Chapter 19 We’ve Arrived at the Royal Capital! And Yep, I Bought a House!
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The Regain Kingdom’s history stretched back over six centuries—one of the oldest, proudest nations in the whole world of Alys Sphere.
To the north sprawled Schwert, a vast, fertile land now seized by the new Demon King. Further east lay the Albion Empire, where dragonkind was revered as divine. Lately, the two had been locked in bloody, territorial chaos.
And then there’s the Melektorc Theocracy in the east—yep, that’s the one where that super masochistic Lala-chan came from. If everyone there’s like her… yikes. That’s a terrifying thought.
Down south stretched the Shurihelged Grasslands, the Anclear Forest, and the Shalfarma Plateau—lush, green, peaceful lands full of mingling races and tiny nations. Oh, and Karen, the elf girl who once handed me her panties? She’s from that eastern forest paradise.
To the west lies Syrellus, the Magic Kingdom—our ally. It’s said to be an asylum for researchers who went just a little too mad for normal academia. Yeah… dangerous people, those.
Regain, though—Regain is the hub. We trade with everyone, even distant countries we don’t share borders with. The Alys Magic Academy, right outside the capital, stands as the meeting point of it all—a melting pot of magic, cultures, and… mischief. The academy’s the largest in all Alys Sphere. Or, as I like to call it, the Land of Perverted Scholars.
”Waaah! I can see it now, Shin-kun! The Alys Magic Academy! Let’s ace that exam, okay?” Alexia’s voice rang with pure excitement.
”Yes, Alexia. Let’s do our best,” I answered, trying to sound braver than I felt.
It’s been seven months since that chaos of elder brother’s welcome banquet. The calendar’s turned from 999 to 1000 in Alysphere’s reckoning. Alexia and Layla turned seven—and I’ll hit that number this March myself. Time’s merciless like that; I’d stay a boy forever if I could.
Honestly, though? I’d rather bolt. I know my fate too well—this so-called Destiny Power won’t let me dodge that academy. If those two girls ever got harassed by some weirdos there… I’d probably go full golden-haired rage mode.
Lately, I’ve been watching them with… maybe a father’s eyes? Or a much older brother’s. Guess my past life’s memories are leaking through again. The idea that fate’s twisting itself around us—it’s unsettling. But this world isn’t a game. It’s real. Only the strong who carve their futures survive here.
So we’ve trained hard this year—me, Alexia, and Layla. We’ll crush fate itself if we have to. I’ll prove that strength wins, not destiny!
Still… Alexia’s growing into a wonderful girl. I just hope she finds happiness—without me getting decapitated in the process.
* * *
(Regain Capital – High-Class Residential District, Shin’s Mansion)
The capital’s most luxurious quarter—the domain of nobles and merchants who’ve made it big. Prices here? Astronomical. Normally, totally out of reach. But me? Yeah, I bought a house. Half my retirement stash—gone. Just like that.
When I paid for it, I actually sobbed. Who knew money disappears when you use it?
Still, I thought I’d finally live alone in peace… until, surprise! I’m now sharing it with my so-called nemesis Alexia and Layla. Why does life mock me like this?
”My, my,” Alexia’s fatherly voice echoed in memory, “I can’t believe your father said you should live independently at seven. What’s he thinking, huh?”
”Hmm? Why’re you mad, Shin-kun?” Alexia leaned in with a teasing grin. “Is my room next to yours that bad?”
”N-no, not at all! You’re totally welcome, Alexia. Ha ha ha.”
”Wel… ka… mo?”
”It’s welcome, Alexia.”
And just like that, we slipped into our usual word-dueling nonsense. Somehow, she always heals me, no matter where we are. You’re a good girl, Alexia. The best.
…But this story? It actually starts one month earlier.
* * *
(Seyfried Family – Lord’s Chamber)
”Shin. You’ll be seven soon. Time to enter Alys Magic Academy.”
”I refuse! Please, Father, if I must study, send me to the Oiran School in Edo Lands instead! I hear it’s… fascinating. Very… educational.”
Fox girls in yukata, catfolk students bursting with enthusiasm—it’s a sight to die for, right? My eyes wouldn’t know where to look. Ah, such beauty surely awaits me there!
”You will not attend that academy just yet. Instead, Shin—buy a house somewhere in the royal capital and live there. Think of your future.” Father’s tone left no room for laughter.
”…Excuse me? Buy a house? What kind of joke is that, Father?” I blinked. Maybe the old man’s gone soft—peace really does strange things to people.
”Don’t look at me like I’m some senile fool, Shin.”
”Well, it’s just—you’ve been all floaty lately, ever since you started writing letters to Mother. I’m worried.”
”I am not floating,” he replied flatly. “Now, to the real issue.”
Ah, there it is—deflection. He’s definitely embarrassed. Like father, like son, I guess.
But seriously, why tell me to buy a house out of nowhere?
”After last summer’s chaos, I started thinking about the family’s future. Have you seen how Saghir’s been growing?”
”I see nothing but a walking doomsday flag for the Seyfried Family.”
I have no interest in inheriting this Duke mess anyway. My dream’s to vanish into the frontier and live the slow life, you know?
”Flag?” Father muttered. “Well, perhaps so. I intend to pass the title to my brother, Karios, once I retire.”
”Oh, so that’s your plan. Makes sense.”
Uncle Karios—currently killing it in the capital’s royal administration. Sharp, single, and a total workaholic. The very definition of a noble bachelor.
”Until you and Saghir mature, Karios will manage the family affairs.”
Saghir—immature? He’ll be an adult in five years! But sure, let’s roll with that.
”And this relates to me buying property how?”
”Well,” Father hesitated, “I haven’t yet told that pi—Saghir—about this arrangement.”
Wow. He almost said ‘pig.’ Poor Elder Brother.
”If I tell him, he’ll make noise and start rallying supporters from within the family. Eventually he’ll target you, claiming you’re the true heir, and start seizing your wealth.”
”Oh, yeah. That’s exactly something he’d do.”
Saghir runs on pure momentum and zero planning. Predictable chaos incarnate.
”So,” Father continued, “if you’re moving near the Alys Magic Academy next month, buy the mansion now while prices are still low. Within a few years, costs will skyrocket—land, goods, everything.”
”Skyrocket, huh?”
Father wasn’t wrong. He’d predicted monster uprisings and even that ghost panic in the capital before they happened. The man’s basically a prophetic realist. So yeah, if he says ‘buy,’ I’m buying.
”Understood. Then… you’ll provide the funds, right?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Funny. I hear you’ve done quite well trading grains, brewing that ‘gin,’ and even dabbling in the so-called alcohol market. And you’ve made… interesting friends in the black market, hm?”
His eyes sharpened like daggers. A bead of sweat rolled down my temple. “Wh-who told you that? I—I have no money at all!”
”If you wish to dabble in such ventures, fine. I’ll even ignore your gold mine holdings. But use that wealth. Build your own household and prosper under your own name. From next month, you’re officially independent.”
Ah. So this is a power play. He’s trimming my fortune before it grows into a family scandal. Also, a neat way to keep the brother from sinking his hands into my assets. Typical noble logic.
Maybe someone higher up in the family whispered this ‘independence’ idea to him. Either way, not a bad deal. Forced, but survivable.
”Oh, and I’m assigning you a guardian in the capital—your magic instructor, Raichi. Consult them for anything.”
(‘Pleasure’s mine, Shiiin~ my dear master!’)
…Was that… a host-crazy voice from outside the door? No, no, just my imagination.
”I decline,” I said flatly.
”Very well. Then they’ll simply find lodging elsewhere. Knowing them, they’ll probably live in a sewer and still call it luxury.”
(‘From now on, we’re partners in destiny, Shin-sama! Heh-heh-heh!’)
Nope. Not imagination. Definitely real. And horrifying.
”I said no, really! If I need a guardian, make it Orphen-san. He’s the best.”
”Orphen? Impossible. He’s my butler,” Father snapped, then softened. “Don’t worry—Raichi may be eccentric, but that one is a first-class instructor. They’ll guide you and Alexia-jousama well at the academy.”
Why can’t I have Orphen? He’s human rights in butler form! Instead, I get Raichi the Cursed Host. Wonderful.
Why are Father and I even fighting over Orphen-san? Is he secretly the protagonist of an otome game? The man’s practically a walking ‘nice middle-aged gentleman’ archetype.
(‘Please, take me to the capital, ssu! There’s no one left in Seyfried Territory to toss coins my way, Shin-danna!’)
What the hell, Raichi? Did they borrow money from every villager in town? They’ve only been around a year! Just how much chaos can one person compress into twelve months?
Ugh… Father and Brother share one trait—they both bulldoze through conversations. My protests don’t even register.
”Wait—you’re just dumping that walking disaster, Master Raichi, into the capital, aren’t you?” I accused.
”Only until they’re disposed of there,” Father replied without hesitation. “After that, they’ll find another host to leech off of. Survival instinct like their always prevails.”
He said disposed. How bad did Raichi screw up to earn that level of casual abandonment?
”Fine, I’ll… take care of them until they’re safely dumped,” I muttered.
(‘Forever yours, Shin-danna~ eheh!’)
Okay, it’s terrifying. Why do they sound so cheerful about lifelong parasitism?
”Once the mansion’s bought,” Father continued, “Alexia-sama, Layla-sama, and their attendants will live with you. Protect them under the Seyfried name. Use this to conceal the estate—warding, barriers, magical defense, all of it.”
”W-wait! Too many orders, Father! I can’t process them all!”
* * *
And just like that, my father shoved a mountain of responsibility into my small, trembling hands. He even said Grandpa Merlin trained him this way, so apparently, this is family tradition. Great.
So yeah… I ended up buying a few extra houses too. Just in case.
”Shin-kun, that’s amazing! I thought you were broke!” Alexia’s eyes sparkled.
If only she knew about my loyal trio of monthly donors—’Sympathetic Saint Supporters,’ or SSS for short. Some secrets are best buried.
”Well, it worked out,” I said, flexing a grin. “Each building has barriers, disruption wards, and timed teleport links. Never thought my training would come in handy for real estate management.”
”Yay! Thanks to you, Shin-kun, we’ve gotten stronger! I can’t wait to start at the academy next month!”
Alexia pointed toward the shimmering towers of Alys Magic Academy in the distance. Her smile outshone the city’s sunlight.
We’ll live in the mansion, but academy life means weekdays in dorms and weekends back home. Honestly, the estate’s becoming more like a staff dorm—Alexia’s servants, and my soon-to-be helpers like Meryu-chan, will stay there too.
And now… we’ve finally reached it—the stage of ‘Maidens x Cross-dressing.’
Here, the heroine Alexia is supposed to study swordsmanship and magic, meet dozens of charming girls, fall in love, defeat villains like me… and end up blissfully happy.
”Shin-kun!”
”Yes? What is it, Alexia?”
In the game, she was a boy-hating cross-dressing heroine, a silver-haired prince among girls. But right now, she was smiling, twirling in a spring dress.
”Look! It’s the new collection! Cute, right?”
”Yes—adorable. Truly suits you, Alexia.”
”Hehe~ thank you, Shin-kun! Hug~!”
She wrapped her arms around me, warm and soft. Wait… shouldn’t she be the boy-hating type by now? Why’s she turning more girlish by the day?
Seven months since Brother’s disaster banquet, and Alexia’s blossomed—makeup, new clothes, that sparkle in her eyes. She’s not the stoic prince of the game anymore. She’s the heroine of real life.
Huh? So… if she’s this comfy with guys—me in particular—then doesn’t that mean she’s… not going to fall for the other girls?
Wait. Oh no. Oh no. This might be the worldline where she doesn’t go all yuri-yuri with the heroines.
”What should I do? What happens now at Alys Magic Academy, Alexia?”
”Hmm? We’ll make lots of happy memories together, Shin-kun. Lots and lots!”
And with that dazzling smile, she pretty much confirmed my doom. The otome plot was derailed, destiny rewritten—and I, apparently, was the new route’s final boss and love interest.
Notes:
• Albion Empire – A nation to the east of Regain where dragonkind is revered as divine. It is currently locked in “bloody, territorial chaos” with the new Demon King’s forces in Schwert.
• Schwert – A vast, fertile land located north of Regain that has recently been seized by the new Demon King.
• Melektorc Theocracy – A nation in the east, noted for being the origin of the “super masochistic” character, Lala-chan.
• Syrellus – An allied nation to the west of Regain, serving as an “asylum for researchers who went just a little too mad for normal academia.”
• Karios – Shin’s uncle and the Duke’s brother, described as a sharp, single, and workaholic noble bachelor. He is the person the Duke intends to assign the family title to once he retires, replacing Saghir as the family head.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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