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 40: Off to the Slums

Chapter 40: Off to the Slums

“How is it?”

Judging by my expression, she must have noticed my satisfaction with the investigation results. The lady asked, her tone slightly proud.

“It exceeds my expectations! I never thought the Imperial Information Guild would be this excellent!”

“Nfufu, I’m glad to hear that.”

“So, what can you tell me about this young man named Bruno on the list?”

“Yeah, I have everything prepared, of course.”

The lady placed another stack of parchment on the table. Once I read its contents, I realized it detailed everything about the young man named Bruno.

“Wait, let us read the investigation results too.”

“Ah… right, sorry, sorry.”

With a wry smile, Ophelia scratched her head while I handed her the stack of parchment.

“Hmm… this is…”

“Oh my…”

After looking at the investigation results, Ophelia and the sly saint looked at me with apologetic expressions.

From their perspective as foreigners studying abroad, it was like witnessing an embarrassing part of the Empire, as it revealed that their own country’s duke’s daughter had been aiding a spy from another nation.

Well, even though I am the Crown Prince, I don’t really care, so it doesn’t bother me.

“But I never expected that we would obtain such information under the request of Your Highness Ludwig.”

“Ahaha… It was a bit unexpected for me too.”

However, the unexpected part is the connection between Eleonora and the Kingdom of Beruga. After all, it wasn’t revealed in “The Ugly Orc Strikes Back.”

But now that I think about it, there might have been an underlying game setting where Eleonora absorbed the people from Beruga Kingdom, who were annihilated first.

In the game itself, Eleonora remained a duke’s daughter, and it’s hard to believe that she possessed both the economic power and the personnel to instigate a revolution.

“So, what do you suggest?”

“Well, while it did depend on the results of this investigation, I already have a plan for our next move.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

I nodded slowly, surprising the sly saint.

Yes… the young man named Bruno from the slums, revealed through this investigation, is the leader of the “Anti-Waldberg Alliance,” the one who will spearhead the revolution.

“It’s going to be a bit of a hassle, so let’s return to the dormitory for now and then head back to the city with our weapons.”

““…””

The moment I said that, everyone except for the unrelated lady and Ilse, gasped simultaneously.

“Hold on, Ludwig! Why do we need weapons? What are you planning to do!?”

“Ah… sorry, sorry, I didn’t phrase it well. Carrying weapons is just for self-defense.”

“”Self-defense!?””

“Yeah.”

I nodded as the four of them voiced their surprise once again. Well, I have something else to bring besides weapons.

“Umm… Ludwig-san, where are you planning to take us…?”

“To the slums.”

The sly saint asked hesitantly, and I responded with a smile.

◇

“Ugh… it’s dirty and smelly here…”

After returning to the dormitory and coming to the slums, we covered our noses with handkerchiefs due to the overwhelming stench.

“S-So we came to a place like this, and… did President Eleonora make contact with this person named Bruno…?”

“It seems so…”

Ahaha, Ophelia and Clarice-san frowned deeply, unable to bear the smell. Such beautiful ladies ruined by this environment.

On the other hand…

“Louie-sama, is something the matter?”

“N-No, it’s nothing.”

“?”

Ilse, on the other hand, had a handkerchief pressed against her nose and mouth, but her expression remained unchanged. This must be proof of her professionalism. I can only admire her.

And surprisingly, the sly saint is looking rather unfazed. I thought she would be just as intolerant as Ophelia and the others.

“Ufufu… I’m accustomed to offering relief to the people living in such slums, so I’m used to it.”

“I-Is that so…”

The sly saint, having read my thoughts, answered with a chuckle. It’s quite surprising to see her acting like a true saint.

But then, why does Batista look so miserable? In other words, it must mean that he doesn’t engage in relief work regularly. He’s a holy knight accompanying the saint, after all.

“S-So, Ludwig, where is this man named Bruno?”

“Hmm… it seems like that building at the end of this alley.”

“In that case, let’s quickly make contact and leave from here.”

Urged by Ophelia and Clarice, we hurriedly arrived at Bruno’s house.

However…

“…Seems like he’s not home.”

Even after knocking, there was no response. It seemed that Bruno was out somewhere. Now, what should we do?

“Louie-sama, if you don’t mind, I can keep watch here while you return to the dormitory…”

“No, that’s not necessary. In that case, I’ll stay here with you.”

“B-But…”

Ilse was considerate, but I didn’t want to burden her alone. Besides, this is for my own sake, to avoid a bad ending.

“Ilse and I will wait here, so Ophelia and Natalia-san can go back ahead if you’d like?”

“Ugh… No, no, since we’ve come this far, we’ll wait too.”

“Ufufu, that’s right. Besides, this is the slums. The security is poor, and unexpected things can happen.”

It seems that the four of them will stay here. To be honest, I was worried if it would be just Ilse and me, so I’m really grateful.

“Thank you, everyone…”

“D-Don’t mention it. Really, even this smell… once you get used to it, it’s nothing.”

“Pff… Ahahaha! You say that, but your face is scrunching up even more!”

“D-Don’t laugh!”

Their sentiments made me happy, and in this dump-like slum, I laughed out loud.