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 52: Because It's You, I Wanted to Help

Chapter 52: Because It’s You, I Wanted to Help

“T-This is…”

In the United Kingdom of Brinth, amidst various happenings, we managed to safely reach the Kingdom of Borgonia. Guided to the city of “Porga,” where an unexplained illness is rampant, we were left speechless by the situation.

Despite being the second-largest city in the Kingdom of Borgonia, the main street of Porga was devoid of any signs of life, resembling a true ghost town.

“Everyone, this way.”

“Y-Yeah…”

As we proceeded down the main street and reached the center of the city, the entire square was filled with tents, from which sounds resembling moans could be heard.

“…The Holy Maiden is in that building over there.”

We entered the building and made our way to the room where the Saint was recuperating.

“Uh… Uuh…”

““!?””

Seeing the Saintess clutching the sheets and moaning, we involuntarily held our breath.

“Ludwig, and Your Highness Ophelia… could it be, you’ve come in response to my letter…?”

Batista, who was sitting in a corner on a chair, watching over, timidly addressed us as he noticed our presence.

“Yeah… So, how’s Natalia-san…?”

In response to my inquiry, Batista weakly shook his head. It seems that her condition hasn’t improved at all.

“Hey, Batista. Can you tell us more about Natalia-san’s condition, and this unknown disease?”

“… Let’s change rooms.”

Following Batista, we moved to the adjacent room. Seeing a single bed and personal belongings, it seemed to be his room.

“The Holy Maiden fell ill with the same disease three weeks ago. The main symptoms are high fever, vomiting, and… the skin of the body turning into stone.”

“Skin turning into stone!?”

“Yes… and once the entire body’s skin turns into stone, the patient succumbs to death.”

According to Batista, it all began with residents turning into stone two months ago. From there, the number of patients exploded, and now almost everyone in the city is afflicted by this disease.

“…If, by any chance, this disease were to spread to other cities… worst-case scenario, even to the capital, this country would be finished… no, if it were to spread further to neighboring countries, the world would be plunged into a catastrophe…”

Batista, having delivered this grave message, bit his lip and looked down.

“Ludwig… what do we do?”

“What do we do… Even I…”

Ophelia asked, and I found myself at a loss for words.

But more importantly…

“… Batista, you haven’t contracted this unknown disease, have you?”

“Fortunately, no.”

“I see…”

It seems that’s the case.

“… This is certainly a grave issue.”

“Indeed. That’s why I set aside my pride and requested your assistance.”

Sigh… He’s as rude as ever.

Especially now, when the Saint is bedridden and there’s no one to reprimand him.

“For now, we need some time to think. And… please, let me see Natalia-san once more.”

“Allowing you to meet the Holy Maiden is unthinkable… is what I’d like to say, but fine. This time is an exception.”

We return to the Saint’s room and approach her.

“Ah!? Louie-sama, you mustn’t!”

“Ilse… it’s okay.”

As Ilse panicked and tried to stop me from touching the Saint, I smiled reassuringly.

“Hah… hah… Ah… L-Ludwig… san…”

Upon seeing me, she tried to force herself up.

Her body, with part of her beautiful face turned to stone, was so pained that it hurt to look at her.

“Natalia-san, don’t overdo it. You mustn’t push yourself.”

“U… ufufu… I’m sorry… for showing you… such a pathetic… sight…”

The Saint’s eyes shed a single tear as she speaks.

Looking at her expression, her voice, her eyes’ color, and everything about her, I felt a sense of déjà vu.

That’s right… setting aside the stone disease, I’ve seen her in this state before. 

Of course, in “The Ugly Orc Strikes Back.”

When the Saint’s obedience exceeds eighty percent, an event triggers where the Minerva Holy Church strips her of her title and excommunicates her. After that, with some training, the Holy Maiden murmurs words to the detestable Ludwig, her voice dripping with resentment.

“…I have no value, now that I’m no longer a Saint, just ordinary Natalia.”

The still image of the Saint from that time also had the same lack of light in her eyes as she does now.

If I remember correctly… according to the character profile, she was originally a girl from a poor farming family and was discovered by the current Pope to become the Holy Maiden.

So… not being able to fulfill her role as the Holy Maiden is likely the heaviest burden she bears. And precisely because she succumbed to that pressure, she offered herself to the demon Diabolo.

So… what to do now?

Unfortunately, the game had no event to clear the darkness in the Saint’s heart.

In other words, I don’t possess a means to save her heart.

But… yeah, didn’t I make a promise when I read the letter from the mob Holy Knight?

—To definitely save our dear comrade, the Holy Maiden.

“To be pitiful isn’t your style.”

“Lu, Ludwig… san…?”

“I know you’re an amazing woman. Always striving to be the Saint, working hard, risking danger to bring salvation to Borgonia.”

“…”

“See, Natalia-san. That’s why we came here, because we wanted to help you. Not because you’re the Saint, but our dear comrade, Natalia Silvestri.”

“!?”

In that moment, as I conveyed those words, the Saint widened her sapphire eyes.

“So… leave the rest to us. We’ll try our best to save this country that you tried to save. And… we’ll definitely heal your body, too, okay?”

“Yes…”

The Saint, her breathing ragged, beads of sweat forming like droplets on her forehead. Yet, the darkness vanished from her sapphire eyes, replaced by overflowing tears, and she gave me the most heartfelt smile.

I gently held her mottled, petrified hand, vowing to fulfill my promise.