Reincarnated as a Mob in an Otome Game, but the Characters Were Worse Than I Expected, So I Crushed Them All and Destroyed the Story - Chapter 11: Mob Gets Dragged In

Chapter 11: Mob Gets Dragged In

(No way… That’s the heroine!)

There was no mistaking it.

She was exactly what you’d expect if a 2D anime girl stepped straight into the real world—an unrealistically gorgeous beauty.

“Hello there, young lady.”

(!? You idiot! Why are you talking to her out of nowhere!?)

Before I could react, Hank casually called out to Jessica.

I knew she was a commoner, so it wasn’t that big of a deal—

But Hank had never seen her before.

He had no idea if she was a noble or not.

And if she had been a noble, well… I really didn’t want to think about how that would’ve ended.

“(Dude! Why the hell would you take that risk!? What if she was a noble!?)”

“(Don’t stop me, Edward. If it’s for her, I’d gladly give my life.)”

I tried to whisper a warning, but the response I got was beyond insane.

Man. That’s not something you say to a girl you just met.

That’s stalker-level weird.

How was he this reckless!?

“Oh? And who might you be?”

Her voice—

It was exactly the same as the voice actress’s from the game.

Hearing it in person nearly made me hold my breath.

(Damn… Even her voice is perfect…)

“Nice to meet you. My name is Hank. I was so captivated by your beauty that I just had to say something.”

“Fufu, how charming. My name is Jessica.”

(What should I do…!? There wasn’t any event like this in the courtyard this early in the game—at least not one I remember. But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t an event in a route I never played. I want to believe there aren’t any major route splits this early… but I can’t say for sure.)

If the story got thrown off-course this early, it would be a disaster.

The biggest advantage I had would be gone.

The early game was the most delicate stage.

If I changed history here, it could have massive consequences later on.

“Jessica, what’s going on? Oh—wait, are these friends of yours?”

Just as I was panicking, another familiar voice called out from behind.

I turned around—already dreading what I would see.

And sure enough—standing there was exactly who I thought it would be.

Alicia Hamilton.

The Hamilton family was the one that recognized Jessica’s talent as the Priestess of Light and sponsored her enrollment in the academy.

As the eldest daughter of the Hamilton family, Alicia never officially joined the party in the game,

But she was Jessica’s closest and most loyal friend throughout the story.

Having two major MagiRom characters appear at the same time in the same place…

I couldn’t help but feel a rising sense of panic.

“Alicia! Oh, no, we just met for the first time just now.”

“For the first time? I see. I am Alicia Hamilton, eldest daughter of Count Hamilton. Pardon my rudeness, but may I ask for your names?”

Alicia’s gaze sharpened.

She had probably dealt with plenty of guys trying to hit on Jessica before.

Her silver hair, tied into a high ponytail, swayed slightly as she pulled Jessica closer, her eyes filled with stern disapproval.

“H-Hello…! My name is Hank.”

“I’m Edward.”

“Commoners, I see…! I do not support the excessive class system, so I won’t forbid you from speaking to us. However, I expect you to show at least a basic level of respect. Flirting with a young lady you’ve just met is highly inappropriate.”

She wasn’t wrong.

Sure, flirting wasn’t unheard of in town, but in the noble world, it was a huge taboo.

Most noble ladies weren’t in a position to casually “play around.”

And considering how many of them were enrolled at this academy, behaving recklessly could lead to serious trouble.

“I… I’m very sorry…”

Hank hung his head in defeat. 

But then Alicia turned her gaze to me—

And it was just as sharp as before.

“So, does that mean you have no regrets about your behavior?”

“…Huh?”

“You also tried to approach Jessica, didn’t you?”

(Hold on—this is a huge misunderstanding! I’m totally innocent here!)

“W-Wait, no, I—!”

“Yes?”

“Alicia. This person wasn’t hitting on me or anything.”

“…What!?”

A trusted friend’s word held far more weight than the defense of a suspicious stranger.

Just as I was scrambling to figure out how to explain myself, Jessica threw me a lifeline.

If she hadn’t stepped in, I would’ve been labeled as a disrespectful commoner who hit on a noblewoman and showed no remorse.

“I-I’m so sorry…! I completely misunderstood…!”

“It’s fine. Given the situation, anyone would’ve made that assumption.”

“I really am sorry… Jessica gets approached by men so often that I just assumed you were one of them.”

Well, to be fair, Hank had approached her, so it wasn’t like she was entirely wrong.

Still, I could only hope that Alicia would just forget about us entirely, lumping us in as just another pair of nobodies who tried to speak to Jessica.

That way, it would be as if we never interfered with the story in the first place.

“Anyway, we’ll be on our way now. Come, Hank.”

“A-Ah… right.”

I grabbed Hank’s arm, ready to get out of there immediately.

But just as I turned to leave, I noticed a group of men approaching from the opposite direction.

The moment they stepped closer, the atmosphere completely shifted.

Their presence was overwhelming—so much so that it felt like the world had suddenly turned into a shoujo manga panel.

Their elegance, charisma, and commanding auras were impossible to miss.

I froze, completely at a loss for words.

(No way… It’s the love interests! Could my timing be any worse!?)

Lorie Hale—the Prime Minister’s son and the shota archetype.

Rob Cowles—the Knight Captain’s son and the hot-blooded warrior type.

Kenneth Warren—a foreign prince studying abroad, filling the mysterious airhead role.

Even just those three were intimidating enough—

But leading them at the front was none other than Alec Criminal, First Prince of the Criminal Kingdom.

“Well, if it isn’t Jessica and Lady Hamilton. What are you two doing here?”

“O-Oh, Your Highness! I was just talking with Alicia and these gentlemen.”

“…With them?”

(Jessica, no! That’s not what you’re supposed to say!)

A moment ago, she had saved me—

And now, she had just handed me a death sentence.

The love interests turned their sharp gazes on us, their expressions instantly hostile.

(Damn it…! So Jessica’s already gotten close to them? That’s way faster than I expected…!)

I hadn’t anticipated that the love interests would show up here—

Not this early.

The atmosphere between us turned painfully tense.

But defying them wasn’t an option.

Immediately, Hank and I assumed the royal salute posture.

“M-My deepest apologies. We were merely having a brief conversation with Miss Jessica and Lady Hamilton.”

“Ehh? But didn’t you just call me beautiful a moment ago~?”

Hank tried desperately to salvage the situation—

But Jessica delivered yet another merciless strike.

Why does she keep setting us up like this!? 

Is this on purpose!? It has to be on purpose, right!?

“So? Jessica seems to think otherwise.”

“M-Miss Jessica is, without a doubt, beautiful—anyone would say that. But I swear, I had no ulterior motives.”

The only thing saving us right now was that Hank hadn’t actually said anything too suggestive yet.

Alec stared us down for a while before finally sighing.

“Very well. Just make sure you never speak to her again.”

(Never again!? That’s a problem…!)

If I couldn’t talk to Jessica, then my plan to protect Haralua was dead in the water.

But there was no way I could bring it up in this atmosphere.

I had no choice but to lower my head, accept my fate, and leave with Hank.

Or at least, that was the plan—

Until someone stopped us.

“W-Wait!”

Alicia’s voice rang out, making me freeze.

“Edward, you looked like you had something you wanted to say. Your expression seemed troubled… Were you holding something back?”

“…Is that so?”

Alec turned his gaze to me, his piercing blue eyes scrutinizing me like a predator sizing up prey.

Ignoring the words of a high-ranking noble like Alicia was not an option.

When I turned back, she was watching me with concern—

A reminder of her in-game personality.

Alicia was always sharp and perceptive—

She had a knack for noticing when people were troubled, and she was the type to listen and offer support.

Honestly, she had been one of my favorite characters in the game.

But right now?

That sharpness was working against me.

“I-I… No, of course not…”

“Speak. I am a prince, after all. And I cannot trust a man who lies to royalty. If you lie to me again—I will have your head.”

(Hey—!? You’ve gotta be kidding me…!)

There was no way out now.

If I made up a lie and they found out, I’d be executed—

And Haralua would be left completely defenseless.

I was cornered.

I had no choice.

At the very least, I could give a formal appeal.

I took a deep breath, assumed the royal salute, and raised my voice.

“…! Haralua is at risk of a massive monster attack! Please—I beg you—grant us your aid!”

“…Haralua, hm? And your evidence?”

“In recent years, the number of monsters in the forests surrounding Haralua has increased dramatically! If nothing is done, the starving monsters will spill out from the forest, attack Haralua, and wipe it out completely!”

Anyone who investigated the area would immediately see the rising monster population.

The true cause was that the Demon Lord’s forces were gathering monsters to prepare for an assault on humanity—

But if I mentioned that, I could end up being accused of colluding with monsters.

So I could only stick to the objective facts.

“…Haralua, huh…”

“Please… I beg of you…!”

“…I see…”

Silence fell over us.

A long, suffocating silence.

Even though it lasted only a moment, it felt like an eternity.

And the one who finally broke the silence—

Was, of course, the prince himself.

“I refuse.“

My breath caught in my throat.

My head snapped up in disbelief.

Alec’s piercing gaze locked onto me.

And on his face—

Was a cruel, cold smile.

A smile I had never once seen in the game.