From Pawn to King: Ruling a Harem of Chaos

Chapter 3: She Won't Even Unlock a Single CG for You!

What would that white-haired maid think after he left? That was not within Shia's consideration.

He had more pressing matters to attend to!

Walking through the streets of this otherworldly city, Shia couldn't help but marvel at the local scenery and architecture.

The azure sky was a breathtaking sight he had never witnessed in his previous life.

Looking around, the grand buildings, weathered by the passage of time, stood as monuments to a bygone era. Some even floated mid-air, defying the natural laws entirely.

In the game, such marvels felt ordinary, achievable with just a few clicks.

But seeing them in reality was overwhelmingly awe-inspiring!

Although this was a Western fantasy world, the game developers had infused it with a modern aesthetic.

For instance, the diverse modern outfits, stockings, and high heels worn by the girls passing by on both sides of the road.

In addition to the classic Western fantasy dresses, there were trench coats, camisoles, and cute sundresses.

The laughter of the girls reached his ears, making everything feel so lighthearted and joyous.

Each girl wore stockings of various colors, their high heels clicking crisply against the cement pavement.

It was brimming with youthful energy!

Cars sped by on the streets. Though they felt a bit out of place, their magic-powered engines made it somewhat acceptable.

After all, everything was designed to serve the gameplay and the XP system.

Modern attire added visual appeal, while the cars shortened travel times and sped up the game's progression.

Shia strolled leisurely through the streets of this otherworldly city. Despite his seemingly relaxed demeanor, his mind was preoccupied with planning his next steps.

This world was not just about beauty and XP; it was perilous!

To understand this, one had to delve into the backstory of this eroge world.

The game developers prided themselves on its "depth."

'Sure, I create smut, but I also have standards!'

Once, the demon race had been the "greatest threat" to this world, forcing all other races to unite and form the Seven Shields Alliance.

This alliance comprised four human nations, along with the elves, dragons, and angels.

However, by the time the game's story began, the demon race had already been completely annihilated by the Seven Shields.

Even the Demon God had been defeated.

All that remained were insignificant remnants, no longer a threat.

And that was precisely where the real danger began.

Externally, "those who are not of our kind have different hearts."

Internally...

The Twilight Empress, who served as the main villain, sought to unify the world and become its supreme ruler.

Meanwhile, the enigmatic and androgynous Pope of the Holy Church aimed to use this opportunity to spread their doctrine and vie for faith.

On another front, the divine authorities left behind by the fallen Demon God became irresistible temptations for the gods themselves.

Though forbidden from intervening directly, they weren't above sending their apostles to act on their behalf.

All these elements converged on the Seven Shields Academy.

Initially established as a wartime institution to combat the demon race, it had become the epicenter of this brewing storm.

To maintain stability and ensure the survival of the various races, the Seven Shields Alliance's leaders had decided to resolve disputes through peaceful competition within the academy.

Though largely ineffective, this didn't diminish the academy's prestige!

Over the two years leading up to the story's start, the academy had attracted the most outstanding talents from all factions.

Saintly knightesses, blindfolded swordmasters, shrine maidens in red and white robes...

As the saying goes, everything was designed to enhance the game's appeal!

The crème de la crème at the academy were future leaders of their respective factions.

Thus, the Seven Shields Academy held unparalleled significance, capable of easily influencing the fortunes of a small nation.

It was an immovable force!

With the continent's best resources concentrated within its walls, gaining admission meant unimaginable rewards.

Wherever you went, you'd be a cut above the rest.

So, leaving aside the protagonist's PUA rhetoric, Shia had his own reasons for joining.

But that was just the surface.

A year later, everything would be turned upside down.

At that time, the Twilight Empress would ignite a war, plunging nations into chaos.

The Seven Shields Academy would become a mere shell of its former self.

Even the brightest talents and the most elite faculty members would scatter.

But that wasn't the worst part.

Soon after, the demon princess would lead the demon race's resurgence, bringing true calamity to the world.

The transition from a golden age to a living hell would take little more than a year.

By then, Shia, weak and without the game's protective mechanics, would truly have no chance of survival.

In other words, Shia only had a year to prepare.

To survive, he had to grow stronger.

It wasn't just about teaching the protagonist a lesson or giving him a taste of hardship—it was about survival.

This upcoming admission into the academy was a critical opportunity Shia had to seize.

However—

The fame and resources of the Seven Shields Academy came with extremely stringent admission requirements.

Those who could enter were either uniquely gifted chosen ones or members of royal or noble bloodlines.

In short, you either had exceptional talent or an exceptional pedigree.

Talent and influence were both forms of resources: one was a resource in itself, and the other commanded resources.

You had to possess one of the two to gain entry into this premier institution on the continent.

As for Shia's original body?

It had no combat ability or cultivation talent whatsoever.

Aside from a slightly special identity, he was just an ordinary person.

But even that identity wasn't enough to open the gates of the Seven Shields Academy through sheer influence.

So, talent?

Relying on himself alone wasn't very promising.

But, it wasn't entirely hopeless!

Getting into the academy through official means was unlikely, but connections could work.

For instance, the teacher in charge of new student admissions this time was none other than Lilith's mentor—a widow with a captivating charm.

Thinking of her, Shia narrowed his eyes slightly, his lips curling into a faint smile.

In his mind's eye, a graceful and voluptuous figure appeared, exuding a dangerously alluring aura from head to toe.

If he could secure her promise, getting into the Seven Shields Academy would be a done deal.

This was the lowest-cost solution; convincing a teacher was far easier than persuading the academy's upper echelons.

Though feasible, it was by no means simple.

Shia adjusted his stride and continued walking toward his target location.

His first step was to retrieve an item—the 'Ring of Charm'.

A legendary artifact capable of delivering an overwhelming blow to women's hearts. It was also Lilith's key to amassing her harem.

Ironically, this very ring was originally gifted by Shia himself.

Back when he played the game, the quest description stated that the Ring of Charm was critical to maxing out Lilith's affection. So, he gave it to her.

Sure enough, her affection was maxed out.

But it didn't matter.

To Lilith, Shia's original self was nothing more than a devoted lapdog.

A lapdog with maxed-out affection was still just a useful tool—a *trustworthy tool dog*, at best.

No matter how deeply she cherished her tool dog, she never regarded him as a romantic partner.

In fact, Shia had gone to great lengths to avoid his "tragedy" as the ultimate side character, trying countless options in the process.

No combat talent?

Fine. He maxed out every auxiliary profession he could, striving to make himself indispensable to Lilith.

If she couldn't live without him, surely she'd turn around and see him as her perfect, devoted fiancé, right?

But no.

No matter how good he was to Lilith, she never once looked back at him.

He was still stuck outside, waiting for Lilith to unlock CGs with the other heroines.

Shia even sacrificed his own pride, attempting to soften Lilith's twisted personality with his sincerity.

It failed.

Over and over, he tried every conceivable approach, leaving no stone unturned.

Each time, he sought to avoid his destined miserable ending, but the results were always the same.

She wouldn't even unlock a single CG for him!

It felt like all his efforts had been in vain.

Well, not entirely.

At least in the final ending, after his death, Lilith hugged the other heroines in front of his grave and performed a funeral play.

By a stretch, you could say he was part of the scene, right?

Shia smirked bitterly, an endless sense of irony filling his heart.

That was the only CG he was ever involved in.

But in grayscale tones, viewed from the perspective of a funeral photograph, he couldn't participate in anything.

The so-called protagonist? He was just the guy holding the camera.

"Ugh, what a vile personality!"

When he played the game, his frustrations were fueled by indignation.

He had wanted to reach the "ideal ending" promised by the developers, only to be repeatedly let down.

The more his frustration grew, the more he realized he couldn't change his fate.

Looking back now, wasn't he just the ultimate pushover back then? A complete fool willingly tortured by the system?