[VOL. 2] CHAPTER 12 SHINOBI

Got it. Then listen well to what I have to say now.

I took a deep breath and started to talk to Fraudia.

First of all, I want to say again that I swore my loyalty to His Majesty and Her Imperial Highness from the bottom of my heart.

I also know that.

Yeah. Then, Fraudia should also have heard this, Her Imperial Highness is an important tool for negotiations for His Majesty and Franz Kingdom. In such a situation the Princess will be married off to another countrys royal family or a local noble sooner or later. In the end, its for political reasons, right?

Thats what the Princess always says as well. She said shes ready for it.

Thats right, isnt it? But I feel sorry for Her Imperial Highness to end up like this. One has to sacrifice themselves not to defeat an enemy but for political reasons. Besides His Majesty the King is in conflict with the nobles at the moment. Under these circumstances, if Her Imperial Highness is married off to a noble to reconcile with them what will happen to her?

Thats

Its inevitable that His Majesty and the nobles will clash sometime soon. I want to avoid that Her Imperial Highness is used for the things I mentioned earlier. If possible, I want her Imperial Highness to have a happy marriage with a partner she chose.

But even if she gets married to Carlo-sama you arent a partner she chose herself, right? Ah, please forgive my rudeness.

No, youre right. Getting married off to me would be the same thing. Fraudia, make sure to keep what Im going to tell you now a secret from His Imperial Highness.

Yes, I kind of feel scared asking you now.

I asked His Majesty for an engagement with Her Imperial Highness for the reasons I told His Majesty additionally to the reasons I just told you. However, I dont intend to marry her Imperial Highness. I just want to get engaged to her.

Just get engaged?

Thats right. As I said before, I want Her Imperial Highness to find her own happiness with a partner she chose herself and I myself havent fallen in love with her at first sight.1

Everything is for her to be exempted from those political matters. Therefore, I will ask for my engagement with the Imperial Highness to get cancelled after the conflict with the nobles is over with the help of His Majesty.

I cant really tell her that this partner is supposed to be the Hero and that Im actually the author who created this world and decided on that but what I said wasnt a lie.

Though Fraudia will bear a grudge when the time comes for Carlo to betray the Princess and the King in his coup dtat but please forgive me because theres a happy ending waiting for her (planned).

Is what you said the truth?2

Yeah, its the truth. Thats why I, of course, dont plan to do anything with the Princess even if we get engaged. Youll understand if you watch closely, Fraudia, right?

Carlo-sama, I didnt think you would consider the Princess that much

I could see, even though she wore a shawl, that Fraudia was touched and moved to tears.

Is now the time to attack?

When should I attack? Now, right?! (Stale)4

In the first place, I thought that Fraudia was much prettier than Her Imperial Highness when I met her.

I gave a smile mimicking Lunos.

Hows that? Did it work?

Thats, Carlo-sama

Oooh, it worked, it worked!

While I was at a loss if I should hug her a voice sounded.

Carlo-sama, theres a strange presence.

Doji who was standing guard close by came over and whispered in a low voice.

Thats right, there was a setting that Doji had a superior wild intuition.

Fraudia, theres something strange. Dont leave my side.

Ye, yes?

I also pulled out my Oricalcum Sword and investigated the area for that presence.

Who is it that dared to disturb this good moment?!

Reus!

Then I formed seals with my left hand and chanted the aria for a light spell in a low voice.

Paaa

Fireballs started to float in the air and at the same time illuminated this area.

Each one of them held Swords resembling Japanese Swords in their hands and covered their faces with a mask.

Arent they the same as ninjas?

You guys, quit acting cool. What are you doing?

Doji asked but no one answered.

Those five people made a semicircle and gradually shuffled around the three of us.

Hmpf, I bet our friend, Rejum sent them over. Are you aiming for me or Fraudia?

The man standing in the middle was going to answer my question.

Margrave Medici, we will take your life. Of course, we wont let the other two live either.

Mmm, its like a historical drama.

If it went well I might have gotten my first kiss or we might have gone a little further.5

When I thought about that I got really angry.

I feel sorry for you guys. To especially come here on a day like this. Im in a pretty bad mood.

I held my Oricalcum sword in front of me as I said that.

Fraudia was properly following behind me.

Hyun!

Kakiin!

How?! To dodge that

I knocked down the thing which suddenly flew towards me with my sword.

I was able to deal with it and I think I looked pretty cool.

They seemed surprised that I was able to deal with that.

Those tricks dont work on me. If you dont believe me want to try it again?

Hyun, Hyun, Hyun!

On my provocation, several shuriken flew towards me.

Kakin, Kakin, Kakin!

I repelled them left and right.

The intuition of a wild nature child is truly splendid.

Shit! They are able to do it

I told you, didnt I? It wont work on me. So, what are you going to do next? Ninjutsu?

As soon as I said that several shurikens came flying from the left again.

He ran close to the ground and tried to stab me with his sword from a low posture.

I didnt think about combined attacks from above and below.

But my speed doesnt allow it to work.

My sword reaches my opponent faster than the tip of his sword could reach me.

Zen!

Just when I cut one another guy came flying from the sky about to cut me.

I stepped into the opposite direction and blocked my opponents sword which swung down on me from the front.

Giin

Followed by the impact my opponents sword broke from the root.

That guy lost his balance from the shock and flipped over, at that time I stabbed him with my sword.

Guse

The Oricalcum Sword penetrated through my opponents chest along with an indescribable response.

At the moment I pulled out the sword I felt a burning sensation running up my spine.

Buun!

As I turned around when I felt that sensation I saw a sword nearly cutting me from behind.

While I twisted my body and dodged it I swung my sword to the left.

Zuba!!

The one I slashed at was the leader-like man who answered my question a while ago.

Guhaa

After the man coughed up some blood he slowly fell down.

Far from the blade even being scratched there wasnt even any blood sticking to the Oricalcum sword even after I pulled it out of that man.

As I expected this is a good sword, its worth its price.

When I looked to the side I saw Doji cut down one guy and faced the last one.6

Lets capture that one and interrogate him, shall we?

Doji, let this one live and capture him.

Understood

Seeing that all his companions were done in he turned his back to us and tried to flee.

The man fell from the impact and let go of his sword.

This caused me to grab that mans head.

Ill have you tell me who your employer is.

Gu, gufuu

Blood ran down the mans mouth.

Shit, did he bite off his tongue?

For my opponent to use these guys, I cant be careless, huh?

Are you alright, Fraudia? You mustve been scared.

Im alright. Because I know about Carlo-samas strength.

I approached Fraudia and took her hand.

Her brown eyes were looking through the veil at me for a while.

Shit, like I thought that girls my type.7

People will come soon. If it comes out that we met here it would become troublesome in various ways. Leave quickly.

Understood. Then I shall take my leave. Carlo-sama

What?

Please call me Frau. Well then

When I put out the fireballs Fraudia disappeared in the darkness.

Frau, I wonder when well be able to meet again.

Meanwhile, three knights rushed here.

Youre slow, good grief.

What on earth happened here? Please state your name.

Im Margrave Carlo de Medici. And that over there is my attendant, Doji.

Forgive me for my rudeness, Margrave-sama. What happened here? Who are these dead people?

Thats what I want to know. When I was taking a walk I was suddenly attacked by those guys. Who are they?

You dont have any idea who they are?

No idea at all. Investigate those guys identities with your people

Well, they wont be able to find any evidence, though.

Those guys are obviously professional shinobi.

By the way, what was Margrave-sama doing here?

Do I have to explain myself in front of you?

When I glared at them the knights suddenly became flustered.

No, there wont be a problem even if we dont question you. Be careful

Im sorry but could you please investigate this. Tell me about your progress.

Certainly

I returned to the mansion together with Doji.

Oh man, I was almost able to kiss her.