Chapter 12 Oh My, You Two Young Ones？ Welcome to the Painting
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Seyfried Territory lay in the western reaches of the Regain Kingdom, its borders brushing against the Albion Empire and the Lax Empire beyond. For generations, the Seyfried dukes had governed these lands. Thanks to their capable rule, the borderlands—supposedly perilous—were calm and safe. The guidebook even praised them for holding off Albion’s advance for centuries.
Of course, in the game, things went downhill fast. Thanks to me—the so-called villain noble—and my idiot brother rampaging around, the territory collapsed, Albion invaded, and Regain Kingdom fell into ruin. Then Alexia, the protagonist, swooped in, hero-mode engaged, saving the day and reconciling with Albion’s heroines. The route ended happily for everyone… except me, who still got beheaded. Tragic, really.
What a cruel world for me, Shin Seyfried. This reality doesn’t pull its punches either. Not that anyone else living here could ever know that. You’d need the post-release lore book to find those details.
Anyway, to dodge that grim ending, I figured I’d better hurry up and unlock the ‘Appraisal’ ability. That’s why I came today—to Connect, the local city. It’s the most developed hub in Seyfried Territory, only twenty minutes by carriage from the manor, and home to one of Regain Kingdom’s finest museums: the Luminous Museum.
”Wow! Shin-kun, look, look! Isn’t that building gorgeous?”
The sunlight caught Alexia’s smile—my absolute favorite girl’s smile—and nothing in the museum could ever outshine it.
”Yes,” I said solemnly. “Today again, Alexia gleams like a jewel. And that outfit… might I say, it’s particularly adorable?”
Wait. Alexia’s wearing a girlish outfit?
Usually, she dresses like me—short sleeves, shorts, always ready to sprint off. But today she’s in a straw hat, a pure-white sundress, and expensive Ed-made sandals. She’s practically a walking summer romance illustration. The perfect Alexia, radiant and real.
Beautiful—no, breathtaking. Even the blue dragon’s legendary beauty couldn’t compare.
”Shin-kun? You okay? You’re spacing out again. Should I pat your head like usual to fix it?”
And then the angel herself reached up and gently ruffled my hair. Pure bliss. The real world is heaven.
”N-no, I’m fine. Thank you for worrying about me, Alexia. I was just… enchanted by your cuteness. Right, everyone?”
”Yes, she is exquisite, Alexia-sama,” said Yura with a graceful smile.
”Indeed. As my sister says, perfectly so, Alexia-sama,” added Sara, mirroring her twin.
The twins had been sent from the royal capital as Alexia’s new maids after the disappearance of the previous trio of girls. They smiled warmly at her now, radiating quiet admiration.
”Heehee, thank you, everyone~!” Alexia chirped.
She’s growing up beautifully. Lately, she’s been letting her silver hair grow long, tying it into twin tails or a swordswoman’s knot, asking me to compliment her each time. Sometimes she and Layla-chan wear matching dresses and dance with me at social events. She even pesters Master Raichi—the hopeless shut-in—about how to become a cuter girl.
…But wait. That’s not how it’s supposed to go. In the original timeline, after that forest incident—before I regained my past memories—Alexia was supposed to start distrusting men entirely and live disguised as a boy. Yet here she is, growing more radiant and affectionate by the day.
In the game’s childhood questline, she obsessed over swordsmanship and gallant heroism, becoming a cool boyish figure. After enrolling at Alys Magic Academy, she’d deepen her bonds with the other heroines through that princely charm. But this Alexia—this ultra-adorable girl—what happened to that route?
Even with me right beside her, she’s never shown a hint of fear or dislike. Instead, she’s blossoming into a sweet, gentle young lady. Could fate itself be intervening?
Still, her strength surpasses even her in-game stats—both sword and magic. She’s happier too, always laughing, always hugging me without hesitation. Maybe that’s what fate really looks like when rewritten.
Still, I’ll have to nudge her a little toward that boyish path, just in case.
”Shin-sama,” said Yura. “We’ll wait outside.”
”Indeed,” Sara added. “The Luminous Museum has been reserved entirely for you and Alexia-sama. Please, take your time.”
Impressive. As expected of maids dispatched from the Churidince family itself. They’re leagues above that ditzy trio of girls from before—sharp, composed, and perfectly prepared. With them looking after Alexia, I can relax.
The other girls, too, seem content living with Layla-chan. Everyone’s happy. Perfect.
——Meanwhile, in a hidden reincarnation hideout——
”Spread the teachings of Shinkyo! Make it Regain Kingdom’s national faith!”
”Yes, Lala-sama! Shinkyo is supreme! Shinkyo is supreme! Shinkyo is supreme!”
”…What’s wrong with these girls?”
”They’re way too devoted…”
”This is seriously creepy!”
”…No matter how many times I try to escape, I end up back here! Where even is this place?! Elaine, please come save meee!”
* * *
——Inside the Luminous Museum——
”Well, well. The young rasca—ahem, pardon me! Shin-sama of House Seyfried, and Lady Alexia of the Churidince family. I am Haraguro, director of the Luminous Museum.”
”Hello, Haraguro-san. Shin Seyfried,” I said politely.
”Alexia Churidince. Nice to meet you… nano.”
He almost called me a rascal. Not that I blame him; half a year ago, I was still the brat who caused chaos every time I came to Connect. His caution’s justified.
Also, Alexia’s started ending her sentences with ‘nano.’ It’s unbearably cute. Truly angelic.
”Thank you for going out of your way to let us reserve the museum today,” I said.
”Thank you nano~!” Alexia beamed.
”No, no,” Haraguro chuckled nervously. “House Hyde has always been most generous to us. And if we were to offend someone like you, Shin-sama… well, who knows what sort of retribution we might face? My heart trembles at the thought.”
Haraguro’s thoughts were practically leaking out of his polite smile, and honestly, it hurt my feelings.
A sudden chime rang—Sharan!—and a soft “Nyaa~n!” followed.
”Shin-kun, look! A kitty! A real black kitty!” Alexia pointed, delighted, at the sleek feline with a strange little bell at its neck. There was something unearthly about it.
”Yes… quite an unusual cat indeed.” I turned toward Haraguro. “Ruakahaanasanahamaanatsunatayanaha.”
”What—?! How does a Seyfried, not even of royal blood, know that phrase?”
’Because I remember my previous life,’ I uttering the magic code. The air around Haraguro changed instantly; his eyes glimmered an unnatural color, and his voice sharpened like a blade. For a moment, it felt like something inhuman was staring through me.
The phrase I’d used meant roughly, ‘Is the invitation to the Painting Realm ready yet? I’ll follow the cat’s lead—grant me passage, Gremlin.’
Sharan! “Nya~o~n!” The black cat mewed again.
”If you don’t lose sight of it, you’ll reach the place you desire,” Haraguro said, his tone now alien. “But lose it, and you’ll pay the price—an arm, your entrails… perhaps your heart. Should you wish for a new eye, be ready to sacrifice.”
His gaze weighed us like a merchant inspecting goods.
”I understand,” I said calmly. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take. Excuse me, Alexia.”
”Eh? Why are you carrying me like a princess, Shin-kun?”
”Because I don’t intend to drop you, no matter what happens.”
Haraguro’s smile twisted. “Heh… I look forward to your failure, little rascal. I do hope you’ll make a fine addition to my gallery.” Then he vanished into thin air.
”…So be it.”
”Eh? The chubby man disappeared! Where’d he go?”
”Never mind that,” I said. “Stay close, Alexia. Don’t let go.”
”O-okay, nano~.”
”Nyaa~n!”
The odd-eyed black cat—one red, one blue—darted ahead, and the corridor warped like melted glass. Reality folded upon itself, dragging us toward the impossible.
From my storage charm, I drew my Divine Artifact: the Silver Princess Blade. The silvery thread shimmered in my hand.
”White-silver thread… good. We’ve caught the bait. Let’s get pulled into the Painting Realm, Alexia.”
”The Painting Realm? What’s that, Shin-kun?”
”Nyaaaon!”
The cat dove into a framed masterpiece, and we were yanked along the same thread, slipping straight into the painted world beyond.
* * *
——Inside the Painting——
”Lululu♪ Lululu♪ Lululululu♪” “Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!” “Lala~ Lala~ Lala~!”
A garden of singing flowers, dancing beasts, and laughing dolls stretched around us. This was the Painting Realm—a living canvas where the impossible was ordinary.
”Shin-kun, where are we?” Alexia clung to me, trembling.
”A strange, whimsical world, that’s all,” I said softly. “Don’t worry—we won’t stay long. Sorry for scaring you.”
”It’s fine. I’m okay as long as I’m with you~.”
She said it bravely, but her grip betrayed her fear. I needed to finish this quickly.
Sharan! “Nya—Ahem! Never expected you’d follow the thread on my collar.”
”The cat just talked?” Alexia gasped.
”…(Luna the Cat of Vision),” I murmured.
The red-and-blue-eyed black cat—Luna, the secret hidden character who bestows mystic eyes—stood before us.
”Still, you’re quite the reckless noble,” Luna said. “How did you know that code? And to ask Gremlin for a pass without a bargain—aren’t you courting death?”
I couldn’t exactly say I memorized every quest from my previous life’s playthrough. That’d sound… bad.
”Sorry,” I replied instead. “But time’s short. People here have started noticing us. Before we’re caught—please, the reward for catching up to you.”
From the distance, something immense stirred. Power far beyond Orphen’s level. Too close.
”Nyaa… you’re a bold one,” Luna sighed. “But tell me, do you really think you can take Luna’s eye without offering a book in return?”
”I have one.” I pulled out the Fairy Festival Grimoire and opened it for him to see.
”!? That’s a contract seal? I see… you’ve traveled other small worlds, survived them too. Then perhaps you’re worthy of my gift.”
Well, technically, I’d borrowed it. Permanently.
”And besides,” I added, “Alexia has her own golden axe—Alexia, show your necklace to the nice kitty. You can pet him afterward.”
”Mo~f! Okay nano~! Here, Mr. Kitty!”
”Fnyaa~aah!! W-wait! Don’t just start petting me! And why do you have a Divine Artifact too, nyaaa~!”
Alexia seized Luna like a loaf of dough, kneading and fluffing with sparkling eyes. The cat’s final “Nyaa~” turned into an adorable squeal.
”I said the correct code, showed proper credentials,” I reminded, adjusting my glasses. “Now, the Appraisal Eye—if you please.”
”…Fine, fine,” Luna muttered. “You two have an amusing fate anyway. I’ll come along. It’s boring here.”
”Wait, you’ll come with us?”
”Of course. From now on, I’ll live in your right eye, boy. And you, fated girl—we’ll be seeing a lot of each other. Nyaa~n!”
The painted world twisted once more. When I blinked, we were back outside the museum.
”Eh? How’d we end up outside?” Alexia spun in circles, bewildered.
”…Appraisal… Princess? Is it really working, Luna?”
”Sure is, Master,” the cat purred, emerging from my right eye and perching on my shoulder. “Left eye sees truth, right eye’s my home. We’re roommates now, nyan.”
I never expected that chasing the Eye Cat would net me not just the Appraisal Eye but the cat itself.
”Ah! There you are, kitty!” Alexia cried.
”Nya? Ah, fate’s girl—pleased to mee—NYAAAA~?!”
”So soft! So cute!”
”Stop! Nyaa~! No more mof-mof! Mercy, nyaaa~!”
And so began Luna’s endless days of cuddly torment under Alexia’s gentle tyranny.
Still, good for you, Luna the Eye Cat. You’ve found a kind owner… though with all the girls you’ll meet, I worry whether any of your fur will survive.
”Su~uuh! Your coat’s the softest, nano~!”
Notes:
• Sara – One of Alexia’s new maids sent from the Churidince family. She is described as sharp and composed. Twin; has a graceful smile.
• Haraguro – A chubby man. The director of the Luminous Museum. He is secretly a Gremlin who guards the passage to the Painting Realm and hopes to add Shin to his gallery.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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