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 99: Touya’s Situation: The Emperor’s Return

Apparently, Princess Avies Kainzbern used to confide in Filmeria about her concerns over the empire’s ongoing civil war.

Filmeria mentioned me to her, hoping to lift her spirits by revealing that the prophesied hero had finally appeared.

But that wasn’t the only reason. She figured that if the princess acknowledged my existence as a hero, it’d ultimately benefit me.

“The biggest point is that you, Touya-sama, are the only one who’s ever changed the outcome of my foresight….”

“Meaning…?”

“My visions always show someone’s death. The empire’s nobles both fear and hope to appear in my dreams.”

So, it’s bad luck if you show up, but good luck if it’s a political rival. Talk about messy!

“Just hypothetically, if someone who knows about you, Touya-sama, appeared in my vision, what do you think would happen…?”

“…They’d probably think I could protect them, right?”

“Exactly. Not just Avies-sama, but any noble in the empire would want you by their side.”

Got it… If they show up in Filmeria’s death visions but have me around, they might avoid the worst outcome. I’ve already changed the fate of two girls, after all.

And with the civil war raging, royalty’s probably a prime target. If someone like Lark or the princess got taken out now, the empire could fall apart.

Avies likely wants to secure me as an ally to prevent that chaos. That’d mean giving me preferential treatment—royalty holds serious sway in this class-based society.

Having altered two prophecies is enough to make anyone want me close, hero or not.

“I get it. Basically, Avies-sama wants me on her side to protect herself, her close allies, or key figures running the empire, in case they show up in your death visions.”

“Yes. Your unprecedented promotion to Tenth Count is a direct result of Avies-sama’s influence.”

Trying to butter me up with a reward upfront, huh?

A noble rank upgrade’s not a bad deal. If I keep climbing, maybe I can openly have Erinabel and Filmeria by my side!

“But Avies-sama’s also quite pragmatic. She’s probably skeptical about whether you’re truly the prophesied hero.”

“Well, I’m half-doubting it myself. No way to prove it either!”

And, if I’m lucky, maybe I’m not the hero… Though Cui’s reactions make it seem pretty certain!

“I mostly get the picture. Princess Avies-sama wants to meet me face-to-face to size me up.”

“Yes. I’ll send a messenger to Erinabel-sama and Avies-sama at the castle tomorrow. I’m sure they’ll arrange a meeting with you soon.”

Ugh… It sounds like I don’t need to stress too much, but it feels like a job interview. Kinda nerve-wracking…! Here’s hoping the princess is a beauty…

“By the way, how old is Avies-sama?”

“She’s nineteen. I’m sure you’ll be delighted when you see her, Touya-sama.”

“…Huh? What’s that mean?”

“Avies-sama is far more beautiful than I could ever be…”

Whoa…! For Filmeria to say that…! Now I’m pumped!

But, Filmeria, like I thought before, your self-esteem’s a bit low…

Maybe it’s because of all the foresight stuff, but she seems to lack confidence. I reached out with my left hand and grabbed hers.

“Touya-sama…?”

“I’ll say it as many times as it takes. I think your hair, your eyes—everything about you is gorgeous.”

I gently stroked her silver hair with my right hand. Filmeria’s eyes softened with comfort.

Back on Earth, odd-eyed celebrities are a thing, and it’s not something people find creepy. But in this world? Who knows. Maybe Filmeria had a rough childhood because of it.

“I was really looking forward to seeing you today.”

I kept weaving words to boost her confidence.

And, well, I’m planning to sleep with her tonight, so this is like foreplay to set the mood!

“T-Touya-sama…”

Filmeria turned to me. I tilted her chin up, lifting her beautiful face. As she slowly closed her eyes, I leaned in to kiss those captivating lips…

‘Excuse me, dinner is ready.’

“!? Y-Y-Yes!?”

…Right at the good part!

A servant knocked and called out, making Filmeria jump up, her face beet red.

“I-I’ll be right there…!”

‘Yes.’

The servant’s footsteps faded. Guess I’ll save the fun for tonight!

Or so I thought, but Filmeria shyly grabbed my arm.

“Filmeria…?”

“Um… w-well…”

She fidgeted, eyes cast down.

This…! She’s begging for more…!?

Too shy to say it, she just held my arm. So adorably coy…!

“Filmeria.”

“Ah…”

No way I’m letting this slide. I pulled her close, stroking her head as I tilted her face up again. And then…

“Nn…”

Our lips brushed lightly.

So soft…! I want to start right here and now…! But if we skip dinner, the servants might get suspicious. Patience, patience…!

Feeling the itch in my lower half, I slowly pulled back, locking eyes with her at close range. Her purple and emerald gaze burned with clear desire.

“We’ll continue after dinner… okay?”

“Y… Yes…”

And with that, we left the room.

“Your Majesty…! Where have you been…!?”

“Hey, Zeppenbar! What’s with the red face? You look like a boiled lobster! Gahaha!”

Aranx, back at the castle, was reviewing documents in his office when Military Minister Zeppenbar stormed in.

“Honestly…! Do you realize what kind of situation we’re in…!? I’ve told you time and again to stick to the castle or imperial palace…!”

“Huh? Did you?”

“Please take this seriously…! We don’t know where rebels like Alkrom might be lurking…!”

Truth be told, Zeppenbar thought Yugdovarn, Aranx’s younger brother, was far more suited to be emperor. Yugdovarn had received proper royal training and was a man of character.

But Zeppenbar also saw danger in Yugdovarn’s ideals.

The empire, for better or worse, was run by high-ranking nobles taking leadership. Its thousand-year history created entrenched privileges but also drove progress.

A class-based society, with ranks and hierarchies, was the empire’s backbone.

To Zeppenbar, Yugdovarn’s approach—granting strong authority regardless of noble or commoner status—felt too radical. He couldn’t trust him to lead the next thousand years.

Yugdovarn seemed intent on dismantling the empire from within.

This wasn’t just Zeppenbar’s view—many high-ranking nobles shared it, which is why they backed Aranx as emperor.

“If we don’t know where they’re hiding, it doesn’t matter where I go, right?”

“That’s not how it works…! At least the castle and palace are safe…!”

Aranx hadn’t received much training as a ruler, partly because his mother was a commoner. He was born to a woman the previous emperor met during a hunt.

As the first son of an emperor who struggled to have children, Aranx was adopted by a high-ranking noble—the previous emperor’s legitimate wife and Yugdovarn’s mother.

Legally a high noble, his commoner blood and the presence of a pedigreed heir like Yugdovarn made him an unlikely candidate for the throne.

Everyone, including the previous emperor, assumed Yugdovarn would succeed. Aranx was expected to be married off abroad or to a powerful domestic noble. So, his education as a ruler was minimal.

That’s not the whole reason, but it left Aranx with plenty of free time as a prince. He often roamed, drinking and causing trouble in the lower city.

Meanwhile, Yugdovarn was diligent, excelling in studies and martial arts. Everyone saw a bright future for the empire under him.

And that’s why few noticed the revolutionary spark growing in the young prince.

“Safe in the castle or palace… huh?”

“…What?”

Yugdovarn’s ideals threatened to upend the empire’s traditional structure.

By the time high nobles noticed, it was too late. A fervent movement had already formed around him, especially among commoners and lesser nobles.

Left unchecked, that fervor would burn the high nobles. Yet the previous emperor did nothing about Yugdovarn. If left alone, the Kainzbern Empire, steeped in history, would be remade into something unrecognizable.

So, when Yugdovarn left the capital for a regional inspection, the previous emperor suddenly died. For various reasons, Yugdovarn’s return was delayed, and Aranx was hastily crowned.

But Yugdovarn’s movement had taken deep root. On the empire’s thousandth anniversary, those craving a new empire rallied behind him. The empire split in two.

“Pro-rebel nobles and commoners are everywhere, even in the castle. Doesn’t matter where I am—it’s always dangerous. Those fanatics would throw their lives away for my brother. Man, zealots are scary!”

“…”

The civil war’s early days were chaotic. Some lords declared independence in distant regions, even backed by foreign powers, sparking a long conflict.

Now, the fight is between the imperial army and rebels, but Yugdovarn’s ideals still draw supporters. Even now.

High nobles, including conservatives like Zeppenbar, see Yugdovarn as a threat.

No matter how capable, Aranx is the better choice to maintain the traditional empire.

“Things are different now. Everyone working in the castle has been thoroughly vetted. Just… please stop sneaking out.”

“Yeah, yeah…”

“Why did you leave so suddenly anyway…?”

“Huh? As emperor, I was worried about my people! Hahaha!”

Of course, that wasn’t true. Aranx just wanted to have fun, no matter the situation. What that meant changed day to day.

“Well, I had an interesting time and got it out of my system! I’ll stay put for a while, so relax!”

“…I sincerely hope so.”