episode_0044

“Why is that? Is it because you think my sister is not good enough as a bride?”

The boy, disappointed that my reaction was taken as rejection, soon began to ramble about his older sister’s strengths and weaknesses.

“New, think about it! Our sister is the most beautiful woman in the empire, and she is even the crown princess who will inherit the throne! If you marry our sister, you will become the national treasure of this country!”

“Is this a letter from the country?”

“Of course I know! Sister, you have a strong personality! Once you get married, you’ll be the type to hold on to your husband tightly! If you like mature women, you might not be a good fit!”

The prince kept his mouth shut as if he was trying to come up with an excuse. Soon, he spoke in a firm tone.

“But, yes! As the servants say, isn’t there a saying in the world like this! Men tend to be like women, and women tend to be like men!”

… … Are you a 60-year-old grandfather? Who the hell gave you that saying?

“Your Majesty. Please calm down for a moment. It would be better to cool your head a bit and then speak… … ”

“Okay, think about it carefully! The conditions are perfect, so shouldn’t we adjust our tastes after getting married? Okay?”

Lime colored eyes that were now spinning round and round to a somewhat pitiful degree.

It seemed as if the great writer would like to be accepted as the son-in-law of the Clausewitz family.

‘Was the Cthulhu Mythos that impressive?’

Well, as a horror fanatic, if I fainted, I would probably just want to feed the author some dumplings.

But even so, I never thought he would try to negotiate using his older sister as a reward.

Who do you think is behind this mask? You have no idea who it is, what it looks like, or its personality?

I was about to say something when I saw that the little boy was excited, but seemed to be overly excited.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, a cold voice mixed with laughter was heard from behind me.

“I came running because you said you fainted. You’re telling an interesting story, aren’t you, Aww?”

“Hic?! Who, sis!”

Diana von Clausewitz, Crown Princess of the Holy Empire and the older sister of Prince Wolfgang, was smiling with her arms folded.

… … But that smile was no ordinary smile.

“But what about you, Wolfgang?”

Without losing composure, but at the same time hiding a sharp dagger like a thorn.

It was the proud anger of a female cat baring her fangs and claws at the sight of her prey.

“Why are you trying to decide this sister’s wedding on your own?”

“Ugh, uh, that, that, that… … ”

The prince’s pupils vibrated as if an earthquake had occurred. It seemed as if he had finally realized what slip of the tongue he had been repeating.

A stray cat that literally looks like a mouse meeting a cat.

… … Watching this, I sighed and defended the little boy.

“Your Highness, please hold on tight. Your Highness has just woken up and is still quite confused.”

“Huh?”

“The story just now was all a dream-like aftereffect of fainting. I carelessly invited Your Majesty to a horror play, so please do not scold me.”

“P, Phantom… … !”

A 13-year-old boy with bright eyes, who seemed very moved by my actions.

At that moment, Princess Diana slowly uncrossed her arms.

Her glossy blonde hair flowed gently over her sensuous body.

“Really? That’s what I’m saying?”

The next moment, a charming smile bloomed on the princess’s lips like a sunflower.

“Then I guess I should scold you instead of your brother. Right, Wolfgang?”

“Huh?!”

The prince’s face suddenly became like a bolt from the blue.

Then the princess looked at her younger sister with a sly look and added.

“Didn’t you just say it was all Phantom’s fault? Then of course Phantom should be the one getting scolded. That makes sense, doesn’t it?”

“Ah, ah, no… … Sister, if you take it that way… … ”

“What are you doing? Get out of the room, Phantom.”

The princess elegantly turns her back, refreshingly ignoring her bewildered younger brother.

And then he walked leisurely, as if he was going to die, and made a fuss.

“You better be prepared to get a really bad scolding. I’m really angry right now.”

“Who, Sister! Wait a minute! It’s a misunderstanding! Sister! It’s Sister-!!”

Prince Wolfgang is floundering around, unable to do anything, as if there is a calculation error in his accident circuit.

Turning my back on him, I also obediently left the room as the princess had commanded.

“So? How do you want to get in trouble, Phantom?”

The terrace of the palace reached after leaving the prince’s room.

The princess asks while basking in the sun on the balcony located in a sunny spot.

To this I shrugged my shoulders and replied.

“Well? I don’t really want to get in trouble.”

“Oh? Are you insulting me, the Crown Princess, right now?”

No, it’s humiliating and self-deprecating.

“Aren’t you teasing His Highness too much? You were acting all flustered, thinking I was really being punished. You just regained consciousness.”

“Hehehe. If a younger sibling messes with an older sibling, they should be punished to that extent. Because they dared to sell the crown princess who was supposed to inherit the throne.”

Lime-colored eyes looking at me, filled with a cheerful smile. It seemed as if there was no eye for my younger brother, and no intention of putting on airs.

Looking at this, I asked a question I had always wanted to ask.

“But what is that outfit, Your Majesty? I’m sorry, but no matter how I look at it… … ”

“Ah, as expected. Since he’s the original author, he recognizes it right away.”

The princess playfully lifted the hem of her skirt and raised the corners of her lips.

“How is it? Does it suit you? I tried on the heroine’s outfit from Madou Workshop Times.”

The outfit worn by the heroine ‘Gammin’ at the end of Charlie Chaplin’s masterpiece, .

A flower-decorated hat, a dainty ribbon around the neck, and a body-hugging dress.

Just looking at her appearance, she is not an arrogant princess, but a gorgeous and lovely city girl.

‘Have you been into character cosplay since Cleopatra?’

He looked at this closely and replied with a hollow laugh.

“What clothes would not suit Your Majesty?”

This is not an empty promise.

In fact, Diana was a woman so sophisticated that she could pull off any outfit.

The face is beautiful, the posture is great, and every movement is graceful.

If only his personality had been a little less vixen-like, he would have been perfect.

“I heard the news. This time, the Cthulhu Mythos was made as a birthday present for my little brother?”

Then Diana tilted her head slightly to the side and asked.

“I wonder. My birthday is coming up soon. So will you give me something like Wolfgang?”

“… … Would you like a birthday present from me?”

“That’s the way it is between siblings. If one side gets something, jealousy is bound to arise.”

“Oh, I see.”

I thought that it certainly could be the case.

Even if you’re close, siblings are still siblings. If there’s something you can’t receive, you’ll feel resentful.

Because my twin nephews who I played with in my past life also showed similar aspects.

“What would Her Highness the Princess wish for? A chance to choose the theme of the next work, just like Her Highness the Prince? Since the premiere of the Cthulhu Mythos has already been completed, it is time to start planning.”

“No? I’m not really interested in that kind of thing. Rather than that… … ”

The princess’s slender arms slowly rising upwards.

Then her right index finger quietly touches my chin.

A moment when a sweet scent like sweet fruit lingers in the tip of the nose.

“When you finish your next work, how about going on a date with me? Without any escorts or attendants, just the princess and the phantom, just the two of you.”

“Yes… … ?”

Date? You mean the date I know?

“Are you serious? Or are you joking?”

“Huh, well? Which one will it be? Think about it, Phantom.”

After finishing speaking, the princess turned her back on me and walked away to the other side of the hallway.

I was lost in confusion as I watched the elegance that permeated every step.

This must be a joke, right?

Yeah, but did he really say that?

It’s probably just some bullshit you threw out to tease me, like the countless teasing exchanges we’ve had in letters.

The day after I visited the palace due to the prince’s fainting problem.

“Sanchifinch Sanchifinch~ ♫”

The theme song of a Japanese anime that is a moe adaptation of the original .

I hummed along and walked with light steps.

The place I’m heading to now is the Vanderbühne Theater.

Didn’t the unfortunate event of the prince falling under the extreme roof occur?

I’m on my way to personally tell you what happens next, as you all need to know.

“Shanti Shanti curry curry~ ♬”

A song by Nora Jo that deserves to be included in the famous song .

I entered the Vanderbühne tent, singing a parody tune that only those in the know would know.

And the next moment.

“Wow, here we come!”

“Okay, okay, okay, I made a mistake! Please forgive me! ”

“Please, look at me! I didn’t mean to-!!”

The members who had been waiting with discouraged expressions came and lined up and struck the dogeza all at once.

From the leader Fluffy, to the apprentice witch Morgan in charge of the device, and many other subhumans all at once.

“Oh, oh, it wasn’t intentional! We are lowly wandering idiots! We had no intention whatsoever of harming His Highness the Crown Prince!”

“Ma, that’s right! We’re just day laborers who live hand to mouth, so why would we plot a rebellion! That was really an accident-!!”

“Mo, it’s all my fault for directing the play too scary! If you’re going to execute me, kill only the leader, Fluffy, as an example! Forgive the rest of the members!”

“Oh, no! If you think about it, it’s more my fault for mixing the hypnotic spell too effectively! Whoa, whoa, if you want, I’ll offer up my humble body as an apprentice witch, so please have mercy… … !!”

Fluffy, who is sincerely repenting his sins by rubbing his forehead.

Morgan is ready to take off his clothes and atone for his sins with his body if he is told to do so.

I opened my mouth hurriedly as I looked at them.

“Captain? It’s me, Phantom. I’m not a messenger from the royal family.”

“Oh! You were the Phantom writer… … !”

Only then did the members slowly rise from their seats in relief. They seemed to be terrified that the guards would storm in at any moment.

Fluffy asked cautiously, watching me closely.

“How is His Highness the Prince? Is there anything seriously wrong?”

“Nothing. Don’t worry, I just lost consciousness from being surprised.”

He stroked the mask on his face and spoke in the most gentle tone possible.

“And the Imperial Family will not punish the Vandebuhne Troupe for this incident. The primary responsibility for this situation lies with His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Is this true? Can I go about my business with peace of mind?”

“Of course. I can guarantee that as a candidate for the Warrior of the Pen.”

Fluffy sat down with a thud, as if the tension had been relieved by my words.

Morgan, who had been standing next to him, collapses to the floor and begins breathing heavily.

The reactions of the remaining members were also generally similar to these two.

“But everyone? I have something urgent to tell you.”

For them, he took out the news he had brought from the palace, his voice hoarse.

“Listen up without being surprised. Regarding this performance, His Royal Highness Prince Wolfgang… … ”

“Eek?! Hey, was it a white lie that I told you to be at ease? Is His Highness the Prince angry and coming to get us!”

“Gyaaak, no! I apologize! I won’t feel sincerity if I do it the usual way, so get ready to apologize naked without a single thread on-!!”

“No! That’s not it! Don’t be scared!”

Calming down the panic that had spread again, I took a card out of my bosom.

It was a type of small proof document coated with a translucent, high-quality material on paper.

“This is a gift from His Highness the Prince to the Vandebuhne Troupe. He said that he really enjoyed this Cthulhu Mythos performance and that he hopes for Vandebuhne’s endless development in the future.”

“Gifts?”

“A gift? What kind of gift have you given us?”

At this, I smiled and handed the card to the manager, Fluffy, and said.

“This is a free teleportation ticket. It is valid for a lifetime. It can be used not only by the troupe but also by individual members.”

“Heek?!”

“Teleportation Jin Free Ride?!”

The leader and members look at each other in shock and lose their minds.

It seemed like it was hard to tell whether the current situation was a dream or reality.

Teleportation is a means of transportation that has been strictly controlled by the imperial court since ancient times.

The review process and conditions for obtaining a permit are also quite strict.

Isn’t this a passage normally only allowed to government officials and wealthy nobles?

But to have such a privilege granted to a group of lowly races? This must be quite shocking.

“He left a message to use it freely so that you will not have any difficulties in moving around the country in the future. So, you should be grateful for His Highness the Prince’s grace and continue to devote yourself to puppetry. Do you understand?”

“Is this really ours? Is this not a joke or a prank, is this a real situation?”

“That’s disappointing. Do I look like someone who would joke about something like this, Captain? Of course it’s a real situation.”

“… … ”

A heavy silence came for a moment.

A silence followed, with neither I, Captain Fluffy, nor the members opening their mouths.

What broke the silence was none other than the captain’s emotional cries.

“Ugh, black… … ”

Tear tear tear. Tears welling up in Fluffy’s eyes.

After standing there for a while, she wiped her eyes and said.

“Thank you! Thank you so much, Phantom! ”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“All of this is thanks to the Cthulhu Mythos script that Phantom wrote! Thanks to Phantom, we can proudly receive these gifts!”

The leader of the traveling troupe smiles, his shoulders shaking.

It was a beautiful smile, full of both excitement and happiness.

“Of course, the treatment we receive will not change dramatically overnight! However, however, I am glad that we, the wanderers, have finally been recognized as proud members of the empire! This favor is something I will never forget until the day I die!”

“That’s right! Thank you, Phantom Author!”

“You are our benefactor! Hahahaha!”

“Oh my, oh my! Oh, oh, you are truly a great writer! You have bestowed such great favor on our Vanderbühne with a new, new work… … !”

The Ainz race members all rejoice together, agreeing with the leader’s excitement.

I couldn’t help but laugh as I looked at the members who were so diverse.

‘If you think about it, Lovecraft himself was said to be a pretty extreme racist.’

Cosmism, the fear of the unknown and destruction, is somewhat connected to racist thinking.

People and societies from other civilizations with completely different cultures from Western white society.

Because disgust and wariness toward this are one of the representative themes of Lovecraft’s works.

In fact, he was a strong believer in Jewish conspiracy theories, advocated strict racial segregation policies to prevent social collapse, and criticized blacks as an inferior species that polluted the bloodline of Western society.

But, by the standards of this other world, the subhuman races such as orcs and beastmen, who are the very targets of discrimination, have come to embody the essence of horror that Lovecraft pursued.

Could this be the ironic fear mentioned in his work, ‘The Forbidden Mansion’?

Although there were incidents where several people fainted, Phantom’s new work, , continued to be performed without any major problems.

The fact that several horror enthusiasts, including Prince Wolfgang, who is famous for being a horror enthusiast, have fallen out actually served as noise marketing.

Thanks to this, the Vanderbühne troupe enjoyed great success in the capital for a while.

Because we obtained data from the premiere, which set the fear threshold too high, we provided customized services based on the audience’s tendencies.

A spicy version that only true horror experts can enter.

It is divided into a mild version for the general public who want to enjoy a moderate amount of horror.

… … But that doesn’t mean the accident from the premiere didn’t happen again.

“Bhegeuk, flowing!”

“Move outside quickly! We need to take measures to prevent airway obstruction!”

“Kihihihi, hihihi! Cow, honestly, I think Cthulhu is weaker than Hastur… … !”

“What do you mean, pink elephant?”

“What are these people talking about? Send them to the priests quickly!”

Every time the curtain rose on the , patients would appear frequently.

Needless to say, there were many people who fainted even among the regular people who found the mild flavor ridiculous, let alone the spicy version.

Even, sometimes, there are cases where the emergency team waiting behind the scenes collapses after watching the performance.

It was a series of crazy events where if two people went in, four would come out.

“Damn it! What a struggle it is every time I perform the Cthulhu Mythos!”

◦ Fuck, have you been a new guy again?!

“Ah, the patient is being copied!”

Day after day, all sorts of incidents occurred in the capital due to the .

… … Suddenly, rumors of unknown origin began to circulate on the streets.

“The Necronomicon is a real grimoire!”

“Howard Phillips Lovecraft is a real person, not a fictional character!”

A truly strange rumor, half false and half true.