The Apocalypse That Turned Into a Romance Fantasy
I had to think about something else to avoid panicking in front of the First Princess, Elizabeth. Right. This world is the setting of a Romance Fantasy novel. Was the title something like The Hero Party Only Looks at Me? The plot of the original work went something like this:
A modest commoner heroine with holy healing powers appears. And the Empire in that novel wasn't a peaceful place where nobles piled up delicacies and held grand banquets like they do now. It was a hellscape of hellscapes, where the Northern Wall had been completely breached, the main force of the Demon King's army was marching right up to the Imperial Capital, and battles where blood splattered and flesh tore occurred every single day. It was, quite literally, a Post-Apocalyptic Ruin story.
Furthermore, Lucas von Schwartzvalt, the Crown Prince whom I had just humiliated by slamming the Holy Sword into the ceiling twice with a pig bone—he wasn't some pathetic, posturing loser in the original work. He was the hero of heroes, a desperate, gritty, and cool beast of a man who rolled in the mud and fought a desperate battle on the front lines to protect an Empire on the brink of destruction.
That modest commoner heroine would heal the scarred Lucas, they would fall deeply in love, and the rest of the hero party members would fall for her too—it was that kind of typical story. So why did the Empire, which should have been a living hell, become a peaceful world flowing with milk and honey, and why did the Crown Prince become a motherless, pathetic loser?
Thinking about it, the reason was simple. Me. My existence changed everything. The main force of the Demon King's army couldn't head south because they were drawn to me, and in the end, they were driven to the brink of annihilation. Since the North wasn't breached, the southern regions became peace itself.
Since there was no need to fight for his life, Lucas, who should have been a badass, devolved into a piece of trash who cuts off the head of a Demon King that's already on the verge of death and claims, "I caught the Demon King!" The butterfly effect. It was, quite literally, a crazy butterfly effect.
I had forcibly changed the genre of this world from a Post-Apocalyptic Ruin story to a peaceful Slice-of-Life.
Whatever way the original work was twisted, whether Lucas became a loser or not, or wherever the real protagonist, that commoner girl, is doing whatever—what does that have to do with me? Ah, this might matter a little. The protagonist gets incredibly beautiful later on.
Anyway, as a result, thanks to my ten years of suffering, this good world was created, so now I just need to eat well and live well, and that's enough.
I finished organizing my thoughts and looked back at the First Princess, Elizabeth, standing in front of me. Wow. She’s seriously, fucking beautiful. I wanted to clap, but I didn't, because I felt like I’d be truly screwed if I did.
"Count? Your complexion doesn't look good..." Elizabeth approached me with a worried look and lightly grabbed my sleeve. Come to think of it, she was the villainess who bullied the protagonist. None of that matters now. I equipped a sweet smile and answered.
"Your Highness. I have realized a single truth."
"A truth... what kind of truth?" Elizabeth wore a curious expression, and even that expression was so lovely I thought I might go crazy.
"Yes. The truth that the reason I survived ten years of hell at the Northern Wall was to meet you, Your Highness."
"Oh my."
At my words, her face turned red. And she smiled shyly and said, "You are quite different from the rumors, Count."
"Rumors, you say?"
"The Savage Demon of the North, the blood-crazed butcher, an orc in human skin... well, those kinds of terrifying nicknames. But the person in front of my eyes is..."
Elizabeth tilted her head slightly and met my eyes.
"...a very kind and wonderful knight, or perhaps a gentleman."
The praise of a beautiful girl is always right. Feeling like I was about to fly into the sky, I was just about to suggest we dance a song when, "Count Go Suhyun."
A chilling voice came from behind me. When I turned around, it was Lady Elena. *Clip-clop.* She approached my side with the sound of heels hitting the marble floor. Lady Elena met Elizabeth's gaze. Was her expression always like that? She definitely had a very warm expression when looking at me, but now it was as cold as ice.
Elizabeth smiled softly as if she had just discovered Lady Elena. "Ah, Lady Weisswaltz was here too." However, her eyes weren't smiling at all.
Feeling like I needed to get out of here, I tried to leave, but Elena's words burst out.
"Yes, Your Highness. The Count has been receiving my escort ever since he arrived at the banquet hall."
What does that mean? I briefly engaged my Romance Fantasy brain. And I was able to realize it immediately. It meant, 'Don't flirt with my man.' Wait, but aren't we meeting for the first time today? I was thinking that when Lady Elena launched a surprise attack on me. She naturally linked her arm with my empty one again. *Squish.* Something soft and squishy touched my arm again. I felt like I was melting.
Seeing this, Elizabeth's lips twitched slightly. I saw that and changed my expression to a stern one. ...She didn't notice, right?
"Oh my, is that so? But now the Count is my fiancé, whom Father personally betrothed to me. I think I can receive the Count's escort myself from now on."
"Your Highness. You must have been very flustered by His Majesty's unilateral engagement announcement... there is no need to force yourself out of a sense of duty as a member of the royal family. I will serve the Count well."
"Force myself? I trust Father's judgment entirely. Rather, shouldn't you be taking care of Prince Lucas, Lady Weisswaltz? He fell down hard just a moment ago and embarrassed himself."
What is this? What on earth is happening? They are definitely speaking beautifully, but it's savage. Their expressions are savage, and their voices are savage. I'm someone who is good at actual combat or speaking directly, but I'm not good at this kind of indirect way of speaking. Even so, I knew. These two are fighting over me right now...!!
Is this place truly heaven? It's a bit cold for heaven, but it's better than hell.
Lady Elena opened her mouth again.
"I have no reason to take care of Prince Lucas. My hero is only Count Go Suhyun, who is standing here."
Two beautiful girls sparkled with fire with me in between them. This suffocating tension. It was more heart-pounding than when I was almost torn apart in the air by four wyverns at age 15. But I can't just stay like this. Beautiful girls are good, and catfights are good, but the most important thing remains.
"Excuse me."
"What is it, Count Go Suhyun?" Lady Elena showed me a warm smile again. I can't stand the moment that arrogant, cold face changes into a warm smile. Perhaps Lady Elena can hear my heartbeat too. It's a bit embarrassing. But I have to say it!
"...Can't we eat first?"
"Ah."
"Ah..."
Lady Elena and Elizabeth sighed at the same time. I haven't been able to eat properly yet. When I was eating meat, that Crown Prince guy picked a fight, and before my stomach was even full, the Emperor kept pouring me drinks. I'm still hungry. So I have to eat more.
"Lady Elena, Your Highness, please enjoy your meal more. I'm going to go eat some rice."
"Rice? What is that?"
"There is such a thing."
Come to think of it, since it's a Romance Fantasy world, it's natural that there's no rice. If there is, it's risotto. I've never eaten it, but it probably uses a different variety than the rice I ate in Korea. Ah, I want to eat rice... I thought that as I left the seat. Both Elena and Elizabeth are extraordinary people originally. Elena is a character who awakens as a Great Mage after a battle with the Demon King's army, and Elizabeth becomes a swordswoman among swordswomen who protects the side of her brother, Lucas, with a sword. It's meaningless now, though.
"Whew."
This time, I properly transferred meat and bread to a plate and ate them with a fork. I couldn't help it because I was so hungry earlier. Maybe it was a clothing issue. As I chewed the meat, I glanced at the banquet hall. For some reason, Lady Elena and Elizabeth were still arguing. Lucas was sitting in a corner, receiving comfort from the knights.
Then, naturally, such a thought occurred to me. The original protagonist who should be filming a salvation epic with immense holy power in the original work, 'Greta Klein.' What is she doing now? Where was her hometown? That... Bri-something.
"Hey, Count Breitenfeld. You're quite popular."
Ah. It was the Breitenfeld County. But isn't that my territory now? ...I'll have to find her first when I go to the territory. As I thought that and chewed the meat, someone spoke to me.
"Hey, are you ignoring me right now?"
"Ah."
A man was standing in front of me, wearing a smile that seemed benevolent yet angry. The face is familiar. To be precise, the outfit and hairstyle are familiar. I remember seeing it in a webtoon. The name is... I don't know. I can only remember the names of male characters like Lucas.
"I'm sorry. I was thinking about something else."
"I see. That was a great feat of arms, why don't you fight me later!"
"I don't have a hobby of clashing swords with men. Sorry."
I hurried away from that spot and went back to where Lady Elena and Elizabeth were. The name was... Bernhard? Anyway, that guy was a blue-haired merchant. A strange guy who uses a sword despite being a merchant. I've eaten to my heart's content and had my fill of alcohol, so I want to rest now. When does the banquet end?
The long, long banquet ended. Honestly, it didn't feel real. I definitely opened my eyes on the Northern Wall in the far north this morning, but the place I am now is a mansion in the Imperial Capital. Actually, I came to the Weisswaltz mansion. If it were Elizabeth's mansion, it would be the palace, and I couldn't go there. The outcome of today was decided there. Lady Elena's victory, Elizabeth's defeat! Anyway, the bedding didn't feel real either. I originally slept on a bed that wasn't even a bed, made by layering monster leather and filling it with weeds. The bed here is soft and just good, as if it had magic cast on it. I feel so drowsy I'm about to fall asleep right away. It would be nice if Lady Elena came to my side like this, but that won't happen, right?
"Count Go Suhyun."
"Ye-es?!"
Lady Elena really came. She opened the door and entered the room. I can see it even in the dark. That she is wearing only light pajamas!!!!!!!! That her underwear is also slightly visible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!