"What do you mean, Onii─ Rudel was taken hostage by Sara and will be sacrificed?!"
Ixion after seeing the unreal scene of Sara saying that she would die together with Rudel, made him fly straight to Erselica to show them what he saw.
Next to her were the idiots and their servant friends.
Darryl and Dominique were washing the dishes. The other inhabitants of the mansion were out shopping.
They didn't want to be at home knowing that their boyfriend would be engaged to another woman so they hadn't returned since morning.
Ixion took advantage of that to send a message to Bell who was with them, not to even think of telling them anything.
Liam couldn't believe his eyes.
"This is too weird, Sara was supposed to love Bradford, right? If it's true that she loves him, why would she wish to kill herself?"
The other idiots gave their opinions.
"Maybe it's some kind of weird Aster fashion?"
"What are you talking about Chlust? It's obvious the count did something wrong and that's why she got like this."
"That's where you're wrong Frey, for sure the count cheated on her with a woman and she's getting back at him with a prank."
"But Warren, in the video you can see that Rudecchi was in pain. So I don't think it's fake."
"Guys stop joking, this is serious!"
Erselica shouted while biting her fingers.
(This is bad, really bad, truly bad.)
Her reasons for worrying about Rudel were honest.
(If onii-chan dies, who will give me money?)
(No, no, no. His money is vital but his safety matters more.)
Erselica was shaking her head from side to side, Allen commented after watching the video again.
"Honestly, that one of the count's fiancés finally resorted to wanting to kill him doesn't surprise me. He's the kind of person who earns everyone's hatred even if he doesn't do anything to them."
"Allen, don't joke now."
"I'm not kidding Cana, that guy deep down is a shameless womanizer. I'm surprised whoever tried to kill him wasn't either of those two."
The boys looked at each other and nodded silently.
"Ah, I remembered!"
Erselica shouted, grabbed Ixion and pulled him into a corner.
"What's wrong, do you know why Sara is behaving like that?"
"I know!"
In a low voice she replied.
"This is the villainess condemnation event."
"Condemnation event?"
"Yes. I finally remembered why she only had her end in Romeo's path."
"According to my memories, this was happening because the heroine had stolen her brother's heart. Sara was filled with jealousy and hatred because the sibling relationship was destroyed due to Romeo feeling inferior to her."
"All the problems on that route were just because of miscommunication!"
"Are you saying this is part of the story of the game?"
"Strange to say, but sure! Sara decides to end her life since she had lost her father, so she decides to die with Romeo. The Rosenberg lineage will be lost forever but their sibling relationship will be eternal."
"That's too stupid. Even if Liam said it."
"I know, but it's all the same! Just..."
Erselica touched her head to try to remember more things.
"It's weird. This only happened when Romeo betrayed his family, but that hasn't happened. Everything is going well then, why is the condemnation event happening?"
"Erselica that doesn't matter now, what matters is─"
*Doorbell*
Someone was knocking on the door.
Erselica was startled thinking it was them coming back.
(If those two found out what happened to him, they'd sure as hell order Ixion to open fire!)
Allen went to see who it was and let out a startled sound.
"Ah, another sphere!"
"Excuse me~."
Zero entered the mansion, he was accompanied by Zack.
"Excuse me. This place sure is huge."
Erselica screamed in her head at the sight of him.
(What's Zack doing here! No, what's that Ixion doing here?!)
Zero approached Ixion. He was on guard.
"Please don't be like this. I came to help."
"Help? I don't want your help, get the hell out of here."
"Hey, stop your hostility! He said he came to help."
"You don't give me orders Erselica. But... I want to hear what you have to say."
Ixion fell to Erselica after threatening her with a laser.
Zero showed on the air a video, it was about the great nobles talking about sacrificing Rudel.
Of them, Randy seemed the leader.
"Since everything is agreed, in one week we will sacrifice the Acting Chairman's daughter and guardian. We must prevent the Kingdom's ambassadors from trying to retrieve him at all costs, Aster's fate lies in this execution!"
Erselica spat at Randy.
"That pot-bellied dwarf didn't hesitate to reveal that he wants him dead."
"As you could see, the great nobles will prevent Rudel-sama from being taken away. Using diplomacy won't work and I'm sure using force isn't an option for you guys."
Zack was touching a dog-shaped lamp that Frey bought, he turned around when Zero called out to him.
"Zack-sama, is it okay if we help them? After all, Sara-sama is your cousin isn't she?"
"Huh!"
Erselica was showing a confused expression.
(Sara's Zack's cousin? That wasn't in the game!)
"We're not close despite the fact that her mother is related to my father. But I don't want her dead, I think it's cruel what those great assholes are doing. Besides, I want to have my friendly duel with Rudel, I can't let a fellow adventurer die!"
Again Erselica went into confusion.
(Why does Zack know onii-chan and not act like a rebel either?!)
(This doesn't make sense to me anymore!)
Zero spoke to Ixion as an equal.
"Ixion, Rudel-sama is part of the old humanity at least in his DNA, I don't want someone with such valuable blood to die. That's why let's support each other to save him."
"... I guess there are times where you have to duck your head."
"But, we won't be able to move. Most likely the great nobles are guarding this mansion and the harbor. The Master doesn't want any more trouble with them, so mobilizing the airships will be a bigger problem when we rescue the Master."
"I have an idea, and as it happens, bringing the material for my experiment will take a week along with the preparations."
"I'll help you."
"No. I'll do it alone, we'll just meet to talk about the plan."
"In that case, in a week we will save Rudel-sama."
Ixion turned to look at Erselica.
"Erselica, keep those two from finding out about this, make up an excuse."
"Hey! ... Me?"
"You know how to keep secrets better than those five."
"Right. Guys..."
"Boys, you heard! In a week we'll save Bradford!"
"Yes!"
The five raised their fists, Erselica for a moment thought they were serious, but was brought back to reality.
"We'll make Bradford owe us one, he won't call us useless and also, it'll be the perfect opportunity to play pirates."
"You want to play!"
Erselica swung at Liam.
Liam who was lying on the ground said.
"D-Don't get me wrong, it's not that playing, but to role-play. The best solution in this situation is to become mysterious criminals, in other words pirates."
"You said play! You want to play pirates!"
Liam along with the others sat on the floor, they were unmotivated and were making circles on the floor.
"It's just that we're bored." (Liam)
"There's nothing to do." (Chlust)
"It's fun to be with the count, but since we're not at home we have to limit ourselves." (Frey)
"We can use this opportunity to get back up on Battler." (Warren)
"I want Rudecchi to give me a favor so I can buy more food for my pets." (Clovis)
"You're all idioooooooooooooooots!"
◇◇◇
Lucy was hiding listening to everything.
She sneaked out of the mansion to meet Diana at Lugh's mansion.
◇◇◇
"I refuse."
"But Diana!"
Lucy came to Diana asking her for help.
She refused.
Lucy pleaded for her help.
"Please!"
"I don't want to. If Zero says it will help him, then I'll tell him not to."
"Diana!"
"The sacred tree says it wants him dead. Then there's no problem with it."
"You're acting so horrible!"
Diana had a flashback to her previous life.
It was when her younger sister told her she was horrible. Her younger sister was a talented girl like her.
Diana was born in a cradle similar to Alisa's, had a top-notch education, graduated from the best school in the world and entered the most expensive university.
She went to work in a famous fashion store, making a name for herself as one of the best clothing designers in the world.
Thanks to that, she managed to get a boyfriend who was a very famous actor.
One day, her younger sister told her that her boyfriend tried to overdo it with her.
She didn't believe her, Diana's life was perfect and a lie from her younger sister would hurt her successful career.
Diana deep down felt that her perfect younger sister wanted her to break up with her boyfriend because she knew when she was younger, she was romantically interested in him.
This was her chance to get the man of her dreams.
A sisterly fight ensued.
Sometime later, her sister took her own life in the bathtub. Her family didn't believe her. They sent their stares to Diana who blamed it on her own sister.
She felt this was almost similar, but it wasn't her fault that time or this time.
She was starting to get angry, she yelled at Lucy.
"You're annoying, onee-chan!"
"You should do as I say!"
"Forget about that guy, if the sacred tree wants him dead, then that's his fate!"
Lucy began to cry.
"You're the worst! I'm leaving!"
"Onee-chan."
Lucy ran off.
Diana called out to her, but she didn't stop.
Lucy called to a servant standing at the door.
"Luta, come."
A knight by the name of Lutart, a man who wore makeup who tended a maid's cafe.
"Yes, Diantha-sama?"
"I want you to inform Lugh's family to warn all the great nobles that it's possible his friends are trying to free him."
"For the sake of this country, that guy must die."
Diana deep down believed it, she did not wish Rudel dead.
But...
(Sara's Zack's cousin? That wasn't in the game!)
"We're not close despite the fact that her mother is related to my father. But I don't want her dead, I think it's cruel what those great assholes are doing. Besides, I want to have my friendly duel with Rudel, I can't let a fellow adventurer die!"
Again Erselica went into confusion.
(Why does Zack know onii-chan and not act like a rebel either?!)
(This doesn't make sense to me anymore!)
Zero spoke to Ixion as an equal.
"Ixion, Rudel-sama is part of the old humanity at least in his DNA, I don't want someone with such valuable blood to die. That's why let's support each other to save him."
"... I guess there are times where you have to duck your head."
"But, we won't be able to move. Most likely the great nobles are guarding this mansion and the harbor. The Master doesn't want any more trouble with them, so mobilizing the airships will be a bigger problem when we rescue the Master."
"I have an idea, and as it happens, bringing the material for my experiment will take a week along with the preparations."
"I'll help you."
"No. I'll do it alone, we'll just meet to talk about the plan."
"In that case, in a week we will save Rudel-sama."
Ixion turned to look at Erselica.
"Erselica, keep those two from finding out about this, make up an excuse."
"Hey! ... Me?"
"You know how to keep secrets better than those five."
"Right. Guys..."
"Boys, you heard! In a week we'll save Bradford!"
"Yes!"
The five raised their fists, Erselica for a moment thought they were serious, but was brought back to reality.
"We'll make Bradford owe us one, he won't call us useless and also, it'll be the perfect opportunity to play pirates."
"You want to play!"
Erselica swung at Liam.
Liam who was lying on the ground said.
"D-Don't get me wrong, it's not that playing, but to role-play. The best solution in this situation is to become mysterious criminals, in other words pirates."
"You said play! You want to play pirates!"
Liam along with the others sat on the floor, they were unmotivated and were making circles on the floor.
"It's just that we're bored." (Liam)
"There's nothing to do." (Chlust)
"It's fun to be with the count, but since we're not at home we have to limit ourselves." (Frey)
"We can use this opportunity to get back up on Battler." (Warren)
"I want Rudecchi to give me a favor so I can buy more food for my pets." (Clovis)
"You're all idioooooooooooooooots!"
◇◇◇
Lucy was hiding listening to everything.
She sneaked out of the mansion to meet Diana at Lugh's mansion.
◇◇◇
"I refuse."
"But Diana!"
Lucy came to Diana asking her for help.
She refused.
Lucy pleaded for her help.
"Please!"
"I don't want to. If Zero says it will help him, then I'll tell him not to."
"Diana!"
"The sacred tree says it wants him dead. Then there's no problem with it."
"You're acting so horrible!"
Diana had a flashback to her previous life.
It was when her younger sister told her she was horrible. Her younger sister was a talented girl like her.
Diana was born in a cradle similar to Alisa's, had a top-notch education, graduated from the best school in the world and entered the most expensive university.
She went to work in a famous fashion store, making a name for herself as one of the best clothing designers in the world.
Thanks to that, she managed to get a boyfriend who was a very famous actor.
One day, her younger sister told her that her boyfriend tried to overdo it with her.
She didn't believe her, Diana's life was perfect and a lie from her younger sister would hurt her successful career.
Diana deep down felt that her perfect younger sister wanted her to break up with her boyfriend because she knew when she was younger, she was romantically interested in him.
This was her chance to get the man of her dreams.
A sisterly fight ensued.
Sometime later, her sister took her own life in the bathtub. Her family didn't believe her. They sent their stares to Diana who blamed it on her own sister.
She felt this was almost similar, but it wasn't her fault that time or this time.
She was starting to get angry, she yelled at Lucy.
"You're annoying, onee-chan!"
"You should do as I say!"
"Forget about that guy, if the sacred tree wants him dead, then that's his fate!"
Lucy began to cry.
"You're the worst! I'm leaving!"
"Onee-chan."
Lucy ran off.
Diana called out to her, but she didn't stop.
Lucy called to a servant standing at the door.
"Luta, come."
A knight by the name of Lutart, a man who wore makeup who tended a maid's cafe.
"Yes, Diantha-sama?"
"I want you to inform Lugh's family to warn all the great nobles that it's possible his friends are trying to free him."
"For the sake of this country, that guy must die."
Diana deep down believed it, she did not wish Rudel dead.
But...
"Has he really come!!! How can he move without his owner!!!?"
"Just kidding. I was just preparing you in case he arrives."
Tom shivered as he remembered Battler's strength.
It won't come from his mouth, but in reality he was afraid there was a chance it would come.
Seeing this, Romeo sneered at Tom.
"You're afraid? Of a guy like that?"
"Of a guy like that? Don't you know how strong that guy is? If you're going to talk all cocky, you'll have to take him down first!"
Romeo for some reason was overconfident to the point that he didn't even seem like himself.
"Oh, I'll take him down, hahaha."
Seeing Zack's confident look, Jude opened his mouth.
"... Zack, do you really think you can beat that guy?"
"Shut up, you creepy bastard with a collar. Don't think because you couldn't beat him that I can't either. You haven't trained like I have."
Malcolm rubbed his stomach with his hand, as if in pain.
"The Kingdom people are getting close. I wouldn't want to fight if possible. Bradford took down an armed unit with his bare hands."
Romeo knew that story too, but still showed confidence.
"He's got a trick up his sleeve. Derrick was stupid and that's why he lost."
Lugh, who gave Romeo a cold look, unlike usual, stopped him.
"Would you stop right there? We're not here to listen to you brag about it."
"... Tch."
Romeo got up and left the room muttering.
"You'll see, when it's all over, my sister and that guy won't stand in my way."
◇◇◇
Sara was saying goodbye to her family before the promised time.
"I'm leaving now."
Her mother, Marian, was sobbing and supported by those around her.
Randolf gave Sara one last look.
"Are you sure you want to go? I'm sure there are options to look for..."
"No. Rudel is waiting for me."
Sara was very tired.
This was because every night since that day she had nightmares about Rudel saying goodbye to her.
"Sara, you are a bad girl. It's unforgivable for you to die before your parents."
"I'm sorry. But I want to see Rudel, Rudel also agrees. I couldn't do anything, but I want to be there by his side. It is also the wish of the Sacred Tree."
"Besides, when the Sacred Tree takes care of me, Rudel and I will take care of you."
Randolf was about to say something and swallowed his words.
Knights and soldiers from the other houses were guarding the perimeter and he couldn't say anything without getting through.
Lucian had been chosen to command the fleet of guards with Randolf.
"Acting Chairman, your daughter decided this on her own..."
Before he could say anything else, Randolf looked at him coldly.
"Decided? Wasn't it you who did it?"
"Acting Chairman, I'm on your side! But. we talked about it and decided! If the Sacred Tree asked, it would be an honor! Your daughter is ready for this. It makes no sense for the Acting Chairman to stop this."
Randolf looked down.
"Honor? You think it's an honor to sacrifice your daughter? Wherever we live, we live tied to the Sacred Tree."
The Sacred Tree will give you whatever you ask for.
That was the thought of Aster Supreme Kingdom people.
Sara was hugging her mother.
"Mother, I am leaving."
"Sara, why do I have to lose you? Stay... you can even run away if you wish."
Sara ignored her mother who said that in a low voice, she came to her father Randolf after comforting her mother.
"Father."
"... I'm proud of you, my daughter."
"Thank you."
Then Sara turned her eyes, looking for someone.
Randolf knew who it was.
"He's not here... he's waiting in another room."
"I understand..."
"Sara, I─"
Lucian was notified by a servant, he told Sara that it was almost time to leave.
"Shall we go?"
Sara boarded the airship.
Randolf hugged his crying wife and muttered to himself as he watched Sara walk away.
"I'm sorry, Sara. Please forgive me."
It was a regret of a father who had to sacrifice his daughter, or anything else.
After consoling his wife, Randolf also boarded the aircraft.
◇
I found myself in an airship prison.
The week was spent locked up in a cell at Rosenberg Household. Apparently the six great nobles ordered it.
Today I was supposed to be sacrificed with Sara, thrown together with her to die together.
I refuse to die young again!
Ixiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiion!
Save meeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
*Open*
The door opened and a man in shining armor entered. It was Baltort.
"The airship is almost nearing the top. I hope you enjoyed your last supper."
Worst of all, it was. I ate like there was no tomorrow, fell asleep because of it and didn't realize I was being transferred from the castle prison to an airship.
I begged Baltort to release me, but he refused.
"This is what the sacred tree wishes. Its will must be followed by us, if we refuse we will receive its wrath. No one wants that."
Despite saying that, I could feel a slight joy that I was the one who would receive the punishment.
"You really look like him."
"Who?"
"Even the same name you have. The coincidences of life are interesting, even the same fate they will have."
"... Are you talking about Aster's Rudel?"
"... He was useless in every sense of the word, he was a kind hearted man, I'm sure if he were still alive. He would have sacrificed himself instead of Sara ojou-sama, he always cared about her."
"For that reason he agreed to go that day, to look for the sapling to get a way to cure Romeo-sama who was with that high fever."
"High fever?"
"It's an unimportant story from the past. You should enjoy your final moments before─"
He couldn't finish what he was about to say, due to a siren sounding.
"Enemy attack! We are under attack by the enemy! Overhead, a pirate airship is approaching! All hands on deck!"
◇◇◇
When the large airship departed, the other ships then departed to escort it.
The first of these was where the Herring-Exner fleet was.
The second was Lunor-Banfield.
The last was Wayne-Rosenberg.
The airships ascended toward the top of the Sacred Tree, the treetops.
Each representative was in his room waiting.
They all became aware of the siren and then a loud shudder hit them.
The airship shuddered as soon as they heard a burst of voices from the bridge.
Everyone went down, Zack ducked down and used the fact that everyone was confused to get out of there.
Jude looked out the window.
"What happened, and, sky pirates? How is it possible that in a place so close to the Sacred Tree there are sky pirates...?"
The area around the Sacred Tree is usually guarded by the military and no sky pirates could approach it.
It was strange that there is one in this place.
And what was heard was...
"Gyahahahaha! You stupid Aster soldiers, it's time for the time to finish you off! We, the pirates of the Kingdom have come to take over this country like we did that country!"
It was Liam's voice distorted.
A fleet of fifty airships was approaching, among them was one that was very strange, it didn't look like an airship but a spaceship painted brown, with weird tattoos and a waving pirate flag.
"Prepare to die! Gyahahahaha, we will take over this country after we finish you!"
Everyone was confused. Linus reacted confused.
"K-Kingdom Pirates! Aren't you the count's allies?"
"According to informants, the two airships are in the harbor, even the embassy hasn't reported anything strange, in the mansion are all according to our spies. it's not them, they're real pirates!"
"It doesn't matter if they are real or not, the thing is they are in the way!"
"Eliminate them!"
The battle was about to begin.
◇◇◇
It happened as Liam and the others began to fight.
On the ground, Diana was surprised to receive a report from Zero.
She was in the middle of lunch, but dropped the spoon she was holding.
"What!? It's really not them!"
"Yes. I was able to confirm that they are at home."
"Then who's attacking them?"
"Real pirates."
"You have my permission, go help them."
Diana spoke her mind because of the current situation.
"I don't mind Sara, but if something happens to my sister... no, wait.... That's it. There will be no need to rely on the Sacred Tree now."
Diana's eyes looked at Zero.
(With Zero, my safety is assured. I could even rebuild Aster with him if I wanted to. No, we could even build a new country.)
Other than Ixion, she didn't think there was a force that could defeat Zero.
She could form an alliance with Rudel and his friends and maintain non-interference between them.
Diana changed her mind and went back to eating with her new spoon, regaining her composure.
"Oh? He's suddenly calmed down."
"It's just that I noticed. No need to worry about the Sacred Tree anymore. Don't go there anymore."
"... What do you mean by that?"
"With you, Zero, there's no need for the Sacred Tree. Right?"
Zero nodded and the conversation ended.
Or so Diana thought, but Zero's reaction was strange.
"That's not acceptable. The Sacred Tree is an object of defense. It is indispensable to the future of the world."
"Yes, but..."
"First of all, Aster only exists because of the Sacred Tree. If we lose it, we'll be in big trouble."
"I-If I have you..."
"I won't deny it, but losing the Sacred Tree is a great loss to humanity. I hope you won't take it so easily."
Diana couldn't contradict him when he was told in a stronger tone than usual.
"I-It's okay."
"Thank you for your understanding. I'll go get ready right away."
As Diana went back to eating, she thought about the future.
(In the end, things will continue to progress around my sister in the future. Well, she is the protagonist of this world, so it can't be helped. By the way, will Zack be okay? ... Pirates are too many.)
"Zero... if Zack was in danger, could you save him?"
"Of course I could. But are you sure?"
"What?"
"I was curious as to why Lugh-sama's name wasn't mentioned as well."
Diana noticed that Zack had become a more important part of her life than Lugh.
"... You can save Lugh as well."
"Understood."
Then Diana looked up at the ceiling.
(I'll have to think about the future when everyone else returns. In the meantime, I think I'll cut off my engagement to Lugh.)
