Master’s Smile

"Right. After all, was my brother involved..."

Me and Ritter were reporting that to Princess Nina after we returned from the noble escort.

I'm the only one reporting it, and Ritter is just confused while following me, okay?

He didn't come to any noble place other than where we were sent.

That means I'm pretty sure it's Teldorf that he's been around murdering some princess Nina nobles before.

"Nevertheless, I didn't expect Teldorf to start lending a hand to such evil..."

Princess Nina thinks with a difficult face.

... I honestly don't know anyone named Teldorf, but what about it?

"... I don't know"

Yeah, it's okay because I don't expect it from Litter.

"Clean and white, the strongest knight in the kingdom. That's a man named Teldorf.... I don't even know about him. Who the hell is the master?

Yeah. After all, if you're also the leader of the Knights of the Kingdom, you're the right person.

As for me... I want you to leave me alone.

Although I am proud that I used to travel with a wide range of views, I have not been very sensitive to the public lately because of all my paperwork at Alliance headquarters.

But when I hear Princess Nina explain, it doesn't seem like a man named Teldorf is going to do the assassination.

Nevertheless, it was definitely Teldorf that me and Ritter were attacked.

"... well, he's also from my brother's faction. Until now, he was a knightly knight, but he may have changed.... From now on, I'm going to see my brother in person. Follow me, too."

Princess Nina says so and gets up and leaves the room.

... Hmmm, is that something that makes it so easy for you to meet me?

Prince Linz will also be reporting that Teldorf was seen by us...

Well, it's my job now to follow my employer's decision.

…………

Litter pulls my sleeve when I try to keep up with it, too.

If you look at her, she looks up at me with no expression.

But there was a little fright in its eyes and perhaps a color of worry.

... Well, I've seen The Devil, albeit low-level.

Given her past, it would also be natural to remember the fear.

What, you can stay in this mansion? I'll follow Princess Nina.

When I said that, Ritter shook his head to the side.

"... yeah. Master, I'll protect you."

... I feel a little sorry for guild members to say that to someone like my daughter, but I can't help it because Ritter is actually stronger.

But when Teldorf serves the devil again, he's gonna hide behind my back, right?

Because I will always protect you (as a master).

…………

Litter looks at me with a pompous eye.

... Huh? Did I say something weird?

"Litter! Master! Come quickly!"

Whoa, Princess Nina's here for you.

Sure, it could have taken a long time.

Let's go, Litter.

"... yeah"

Thus, me and Ritter left the room.

◆

Surprisingly, I was granted a light visit with Prince Linz.

After all, I thought I would be hit by a mouth seal instead of being rejected, but without any such incident, I was sent to Prince Linz's office.

I'm worried. [M]

And this is because Terdolph hath brought the devil.

If this had come out when I was acting with Laradi or Sorgross, I wouldn't have been much more alert.

But if they put such a thing out when they're with Ritter, they have to be vigilant to protect her, too.

"So what can I do for you, Nina?"

"You know what I mean, brother. In connection with the recent and frequent assassinations of nobles in Wang Du."

Princess Nina slashes quickly on Prince Linz, who does not break her spare attitude in an unsatisfactory way.

They're not going to waste the discussion.

"Oh, that case? Scary case."

"Yes. For some reason, all my factions have lost their lives."

"Ho!

Prince Linz, are you just going to scratch me?

But the report should be up from Teldorf......

I see Terdolph standing behind Prince Linz, grinning on the surface.

He has an eye for me and Ritter, too, but he doesn't look upset at all.

Is it because you have tough mental powers or are you just looking down on us again...

"Last night, our man went into battle with his brother's side, Teldorf. Are you still going to do this?"

Princess Nina turns her sharp eyes to Prince Linz.

Then the face of Prince Linz, who was laughing at Herahela, also changes.

"... Shit! So, what do we do?

Oh, I admitted it.

"... you admit that you were attacking my faction?

"Oh, I guess so. But so what?

"Of course, let me report to the King. This is obviously illegal."

Well, that's right.

It is outrageous, no matter what you think, to kill those who support political enemies.

There should have been some punishment.

"Ha! Really? Then where is the proof that I instructed you to kill your faction's nobles?

"... I think Teldorf's being the executor is more proof than anything else?

"That's your only word, isn't it? Sure, the princess's words would be believable. But that's too bad. If they become me, the first prince, they will have no power."

"Ku......!

Yep...

It was such an idiotic word until it was so clear that I accidentally wandered off.

When I look at Princess Nina, thinking there's no reason for that to work, she's distorting her face with regret for some reason.

This, this kingdom, does such outrageous theory prevail...

"But it's up to my dignity to be told on my own that I have no basis whatsoever. So why don't you suggest one from me"

"Suggestions…?

Prince Linz laughed and said niggardly.

"Let me and your side fight. And if you lose, you resign your choice of king.... What do you say?

"Become...!?

Prince Linz has demanded an exact duel.

Though I thought the king's choice was democratic, it didn't seem that way.

"O, the choice of the king should be made by the vote of the nobility! Decide on it by force, etc…"

"Isn't that strange? The king must be strong. That's absolute terms."

Princess Nina says it back while stuck in words, but Prince Linz hasn't lost either.

Hmmm...... well, I don't think it's a strange thing.

If you look outside the kingdom of Evan, there will be a number of states that are up and down to kings by force.

Because we know that, Princess Nina can't even say it back.

"Nevertheless, if me and you fight, it will be a duel between royalty. That could break the country. Therefore, as a proxy, you fight each side."

With that said, were there only two people in the name of the next king, Prince Linz and Princess Nina?

Princess Nina, of course, and from what I've seen, Prince Linz doesn't seem to be an amateur when it comes to combat either.

If they fight and get into a confrontation, etc., that could be the end of the Kingdom of Evan.

In that light, it was not necessarily an out-of-the-box suggestion.

"... fine. That offer, take it and stand."

"Good reply. I'll be the first to tell you if I'm ready for that. Out of my camp, let Terdolph out"

When Princess Nina accepts the offer, Prince Linz confidently pushes the Knight Commander forward.

Also close to him, Vissen and I are not in a combat position because of our relationship with the Alchemist.

Let's just say it's natural for Teldorf to come out.

"From your faction, are you still a litter?

It would be natural for Prince Linz to see a litter that is also considered to boast top notch strength among the Knights of the Kingdom.

I might have sent them out without any doubt, too, if I were normal.

But the demon that Terdolph served last night.

As long as I have this, I can't help but worry about Litter.

"... what?

So I step forward. [M]

It's not Litter who fights, it's me.

"Master"

But that can be stopped by being pulled off the sleeve from behind.

The litter behind me stopped me.

"... I'll fight"

Oh, yeah...

So, are you okay? I know your past. From me, I don't really want to engage with the devil.

This place can be sweet to the Alliance Master, right?

"Yeah. I, I don't feel so bad about that. Because you let me meet my master."

Hmmm...... nothing, although I think Litter and I would have met without that......

"Besides, you can't be bad forever"

Litter stares at me with a strong eye.

Though it's the expression that doesn't change, her eyes say more than the expression.

... right. Does this mean my daughter will grow up?

Unexpectedly, I almost burst into tears.

... Okay, let's leave it to the litters then!

"... Hmm. I don't know what you're talking about, but that's a litter, right?

"Oh."

Princess Nina answers Prince Linz's query.

Following that reply, Prince Linz, who nodded satisfactorily, rises.

"Good. Then I'll let you know more.... I'll show you which one is worthy of the king of this country"

"You can't lose Litter. For an outrageous knight, like Teldorf."

At the end of the day, Prince Linz left the room behind.