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 46: The One I Want to Devote Myself to, More Than a Goddess, More Than a Devil

Chapter 46: The One I Want to Devote Myself to, More Than a Goddess, More Than a Devil

■Natalia Silvestri’s Perspective

―A man who brings harm to everything, the first to be eliminated. That was my assessment.

Guided by the revelation of the Pontiff and born as a daughter of humble farmers, I, Natalia Silvestri, received the sacrament as a saint in the “Quinquatria Cathedral,” the headquarters of the Minerva Holy Church in the Latia Holy Kingdom, when I was five years old.

From then on, I not only learned the teachings of the main deity Minerva as a saint, but also cultivated abilities befitting of a saint myself. By the time I turned ten, there was no one who could rival me in the domain of light attribute magic.

Despite taking pride in being such a special existence, I faced no shortage of slander and criticism due to my background as a poor farmer’s daughter.

Still immature in age and affected by such circumstances, I grew even more longing for my parents. Thus, I made a request to the Pontiff.

“Please allow me to meet my parents.”

The Pontiff initially wore a troubled expression, but soon granted my wish. As a result, I was able to return triumphantly to my hometown… or so I thought.

However… what awaited me was a sorrowful reality. I learned that my parents had sold me to the Minerva Holy Church for a large sum of money.

As of now, I am unsure of the complete truth, but it seems that my parents demanded a significant amount of money from the Church. In order to safeguard the saint (referring to me), the Church apparently acceded to all of their demands.

From that point on, I simply devoted myself to the Goddess Minerva. After all, the only remaining value I had, having been abandoned by my parents, was being a saint.

Thus, I did everything as a saint. Diplomacy as the face of the church, aiding the impoverished districts, subduing monsters… the list goes on endlessly.

However, as I engaged in these activities, a gaping hole formed within my heart, a void that could not be filled, but rather expanded. Before I knew it, in my desperation to escape that anguish, I found myself offering impurity to an entity that defied the Goddess Minerva – the “Diabolo.”

Although it may sound drastic, I did not offer impurity to a man, but rather to the idol of Diabolo. My cherished purity remained intact.

Nevertheless, despite being a saint, I betrayed the Goddess and succumbed to a devil. This happened when I was thirteen years old, crushed under the weight of guilt toward Goddess Minerva and the pleasure granted by surrendering to Diabolo’s allure.

Under the Pontiff’s guidance, a proposal for marriage reached me, a saint.

According to what I heard, the prospective groom is none other than the Crown Prince of the Waldberg Empire, known as the “Ugly Orc.” While it is true that in terms of social status, I may have originated from a farmer’s family, my current position as a saint is solidified. Thus, even if he is a Crown Prince, there should be no reason for me to appear inferior.

However, based on the rumors I’ve heard, apart from his Crown Prince status, he is virtually inhuman. With a repulsive appearance resembling an orc, he possesses despicable, base, and ruthless qualities that make him truly deserving of being labeled a monster.

Of course, the Pontiff tore apart and rejected the letter from Emperor Otto of the Waldberg Empire in front of the emissaries.

However… Ufufu, at that moment, I couldn’t help but think that he was the perfect match for me. Don’t you agree? A so-called saint like me, who betrays the main deity Minerva and offers impurity to the devil Diabolo – doesn’t it suit me just right?

But, regardless, the existence of the “Ugly Orc” should be eradicated. Yes… he was supposed to be the one who paves the way to destruction, but…

“…Ufufu, I wonder who spread such baseless rumors…”

I mutter, though it’s only Princess Sophia of the Beruga Kingdom, who was supposed to be engaged to Ludwig-san, that could possibly have done so.

Still, since coming to the Imperial Academy, Ludwig-san’s impression on me has been a series of betrayals. His appearance is far from that of an “Ugly Orc.” Looking a bit younger than the men of his age, he appears quite charming.

His personality is fitting of a Crown Prince… no, his nobility cannot be adequately expressed by such terms. Moreover, his kindness towards the lowly servant Ilse, his battle with Ophelia to protect her pride, his actions in the slums – above all, the feelings he keeps hidden inside.

All of these have developed precisely because he has been scorned and despised as the “Ugly Orc” until now. They have shaped him into someone who can accept things without being confined by status or position.

“It’s amazing how he’s not completely broken, honestly…”

Yes… under normal circumstances, when faced with such a painful fate, one’s heart would shatter, and it wouldn’t be surprising to choose death or even resort to breaking others. Yet, Ludwig-san has managed to transform that very agony into an overflowing kindness and an unwavering strength of heart.

“…perhaps I could entrust it to him.”

Ludwig-san was shining to the extent that he instilled such hope. And… to the point where I even considered that I might offer him the purity I’ve preserved solely for the Goddess Minerva, without dedicating it to Diabolo.

“Ahh… Ludwig, san…”

As I envisioned him, a sweet sigh escaped my lips while I licked my index finger.

In the window, my reflection was captured, with a blissful expression gracing my features.