The Talentless Wicked Prince Wants To Survive ~ The Only Way For Me, Reincarnated As The Punching Bag Third Prince In A Romance Smartphone RPG, To Live Is To Not Break Off My Engagement With The Duke’s Yandere Daughter Who’s Stronger Than The Heroine~ - Chapter 70: I decided to ruin their scheme

“So then, where exactly are we headed?”

As we walked down the corridor of the Royal Academy, Christia asked with a faintly amused smile.

“Of course, to a place where you and I can be alone.”

“My, how wicked of you.”

Exchanging such words, we arrived at an old storage room, once the site of a student assault incident twelve years ago… no, it would be ten years now, since this was over two years before the start of Engage Hazard’s main story.

Anyway, the place had been sealed off ever since.

“It’s a bit dusty, but no one will disturb us here. We can take our time and talk as long as we like.”

“Fufu… I never imagined His Highness Harold could be such a passionate man. I may have to revise my opinion of you.”

“I’m honored.”

Placing a hand on my chest, I gave her a polite bow and opened the door.

And there…

“Your Highness Harold, excellent work. We’ll take it from here.”

Waiting inside, having arrived ahead of us, was Lorenzo. He grinned sharply, flanked by several men armed with weapons. They were members of his faction, separate from the envoy.

“Huh? Your Highness Harold?”

“My apologies. His Eminence Salvatori insisted I bring you here…”

I gave a strained, apologetic smile to the bewildered Christhia

Yes… this warehouse was the stage of the ‘Saint’s Abduction Incident’ from the game.

Long before the kidnapping itself, Lorenzo had meticulously prepared everything. He’d planted subordinates in the capital, chosen this disused warehouse within the Academy, and secured escape routes leading out of the city.

After that, the plan was to transport the restrained Christia by ship to the Holy Kingdom, use her as a hostage to trigger a coup, and seize power in one move.

Naturally, since I’d cleared Christia’s main scenario in Engage Hazard, I knew all about this. I’d never expected, however, that even two years before the main story began he’d already laid the groundwork.

“Your Highness Harold, truly splendid work. I, Lorenzo Salvatori, will honor my promise and lend you my full support.”

“Kuhaha! But for that, Your Eminence, you’ll have to make sure your coup succeeds first.”

“Of course. But with the Saint in our hands, that will be no difficult matter. Please look forward to that day, Your Highness.”

Oh, I see. So as long as they had the Saint, the coup would succeed, huh?

Well, then…

“Unfortunately for you, that opportunity will never come.”

“…What?”

BOOM!!

“Cardinal Salvatori! …No, criminal Lorenzo Salvatori! Surrender quietly and come with us!”

Suddenly, the door to the hidden passage Lorenzo had prepared burst open and Carla stormed in, her sword drawn.

“This is…”

“Sorry about that. Since you’d gone to all the trouble of preparing everything, we decided to make use of it ourselves, Your Eminence… or should I say, Lorenzo.”

Indeed. Once I’d realized this man was planning to carry out the Saint’s Abduction Incident ahead of schedule, I’d resolved to sabotage it.

If this were after Engage Hazard’s main story had begun, Wilfred would probably have solved it himself, but since Raphael had forced me into the role of host for the envoy, I had no choice but to handle it directly.

After all, if the kidnapping were carried out, I’d be held responsible, and worse, my engagement to Sandra could even be annulled.

There was no way I’d ever let that happen.

“So that’s how it is. I decided to turn your own plan against you and ruin it completely.”

“…”

Lorenzo glared at me with quiet fury… then suddenly, he laughed.

“Ha… well played. I never imagined that the ‘talentless wicked prince’ could be so clever. And to think you’d completely dismantle every preparation I’d made so carefully.”

He still wore that cool, unruffled smile, showing composure even though ruin was all that awaited him now.

“Well then, no matter. This attempt may have failed… but I’ll look forward to the next time.”

“Huh!?”

Lorenzo’s body began to blur, like it was wrapped in mist, his form fading away. Just like a proper event boss, he was using his unique skill, [Ruthven Mist].

But…

“What!? Why isn’t it working!?”

“It’s quite simple. My dear Haru-sama anticipated your foolish escape attempt and sealed off every exit in advance, down to the tiniest crack in the window.”

From the hidden passage Carla had entered through, Sandra stepped out carrying Balmung, with Monica following close behind.