Vol 1 Chapter 33 – The Inspection【Vol 1 – Spoiled Princess Arc】

“D-Damn it! Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, DAMMIT!!”

Biriel Hegstett, the mastermind behind the attempted assassination of Princess Debora, rampaged inside his room.

The communication crystal he had spent a fortune on for the assassination fell to the floor and shattered.

But Biriel was too cornered to care.

“The royals are coming for an inspection? And within a few days? Don’t they normally give you months of notice for something like this!?”

The warning of a sudden inspection had been delivered just moments ago.

Normally, such things were announced with far more time to spare to allow for a proper welcome.

Then again, a domain like the Hegstett territory, which wasn’t of great importance to the kingdom, rarely received a royal inspection at all.

That was precisely why Biriel had been able to do as he pleased until now…

“T-This inspection… it must be because that got out…!”

He could think of no other reason. Unless some problem required the royal family to act, there was no way they would personally come all the way out to the Hegstett domain.

And as for such a problem, Biriel had a very good idea of what it was.

“Wh-What do I do? If this gets out, best-case scenario, I’m stripped of my noble title. Worst-case scenario…”

Imagining himself standing before the guillotine, Biriel’s face paled.

“Damn it all! This is all that useless man’s fault! He ruined my perfect plan…! I’ll execute his family, too!!”

Biriel raged, his fat belly jiggling violently. Yes, through collective punishment, I’ll kill the family of the man who reported to me, too.

“N-No, wait. I don’t have time for that right now. In any case, what should I do? I have to make absolutely certain the townspeople don’t go making petitions about me… And I need to come up with an excuse to escape the royals’ inquiry…”

One task after another flooded his mind. As for handling the townspeople… well, a threat to kill their families should take care of that.

The problem was the excuse for the royal family. This was not an issue that could be solved by threatening someone.

Even if he wanted to silence the informant, the man was no longer in his hands but had crossed over to their side.

“Should I ask ‘those people’ for backup… n-no, if they judge me to be useless, they’ll have me assassinated. I-I don’t want that…!”

The face of a certain man floated in Biriel’s mind. But he immediately gave up on the idea of seeking their help.

“This is something I have to do myself. I have to handle this… handle this…!”

A greasy sweat beaded on Biriel’s forehead. A dangerous light kindled in his eyes.

“If I can’t come up with a good excuse… then, at that time…”

◆

We traveled to the Hegstett domain without any trouble.

Monsters attacked from time to time, but unfortunately for me, there was no need to put my body on the line, as the escorting knights took care of them.

It seems they’re fired up, given they’re escorting two members of the royal family. The number of guards is small, but I suppose they must be an elite unit.

Among them was Alfred-san, who had also helped us during the battle with Brecht’s bandits. He smiled and bowed his head, so I returned the gesture.

“The Hegstett territory begins from this point on. We don’t know what could happen. Don’t let your guard down, Debora.”

“I’ll be fine, Nii-chan. I’ve got Erik with me, you know.”

Princess Debora let out a smug little laugh at Prince Orace’s words.

It seems I’ve managed to earn the princess’s trust.

I pray that this trust will lead to her pushing some unreasonable demands on me.

……

However, Miriam, who had finally recovered from Princess Debora’s poison cookies, was in a bad mood. I feel bad for getting her wrapped up in matters related to the royal family she hates.

That’s why I told her she didn’t have to come this time… but the kind girl just lightly pinched my cheek and came along anyway. …I kind of wish she’d pinched a little harder.

“Alright, let’s go.”

Following Prince Orace’s lead, we set foot into the Hegstett domain.

◆

It seems the town where Biriel Hegstett has his residence isn’t too far from the domain’s border.

After entering Hegstett territory, we passed through a slightly rough, wilderness-like area and arrived at the town right away.

Passing between two large, opposing cliffs might have been a bit of a rare experience.

“We have been waiting for you, members of the inspection party!!”

Waiting for us at the town’s entrance was a man of large stature… or to be frank, an unhealthily obese, middle-aged man. He wore a friendly-looking smile, but his face was beaded with sweat.

“Ah. Apologies for the sudden inspection, Hegstett.”

“Not at all! If this is the will of the royal family, how could I, a humble vassal, possibly object?”

He reacted with excessive deference to Prince Orace’s words.So, this is Biriel Hegstett.

It’s not good to judge by appearances, but my M-sensor is reacting. …This seems to be quite the dark noble. It gives me the shivers.

“Come, come! As this was on such short notice, we were unable to prepare a grand reception, but we have made modest arrangements. This way!”

It seems Biriel intends to guide us personally. The fact that a noble is greeting us himself is impressive enough… but it really shows you how important Prince Orace and Princess Debora are.

Biriel appears to be trying to lead us down a very bustling street.

“No, this is an inspection. We’ll make our way to your castle while touring the town.”

“Guh…!”

Biriel’s face froze.

“P-Perhaps the inspection can wait until after you’ve arrived at my castle and rested? Prince Orace aside, Princess Debora must be tired…”

He really wants us to go straight to the castle, doesn’t he? He just tried to use Princess Debora as an excuse.

At that, she puffed out her chest, looking offended.

“Hmph! Don’t underestimate me. I’m reasonably fit, you know? Besides, Erik gave me a piggyback ride on the way, so my stamina is perfect!”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I gave a bright smile to the brightly smiling Princess Debora. Being forced to carry her on my back up that steep mountain path… it was wonderful.

“Gugugu…h!!”

The color of Biriel’s face shifted between red and blue. …At this point, is there even any point to this investigation?

No, the purpose of this investigation is to determine his involvement in the attempted assassination of Princess Debora. The matter of how Biriel is governing his domain is outside the scope this time, so it is meaningful.

“…We’re going.”

Prince Orace began to walk, leading Walter-san and the others. He, too, must have already figured out that Biriel is completely corrupt.

“W-Wait! That area has poor public safety, your persons will be in danger…!!”

Biriel tried to stop him somehow, but there was no way Prince Orace would be stopped by a threat like that. Biriel scrambled to chase after him as he briskly walked away.

“…Somehow, don’t I seem kind of useless here?”

Watching them, Princess Debora muttered to herself. Well, for a princess whose first instinct is to try and blow things up, I suppose a situation like this is a bit of a tall order.