レンドフルール

Completion date: August 16, 2026

Personal play time: 20 hours

Rating: 8/10

Route order: Hubert is locked to the end. I would play Louis last out of the four unlocked routes. The rest don’t matter as they’re contained.

My personal route order was Leon > Ghislain > Orpheus > Louis > Hubert (> Final Thoughts)

I cleared all endings but will only write about Love & Loyalty endings unless certain bad endings are very worth mentioning.

Overall, this is a very beautiful game but you either love or hate it. It almost didn’t feel like an Otomate game because it doesn’t fit its formula where an elaborate world plot is introduced, MC meets LI & overcomes some difficulty together. This game is reminiscent of a gothic fantasy where the premise is depressing: this world cannot be saved no matter what you do, so ironically stop trying. If you can accept this, then you will be able to look past 95% of the criticism of this game and continue. If your life is miserable without a happily ever after, my suggestion is look up the CGs and move on.

**This is not a spoiler-free review.**

The story starts with a female voice narrating that the current world has lost the favour of Gods a long time ago, until the Goddess of Love, Milene, took mercy upon the people crying for favour or “Grace” below. She created four kingdoms, each assigned a “kamon” (floral insignias) with a knight representing their country and kamon. Through the knights, Milene bestowed Grace to the world and its people [think of Grace as an abstract concept of “divine blessing”]. Eventually, Milene fell into her slumber in the sakura tree, instead appointing a “Reine” each generation to act in her place to bestow Grace to her people.

Violette talks to her prime minister, Hubert, as she prepares to meet her four knights, and their four “butterflies” (servants & teachers of knights), who come from the ground below, as they live in a sky-bound land where hanabito (flower people) inhabit. In fact, Hubert is the first hanabito – as opposed to “tanebito” (seed people) who are regular humans living in the world below – created by the Goddess.

After this world has been starved of a “Reine” for long, Violette was finally born and scheduled to take her throne. Knights start out as tanebito, but through a series of challenges and training they abandon their corporeal bodies and become hanabito, like Hubert & Violette, gaining them entry to the sky island she lives.

The four Butterflies report to Violette, introducing the Knights of this generation:

• Leon from the North: His Butterfly is Ageha. Interestingly, he was not the original candidate they had in mind to be a Knight. However, with superhuman resolve & strength he proved himself more worthy than the other candidates and won.
• Louis from the South: His Butterfly is Uranami. As a prince born from a lesser concubine, Louis like his country is known for his beauty, charm, and elegance.
• Ghislain from the East: His Butterfly is Tsumabeni. A young soldier from the rugged East, a country that is known for being starved of Grace.
• Orpheus from the West: His Butterfly is Asagi. A mysterious orphan and bard with details of his life unknown, Orpheus hails from the islands of the west that are naturally blessed with the most Grace.

Violette gets two events with each Knight one-on-one. They also get to learn more about their Reine through these encounters, as well as giving us an idea what they are like in terms of personality. [The events will be recapped in their individual routes.] The Ravir system also gets introduced where we get to choose dialogue options (or stay silent, which is the hidden third option).

Coronation day arrives. The Knights have settled into the sky island & start to get along with each other, as well as accept Violette as their Reine. Violette serves everyone sakura tea – with the flower taken from the very cherry tree that Milene is said to hibernate in. The four Knights swear fealty to Violette, who crowns herself. However, all five of them fall to the ground in agony and lose consciousness. The four Butterflies do not appear surprised at this, with Hubert smiling and saying the stage has been set…

Violette wakes up to a worried Ruri and Akane, her own two loyal Butterflies. She learns the following:

• Knights’ health are linked to how much Grace their respective countries have.
• Grace is not infinite. In fact, Milene’s tree has run out of Grace to distribute a long time ago.
• As such, the Reine’s duty is not to transmit Grace from the tree to the countries, but rather redistribute Grace among the four.
• The world cannot be saved but rather continued; in other words, Violette’s job is to delay the inevitability that Grace runs out. Well, Hubert said this won’t happen during her reign and urges her to stop asking questions and do her job; nothing sus about that right?

The same night, Violette dreams of a conversation between Milene & Zero, the God of destruction. Zero tells Milene that this world is beyond saving. However, a conflicted Milene replies that she was born from the tanebito’s prayers, and cannot abandon them. Instead, she begs Zero to “destroy it all”… while she sees this world to its bitter end.

The tanebito need Grace. After deliberation, Violette decides who she will take Grace from and bestow it to whom. Depending on the route you are in, this choice will differ slightly. After a personal chapter, Violette will find herself under the sakura tree with Hubert, where she sees a flashback of Milene and an unknown figure where their message is not legible or comprehensible. At the end, Violette looks at Hubert IRL and says her first voiced line, leading to Hubert being very shocked and confused, taking Violette for someone else.

You will go through another Ravir with a LI before the second Ceremony commences. This time, Violette feels a strange energy as she dips her hand in the holy water. Milene awakens and attempts to take over Violette’s body. She tells Violette that her purpose is to be born as her vessel; now her purpose has been served and she should submit her existence to Milene. Hubert appears excited, stating he has been waiting for his real master, Milene, to return all this time.

Milene tells Violette that she created this sky island to cut herself off from the tanebito world, because people became greedy and demanded more Grace than she could provide. They also started waging wars amongst each other. The classic “they evolved, they grew, and they became too much and too destructive” ordeal. She created the four floral insignias & Knights. The Knights stayed with her in the sky island because the tanebito sometimes got too greedy and extended their wrath to the Knights (that sounds like biting the hand that feeds you but okay). Milene also created hanabito because she was feeling lonely up there. Sensing her weakening power, Milene hibernated in the sakura tree & created her proxy, “Reine”. Reines did not live forever. Hence, every time the previous Reine died, Hubert was able to talk to Milene briefly. Eventually, he begged Milene to make a reappearance. As such, Milene used part of her soul to create Violette as her eventual vessel in the world to be rebirthed in. Every time Violette took part in a ceremony, Milene was one step closer to awakening.

Milene takes part of a Ravir with Violette but controls which response Violette says. As Violette is about to surrender her consciousness, she thinks of one of her Knights & fights back, eventually regaining control of her body. Thus, we conclude the common route & what is about to happen next is entirely up to your choice, or what their fate dictates…

Leon (CV: Okitsu Kazuyuki)

Leon is the poster boy of this game. He fell in love with Violette’s portrait at first sight. Since then, he stopped at nothing to become her Knight and meet his “fated” one in person. When he sees Violette for the first time, he blushes and forgets his introduction. He immediately runs up to and hugs her tightly telling her that they are fated to be together. He is not scared to declare his fiery love for Violette in front of everyone and yearn for her affection. Violette’s first impression of him is “what a childish person”: if she gives him a moment, it would make his day. However, is this all just infatuation or something deeper…?

Just like how Violette is the vessel of Milene, Leon is the vessel of Zero, the God of destruction & Milene’s lover. As a child, Leon ventured into a temple resulting in Zero entering and hibernating in his body until the time is right. Hence, when Violette told him about her dreams, he too was having them as well and wondered if they were the two Gods in the story. This also explains why Leon fell uncontrollably in love with Violette’s portrait at first sight, despite not knowing who she is, and going through extraordinary lengths to become a hanabito to finally be worthy of serving his Reine. Violette, overcome by the great responsibility of becoming Reine and learning the unfortunate truth about the finite nature of Grace, becomes overwhelmed. Leon tells her that he is always here to support her, and that she can always show her vulnerable side to him. Violette ends up crying in his arms and venting her pent up frustration.

Leon shares with Violette that they have been seeing the same dreams. He declares his love once again for her. Under the moonlight, he tells Violette “I will make you mine” and gives her one last chance to decline & retreat. Violette does not back away.

After Milene shows her form at the Ceremony, Zero also appears. Milene talks about the sinful nature of “a god’s love to mortals” and how this weighs on her because this world is no longer sustainable by her powers anymore. Both of them struggle against their gods and gain control of their bodies. After the ordeal, Leon has been afraid to talk to Violette because Zero told him that even his love for Violette is not real and just a reflection of Zero’s previous relationship with Milene. Leon says he doesn’t know what is real or what part of his personality truly belonged to him anymore; and this chilled him to the core. Was all they had between them a product of their free will – and true – or a pre-programmed instinct in the souls to be attracted to each other like two poles on a magnet? Violette chases Leon and asks if he still loves her. Unable to answer, he leaves her in the darkness.

The next series of events are orchestrated by the rest of the Knights as an act to force Violette to wake up and take action. First, they lied about Ghislain losing consciousness from a lack of Grace, because Violette has not performed any Ceremonies as each time she does it, she will become closer to replaced by Milene. Second, Louis and Uranami shoot Violette with an empty shell, causing it to rain in the sky-realm (which is tied to the Reine’s emotional and physical state). Upon seeing the raindrops, Leon loses his cool and rushes to Violette’s “corpse”. He can no longer hide from his own feelings and tells a “dead” Violette that he loves her more than anyone else in this world.

Leon & Violette kiss and make up, but Ghislain falls for real this time because his country is always starved for Grace. However, Ghislain insists on not living off other Knights’ sacrifices, telling Violette to not give him any Grace because he believes his country & people are able to pave their own way without relying on a God’s favour or others’ suffering. In the meantime, Violette confronts Hubert who is unusually devoted to Milene, stating his connection to her is something “a hanabito will not be able to comprehend”. Hubert proposes that Violette sacrifice Leon & his country to supply Grace to the other three countries; this way, they can also get rid of Zero who has the potential to destroy the entire world. Violette of course will not allow that. Leon tells her that no matter what happens, they will be together in the end.

Ghislain commits suicide, destroying his country in the process, as an act of rebellion against the God’s order. His last words to Violette are “there is no revolution without bloodshed” with him offering himself as the sacrifice. Louis tells Violette the number one rule that will ring true as the main theme of this game: There is no choice that saves everyone. A future where nobody is hurt does not exist. If you really want to honour Ghislains’s death, then it’s time to think about what you’re ready to sacrifice and for what gain.

Love End

Violette & Leon talk to Milene & Zero within their respective bodies under the sakura tree. Milene tells Violette that long ago she has realized that her Grace has fed into human greed and was not sustainable at all. Hence, she secretly wished this world would return to its original state – i.e. be destructed. What she doesn’t explicitly say is that she does not have the power – or right, as we will learn in Louis’ route – to destroy this world. She gives Violette two options: Either destroy the world with the Gods’ power and they will no longer haunt them; or allow them to take over and for the foreseeable future they will keep this world running. Milene gives Violette one final night to decide with Leon.

The next day, Milene & Zero show in their God form in front of the Knights. However, they retain the personalities and memories of Violette & Leon. They have chosen to destroy the world in order to stay with each other forever. Louis & Orpheus are ordered to commit suicide. Louis happily obeys (again, more in his route) while Orpheus, who has claimed to love his country so much, also obeys because he feels it is inherently wrong for humans to be so dependent on Grace, and cryptically hints at the ushering of a “new world”. Finally, the world becomes quiet with only two people left.

Or is it just the two of them? In the love end titled “the paradise of love & sin”, one day Akane & Ruri pop up as well, keeping the two company; though they do not retain any memory and ask Violette to give them names.

Loyalty End

If Violette shifts the focus of their conversations from their love to their relationship as Reine & Knight, and tells Leon that her biggest goal is to save the world, Leon will talk to the rest of the Knights and conspire to transfer all the remaining Grace to the tanebito at the next Ceremony.

He then offers himself to Zero, who is a God and able to maintain this world, for now. He begs Zero for “mercy” because what the Knights are doing are draining the last bit of Grace that the Goddess he loved has saved. Zero takes over and becomes the new Knight of the North. One day, when passing by Leon’s national flower, Violette sheds a tear & feels as if there was someone she used to know, but cannot recall.

Thoughts

Leon’s route often gets dunked on by reviewers because of how abrupt the story progresses. While the two have “history” in the form of Milene & Zero, their chemistry lacked any transition, and was built purely on the premise of “Leon loves Violette from first sight and will do anything for her”. Violette just kind of accepted his love without questioning it? One can argue this is because she is Milene’s vessel. However, we then run into the problem of so how much of this is their story versus an inescapable pattern between two gods of the past? It is giving Feyen & Kujyaku from Matsurika which I did not enjoy but moreso because Kujyaku is one of the least likeable otome MC I have read. Milene is OK.

Having recently played Utsusemi no Meguri, it is interesting that games used to cast Okitsu in straightforward, overprotective LI roles like Leon & Yasuomi? I really don’t associate his voice with this trope…

Despite not being the biggest fan of their love story, Leon’s route contains important setup for the rest of the game in various ways:

• His Love End literally destroys the world in order for them to be together. While other Love Ends also have sacrifice, this is the one where the casualties are the largest. This hammers the point home of “you cannot gain anything without a price” which is the central theme of the game.
• In one of the bad endings, Ghislain is hinted to go insane and start killing everyone, which will be explored more in his route.
• Orpheus’ cryptic comment before committing suicide about how the end of one is always the beginning of another, and how a “new world” will be born is a hint to what will happen is his own ending. [Many people also disliked how Orpheus just accepted his fate without fighting for his people at all. I want to mention two things. I will talk more about the “callousness” towards the tanebito in final thoughts as this is a recurrent theme and a central part of most of the criticism of this game. As for Orpheus’ unconditional obedience, this can be seen through a cultural lens where rules and orders are absolute and not to be questioned.]
• We even get a hint of Louis’ motivations, something he seems to be lacking in the common route, that he almost appears happy to die. Why? Again, more in his own route… So while this route contains “spoiler” as to who Milene’s ex-lover was, I recommend it being played first because Zero really isn’t that relevant in other Knights’ routes at least.

Ghislain (CV: Kondou Takashi)

Ghislain is the most disrespectful and doubtful of Violette out of all the Knights, saying “I’ll decide whether you are someone worth serving” in their initial meeting. In his first Ravir, he tells Violette that women don’t have what it takes to lead, because he believes that women are to hide behind men and be protected; hence, he refuses to bow down to a woman. Violette’s response is “do what you want; I will demonstrate to you that I am a leader worth following.” Oh, and that he is of course super gentle with his horses but rough with Violette and people in general~

The hanabito are afraid of Ghislain given his reputation as a ruthless soldier & the country he is from, often scurrying away when he approaches. However, Violette does not allow herself to be intimidated. In their second conversation, Ghislain shows disdain for the Grace system, stating tanebito were once able to survive without any “blessing” from any god, yet now they are dependent. Violette maintains an open mind and sees things from Ghislain’s perspective, earning his respect and loyalty.

Once Ghislain accepts from his heart that Violette is a Reine worth following, which happened at the coronation, he fully devotes to her, in a very clumsy way. He chases around asking her to give him orders so he can fulfill his duty as the Reine’s Knight.

Violette really doesn’t have much on her to-do list for him and really likes the way he plays the piano (an activity Ghislain does to keep his heart calm) so she orders him to play her a song instead, to his chagrin. Tsumabeni teases him after because everyone sees how big of a tsundere clumsy devoted Knight he is to Violette~

One day, Violette walks in Ghislain playing the piano to calm himself down again, only he doesn’t look calm at all, instead having a crazed expression on his face. Tsumabeni pulls her outside to the room advising her to leave him alone. He then says like the other knights, Ghislain’s physical and mental state ares are tied to the condition of his country, which is like an “endless pit of corrupted water” that will never be quenched no matter how much Grace she gives. Ghislain later chases out with Violette noticing his fingers are injured. She checks his injury while he pulls her in for an embrace, telling her that she’s a great Reine and someone he has vowed to serve.

When Violette meets Milene, Ghislain shouts at Violette to not lose her resolve and “not make me worry like this ever again.” Moved by his devotion, Violette cries, startling and flustering him.

However, the next minute, Ghislain grabs her arm and shows his crazed expression again. Milene within Violette’s body tells her it’s no good & that the Knight of East has been corrupted.

Tsumabeni arrives, knocking Ghislain out. We see a flashback of someone – possibly the previous Knight of the East – killing hanabito on the sky island, harvesting their “nectar”. Ghislain, in his temporary lucidity, tells the Butterflies to lock him up in the dungeon so he doesn’t go on a killing rampage.

Love End

Choosing to talk with Madame Enju will reveal that she is the widow of the last Knight of the East (how does Violette not keep track of this stuff? lol) who suffered a similar fate of insanity and demise. Tsumabeni reveals that the insignia of the East has been damaged around that time, which sent the country/Knight into endless for Grace, to the point they kill hanabito to harvest it, before Tsumabeni finally subdued him and suffered a blinding injury to one eye in the process. He and Ghislain had been waiting for this day to come. Ghislain had told him in advance that when he becomes insane, to restrain him because “there’s nothing I am more afraid than hurting the very woman I swore to protect.”

Louis & Uranami will offer to help get Violette a private meeting with Ghislain. Depending on the route you enter Uranami will give you a different item. In the love route, he gives the keys to enter Ghislain’s cell. Ghislain tells Violette to stay back, that all is futile, but instead, she confesses her love for and kisses him.

Violette talks to Madame Enju, who says she wishes she did something different for her late husband. With the help of someone, Ghislain breaks free from his cell and is still overtaken by his insanity and starts his killing frenzy. Violette does not fight back. She says if killing her will provide even a second of relief to Ghislain, who has suffered so much at the hands of fate, then she accepts her death. Tsumabeni arrives again and battles Ghislain.

Enju is revealed to be the person who betrayed Ageha and released Ghislain to do what his desire wanted. The red sword he holds belonged to her husband. Violette confronts Enju, who tells her the sword stores the Grace released from the killed hanabito. As this is the only way to grant Knights of the East release from their curse, she is sick of this unfair fate, losing her husband to it, and feels this world is not worth saving. She asks if Violette views her less now having made this decision. To her surprised, Violette replies that she understands, as she is in love with Ghislain.

Violette asks if Ghislain killing all the hanabito here will bring him back. Enju instead positions her neck to his blade. The hanabito also includes her – one of the oldest and most powerful creations by Milene. She makes Violette promise to not use her Grace in vain, then commits suicide with the red blade.

All the hanabito are killed. Violette & a sane Ghislain go to the crystal palace. However, even with all this Grace his kamon is not fully repaired. Ghislain, despaired at the amount of loss, tells Violette enough is enough, and he is grateful for everything she has done for him. Milene tempts Violette saying if she lets her take over, then she can repair Ghislain’s insignia. However, Violette tells her to go away and that her tricks will not work here.

Ghislain and Violette confess their love again. Their lives have no meaning if they are not with each other. Ghislain says he will not give up & that all “restraints” have been lifted. He mentions there is one last hanabito – the first and most powerful – still living, Hubert. He will not make Violette share the sin of killing her mentor, so he will go alone. However, Violette says she will carry the burden and sin with him, in order to make their love become reality.

With Violette distracting Hubert, Ghislain kills him. They then go to the large cherry tree where Violette transmits all the Grace into Ghislain by stabbing through his heart but also piercing the tree – the last refuge of Milene. She tells Ghislain in exchange for him devoting his life to her, she gives him her love.

In the end, with the death of all hanabito, the four countries on the land enter a new era where man is no longer dependent on God or their blessings.

Loyalty End

In this route, Uranami gives Violette his pistol instead of the keys. Ghislain begs Violette to kill him to release him from torment but Violette hesitates. Time runs out. Louis tells Violette it is time to leave. Violette surrenders her body to Milene, who allows them to have one final meeting. Violette gives Ghislain her final order to live on as her Knight.

However, Milene doesn’t really honour her part of the promise and instead abandons areas in Ghislain’s country to reduce the pool of areas competing for Grace. Enju buries the red sword under the cherry tree. One day, Ghislain arrives, declaring that he has been living as Violette’s Knight so that this moment can occur… with the last scene saying “and thus, I challenged God.”

Thoughts

Ghislain almost became my favourite in this game. He is handsome, unwavering devoted to Violette after his initial “test” of her and seeing her resolve, yet such a tragically coded character with a fate of insanity and insatiability that predates his generation. Despite him and Violette not confessing before individual routes, their chemistry is palpable in the air from the piano scene to the one where he embraces Violette under the moonlight, while trying not to make her worry about his condition. He is someone who is never good at expressing his emotions through words and silently displays them in his actions. Even in other routes, he is often the first to jump out and protect Violette alongside Leon.

I didn’t dedicate a section in this review, but that monologue by Kondo Takashi in the jail cell where he asked Violette/Milene/any god that was listening why he had to suffer a tragic fate, to go through it all for naught and die in a cell, was one of the most moving experiences I’ve heard in voice acting for a long time.

To achieve his love ending, a great deal of sacrifice is also required. Not as much as Leon’s route, but you have to sacrifice the entire upper world and the hanabito in order to let Ghislain live. After all, as the title suggested, “the name of the crime is love”. To be with someone whom fate has whimsically decided cannot live or love, a great price is required. Sorry, none of us make the rules.

Orpheus (CV: KENN)

The youngest of four Knights at 19 years old, who claims to have lost his memory before the age of 10. He tries to act formal, but often lets his childish side slip, coaxing not only Violette but also her two protective Butterflies to let down their guard. Is this really who he is, or all just a disguise?

Orpheus takes an immediate liking to Violette, promising to show her his hideout: a large bird cage in the garden, where he naps & plays the harp, including a song for Violette. However, when Violette asked him to sing, he appears to be troubled. What kind of bard doesn’t sing?

Violette chooses to take Orpheus’ Grace and give it to Ghislain. This results in Orpheus breaking out into a fight with Asagi. Instead of following his assigned role, Orpheus questions whether this system is appropriate or needs to be followed at all. He questions the entire system itself, much to Asagi’s horror. Instead of treating the Reine like a queen, Orpheus wants to treat her as an ordinary girl, so that she can also have ordinary girl complaints and not have to hold it all in to appear “Reine-like” which he feels is too cruel.

Because Violette is so sheltered, Orpheus makes a joke of “I’ll tell you the answer if you sleep with me” expecting her to say no, only Violette says yes with a straight face. One of the few “I am a man, why don’t you view me so?!” scenes that I actually managed to enjoy~ In other scene, Orpheus hopes Violette backs off by demanding a kiss for his answer, only for Violette to agree and then kiss his hand, as he didn’t specify where the kiss goes on.

Orpheus continues to tell Violette that it’s okay to share her vulnerabilities with him, that she needs to take care of herself more for her own sake & her Knights’ sake. He continues to challenge the current system. “If Grace disappeared from this world, it’s not like the world beneath combusts and disappears, so who came along and decided that humans needed this Grace?”

Orpheus and Violette sit under the moon, where he muses if tonight’s moon is exceptionally beautiful because of Violette’s beauty instead. Orpheus tells Violette about his teacher, who adopted him & taught him how to play the harp. He says he doesn’t have many important people in his life, only three: his teacher, Asagi, and Violette. However, Violette continues to be dense or rather unsure where Orpheus is going with all of this, so he finally confesses to her.

During the ceremony when Milene shows herself, she appears surprised to see Orpheus and calls him “a young God”. However, in the aftermath, Orpheus says he has no idea what she means by that, but wishes he could be more useful to his Reine & lover because he hates to see her sacrificing for her Knights and people. He says he’s happy to be acknowledged by Milene to have the potential to change the world as a “God” like her, because then he will truly be irreplaceable to Violette, and the most special out of her Knights. Therefore, he asks Violette to have more faith and expectations from him, and will strive to not disappoint her and answer her wishes. He is eager to harvest his potential and turns a blind ear to Asagi who warns him to not lose himself in the pursuit of power.

Orpheus tries to “awaken” his power at another ceremony but gets ridiculed by Hubert instead. He plays the harp and recovers his memory of why his teacher never allowed him to sing.

His singing is the source of his power. However, as a child he did not know how to wield it, killing animals in his songs’ vicinity.

Determined, Orpheus sings again for his Reine & to save the people below. Violette is with Enju at this time. However, she dies, or “wilts” in front of Violette. In fact, all hanabito are wilting due to Orpheus’ singing. Violette finds him in the crystal palace and charges in physically to stop him.

Love End

Hubert appears explaining that the water mirror is a device that does not send Orpheus’ Grace – of which Milene said he was unable to create any – but rather transmits Grace from the island above (including those from hanabito, as we learn from Ghislain route) to the earth.

Orpheus profusely apologizes, but the damage is done. Like Milene, as a God he originated from an olive tree. He finds his tree and talks to Milene, who says he is the youngest God to be born into this world after her – the God of Hope. Orpheus tells Milene that his wish is to create a world where humans are not longer dependent on gods for Grace and can survive on their own hard work. Milene agrees and says she is no longer needed.

Orpheus goes to Violette & the Knights proposing that they allow humans to advance their own legacy. He wants to cut off the connection between their world and Violette’s world in the sky. Like Violette, the Knights have turned into hanabito and cannot step out into the tanebito world anymore. However, they can still live within their dedicated temples in the world below. He thanks Violette for teaching him emotions he never knew he could have: sadness, happiness, love. He vows he will devote everything he has to her and change the world into a better one.

Hubert kidnaps Violette because by doing so, Milene will completely disappear from this world. He scoffs when Violette calls him “Hubert”, rejecting the name. He says he’s begged Milene to abandon the tanebito various times, but she was never able to. The Knights create an opening in Hubert’s defence. Milene appears and helps Violette too, surprisingly! [As to why, you will have to play Louis route.]

Orpheus carries Violette and leaps into the disappearing portal into the world beneath. You have a series of QTEs representing Violette hanging on to her life while Orpheus rushes to the source of his power – his olive tree. He shares with Violette some of his remaining Grace and completely severs the connection between the sky and earth. In the end, he and Violette share a kiss on the ground.

Loyalty End

Orpheus sings and causes the same destruction. However, instead of creating the new world, he offers to sacrifice himself to Milene’s tree so she can have Grace to temporarily stabilize this world.

Thoughts

Orpheus was my most interested character from the beginning and remains my favourite after completion of the game. Is this what KENN can do with a human scenario? The route is not without its flaws, such as how Orpheus basically got zero repercussion or even reprimanding for what he caused (literally killing the upper world) from the other Knights & Violette, who all immediately went don’t worry we forgive you! Let’s remedy this together!

However, the romance he had with Violette is beyond cute. Orpheus is quite coy. He acts innocent and naive but he definitely knows what he is doing more than he lets on. He let Violette put down her guard easily and then swoops in to confess to her. The confession scene under the moon where he asks Violette to “see my feelings for you” was the most beautiful scene in the entire game.

Orpheus’ route is also the most hopeful out of the routes so far. It tells us that the humans do not die immediately once their supply of Grace is cut off. There is a period of adjustment and panic, but eventually, at least as the game has shown us, they will do okay. Even in Leon’s love end, when Violette orders the Knights to kill themselves, Orpheus complies but says a cryptic message about how their death will usher in a new world. It is also surprising that Milene, who has been committed to being reborn via her vessel, suddenly switches sides when Hubert abducts and threatens to kill Violette & aids in her escape with Orpheus. This is not a plot hole as an important mechanic of Milene or gods in general are revealed in…

Louis (CV: Namikawa Daisuke)

Louis is the second Knight we meet in-game. He appears calm, collected, and perfect on the surface. He knows all the charming things to say such as “even though there is a temperate difference between us and the North, like the Knight there I too have become enslaved by your beauty and grace.” Usually the characters who are too smooth often are hiding something. He is no exception. Even Uranami notes that Louis’ desire and motives are unclear. “Everyone had to gave up something when they became a hanabito, but Louis seemed to easily threw everything away.”

He declares his love through poetry and drama to Violette, who is smart enough to not buy into this and actually has some back & forth discussion with him, noting his “love” appears insincere before running away blushing even though she knows this is all an act. After return, Louis remarks to Uranami “to know that she can also make such an expression… like a kitten whose fur is combed the wrong way; this may be my new favourite pastime,” who retorts he is a “horrible human as always”.

Violette chooses for Louis to give his Grace to Ghislain. Louis drops to the floor in agony. Later, Violette expresses her apology to Uranami, who interestingly said “if anything, he is probably thanking you” for causing harm to him??

Compared to Orpheus who genuinely thinks continuing the path of Grace/Milene’s path isn’t the best for this world, Louis challenges and teases Violette to leave her post and “escape the world” with him all together, but does not appear to be from a place of benevolence… This all appears to be a game to him. He continues to flirt with her, saying compared to the world and his country, winning her heart is more important and interesting to him. Violette asks why in the world he is saying things to “confuse” her. Louis replies it’s because every sentence she says, everything she does is because “I am the Reine and I need to do something for my people”. Violette replies she’s overwhelmed by the burden, but she has no other option. She cannot abandon her people even though Louis keeps suggesting it.

Louis pulls Violette into a tight embrace asking why she has not asked for his help. “Remember what I said when we first met? I will help you in ways nobody else this world can.” He tells Violette he does not want to see her forcing herself for the benefit of others anymore. “You have my word: I will never plot to harm you. So give yourself into me and let me help you.”

After Violette cries in Louis’ arms and returns, he tells Uranami that he senses them being watched by Hubert. Hubert does not trust Louis, but why? Louis says his only “trump card” is “this body itself”.

The next day, Violette receives a basket of chestnut desserts from Louis with a card saying just like the chestnuts, she is prickly on the outside but soft and sweet on the inside. However, Violette returns an empty basket and complete ignores his message saying Akane and Ruri really enjoyed the snacks. Louis bursts out laughing saying this Reine really defies his expectations and is worth his attention.

Violette talks to Uranami, who as a Butterfly acts under Hubert’s orders. Uranami says Hubert wants Violette to remain “untainted” as a Reine & if she also wants this, then she needs to stay away from Louis. However, he says he cannot elaborate anything further beyond that. She then confronts Louis, who says Hubert is trying to brainwash her to do his own bidding – mind you we have not arrived at the ceremony where Milene presents herself yet, so he clearly knows something more than the rest of the crew.

Louis takes Violette’s hand and asks her if she feels his warmth. He says this is because they are both hanabito. Beings from different classes such as hanabito and tanebito will not feel each other’s warm as a result. Violette gets nervous and tries to pull away. Louis says if she wants to know the truth about herself, then she should not. He calls her a “beautiful, royal, naive doll created for the purpose of self-sacrifice”. He says he knows that Uranami warned her against him; yet she still chooses to enter his life like a moth drawn to flame. Finally, he kisses her under the moonlight, but concludes “this experiment is over” when she returns the kiss, leaving Violette frustrated and crying because she realizes all of this is a game to him.

The second ceremony occurs where Milene attempts to possess Violette’s body. However, Louis calmly draws her back to this world by calling her name.

We see a vision of Louis, a human, in ancient clothing being caressed by another ancient goddess, who fervently professes her love for him. However, Louis replies his heart only belongs to himself and cannot return the goddess’ love. The goddess is in disbelief and asks if Louis is just going to live this life not having loved or yearned for anything or anyone. Louis replies unfortunately, that seems to be the case. At the end of the vision, the goddess’ name was revealed to be Desire. She casts a spell on Louis but we do not learn what she said at this time.

Uranami brings Violette a storybook called “what desire brings”. Very quickly we catch on that this is actually a story or autobiography by Louis. He is immortal, having lived various lives in this world. In his first life after rejecting Desire – noting that as a human he cannot feel the warmth from a god – he lived a life without yearning for anything or anyone. He thought this was the end, but found himself being reborn again and again and again. The incantation that Desire said to Louis at the end of the vision was that “this dream will not end until you learn the meaning of love.” Desperate, Louis attempts to commit suicide, but finds himself unable to die. He believes humans and gods are two fundamentally different beings who cannot transmit their warmth. Thus, it is silly that humans yearn for Grace from gods and for them to show mercy on them.

Violette confronts Louis about the book, who avoids the question but rather draws parallel between his and her fates of being a toy at gods’ mercy, to be played with and thrown away like an experiment. Instead of elaborating the ending (or lack of) to his story, he wonders how Violette’s will end. Violette retorts that story has not and will not end on terms that are not her own. Louis laughs and says yes, he’s noticed that Violette is a lot stronger than he thought.

Moved by Louis’ experience, Violette reaches and touches his face and shyly draws back her hand. Louis says they are still the same as before, whatever she thinks they are. Kind of like guys who say そういう関係だよ when girls demand to know what they are.

Violette asks if this is another one of his “experiments” to see if he has captured her heart. Louis replies no, this one is to confirm that they share the same “warmth.” In another scene, we see Hubert proposing to Louis to betray Violette saying only a god like Milene can undo the curse on his eternal life cast by Desire. Louis then goes and tells Violette to continue conducting ceremonies even though each ceremony brings her closer to being possessed by Milene. However, he asks her to trust him & kisses her once again under the moon, saying it’s the moon that doesn’t make him think straight. Violette does not push him away, thinking to herself that she needs to allow herself to be illogical for once, and blames the moon also.

Against the other Knights’ opinions, Violette holds another ceremony. Louis announces he is a “traitor” but Violette chooses to continue trusting him, saying he is not the same as Hubert. Milene successfully overpowers Violette and takes over. The deal he had with Hubert was that he allows Milene to take over but he gets a private conversation with the goddess herself.

Louis tells Milene about the curse Desire cast on her. However, Milene says this is a “blessing” cast by her older sister and while it is possible to undo it, she refuses to do so. Louis orders the remaining Knights to restrain Hubert. Louis tells Milene that he’s lived longer than her even because Milene is one of the newer and last gods to be born into this world. He asks Milene to answer him one question: Do you think it is correct and merciful for the world to continue like this, running out of Grace? Milene cannot answer. Louis says Milene has been “refusing” to awaken in Violette’s body because she already has significant regrets about shaping the world to be dependent on Grace like it is today. Out of a god’s pride, Milene continues to maintain that she could do no wrong. Louis asks if she’s succeeded then, in saving this world, and being merciful to the people, given now they are fighting for Grace, one country’s prosperity comes at another’s suffering, merely delaying the inevitable. Milene cannot in good faith give an affirmative answer and is pushed to her limit. Louis whispers in her ear that there is one way she can be granted release from this dilemma, and that is to pass on her powers onto Violette instead and let Violette deal with all of this.

Love End

Before disappearing, Milene tells Violette that she is grateful for Louis of “releasing” her from duty. Because Milene is the product of the tanebito’s prayer, she cannot simply disappear or abandon them even if she regrets everything she has done. Her last message to Louis is “accept your ‘blessing’ and everything will finally end.” Louis debriefs his plan to Violette & Knights, saying by framing his words in a way that her sacrifice is mercy & salvation for Violette, her vessel, he is able to trick the system with Milene (the god of love and mercy) so that she can finally die & not deal with this depressing world anymore, lol.

Violette has afternoon with Enju who holds her hand and exclaims that Violette’s hands are ice cold. Violette has transformed into the new goddess of this world following the departure of Milene. Louis also straight up declines to see her or show up to Knight meetings because he can’t feel her warmth anymore, and knew this would happen when he carried out his talk-no-jutsu with Milene.

Louis apologizes to Violette. He wanted to save her, but this puts her into a bigger dilemma. Like him and Desire, he is no longer able to feel her warmth. They are different beings now. “I wanted you to escape one cage, but only sent you into a larger one.” Bitterly, he admits that the tricks gods play on humans are cruel and never-ending. He thought he would defy fate by saving Violette, but this only starts a new cycle of gods imposing their rules on others. For the first time, Louis feels despair and is ready to give up. Violette begs him to not give up hope and relays to him Milene’s message, that Desire cast her spell on him not to curse but to bless him so he will learn what love feels like. Louis replies the person that makes him feel “love” is no longer reachable because she had changed forever. She asks Louis: if the first kiss was an “experiment” or “game”, the second one was to “feel my warmth”, then what was the third one under moon? He silences her with a fourth kiss, before pulling away saying she is so cold and they can never be the same again. He tells Violette whatever was between them is forever over.

Ghislain finds Violette and encourages her to read Louis’ storybook once again and do what she thinks is right in her heart, saying he is always her Knight and will support her (aww). Violette reads his story and notices every woman who has loved Louis moved onto him very quickly and chased aggressively. In other words, Louis is avoidant… =_= She also notes many women show their love to him by declaring they want to be his slave (lol) or even offering to kill themselves for him. She knows what to do…

Louis notes a strong wave of energy emanating from the crystal palace. He rushes to find Violette sending all her Grace to the earth leaving nothing to herself. She tells him this is so that he can feel her warmth again.

She loses Grace to just the right point where she is no longer a deity and reverts back to a hanabito. Her kamon is also no longer sakura – Milene’s insignia, and turns to her own – violet. She is finally no longer a horcrux of Milene and her own person and being.

In the epilogue, the old system is abolished. The hanabito world no longer has a Reine, and they start a democracy where a hanabito is voted as president.

Violette & Louis continue to spend time together, flirt with each other’s feelings & warmth, but neither wants to say I love you first because Violette worries that if they do, Louis’ life will end and Desire’s blessing will no longer exist. Louis kisses Violette’s hand and says he wants to give her a new ring not as a Knight, but as someone else.

Loyalty End

Louis sacrifices himself and his country in the process to donate his Grace to the other three countries, mainly Ghislain’s, to buy time for Violette & realize his dream of dying.

Thoughts

Louis’ route is plot heavy & initially confusing. The first run I was left very confused. I reread it once, and start to get his intentions and how he operates. The third time is when I write this review. This route is a slow-burn that grows on you when you recall it after the playthrough. This route has various symbolisms and allegories that I appreciate the writer for thinking the plan through. You may think this is an emo story of some avoidant dude and a cat-and-mouse game of “hehehe I won’t confess with him” or even find it stupid and scoff at it. I thought so too. However, I was so wrong.

Louis seemingly has no wants in life. Even though he talks about “warmth” a lot, his heart is stone cold. Desire casts her blessing on him to live an immortal life until he finds his own love. When Milene said this was a blessing & refused to undo it, I thought it was purely because she’s a goddess and all gods are arrogant and treat humans like toys, no? In the epilogue, Violette & Louis use this spell to their advantage, able to indefinitely prolong their time together and having their happily after – turning this into a beautiful blessing in the end.

A big theme of this route is the cyclical nature of fate. Louis becomes “cursed” to a life of immortality while Violette becomes “cursed” into becoming Milene’s puppet. As an act of rebellion, Louis rescues Violette from Milene’s control, but at that time realizes through their time and interactions together (mainly Violette not being desperate and thirsty like all his others suitors in the past, lmfao) he has fallen in love with Violette, but now that she has become a goddess and they no longer share “warmth” together anymore. Some people ridicule this “warmth”. I don’t think Louis was actually caring about whether Violette was warm of not, but rather it’s his value system where a human and a god cannot and should not be together.

In general, this route should not be taken literally or attempt to read too much logically into it if that makes sense? The third kiss they have where Louis says “the moon makes me infatuated with you” and Violette agrees is IMO a romantic scene. If you look at it factually then it almost sounds silly. Iwata is very good at creating those atmospheric moments just like how a play would. I found them very enjoyable.

This route also sheds light onto Milene’s dilemma where as the goddess of mercy, she cannot just “abandon” her duty and peace out of this world. As long as her people one day demanded Grace, she has to exist one way or another. Hence, her hibernation & flashback in Leon’s route begging Zero to destroy this world all together, and her helping Violette escape from Hubert in Orpheus route all start to make sense. Ironically like Louis, she is also stuck in this world and a never ending life looking for her release. She cannot find it so her second problem is delaying the inevitable, but then Hubert keeps crying and wants her back.

So what is Hubert’s tie to Milene? Why is he so devoted and obsessed? Their story will be revealed in the finale…

Hubert (CV: Sugita Tomokazu)

Hubert is route-locked to the end. So far, we have played four routes where he is the antagonist. He seems to not have a care for Violette whatsoever and only views her as an object to resurrect his beloved Milene. However, Louis route tells us that this is not necessarily what Milene wanted.

In the common route, Hubert is shown to have eccentric tastes. He collects a range of weird & ugly things and thinks they are actually works of art and would brandish them in front of others, who always try to awkwardly exit the conversation and room. When a young Violette was scared and asked Hubert to read her a bedtime story or something, he whips out a SCARY doll thinking it would actually help soothe her, lmao.

Violette reminisces about how Hubert brought Akane & Ruri to meet her for the first time. She complained to Hubert over and over about being lonely so eventually he allowed them to meet. Hubert tells her that Butterflies only have one master & that when separated from their master, they suffer intense pain.

Violette finds Hubert wandering under Milene’s sakura tree. He temporarily mistakes her for Milene, but realizes they are not the same. He starts to go into a trance but Violette holds him and calls him back into reality. She asks Hubert who she is, who he is seeing through her face and eyes. Hubert again tells Violette “I will always be your ally” and “yes, that’s right, I am ‘Hubert’” as if he is trying to convince and reorient himself…

During the second ceremony, Hubert outs himself as the traitor and allows the takeover to complete. Milene appears and orders “Hubert” to revert to his original form. He is her Butterfly, Murasaki. However, Milene comments that her “vessel” is not willing to relinquish complete control to her, sensing that Violette has a strong affection for him.

Violette wakes up as herself to a Murasaki without his glasses. He recounts how he was created by Milene. He retells the story where he asked Milene to give up on the tanebito but she is unable to. As a last resort, Milene decided to go into hibernation and leaving Murasaki behind, rebranding him into a hanabito so that he can oversee the world in her absence. Only when one Reine dies and before the other is born, can he very briefly see and talk to Milene directly. Eventually, Grace started to run out & Milene lost hope to appoint any more Reine. At Murasaki’s behest, she created Violette using a fraction of her own soul promising him she will return one day.

Milene wrestles for control with Violette in her own body. Violette demands Milene to return “Hubert” to her. Milene tells Violette to call for her at the next ceremony alongside Hubert, and adds that Violette’s wish is “necessary” to her. Milene temporarily reappears asking Murasaki to spend his last moments with Violette as Hubert instead – to fulfill her last wish, as the next time he is called Murasaki will mark Milene’s permanent return. Milene also says to Hubert/Murasaki “I am waiting, for your answer”.

Violette has decided she loves Hubert more than the rest of the Knights and is determined to continue the ceremonies, even though this means losing herself to Milene. By talking to the Butterflies, Violette learns that from the timeline it would be impossible for her Butterflies to be created by Milene, so who did it? She talks to the source who brought her those two. Hubert admits Akane & Ruri are not true Butterflies but mimics created by him, in a similar fashion of Milene’s. Those two children are his horcruxes aka part of splitting his soul, because as a hanabito he wanted to make Violette happy.

Milene speaks within Violette, saying when she created the latter, she separated out her “romantic love” part of her soul to do so. This prompts Violette to think, for how attached Akane/Ruri are to her, it is not hard to guess what part of Hubert’s soul he gave up for her… She cries in Hubert’s arms, who says with sorrow that unfortunately, he is no longer her ally anymore and she should move on.

We get another flashback of young Violette with hanabito Hubert.

Zero awakens within Leon and demands him to hand over his body as well. Louis reveals the rule of gods to Violette, telling her that Milene has been trying to slowly commit suicide because she can’t just leave this world. He says Milene sees shadows of her and Zero – a pair of lovers who were destined to be apart – in Violette & Hubert and is curious to see whether they are able to achieve what she and Zero could not. After all, Violette was born from her feeling of “romantic love”.

Violette confesses her love for Hubert under the sakura tree and demands him to face his feelings as a hanabito for her, not his Butterfly feelings for Milene. She begs him for one last kiss as “Hubert”. This apparently makes him to realize his love for her because he tells Violette that he loves her also.

However, right after he confesses, he suddenly drops to the ground in pain because as a Butterfly, it is written in his genetics that he can only be loyal to Milene and no one else. Milene is seen disappointed in the background, saying she knew this would happen yet still wanted to see to the end.

Zero appears in Leon’s body asking if Milene still wants to wake up, now that her Butterfly is now loving someone else as a hanabito. Milene appears resistant saying because he is her Butterfly before hanabito, if he never sees her again he will literally go insane. Zero then says, well I am the god of destruction, so let’s destroy the Butterfly part of his soul so he can be together with Violette as a hanabito, and you & I will finally be free from this cursed world. However, this will also destroy the kamon that connects the Knights to their countries. [I don’t think it was explicitly said whether this will kill the Knights like in Leon’s route? I don’t even think the author cares at this point lmao?]

Anyways, Murasaki is reborn as Hubert as a literal hanabito baby glowy thing and for a brief period we have a “younger brother” who is super possessive of his big sister until one day he is finally taller than her and kabedons her and says stuff like “I want big sister to see me as a man”.

However, this quickly turns Hubert into his original form, just without the glasses. And they live happily ever after and this game is done!

Unless, you choose the other major ending “submission” where Violette descends into madness alongside Hubert/Murasaki, exposing that his psyche is already broken beyond repair from being apart from Milene for so long. He wears those glasses because without them, he would literally hallucinate and think Violette is Milene.

Violette basically tells Hubert to lean into this madness and use her as an escape, or vessel to Milene.

She then literally has sex with Hubert, who accepts Violette as his new master, as this is something the holy goddess Milene would never do.

In the end, they also live a “happily ever after?” with Violette taking Milene’s form but retaining her identity, while Hubert covers her from the cold under the sakura tree and calls her “Milene sama”.

Thoughts

While this game is convoluted and jumpy in general, requiring the reader to make inferences, this route was way too far-fetched for me after three reads. I’ve read a couple of other reviews/recaps to understand Hubert better as a character. What I gather is that he remains in conflict as Milene’s Butterfly – Milene is the first person he sees in this world and his literal creator who writes his attraction to her in his code – vs. Violette’s hanabito – he claims he doesn’t care about her, but has a soft spot to the point he is willing to separate his love from his soul to create Akane & Ruri for her.

However, I remain unconvinced of why Violette chooses to continue loving Hubert and is willing to destroy herself (via conducting ceremonies) for him as well as declaring to him “you love me too, you just don’t see it”. It borderlines delusional and “I can fix him”, not a fan… When Hubert kisses her under Milene’s tree and goes like ah yes I love you too Violette I laughed out loud because I really don’t get how we got to this point…? Apparently we are supposed to just roll with everything because Hubert created those Horcruxes to make Violette happy. I’m sure this route has its audience but similar to Leon route, the buildup was just not there. 😦

I do like how Hubert’s insanity was hinted since common route through his odd tastes in art. I originally thought it was just a joke but the meaning is deeper than that.

Milene’s motive is a bit all over the place in this route. If she remained a goddess that is kept hostage in this world from the tanebito’s prayers I get it, but what’s with all that “finding herself” phase by being curious and seeing what Hubert & Violette will do, then getting mad when he chooses to be Hubert not Murasaki?? I’m glad Zero appeared and talked sense into her & claimed his woman… because this lady crazy lmao. The importance of mental stability.

Final Thoughts

1. This game is probably most famous for its beautiful art. Aside from the CGs, I was also spam posting about the various backgrounds in the game:

2. The “Ravir” system received criticism as it’s just a fancier dialogue system. I didn’t care for it much but didn’t hate it either. It’s just a way of progressing the game. Would I have rated the game differently if this system didn’t exist and I was just presented dialogue options like a traditional game? No.

3. Violette was surprisingly resilient and proactive of a character because that was not the impression I had of her going into this game even having pre-read some reviews. I expected her to be more of a damsel in distress, someone who gets persuaded and convinced to make certain decisions. One of the game’s writing’s criticisms is that her Knights often go rogue then expect their Reine to go along with it instead of viewing her as their absolute leader. The game’s explanation is that the Reine is more of a symbolic monarch instead of a true ruler. Interestingly, at the time of this review, I have almost finished the common route of Crazy Chain, which also features a French-themed female leader with several “Knights”/servants & the dynamic between Sophia and her followers vs. Violette and her Knights are interesting to compare side by side for sure! Both were enjoyable.

4. This is a game that you either love or hate. The writing is very jumpy and relies on the reader to make various inferences, connections, and to immerse themselves in the atmosphere that Iwata set for us. If you find yourself at the same wavelength as the writer, then you will immerse and enjoy the story. While the logic is not perfect, how the story made me feel was undeniable. I really enjoyed the romance in Ghislain, Orpheus, and Louis routes but failed to be convinced by Leon or Hubert.

This story is a gothic fantasy that almost doesn’t feel like an Otomate game because it doesn’t fit in its formula of “large world plot introduced, MC meets LI, MC has a monumental difficulty that she overcomes with LI, happily ever after.” 

If you can accept that everything comes with a price as well as a premise where this world is doomed before the story began & no matter what you choose you will be powerless to change it, so ironically, stop trying and serve yourself and emotions a little bit … then you will be able to look past 95% of the criticism of this game. If you are someone who needs light, happy, fluff, or at least a fully satisfying finale in each LI or the game, or just cannot make mental leaps in your stories… then my suggestion is to look up the CGs and move on because you will be disappointed.

5. Interestingly, I found parallel between this game’s endings and Darks Souls (never expected me to compare an Otomate game to Souls but here we are): In the ending of DS, you choose to either link the fire and sacrifice yourself in order to carry on the tradition, knowing this world is doomed and one day it will collapse – but not in your generation. Or, you could choose to usher in the age of darkness, become the one to stop the downward spiral, and accepting of regardless what is to come – a glimmer of hope versus eternal abyss. 

Final rating: 8/10

Character ranking: Orpheus > Louis > Ghislain > Leon > Hubert