63 – Betrayal

[Brad’s Perspective]

If I were to follow my desires honestly, I’d stay and watch the yuri antics of beautiful girls until my groin—or rather, time—allowed. But if the Kingdom of Burnak has declared war on Liebenrathia, as the hot spring town vendor mentioned, there’s no time to leisurely soak in a bath.

The rumor of the declaration has already spread among the townsfolk. Families are piling household goods onto carts and leaving in droves, likely fleeing to avoid the coming war.

As Prince Brad, I’d probably bark, “Don’t run! Fight!” But as a former commoner in my past life, I’d take Dad, Mom, and Megumi and escape to safety.

Right now, I could take Megumi, Freesia, and Lily and go on the run… Feels a bit like eloping, which I’m not thrilled about.

For now, I could stash the three of them somewhere safe and live a slow life pioneering the frontier. That’s one option.

Thermae Mayor’s Mansion

Next to a plaza fountain that doubles as a footbath stands the mayor’s mansion. Amid the frantic bustle of servants carrying out household items, I declare myself the crown prince.

The servants prostrate themselves, but when I order them to keep working, they resume without hesitation. Their minds are clearly far from royal protocol.

Guided by the only free hand—a young butler, likely the mayor’s son—I met with the mayor. In his office-less-reception room, anything valuable, like paintings that might’ve hung on the walls, is already gone. Only a desk and sofa remain.

“To think Prince Brad himself would come in person!”

“Yeah, I came to check out that so-called plant monster the other day.”

As mayor, he probably recognizes my face. He’s sweating profusely, likely torn between his desire to flee the town and his fear of me.

“Let anyone who wants to escape go. They’d just be in the way. You’re one of them, aren’t you?”

“Really!? I…”

The mayor’s eyes darted around, struggling to respond. I threw him a lifeline.

“I’m actually planning to escape too…”

Just as I’m about to admit I share his sentiment, the mayor, feeling hot, has his son open a window, letting voices from outside flood in.

“Everyone, fear not! You don’t need to flee—Brad-sama will save us!”

“That’s right, Burnak’s nothing to fear! Prince Brad could crush them with his pinky!”

What the!?

I was planning to regroup with Omoneil and the others and hightail it to the frontier, but Freesia and Lily, who were supposed to be soaking in the hot spring, are now giving a grand speech in the fountain plaza!

Megumi’s egging them on, playing the perfect hype-woman. The people who were about to flee the war stop in their tracks, captivated by Freesia and Lily’s speech.

—It’s shameful to think of running.

—I’m gonna fight!

—Not for the country, but for my family!

Aaaagh!!

Now I can’t escape!!

This is reckless when we don’t even know the enemy’s forces…

“Father! If Prince Brad is fighting, I’ll fight too!”

Huh!? What’s this kid saying!?

I didn’t say a word about fighting, but the mayor’s son, despite his young age, passionately declared his resolve to his father. When a kid under ten showed such determination, it put adults like me in an awkward spot.

“Luke… Fighting is for grown-ups. You protect your mom and escape. I’ll hold this place.”

“Indeed, that’s how it is…”

I hate to phrase it like this, but Freesia and Lily have essentially become my paramours… With the two of them cutting off my escape route, it looks like fighting is my only option.

Thermae boasts its free-flowing hot springs. The drainage from the baths is still hot, steaming from the gutters. Is this what they call a “drainage defense” instead of a last stand?

Forced into battle by the Freesia sisters, I asked them why in the carriage on our way back to the capital.

“There’s no way Brad-sama would lose.”

“Come on, show us a bit of Prince Brad’s cool side!”

They say such carefree things. I thought about asking Megumi, who might know more about Burnak, but I clamp my mouth shut.

If I ask, she’ll figure out I’m Brad in no time!

“That’s weird… I left Nepon in charge of being the saint, so why are they starting a war? Well, anyone who gets in the way of me and Onii won’t be forgiven~”

Nepon? Oh, that quiet friend of Megumi’s. Wait, does that mean Megumi and her class might have been transported here…?

Megumi’s muttering gives me a bit more insight into her side of things when the carriage suddenly stops. Peering out the window, I see an injured knight dismounting, waving both hands at us.

As the carriage halts, the knight runs up and says something shocking.

“The capital… The capital has fallen!”

“What!?”

“We don’t even know if His Majesty Bismarck is safe…”

The knight shook his head, tears welling in his eyes.

“The capital had amassed forces from the vassals! No way it fell in just a few days!”

Freesia casts healing magic on the knight, but when I grab his shoulder tightly, he winces in pain. It seems the healing isn’t complete yet.

“The vassals were the problem. Some allied with Burnak, and they propped up Prince Siegfried…”

That guy…

But this is an opportunity.

To wipe out the traitors…