284 Fall of the Kingdom
The Pope of the Divine Word Church issued a statement in person.
The content stated that the new Hero had been chosen: Prince Yugo of the Lengzand Empire.
Almost simultaneously, the final preparations were made within the kingdom.
Yamada-kun, you've done well.
Using mind-control, he had already secured the other reincarnated individuals—Oshima-kun and Hasebe-san—excluding Yamada-kun and the Teacher, and had taken control of a portion of the kingdom.
Furthermore, he had successfully misled the First Prince and the Queen, who were fixated on the throne, turning them into allies through skilled manipulation.
The King, unknowingly guided by Potimas, had intended to appoint Yamada-kun as the next ruler.
When this fact was revealed, and it was suggested that they might not be able to ascend the throne as things stood, the First Prince and the Queen easily swayed to his side.
Preparations were complete.
For precaution, the Vampire Child and I are stationed within the kingdom, but unless an extraordinary emergency arises, we have no intention of intervening.
We will observe the progression of events, provided no reincarnated individual is on the verge of death.
— Kukuku. Finally. At last, we can give those fools a proper lesson.
Natsuki, disguised as the First Prince’s Guard, wears a sinister smile.
Beside him, his younger sister wears a vacant expression.
The sister was mentally conditioned by Natsuki during the journey.
At first, she did not comprehend the severity of the situation. Gradually, however, she realized their actions were aimed at overthrowing the kingdom—their homeland.
Moreover, the culmination of their plan requires the deaths of numerous high-ranking officials within the kingdom, including her father, the King.
The older brother obsession is explosive—yet not so far beyond reason as to disregard basic logic.
She knows, for her beloved elder brother, what consequences her actions will bring. She is not blind to that.
Thus, before she could fully comprehend it, she had Yana-kun implant the suggestion.
If she remains sane, who knows when she might be dragged down.
And this way, even after regaining clarity, she can claim she was under suggestion.
Being rescued from the suggestion by her beloved brother—what a favorable situation.
Emotionally moving.
As for what comes after, she does not care.
Let her beloved brother heal her emotional wounds.
Even if she instigated it, half of it was her own will.
She will not regret it later—she does not care.
“What now? What must I do?”
The vampire child she brought along appears to be idle.
The upper echelons of the Empire, the soldiers of the Kingdom—assisting with their enchantments has been sufficient. No real task remains for the main event.
Ah, no.
"Kill Potimas."
Take advantage of the chaos. Eliminate Potimas, who is currently within the Kingdom.
The Potimas present here appears neither cyborg nor anything of the sort. Elimination is straightforward.
If there is nothing to do, it would be prudent to dispatch him as a diversion.
"Understood."
The Vampire Child acknowledges and proceeds to kill Potimas.
Indeed.
Let her revel in destruction as she pleases.
The Vampire Child has been unusually animated lately.
Somehow, she has begun negotiating with the Pope of the Divine Word Church. After accepting the terms, she has been grinning intermittently—unsettling behavior.
She now refers to the Pope as "Uncle." Concerned she might be losing her mind, I nearly intervened.
But Meira stated there is no cause for worry. So I have left her be.
Furthermore, I was told, “It’s none of your concern, leaving the young mistress behind,” and any further inquiry was denied.
Something about it felt slightly sad.
The Vampire Child was seen off. Lunlun and Natsume departed. There remained only observation of the unfolding events.
In a room within the castle, sipping tea elegantly.
Incidentally, consuming caffeine in tea poses no issue.
After previously collapsing from drinking coffee, I traveled to Earth and investigated. I discovered spiders become intoxicated when drinking coffee.
Apparently, caffeine in coffee is the cause. However, in my case, it appears to be the coffee itself—containing caffeine—that triggers a reaction.
I cautiously tried decaf coffee. Nothing occurred.
Similarly, drinking tea containing caffeine caused no adverse effects.
That’s what it comes down to, I suppose. There’s nothing to be done about it.
One must simply accept it as the system’s design.
While pondering such trivialities, I observe the farce unfolding within the castle through clairvoyance and division.
Yamada-kun enters the king’s chambers with his younger sister. The girl assassinates the king.
At that moment, the First Prince and his Guard surge in.
Among them, Natsume-kun follows the First Prince’s command and attacks Yamada-kun first.
Natsume-kun’s sword slices through Yamada-kun’s blade. The reverse edge draws blood.
The sword Natsume-kun wields is, of course, a demon-made magical blade crafted by Oni-kun.
No matter how powerful Yamada-kun’s famed blade, it cannot block the strike.
Yamada-kun is wounded. Placed at a disadvantage.
Elated by the turn of events, Natsume-kun proceeds to reveal the plot twist as if it were a souvenir from the afterlife.
He does not mention, however, any connection to me or to the Divine Word Sect.
At the perfect moment—just as the situation reaches its peak—the Teacher intervenes.
Yamada-kun is rescued at the last instant and escapes.
Of course, the Teacher was able to save Yamada-kun at this precise moment because I orchestrated it from behind the scenes.
The Teacher does not know this.
"Finished."
The Vampire Child returns.
In his hand, he holds Potimas's head.
Just the head.
Apparently, the killing was successful.
"Good work."
He offers me the head—unexpectedly.
What? Eat it?
If you're giving it, I’ll take it.
"What's the status?"
"First act of the farce concluded."
Yamada-kun escaped the castle as planned.
Now, we begin the next phase of the farce—leading him out of the capital city.
What happens from here onward depends on Yamada-kun and his companions.
S20 Fall Zone