Vol 1 Chapter 31 – The Mastermind’s Name【Vol 1 – Spoiled Princess Arc】

When Prince Orace said that, it felt like the air in the room snapped taut.

Snap!

Indeed, he’s quite capable of switching between jest and seriousness.

That’s royalty for you, I suppose. King Rei’s transformation, in particular, was astonishing.

His sharp gaze, the oppressive aura emanating from him… Truly, he was a king who ruled a nation.

He opened his mouth, his words carrying an air of gravity.

“Of course, anyone who dared to harm Debora must be found and killed.”

I suspect King Rei isn’t just saying this because he finds Princess Debora precious; he’s more likely taking issue with the attempt to kill a member of the royal family. For this country, blood ties are of paramount importance.

Princess Debora is King Rei’s biological daughter and even holds a claim to the throne. For her to be the target of an assassination attempt, and for that incident to go unsolved—that would be a terrible look for them.

“Those bastards who tried to harm Debora—I’ll kill them. Every last one…!!”

As he said this, King Rei turned to glare at me for some reason….Huh? Where did that dignified king from moments ago disappear to…?

But then, he quickly averted his gaze from me and looked at the Prime Minister. Is that Prime Minister King Rei’s loyal knight, perhaps?

“Have you managed to extract any information from the captured bandits?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We subjected them to torture, just short of killing them, and made every survivor talk.”

The Prime Minister replied to King Rei’s question. T-torture… What an utterly captivating word…

“Information obtained through torture can sometimes lack accuracy, however…”

“We’ve cross-referenced the accounts from multiple individuals, so I believe the intelligence is sound…”

It seems Walter-san, Prince Orace’s loyal knight, has no need to worry. True, some might lie just to escape the pain.

Naturally, to ensure they’d make it last for me, I wouldn’t divulge information so readily.

“After carefully scrutinizing that information, one man’s name has surfaced.”

That’s an incredibly swift response. Had you already zeroed in on the mastermind?

They had the captured bandits brought back even before Princess Debora and I arrived… To think they acted with such speed… Perhaps this was why we couldn’t have an audience yesterday.

The Prime Minister announced the mastermind’s name.

“That man’s name is Biriel Hegstett.”

“Hoh…”

Hearing that name, King Rei’s eyebrow twitched.

“…Never heard of him.”

…Hmm? Then what was that profound-looking reaction just now…?

“…The Hegstett family are landed nobles. Biriel is the current head of the house.”

“Oh, right. So there was such a noble family, huh.”

As Prince Orace spoke with a sigh, King Rei lightly clapped his hands.

Pon!

…Could it be that this king doesn’t even remember the nobles who serve him?

Never mind a large group like the knights; there should only be a handful of nobles…

“But if I don’t know him, that means he isn’t much of a noble, right?”

“Indeed, they are not high-ranking nobles like Dukes or Margraves… but still, please try to remember them.”

“Hahahaha! My apologies.”

Prince Orace, who had been staring at the loudly laughing King Rei with deadpan eyes, quickly adopted a sharp gaze.

“However, Biriel Hegstett, hmm…”

“Oh? Are you familiar with him?”

“A little.”

Seeing Prince Orace’s knowing air, I couldn’t help but ask. If it had been King Rei, he probably would have used this as a reason to start demanding the death penalty again, but the prince kindly had Walter-san explain.

“We received petitions from the people of Biriel Hegstett’s domain, you see. In response, His Highness the Prince and I have been conducting an investigation.”

Listening to the citizens’ pleas and taking immediate action… Among this country’s royalty, only Prince Orace would likely do such a thing…

“As a result of our investigation, we found that wretch has been engaged in activities unbecoming of a nobleman. Human trafficking, excessive taxation, and forcibly taking female subjects for himself… Abusing his noble authority to do whatever he pleases…”

“How awful…”

I gasped involuntarily. Weren’t these all things I’d want done to me someday?

…Perhaps setting up a home in the Hegstett domain might be a good idea in the future.

“In other words, one can easily surmise that Hegstett tried to eliminate Debora to gain even more power. It’s predictable, judging by his usual conduct.”

“However, what is to be done? True, that Hegstett fellow is likely involved in the attempted assassination of Her Highness the Princess. But we can hardly take action against him based on testimony alone.”

“Hmmmm…”

Following Prince Orace, the Prime Minister offered his counsel, and King Rei appeared genuinely troubled. Emotionally, he probably wants to kill this Biriel Hegstett immediately, but a king cannot so easily punish one of his nobles.

It could cause undue alarm among the other nobles, after all. Into the silence where no one dared speak, it was Princess Debora who raised her voice.

“Then I’ll go check it out myself!!”

“Wh—…?!”

King Rei stared, his eyes and mouth agape in shock. Prince Orace clutched his head, as if he’d been expecting this.

…I’m starting to worry about the prince’s hairline. As I was thinking that, Princess Debora grabbed my arm.

“I was the one they were after in the first place! I won’t be satisfied until I give ’em a piece of my mind! The Altruistic Charity Hero is my knight, so there’s no danger, right!”

To have faced an assassination attempt and already be thinking of retaliation—she’s quite bold. She’s still just a young girl; it wouldn’t be surprising if she were overcome with fear…

But that’s precisely what makes her worth serving.

“N-no way! If anything happened to my adorable Debora… I’d feel compelled to slaughter not only Biriel but everyone in the Hegstett domain too!”

Isn’t that rather unbecoming of a king? Though, personally, I’d welcome it…

“Besides, I hate that guy.”

King Rei looked down on me with cold eyes. After using me as he pleased all this time, now a declaration of hatred… Kuh! How exciting…!

“Honestly, Papa, this has nothing to do with you. I’m the one who says Erik is fine.”

Hearing Princess Debora’s words, King Rei began to tremble violently.

Shudder, shudder…

“S-so it is her rebellious phase…!!”

“Sigh… Father,” sighed Prince Orace.

Just as the conversation was about to derail again, Prince Orace steered it back. I can only imagine how he feels. In fact, I’d gladly take some of that stress off his hands.

Mental stress, too, brings me such pleasure…

“I will accompany Debora as well. How does that sound?” Prince Orace proposed.

“Ehh?! I don’t need you, Onii-chan!”

“Debora, be quiet for a moment.”

“Hmph.”

Princess Debora puffed out her cheeks but obediently fell silent. I wonder, besides Prince Orace, how many others can control the “Spoiled Princess”?

Ah, Princess Debora. Taking out your frustration by punching me in the side… How wonderful…

“It’s true I can trust you with this… but there’s no need to take Debora along, is there?” King Rei pressed.

Still, King Rei continued to fuss. Just how much of a doting fool was he for his daughter?

“However, Father, Debora is also a member of the royal family. If she doesn’t start experiencing official duties and learning the ways of royalty, even little by little, it will create difficulties for her down the line.”

“U-uhm…”

King Rei broke out in a sweat at Prince Orace’s earnest advice. True, it’s one thing to dote on her like a sheltered princess, but if she doesn’t learn how to perform her duties and proper etiquette, Princess Debora is the one who will suffer later.

Keeping her cooped up in the Royal Castle just because she’s precious could actually have a detrimental effect on her. Well, if even I can figure that out, there’s no way King Rei doesn’t understand it too.

“You’d be worried if it were just Debora and Hero-dono, wouldn’t you? That’s precisely why I will go with them.”

“…………You’re right. Debora has grown enough to survive and return from ‘The Beginner-Slayer’s Chamber.’ I suppose I need to learn to let go a bit, too.”

King Rei let out a sigh.

Fuuu…

The look he then gave Princess Debora was not his usual sweet, doting one, but one that also carried the coldness of a king.

“Debora, I command you. Investigate the suspicious Biriel Hegstett.”

“Ugh… Yes! For His Majesty, the King!”

Princess Debora must have sensed the change, for she didn’t reply with her usual casualness, but with firm, respectful language.

“Hero, loyal knight to Debora. I’m counting on you as well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

I knelt as well, just as a matter of course. No matter who it is before me, the act of kneeling always brings such exquisite pleasure.

“…I still really don’t want to acknowledge you as Debora’s loyal knight. I don’t care if you die, just make sure Debora comes back safe.”

“Father…” Prince Orace interjected.

“But of course,” I replied.

Prince Orace looked at King Rei with an expression one might reserve for someone pitiful, but I nodded emphatically. I will gladly shield Princess Debora from any and all hardships and savor every moment of suffering.

I intended to do so, even without being told.

“Mhm… mhm…”

Princess Debora was also nodding, looking satisfied. Her cheeks seem a little flushed, don’t they?

“Well then, shall we conclude this meeting?” the Prime Minister said.

At the Prime Minister’s words, we all nodded. Now then, I’ll have to tell Miriam about heading to the Hegstett domain… I might get an earful from her again for getting too involved with the royals. Excellent…

“Wait.”

But a voice called out, stopping us in our tracks. Of course, only King Rei would say something like that.

When we turned, he was glaring at us, his eyes radiating anger and a chilling aura. What could it be? Had I unknowingly committed some act of disrespect?

I certainly hoped to be punished.

“You bastard…”

Not just me, but everyone present focused on King Rei’s words. And then, the king finally deigned to speak, his voice heavy.

“It seems you ate Debora’s homemade cookies.”

“…………C-cookies, you say?”

“Yes, I had the pleasure.”

“Unforgivable. Even I haven’t tasted Debora’s home cooking yet… Death penalty!”

B-but your daughter offered them to me… Faced with such utter absurdity, I was stunned, yet a thrill coursed through me.

“Father… Please don’t say you’re going to kill Hero-dono over such a trivial matter.”

“A trivial matter?! Eating my Debora’s handmade sweets before I do is clearly a capital offense! I will not forgive him!!”

“My apologies, Hero-dono…” Prince Orace said, looking genuinely sorry.

“No, no, please don’t concern yourself. Being subjected to such irrationality is precisely what I hope for.”

“…Were they good?” King Rei pressed, clearly still curious.

Good, you ask? Well, rather than “good”…

“They were… magnificent…”

Gnnnnnnnh!

When I said that, he ground his teeth in frustration. Yes, indeed. I only realized it later, but to think that food, which wasn’t even poisoned, would bring me to the brink of coughing up blood…

Truly, Princess Debora is the only one worthy of being my master…

“I want to eat cookies too! Debora!” King Rei finally blurted out, unable to stand it any longer.

“Ehhh…” Debora sounded reluctant.

It seemed King Rei could finally hold back no longer and began to pester Princess Debora. However, the princess in question looked thoroughly bothered.

Apparently, she was quite cheerful when she made them for me… Perhaps calling this a rebellious phase isn’t entirely wrong. In fact, I don’t even know if there are any left.

I did eat quite a few, after all.

“Well, I guess there are a few left… but these are for Erik, you know,” Princess Debora said.

So saying, Princess Debora took out a small bag from her pocket, containing several… noxious-looking cookies. C-could it be she was planning to give me even more…? What an amazing person she is…

“Wh-what?! Erik, you’ll let me have them, won’t you?” King Rei pleaded, his expression desperate.

King Rei stared at me with a desperate expression. Hmmmmmm…! It’s an incredible shame, but…

“…Very well.”

If it is the King’s command, then it cannot be helped. I cannot afford to be selfish here.

“Hmm… Well, if Erik says so, I guess it’s okay,” Debora mused. “I can always make more for him later.”

Oof… Truly…?

“Oh! My apologies, Erik! Now, Debora, feed them to me! With an ‘aaah,’ if you please!”

“Ehhh…”

King Rei was ecstatic. He was so deliriously happy, it was a side of him he absolutely should not be showing to others.

Though she looked reluctant, Princess Debora approached King Rei. As I watched her, I caught a glimpse of Prince Orace’s face; he was sweating profusely.

…Could it be that he knows about Princess Debora’s cooking skills? They truly are magnificent, aren’t they…

“Fuhahahahahaha!! How about that, Erik? You didn’t get this kind of treatment, did you? It’s ‘aaah,’ I tell you, ‘aaah’! This is the difference between me, her father, and you, merely her knight!!”

King Rei, oblivious to Prince Orace’s state, laughed heartily as he looked down on me. Being looked down upon is also something I dearly love.

“Here you go, say ‘aaah.'”

“Aaah!”

King Rei waited with his eyes closed and mouth wide open for the cookie, held delicately in Princess Debora’s small fingers. That must be why he didn’t notice.

That the cookie she had made was glittering with a multitude of colors.

“Ah, wait a mome—”

The Prime Minister, finally realizing, tried to intervene, but it was too late. Princess Debora, careful not to let it touch his lips, casually tossed the cookie right into King Rei’s mouth.

Plink!

The next moment, King Rei performed the rather skillful feat of collapsing onto his throne.