Herscherik (Reincarnated Prince Series)

Chapter Six: Dating, Flowers and Existential Significance Part Two

Hershelik headed towards one of several back gates, not the main gate of the castle leading to the castle town. This is the gateway for merchants entering and leaving the royal castle, as well as soldiers, knights and officials working in the castle. By the way, nobles and guests come and go at the main entrance. The back gate we're headed for now leads to a place with few people, so it's convenient for Hershelik and the others. The gatekeeper greeted Hershelik with such a meaningful grin.

"Dear Hershelik, thank you for applying in advance this time.

Hershelik made the gatekeeper laugh to delude Tehe.

Originally, if a royal family were to go out of a certain place, such as the college, it would always be necessary to apply in advance, but Hershelik said it was "very troublesome and unintelligible, or inefficient."

I was originally sneaking out of town, but that's a day trip at best. But in Operation Tiger Hole, it's hard to go on a day trip and come home, and in remote areas, you say you need to stay out.

So since my father, the king, had told me to do whatever I wanted, Hershelik decided to use the gate properly instead of the secret path on the occasion of Operation Tiger Hole.

At first, the gatekeeper almost failed to stop because he tried to get out naturally with one hand up like a soldier or official who had finished his service. Oran decided not to hear the sound of the Lord's small tongue pounding because he was a loyal servant.

I try to stop the gatekeeper from desperately needing a procedure or something dangerous, but Hershelik will never try to go back.

"You guys say it's dangerous out there, but is this country that insecure?

And, with a worried look, Hershelik asks. This also figured out the switching of arguments and Hershelik, but went on to say more to the silent gatekeeper.

"Besides, even if you become a bunch, you can't beat one of my knights on the escort..."

So sorry Hershelik says, looking up at Oran.

Oran is a strong man recognized by his surroundings who won the martial arts tournament without a single predatory wound, but not only that. It is engraved in the memories of the soldiers who completely won Ibili, a welcome training for competent recruits of the military and police bureaux, before the construction of the one-to-many combat training conducted at a later date.

Oran said,

"My brothers were delighted to participate. I wanted to wonder if that was really my blood.

And it was the serpentine feet that had far-eyed eyes.

"I asked you to go to Oran because I had a request, but what do you mean you're going to do something shady?

Yes, Hershelik was unusual and slightly angry, so I can't help but dislike the words I said to the gatekeeper belonging to the police station. Hershelik flaunts his shoulder at the gatekeeper, which became a completely closed shellfish.

"… well, I'm sorry that I have to blame you for leaving here. I get it.

Hershelik pulled back once, and the next day he showed up at the back door the same way, giving him an exit permit. Autographed by the King, my father, of course. It also says Oran's signature, who is responsible for anything that happens to Hershelik.

It was the gatekeeper's testimony that Oran was still as distant as he had given up.

By the way, there was a battle between Solje and Hershelik before I got this, but a discount. I only asked my father to declare in advance if I was staying out. Externally, Oran's parents should be working together.

"I didn't want my father to worry extra..."

So at first I tried to round up the gatekeeper, but I just thought it was bad for the gatekeeper to lose his job, Hershelik.

It seemed good that this had happened in a way because rethinking it would also worry my father about leaving silently.

"There are some women this time. Then I'll go.

"Welcome, Your Highness Hershelik. Take care of the ladies.

Yes, the gatekeeper was loving. Very loving, especially for the three women.

(One man, but let's shut up.

Hershelik thought so and decided not to see the grumpy Shilo.

"Oh, when I get out of town, they all call me by a different name. Don't worry about it. And it's a secret that I'm royal. Then I beg you, without any respect.

Shortly before leaving the back gate and entering town, Hershelik told the three of them. And wear the hood deep in your eyes. Unlike the old days, when I didn't have much contact with the castle people, I now know my face even in the castle. The people of the castle town would be confused if they were called princes in a town like that, and I don't want that either. Hershelik still wants to be known as Lyoko in Castle Town.

Even if I know who I am, some people will read the air if I wear a hood deep.

"Shall we?

The line after the castle with Hershelik's words as a signal walks as you wish.

Violetta was at risk of getting lost because the landscape she was always passing in the carriage was in front of her, or if Gene wasn't holding her hand in order to flutter out.

Hershelik is being spoken to by a lot of people while watching him like that.

"Lyoko, you're bringing beautiful flowers today!

The confectionery shop owner spoke to me. The sweets here are beaten by those made by Cro, but the prices are low and the kids are buying and eating. When it comes to past-life style, it's like a pastry shop. Of course, there are cakes and other treats that children cannot buy.

"This year's new treat, eat with the ladies, Mr. Lyoko.

The owner's wife offers the bag. Hershelik looked up to Oran to pay for it, but before Oran gave out his wallet, the two of them shook their heads sideways and were rejected. I think it would be more rude if they did, and Hershelik thanked me and left the store behind.

"Master Hershelik, what is that?

Hershelik opens the bag to Violetta, who speaks in a low voice. There was fried confectionery inside like a donut with no holes in it. Hershelik thinks it resembles a sartorial undaggie in the world of previous life.

"Wow, that looks delicious!

Hershelik smiles at Violetta with a blooming smile.

"Let's eat later. Together."

"With you?"

Violetta dyes her cheeks with the word together.

(Together, just the two of us...... like a date!

I wrapped my cheeks in embarrassment with both hands, but made them bright red in another way with the next Hershelik's words.

"Yeah, we're all together.

No offense to Hershelik, but the words made Violetta want to go in if she had a hole. Such a conversation between the fishmonger and the shopper popped into Violetta's ear.

"Hey, you say taxes go up again?

"Yeah, the western border smells like anything. That's the cost of defense.

The fishmonger leaks a deep sigh and the shopper slaps his face and tongue.

"The royals say they have a feast every day... but if they run out of money, they think they should squeeze it out of the people"

To the conversation between the two who could hear, Hershelik lets his gaze wander at random. The daily feast they are talking about is of course demanding.

But when it came to raising taxes, it was true. After Count Grimm was advised at the New Year's feast, it was informed that an empire west of the kingdom had recently deployed troops here near the border, and a policy was decided to strengthen border security just in case. By the way, this is what I learned in Hershelik's internal audit. For that policy, which had already been decided, a tax increase had been decided on an ad hoc basis because of an off-budget project. I think there would be somewhere I could squeeze it more if I turned it into Hershelik, but it's not like the kid's self can still speak, and my father, who is turning it into a puppet, as well as First Prince Marx, couldn't stop the policy of raising taxes.

But it's not Hershelik who gives up because he can't stop it.

(The calculation of crackling was rewarding ze...)

Calculate the necessary costs such as materials to strengthen the border, salaries of the soldiers to be dispatched, costs of marches and equipment, etc., with reference to past materials. Ask Cro to also investigate the current market prices to calculate the expected amount of all costs and make projections for the current quarter from current revenues to calculate how much can be collected on an ad hoc basis.

Hershelik calculates how much tax he needs and submits it to his father through his brother, who pushes the complaining officials and manages to minimize the increase. I left the actual job to the official, but if you do it well, it will fit within the budget. If it does not fit, it is a temporary levy from the nobles.

(We don't want to be taken, so good luck.

Hershelik expects that much. It is possible to collect private property from the nobles in the name of defence spending. As expected, nobles and high-ranking officials are desperately working because they don't want to cut their money.

(... but you don't like the people, do you?

There are people in every world who are reluctant for taxes to raise their burdens. That backlash is significant, especially if you don't feel that the taxes you are paying are being returned to your life.

"Hey, big voice. There's going to be an alarm.

Fish shop owners lurk their voices and alert their customers. But the anger of the guests did not heal.

"I'm not afraid of being alarmed! Give them change and I'll pretend not to see them. Rather, we speak ill of royalty and nobility together.

Hershelik has an inner mind. As customers say, that's the trend at the bottom of the police station that keeps domestic security. Of course some people work seriously. But bad things stand out. Even if nine out of ten people work seriously, if one works evil, that gets noticed.

(I guess we should leave this place for now.

Let's move. Hershelik tries to suggest. But there was no Violetta right next door. Running his gaze, he's slowly approaching those men he's been talking to. And when I stopped in front of them, I stuck my index finger at them.

"What are you guys talking about! I disrespect the royalty!

Violetta proclaims with a high voice. Hershelik and his line stopped thinking.

"... you're not behaving like a noble lady eavesdropping on your stories.

Violetta was overlooked by a likely man twice her height and awesome with a low voice. A normal girl might have cried out of fear, but Violetta was different.

"I don't care about that. Very disrespectful than that! Please withdraw immediately!

(I can't allow anyone who doesn't know anything to make fun of Master Hershelik!

I felt like Hershelik had been made fun of, and Violetta couldn't stand it. He smiles gently and thinks of the people. I couldn't forgive their words because I knew him who cared about the people I was going to go to today.

"Disrespectful? You're telling the truth, aren't you? Come on..."

"I'm sorry my sister!

Gene was the one who moved first in one line. I hug my sister and hold her mouth down with my hands and bow down to the men who seem to want something unwanted.

Toad and his sister's mouth moved under her hand, but Gene kept her head down without ever letting go of that hand.

When the men tried to say something, two shadows broke in between the sisters and them.

"Fair enough, brothers. These people are noble ladies. That's what the pretty lady said this time, right?

"Oh, what about you!

Oran smiles and talks in a nostalgic way. They knew about Oran. As the guardians of the people they know well, they often find them in the castle. And another shadow, Hershelik, who they know well, also bows his head.

"I'm sorry, brothers.

"Lyoko..."

Store owners and customers look at each other unexpectedly. They... For those who live in the castle towns, this noble young man is not just a nobleman. An unusual aristocratic young man whose honest character was liked by all of the castle towns, who did not put on his nose any decorations or identity. So I think the words you just said were being heard. Shirazu is bad. I tell them to squeal.

"Keep your head up, Lyoko... I'm sorry. I know that some of the nobles are like Lyoko. But..."

If you calm down, I think they've said too much. There are things that humans say.

"No, never mind. If that's what nobility and royalty look like in your eyes, that's the result of our assessment of what we've done.

Hershelik said so and apologized again, leaving with Violetta and Gene, and Shilo, who was completely outside the mosquito net. Just leave Oran alone.

"... Lyoko said yes, so I'm going to take it seriously this time.

Hands on the pattern of the sword, the pale eyes of drooling stare at the two men. There is no guardian of the usual light atmosphere there. Not the winter cold, another cold wrapped them both up.

"In the future, when you work disrespect for the royalty, you should be prepared to do so. Especially when you say uncertain information.

With that, Oran leaves the place. The two left were unable to move off the spot, as if they had been frozen.