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 30: Like a Date, But Not a Date

Chapter 30: Like a Date, But Not a Date

“Louie-sama… Please grant me permission to assassinate Eleonora to Schwarzenberg right away.”

“Un, let’s calm down, Ilse.”

As soon as we returned to the room, I made her stand up after she knelt down and said such a thing.

“Well, I had a feeling something like this would happen…” 

I mean, Eleonora claimed to be doing it for the people, but if that were true, she wouldn’t have spoken ill of Ilse at the ball. In the end, her words were superficial, and at the core, she remained an arrogant aristocrat.

However, I was surprised to learn that she had already started moving towards the revolution.

Well, even so…

“In that case, I think it would be best to keep an eye out for any reckless actions from President Eleonora before she goes off the rails.”

In Eleonora’s “Rebellion Route,” an underground organization called the “Anti-Waldberg Alliance,” consisting of citizens of the imperial capital, secretly operates, and the people rise up and surround the imperial palace. Taking advantage of that situation, the nobles who conspired with Eleonora storm the palace, and Ludwig is assassinated on the spot.

So, it would be best to crush everything before the uprising of the people and the nobles’ coup takes place.

For that purpose, it is important to know when, where, and with whom Eleonora will make contact.

“If that’s the case, would you please entrust me with that task?”

Ilse offered, placing her hand on her chest.

“You’re a student here just like me, right? So, it’s impossible for you to constantly monitor Eleonora.”

“Of course, except for when we’re inside the academy. So…”

“It’s still not good enough.”

I firmly rejected Ilse’s offer.

After all… if she were to do such a thing, there’s a chance that Ilse herself might be in danger.

“Anyway, I’ll purchase information about Eleonora’s activities from the information guild in the capital.”

“Yes…”

I could see the disappointment in Ilse’s expression after her offer was rejected. 

I understand Ilse’s abilities better than anyone else, but I can’t help feeling anxious at the thought of something happening to her.

“That’s why we should head to the city right away.”

“Now?”

“Yeah, there’s no harm in being early.”

I accompanied Ilse and set out to the city of the imperial capital.

◇

“Wow…!”

As I arrived at the bustling streets of the capital for the first time, my heart fluttered. As someone who was reincarnated, it feels as if I’m on a trip abroad or something.

In my previous life, as a socially inept person, I couldn’t imagine going alone to an unknown foreign country, and Ludwig also had no memories of going out into the city. It truly was a lonely life.

Then…

“Oh, there’s a nice smell!”

“It’s coming from that stall over there.”

Ilse pointed towards a stall where it seemed like they were grilling meat.

“Let’s go!”

“Ah, w-wait!”

Ignoring Ilse’s attempt to stop me, I dashed towards the stall and arrived in front of it.

“Mister, I’ll have two skewers, please.”

“Sure thing!”

With a lively voice, two skewers of meat, coated in sauce and beautifully grilled, were handed to me.

“Um… and the money?”

“Here you go.”

“Ah, thank you.”

I received the money from Ilse, who was already beside me, and completed the payment.

“Here you go, Ilse.”

“Thank you.”

Handing her a skewer, I immediately took a bite of the meat.

“Wow… It’s delicious!”

“Yes, it is.”

Wow… This is what they call yakitori, right? But it’s incredibly fragrant, juicy, and somehow nostalgic. 

Although, in my previous life, the yakitori I ate was just from convenience stores.

“By the way, with your outfits… Are you students from the Imperial Academy?”

“That’s right.”

“Although you enjoyed my skewers, if I may say this… If you go on an unauthorized outing like a date, won’t you get scolded?”

“?!?”

I unintentionally choked on the yakitori upon hearing the food stall owner’s words. Unauthorized outings aside, d-d-dating with Ilse?!

Nervously, I glanced at Ilse.

“…”

Holding the skewer with both hands, she blushed and remained silent, looking down. …She wouldn’t want to be seen as going on a date with someone like me, right…?

“Ah, ahaha, no way. Going on a date with me and her, that’s definitely not happening, right?”

While pretending not to notice the stabbing pain in my chest, I laughed as lightheartedly as possible. That way, Ilse wouldn’t think anything strange of it either.

And I… I can avoid any strange misunderstandings.

After bidding farewell to the stall owner, we walked down the street towards the information guild we were aiming for… but…

“…”

Ilse hasn’t said a word since we left that stall. Even her expression, which had relaxed when she received the yakitori, now looks so saddened.

As for me…

I couldn’t bring myself to take a step back and walk alongside Ilse, tightly gripping the collar of my shirt.