Vol 1 Chapter 43 – Natan’s Wicked Scheme【Vol 1 – Spoiled Princess Arc】

“That Hegstett… To think he would actually start a rebellion.”

King Rei muttered hatefully from his throne.

“Well, it’s not like I couldn’t see it coming. There are more nobles who dislike me than who don’t.”

“My heart goes out to you.”

The Prime Minister, the king’s loyal knight, bowed his head at King Rei’s nonchalant words.

Among the nobility of the Kingdom of Vilemse, there were pro-Rei and anti-Rei factions.

At present, the latter was the larger of the two.

“Kukuk… But Hegstett launching a rebellion must have been unexpected for those dogs, too. I suppose I’ll use this to poke at them a little.”

King Rei laughed gleefully.

The Prime Minister, meanwhile, sighed with a troubled expression.

“However, while we were saved this time by Prince Orace , Princess Debora , and the Hero, we cannot afford to have such rebellions happening time and again. Furthermore, while this was not a large-scale incident because Hegstett acted alone, if it were to spread, the Royal Capital itself would be in jeopardy.”

“Yes, that’s it!!”

“Eh?”

The king suddenly shot to his feet with a loud shout, making the Prime Minister jump.

For a moment, he was about to rejoice, thinking the king had finally understood their precarious situation, but…

“They say the Hero … that Erik served as the rearguard to save Debora and the others! Grr… How utterly vexing…!”

“Ah…”

Alas, King Rei was nothing but a doting fool.

“I am nothing but grateful that he saved Debora … but, kuuh! It would have been perfect if Erik had died in the process…”

“…It is true that, due to this incident, the name of the Altruistic Charity Hero has spread far and wide. He will likely become even more beloved by the people. There are even some who have started calling him ‘the Guardian.'”

The Prime Minister was concerned about Erik’s growing charisma.

If people came to adore Erik and disregard King Rei … it would be a very bad situation.

A movement might emerge to prop him up and overthrow the current monarchy.

If that happened, not only the nobility but the common people might support him.

That would be a disaster for the current regime.

However…

“Well, that’ll be fine.”

King Rei was terribly optimistic.

“I don’t believe Erik has any intention of overthrowing the government. I can’t say the same for that woman by his side… but Erik, at least, does not. If he did, why would he accept my unreasonable orders so many times? If he truly had that kind of spirit, it wouldn’t be strange for him to have blown up long ago.”

So he knew his orders were unreasonable, the Prime Minister thought vaguely.

“B-But, he might just be bottling up his anger for now. If this continues, perhaps he will explode…”

“I find that hard to believe. That man is fundamentally good-natured. He follows my orders for the sake of his hometown. They call him the Altruistic Charity Hero, and they’re not entirely wrong. Besides, when he looks at me, there is no hint of hostility in his eyes. …Unlike that woman by his side, who is truly something else.”

King Rei chuckled.

He had easily seen through Miriam’s hostility towards the royal family.

At the same time, he knew that Erik held no ill will toward him.

Normally, after being exploited so cruelly, it would be natural to hold a grudge…

King Rei himself would surely feel not just hostility but murderous intent if he were treated that way.

“More importantly!”

King Rei slammed his fist on the throne and stood up.

He was furious.

“Why is he getting so chummy with Debora!? I, for one, do not understand!!”

“Wha…?”

The Prime Minister’s jaw dropped.

But then, as if remembering that this was just how the man was, he let out a deep sigh.

“Debora has been so cold to me lately, so why is she getting friendly with a man like Erik!? That Knight of Fealty business… I still can’t forgive it!!”

“Well, it seems he put his life on the line to protect her this time, so perhaps Princess Debora was pleased by that?”

“I would have put my life on the line if I were there! Dammit… I should have gone after all…!”

“That’s out of the question. You are the king, you know.”

“I’m Debora’s papa before that!!”

Ugh, this guy is such a pain.

The Prime Minister decided to remain silent.

Within one’s own mind, one was free to think whatever they pleased.

While the Kingdom of Vilemse wasn’t a place that strictly protected freedom of thought, once you reached the level of Prime Minister, a certain degree of it was afforded.

“Father, regarding the post-processing of the Hegstett domain … what is this?”

Prince Orace , who had just entered the room, gave King Rei a cold look as he clamored on by himself.

Just what was the king doing while others were handling the aftermath?

“M-My apologies, Your Highness. His Majesty is once again worked up about Lady Debora…”

“…Hah, I really need Father to graduate from this doting parent phase soon. …Come to think of it, I saw Debora dragging the Hero-dono off a moment ago. In that direction lies… the bathhouse?”

“What?”

King Rei , who had been making a fuss, stopped dead and turned a sharp gaze on Orace.

It was an intensity that made both Orace and the Prime Minister flinch.

“My precious Debora went where with Erik?”

“Uh, umm… well…”

“Orace, speak. If you don’t, I will tell everyone about the racy books hidden in the false bottom of your desk…”

“The Hero-dono was being pulled toward the bathhouse by Debora.”

How does he know that?

Before Orace could even question it, he had readily spilled the beans.

I’m sorry. But I had no choice.

The most important secrets must be protected.

“Guh… Guuoooooooh!! What do you think you’re doing with my Debora, Eriiiiiiiiiiiiiik!!”

As they watched King Rei bolt from the Throne Room , the Prime Minister muttered under his breath.

“…What do you intend to do, Your Highness?”

“…My apologies. I’ll be sure to put them back.”

It is a side note that the bathhouse, already lively from Miriam’s intrusion, became even more chaotic with the subsequent charge of King Rei.

◆

“That Biriel, acting on his own like a mad dog…! It was the right choice not to give him any information. If things had gone wrong, he might have exposed me as well.”

A large old man muttered in a dark room.

He was older than King Rei.

“Well, a pawn like him doesn’t matter. I was thinking of using him as a disposable piece in a pinch, but I can do without him. After all, I have them.”

The old man cackled.

Just then, the sound of a knock on the door reached his ears.

“…Who is it?”

“It is I, Lord Natan. I have come to report the completion of my mission.”

“Ooh, is that so. Come in, come in.”

Though he had seemed wary, upon hearing the voice, he readily invited the person into the room.

The one who entered was a woman with short black hair cut in a bob style.

“The villain has been eliminated. The deed is done.”

“Hmm, hmm, is that so. Thanks to you, the world is a little better now. I thank you.”

“No, I have done nothing more than what was necessary.”

The woman’s expression did not change a bit even as she was praised by the old man—Natan.

However, Natan was used to it, so he thought nothing of it.

“You’ve completed an important mission, so I’d like you to rest a bit…”

“No, that is not necessary. For the good of the world and its people, I shall devote my entire being to my work.”

“Oh, is that so! How reassuring.”

Natan, who had been smiling warmly, twisted his wrinkled face into a grin.

“A great evil has appeared, one that cannot be compared to the villains we have faced until now. I wish to entrust you with its disposal.”

Hearing the words “great evil,” the woman’s shoulders twitched.

“…Its name?”

“Ah, its name is…”

Natan grinned and spoke the name.

“——The Altruistic Charity Hero , Erik.”