Volume 1
Chapter 03 …
I was glad that the world’s power did not extend even to human emotions. Father had always been kind to me, and Noel—perhaps because she knew I had a brother with a dark attribute—was also gentler toward dark attribute users than most. As for Ryuka, he was far too free-spirited, to the point that he was trying to make me, someone who wasn’t even supposed to be a capture target, fall for him.
The reason I fell together with Ryuka in the fourth dungeon was probably because, among everyone there, I was the one who held the greatest favorability toward him. If you spend that much time doing requests together, eating dinner together, and going out together, it naturally becomes a level of fondness where you would at least consider the other person a friend.
Well… it is a little embarrassing that I, a man, might like Ryuka more than the heroines do. I wonder if he ever goes out with anyone else—or has sex with anyone else. …With that many women around him, he probably does.
In any case, in that scene, the protagonist is supposed to tend to the heroine who falls with him. In my case, the only way to create that situation was to drain Ryuka’s magic and make him collapse. That was probably why we were dropped into a natural layer where even the sky existed. As expected of this world’s will.
If the world’s power only applies inside dungeons, then there is no problem. But as the chapters progress, events begin to occur in towns as well.
If Ryuka assembling all the heroines according to the scenario is the will of the world…
And if that power extends even outside dungeons…
—Then I will die.
In the latter half of Chapter 9, Zagan clashes with a dark organization after clearing a dungeon. He fights five Dark Dragons they summon, but is killed and the six Star Fragments he collected are taken. The Dark Dragons also destroy a city before being defeated by the protagonists, causing many casualties.
Such a tragic future may become reality.
Of course, I do not want to die, so I will resist. I also want to prevent people from dying. However, at present, I have absolutely no connection to the dark organization. I do not even know what they are doing now. It would be dangerous to provoke them by searching blindly, so I can only observe for now.
—The “Dark Organization.” As the name suggests, it is a group made up of dark attribute users. People who have been persecuted since birth and denied existence itself.
In the Kingdom of Soleil, it is considered natural to persecute those with dark attributes. If someone with a dark attribute walks through town, people will immediately throw stones. They mock us when we are injured, and if we retaliate, they pretend to be victims. They will not allow us to kill anyone, yet if they kill dark attribute users, it is not considered a crime—in fact, they are praised for it.
This mindset has taken root due to a country that has nearly been destroyed multiple times by a wicked god.
That is why the dark organization seeks to destroy this country.
May 6 — Arrival at the Fifth City
We arrived at the Fifth City on May 6th. However, it was already around 4 p.m., an awkward time, and it was my first time here, so I had no idea where anything was.
Even after becoming an adventurer, I basically still lived in the Etoile Great Forest, so I had only visited neighboring towns a few times each. The only reason I hadn’t been troubled until now was because the major nearby cities were the 12th through 4th.
First, I checked the city information board near the outer gate, then headed to the Adventurers’ Guild. In every city, the guild is near the gate and is large, so it’s easy to find.
When I entered the building, at what was either perfect timing or unfortunate timing, Ryuka was there. When he spotted me, he ran over happily and hugged me.
“Zagan, you came to see me! I’m so happy!”
“I’m an adventurer. It’s only natural to come to the guild. I didn’t come to see you. And don’t hug me in public.”
“Then shall we go somewhere where there’s no public?”
“We’re not going.”
Smiling softly, Ryuka dragged me to the counter first and sold the unnecessary materials from monsters I had hunted along the way.
When I showed my guild card to the receptionist, she was extremely surprised. In the vast Kingdom of Soleil, there were maybe fewer than fifty S-rank adventurers. The moment she confirmed my name, her expression stiffened—as usual.
S-rank is rare because, unlike adventurers who can register freely, the kingdom’s knights and mages are carefully selected elites. Most military divisions are composed of nobles, and both knights and mages are prestigious professions that civilians aspire to—but only the strong can pass the exam. That is why true elites gather there.
After selling the materials and ordering lunch rations for the Star Fragment dungeon, I dragged Ryuka toward the quest board.
S-rank quests were only related to the Star Fragment dungeon. There didn’t seem to be anything urgent at A-rank either.
At G-rank, I noticed a request for cleaning a zoo.
A zoo, huh. I vaguely remembered a zoo date event in some character route… so there really is a zoo.
I returned to the counter and bought a guidebook for the Fifth City. Moving to a wall, I checked the map. It’s huge.
A carriage would be best. Even then, it would take an hour. There is a magic train, but unfortunately it doesn’t go near the zoo. A bicycle might be faster, but it’s not very adventurer-like, and my hood would fall off.
The zoo opens at 9 a.m.
“You want to go to the zoo?”
“Yeah… no, I’m just a little interested.”
Ryuka leaned in from behind, arms still wrapped around my waist, peeking under my hood.
Why does he insist on looking into my face like that? It makes me embarrassed. And he shouldn’t laugh softly in my ear just because my cheeks turned red.
“Zagan is cute. Then let’s go tomorrow. A zoo date from morning.”
“What? You’re going with me?”
“Eh? Is that bad?”
I was the one who was more surprised, yet he looked surprised in return. What about the heroines?
Even if my favorability had been the highest until last month, Lumière is a game where you raise affection within time limits while progressing the story, triggering individual events. Who is highest only matters occasionally.
Still… Ryuka should have deepened his bonds with the heroines after the fourth dungeon. He should be spending every night with them.
And yet…
“…Don’t you have companions? Aren’t you going with them?”
“They are companions, but not people I want to take on a date. They get hostile just because I’m a dark attribute user. Noel is the only one who doesn’t. She’s my childhood friend, so I would go if she invited me. But the only one I want to go on a date with is you, Zagan.”
What. He hasn’t even properly built relationships with any heroine? Is he not sleeping with them either? Even though he’s an eroge protagonist… No, maybe because he’s a prince, he’s restrained.
Still, Noel aside, the others’ favorability might be low. That’s dangerous.
“Zagan, are you worried? Or do you not want to go to the zoo with me?”
“No, it’s not that…”
I hurriedly shook my head.
“I just think you should maintain decent relationships with your companions. I’ve never had companions myself, so I can’t say for sure—but without trust, you can’t fight together effectively. And if coordination fails, it’s dangerous. More importantly… you wouldn’t even be able to beat me.”
I said it lightly, trying to push him toward building relationships.
Ryuka smiled a little awkwardly.
“Trust is important. I think we already have a good relationship, but about what happened with you… it was hard calming Noel down when she got angry. I’ll try to pay more attention so they don’t fight.”
Noel got angry? Why? Because they showed hostility toward me? Or something else?
“I see…”
I couldn’t ask further.
“Zagan, you really are kind. Thanks. Tomorrow, let’s go to the zoo together.”
“…Alright.”
The Next Morning
The weather was clear.
After washing up at the inn, I changed clothes.
Since this wasn’t a request outing but a proper date, I should dress accordingly. And it’s a zoo, so no weapons or cloak.
“…This will do.”
After thinking, I picked a loose black cat-eared hoodie I had impulsively bought in town.
It doesn’t look like Zagan’s usual style, but it doesn’t matter. It’s the zoo. I only own four outfits anyway, most of them black hoodies.
I pinned back my bangs with hairpins, exposing my forehead. No need for combat preparation.
In this world, clothing variety is greater than my previous life. Even outfits that would be cosplay back then are normal here as armor with defense stats. Some female adventurers wear extremely revealing gear, especially at higher ranks.
Miranda is exactly like that. Nina is thief-like, Camila a witch girl, Bennett a maid, Cindy a fantasy librarian, and Noel wears proper knight armor.
At 8:30 a.m., in front of the guild—
Ryuka was already there.
But… what is that guy? A Hollywood actor? Right, he’s a prince. Even in simple clothes, he sparkles.
When he noticed me, he froze… then suddenly hugged me.
“Cat-eared hoodie… that’s too much. Those oversized sleeves too. Why are you so cute today when you’re usually so cool? Are you trying to kill me?”
“I have no intention of killing you.”
“Natural… tsundere natural… that’s the strongest combination!”
What is wrong with him. I’m a man.
We went to the zoo by carriage.
The zoo was open and spacious, with no cages—only magical barriers separating animals. The barriers were transparent and absorbed impact, making it safe.
We walked along the route, observing animals. Small animals were especially cute.
While I was watching a hamster eat, my hand was suddenly taken.
Ryuka smiled gently.
“Everyone’s focused on the animals, right?”
…This social monster of a handsome guy.
I endured it, though it was embarrassing.
Even after leaving the section, he didn’t let go, drawing attention.
At lunch, we rode a jungle tram and saw lions, tigers, giraffes, and elephants up close. It was impressive.
While watching two tigers walk side by side, Ryuka suddenly kissed me, so I punched him in the stomach.
Afterward, we went to the souvenir shop.
I bought a white tiger plush, and Ryuka insisted on paying, but I refused. Eventually, I bought him a black cat leather keychain instead.
We exchanged gifts.
He smiled.
“It’s like you. Matching too. I’m happy.”
“…That wasn’t the intention.”
I forcibly attached the keychain to his bag myself.
Evening
On the way back, Ryuka insisted on having dinner together.
He dragged me to a hotel.
A luxury hotel reserved for nobles.
Ryuka casually ordered a suite with a large bed, bath, and meals.
“What are you doing?”
“Having dinner… and more.”
“…I’d rather not.”
He was clearly suggesting sex.
I refused.
But he insisted it was part of the date, including a “rematch” for the tent last time.
I protested about the luxury and public perception.
Ryuka pulled me closer, smiling softly.
“You saved me before. That means I’m alive because of you. So… don’t you understand what that means?”
“I don’t. To me, a life is a life.”
I said it bluntly.
He smiled happily.
“I really like that about you.”
“…Huh?”
He confessed.
Even though it was only early Chapter 5.
“I want to cherish you… eat together, bathe together, sleep in a big bed together, fill you with happiness… and make you mine.”
My heart pounded.
He kissed the top of my head.
Night
Dinner was luxurious.
A wyvern steak alone cost over 50,000 G. Everything was delicious. He fed me food, and I reluctantly fed him back.
Afterward, we bathed.
Ryuka entered the bath and hugged me from behind.
“Move away.”
“No. I want to touch you.”
