is a Japanese light novel series written by Sarasa Nagase and illustrated by Mai Murasaki. It began serialization online in May 2017 on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō. It was later acquired by Kadokawa Shoten, who have published ten volumes since September 2017 under their Kadokawa Beans Bunko imprint. A manga adaptation with art by Anko Yuzu was serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's seinen manga magazine Comp Ace from June 2018 to August 2019. It was collected in three volumes. Both the light novel and manga are licensed in North America by Yen Press. An anime television series adaptation produced by Maho Film aired from October to December 2022.
Premise Aileen Lauren d'Autriche, fiancee of the Crown Prince Cedric Jean Ellmeyer abruptly regains her memories of a past life moments after he publicly breaks their engagement. She realizes she has been reborn into the world of the fictional otome game Regalia of Saints, Demons and Maidens, as the game's villainess. To prevent her death, Aileen must stop the game's other villain, former Prince and current Demon Lord, Claude Jean Ellemeyer, from awakening his final powers. She wishes to avert her fate by proposing a marriage to Claude. However, accomplishing her goals may be harder than she expected.
Characters
The youngest child and only daughter of the Duke d'Autriche, Alieen grew up overshadowed by her three older brothers until the Crown Prince of the Ellemeyer Empire proposed to her. The engagement gave Aileen purpose, leading her to work hard and excel in sports and studies. Her dedication made her appear vain and snobbish to her peers, who ostracized her. In her previous life, she was a terminally ill Japanese teenager obsessed with the fictional otome game Regalia of Saints, Demons and Maidens. Aileen wants to use her position to create a better, more equal world for humans and demons alike.
Claude is the oldest son of the current Emperor. The original heir to the throne, Claude was disinherited when he displayed magical powers early in his childhood, as they revealed his half-demon status. Claude grew to become ruler of demonkind. He was the final boss in the original game, destined to succumb to his demonic side, killing Aileen off-screen before dying at the hands of the Holy Sword Maiden. He is an intelligent and capable ruler. He slowly becomes more open as a result of his interactions with Aileen.
Cedric is Claude's younger half-brother and heir to the throne after Claude was ousted. Although charismatic, Cedric is deeply insecure. He was the heroine's main romantic route in the original game. Cedric falls in love with Lilia Reinoise and ends his engagement to Aileen.
Claude's devoted aide and right-hand man. As a child, he was a page to the royal family. A young Prince Claude used his powers to save him from drowning. His selfless rescue earned him Keith's undying devotion. He followed Claude into exile by choice.
Claude's demon aide. Beelzebuth is fiercely loyal to Claude, often acting as a sort of bodyguard to him. Aileen earns his loyalty.
The game's heroine and main character in the original setting, and the series' main antagonist. Lilia is the Holy Sword Maiden, which grants her powers effective against demons and the ability to summon the Maiden's Holy Sword.
A crow in the service of Claude. Like most of demonkind, he is very loyal and protective of his lord. He is named Almond by Aileen after he enjoys her almond cookies.
A close childhood friend of Aileen's and the one she trusts to join her in all her adventures, no matter how dangerous. He is cautious and prudent.
A journalist and friend of Aileen. His newspaper specializes in reporting that champions fairness and truth. Jasper has a vast networks of contacts, who can be trusted to provide sensitive information.
A sixteen-year-old genius architect and inventor in Aileen's service.
A skilled doctor who specializes in clinical medicine. He is employed by Aileen.
A botanist is employed by Aileen to work at Claude's castle to help maintain all the lord's plants.
The president of the Mische Academy school council. James is a half-demon, born under the name Ashtarte, though he goes to great lengths to hide it. James was the final boss of Regalia of Saints, Demons and Maidens 2. Aware of his fate, Aileen aims to save him.
The vice-president of the student council of the Mische Academy and the first romance route of the original sequel game.
A member of the Mische Academy school council and the second romance route of the original sequel game.
A member of the Mische Academy school council and the third romance route of the original sequel game.
A female student at the Mische Academy and the heroine in the original sequel.
A female student of the Mische Academy. She develops feelings for Isaac.
A mage and member of the Levi tribe, he was the final boss of the fan disc of the original game.
Media Light novels The series by Sarasa Nagase began serialization online on the user-generated novel publishing website Shōsetsuka ni Narō in May 2017. It was acquired by Kadokawa Shoten who began publishing it as a light novel with illustrations by Mai Murasaki through their Kadokawa Beans Bunko imprint on September 1, 2017. The light novel is licensed in North America by Yen Press. As of December 2022, eleven volumes have been released.
Manga A manga adaptation by Anko Yuzu was serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's seinen manga magazine Comp Ace from June 2018 to August 2019. It was collected in three volumes. The manga is also licensed in North America by Yen Press.
Anime On October 1, 2021, an anime adaptation was announced. It was later revealed to be a television series produced by Maho Film and directed by Kumiko Habara, with scripts written by Kenta Ihara, and character designs handled by Momoko Makiuchi, Eri Kojima, and Yūko Ōba. The music is composed by Natsumi Tabuchi, Hanae Nakamura, Miki Sakurai, Sayaka Aoki, and Kanade Sakuma. It aired from October 1 to December 17, 2022, on Tokyo MX, MBS, Wowow, AT-X, and BS-TBS. The opening theme song is by Rie Takahashi, while the ending theme song is by ACCAMER. Crunchyroll streamed the series outside of Asia, and have premiered an English dub starting on October 15, 2022. Medialink licensed the series across Asia-Pacific.
Reception By May 2023, the series has sold over 1.3 million copies.
Rebecca Silverman of Anime News Network said of the first volume of the light novel: "It isn't wholly innovative, but Aileen's growing awareness that she's actively rewriting the plot is good, and the novel just gets better as it goes on." She praised the illustrations and said that "Aileen's active script-flipping gives the book a real edge", but criticized its use of familiar story beats and present tense narration. She later reviewed the second and third volumes, stating: "Both books have a lot of good giggles in them, with the ducks being a highlight across both volumes. The epilogue to volume three is a delightful comedy of errors ... and Aileen, although at times unbelievably dense, is mostly a very engaging heroine."
See also Within the Villainess, another light novel series by the same illustrator Betrothed to My Sister's Ex, another light novel series by the same illustrator The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor, another light novel series by the same author The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen, another light novel series that centers on a similar plot of a girl reincarnating as the main antagonist of an Otome game. The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom, another light novel series that centers on a similar plot of a girl reincarnating as the main antagonist of an Otome game.
Notes
References
External links at Shōsetsuka ni Narō