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 64: Trying to Snitch to the King of Borgonia

Chapter 64: Trying to Snitch to the King of Borgonia

“…I said Ludwig-san was good enough, didn’t I?”

“Stop complaining. This is a compromise.”

The Sly Saintess puffs up her cheeks in dissatisfaction as she’s carried in Ophelia’s princess-carry. On the way back to town, leaving Batista behind again, Ophelia had to intervene to defuse the increasingly tense situation between Ilse and the Saintess.

Honestly, I didn’t want Ophelia to have to do such a thing, but she accepted the task with a wry smile, saying, “It would be more problematic if things continued like this.” 

Fine, once we safely save the Kingdom of Borgonia and return to the empire, I’ll thank her by joining her in sword practice.

“So, Louie-sama, what will you do now?”

“Obviously, I will return to the capital of Borgonia and report the events. Also… I’ll mention that the Minerva Holy Church is involved in this.”

This is somewhat awkward to say in front of the Saintess, but it must be said. The Minerva Holy Church might lose credibility over this, but if it helps to eliminate dissident factions like the anti-Pope group, it’s not all disadvantages for the Church.

“Ufufu, don’t worry. Facts are facts, and I honestly don’t care anymore how anyone thinks of me.”

In Ophelia’s arms, the Saintess smiles. 

Whether it’s because her lingering darkness has been lifted, she looks oddly refreshed. But please stop staring at me like that. It’s making Ilse increasingly irritable.

And so, we ride in the carriage for several hours. Upon arriving at the capital of Borgonia, we immediately applied for an audience with the king.

Of course, we did so under the joint names of the Waldberg Empire, the United Kingdom of Brinth, and the Minerva Holy Church.

“Ludwig-san, will you not carry me again?”

“Eh…?”

From inside the carriage parked at the palace entrance, the Saintess pleads with a wistful expression. Come on, you’ve completely recovered from your petrified state during our journey to the palace, haven’t you?

“Louie-sama, Natalia-sama doesn’t seem to be feeling well. Perhaps it would be best for her to wait here in the carriage?”

Peering into the carriage with a cold gaze, Ilse throws out biting words.

“Ufufu. I’m the only one here who’s acquainted with His Majesty, the King of Borgonia. If anyone would be inconvenienced by leaving me behind, it would be Ludwig-san.”

“…Tch.”

Ilse clicks her tongue at the Saintess’s smug declaration. I shudder involuntarily at the tense atmosphere brewing between the two.

Could you both please get along?

◇

“Hmm…”

In the audience chamber, King Denis de Borgonia strokes his beard and grumbles. It’s hard to believe that this whole incident was caused by certain individuals within the Church and was even instigated by them.

But since the Saintess has revealed this truth, King Denis has no choice but to believe it.

“Saintess, this is quite the scandal for the Church. Are you sure it was wise to disclose this so casually?”

“Of course. A church that should bring peace to the people has acted against the teachings of Minerva-sama. Even if it’s the Church, it must bear the weight of its sins.”

The Saintess, kneeling on both knees, bows her head in a posture resembling prayer.

“Your Majesty Denis, upon the Saintess’s request, our empire and the United Kingdom of Brinth are making arrangements to secure ‘magic-absorbing stones’ to reverse the petrification of the citizens, starting with the town of Porga. However, the quantity we can provide will be far from sufficient.”

“Yes, that would be the case. The number of those afflicted by this illness…no, petrification, reaches the tens of thousands.”

Pressing his temple, King Denis shook his head.

Judging from his demeanor since the start of the audience, he didn’t show any apparent displeasure towards me, the crown prince of the empire, or even towards Natalia, the Saintess of the Church who has caused this scandal.

…This king might be surprisingly rational and understanding.

In that case,

“However, one of our friends, Prince Gilbert of the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom, is making efforts to procure ‘magic-absorbing stones’ to handle the current situation. If he succeeds, it may be possible to save a large number of people.”

“? The Gabelot Maritime Kingdom!?”

A middle-aged man, presumably the chancellor of this country, who was standing beside King Denis, raised his voice.

“Such insolent fellows who arose from piracy are not to be trusted!”

“Exactly! Those people are even willing to sell weapons to countries at war!”

The moment I mentioned the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom, those around us began to voice their objections. The prejudice against that country is still deeply ingrained among the western nations.

But…that’s exactly why it’s meaningful in this situation.

“Please wait. The only power capable of procuring enough ‘magic-absorbing stones’ to save all the suffering people in the Kingdom of Borgonia is the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom, who controls the central sea.”

“Hmph. It’s only natural for the Waldberg Empire, one of our few trading partners, to side with pirates.”

Unlike King Denis, the others didn’t bother to hide their displeasure towards me. Although I’m aware that I’m not well-liked, this won’t help the conversation move forward.

“Please wait. I, too—no, the United Kingdom of Brinth also agrees with Crown Prince Ludwig. To save the people, we have no choice but to rely on the ‘magic-absorbing stones’ from the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom.”

Thankfully, Ophelia threw me a lifeline… but still.

“”…””

The attitudes and gazes from those around us didn’t change at all. From their perspective, no matter if she’s the princess of the United Kingdom of Brinth, she’s still just a young girl in their eyes.

Well, it doesn’t matter. Regardless, the assistance of Gill-senpai’s… that is, the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom’s support is absolutely necessary to save this country.

King Denis in front of me understands that… right? Cautiously, I tried to gauge his mood.

“…Indeed, what everyone says is true.”

Ah, no good. He didn’t understand at all.