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 67: The Awaited One Arrives
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Chapter 67: The Awaited One Arrives
“…In fact, I have received this information from one of our allied nations. ‘The Waldberg Empire is plotting to subjugate the Kingdom of Borgonia by dispatching Crown Prince Ludwig under the guise of support, in conspiracy with the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom.’”
“Ha!?”
King Denis’s startling statement left me astounded. Wait a minute! Which country would fabricate such a baseless lie…?
That’s right… I can think of a country capable of such deceit.
Ilse, standing by my side, seemed to have reached the same conclusion. Even she, usually so controlled, wore a look of fierce anger.
But I hadn’t expected that country to be involved even here. Do they harbor such resentment towards me…?
“At first, we too took the information with a grain of salt. However, the credibility of the story increased when Your Highness Ludwig mentioned the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom in the audience chamber. It even led us to suspect that the Minerva Holy Church might be in cahoots.”
Indeed, if someone were to orchestrate a false flag operation, it wouldn’t be strange to perceive the church as being secretly connected in this case.
“So… the country that provided this information to the Kingdom of Borgonia is…?”
“Yes… It’s the Kingdom of Berga.”
“I thought as much…”
Speaking of which, with the recent spy incident and all, isn’t the Kingdom of Berga too fixated on antagonizing the Empire?
Well, I know they’re in a tough spot, receiving intense pressure from the Empire after breaking off my engagement and spreading those ‘ugly orc’ rumors in the western countries. But isn’t that a case of reaping what they’ve sowed?
“Louie-sama, please grant me permission to eliminate that woman.”
“Alright, Ilse. Let’s calm down a bit.”
I managed to restrain Ilse, whose blue eyes had lost their usual sparkle.
I too wished for Sophia to exit the scenario like in a game, but at least I doubted she was the one who leaked information to the Kingdom of Borgonia.
However…
“Why would the Kingdom of Berga spread such an easily debunked lie to the Kingdom of Borgonia?”
“Setting aside the content of the information provided, I understand why Berga offered it.”
“How so?”
“Embarrassing as it is to say, my mother, the former king’s wife, was from the royal family of Berga. And the nobles who raised their voices in the recent audience were all supporters of my mother.”
According to King Denis, many of his vassals were nobles from his mother’s faction who had supported his succession to the throne. Because of this background, even King Denis himself seemed unable to take a strong stance.
“…For my part, I believe we should accept help to save our people, even if it comes from the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom. That’s why…”
King Denis turned towards me, fixing his gaze firmly on me.
“Please… please save the people of Porga!”
“Ah…”
King Denis bowed his head once again despite being a king.
His gesture unmistakably reflected the concern of a ruler deeply troubled by the suffering of his people.
“Your Majesty Denis… please, raise your head.”
“But…”
“We will definitely save the people of this town. I promise you that, Your Majesty.”
“I’m truly sorry…”
King Denis took my hand and bowed once again.
I nodded firmly in response.
◇
“Damn it! Isn’t Gabelot here yet?”
“Ophelia, I understand you’re anxious, but try to stay calm…”
A week had passed since King Denis’s visit to the town of Porga, and here was Ophelia, losing her temper while glaring at the sea.
But admittedly, it was taking far too long.
Perhaps Gill-senpai had failed in persuading the King of Gabelot… No, no, it was never going to be easy to persuade him in the first place.
All I could do was trust in Gill-senpai.
Then…
“Hmph, just as I thought. Pirates can’t be trusted after all.”
The person who took the trouble to come up behind us and declare this was an aide to King Denis, who was the first to speak up in the audience chamber.
What was he doing here, anyway?
“Ara? With that tone, were you perhaps counting on the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom to deliver the ‘Magic Absorbing Stone’?”
“! Of course not!”
The aide retorted, raising his voice as the saintess looked on with a hand to her cheek, an expression of disbelief on her face.
“First of all, so many citizens are suffering because of the Minerva Holy Church! Don’t you feel any guilt?”
“Ufufu, how many times must I tell you? Such matters should be addressed to the church headquarters, not to me.”
“Gununu…!”
The saintess retorted with a mocking laugh.
The aide gritted his teeth in frustration. But really, this was the first time I’d seen someone actually say “gnnn” in real life.
Anyway, more importantly…
“Do the nobles of Borgonia lack even basic manners? Furthermore, doing nothing while your own citizens suffer so greatly, and only complaining. Frankly, you’re nothing but a hindrance, and I wish you’d disappear from my sight immediately.”
“Ha! How could you!”
“Didn’t you hear me? I am, after all, the Crown Prince of the Waldberg Empire. And the one you shouted at is the saintess of the Minerva Holy Church. Not to mention the presence of a princess from the United Kingdom of Brinth. Do not think this disrespect will go unpunished.”
I warned him in an uncharacteristically low voice.
Frankly, I was fed up with their attitudes and treatment.
Once everything is settled, I’ll make sure they are held accountable.
“Ha, haha… Ludwig, well said! That’s the man I acknowledged!”
“Ow!?”
I yelped as Ophelia slapped my back with a beaming smile.
Ah, I always tell her, but she could use a little restraint…
“Ludwig-san… for my sake, you…”
“Natalia-sama, please don’t get any closer to Louie-sama.”
Ilse efficiently intercepted the saintess, who was approaching with an enchanted expression.
Yes, that’s really helpful. Lately, the saintess has been getting a bit too comfortable with physical contact.
While we were distracted by our usual playful banter, ignoring the aide…
“Louie-sama!”
“Ah… finally.”
From across the sea, a fleet was approaching us.
The ships proudly bore the flag of the Gabelot Maritime Kingdom.