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 26: I Shall Bear Witness

Chapter 26: I Shall Bear Witness

■ Ophelia of Brinth’s Perspective

―At first, I thought he was just a worthless man who talked big.

I had heard rumors about Ludwig von Waldberg for the past two years. 

He was said to be as fat as an Ugly Orc, unable to move by himself due to his enormous size.

His personality was as ugly as his appearance, despicable, cowardly, and cruel.

There were even stories about him trying to force himself on a princess from another country whom he was supposed to be engaged to during their meeting.

I later heard that the Waldberg Empire had proposed a marriage proposal to me, the fourth princess, and my father, the crown prince, and my three elder brothers, including the king, were furious and turned away the empire’s envoy. My two married sisters and my soon-to-be-married sister also expressed their concerns.

Considering the kind of rumors I had heard about His Highness Ludwig, I can understand their reactions.

…Well, even if it wasn’t His Highness Ludwig, I think they would have reacted the same way because I am the youngest among my siblings. That’s probably why I still don’t have a fiancé.

Oops, I digressed.

Anyway, the image of His Highness Ludwig that I saw at the entrance ceremony was far from what I had heard in the rumors.

He was not even 170 centimeters tall, and rather than being fat, he seemed thinner than the average man of his age. 

Above all, his face, which retained an innocence and charm, would have been highly sought after by young ladies if it weren’t for those rumors.

However, no matter how much his appearance changed, if the rumors were true and he was still an “Ugly Orc” on the inside, it wouldn’t make a difference. 

Whether they were freshmen or current students, the gazes directed towards His Highness Ludwig were exactly like those towards an “Ugly Orc.”

And yet…

“Therefore, I hope that all of you can come to know the real me during my time at this academy. And based on that, please judge for yourselves whether I am truly an ‘Ugly Orc’ not just in appearance but in my heart as well, over the next three years.”

It was unexpected. At least to me, His Highness Ludwig’s personality didn’t seem like what the rumors described.

“Hmph… Anyone can say that with their mouth.”

“I can’t believe it just because his appearance has changed.”

“Maybe he’s just a substitute for the ‘Ugly Orc’.”

…They can say whatever they want. To utter such words about their own crown prince.

While feeling exasperated by the words of the surrounding freshmen, I, too, did not simply take His Highness Ludwig’s appearance and words at face value. 

In any case, he wanted us to see his “true self.”

Then, let’s assess him over the next three years. 

Well, it’s not like I planned it, but His Highness Ludwig and I happened to be in the same class.

There’s plenty of time for that.

However, just as I was thinking that…

“Nooo… I’m going to die… I’m going to die…”

“Louie-sama, just a little more. Please hang in there.”

As I watched His Highness Ludwig, who was once again climbing the walls of the dormitory as usual, and Ilse, who raced up the wall at high speed and cheered him on, I couldn’t help but smile wryly.

A month ago, in our duel, he vividly showed me his “true self.”

He successfully withstood every single one of my attacks, including the ones that no one in the Kingdom of Brinth could have defended against. Even the Stormbreaker.

Moreover, he intercepted it with two swords, which was even more astonishing.

But when it comes to him, despite possessing defensive abilities far superior to anyone else, his offensive skills are average at best. 

No matter how many times I suggested a defense-oriented style that suited him, His Highness Ludwig, with his peculiar stubbornness, turned a deaf ear and just shrugged with Ilse, wondering what to do.

And there’s one more thing I realized. The unusual weight and sensation I felt when he intercepted the Stormbreaker.

It was as if I had struck a massive rock… no, as if I had struck a colossal block of steel with my sword. That kind of feeling.

When I asked His Highness Ludwig and Ilse about it later, I was even more surprised. 

It turns out his weight remained the same as before, despite his slender figure, and he weighs a whopping 200 kilograms.

Fufu… now that I think about it, Ilse mentioned something about that.

“And thus, Louie-sama compressed every aspect of his physical being, reborn into a body of unparalleled density that no one else could possess.”

That’s what she said.

I wondered how it was possible to transform one’s body in such a way, but according to Ilse, His Highness Ludwig’s physique is special. 

It seems that there was only one emperor in the long history of the Waldberg Empire who had the same constitution as His Highness Ludwig, and Ilse believes that he likely inherited that bloodline quite strongly.

Even the training being conducted right in front of me seemed to be the same training method used by the past emperor.

Hm? Why did Ilse tell me such important information, you ask?

The reason is simple: I made a deal with her.

In order to fulfill her wish even a little, I promised to lend my support as the Fourth Princess of the Brinth. 

Well, it’s more like a selfish desire of mine to see her rewarded, even though I know it’s impossible for us to be together.

“Ufufu… Your Highness Ophelia, you seem to be enjoying yourself.”

“Fufu, does it appear that way?”

“Yes.”

In response to the words of the Saint next to me, I return a smile.

Yes, that’s right.

I am now truly enjoying myself.

In addition to the abilities hidden within His Highness Ludwig’s body, his kindness towards his servants and noble spirit are truly admirable.

It’s inevitable for my heart to dance with excitement when faced with his image, which is the complete opposite of the public’s perception of an “Ugly Orc.”

From now on, at the Imperial Academy, I will become a witness to what kind of person he will reveal himself to be.

And… if possible, I would like to cross swords with him once again, now that he has grown. Of course, I have no intention of losing this time.

Gripping the hilt of my beloved sword, “Kaletvrouf,” I loosen my cheeks with a smile.