl, so I'm not letting it slide.
"Buddy, you've had your face centimeters from a beautiful woman for exactly twenty-five minutes and you haven't taken advantage of it at all." He had the nerve to settle even more comfortably on the branch and give me a superior look that filled me with irritation. "Though I have to admit—she's right. You won't get anywhere if you keep being afraid of everything around you."
Even him? Am I really that obvious?
"It shows that much?" I relaxed where I lay. Curiously, Primrose seemed perfectly comfortable staying on top of me without moving.
Conlaoch snorted. From his perch he looked down at me with condescension.
"…I've known plenty like you. Deep down all you need is proper motivation." The wolfish smile he gave me only made me more nervous. "Don't you have anything precious in this life?"
…Something precious? Honestly, only my mother in my original life.
"I think…" Then the image of Armine smiling flashed in my mind. "Yes. There is. There's someone I consider important to me."
Conlaoch smiled—genuinely happy for me, it seemed.
"Good. That's great. Now I need you to think about this." His expression turned serious and cold. "What would you do if someone hurt that person?"
Suddenly the world darkened. Despite my initial resistance, my mind paused to seriously consider the possibility.
To be honest, at first Armine was just a resource to exploit. I didn't really care if she ended up with the bad ending on her Royal Path. But now?
I pictured smiling Armine falling into the madness of the Devouring Beast. If that happened… what would I do?
I'd lose my mind…
I looked at my revolver. It gleamed hypnotically. Between the dark abyss of insanity and my sanity stretched a golden thread called Armine.
I hadn't thought about it before, but… it's infuriating to realize my friend's fate depends on Aeono.
The idea that he has to choose which heroine to take as a lover—and that choice basically decides the fate of the world—leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
I remembered all the times I played Kings Roads and ended up killing Boss Armine.
In my memory, her final words as she looked at the player while being defeated were heartbreaking.
"Thank you."
Armine wasn't supposed to become this important to me. Remembering her fall hurts more than it should.
This used to be just a game…
But… what can I even do?
I'm just a— No, screw that. It doesn't matter what I am or was. What matters is what I do now.
I can't stand by while my friend suffers because of the games of gods.
Maybe my efforts are pointless. Maybe I'll waste all my strength for nothing, but…
"I'd fight," I said to Conlaoch. My voice sounded hollow and cold—even I was surprised. "I'd kill them before they even thought about hurting what matters most to me."
Conlaoch's savage grin told me he understood exactly what I meant.
"Good." He leaped down from the tree. "Remember that feeling."
The sun was already peeking over the horizon. A strange epiphany hit me.
"So this is what I needed?" That primal urge to move… "Alright."
I stood up.
"Hey!" Primrose complained, puffing out her cheeks after losing her seat. "I was comfortable."
My eyes locked onto hers. For a second her gaze turned inhuman—she seemed to recognize something in me.
"Primrose." I turned the same intensity toward Conlaoch. "Teach me."
I'm an idiot. I still believe this world has a pre-programmed destiny. I don't know if that's true anymore—and honestly I don't care…
It's not just my fate on the line.
At the very least… at the very least I have to try to protect Armine.
"About time," Primrose said. Now that sunlight was spreading, I could see it clearly: on her back…
"Is that a rifle?" I asked, immediately recognizing the firearm that I—and roughly three-quarters of the Kings Roads fandom—hated with a passion.
Primrose's eyes shone with pride.
"Family heirloom," she said, stroking the dark wooden stock. "Never fails."
I almost said "I know." I hate that thing. One shot and half your health bar is gone.
Also…
A Springfield 1903 in the hands of an adorable orange-haired, green-eyed girl?
This world is definitely beyond my comprehension.
I turned to Conlaoch, who was making a face of mild disgust at the rifle. I see he's going through the same trauma as anyone who ever fought Boss Primrose.
I smiled at his pain.
"What about you?" He gave me a weird look.
"What about me?"
"Your weapon." I tried not to let my exasperation show too much.
"Are you blind?" He raised his white spear proudly. "This is my weapon."
Right… right…
"I'm counting on you, Primrose," I said to the killing machine with the rifle.
"Yes!"
"Oi." I ignored Conlaoch's indignant tone. "Are you saying I'm an idiot?"
Mmm… Sometimes idiots can be surprisingly perceptive.
"Let's go!" Primrose grabbed my free hand and started dragging me along. "Time to get those muscles moving!"
"Aren't we eating breakfast first?" My stomach growled in response.
"We'll hunt breakfast," she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
Of course. I really should have expected that.
Anyway, I can't back out or refuse training now… Come to think of it, I'll probably have to stay away from Armine for quite a while…
Sorry, my friend. But this is for your future—and mine.