“Duel Confirmed: Crown Prince Arnia VS Ouga Veret!!”
“A Battle of Love, Karen Lebetsenka the Prize!?”
“Hmm……”
The extra-edition headlines being distributed around the academy were written for maximum theatrical fun.
When, in reality, neither I nor that womanizer of a prince hold any romantic affection for Karen.
I made a point the other day of telling her “This isn’t for Karen — it’s for me.” It’s important, so I said it twice.
With that, she shouldn’t be making any weird misunderstandings.
“Still, when this much of it is built out of lies, it stops being funny.”
The article also listed the Crown Prince’s resolve, which had been quoted as: “I shall face it with my entire being. I will not yield her heart to anyone.”
Is it a comedy bit? I’d like to ask him what kind of face he was making when he said that.
Even I find it distasteful.
A mood of supporting the Crown Prince had already taken shape throughout the academy.
Well — naturally. I refused the interview, and my reputation was bad to start with.
That said, it’s all going exactly as I anticipated.
The stage I wanted is being built. The harder I’m painted as the villain, the worse the damage I deliver when I beat the prince will be.
In other words — the wider Karen’s opening to exploit him afterward.
“Since Ouga wouldn’t talk to the newspaper club, they even came to me for an interview. The whole place is fired up like it’s a festival.”
“The first duel staged by first-years. And between sons of the ducal and royal houses. A natural turn of events, I’d say.”
“Hmph. Let them make whatever noise they want. I’ll walk my own royal road.”
“Yes. That seems wise.”
“Mhm, mhm. And Miss Lebetsenka — she’s so pitiable — mph.”
Sensing someone’s presence, I clamped a hand over Mashiro’s mouth by pulling her close.
Status may not matter here, but having the person herself overhear isn’t ideal.
A brilliant move that also lets me savor Mashiro’s boobs at the same time.
“Yo. You want something?”
“You’ve sure been having yourself a fine little run, haven’t you, Mister Reject-Pretending-to-be-a-Villain?”
The agreeable, public-facing smile was gone — replaced by a vicious crescent-shaped sneer. Crown Prince Arnia, addressing me.
The face he puts on for the ladies is the manufactured one. This is the real him.
The man (Arnia) from the Council President’s briefing — it suits him perfectly.
“Sure about that? Showing your true face.”
“Hardly anyone comes by here — you know that, after the prior incident.”
“Sure. Few students have any business in the old school building.”
Which is exactly why I’d guided him here.
I’d noticed him making conspicuous attempts to contact me these past few days.
His underlings had been milling around me.
Even now, he’s putting on a show of having come alone, but there are signs of others nearby.
He hides them poorly, though. Alice could mute her presence far more thoroughly.
”……Well? What does the prince want from me, walking all the way over here? It’s not duel day yet.”
“Simple business. Kind, generous me has come to extend mercy.”
Arnia, smirking lazily, clapped me on the shoulder.
“Forfeit the duel. You’ve already postured plenty. Time’s up on your justice-hero playacting.”
“Refused.”
The offer landed exactly where I’d expected, so I answered instantly and slapped his hand away.
Arnia stared in a daze at his now-displaced hand, then ground his teeth.
“I’m telling you, you’re not even cast for the part. Get it through your skull and back off.”
“Right back at you. The match is tomorrow. Go home today.”
“You don’t have any face to save anyway, do you? Just go back to hiding in your hole.”
He’s not listening. No — really, I just want him to leave already……
Actually, this guy — I’m starting to worry whether his personality is going to change at all.
No — it’s shock therapy.
Once he learns how unready he is, he can get back on his feet. He’s got royal blood in him, after all.
He must have at least that much grit. I have to believe that, or I can’t go through with this.
…… Which means there’s only one thing for me to do.
”…… What, you? Could it be — you’re afraid of me?”
Provoke him. Make absolutely sure he comes at me with everything.
If I crush him with no daylight in between, no excuses can stand afterward.
For everyone’s sake, I’m cutting off the escape route in advance.
“Aah, aah. And here I was being generous……. Decision made. I’m killing you, asshole.”
“Hmph. Going to make it look like an accident?”
“Who knows. But — a guy like you, can’t even use magic, no one would grieve if you died. Your family’d probably celebrate, even.”
The pressure swelled. ……From behind me.
Calm down, Alice, Mashiro……!
Their killing intent is several times bigger than the irritated Arnia’s!
Forget my conversation with him — whether you two are about to go full berserk is the bigger concern!
Arnia, read the room for me too here……!
“Haven’t been able to play since then, and stress is piling up something awful. At least keep me company as a stress-relief punching bag.”
“Sad to say — I’m not in the mood to be your sandbag. Now go home.”
“Then I guess your servants will have to share in their master’s responsibility, too?”
I grabbed the arm he tried to extend and gripped it tight.
You idiot! You want to die!?
“Hooooh……. So desperate. The two behind you must be really important……. I’m getting more and more looking forward to this.”
Of course I’m desperate! I don’t want this place painted red with blood!
I had a gut sense that if he rubbed those two’s nerves the wrong way any further, a corpse was going to be produced right here.
Murdering the Crown Prince is, obviously, terrible. My fun isekai life would convert in a single instant into a fugitive-survival adventure.
”…… One thing I’ll tell you. Do not put your filthy hand on my precious harem (the two of them). Got it? Then go.”
“Ouga…”
”…… Greater loyalty unto you, Lord Ouga……”
“Hmph, awfully attached to each other, aren’t you. Fine. After the duel, every bit of it is mine.”
"" ………… ""
Arnia ran his vulgar gaze over the two of them, top to bottom.
…… Oi, Arnia. I’m getting irritated too, you know?
There’s no way I’m in a good mood watching someone direct that kind of rude attitude at my things.
”…… That your demand, then?”
I stepped between them, then released his arm.
“Yeah. The villain steals away my fiancée; I rescue the helpless commoner girl. A perfect scenario, no?”
“Is it? It crumbles already at the part where your defeat is a foregone conclusion.”
”…… This guy. Your mouth sure has grown up——”
“——No point arguing it out here. Everything gets decided tomorrow.”
Wanting to drag it on no longer, I cut over him.
“So go home, already.”
I pointed back the way he’d come — get out of here. Clear and unmistakable.
That’s the third go home now.
I’d like him to take the hint…… but he must have said everything he came to say.
Arnia finally turned on his heel, throwing one last glare back at me.
”…… Yeah. Sure thing. Don’t run away. Tomorrow’s the day your life ends.”
“No — it’s the day you’re reborn.”
I watched his back, and the signs of his entourage, until they were all gone from the area.
…… Whew, finally left……
“Ouga…!”
“Uoh!?”
Boobs……! A soft sensation against my back……!
Mashiro tackling me from behind cleared away every last bit of the rough air, and the everyday flooded back in.
She didn’t separate — she buried her face into the back of my neck.
The smooth strands of hair tickled a little.
“I’m…… really lucky, you know~”
“Yes. To be given words like that…… serving Lord Ouga is the pride of my life.”
”…… I’m just shouldering my responsibilities. It’s nothing dramatic.”
”…… That’s exactly what we mean, though.”
“Did you say something?”
“Said please stay like this ~.”
So apparently that was the request. I started walking again, Mashiro still on my back.
Alice fell into step beside me, as ever.
…… Mm. Yes. This really is the most comfortable thing.
“However, Lord Ouga. Is this really all right?”
“What is?”
“The Crown Prince’s strength — it’s…… somewhat above our initial estimates…… ”
For Alice to hesitate like that, she must have felt a strong something.
In other words — there’s a real possibility I’ll need to use [Magecraft Funeral (Delete)].
But I have no intention of using [Magecraft Funeral].
With Mashiro, there were almost no witnesses, so I didn’t worry about it. This time, though, the entire student body becomes a witness.
Father and the others and I worked out how to handle this technique before I enrolled.
I’ve thought it through, in my own way.
“Don’t worry. It’s already accounted for. And I’ll still pulverize him.”
”……Understood. With future considerations in mind, that is the best play. Apologies — my own thinking was shallow.”
“No, I’m reassured we’re on the same page. Don’t worry about it.”
To keep Mashiro from sliding off, I slipped a hand around her smooth thigh.
When I gripped it, it was — a little plush.
”…… Ouga?”
“Nothing. Now, let’s get back to the dorm. We have to prepare for tomorrow.”