All harem stories share common elements.
Regardless of whether the setting is an academy, fantasy, or science fiction, there are essential principles that must be followed if a story claims to be a pretty girls harem story.
If these principles aren’t upheld, the reader might instinctively tilt their head and go, “Huh?” as it fails to live up to the genre.
– Each character must be distinct.
The identity of each heroine must be unique.
For example, if one character is an energetic type, another might be an introverted character who finds it difficult to even appear in public.
Even within the same “big sister” archetype, one might be the nurturing, motherly type, while another might give off the vibe of an elder sister who wraps her chest with bandages, dons a jacket, and rides a motorcycle.
Even twins who look identical should have contrasting personalities. If one is innocent, the other might secretly seduce the protagonist behind her sister’s back.
The same applies to the world of Esdinas of Heaven.
The 16 heroines, who can be called the main heroines, all have different appearances, personalities, and tendencies.
Moreover, each one has a distinct “theme”
.
In the case of No. 1, Yunia might give off the feeling of being a [Saint] or [Main Wife].
In the case of No. 2, Ludmila might evoke a sense of being [Beastfolk] or [Active Warrior].
In the case of No. 11, Esta brings to mind [Instructor] or [27-year-old Maiden].
In the case of No. 12, Kadisha gives off the impression of [Nurse] or [Pharmacological Researcher]
Because each heroine has a different personality, the protagonist gathers them throughout the story, collecting heroines with diverse temperaments.
For example, there might be a nun who values chastity and has devout faith in the Goddess.
Or, there could be a genius mage-engineer who excels at manipulating mechanical dolls and fights by piloting a mech in her work overalls.
Or perhaps, in front of others, she’s a count’s daughter who wields a rapier and uses magic.
The last one might seem a bit subdued, but hidden behind that calmness is a strong, undeniable presence, even among other heroines like Yunia or Ludmila.
For example—
“What if we sell dirty art of the Dukes of Hell when we go to the surface?”
“What are you talking about, Archduke of Hell?”
“Why not? Even the noble Shuri Commissioner does it. Some heroines make money selling 2D cute girl illustrations.”
“That’s not just regular artwork; you’re talking about selling dirty illustrations. Sure, they’d sell, but I don’t think I’d go that far.”
“But Shuri Commissioner sells dirty illustrations of characters that look just like herself to make slush funds.”
As Changyeom mentioned, there’s someone selling such illustrations secretly.
Shuri Commissioner. Even her name makes you go, “Huh?” She’s a character clearly designed to evoke a certain reaction, especially for those who are into otaku culture and understand the term “commission”.
“If we start selling her illustrations at the Academy, male students would probably get quite excited about those magic stone drawings, don’t you think?”
“What’s the point of making guys do that?”
“The idea is to shift their focus from real women and heroines to fictional characters, making the heroines less of a target for fantasies.”
“Do the Dukes of Hell really need to get involved in that?”
This was a conversation from the early days.
After the seven Dukes of Hell agreed to work together, it was decided that the subjects of Shuri Commissioner’s “illustrations” would be other entities, not themselves.
“Shuri Commissioner will be of great help in our battle of faith against the Goddess. Both practically and… cutely.”
Shuri Commissioner.
While she’s an excellent mage proficient in the four elemental attributes, her true talent lies in her work as an ‘illustrator’ and ‘artist’.
“In her personal route, she even retires to become a children’s book illustrator. She creates lovely artwork for the protagonist’s child later on.”
“She changes her art style and starts drawing for kids. Though in another ending, she becomes a countess still drawing art for adults.”
While she earns recognition and rises to the rank of countess, behind the scenes, she becomes an influential figure in the otaku world, opening a comic market in the world of Bread Academy.
“So if you get the chance to recruit her, you should do it, even if it means stripping.”
“Strip?”
“Of course! The Academy has still life classes, and there are students who take art as an elective. Although, you’d first have to win over the instructor. But if you can get into the ‘special class,’ it’ll be smooth sailing.”
Changyeom suggested.
“Have them draw a model. You undress, and the other female students sketch your body.”
“Are you crazy?”
“Excuse me! This is part of the regular curriculum in art colleges. There are even people who make a living posing as models. Are you calling them all p*rverts?”
“Don’t twist it like that.”
“Anyway, if you get the chance, recruit her. She’s probably the only one who could really hurt those entities… the ‘Goddess’ or ‘Angels.’”
“Hurt them?”
“Yes.”
Changyeom stirred her magic, giggling mischievously.
“Art of the Goddess.”
“No.”
“Not even pure love, but degrading art.”
“Ugh.”
“Surrounded by goblins—”
“She’s the Goddess, so it might make sense, but she’s still a heroine. Do you think she’d really draw that?”
Even if Shuri drew art to make money, there were limits to her commissions.
“The only people with suspiciously high amounts of money who can persuade illustrators with money are furries.”
And only for the moderate amount of furry.
“If she drew a group scene like that and spread it around, the Inquisition of the Goddess’s Church would storm the Academy immediately.”
“Shame.”
Changyeom sighed.
“But in reality, it is one way to subdue the Angels.”
“…”
“Beaten by inferior humans from the surface, to the point where they can no longer consider wiping out humanity. Isn’t it like that? Hehe.”
“I’m done talking.”
…….
“Wait, could it actually be possible…?”
If the Angel wasn’t a man-hating type but instead a woman-loving one. And if this woman-loving Angel were placed in a scenario not as innocent as one where a polar bear might melt, but rather in a twisted, dark fantasy situation that appeals to those with such inclinations.
While something like that is unlikely to happen, could it be possible to mentally break the Angels by creating such images, leading them to self-destruct?
“…”
“What do you think? It’s possible, right?”
“Possible, huh.”
Theoretically, yes.
“I think it’d be faster for me to bake an irresistibly delicious bread that’s so addictive, the Angels give up their angelic nature just to keep eating it.”
“Cream-filled bread?”
“Hah….”
“Pfhehe.”
Well.
“At least, if it’s someone like Shuri, whose tastes align that way, even if she became an Angel, we’d easily subdue her with that method.”
“…We’re still talking about bread, right?”
“Of course. A bread so ‘filled’ it’ll be irresistible.”
Subduing an Angel doesn’t always have to involve destroying their halo.
It’s something we could experiment with, discussing the various methods and testing them if the opportunity arises.
After all, there are plenty of potential Angels-to-be at the Academy.
* * *
“…”
“Why the face, Phoenix? You don’t look too good.”
“It’s nothing. I just have a feeling I know who we’re talking about.”
I thought back to the conversation about Changyeom and Shuri, and my head started to ache.
“Understood. At the very least, if she’s a Count’s daughter, she won’t act recklessly when she arrives at the Old School Building. But one thing is non-negotiable.”
I crossed my arms and firmly shook my head.
“She must clean and organize her own room. Even if she’s placed in a different class than the Vermilion Bird Class, she should at least take care of her own space.”
“…”
“Instructor Esta?”
“Yeah, that’s right. She should be responsible for cleaning her own room.”
Instructor Esta nodded with a slightly sour expression. I didn’t mean to specifically target her, but she seemed a bit self-conscious about it.
“So, is Shuri coming in right away?”
“Not yet. It’ll probably happen once four students have gathered to form a class. The special admission students could originally join the Old School Building, but there’s no rule saying regular students can’t come in as well.”
“Are there regular students who want to transfer in?”
“Yes. Since they’ve been ‘vetted’ to some extent.”
Instructor Esta pointed downward with her finger.
“You might not like it, but some male students want to enter here too.”
“That’s troubling news.”
If the academic schedule allows it, we’ll have to figure out a way to prevent it.
“Why would they want to transfer into the Old School Building, where it’s all girls, when they can just stay in the boys’ dorm?”
“Maybe because you haven’t been devoured by anyone yet?”
“…Because it’s actually the safest place for them?”
“That’s one way to look at it.”
“Hah.”
Unbelievable.
“These guys are too scared to leave their dorm because they’re afraid of getting devoured.”
“Exactly. Which is why—”
Beeeeeeeep!!
A sudden alarm went off.
It was the trap that Ludmila, the [Cutting Wind], had set at every entrance to the Old School Building reacting.
And judging by the intensity—
“An Angel?”
“Ending the week with an Angel attack, huh.”
Instructor Esta glanced at her watch, then gripped her sword with sharp eyes.
“Sunday’s over. It’s midnight on Monday.”
Bread Academy, Week 2 of March, Monday.
An Angel had attacked.
And this Angel—
[Gyaaaah!!]
—Was flying through the air, panting heavily, wearing nothing but a thin nightgown, heading toward a female student in plain clothes.
“…”
Fundamentally, all Angels are TS girls.
Because of that, they—or rather, she—could target female students as well.
After all, they plan to destroy humanity anyway.
Some beings just prefer to have a bit of fun before bringing about destruction.
“This isn’t exactly a game of rock-paper-scissors.”
Women devour men. Angels devour women.
So—
“Instructor Esta.”
“Yes?”
“Are there any male faculty members here who are still single?”
Because subduing an Angel might just end up being their job.
(TLN: We found the reverse bunny illustration, it’s on discord <3)
