Pact with the Hidden Princess
Even I, who'd sunk ten thousand hours into the game, was human at heart. So yeah, there were days I took a break from it. No, you might say, what kind of veteran skips the game? Aren't you online 365 days a year? Pfft! Are you even a veteran? Fair point, but it was true. People need at least one day off, right? Otherwise, if you drop dead and get isekai'd into the game, who's gonna take responsibility?
So what did I do on those off days? Simple. I'd sprawl out on the bed, spread out the setting books and artbooks, and pore over every scrap of lore, flipping through all the in-game info and secrets.
Doing that day after day, one thought kept hitting me: this game had way too many characters hiding something.
Okay, I get it—having secrets that unravel through interactions with the protagonist makes the story immersive and the characters deeper. But still.
Lumen Ribens. She's got this backstory where she's hiding her identity, but her whole vibe doesn't scream "incognito." White hair, red eyes. And if there's even a drop of imperial blood, she was born with innate light-element mana. Why would a princess hide her status and enroll without a single attendant? It's a pretty obvious tale.
Even in this jumbled fantasy world with medieval vibes, if there's an empire, there's an emperor. Look at me and Ebnis—we're fighting over a marquisate. Naturally, the emperor's kids are battling for the throne too.
That's the law of the Salenias imperial family: the strongest imperial becomes emperor. And "strongest" doesn't just mean raw power—it includes the political savvy, schemes, and brains to topple rivals.
In that cutthroat arena, Lijelilias de Salenias—the sixth princess, lowest in rank and legitimacy but outstanding in martial prowess—couldn't hack it and bolted from the palace.
Of course, the emperor knows and sympathizes with her plight, so he uses his transcendent authority to squash any rumors about her disguise or background. No one dares make a peep.
So I figured I'd just play it like I knew the basics.
"...So it's you, Adrian."
Do we know each other?
"What brings you to seek me out?"
Nope. I know jack about Adrian, so no clue what his deal was with the sixth princess.
"I heard the news. You've really hit rock bottom. Is this the path you truly wanted?"
Wasn't Adrian's path supposed to be spoiled-brat wastrel?
The sword at my throat lowers, and she nods. I stand and face her. Her ruby-embedded eyes gleam crimson as they meet mine.
"From your actions, it seems you're still putting on that wretched act."
That's loaded with meaning. Does she know a ton about "Adrian"? Nothing like that in the setting books.
Her silver hair whips in the wind. A true knight's poise. I open my mouth slowly.
"I've come to ask for your aid, Your Highness Lijelilias."
"......"
First blind spot: recruiting her to the subjugation team. If I can't follow her lead, I'll just steamroll with my own words.
She eyes me with clear displeasure. Did I screw up? No way. Bloodline Dignity ensures my etiquette is flawless.
"Casually......"
"?"
"Speak casually... like you said last time."
No. When?
As I blink, the academy senior—who exudes nobility despite her hidden status—squeezes her eyes shut and stammers in un-knightly fashion.
"Ten years ago, when we first met."
Ah. Was it? No, what would an eight-year-old me have to do with her?
"You don't remember? It was your sub-marquis investiture."
Right. Repelheit is the western hegemon, the imperial right arm. So before possession, pure little Adrian's sub-marquis ceremony had the sixth princess in attendance. They must've chatted and agreed to drop formalities.
In this status-obsessed world, that'd be beheading material now. But ten years ago? Adrian was eight, princess nine.
"Your Highness, that was just kid stuff......"
"Didn't you swear never to lie to me alone, Adrian?"
What the hell did this guy get up to?
I shut my mouth. The princess gazes at me with desperate eyes.
...Gotta play along for now.
"...Got it. Lumen-senpai."
"Mm, good."
She nods with a faint smile. Unexpected that they already knew each other. Makes recruitment a breeze.
"So, what's your angle?"
"...Got a situation, Your Highness."
"Adrian."
"Got a situation, senpai."
"Right."
......
I give the rundown lightly.
"Heard about the beast summoning incident, senpai?"
"Yeah. Beasts appeared in the first-year Merin Hall, and my junior Erhan took them down."
"More precisely, Kalen held them off, nearly wiped them out solo, then Reina von Wolfgang and Erhan finished the rest."
"And?"
I drop the bomb casually.
"Found the culprit. The summoner behind it."
"...Can't let that slide."
"Trying to catch 'em, but it's tricky. Need your help."
She listens quietly, then shakes her head.
"Sorry, can't do it."
"...Mind sharing why, senpai?"
"Can't go into details. Just know it's a no."
No explanation, straight refusal. I can guess, though.
"...Don't wanna deal with the fallout from stealing the spotlight, huh."
"......"
Her position's delicate. As knight faculty rep Lumen Ribens, attention's fine—it's a fabricated identity, and she's not "imperial" then.
She's agreed with the others: live as a normal knight student, no throne ambitions, no faction-joining, strict neutrality.
Even as the lowest-ranked sixth princess, she's imperial elite. She could declare for the throne or join another. But jumping into demon/beast business—a royal/Repelheit duty—might ruffle feathers, intentions aside.
In canon, her one involvement in chapter 1's beast incident drew flak from kin for ages. Hard to swallow, but that's imperial politics.
"Reading minds ain't polite."
She sighs deeply and gazes at the night sky. I fall silent watching her.
Always thought this about game Lijelilias: looks and reality don't match.
"One rude question. You're not imperial now—just Lumen Ribens. Possible?"
"...Try me."
"Senpai... are you an idiot?"
"?"
A question mark pops over her head.
"Avoiding needless rivalry? Why? No emperor dreams?"
"Watch your tongue, junior. Not a seat to toss around lightly. But... sharp as ever. No, I don't aim for it."
"Your face says otherwise."
She touches her face unconsciously.
"Gave up early. Already did. Why? Didn't you always crave the throne?"
Canon says yes. Silence. But gazing skyward, she answers.
"Just saw reality."
Her eyes darken.
"Sixth princess. Too many ahead. No power or legitimacy to beat them. No vassals backing me, as you know."
Only her standout strength.
"So you quit?"
"Adrian, you're common-born now, so—"
"I'll become Repelheit marquis, senpai."
Her face stiffens. Makes sense.
"...What."
"After graduation, back to the family. With my half-sister, we'll topple the current 'marquis' and take the seat."
Silence. She speaks first.
"That story......"
"Impossible, everyone says. But I'll do it."
Could call it bravado.
"Unclimbable tree? Wrong. No tree I can't climb. Quitting without trying? Losers' game. Senpai, counteroffer: a deal."
But I've got conviction it'll work.
"...Sworn oath then, deal now. Know what proposing deals to imperial means?"
"Worse than failing and dying?"
I extend my hand.
"I, Adrian, will become Repelheit marquis. Once there, first thing..."
My words shake her eyes.
"I'll declare support for Sixth Princess Lijelilias Daderus de Salenias. Western hegemon's backing? West won't object."
This is it. Her heroine route ends with her as empress via imperial intrigue sim.
Loved that ending.
"Support for me......?"
"Yes."
"Sixth, bottom rung, no forces. Think I can win the race?"
"Don't care what others say. I believe you can, senpai."
I meet her eyes.
"Me? Starting from nothing too. Rising from bottom to top—that's greatness."
Her eyes waver.
"I, Adrian, support Lijelilias the Sixth Princess. A powerless commoner now, but my loyalty's unbroken. What say you, senpai? Two nobodies unite here, defy heaven, smash all obstacles, and claim the skies."
She stares at my hand with trembling eyes, nods resolutely, and places her shaking hand atop mine.
I grip it. And realize: not imperial softness. Callused, rough knight's hand. But I feel the warmth within.
"...After that, I thought you'd changed."
"...Mm."
What the hell did Adrian do?
"But you're unchanged. The you I vowed not to forget is still here. Sorry. I forgot our promise, assumed you changed—my fault."
Changed, huh.
"In my eyes, you're the same, senpai."
Exactly as in-game.
She smiles faintly, misreading my intent.
"...Is that so? Thanks, even if just words."
A week after recruiting the princess. About 5,700 characters' worth of packed days, and the moment I'd craved arrived.
"...You actually brought her."
Central district library study room. I scan the assembled crew: Kalen, Millije, Reina, Ebnis... one blurry character, and Relbrian? Chatting with Reina, so probably her request.
"Oh, Adrian. Nice to see you. Here on a friend's ask."
"Hello."
"...Hmph, late. What time do you think it is?"
"You've arrived."
"You have!"
I take their greetings—or non-greetings—and head to seats with Lumen Ribens, no, the princess.
Reina stands by the whiteboard. Front row...
A guy looks up at me with sparkling eyes.
"Hello!"
Erhan. Black hair, blue eyes, massive greatsword on back. This damn game's protagonist.
"...Let's do this."
"You too, senpai!"
Light handshake, then I sit. Reina speaks once everyone's seated.
"Operation meeting starts now."
We're here. No turning back. And with me around, no one dies.