Otherworld TRPG Game Master

175 – S3.5. Lily Masquerade + Path of Annihilation -4

Knock knock knock.

With the knock, the voices of women echoed.

“Your Highness, we have arrived. We bring a new encounter, coupled with the usual familiarity.”

A new encounter. That must mean her, the one he had locked eyes with by the window. Just that brief eye contact had lifted and dropped his heart.

Prince Sledo’s entire body tensed up. He was nervous.

Even from a distance, his gaze was intense, but up close. Could he maintain his cool composure?

He felt a flutter of excitement followed by a slight fear.

However, he couldn’t dismiss the ladies outside his door. They were necessary for him to fall asleep. Sledo tried to steady his trembling voice as he said,

“…Come in, come in.”

No sooner had he replied than the door creaked open lightly.

A succubus bowed politely, not in homage to Sledo, but to elevate the black-haired woman following her.

The woman accepted the gesture as if accustomed to being served. Her jet-black hair seemed to absorb all color, swaying with her every move, captivating Sledo’s gaze.

How could one describe her presence?

Her eyes, her stride, every part of her was beautiful. Noble and enchanting. It stirred a man’s instincts without being vulgar. Like admiring a sculpture meticulously carved by a master.

It was like beholding a being from another dimension.

Her lips, previously curved in a faint smile, parted, and a clear, melodious voice flowed out.

“Nice to meet you, Third Prince. You may call me a ‘court lady.'”

“…Court lady.”

Only then did Sledo realize that the woman he had seen from afar was now very close.

But once the view cleared, and he saw the strange exchange of glances between the court lady and her following succubi.

“Miss. You are Prince Sledo, aren’t you?”

“I was too hasty… I should have waited for an introduction. Will you forgive me for stealing your role? Yuri.”

“Of course. If you allow me to serve you more in the future.”

“That’s exactly what I’m hoping for.”

They seemed to fit together like a painting. That’s how it felt.

—

The players are entering.

The goal of this scene is to extract information from the Third Prince and, if necessary, to subdue him.

I could deliver a chair shot right now and forcibly extract the information… but Elaine and Irid have an inner closeness to me. If possible, I wanted to fix this guy’s mentality and send him back in good shape.

Let’s open up the conversation.

Disguised as succubi familiar with the Third Prince, Pinkballez and Blackballez, and me, with only TS fantasy magic activated.

I introduced a ‘succubus court lady’ to the stage for a reason: to use the fact that we’re strangers as a shield to smoothly gloss over any awkwardness.

For example, like this.

“Your Imperial Highness, I was curious when I heard you’d be joining us, so I came to visit. I hope my visit isn’t an intrusion?”

“No, no, it’s not like that. I mean, there’s no need for apologies… I’ve been receiving help regularly.”

The third prince answered hesitantly. Then, he glanced around the room and his eyes settled on the neatly arranged teacups in the cupboard.

He seemed to hesitate about whether to take one out himself. Considering he was rumored to be involved in drug trafficking, one would expect him to be more corrupted. But perhaps he’s more down-to-earth than I thought.

“What kind of help?”

“I’ve been undergoing sleep therapy. It’s hard for me to fall asleep…”

It would certainly look suspicious if the regular succubus visitor asked, ‘What shall we do now, Your Highness?’ One couldn’t forget such a thing unless they were struck with dementia.

But with a new face as a shield, things are much more comfortable.

Yuri Lannister agrees from the side.

“Yes, miss. We’ve been trying to ensure that the prince has pleasant dreams. Sleep is really important for skin beauty, you know.”

“Oh, is that so? Then, Yuri, do you have somnambulism?”

“Even in my dreams, I think of the lady, so there’s not much difference, is there?”

“We’ve been dreaming the same dream every night?”

A light exchange of banter.

I moved my gaze lightly around the room. There was a table and chairs. As I moved towards them, Yuri stepped forward and pulled out a chair for me.

Sitting demurely with Yuri’s assistance, I looked at the third prince with curious eyes.

“Shall we sit and talk? I have many stories I want to hear, including what kind of man the infamous third prince really is.”

“The lady doesn’t go out much, so she’s very curious. Please understand, Your Highness.”

It was Yuri’s assist. She was creating a semblance of similarity between the reclusive third prince and me, trying to add a touch of intimacy. Clever move.

“Is that so? I see. That’s similar to me…”

“Wow, you’re right! Your skin and mine seem similar. Side by side like this…”

I reached out and gently pulled the third prince’s hand to place it next to mine. I subtly adjusted our skin tones to match even more closely with a clever illusion spell.

“Yes, indeed. It’s quite similar.”

“Oh, you have a mole on your chest. I have one too. We’ve already found two things in common, haven’t we?”

“…………”

“Perhaps, we have more in common than we thought. We’re so alike, aren’t we? If you’re not too busy, I’d like to get to know you better.”

I injected a bit more strength into the hand I had pulled. The third prince was frozen, like a mouse caught by a hawk.

At that moment, Yuri took my hand and quietly led it away. A faint hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes. She whispered softly.

“The prince is troubled, miss. You shouldn’t hold his hand like that.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Maybe I got a little carried away…”

I smiled sheepishly, yet there was a sense of delight in being the object of her jealousy. My eyes sparkled with a mischievous thrill.

And with her palm, he carefully poked at her hand, asking subtly.

“That’s right, isn’t it? Unless we’re extremely close, we shouldn’t hold hands, ⋯⋯?”

“Yes, miss. Unless we’re like lovers, we shouldn’t.”

“Hmm⋯⋯.”

He moved his hand, inserting his fingers between her fingers, and grasped her hand as if they had always been together. He shook it gently.

This is like being a couple.

Then, Yu-ri smiled awkwardly, as if she was embarrassed. It was because she was in a situation of secret love.

I was holding her hand freely, as if I was used to it, and then I let go lightly, like a butterfly fluttering its wings. But I left a hint of reluctance in the lingering touch of my fingers.

When someone gets what they want and then loses it, they crave it even more intensely.

Yu-ri intervened to take away the attention of the elegant young woman who was interested in him. She redirected the direction of her attention towards him.

The third prince felt uneasy about Yu-ri, and my plan was to make him even more deeply invested in the character I was playing. Moreover, Yu-ri was not disguising herself as the usual succubus that the third prince had met.

This was to heighten the antagonism towards the “existing succubus forces”.

At this timing, if I gave the impression that “I am different from them”, the third prince would become even more deeply immersed in the character I was playing.

I could harmonize like this without saying a word. I tapped Yu-ri’s thigh beneath the table, which was invisible to the naked eye. It was a gesture that meant “You’re doing well, aren’t you?”

Yu-ri moved her foot to subtly kick my shoe and responded with a silent “yes”.

Well, then let’s decide what to do next based on the third prince’s reaction. If the hate score towards Yu-ri was high, I would aim to create a rift in his heart, and if he was deeply invested, I would pull him into my trap⋯⋯.

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

What’s going on?

His expression is strange. What emotion is that, I wonder.

The third prince’s expression is ambiguous.

I can’t judge. It’s not just friendship, but it’s unclear. I need more information.

Yu-ri also seemed to be uncertain, so she leaned her head closer to my ear and whispered quietly.

“What’s going on, crazy magician?”

“I don’t know⋯⋯ Ufu, Yu-ri too. You don’t need to ask permission for something like that. Yes, make it beautiful. So beautiful that anyone will fall for it.”

“Yes, I’ll make it beautiful. Hair.”

“Good, that would be great.”

I threw out a response, and Yu-ri started to style her hair. The affectionate touch was imbued with a subtle atmosphere. You can feel the desire hidden in the gentle touch.

I laughed awkwardly, as if I was ticklish, and my body slightly trembled. Then, Yu-ri deliberately used a strange hand gesture to extinguish the mood.

“This is, ticklish.”

“Tickling is enjoyable, isn’t it? Miss is.”

“I know you enjoy being tickled too. I’ll forgive you, so go ahead and indulge.”

With those words, she stealthily glances at the Third Prince. His expression, it’s similar to Yuna’s when she’s cheering on a coupling. Yuri seems to have noticed it too.

Shall we test it? Yes, let’s.

Yuri deliberately trails her fingers down my neck, tickling me, and I let out a breathy chuckle, a slightly more blatant sign.

“…”

Why… Why does it seem like I enjoy flirting with Yuri more?

I feel a surge of irritation. Here I am, having crafted such a cute girl character, showcasing various talents, and yet this man shows no interest in my character, preferring yuri instead!!

Calm down. It’s not incomprehensible. Just like someone wouldn’t dare confess to a girl at the top of the caste, my character’s intense personality could have acted as a barrier.

Instead of thinking, ‘I need to get rid of that girl next to me and win,’ they might have simply given up, thinking, ‘She’s just nice to look at…’

Or maybe they’ve just always liked yuri from the start.

What’s done is done. If it’s not about seduction, then I need to take a different angle. Let’s drift, focusing on a core of empathy and intimacy.

“Your Highness, what do you enjoy doing usually?”

“Sleeping… I tend to sleep.”

“We’ve both had it tough, haven’t we?”

“……..”

“Even though we haven’t known each other for long… how about becoming friends? I’m fortunate to have Yuri, but you, Your Highness, seem terribly lonely.”

The declaration of friendship was made. The Third Prince, seemingly reminiscing about the past, sniffled and nodded his head.

It’s opened up. Let’s take it slow. Now gently turning the wheel, I’ll start from the tragic tales of the past and go all the way to the recent updates. More fragile-hearted than I thought. Easy.

BlackLez, who had been standing awkwardly behind, muttered,

“…Did you two plan this without me knowing?”

Yuri, from an angle cunningly hidden from view, kicked BlackLez’s shin. The control of variables was a success.

—

In the end, he brought the teacup himself. He brewed the tea with a magical device and poured it. He prepared four cups. In doing so, he also served tea to Yuri and BlackLez, who were close to the position of attendants.

Considering how Irid’s personality improved after the session, perhaps the Third Prince’s initial character setting was on the kind side.

And then he began the story.

The life of the Third Prince was a series of contrived misfortunes.

On the day of the imperial audience, the Third Prince Sledo read the Emperor’s tender concern and steeled his heart. And he resolved.

He must become stronger. If he could become a superhuman capable of overcoming any obstacle, then he wouldn’t have to lose those he cherished.

To become a superhuman, to return to the times when his family was happy. He vowed to make it so.

Thus, he became obsessed with training, burning all his time to become stronger.

But after arriving at the Academy, everything started to go wrong.

Nothing seemed to work out. His loved ones departed miserably, and those who followed him began to keep their distance. In sparring, unexpected accidents led to injuries, and his skills did not improve.

It was as if fate itself was imposing pain and failure upon him.

The terrible misfortune he experienced in his childhood at the Huahua Palace seemed to continue unabated. That same sensation.

From noble mtl dot come

He was trapped in his room by learned helplessness. Nothing worked. There was nothing he could achieve. When effort isn’t rewarded, people break down.

After hearing this much, I couldn’t help but recall the report from the Second Prince.

The secret facility raid operation of the Red Flavor Duke’s house, where Roderus, Enverus, and Kim Lulu were deployed. There, they felt ‘fateful misfortune.’

According to the speculation of Magical Girl Odaesu, the metamorphosis of the Red Flavor Duke affects fate. If the dark sorcerer faction had set out to ruin the Third Prince, the story would make sense.

Those who had even created a hypnotic brainwashing statue would naturally know how to torment the mind with illusion magic.

Then, by deploying a succubus to shake his spirit,

And by driving the world’s scorn upon him with fateful misfortune,

Through the Academy’s magic circle, which had been functioning well until my arrival, they fueled despair.

It was a concerted attack, deliberately ruining the life of one man.

…The GM, harboring hatred, spun a distasteful TRPG, and I felt it resembled that.

—

The Third Prince muttered gloomily.

“…I, I wished for my family to get along. But Elaine and Irid are fighting over the throne, and now they’re targeting me too. Since it’s an unattainable dream, I have no choice but to sleep…”

“It must have hurt a lot…”

“That’s why. The sight of others getting along, it’s enviable. You’re lucky… to have someone like that.”

“……”

Is that it? A longing for people who get along well. Perhaps it wasn’t so much about liking yuri, but seeing it as a warm sisterly bond.

If that’s the case. In this situation. It might be okay to turn things upside down.

Alright, let’s flip it.

“…Your Highness, the Third Prince. If all this was the result of someone’s conspiracy… what would you think?”

“Miss! That’s…!!”

As soon as I started, Yuri followed suit. She understood immediately what I was painting. The Third Prince flustered with a look of panic.

“…What, what are you talking about?”

“Miss, no. No matter how pitiful the Third Prince is, that would be a betrayal to the Queen…!!”

“But, but Yuri. We can’t go on like this. Mother is on the wrong path. You know that…?”

“What are you really saying?”

This time, I kicked Blacklez’s shin.

It’s an impromptu setting.

I am the daughter of the Succubus Queen, cooperating with her, but in fact, I was being used without knowing that the Queen was committing such evil deeds. Or I knew but had been turning a blind eye all along.

But this incident made me feel a kinship with the Third Prince, and I decided that we can’t go on like this. So, I’m trying to become a whistleblower.

“…Listen carefully, Your Highness. The First Princess and the Second Prince… they’ve reconciled. They haven’t sent an assassin after you, nor do they harbor any grudges.”

“What, what…?”

“It’s true. I gleaned this information from a dream I spied on, and there’s no falsehood in it.”

“Miss…”

Yuri clung to my arm desperately. She too knew what fate would befall us if we defied the Succubus Queen.

But because she loves the noble lady, she can’t bear to stop her from walking a dangerous path… so she’s tormented. That’s the setting.

Yuri’s face was filled with confusion, while I held a firm resolve in my eyes. And a spoonful of innocence. To give a feeling of trustworthiness.

The Third Prince, listening to the exchange, seemed to finally guess the situation (or not).

“…Was I, was I being deceived? But why… would you tell me this truth?”

“We may have had but a brief encounter… but I know all too well the torment of being trapped in a dream. I understand how excruciating it can be.”

“…”

“Don’t be used, Your Highness. It’s time to wake up from the nightmare.”

Yes, the Third Prince must have felt it too. Why else would they be called dark wizards? They are cruel beings who crush human souls for their use.

He must have known there was no reason to help the Third Prince out of sheer goodwill. He was just looking away.

“Then… what should I do?”

“I’ll get you out of here. And at the academy… there are currently agents from the defense nation. Go to them, make contact.”

“But what if Elaine and Irid… if they were to…”

“Trust me. They really have no intention of harming you. Now, get up!”

He took the Third Prince’s hand and helped him up. Hesitant and staggering, he still followed the direction I led. It was time to make a swift escape.

The atmosphere was nailed with tension and unease, yet the eyes of someone doing the right thing… Yes, I borrowed the gaze of early Niore.

Determination is like fire; once you bask in its light, it spreads to those around you. The Third Prince mustered his courage, and halfway through, he began to walk on his own.

As I led him out of the mansion, a guard blocked our way.

“Halt! Why are you taking the Third Prince out?”

“He needs urgent treatment… which this mansion’s facilities can’t provide. We must go somewhere better.”

“What? But last time, you said everything we needed was in the mansion… Oh!”

I shoved the guard with all my might and shouted to the Third Prince.

“Run! To where the professor is!”

“But… what about you!”

“I am the daughter of the mother, the queen. I might get in big trouble, but I won’t die. Don’t worry, hurry!”

“What is this, a betrayal! The Third Prince is escaping!”

“Ah!”

I was pushed by the guard. The Third Prince hesitated, then turned his back and began to flee. It was an opportunity created by a brave succubus’s sacrifice. It couldn’t be wasted.

The Third Prince found his courage. They could have just let him live his life as it was, but they helped him following the conscience in their hearts.

So even with a body weakened from confinement and immobility, he ran desperately. And then he shouted.

“I will call for help. I will bring people!”

“…”

Is that so? Is he saying he will call for reinforcements to rescue him? I was inwardly satisfied. He was a human who wanted to properly return a favor once he received kindness.

Hearing the Third Prince’s shout, the guard yelled out.

“After him!”

“I can’t just leave it be! ‘Loss of Direction’!”

I cast an illusion spell on the guards patrolling the mansion. They scramble in confusion, running off in all the wrong directions. The guard’s face turns a mottled red as he draws his sword.

Yuri embraces me as I slump to the ground.

“…Miss.”

“…Yuri, I’m sorry. It’s all because of my stubbornness. But I just couldn’t stand by and do nothing.”

“No, it’s my fault for not stopping you, knowing full well what you’re like. When you begged to go outside, I should have flatly refused…”

“Take me away, Yuri. It was all my unilateral decision, so there’s no need for you to be punished.”

Desperately, we comfort each other. Such is the sadness of powerless justice. My eyes are tinged with guilt.

Then Yuri, as if to reassure me…

“…Cut?”

“Cut.”

The scene is over.

“What are you babbling about now── cough, ack!”

I trip the guard, scattering his balance, and Pinballez lands a left straight through the open guard.

Seeing this, Blacklez draws his whip with a sickened expression.

“…Is the act finally over?”

“Yeah, it’s over.”

“Crazy wizard. If you want to meet the Third Prince in his true form… we need to clean up this mess quickly, and get to the lab before anything else, right?”

“Right. Let’s get this done quickly.”

I stretch and release my transformation. The beautiful lady is gone, and in her place stands a gloomy man with black hair and red eyes. The guard, gasping from a blow to the solar plexus, looks utterly shocked.

Even if the sky were to suddenly fall, such an expression would not appear.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t shoot the kiss scene, crazy wizard.”

“The lead was the Third Prince, how could I have kissed you? We both knew it would just be leading on and nothing more, didn’t we?”

“I knew. Still, I hoped for it, even if it made no sense.”

“Your words are always so eloquent.”

Regrettable. It’s a bittersweet feeling.

I lick my lips and survey the surroundings. One by one, the troops caught in the illusion spell begin to come to their senses. Some of them seem to be black mages, preparing to extract souls.

We need to finish this quickly and return, so I plan to show my full power from the start.

Except for the Heart-Piercing Sword Technique. After the black mage self-destruction incident, I’ve decided to use it only when and where appropriate.

With a flick of my finger, I command.

Emerge from the sea of information, “Celestial Horse / Evil Deity.”

—

Boom!

“I, I am… *gasp*. I am the Third Prince of the Empire, Sledo Crown. Help, I need help!”

After a desperate run, the Third Prince, pale and breathless, called for reinforcements. He had to save the benefactor who had rescued him.

In response, the mage known as the Mad Wizard calmly spoke from beneath his hood.

“The Third Prince… I’ve heard much about you from the Second Prince. He mentioned that should you ever seek aid, he would personally cover the costs. What troubles you?”

So it is. Irid cared for me after all. It wasn’t him who sent the assassins. What they said was true. She truly was my savior.

In that case.

Clutching his chest, the Third Prince barely managed to wheeze out,

“The women who… who helped me escape are in danger. I must save them. But how…?”

Regaining his breath, the Third Prince alternated his gaze between the mage and the woman in a suit standing behind him.

They were both drenched in sweat, breathing heavily yet discreetly, as if they had run a great distance.

Before the prince could even ask, the two offered their excuses.

“…Ah, it’s just a bit hot. Please, pay it no mind.”

“…Yes. We tend to sweat a lot.”

The trio ran back the way they came.