83 – The Foolish Brother Charged With Treason

――――【Brad’s POV】

“I am a sinful saint who slept with Brad-sama because I wanted his seed and raped him.”

“I, too, begged and begged, not wanting to lose to my sister… and had Brad-denka hold me. I mean, when I said I didn’t want to lose, I meant in who loves Prince Brad more! Don’t make me say more!”

What was supposed to be cover fire instead felt like I’d just been hit by friendly fire.

“How about that? Brad-sama is so overflowing with charm in both body and spirit that he is intimately involved with the beautiful daughters of House Elna. It’s absolutely not by force.”

“That’s right, bofuu. If either Lady Freesia or Lady Lily were to bear Brad-sama’s child, it’s certain that Liebenrasia would prosper all the more!”

At Kobiwul’s words, Freesia and Lily’s cheeks flushed red.

I-is it really okay for me to get them pregnant…?

“But as it stands, the right of first succession still rests with Prince Siegfried. We must petition His Majesty Bismarck for a ruling…”

Hah… after pushing Siegfried up, practically robbing me of my succession rights by force, and even banishing King Bismarck himself, what nerve do they have to speak so high and mighty?

Well, it’s not like I want the throne anyway.

All I want is to live a slow life while training. But for that, I need Bismarck to come back…

Just as I was wishing for Bismarck’s return—

“There’s no need for that!”

A powerful voice rang across the plain.

““““His Majesty Bismarck!!!””””

The nobles froze stiff like sticks at the sudden appearance of the missing king.

They probably even tried to send assassins in the chaos.

But honestly, that was pointless. By Bismarck’s side stood Sontak, supporting him. He’s one of my retainers most skilled in combat.

The king had returned to his palace.

Thanks to nobles like Kobiwul, who had pull with the trade guilds, reconstruction of the capital had advanced, and in the minimally restored council chamber with basic furnishings, Bismarck rose from his seat and raised his hand, voice like a battle cry.

“As of now, I sever all ties with Siegfried as my son. His crime of inviting in foreign powers to overthrow the state is grave indeed! Seize him on sight. Dead or alive.”

Seeing furious Bismarck’s face reminded me. In Fortune Engage, he was a relatively gentle monarch, but in the event Brad caused, he wore this exact wrathful visage, like a guardian statue of thunderous rage.

In the game, pressed by Freesia and the Super darling,  Brad conspired with Lily and stirred up an incident, pulling foreign powers from his mother’s side into Liebenrasia, not Brionac, but something like it.

At least he wasn’t angry at me right now. Pitiful as it is, after the days of being unreasonably scolded by my ex-boss Ichinose in my past life, I’ve grown sensitive to being yelled at.

After his proclamation, Bismarck scanned the gathered nobles with hawk-like eyes. Many who had aided Siegfried were present.

Those caught in his gaze trembled, shrinking down and holding their breath.

“Any who were deceived and sided with Siegfried will have their crimes lessened if they distinguish themselves in capturing him. Go!”

““““Your Will!!!””””

Former Siegfried-aligned nobles scrambled for the chamber doors in a frenzy to prove themselves, shoving and pushing until they spilled outside.

That left the royalist faction and the “Brad faction”. Though really it was just Omoneel and the others, with about half the chamber filled. I asked Bismarck:

“Old man! Isn’t saying life or death doesn’t matter going too far?”

“Even after such treatment, you would shield your brother…? Such mercy! But that will be the death of you. Surely you understand this, Brad.”

Bismarck and his ministers mistook my words as me showing mercy to Siegfried.

To be blunt, I think it’s only natural he ends up at the guillotine for what he’s done.

But if one of the Super darlings, Siegfried, dies, it could set off a death flag for me as well.

So I had no choice but to shield my stupid little brother, however unwillingly…

“I have decided. As of this moment, I abdicate the throne of Liebenrasia and pass the crown to Brad.”

“…Hah?”

I was dumbfounded by Bismarck’s sudden abdication declaration.

But abdication while alive? The ministers would definitely object fiercely. I leaned back, exasperated, expecting it to be shot down—only for scattered applause to swell into loud clapping.

“Your Majesty! A wise decision.”

“I always believed only Prince Brad could see us through this crisis.”

“With Brad-denka, beloved by the people, ascending the throne, Liebenrasia will be secure.”

No, no, no. If I ascend, I can’t live my slow life of chill training!

I thought I could relax at least while Bismarck was still alive!

“I refuse. If you need my help, old man, I’ll lend a hand. But becoming king is another matter entirely!”

When I left the chamber, Omoneel and the others tagged along like goldfish droppings.

“B-Brad-sama, what a waste!”

“I want Brad-sama to be king!”

“Why, bofuu, even His Majesty said so…”

“Fools!!!”

“““Eek!”””

I hadn’t meant to yell, but it came out in “Brad-speak,” and they shrank back. What they said wasn’t wrong for someone who wants power.

“If I became king now, I’d have to choose between Freesia or Lily. And having only those two… well.”

“““As expected of Brad-sama!”””

I convinced them with the lowest excuse possible that I hadn’t had enough fun yet.

Passing by the guest chamber, I noticed Oki raising his hand to knock, but then hesitating and pulling back. He repeated the motion several times until I called out.

“What are you doing, suspicious fellow?”

“Hwawawah!”

He might not be a super handsome guy, but thanks to training, Oki now gave off a decent refreshing vibe. Still, at the core, he was an introvert.

I get it, I get it.

That feeling.

I was like that before I discovered training too.

“You want to tell Megumi something, right? I’ll step in for you.”

“No, it’s far too much to trouble Brad-sama with such a thing…”

He mumbled softly, waffling. So I grabbed his hand to stop him from running, and knocked on the door.

“Megumi, I’m coming in.”

“Oooh, Brad and Okin. I’ve got time now, so let’s play a game.”

Megumi pulled a board game from her school bag.

“Here, Otherworld Game of Life. Let’s play.”

Her tone was flat, typical of a downer type, but as her brother, I could tell that she was actually pretty excited. Thinking Oki would find it easier to talk while playing, I agreed.

Though I had no idea what kind of board game this was…