290 That's why I pretend to be sick.

A friend of mine who came back from the villa shared with me the contents of his conversation with Prince Nuhusa. If we only consider the content of the conversation, we can say that it was not that fruitful, but it was good to know that the secret arts of Yugra would not work around the royal family of Serende.

So, are you going to visit the other princes next?

"No, there were some hints in Nuhussa's advice that were worrisome. We'll have to wait for Ecdysius and the others to join us and then do a little research on the country as a whole.

The choices your friend makes always seem like a detour, and I don't mean to say anything unnecessary, but ...... what we need to find out this time is who is involved with the demons. I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more information on this subject in the future.

So be it. By the way, what did you think of Prince Nufusa?

"I think he's pretty sharp. He's as smart as Marito.

What?

Your friend values you as a friend before you are a king. If your friend says that you are equal, then there is no doubt about it. ....... Such a person is really pretending to be something he is not and keeping secrets from you. It would be no small task to expose him.

He didn't look like you, though. Intelligent, but lacking in many things, don't you think?

"That's honesty, pride, all the things that Ilias and his knights value. It's like a combination of me and Marito, but with a lot more irony.

"Oh, I did get that feeling. His eyes were as bad as Shosho's.

"No alcohol today, Lakra.

What the hell?

Is that why your friend chose Prince Nuhussa in the first place, because he resembles you? Your friend is a distorting mirror, someone who can even change his own way of being according to the way others are. What if it's someone similar to yourself?

"Oh, I see you've finished your story! Did you have a good time with Brother Nufusa? Dah-hah!

"Prince Chisanthe.

I've been aware of someone approaching for a while now, but now Prince Chisanthe, the second prince, shows up here? This place is frequented by those who interact with Prince Noufsa, so it's not impossible that another prince could show up here. .......

"Don't be so naive. It's not a bad idea. Brother Nuhusa has always been a great help to me. From time to time, I bring him fruits and other things like this. He never eats food prepared by others! Da-haha!

I wondered if he would even eat fruit if it was given to him by someone else.

Dah-hah! That's right! But the smell of fruit is more appetizing than the smell of flowers! The fruit is from a good place, after all!

Prince Chisanthe took a piece of fruit from the basket and tried to peel it. But perhaps he was straining too hard, and the fruit crumbled easily in his hands.

...... Dah-hah! I knew I couldn't pick it up! I'm not very good with force, even a brush will break if it's not custom made. I'll give you one too!

No, I've got enough fruit in the mail to open a store.

Oh, that's right! But you look very soft yourself. But you seem to be very soft yourself. If I were to accidentally hug you, I might break your spine! Dahaha!

As Prince Chisanthe stretched out his hands to the side, his men at his side wiped his hands clean. I was aware of them as my guards, but they acted like emotionless figurines. I suppose it's the way a subordinate should act, but it's so emotionless that it's almost eerie.

Is that supposed to be a threat?

"I am a man who speaks his mind frankly. It's up to you to decide how you want to take it.

Prince Chisanthe clapped his friend on the shoulder and walked towards Prince Nufusa's house. He tapped his friend on the shoulder and headed for Prince Nufsah's house. He tapped his friend without restraint, even I would have tapped him more lovingly and gently.

"Are you alright, my friend?

"That hurt like hell. That was an obvious warning. Just the way he looked, it was as if he knew how many conversations we'd had with Prince Nufusa. He's not just a brainiac, that's for sure.

Even our brainiac, Ilias-san, doesn't hit people without reservation like that.

That's true. No, come on, Lakra.

No, come on, Lakra." I would have said something about that teasing, but Lord Ratzel takes a step backwards when dealing with me. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea. ......

......Shishou. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

What's up, Urfe?

Shishou, you're even crankier than usual. He's pushing himself.

Since the day of the dinner party, you've been very worried about your friend. As a person who cares about your friend, I am not completely oblivious to the change.

From your friend's first person, there is no doubt that the way she is now is the way she was when everyone liked her. However, sometimes I feel that the atmosphere I feel is similar to the one I felt before.

Your friend said that the first person "I" is not currently available. He said that he had to seal it to prevent the memories of his capture and torture by the Serraes from coming back.

I'm not aware of any symptoms. If that's what it looks like, then it must be affecting you in some way.

If that's the case...

I'll be fine. I've been through a lot in the past, and I've made some mistakes. But now I have Wolfe and the others. Because I have friends I can rely on, I'm able to look forward to things like this.

Your friend lightly pats Wolfe's head and starts to walk away. It was as if he was saying, "It's okay, this is the end of the story. Lord Ratzel looked at Wolfe for a moment, but then quickly walked next to his friend.

We follow her, but Ulfe-chan and Rakura-dono keep a little distance from us. Rakura-dono is a very caring person, and he seems to be trying to listen to what Wolfe has to say.

"...... is no good.

What's wrong with that, Wolfe?

You need to live more comfortably, Shishou. He's been worn out from the start. ......

I was going to move next to your friend, but I've been slowing down because I'm worried about what Wolfe said.

"Master Shosho is rough, but he doesn't look worn out. ......

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to get the best out of it. ...... Wolfe's mind was torn to shreds in that village. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

It seems so. But he can understand the feelings of any person, can't he?

...... Shishou can understand many things, but he only shows emotion when he empathizes. He cried when he understood my heart. It made me cry.

Ah, that's all there is to it, isn't there? That's all there is to it, isn't it? Thanks to Wolfe's words, I understand it clearly. Your friend once said, "Understand, but don't sympathize," when performing understanding actions. Never sympathize with those who have become enemies, no matter what their stories are.

However, your friend also has a past and emotions, so you may sympathize with the way the person you understand is.

Your friend also had some bad memories with people before coming to this world. Because your friend's heart was also worn out, she could not only understand but also sympathize with Wolfe's tragic situation.

The friend you met in Trinh, whose first name is "I," is also a kind of existence created by your frayed heart. And because that didn't work, your friend lived his life with minimal human interaction. .......

......

"Wolfe was afraid of everyone in that village. Even now, when I'm stronger, I'm still a little scared. The scene that Shishou sees is the same now as it was then.

Your friend is a timid person, but he can be passionate and courageous. We've always seen that in him. ...... I think we've seen too much. We've always seen him do it, but I think we've seen too much of him. I wonder if a truly cowardly person would be okay with wielding his courage so many times.

Hmm... You're right. Master Shoushou takes care of you too well. I've been pampered so much that I'd like to see you pamper yourself more, if you don't mind me saying so.

Yeah. ....... You can spoil Wolfe as much as you want, as much as you want. ......

It's hard to stop him unless you have a strong ego like Ilias-san. You can't help but do your best to make Shosho-sama's life a little easier.

Oh, that Lakra-dono is saying that we have no choice but to do our best! This is such a positive statement that I'm sure Ex-Doik-dono would be struck with guts if he heard it!

It's the same with ....... It is not so easy to stop your friend from doing his best for someone else. It's not easy to stop your friend from doing good for others, because I'm fascinated by her.

I think Lakra is amazing. I think Lakra is amazing. She spoils Shishou all the time, but Shishou is so relaxed when he's with Lakra.

I'm proud to say that I have a talent for pampering!

Yeah. I think I'm a genius at self-indulgence.

Hmm. I can't believe I'm saying this.

...... But I'm glad you're here, ...... Mugu.

It seems that Lakra-dono is hugging Wulfe-chan. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

"Moolst, Moolst, Moolst.

"Murscht, Murscht. Are you awake?

A pleasant tone echoed in my ears. If this were another prince's voice, it wouldn't be. It's a good wake-up call that makes me more fortunate than the rest of the royal family.

"Yes, I've been taking a nap, but your voice will wake me up soon enough.

If I get up suddenly, it might give me the illusion that I'm going to be sick for the rest of the day. He replied firmly with his voice and stretched his body slowly to relax.

I open my eyes and reattach my sword to my hip. I'm not sure if Hilmera knows that I'm getting ready, but she doesn't seem to be rushing me. Well, I suppose the main reason for this is that Master Washekht gave me the wise advice that impatient women are hated by men.

When I opened the door to Master Hilmera's bedroom, I found her surrounded by numerous stone statues on her bed, as usual. I've often wished that Washekht had brought a more comfortable stuffed animal as a gift.

What can I do for you?

Oh, I'm not allowed to call you unless I want to?

No problem. Although I do complain that I'm wasting my precious sleep time when I have no business.

That's mean.

Someone threw a pillow at me, so I caught it with my face and put it back in its place. I wondered if he would throw a stone statue at me, but that day never came.

So, are you going out?

No. No. I need you to do some errands for me. I need you to check on the messenger.

By "errand boy" you mean the people of Yggra? Why again?

There was a report that the messenger went to Nufsah today.

"Miss Hillemera, Miss Hillemera. And properly to Prince Nufusa, yes.

I'd like you to have at least a modicum of moderation, even if you don't like me, because I might be overheard anywhere. Well, there's no problem in this room, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it won't lead to a rant outside.

Let me talk as I like in this room. I don't even want to think of my brother as a reclusive, dark-skinned person like him.

You've always had a good attitude towards politics, so I thought you might be willing to make some concessions.

It's not as bad as Chisanthe and Umeyez.

"Miss Hillemera, Miss Hillemera. That's why, isn't it? Oh, dear. ...... Even the people of Yuggra's planet refer to you as the messenger.

The angel is fine. He's the one who gave you his stamp of approval.

If that's the theory, then I've been told by Master Washekht that I can be trusted, so I can also be called Master, can't I? I've got goose bumps from being told that.

Well, it doesn't really matter to me.

I know.

But I don't want to be nagged by my trainer.

You should be. You can't be that sarcastic with me.

If you try to make her cry, you'll have to sleep on the ground without a roof tomorrow. I know exactly who I'm fighting with.

"So, you're checking on the messenger? Why me again?

Because if you send someone else he'll probably die. I'm sure the angel will try to find out the princes' secret. Then there's only one thing for Nufusa and the others to do.

When I die, I die.

Of course you will. But don't worry, you have a long way to go before you die.

I don't want you to judge my time of death. I don't want you to judge my time of death. People can die at any time, and it's possible that my life will suddenly end during the nap I just took.

Besides, I have a mission to protect you.

You don't have to. I've got a cold and I don't plan to be out of here for three days.

Since you're not involved in politics at all, you're allowed to cheat a little. But a cold to force people to do chores...

"Let's at least get some exercise. You know, lift that chair or something.

What if your brother comes when you smell like sweat?

"If you loved me as much as you love Mr. Washect, you could weave a song of praise even if it smelled of sweat.

I'll die of embarrassment and joy when you give it to me!

I don't think you'll die. I don't think you'll die. I'd like to see you writhe in agony, too.

I have a pretty good idea what Master Hilmera wants. But I don't think she realizes that there's a bit of a gap between that and this mission.

Well, I suppose the main reason is that Master Washekht was ordered by King Selende to cooperate with the angel. If he's good enough to defeat the demons, I don't think there's any reason for Master Hilmera to intervene.

I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

"No. I'm sure their people will move. You take care of them.

You want me to go after them when they show up at ......?

Yeah. Save us the trouble of looking for them. Make sure you kill him.

I'm not really on the side of killing people either, but Hilmera is pretty much the same. If you are just a naive person who doesn't understand death properly, you don't need to worry about it that much. ...... This person is real. He is a person who understands the meaning and weight of killing people and is willing to do so.

"Please don't go out while I'm gone. Don't go out while I'm gone, and don't meet any visitors unless it's Master Washekht.

I know what I'm doing.

Is it true? I wonder if that's true. This princess can be quite mischievous when she thinks of something. I'm not sure if it's true or not.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

Good instincts can sometimes be fatal, you know?

Huh.