I Married the Beautiful Female Protagonist In Order To Survive

75.6. What of the Future?

Because the disparity between their actual age and appearance could be… substantial, shall we say, the behavior of the Elven folk couldn’t really be tied to their looks. After all, who knew if the elven loli playing house with you genuinely saw you as an older brother, or was simply “teasing the kid”?

That being said, even for Philora, a rather “senior student” at the Royal Academy, this was the first time she’d encountered two elves quite so… idiosyncratic.

The bizarre white hair was one thing, though the fact that elves could even *have* white hair was probably a sensitive topic. But the real problem was…

These two elves were so… nonchalant. Honestly, it annoyed Philora a little, but she couldn’t really say anything. The “interview” hadn’t even started.

Just look at the one slouched against the tree over there, fast asleep. Did she find attending the Royal Academy of the Great Ying Empire *that* dull? To be able to lean against a tree at a time like this, nodding off like a chicken pecking for grain, practically radiating an aura of “laziness.”

The one standing before her, at least, was capable of normal conversation, but she had her own… oddities. If the sleeping one was merely “lazy,” then this white-haired elf, who called herself “Horus”, was… eccentrically dressed. Her witch’s hat had been drastically modified, and her clothing was… garish. Clearly striving for some kind of “modern trend,” she wore chains as accessories, creating a black-and-white ensemble that made her look less like a student and more like a zebra tethered on the grasslands.

Philora shook her head, knowing she shouldn’t judge too harshly.

“Just to be clear, your attire… if you actually enroll, you’ll have to switch to the uniform.”

“No way? This is the Great Ying Empire, how can they not accept Elven trends?”

*What* kind of trend is *that*!?

She thought it but didn’t say it. Whether these two elves were rejected or accepted, it wasn’t her place to decide, as the procedure needed to be followed. Philora could only take them to the “interview.”

“Come with us. If your performances are up to par, the gates of the Great Ying Empire Royal Academy will always be open to you both.”

“Mmm~ Thank you for the guidance.”

The elf nodded, turning to beckon the other white-haired elf, who reluctantly roused herself and followed.

“Now I know why I have memories of appearing here, despite having no interest in this place. How troublesome. What exactly do you want me to do?”

“Just the ordinary act of enrolling, Lady Ludwig.”

The elven girl’s steps were light, her attitude obsequious, as if the approaching trial wasn’t some strict examination, but rather a simple “game.”

“As for your situation, there’s no need to worry. As long as you carry the ‘hope’ of acceptance, you’ll surely succeed in entering this lovely and imposing Great Ying Empire Royal Academy, which will allow us to freeload on three meals a day plus snacks~”

“Don’t be nervous, Lady Ludwig. This is merely a game for you, a game that you can play with great pleasure, without a hint of boredom. After all… there are eras in which you aren’t allowed to freely seek out ‘the strong’, correct? But this place is different. So many cocoons of strength exist here. I’m sure you’ll have a blast.”

Ludwig didn’t reply to the girl’s “arrangement.”

A feeling of being “used” had been present from the very start, but… so what if she was being used? Certain cravings were difficult to suppress, and her original era wouldn’t permit her to “devour” anything anymore.

After all, “Order” had been restored to normal, and under that man’s administration, everything was frighteningly organized. A villain like herself, who couldn’t resist causing “trouble” and “devouring” others, had no space to exist.

And so, this fairy had appeared.

She styled herself “Hope,” and indeed, she brought “hope” with her—the two arriving in this era that should have been unknown, yet Ludwig retained a lingering impression of it. Long ago, the Great British Empire. It finally clarified something for Ludwig: why that scene at the Great British Empire academy had surfaced in his memories.

It was this sprite’s doing.

“Though I find it bothersome… a sudden urge arises to ask, what is it you wish to accomplish?”

“Order vanishes~ Chaos dissipates, and what awaits next… is it Hope, or Despair? The Future, or Destruction? I simply wish to accompany everyone in deciding these things, with a lighthearted and enjoyable game.”

A ripple, barely perceptible, flickered momentarily in the sprite’s eyes.

“Now, the ‘stage’ is prepared, and the ‘pieces’ are nearly all in place. No need to rush, Lord Ludwig. Allow me to fetch the ‘contestants’, and then we may begin~ Meanwhile, you can experience everything this academy has to offer, enjoy a long-awaited return to your younger years. Is that… not agreeable?”

Not agreeable, sounds like a pain…fully troublesome thing…

Ludwig didn’t manage to utter these words, for in the next instant, the white-haired sprite beside him had vanished.

And strangely, the two humans before him seemed utterly oblivious.

One of them, Zerola’s future wife, even turned her head to remind him.

“Miss Sprite, please hurry and keep up…”

“…”

Should he perhaps warn these two fools that they were being “influenced”? That their desire for Horus’s “hope” had become so overwhelming, they simply assumed Horus was already a student… or something like that.

Ah, what a bother. They surely wouldn’t believe him, so better to just let it be.

Order gone, chaos faded, what awaits the era, is it hope, or despair? Future, or destruction?

How curious, order remains, chaos already ended, so why does that sprite still come?

The sprite Horus, styling herself “Hope,” spoke of creating a wonderful future that everyone could accept, yet…

If her words held truth, there should also be a “Despair,” no? Where is Despair? Why did the two sprites not appear together after the end of “Chaos”?

So bothersome… better not to dwell on it.

After all, that Euclid never intended to eliminate “Order.” From the moment he embraced the Order sprite, his elder sister, himself, his younger sister, all of them became estranged from him.

Why should he bother worrying about him?

Too troublesome. He’d treat Euclid’s notions as a bother and simply forget them. Because…

In the not-so-distant future, they might just have the chance to gleefully “play a game.”

The power coursing through him, so delicious.

“Only this… this is not troublesome at all~”

Scratching his backside, Ludwig followed after the two figures in the distance, figures he knew so well.

——

Next is the bonus chapter, then we enter the next volume!!!

Bonus Chapter: No Enoshima Junko (X)

Within the Imperial Capital of Great Ying, for the maids who attended exclusively to Her Majesty Queen Louise IV, it wasn’t exactly a matter of pride, but they understood their Queen far better than those self-proclaimed noble nobodies outside the palace walls.

To describe Her Majesty in a few words was impossible, but the gist of it was… quite simple – Her Majesty was unfathomable. Just recently, the Queen had been spending much time with that new maid in the capital, the one called Phiro.

It was odd, really. Ever since Phiro joined the ranks of the royal maids, she’d never truly been “officially inducted.” Her job seemed to consist solely of wandering about and… chatting with the Queen and those around her. One couldn’t exactly call Phiro a detestable “person of connections,” either. She seemed rather simple, quiet, and appeared remarkably honest.

Perhaps the Queen simply wanted a mascot, to tease this young girl each day and indulge some pure childhood wish. Look, there she was again, with Phiro. Probably talking about dresses, skirts, dolls, things of that nature.

Such gossip, no one even bothered to eavesdrop.

At that very moment, the “doll” topic continued.

“So, how else can ‘Chaos’ be used? Can you make him obsessed with me through ‘Chaos’?”

Queen Louise of Great Ying gazed at the sprite maid before her, practically glowing! Everyone had been saying she’d acquired a mascot, and she had. Phiro was *her* mascot!

Her “Chaos” was an even stronger weapon than the Investigators. A simple example: issues of noble privacy that Moriarty himself would have spent considerable time exploring would, under the influence of Phiro-chan’s “Chaos,” cause them to “self-detonate” their secrets in every way, from every angle, after only a brief encounter!

Ah, Phiro-chan was just too useful, so useful she felt like dismissing the Investigators! Had she not become a spirit of the master, she’d want to keep her by her side forever.

And the uses of “Chaos” weren’t limited to just one thing! After “Chaosing” a person’s particular idea, with careful manipulation, one could make them act in the way one wanted. Louise had been exploring this recently and was close to drawing conclusions, for example…

“For example, if one ‘Chaosed’ his perception of ‘whether or not to use protection,’ wouldn’t he be less inclined to take ‘precautions’?”

Looking at the sprite maid in her arms, Louise thought she’d had a brilliant idea.

However, the sprite was consistently frugal with the application of “Chaos,” even now.

“Louise, I am Saphilos, the sprite who controls ‘Chaos,’ not Okamoto 0.01.”

The sprite maid responded coldly, without a trace of so-called “cuteness.” If the other maids saw her like this, they would surely be astonished.

And then there was… the sprite’s intense possessiveness of the “Master.” Sigh, she merely wanted to “press her luck” a little, and the spirit was displeased.

“Do not have impure thoughts about my Master.”

“But I’m also the Master’s spirit, am I not?”

“Master’s existence is unique.”

After a string of words that caused Louise to pout in displeasure, the sprite before her revealed a bit of her “true nature.”

“However, concerning matters other than the Master… I am, unexpectedly, on the same wavelength as you, heh heh heh…”

“Hee hee hee…”

“Who shall we torment next?”

“Look beside the Master. Louise, your side is never short of those with ulterior motives, is it? Devour their ‘Chaos’ as soon as possible. Then, for the time that I and Master are gone, you can relax a bit…”

Phiro paused, suppressing the “evil expression” that was quite unsuitable to be seen, returning to her wooden facade, tinged with a hint of worry.

Even though she was a sprite of the same level as “Order,” she would show such anxiety?

In the past, Louise would merely “think about it,” but now, Louise desired to know more.

After all, everything before had proven that their “Master” would not discriminate based on the rank or status of a spirit.

“Order births Chaos, yet even when ‘Chaos’ fades, ‘Era’ finds no tranquility. Whether ‘Hope’ or ‘Despair’ awaits in the future, all shall be revealed anon.”

After reciting these words, which felt like a poem half-understood, Philo looked at Louise. “Subsequent to Order, each spirit destined to appear in this Era shall know which sort shall descend next. And what I know…are two spirits, called ‘Hope’ and ‘Despair’.”

This was no response requiring exploration of a spirit’s “abilities.” Louise understood the literal meaning, what these spirits would bring, and… which side was benevolent, which, wicked.

“Is there anything I can do?”

“A humble creature cannot interfere with ‘Order,’ or so it should be… Yet, since my arrival, the unfolding of this Era seems divergent from my perception. Perhaps all you need do is tend to everything around ‘Master,’ and patiently await the good news they bring us. Not only you, but I, Order itself, perhaps all of us, can only do so.”

“Each newly descended spirit inevitably arrives bearing irremovable power. Fortunately, our ‘Order’ remains steadfast, and I am no foe of Master. Thus… Even if they wished to meddle after arriving, they cannot directly attack the Era. We simply need to maintain what we have.”

“After all… this time it’s ‘Hope,’ or perhaps ‘Despair,’ or perhaps… the two are one and the same?”

As she spoke, a light began to flicker in Philo’s eyes, and she rose from Louise’s lap.

“‘She’ seems to be arriving, yet… why only one? ‘Hope’ and ‘Despair’ should be two separate spirits…”

“Louise, govern your empire well. The coming ‘spirit’ is beyond the strength of any ordinary spirit to contend with.”

The sprite maid raised her head. The motes of “Chaos” that surrounded her, as if scattered, vanished without a trace.

“Perhaps… it is beyond my strength to contend with as well.”

“‘Hope’ comes, but… is this hope a blessing or a curse?”

“Master, you wish to hold onto this Era, which should have crumbled long ago, but it will not be so easy.”

(Note: There will be another installment, as I want to properly prepare the next volume.)

(The illustrations might be delayed for a few days, as the artist is currently slacking.)

(It’s the end of the month, remember to cast your monthly votes! They’re about to expire.)

Bonus 2: Beautiful Dealer, Dealing Cards Online

Far in the Eastern lands lies the only settlement worthy of the name “town”—the Merry United Kingdom. Recently, three of the four great families of the Merry United Kingdom were “swallowed” by the family behind President Lin Ke. Without this last vestige of checks and balances, the kingdom’s trade has grown even more “ferocious.”

After all, the Merry United Kingdom is known for its “trade.” To put it simply, just go outside the city and dig anywhere no one has dug before, and you can unearth a few “artifacts” from who-knows-what era. These are then exported and peddled to wealthy collectors in other kingdoms.

However, the “trading” kingdom also has “another” identity—the Merry United Kingdom also boasts the largest “gambling market.” Gamble once, and your bicycle becomes a motorcycle. Take a chance, and your beer becomes champagne. Perhaps because they have made enough money but have nowhere to spend it within the kingdom, the locals love to “try their luck” in their spare time.

Everyone loves the saying of Bob, the boss of Las Vegas, the largest “gambling market”: I think you can win this time!

He’s just saying it, don’t take it seriously. Yet today… Boss Bob wonders if his mouth is truly blessed. He said to an elf: I will secretly support you, don’t tell anyone.

And… this elf is truly on a “killing spree”!

“No way, bro, I’m all in! Look at my hand, it’s a small, messy bunch, but if you’re still too scared to go all in, are you humans really that chicken?”

“Damn you! Fxxk! You b*tch, I’ll make you lose and become a street walker!”

“So, deal the cards! Aha! A three-of-a-kind at the last moment! You lost, little bro!”

“Wha… No, impossible! You cheated! How could you go all-in with such terrible cards, then suddenly draw something so good?! You must have some dirty, underhanded deal with Bob, the owner here…”

The man didn’t finish his sentence before the guards dragged him away. Running this kind of establishment, even superficially, required a semblance of “fairness.” Of course, they couldn’t have people yelling about cheating.

Besides, Bob hadn’t cheated. If anything, he was even more anxious than the guy who was about to lose his shirt a moment ago! Because ever since this elf with the… remarkably trendy white hair stepped inside, she hadn’t lost once. A mountain of chips had piled up in front of her, and frankly… she’d won half the place already.

After years in this business, Bob had seen his share of clumsy or cunning cheats. The former he’d deal with swiftly and violently; the latter at least knew to “exercise restraint,” pocketing a modest sum and leaving.

But Bob couldn’t figure out this elf at all. He couldn’t tell if she was “cheating,” or decipher her motives. She was winning money like her life depended on it! Someone capable of winning this much, for this long, should at least have the brains to consider if she could even survive spending it. Yet the elf didn’t care. It was as if… she wasn’t in it for the money, but simply to “win”.

All the surveillance and jamming equipment were operating at maximum power. Anyone trying even the slightest trick would be instantly detected. Yet without exception, this elf… hadn’t done anything! She was just “winning, winning, winning”.

Bob grew restless. After hastily asking someone to contact Miss Linke, he decided to intervene personally.

“Elf, little lady,”

Bob approached the elf. “How many hands have you won already?”

An elf, a very cute elf. That was Bob’s first impression.

However, Bob also knew that you couldn’t judge an elf’s age by her face. Could it be that this elf was winning for so long on her “life experience?” If that was the case, then he was in trouble. If she wasn’t cheating, he couldn’t just accuse her. He would have to politely persuade her to leave.

“Hmm… I forgot. Do you want to play a game?”

“Uh…”

This elf was treating this like a game? How bold!

“I’m Bob, the owner here. Miss Elf, I see you’ve won quite a bit. I’d be happy to provide you with a complimentary cashing service, and arrange for you to stay at a nearby hotel. Maybe you could come back and play another time? It’s getting late, and we’re about to close.”

With his years of experience, Bob only needed a glance at the elf’s stack of chips and the expressions of the crowd to know what was coming. If the elf left normally, she’d be robbed in under five minutes… and maybe something worse.

Honestly, Bob was used to it. However, Miss Linke had recently been insisting they act more “legit,” so he was kicking her out, but also protecting her.

However, what stunned Bob was that the elf didn’t appreciate the gesture.

Not only didn’t she appreciate it, she even seemed intent on courting disaster!

“Huh? It’s still bright outside! And if you’re the owner, shouldn’t you leave your customers alone? Are all you humans such sore losers?”

If you keep winning like this, you’ll be the owner tomorrow! Of course I can’t afford to lose!

But before Bob could voice those words, some… things transpired.

The mountain of chips in front of the elf was bound to attract the envious glances of others. Combined with the elf’s habit of going “all-in,” it wasn’t long before some desperate souls, eager to snatch that “money mountain,” appeared!

“I’m in! Make way!”

A fierce voice rang out, and a group of thugs shoved Bob aside, sitting down opposite the elf with lewd grins.

“Well, well, elfie. You like to play, huh!? Let’s forget cards and dice. How about we bet something bigger?”

“Bigger?”

“That’s right! Let’s bet lives! If I win, you! And all that money of yours, is mine! And if I lose! Heh, you can kill me, slice me, whatever you want! How’s that!?”

A classic provocation, Bob thought.

A worthless life – how could that be an equal stake to all the money the elf had won? But the elf’s answer, in the next moment, astonished Bob.

“Alright then~ Let’s play a game~”

This elf actually agreed!?

Holy crap!? Could she really be an idiot, just winning through sheer luck until now!?

That kind of completely unequal wager, anyone with half a brain would know not to accept! Even if she’s been winning consistently, what if she loses next!? The money’s gone, and this person… she’d probably end up at the mercy of some desperate thug! Does she not realize how devastatingly cute she is!?

Though it’s called a wager, once it’s fulfilled, the kingdom would recognize the decree! If this elf tries to go back on her word now, she’ll be in the wrong!

A murmur swept through the crowd, the man in particular was ecstatic! After all, a worthless life, gambling it might bring him riches and a woman, who wouldn’t be happy!?

Bob felt like he couldn’t let this “aberration” continue.

However, just as he was about to step forward and stop it as the owner…

“Bang.”

Accompanied by that single sound, everyone watching fell silent. Even the man betting against the elf momentarily wore a look of panic.

“Besides, human, you’re absolutely right~ Since the stakes should be high, then our game should be a little more exciting, shouldn’t it~”

This elf… slammed a pistol onto the table! How, how did she bring it in! This place prohibits dangerous items!

No, more importantly than that…

Bob noticed: This elf right now…

Wore a look of excitement far more intense than when they were playing cards at the start.

“The more thrilling it is, the greater the ‘hope’ becomes~ Hehehe hahaha!”

Bonus 3: Russian Roulette! (End of Chapter)

No one knew exactly how the elf had managed to bring in a “pistol,” but it was clear that everyone, including the person “betting” against the elf, who had been casually “watching the show,” was now completely sobered up!

At first, they thought it was just a “naive elf about to be swindled,” but now… some people weren’t just done watching the show; they were even thinking about backing out themselves!

“Since the stakes are high, then our game has to be as fair and as simple as possible~ Human, you agree, no?”

She took apart the pistol and pulled out… a single bullet.

This was a six-chamber pistol that had been modified by the Merly United Kingdom. The principle was that the pistol chamber could be filled with six rounds of ammunition at once. This elf placed that real bullet into one of the chambers.

Then, closed it up, spun it with a bright smile, and as the cylinder spun round and round, she spoke, “I loaded one bullet into the chamber, so let’s play this especially fun game that has both hope and despair. One bullet for me~ One bullet for you, whoever kicks the bucket first, the other wins, how about it?”

Six chances to pull the trigger, one “jackpot.” The theoretical probability was, of course, one in six, but when you gamble with your life, even a desperate thug will start to weigh their options.

So, at the moment the surrounding area fell silent, the man across from the elf, who had previously been excitedly saying “let’s play, I’ll win a woman and money,” immediately chickened out.

Bob also wanted to immediately stop this: Private wagers like this, they can do on their own time, in their own place, but doing it on his property would ruin his reputation if something happened! On the other hand, did this elf really tamper with something, or was she too stupid to even make this kind of “bet”?

Was she just brain-dead, or did she have some other backing, or maybe… was she just insane!?

“Stop! This kind of bet is completely against the rules of the Merly United Kingdom! Stop it right now!”

Bob intended to intervene forcefully, shouting to end it all: “Las Vegas is closed for the day! Come back tomorrow!”

But the next moment, the surroundings suddenly trembled, as if struck by an earthquake! Before anyone could understand what was happening, the sprite’s voice rang out again.

“The game has already started, surely we can’t back out now? And a game for two shouldn’t be interfered with, should it? You, Mr. Owner, and everyone else can just be spectators. A game is much more lively when it’s being watched, don’t you think?”

What does this mean? What’s happening around here?! What’s going on with my place!?

It felt like falling, like being plunged into another dimension! In any case… he couldn’t move at all now, not even turn his eyes! Just like… those customers around him!

It seemed everyone’s gaze was fixed on the table, everyone forced to watch this sprite and the man across from her, who had long since been paralyzed with terror, play this “gamble,” this “game.”

“The chessboard is prepared, the audience has taken their seats. Human, let us begin this ‘game,’ shall we?”

The sprite pushed the gun toward the center of the table. The expression that might have previously been dismissed as mere foolishness now seemed utterly horrifying to everyone.

“Hold onto your resolve and ‘hope’, or you won’t have even the slightest chance of winning, you know? So, who goes first? You, or me?”

Who would dare play such an obviously “rigged” gamble with her?! Who, at this point, would dare covet the fortune this sprite had won one after the other?

“I… I’m not playing anymore! I want to leave! Whoever wants to play, can play!”

The man wanted to move, but… he couldn’t! Aside from shouting frantically from his chair, he could do nothing!

“Oh, well, since you’ve already joined the game, you can’t withdraw midway. So, let’s just say I’m giving you a break, and I’ll fire one at myself first?”

“Ahhh! Let me go! Who are you?! You’re cheating, right!?”

“That’s not acceptable either? Then… two?”

“Liar! You’re a liar!”

“…Three?”

“I don’t believe it! I don’t believe it!” The crazed man suddenly roared, with a touch of hysteria, even though the situation before him was so advantageous, he still fell into a desperate emotion.

Finally, he growled out:

“Then fire it! I’ll bet! I’ll bet you!”

The sprite’s eyes lit up instantly!

“The game begins!”

If she hadn’t tampered with the gun, then this sprite… was absolutely insane!

That was Bob’s only thought.

Because in the next moment, she snatched up the gun, aimed it at her temple, and pulled the trigger!

Swiftly, decisively, happily, excitedly, without the slightest hesitation!

“Click click click click”

Immediately following were four clicks that made everyone’s hearts leap into their throats!

“Oops, I accidentally pressed it a few extra times, let’s just call it a free bonus.”

Four shots, and none hit!?

Everyone’s jaw hung slack!

In theory, such a game was certainly possible, nothing more than a confluence of “good luck,” “very good luck,” “extremely good luck,” and “luck defying the heavens!” all rolled into one!

But… would anyone truly be willing to do such a thing!? Would anyone happily complete this “gamble,” like this elf did!?

And then…

“Your… turn…”

Words that seemed to drop a man from “hope” to “despair” in an instant. The pistol, which the elf had set down, was pushed back across the table!

“Maintain your ‘hope’. Perhaps this round will miss, and then it will certainly be me who kicks the bucket~”

“Ah… aah! aaah!”

Alas, the elf was answered only by the man’s despairing roars. He wanted to end this farce, even though the elf had already “tried four times” in a row. He wouldn’t wager on this final 50 percent chance of “either you die or I die.”

“It seems… this game is over once again~ Unhopeful ‘lesser beings’.”

After that, Bob knew nothing.

Anyway… by the time he “came to his senses,” he was the only one left in the room. The other onlookers, a table full of chips…

The man who had gambled against the elf, and the elf himself… had long since vanished.

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

Strolling along a street in the Melly United Kingdom, the white-haired elf yawned.

“Base creatures always like to give up on hope; this game is becoming less and less interesting.”

“However, the next opponent will surely satisfy me. After all… what sort of ability would one need to collect those two fairies?”

“It’s time to invite him to ‘play’ a game full of ‘hope’ with me~ On a ‘grand’ chessboard that I have already prepared.”

As he spoke, the elf pointed the pistol at the sky and pulled the trigger.

*Click*

Another misfire.

Then, the remaining shot must be the one loaded with ammunition.

“What a pity, human~ Not even willing to accept a fifty percent chance of hope. What value do you have in existing?”

“Your soul…”

“We will gratefully accept it.”

—

This volume ends here.

The next will be a new volume of content, and there will also be new fairies appearing.

The color illustration will probably have to be delayed until next month, as will the character art; I seem to have no time recently.

I hope everyone will continue to support the next volume.

Fifteen, A Goblin’s Game of Hope or Despair?

Monthly Pass Lottery Update – Gonna Be Lazy With New Books Going Forward!

RT, henceforth the monthly pass lottery activity will mostly shift to the new books, the old ones are just… whatever happens, happens!

If you have any passes, head over to the new books and join in! Thanks a bunch!