My Beloved Princess ~The Boy Called Incompetent Rises with Only a Sword and the Princess's Devotion~

That bar was in a back alley.

A seedy bar on the outskirts of the city of Algant. Inside the small shop, there was only one bald shopkeeper. He diligently placed skewers on the charcoal fire, managing the shop with sweat on his forehead. Dirty tables and rickety chairs. The shop’s interior, bathed in smoke emitted during cooking, was dark and dreary, and hard to call comfortable even as a compliment.

The menu was only skewers, and for alcohol, only ale was stocked.

A poor environment filled with silent charcoal smoke. Still, customers entered reasonably well, and the reputation was also reasonably good.

In such a hideaway-like bar, there was an old man who had become a fixture. His name was Oldo. He, who guarded the castle gate of Algant during his active days, would get into a good mood as the drinking progressed and start telling heroic tales with a flushed face. Since he told the same story every day, the regular customers all smiled wryly. He would catch first-time customers who came without knowing anything and repeat the same story.

But among them, there were also those who listened to that story with deep interest.

The beginning was always the same.

“A witch lives in the suburbs of Algant.”

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A witch lives in the suburbs of Algant.

Was it more than thirty years ago that I met her? It was a time when I still barely passed as a young man.

As you know, the city of Algant had a noble district in the center, and a commoner district spreading outside it. And across the castle wall, fields and pastures spread out in the suburbs. This was also a danger zone where monsters appeared, and it was normal to hire adventurers for security. Well, in short, it means it’s not a place where amateurs can wander around without any precautions.

However, we couldn’t leave the extermination of monsters only to adventurers. Since my job was guarding the castle gate, every time a monster appeared, I was mobilized for its extermination.

Reinforcements were requested that day too. I remember leaving the guard station hurriedly. And I met her. The Witch of Algant.

She was truly a beautiful woman.

Fluffy, wavy hair. Gently drooping eyes. A softly set mouth. Her lovely, fair-skinned face hid a diabolical nature that captivated those who saw her.

But, you see. I knew at a glance that she was not a person of this world.

That she wasn’t human. After all, her eyes weren’t normal.

What? You ask if her eyes were slanted diabolically?

No, that’s not it. It’s not such an external feature. Should I call it eye power? There was something glittering in the depths of her eyes. They were cold and ruthless eyes, just like a reptile’s.

That woman was dragging a monster for which a subjugation request had been made. When I asked, she said she was going to dismantle it now and make it her dinner. When asked, “Will you eat that too?”, I was at a loss for words. After all, it was a giant snake monster possessing deadly poison. To try to eat that, there was no other daredevil like her as far as I know.

However, I was interested in that daring idea of killing a monster herself and eating it. I decided to take her up on her offer. Of course, I declined the giant snake cuisine, though.

That house was on top of a small hill in the suburbs of Algant.

Whether handmade or not, it was a distorted hut.

Her age was around her early twenties. A young woman inviting a man she met for the first time to her house. If you think normally, brother, it’s a reckless act that even an ignorant young lady wouldn’t do. But, strangely, I didn’t feel like laying a hand on her. Thinking about it now, I truly think it was good I didn’t do anything reckless.

I was shown into the living room and received tea.

When I listened to her story, she said she was a married woman. She had run out of patience with her husband and left the house. Apparently, he was a cheating man, a guy who seemingly immersed himself in pleasure while keeping several women. A good-for-nothing man.

That day, keeping small talk to a minimum, I finished the tea and left as I was. Well, I was also a person stopping by during work. I couldn’t take it slow.

From then on, we became close enough to exchange greetings if we met in the city.

And months and years flowed.

However, even after five years passed or ten years passed, the woman’s appearance remained youthful and did not change. Only I alone was growing old… I even harbored such an illusion. Well, this was the reason she was called a Witch.

She, remaining youthful and beautiful, had a household. He was truly a slender and gentle man, but a young man with a kind heart. She was laughing, saying, “He was a powerless person, but he loved only me single-mindedly.” Since she had run out of patience with her cheating ex-husband, I suppose she was moved by single-minded love.

Because she was a beautiful woman, it would be a lie if I said I didn’t have any regretful feelings. But, I gave my blessings. It was an acquaintance of more than ten years, after all.

Earlier I said that it was good I didn’t cause any strange intentions. An event that made me think so happened after that. That was surely fifteen years… no, sixteen years ago from now, I wonder.

Without any forewarning, the King of the Dragonkin attacked the city.

Speaking of Dragonkin, they are a combat race with a high reputation as the Strongest Species.

Their physical abilities were generally high, and their bodies were sturdy. Various resistances were also high. Their only flaw was that they could only handle a single attribute, but you cannot strike the weakness of a single attribute against those guys who act in a flock.

It was also an invasion by surprise attack. In the blink of an eye, the border security was annihilated, and that army closed in on Algant in no time. I also fought to protect the castle gate, but… However, despite winning in numbers on our side, the castle gate didn’t last even an hour.

Speaking of Dragonkin, they were a race of only women, but despite being women, their power was much stronger than men around here. If a contest of strength occurred, we were pushed back by arm strength alone as was, so we couldn’t handle it. I was made to realize that the fundamental construction of the body was different.

After the castle gate was breached, it was a picture of hell with agonizing cries. The Dragonkin who invaded the city showed no mercy even to women and children. They started a massacre. The Algant defense force was annihilated. The remaining Knight Order protecting the Lord and famous adventurers were the lifeline, but there was no one who could resist the fierce attack of the Dragonkin, the combat race.

It was the Witch of Algant who appeared gallantly at such a time.

I don’t know what kind of magic she used. Just by her touching them, the Dragonkin rolled their eyes back and died clack. I was surprised from the bottom of my heart at that magic.

And, finishing my first aid, she said.

“It’s okay. I will take revenge for everyone.”

Her words were soft, but I couldn’t stop trembling. Because her eyes, the light dwelling in the depths of them, were overflowing with killing intent. She was much more terrifying than Dragonkin.

And she disappeared into the burning city, and shortly after, it came to the end of the war. The Dragonkin who had been rampaging so hot-bloodedly retreated all too soon, and the city regained peace.

I don’t know what happened. But, there was no doubt that the Witch of Algant played a part in the end of the war.

Both sides had many dead. The city of Algant received a devastating blow, and there were districts that became mountains of rubble. Many children who lost their parents and became orphans also appeared. An orphanage for relief was established, but according to rumors, the Witch of Algant made a large donation. She didn’t look wealthy, though. From where did she procure the funds… it remained a mystery even now.

For about five years after that, we were very busy with reconstruction work.

I also forgot time and engaged in reconstruction work with sweat on my forehead.

Was it around the time we became able to arrange the appearance of the city somehow? I reunited with the Witch of Algant for the first time in five years. She was taking a small boy with her, but I knew immediately at a glance that it was her son. Why, you ask? It’s the eyes. Because the light dwelling in the depths of his eyes looked just like hers.

It seemed her husband died in that war. It was a regrettable thing. Because he was a good young man who could treat anyone without discrimination. But, having caught such a beauty and been able to leave a single son, it must be his long-cherished desire as a man.

Even after that, there were opportunities to meet in the city several times.

She remained beautiful as ever, while I became senile like this, though.

Was it nearly a year ago that I met her last? She said.

“My son says he wants to go to an academy in a distant place. I am against it, but should I prevent it by letting my arm strength do the talking?”

“The Witch of Algant makes dangerous remarks as ever. However, children leave the nest someday. I think you should respect the person’s will, though.”

“Is that so… as I thought, you think so. If thinking for my son’s sake, I think it is better to continue training under me still…”

“What, training can be done at that academy too. Don’t worry. He is your son. He will do well.”

“……That is also true. Actually, an old friend is working at the academy. So, I intend to write a letter of introduction asking to take care of my son.”

“Hoh. In that case, the talk is fast. Do so.”

The Witch of Algant was laughing somewhat troubledly. The state of mind of a mother sending off her son was something men cannot understand, I suppose.

And, oh?

It seemed the sake had run out. The night was getting late, so shall we leave it around here for today?

Hm? You ask what kind of boy the son grew up to be?

Let’s see…

When I met him once before, he had grown up to be a polite, quiet boy, probably resembling his father. But, after all, he was the son of a witch who killed Dragonkin instantly. Surely his competitive spirit was stronger than others, isn’t it? If there was some trigger, he might grow up to be a brave man like his mother. Though this also includes my wish that I want the son of the “Witch of Algant” to be strong.

Now, shall I pay the bill… and disperse?

Wait, what? The bill was fine? You will treat me?

What? A token of thanks for telling an interesting story?

Some fellows said young people these days don’t know manners, but quite on the contrary, you understand well, don’t you. While there were young people like you, Algant was also safe.

If you want to hear stories again, come anytime. Because I was drinking here every day.

Well then, let’s both return being careful on the night road.