Vol 1 Chapter 36 – The Life-Risking Rearguard【Vol 1 – Spoiled Princess Arc】

“Wha-what are…”

“What are you saying, Erik?!”

Cutting off Prince Orace’s words, it was Miriam who, her face paling, grilled me.

I can tell from her expression that she is genuinely worried about me.

“If we continue to flee like this, they’ll catch up with us sooner or later. If things go badly, we could all be wiped out at once. Therefore, someone has to hold the enemy back.”

Yes, by betting their life on it.

Of course, there’s no way I can do something as dangerous as being the rearguard and get away unscathed.

After all, if I were a warrior worth a thousand men, that would be one thing, but I’m just a man who happens to be a little on the strong side.

“B-but… even so, there’s no need for you to do it, is there…?!”

Miriam is right, of course.

In situations like this, it should be those who serve the royal family… in this case, the knights.

Though King Rei ordered me to be the Hero, I was only forcibly conscripted, after all.

Oops, just thinking about it myself is getting me a little excited.

“Miriam, right now I am Princess Debora’s knight of fealty. There is no contradiction in me staking my life.”

“Th-that’s true, but…”

Miriam gives me a sorrowful look, and Princess Debora… her expression is so hard to read, completely blank…

“Besides, I’m the only one in perfect condition right now. I believe it’s most logical for me to serve as the rearguard, but…”

The escort knights have all suffered injuries, large and small, from the retreat up to this point.

Walter, who took an arrow shielding Prince Orace, and Alfred, who desperately held up his shield to protect the royals, have also sustained wounds that are not shallow.

I thought it was some divine prank that I was the only one not experiencing any pain during the retreat… but it seems the gods have finally smiled upon me.

Viva, God of M.

Everyone must know that my reasoning is correct.

Led by Miriam, they all wear looks of anguish, but no one offers a rebuttal.

“Th-then, I’ll also…!”

“No, you can’t stay. You’ll only be a burden to Erik.”

Before Miriam can finish her sentence, Princess Debora, who had been silent until now, stops her.

Her expression is truly that of a princess… it’s a little surprising.

“…It is a dangerous mission. Your very life will be in peril. Even so, will you do it?”

Prince Orace asks, his voice pained.

He’s such a good person, truly unlike anyone else in the Vilemse royal family.

The people cannot afford to lose a man like this.

From my perspective, though, it’s Princess Debora and King Rei who I can’t afford to lose.

“Yes. If that is Princess Debora’s command.”

That’s right, I am Princess Debora’s knight of fealty.

It’s much more fitting if I’m acting under orders from the princess.

The little princess, the focus of all our gazes, looks up at me expressionlessly.

Princess Debora just stares at me intently.

It feels like she’s trying to figure something out about me… how exciting…

“Your Highness! Biriel’s private soldiers are almost upon us…!!”

“Kgh…!”

It seems that while we were talking, the short distance between us has shrunk even further.

Well now, there’s no choice but to leave me behind…

“Hmph, that’s right. We’ll leave this to Erik.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Princess Debora gives the wonderful order with a faint smile.

Hmph… as expected of her.

I answered energetically, but…

“But!”

Princess Debora’s tiny finger is thrust before my eyes.

Is she going to poke my eyeballs out?

“I am not ordering you to die. You will live and protect this place until we return with reinforcements.”

What… did she say…?

A command to survive, of all things. I am stunned.

“…Yes.”

My reply comes out listlessly.

…This can’t be happening.

For some reason, the surrounding knights have tears welling in their eyes as if they’re moved, but I think this is a moment to lament my misfortune.

“Also, Princess Debora. A small-scale one will do, so please collapse the rock wall with your ‘Explosion’.”

““Wha—!!””

The knights are left speechless by my proposal.

It’s no wonder they’re shocked, since I’m sealing my own escape route.

That’s right, I just need to interpret it not as a survival order, but as a defend-to-the-death order.

That way, everyone’s happy.

“Honestly, I don’t think I can stop all of his soldiers by myself. If they slip through the gap in the walls while I’m fighting someone else, there would have been no point in me staying as rearguard.”

“B-but, if you do that, then you’ll really…!”

Miriam worries for me, tears welling in her eyes.

Hehehe, it’s fine. This is exactly what I want.

“…Hmph, I see. All right. Leave it to me.”

Princess Debora puffs out her non-existent chest and thumps it.

Hmph… how reliable.

By all means, please turn me into a rat in a trap.

“Now, please hurry. Biriel’s forces are already closing in.”

I rush them to leave quickly.

This is my M-Field and mine alone! I won’t give it up!

“We’re sorry, Hero-dono!”

“We’ll be sure to return with reinforcements!!”

Alfred and the other escort knights call out to me.

No, no, there’s no need to hurry. Really. Slowly, at a snail’s pace, slowly…

“Hero-dono, forgive me…! But we will never abandon you!”

Prince Orace says this before heading through the gap in the rock walls.

No, it’s fine if you abandon me.

Yes, I’d like you to consider it as one of your options.

Please make ‘abandon him’ the very first option you take.

“E-Erik.”

“Miriam…”

Miriam comes to stand before me.

She takes out a necklace with a red jewel from her pocket and holds it out.

“What is this…?”

“You’re always getting hurt protecting people… I’ve cast my recovery magic on this jewel. The healing speed and effect are lower than when I do it myself, but I think it should be of some help…”

“How could you…”

I accepted the necklace with trembling hands.

To receive such… such a magnificent item…

Moreover, what lies ahead is likely the greatest event in my M-life.

To think that even if I collapse midway, I can recover and savor it all over again… what an incredibly thoughtful person Miriam is.

Miriam grasps my hand, which is trembling with gratitude, gently, yet firmly.

“Please… don’t die. If you get scared… if you can’t take it anymore, you can run away. So, please, live and travel with me again…”

A tear spills from Miriam’s eye and lands on the necklace’s jewel.

“…Thank you. I promise.”

Now that I’ve made such a promise, I suppose I can’t very well die.

Well, I’ll be savoring the pain with all my might, though.

And so, the die was cast.

“Now, go.”

“…Okay.”

Urged on by me, Miriam made her way through the rock walls.

And so, the only ones left were me and Princess Debora on her horse.

“Come, Princess, you too, quickly.”

And I want to be hurt quickly, too!

Bring on the lynching!

“…You know something?”

As I was getting excited, Princess Debora begins to speak.

“I’ve been in the castle my whole life, you know? Everyone was afraid of me, and nothing was ever fun.”

Princess Debora has a distant look in her eyes, one that seems far too old for a child.

I wonder if it’s because she’s lived a life different from that of a normal child.

Well, I think being feared is her own fault, though.

If I didn’t have a special fetish like mine, I wouldn’t be able to stand getting blown up.

“But, since meeting you, Erik, I’ve experienced so many exciting things in just a few days! Just like an adventure tale!”

Princess Debora’s eyes sparkle.

Yes, I would be very happy if hardships, just like in an adventure tale, continue to await us.

“I want to keep living a thrilling life like this. And for that, Erik, you are indispensable.”

Princess Debora looks at me intently.

Hmph… I am a man beloved by the God of M, after all.

I have the power to draw hardship to myself, you see.

“So, I won’t allow you to die in a place like this. From now on, let’s travel together.”

Princess Debora smiles sweetly, looking down at me from her horse.

That smile, free of any constraints or ulterior motives, was the truly pure smile of a young girl…

An adult being looked down upon by such a beautiful girl…! This is good, too!

“Yes, absolutely.”

I nod with a bob of my head.

A harsh journey while being subjected to Princess Debora’s unreasonableness… isn’t it the best…?

Satisfied with my response, Princess Debora nods with a beaming smile.

“Alright! In that case, when you return alive, I’ll let you call me Debora! None of this ‘Princess’ or other stiff formalities!”

“Eh? I don’t really mind either way…”

“…………”

“Ah, no… I’m delighted.”

I thought it was better to be in a naturally lower position because I respect her… but Princess Debora is glaring at me with tears gathering in her eyes, so I’ll just nod meekly for now.

If she were to let an explosion fly now, even I wouldn’t be able to hold them off.

“Okay! Well then, you’d better be alive when I get back!”

Princess Debora nods in satisfaction and spurs her horse into a gallop.

And at the same time as her figure disappeared from view, a small-scale convergence of magical power occurred at the rock wall…

KABOOM!

With that sound, an explosion occurred, and with a rumbling crash, the rock wall collapsed, blocking the narrow path.

I’ll just secretly channel my magic into this here.

Alright, with this, preparations are complete.

Hmph… it’s the beginning of my one-man show.

I turned to face Biriel’s men, who had finally appeared, a fearless smile on my face.