Flabby cheeks burying his features, sly narrowed eyes, jiggling arms, and a belly swollen like a mountain.
Adorned in luxurious silk and jewelry, the sight was quite comical.
This villain straight out of a caricature, the epitome of a corrupt noble, was named Geri Hallara.
An extra who made a brief appearance in the game story.
A stereotypical antagonist fitting his looks, destined to be brutally defeated and killed by the protagonist.
What can I say? He was the type who flaunted his arrogance through actions and dialogue, as if to declare, "This is the average noble in this world!"
But with me, he fawned obsequiously, picking his targets carefully.
"Ahem, Lord Alzen. Are you listening?"
"Huh? No."
"Pardon? What do you..."
Facing such an overwhelming mass of flesh was burdensome, so I averted my gaze without thinking.
"I wasn't listening. What were you saying?"
"...Well, you see."
His face smiled, but shadows crossed his features, lips twitching—he was clearly pissed.
He wasn't even good at hiding his emotions.
Then again, the Geri family didn't treat Hallara like a discarded child for nothing.
He had noble blood, so they kept him around, but he had no talent, no brains, and ugly looks—no use for him at all.
Aware of that, Hallara had given up and lived like a wastrel.
Much like "Starnassila Alzen."
"..."
Ah, but he did get married? And had a ton of kids... In that regard, better than Alzen.
"Lord Alzen! With us, we can conquer the world!"
"Huh...?"
I stared blankly as he suddenly shot to his feet, raising his voice.
"With all the past and future information you possess! Combined with my abilities! No one will be able to ignore us!"
"What abilities do you even have?"
"I hate to say it, but! I heard you're also a discarded son of the Duke's Family! I'm the same! Don't you want compensation for that humiliation and hardship?"
"No, I mean, how exactly, with what method..."
"We can do it! If you just provide the information! I'll refine it into a unique gem unlike any other in the world!"
He wasn't listening to a word I said.
And his words were the delusions of an idiot detached from reality.
Forcing false empathy by bringing up being a discarded son... It was the worst kind of chatter, devoid of any intellect.
If I were actually Starnassila Alzen, I'd have cut his throat on the spot.
"Haa... Get out."
"Especially the Elixir! If those rumors are true... Eh, yes?"
"Don't drool your filthy soup here. Get out, you pig bastard."
I glared fiercely and spat the curse; he trembled, face flushing red.
"H-How dare you, even if you're from the Duke's Family... Such rudeness...!"
"Haa... Murel. The guest is leaving."
"Yes. This way to the exit, sir."
As Murel subtly exuded pressure, his face drained white, and he waddled out like a pig squealing.
"I-I'll remember this...!"
Bang!
He said something at the end, but the door slam drowned it out.
"Murel. Are they all like that?"
"...Lord Urtega selected the visitors."
"Really? Our great Duke let that guy in? No idea what he's thinking."
After that, more visitors who wanted to see me kept coming one after another.
The second was like Geri Hallara.
The third was worse than Hallara but had some ability.
The fourth far surpassed Hallara but absurdly tried to put a leash on me.
"Hmm..."
As the line progressed, the visitors' caliber rose noticeably, sparking my interest bit by bit.
Especially the fourth one just now—he was the head of a major merchant guild, well-researched on Starnassila Alzen, dredging up that trash's past vile crimes and evidence to blackmail me.
Of course, it fell flat.
When I reacted indifferently, he panicked, face turning blue in surprise—it was quite the sight.
"Lord Alzen. That man just now. Shall I kill him?"
"Huh? Why?"
Turning, I saw Murel had drawn her dagger, staring at the closed door.
"He dared threaten you."
"Well, it's a capital offense, but my mood isn't that bad right now, so killing him over that feels..."
"And I sensed blatant killing intent from him."
"Oh? Interesting."
Planning to send an assassin?
Makes sense—threatening the Duke's Family third son would cost him his head if word got out.
So, meeting me was his all-or-nothing gamble.
Jackpot if successful, ruin if not.
Probably the gambling type who thrived on the thrill.
Quite intriguing; odd he's not in the setting notes.
"Never mind. Leave him."
"...Understood."
"Ah, what was that guy's name?"
"Zev."
"A commoner, huh. I'll remember... Nah, probably won't. You remember for me."
"Yes."
Gulp!
"Phew..."
Anyway, what was Urtega's intent in arranging this lineup and order? Testing me?
It started annoying, but now it's getting fun.
"Pardon the intrusion."
After a short wait, the next visitor appeared.
Distinct features hinting at uprightness, sun-tanned bronze skin, orange ponytail exposing her neck, and blazing orange eyes.
"Hmm...?"
More than familiar—welcome—so I stared openly.
"If I seem off-putting, please forgive me. I'm an ignorant commoner who never learned manners or etiquette."
She bowed slightly at my gaze, then straightened proudly, chest out.
For some reason, her outfit exposed her belly and sides, drawing eyes to her long vertical navel and defined abs.
No—on closer look, the curves of her entire body were blatantly revealed.
Seducing me?
Not her style, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Yet she still radiated beast-like wariness—very her.
No talent for seduction.
"I'm Rebecca, adventurer and mercenary. I came seeking answers after hearing rumors of Starnassila Alzen."
"Must've been a shock. Just probing, but you actually got permission."
Flinch.
She twitched her shoulders faintly, then nodded cautiously.
"Yes. Never dreamed I'd enter the Duke's Family."
"Hmm, adventurer and mercenary... Rank?"
"Gold rank."
"Both?"
"Yes."
"Ho. Talented."
"Thank you."
I nodded at the sofa; she bowed again and sat slowly.
"This is something..."
Didn't expect to see Rebecca here.
She's the tough big-sis type, tall with a healthy, voluptuous figure, refreshing and striking looks, solid combat prowess to the end—popular party member for many players.
Not a heroine, but that doesn't matter.
Origin World has a "Heroine Promotion" system.
Raise affinity and trigger events, any woman can become a heroine.
Even gets custom text, endings, and illustrations.
Applies to all female characters.
Yes, Origin World was a true god-game.
No wonder I was hooked.
If only I hadn't possessed it...
By the way, can't promote all; max 6 heroines + protagonist = 7 party max.
Now that game's reality, who knows how limits apply.
"Lord Alzen?"
"Hm? Ah... Sorry. Too much liquor, maybe."
I gulped some down; her face briefly showed pity, then blanked instantly.
A reaction fitting her upright, effort-loving nature—I couldn't help chuckling.
Ah, shouldn't.
Sip, exhale...
I puffed cigarette smoke, wiped the smile, met her eyes.
"Is Leona's condition that bad?"
"...!?"
Just a light jab from me, but she bolted up, eyes wide, convulsing almost.
"H-How do you know!"
"Calm down and sit. You're scaring our maid."
Murel had stepped forward with dagger drawn; I nodded at her. Rebecca snapped to, sat slowly.
But her blazing orange eyes trembled with doubt, shock, awe.
"C-Could you truly be... an avatar?"
"Does it matter? Want answers? That's the last one."
"...!!"
Her face hardened; she bowed hastily.
"S-Sorry! I was rude beyond my station!"
"Not that bad. Just got too many such questions lately... irritating."
I puffed smoke, gulped liquor.
Unlike before, she was rigidly tense, sweating coldly, fists clenched.
"..."
In her post-promotion story, her sister dies.
Raided by demons at the dramatic moment of curing her incurable disease.
Fuels her demon hatred sky-high, clinching her hero party spot.
Saving her sister here could massively alter the future.
Might even prevent party join forever.
"..."
But does this worry even matter?
With no clue on protagonist or future flow, basing on original story just spits wrong answers.
Alright. Decided.
I'll do as I please.
Need useful talent anyway—perfect.
"You came for the cure to Mana Perforation?"
"Mana Perforation...!? I-Is that my sister's illness!?"
"...Ah, oops. Slipped."
I smirked, sipped liquor.
"Let the name slip... What now? Got key info—head out? My mistake, no charge."
"N-No! First time hearing 'Mana Perforation.' I want the cure!"
"Really? You love your sister. Makes sense, dressing like that."
"...Urk."
Pointing out her revealing outfit, her face flushed.
Far more alluring than her illustrations.
"Kuku. What if I demand your body?"
"...I'll give it. Body and all I have. As you wish."
I nodded at her resolute, burning face.
Yes, that's Rebecca.
Just like in-game—nostalgic.
"For real? Suck you dry to the marrow?"
"..."
No answer.
Just hot, steadfast eyes of conviction.
"Aigoo, scary... Fine. Fair trade: your answer."
"Really!? Thank you!"
Her face bloomed in a huge grin, bowing vigorously.
Jiggle jiggle! Plump plump!
"...Wow."
I exclaimed unwittingly, gulping liquor.
This sip was weirdly sweet and tasty.