Gates Erupt in the Romance Fantasy World
"Grrrrr!"
I gripped my sword and faced the monster right in front of me. It was shaped like a massive wolf, drooling as it glared at us.
Why the hell did a Gate open here of all places?
This was definitely a romance fantasy world. No gates, no hunters, no awakenings—nothing like that. The original story never had a single plot twist like this. It was too big to brush off as some minor incident.
Is this world different from the original I knew? Why? The only thing that's changed is...
Me?
The thought flashed through my mind, but I shook my head. No way the butterfly effect from one person could spawn a Gate.
Right now, the why doesn't matter. Survival does.
That damn wolf looked ready to lunge any second. I had to live through this before worrying about the academy or anything else.
"A monster? Why's something like that suddenly in the middle of the territory...? No, more importantly, where did it even come from?"
Iana muttered in a daze. As an adventurer, she didn't panic. Even without Gates, this was a fantasy world—adventurers like her hunted monsters for a living.
"Kyaaah! A m-monster appeared!"
"How did it just show up?!"
"Run for it! If it catches you, there won't even be bones left!"
Of course, the civilians who couldn't fight were scrambling to escape. Better that way—no gawkers getting in the way during the fight.
...The problem is if there are more Gates than one.
Unfortunately, screams and noise echoed from farther in the territory. My instincts screamed that this wolf wasn't the real threat. In a rural territory like this, seeing a Gate for the first time? Soldiers and knights alike would be confused as hell.
"Iana, can you hold your sword?"
"What?"
"Just checking if the monster shocked you into jelly legs."
"W-what nonsense! That thing doesn't faze me!"
"Good."
That's when the monster kicked off toward us.
Clang!
Slash...!
I swung my sword to deflect its claws, then slashed at its leg.
...Shallow.
Guess this young master's body hadn't seen a gym in years. The blade was decent enough, but it barely bit deep. I'd need time to get used to it.
Luckily, the monster recoiled in surprise from the counterattack.
"W-what was that? That swordplay just now..."
"Plans changed—emergency. I'll pay you well to hire an adventurer like you. Up for teaming up?"
"...I was gonna fight anyway. Can't let a monster like that hurt people."
"Perfect."
Yeah, that's Iana. The type who charges at injustice without hesitation.
That's why I loved this romance fantasy in the first place.
Iana took position beside me, sword ready. The monster reared to charge.
Thwuck!
"Groooarrr!"
But an arrow from behind nailed it in the head first. I turned to see Luna nocking another, bow trained on the beast.
"Dunno what's going on, but take it down, right?"
"Thanks. I'll pay top coin—handle it."
"Oh~? Young master's more reasonable than he looks~"
True to her money-loving nature, Luna's eyes sparkled.
Fine, leave this to the three of them.
Iana's sword skills from earlier, plus the party's teamwork from the novel? This was nothing. Me, an outsider with no practice together? I'd just get in the way.
"Alright. You're on cleanup here."
"What? You're bailing?"
"I'm the lord's son. Can't focus on just this spot."
"Oh..."
Honestly, I wanted to bolt to the academy right now. Why shoulder the duty just 'cause I possessed this body? No perks, just obligations?
Responsibility without the fun has limits.
But I couldn't ditch entirely—not till the territory was sorted. Then I could grab some cash and slip into the academy smoothly.
"You three got this? I'm off. Oh—and don't go into that... hole in the air. Whatever you do."
I bolted without waiting for a reply. First stop: the bustling streets where crowds would gather.
The young lord's sudden disappearance left the trio stunned. None had expected him to dump the monster on them and run.
But it didn't piss them off. Racing toward the crowded streets? That was a noble doing his duty.
"...That young master's not like the rumors. Responsible, kinda cool. Looked strong sparring with you, Iana."
"Yeah~ Handsome too, and lord's son means rich, right? No girlfriend? Might hit that~"
"...Luna says that, but guys always freak and run when you approach."
"H-hey! They all turned out lame, so I dumped 'em!"
Iana swung her sword to refocus.
"Enough chit-chat. Let's go. It's no pushover."
Her friends snapped to battle stances.
But Iana's mind lingered on Ian.
What was that swordplay? Never seen it before. No holding back either—he went all in.
And he'd thrown himself to save her. Rumors called him a wastrel, but maybe there was more to it?
"Kyaaah!"
"H-help!"
"Everyone, take shelter in the buildings! We'll hold them off here!"
The streets were chaos, as expected. Monsters popping up in peaceful downtown. People fleeing or hiding. Soldiers directing evacuations and fighting back. Total pandemonium.
Still, the territory won't collapse at this rate.
The sudden outbreak in the center was the issue. Knights and soldiers could handle it—though casualties weren't zero.
"Scram."
Slash!
I cleaved a wolf mid-stride. Maybe the first one was freakishly strong. These felt weaker.
"M-mommy...!"
A kid's cry pierced the din. A wolf was charging him.
I hurled my sword on reflex.
Thud!
"Grahhh!"
It stabbed the beast's flank, throwing off its rush. I sprinted up and kicked the hilt.
Crunch!
Shunk!
The blade pierced clean through.
"Phew. You okay?"
"Y-yes..."
"Cover your eyes a sec. Uncle'll finish this quick."
I shielded the kid's view and yanked the sword free with a swing. Bones cracked, guts spilled.
"E-Ellie!"
"Mommy!"
The actress who'd helped me earlier rushed up—kid in tow, apparently hers. She spotted me, hugged her daughter, and bowed deeply.
"Th-thank you! So much! If not for you, young master, our Ellie..."
"Just doing what needed doing. No thanks needed. Get to safety."
"But nowhere's safe..."
"Any building'll do. This mess ends soon."
"Y-yes! Thank you!"
"Tank oo!"
They bowed repeatedly and ducked into an empty shop. I shook blood from my blade.
My sweet academy honeypot plan's going down the drain. Damn it. Just wanna enroll quick and coast through youth easy.
I smashed visible monsters, pulled survivors from rubble, kept moving.
"Thank you. My wife's trapped—I couldn't budge her..."
"Heavens! Young master knows the sword too?"
"Thanks! Endless thanks, young master!"
Rescued folks wept gratitude. Plenty on the verge of losing family right there.
"Y-you risked yourself for the likes of us..."
"Lord's son, y'know? Gotta earn those taxes somehow."
"Ooh, young master! I misjudged you all this time!"
The teary old man's emotion cracked me up.
Ian was a scumbag who deserved every curse. The good guy's me.
"Look at that blood! Get treated!"
"Not mine."
After guiding evacuations, I spotted the knights in action—including the vice-captain filling in for the absent captain.
"Name's... Hanson, right?"
"Y-yes, young master! It's dangerous here—gasp!"
Blood-soaked and sword in hand, I shocked him.
"A-are you alright?"
"Fine. Just chopped some roadside wolves today."
"You... with a sword?"
Hanson eyed me puzzled. Old Ian couldn't swing a blade, let alone train.
No point explaining now—too pedantic, too tiring.
"Not the time. Territory status?"
"Y-yes! Damage is bad, but we can suppress 'em. All knights and soldiers mobilized."
"Good."
Better military than expected. Vice-captain filled the gap well.
"You kept panic down and fought. Held the line 'cause of you."
"M-me?"
"Good work."
I patted his shoulder. Those earnest eyes felt like an old junior's.
"N-no! Just duty."
"Cool. Handle cleanup—I'm off."
"Where to? We'll escort!"
"Nah. Help rescues instead. I can guard myself."
Head to the manor for cleanup, then bolt to academy ASAP...
Or so I thought.
....
"The lord... has passed."
"What?"
The news hit like a truck when I returned—unbelievable, unwanted.
"Fled a monster, hit his head. Body's at the manor now."
The lord croaked before I even met the guy.