Vol 1 Chapter 22 – Knight Alfred and a Sensor Bull’s-Eye【Vol 1 – Spoiled Princess Arc】

(So this is the Altruistic Charity Hero.)

Alfred, dispatched as Princess Debora’s escort knight, takes another look at the amiable young man.

Judging by his build and posture, he doesn’t look remotely like a trained knight or warrior.

His combat ability probably isn’t all that impressive either.

Even so, Alfred can’t shake the image of him hurling himself after Debora while the ground collapsed beneath her.

If Alfred had leaped at that moment as well, he probably would have reached her.

He’d been a few steps farther away than Erik because he had to sprint over, but if he’d pushed himself, he would have made it in time.

(But I…)

Alfred hesitated.

He had a family… No—serving as a royal guard is too important a post to use his family as an excuse.

Besides, what if the one falling had been Orace, who is kind even to knights and commoners alike?

Alfred was sure he would have dived after him.

But the one plummeting was Debora.

The notorious “Spoiled Princess,” who won’t even try to control her powerful explosion skill and just lashes out whenever she feels like it.

Could he really die for a princess like that?

That thought froze Alfred’s legs for an instant.

In that instant, he lost any chance of saving Debora.

(Erik-dono, however, was different.)

Alfred turns his gaze to Erik again.

Without a hint of hesitation, he had leapt straight into the dangerous collapse.

He didn’t spare a thought for his own life—he jumped solely to save Debora.

He, too, must have suffered unreasonable treatment.

Everyone in the capital knows King Rei keeps saddling him with brutal assignments, and rumors still swirl about the explosion that echoed through the castle the day he met Debora.

It wouldn’t be strange if he hated her.

It wouldn’t be odd if he bore a grudge.

And yet Erik threw himself in harm’s way to save her.

(I feel like Her Highness Princess Debora’s aura has softened as well.)

Debora chats happily with Erik.

Gone is the tense aura that made everyone wonder what she might do or when her emotions would blow up; now she just feels like a typical girl her age.

(Seeing this, perhaps we were the ones who created the “Spoiled Princess” in the first place.)

Because she’s a princess, we can’t speak frankly—we just fear her and keep our distance.

Treated that way, any child would brood over being hated and isolated, and end up deeply hurt.

Maybe Debora was the same.

Shunned, avoided, ignored—maybe she started those flashy “explosions” precisely because they pulled people’s eyes to her.

It’s only speculation, of course, but guilt gnaws at Alfred.

Not long ago, Alfred asked Erik a question.

“Why are you willing to go that far for Princess Debora… for the royal family?”

When asked, Erik looked momentarily caught off guard, then glanced at Debora and gave her a gentle smile.

“No matter what people say, she’s still a child. Watching over a child—and, when necessary, putting your body on the line to protect them—is simply what adults do, isn’t it?”

Hearing that, Alfred jolted.

In that instant, he remembered—embarrassingly late—that Debora was just a child.

Not a princess wielding some terrifying, unknown explosion skill, but simply a kid who loved adventure tales.

Alfred could finally see Debora that way.

(It’s obvious, but how many people in this kingdom can think of Her Highness like that? Erik-dono is younger than I am, yet far more of an adult.)

Maybe that’s exactly why Debora’s grown attached to him.

Seeing the princess so overjoyed is probably a first—not just for Alfred, but for almost everyone.

Debora now looks as delighted as if she’d found a best friend.

(If it’s him, he’s worthy of being a Loyal Knight. I don’t know about His Majesty, but the prince will be thrilled.)

Honestly, nobody knows where Erik even came from.

Some knights will surely gripe that an unknown fellow managed to win the knights’ coveted title of Loyal Knight.

Yet Alfred and the others who saw Erik throw himself in front of Debora no longer doubt him.

(I, too, must serve selflessly like Erik-dono!)

Once again, Alfred steeled his knightly resolve.

◆

“Still, Your Highness has grown quite strong. If His Majesty hears of your exploits, he’ll be pleased.”

“Really!? Do you think Papa will let me go adventuring? If he does, I’m going out with Erik again!”

Princess Debora chats cheerfully with Alfred-san, the leader of her escort knights.

It seems she’s already decided in her head that she’ll work me to the bone. Wonderful.

We were currently walking the road toward the royal capital.

Since we were still near the dungeon, not a soul was in sight.

Even so… I watch Debora’s back as she animatedly recounts her exploits.

Whenever her emotions surge, she detonates, so the people fear and avoid her as the “Spoiled Princess.”

She feels lonely, yet she never tries to change—that’s impressive in its own way…

But seeing her chat with Alfred-san, I realize it was mistaken to think the entire kingdom despised her.

He probably didn’t have a good impression either, yet he now gazes at this childlike Debora with a gentle, parental warmth.

I hope one day every citizen will look at her that way…

…But if that happens, won’t she stop being the tyrant who hurts me?

That would be unacceptable. Princess Debora must stay selfish.

I definitely don’t want her turning into a decent person everyone loves—like Prince Orace.

“…Lewd eyes.”

“Huh?”

Miriam gives me a long, accusing stare.

Lewd eyes? Me, at Princess Debora?

“Hardly. I’m merely looking forward to her future.”

Yes, her future as a royal capable of satisfying my masochism.

“Erik, are you really counting on this royalty? They’re holding your hometown hostage and forcing you into horrible missions… and those jerks back home—”

Miriam glares at Princess Debora, anger seeping through.

It’s less at Debora herself and more at King Rei through her.

Miriam is such a kind girl.

Since she doesn’t know about my kink, she’s truly worried about me.

“It’s fine. If my efforts make life even a little easier back home, that’s wonderful.”

And I get my thrills, too.

What an excellent system.

“But I do feel genuinely sorry for dragging you into danger, Miriam.”

That part is the truth.

Unlike me, Miriam isn’t an M; hardship is just hardship for her.

I feel bad for involving her.

But her healing magic is indispensable to me…