It's Not Like I Want to Play the Role of a Misunderstood, Good-for-Nothing Prince in a Villainess Story! - Chapter 33 – Inspection and Romash Duke House

How is it? Magnificent, isn’t it?

Right now I’m going around the territory together with Gaizel and Larba.

Not just the town, but the granary areas spreading south and east.

The south is completely grain only, but the east seems to grow not just grain but various other foods too.

Farmers tilling the fields wave happily when they see Gaizel and Larba beside me.

“Gaizel-sama is beloved by the territory’s people.”

“Well, I’ve been lord for a long time.”

His narrowed-eyed gaze felt like Gaizel himself cherished them.

“Still, though the west side is such a thriving commercial city, this side has a completely different atmosphere.”

“Territory people have strengths and weaknesses too. They are those who’ve tilled fields since long ago—they know the subtleties of fields but are ignorant of commerce, and conversely westerners are knowledgeable about money calculations but ignorant of fields. To unite them without quarreling, we, at top, must convey that neither is superior.”

I see, certainly if those above don’t take the lead, those below won’t either.

“Prince Zeke, have you experienced walking the capital?”

“No, I haven’t done such things much.”

“I see. Though there’s your position, how about occasionally going to see the faces of people living in the capital? I think you’ll surely gain something.”

“Yes, I’ll use that as reference.”

After that too, Gaizel taught me various things while guiding the territory.

I’m happy he teaches when asked, but.

“Marquis Ribauto.”

“What is it?”

“Why do you teach me various things?”

“Hmm…”

Gaizel stroked the white beard growing on his chin while glancing at Larba.

“Being my beloved grandson’s friend is one reason, and besides, showing courtesy to a prince is natural, isn’t it?”

While speaking, Gaizel showed a smile like I’d seen at the mansion before.

A smile with eyes unchanged but only mouth distorted.

As usual, I internally thought ‘scary’ but for now just said thanks.

“Thank you very much.”

“By the way Prince, have you found anything that seems like you could produce results?”

“No, not particularly.”

I only know Gaizel is a lord who cares for his people.

Yeah, if the only result gained is the old man’s character, Father won’t be satisfied.

“I see, well there’s plenty of time. Let’s hope you slowly find something.”

“Yes.”

Though I received grateful words, but if I can’t produce results, won’t I never return to the capital?

I was internally only anxious.

The next day.

We came to the north.

The forest where monsters had spawned in large numbers.

That said, it’s quiet now without even animals.

“Gaizel-sama! Larba-sama and the prince, good work!”

Saluting sharply was the Ribauto marquis house’s unit captain Shinter.

They’d remained here excluding the injured for vigilance even after the capital knight order left.

“May I guide you inside?”

“Yes! I’ll immediately attach a guide.”

The Ribauto marquis house’s north has mountains and valleys, waterfalls and forests, but also paved roads.

When I came a while ago, fallen trees and such remained, but most of those have been cleaned up.

Proceeding along the road, there’s unchanging scenery and some decayed ruins.

Despite the road, there doesn’t seem to be anything particularly special.

That’s what I thought, but partway there was a cave.

Moreover, the area before the cave was strangely open with materials placed, looking like it wanted to say ‘we were definitely doing something here.’

“This is…”

“Just as you may have guessed, it’s a place where we’d begun mining mineral resources. Due to the monster outbreak we withdrew somewhat, but we can resume mining soon.”

“I see. Wait, but was it okay to show me this?”

Probably it was secret?

“It’s fine. We just started so it’s not profitable yet—in terms of profit it’s still negative. Kingdom law has no reporting obligation for unprofitable industries. When we dig further in the future and large profits emerge, we’ll report it anew.”

“So that’s how it is.”

After that, returning to the camp where Shinter was, they seemed to be making a commotion.

“Oh my, did something happen?”

Dismounting and entering, Shinter seemed to be talking with someone.

“What’s wrong?”

“Gaizel-sama…”

Unlike earlier, he has a troubled expression—did something happen?

“Oh, Marquis Ribauto.”

Standing before Shinter was a blonde, blue-eyed man with a catfish mustache.

An old man who looked considerably younger than Gaizel, but who could he be?

“He’s Duke Gunabel Romash. Behind him is his son Giyal Romash.”

“Huh, so that’s him.”

Larba secretly told me.

The Romash house, befitting a duke, has distant but still blood ties.

However, duke in name only with no territorial specialty products and limited development.

Truly only blood and lineage exceeded the Ribauto marquis house, I think.

“Duke Romash-sama, it’s an honor to meet in such a place. But why are you here, Duke?”

“No no, monsters appeared in large numbers in your territory, right? So I finally assembled a force and came to provide relief together with my son.”

The old man called Gunabel indicated with his chin his son standing directly behind him and quite a few soldiers.

So he came for relief…

But isn’t it late? It’s already resolved, right?

“That’s most reassuring. However, the monster subjugation has finished. I’ll gratefully receive your feelings.”

“Hmm… however, monsters are things that remain somewhere even when you think you’ve subjugated them. Moreover, if many appeared, it’s inevitable. Won’t you leave the cleanup to this Romash as if riding a big ship?”

“No no, that’s fine too. After all, reinforcements came from the capital and finished it perfectly.”

When Gaizel said so, Larba also stepped forward respectfully.

“That’s right! Duke Romash. That no remaining monsters are here was also just confirmed by Prince Zeke here.”

“Hm?”

Wait, why was my name brought up?

When I glanced, Gaizel saw Larba push me forward.

Huh, I’m taking the front line?

Moreover, only at times like this do you return to proper polite speech.

“Prince Zeke, there were no monsters, right?”

“Y-yes. Since none appeared at all, I think no cleanup is needed.”

“Prince Zeke?”

Gunabel looked at me.

He showed a gentle smile, but those eyes weren’t smiling at all—if anything I even felt hostility.

“Pardon me, but I haven’t heard stories of Prince Zeke appearing on the front lines.”

“Yes, this time was my first battle. However, not only me but the Sword of the Kingdom also accompanied us, so I believe there are no oversights.”

To summarize.

(‘How can I trust the words of a prince who’s never appeared on front lines?’)

(‘True I fought for the first time, but Beldiha was with me. I’m saying it’s fine because Beldiha was there.’)

—That’s the feeling.

“W-with respect—”

From behind, Debut and Garim stepped forward.

“Zeke-sama may look like this, but excels at swordsmanship and on the front lines showed…”

“Silence, commoner!”

Debut and Garim who couldn’t read between the lines came out to defend me, but in the middle of Debut’s words, the son standing behind Gunabel shouted.

His age seems slightly above mine.

“For mere commoners to enter our noble conversation—what is this! Know your place!”

“Our apologies!”

“Pardon us…!”

Even Garim who hadn’t said anything apologized feeling intimidated and withdrew.

True, entering might have been wrong, but they did say ‘with respect,’ right?

Won’t listen at all, huh.

Gunabel cleared his throat deliberately before smiling and looking at me and Gaizel.

“Prince, my son disciplined them in your stead, but no thanks are necessary.”

Huh, thanks? Was that a situation where I should truly be grateful?!

While dumbfounded, Gunabel gestured instructions to those behind him.

“In any case, I’m relieved if it’s resolved. I’ll do some sightseeing.”