Chapter 52: Honey Trap for Minors?
There is a somewhat restless atmosphere among the hero candidates in Class A. However, it is exclusively the boys who are restless.
The conditional offensive of each country never stops. And it has changed its content by attacking them with entertainment. Including things that were unbecoming of a hero candidate who was a minor in this world, regardless of his or her actual age.
"Not good. I've finally done it. What should I do?"
Contrary to his words, the boy's face looks happy.
"What should you do? You were full of motivation from the daytime, you know?"
The face of another male student listening to it is the same. He has a nasty grin on his face.
"Because they say so."
"Don't make excuses. How was it?"
"A very sexy woman with blond hair. She really felt like an adult woman."
Perhaps remembering that time, the boy's face remained relaxed.
“An adult…that kind of thing would be nice too.”
"Yours is different?"
The other male student had already experienced it. He asked him what kind of woman the other guy had.
"A woman the same age as us."
"Did you do it with a middle schooler? A lolicon, no, you're a demon."
"It's what they wanted. I just accepted it."
This is nothing more than an excuse. The truth is that the boys wanted to be s*xually entertained by the girl of their choice, and the partner responded to their request. In this case, the other party is not the girl, but the country that prepared the girl.
"...But is it okay?"
"What?"
"I've decided on a country so quickly."
What the other party is asking in exchange for s*xual entertainment is, of course, that they become a hero for their own country. Although this boy is troubled by the fact that he accepted it.
"Are you stupid?"
"What?"
"There's no need to decide, is there? You can receive entertainment from various countries and choose the country where you can enjoy the best."
If you are a Class A candidate, you will be in great demand. You can have the same experience many times in the future.
"You...you really are a demon."
"It's our natural right. We'll protect them with our lives."
"I see……"
This kind of whispering had come to be heard here and there in the school building. But then again, you can also see a different scene.
“Teppei-sama, I had a good time last night.”
"Ah, no, it was my pleasure."
The male student who was approached by the female student looked terribly embarrassed.
"Really? Wasn't it boring for you to be with me?"
"That's not true"
"I'm glad to hear you say so, even if it's just to flatter me. Did the food suit your palate?"
"...You see."
Changing his expression, the male student opens his mouth even though hesitating a little.
"What is it?"
"You don't have to do it"
"What do you mean?"
"You don't have to force yourself on an ugly guy like me."
"...Why would I do something like that?"
The female student asks why, but that makes sense to most people if they compare the two of them in appearance. One is a boy who would never be praised for his appearance, and the other is a girl who exudes a prim and proper beauty. No matter how you look at it, the two are out of balance.
"That one, right? Making me want to come to your country, so you're doing it like this."
“I see……Did Teppei-sama think of me that way?”
"But"
Otherwise, there is no way that the beautiful princess would have gone on a date with him. The person himself knows this best.
"No, that's right. I think it's suspicious if I suddenly approach you. But I..."
"……Um."
"I won't give up. I hope that one day Teppei-sama will understand my feelings."
"Lilia-san."
"So please continue to see me. If you don't like it, you don't have to talk. I'll just be by your side..."
Princess Lilia said this with a sorrowful expression.
"…………"
He knows it's a lie. But even if he knew
"Is that not good?"
"...No, if that's about it"
The male student could not refuse.
"Thank you. Teppei-sama."
Some of the hero candidates are being set up with such honey traps. In any case, the girls' eyes are cold when they see a male hero candidate being flirtatious around. And some of them are not able to enjoy such a delicious experience.
(Why? Why is no one approaching me?)
Yuya was walking quickly down the corridor with these thoughts in his mind.
Yuya, who could have received the most reception, but he had not received any such contact yet, as messengers only came to talk to him during the day.
(Are you saying I'm not worth it?)
Despite this thought in his head, Yuya does not really think so. And his true feelings were more correct in this case.
It is Yuya who has the highest reputation for ability. Each country has the idea that if entertainment is to be provided, it must be of the highest quality. That is why they explicitly ask Yuya what kind of women he likes.
Yuya, who does not understand such circumstances, does not give them the answer they are looking for. If he is dissatisfied, he should just be honest and say what he likes about the outside, not what he likes about the inside. Yuya doesn't understand that.
Another pair. The sight of a hero candidate and a female student from some other country being friendly with each other entered Yuya's vision. Yuya, who was in an increasingly bad mood, tried to leave the place with even faster steps.
"Kyaa!"
A woman's voice was heard. Yuya hurriedly returned his gaze to the front and found a female student lying on the floor. The situation was clear.
"Are you okay!?"
Yuya hurriedly called out to the collapsed female student.
"...I-I'm fine."
"Are you hurt? Are you in any pain?"
"I'm fine... uu."
A small groan leaked out from the female student who was about to stand up.
"You're hurt. Don't move. Where does it hurt?"
"I just twisted it a little. It's not a serious injury."
The female student stretched out her injured leg and leaned against the corridor wall. So for the first time, the girls' gazes turned to Yuya. Those big, blue eyes that looked so strong-willed,
However, Yuya was more interested in the girl's appearance in general than in the strength of will in her eyes. Her golden hair reached down to her shoulders, white skin, and small pink lips. He was admiring the appearance of the girl, who could definitely be called a beautiful girl.
"…………"
"...I'll be fine."
"Ah, I'll take you to the infirmary. Do not move as it is."
"Eh?"
"It's fine. I can carry you."
"No, that's fine."
Yuya's offer was rejected by the female student.
"Why?"
"To be touched by a man...and in such a public place..."
The eyes that had been directed at her looked down. The girl's ears were stained red with shame.
"......But you have to treat them."
"Yes, but..."
“Hold on a little.
"…………"
Taking the silence as an affirmation, Yuya crouched down next to the female student to hold her in his arms. The female student remained looking down.
"Amalia-sama!"
"Ah"
The female student looked up in response to the voice calling her name.
"...Friend of yours?"
"My... maid."
"A maid? Where are you from? Royalty?"
If she is a student with a maid, she is a royalty somewhere.
"Yes"
"I see"
“…Thank you very much. It's all right now. I'll ask my maid to take care of the rest."
"But this is my fault."
Even if the other person is fine, Yuya is not fine with it. He doesn't want the chance encounter to end with just this.
"No. I was careless. I got distracted by strange things."
"What do you mean by something strange?"
"Um... in this place... men and women face each other..."
"Oh. That's right. I was wondering about it too. It's not suitable for learning."
Yuya, who had been envious of that until just a moment ago, could say this without hesitation. Before the female student could reply to that, the maid interrupted.
“Amalia-sama! Did you get hurt!?”
"I just twisted my leg a little."
"I see... did you do it?"
The maid who appeared glared at Yuya who was next to her.
"Oh, um, I'm sorry."
“What have you done to Amalia-sama!?”
"Emily! It is my carelessness. This person is not to blame."
"But……"
The maid, who was called Emily, showed a dissatisfied face, but didn't say anything more.
"Give me a hand, please."
"No, on my back."
"Even though I'm small, I'm the princess of a country. I can't let people see me being carried on someone's back."
"I see. Then my shoulder."
"Yes. Please."
Princess Amalia stood up with the help of Emily, her maid, and lightly bowed to Yuya, then tried to leave with Emily's shoulder as support.
"Ah!"
"……Is there something?"
"I forgot that I can use healing magic."
"You can?"
"Yeah. I'll treat you right away."
Without hearing a reply, Yuya knelt before Princess Amalia, spinning the words of the chant. His hands were extended between Princess Amalia's ankles.
"Healing"
The light extending from both hands envelops Princess Amalia's ankles. After a brief moment of brilliance, the light slowly fades away.
"Well?"
"...Yes. The pain is gone."
"That's good."
"……Thank you"
"Don't thank me. I hurt you, so I just healed you."
"Nevertheless, thank you... then, we'll take our leave."
Saying thanks to Yuya, Princess Amalia tries to leave.
"Um!"
"……Yes"
"Don't you know who I am?"
"...I know that you are a hero candidate."
"Yes. I'm Yuya Kisaragi."
"Huh? You?"
Princess Amalia was surprised when she heard Yuya's name.
"It seems you know my name."
Yuya was satisfied with Princess Amalia's reaction.
"Of course. Yuya-sama is the only hero candidate who truly holds the title of hero. There's no way I don't know that."
"I see. What about you?"
Princess Amalia's words pleased Yuya more and more.
"I am Amalia Armstrong. I am the first princess of the Saint Miriam Kingdom."
"Saint Miriam Kingdom..."
"I don't think you know. It's a small country at the far end of the north."
"Then, perhaps you'd like to tell me about your country sometime?"
"Eh? That's..."
With a slightly clouded face, Princess Amalia's gaze turned to her maid, Emily. Emily, who received her gaze, showed a complicated expression.
“Is there a problem? Ah, it's fine after school. It is inappropriate to talk about it in the hallway."
"No, it's not that."
"Then what?"
"I think Yuya-sama wouldn't deal with a small country like ours..."
"That's not true! I want to listen to various people's stories. I will not be so foolish as to decide on a course of action based on the size of a country."
Yuya inevitably denied Princess Amalia's words.
"But"
"I am a hero. I believe that the power of a hero should be used for those who are truly in need."
"Yuya-sama..."
In response to Yuya's words, Princess Amalia shows a surprised expression. She never thought he would say such a thing.
“To be honest, I want to be friends with Amalia regardless of the country. Is that a no?"
"...No, I'm happy to hear that."
"Right. Then... what should I do?"
“Please let me know when is convenient for you, Yuya-sama. I will do my best to accommodate you.
"How should I tell you?"
“I am in class B for the first year. If it's too much trouble, I can send Emily here to Yuya's classroom."
"No, I'll go myself."
"Understood. I'll be waiting for you."
Finally, Princess Amalia bowed gracefully like a princess this time and returned to the classroom with her maid, Emily. Yuya watched her back as she walked away.
(......Is this what you call a fateful encounter? Have I finally found my heroine?)
He was immersed in a convenient fantasy.
◇◇◇
When Yuya says a convenient day, he means any day. Normally, Yuya would have been the one who would have asked her out on that day, but he didn't do it this time.
The reason is that he thought that such an aggressive approach would not be good for Princess Amalia, who is obviously new to male-female relationships and appears to be very serious.
When it comes to seducing women, Yuya can be a connoisseur. But with Yuya, who did not have to go through the trouble of seducing women, the plan was not so far-fetched.
“A restaurant with good food and atmosphere?”
"Yes. Do you know where?"
"I don't know. I was in the monastery all this time."
"But women like that kind of thing, don't they?"
“I like it, but… why would you want to know which restaurant a woman likes?”
Shizuru is one of the few women Yuya can't seem to get rid of and trust. She is also one of the few women whom Yuya can use in his schemes.
"I'm going to have a talk with the princess of a small country."
"I see."
"I wanted to know what the situation in a small country is like. I should know more about this world."
"Yes. I think so too."
"Then, Shizuru, will you come with us?"
"...I wonder?"
With this exchange alone, Shizuru's wariness fades away. That's the only extent of Shizuru's jealousy. It's not that she really likes Yuya, but that she wants to monopolize the feelings of the men around her.
"Well then, shall we call someone else?"
"Eh?"
“I don't have a very close relationship with my partner. One or two persons might make me nervous."
“I see. But even if someone, neither Mei nor Jin would show up at the academy."
"Then Hyde."
"Hyde? Would he come?"
"Wouldn't it be all right if I just asked?"
Yuya's complexity lies in the fact that he would call Hyde, who can be said to be his love enemy, without hesitation here. He likes Shizuru, but Yuya knows that Shizuru is rather jealous.
He wants to be with Shizuru, but he does not want to be constrained. Yuya's reasons for not becoming lovers include these reasons.
"Then maybe I should ask for a favor?"
"Yeah, that would be good."
Yuya and Shizuru, two people who are unparalleled in the entire academy for their forcefulness, pushed Hyde into the mix.
And Hyde will also be responsible for arranging the place. Finding a nice place to eat that meets Shizuru's various orders.
Now they are ready to go. All that remains is the final touches.
On the day they were supposed to go out to eat. Yuya, who had gone to ask Princess Amalia out, came back with a sorrowful look on his face.
"Were you turned down?"
"The four of us can't go together."
"...Does that mean she doesn't like us to join?"
"I'm sorry for inviting you, but that's the way it is."
"What is that?"
Cancellation of the dinner on the day of the event. Naturally, Shizuru was not in a good mood.
"It's not about Shizuru, it was a mistake to ask Hyde."
"Me?"
Hyde looks surprised when his name is mentioned. Hyde had no idea why.
"Ah, it's not Hyde's fault either."
"Hey, what are you talking about?"
"In other words, if I want to hear about the hardships of a small country, she will talk about the arrogance of a large country. And Hyde is a vassal of that large country."
"Our country is not arrogant toward other countries."
Hyde shows dissatisfaction with Yuya's words.
"Even if the large country thinks so, but for smaller countries it's an impossible task."
"...I can't deny that."
"I was also worried that their words might offend the large country."
"I'm just an apprentice knight. I don't have the power to care about that."
"It's how they feel."
"...Well, if the other party insists, it can't be helped."
Hyde doesn't really want to join them. On the contrary, he was relieved in his heart that he will not join.
"I'm sorry, but since you took the trouble to make this appointment, you two should just go."
"Ha?"
That relief is blown away by Yuya's words.
"You made a reservation at the restaurant, didn't you?"
"That's what you asked me to do."
"Then you should go."
"Why?"
Hyde had no reason to go out to eat alone with Shizuru.
"No, there is no particular reason, but I thought it would be bad if the reservation was wasted."
"It doesn't matter"
"But Shizuru was looking forward to it."
Yuya really wants the two of them to go out to eat.
"...Then let's go with three people. I'll invite Heinz-dono if it's convenient. So with four people."
Hyde guesses the atmosphere and tries to avoid being alone with her.
"I have something to do."
"Yes?"
"Since I've made plans, I thought we should talk."
"Where?"
Yuya was the one who originally requested a place to eat that would please the women.
"The library. I can't think of any other place."
"...I see I'm not surprised."
As expected, Hyde can read Yuya's intentions.
"What?"
"Nothing."
“Hyde-san, since we had the chance, let’s go. I think it wouldn't hurt to have a change of pace once in a while."
As for Shizuru, being alone with Hyde is very welcome. She is hoping that it will be an opportunity to change the relationship between the two of them, which is not easily shortened by classroom conversations. It is a futile expectation, though, since it is not a matter of location.
"……I see."
"Well then, you two go. Let me know your impressions later. If it's a good place, I'd like to go next time."
"With whom?"
"...That's, when the time comes."
Yuya completely got rid of Shizuru, who was a nuisance, without hiding anything. The next date was already secured.
All that was left to do was to head to the meeting place, the library, as promised.
Thinking about what could be called the first victory in a long time and what would happen after this, Yuya's steps toward the library were light.
◇◇◇
Yuya and Princess Amalia are sitting opposite each other in a corner of the library, which is almost deserted. Yuya with a smiling face and Princess Amalia with a puzzled face. They are two contrasting people.
"I don't know where to begin."
"As promised, I want to know about your country."
"My country... I don't have much to say. It's a small country in the northeast of the continent."
It's a small country that isn't even mentioned in geography classes at the academy. There is nothing interesting to talk about.
"What are its industries, for example?"
“Marine products that can be taken in the northern sea. The other one is magic ores that can be obtained in small amounts. These two support the country.”
“What is magic ore?”
Even if it wasn't a big deal for Princess Amalia, it was something that caught Yuya's interest. Even if he intends to be interested in most stories to keep the conversation going.
“It has the property of easily accumulating mana, and it is used as the core of magic tools.”
"Isn't that amazing?"
"The output is so small that it doesn't make the country rich."
Even though magic ores are valuable, they are not a special product of the Saint Miriam Kingdom. That alone was not enough to make the country rich.
"I see. Is life hard?"
"Of course. Every small country in the north is similar, but our country is the toughest among them."
"Is there a reason?"
"Our country is as good as destroyed once."
"Eh!?"
"Are you aware of the Great Upheaval?"
"Oh, it's a war caused by some small country."
The Great Upheaval is explained in detail in class. It was the war that triggered the creation of the current structure of this world. The teacher also talks in detail.
"That small country was our country's neighbor. It was our country that was the first to be invaded in the turmoil."
"I see."
“The invasion was a surprise attack, and our country was caught by surprise and was able to offer little resistance.”
"It perished"
“No, even after that, our country continued to resist until the turmoil was over. Even after our country was taken, we did not give up, but continued to fight alongside the armies of other nations."
"I see."
The Saint Miriam Kingdom was robbed of all of its territory, but it continued to fight without lowering its national flag.
“After the turmoil was over, the people who were scattered all over the country gathered and revived the country. However, the scars of war left on our territory are so great that it is difficult to...... restore it to its former state."
"Even after hundreds of years?"
The Great Upheaval was hundreds of years ago. Yuya thought that too much time has passed to say that postwar reconstruction was not possible. He thinks so even more so because he knows the history of the country in another world where he was born and raised.
"It's not a rich land to begin with. It has become even more desolate, and many of the people who cultivate it have died, but even so, our country has continued to make efforts without giving up, and we have finally seen the light."
“Is life still hard?”
"Yes"
"What about war?"
"Not since the Great Upheaval. If there had been, it would have been over by now.
“So it's safe over there.?”
It is a pity for Yuya that there is no war. He doesn't know how to make a country rich. The only way Yuya can show his power is through fighting.
Yuya's shoulders slumped in disappointment, but he was quickly cheered up by Princess Amalia's reply.
"No."
"Is something wrong!?"
"We cannot afford to let our neighbors look down on us. We have troops posted on our borders in case they invade again at any time."
"......How strong are these neighbors?"
"I don't know. The defeated neighbors are in a more difficult situation than our country. But it was the same before the upheaval. The strong do not always start wars. Some countries start wars when they are backed into a corner."
"Yes. I think so too."
This is how he responds, but Yuya's inner feelings are complex. He is not sure if it would be justice to avenge a country that has been driven into a corner and started a war. If so, there would be nothing left to appeal to.
“In the end, it is always the weak who suffer.”
“…Maybe so. But are you going to give up just because of that?”
"No way. We are always trying to make the country a little better."
"Yeah, you should."
"Even so, the difference in power with the major powers will not shrink. We will have no choice but to yield before that power."
The power of the four major powers is outstanding compared to the rest of the world. That is why they are called the Four Great Powers.
"That's not true! It's wrong to control others with force!"
Yuya tried his best to deny Princess Amalia's words of resignation.
"Yuya-sama?"
"I always want to be on the side of the weak. That's my mission as a hero."
"That's a wonderful thought."
"I want to help you. What can I do?"
"That's... impossible"
Help. Even if Yuya, a hero candidate, told her about this, she couldn't honestly be happy.
"What is impossible?"
"Our country can't give a reward suitable for Yuya-sama."
The chances of Yuya becoming the hero of Saint Miriam Kingdom are extremely low. After all, their competitors are the four major powers.
"What reward do I deserve? Money? Status? Something like that?"
"That's……"
"That's not what's really important."
“…Do you really think so?”
Yuya himself thinks that there are conditions under which even small countries have a chance to win. It is impossible not to expect it.
"Of course."
"Yuya-sama"
"Amalia. Let us think together about what I can do for you and what you can do for me."
"Yes... Yuya-sama."
"Amalia..."
Yuya's hand somehow wrapped around Amalia's hand as she sat in front of him. In such a position, their gazes crossed.
What difference does this make from the other hero candidates being friendly with the female students?
In the library, there were people watching them from afar with cold eyes. The cold eyes were different from Yuya and the female students until just the other day.
"In other words, is that the enemy?"
The question that came out of Ren's mouth. The words are as cold as the gaze.
"I wonder? As an individual, I know it's something you hate to do."
It is the same as what other countries are doing. Ralph thinks it's a measure to bring Yuya into their country.
"Stupid."
“Stupid?”
"It's still fine if they intend to kill him. But if they really want to bring him in, it's stupid."
"Why?"
“You are underestimating the power of desire. They'll just play you for a fool and throw you away."
Ren sees through the greed of the hero candidates. And he thought it was the same for Yuya, who speaks gentlemanly.
"The princess of a country?"
"Respect for royalty is extremely low compared to people in this world. It's the same for me."
"I see……"
After hearing Ren's explanation, Ralph looks depressed.
"You were lovers by any chance?"
"I told you they were enemies."
Ralph is the son of an official of the Nord Federation. He is from the country that nearly destroyed the Saint Miriam Kingdom, Princess Amalia's country, during the Great Upheaval.
"No, you didn't try to recognize her as an enemy."
"…………"
"So this is the one you really want. Well then, I don't have to return Rin."
"She's an enemy princess."
"That's what you call a tragic love."
"That's not true. Even though we see each other as enemies, we are neighboring countries and we interact with each other. I've only known her since she was little."
Their relationship is by no means good, but as long as they are not in a state of war, they do have diplomatic relations with neighboring countries. Among them, Ralph knew Princess Amalia.
“The son of an official and the princess. Does that bring you closer together?"
"...I only talked to her properly after she came to the academy."
"I see. That's how you fell in love with her."
The story unfolded as he expected, and Ren was satisfied.
"No, that's not it."
"No, let's assume that's the case."
"Why?"
"It's more interesting that way"
In the end, Ralph's feelings didn't matter to Ren.
"...You are the worst"
"Is that so? I just think that there is no stronger and purer feeling than resentment."
Resentment is one of the many reasons why spirits remain in this world. Ren feels that the spirit's resentment is pure.
"You want me to be tainted by it?"
"I mean, is that what that woman is, right?"
"It's not. Stop talking nonsense. Let's continue studying."
"All right. What's next?"
“This is the basic strategy of the Blue Dragon Knights of the Lemberg Empire. First――"
For the time to come, Ren never fails to prepare. Even if it is unknown how many years it will be or when the time will come, Ren will not spare no effort for it.
The excited hero candidates did not yet know that their natural enemy had been born in this world.
Thanks for the chapter!
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