It was night when I woke up.
I was hungry, so I went to the kitchen to ask one of the cooks to prepare me a sandwich.
After eating it, I went to look for the girls since this place was quiet.
Not finding them, Glenn informed me that they had gone out to make the house proud.
I don't understand what the hell he was talking about.
Barbara was still sleeping, so it was a perfect opportunity to sneak in and sleep on her incredible breasts.
I was ready, but at that moment.
"Razel, it's time!"
Cid appeared dressed in combat clothes.
I made a sour face because I couldn't enjoy those incredible breasts, even for a little while.
◇
After changing, we were picked up by a limousine.
The destination was the duchy's heliport.
There, Jake's dad, his son, and Oscar were waiting for us.
A large flying ship was anchored, waiting to set sail, or in this case, take off.
◇
Once we boarded, I curiously observed this place.
On the outside, it was a metal and wood ship from a fantasy world, but on the inside, it was a luxury hotel from some exotic country.
Chandeliers hung with magical formulas illuminating every area of this place.
Expensive and strange paintings hung on the walls.
One of them seemed to be of two octopuses attacking each other or kissing; I don't know what the hell it was, but the answer disturbed me.
After walking through several floors, I realized this place is very deep and long.
How many meters could it measure?
We arrived at a room where the other dukes were waiting for us.
Upon entering, we found Duke Luinberg drinking tea, and beside him, a man drinking a very cold beer.
The man wore elegant clothes with light armor on his body.
A large velvet cape gave him the appearance of a barbarian.
His hair was blonde, combed back; his eyes were blue, and his mouth was surrounded by a goatee.
They noticed our presence and greeted us.
Duke Luinberg introduced us to this man; I already knew him; he was one of the dukes who survived after the end of the holy war.
"Let me introduce you. He is Duke Wimlet, Randy von Wimlet."
The duke stood up and greeted us with a joke.
"Dark evenings!"
"Get it? It's night, and instead of saying good evening, I say dark evenings, get it?"
Cid and I looked at him with faces that didn't know whether to laugh or just pretend we heard nothing.
◇
A table was prepared for us.
We sat down, and Duke Luinberg proceeded to explain the plan.
"Alright, the plan is as follows. A group of knights is waiting for us at the marked location."
"Once we arrive, the leader will give the order, and the attack will begin. Our mission is to infiltrate and seize the evidence to show it to the palace so that they don't label us as traitors or terrorists."
(Seems like a good plan; I shouldn't stand out. I like these kinds of things.)
"But there's a problem... I discovered there is a very troublesome guard there."
His face clearly showed he was nervous.
"Who is that guard?" Asked Oscar.
The duke's mouth moved slowly to say words that astonished everyone, except me; well, I feigned surprise like everyone else, but I already knew about this.
"According to my informants, the Ash Knight of the Ideal Empire has been hired as a bodyguard."
"You're serious!"
"It must be a joke."
"What is a man like him doing here? And more importantly, how did he get into the country?"
Everyone's questions and astonishment were normal.
But not for me. Since this was a game event.
The strange thing is that this event appeared in the middle of the second year.
The Ash Knight, one of the four dark knights of the Ideal Empire.
(I think I've forgotten about them, so I'll mention what I remember to confirm that the information is correct with what was said.)
(The Ideal Empire is a neighboring country bordering the Arklight Empire.)
(The founding of the empire I live in was based on conquering the neighboring duchies; on the other hand, the other empire was different.)
(The reason is in its name.)
(An ideal world.)
(The first emperor managed to get the neighboring small kingdoms to join his cause, making it a country without racism, hatred, poverty, or discrimination.)
(Despite having an aristocracy, nobles would not use their power to oppress others.)
(Seems like a good place to live.)
(No wonder Serge's commoner rebellion event had support.)
(Personally, I find the game's situation very strange.)
(I mean, if it's an ideal country to live in, why do they have these four knights who are an international threat?)
(The dark knight the duke spoke of was classified according to the game as the second strongest in magical power and the third strongest in physical strength.)
(As his name suggests, he can manipulate ash; in the game, only Oscar and Lambert could defeat him. Although I think it was just because the game's plot dictated it.)
(Back to the duke.)
"We are accompanied by great knights and B-rank adventurers. Even if we run into him, they will handle it."
"Now, let's split up."
The duke looked at us all.
"We'll split into groups of two; the stronger group will go to look for the evidence, and the less strong group will go to take samples."
"One duke will stay in charge as commander, and of course, that..."
"It will be me!"
Jake's father stood up and proclaimed himself commander.
(It was the most selfish and childish thing I've ever heard from an adult.)
Obviously, the other dukes didn't take it well.
Duke Luinberg stood up furiously, while Duke Wimlet slammed the table.
"Wait a moment, Fahren!"
"Who appointed you commander?"
"I did." Said Jake's father, his white teeth shining.
"You've always been like this since the academy!"
"It's true! Clearly, I should be the commander!"
"Hah? You too, Randy? What are you talking about!"
"Myat, I... I want to feel important as the commander!"
Our young faces contorted like a strange drawing at what this guy said.
"It's not fair that only I do nothing; that's why I'll take command as commander."
"Don't joke, idiot! You've been selfish and childish since the academy too! That's why the only one qualified to take command is me!"
"You just want to take command because you want to feel important, four-eyes! Stop pretending you're the smartest; you just want to rub your achievements in Fahren's face!"
"It's true! But it's also true that I'm the most qualified!"
"Jealous four-eyes!"
"Selfish playboy!"
Both dukes looked like rabid dogs showing their teeth.
Jake's father interfered to put an end to the argument.
"It seems there's only one solution to end this."
His gaze was serious, and he raised his hands.
"Eye Poke!"
The index and middle fingers of his hands moved towards both of their eyes.
"Gyaaaah!"
"That won't work, Fahren; you've always used it."
Duke Luinberg stopped him by putting his hand in position to intercept the blow.
"Umu, you're right. Throat Strike!"
As if it were a whip, his free hand moved to the neck.
The duke fell and spat saliva while writhing.
"Umu, it's decided then."
(I watched with disappointment as these guys acted like little kid's despite being adults.)
I looked at Jake and told him. –I'm sorry, I think I understand you a little now.
He hid his face in shame.
◇
We arrived at the designated location; I couldn't believe it, as it was totally different from the game.
In the game, it was a noble's mansion, but here it's a research center located in the capital.
(Now I understand the plan; it really would be bad if they labeled us as terrorists without the evidence.)
Jake's father became commander and was on the deck of the flying ship like a pirate captain ready to raid.
In a small boat, we split into two groups after landing.
The strong group was Duke Wimlet, Oscar, and Jake.
While the less strong group was myself, Cid, and Duke Luinberg.
Before Jake's father shouted to begin the attack, I said a few words to these guys.
"Idiots, don't die."
(I didn't say it because I'm interested in their safety; these idiots are still the capture targets, and this world is that Otome game world; for that reason, they are important.)
(Well, at least Lambert and Regulux aren't important to me, since one won't become emperor, and the other won't become a sword saint.)
(The other three idiots are different.)
These guys looked at me annoyedly.
"We don't need your concern."
"In fact, you should be the ones to worry; we don't know if that dark knight will run into you."
(They seem energetic; that's good.)
Jake's father's voice resonated as if we were at a concert.
"The operation begins!"
Explosions occurred in different places.
A fire broke out in the distance.
(This operation is perfect for a background character like me. Since I'm sure those idiots will run into the Ash Knight, and we'll do nothing.)
(The power of the main characters is amazing!)
Duke Wimlet's group went another way once we entered through a door encrypted with a magical formula.
While we went another way.
◇◇◇
Several minutes passed since the operation began.
Various fights were taking place in the facility.
Duke Fitzclarence watched everything from above.
He received a call through a communicator he had in his ear.
Pressing it, a magic circle appeared to connect the call.
"Father, there's a problem!"
"Did you encounter enemies?"
"No, it's much worse than that! Duke Wimlet has disappeared!"
"Ah! He got lost; forget it; he'll show up somewhere."
"Really?"
"Yes. Just fulfill your mission."
The duke ended the call. He watched the stage like an actor waiting for his starring role.
(I need to pee. It's very cold.)
◇◇◇
Jake's call was hung up by his father.
Oscar asked him intrigued.
"What did he say?"
He scratched his head as he replied.
"He said it was normal. To ignore him."
"Is it wise to ignore a lost duke?"
"They've been friends since the academy, so they know each other very well."
"Let's fulfill what we were ordered to do."
"That's fine with me; that way we'll get to the ship first and rub our achievement in that guy's face."
Both of their smiles showed their teeth.
"That's fine with me."
The boys continued on their way.
◇◇◇
Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, an hour had gone by.
The boys were lost.
They didn't know where to go despite having a map; the reason was they didn't know how to read maps.
(Lily took care of that in the game.)
(She had to at least accomplish something since she wasn't a fighter.)
"Damn it, I don't know how much time has passed, but the explosions aren't as loud anymore."
"I'm starting to think we're lost; it's really irritating to think that guy achieved his goal while ours was faster."
"Hey, do you smell something burning?"
"Food?"
"I don't think so; it's coming from this place."
Oscar pointed to a closed room; he turned the knob and entered.
"Huh?"
They found a pile of papers being burned.
A large man was burning documents in a campfire.
He sensed two presences and, turning around, the boys saw a man dressed like a biker; he had a spiked collar around his neck, his face was long, and he had a scar at the corner of his mouth; his eyes were slanted, and his hair was lilac.
Upon noticing the presence of intruders, the man's face contorted.
"What a joy! Toys!"
The man threw the remaining documents and then leaped into the sky.
The boys couldn't believe how a man seemed to fly.
The place was a white warehouse; there were many destroyed boxes.
The man positioned himself on a desk with his legs in an M-shape.
Sticking out his tongue, he introduced himself.
"A pleasure to meet you, bitches! I am one of the Black Crows' warriors, Grendel of Ruin! I am in this place because I was promoted to be part of the six strongest, currently in third place thanks to the death of Silvers! I'll make sure to make you feel like hell for getting in our way!"
Grendel's legs disappeared, and instead, legs made of swords were shown.
Taking a great leap, it was revealed that he used light magic.
In mid-air, he did a pirouette, and a crescent-shaped light attack headed towards the boys.
"Light magic: Sky Slicer!"
The pure energy attack impacted the spot where the boys were, but they were safe.
"What the hell is this!"
Shouted Jake as Oscar stood up; he noticed a paper near his foot.
Reading it, his eyes widened in surprise.
"This is... Jake, this guy was burning the evidence!"
"What do you mean?"
Grendel didn't fly; he just lightly tapped the air and stayed afloat; his wicked laugh resonated in that place.
"Kekeke, that's right, they told me to burn the evidence so you idiots would lose."
The boys were very annoyed.
Jake took out his missile-launching gauntlet, and Oscar's hand shone with an intense green color.
"Hey..."
They both said.
"Who the fuck does you think you are to screw with us?"
Both boys stood up to an enemy who watched them from the sky.
Their legs began to shine.
Jake loaded ammunition, and Oscar generated a small typhoon in his hand.
"How dare you ruin my chance to show off in front of that guy?!"
They both ran straight to fight an enemy who wasn't part of the game.