episode_0078

“Ah, should I call you a warrior instead of a knight?”

“It doesn’t matter if you call me a knight. It looks like he will be given the rank of knight soon anyway. Then it’s an article, right?”

“It’s nice because it’s refreshing. It exceeded my expectations.”

The goodwill in her eyes grew deeper.

I think I really like it. Looking at your tastes, it seems like it would fit well with Friede. What do you think?

“By the way, there is a story going around that you are at the level of a master. Is that true? If so, I’d like to learn something.”

Leonor smiled widely, showing her teeth.

It wasn’t a big win. You know very well that you won’t win anyway.

He was just filled with a pure desire to train himself by sparring with someone stronger than him.

Ah, this is a big deal.

I think I’ll like her too.

To the point where I don’t want to be hostile towards him later.

To be honest, I also like this kind of generous personality.

It’s not in an unhealthy sense, it’s just a good feeling from person to person.

“It’s not possible now, but later when I get the chance. It’s difficult because I’m still recovering.”

It would be difficult if recovery was delayed after engaging in strenuous exercise.

“Now that I think about it, you said you were seriously injured while fighting with the beastman. I guess that was the reason why his face looked strangely lifeless. Well then, there’s nothing we can do. Please do me a favor next time?”

“Of course. After everything is healed.”

“I feel like I want to talk more, but…I can’t keep my brother’s guest for long, so that’s it. See you again.”

“Yes. Next time.”

Leonor turned around without regret.

After looking at the departing figures for a moment, I turned to Ernst again.

—-

Ernst’s office was surprisingly plain.

A simple space with only wooden bookshelf and table, leather-covered wooden chairs and desk.

At least the long sword, halberd, and black iron armor displayed on one side of the wall can be said to be decoration.

There were curtains on the windows, so the only thing that illuminated the room was the magic light on the ceiling.

Leopold created a luxurious office in a simple palace.

Ernst created a simple office in a luxurious palace.

The contrasting tendencies stood out and were very interesting.

And, it wasn’t just the scenery of the office that contrasted.

“This is Ernst Wittelsbach. It’s a little later than I thought.”

It was a calm first word.

Ernst was a man reminiscent of a military officer in war rather than a prince.

Short-cut, dull blonde hair, and a navy blue uniform without any decorations. He wore a crude sword on his waist.

His expression was as stiff as a statue, and his deeply sunken eyes looked strong yet gloomy, like a cliff reflected in the evening sunset.

Perhaps because he had grown a beard, his face looked like he was over 30, not 23.

This guy’s age is reversed from that of the 1st prince. As time goes by, do you avoid it?

“Hashalar Aishangior, I apologize for being late. I had a little chat with Princess Leonor.”

“And even arrogant and rude. This is not Kahar’s palace.”

He was a very strict man.

You said the same thing to me from the first word.

You are neither the emperor nor the crown prince, and you are still just a prince.

“Oh, I’m really sorry. Prince Leopold and Princess Leonor were so merciful that they willingly allowed me, a humble person, to speak out. Presumptuously, I guess I made a big mistake. Would you like me to sincerely apologize for being so rude to the ‘3rd’ prince of the empire?”

“…I understand, so stop being sarcastic like that.”

“3 I am grateful to His Highness the Crown Prince for his mercy… As expected, the imperial honorifics are not always used in English.”

Ernst shook his head and sat down in his chair.

I also sat down on the chair across from him and stared at him.

“Yes. Well then… since we both have something to talk about, let’s get the escort knights out. It doesn’t matter, right?”

“Well, whatever you want.”

I shrugged my shoulders and looked towards Nigel.

“Nigel, I would like you to wait in the drawing room as Prince Ernst said.”

“Yes. I will do that.”

The Royal Guard and Nigel, who were standing next to the prince, bowed politely to us and then left side by side.

Judging from the very menacing energy that guy conveys… I think he’s probably a master level.

“I heard that you went there first.”

Ernst opened his mouth. Are you tripping over that part?

“Isn’t that obvious? It’s polite to visit the elders first.”

“It may be obvious, but it would be difficult to call it wise. What’s good? Let’s get straight to the point.”

Are you saying we should quickly discuss only the core issues?

It would have been better if he had played a soldier instead of a prince.

“I heard you are planning to become the Margrave of Landenburg’s successor. Wouldn’t you rather be the empress of the empire?”

“It’s rejection. It doesn’t suit you in the first place, right?”

This child is also lucky to get married.

“It might match the appearance. It’s not at all on the inside… but it’s already been proven for a long time that it’s possible to become an empress even if the inside is rotten and broken.”

It looks like you don’t like your mother very much?

If you have an empress-like exterior but a rotten interior, it’s the story of your mother.

“You’re saying it a bit harshly to say that you have a broken inner self.”

“I’m not talking about the princess. …That was a lot of useless talk. So, what is the reason for refusal? Do you like yours more?”

“No, I have no intention of marrying anyone. There isn’t much merit in the first place, right? The Elector, the Empress, that’s it. Rather, it might be better to be an elector.”

I don’t know if the power of the imperial family is so great that it overwhelms the electors…but that’s not the case.

It would be better to live like a king in the border territory than to be an empress, which has a high status but little real power.

“Yes. It’s not wrong. Then let’s stop that and make a second offer.”

Ernst looked at me with his chin resting.

Perhaps because of his sharp eyes, it seemed as if he was glaring at me with hostility.

“Speak bluntly. Be on my side. The youngest master, beast predator.”

A quiet voice. piercer.

The calm tone of voice contained strong power.

To the point where I don’t know if he’s persuading or giving orders.

“The position was given to you by Ludwig, and you will obtain the power and honor yourself. What do you want? Huge fortune? Imperial favor? I will adjust it as much as possible.”

“Well? I don’t really want anything. Do you know what that word means? It sounds like he’s trying to overtake his older brother.”

“You probably already know this, but you’re trying to change the subject. To begin with, my mother is another brother, and Leopold also treats me as an enemy, so what can I do? Since I have no intention of being removed without any reason, I have no choice but to ascend to the throne in the end. It won’t be that difficult.”

Leopold didn’t seem like a very harsh person…

You never know. Leopold was originally a person who could not become a crown prince.

As long as Ernst was alive.

“Leopold said there isn’t much of a difference now.”

“It’s a brief rebound. How long do you think that will continue? It’s like a ship that will eventually sink. So think wisely.”

“Well, wouldn’t that remain to be seen?”

Because no one knows the future.

…It was something that no one really knew. Even me.

“… Looks like you’ve already made up your mind.”

“Not that much. Neither of them gave me an attractive offer, so I’m neutral, so to speak.”

Actually, it’s true that I’ve made up my mind.

Still, you have to give the impression that there is at least some room left so they won’t resort to unnecessary tricks.

At least I should buy some time until my body recovers.

“Ha, neutral. Okay, let’s leave it at that for now.”

As expected, I don’t really believe it.

It seems like they’ll let it go for now, though.

“But keep in mind. Since you have established yourself as a noble of the empire, there is no neutrality in the fight for the throne. Eventually, the moment will come when we all have to make a choice. I hope you make a wise decision then.”

“…So is this the end of the story?”

Ernst nodded and stood up.

“Yes. Originally, my mother wanted to meet the princess, but… I don’t think it’s something I would recommend. If two people meet, there will only be friction. I’ll make it up to you, so just go back. This is my last favor.”

That was a good thing.

Because I wanted to avoid walking into Isabella’s den as much as possible.

“Thank you for that. Well then, I’ll go back.”

“I won’t see you off.”

I also got up from my chair and turned my back.

Now it was time to go back.

“…Take care of Leonor. What an immature guy.”

Towards me leaving the office, Ernst added a soft word.

—-

Nothing much happened after that.

Except for the fact that a guy named Evian returned to the special room.

It was a blond, tanned gangster who looked like a painting.

A short-sleeved shirt with all buttons undone and a gold chain necklace. The short pants below the waist caught my eye.

He had several earrings in his ears.

From his bad-looking appearance to his frivolous tone of speech. He was a man whose identity as the prince of Panam was unbelievable.

From what I heard, he came back because the brothel he used to stay at burned down.

Friede said, frowning in disdain.

“I wish I had taken a wrong bite and burned to death.”

“I think that would have been a problem in its own right.”

I was secretly worried that there would be someone here to flirt with me… but surprisingly, he didn’t show much interest in us.

It is said that he does not approach women at all if he is likely to get upset if he touches them.

It was fortunate.

….I have to make sure that I never encounter Millia.

—-

My energy recovered smoothly, and my eyes, which had been lethargic, were slowly returning to their original state.

Thanks to this, I thought nicknames like Daffodil would disappear… but that didn’t happen.

In Friede’s words, his appearance changed from a drowsy and tired look to a healthy and confident appearance.

When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t look any different from before… but does the difference in momentum have that much of an effect on my impression?

I don’t know because it’s something that’s hard to feel for myself.

Oh, and the black iron armor I ordered was finally completed.

I went to Asha’s room and looked at the new armor.

The appearance was not much different from the existing armor, but it felt somewhat heavier, perhaps due to the material.

It wasn’t enough to affect movement.

Each of the barbs woven in rows on the soft fur shed a musky luster.

The shiny black fur also looked very tough and sturdy.

It seems as if the leather alone can block a considerable number of sword attacks.

“This is okay. What kind of animal skin is this?”

“Boris.”

“……What?”

Was there such an animal?

Okay, since this is a fantasy world, there might be animals with names I don’t know.

yes?

“Boris, Boris. It was the best leather I could get.”

Asha smiled calmly.

…I guess I didn’t hear wrong.

Is this okay? Well, it’s an ethical issue or something.

Even though beastmen are trash, they are still a sub-race, right?

Is it really a common idea to make clothes with it?

I didn’t have anything to say in response, so I just laughed.

In the end, I gave up resisting and was handed the armor.

I can’t ask them to make a new one now, and aside from the awkwardness, the defensive performance itself was better than I expected.

Yes… as long as the performance is good…

—-

And, as time passed, the day of the award ceremony finally arrived.