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 66: The King in Such a Place

Chapter 66: The King in Such a Place

“…Louie-sama, perhaps it’s time to return to your room.”

“…”

It was late at night, two weeks after my audience with King Denis. I was standing at the harbor of the city of Porga, staring into the turbulent sea.

In the end, the talks with King Denis and his advisors had reached a stalemate. Their stance was that any support from the Empire or the United Kingdom was not Borgonia’s concern.

We had been delivering “magic-absorbing stones” to this country to alleviate the suffering of people afflicted by petrification, as initially planned. However, the quantity was far from sufficient, reaching only about one-fifth of the city of Porga.

At this rate, there was no way the majority of patients in Porga could be saved.

Regarding the series of events, the Kingdom of Borgonia had formally lodged a protest and demanded compensation from the Minerva Holy Church. Yet, according to the Saintess, “His Holiness the Pope doesn’t even consider a small country like Borgonia worth his attention.”

In other words, if the Empire and the United Kingdom were to cut off their support, the Kingdom of Borgonia would be left isolated and in a dire situation.

“Ilse, what about Ophelia and Natalia-san?”

“Yes, Ophelia-sama was distributing ‘magic-absorbing stones’ with Clarice-sama and the soldiers from the United Kingdom. However, they’ve already run out and are waiting for the next batch. Natalia-sama is also providing frontline support to patients who have not yet received the stones.”

“I see.”

The three of them are also doing their best to help with what they can right now. 

There was no need for them to do so if the Kingdom of Borgonia had decided to abandon its suffering people.

“…I’m sorry, Ilse, for dragging you into this because of my selfishness.”

“What are you talking about? I am shaking with joy to be able to serve Louie-sama, who has made such a decision.”

I couldn’t help but feel that her words were a bit exaggerated. My motive wasn’t really to save the suffering citizens of Porga; initially, I wanted to help the Saintess, and now I want to assist Gill-senpai.

In essence, it’s merely about my own satisfaction and convenience.

“However… Gilbert-sama’s arrival seems to be taking longer than expected.”

“Yeah…”

The distance from the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom to the Kingdom of Borgonia can be covered by sea in just three days. Moreover, I know from the memories of my previous life’s game, “The Ugly Orc Strikes Back,” that the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom handles a large quantity of “magic-absorbing stones.”

In the game, not only did they deal with these stones as consumables, but they also used them as materials for “shields of magic-breaking,” specialized for magic defense. Gill-senpai, the merchant in the game, would proudly talk about this when the product lineup was updated in the latter half of the game.

That’s why I can assume that Gill-senpai is having a hard time convincing his father, the king. After all, in the game, the Empire saw that country merely as a trading partner, and the only point of contact was Gill-senpai, the merchant.

I was pondering what to do, arms crossed, when suddenly,

“Hmm… Mind if I sit next to you?”

“Huh, sure, you can—wait, what!?”

To my surprise, it was King Denis who appeared. Why is he here in this city? And after his subordinates rejected our support, why would he want to talk to me?

“No need to be so wary. I just thought, since it’s a rare opportunity, I’d like to have a talk with Your Highness Ludwig.”

“Yes, of course…”

But why would the king of a country be here in the first place? Moreover, his subordinates vehemently insulted the “ugly orc.” What could he possibly want now?

“Firstly, I’d like to apologize for the rudeness of my servants at that time. Truly, I’m very sorry.”

“!?”

King Denis bowed deeply.

“W-wait a minute! If you do something like this so suddenly…”

“However, the treatment towards the Crown Prince of the Waldberg Empire was inexcusable, especially if you’re here to save the people of Porga.”

I couldn’t hide my bewilderment at King Denis, who continued to apologize. Given how late this apology was, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was some ulterior motive.

“…Although it sounds like an excuse, there was a reason my servants acted rudely.”

“A reason…you say?”

“Yes…”

King Denis went on to explain that reason.

Firstly, concerning the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom, it seemed that in historical context, they and the Kingdom of Borgonia had once vied for control of the Central Sea. Residual grievances from that time still existed, and particularly within the western countries, the Kingdom of Borgonia was particularly hostile toward the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom.

Receiving support from such a nation would be nothing short of humiliation, it appeared.

“As you said, Your Highness Ludwig, if we care about our citizens, we should let go of such grudges. However, it’s not so easy to dissolve long-standing grievances.”

“…”

I could somewhat understand the feelings of King Denis and his subordinates, but the ones who would be sacrificed due to such feelings would be the citizens.

If so, those in power—the king and the nobles—should reconsider what should be their top priority. Their current positions were built upon the citizens, after all… Though thinking this way is easier said than done.

“Next, about the disrespect toward Your Highness Ludwig…”

“…”

“Actually, we received intelligence from one of our friendly nations. It claimed, ‘The Waldberg Empire has dispatched Crown Prince Ludwig under the guise of assistance, conspiring with the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom to make the Kingdom of Borgonia a vassal state.'”

“Haaa!?”

I exclaimed in surprise at King Denis’ shocking statement.