Chapter 67: Returning to Normal
The library of the academy. This is the only place Ren visits at the school. Today, too, Ren is in the library.
Ren is still behind the bookshelf, breathing quietly, staring at the desk ahead of him. Mike and Princess Amalia are facing each other at that desk.
"It's okay, come out"
Mike calls out to Ren.
"You could have talked to her more slowly."
With a grin and a meaningful smile, Ren approaches Mike and Amalia.
"There's nothing to talk slowly about."
"I'm just trying to be nice to you guys."
Ren still doubts Mike's relationship with Princess Amalia. He correctly suspects Mike's unrequited love.
"That's a lie. You can hide perfectly without being noticed, right?"
"I thought that would be rude."
It would be bad for Mike in case he had to watch. In his own way, Ren is being considerate. He is concerned because he has assumed that Mike has a crush on Princess Amalia.
"What kind of concern is that?"
"Concern for a friend consoling a heartbroken princess."
"Heartbroken... that's not a concern, right?"
Saying this in front of him doesn't mean he cares.
"It's true. Hey?"
"...I know."
Asked directly by Ren, Princess Amalia responded with a look of displeasure on her face.
"Oh, I knew it, you're heartbroken."
Without knowing that Ren would be less inclined to condone such an attitude.
"…………"
"No reaction? Is the maid who is supposed to complain here absent today?"
"I didn't bring her."
"I see. So what are you talking about?"
The secret talk with Emily, the maid who is always with her, is not normal. It couldn't have been a normal conversation.
"Small talk"
"...Mike's family is not a wealthy enough merchant family for a princess to marry into."
"Small talk! You're insulting me too!"
Princess Amalia loudly complains about Ren's provocations. She doesn't realize that this will cause more sarcasm.
"Is it an insult to marry into a merchant family? Sorry for that."
"...What do you want to say?"
"Nothing. I came out because he asked me to come out, but you're still here."
"I'm in the way."
"Have you finally understood?"
"...What kind of secret conversation are you two planning on doing?"
Princess Amalia is also getting stubborn at Ren's verbal attack. It is a reaction that is typical of the princess, who is naturally a bit of a pushover. However, if she reacted in this way, Ren's verbal attack would be even more relentless.
"Things that are hard to talk about when there's a woman around. I might hurt you if I ask you."
"...I'm already hurt enough."
"That's too bad."
"It's because of you! How can you keep coming up with lines that hurt people!?"
"Is it a gift?"
In other words, it's not that he's insensitive, but that he's saying something that hurts her on purpose. Princess Amalia finally understood this.
"...If it's small talk, please. I don't care about anything."
"You're completely stubborn. You're a child."
"Whatever. Come on, let's talk."
"You're not very nice. Is she always been like this?"
"Don't ask me"
Mike answers with an aversion look on his face. He doesn't want to get involved.
"You got your guts twisted when the guy dumped you. It's all the other person's fault. I'm not bad. It's common for women to think like that."
"…Do you hate me that much?"
As expected, Princess Amalia does not remember being told this much. And the trouble is, Ren doesn't either.
"I don't like people, except for a few."
For Ren, it doesn't matter who is in front of him. He's just attacking anyone who gets in the way of his meeting with Mike.
"...I'm that much of a hindrance?"
"I've been trying to tell you that for a while now."
"I'm not going away."
Princess Amalia is completely stubborn.
"Mike, what is it about this wicked woman that you like so much?"
"Wha!?" "Eh!?"
Two surprised voices. Mike's fears have come true. He is completely involved.
"Or is there someone else you like?"
"Someone else?"
"I see. There is no one you like other than Her Highness Amalia."
"Why is that!?"
"No, I've been thinking lately that lack of words can lead to misunderstandings."
"...Are you in a good mood?"
"It's the other way around. I'm in a bad mood."
In other words, a good portion of his verbal attack on Princess Amalia was taken out of context. A wry smile appears on Mike's face.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing. I can't help it, so I'll deceive you with small talk until the childish Princess Amalia is in a good mood."
"Do you think that's going to fix it?"
Princess Amalia thinks that as long as Ren is here, her mood will never recover.
"I don't know about that. By the way, how do you feel about Mike having feelings for you?"
"That's……"
Princess Amalia's cheeks are blushing a little and she looks embarrassed.
"What? It looks like it will recover easily."
"...You're the worst man."
Knowing that she was teased by Ren, Princess Amalia's expression becomes tight again.
"If I'm the worst... Well, that's fine. I'm tired of it. Now, what about small talk?"
"......What the hero candidates are up to."
"Is that small talk? And aren't you interested in what the hero is up to, not what the candidates are up to, right?"
"What if it is?"
This time, without getting angry, Princess Amalia admitted her feelings. It's almost as if she can put up with Ren's rudeness if she can get the information.
"Do you want to hear it? I think it's painful, though?"
"You're being very attentive here."
"No, I just don't want to talk about it because I don't want to make you feel better."
"Speak!"
Princess Amalia's patience was short.
"What is the information fee?"
"What do you want?"
"That maid?"
"You're such an asshole."
"Don't say terrible words. How greedy are you to get information for free..."
"Speak up!"
"Haa… Yuya Kisaragi has been completely taken over by the Luine Kingdom. There is no possibility of him being removed from it at the moment. As long as there's nothing too much going on, it's settled as it is."
"Unless there is something more than that?"
Princess Amalia, who hears this, still has feelings for Yuya. It's a really easy reaction.
"That's right. One is revealing that the maid Kisaragi is obsessed with is actually a high-class prostitute, and then get him a higher-quality woman."
"A high-class prostitute?"
"I think Kisaragi thinks she's a maid, but she is a prostitute. Or do I need to explain to you what a prostitute is?"
"……No need."
"However, even if the maid is found to be a prostitute, the other treatment in the Luine Kingdom is different. And even if she is found out to be a prostitute, there is a good chance that his obsession will remain the same."
"No way. It can't be that bad."
Princess Amalia questioned Ren's explanation.
"You're his ex-lover and you don't understand? His obsession is something that changes its target very quickly. It doesn't matter who the other person is. Does that person bring you what you want at that moment? That's what matters."
"But she's a prostitute, right?"
"She's a first-class prostitute. You don't have any experience."
"...And I lost."
She, too, was nothing more than a partner for the night. Princess Amalia was reminded of that.
"Didn't it make you feel better when you found out that you were being deceived by a prostitute? If you are so depressed, why don't you go back to your ex-lover?"
"Ex-lover?"
"You should go back to the original relationship."
"I can not return"
Princess Amalia does not deny that she wants to go back. As for Ren, he is just stunned by her stupidity, but here he does not show it and continues to talk with a serious face.
"You can go back. But if he finds another target, you'll just be left alone."
"…………"
Princess Amalia cannot deny Ren's words. She kept quiet about it, but wondered if she didn't understand, so Ren explained further.
"Think of it this way. All the beautiful women in the world belong to him. If he thinks that way, he can have as many as he wants as stock and spares."
"…………"
The silence this time is a little different. Princess Amalia still didn't think that Yuya was that arrogant. She is an indescribable surprise.
"And it's not just about women. To put it another way, the best deserve the best."
"I don't understand"
"It's easy to understand... the best deserve the best woman. Now that would be the princess of Luine, the greatest kingdom on the continent."
"I see."
Ren looks at the depressed Princess Amalia with a faint smile. It is not a mockery. It is because he feels that she is responding well to the conversation.
And here's where it gets to the point
"And as the strongest person, he deserves the best party."
"What do you mean?"
Changing the topic slightly does not change Princess Amalia's feelings.
"The Class C hero candidates who were around with him will probably be cut off. I think this is not Kisaragi's idea, but Luine's intention."
"What happens after they were cut off?"
"As I said, he will try to make the best party."
"Best?"
"Should I call it the strongest?"
"……That is?"
Princess Amalia's complexion changed. It was a sign that she understood the meaning of Ren's words.
"You finally understand. He's going to make it with only Class A hero candidates."
"That's impossible. There's no way other countries won't bid."
"Actually, it can be done. If you had a lot of money. First, you will have the hero candidate withdraw. Then they would hire them as supporters."
In order to make them supporters, you need money to pay the church. If other countries do the same, the amount of money will exceed that. If you have the financial resources to do that, you can get many excellent heroes.
"But I don't think the Class A candidates would accept that kind of treatment."
"Many of them take fruit more than name. If you can offer better treatment than any countries, they will accept it. The Luine Kingdom can do that. The Lemberg Empire might be able to do it."
The difference in power between the top two countries and the smaller countries is considerable. The two top countries can do it even if all the smaller countries were to join forces.
"Two countries will monopolize the heroes."
"Monopoly is an exaggeration, but the top hero candidates will be concentrated in two countries."
"…………"
Princess Amalia is silent. Her expression finally became that of the princess of a country.
"The two strongest countries that are already out of the running will further pull away from the rest. There is no way for a small country to resist."
Ren said, adding the final words.
"I know..."
"The only way to prevent that is to combine. It's a coalition at the bidding stage. Bidding for one hero in multiple countries. That's the only way to prevent it from being concentrated in two countries."
"But such a strong coalition."
"What happens if you can't do it? I think everyone understands that."
"…………"
That was enough for Princess Amalia. In silence, Princess Amalia got up from her seat and walked towards the exit.
"I still have more to tell her."
"It's splendid."
"You sound as if you've been somewhat deceptive."
"As far as it goes, doesn't it?"
"It's for her own good. If she continues to insist on the Anti-Hero Alliance, I'm going to have to kill her."
That's what Princess Amalia and Mike are talking about. She is going to revive the Anti-Hero Alliance and take down the hero candidates. And she wants him to cooperate with her. It's just a hindrance to Ren.
"......I agree."
"But even if it's the same alliance, if it turns to the country, it's very welcome."
"But a coalition is not easy."
Because they are small countries, there is no one with the power to bring them together. Without a country as an ally, a coalition will be nothing more than a raven in name only.
"But we still need a coalition. Without it, a small country cannot resist a large country. The story of the heroes is an opportunity. You can call it a threat. If we can create a sense of urgency, it will motivate them to talk to each other."
"Maybe so. But we actually have to do something about the heroes."
"Don't let the heroes concentrate in one country."
"How?"
"In the plan that we are working on."
Ren can't overlook the fact that heroes, especially high-ranked heroes, gather in one country. He will take measures to prevent it.
"I see. Are you ready?"
"Almost done. All that's left is to decide whether to do it."
The preparations for the attack have already been completed.
"How are you going to decide?"
"I'm here to hear what you have to say about that."
"I see."
"If things don't go well over here, there's no need to make a move. I will choose to live in peace."
Ren had no intention of losing his life in vain. He's going to take action after he has a chance of winning, even if it's small.
"That's impossible."
"What do you mean?"
"We've reached an agreement. However, only a very small percentage of them are seriously considering it."
"That's good enough. Otherwise, we'd be in trouble."
"That's right."
"Then let's go. I have to go back and tell them."
Everything was ready. All that remained was to take action, and once that was done, they had to move immediately. Hesitation only creates an opening. The fist that is raised, before it is noticed, Ren's way is to swing it down toward the enemy.
◇◇◇
Shizuru came to the academy for the first time in a long time with Ren, but things had taken an unexpected turn.
When Shizuru was told that she should not listen to the conversation, she had no choice but to leave the library and wait for the conversation to end in another place. A discreet place where she would not meet anyone.
However, an unexpected person appeared there.
"Shizuru. It's been a while."
"...Yuya"
"Have you cut your hair? Nice, it suits you well."
"I see. Thank you."
Yuya immediately notices the change in Shizuru's appearance. It's a concern that Ren doesn't have. It's a concern that is limited to women.
"The fact that you came to the academy means that you have calmed down a little, right? I was worried about you, but I didn't know what to do for you."
Yuya's previous curt demeanor has completely disappeared, and he treats her kindly.
"...That's right. I'm fine now."
Shizuru replied, even though she was suspicious of his attitude.
"I see. Good for you. Then, from today onwards, we can be together like before."
"Eh?"
"I need Shizuru"
"But……"
Shizuru understands Yuya's feelings about trying to keep her away. She doesn't understand why Yuya would say such a thing to her.
"Thinking that, I broke up with the others."
Yuya continues the conversation, ignoring the bewildered Shizuru.
"What do you mean?"
"I didn't know. I heard they were saying terrible things to Shizuru behind your back, right?"
"Ah, just a little."
"I wish you had told me, and I would have stopped hanging out with them right away."
"…………"
Shizuru could not honestly believe Yuya's words. She doubted the words that would have made her happy in the past.
"Because Shizuru is far more important to me than them."
"I'm glad to hear that, but..."
"There is someone I would like to introduce to you. She says she would very much like to meet Shizuru."
"Um, Yuya. Right now..."
Shizuru is waiting for Ren to finish his errands.
"Come on, let's go. I'm sure Shizuru will be surprised."
"H-hey, Yuya."
Shizuru can't say a word. [A woman who can't refuse], Luna once said about Shizuru was right.
The place that Yuya brought her to quite forcefully was the dormitory in the academy. It is now the dormitory of the Luine Kingdom. Shizuru was overwhelmed by the luxuriousness of the place, which she could not imagine from the outside.
"Nice to meet you. Saint Shizuru. I'm Ryan Kelly, who belongs to the Platinum Knights of the Luine Kingdom."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Shizuru."
"I'm Rod Mayhim, A Royal Guard of the Luine Kingdom. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too."
The Luine Kingdom had two men attend to Shizuru instead of a maid.
They seem to have done some research, and both of them are handsome men who have a similar sense of sincerity to Hyde. It's just an appearance, but whether it's actually like that is another story.
"Um, where's Yuya?"
"He is studying in his room."
"Yuya is studying?"
Even if it's a lie, you should tell a more decent lie. Realizing his own mistake, Ryan hastily continued his cover-up line.
"No, half of it is compulsory. Otherwise, he won't study."
"Well, um, why was I brought here?"
Yuya only said that there was someone who wanted to meet her. Shizuru had no idea what she would do if she met the person.
"Her Royal Highness Grace of our country has said that she wants to meet the Saint Shizuru."
"Please stop calling me a saint. I don't have the right to call myself a saint."
"Still an apprentice. That's what you mean. Those are lovely sentiments."
"Thank you"
It is not out of that kind of feeling, but when she is praised, she says thank you. This is a habit that has already become ingrained in Shizuru's mind.
"There is still some time before Her Royal Highness Grace is ready. In the meantime, Shizuru should also prepare yourself."
"...Even if you say to get ready"
"I have prepared everything here. Please leave it to me."
"…………"
From there it was the maids' turn. They are not Yuya's maid. They are real maids. However, what they do is almost always the same.
"Well, Shizuru-sama. What a wonderful body you have."
"Um... t-thank you..."
Shizuru stutters back to the maid who praises her exaggeratedly. Her embarrassment made her do so.
Right now, Shizuru is stripped naked and has her body washed by two maids. This is very close to the meanness she was treated by the children when she first started living with Ren. Except for the extravagance of the place, the difference between a child and a maid, and the fact that the maid actively praises her.
"Shizuru-sama's legs are long, thin and wonderful."
"Is that so?"
"This waistline. I know it's a little bit rude to say this, but it's a curve that men can't get enough of."
"That kind of thing is……"
Unfortunately, Ren felt nothing for the waist that the maid praised so highly.
"The skin is also very smooth. What kind of care do you take?"
"I used to do a lot of things, but now I'm doing nothing."
"Well, and now you have this skin? It's wonderful."
"No……"
When she is praised so much for everything, as expected, Shizuru is no longer feeling happy.
"Ara? There's a scar on your skin. That's no good. Let's take care of it right away."
"Ah, it's fine."
"No, you mustn't. It'll be a big problem if you leave a scar."
"But when you're with children, you can usually get scratches."
She had had worse injuries. Fortunately, the scars seem to have disappeared to the extent that the maids cannot notice them. It is only natural that she used healing magic at that time.
"Children?"
"Orphans. I'm taking care of them."
"Well, it's wonderful. It's exactly the act of a saint."
"I'm not a saint."
"That humility is also wonderful. We must learn from it."
"…………"
No matter what Shizuru says, the maids simply praise her. It is fair to say that this also examines Shizuru's character very well. Unfortunately, however, Shizuru's way of thinking has changed a little since then.
After washing her body, she was taken to a private room.
"How do you like it? Shizuru-sama."
"...Yeah. It feels really good."
Shizuru's whole body is massaged while she is completely naked. By the time she got here, her sense of shame had faded considerably.
"Shizuru-sama's skin is very beautiful."
"Thank you"
"How's the scent?"
"Yes, very nice. What is this?"
"It's roses."
"I see. It feels good. Since when have I had an oil massage?"
"I'm glad you like it."
After the oil massage to polish up the skin, she changed into the prepared dress.
The prepared dress was a white dress made of silky silk. The design was simple, but the luster of the silk created an elegant atmosphere.
When the stylish Shizuru wears it.
"Well, it's wonderful! A true saint!"
"I envy you! With Shizuru-sama's figure, any dress will look gorgeous!"
Apart from the expressions of the maids, the dress actually becomes a figure that people around her only praise. Furthermore, her bosom is adorned with a necklace of shining white jewels. The result is a noble lady. In the original world.
"A wig?"
"Yeah, your current hairstyle is nice, but long hair goes well with the dress."
"I see……"
The maid says so, but it is obvious that she is trying to hide her short hair, which is the hairstyle of a sinner. The wig was put on and the maid led Shizuru through the room.
As soon as she entered the room through the open door, she let out a sigh.
"It is Shizuru-dono. Is it rude to say she looks different?"
"No, the unadorned Shizuru-dono was lovely when she visited, but the polished Shizuru-dono is so dazzling that I can hardly keep my eyes open."
Ryan and Rod's impressions are unflattering and sincere.
"It's the first time I've met you. I'm Princess Grace La Tour Luine of the Luine Kingdom."
She can tell by the fact that Princess Grace began to introduce herself after the others could even speak in praise of Shizuru.
"Nice to meet you. Your Royal Highness. My name is Shizuru Tojo."
"I am happy that you accepted my invitation. I have prepared a small feast for you. I hope you enjoy it."
"Yes……"
Looking at the food on the table, Shizuru's eyes widened. For the Luine Kingdom, the reaction was as expected.
"Come on, take a seat. There is no need for formalities. Enjoy your meal."
"Yes"
However, from here on, there will be a slight deviation from the predictions of the kingdom. It was a mistake to think the same as Yuya, but it can't be helped. There was no way they could find out about things from another world.
"Well, it's wonderful. You add cacao as a secret ingredient, right?"
Shizuru says that cacao is the secret ingredient in cooking. Princess Grace's eyes turn to the cook, she confirms her cook's nod and opens her mouth.
"Yes, how did you know that?"
"Because I had previously eaten a meat dish that also used cacao as a secret ingredient."
"I see."
"At that time, it was deer meat. It was a fawn, but my mother is sensitive to the smell. The head chef was very tactful and only put a twist on our dish."
Shizuru talks about her experience in another world.
"...So that's what happened."
"What is this? Herb... it's not. I know what it tastes like. Your Highness, what is this?"
"...Please explain."
Princess Grace directed Shizuru's question to the cook.
"Ha. We use tea leaves."
"Tea? But"
"It's a tea called cherry leaf, which is not often drunk. It has a good flavor even as it is, but it is too strong to be used as a secret ingredient. So we use the tea leaves."
"Are cherry leaves the same as the cherry leaves in our world? If so, I would like to see them."
"It's said to make beautiful flowers bloom."
"You've never seen them, have you?"
"I'm afraid not."
"If it's the same as the cherry leaves that I know, you definitely should see it. I have heard that people in the culinary arts should be sensitive to beauty."
"That's informative"
"It was being cheeky. I was just borrowing people's words."
"Even so."
Shizuru is having a lighthearted conversation with the cook. In the original world, Shizuru was born and raised in a prominent and wealthy family. She was accustomed to this kind of situation. There was no way that the Luine Kingdom could understand such a thing.
At the meal, Shizuru, the cook, and even the head chef participated in a lively chat. The rest of the people were tense as they watched Princess Grace trying her best not to show her displeasure.
The meal time was over. Shizuru wanted to go home, but the Luine Kingdom would not allow her to do so.
She was taken to a room that had been prepared as a bedroom.
"Do you want me to stay here?"
"I would like Shizuru-dono to know more about our country."
"I don't have to stay here."
"We have prepared a room just for you. And breakfast tomorrow."
"Even if you say that"
Shizuru has a home to return to. It takes a lot of courage to stay overnight without saying anything to the owner of that house.
"There are so many things I want to tell you. For example, I am doing a lot of research on the lore of the saints of the past."
"The saints?"
"Yes. I am sure it will be of great help to Shizuru-dono. You should reevaluate your own value. I am sure that our country can help you do so."
"…………"
What is her worth? Shizuru was strongly interested in this.
"The time is late, anyway, you can stay here for the night."
"……Yeah."
Despite her worries, Shizuru accepts to stay. This area is the part of a woman who can't say no.
"Then I will call the maid. Please wait a moment."
And the next day, she was kept there again. That was something Shizuru did not understand at that time.
Let her learn luxury and take her into their own country. The same hospitality that was given to Yuya was given to Shizuru by the Luine Kingdom.
Shizuru stared at her own image in the mirror placed in her room. There was the appearance that had been praised by many people.
"...There is a hypocrite"
To the present Shizuru, that figure could only be seen as a fake.
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