The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I'm a "Farmer", Not a Demon King! ~ - Chapter 296

The Strongest Farmer in Another World ~I’m a “Farmer”, Not a Demon King! ~

Chapter 296   Stunned

After a while, preparations were made to send the Crown Prince back home, and we arranged to meet again in the room where we first met.

“What are you going to do after this? Even if you say you’ll die if you go back to your country, it feels unpleasant for me as the one who kept you alive.”

I hadn’t asked about the Crown Prince’s future plans, so I decided to inquire at this point. Our actions would depend on how he moves.

Well, it’s just for reference because I don’t know if he’ll really tell the truth.

“After returning to the castle, I intend to explain the situation to His Majesty. However, I won’t disclose what I learned here. I’ll only speak about what happened on the battlefield and how I managed to survive.”

“…Is that okay?”

Isn’t that, in a sense, a kind of betrayal? After all, what the king wants is my death, and even if they can’t kill me, information about my situation and the state of this city would be valuable and appreciated.

Not telling them that could be seen as an act of rebellion against the king, wouldn’t it?

Well, no one would directly ask that. It would be difficult to answer if accused of betrayal. But, regardless of whether he betrays them or not, he doesn’t intend to just be an obedient prince.

“Yes. Currently, I don’t think it’s a good idea to reveal everything to the king. For both you and myself.”

However, even though I asked in a somewhat indirect manner, this prince clearly revealed his distrust towards his own country’s king. Is that okay?

Certainly, since there’s no one from the kingdom side listening, it might be okay to answer honestly, but is it necessary to be so explicit about it?

“As for what comes after, there will likely be some suspension and restrictions as blame for the defeat, but there won’t be death. After all, I am still the crown prince.”

In this war, they went so far as to use the secret weapon Eight Heavens to try to kill us. Nevertheless, if they lost, there would be some punishment for the crown prince, even if it’s just a little suspension. Whether such a suspension is appropriate is uncertain, but it’s certain that he won’t be killed, even in the worst case. Normally, that is.

I don’t know the families of those who died this time, and there’s a possibility the king might target him, suspecting our relationship and wanting to prevent any inconvenient information from spreading. Perhaps revenge or assassination might be aimed at him, but this guy seems to understand that and doesn’t think he’ll be killed without being able to do anything about it.

“However, even if I don’t die, the appointment as the next king might be revoked as the crown prince. In that case, there are means to handle it, so there’s no problem.”

Handle it, huh…

This guy did say something quite dangerous as the crown prince earlier, so maybe it’s a good idea to dig a little deeper into this?

“Is your intention, to be hostile to the king?”

There are limited ways to handle being removed as the crown prince. Either achieve enough merit to offset this failure, or forcibly seize it back.

It’s not easy to come up with achievements significant enough to offset such a failure as losing half of the Eight Heavens, and in that case, forcibly taking the throne seems to be the only option. Well, if there are no other influential figures, it might be possible to regain it through political maneuvering, but even that might require somewhat forceful methods.

“No, I don’t have such intentions. Even as the king, if he realizes there’s nothing suspicious about me in this matter and determines that our relationship hasn’t been exposed, even if he imposes a suspension on me now and revokes the appointment as the crown prince, he’ll probably nominate me again once things have cooled down.”

Reappointing someone who was once removed as the crown prince seems like a hassle, but it might be the most peaceful option rather than unnecessarily changing the regime or nominating someone else.

However, the words of the crown prince didn’t end there.

“But, I do wish to become the king as soon as possible. I have my concerns about the current king, and there are things that need to be changed.”

Following his earlier surprising statement, there’s nothing else to do but be surprised again. Although he claimed not to harbor any rebellious intentions towards the king, those words clearly don’t align with being an ally of the king.

But, I see. Has he decided to become his adversary?

It’s unclear whether that’s true, he probably doesn’t intend to overtly attack or engage in reckless hostility. Still, the fact that he has more enemies is somewhat satisfying.

“I see. I can’t make any guarantees, but well, if something happens, I’ll lend a hand. It benefits me to outmaneuver that king. I’ll probably make contact in some way at some point.”

“Thank you. If something comes up, I may request your assistance at that time. I appreciate your cooperation.”

From now on, it might be good to stay in frequent contact. Well, even if I say frequently, it would be impossible to do so openly without being noticed. Initially, I thought of just sending him back and letting him act on his own, adjusting my assistance accordingly, or maybe making my own move, and then considering talking to Edward and the others after he returns. However, after seeing his display of hostility towards the king, it seems more prudent to get more involved and cooperate a bit further.

“From my side as well, just one last thing.”

Although I hinted at making contact later, perhaps it would be better to determine the date and method more precisely.

I was thinking of detaining him a bit longer to discuss this, but the crown prince spoke while looking at me.

What’s this? Did some doubt arise while he was resting and calming his mind?

“Surrender… no, do you not have any intention of returning to how things were?”

Those words were directed at me, who had been thinking along those lines. …Huh?

Return… huh? From the current state, go back to being part of Zaviet again?

Why is he asking something like that? Does he think such a proposal would be accepted?

No, wait. It’s probably not about the country but about me. Whether I want to return to my status as a prince. If that’s the case, it makes sense. I’ve been asked that by my old man before, and a few others have inquired about it. So, it’s likely about that.

Thinking that, I’ll ask just to be sure. I can’t imagine it’s a request for admitting defeat and apologizing. I think I heard the word “surrender,” but it’s probably just my imagination.

“…When you say ‘return,’ are you referring to the country, or is it about my personal position?”

Having that in mind, I asked, but my interpretation was denied by the words of the crown prince.

“Both. Returning as a member of the royal family and having this country revert to being a city of Zaviet, both options. If you return as a member of the royal family, you could govern this place as your territory, and I will also act for that purpose. It’s a way that can bring peace to everyone.”

…Ah, yeah. How should I put it… probably something like being left speechless, that’s likely the state I’m in right now.

I never expected to hear such a proposal from him. I thought he was the type to be more reserved, not the type to do something as ‘reckless’ as this.

“…It’s ridiculous. Why ask such a thing now? You already know the answer, don’t you?”

Despite feeling a slight headache from the crown prince’s words, I managed to counter with that, and I want to pat myself on the back for it.

Well, considering his position as the crown prince, it would probably be best for him to get such an answer.

If we become part of the original Zaviet, there would be no need to continue fighting, and this loss could be offset. There might be some minor issues, but the major source of conflict would be eliminated.

Additionally, he could gain us as a force instead of the Eight Heavens.

For the crown prince who lost in this battle, it would be the best result for both the country and self-preservation if we willingly submitted to him.

In return, we get assurance that ‘there will be no further conflict with the country.’

But that would mean admitting to the wrongs we’ve done so far. Well, that’s something that’s just not possible.

“Yes. However, isn’t it such a bad idea for you? You can regain your life as a member of the royal family and reunite with your siblings and mother. You won’t need to live with hostility from those around you, and you won’t have to live uncomfortably, constantly wary as you do now.”

…Ah, is he going to bring up my mother and Filia now?

Certainly, if I follow what he suggests, I could confidently declare myself as my mother’s son when I return to the royal family, and I could meet with her and my siblings whenever I want. Even with some constraints, at least I wouldn’t have to worry about meeting them like I do now.

I’ve been moving with the thought of being able to live together, but now I wouldn’t need to make efforts for that anymore. In that sense, it would indeed be a very good thing.

“Well, it’s true that the idea of being together with family is somewhat appealing.”

But, I can’t accept that. I can’t nod to that.

Even if he understands that normally, such a proposal wouldn’t be accepted, the fact that he still made such an unconventional proposal…

“—But, that’s not happening.”

It seems I’m being underestimated by him.