It's Not Like I Want to Play the Role of a Misunderstood, Good-for-Nothing Prince in a Villainess Story! - Chapter 52: The Knights as Usual

“Zeke-sama, we were just joking to lighten the mood. Please calm your anger.”

“Hmph. That’s right. It’s certainly not because of our resentment toward Zeke-sama, who is never at the palace when we go there on our rare days off, as if he doesn’t want to meet us at all.”

“I see, so that’s the reason. Hey, I didn’t say you could break your seiza position.”

“Kuh, sitting in armor for so long is quite…”

“Hmph. How cowardly to inflict pain and numbness simultaneously…”

Good grief, but well, I suppose it’s about time.

“Geez, it can’t be helped.”

“Oh, please don’t come any closer.”

I was thinking of forgiving them and approached, but the two of them hurriedly stopped me with their hands.

“What is it?”

“‘Well, you see…'”

The two looked at each other’s faces, then—

“‘Because suspension is contagious.'”

“It’s not contagious! You two really aren’t reflecting, are you? Suffer a bit longer.”

“Nuuuuu,” “Ooooo”

“You all seem to be having fun as usual…”

While the two were making noisy complaints, Ramsey and Tarsen arrived.

“Tarsen, long time no see.”

“Yes, it’s been a while. I heard you brought Ramsey here.”

“What, so the Prince knows Tarsen too.”

Listening to the conversation, it seemed Tarsen and Ramsey had enlisted in the same year. They seem to get along well.

He looked so worried before coming, but seeing him chatting so amicably with Tarsen, it looks like there really isn’t a problem after all.

After releasing the two from their seiza, Ted arrived shortly after, and we all talked together. It had been a while since meeting them, but as expected, they hadn’t changed much.

“If you guys are going to come, come when I have time off.”

“That’s easier said than done, but our days off don’t align with yours, Zeke-sama.”

“Hmph. Since it’s convenient, we’d appreciate it if you got suspended frequently like this time. Can you manage that?”

“Of course I can’t manage that, don’t ask for the impossible.”

If I kept getting suspended that often, I’d end up expelled instead!

“Speaking of which, is Beldiha not here today?”

Right after I said that, the door in the back was kicked open with a loud BANG.

“I thought I heard someone calling me, and it’s you, Prince.”

At his waist hung a sword and an impressively thick bottle of alcohol. His face was red, yet his eyes were fixed.

Beldiha, same as always, came walking while swaying.

“I heard you got mischievous with some cheeky noble! Ain’t that interesting!”

Why have the rumors spread so much when only a few days have passed?

“Hahaha, good! Beat up those arrogant idiot nobles!”

He kept slapping my shoulder, but I’m royalty, so I’m kind of like the head of all nobles…

“Beldiha, your face is always red.”

“Huh? This is who I am. Got a problem with that?”

“No, I think it suits you.”

“Ha! Right? Fuhaha, take your time. Wanna drink?”

“I’m too young to drink!”

“You’re such a serious guy. You won’t get stronger like that, you know?”

He gulped down the alcohol from the bottle hanging at his waist and then laughed.

Same as always, but even like this, Beldiha is the type who shines when it comes to combat.

“I-it’s been a while.”

“…Ah?”

At Ramsey’s tense greeting, Beldiha instantly became openly hostile.

He narrowed his eyes, sizing him up.

After staring intently for several seconds, he tilted his head.

“O-ooh! Ramsey-senpai, huh? It’s been a while.”

Senpai?!

I was surprised by the unexpected word that came out of Beldiha’s mouth.

“Ohoh, haven’t seen you in a while. Been doing well?”

“Yes, reasonably so.”

“I see, I see. You take your time here too.”

Despite calling him senpai, he spoke without any honorifics, but still, he was unexpectedly friendly.

Even Ramsey seemed stiff, as if he hadn’t expected this kind of reception.

“Hey, Tarsen. I heard Beldiha hates nobles, so Ramsey was nervous about meeting him after becoming a noble, but is that not the case?”

“No, the Commander does hate nobles. But think about it. Ramsey is the only tutor who never got hit, so of course he’d be fine. The Commander is someone who judges based on his personal likes and dislikes, you know?”

I want to question whether that’s appropriate for someone in a leadership position, but thinking about it as the head of the knights, someone with good character who’s weak as hell might not unite them as well as this.

“Commander, is the meeting with the Vice Commander finished?”

“Ah, about that. Tarsen, it’s been decided that you’ll go.”

“Haaa… I had a feeling.”

“Also…”

Beldiha stopped mid-sentence, his eyes landing on me, and closed his mouth.

What? I have a bad feeling about this.

“Commander?”

“Tarsen. It doesn’t have to be just knights, right? Higher status is better, and if we notify them in advance, worst case overnight stays should be fine.”

“Are you serious?”

“Do I look like I’m joking? Heh, it’s close to the capital, and I’ll attach the Prince’s two favorite squad leaders, so it’ll be fine. He’s got free time for a while anyway.”

“Haaa…”

Tarsen let out a deep sigh while holding his head.

I don’t really understand what’s going on, but I definitely feel like I’m about to get dragged into some troublesome matter.

“Prince.”

“I have a bad feeling, but I’ll hear you out.”

“You wanna breathe some good forest air, don’t you? Right?”

*****

“Sorry, Prince. The Commander made an unreasonable request.”

“It’s fine. I’m actually free anyway.”

And so, I was currently outside the capital with the knights.

According to the story, there had been large tremors in state-owned land, so we were tasked with being the advance party for the investigation.

The members consisted of leader Tarsen, me, and about ten knights. Of those, two squad leaders were attached.

“Wahaha, Zeke-sama. With me here, you have nothing to worry about.”

“Hmph. There is absolutely no danger. Leave everything to us.”

While I wasn’t looking, Garim and Debut had become squad leaders. They got promoted, huh? Though their personalities haven’t changed much.

“Prince Zeke. Looking forward to working with you again.”

“Yeah, you too.”

Also, Ted was attached as Tarsen’s direct subordinate.

This somehow reminds me of the Afkad days.

“So, is the forest nearby?”

“Yes, it’s relatively close. However, since there’s a noble family’s territory nearby, I thought we’d greet them first.”

“Got it.”

Well, greetings are important after all.

And after riding horses for less than an hour, we arrived at the town.

I believe the lord here was Count Tufal?

We stopped our horses in front of the large mansion at the back.

“Oh? It seems someone else is visiting.”

A luxurious carriage was stopped by the gate.

“Well, it’s just a greeting, so we shouldn’t be in the way.”

“Should Tarsen and I go give the greeting?”

“Ah… yes. Let’s do that. Okay then, Debut, Garim. I leave this place to you.”

“‘Yes, sir!'”

Their crisp salutes made them look like proper knights after all.

Anyway, we had the gatekeeper announce us and entered the mansion.

When we were led to the reception room, sitting in front of us was a noble with soft brown hair. Count Tufal was seated there.

Also sitting across from him was… eh?

“Oh my, what an unexpected place to meet.”

“…………”

Sitting there were Marquis Red Claudia and Misty Claudia.