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 81: Someone willing to support me has appeared

It had been exactly half a year since the delegation of Saint Christia and Holy Knight Carla had left and returned to the Holy Kingdom of Baltian.

In other words, there were now less than two years left until the start of the main story of Engage Hazard… but…

“Prince Harold. As expected, there is no one else but you. Please, we ask that you take on this role.”

This morning, I’d been bowed to by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Robert Olson. His request was for me to lead a delegation as a goodwill ambassador to the Kingdom of Capetien, one of the major powers.

The Kingdom of Dehaubarz and the Kingdom of Capetien were bitter enemies, and ever since the founding of the kingdom three hundred years ago, they’d fought countless wars.

Recently, they’d maintained a surface-level friendliness, but no one knew what might happen with the slightest trigger. It was like both sides had their fingers hovering over a detonator twenty-four hours a day.

And in Engage Hazard, thanks to the schemes of those who wanted to start a war, the situation really did become one of brinkmanship. The protagonist Wilfred, together with the heroines, acted to prevent it, however.

When you think about it, way too many incidents happened around the protagonist. And for the story to dump everything onto a sixteen-year-old at the start of the game… Come on, the adults should really do better…

Though, well… in this world, fifteen was considered adulthood. In my previous life’s world, he’d just be a regular high schooler.

“I-I’ve said this so many times already, but there’s no way I can do it! I’m not fit for such an important role!”

“No! It is precisely because the Capetien Kingdom is an old enemy that there is no one but you, Prince Harold, who can fulfill this duty!”

Even when I tried my hardest to refuse, Minister Olson desperately clung to me like this.

Why did he insist so much on pushing this job onto me? …Well, the troublesome thing is, he was apparently scheming to have me crowned the next king.

Why would he, of all people, be so supportive of me, the so-called “Talentless Wicked Prince”?

Apparently, Minister Olson had grossly overestimated me after my role as host for the Holy Kingdom’s delegation…

I’d certainly done my best not to cause trouble, staying quiet and doing what I could. I’d even gotten a little carried away just a bit, thinking back to my time on the cultural festival committee in my previous life.

But to completely reverse his opinion of me 180 degrees over something like that, and suddenly become so supportive? Come on. I mean, I was honestly flattered… but still.

“To speak frankly, Prince Cardis is somewhat proud and has a tendency to look down on others. Prince Raphael does not, but he can be rather suspicious by nature, and that makes him unpredictable in negotiations with Capetien.”

“…”

“As for Prince Wilfred, while His Majesty’s proclamations have improved his image among the people, among the nobility, especially the bureaucrats, his reputation is terrible. If he were made ambassador, many bureaucrats have said they would resign.”

…It was sad to say, but Minister Olson’s character assessments were more or less accurate.

Cardis and Raphael were pointed out as such even in Engage Hazard, and the protagonist’s support helped lead them to eventually back him.

As for Wilfred… Well, everyone knew it already. When he’d hosted the Holy Kingdom’s delegation, all he’d done was issue orders without caring about his subordinates, then had taken all the credit himself. No wonder the bureaucrats didn’t want to follow him.

“B-but even so, I’m called the ‘Talentless Wicked Prince’, and my reputation is the worst! During the Holy Kingdom delegation visit, I left most of the work to you and the bureaucrats. Even during the saint’s kidnapping attempt, I couldn’t do anything!”

“Yes, that’s right. You entrusted the work to us with faith, gave us quiet support when we were in trouble, and treated us considerately. All the bureaucrats say they want to keep working with you, Prince Harold. Of course, I feel the same.”

Despite trying to explain that I wasn’t qualified, Minister Olson just gave me a dazzling smile and said things like that. What was I supposed to do?

“Also, regarding this matter, His Majesty the King and the Prime Minister have already given their approval. All that remains is for you, Prince Harold, to say yes.”

Oh great, the groundwork had already been laid.

Having such a capable foreign minister was reassuring for this country… though not for me.

“Haah… so basically, I don’t have a choice, do I?”

“Oh no, not at all…”

Damn it. He got me.

Still, if even someone like me, the so-called ‘Talentless Wicked Prince’, was being counted on this much…

Then I guess… I had to do it.

Besides, this wasn’t a bad opportunity at all.

I’d decided that I’d fight against Engage Hazard’s protagonist, Wilfred, after all.

To protect what was precious to me.

“…Understood. I will accept this mission.”

“Thank you so much! Of course, we will fully support you, Prince Harold, and we will do everything to ensure your comfort during your stay in the Capetien Kingdom!”

Minister Olson grasped my hand and smiled in delight, and I couldn’t help but smile wryly back at him.