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 17: Ilse's Terrifying Eyes

Chapter 17: Ilse’s Terrifying Eyes

Half an hour had slipped by since Ophelia, one of the heroines, started observing my training.

Um… Is my training going alright?

She’s been fixated on me this entire time, not even a single shift in her posture, you know?

As I silently grumbled about it, I secretly wished, please just let me be, but my plea went unanswered.

“…Your Highness Ludwig. Is this the kind of training you always undertake?”

“Eh? Hah, hah…”

Ophelia inquired, casting a suspicious glance my way. What’s all this about… Is she criticizing my training?

But this regimen was designed by Ilse specifically for my dietary needs, so even if she is the “Berserk Princess Knight,” I can’t hold it against her! …Just kidding.

“I can’t believe you would go to such lengths, scaling the walls of this three-story dormitory and leaping from the top to practice break falls…”

“Ah, ahaha, yeah…”

Initially, I voiced the same complaint to Ilse. However, she paid no heed to my protests.

Well, I suppose transforming my imposing physique within a year would have been impossible without going to such extremes. It was incredibly tough, and I thought I would die many times, but now it’s a fond memory, and I can only express gratitude toward Ilse.

“Fufu… This differs from the rumors I’ve heard.”

“Huh? Oh, is that so?” 

“Yes. Not only based on observing your training, but also because someone capable of smiling like that couldn’t possibly commit the ruthless acts described in those rumors.”

Well… Personally, I’m really curious about the contents of those rumors. I wonder what kind of terrible things people thought I was doing…

Upon hearing Ophelia’s words, I couldn’t help but twitch my face in shock.

“Louie-sama.”

“Oh, Ilse.”

Ilse, who had changed into her usual maid outfit, appeared behind me without me noticing. 

In other words, did she manage to erase her presence and sneak up on me? Is she planning to assassinate me…!?

At that moment, I remembered something outrageous.

Yes… It was an event that occurred in “The Ugly Orc Strikes Back,” where the obedience level of Ilse, the heroine, reached 200 percent, and the obedience levels of one or more heroines, excluding Ilse, reached 100 percent, progressing the scenario right before the true end.

That event was the “Assassination End.”

I still vividly remember my past life’s memories. 

Back when I first started playing “The Ugly Orc Strikes Back” and finally thought I had reached the true end, I was suddenly killed in the battle just before the final boss.

At that time, I was completely clueless and kept staring alternately at the PC screen and the walkthrough page on my phone… I was so lost. 

In the end, the circle’s walkthrough page only mentioned the conditions for the “Assassination End,” without any information about the culprit. It was a mystery… Ah, ahaha, no way, right?

Well, or rather, the fact that Ilse’s obedience level had a limit of 200 instead of 100 should have been a clue. That’s completely specialized in yandere behavior.

And there’s one more thing I realized.

When did I manage to raise Ilse’s obedience level that much? It’s terrifying because I can’t think of a single moment that stands out.

“Ah, ahaha… Are you okay now that you’ve woken up?”

“Yes, thanks to you. And from now on, I have engraved in my heart that I must never leave Louie-sama alone.”

Hiii!? The highlights in Ilse’s eyes… have disappeared!?

“Hmm… you are His Highness Ludwig’s attendant, am I correct?”

“Yes, my name is Ilse Hildebrandt.”

As she introduced herself, Ilse elegantly curtsied.

It wasn’t the rude attitude she showed during Sophia’s incident last night, but her indigo eyes didn’t smile at all. Instead, they revealed an icy coldness and a bottomless darkness akin to the black night sky.

“I see… Fufu, you’re fortunate to serve a master like His Highness Ludwig.”

“!… I’m honored.”

Ophelia’s words made Ilse’s eyes lose their darkness. It seems that the worst-case scenario has been averted.

But…

“Um, umm, Your Highness Ophelia, what do you mean by that…?”

Not understanding the meaning of her words, I timidly asked.

After all, I think being a servant of such an “Ugly Orc” is a punishment in itself, and normally, it would bring misfortune rather than blessings.

“Hm? Isn’t it obvious? Amidst the already unfavorable rumors, Your Highness Ludwig engaged in such behavior. It wouldn’t be strange for a servant who acted disrespectfully towards a royal of another country to be executed. This was a truly foolish act.”

“…”

…So Ophelia was present at last night’s ball. In that case, as another foreign royalty, she couldn’t possibly approve of my actions…

“But…”

…Huh? ‘But’?

“To protect your precious subordinate… to uphold that pride, even if it means being disliked by those around you, I couldn’t help but have a favorable impression of your actions.”

“Oh…”

It was unexpected. That impulsive, hot-headed heroine giving such thoughtful praise.

“Fufu… It has gotten rather chilly. I shall take my leave now.”

“O-okay…”

With a gentle smile, Ophelia lightly patted Ilse’s shoulder and left the courtyard.

“…There are people like her, too.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Never would I have imagined that, apart from Ilse, the first person at this Imperial Academy to appreciate and evaluate me would be Ophelia.

“Now then… let’s resume our training. Are you ready for a menu twice as challenging as usual?”

“Hiiii?”

The highlights disappeared once again from Ilse’s indigo eyes, and she smirked, lifting the corner of her mouth.

I didn’t understand why her mood was so sour, but I couldn’t defy her, so I proceeded with the even more rigorous training.

I-I might die before being assassinated…