fics I read

"Um... I'm here." I awkwardly bow towards the Council of Wise Men. They summoned me, which probably means they're about to pass down judgment... My fate will be decided right here and now, and if they do decide I'm a criminal, I hope they throw me in the slammer instead of killing me.

Honestly this situation kinda sucks, since I had to sleep in a unfamiliar place right next to Reinhard... Then they woke me up really early for this, so I'm kind of tired to be honest. Thankfully I didn't have to do something crazy like sleeping on the same bed as the Sword Saint.

Priscilla giggles, because of course she does. "So shy... Weren't you screaming about 'Womb Tattoos' yesterday? Where has that man gone to?" To hell. Seriously it's understandable I would be intimidated in the intimidate Iori meeting.

Still, having Priscilla here with me does calm me down a little, and Reinhard is here too... I would like to say the rest of the candidates have the same effect, but I barely know them. It also doesn't help that the Duchess is sending me glares sometimes. I also don't know one of the bodyguards here...

Priscilla and Al, Anastasia and Julius, Felt and Reinhard, Crusch and some cat girl, Emilia and... no one. I guess I'm in the same boat as the half-elf, it makes me wish I had a bodyguard to be honest, but heroes usually don't need them.

Anastasia sighs. "Let me guess, kid said somethin' stupid?" She rolls her eyes. "That's normal, that's what kids usually do..." She sends a concerned look towards the Council. "Please don't tell me I'm here to see a dumbass kid get executed 'cause of some political conspiracy?" Oh, she's on my side, I think. Nice.

Crusch raises an eyebrow. "While I do agree that executing such a young man is... harsh, I must say I did not expect to see you take his side." She crosses her arms. "One would think that the ruthless Anastasia Hoshin would be careful enough to want the elimination of a stanger who claims to be from another world and has... modified our bodies with strange dragon magic." I didn't though, that was the dragon himself! Probably.

Anastasia glares at her. "Ruthless? Yeah, I'm ruthless, and I ain't afraid to admit it. But that ruthlessness is used in business, when I crush my adult competitors, who are adults... Did I mention they ain't kids? Because that's important." She sighs. "Don't get me wrong, I ain't sayin' that I go around savin' kids or anythin', but... I don't need to see this at least." So it's more like she's neutral?

Her bodyguard, Julius smiles towards what she said. Admiration is clear on his eyes, he must respect her a lot... If I do survive this, I hope that admiration is platonic, sorry otherwise Julius! You seem like a nice guy, so I hope we can still be friends!

Emilia raises her voice next, she's blushing. "I-I also think we shouldn't punish... um... We really shouldn't punish him for doing nothing. Sir Reinhard already confirmed that he hasn't lied, so we should probably follow the prophecy...!" The half-elf keeps stealing glances at me.

I'm guessing she must be nervous, everyone did mention how she's treated badly because of her appearance so... Well, I'll treat her nicely, if I survive of course. I wonder if I could outrun Reinhard if I tried... Probably not, he definitely has supernatural speed.

Suddenly the flying cat appears from a shining crystal on Emilia's neck. I'm assuming he's the Puck guy... And the first thing he does is yawn. "Hello everyone... just here to confirm something..." He glares at me, it makes a shiver run down my spine. "Frustrating as it is, this guy isn't crazy, his emotions seem pretty normal." An X-Men cat!?

Emilia sends him a smile. "Thanks Puck..." Right, he did just help me.

I wave towards him. "Oi! Thanks for confirming I'm not a sociopath Pucky-Chi!" I don't know how he did it, but I appreciate it. The more people side with me, the less fucked I'll be after all.

The cat flinches as if he struck. "Don't call me Pucky-Chi!" Now I'm gonna keep doing it. "And don't think I did this for you...!" He looks back at the half-elf. "Welp, my support has been given... just don't... don't do anything okay Lia?" That's a cute nickname!

The girl pouts. "How am I supposed to not do anything? Just give me detailed restrictions Puck..." The cat simply shrugs and flies back to her crystal. For some reason the image of a father comes to mind when I see him interacting with Emilia...

Crusch Karsten fakes a cough. "Well, since everyone is throwing around their support for Sir Ishida... I will confirm that my Divine Protection saw no lie either, so I doubt it was just Sir Reinhard's misfiring or anything." Oh? She's a lie detector like Rein? Cool. Even if I still don't know why he's a lie detector in the first place.

The cat girl raises an eyebrow. "Eh? You're actually helping him nyah!?" I feel like the nyah wasn't necessary... Also, I don't want to be sexist, but I'm gonna say, it's weird that you're a girl, since all other knights seem to be dudes... Unless...!

Crusch nods. "Indeed." Eh? "Let me declare right here and now that I do not stand with Iori Ishida in any shape or form, however... If he's innocent, then he's innocent. The Divine Dragon and the Great Sage may not be able to raise him towards excellency, but they may not doom a innocent boy either." So she's also sort of neutral huh?

Priscilla giggles, it sounds as cute, sexy and scary as ever. "It's funny, you say that while the Divine Dragon granted you excellency in the first place." There's no denying that truth, in the end the royal selection, the thing that gives Crusch a opportunity to get rid of the dragon... is a prophecy made by that very same dragon.

The Duchess frowns. "Indeed, but were not for this selection then the Karsten's would have been next in line to become kings anyways." She nods to herself. "And our position was granted before the Divine Dragon was even a factor, back when this country was known for its lions." Dragons are much cooler than lions though.

Priscilla raises an eyebrow. "I am aware of your history Karsten. You are a girl who sucks on the teat of her ancestors, while your ancestors sucked on the teat of a lion... Your distaste for the Divine Dragon is personal is it not?" Maybe this isn't the best time to talk about this.

The Duchess flinches. "It isn't. I never even caught a glimpse of the Divine Dragon Volcanica, I simply believe he makes this country weaker!" Right at the she seems to regain her confidence, it's obvious Priscilla hit a sore spot however.

The blonde snorts. "It's definitely personal, you are just lying to yourself... ironically enough." This time Crusch doesn't flinch, she simply keeps glaring at Priscilla. "Well, I do hate liars, but I'll ignore it for now, just now that I'm on Puppy's side. I think he's a hero." Yay...?

Al fakes a cough. "By Puppy she means Iori Ishida..." The gladiator then sighs. "And it's crazy that I'm hearing words like that, seriously when did the world go crazy?" How is any of this crazy? You guys had a BBEG running around four hundred years ago, this is nice in comparison...

Suddenly Felt screams, she sounds pissed. "Screw this guy!" She then points at me. "Screw you, no offense!" None taken, I think! "We gotta think more about ourselves, I mean am I supposed to marry this guy!? I barely know him!" Well, I barely know you, and I'm still willing to get married.

Reinhard tries to calm her down. "C'mon Lady Felt, hasn't your heart skipped a bit looking at Lord Iori? Surely love has awakened somewhere...?" Wow, I didn't know you were a wingman type character, thanks Rein! I won't forget you!

Felt frantically shakes her head. "Of course I don't love him dumbass! I barely know him... Shit, it's not barely, I know nothing about him...!" Her face then blushes. "And obviously my heart speeds up, that's because I'm fucking anxious, asshole!" I gave a loli anxiety. Wow. Should I hang myself right now or later?

I hear Priscilla chuckle. "As expected. None of you have any experience with love, right? Well, don't worry you little slum rat, be happy in fact. Not only did you escape your fate of being raped by some obese man, you also found a exotic looking husband." You said some fucked up stuff at the end there!

Also, while I do appreciate the fact that Priscilla has decided, in so few conversations at that, that she's so ride or die when it comes to me, I think maybe she should slow down with picking fight against everyone!

Felt is about to enter a screaming match with Priscilla, I can tell. So I try my best to stop more fighting, first I fake a cough to get everyone's attention. "Um... It's totally fine for you guys to not like, I don't have the power or desire to force people here to marry me or whatever." That's not the type of story I want to live. Iori Ishida is not scum, he just knows when to crawl in the mud, that's how I tried to act in the Yakuza.

Priscilla shrugs, she would probably get mad if I was faking being nice, but... That's just how I feel. I definitely hope to get a harem and all that, but it's not like I would be mad without one. It's just like I thought before, even if this place gave me nothing... that's still more than good enough.

Felt however sighs. "Yeah, I figured, but..." She glares at the councilman. "In the end I'm guessing the choice it's not gonna be ours, is it?" Ah, I didn't think about the Council of Wise Men forcing us to get married, that would indeed suck... for you guys. I could totally make everyone like me with enough time!

Reinhard fakes a smile. "Well... Maybe everyone should hear what Lord Miklotov has to say? Everyone started arguing before he said anything at all..." Oh, I finally learned the old guy's name, or at least the name of the most important Councilman I guess...

Everyone's faces immediately become bright red, including mine of course. The first to move is Crusch who then bows. "My apologies, I do not know what came over me." She is the only one who apologizes, even as the others stay silent... including me of course.

Felt and Emilia are probably too embarrassed to talk, it goes without saying that I'm the same as them. Priscilla just doesn't care probably, and Anastasia... I don't really know what's going through her mind, but she definitely didn't lose her calm like Crusch or Felt...

Miklotov fakes a cough. "Thank you Sir Reinhard and... do not worry Lady Karsten, tensions are understandably high." I can hear the Duchess muttering something and then gritting her teeth, she's definitely dying of embarrassment right now.

This actually reminds me of something, the conversation I had with Priscilla about the nature of the supposed goddess, but probably actually a sage, who summoned me here to be specific. Back then, even though Al was the only one who needed to talk, the Baroness completely ignored him to talk with me... It was so strange that Priscilla even apologized. To be honest, it affected me too, it almost felt like we were lost in our own little world, and only occasionally could someone take us out of it, like Reinhard. Strange.

Miklotov continues. "Much discussion was had about Lord Iori, and after analyzing the tablet... There's little doubt that he is indeed the Child of Prophecy. This is... worrying, considering the prophecy talks about a witch being active again." Many members of the council glare at a flinching Emilia, but at this point Pucky-Chi has probably traumatized him.

He sighs. "We have no choice, but to follow the prophecy, it doesn't actually say anything about how to defeat the witch, but no doubt that we must eliminate the Cataclysm's soon. The selection has not been postponed however, even if in a few months we shall send the Child of Prophecy and all priestesses to the hole in Lugunica." Yay, dungeon crawling.

Anastasia steps back. "Wait a moment there, I can't fight! My body ain't gonna be able to handle it." It's weird to think about it, but Anastasia is clearly older than me and Felt, and yet she's also a loli... She must be telling the truth, her body is frail.

The councilman nods. "I understand, but we have no choice. This is a matter concerning the entire world Lady Anastasia, so... be ready, as best as you can. If there's a clinical problem then..." He looks at the cat girl. "Feel free to ask help of the Blue."

Both the Blue and Anastasia raise their voice at the same time. "But...!" I'm guessing they aren't happy with his decision, but... if this really concerns the entire world it can't be helped. Also cat girl shouldn't complain! If you're a healer, than heal!

Crusch sighs. "Ferris, it's fine. It seems we will need to go down the hole, for the good of this kingdom. Therefore if Anastasia Hoshin really does ask for your help, grant it." The cat girl looks like she wants to object, but in the end she reluctantly accepts the decision of the Duchess.

Miklotov. "Good, cooperation will be essential. I am led to believe that Lady Barielle is a fighter, and of course Lady Karsten's feats are already well known, but I ask that Lady Felt and Lady Emilia begin training as well." It's a shame that Pucky-Chi can't come.

The supposed slum ram's eye twitches. "It's not like I have a choice... Shit, fighting the Witch? I don't have that kind of power, that stuff is supposed to be left for Reinhard." It's his fault for not being a girl! Off with his balls!

Reinhard looks down. "My apologies Lady Felt, but I promise that if the eventual fight with the Witch happens on the surface... I will be there!" But if you only appear at the very end, you're probably gonna be fodder who dies in a cutscene.

Felt kicks his leg, she might be more like Priscilla than she thinks. "Don't apologize for something like that! Because if you're guilty, get ready to be punished...! I'm cutting your balls off!" She read my mind! Even if she doesn't actually do it.

Emilia smiles. "Well, I'll be training more with magic starting from now..." She looks down, a blush on her face. "I'm sure it will be hard without spirits, but it's just like the legend says, with love we can do it...!" Is this girl aware of her plot armor as a heroine!?

Miklotov nods. "Now that's settled..." He looks at me. "Just how much training do you have Lord Iori? Any special abilities you have brought from another world?" Ah, this is the part where I embarrass myself. I'm sure I'm only stronget than Anastasia here...

I awkwardly scratch my head. "Um... I do have some training with martial arts, and some fight experience, but I certainly don't have any magical abilities, like at all. Magic didn't even exist back at my world." I wish I had brought a gun.

Before Miklotov can say anything, Reinhard quickly raises his voice. "I would like to say I plan on personally training Lord Iori, and Lady Felt... or any other candidate who asks. At least if given permission of course." I'm gonna be learning with this world's important ikeman huh?

Miklotov nods. "Well, Lord Iori said some... concerning things just now, so I'm glad you're willing Sir Reinhard. We will give you time to do it of course, please focus a great part of your attention on training them." From knight to teacher. Reinhard might be a Fire Emblem character.

Oh, who am I kidding? This whole place is basically Fire Emblem, specially because of the Divine Dragon... Though the party size might be a bit short. Now all we need is some other evil dragon to fight, and knowing JRPG's he will reveal himself after we kill the Witch of Envy.

Reinhard nods back toward Miklotov, so the sage continues talking. "Anyways, for now Lord Iori shall stay in the Astrea residence, but I ask that he visits the other candidates as well from time to time. It will be important that everyone develops camaraderie." Ah, I wish we could all be put in the same house.

Emilia smiles. "Iori..." She then looks at me. "You're always welcome back at the Margrave Manor, we can have tea and talk about... swords...? I don't know what boys like." She looks towards her own crystal. "Did I do good Puck? I don't know how to flirt...!" Don't say that outloud.

Pucky-Chi answer from the crystal, it sounds like he wants to die. "Please don't ask me Lia..."

I ignore him and send a smile towards the half-elf. "I will be looking forward to my visit then." I could have made fun of her... flirting. But it would be obviously mean, and because of my basic niceness I'm rewarded with a bright smile. Now this is the bland Japanese man experience!

Priscilla points her fan towards the councilman. "I have an objection. I don't care if Puppy wants to go looking around for bitches in heat, but he will stay with me." Please don't call them bitches, everyone looks like they want to punch you. Except for Emilia. Emilia is nice.

Felt's eye twitches and she mutters under her breath. "Only one bitch in heat here..." Please give me some time! I can make every girl here enter into heat! Probably. I mean, there is a cat girl here after all.

Miklotov sighs, he's doing that a lot. "Lady Barielle, please understand that I have no choice... If it bothers you, be aware that we eventually plan on Lord Iori changing his residence to grow more bonds. It's just that only the Sword Saint can train him, and... Well, someone should keep an eye on Lord Iori." Ah, so I'm not completely out of the hook.

Priscilla thankfully doesn't argue further, and Miklotov continues. "And now for the matter of marriage." The room immediately tenses up again. "We won't force anything at all, the prophecy simply mentions all priestesses fell for the hero and that granted him power. We cannot force anyone's hands here, we only ask that you all come with an open mind..."

He finishes. "Matters such as succession if multiple romances indeed happen will be decided later, it is a complicate subject." Ah, I didn't get a free harem! No! Oh well, not every JRPG starts with all girls in love from the beginning.

There's a collective sigh of relief around the room, except for Priscilla and... Emilia. "I-I hope we do get married Iori!" You know what? I just heard a blushing elf say something like that, so I'm happy no matter what.

"And that's what happen Subaru! Ah, I can't believe I found destined love of all things...!" A blushing Emilia-Tan delivers my execution... "Sorry that it took so long for me to come back, but we couldn't leave immediately." I missed a important event and now it's over!

My eye twitches. "Emilia-Tan I..." This is the absolute worst, I mean did some guy just swoop in and steal my future girlfriend? Is he fat? Is he tanned!? Is he a shota!? "You aren't forced to stay with him, right?" First I have to confirm some stuff.

I have been through a lot of stuff ever since I got here, so I know to not assume things immediately...! Yeah, right, I want to break that guy's face, but he's not here so all I can do is hold back my anger and collect information for now. I don't know who he is, but if he thinks that Emilia-Tan belongs to him, then...!

Emilia shakes her head. "Well, no... and he's not forced to stay with me either." She now seems sad, which wasn't my intention. "You think he's gonna hate me?" It's unfair that she gets like this about some random guy, and not me.

Still, I have to cheer her up, so I wave her off. "Don't worry Emilia-Tan! Take this fact from another woman...! You're way, way too cute to reject." Seriously, who wouldn't love a elf girl!? Honestly I would be more worried if this Iori guy didn't, because then he would be a psycho or something.

Emilia shyly smiles. "I sure hope so, he seemed so nice and... But I couldn't spend much time with him." She nods to herself. "But that will eventually change." Damn it, why did I put her back on the Iori train damn it!? Damn it!

But I now have a trump card. "By the way Emilia-Tan, I have a big secret to confess." This guy can keep all the other candidates for all I care, I only have eyes for one woman! Emilia-Tan, the angel who made me question my sexuality and accept my life as bisexual!

Both Emilia and Rem get closer, I don't pay much attention to the latter. "I'm actually from another world too, so please, maybe give me a chance...!" That's only fair right!? I mean, who's the time traveler here? Me, not some brat.

Rem pouts. "Ah, Subaru is making stuff up to sound cool. Please stop." You're sounding like you're old sister now, so maybe you should stop! "Don't worry though, Subaru is always the cutest and coolest in my heart, even when she does lame stuff like that." Please stop striking with comforting words.

Emilia giggles. "Don't worry Subaru, even if you're not a prophesied hero... you're a hero nonetheless. I will never forget how cool you looked while you saved me again and again." My heart immediately skips a bit. Dad always used to warn me that air-headed guys are dangerous, but it seems the same applies to girl.

I smile. "Thanks Emilia-Tan...! You're a angel for sure!" That's right, this guy might sound like more of a protagonist than me, but... He doesn't have the bond I have with my future girlfriend! Ah, I really do sound like a cuck when I think stuff like that.

Hey, isn't Yuri supposed to be immune to NTR? When did my dreams die such an ugly death... No, I should stop thinking about this like a game in general. People don't die horribly in games, people don't get torn apart in gam- I shouldn't go through that hole.

This is a happy moment, I'm meeting Emilia-Tan again after I failed to sneak in to the palace so I shouldn't drown in sad memories. Ah, this selection thing really is a pain... It's gonna be weird to see a love-dovey Crusch.

Actually, she might be the least surprising of the bunch. I don't know anything about this Anastasia girl, but Felt is way too young for stuff like this... No, she's around the same age as the guy, what really worries me is Priscilla. She was a major bitch when I met her, so I kinda feel bad for him...

Emilia puts a finger to her chin. "Oh, by the way Subaru... I actually got a tattoo in my tummy because of the prophecy, in fact we all did... It's kind of embarrassing, but maybe I can show you later." A womb tattoo!?

This is definitely a NTR! Screw this fucking guy for real! He can-

...

Ah, I'm back... "Emilia-Tan. I'm sorry." This time for sure! This time I'll definitely save her...!

The half elf simply tilts her head. "Geez, don't be sorry about the tattoo, you had nothing to do with that Subaru..." This time I'll find a way...! I just need to hold back my tears for now...!

Big sis...! Everyone back in the village...! Rem...! Ram...! Everyone! I'll kill that fucking bastard... I will rip him apart and tear him to shreds...!