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 37: Making Many Companions

Chapter 37: Making Many Companions

“I… I will become the Emperor of the Waldberg Empire and change this country… No, I will show that I can change it.”

Placing my hand on my left chest, I declared with determination.

But well, considering that I am the Crown Prince, it’s inevitable that I will become the next Emperor… Well, maybe not necessarily.

Even in the main story of ‘The Ugly Orc Strikes Back,’ set four years from now, I am still in the position of the Crown Prince, and that remains the same even when reaching the True End.

So, I thought that if I were to quickly become the Emperor, I could avoid the Bad End.

By doing so… with the power I possess, I can protect my precious people in my life.

“Ahaha… Well, even so, I don’t have the power right now, just like President Eleonora. I still have a long way to go…”

Feeling embarrassed by saying something so serious, I chuckled and scratched my head.

Then…

“Ufufu… Isn’t that determination enough for now? Besides, Your Highness Ludwig, who is thinking carefully and looking at the situation, can surely achieve it.”

With a gentle smile and benevolent eyes shining like sapphires, the sly… No, Natalia, looked at me. I never expected to receive such words of praise from her.

That Saint, who is cunning, promiscuous, and immediately betrays and backstabs the allied forces she formed by working with the Western countries, is evaluating me like this. Listing it out like this makes it sound terrible, but if we were allies instead of enemies, maybe the impression would be different from the game…

“If that’s the case, we can’t just sit back and not assist you, Your Highness Ludwig.”

“…”

Contrary to the saint, the mob holy knight made an overtly displeased expression. Well, he’s really annoying.

“Alright! In that case, we will definitely thwart President Eleonora’s scheme with our own efforts!”

Ophelia, showing a dignified smile, gives the command.

Somehow, she cunningly takes on the role of the leader. She truly lives up to being the fourth princess, the “The Crazy Princess Knight.”

Well, as a socially awkward guy, that position is way too burdensome for me, so I absolutely decline and leave everything to them.

B-but, more importantly…

“Well… Your Highness Ophelia, Your Holiness Natalia, and even Clarice-san, since we’re comrades helping each other like this…”

“? Your Highness Ludwig, what’s the matter?”

“N-no, I mean, I don’t need the title ‘Your Highness’ when you address me.”

Ugh… Did I go a bit too far with that…?

B-but, you see, it’s my first time making friends like this, including my past life, so it’s natural to yearn for a more informal way of addressing each other, right? Don’t you think so…?

“Fufu… I see. Then, from now on, can I call you ‘Louie’?”

“Ah, please just call me ‘Ludwig’ as usual.”

“I-I see…”

Ophelia sulks with disappointment upon being rejected. But I can’t yield on that matter of how she addresses me.

“Ufufu, then Ludwig-san, please call me ‘Natalia’ instead of ‘Your Holiness.'”

“Y-yes, um… Natalia-san…”

“Yes♪”

Damn it, acting all innocent even though she’s a scheming bitch. 

If I hadn’t known her true nature, I would have been deceived and completely played into her hands, ending up in the top three of ‘The Ugly Orc Strikes Back’ heroine ranking.

“Indeed! Then, you can call me ‘Riru’!”

“Uh, ‘Ophelia’ is fine.”

“Do you feel a barrier between us, Ludwig!?”

No, no, even if she asks me to call her by a nickname, I can’t help but feel that ‘Ophelia’ fits better because of my memories from my past life. So, Ophelia is Ophelia.

“Clarice-san, you can… continue being Clarice-san.”

“Understood, Ludwig-san.”

I squint my eyes at Clarice’s dazzling smile. 

Come to think of it, Clarice is a mob character as part of the royal guard, but she’s cute enough to rival the main heroines.

Or rather, I, who had zero friends even with my past life included, never expected to have four girls as companions, including Ilse. It’s beyond my imagination.

“…Hmph.”

Is he not pleased with me? The mob holy knight snorts and turns his face away. 

Don’t worry, I don’t need companions like you either. In fact, I consider you more of an enemy.

“Well then, it’s already getting late. Shall we go to the dining hall and have dinner together?”

“Indeed! Let’s do that!”

“Ufufu, that sounds good.”

“Yes!”

“…”

And so, while laughing, we head towards the dining hall, but…

“Ilse?”

“Louie-sama… Why, may I ask?”

Ilse timidly tugs at the sleeve of my uniform, looking up at me with her eyes cast downward. 

Her “why” probably refers to why I didn’t let Ophelia call me “Louie.” I suppose that’s what it’s about. It’s okay.

In that case…

“…’Louie’ is a special name to me. So, I want only my special woman to call me that…”

“Ah…”

“N-Now, let’s go!”

“Y-Yes!”

Feeling embarrassed, I quickly took Ilse’s hand to join the others who were walking ahead, trying to divert attention.

But… Those tears of her, they’re tears of happiness, right? Um… That’s okay, isn’t it?