Little Tyrant Doesn't Want to Meet with a Bad End Chapter 2: I Should At Least Die A Knowing Death
Previously on Little Tyrant Doesn't Want to Meet with a Bad End...
The game 'Eyes of the Chronicler' presented itself as a strategy-based gal game, boasting a rather intricate storyline. Typically, gal games commence with a common route before players delve into individual character paths, and this one was no different, featuring four primary romantic interests. For players, the experience was often overwhelming due to the sheer volume of events and repetitive time skips, which led to an information overload that detracted from the user experience. Furthermore, the abundance of routes culminating in bad ends, coupled with a noticeable lack of satisfying romantic content, frequently left players feeling frustrated and eager for a better outcome.
Despite these drawbacks, the game did possess certain commendable features. The major characters were rendered with stunning illustrations, and their backstories and world-building elements were quite detailed and immersive.
The protagonist of 'Eyes of the Chronicler' was a character named Paul Ackermann. Bearing the royal bloodline of the Austine Empire, he had gone missing during his childhood, only to be located by the royal intelligence network at the age of sixteen. Upon his discovery, he was swiftly brought back to the imperial palace and formally acknowledged as a prince of the empire.
While the title of imperial prince may have sounded grand, the reality was less than ideal owing to the presence of Paul's two elder brothers. Having spent his formative years on the streets, Paul's lack of refinement and etiquette resulted in his marginalization by the factions supporting his older siblings. Consequently, Paul was eventually dispatched to the learned Country of Academics Brolne to pursue his studies.
The game's common route initiated with the protagonist's arrival in the Country of Academics Brolne. There, he would soon encounter a variety of beautiful young ladies, commencing an adventure filled with heart-pounding romance. Once a female character was chosen for pursuit—signaling the player's transition to a specific character's independent route—the protagonist, leveraging his intellect, combat prowess, and the assistance of his chosen girlfriend, would orchestrate a return to his homeland to vie for power amidst the ongoing factional conflicts. Ultimately, he would triumph over his two elder brothers to claim the imperial throne.
In essence, the narrative followed a trajectory from academic pursuits to a struggle for supremacy within the royal court.
Among the four potential romantic interests the protagonist encountered was Alicia Ascart.
Alicia Ascart, a spy dispatched by the Theocracy to Paul's side, was known for the difficulty of her character route. Her exquisite beauty, which resonated well with the players' aesthetic preferences, consistently placed her among the top three most popular characters in polls. She served as a virtual icon for the game, a fact Roel recalled with particular clarity.
What he remembered even more vividly was a specific CG scene depicting Alicia swiftly decapitating the villain, Roel Ascart.
Indeed, Roel Ascart was none other than the formidable antagonist of the Middle School Arc in 'Eyes of the Chronicler'!
Within that arc, the main character and his assembled female companions would expose Roel Ascart's malevolent schemes before collectively bringing about his demise. Following this climactic confrontation, the main character would then select a romantic interest and commence their dedicated route.
In the game's narrative, despite Alicia being Roel's stepsister, she harbored profound animosity towards him, stemming from the severe suffering he had inflicted upon her. During the final confrontation, embodying the principle of 'an eye for an eye,' she decisively severed his head with a single, swift strike.
“...”
A young boy with charming dark hair sat perched on a high chair crafted from Robinia wood, his gaze fixed intently on the edge of the table before him. He was deeply engrossed in serious contemplation...
Could I still change my fate if I were to slam my head against the corner of this table right now?
Roel brought a hand to his forehead, a subtle frown beginning to crease his youthful features. He felt an overwhelming urge to burst into tears at that very moment!
Isn't the universe playing a cruel joke on me? It's one thing not to be reborn as the main character, but to be cast as a villain on the common route? Could my situation possibly be any worse?
What am I supposed to do now? My stepsister has already appeared before me; it surely won't be long before she's chasing me with a blade in hand!
“C-calm down. Especially in times like these, I must remain composed!”
Roel took several deep breaths, attempting to harness his adult intellect to rein in his rising panic. He reminded himself that one should not falter in the face of adversity, as panic rarely leads to a solution.
He repeated this mantra internally, gradually feeling a sense of calm return. He lightly patted his own cheeks to momentarily jar himself awake before commencing a determined effort to find a way out of his predicament.
As the old saying goes, every consequence arises from a cause. Emotions like love and hatred do not simply materialize from nothing. Given this, why would Alicia Ascart, the 'Silverash Child,' harbor such intense loathing for someone she had only encountered once?
Roel delved into his recollections, searching for details about the game's narrative. He remembered that fragments of information did exist, shedding light on Alicia's animosity towards him, though these were largely fleeting mentions. After a considerable period of introspection, Roel distilled the reasons into three primary points. Foremost, Roel had subjected Alicia to torment throughout their childhood. Spoiled by his father's doting affection, he had indulged his every whim, wielding his authority to make Alicia's existence a misery. Secondly, before her adoption into the Ascart family, Alicia was the cherished only daughter of a baron. This baron tragically perished in a battle while defending Roel's father. Thirdly, during the Ascart House's downfall, Roel, in a bid for personal gain, had even offered Alicia as a bargaining chip. While the game provided no further elaboration on this particular act, considering Alicia's breathtaking beauty alone... “Tsk, this Roel clearly had a screw loose! Was his head stuck in a doorframe when he was young? Wouldn't it be wonderful to have such a beautiful little sister to cherish? Why on earth would he bully her, let alone give her away? Do you even realize how terrifying she becomes later in the game? She's the Silverash Child, known for being an unconquerable force beneath the moon!” Roel clutched his head, speechless, utterly bewildered by the other Roel's suicidal impulses. He proceeded to prioritize these three reasons. The second point seemed of lesser immediate consequence. The most crucial factor, however, was the third reason! Analyzing these points in terms of their solvability, the first reason appeared relatively straightforward. Roel simply needed to refrain from bullying her. The second was now beyond his power to alter, as the past could not be undone. The third, though, presented a significant challenge. “My family will face ruin? How can that be?” The young boy stared blankly at the third reason he had jotted down on a piece of paper. Recalling the game's storyline, the Ascart House indeed experienced a decline roughly ten years later. It was around this same period that Roel, despite his noble lineage, became ensnared by a demonic cult, ultimately transforming into one of the primary antagonists. Roel lifted his head, surveying the opulent study surrounding him. A tuliptree from the Gran Fiefdom, leather scrolls originating from the Earssen Highlands, the coveted glass cabinets favored by the nobility of the Holy Capital, and incense whose value rivaled gold wafting gently in the air. Inhaling the scent of his opulent surroundings, his spirits began to lift. For such a distinguished family to fall into ruin? It seemed utterly preposterous! Yet, the game's veracity could not be doubted. The Ascart House had undeniably fallen from grace within the game's plot, compelling Roel to accept this reality, however unbelievable it seemed. His immediate goal was to devise a strategy to avert this fate. Seated before the study desk, the young boy folded his small arms, his brow furrowed in deep contemplation. His frown intensified, and he felt himself sinking deeper into a mire of despair. Nothing came to mind whatsoever! Roel found himself utterly incapable of conceiving a plan to prevent his family's decline. Furthermore, this event was not a focal point within the game's narrative. Lacking the prophetic advantage of other transmigration protagonists, what could a mere nine-year-old child possibly achieve? He was no Alicia! Beyond his striking good looks, he was nothing more than an ordinary child! What should I do? Am I destined to meet my end like this? Fear, like a creeping shadow, enveloped Roel, leaving him thoroughly terrified. It was at this precise moment that a clear chime resonated within his mind. 【Ding!】 【System initializing...】