71 – I Won’t Lick Your Shoes

[Siegfried’s Perspective]

The moment I stepped out of the cell, people in armor and cloaks, ready for battle, surrounded me.

““““Prince Siegfried!””””

But they didn’t respond to the jail guard’s shout.

“As fellow Liebenrathians, you should be ashamed for imprisoning Prince Siegfried!”

“Urgh…”

One armed man kicked the guard, trapped under rubble and unable to move. Those surrounding me were anti-Brad faction members—my supporters.

“We’re sorry for the delay in rescuing you.”

“I wished you’d come sooner. Thanks to you, I overexerted myself in that cell!”

“As expected of Prince Siegfried!”

All I did was eat and sleep—no effort at all!

They knelt in unison, pledging their loyalty.

It felt so good!!

Superior looks, intelligence, masterful swordsmanship, powerful magic, charisma that made anyone fall for me at first sight, and unparalleled diligence!

That was right!

They understood.

Watching grown men kneel and grovel before me made my body tremble with excitement.

“Locking Prince Siegfried in such a cramped place is outrageous!”

“Prince Brad favors Omoneil and the others, neglecting us!”

My supporters raised their fists, voicing their grievances. Marquis Alfonso, seemingly their leader, slid forward on one knee.

“Prince Siegfried! We must appeal to His Majesty to drag Prince Brad from the crown prince’s seat!”

“Hahaha! Brad, you can feel smug for now, but not for long!”

I stood, raising my fist to meet their expectations, and they erupted in applause.

The cheers fizzled out after a few seconds, so I glanced at Marquis Alfonso…

The applause roared again, echoing through the cell.

Oh, come on, I didn’t expect that.

But I wanted them to keep it coming!

I let them clap for an hour, but it still wasn’t enough to honor my brilliance. More importantly, I needed to plan ahead. I wasn’t like that reckless idiot Brad.

We seized the throne room where Father should have been commanding, but he wasn’t there. The captives we questioned refused to talk.

Fine, I thought, I’d track him down later.

I sat on the throne in Father’s place, resting my hand on the armrest, propping my cheek, and crossing my legs. After hearing we secured half the palace, I asked Marquis Alfonso:

“However, you gathered soldiers well.”

“Yes, we received support from King Ares of the Kingdom of Brunak.”

“What!? Ares? No, he hasn’t been crowned yet…”

As we talked, my guards stirred and surrounded the door, but at Alfonso’s signal, they parted cleanly, opening a path.

In front of me stood a familiar, nostalgic face.

“Yaa, Siegfried! It’s been a while.”

“Ares!”

Ares approached with a bright smile.

He extended his hand toward me.

Etiquette demanded I stand to shake it, but this was my kingdom. Standing would imply we were equals.

I shook his hand while seated, but Ares didn’t seem to care, as carefree as ever.

“Brunak couldn’t possibly have the wealth to wage war against another nation.”

“Oh, we succeeded in other-world summoning. If you cooperate, I want to nominate you as Liebenrathia’s king. How about it?”

Damn it!

To Ares’s offer, I responded…

“F-Fine, I’ll accept. But you better make me king, or I won’t forgive you! Even if I do, we’re equals!”

“Then, negotiation established.”

Ares flashed a smug grin, and he was the second most infuriating guy after Brad!

I was the one who was the most popular!!

Leaving Father’s search to Marquis Alfonso and the others, I caught up with Ares when an obvious ruffian barged into the reception room.

“Coming in.”

“Guards! What are you doing!?”

“No problem, Siegfried. He’s a comrade.”

“What!?”

This guy looked more disheveled than a mercenary, and he was a comrade!?

“He’s the hero Igawa.”

“Suup, nice to meet you, prince.”

Igawa casually slapped my shoulder. I wanted to cut him down right there, but I endured until I became king!

Igawa dragged a large sack, and when he noticed my curiosity, he untied it to show me.

Inside…

“Kobiul?”

He was barely conscious, gagged, and unable to speak. His face was just recognizable as Kobiul’s, but it was covered in bruises and welts. His body had fingers bent at odd angles.

“This guy’s Kobiul, huh! Funny! Because of him, capturing the king failed! So I beat him to a pulp.”

Hahaha! Serves him right!!

That was what he got for serving Brad.

“Hey, Trash-ul. Want to be saved? Try licking our shoes.”

“Huff… huff… Spare my life…”

But…

“You thought I’d say ‘please,’ huh? I only lick Brad-sama’s shoes! I’d never submit to third-rate scum like you!”

“Then, all your subordinates will get massacred!”

Igawa kicked Kobiul’s stomach and brought in a group of captured soldiers.

“Don’t do the beheading here.”

“Tch! Can’t be helped!”

Just as they started to take Kobiul and Brad’s subordinates outside for execution…

Something shot straight up into the sky from outside the capital. I thought it was a clumsy mage misfiring a spell.

“Your Highness! Execution preparations were completed!”

“Good. Let me talk to Kobiul.”

Kobiul and the others were bound to guillotines.

“Switch to me from Brad, and I’ll let you serve as my boot polisher. How about it?”

“Bwahaha… I’d gladly polish Brad-sama’s boots. But serve a man with zero kingly qualities like you? I’d rather die, bwa!”

“You!! I offered you mercy!! Behead Kobiul right now!!”

I settled in for a prime view from a specially prepared seat.

WHOOOOOOOSH!!

A red-hot object plummeted toward the Adamantine Gate, the capital’s most impregnable barrier.

BOOOOOOOM!!

With a deafening roar, the gate blew away, and the blast reached me.

“Guh! What happened!?”

“We do not know!”

Ares and Igawa held up [Shining Shield] to withstand it.

“What!?”

When I lowered my arm, the seconds-long blast transformed the city. Homes vanished completely, leaving only the faint wreckage of sturdy stone buildings.

In the flattened expanse stood an unbelievable figure.

“BRAAAAAD!!”

“Kukuku… My subordinates received quite the hospitality. How should I settle this debt?”