Chapter 6.0 - The perfect ending for the show?

✧⭑★⭑✧

After last night’s show, I can practically feel it—people will be talking about me and the black market bust for days.

A mysterious hero who saved the capital and tore the masks off villains. Perfect headline material for today’s paper.

And you know what makes the climax of a show even better? Obviously—a cup of hot chocolate.

Honestly, I never even thought chocolate existed in this world. As a kid, I refused to eat it at all, convinced it would make every single one of my teeth fall out. Children are far easier to influence than adults… so you can understand me.

Uh… I just noticed the café I walked into is literally called “Café.” Looks like my Dragons weren’t the only ones with originality issues—turns out the capital is full of “creative” people.

Despite the primitive name, the place was surprisingly spacious. Judging by the crowd, it was popular. And I quickly saw why—the counter was lined with pastries I recognized.

Was that… taiyaki? And over there—mochi? Could it be I’m not the only one who reincarnated? If so, the only real rival I could have is someone from my own world. Which means I should hide in my sister’s shadow even more.

While I was thinking, it was my turn to order.

“What will you have?” the waitress asked.

“One hot chocolate and one taiyaki.”

“Coming right up.”

She handed me a number. I took a seat and waited. My suspicions about another otherworlder faded when I looked more closely at the interior—almost exactly like a café from my old world, with service far too modern for this medieval setting.

“Your order,” the waitress said, setting down the hot chocolate and pastry.

“Thanks.”

I bit into the taiyaki. The warm crust gave way with a soft crunch, revealing a tender filling. Sweet red bean paste melted on my tongue, stirring long‑forgotten memories from my past life. For a moment, I was back at the school kiosk in Japan.

Right—time for the newspaper. I needed to make sure they hadn’t written anything stupid.

Headline: “Order of the Holy Sword Uncovers the Capital’s Largest Black Market!”

Hugo Alanor, who led the operation, was quoted as saying:

“Light will always drive away darkness, and as long as there is a weapon in my hand, evil will find no peace.”

“What??” I blurted aloud.

The waitress hurried over, concerned.

“Is something wrong?”

“Oh… sorry. Just read some shocking news.”

She gave me a puzzled look.

“You’ve heard the biggest black market was busted by the Order of the Holy Sword?”

“Of course. It’s the biggest news of the week—no, the year! Every customer here’s been talking about it.”

I crushed the paper in my hands.

The hell? The Order’s taking credit for my show? That’s an official declaration of war. They’ve declared it—I’ll accept it.

“Thanks, it was delicious. See you.”

“Come again.”

I left the café. My main target now was Rein—I needed to find out what nonsense his Hugo was pulling. Lost in thought, running through possible scenarios, I didn’t notice the boy walking straight toward me with an armful of books. We collided, and his books scattered across the ground.

“Sorry!” he said, crouching to gather them.

“No, my fault—I wasn’t watching where I was going,” I replied, helping him.

As I handed him one of the books, a handkerchief with a crest slipped from his cloak pocket.

“You dropped your handkerchief,” I said, picking it up.

He snatched it back instantly.

“Oh… sorry… You didn’t see anything.”

The capital really is full of weirdos. Seems like I’m the only one here with a brain. After all, main characters always outclass the background extras in intelligence.

“Thanks for helping me pick these up,” he said with a bow.

“Want me to help carry them so you don’t bump into anyone else?”

“No. That won’t be necessary.”

He ran off, and I headed for my sister.

❖ ❖ ❖

She had no classes today, but said she’d be at the fencing school… “Seido Fencing School”? My sister too?

Apparently, originality hasn’t been born in the capital yet—though calling the black market “The Nest” was actually pretty original… and cool.

I wonder what Raven’s up to now. Probably gathering an army to attack during the tournament arc. Hopefully I’ve loaded Chekhov’s gun—though it might end up looking more like a deus ex machina.

Anyway, time to switch into “dumb little brother” mode.

When I entered the school, I spotted my sister and a girl beside her.

“Hey, mind if I—”

“Hi, Yami!” my sister turned to me.

“I wanted to ask you something.”

“Ask away, but since you’re here, help us with the decorations.”

“What are you doing?”

“Decorating the school for the First Gong,” she said.

In this world, I’ve learned, the gong isn’t just a percussion instrument—it’s a holy relic. Legends say that by striking it, the holy swordsmen trapped the First Demon. It’s just a legend, but knowing this world, it’s probably true. Which means I might actually get my epic demon battle.

“I don’t see a smile on your face, Yami,” my sister said.

“How am I supposed to smile?”

“Doesn’t your brother want to go to the academy?” the girl teased.

“Yami’s a silly little boy who’s not interested in anything, so he’ll have a hard time there.”

“A copy of Rein.”

“Does it not bother you that I’m still standing here?”

“Sorry, sorry—it’s just, I’m really worried about you.”

“And why’s that?”

“The academy isn’t our estate. There are all kinds of people there. Some will treat you well, but others…”

“Will break you psychologically, bully you, and make you do dirty work,” the girl—Rem—cut in.

“Not as bad as Rem makes it sound, but still. So…”

“So a pushover like you won’t last long,” Rem interrupted again.

“You’ll just have to endure—”

“Three long, long years of pain and fear,” Rem interrupted for what I hoped was the last time.

“Yes. But if you make friends, then—”

“You’ll get bullied less, because it’ll be spread evenly among you.”

“Can you stop scaring him? Yami’s already shaking.”

A cliché academy setting—exactly what I needed.

❖ ❖ ❖

After two hours of running back and forth, I realized two things: first, older sisters are all the same; second, the academy is full of real monsters—possibly literal demons. Of course, it’s possible Rem was just the class outcast, so everyone bullied her.

Walking through the capital, I saw guards beating the homeless. Brutally. Then they’d load them into carriages and take them somewhere.

Were all the victims being abducted the same way? If so, what’s the point of fake beggars and street urchins? It’s stupid to keep kidnapping kids if your Nest has already been exposed.

Caw!

“Oh wow, Prince Hugo really is handsome,” one passerby said.

“I want to be just like Hugo!” a boy walking past me declared.

“Mom, can you buy me a sword like Hugo’s?” a little boy asked.

“I’ll beat you, because I’m the great swordsman Hugo!” another kid shouted, playing in the street.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

That should’ve been me. That pathetic hero who stole my glory will pay for everything. I’ll make him cry and beg forgiveness from the great, unbeatable One‑Eyed Dragon.

Starting tomorrow… I’ll begin dismantling the ideal of Hugo Alanor.

═════ ∘°⟠♕⟠°∘ ═════

《END of Chapter 5.0 - The perfect ending for the show? 》