Chapter 1

Fiction…What is fiction?

According to the wiki, fiction is the simulation of reality achieved by literary, cinematic, historical, animated, or other works when they present an imaginary world to the viewer.

These worlds have their own characters and rules of verisimilitude, with a variable degree of realism, either because they take some reference elements from reality, that is, because they contradict or transform it.

As far as I understand, fiction is imaginary constructions, creations of the human mind that allow us to enter impossible worlds, full of magic and unfathomable mysteries.

In a "real" world where most people live suffocated by the cruelty of society and the constant need to abide by the norms of the "ordinary," fictions like movies, video games, and more are one of the most rewarding forms of liberation one can experience, allowing your mind to travel freely through realms filled with astonishing adventures and incredible secrets that will leave you speechless.

These wonderful stories tell of heroes and villains with motivations (realistic or not) that provoke strong emotions within your heart, where you can visualize a world where the impossible is just a word used by humble mortals to deny the power of the gods... Where humans are just insects!

Many of us enter these spectacular worlds with the sole purpose of escaping harsh reality…

However, from what I've read, scientists say that what we consider the real world is actually a mere construction of our senses; that the real world is something that escapes our limited human senses, and that everything we see and feel is just an illusion created by our brain and that we use to better interact with it.

There is also a theory that suggests the universe and all of us are nothing more than a simulation of a divine supercomputer created by some higher being with incredible knowledge. That everything we see is a mere cosmic hologram, that we are nothing more than conscious data within a machine...

In that sense, wouldn't "reality" be the greatest fiction? Is it necessary to separate them? Perhaps they are the same thing.

At least, that's how I see it. It's not that I want to be the greatest philosopher or anything, these are just random thoughts that came to mind as I was about to die. I don't even know why; the sight of a truck driven by a guy as idiotic as me shouldn't trigger so much nonsense in your head, I assure you.

But here I am, my mind processing my impending end at a snail's pace, stupidly pondering the nature of reality and the imaginary. I didn't think about my evil sister or my subtly uncaring parents, but all this nonsense came flooding back to me the moment I thought, "This can't be real, can it?"

Maybe I was trying to escape the fact that I'm going to die... Or was I?

I don't know, my friend. This is too much. At least he was a guy with superficial friends. I mean, it would be sad if someone really suffered because of my death... My parents? My sister? Other family members? I don't know. They were all too distant for me to believe they'd do anything more than hold a small funeral and say, "Let's move on with our lives" without any further drama.

That's sad….

Well, putting all that aside; While I, Satogo Kazuto, am unceremoniously sent flying by truck-kun, I have a question for you as you spin in the air like a rag doll unable to properly process the fact that I'm flying or that I can't feel pain from the lethal blow. ...

What is fiction? What is reality?

♦♦♦♦

Where am I?

Confused and disoriented, I couldn't see my surroundings well because everything seemed blurry, but I was definitely in a place that wasn't familiar to me.

Lying in a large four-poster bed with pink sheets, next to what appeared to be stuffed animals shaped like horned rabbits; it was clearly a girl's room, very luxurious as well; with a European feel and filled with horned bunny accessories.

What's going on? He was supposed to be giving me directions to school, and then... What happened after I crossed the street? Ah...

I soon began to regain some of my memories before waking up in that pompous room.

I was supposed to bravely risk my life to save the most valuable thing I had in this world at that moment... a cell phone.

Don't get me wrong, it wasn't particularly because I was obsessed with mobile devices!

Only because of my younger sister's extortion, I was forced to attempt to complete a very difficult fantasy RPG (which honestly felt more like a Galge/Otome than an action game) with a high final score.

[Heroes and Dragons], that's what it was called. Although of course, it was better known as HAD.

It was a single-player mobile game that was virtually impossible to complete without helpful NPC companions. And as you might have guessed, the only companions you could have were of the opposite sex; after earning enough affection points, which made them eligible for the term "Capture Target."

As for the rating, it determined whether a player got a "perfect", "happy", or "bad" ending, and it started from F to S. The lower it is, it just means you got the worst ending, and if you don't get an "S" rating, it means you still haven't achieved the perfect ending, no matter how satisfied you are with the ending you got, and my evil and inconsiderate sister wanted the perfect ending to this game.

Fortunately for me, the story, roles, professions, skills, and monsters were all familiar to me, as I had also played the game before abandoning it in frustration... with a male character, of course.

Thanks to that, I knew the backstories of many male characters like the back of my hand, as a wide variety of characters could be unlocked by completing the game multiple times with certain ratings, and I had pretty much unlocked every good character I could see, including some extras with little to no impact on the plot.

They call me Kazuto-Sensei on the internet for those achievements, how nice! I wrote down a lot of strategies to follow…! Although my stupid sister prefers me to do everything for her… Or is it because she thought my knowledge wouldn't help her with boys? That idiot…

Anyway, thanks to my knowledge and experience, I was able to handle the fight and romance scenes safely, but flirting with the male capture targets was very… unsettling for me, even if it was in a game.

Man...what a nightmare.

Playing all weekend while enduring the disgust of flirting with ikemen, not only was I tired, but all I could think about was the dire consequences if my perverted sister were to reveal the video showing my "dark secret" to my few friends.

The game was so difficult that I couldn't get the score my horrible sister wanted even after completing it several times in five days... Playing as a female character had a different difficulty, somehow.

It wasn't just because of the flirting and all that, but also because hostile NPCs were more common and stronger when using a female character for some reason. Even their basic stats and skills improve, and they gain new abilities you've never seen before.

Maybe because they wanted to highlight the power of the attractive capture objectives…Ha.

Aside from that, I, Kazuto-Sensei, hadn't even achieved the maximum rating when playing with male characters. Just an 'A+' rating, nothing more, even after a year of playing. There was no way I could easily succeed with an increase in difficulty, despite being Kazuto-Sensei.

And just as I was crossing the street, thinking of various strategies to follow, a cat fell from a tree onto my face, causing me to drop my phone as I struggled to get it off of me while involuntarily screaming.

"It hurts, you stupid feline...! Oh, really?! Hey, man... is that your thing on my nose!? God, no!"

It was a very humiliating incident; many students and classmates passing by laughed at my misfortune, but at that moment I stopped worrying about it, as the key to hiding my secret was in jeopardy.

A truck whose driver didn't know anything was heading towards the poor device and I, the good Kazuto-Sensei, who wasn't thinking the situation through due to lack of sleep and panic, decided to throw myself into the street to save the cell phone amidst the screams of my classmates and then I reflected on life(?) and flew away...

My memory stopped there, but it was obvious what happened.

....Don't tell me I died trying to save my cell phone? Oh, how could I be so stupid!

Damn, that's definitely an idiotic reason to die! At least saving a pretty girl would be more worthy of such an ending... Wait, if I'm dead... Is it because I'm conscious and what's wrong with this place?

Was I kidnapped? No, my family is very normal, and I'm actually quite simple and worthless (a truth I've painfully accepted), so no one should gain anything from me... besides, this place is childish yet luxurious...

As I regained greater awareness of my surroundings, with my e-clearing, I observed the place I was in greater detail.

It was truly a luxurious room of a rich girl, unnecessarily large, with a bookshelf, a small shiny black wooden table, pictures of horned rabbits, a huge clothes closet, as well as a lot of other luxurious furniture with horned rabbit stems and a beautiful mirror.

The desk near the bed had a beautiful golden bell with the image of a horned rabbit in the fetal position inside a dark circle, as well as another stuffed rabbit.

It was truly a room for a rabbit lover...

...This is an entirely female room, intended for the use of a nobleman's daughter or something. So what the hell am I doing here...?

With a bad feeling, my lips twitched as I raised my arms, discovering how thin they were and the delicate hands holding them. Those small hands were not only unlike those of a teenager my age, but they were as white as snow and obviously those of a child.

I checked my body, I had long violet hair and was wearing a cute white nightgown like pajamas, and when I put my cute hands on my crotch, I felt the lack of a valuable companion who had accompanied me since I was born.

...transmigrated into a girl.

Unexpectedly, I didn't react in an extreme way to this terrifying truth. I simply wanted to believe that this must all be a dream, but the softness that enveloped my body, along with the sensation of touching every strand of hair, was too real to be.

I pinched my cheek, felt pain, and my eyes twitched. Trying to get up, I walked with some difficulty to the mirror.

There you could see an adorable little girl with a pale face, as pretty as a porcelain doll and with charming eyes that seemed like gold.

Her facial features, though expressionless, gave an impression of softness and kindness, with sensual lips. She was someone who would grow up to be a stunning beauty. The kind of woman who would easily win everyone's affection.

When I thought of moving my hands, she did the same, and when I thought of smiling, she did too, though faintly; still, she was very charming, and I was astonished by her tenderness.

"What a pretty girl..." I said in a tender, feminine voice that immediately discouraged me further, but I quickly focused on something else. Though I did so without thinking, I realized that the language she was using wasn't Japanese, or any other language I knew, and yet she spoke it as if it were my native language.

There was no way a lucid dream could make you learn an unknown language so well... Right?

A shiver ran through my body as I realized this, and I felt myself losing the strength to stand while my face stiffened like a real doll's.

I really was reincarnated... into a girl from another world...

Wait, this apparition... Haven't I seen it before?

When he thought about it, he looked closely at his new face and realized something. Although he looked like a younger version, there was no mistaking the similarities to one of the many villains in that game he'd been forced to play for two days.

It can't be... that this world is a mess? And this appearance... No way!

Just when I wanted to deny that possibility, the large double doors opened and a maid entered carrying a tray with a breakfast that gave off a delicious aroma.

The maid seemed surprised for some reason, but she quickly controlled her expression and greeted me with a slight bow as she spoke politely; her movements were so refined and elegant that I was momentarily stunned.

-Miss Ekaterina, I brought you breakfast.

Ekaterina…?! Oh, it's just Ekaterina… That Ekaterina?!

I was afraid he'd say that villain's name, but I was surprised and relieved it was a different name... just for a few seconds.

Isn't Ekaterina... the name of the younger sister of the cruelest villain of all, who dies of an unknown illness and becomes the reason that drove her mad?

When I thought about that point, I suddenly realized that, regardless of my wishes, Truck-kun had become a girl from a game world who would die from an unknown disease that has weakened her body since her youth...

My face turned blue with the revelation, my body reeled from a sudden, dizzy feeling, and then I passed out.

"Miss Ekaterina!?"

The maid's panicked scream would be the last thing he heard that day... or not.

<Full Soul Integration. Temporarily deactivating the player's consciousness to ensure memory assimilation and the initiation of full system activation...>

♦♦♦♦

The Khazar Empire was a nation with a long history of a thousand years.

It was founded by Emperor Narlan, who had the blessings of the Dragon Lords, after defeating the infernal legion that threatened humanity by sealing the doors to the deep Abyss. Although there were other older nations, its powerful army of wizards and warriors, together with the great authority that came with having such an illustrious lineage, granted the imperial family the right to proclaim themselves the true rulers of the continent.

Despite being a monarchical nation like most, it followed a political system that allowed talented and highly deserving individuals to hold important positions regardless of whether they were commoners, and it was even possible to marry into the royal family and nobility. There were several cases of commoners who became Emperors and Empresses of this nation, who were credited with excellent government for which they would be remembered.

All this under the belief that individuals of great potential and talent should marry into the elite to have a more powerful lineage and produce more capable heirs.

This system also contributes to the empire's power compared to other nations that discriminate against commoners regardless of their talent and give advantages to useless nobles.

There was one noble in particular who respected this system more than any other in the Empire; one whose subordinates and servants were mostly of commoner origin.

The Duke of Dranalian, Astaroth Soprhein von Dranalian.

He was one of the Four Dukes who ruled the vast territories of the South, North, East, and West, respectively. Among them, the northern ruler Astaroth is the most highly regarded by Imperial citizens due to his policies of support for his people.

This duke was known for being fair and impartial, although extremely cruel to his enemies, maintaining at all times a cold and dignified face with an extraordinary bearing that would easily make him mistaken for the emperor himself.

He was a handsome man in his 40s, with shoulder-length blond, almost golden hair and icy blue eyes. With a slim but fit body beneath his elegant suit, he was very popular with the noble ladies despite being married.

His handsome appearance, which makes him appear younger than he actually is, does not diminish in the least the intimidating aura he emanates. So much so that even the orcs feared him when in his presence.

However, this same man who had slaughtered countless monsters on the battlefield without any expression now looked with teary eyes, filled with fear and worry, at the beautiful priestess who was examining a little girl.

"How is my daughter, Hecate?"

—Don't worry, Astaroth, your daughter only fainted as a possible consequence of her condition, but…

"But?" The Duke's voice, normally cold and deep, filled with pathetic concern at the Priestess's doubts. There were only three people in the entire world who could express it like that: his beloved wife and his two adored daughters.

And one of them, who was very ill, had recently collapsed.

"It's strange, his Soul has not only recovered from the damage it suffered, but it seems stronger with his 'Soul Power' growing even now, as if it has strengthened to the same level as that of a teenager." Hecate, the blonde-haired priestess hesitated and finally said, confused, "Not only that, his soul also seems to be going through some kind of mutation..."

"What does that mean!?" The duke roared in concern and left; despite his previous embarrassing appearance, he now had a terrifying atmosphere that lived up to his reputation.

Hecate trembled for a moment and the girl frowned, but she finally woke up despite that powerful pressure that could make even a bandit cry.

"Calm down, Astaroth! Control your presence, or you could seriously harm Ekaterina's body!" Hecate reminded him in a reprimanding tone, which made Astaroth quickly control himself; he didn't want to hurt his little girl.

The priestess sighed and began to explain her discoveries.

"Though I don't understand why, this is a good thing. Putting aside her mutation, the fact that her soul was miraculously healed means she was able to regain her consciousness as a human... The gods must have wanted to say goodbye to the girl who acted like a creepy living doll obsessed with horned rabbits!"

Astaroth looked at her with a stern expression for that rude comment towards her daughter, but Hecate ignored him and continued excitedly "Also, her intelligence would be higher due to the mutation and her capacity to harbor spiritual energy would be more superior to average humans. It's up to her if she wants to join us, but honestly it would be a waste if she doesn't, you know?"

The priestess brazenly offered the Duke that his daughter join her church, although she didn't say it clearly, it was quite obvious in her intention.

"Instead of shameless people like you, I'd rather she become a mage." Astaroth was frank in his negative opinion of her personality. If he let his daughter be raised by this woman, she would become just as shameless.

—Oh, please I…! —Hecate wanted to argue, but someone interrupted them when they opened the door to the room without permission and an elegant woman with violet hair entered with not-so-elegant steps.

The moment his golden eyes fixed on the sleeping girl, they filled with anguish and she cried out in worry as she ran.

"¡Ekaterina!"

"Mireia, calm down and stop running, or you might hurt yourself," Astaroth said, trying to persuade his wife. "Ekaterina just fainted; she's fine... She's even getting better!"

Hecate looked at the duke without understanding.

Weren't you the one crying like a little girl a few minutes ago out of worry? Aren't you the one who's too shameless? Do you think I'm the bad influence...? Bah!

Duchess Mireia Sophrein Von Dranalian ignored her husband's words and only calmed down when she saw that her daughter was indeed fine. Sighing in relief, Mireia's expression slowly went from distraught to calm… before her eyes widened as she processed Astaroth's words, and she glared at him with fierce eyes that sent chills down his spine.

"What do you mean, is he getting better? Explain it to me!" The duchess grabbed her husband by the collar as she ordered him impatiently. Her elegance was nowhere to be seen.

The news was quite shocking for her, as she understood her daughter's condition very well. Her "illness" wasn't natural, nor did it affect her physical body, after all.

"W-well, according to Hecate, her soul was miraculously healed, and we don't know why!" The duke looked like he was about to die as he hurriedly replied; his eyes widened in pain. The brave duke, admired by everyone, seemed to be nothing compared to the strength of his beautiful wife.

"…Is it true? Aren't you talking nonsense?"

Mireia frowned at Hecate, who nodded calmly. The duchess looked confused for a moment, but immediately shook her head and smiled.

Her smile was brilliant as she finally let go of her husband's neck and walked happily beside her daughter. The most feared Duke of the North was pathetically trying to regain air nearby, kneeling on the ground, but no one cared about him. Mireia lovingly stroked her daughter's hair, sitting beside her, with the kindest expression in the world.

"I don't know how or why, but I hope you recover soon and have a long and happy life, my little baby." Her eyes, filled with maternal love, looked at Ekaterina as she spoke, full of tenderness.

Hearing that, Astaroth smiled fondly as she stroked her neck, which bore visible marks of her hands. Beside her, Hecate smiled softly. Everyone was happy with the improvement of the girl before them, as it meant she would live as long as any other normal human.

However…

–––None of those present could have had any idea that the girl in front of them was not only Ekaterina Sophrein Vino Dranalian, but also an ordinary Earthling from the nation of Japan… and of course, they could not imagine that her life, unfortunately, would be far from normal…