Herscherik (Reincarnated Prince Series)

One Hershelik was put through was a room given to the captive commander. A qualitative room with minimal furniture only for a bed, desk and chair, but many times better than a stone shack.

Hershelik was put through the room and met the enemy commander-in-chief for the first time at this time.

"You are the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army for this invasion.

Ahead of Hershelik's gaze, he was a man with an elegant yet aristocratic atmosphere. In his forties or so magnificent years with dead leafy hair and eyes, he welcomed Hershelik while sitting in a chair and legging together without standing.

"…… Surprised. I didn't know you were really such a toddler.

Yes, the man looked out for him, but he deserves Hershelik without alarm in his eyes.

"People don't say it depends on what they see, but I can't believe they were all seen by such a child..."

Hershelik flaunts his shoulders at him whining like a solitary. Because it's not the first time I've reacted like him.

"Nice to meet you, Hershelik Gracis. So, what's the story?

Hershelik prompts the conversation as it is viewed from head to toe. Stop wearing the mask of an already young serene prince and respond without concealing your nature.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was surprised how many minutes the minister of that great power would endanger a prince because he never thought he was such a young prince.

"... you were still dealing with the minister.

I was expecting it, but I didn't expect him to say it. Hershelik wouldn't have been that vigilant if he had been a shallow person loyal to his desires, just to get on with the minister's story. But even if this man was true to his desires, he didn't look like a shallow person at the bottom.

"In fact, it was his people who exchanged with him. Well, I knew the minister was doing a lot.

Hershelik did not miss the words of an Imperial nobleman included.

(I mean, this aristocrat knows the inside of the kingdom to some extent, right?

Information is a treasure and a weapon. That if you know the inside of the enemy country, you can proceed in your own favor. This means that at this point, the kingdom was losing to the empire in an intelligence war or was intentionally flowing information to the empire.

And Hershelik thinks it's the latter. The kingdom, rather than the minister, moves with information that the empire is prone to attack, and this nobleman is likely to have figured it out and got on with the story, Hershelik says.

"So you got on the deal, didn't you?

"Yeah, because I thought it would be just right to decide on the national territory of a big country that wobbles in the Gotthagotta inside. If you can have it, you deserve it. Like that.

Hershelik lurked his eyebrows at him laughing. Because I was convinced that he dared to take this deal. He's also right. The kingdom has also marched several times in the past when the empire is shaken by civil strife, taking over the empire's land. So I can't blame them.

The question now is why are we talking about it now? He was secretly connected to the minister by the imperial nobility. It makes sense that you have been in contact, knowing that you are hostile to the Minister.

"So, what do you want?

Hershelik decided not to have any roundabout interactions, but to attack with a direct ball.

"Oh? What do you want?

But he laughs vaguely at his question. Hershelik whispers his shoulder and leaks a small sigh. Hershelik hasn't been a good character person like him for a long time. For a person who laughs and watches their reaction and enjoys observing it.

"You called me because you provided good information, didn't you?

Hershelik spins words to make sure.

"So do something about the price. Or is that how you incite me to disrupt the kingdom?

Hershelik thinks that could be enough. If you and your minister contend, it will all develop into a dispute between the royal family and the nobility who will form you into a minister. That would result in civil unrest and more chaos in the country than it is now. If you multiply it and get attacked by the Empire, it won't compare to the damage this time.

(But I won't let you.

That's why Hershelik moved with great care until today.

Now the man in front of me is waging a war. He has a sword called the Word and sticks it down his throat to upset his opponent.

"If that's the case, I suggest you stop because it's useless?

With the pointed sword tip, Hershelik turns his gaze straight towards the imperial nobility as if to accept it. Having received that gaze, he stopped laughing like he made fun of people and looked serious.

"…… I see. Really smart. I can also snort that guy's attention.

Hershelik figured out what the Imperial nobleman said about Barbasse without checking.

"You know the man?

Hershelik asks because it was a mouthful as if we had met before. But the man shook his head.

"I've never met him in person. But what he's doing is a lot to my ear.

Minister nesting in a great country. His influence is not just domestic. The influence of the big country was also influenced by the surrounding countries. The Imperial Army was now able to cross the Principality of Parche in this ambush, and the threat of the Empire was due in part to the fact that the Minister turned his hand. Had it not exited, the Principality of Parche would not have been able to see and pretend not to see. That man is so influential.

"Well there's a lot going on...... I was interested.

That's what the Imperial aristocrats say and leak a small, bitter laugh. I lost the battle, but it's not good to go back as a defeated general. Then I fanned the prince to a souvenir to put aside and wish the kingdom would be confused by civil unrest, but this prince didn't get on so easily. On the contrary, they saw this hand. If I couldn't fulfill my purpose, all I could think of was satisfying my interests.

"I am the tenth nobleman in the empire. If we had won this battle, we would have raised the memory and visibility of the New Emperor. But I was defeated. Even if I go back to the Empire like this, I just feel narrow on my shoulders.

Empires that culminate in emperors are all respected by the Emperor's will. I lost this battle even though I had many soldiers who said it was a win. Then even if I go back, my position will never go down or up. It's more about buying a recession and hitting the neck or sleeping with the other nobles.

"Then before that happens, you want to see The Prince of Light, which overshadowed the overwhelming disadvantage.

"…… Prince of Light?

The man laughs strangely at Hershelik tilting his neck.

"The story of" The Prince of Light "is also popular in our country. A brave, princess in that story is about you, isn't it?

The acts performed by one of the travellers who is not tied to the country are not tied to the country, as are they. Even if it were a real event, we would change the name of the country and the characters and play them on stage funny and funny. The current popular performance of "The Prince of Light" among them seemed to me to be the prince in front of me. Rather now that the battle was over, I was convinced that the Prince of Light was him.

Shake his head as if to shake off the man's words, Hershelik denies.

"I was just lucky to win.

Hershelik thinks this fight was just lucky.

Since the Imperial Army carried out an ambush within Hershelik's expectations, it was possible to carry out an ambush on the opposite side. Heath, the undefeated general of battle drilling, made it possible to deploy his army smoothly. The enemy was also alarmed, so the main unit was not so deep in the enemy formation that we were able to capture him alive, the commander. The presence of a magician named Shiro was not well known to other countries, so he was able to push it with force.

So if even one factor was missing, would you have won?

If I hadn't been ambushed, I would have had to relate to 100,000 empires directly from the front with 20,000 troops. It would have been difficult to ambush him if he had been a man of no strength but a general, not Heath. The presence of Shiloh was known, and magic could be prevented if the defensive junction magic was stretched multiple times. If the Commander's position was also placed behind enemy forces, I don't know how many Orans I would have tracked.

If the Imperial Army had known that its own ambush units had been wiped out, if it had put up defensive boundaries at night, if it had discovered an army lurking with lookouts patrolling the perimeter, if anyone with more power than one another Oran was in the enemy, if Hershelik's signal had been any slower... if luck had lacked even one, it would not have been like the result of this one.

I was aware that the minister had originally used his men to make suspicious moves. Hershelik moved out of contact with the minister of the Princess Perla.

We anticipated many cases so that there would be no leaks in everything, assuming the worst, we used all the handouts we could use, worked out a wide variety of measures, and thought to minimize the damage. To deal with everything no matter what happens. And this time with luck on my side, I just won.

Hershelik closes his eyes and takes a deep breath once. And when I opened my eyes, I looked straight at the man.

"May I ask your name?

"My name is Dick Iol Lynx.

Imperial nobility to Hershelik, whose atmosphere has changed...... Dick answers while continuing to observe.

"Iol?"

"In the Empire, nobility is a place of nobility between first and last names. Iol means the 10th nobleman of the Empire."

I see, Hershelik continued his words as he nodded. His eyes bore an invincible light.

"Mr. Links, would you like to make a deal?

"... what is the deal?

Dick is surprised by the abrupt offer without context.

Hershelik continued his words, pointing such a fond grin at him.

"I hate battles. I don't like it when people kill people. I don't want my own people or the people of the enemy countries to bleed unnecessarily if I can.

Hershelik was in a place unrelated to the war when he was Ryoko Hayakawa in his previous life. Past wars are just in textbooks, and I know how tragic war is. But I've never had an experience just knowing.

Ryoko loved games, novels and comics. And I was reading a lot of war memorabilia and war objects. Ryoko enjoyed the story of the characters betting their beliefs and fighting fate with determination in a mild way.

However, by being born into a world where the characters of the favorite works exist and becoming a party, Hershelik can no longer feel as light as he used to feel.

"Beautiful.

Dick laughs with his nose.

"If two or more countries exist that list different masters, there will be a war. It is inevitable to bump into each other if the claim is different.

"I know how beautiful it is.

Hershelik wanted to deny Dick's words. On the other hand, he understood them. That was what I've been asking myself many times.

There are times when we do need a fight. Sometimes it's inevitable. Hershelik also understands that he needs to kill to protect him. The world, and people, is not simply made.

"But you can reduce it even if you can't get rid of it. We can talk and compromise with each other. We are equipped with mouths and thoughts for conversation.

I guess that's a very sweet idea, Hershelik knows. But I made up my mind. Going for the ideal world. Even though I knew it was an endlessly distant place, and no matter how many difficulties awaited me, I decided to continue along that path.

"…… I see.

(He may be a 'hero'.

Dick looks at Hershelik's unmistakable expression and squeals in a voice he can't hear.

Dick thinks there are two kinds of heroes.

One is a hero made by people. Tailored with heroes, Daoism is used to support people's hearts and expectations. It is made manually in some times, flushed by the waves of the times, and even after the pathetic puppets and achievements, we must continue to dance on the stage of history.

The only thing left is a real hero. A hero who holds his own convictions, responds to people's hopes, carries many lives, accepts all cheers and defamation, and keeps going, whether it's Tsu's path or not.

I don't know if it's a dancing dogma or a moving hero, or if the prince in front of me is the former or the latter. Because it is what historians of later times will do to draw that conclusion.

"Mr. Links?

Hershelik asks Dick, who has shut up. Called his name, Dick took a breath.

"…… tell me to be a negotiator with the kingdom,?.

Understanding Hershelik's said deal, Dick spins the word.

"In return, my position may rise. Is it just gonna work out that way? On the contrary, I may be sued for treason as someone who insides into a great power.

"I need you to get around there well. Even if that happens, it doesn't hurt me just to have no negotiators for this one. But this is an official deal between the state and the state. Negotiating on a reciprocal footing with each other should not in vain harm national interests.

For Hershelik, this deal is only one of countless ways.

There are ideals. I don't like war and I don't like people dying. But I won't condone it if it's to protect my precious things. I'll do what's available, and I'll throw away what's to be cut off. Besides its own people, it is neither popular nor fraternal enough to try to help people in other countries.

It's contradictory, and I'm aware of it. But ideals as ideals, reality has to be seen as reality. We must not confuse ideals and reality. But it shouldn't be impossible to narrow the difference, Hershelik thinks.

"…… what if I use it to attack the kingdom again?

"So you failed to use it this time, didn't you? Besides, if you're going to invade our country, it's not until you return the favor.

Hershelik takes Dick's words with a chuckle.

"It's fine. Because I have five years.

When Hershelik said just one last push, Dick laughed.

"Lord Hershelik has a lot of nerve.

If you think you took a deal with an enemy general in front of you, you threaten to pay him back. I've even set a deadline. He said he was a young child, but already in Dick, Hershelik's perception didn't consider him a child.

"You're an actor inside, too. That's why I was going to make a deal, too.

Hershelik shudders.

With that look, Dick realizes that he was going to try it. Maybe this prince was waiting for himself to bring a deal. I would have judged it worthless if I was just shrinking as a defeated general. We talked about the negotiating desk because we decided it was worth the deal. I mean, it was Dick's complete defeat.

"I understand, Lord Hershelik. I can't get back to you right away about the deal, but I will certainly be the negotiator for His Majesty. This will be of greater benefit to both countries than this land.

"Yes, I, too, father...... I will definitely get an acknowledgement for telling His Majesty.

Hershelik says so and offers his hand. Dick also rises out of his chair, giving him his hand and shaking it.

"Please forgive my disrespect for leaving you sitting earlier... but Lord Hershelik is going to be in trouble.

Dick shrugged, recognising that his opponent was a child at the small handshake.

"If you can defeat that great enemy, you will be a hero of the kingdom. Even if you don't want it, you want it around you. And your presence at home and abroad is as bright and noticeable as light.

It will illuminate this world like the morning sun on that day when it was ambushed. Yes, Dick was intuitive.

"Don't you know that too? Next thing you know, you could be the spark of contention. Prince of Light...... No, Lord 'Hero of Light'.

Hershelik answers Dick's words and unshakes his hand. And I didn't say a word, I just smiled quietly.

A few days after I was finishing my interview with Dick, Hershelik was having a busy day when I finally got permission from Crowe. Although General Bartolt is in charge of the fort, Hershelik is higher than Bartolt because he has represented the king in this battle. That doesn't change even if you're an outward looking toddler. That gave Hershelik the clerk a wingspan to fight with the postwar paperwork.

He ruled on the documents packed up as he did every day, remanded them if they were deficient, signed them, and sometimes escaped to blossom in chat with the soldiers, and when Crowe or Oran discovered them, he was taken back to the office, and also escaped to pull them into the library with Ciro, where he spent time talking to an experienced General Bartolto for a cup of tea in the sun.

Negotiations with the Empire also went well, scheduling the liberation of the captives, while the week that had been repeated every day fighting the paperwork, the soldier who had rushed in would mark the end.

"It's an emergency!

"………… What?

With ink on his cheeks, Hershelik turns a slightly rough eye on the soldier when he wakes up peeling his body between a desk and a chair that is incompatible with his little body. Compared to when you're in bed, you don't have to be bored, but your heart stood at the unending job whether you did it or not. Usually only love was good. It was an unthinkable look from him, but the soldier was so hasty that he didn't realize it.

"I am calling from the King's capital that His Majesty fell ill."

"……… Huh?

To the soldier's report, Hershelik drops the fountain pen he had. It rolled over the desk and fell to the floor, creating a black stain on the carpet, but no one could blame it.

On the evening of hearing the soldier's report, Hershelik looked around at the troops who had already finished preparing to leave for the Wang capital.

Only Hershelik's leaders and Kingsguard knights will accompany him. The horse will be prepared more than double the number of people to accompany him, and from now on will be a forcible army to the King's capital, day and night, with only a minimum break.

"Your Highness..."

"General Bartolt, after the fact, please.

When Bartolt speaks to the prince, who was making the final confirmation on the paperwork while standing, Hershelik answers without taking his eyes off it.

"I have no problem with the Empire. General Heath would also like to make arrangements for the return of the soldiers.

"Understood."

Heath, who was behind Bartolt, replies with one hand up.

After the Imperial Army was completely gone, Heath's job was to take the surviving Expeditionary Army and triumph over to the King's Capital. Hershelik would have planned to return at that time.

Bartolt opened his mouth and hesitated for a moment, but never spoke his mind.

"... Your Highness, that man has had that tragedy again..."

"I understand.

Hershelik blocked Bartolt's words without listening to everyone.

"I'll take them too to prevent that.

With that said, Hershelik is at the end of his gaze, Roy, who has the most important testimony in this case, with Theodore, who was held in captivity with both hands, and with those who have made contact with the Empire this time, and who are still preparing to leave.

(Never, I won't let Barbasse like it.

There was force in his hand, and he gripped the paperwork and made a noise and made a wrinkle, but Hershelik could not help.

Bartolt won't be able to say anything to such a prince.

"Dear Hershey, I'm ready to leave.

"Okay.

Hershelik nods at Cro's words that he has come to call.

"Be careful, Your Highness.

"Leave the rest to me.

Hershelik nodded at Bartolt and Heath's words, and as he boarded the carriage that Shilo had already taken, he ran out immediately. Among the carriages that set off at more speeds than they went, the usual Hershelik would have immediately been attacked by motion sickness, but now he couldn't afford to fall.

Kind, and sad father's face comes to mind.

"Father..."

Hershelik's whining was cancelled by the sound of the carriage running.