CH 436

A prince that escaped from Everlide under the watchful eye of the Berias Kingdom. That was Ryde’s true identity. According to the story, Lime is now twenty-two years old and has been protecting Ryde since her mother told her to do so.

I was convinced that this was the reason why she acted like a knight.

That’s all well and good, but I have a few things on my mind. As I was thinking about where to start, my dad crossed his arms and started talking.

“Hmmm …… I know this is rude, but I don’t really care either way. This time, what is attacking us is the Gospel’s Descent that accompanies the Berias Kingdom. There is no relation to the current situation, even if you’re called the prince of Everlide, which has already become a ruined country. But I am very grateful to you for informing us of the pinch like this.”

“……”

“Yeah ……”

Dad says it straight to the point.

I nodded my head in agreement with the first point of concern. You’re right, I do sympathize with the loss of the country, but coming out as a prince at this time is a bad move that will only embarrass us.

Furthermore, considering the possibility of being sold to the Berias Kingdom, it would be doubly bad. My brother continued.

“Excuse me, but I have to say this. If you are a prince, what is your purpose? We are very grateful to you for risking your lives to come here. And now that we’ve engaged in a battle with the Gospel’s Descent …… are you perhaps thinking of using us to restore Everlide?”

As expected of my brother, he quickly said the other question I wanted to ask.

Yes, this possibility was the first thing that came to my mind when I heard that Ryde was a prince. If the royal family is still around, it won’t be difficult to rebuild as long as the Berias Kingdom is taken care of.

I thought that if we went to war with the Gospel’s Descent and the Berias Kingdom here and attacked them with the Reflexion Kingdom as our backing, we might be able to get it back. Then Ryde stood up, clenched his fists and shook his blond hair.

“…… I don’t even know my parents’ faces. However, there are days when I wish I did. But there are two reasons why we came here this time. One is to sneak out of town under the eyes of the Berias Kingdom. The other reason is important, but in fact, the soldiers who are on their way here now are all Everlide people. I know that this is an absurd request. Please …… can you try not to kill the soldiers! I don’t care what you do with my body …… Please!”

“I know that we’re being selfish. Even if he’s called a ‘prince’, but as you say, he’s a prince of a ruined country, so it’s not really your business. Nevertheless, they’re still our fellow countrymen……”

When Lime-san turned her eyes down and muttered, she kept silent, and we were confused and looked at her face.

I understand what you’re saying, but it’s hard not to kill everyone who comes at you without a meeting. I don’t want to kill them either, but there may be some accident …… Is the fact that I can now think like this a sign that I’m getting used to this world? At any rate, I raised my hand and thinking that this is a problem.

(T/N: What he meant by ‘not to kill everyone who comes at you without a meeting’ is not killing people who they haven’t met yet, but it’ll like you’ll try not to kill them but they’ll come to kill you.)

“What is it, Lars?”

“For now, I’m sure that you’re not lying, but it’s too much for us to handle. I think it would be better to consult with the king.”

<You’re right, there’s still time for them to get here. I’ve got information on their strength, and I think it’s better to tell them.>

Sarge followed my words and made a suggestion. I think it’s better to send him to the Reflexion Kingdom.

“Umu, I was just thinking the same thing. Ryde-sama and Lime-sama, you must be tired today, so you can stay here for today. Tomorrow, can you go to the royal capital with me and Lars? It may be difficult to do something about the soldiers, but I think we can keep you safe.”

“But if we go to Royal Capital now, by the time we get back, there will be a battle, no, maybe we can get there right away since there’s a dragon ……?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that. We’ll be there in a jiffy.”

“Huh ……?”

My brother said with a smile, and Lime-san made a vague, quizzical sound. Then Mom stood up, put her hands together, and said.

“Now, now, you’ll find out soon enough. Then, you’re both very dirty, so I’ll have them prepare a bath for you.”

“Oh, no, please don’t mind it.”

“Lime-san is a girl, so you need to be clean. Especially if you’re the prince’s close associate. Come on, let’s go.”

“What? Y-You mean right now!? P-Prince, please help me!”

“You’ve pushed yourself to run, so just take your time. I’ll see you later then.”

“Priiiiiiiiiince!?”

…… Yeah, aren’t you worried about losing your guard? I’m sure you’ve lived a very peaceful life, but I think you’re also a natural airhead. And so, apparently concerned about this, Lime-san was taken by Mom and disappeared from the reception office. 

◆ 　 ◇ 　 ◆

–Afterwards, I talked to Ryde, but he shyly told me that he didn’t really feel like a prince because his country had disappeared when he was a baby, and that he had come this far because he wanted to help the people of Everlide rather than himself.

On the other hand, my Mom told me that Lime seemed to want to rebuild the country, and told Nora, who had joined her in the bath. Mom said that she had taken a forceful approach because she thought she might be able to get some other information if it’s between women. She is a shrewd mother.

And since Makina and the others didn’t seem to have come back today, they might have been talking at home.

I decided to treat them to dinner, feeling a little sad that Makina wasn’t there, thinking, “Well, maybe once in a while.”.

“Nmmm!?”

“W-What is this, I thought it was steak, but it’s not!?”

“That’s a dish I made, and it’s called hamburger. I think it tastes better than a steak.”

“You made …… this!? Don’t cooks usually do this ……”

Prince Ryde began to eat enthusiastically, while Lime-san, who had changed from her battle clothes to a skirt and looked quite beautiful, and her eyes widen in amazement. Nora, who was smiling at the scene, replied.

“Lars-kun can do anything, you know. He’s great with magic and swords, and he can cook too.”

“He’s the little brother I’m so proud of. I think I’d like to have fried chicken since I haven’t had it in a long time.”

“I’ll make it sometime. We’ll be going back and forth for a while, after all.”

“That sounds delicious ……”

“What?”

“Nothing at all, Lars-sama!”

“Haha, please eat slowly.”

I heard something, but my mom and dad laughed at me as I tilted my head at Lime-san, who was panicking, twirling her red hair.

So the evening that was supposed to be the first family reunion in a long time passed away with an unexpected visitor.

At least I can rest assured that they won’t be coming for another seven days. However, it’s still a pain that it’s now harder to launch a surprise attack with Sarge or set traps in the town.

I wonder what the king will do …… I’m in my room for the first time in a long time, and I let out a sigh at the future, which was becoming more and more suspicious.