Echoes of the Forgotten

This way, Ian.

Lord...!

No need for titles here. Duke, lord, it doesn't matter. We're gathered for a different reason today.

That's exactly right. This meeting was called for one purpose only.

And you are?

This is Finn. He's quite capable.

He looks like nothing more than a bandit to me...

In combat, perhaps. But I'm speaking as a man.

As a man?

That's right, Ian. This meeting is a gathering of men who can no longer endure their sorrows!

Hahaha!

...

...May I leave now?

Ah! Is a vassal defying the lord's orders?

You said to speak casually just a moment ago...

There was supposed to be one more righteous person attending this meeting... but he hasn't arrived yet.

Who is that?

It's Lord Mordred...

He's the enemy!

You can't just call him the enemy. No, to begin with, there's no place for personal matters here, so it's fine.

It's not personal! It's the most important thing! What on earth is this meeting of men?

It's the forgotten ones rising up.

There are many others joining this meeting. Men who have been keeping their heads down all over the continent are gathering here.

Ian!

...?

I've heard you're a brilliant strategist. Doesn't that make you frustrated? Aren't you angry?

What... frustrated?

Oh... Finn, I've never heard you speak so clearly before.

It's because I'm sincere. I...

I...

...! Lord! Could it be that the true nature of this gathering is...? Oh no! You mustn't say it!

I want to roam the battlefield in Lost Sword and show my action!

Mmm! Mmm!

You actually said it! Mentioning that taboo... Stop it. This breaks the lore! The players won't accept it!

Plus, just now you called it girl action. Are you planning to do a gender change? Are you going to throw it away like a useless thing?

It's not useless!

C-Calm down, Ian. Your character's starting to fall apart too...

Lord! This is absolutely not okay! Putting the universe's consistency aside, the players will never accept this.

You know this. Us men are performing well on the battlefield, but the players couldn't care less.

In fact, they hate it. Who wants to see men's bare bodies? Isn't that why Mordred hasn't shown up?

He might come out someday, but he doesn't want to get hated!

Huh? Is Mordred going to be released?

That was the plan. If everything had gone as planned, he would've been released by now, and would've fought alongside Ethan.

Lost Sword has players who appreciate cool and good-looking male characters too!

That's a minority.

W-Well, that's true but...

But the majority is already more than satisfied with the beautiful ladies!

That's true. But seeing Mordred struggle like this? Unbelievable!

It'd be nice to have a cool male character, but... we've already come so far.

There won't be any more male characters. It's already been decided. So calm down...

Even the main character, Ethan, is only 4 stars. Chest... chest... chest...! I didn't think I'd be this upset over not having the chest!

Ugh... This guy just doesn't get it...

I'm the lord here!

Yes... Lord, apologies...

But Lord, you've already been released. Why are you leading this kind of gathering?

Mordred is the one who led it. And I have complaints too.

Is it about being 4 stars...?

Yes! How does it make sense that I, fighting so hard against the empire, am only 4 stars? No one uses me!

Even if I collapse in battle, I just fall over! I could, if ordered, fall while showing off my trained muscles!

I'm not even released yet! I'm just a bit player!

These people...

Hah... I understand what you're saying, but anyway, I won't get involved in this. It's too dangerous.

The users won't welcome it either, so Lord, you should...

This is the place, Ethan! This is where the suspicious gathering is taking place!

L-Lord! That voice... It's Princess Elizabeth! Her party has arrived!

We need to exit through the back door. Let's leave the front to our allies.

If we get scolded later, I'm not responsible.

That symbol... looks exactly like a male symbol...

Ethan! This way!

Ah, yeah!

Intruder! Block them!

Princess! They're enemies!

What... is all this?

Looks like they came to greet us.

And that flag... Could it be a male alliance here?

Ethan, shouldn't you be joining them?

Why would I...?

Oh, right. Ethan likes both men and women, doesn't matter, a real pervert.

I don't!

Ethan isn't the type to get involved in group activities. Let's subdue them first and then listen to what they have to say.

Ah... this feels off somehow...

I don't know what kind of meeting this is, but their connection seems weak.

Probably because they're all enemies. It seems like they only gathered for some reason.

These guys are strange. They seem to be coming at me more than usual...

You've always been a target, you know.

It's really weird!

The enemy's resistance has gotten much stronger.

What were these guys planning by gathering here? Let's finish them off in one go!

That's far enough!

And you...?

Finn! What are you doing over there?

Ethan... You don't understand, bro... the suffering of a man! The frustration of being unpopular! The sorrow of an unreleased character!

W-What's wrong with him? Can he just say things like that about unreleased characters?

I'll defeat you, who's living happily surrounded by women, going on adventures!

No happiness here! It's all misery! Popularity? Pfft! Do you even understand my rage?

C-Calm down, Ethan. We can't afford to get worked up. The enemy's momentum is dangerous.

It's frustrating... This humiliation will be paid back by the comrades... grr...

What's up with this guy?

Doesn't it seem like things are getting more aggressive?

It's proof that they're really digging into something. Finn's here too.

Whatever's going on, this level of resistance isn't just a small issue.

Urien? What are you doing there, sir?

Urien? What happened?

It's good to see you again, Ethan. And Princess...

Why are you involved in such a scheme?

Don't misunderstand, Princess. I'm not trying to obstruct your great cause.

We just wanted to show those who view this world our resolve!

Those who view this world? And resolve? What do you mean by that?

Ahem! It's a bit embarrassing, but let me explain. The lord and the men here... well...

They just want some recognition for the hardships men go through.

Yes?

P-Princess... Did I hear that wrong?

Ian's right. We haven't even been released yet, and why are our cards weak? That's what we want to ask the world!

Cards? Stats?

Uhm... Those should be discussed in the Lost Sword arena...

Players call them business cards!

No need to correct, Bedivere...

Ethan! Don't you understand? It's natural for men to want to stand on the battlefield! Why are we being pushed back?

So... what is it that you want...?

This is a message to the players and developers who peer into this world!

Release male characters as 5-star! Create at least one card that everyone can covet!

I'm losing the will to fight now.

Hmm... I kinda get it though.

Pathetic pigs. Do you really think that's possible?

What the players want in the first place are stylish and glamorous female characters! Just like the great Fairy Queen, Morgana!

...

...

...Hmm! I don't think the infantile body type fits in here.

What did you just say, you old fart!? Boomer! Smelly geezer!

Guhhh!

Sir!

Hey, Morgana... that was a bit too much...

That's what he gets for acting so arrogantly.

You clearly don't know, but it's not only beauties like me who appeal. The heroes of this era are determined by strength.

In other words, the problem is with the useless men!

I take issue with that.

I'll prove that strength myself.

Oh... Mordred has arrived!

Mordred, why is he here?

Men full of rage, rise up! This world will now be ruled by us, the men!

Ooooh!

The enemies are coming again!

Ethan's acting strange. Let's fight more actively!

Yes, Your Highness.

From now on, Ian and I will handle them.

Are you really going to do this, sir?

Think of it as training, Princess. I'll be careful not to let anyone get hurt.

I don't like it, but since it's the lord's orders, I have no choice.

Alright, let's go!

I'll take down the old fool!

Hah, finally took him down.

Hmph! Needlessly strong.

Enemies keep coming. Let's stay focused.

Your Highness, ahead...

Yeah, looks like Mordred will be taking the lead.

I've snapped out of it now. It was a huge shock, but I can't let this mess up my adventure...!

Ethan!

I'm frustrated... To think I'm so lacking in strength...

That's not true. You were a tough opponent, Mordred.

I don't want to admit it, but I agree. At least you're better than that pervert Ethan.

What's that supposed to mean?

Aah! Don't pull my cheek!

Anyway, it was good to be able to compare our strengths, even if it was an odd gathering. It wasn't without gain.

It'll be useful as a reference on the battlefield someday.

Mordred...

Well then, everyone, take care. Until we meet again.

Wait, Mordred!

Ah... he's already gone...

Doesn't even give me a chance to talk.

Heh heh... I learned a lot from this, Princess.

Sir...

I realized that to assert my opinion, I need to improve my skills. I'll work harder and try to be more helpful to you.

Let's go, Ian.

Yes, my lord.

Even Duke Urien... and others... disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Forming a suspicious organization and spouting nonsense... Is this really okay?

Hmph, you're such an idiot. This is the world you created, after all. I can't believe you didn't realize it.

I created this world?

Then... this place is...!

Ethan?

Elizabeth...

Don't fall asleep with candy in your mouth. You might choke.

Hurry up and get up. We decided to leave early today... Huh?

I'll try harder to become a stronger character.

Huh? Character? What do you mean, Ethan?

You whined about it being time to get candy, so I gave you a few, but it turns out one of them must have had some weird drug in it.

You didn't even give me any candy!