The Ugly Orc Strikes Back ~ Reincarnated as the Cruel Crown Prince of a Twisted Doujin Eroge with No Happy Endings, But as an Inexperienced Guy, Cruel Play is a Hopeless Challenge, So I'll Give My Best to Break the Flags and Strive for Survival ~ - Chapter 06: Trauma for Two

Chapter 06: Trauma for Two

[TLN- Changed Louis to Louie]

“Louie-sama, how are you feeling about today’s speech as the freshman representative?”

Inside the carriage heading towards the Imperial Academy, Ilse timidly asks.

“Of course, it’s going to be perfect… or at least, I want to say that… but, well…”

Yes… I think the speech itself is flawless, but it’s me who’s the problem.

After all, I’ve never done anything to stand out in front of people like this, including my past life, so all I feel is nervousness.

Thanks to that, I couldn’t sleep a wink last night…

“Don’t worry, Louie-sama. In fact, there is no one more suitable than Louie-sama to give the speech.”

“R-really?”

“Yes.”

Ilse’s words lift my spirits, but confidence still eludes me.

But… yeah, since she believes in me this much, I have no choice but to give it my all.

And… in order to avoid a bad ending, I need to increase my favorability as much as possible, so the speech at the entrance ceremony becomes important.

“Ilse… I’ll do my best.”

“That’s the spirit, Louie-sama.”

Ilse encourages me, forming a small fist.

To her, who has supported me all this year, I am truly grateful… but…

“Oh… there’s a terrible traffic jam…”

Looking outside the window, carriages carrying new students from the Imperial Academy were forming a long line at the school gate.

Ignoring those carriages, the one carrying me and Ilse continues forward, enjoying the privilege of the crown prince.

Although I feel bad for the other new students who have been waiting for a long time, on the contrary, if we were to join the end of the traffic jam, it would only cause more trouble and, above all, I can’t afford to be underestimated as the crown prince.

…Well, I’m already being ridiculed quite a lot as it is.

“We have arrived, Louie-sama.”

“Yeah.”

The carriage came to a stop at the school gate, and I stopped Ilse, getting off first. Of course, it was to escort her.

“Please, Ilse.”

“…Louie-sama, I don’t think it’s appropriate for others to see us like this.”

“It’s fine. After all, I’m the ‘ugly orc.’ I’m used to being made fun of.”

I playfully extended my right hand, and Ilse, with a furrowed brow and a sigh, took my hand and slowly got off the carriage.

B-but… her face is slightly red because she’s angry… right?

And then…

“”…””

Oh… we were totally being watched.

W-well, as the crown prince, if I, an ugly orc, were to escort a beautiful girl like Ilse, they would definitely think, ‘What is that orc doing?’… right!?

“…”

“I-Ilse, let’s hurry to the venue for the entrance ceremony!”

Pulling Ilse’s hand, who was emitting an intense aura towards the other students, we hastily left the scene.

Please, let’s not make enemies.

But unfortunately, misfortune tends to pile up.

—Don.

“Wah!?”

“Kya!”

Unbelievably, I collided with a female student and knocked her down.

“Are you okay!?”

I hurriedly called out to the girl who fell to the ground… huh!?

“Y-yes… I’m fine…!?”

The moment our eyes met, our breaths stopped.

There’s no way I could mistake her for someone else.

Chestnut-colored hair tied in twin tails, large garnet eyes, plump and soft-looking lips… There’s no doubt about it.

The girl in front of me is Sophia, the first princess of the Beruga Kingdom.

Wait, why is Sophia here!?

It’s impossible for her to come to our Imperial Academy like it’s nothing!

N-no, even more than that, why is the Empire easily accepting the enrollment of someone who implanted trauma in the crown prince!?

If the Emperor finds out about this, war is undoubtedly inevitable!

“U-um… may I borrow your hand…?”

“Huh…? O-oh… yes…”

As she timidly asked while peering into my face, I came to my senses and extended my right hand.

“Thank you…”

“N-no…”

Just as I thought she was looking at me with heated eyes, she suddenly became embarrassed and lowered her head.

Compared to our meeting two years ago, her reaction is completely different… 

“S-sorry! We’re in a hurry, so we’ll take our leave!”

“Huh!? W-wait…!”

I shook off Sophia, who tried to stop us, and pulled Ilse’s hand, escaping. Or rather…

“I-Ilse, calm down!”

“But!”

Though we quickly hid behind a building, Ilse was still seething with anger, trying to burst out.

It seems she also realized that the female student is Sophia.

“A-ahaha… it’s okay. Princess Sophia doesn’t seem to realize that I’m Ludwig. That’s proof that I’ve changed… I-I’m no longer the ‘ugly orc’… I… I…”

Sniffles. Even though no one directly said those words to me, the memories of the previous Ludwig, not my current self, the emotions of sadness and pain… they’re coming through…

No matter how much I try to wipe away the tears streaming down, they won’t stop. On top of that, the uniform I prepared for today is soaked with tears…

“I-Ilse…?”

“Louie-sama… please, don’t hold it in… Pour everything out and vent it on me. I… I’ll be here for you…”

“Ilse… Ilse… Uwaaaah…”

I buried my face in Ilse’s chest and cried my heart out.

Ilse gently embraced me, encompassing both the previous Ludwig with his personality and memories, and the current me.