Is It Wrong to Abusing Cartoon Tropes in Dungeon?

"You cross-dressed for the Blade Dance?!"

"Well… there's a reason for that."

"No, the reason doesn't matter! You cross-dressed! And you're Ren Ashbell?!"

"Uh… that's because…"

"Pervert! You deviant, you lecher, you pest!"

"That's too harsh! You're getting worse!"

Kamito slumped in his chair, dejected, as Claire, face flushed, berated him across the table.

Restia sat beside him, smiling warmly at his discomfort.

"I never imagined the idol of so many elementalists, Ren Ashbell, would turn out like this. I used to admire her." Rinslet said, sipping tea at the opposite table, her voice tinged with disappointment.

"I had hoped to face my idol, Ren Ashbell, at this Blade Dance festival, defeat her, and surpass her as a Blade Dancer. But now, that dream's impossible."

Do all fans dream of beating their idols? Altair thought, stifling a chuckle.

Restia's arrival was Altair's doing. He'd subdued her with his magic, threatening Kamito's life if she caused trouble. Restia surrendered instantly. Despite her chaotic schemes, she was fiercely devoted to Kamito, believing him to be her destined one, willing to do anything for him.

Threatening Kamito's life gave Altair complete control over her.

As for Restia counter-threatening Rinslet's life, Altair wasn't concerned. He always kept Est and Rinslet close, uninterested in others' affairs.

Thus, Restia followed Altair's orders, shifting from a covert antagonist spurring Kamito to openly returning to his side as his strength.

Her return revitalized Kamito, banishing his earlier lethargy. The power of first love was undeniable.

With Restia back, Kamito's identity as Ren Ashbell could no longer be hidden. The Sword of Piercing Truth, her Elemental Waffe, was too iconic, like Excalibur in the Fate universe. Its appearance revealed its wielder.

Kamito's plan to conceal his identity was doomed. For now, only the team knew, but once the academy's team ranking matches began, everyone would learn their idol was a cross-dressing man.

"Your dream's partly fulfilled, Rinslet. With our contract, you're now the strongest Blade Dancer. Kamito's male, after all." Altair said, consoling her.

"True, but I still want to defeat him, even if he's male." Rinslet replied, her pride unwavering. She craved victory.

Altair supported her ambition unconditionally. "Then beat him. Even if he regains his old strength, he's no match for you. You have me."

"Exactly! As your contractor, I won't lose to Ren Ashbell." Rinslet beamed, bolstered by Altair's power. In a world where elementalists' strength derived from their spirits, she was supremely confident.

"Now, Rinslet, as team leader, you need to recruit enough teammates." Altair said.

The Blade Dance festival required a team of five elementalists. With Claire, Rinslet, and Kamito, they had three, needing two more.

"True, we need two more, but not just anyone. Only the worthy can join us." Rinslet mused, frowning. Her strong acquaintances already had teams, and those without were typically unwanted, a dilemma.

Pouting, Rinslet propped her face with her right hand, twirling a strand of golden hair with her left, pondering where to find suitable teammates.

Seeing her distress, Altair offered help. "Rinslet, I have a suggestion."

"Master Altair, what's your idea?" She asked, eyes sparkling.

"Our team has the legendary Ren Ashbell, idol to nearly everyone at this academy. Announce that Ren Ashbell is recruiting teammates, and people will flock to us. To filter them, set a requirement: only those with high-ranking spirits need apply. Not just any riffraff can team with Ren Ashbell, right?"

"Brilliant!" Rinslet squealed, leaping onto Altair, nuzzling him. "You're amazing, Master Altair!"

"I'll get started. I'll have Carol help spread the word. Hmph, 'Ren Ashbell's teammate' will draw a crowd!"

Though Rinslet was stronger, Ren Ashbell's fame was unmatched, a fact.

Kamito's opinion didn't matter; with Restia's return, his identity would soon be exposed.

Rinslet stood, calling for her maid Carol, and rushed off to prepare flyers announcing Ren Ashbell's team was recruiting.

Finishing his tea, Altair rose with Est to follow, ensuring Rinslet's safety. This world, while not overwhelmingly powerful, was rife with petty villains, Restia once among them.

But a few steps later, Restia blocked his path at a corner.

"Dark spirit miss, why aren't you with your Kamito? What's with stopping me?"

"Lord Nidhomir, please forgive my earlier rudeness." Restia said, curtsying with her skirt.

"Oh? So you know my identity."

"Yes, Kamito told me. An existence nobler than the Elemental Lords."

Kamito knowing Altair's identity wasn't surprising; Claire had shared it. While she kept Kamito's secret, she saw no need to hide Altair's fabricated persona, fearing Kamito might offend him. For Kamito's sake, she'd relayed Altair's story.

Kamito knew, so Restia did too, she was his old flame, after all.

Learning Altair's identity shocked Restia. A supreme dragon spirit, older than the five Elemental Lords, who'd bested them? He might as well be the Dragon Lord.

Having clashed with him earlier, she hurried to make amends.

"Do you think I care about your apology? My concern is my happy life with Rinslet and Est. You and Kamito live only because you submitted, choosing not to disrupt my peace."

Because anyone who did is already dead, Restia thought, completing his unspoken threat. In her long life, she'd never heard of Nidhomir. The man's terrifying power confirmed his existence, suggesting those who knew him were silenced, permanently.

"Claire is Rinslet's friend, and Rinslet cares for her. I respect Rinslet's feelings, so I allowed Claire on the team. Kamito is Claire's concern. I warn you: I don't care what your trash allies do, but if their schemes targeting Kamito drag Rinslet into trouble, I'll ensure Kamito suffers a gruesome end."

Restia's face darkened. She wanted to protest, her "trash" Allies weren't under her control. Who knew when they'd target Kamito, inevitably involving Rinslet? This pushed Kamito into a fire.

She aimed to train Kamito through them, not kill him.

Resigned, Restia shouldered the burden. "Lord Nidhomir, give me time. I'll deal with those people to protect your peaceful life."

"Oh? You'll handle them? Can you guarantee they won't disturb me for a single second?"

"I… can't guarantee that." Restia admitted, pained. Her allies, some her equals, weren't fully controllable. Some would slip through.

"Then what's the point of this talk?" Altair turned to leave.

Restia reached out. "Lord Nidhomir, please wait."

"What else?"

"I'll do my utmost to preserve your peace. This isn't Kamito's fault. I ask you to give him a chance. I'll work with him to prevent any trouble from reaching you or your contractor."

"Why should I trust you?" Altair narrowed his eyes, embodying a villainous boss.

"My power isn't worthy of your trust, but it's not weak. I beg you to give Kamito a chance. For that, I'll do anything you ask."

"Anything, you say?" Altair's tone shifted.

Restia gritted her teeth, closing her eyes and bowing. "Yes, you can order me to do… anything."

Altair suppressed a laugh at the dark spirit's bowed head.

To keep her by Kamito's side and curb her schemes, he'd played the villain to intimidate her. His power and fabricated backstory had clearly terrified her, driving her to plead for Kamito's safety.

Her willingness to sacrifice herself for her beloved was almost… noble.

In certain genres, he'd be the sleazy antagonist. But with his golden hair, he already fit the part.

Deliberately, Altair reached out, brushing her smooth cheek. He felt her tremble but she kept her eyes shut. Emboldened, he slid his hand to her chin, tilting it to face him.

"Very well. I accept your request."

***

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