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 65: Waiting for Gill-senpai

Chapter 65: Waiting for Gill-senpai

“…Indeed, what everyone says is true.”

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

“Please wait! Are you saying that you, your Majesty, and all of you in the Kingdom of Borgonia, are willing to abandon the lives of the citizens of Porga who could be saved?”

“…”

I raised my voice toward the skeptical faces of those from Borgonia. This wasn’t the time to be discriminatory, so why were these people so stubborn?

“…How dare an ‘ugly orc’ say this.”

A murmur reached my ears. 

Sigh… I had prepared myself for this from the beginning, but still, it was hard to stomach.

“Ophelia, and you too, Clarice-san! What are you doing?”

“What are we doing, you ask?” 

“It’s clear. We can no longer engage with such disrespectful individuals.”

Ophelia and Clarice stood up, their faces twisted in anger, urging me to leave the audience chamber. I appreciated their feelings, but this wouldn’t solve anything!

“W-wait, both of you! Acting on impulse like this won’t help the people we need to save!”

“What are you saying? This is a matter between the Kingdom of Borgonia and the Minerva Holy Church. The United Kingdom of Brinth and the Waldberg Empire have nothing to do with it! If they won’t accept our proposal, we couldn’t care less what happens next!”

Ophelia roared, like a lioness in a frenzy. 

Ahhhhhh… this was turning into the worst possible scenario.

“B-but, there’s support from the Empire and the United Kingdom, right? What will you do about that?”

“That’s their problem. Borgonia should pay for rejecting our help!”

Ah, this is why muscle-headed heroines are so problematic. But I couldn’t rebuke her too strongly… she was angry on my behalf, after all.

“So, what about Natalia-san then? As a Saintess, she can’t remain uninvolved…”

“Ufufu… Thank you for your concern. However, this was just a foolish act committed by a Cardinal and a few idiots. All we have to do is hand them over to Borgonia.”

“W-wait a minute…”

No, no, no, no, that can’t be the end of it. Even if this was the scheme of a few individuals, Borgonia would undoubtedly demand responsibility and compensation from the Minerva Holy Church as an organization.

“It’s fine. Although our proselytizing in the Kingdom of Borgonia has become impossible, this country will be isolated in turn.”

“What do you mean?”

“The Minerva Holy Church has influence across all the Western countries, including the Empire. Stirring up public opinion as a church is an easy task for us. If we do so, it’s Borgonia that will become isolated in the Western countries.”

While chuckling, the Saintess displayed her cunning side. Wow… she feels absolutely no guilt.

Well, the Saintess is a victim too, so maybe this response is natural…?

“Are the United Kingdom of Brinth and the Waldberg Empire going to abandon us?”

“That’s right! Besides, wasn’t it the church that inflicted hardship on this country? What about that!”

Shouts of anger filled the audience chamber, all directed at us.

“Ludwig, now you see. There’s no reason for us to stay here for people who lack courtesy. After all, we came here to save Natalia.”

“”…””

Faced with that statement, I found myself at a loss for words. Ophelia was right—the symptoms of the Saintess’s petrification had been cured, and we’d achieved our goal. As for the salvation of the Kingdom of Borgonia, it had been established that it was merely instigated by the Church, and at least had been taken out of the hands of the Saintess.

But still…

“No, it’s not right.”

“Ludwig!”

“It’s not right! There are still people suffering in the town of Porga, and besides… Gill-senpai promised me! He said he’d definitely bring the ‘Magic-absorbing Stones’ to save the town! So…”

I stared into Ophelia’s golden eyes, took a deep breath, and said,

“I will wait in Borgonia for Gill-senpai’s arrival.”

That’s right… Gill-senpai must be fighting desperately even now. Probably as the Third Prince of Gabelot Maritime Kingdom, to bear the responsibility for selling the “Stone Dragon’s Magic Stone” to Cardinal Lorenz.

In reality, Gill-senpai bears no responsibility at all. The Gabelot Maritime Kingdom only sold the “Stone Dragon’s Magic Stone” because there were people seeking it—namely, the minions of Cardinal Lorenz.

In the end, those who used such a thing are the ones who are at fault.

“So, that’s why I’m sorry, but you all go back first. I’m going to the port where Gill-senpai is expected to arrive.”

“I will always be by Louie-sama’s side.”

Ilse, who had appeared beside me at some point, bowed. She always prioritizes my feelings and stands by my side, huh?

How much that supports me…

“Ufufu… in that case, I will also see this through to the end.”

“Natalia-san!?”

“Oh, I never said anything about going back, you know? I just didn’t want you, Ludwig-san, to worry about me, that’s all.”

The Saintess smiled slyly.

This Sly Saintess, what on earth is she planning? —I thought, but maybe it’s time to put such thoughts to rest.

She is different from the Natalia Silvestri I know from “The Ugly Orc Strikes Back.”

“Hmmmmm… This makes it seem like we’re the bad guys here.”

“Isn’t that actually the case?”

“Natalia!? Isn’t that a bit harsh!?”

Ophelia frowned, and the Saintess teased her with amusement.

“I know that Ophelia and Clarice-san are saying this for my sake. So don’t worry about it.”

“Hmmmmm… Then, I’ll stay too!”

“Me as well.”

Ahaha… In the end, it looks like everyone is staying. That’s so silly.

Really.

“… Thank you, everyone.”

Struggling to hold back tears of joy, I lowered my face and muttered those words—that was all I could manage.

The four of them looked at me with kind eyes.