fics I read

"So... do you have any hobbies?" I don't really know what I should talk about with this guy to be honest, we are quite literally from different worlds after all, but... We are also in a room together, a room I can't leave, even if I want to.

The Sword Saint shakes his head. "Not really Lord Iori." Don't just say some sad thing like that so casually my dude. In my life I have heard many different answers to the hobbies question, but I never met someone who would straight up say no.

This is super awkward, but I guess I'm just gonna have to wait until they release me. For now the supposed Council of Wise Men, which I prefer to call Council of Old Men, is holding a meeting about the selection. They don't know whether to postpone it or not...

They're probably also talking about whether they should let me go with Reinhard or not, it's kind of annoying because I would have preferred going with Priscilla... There's no way they are letting me anywhere close to a candidate though.

We await in awkward silence for a few moments, but eventually I send Reinhard a pleading look. "Hey man, why are you calling me lord anyways? Is it because of the prophecy thing?" It obviously is, but I just want to escape this awkwardness around us.

The Sword Saint nods. "Indeed, seeing as you are the Child of Prophecy... I wish to adress you in a polite manner. Do you dislike it?" I see my protagonist swag commands respect even from Mister Important. Feels kind of weird to have someone call me lord though, even if it's not in a bad way.

I wave him. "I'm fine with it. Just be aware that nothing is confirmed yet." A grin reaches my face. "Even if it will be soon." I just need to find whatever cheat is my power then I'm set to go! Maybe I should start saying status screen outloud? Sometimes that works...

Reinhard smiles. "Indeed, right now your status as the Child of Prophecy is not yet confirmed, but... My soul tells me it's the truth." He looks at his sheated sword. "Besides even though Reid thought you were an worthy opponent, it refused to be used as in instrument in your death... That says a lot." Does it though? Never trust magical swords... Which I'm assuming is what that is.

Before that awkward silence from before, I try my best to keep the conversation alive. "What's the prophecy anyways? Anything important I should know?" It has something to do with marriage and a age of chaos at least, I remember that.

His eyes widen. "You don't know?" Then he shakes his head. "Oh, of course, you are from beyond the Great Waterfall. My apologies Lord Iori... Though now I'm curious on how you know our language actually..." Perks of being the protagonist?

I shrug. "I don't know, everyone here is just speaking Japanese to me... That's the language from my homeland by the way. I have seen a bunch of weird symbols I don't recognize everywhere though, so I assume I can't read." Which is annoying, but in a medieval society like this most people are probably illiterate anyways.

A grimace appears on his face. "That's unfortunate, though easily fixable." In what world is illiteracy easily fixable? That shit is gonna take me like a year to fix. "Nonetheless, about the prophecy... It's a strange story, and one that revolves around the Witch of Envy... Who you probably don't even know." That's right, never heard of her, even if her JRPG sounding name makes it clear she's a bad guy.

I raise a hand. "Let me guess, the Witch of Envy was some super bad gal who tried to destroy the world some millenia ago, but a group of unlikely heroes stopped her. Now that story will repeat itself in our era." Standard JRPG stuff, we just need the secretly evil god.

Reinhard blinks in disbelief. "Yes...? Are you familiar with the legend?" I shake my head in denial, I have not heard of this Sephiroth. "So how do you...? Whatever. I suppose a name like Witch of Envy gives the game out." Yep, it's not like someone with that name is a hero.

The Sword Saint makes a thinking pose. "So around four hundred years ago, the Witch of Envy suddenly emerged and started rampaging around the world without care, she eventually swallowed half of it." Half!? Does that mean that half of the entire world is destroyed...!? I guess that's a late game area.

He then smiles. "Eventually the Great Sage Echidna made an alliance with Dragon Blade Reid and the Divine Dragon Volcanica, their objective was to defeat the witch... Though Reid didn't have such fancy nicknames yet." I think you said the name Reid before...

His smile dies. "Sadly they were all soundly defeated." Ah, jobbers. "They managed to escape, but much was lost. It is even said that Reid lost both of his arms in the conflict, the Witch of Envy was simply unstoppable." I'm guessing she loses eventually though, for obvious reasons.

He continues. "The Witch swallowed the entire world, it was truly a dark time... Just her miasma alone was said to drive people insane, and only a few settlements survived without any damage, it was an era of chaos, but... Only one person can rule, or destroy the world I guess." A frown appears on his face. "That's when he appeared, the King of Vain-" And then he gets cut off.

It's because the door has been opened, and whoever did it made a massive noise by doing so. "Puppy, I have come to collect you!" We look at the new arrival and it's obviously Priscilla... She's definitely not supposed to be here.

Reinhard immediately gasps. "Lady Barielle!? You're not supposed to be here, let me guide you back to your room." He walks towards her, wearing a disarming smile. Sadly I know Priscilla, and so I already know that his smile is about to disappear.

She simply waves him off and keeps walking towards me. "I have no time for a boring domestic dog such as you Sword Saint." And now Reinhard is looking dejected, great. Also aren't I supposed to be a dog too!? What's the problem with my fellow dogs!?

After she has broken the poor heart of that Ikeman, she sends me a haughty smile. "Now let's go Iori, I'm tired and I wish to sleep already." I'm also tired, but I don't think breaking the law is the solution here...

I cross my arms. "Priscilla... I can't leave sorry. Trust me I wish I could, but it's better to follow the law for now." I'm not an idiot who thinks he's invincible just because he's the protagonist. Even heroes can have bad endings, and I don't wish to be a VN protagonist.

She rolls her eyes. "Puppy, I am the law." Don't just drop that movie quote and act like it's worth anything.

Reinhard fakes a cough. "Lady Barielle... I cannot let Lord Iori leave this room." He motions to his sheated sword. "My apologies, but it is what it is." Sorry man, but considering the face she's making... if she ever become king, then you're gonna get fired. What's up with calling women kings anyways? Weird ass language quirks I suppose.

Priscilla huffs. "Whatever. I will not leave my puppy's side so soon though, if the prophecy is true, I wish to know him better. Besides, considering what I saw... soon enough we will have more visitors." Oh boy, do I get to meet my entire harem!? Well, hopefully they're my harem...

Still, speaking of the prophecy. "By the way Rein, can you continue with your little legend talk?" The blonde interrupted him just as he was talking about the mini-boss. So I would appreciate if my walking wiki started explaining things again.

The swordsman blushes. "Rein...!?" Shit, nicknames are a no go?

Priscilla raises an eyebrow. "Legend talk? Was the Sword Saint explaining the prophecy to you?" Both Reinhard and I nod. "Boring, I like seeing you flounder around without a clue Puppy." Why though!? Are you an S or something...!? Who am I kidding? Of course you are.

The blonde sighs. "It's a simple story really. There were heroes, a pest, and another smaller pest. The big pest defeated the heroes, defeated the smaller pest, and then got sealed by the heroes." She nods to herself. "And now it befalls on you to do pest control Iori, be glad for I shall hold your hand through it." You basically explained nothing though.

Reinhard seems flabbergasted. "Do not summarize it like that Lady Barielle, it was a generation long conflict! It is not so simple." Seems pretty simple for me! Just standard JRPG stuff, though the two bad guys clashing thing is unusual.

The Sword Saint sighs. "Well, I suppose it explains the past well enough. What is important for the prophecy Lord Iori is that the Witch's rampage had lasting effects even many, many years after she passed away." He clenches his fist. "There are four 'holes' around the world, each in one of the big nations... These holes are called cataclysms."

He continues. "Sometimes monsters leave them, and they also cause natural disasters... If you supposedly defeat the demon inside, then the hole will disappear, but... The cataclysm's are full of miasma, anyone would be driven insane by it." He smiles. "Except for you, and your five destined companions of course! Which means someone can finally end the Witch's influence!" Ah, they're dungeons huh?

Maybe I really should start screaming about status, because this is reminding me of dungeon crawlers. I guess I'm gonna have to go with my harem to each one and put an end to them before it's too late or whatever. Well, that sounds exciting enough, going through places full of evil is sure to awaken some romance in our hearts!

Though I'm still worried about my lack of a cheat, and I definitely don't consider resisting miasma to be one. Where's my cool sword? Or my godly powers? I can't exactly go dungeon diving without them, unless a shitty Yakuza can survive that at least.

I frown. "Not to be a downer, but... I'm not exactly super strong, in my world magic wasn't even a thing." I could hide it, but it's better to tell the truth, because it would suck for people to find out in the middle of the dungeon.

Priscilla rolls her eyes. "It's fine Puppy, as I said, I shall carry your hand... Though I expect you to improve. Besides the foreigner midget, the walking slum, and the Half-Wit will be equally useless at the beginning anyways" she sighs. "The Duchess is fine however." Oh, you just insulted most people in the selection didn't you?

I raise an eyebrow. "So it's fine to be a beginner?" I'm guessing in JRPG terms I'm a level one while Priscilla and the Duchess aren't. Though I'm still hoping for a cheat that will make me superior or something.

Reinhard nods. "Yes, I shall personally train you if needed Lord Iori." He makes a thinking pose. "It's strange however, my sword... It's a heirloom. I'm descended from Dragon Blade Reid, in fact the sword is named after him. Normally it can only be drawn against worthy opponents, and it found you to be one."

To that I can only shrug. "I'm definitely weak... as far as I am aware." Maybe the sword is sensing my hypothetical cheat powers!? "Anyways, you're a descendant of one of the heroes Rein? Did all heroes start families?" For some reason this feels straight out of Fire Emblem... specially with the Divine Dragon stuff.

Reinhard nods. "I am indeed a descendant of Reid, though as for the others... They didn't leave any descendants that we are aware of at least, though things get murky of course, since they were active four hundred years ago." He makes a thinking pose. "Oh, there are some legends that say the Great Sage Echidna had a child, but it was a stillborn." A jobber baby!

The name Echidna feels important though... Back in the selection, they mentioned she was some white haired chick who prophesied my arrival with the Divine Dragon... Does that mean the white haired girl who summoned me is her? There goes my goddess theory... Well, she's cute, so it's fine.

Honestly I'm just surprised Reinhard isn't in my official party. You would expect that a guy like him would definitely have this anti-miasma thingy... Well, I actually don't know much about him, except for the fact Al thinks he's strong, and now that he's a descendant of an important hero, and he has that hero's sword.

I nod towards Reinhard. "I got everything so far, but I don't really understand why me, or why the candidates... How do y'all even know it's them, I mean I obviously was summoned from another world, but..." I'm guessing it's related to whatever happened while I was passed out.

Reinhard shrugs. "Well, there are many variations of the legend passed around through folktales, and I have never personally seen the original on the Dragon's Tablet, but here's the gist. When the Witch becomes actice yet again, a hero from beyond the waterfall will appear, him and the five priestesses marked by the dragon will embark on a journey to clean the Witch's corruption." He blushes out of nowhere. "And...!"

Priscilla sighs. "What's the problem Sword Saint? Embarrassed? Well, let me continue for you then." She licks her lips and looks me in the eye. "It is said that the hero and the five priestesses are locked by the tight bond of love, it is that bond that will defeat the Witch." She then starts laughing. "Quite the outlandish tale, meant to make young boys dream of debauchery!" Please don't laugh at the legend. At my legend even!

I smile. "Got it, so I get a harem huh?" I hold back giggles. "And all I have to do is beat a stupid witch? Done baby!" I'm just worried about how this legend doesn't mention anything about cheat powers, because I need one.

Priscilla glares at me. "Don't get too cocky now Puppy, though..." She makes a thinking pose. "I have been married before many times, so I don't particularly care for love. If I end up married to you, then it will benefit me in some way, that's just how the world works." As always she's supremely confident.

She continues. "That said, I doubt such will be the same for everyone else. The only one who seems to be happy with the idea is the Half-Wit, but she's a cur who has most likely never experienced love, so her desperation is expected." Don't just say Half-Wit like I'm supposed to understand who you're referring to.

She sighs. "The Duchess is reacting the most aggressively, considering her distaste for the dragon... Well, as your owner I will kill anyone who dares to kick my little Puppy." I see...? I guess I'm thankful for that...? "It doesn't help that the mark you left was in quite a strange place..." There's a light blush on her face, so something that could embarrass even Priscilla happened?

Reinhard eyes widen. "So you now actually possess a mark Lady Barielle!? That might as well be conclusive proof that the legend has started...!" He makes a thinking pose. "To think the Divine Dragon would use the insignias that way." Right, the candidates fused with them, whatever it means.

A blushing Priscilla fakes a cough. "Indeed, I only noticed when I went to my private room, but..." She points at a very important, holy spot! "A bright red tattoo appeared here, though you could call a mark of the dragon, if the dragon is a pervert." No way!

I smile ear to ear. "A womb tattoo!" And my smile immediately dies with Priscilla's glare. "Sorry for giving you a womb tattoo...?" Her glare just becomes worse. "I'm not actually sorry for giving you a womb tattoo, because I think it's hot. Sorry I inconvenienced you though." Her glare dies out, Priscilla is a weird girl.

She waves me off. "It's fine, I doubt you can exactly control this... Though I should probably go inform the sages about it, that might impact their decision." She then giggles. "I thought this was going to be just a boring election, but braving through a Cataclysm might be fun." Definitely a weird girl.

I raise an eyebrow. "So what part of the legend mentions king stuff?" Isn't it weird that only one of them becomes king? Shouldn't they all? Wait, shouldn't it be me!? Am I gonna become a queen!?

Reinhard smiles. "Actually it's from a completely different legend, as Marcus explained the royal family has tragically passed away... Normally they would be the ones maintaining the Dragon Covenant, a pact we have with the Divine Dragon." He sighs. "That is sadly impossible now, but the Divine Dragon foresaw this. In the Dragon Tablet it is said that five women shall compete to become his dragon priestess, and that a special dragon insignia shall shine on their hands." Ah, so that's what it is.

He continues. "Due to the importance of the Dragon Covenant, it was decided that the winner of this prophecy shall inherit the throne. However your legend has theoretically nothing to do with it... It actually creates a few problems, marriage with the candidates is not even allowed until the selection ends after all."

He sighs. "The simple solution is for you to marry them all, but such customs are... unusual in Lugunica. And all the political factions won't play nice with each other of course, Lady Karsten is quite the revolutionary for example, and so is Lady Felt. There's no way they would just agree to working together."

Priscilla laughs. "What they want doesn't matter, they shall simply stay where they deserve, beneath me." Thanks for proving his point... I guess this is really gonna be a Game of Thrones... I just want to dungeon dive, and to be balls deep inside of Priscilla at all times damn it! "Well, I'll be leaving now. I hoped to take Puppy with me, but I suppose it will benefit me to leave him here." She nods to herself. "I'll go inform the council about the mark."

Priscilla really is someone who believes the world revolves around her huh? Even now she thinks not being able to take me will somehow be good in the end. Well, I'm sort of the same, but as the protagonist I'm obviously drenched in plot armor.

As Priscilla leaves we hear a knock on the door, I guess there are other people coming here. Is it the rest of my harem!? I hope it's the elf girl, she seems nice. I really hope it isn't the Duchess, she seems scary!

Reinhard awkwardly smiles. "Come in...!" I'm surprised they can, but whatever.

Once the door is opened, my disappointment reaches the skies, for I'm not greeted by cute elf girls. Instead what I see is the clown dude from before, and the purple haired knight that was standing next to Anastasia... I guess I can't win them all.

The eyes of the knight widen once he sees Priscilla. "L-Lady Barielle? What are you doing here?"

Priscilla doesn't even pay him attention. "Leaving." And just like that, this room is now filled with four dudes and no cute girls. Honestly we almost look like the harem of some otome protagonist, with Reinhard being the main dude of course.

The knight and the clown send Reinhard confused looks. The Sword Saint blushes. "Well... She's sneaked in to see Lord Iori, sorry." Don't apologize, you're not at fault... Actually your sort of are, I'm pretty sure you were supposed to stop her.

The purple haired knight awkwardly smiles. "I see, I suppose she already knew him... Honestly maybe Lady Anastasia could have come here personally then..." I would also like that! In fact I really would have liked to talk more with Mister Greedy Loli!

The clown chuckles. "It caaan't be helped." Okay, he talks weirdly, and this weirdo is now looking at me. "It's a pleasure to meeeet you Iori Ishida, I am Roswaal L. Matters, Margrave and court mage of Lugunica." Ah, he doesn't call me lord.

The purple haired knight bows. "And I'm Julius Juukulius, Lady Anastasia's bodyguard and a knight. She sent me here because she was worried about you, specially since you look so young... Is everything well?" Ah, he also doesn't call me lord. How lame.

I send them a smile. "It's nice to meet you two, everything is fine, Rein here was just teaching me about all of this prophecy business." I pause a moment to think. "Ah, I'm sixteen by the way, not that young." I have no idea what age someone is considered an adult here though.

Julius seems a bit sad. "A Child of Prophecy indeed. Though I'm glad you seem to be doing well then, that will surely put Lady Anastasia's heart at ease..." He sighs. "Though I'm not sure how she feels about being the destined lover of someone so young..." Ain't she a loli? She doesn't get to complain.

Roswaal is just pure smiles. "Well, I'm also quite happy... I waaaas also sent here by one of the candidates to cheeeeck on you. Lady Emilia specifically, the woman I have sworn loyalty to." Ah, the elf. "Really, she's basically bouncing on the walls with enthusiasm. Subaruuuuu-Chan will be quite saddened however." I don't know who that is, but okay.

Reinhard sighs in relief. "I'm glad Lady Emilia is taking the situation well, considering... It must be definitely not easy on her." He crosses his arms and then silently mutters, it's so quiet a normal person shouldn't be able to hear it, but somehow I can. "I'm more worried about Felt however." Ah, that makes sense, that's the loli you were supporting after all.

Julius nods. "Indeed, for a second I thought people would ease up on her on the eve of her new position, but... They just seem to glare at her even more." He looks down. "And it's a shame the Great Spirit won't be able to descend down on the Cataclysm as well."

Roswaal suddenly chuckle. "Oh myyyy, you two are confusing poooor Iori!" Ah, he saw that I wasn't getting any of the stuff that they said! "First of all, the Great Spirit refers to Puck. Lady Emilia's guaaaaardian, he won't be able to go down the holes foooor... Actually did the Sword Saint explain what the Cataclysm's are?"

I nod. "Yeah, I'm guessing this Puck guy can't come down because of the miasma? That's annoying, but expected. What I'm wondering about is why people apparently dislike Emilia." I like her, mostly because she defended me.

Roswaal frowns. "Well, it is true that it is to be expected, buuuut... Lady Emilia usually fights with the help of spirits, so she will beeee quite useless inside of a Cataclysm as she currently is..." Ah, so she's the summoner? "As foooor the other thing, did the Sword Saint not tell you abouuuut the Witch of Envy?" He did do a lore dump yes.

Reinhard frowns too. "I did, but I haven't breached that particular topic yet." He sends me a sad look. "Lady Emilia she... she looks exactly as the legends describe the Witch of Envy to be. A silver haired half-elf." He then puts his hands up. "But please do not look down on he-" And I cut him off.

"It's fine, I get it. There's no need to worry, I have nothing against her... Actually now I'm worried whether she's gonna be okay, she did help me earlier in the throne room." She screams heroine with a tragic past, so could she be the main one?

Well, normally main heroines don't come from fantasy races, that's typically exclusive for the side hoes. It does happen occasionally though... And she does have some sort of motive to hate the Witch of Envy too, prime material for special dialogue mid boss fight.

Reinhard smiles. "I see, don't worry Lady Emilia should be fine... Probably." That's not reassuring at all!

Still, I can't wait to meet her, that's all I can think.