Leon's POV
"It's perfect," I announced, leaning back in my new, ridiculously comfortable chair in the Bartfort manor's library. Zola had been banished to her capital estate, and my father and Mother were running things much more efficiently.
"We are rich, powerful, have two of the most advanced AIs in the world, and our own islands. The Academy starts soon, but we are financially independent."
Lex sitting opposite me, polishing his favorite axe Rita.
(after our graduation Captain Roger's gave us what he called Grace armormants, we were given blue orbs and told to infuse mana into them every day and that when they were ready they would bloom, and they did after two years
They could boast our graces output, they would grow with us, and they could fly back to our hands no Matter the distance,
They also hade one special ability each
My ( Leon) :
Masamune:
-had the ability to sever magic
Lex's:
Rita:
-could absorb the Energy his grace released when activated at any time if the day, combines the the two energies and he can release them however he wants.
Raymond's:
Mjölnir:
-could create lighting but couldn't control it
Daniels:
Rhongomyniad:
-Could bring an object to its end ( mana coating can stop the effect so he needs to have higher control, amount or quality to bring it to its end.)
"So the plan is still: to attend the Academy, find nice, normal girls not obsessed with status and power, marry them, and retire to our islands to get stronger?"
"Exactly," I grinned. "We'll be model 'mobs'—insignificant background characters living our best lives, getting stronger in the countryside while the game's actual protagonist deals with all the political drama and monster threats."It was a beautiful plan. Simple, elegant, and completely safe.
"Master Leon," Luxion's flat, synthesized voice chimed in from the floating orb beside me. "Your plan has a 99.9% probability of failure, as human politics are inherently unstable."
"Quiet, you metal ball of sarcasm," I swatted at him.
"What could possibly go wrong?" I just jinxed it didn't I.
Lex's POV
A week later, our perfect plan was blown out of the water by a messenger carrying official royal parchment bearing the seal of the Holforts King and Queen themselves.
We were summoned to the courtyard where the messenger, a stuffy but respectful man in royal regalia, read the proclamation:
"By order of their Majesties, Queen Mylene and King Roland of the Holfort Kingdom, due to exceptional efforts in the charting and securing of multiple High-Rank Dungeons and the claiming of new territories under the Bartfort, Durand and Arkin names, the entirety of Squad 619 of the 294th regiment is hereby promoted from baronates to Barons" He paused dramatically, his eyes scanning the page for the next part.
"Private Daniel fou Durland,
Private Raymond fou Arkin,
Private Leon fou Bartfort, and
Private Lex fou Bartfort are all hereby summoned " he announced.
"Your immediate presence is required at the Royal Capital's Palace to receive your official medals and titles."
Leon and I stared at each other, stunned. Daniel and Raymond—now Baron Durland and Baron Arkin—were likely having the same shock right now. We had tried to keep a low profile as simple adventurers, but apparently, our efforts were too successful.
"Probability of failure increases to 100%," Luxion noted dryly from Leon's shoulder.
I sighed. "So much for the quiet life. Guess we're going to the Capital, ain't that right Jarvis"
My trusty companion simply added a
"It would seem so sir" he said in what Leon calls a British accent
Omni POV: The Royal Audience
The Royal Palace of the Capital Continent was everything the remote barony was not: opulent, politically charged, and impossibly clean.
The four of us wore 104th regiment uniforms, though the materials were what Luxion and Jarvis had designed and created in our new shipyard island's fabricators.
We were led into the grand thrones room. At the head of the room sat King Roland and Queen Mylene, an elegant woman whose expression was difficult to read, a long with a man whose bored expression screamed he did not want to be here.
Captain Steve Rogers and Sergeant Barnes stood near the throne, looking significantly more formal than they ever had on the training island.
"Squad 619, of the 104 mechanised regiment " Queen Mylene's voice resonated through the room.
"Please approach."
We marched forward in perfect military unison—a habit ingrained by Bucky's training—and saluted.
"We thank you for your service to the Kingdom," she said, her eyes lingering on Leon and Lex. "Your contribution has been invaluable. To honor your efforts, we present these medals and confirm your new noble status as Barons of the realm."
One by one, we received our medals. When it was Leon and Lex's turn, the Queen smiled warmly at them.
"Captain Rogers spoke highly of you in his reports, young men," she said, making eye contact. "It is not often we see such natural talent in the field. The Kingdom will need strong young leaders such as yourselves in the trying times ahead."
Damn she was really laying it on thick, trying to flatter us and get on our "good side" as we later realized.
"We thank Her Majesty for her generosity," we replied with a practiced bow, playing the part of a proper noble spare.
"I trust you will enjoy your time at the Academy," the Queen added, her gaze sharp. "We expect great things from our newest Barons."
As we were dismissed, Captain Rogers caught our eyes and offered a knowing nod. The plan for a simple life had officially been shelved. We were now legitimate players in the Kingdom's game.
Leon's POV
The Next day
The Capital was a vibrant sensory overload, a stark contrast to the quiet rural life we'd become accustomed to. The floating islands were arranged like a celestial city, connected by bridges and humming with a constant, frenetic energy. I felt a pang of nostalgia—it was all exactly as my sister's game had described.
"So many people," Daniel murmured, looking overwhelmed. "And so many women in positions of power." he added with despair as we saw women walking with their husbands and boyfriends simultaneously.
"It's just like my Nicks said," Lex added with a sigh.
" Men are still treated like eye candy. This truly is a messed-up world."
We were attempting to remain inconspicuous, but our brand-new, impeccably tailored uniforms weren't exactly blending in. We drew stares everywhere we went, mostly from women of various noble lower ranks,
"Perhaps we should go through here s," I suggested, mostly to escape the crushing attention. Not knowing we were headed for the slums
"Why not?" Raymond shrugged. "Could be a nice change of pace."
As we descended into the capital's underbelly, the mood changed dramatically. The colorful, bustling city gave way to a grimy, tightly-packed labyrinth of narrow alleys and dimly lit shacks. The air was thick with the smell of cheap booze and desperation.
"What is this place," Leon muttered, his usual confidence fading. "The game never showed this impoverished area. This... this was hell, a true shit hole."
As if on cue, a group of burly men, reeking of alcohol and malice, blocked our path.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the leader sneered, his eyes flicking over our uniforms.
"Rich boys playing tourist? I think you owe us a tax for the privilege."
My blood ran cold. This wasn't in the game's script. The slums were supposed to be the origin of the game's protagonist, not a hostile den of thugs.
I noticed Lex activating his Eclipse Grace, his golden eyes flashing, but I placed a restraining hand on his arm. "Don't," I whispered.
"We're in the capital. A public fight would draw too much attention."
We managed to talk our way out of the confrontation with a bribe—a surprisingly large one, as the men were more intimidated by our status than our skills. We left the slum disheartened.
" Luxion, Jarvis, what's going on?" Lex and I asked our respective companion , with our voices low.
"Why we're the slum so hostile?"
""Master Leon, Sir""Luxion's and Jarvis's voices chimed inas one.
" The capital's slums are a pressure cooker of poverty and resentment. It's likely that a previous monarch's tax policies have worsened the situation significantly."
At that moment I found out this world was more than just the game.