I Have a Stalker of Noble Status. And to Make Matters Worse, their Numbers are Increasing (BL) - Chapter 5

Lord Maxwell’s shockingly intense opening punch nearly sent my consciousness spiraling into another world, but I somehow managed to stay grounded.

I have a territory to protect back home and adorable younger brothers to look after.

For now, based on what I managed to understand from Lord Maxwell’s long-winded explanation, here’s the summary:

First, the “otome game.”

Apparently, this is a type of game where the player takes on the role of the heroine and experiences various romantic storylines with a cast of handsome love interests.

And then there’s ‘Academy Prince Labyrinth! Love is Capricious, Mystery♡’ (henceforth referred to as PriLabi), which is supposedly a pioneering title in the otome game genre.

Otome games are now a firmly established genre (apparently—I wouldn’t know), but when they were first developed, they were considered nothing more than a gimmick.

To make things worse, PriLabi was created by a game studio famous for hardcore historical simulation games, causing a massive stir in the industry at the time.

Clearly, this was a deeply personal and nostalgic topic for Lord Maxwell, as he enthusiastically launched into an impassioned speech, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

I think I understand now.

I once read a memoir by a reincarnator, and according to them—this is what they call an ‘otaku.’

Incidentally, I also learned that some write it as “wotaku” instead, though I have no idea what the difference is.

The knowledge of reincarnators runs deep.

Now, onto the important part—what exactly is PriLabi about?

Surprisingly, the heroine of the game is a commoner girl who awakens to her powers as a saintess.

I stiffened at the realization.

That sounds… eerily similar to what Lord Raymond had been talking about.

The game’s main story begins when the heroine, having awakened her saintess powers, transfers into an elite academy in the royal capital, where only the most talented students are admitted.

In other words… that means this Edelstein Academy.

From there, the heroine navigates romance, school life… and adventure?

Wait. Adventure?!

“Um, Lord Maxwell… When you say ‘adventure,’ what exactly do you mean?”

“Oh, this game has a full-fledged battle simulation segment. The mechanics are quite solid and rewarding! As expected from a studio renowned for historical strategy games, the combat requires actual tactics. You can’t just rely on high stats—relationship levels with the love interests also come into play… and the outcome of these battles even affects the main story…”

…He flipped the switch again.

Yeah.

From now on, I’ll be calling this the Otaku Switch.

But more importantly—a battle segment? That sounds ominous.

As I continued listening, it became clear that the heroine strengthens her saintess powers by leveling up through battle encounters.

So… while managing her school life, she also has to work part-time (where she meets additional love interests, apparently), go on adventures, and grind for experience points?

Isn’t she… way too busy?

At this rate, she’s going to work herself to death.

“Um, Lord Maxwell…?”

“Hahh… Hahh… What is it?” (He was breathless from talking so much.)

“What happens if she doesn’t level up?”

“The Demon King revives, and it’s a Bad End.”

“AAAAAHHHHH?!”

“However, if the heroine maxes out at least one love interest’s affection, she can defeat the revived Demon King with the power of love in the ending.”

…

I don’t know where to begin with this information.

“Please don’t treat the Demon King like some kind of romantic seasoning!”

“Well, it is an otome game, after all…”

But to me, this world is undeniably real!!

“Phew, I got a little carried away there. Anyway, you understand now, right? If the scenario is disrupted too much, it could literally put the entire world in danger.”

Yes.

I now fully understand that none of this makes any sense.

To put it simply—this is completely irrational!!

As much as I don’t want to believe either Lord Raymond’s or Lord Maxwell’s bizarre claims, the way their stories fit together uncomfortably well is making me uneasy.

…Wait. No way.

“Um, just a thought, but… does Lady Violetta appear in PriLabi?”

Since she’s a noblewoman, I doubt she would be a love interest, but still…

“Of course she does. She appears in every route—because she’s the ‘villainess’ of the story.”

Ahhhhh.

I don’t fully understand all of this, but if Lady Violetta is always doomed to a tragic fate, then this so-called “scenario” is definitely responsible!

“So… does that mean Lady Violetta’s fate always ends in a Bad End?”

“Obviously! She’s the villain, after all. Her endings are always tragic—execution, exile, corruption, imprisonment… oh, there’s even a route where she becomes the Demon King’s servant.”

That’s way too cruel!!

“Um… is there, by any chance, a route where she doesn’t meet a terrible fate…?”

I asked hesitantly, and in that instant, Lord Maxwell’s demeanor completely changed.

“Why do you want to know that? Don’t tell me… you’re trying to alter the scenario?”

A menacing GOGOGOGOGO… aura seemed to radiate from Lord Maxwell, his silver-rimmed glasses flashing ominously.

Ahhhhhh, terrifying terrifying terrifying.

“N-no! That’s not it! I just, um, thought—wouldn’t it be interesting to explore an unlikely route? You know, an All-Complete kind of thing?!”

I vaguely remember reading in a reincarnator’s memoir that “otaku strive for full completion.”

I don’t fully understand what that means, but I’m clinging to it for dear life!

“Patrick, you actually get it, don’t you?! Even if you’re not a reincarnator, you have potential!”

Beaming with excitement, Lord Maxwell suddenly did a complete 180, enthusiastically slapping me on the back before dramatically declaring:

“There is a route where the villainess is saved! It’s an ultra-high-difficulty ending, known as the legendary ‘Eternal True End!’ …Even in my past life, I never managed to reach it!”

…I have a very bad feeling about this.

Maybe I shouldn’t have asked.