Notes:
() - Heroine's thoughts, Blue Text - Flashbacks
Foia - Prince of Secundati - Main Story
Chapter 1- Eyes Filled with Confidence
Kingdom of Spirits, Secundati, Salamande, July... The Secundati continent that has the spirits' divine protection... It's a kingdom that has been developed with the mysterious powers that dwells within the seven households through magic and alchemy.
Foia-san... The prince of the flame household, Salamande, that I woke up the other day, just as we were about to part from each other, he said this to me.
-Flashback-
Foia: You can come over to hang out anytime! I'll be waiting.
-Flashback-
Right before he walked off, there was a really passionate look in his eyes... Then, I arrived to where he was, Secundati.
(What a lively castle.)
The castle of the Salamande household was overflowing with energy as various people were coming and going.
Foia: Oh, you're here! It's pretty noisy right now.
MC: Foia-san!
When Foia-san saw me, he ran over here with light footsteps.
MC: Is something happening?
Foia: Yeah, we were just about to start something new.
MC: That sounds exciting. What are you doing?
Foia: Okay, listen well! We're building a factory that'll produce energy by fusing the powers of the spirits and science. And it's name is... Arc Plant!
The moment he said that name, Foia-san's expression brightened up soon after.
MC: Arc... Plant? That's a nice name.
Foia: Anyhow, this'll be our first attempt since the beginning of this kingdom!
As Foia-san said that with his eyes shining with confidence, it felt like I could see his heart that was overflowing with hopes and dreams.
(But, why is Foia-san's kingdom, that has the power of the fire spirits, using science and technology?)
As I was confused, those golden-colored eyes that had a passionate influence on me made my heartbeat increase a little...
Chapter 2 - The Kingdom of Fire Spirits
-Flashback-
Foia: We're building a factory that'll produce energy by fusing the powers of the spirits and science. Anyhow, this'll be our first attempt since the beginning of this kingdom!
-Flashback-
After I was given a tour of the Salamande castle, I stayed in the guest room that was provided for me.
Then, when the sun went down towards west, the ultramarine night had arrived, so I left the room to go outside.
The bright burning flames that made the walls shine showed the swaying shadows of people. Even though it was night, those flames were brightening up the area.
(Also, despite that it's still cold outside the castle, I feel warm like this. Could this be the power of the fire spirits?)
As I was walking aimlessly in the hallway that didn't feel so lonely at night...
Foia: What are you doing?
MC: Ah, Foia-san, I was just going to check outside for a bit. But, I'm surprised that it's warmer that I thought it would be in here.
When I said that...
Foia: Isn't it amazing? It's because the power of the fire spirits works all-round. Even on the coldest nights and winter, we never had a problem with them here.
MC: Salamande is a nice place.
As Foia-san showed a manly smile, I smiled as well.
Foia: We have the divine protection of the spirits, but...
Just as he stopped his words there, Foia-san looked towards the courtyard. Then...
Foia: I'll show you something interesting, come with me!
///Choices///
- Okay! (☼)
MC: Okay!
Foia: That's a good response, I like cheerful women. Let's go.
- Where to? (☽)
MC: Where are we going?
Foia: If I tell you now, I won't see your surprised face.
As Foia-san made a wry smile, he grabbed my hand somewhat forcefully.
MC: ...
Foia: Just come with me!
///Choices///
While going through the courtyard that was brightened up by many lights, we headed to the back of the castle...
MC: This building is...?
The place that we arrived at had a different atmosphere than the other places of the castle and a somewhat odd building was being built there...
Chapter 3 - Arc Plant
When Foia-san took me to the back of the castle... Over there was an odd building that looked like some kind of facility.
(Even though it's night, it kind of looks like there are various people coming in and out.)
MC: This place is...?
Foia: We talked about it a little when you came to this castle. Don't you remember?
MC: Ah...
-Flashback-
Foia: We're building a factory that'll produce energy by fusing the powers of the spirits and science. And it's name is... Arc Plant!
-Flashback-
MC: Then, this place is the Arc Plant facility?
Foia: That's right.
Pipes that were outside of the building were being lifted to the top of it. Sometimes, I would hear buzzing sounds as I stared at the building...
///Choices///
- What's happening inside? (☽)
MC: What's going on inside?
Foia: They're doing some adjustments for the trial run.
Foia-san smiled proudly.
- Amazing... (☼)
MC: Amazing...
As I was in a daze, I softly spoke out my thoughts... While Foia-san was looking up at the night sky beside me, he stared at the chimney that was on top of the building.
///Choices///
Foia: Until now, this kingdom has been developed with the power of the spirits and magic. I wanted to provide more equally stable energy for everyone...!
When Foia-san puffed his chest out proudly, his confidence that was slightly showing on his face was conveyed to me...
(What a cool person, he has self-confidence and the strength... The dream that he thought of, he's making it a reality.)
As I looked at the side of his face, I...
///Choices///
- It looks troubling, but it's nice (☽)
MC: It looks troubling, but it's nice.
Foia: It's hard... But, we got to make it work. That's how you make wishes come true!
- I'm sure that you can do it (☼)
MC: I feel that you can do it, Foia-san.
Foia: Yeah! I went through many hardships to get here. This time, I'm using all my strength to make it happen.
///Choices///
Foia: For that reason, so many people are working here right now with their feelings united.
MC: Also, it's so lively even though it's night. Everyone in the castle is all fired up passionately like you... The flame household is so nice.
Foia: You won't get anything with flattery. Well, being praised by someone honest like you does feel nice.
Foia-san's dignified face instantly softened up.
(Ah, so he can make that kind of face...)
Feeling a little happy, I looked at that soft expression...
Foia: ...What?
MC: ...!
When he closed the distance between us, I looked down due to the point-blank range.
MC: N-Nothing.
(That surprised me...)
MC: But...
Foia: Tell me.
Just as I was about to look at his passion filled face, I turned away and spoke.
MC: I think having the power of the fire spirits and magic should be enough. But, why would you need to build this kind of facility, it's strange.
Foia: Of course, it's enough! But...
His strong determined eyes that were the same color as the sun softly narrowed. Then, Foia-san began to speak with a strained look...
Chapter 4 - A Passionate Burning Dream
-Flashback-
MC: I think having the power of the fire spirits and magic should be enough. But, why would you need to build this kind of facility, it's strange.
Foia: Of course, it's enough! But...
-Flashback-
Towards my question, Foia-san made a soft dignified expression.
Foia: It's true that our magic power is strong... But, there's a downside to it. Due to the spirits' natural powers, it couldn't provide any stability, that's what happened in the past...
MC: ...
When he made a pained expression while biting his lip, I waited for him to continue. As he looked at the outer walls of the Arc Plant, he kept silent for a moment...
Foia: When I was a kid, I would often hear all kinds of stories from the outside world. Did you know that this world has some kingdoms that are developing more from the use of science and technology?
MC: ...Yes. But, this is the Kingdom of Spirits... and you use magic, I think that's very nice.
Foia: I see, I like it too. But...
Foia-san looked towards the night sky as if he was looking at a place that was far-out into the distance.
///Choices///
- Speak to him (☼)
MC: Foia-san...?
When I spoke to him softly, he turned towards me and smiled strongly. He looked like a child with that face...
- Wait for him to continue (☽)
Curious about what he's going to say, I quietly waited for him to continue. Then, his eyes started to shine brightly from the wavering bright lights in the area.
///Choices///
Foia: I want to provide more by using science with this kingdom's magic and the spirits' powers. I want to create a world filled with happy smiles, so that there won't be any inconveniences in any of the households... Someday, this kingdom will become even bigger, I want it to be just as big as the world!
MC: Foia-san...
Foia: That's why, this facility... I put my wish into it and named it, Arc Plant.
MC: Eh...?
Foia: Arc... A ship that'll carry everyone to a future that's overflowing with hope. I'm going to make this facility a success!
His wholehearted wish influenced me. I wanted to see that dream come to life into this world together... Feeling warm, my heartbeat became fast.
Foia: ...Looks like I said too much.
After he smiled as he exhaled, Foia-san turned towards me...
///Choices///
- I want to hear more (☼)
MC: I want to hear more about the dream that you've imagined, Foia-san.
Foia: Really? Then, I'll let you hear some more! Come here.
MC: Ah...
Foia: MC.
- Not at all (☽)
MC: Not at all. I enjoy listening to you talk, Foia-san.
Foia: You're a strange fellow. This is the first time I've seen a woman's eyes shine like yours from listening to me talk.
MC: Really? Listening to you talk makes my heart race somehow. I really enjoyed it...
Foia: ...MC.
///Choices///
When he approached me, he stooped down and picked me up.
MC: Foia-san!?
Just as I looked up at him in surprise, I was staring at his manly face within a point-blank range. My heart became very loud.
Foia: In that case, I'll talk to you even more. I'll make you smile more. You don't mind, right?
MC: ...Yes!
When I nodded, he smiled brightly. Then, when he sets me down on a nearby bench, I listened to him talk about his ideals and dreams until late at night...
(He's such a straightforward person... Also, he has such nice thoughts.)
I became attracted to his passionately burning eyes and heart...
Chapter 5 - Uneasy Tone
The next day after Foia-san talked to me about his dream...
(Somehow... It's noisy outside.)
Hearing countless voices coming from outside, I looked out the window.
(Those are... the townspeople? They're gathered right in front of the castle. There's a heavy air around them, but... Just what is going on?)
Feeling uneasy, I left from there.
......
Once I was outside of the castle, the group seemed to be shouting some kind of protest.
Townsperson 1: We're against the construction of the Arc Plant! Bring out the person in charge!
Townsperson 2: That's right, we've lived for so long with just the spirits' powers! Why would we need technological development!
(This is...)
Among the group of people, I saw some mothers that brought their children along with them.
Young Mother 1: I'm grateful that they're doing something to make our lives more convenient, but who knows what'll happen with the new development...
Young Mother 2: True... If something were to happen to the children...
As the mothers were talking, they tightly hugged their children that looked like they were about 5 years old. I felt pain from seeing that.
MC: ...
(...None of the townspeople seem to want it. True, I understand how they feel about being scared of sudden changes, but...)
-Flashback-
Foia: I want to provide more by using science with this kingdom's magic and the spirits' powers. I want to create a world filled with happy smiles, so that there won't be any inconveniences in any of the households...
-Flashback-
Foia-san talking about his passionate dream was still fresh in my mind.
(I wonder if Foia-san knows about this situation. If he does, what does he think about all of this...)
As I felt like wanting to talk...
///Choices///
- Listen to the people carefully (☽)
I continued to watch the people for a while, but... The townspeople's voices that were filled with uneasiness and anger became unbearable for me.
(Foia-san...)
When I tightly gripped my hand, I ran off to where he is...
- Go to where Foia is right away (☼)
(Somehow, I'm feeling uneasy.)
I left from there to look for Foia-san right away.
///Choices///
Chapter 6 - The Path to Moving Forward
When I went back inside the castle to look for Foia-san, he was in his room.
Foia: ...
From the door that was wide open, I saw that he was looking outside the window with a gloomy face.
(Is it okay for me to speak to him?)
As I was hesitating...
///Choices///
- Speak to him (☼)
MC: Um... Foia-san.
Foia: ...MC? What are you doing standing in front of the door, come in.
Foia-san invited me into his room.
- Watch him (☽)
I watched him as he was looking outside. Ahead of his gaze was...
(The people that are against the construction of the Arc Plant...)
Just as the mothers that were hugging their children entered my vision, I stretched my neck out and made a small sound as I slid against the marble floor.
Foia: ...! It's you.
Just as he turned around and saw me, I stepped into the room.
///Choices///
Foia: What's wrong?
MC: Earlier, I was outside the castle...
After I said that, I looked outside the window.
Foia: I see, so you know about it too.
Foia-san frowned as he closed his eyes.
Foia: ...From your perspective, what do you think the townspeople see?
MC: I...
As Foia-san looked at me with an unusually meek expression, I thought about it hard and softly spoke.
MC: I understand how uneasy the protestors are feeling, so I can't say that they're wrong. It's probably something that you can't just gloss over, so you need to make them understand properly...
Foia: ...
He looked at me with his intelligent eyes.
(Foia-san...?)
Just as I felt uneasy when it became silent, his pale lips turned into a smile.
Foia: ...You're pretty prospective. Those who speak boldly are valuable. I like that about you.
MC: Eh?
When I saw him make a nicely shaped smile, I felt happiness dwelling within my heart. Although, he went back to making a tense expression again...
Foia: Regarding my report about balancing out the natural powers and magic powers with technological development. I thought about putting magic powers to good use. That feeling won't change no matter what happens. But, that's why I can't explain it properly to the people that are uneasy about it.
MC: Yes, I thought so too.
When our gazes met, the stern look on his face disappeared.
(Ah, this look... It's the same look from when he was talking about his dream before.)
Foia: Alright, I'm going to make them all understand properly... To make this kingdom easy to live in, I must take action!
MC: ...Yes.
Foia: Then, once I do that...!
Foia-san looked at me...
MC: ...?
(Is something wrong?)
Foia: Never mind... I'll let you know next time!
When he moved his gaze from me to outside of the window, I got an odd feeling as I left the room...
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