Yuuwaku Darake no Bishoujo Harem Party ni 1-nin, Maou ga Magirekondeiru!? [Prologue] [Free]

"Calm down... I'm sure Kazuki has his reasons. Right, Kazuki?"

"What reasons?! Just the other day, Kazuki and I pledged our love to each other at a hotel."

"What are you talking about? He gave me a ring. We pledged our love."

"Wait, I love you all... I can't choose."

"Ugh..."

When I—Kisaragi Shinya—stepped out of my room to use the bathroom, I couldn't help but groan at the three-way shouting match coming from the living room.

The cause was my older brother Kazuki's triple-timing. The guy had good looks going for him, but he was indecisive and got carried away way too easily. As a result, he'd been dating three women at the same time like the total scumbag he was, and it looked like he'd finally been found out. According to him, "They all told me they loved me, so I couldn't turn them down."

Like hell you couldn't, you bastard!! I wanna be popular too! How do we share the same genes when I've never had a girlfriend in my entire life?

"Geez, Onee-chan's trying to help you study, so how long are you gonna slack off? I'll read your dirty magazines out loud, you know—the ones hidden in the false bottom of your desk drawer."

"Don't you dare, Aya-nee!! And how do you even know where my secret stash is?"

"Fufu, your childhood friend Onee-chan knows everything about you, Shinya-kun."

Someone grabbed my shoulder from behind, and when I turned around, my childhood friend Aya-nee was grinning mischievously.

"Ugh, Kazuki's at it again... He never learns. Don't you turn out like that, Shinya-kun. Onee-chan hates people who date someone they don't even like."

"I won't, 'cause I'm..."

I trailed off, coming back to my senses as I looked at Aya-nee's adorable face. If I confessed here, she'd probably tease me about it for the rest of my life.

"Kazuki, you... there's another girl?"

"Ah..."

One of the sharp-eyed girls from my brother's harem glared at us, her voice dropping to a low growl.

Well yeah, with all that yelling, of course she'd notice...

"Kazuki is mine!!"

"No, I..."

As the girl advanced with a terrifying expression, Aya-nee's face twisted in fear...

"Aya-nee's different!! Aya-nee is my..."

"Shinya-kun...?"

I found myself standing protectively in front of Aya-nee without even thinking.

"Your what?"

The sharp-eyed girl alternated her gaze between me and Aya-nee, demanding an answer. Maybe if I said I liked her... that she was my girlfriend... I could play it off as just protecting her and she'd let it slide?

"Shinya-kun..."

Aya-nee pressed against me, trembling as she relied on me for protection, and suddenly I was hit with how soft she felt and how sweet she smelled.

I really thought I could get away with saying I liked her.

And so, I...

"Aya-nee is... my... precious older sister."

I would regret chickening out at that moment for the rest of my life.

★★★

"I see... So that is your regret."

"Where... am I?"

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a space filled with pure white light.

Before me stood a woman of such breathtaking beauty that she stole my breath away, her golden hair shimmering as she smiled. Clad in garments that seemed woven from light itself, she spoke in a voice overflowing with compassion:

'You have awakened, soul from another world. I am the goddess who governs this realm.'

"Goddess...? So I'm dead..."

"Yes... You sacrificed your life to save a child from being hit by a car. Fortunately, the child appears to be unharmed."

"I see... That's good."

It might've been hypocrisy, but my body moved on its own. Sure, I had regrets, but if my last act was something good, at least I could rest a little easier.

"Your life ended in an unjust manner. However, I was drawn to your intense regret and your pure soul—one capable of sacrificing itself for others—and so I have called you here."

"You were watching my life?"

"Yes... I saw everything. Including how you chickened out at the perfect confession moment and called her your 'precious older sister,' and the look on Aya-san's face that just said 'seriously?'"

"Um... I got called here because I did something good, right? Why am I getting roasted?"

Ignoring my question, she giggled and continued her explanation.

'The world under my governance now faces the threat of the Demon King. Would you please become a hero who saves this world with that straightforward soul of yours? Of course, I do not ask this of you for nothing. I shall grant you power befitting a hero who would save the world.'

"Way to ignore meeee!"

Paying no mind to my scream, the Goddess presented me with three powerful skills:

*[Physical Ability Release: Overdrive]*: Unlocks physical abilities to their absolute limit.

*[Mana Complete Mastery: Infinity Mana]*: Grasps mana and makes all magic your own.

*[That Which Overcomes: Overlord]*: Grants resistance to all forms of hardship.

"What are these... Isn't this way too cheat-level?"

'The Demon King is a mighty being, after all. This much power is necessary. Besides, with this much strength, I'm sure you'll be quite popular in the other world, and you'll be able to have confidence in yourself.'

"Confidence... huh..."

"Yes, I'm sure you'll be confident enough not to chicken out and call your love interest 'Onee-chan' this time. Well, personally, I find that pathetic side of yours rather endearing."

"Quit traumatizing me, Goddess..."

I felt my heart skip a beat at the teasing wink and smile from the Goddess. And what she said was appealing. If I had confidence... I should be able to confess properly even if something like what happened with Aya-nee happened again...

I'm not popular like my brother. On Valentine's Day, the only chocolate I got was from Aya-nee, and the girls in my class were always telling me to give theirs to my brother... That's why I chickened out with Aya-nee too, afraid of what would happen if I got rejected after finally making a move, worried about how our relationship would change.

'You could even build a harem like your older brother, if you wanted.'

"No way, a harem... that's kinda..."

'Why not? The world you're going to is one where polygamy is encouraged. Any man would want a harem with beautiful girls, wouldn't they...? You read those kinds of books all the time. What was the title again? 'I Reincarnated as a Hero and Used Ero Skills on My Party Members to...'"

"You saw that too?! But still, a harem..."

Sure, harems were standard fare in isekai stories. But thinking of my brother, I couldn't help but feel resistance toward indiscriminately getting involved with everyone.

"Yes, I actually encourage it. As a Goddess, I would be delighted to see your excellent blood—blessed by divine protection—spread far and wide. As a special service, if there's any other skill you want, I'll grant that as well."

"What a calculating Goddess... but you'll really give me whatever skill I want?"

Where had her initial divinity gone? With a charming smile, the Goddess winked and several skills appeared floating in the air. Among them, one caught my interest.

"[Charm Resistance: Perfect Rejection]. I'll take this."

"A skill that nullifies seduction with ulterior motives, yes? I don't think this will be necessary for fighting the Demon King..."

"Yeah, probably not. But I thought about it after watching my brother's disaster. He wasn't a bad guy at heart—he was just indecisive. But once he got to college, girls started flirting with him and getting physically close, and he got carried away. And those three girls he was triple-timing? If they hadn't been charmed by him, they probably would've come to their senses before things got that bad. That's why I want this."

Yeah... lust, romantic desire, there are all sorts of reasons people lose their minds. When you're horny, you can't think straight. So before I lose my cool because of some ulterior motive or prank, I want time to think things through.

'Shinya-kun, don't turn out like that. Onee-chan hates people who date someone they don't even like.'

Aya-nee's words came back to me.

Even if I did build a harem, I wanted to build one with people who genuinely loved each other. That's what I believed.

"I see... Very well. Then please accept it. This is the beginning of your new life."

Wrapped in the Goddess's gentle light, my consciousness faded to white again.

I'd probably meet people in the other world. But I wouldn't let myself be swayed by loveless romance or temptation with hidden motives. If I built a harem, I wanted to build a "pure love harem."

With that new resolve in my heart, I descended upon the other world as a hero.

★★★

"Ugh... Where... am I?"

"Ooh, it's the Hero! The Hero has arrived from another world!"

A solemn stone hall. A king-like figure and nobles in extravagant clothing, and robed figures who seemed to be mages welcoming me—it was exactly like a light novel scene, and I looked around in awe, thinking "I seriously came to another world."

Then a beautiful girl wearing a crown stepped forward to speak with me.

"I am Lorecia, the princess of this kingdom. I know it is presumptuous of us to summon you without permission. But would you please save this world as a hero?"

"Those boobs are huge!!"

When she clasped her hands pleadingly, her ample chest caught my eye and I instinctively looked away.

"Fufufu, Hero-sama... Geez, that's embarrassing."

The princess blushed but twisted her body to emphasize her cleavage even more. What is this? Back in my old world, this would've been sexual harassment and a police matter, but just because I'm the Hero, I get this reaction? Other worlds are the best.

"Y-yes, I heard about it from the Goddess. I shall save this world as a hero."

"Thank you so much. What kind words for those who summoned you so suddenly... As expected of Hero-sama."

I answered while trying to stay as calm as possible, and Princess Lorecia clasped my hands, overcome with emotion.

They probably didn't know, but otaku like me lived for these fantasies of getting transported to another world and saving it. It was only natural to get excited when it actually happened.

"It's only natural for a hero."

"Ufufu, how reliable. As expected."

It was true that I'd gone a bit gooey-eyed over the beauty before me, but my desire to save this world was genuine. Still, was it my imagination, or did the princess in front of me smirk for a split second?

"Hmph, some Hero from another world. Can we really rely on this lovestruck fool?"

"Hey, Iris!!"

One of the robed figures was looking at me with a dissatisfied expression.

"It's true I lack combat experience, but I have the Goddess's blessing, so please rest assured."

I smiled at the girl called Iris, but she turned away with a huff. That kinda hurt.

But I had the cheat skills from the Goddess, so surely I'd manage somehow against the Demon King. That's what I thought—right at that moment.

'Kukuku... Foolish humans. Summoning a Hero, such a petty trick.'

As a voice fell from the heavens, space trembled with a crackling sound, and a black fissure tore through the throne room. From it emerged a figure shrouded in a pitch-black robe, emanating a calamitous aura. Though their face was obscured by shadow, their eyes blazed with a blood-red light, harboring a despair that seemed to harvest all hope from those who beheld them.

"M-the Demon King...?!"

"Why at the same time as the summoning...?! This summoning was supposed to be top secret..."

Panic gripped the castle. Knights trembled as they raised their swords, but with a casual flick of the Demon King's finger, they were sent flying like puppets with cut strings.

Everyone was screaming, and I wanted to scream too. But... as the Hero, there was something I had to do.

"The final boss right off the bat?! I'll buy time, so everyone run!"

Seeing the people screaming, my body moved on its own. And when I shielded Princess Lorecia—who had stiffened in shock like my childhood friend from my previous life—from the Demon King's attack...

"Uoooooh!!"

"Kyaaaaa!! Hero-sama!!"

Huh... it barely hurts?

One of the skills the Goddess gave me, [That Which Overcomes: Overlord], had activated automatically. After feeling a moment of pain from the Demon King's dark magic, my body had acquired the "optimal resistance" and completely nullified it.

Honestly, I almost grinned at how soft it felt to have the princess clinging to me.

'Wha...?! My magic had no effect...'

"Fufufu, hahaha, what's wrong? Is that all the Demon King's power amounts to?!"

'Don't underestimate me!! [Spears of the Demon Realm's lightning, pierce our enemy]'

Dark lightning shot from the Demon King's hand, but it couldn't damage me.

"To think he wouldn't even flinch at the Demon King's attack... Hero-sama... As expected."

Princess Lorecia clung to me, gazing up with heated eyes, and it was almost too much to bear.

'Impossible!! Is this the power of a Hero?!'

"Taste my strike of justice!"

Seeing the Demon King's eyes widen in shock, I got completely carried away and delivered a theatrical line while activating another skill, [Physical Ability Release: Overdrive]. I boosted my physical abilities to the limit and kicked off the floor, closing the distance to the Demon King in an instant and snatching a sword from beside a fallen knight.

"Take this!! [Holy Sword to my hand]!!"

Using [Mana Complete Mastery: Infinity Mana], I concentrated the holy mana around me into the blade, transforming the ordinary sword into a divine blade radiating sacred light.

I can do this... I can really do this.

The skills the Goddess gave me semi-automatically taught me the optimal way to fight. And I plunged the blade of light with all my strength into the wide-open chest of the Demon King.

'Guh... a...?! I-impossible... for me... to be...'

With a final death cry, the Demon King's body dissolved into particles of light and scattered. Not a speck of dust remained; their existence had been completely annihilated.

"Huh... is it really over?"

In the hall that had fallen silent at the sudden turn of events, I stood dumbfounded, still gripping the shining sword.

"As expected of the Hero recognized by the Goddess. To overwhelm the Demon King like that... You are the savior of this world."

Princess Lorecia embraced me, overcome with emotion, tears in her eyes, and I was assaulted by her softness and sweet scent.

"Everyone, rest assured! As long as I, Kisaragi Shinya, am here, the Demon King is no match for me! I will protect this world!"

"Ooh, Hero-sama!!"

"As expected of the Hero from another world!!"

Encouraged by Princess Lorecia's reaction, I raised the holy sword and shouted, and the nobles and knights erupted in cheers.

Uoooooh!! What is this development!! I could feel my confidence soaring at this situation straight out of a light novel. I mean, getting to be active in another world and being praised by a beautiful girl—isn't that insane?

"Hero-sama... Please stay at the castle tonight. And if you wouldn't mind... could you tell me more about yourself in my room?"

She hugged me tight, refusing to let go, and looked up at me with heated eyes.

No way... I got a flag raised within minutes of being summoned? And with a girl this beautiful?!

"Of course, I'd—"

I was about to answer with a huge grin, but for some reason, my head cleared up.

"...Princess Lorecia, I'm honored by the invitation, but if I went to a lady's room at such an hour, it might cause misunderstandings about you."

"Huh... Eh...?"

I declined as politely and sincerely as I could, and Princess Lorecia looked shocked.

I'm a virgin. If a girl more beautiful and attractive than some celebrity invited me to her room, I'd normally nod my head immediately, and I was about to—but for some reason, I calmed down.

This was probably [Charm Resistance: Perfect Rejection] activating. In other words, sadly, the girl before me wasn't in love with me; she was trying to get close to me with some kind of ulterior motive, seducing me. Life really wasn't that sweet. And I had no intention of being swayed by temptation and lust like my brother.

At any rate, within mere minutes of being summoned.

I, Kisaragi Shinya, would have my name resound throughout the other world as the "Strongest Hero in History," having defeated the Demon King in record time.

Next Update: Chapter 1 — Only for members of Kappa Scholar and The Great KappaBeast.