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 55: The Two Heroines, Their Two Emotions

Chapter 55: The Two Heroines, Their Two Emotions

■ Ilse Hildebrandt’s Perspective

I’m currently hiding in an alley, overlooking a building in the town of Porga. I’m here, of course, to accomplish a mission given to me by Louie-sama.

Fufu… Come to think of it, while I have been assigned duties like rigorous training to lose weight and taking care of his personal needs, this is the first time Louie-sama has entrusted me with a task that is more aligned with my original role.

He’s incredibly kind… No, he’s too kind and hates to see me get hurt the most.

Yet, this is the first time, including my family back home, that I feel so cherished, and I can’t help but be elated. Of course, there are times when this makes me feel frustrated that I can’t be of more help to Louie-sama.

“Now then… Let’s successfully accomplish this mission that Louie-sama has trusted me with, and meet his expectations.”

I wonder if Louie-sama will praise me when I report the success? Though knowing him, he’d probably first ensure my safety.

Imagining Louie-sama’s concerned and relieved expressions makes me smile. 

Showing emotions like this might disqualify me as a shadow, but I can’t help it.

How could I contain my emotions when thinking about the person I love most in the world?

Still, disappointing Louie-sama because of this would be counterproductive. I tighten my loosening focus and get on with the mission.

“…Are they still there?”

I’ve infiltrated the building and am peering into the room from the attic, but the person in question shows no signs of moving. I might have to prepare for this to stretch into the late night…

Ideally, I’d like to complete the mission immediately and return to Louie-sama’s side, but that can’t be helped. Louie-sama also didn’t seem to expect the mission to be completed quickly, so I’ve been given a grace period of three days.

Even so…

“Why did Louie-sama decide to proceed with this in secrecy?”

I understand the reason to hide the unidentifiable disease affecting the Kingdom of Borgonia and the Minerva Holy Church, which are administering aid, a petrification caused by the “Stone Dragon’s Magic Gem,” but it seems like he could have told that person.

I think it would have been better to hide it more skillfully that way…

“No, knowing Louie-sama, he must have considered things far beyond what someone like me can comprehend.”

Muttering to myself, I shake my head. 

Not only did he see through this mysterious disease, but Louie-sama also acts as if he has grasped everything.

His deep wisdom, unique constitution, and charming appearance all remind me of the first emperor my late grandfather told me about. No, I am convinced that Louie-sama surpasses even the first emperor.

“I am truly fortunate to be able to serve Louie-sama.”

How fulfilled I would be if embraced by Louie-sama’s arms… if he desired me. Just the thought brings me surging happiness.

Indulging in such afterglow, I continued to wait through the night to meet the expectations of the one I hold dear.

◇

■ Natalia Silvestri’s Perspective

“Hah… Hah…”

Almost a month since I set foot in the land of the Kingdom of Borgonia to administer aid, I am suffering from the mysterious disease on a bed, lit by moonlight.

I came here to save people, but instead, I find myself in this state, feeling nothing but shame for my incompetence and powerlessness.

“…Uh, fufu…”

My skin is turning to stone, and I can’t even manage a self-deprecating smile. Is this the punishment from Goddess Minerva for fleeing and giving myself over to Diabolo?

But… even then, I can’t die. I can’t afford to make such a reckless choice anymore.

At that moment…

“As Louie-sama feared, it seems that the petrification has progressed quite a bit.”

“!?”

Upon hearing a familiar voice, I open my eyes to find… Ilse, Ludwig-san’s servant, standing there. What…what does this mean?

“Ah… I-Ilse-sa—”

“Be quiet. That man might notice us.”

She whispered in my ear, and I hastily shut my mouth.

But who is this “that man” Ilse-san is talking about? Surely, she means him, right…?

“Mmph!?”

Suddenly something was stuffed in my mouth!

“Don’t worry. What I just put into your mouth is a ‘Magic-absorbing Gem.'”

A “Magic-absorbing Gem”? Why would you put such a thing in my mouth? 

Her actions confuse me.

“Regarding this condition you thought was a disease, Louie-sama has identified its true nature.”

“t!?”

According to Ilse-san, what was believed to be an illness is actually the side effect of the magical power of the Stone Dragon present in the drinking water. It seems someone threw a “Stone Dragon’s Magic Gem” into the lake used by the residents of Porga for their daily water.

“Louie-sama is persuading the Emperor to help the suffering people of Porga, collaborating with the United Kingdom of Brinth to secure ‘Magic Absorption Gems’ and provide aid.”

“…”

“So, Natalia, please focus on removing the Dragon’s magical power from your body while holding the ‘Magic-absorbing Gem’ in your mouth. And, of course, without alerting that man.”

“…(Nods)”

I couldn’t quite understand why she was so cautious, but I silently nodded in agreement.

“I’ll take my leave now. And ……Natalia-sama has to be in good health, or I won’t be able to keep up my spirits. Of course, I won’t let you get close to Louie-sama, though.”

After a courteous bow, Ilse-san disappeared from my sight in an instant.

Fufu… I never would have imagined that Ilse-san would say such things.

But then,

“Ludwig-san…”

The words Ludwig-san said when he visited me during the day still linger in my mind.

“To be pitiful isn’t your style.”

“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.”

The only person in the world who saw me not as a saint, but as Natalia Silvestri. Those words cleared away so much of the darkness from my heart…

Ah… even now, his words seep deep into my heart.

He quickly identified the root cause and is now striving to save me, such a noble person he is. A person more worthy than even the Goddess Minerva or the devil Diabolo, the true individual to whom I should dedicate myself.

I clasped my hands in front of my chest as if in prayer, thinking only of him.