Jobless Rising! ~I’ve Become a NEET. I Acquired Lewd Skills and Lived a Life of Sex in the Other World and in Japan. Before I Knew it, I Was Impregnating A Harem of Ladies?!~

Chapter 98: Reunion with Filmeria: Stirrings Within the Empire

Filmeria’s mansion wasn’t some grand estate like Erinabel’s—it was relatively modest and tucked away in a quieter corner. Probably not many servants around either.

I arrived just before dark, and the servant who greeted me glanced at Cui perched on my head.

“…Oh! You must be Touya-sama! My lady instructed me to let you in if you came by. Please, come inside.”

And just like that, I was smoothly ushered into the mansion.

Erinabel hasn’t been able to return home properly for days, it seems. They might’ve planned ahead in case I popped into this world, coordinating between themselves.

After waiting in a private room for a bit, a knock sounded, and the door swung open. There stood Filmeria, the silver-haired, odd-eyed, breathtakingly busty beauty I hadn’t seen in ages.

“Touya-sama…!”

Filmeria rushed over and threw her arms around me. As her head pressed against my chest, the faint scent of soap from her silver hair tickled my nose.

“Filmeria…! It’s been a while! You doing okay…?”

“Yes…! Oh, I’m sorry…! I just… hugged you out of nowhere…”

She slowly pulled back, her purple and emerald eyes gleaming with that same magnetic charm. I ran my fingers through her shimmering silver hair as I spoke.

“Don’t worry about it. Three weeks, huh…? You’re as cute as ever, Filmeria!”

“N-no way…”

Filmeria’s blush was painfully obvious.

Man, when I first arrived in this world today, I was kinda nervous about seeing her after so long…!

Maybe it’s the booze or all the chaos earlier, but that tension’s gone now. I’m just genuinely happy to be talking with her.

Filmeria said she was having dinner prepared, so we’d chat here while waiting. I’d already eaten a bit, but no big deal.

“When did you arrive, Touya-sama…?”

“Just today. I was killing time in the commoner district earlier since Erinabel wasn’t at her mansion.”

“Oh… Erinabel-sama’s been terribly busy…”

We sat side by side on a long couch.

Man, Filmeria’s breasts are looking lively as ever…!

“By the way, I heard some big noble defected to the rebels? Picked that up in town.”

“Yes, Jairas Lufred, a Fourth Count. He’s considered one of the great lords in the empire.”

I vaguely recalled Erinabel mentioning something about great territories before. Seeing my blank look, Filmeria kindly elaborated.

“Many imperial nobles hold territories, but great lords govern exceptionally vast lands.”

The empire built its current dominion through countless invasions and annexations. Some great lords are apparently descended from powerful nobles—or even royalty—of those conquered nations.

In most cases, they divide their massive territories among their kin to govern.

‘Hmm… Think of it like an independent state within the empire. And one of those just joined the rebels.’

Yikes… This civil war’s getting serious… With a territory that huge switching sides, no wonder logistics are taking a hit.

“So, he was a noble the empire couldn’t just ignore.”

“Yes… Prince Yugdovarn already had one great lord on his side. Jairas, the Fourth Count, makes two.”

I’d heard most high-ranking nobles stick with Lark to protect their interests, but either they’re fed up with him, or the younger prince played his cards right…

“I see. So, the castle’s been holding nonstop meetings to figure out how to deal with the shifting power balance.”

“Exactly. I’ve only heard bits and pieces, but Lufred’s territory has a lot of mines, and it’s causing ripple effects everywhere.”

Tough times for the empire… Before, I could’ve brushed it off as someone else’s problem. But now, it’s not so easy to stay detached.

I can’t help but think—what if the empire falls…? It’s only natural. Erinabel’s my master, and I’ve shared a “battlefield” with Lark.

The only rebel I know is Alkrom, so of course I’m more invested in the empire’s side.

I’m curious how much breathing room the empire has left—or if it’s already out. Maybe I’ll ask Erinabel when we meet up.

“By the way, Touya-sama, how long are you staying this time?”

“Huh? …Dunno, haven’t thought it through. For now, I’ll grab some magic stones, meet up with Erinabel, and figure it out from there…”

“I see. Then… it should be fine.”

Filmeria gave a sweet smile. So cute…!

“What’s fine?”

“Well… Princess Avies-sama, His Majesty Aranx’s sister, has expressed a desire to meet you, Touya-sama.”

“…Huh?”

I slowly chewed over Filmeria’s words. Lark… has a sister…?

No, that’s not the point. Well, kinda, but not really. A princess… wants to meet me…!?

“Wha—!? You mean…! The imperial royalty… wants to meet me, a Fifteenth Count!? Why!?”

A Fifteenth Count is basically half-commoner, half-noble. Meeting or even talking with top-tier royalty like that? That’s not something that happens every day.

…Though, come to think of it, I literally just did that today!

“Well… I’ve been close with Avies-sama for some time…”

“Oh?”

Filmeria explained the situation. Before she started holing up in this mansion, she used to attend noble gatherings and tea parties.

She didn’t love crowded events, but as a high-ranking noble, some were unavoidable.

Apparently, the Fimirun family has deep ties to the imperial family, with even a royal marriage in their past.

Well, they’re a prestigious noble house with one of the original Twelve Radiant Generals as an ancestor. Filmeria herself has unique magical powers—a thoroughbred of noble lineage.

“As a hero from another world with the power to defy my foresight, Touya-sama, I thought you could help. So, I accepted Avies-sama’s invitation after a long time…”

“Uh-huh.”

“I told her about you. She recognized your importance and even offered to grant you the rank of Tenth Count…”

“STOOOOP!!”

Whoa, this escalated fast! Okay, I’ll admit there’s a high chance I’m the prophesied hero. But how does talking to a princess help me…!? And what’s this about a Tenth Count!?

“Why would telling her about me help? And what’s a Tenth Count!?”

“Avies-sama is concerned about the ongoing civil war in the empire. She’s pained by how the nobles’ power struggles are dragging so many commoners into the mess.”