It's Not Like I Want to Play the Role of a Misunderstood, Good-for-Nothing Prince in a Villainess Story! - Chapter 9 – Sword in Right Hand, Magic in Left

That day was a pleasant morning with mild weather.

I woke up as usual and headed to the dining hall, where my parents were already seated, and my younger brother Tigos looked at me with an exasperated expression.

My parents—or rather, Father… no, His Majesty was busy and only ate breakfast with us about once every three days, but so far I’d overslept with almost 100% probability.

It’s not my fault, it’s this fluffy futon, you know?

Hmm, when I heard stories about Zeke before he became me personality-wise, I thought “why would you oversleep,” but I can’t get angry at this.

After finishing breakfast and drinking tea, Sebastian walked quietly toward His Majesty.

Was there a problem?

While watching out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tigos smiling happily.

“Nii-san, what are you doing today?”

“Mm, today’s the same as usual. Morning and afternoon studying swordsmanship and magic with my teacher. From evening onwards I’ll study in the library.”

“You brought a new teacher, right? I’m sorry. I stole your teachers…”

He apologized, but a smile floated on his face.

Did he really feel bad about it?

Also, he made sarcastic remarks every chance he got, but I didn’t particularly feel malice.

Could it be that my little brother is a natural scoundrel?

“It’s fine. I have a new teacher.”

“Hm, what kind of teacher? When I asked Sebastian he wouldn’t tell me, though I’ve glimpsed his face once.”

I haven’t told Tigos about my teacher.

I don’t feel like bragging about the Jet-Black Knight, and I don’t want him stolen away again.

“Eventually. What about you today?”

“I… have no plans.”

“Huh, that’s rare.”

I thought this guy was usually fully booked.

“Once in a while. Oh, listen to this. I got praised by my teacher. He said I have good sword aptitude, that my magic is progressing well.”

“Tigos is good at dancing too.”

Laura, who was listening to our conversation, laughed brightly while placing her hand on her cheek.

Mmm, it seems Tigos really was more excellent than me.

I mean, I can’t dance to a single song.

Actually, I don’t have a teacher to teach me and no time either.

Maybe I’ll have Sebastian search for one if I have spare time in the future.

A dance teacher should be easy to find.

While thinking about such things, I heard a knock.

“Excuse me.”

“Excuse me…”

When the door opened, there stood Marquis Red Claudia with Misty Claudia behind him.

Huh, why is Misty here?

While I blinked in surprise, my father Halt slowly stood up.

“Oh, if it isn’t Marquis Claudia. Welcome.”

“Haha, my beloved daughter said she wanted to see the royal palace. So who will be giving the tour today?”

Marquis Red glanced alternately between me and Tigos.

This is…!

A perfect opportunity to escort Misty.

Last time was terrible, but this time for sure!

“Hmm… what should we do?”

When Halt also looked at us, I met eyes with Tigos.

“I heard just now that Nii-san has sword and magic practice with his teacher today! So I shall provide the tour. Right, Nii-san?”

“Ugh!”

True, I did say that, but!

Could this guy… have known Misty was coming here today?!

“Sorry Nii-san, I heard it casually from my teacher yesterday…”

Tigos muttered quietly.

Damn, the teacher I let get away!

But seriously, this guy really has taken a liking to Misty.

She’s my fiancée candidate!

“Then we’ll ask Lord Tigos. Misty, is that acceptable?”

“Yes, Father.”

Misty bowed quietly.

Damn, failed again.

Maybe I have no connection with her… wait?

When I looked at Misty, I felt our eyes met for a moment, but she immediately looked away.

Was she just looking at me?

I thought positively for a moment, but immediately shook my head.

No wait, I haven’t done anything particularly positive, so that can’t be it.

So did Misty simply not want to be with me either?

Sorry for being a Nii-san inferior to his little brother…

“Zeke-sama.”

After Tigos escorted Misty away, Sebastian came to me.

“What is it?”

“You have a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

I had no idea who would visit me though.

“I’ll ask just in case—who?”

“Debut and Garim.”

“Again?”

Don’t those guys come here every day off?

“I’ve shown them to the palace’s second garden, so please go there.”

“Got it.”

On the way, while glancing sideways at Tigos talking to Misty with his face bright red in the hallway, I tearfully headed to the garden.

“You finally came!”

“Hmph. I came too!”

“So he says. You’re quite loved, Your Highness.”

“Haha…”

The two hot-blooded guys were already waiting while sweating.

The difference in visitors compared to Tigos was terrible.

After doing basic forms for a while, we decided to start mock training.

“Hmph. Well then Prince, shall we have a match?”

My opponent was Garim.

We both held wooden swords, and the rule was whoever landed one hit with magic allowed wins.

Rubert would judge.

Garim and I each took our stances.

Garim held his wooden sword in both hands in a middle stance—the so-called orthodox style.

In contrast, I waited in a half-body stance with my wooden sword-holding right hand forward and my left hand hidden behind.

“Begin!”

“Hiya!”

Right after the call, Garim struck in.

Garim was the type who used his tall height to push forward aggressively, and like the power-type Debut watching from behind, didn’t use much trickery.

I calmly deflected and parried Garim’s striking sword as best I could.

One hand versus two hands should make deflecting impossible due to the power difference, but this body built muscle strangely easily, so I’d gained considerable strength recently.

Therefore, while before my sword would get lightly deflected when I tried to parry, now I could barely manage to parry even with my one-handed sword.

That said, if I let my guard down I’d instantly get taken out, and I couldn’t attack from my side to begin with.

Even if I carelessly thrust, Garim would easily deflect it.

Despite not using tricks, he was annoyingly good at basic techniques.

That area was typical of an intermediate swordsman.

However, Garim… well Debut too, but these guys gradually showed their muscle-brain nature when battles dragged on.

That is, while they were cautious at first, they gradually focused only on swords and lowered their guard against magic.

So I’d strike.

At the next timing Garim struck in, I pulled my magic-imbued left hand.

[Body Sleeve Pull]

“Mmph!”

Garim’s right arm shifted right.

One arm was yanked forcefully to the side.

He hastily released his right hand from the sword, but too late.

I moved to thrust his chest… but Garim saw it and immediately stepped back.

Dodged, but I clapped my returned right hand’s wrist with my left hand.

Clap…

With a dry sound it activated.

[Devil’s Handclap]

“Whoa!”

Due to the shockwave that suddenly generated behind Garim, he was forcibly pushed forward.

Aiming for that, I swung my sword down.

Garim, thrown forward defenseless, couldn’t even break his fall and put his hands on the ground, and the wooden sword easily struck his wide-open forehead.