“You’re fired! And exiled!”

I am Baldo Dalsis, a 39-year-old old man.

I run a humble inn in the royal capital. While I can’t say the business is booming, I earn enough to feed myself.

Then suddenly, I was summoned to the royal palace of the Fridania Kingdom, only to be abruptly fired and exiled.

“Eh? Prince Genus, why…?”

Confused by the sudden declaration, I looked up at the First Prince Genus, who had just fired me.

“It’s quite simple. You used the special and nonsensical position you received from the king to embezzle the kingdom’s treasury and waste it.”

The “special position” Prince Genus spoke of was given to me by His Majesty. However, it meant doing something other than helping the country in case of an emergency.

Why was I given such a position? I don’t know. I’ve been in battles and continue daily training, but that’s about it. In essence, I’m just an old man.

“Eh? Me, wasting money? I don’t understand what you’re talking about?”

“Fuhaha, so you still deny it? We have evidence!”

When Prince Genus raised his hand, a knight brought a stack of papers.

“These are receipts you falsely submitted as expenses. They were cleverly forged, but it was determined that all of them were issued from the same store!”

I submitted fake lordship papers and illicitly used the kingdom’s expenses.

Eh? What is this?

Of course, I have no recollection of this at all. I just discovered that you’d get expenses if you submitted receipts. 

“Wait a minute! I have no recollection of this at all!”

“Hehehe, still won’t admit it? Well, a cowardly and useless rascal’s thinking is within expectations. Hey! You over there, come here!”

Several women appeared, dressed rather sensually.

“Ara~~ Good day, Baldo-sama♡”

“Sorry~ We got caught.♡”

“We won’t see our favorite customer again~.♡”

I had been frequenting a high-end club with the country’s money.

I don’t know these curvy ladies at all.

“Everyone has seen it! This man has betrayed our father’s trust, the king, indulging in debauchery night after night.”

“Oh, what a despicable wretch!”

“He has trampled upon His Majesty’s benevolence!”

“What’s with this daily expenditure? It’s completely off the rails! This lecherous maniac!”

An uproar of insults came flying from the surrounding nobles.

I repeatedly insisted that I did not know of this, but it was becoming a situation that I couldn’t handle.

In that desperate situation, one person raised his voice.

“Prince Genus, this cannot be. I cannot believe that Lord Baldo would commit such wrongdoing. Besides, do you not remember that His Majesty the King had ordered Lord Baldo to be retained in the kingdom due to his special role?”

It was Lord Piett, the Chancellor of the Kingdom. Although I had only met him a few times, he seemed to be defending me.

“Don’t interfere, Piett! Our father can no longer make sound judgments, afflicted as he is with mental illness. This special role must have been an exploitation of his weakness. This man is nothing but a parasitic piece of trash infesting our kingdom! He must be driven out at once!”

“But, Prince Genus, I have heard that Lord Baldo has guided the Three Gods to greatness. I believe he must remain in the kingdom for our sake.”

The “Three Gods” Chancellor Piett referred to were:

Sword Saint Alesia Olaruen: The strongest female swordsman in the kingdom’s history. Her sword is equivalent to a thousand soldiers, and no one can stop her.

Holy Woman Milene Fonleria: The highest-ranked Saintess in the kingdom’s history. Her great barrier wards off any monster.

Archmage Calut Mage: The strongest mage in the kingdom’s history. She is proficient in all magic, particularly her exclusive grand magic, Meteor, which can turn the tide of battle in one strike.

These women were once my disciples.

Although it’s a story from their childhood, I only did repetitive training in the fundamentals. Afterward, they developed their talents and earned their positions through their efforts. My unique position from the king was thanks to their achievements.

I provided them with the opportunity, and their abilities had long surpassed mine.

But that’s okay. Everyone has their role. My role was to allow them to grow. They’ve all spread their wings and become extraordinary. There’s nothing happier than that. It’s more than enough for me, and all I want now is to live a simple, slow life as an innkeeper.

“Huh? Piett, what are you talking about? What value does this parasitic piece of trash have? He has no reason to exist! All of my father’s lackeys are fools. Let me tell you, I won’t follow my father’s weak stance. I will even destroy the Empire and become the ruler of the continent!”

“W-What are you saying? The Empire is the strongest country on the continent. Attacking them would be madness!”

“I’m fed up with your lack of information. They haven’t invaded in five years! The Empire is beginning to collapse from within. This is information from my competent spies. Unlike that worthless trash over there, I have plenty of capable subordinates, including the Three Gods! Enough, step back!”

Chancellor Piett twisted his face in frustration, bowed his head, and left.

“Hahaha, get it, you worthless incompetent fool~ Your special role, that ridiculous position, is terminated! Get out of this country, parasite! All your private assets are confiscated!”

Prince Genus would have to listen to Chancellor Piett’s words. No matter what was said, it was a situation where he would not be heeded.

Sigh~~ All my disciples have grown and succeeded. I wanted to spend my leisure years in this country, but this is too much.

But what’s with the confiscation of my assets? What have I done to deserve this?

However, resisting any further would be pointless. And if the problem escalates, it might cause trouble for my disciples.

“I understand. Since my innocence will no longer be accepted, I will leave. I will never set foot on this land again.”

I left Prince Genus, who continued to laugh loudly, and exited the room.

◇◇◇

Sigh~~ “Having said that, what should I do? First, I need to pack up and leave the kingdom…”

As I drooped my shoulders and trudged down the hallway, I was suddenly stopped by a voice as sweet as a bit of bird’s.

“Oh, Baldo-sama! It’s been a while! Why the long face? What’s happened to you?”

It was Princess Mariessia, the eldest princess and Prince Genus’s half-sister.

She has a connection with the Three Gods, my former disciples; through them, I’ve had some dealings with her.

I explained the situation to Lady Mariessia.

“What?! That’s a terrible fabrication! Why must Baldo-sama endure such treatment? I cannot accept this! I will speak to my brother!”

The usually mild princess’s face turned bright red, and her voice grew loud.

“Lady Mariessia, thank you. But Prince Genus will not change his mind, no matter what is said. Your sentiment alone is enough.”

“But… Baldo-sama leaving the kingdom… I just can’t…”

The princess was still unconvinced, but nothing could be done. Besides, I couldn’t impose any more on her.

Well, the kingdom will be fine, as my disciples are there. Plus, it’s such a large country. There must be other talented people, not just my disciples, as Prince Genus said. Of course, it’s something different than something a mere innkeeper like me can do anything about.

“This is the least I can do; please use it for your journey. And also this.”

Lady Mariessia handed me a small bag filled with gold coins and a small stone.

I hesitated a bit, but as the princess insisted, I accepted her kindness.

The small stone was a long-distance communication stone, a magical tool that allowed conversation with another stone. It’s such an expensive item.

“I wanted to eat this together…”

With a disappointed face, Lady Mariessia handed over one wrapped item and told me to open it on my journey.

“I’m not convinced at all! This is wrong! I will bring you back, Baldo-sama! Please keep the communication stone with you.”

I was very grateful for her kindness towards a nobody like me, and my spirits lifted a bit. I felt a slight surge of energy for tomorrow.

I bowed to the princess and left the Kingdom of Fridania.

◇Prince Genus’s POV◇

Gyahahaha, I’ve expelled that bastard Baldo! On top of that, I’ve blamed him for all my overspending on pleasure. Ahh, that felt so refreshing. I can’t stop laughing.

That guy was incompetent but cozied up to my mediocre father and was pampered. I’ve disliked him for a long time.

On top of that, he often dared to speak to my beloved sister. My sister is mine!

I couldn’t move while my dim-witted father was alive, but I’ve reduced him to a wreck thanks to my genius plan.

It’s no exaggeration to say that I, a competent person, now hold all the power in the kingdom.

Kuhuhuhu, finally, finally, it’s here.

With the trash cleaning of that incompetent piece of trash and my stupid father over, I’ll wage war with the neighboring countries and make Fridania the strongest kingdom. And for the finale, I’ll slaughter the crumbling Empire and become the ruler of the continent.

Gyahahaha, I’m so unique! I’m such a genius; I’m shaking with excitement.

At this moment, Prince Genus did not realize the big mistake he was making.

The Empire was not weakening. The reason the Empire hadn’t laid a hand on the kingdom since the “Battle of Blood” five years ago.

— It was because the Three Gods, who had thrashed the imperial army then, were still alive. Furthermore, a nameless older man in the kingdom had plunged the Empire into true terror behind the scenes where the Three Gods were active.