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 09: Invitation to the Ball

Chapter 09: Invitation to the Ball

“I will be your homeroom teacher from now on. My name is ‘Mathilda Nauman’.”

A woman exuding an enchanting atmosphere declared from the podium.

However, I know that this teacher, Nauman-sensei, will not be a captureable heroine. After all, she resembles the pixelated character of the ‘Whip Trooper,’ a mob unit, with her hair and style.

But that’s not the point.

Wow… In this class, there are two captureable heroines, aside from Ilse… Wait, why is the saint looking at me and waving with a smile?

Well, at least Sophia is not here.

“…Louie-sama, should I erase her?”

“Ilse, let’s not do that, okay?”

While trying to calm Ilse, who was saying dangerous things while glaring at the saint, I glanced at the other remaining heroine.

Ophelia of Brinth, owner of golden hair and golden eyes, who stands out even next to the saint. 

She is the fourth princess of the ‘United Kingdom of Brinth’ and one of the heroines who appears in the latter half of ‘The Ugly Orcs Strike Back.’

She boasts the highest firepower among the heroines in terms of strength and attack power, as befitting her title of the “Berserk Princess Knight,” except for the final boss.

However, once you capture her, she becomes as obedient as Ilse or even more so… a loyal dog knight.

That’s why, in the strategic part of the story’s second half where you choose the invasion target, it is standard for players to capture the United Kingdom of Brinth first to make the subsequent developments easier.

But at least I won’t be capturing her or getting involved with her in any way…

Because to capture her, you have to defeat her in a one-on-one duel.

No, of course, there’s no way the game’s Ludwig can win in a one-on-one duel, right?

That’s why you appoint a single proxy for Ludwig to engage in the one-on-one battle.

Usually, you choose a magic-specialized heroine and use debuffs or slowly chip away at her health from a distance to defeat her. But unfortunately, I only have Ilse at the moment, so I can’t use that strategy.

The saint is a magic-specialized heroine, but… I have no intention of capturing her, so she doesn’t count.

Well, this is the real world, not the game, so it’s absolutely impossible for her to join our side through dialogue or anything. She’s too stubborn.

That’s why I should keep quiet until we advance to the second year and the class changes.

While thinking about such things…

“…That’s all for today. Starting tomorrow, classes will begin in earnest, so please rest and prepare for tomorrow.”

After saying this, Nauman-sensei left the classroom.

“Now then… Ilse, let’s head to the dormitory.”

“Yes.”

This Imperial Academy operates under a dormitory system, and even I, as the crown prince, must reside in the dormitory.

However, since it’s a school where only royalty and nobles attend, students are allowed to have one attendant each.

“Ilse, I’m sorry for making you my attendant, even though we’re both students…”

“What are you saying? I have no intention of giving up the privilege of taking care of Louie-sama to anyone else.”

She says such kind things, but normally, being an attendant to such an “ugly orc” like me is already a punishment in itself. Even though she has been devoted to me like this for over a year, truly, there’s nothing but gratitude I feel towards Ilse.

…If I manage to avoid the bad ending and succeed Emperor Otto’s throne as the next emperor, I will definitely provide full support to Ilse’s family and aid in their restoration.

And also… yes, I must prepare a good match for her. After serving someone like me, she deserves an attractive, kind, and wealthy partner. It would be much better for her.

“Ilse… I will definitely make you happy.”

“Huh!? T-thank you very much…”

With determination, I told Ilse, walking by my side, and she blushed deeply, nodding with tears in her indigo eyes.

And as we entered the dormitory…

“Um, what is this?”

“This is an invitation to a ball welcoming new students. We would be honored if Your Highness the Crown Prince could attend…”

Saying so, the male attendant of Eleanora, the student council president, bowed respectfully.

His name… I don’t know since he’s just a background character.

But what should I do? Eleanora is a heroine who schemes to overthrow the empire, so I can’t help but think there’s something shady about this ball.

“Throughout the generations, members of the imperial family have always attended such events during their time at the Imperial Academy.”

“A-ah, I see…”

Damn it… I hesitated and now I’ve been cornered with no way out.

“Understood. Well then, I will be in your care tonight.”

“I believe Eleanora-sama will be delighted as well.”

With those final words, Eleanora’s attendant left the scene.

Now…

“…Ilse, I’ve never danced before.”

“Please don’t worry. I will be your dance partner for all the dances, so if you entrust yourself to me, Louie-sama…”

“R-really?”

“Yes.”

Ilse is truly strong and perfect as a maid, and she can even dance. She’s amazing.

“But, don’t you want to dance with someone else, I mean…?”

“No, being with Louie-sama alone is more than enough for me.”

She declared it without a doubt, leaving no room for objections. Since I can’t waste her kind offer, I decided to nod for now.

Well, it’s fine… There will probably be other opportunities like this in the future, right?