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An Otome Game Spinoff Featuring a Prince with Maxed-Out Affection and a Reincarnated Noble Girl

DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD?

Translated by: S3

Treat me to a Ko-Fi to give me more motivation!!!

*****

Returning to the age of five, my first priority was to strive to forge bonds of friendship with those five children.

Through my many repetitions, I had at least managed to acquire a 「royal-like demeanor.」 I was somewhat better than the arrogant monster I had been when I first met them. They all possessed knowledge and wisdom far beyond their years, and as a result, their etiquette was impeccable.

To be recognized by them, I had to put in a commensurate amount of effort. I needed to become someone who wasn't just 「royal-appearing,」 but someone who was truly 「above reproach as royalty.」 That was my resolve.

The monster who had done nothing but bark orders from above started everything over from the age of five.

Over those five years, even the maids who had previously kept their distance began to sense—though they didn't know why—that I was different, and they began to offer me their help.

It took a full year for them to recognize me as a friend. During that year, I crammed myself with necessary knowledge, mastered the etiquette that was 「expected,」 and corrected my coarse speech and behavior. That 「one year」 was the period in which they would have given up on me, the monster I once was. If it were only a year, the Duke’s son and the Viscount’s son—who were the first to write me off—would wait. But if I couldn't produce results within that year, they would leave. With that thought in mind, I desperately acquired various skills.

Though they had become my friends and were indeed brilliant, trustworthy, and reliable, I remained silent about the phenomenon occurring to my own body. Even if I spoke of it, would anyone be able to understand? I myself couldn't even explain what was happening or how. That was my reasoning.

Since starting over from our first encounter, we had built a very good friendship. The five of them each had different areas of expertise, and just talking with everyone was enjoyable.

...Yes. It was very enjoyable.

Looking back, from the first time until now, had I ever felt 「joy」? With no friends around, no one to trust... Seeing only 「myself,」 I hadn't even noticed my own loneliness.

Perhaps the first Fiorina did truly love me. But how was that any different from the imprinting of a hatchling? In a noble society she couldn't adapt to, perhaps she had simply clung to me because I pampered her and told her 「it's okay to stay as you are.」 And did I have any affection for her, or did I merely feel a sense of superiority as she flattered and praised me? After being imprisoned in the detached palace, we spent quite a long time together. But what we talked about or how we spent our time—I can no longer remember.

For Fiorina, anyone she could cling to would have sufficed; for me, anyone who didn't make me feel bad would have sufficed.

What a dry and hollow relationship it was.

I felt I had done Fiorina a disservice, but even if I wanted to apologize, she would have no memory of the loops. And if she did have memories, it wasn't a situation that could be settled with a simple 「sorry,」 so an apology would be futile.

At the very least, when I choose a queen next time, I'll make it someone I truly desire from the bottom of my heart. I decided that.

As an aside, I have never had a queen other than Fiorina. I lacked the emotional capacity for it, and there was also the feeling of not wanting a queen while in a position where I didn't know when I might be killed. Even with Fiorina, except for the loops where I started over from a state where marriage was unavoidable, I never desired her as my queen. She is always executed if she becomes my queen. Conversely, if she didn't become my queen, there were paths for her to find happiness.

The days were very enjoyable and fulfilling, and I had almost forgotten. The reason I am repeating these loops is certainly not just to make friends.

I must uncover what that House of Staden is and what their objective is, or I will die again around the age of twenty-five. And by then, the country will be in ruins once more.

Now then, where should I begin...?

***

「Where would you start?」

「Well...」

There are so many problems that I truly have no idea where to begin.

For now, if Chris-sama is to escape this death loop, he has to do something about Staden. But...

「Chris-sama, in your loops up to that point, did you ever catch a glimpse of Staden's tail?」

「No, not at all. All I know is that 『they are up to something』 and 『if I don't do something about them, I will definitely be killed.』」

Mmmm... too little information!

「Is the person who comes to kill you always someone from Staden?」

If so, even if we can't catch them red-handed, there's a possibility of preventing it by keeping a close eye on the Staden family's movements. Well? How about it, Chris-sama!?

As I stared at him, Chris-sama laughed with a hint of amusement.

「The answer to that is 『there is no certainty.』 Around the time of my death, besides Staden, there are also those 『aiming for the usurpation of the throne』 within the castle. Most likely, I am an obstacle to both.」

Ugh, right. There were people like that too!

「However, to kill me, it would be impossible unless my security becomes thin. ...Like a situation where the country falls into chaos and the knights abandon us, the royal family.」

Ah...!

「And the one who triggers that is Staden...」

「Exactly.」

The trigger for the initial 「collapse of the nation」 is the House of Staden. That's likely those people who were executed so quickly this time. There were quite a few people on that list. If all of them were scattered throughout the major departments of the castle, it would be very difficult to stay on guard.

Then, how do we prevent Staden from infiltrating the castle?

The House of Earl Staden are immigrants. The reason they became nobles is that they bought their title with money. When they immigrated, this country was suffering from some financial difficulties. So, as a way to quickly make a large sum of money, several titles were put up for sale. The House of 「Earl」 Staden is one of them.

The other houses that bought titles generally do not hold important positions. More accurately, they 「cannot.」 It's due to a sentiment of, 「I can't stand being grouped with someone of such base character who buys a title with money,」 held by the natural-born nobility—a sort of 「Oh... I see...」 kind of situation.

Because of these circumstances, Staden's people normally cannot enter the castle.

The 「trigger」 for Staden to infiltrate the castle is probably the Heroine-chan. But we can't point a finger at her and say, 「Don't come to the Crown Prince's birth celebration.」

In that case...

「At the time of Chris-sama's birth celebration when Hiro—no, Fiorina-jou first comes to the castle, what if we... don't let her enter the inner depths of the castle?」

When I said that, Chris-sama smirked with a wicked smile.

「That might buy some time.」

Ah... so it would only buy time...

Well then, let's see...

「If you can still start over, I suppose you should close in on them one by one over time?」

That's the only thing I can think of.

「Simultaneously, you should think of preparations for when the country falls into chaos, and how to prevent it from falling into chaos in the first place...」

There's so much to do!!

As I groaned and muttered, Chris-sama let out a small laugh.

「I also knew other things from my previous loops. For example, my father's cause of death.」

His Majesty's cause of death!! Certainly, I was only told that he had 「passed away,」 and wasn't told the detailed circumstances. If I recall, it was 「dying a few days after falling ill」?

「What was the cause?」

「Poison. A cumulative type. It was likely mixed in very small amounts into his food or drink. My mother's illness was also caused by this. Apparently, my father noticed and warned her to 『try not to touch the food as much as possible.』 It seems she truly was unwell, but following my father's advice, she decided to 『pretend to be ill and have trusted maids prepare her meals.』」

「Who was behind the poison...?」

「Staden. Among the kitchen workers who weren't involved in the actual cooking, there was someone from Staden.」

Not the kitchen!! You can do whatever you want in a place like that!! Even if they aren't directly involved in the cooking, they can do it if they really want to!!

「Then let's add that to the list. Doing something about the kitchen personnel and thorough background checks.」

There's just~ so~ much to do~♪

And I probably—no, definitely—still have a lot of things that need to be done... Is it possible this won't be settled unless we assume a loop as the premise?

***

With so much to do that I was wondering where on earth to start... I realized something. If I try to solve these problems alone, won't it be no different from my previous loops?

The reason I started over from the age of five this time was to create 「trustworthy allies.」 And those five people are sufficient for that.

I decided to try talking to them about everything that had happened. However, to speak of it as fact was a bit too absurd. If rumors started that I had gone mad... I might end up back in that detached palace. From my past loops, I knew that once I was imprisoned in that detached palace, I would never be let out for the rest of my life. The moment I am thrown into the palace, I lose.

Even if I were to talk, how should I go about it? After much thought, I decided to simply go with, 「I read a story with such a plot, but...」

One day, I plucked up my courage and told the story. As a story about a prince who repeatedly starts the same time over and over. The reason the prince 「starts over」 is to avoid his own death. The condition for that death, the situation where 「the country falls into chaos.」 A 「mysterious noble house」 and 「those aiming for the usurpation of the throne」 who had entered the country before anyone noticed. The objective of the 「mysterious noble house」 was not particularly described in the story, and it wasn't known what their purpose was for entering the heart of the country. Under such conditions, what should the prince do and how can he avoid death...?

To make it seem as though I had truly read a book, I even spent a week writing out an outline. Thanks to that, everyone seemed to believe that such a book truly existed.

...What was a bit unexpected was that Cera took an extraordinary interest in the story. For a while, she bombarded me with questions like 「Where did you get that book?」, 「What's the title?」, 「Who's the author?」, 「Which publisher?」, and 「If you don't remember any of that, what about the thickness or the color of the cover? Do you remember anything?」

***

「...I am somehow very sorry...」

「Fufu. It's quite alright. Do you like mysteries and such?」

「Yes...」

It wasn't the 「current」 me, but it was undoubtedly me. If I were told such a story, of course I would bite.

The 「Mysteries」 in this world are a bit different from the detective novels on Earth. No, they were originally the same. A murder case in an inexplicable situation, challenged by a Baron famous for his sharp mind... that sort of thing. That is the 「oldest」 mystery in this world. Although it's called the oldest, it was published only about thirty years ago.

Just as reading Poe or Doyle now feels nostalgic, this story felt nostalgic and pastoral to me, and it wasn't bad. The tricks and reasoning were flawless; it was even beautiful. However, after this novel was published, there were fools who imitated the methods.

Entertainment novels are often treated as lowbrow compared to pure literature. This novel was no exception. Furthermore, the subject matter was 「murder.」 It was considered not just lowbrow but barbaric.

But mystery writers and mystery fans don't lose to such headwinds. An otaku's obsession can pierce even stone.

A pen club called 「The Single Key,」 formed by mystery writers, snapped, 「Well, if it's not realistic, then you can't complain, can you!?」 and created and held up the 「Three Keyholes,」 which is like 「Knox's Ten Commandments」 on Earth.

Namely: 「The First Key: The case must always include supernatural elements. The Second Key: All those elements must be presented to the reader before the resolution phase. The Third Key: The detective must not lie.」

...You see... this doesn't forbid an 「unreliable narrator.」 But oh well...

Anyway, almost all stories in the 「Mystery」 genre currently being published adhere to these 「Three Keyholes.」

With all that in mind, back to Chris-sama's story. He had followed these Three Keyholes perfectly. Furthermore, among the mysteries I have read so far, there are none that use tricks like 「time reversal」 or 「time loops.」

Of course I'd bite! I'd be hooked!

「Turning it into a mystery... that might indeed be a good plan.」

As mentioned before, mysteries tend to be disliked, especially by the nobility, as something 「lowbrow and barbaric.」 And since 「murder」 is almost mandatory, they are even shunned by women. Even if they are knowledgeable, they likely wouldn't notice that such a book doesn't exist. ...Since I, a mystery fan, didn't notice.

Moreover, in recent years, a bit of a mystery boom has been occurring, and the number of publications is skyrocketing. Good, good. Finding one book among them... is like looking for a grain of sand in a desert.

「Except for the fact that Cera bit onto it with unusual intensity, it wasn't bad.」

「...Ugh...」

I'm so sorry... But as a story, doesn't that sound interesting...? Since it's nothing but reality to Chris-sama, he probably isn't in a position to say it's 「interesting,」 though...

***

Although it was a topic I brought up during casual talk at tea time, everyone seemed interested and gave various opinions. I had asked a servant beforehand to record the conversation in this room. The servant who was made to take the records probably had a hard time because they didn't understand what was going on. After the tea party, the memos I received from the servant exceeded ten pages.

Cera, who is well-versed in the mystery genre, seemed particularly curious about the 「mysterious nobles.」 Because even their objective was unknown. While their objective was unknown, 「the country falls into chaos when they enter the center.」 That means nothing other than 「it is necessary to throw the country into chaos.」

If they were merely aiming for the 「overthrow of the state,」 they wouldn't spend that much time and effort killing the King and the Prince. If those two were gone, there are those 「throne usurpers,」 so the regime should collapse easily. Even if it didn't collapse, a conflict would break out between the usurpers and the royalists. At that point, the state administration would already be paralyzed. If the 「nation」 ceased to function as a 「nation,」 the overthrow of the state would be accomplished.

I agreed. Now that you mention it, that's exactly right.

In that case, what is their purpose? In everything I've seen so far, where are the words and actions that could be clues to their purpose? Remember. The key to ending this repetition must be there.

The time I was closest to them was the first time. But unfortunately, the first me was the most foolish monster. Even though it is my own memory, I cannot even be certain if what I 「saw」 and 「heard」 was correct. Even so. Even as an uncertain and vague memory, I must have seen and heard something.

Facing my memories of the first time was painful, but I couldn't just leave it at that. Remember. What did they say? How did they move?

Eventually, I reached one memory. Yes. After the King passed away, they said to me, 「Open the treasury to take the Royal Seal.」 That was it. And the traces of them trying to break down the treasury entrance.

Their desire is inside there—!

In that loop, I was properly recognized as the 「next King」 by my parents. That's right. I had to compete with those five 「brilliant and wise」 children. A 「decent」 amount—no, an 「unparalleled」 amount—of study was necessary. I mastered those things almost out of sheer stubbornness and made them recognize me as 「worthy of royalty.」 In the end, there was no way any objection would be raised to my investiture as Crown Prince.

As someone who was legitimately selected and recognized as the Crown Prince, I was taught about the contents of the treasury and how to open the entrance, which I had never been told before. And my father told me, 「Go and take a good look inside once.」 At that time, I replied, 「I will when the opportunity arises,」 because I was so busy I didn't have time for it.

Their objective is in there, and it's probably not the Royal Seal. Then, what is it? What is it that they want to get their hands on, even at the cost of becoming major criminals in the overthrow of the state?

I decided to take an opportunity to enter the treasury. I opened the door, took a step inside, and reflexively stopped in my tracks.

The most prominent place in the treasury. On an exceptionally grand pedestal right in front of the entrance. There, that stone was placed.

***

...Hmm?

「Chris-sama, did you not realize that it was this stone making you 『start over』...?」

「No, I realized that, but...」

Chris-sama cut off his words and smiled bitterly as he looked at the jewelry case.

「The stone that makes me 『start over』 is a blue, white, and transparent stone.」

............What?

No, wait? This stone was a yellowish green when I first got it, but now it's a bluish green... And Chris-sama, looking at it, said... 「It's become quite bluish.」

「Could it be... this stone keeps getting bluer...?」

「It seems so.」

Chris-sama smiled bitterly again. In other words, what? It keeps turning from a yellowish green to blue, and when the yellow component is gone, the magic activates!? Something like that?

「Most likely, in another five years, the scene I saw will be visible.」

...I suppose that's probably it... Scary! I mean, seriously, why did you give me such a thing!? Before 「it will protect you」 or whatever, it's just too much of a magical item, it's terrifying!

As I was getting all 「Hieee...」, Chris-sama laughed a bit playfully.

「Cera, you probably saw it during your education... but the items stored in the treasury are listed in a catalog.」

「Yes.」

I saw it. And I was made to memorize it for the most part.

「In that, the name, material, shape, and origin of the stored items are 『all written in text only.』」

That's right! That was it! And about this stone—

「『Green color』...」

「Yes. It is described as such.」

The reason our family understood this stone to be a 「National Treasure」 was because the 「information written in text and the item before our eyes were exactly the same shape.」 One doesn't usually doubt the catalog of national treasures that exists as a public document of the state. Or rather, there's no need to.

But what if the colors were different, even if they were the same shape and size? Naturally, the catalog has no information that the color might change. And if it were a common gemstone, it would be impossible for the color to change in a short amount of time.

No one would ever think that the 「blue, transparent stone」 before them is the Stone of the Spirits.

「The Stone of the Spirits in the catalog and the stone before me matched in all characteristics. Then, what is this stone that makes me start over? At first, I thought that. But in terms of its position, that blue stone is in that part of the treasury. The same place as the Stone of the Spirits. ...Which means, the thing that makes me start over is the 『Stone of the Spirits.』 I finally realized that.」

***

When I was learning about the catalog and its origin, I thought the parts about 「bestowed by spirits」 and 「power to grant wishes」 were all dubious. When I said as much to the Management Officer who taught me, he nodded with a bitter smile.

「To be honest, I feel the same. Still, the fact that 『the exact origin is unknown』 and 『that stone is not something known』 is true. Those two points alone make it valuable enough to strictly protect the stone and pass it on to the future.」

I see. In other words, its value lies in its rarity. That was the extent of my understanding.

But this stone is not such a cute thing. In terms of rarity, I can say with certainty that it is likely the only one in the world. I don't know if the 「Spirit」 who bestowed this truly exists, but if this truly was bestowed by someone, the one who gave it is a presence far superior to a human. ...Like a spirit or a god.

In the treasury, there are several other extremely valuable items. They are the kind of items where, even if you stole them, you probably wouldn't find anyone who could buy them.

What is Staden trying to take from here? I know it's not the Royal Seal. Other than that, the only unique item that exists only in this treasury is this stone...?

I need to investigate this stone in more detail. With that thought, I left the treasury.

When it comes to investigating the stone... all that is known is that 「its characteristics do not match any minerals existing on earth」 and the myth of it being 「bestowed by spirits.」 I already understand all too well that the stone is mysterious. Rather, it's the reason they want that stone. Is there some wish they want to grant? However, that crucial 「method of granting a wish」 has not been passed down at all. Furthermore, it's a fairy tale that even a child might not believe. Would a whole clan entrust their fate to such a thing? As a reason for wanting it even at the cost of ruining a country, it's a bit lacking.

While searching through various literatures, I found a 「religion」 in which that stone appears.

It's a sect that, while worshipping the same main god, created a discrepancy in the interpretation of doctrines and myths and separated from the current main sect. That sect formed a small community and was known for being very closed and exclusive, and for its loyalty to the doctrine which could be called fanatical. The community of that sect was in Staden's home country. It was said to be a small village of about two hundred people.

In their scriptures, that stone is said to have been bestowed upon their ancestor by a spirit. In this country, it is called 「the stone bestowed by spirits」 or 「the Stone of the Spirits,」 but they call it the 「Stone of Lamentation.」 It is said that the stone has been lamenting and grieving ever since it left their hands, its original owners, and was usurped by our royal family. There even seem to be people with special abilities who 「hear the stone's voice of resentment.」

Could it be that Staden is part of that sect? Do they truly believe such a story as the 「stone's voice of resentment」? Is that why they are trying to steal that stone from the treasury?

But this sect's doctrine is so distorted that it can be said to be inverted when considered with the main sect's doctrine as the axis. In the usual main sect's doctrine, useless killing and stealing are forbidden. But the doctrine of that particular sect proclaims, 「Those with strong wishes are capable of wielding strong power.」 In other words, if you absolutely want money, it can't be helped if you steal it, and if it's someone you hate, it's permissible to kill them. Rather, that is the will of God.

And they blindly believe in such a doctrine. Fanatically, at that. Therefore, this sect is considered 「to be watched」 in various nations. Because they would carry out any kind of outrageous act as 「the will of God.」

It is said that there are no followers of this sect in our country. But we haven't gone around asking every single citizen what religion they belong to. What someone worships in the depths of their heart is something others have no way of knowing.

While I can't deny that the connecting thread feels a bit forced, for now, I decided to build a hypothesis based on the possibility that Staden belongs to that sect.

The troublesome thing about this sect is that there is no outward symbol to identify them. Some extremist sects of other religions have things like tattoos or branding, but they don't have anything like that. Truly, it's something that exists only within their hearts.

As I investigated the sect's doctrines, I found one that said 「no conversion is permitted」 They don't even allow renouncing the faith. According to books written about the world's religions, if the parents are believers in this sect, their child is made to join the faith at the same time they are born. And even before they can understand anything, the doctrine is drilled into them, rather than nursery rhymes. To them, it's not 「fanaticism」 or 「blind faith.」 They are just 「naturally following the doctrine and walking the right path.」

If Staden, who immigrated about a hundred years ago, was part of that sect, it becomes less mysterious that they are still seeking the 「Stone of Lamentation.」 And it becomes possible for someone who seemingly has no connection to them to be linked by the bond of 「doctrine.」 The possibility has emerged that my enemy is not just a single house called 「Staden」 or their relatives, but a 「specific religious sect.」

And they are enemies who kill me and, at the same time, enemies who destroy the country.

I will see it through, no matter what. And I will end this 「starting over.」 I won't die, and I won't let them have their way with this country.

Once again, I made that firm resolve in my heart.