Nerves fluttered in my stomach as I took in the scene before me. Each woman present was strikingly beautiful, radiating a charm and elegance that made me question my place amongst them. “Could I truly belong in this group?” I wondered, my confidence wavering.
Marianne, the poised Countess of Armand, stepped forward to address us. “Welcome, everyone,” she began, her voice carrying a gentle authority. “I want to thank you all for accepting my invitation. We are gathered here today because of Toru-Sama.”
The faces around the room were familiar, each belonging to a woman who, like myself, held Toru-Sama in high regard. There was Luna, the graceful princess of Greyfield; Lynn, the spirited cat-type beastkin from the Flame Axe Clan; Alusha, the ethereal elf from her secluded village; Nei, Toru-Sama’s kind childhood friend; Soara, his other childhood friend, known for her directness; and myself, Pione, a demon race woman navigating the complexities of human emotions.
The invitation from Marianne had been simple: a tea party to discuss Toru-Sama. For someone like me, who longed for female companionship and the shared experiences of love and friendship, it was a welcome prospect. I had envisioned laughter, shared secrets, perhaps even a lighthearted slumber party atmosphere. However, the reality was far more intimidating. Surrounded by such captivating women, my initial excitement morphed into acute nervousness.
“The tea party is indeed a pretext,” Marianne continued, her gaze sweeping over each of us. “My true intention is to foster a stronger bond amongst us. We may be rivals in love, but we are also companions, members of what one might call the Manyu Brigade.” A shared smile rippled through the group, a silent acknowledgment of our unique situation.
Luna, ever practical, chimed in, “Exactly! Let’s move past formalities and start enjoying ourselves.”
“Agreed,” Marianne responded with a snap of her fingers. Instantly, two maids appeared, unveiling a rectangular board – a blackboard, reminiscent of those I had seen in my homeland. With a piece of chalk, Marianne wrote a stark phrase:
‘Plan to Defeat Kaede-San.’
A collective gasp filled the room. Defeat? Kaede-San? Alusha-San’s head dipped in understanding. “As we all know,” she began hesitantly, “Kaede-San is… well, she is positioned as the primary candidate for Toru-Sama’s affections. Frau-San follows… and while we may cherish the rings he has given us, nothing is truly assured. If we remain passive, we risk losing any chance at a significant place in his heart.”
Lynn, always quick to grasp the core of any matter, clarified, “So, we need to strengthen our connection with Toru-Sama to reach Kaede-San’s level of importance?”
“Precisely,” Marianne affirmed, her tone firm yet laced with a hint of vulnerability. “I refuse to simply wait for Toru-Sama to choose. Even as a maiden, I must actively secure my position, my own place in his world.”
The weight of her words settled upon me. Me? Toru-Sama’s wife? The thought was both exhilarating and daunting. Visions of a future with him flashed through my mind – a family, children… perhaps two, maybe even three. The idea of being his wife… it promised a deeper, more profound love. Yet, was I truly ready for this conversation, this level of commitment and strategic maneuvering?
Luna voiced a concern that had also crossed my mind. “But, Kaede-Chan is a slave, isn’t she? Is marriage even a possibility for her?”
Marianne dismissed the societal constraints with a wave of her hand. “Toru-Sama is not bound by such trivialities. He transcends those limitations. He will treat Kaede-San as his wife regardless of her status. For him, the spiritual connection, the emotional bond, is paramount, far outweighing any formal conventions.”
Lynn nodded in agreement, adding her own insight into Toru-Sama’s character. “Marianne-San is right. That seemingly insensitive warrior,” she chuckled, a hint of fondness in her voice, “cares little for social standing. His actions are dictated by the emotions you evoke in him, the feelings you convey.”
A wave of uncertainty washed over me. Did Toru-Sama truly harbor affection for me? He had never explicitly declared his feelings. What if his touch, his kindness, were merely gestures of politeness, devoid of genuine romantic intent? Could I settle for a connection built on mere physical attraction, lacking the depth of true love? The fear of being just another face in the crowd, of being ultimately overlooked, was a chilling prospect. It felt akin to being A Warrior Exiled By The Hero And His Lover, left on the fringes while the central love story unfolded without me.
Nei-san raised her hand, her voice soft but resolute. “I… I will refrain from actively competing. Toru is too kind to reject me outright, so I believe I could hope for something with him. However,” she paused, a shadow of past pain crossing her face, “I have endured enough hardship. I don’t believe I deserve to be loved.”
“Nei-San…” A wave of sympathy rippled through the group.
Thump
Soara-San, with her characteristic directness, swiftly delivered a light smack to Nei-San’s head.
“Ow! What was that for!?” Nei-San exclaimed, surprised and slightly indignant.
“That was to knock some sense into you for talking such nonsense,” Soara-San retorted, her expression softening slightly. “We both carry burdens from the past, shadows we wish to erase. But that is no justification for relinquishing our chance at future happiness. We have both known unhappiness, and that is precisely why we must strive forward, to grasp the joy that awaits us.”
“Soara…?” Nei-San looked at her childhood friend, a flicker of renewed hope in her eyes.
“Are you still wavering? I can administer another dose of reality if necessary,” Soara-San threatened playfully, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
Despite her sometimes-abrasive manner, Soara-San’s words resonated deeply. Giving up on happiness felt like surrendering to despair, allowing life to spiral into meaninglessness. She was right. We needed to be strong, to fight for our own happiness.
“You are right, Soara,” I affirmed, my voice gaining strength. “I will try my best too. I will work towards nurturing my relationship with Toru-Sama.” The fear of exile began to recede, replaced by a burgeoning determination. We were not defeated yet.
“But,” Lynn interjected, bringing the conversation back to the immediate matter at hand, “what exactly is this ‘plan to defeat Kaede’?”
Marianne leaned forward, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Have a baby.”
“What!?” The collective exclamation echoed through the room.
Alusha-San, completely taken aback, tumbled off her chair in shock. She scrambled back to her feet, her face flushed crimson. “D-D-D-Don’t you think… that’s a tad… premature? We haven’t even held hands properly, hueeeeeh!!!”
Lynn, equally flustered, stammered, “Y-Yeah, hand-holding is still a distant dream for me too! But… but I’ll do my best!”
Looking around, I saw a sea of blushing faces. Despite the initial shock, Marianne’s audacious proposal resonated with a hidden desire within each of us. We all longed for a deeper, more intimate connection with Toru-Sama.
Luna, ever the pragmatist, brought us back to reality. “U-Uh, but how are we even going to… be with Toru-Sama? He’s currently on another continent.”
Marianne sighed, acknowledging the logistical challenge. “We have no choice but to await his return. Or… we could attempt to board the supply ship heading back to him. Though, the latter is likely impractical.”
Alusha-San added, “Even if we had a plan, it’s not as if we could simply appear before him the moment we arrive. A quicker way to reach him would be invaluable.”
She was right. A magical shortcut, a transfer circle, would be a dream come true. “I miss you, Toru,” I murmured under my breath, the longing palpable.
Crich crich crich crich
A strange sound emanated from the floor beneath us. The mansion, with its aged grandeur, seemed to harbor secrets within its very foundations. “Is that… a loose tile?” I wondered aloud.
“Ugh,” Alusha-San groaned in frustration, echoing my thoughts of longing. “I wish the magic transfer circle in my village could reach across continents! Why did the ancient races leave us with such limited magic circles!?” In a fit of pique, she stomped her foot on the floor.
Tomph
Crack
A distinct cracking sound reverberated through the room. Hm? A fissure was forming in the ground. Curiosity piqued, I leaned forward for a closer look.
Oh no… the floor was sinking!
“Aaaaaaaah!” Alusha-San shrieked, her eyes wide with alarm.
“What’s happening!” Lynn cried out in confusion.
“Uuugaaah,” Nei-San gasped, losing her footing.
The floor began to shatter with alarming speed. One by one, the girls tumbled downwards into the darkness below. Reacting instinctively, I lunged for the edge, managing to grab onto a thick carpet that was partially anchored to the wall.
“Aah, aaaaaaaah!” I clung desperately to the fraying carpet, my knuckles white.
Marianne-San, however, remained motionless, seemingly frozen in disbelief, her eyes wide and unfocused.
“Marianne-San, help me!” I pleaded, my voice strained with panic.
“Ah! Yes!” Marianne-San finally snapped out of her daze, reaching out towards me.
Craagh
The aged wood beneath the carpet groaned and splintered. The carpet, our only lifeline, began to tear apart, thread by thread. I could feel myself slipping, losing my precarious grip.
“Give me your hand!” I yelled, stretching my arm towards her outstretched fingers.
“Uhm!” Marianne-San strained forward, but it was too late.
Graaaagh
With a final, agonizing rip, the carpet gave way completely. My body plunged backwards, hurtling into the unknown.
A faint, ethereal glow emanated from a circle etched into the floor below.
The moment I hit the ground, everything went black.
“Aaaaah! Girls!? Oh, what should I do!?” Marianne’s frantic cry echoed from above, the last sound I heard before unconsciousness claimed me.
The magic transfer circle, now visible beneath the shattered floorboards, flickered and died after transporting Pione-San. This ancient mansion, built upon forgotten ruins, concealed a hidden gateway. Unbeknownst to us, a magic transfer circle lay dormant beneath our feet.
Desperate to discover the girls’ fate, I raced to find a magician, an expert in the arcane arts of magic circles.
Please, I prayed, let them be safe.
