Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 10: The Strongest Onmyoji Goes to a Party (After)
A moment of silence hung in the air.
The calm smile on Hiltzell’s face revealed nothing. How much did he know? What were his intentions in approaching Amu and me?
I lowered my gaze slightly and replied quietly
“Yes, indeed.”
And with a similar smile, I added
“I am Seika Lamprog. Nice to meet you, Prince Hiltzell. It’s truly an honor to be known by the renowned prince of the imperial family. I am humbled and honored.”
“I know. After all, you’re the hero who saved a whole city. The Lamprog Count’s family was known for their expertise in magic, but who would have thought such a prodigy was born. Can you tell me what kind of magic you used?”
“Regrettably,”
I shook my head slightly.
“Rumors tend to exaggerate. Due to some slightly provocative actions, my name became well-known, but I am just one of the many warriors who fought that day in that place. The magic I used was, unfortunately, quite ordinary.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Somewhat disappointed, Hiltzell remarked
“Come to think of it, some of the stories I heard were indeed absurd. Like defeating a massive monster equivalent to a dragon with just a single blow.”
“I’m also troubled by those itching rumors. In the first place, it’s impossible for a single human to quell a disaster of that scale. If there were a hero at that scene, it wouldn’t be someone like me, but those who sacrificed their lives for their comrades.”
“Fair point. I should have realized that before you pointed it out.”
With a wry smile, the prince scratched his cheek with his left hand.
I managed to navigate through it somehow… I thought to myself, silently wiping the sweat off my brow.
The unintended consequence of becoming an adventurer under my real name had surfaced in the most unexpected place. To think that even the royal family would know… My own foolishness was becoming increasingly frustrating.
However, boldly doing something out of the ordinary seemed to have backfired, as it appeared to have diminished my credibility. One never knows what will work in this world.
The prince spoke somewhat self-deprecatingly
“It seems I got carried away and believed the rumors. I found myself expecting you to be a hero surpassing even the legendary Hero.”
“Haha…”
Without affirming or denying, I returned a faintly strained smile.
What would he have done if I were a hero surpassing the legendary Hero?
It didn’t seem like it would be favorable for me.
“You, too, Seika, to suppress the rebellion?”
“Yes, alongside Amu.”
“I see. In that case… be careful.”
Hiltzell continued with a smile that carried a hint of implication.
“That rebellion is a bit peculiar…”
At that moment, as the prince began to speak
The sharp sound of breaking glass echoed through the venue.
Some screamed, and we all turned our attention to the source.
“Because of you, this happened!!”
“Don’t blame me! It’s all because of you, older brother…!”
It seemed like two young men were quarreling.
One, with short hair and a sturdy build, was grabbing the collar of the other, who was shorter.
Both seemed quite furious.
“…The taller one is the Second Prince, Brother Dirline, and the one with long hair is the Third Prince, Brother Jayrud.”
Fiona whispered to me.
I furrowed my brows. The second prince and the third prince—it’s a big deal. Why are those two engaging in such an unsightly argument in a social setting?
Is no one going to stop them? The people around are only watching from a distance with a fearful expression.
Especially the second prince, with his sturdy build, attempting to intervene forcibly might lead to injuries.
I’d like to wait for the guards, but…
“Stop it.”
A voice of restraint resounds.
It was Hiltzell who sternly spoke to the two.
While leaning on his cane, he approached the two with determination.
“What are you doing in a place like this? Look, everyone is surprised, aren’t they?”
The second prince, Dirline, released his grip on his brother’s collar and turned to Hiltzell.
Perhaps because he was much taller than his brother, he appeared to be looking down on him.
“Brother… What on earth are you thinking? Do you even understand what you’re doing!?”
Dirline confronted Hiltzell.
Watching this scene, I felt a slight sense of discomfort.
Compared to his frail brother, the second prince seemed much physically stronger, but… in his eyes, there seemed to be a mixture of anger and a sense of awe.
“As a brother, I’m stopping the fight between my younger brothers. What else is there?”
Hiltzell, looking up at his physically superior brother, spoke clearly.
Then, with a slightly exasperated expression, he continued.
“I don’t know the circumstances, but both of you should cool your heads once.”
“…! Remember this…!”
Hearing this, Dirline widened his eyes, turned on his heel, and walked away with large strides.
Hiltzell then approached the third prince slowly.
“Jayrud, are you hurt?”
“Don’t come near, you freak! Damn it…!”
Jayrud showered Hiltzell with curses, quickly adjusted his disheveled long hair with rough strokes, and hastily left.
Hiltzell lowered his outstretched left hand and stood there aimlessly.
“Are you okay, Your Highness?”
Feeling a bit sorry for the spectacle, I couldn’t help but speak up.
When Hiltzell turned around, that calm smile had returned to his face.
“Yeah. However, I might be a bit tired… Sorry, but could you guide me to a place where I can sit?”
“Yes, this way.”
I nodded and led Hiltzell to a corner of the venue.
Pulling out one of the chairs that were lined up, the prince sat down, placing his cane beside him.
Then, with a wry smile, he spoke.
“We showed an unsightly scene to the guests, didn’t we?”
“No…”
“While we can’t claim to have a good brotherly relationship, that was the first time something like that happened, and it surprised even me.”
I didn’t know how to respond.
After a brief pause, Hiltzell continued.
“Do you know how the successor to the throne is determined?”
“The Emperor nominates one of his children, and it needs approval from the Parliament and the people… Is that correct?”
“Exactly.”
Nodding, Hiltzell went on.
“There are not as strict rules for nomination as there are for the nobility. It could be the second son or the eldest daughter, or even someone outstanding from the common people could be adopted. In the history of the Empire, such things have happened many times. However… still, unless there is a clear difference in ability, the tradition favors the eldest son.”
“…”
“At the moment, there’s no sign of His Majesty adopting anyone. If things continue as they are, I’ll eventually inherit the throne. But… the problem is my current situation.”
Saying that, Hiltzell slightly adjusted his glasses and then quickly returned them, squinting as if bothered by the light.
“I was born with a weak body. I can’t see properly in bright places, and I can’t do without these glasses. As you can see, my leg is also impaired. I’m prone to health issues over trivial matters.”
“…”
“Even so, since I was a child, I never neglected my studies to become Emperor. From this very moment, I am prepared to stand at the pinnacle of the Empire and manage political affairs. However… there are still many who consider me unfit for the role.”
“… I can’t even imagine, but I’ve heard it’s a demanding position.”
“Yeah. Watching His Majesty somehow makes it seem easy.”
Saying that, Hiltzell smiled wryly.
“In reality, it’s not a position for an ordinary person, especially not for someone with frail health… Because of those who think that way, the court is in turmoil.”
“… So, there are factions that plan for the second or third prince, not Your Highness, to become the next Emperor?”
“Yes.”
Hiltzell nodded.
It was a story I had heard several times even in my previous life. It’s a common tactic for those with weak current influence to support second or third candidates and gain benefits as their subordinates.
Hiltzell continued with a voice tinged with melancholy.
“Seeing that my health hasn’t improved despite growing up, some are beginning to switch to another faction. My younger brothers have also become serious without me realizing it, and our relationship has worsened. What started as sibling rivalry has gradually turned into political strife. This rebellion may be related to that… or perhaps, it might be.”
I furrowed my brows and asked
“Is there any connection between this rebellion and the political strife?”
“In each initial rebellion, there’s a possibility that my brothers were pulling the strings behind the scenes.”
“No way…”
Seeing me speechless with surprise, Hiltzell explained
“The location of the slave rebellion is in Dirline’s territory, and the location of the religious rebellion is in Jayrud’s chief supporter’s territory. There are rumors that, to damage each other’s support base, they sent agents to infiltrate and incited dissatisfied groups… but it’s just a rumor.”
“For the throne, would they go to such lengths?”
“It wouldn’t be surprising. If you look at history, well…”
There was a point in Hiltzell’s response that I could agree with. Looking back at history, such manipulations were indeed plausible.
However, if that were the case, it meant that we were being handed the aftermath of political strife.
Was it a mistake to listen to Amu’s whims and take on this responsibility…? As I began to regret, a sudden question popped into my mind.
“Hmm? So, if the two rebellions have merged into one now…”
“I don’t know.”
Hiltzell wiped his expression away and shook his head.
“Even if the rumors are true, the current situation probably isn’t entirely due to my brothers’ intentions. Perhaps the individuals who participated in the rebellions found common ground unexpectedly.”
As if he had just made a trivial joke, Hiltzell shrugged his shoulders.
“There are rumors about someone called the ‘Battle Princess,’ so who knows what anyone is plotting.”
“…Battle Princess?”
“Oh, didn’t you hear about it?”
As I contemplated the term I heard for the first time, Hiltzell looked surprisingly intrigued.
“A female knight appeared ahead of the rebel army’s invasion into a city, and she demanded that the residents surrender the city. The fleeing residents started calling her the Battle Princess, and the term reached the court.”
“A female knight… Is she like an envoy for the rebel army?”
“If only she were just an envoy.”
Hiltzell continued.
“At first, the city’s residents apparently rejected the demands of the female knight. Members of the local militia tried to restrain her, but they were utterly powerless.”
“…Hmm.”
“Even the knight order responsible for defending the city and the hired mercenaries couldn’t stand up to her, and they were all crushed. Moreover, it seems there were no serious injuries or casualties among them. It’s like she held back.”
“…?”
“Before the main force of the rebel army arrived, realizing they couldn’t defend the city against just one person in that state, the residents decided to evacuate. The same thing happened in another city. The identity of this unusually powerful female knight is unknown, but some lawmakers claim that this Battle Princess is the leader of the rebel army.”
“…I see.”
It was a story that was difficult to make judgments about.
Certainly, superhuman strength can attract and inspire the masses. It’s not entirely implausible that this Battle Princess gathered the rebel army into a unified force and assumed the leadership.
But… would such an individual really participate in both the slave and religious uprisings?
Lost in thought, Hiltzell suddenly laughed and said
“Sorry about that. I’ve been sharing unsettling stories with someone about to head out for suppression.”
“No, it’s…”
“If you’re leaving home, does that mean you have brothers?”
“Yes. An elder brother set to inherit the family and a second brother who joined the military.”
“I see. I hope things are going well for you.”
“Well, it’s hard to say.”
I replied with a wry smile.
“My second brother and I don’t get along well, to be honest. But thanks to our elder brother being a person of integrity, things are going reasonably smoothly.”
“If the eldest child is an admirable person, the House of Count Lamprog is secure.”
“Yes. Fortunately, our elder brother is the most suitable to be the next head. Even my second brother, with whom I had a bad relationship, agrees on this matter.”
“I see. Your brother is enviable. I wish I had both the aptitude as the next leader and humble younger siblings.”
Saying that, Hiltzell pulled the cane he had placed beside him.
“Let’s head back soon. I feel awkward keeping you here for so long, especially after saying Fiona was monopolizing you.”
“Considering your status, I doubt anyone else, except Your Highness, would care if you did. I can lend you a shoulder.”
“No, I’m fine. I can stand on my own even without help.”
Saying that, Hiltzell leaned on his cane.
At that moment, I suddenly sensed a small flow of energy from the prince.
“Your Highness…”
“Hmm?”
“Um… do you happen to have some kind of magical device on you?”
Hearing my question, Hiltzell slightly widened his eyes.
After a moment of silence, he spoke.
“You can tell?”
“No… I just had a feeling, I guess.”
“…Surprising. Well, yes. It’s more like a toy, though.”
Saying that, Hiltzell pulled out a thin chain with a pendant from inside his clothes.
It seemed to be a pendant intricately designed to resemble an insect.
A small beetle with long elytra… perhaps a firefly?
The prince glanced at the insect pendant and said
“When I infuse it with magical energy, this ornament lights up.”
“Oh…?”
I tried to look closely, but the flow of energy was too faint to discern. However, for a magical device of this level, a glowing feature seemed quite reasonable.
The prince chuckled as he spoke.
“I thought it would be useful in dark places and bought it, but in the end, I only tried making it glow once. It’s too faint to use as a light, and even using a bit of magical energy makes me feel queasy. Honestly, I find it unpleasant, even though it’s my own body.”
Hiltzell stood up while putting the pendant back.
His movements were surprisingly smooth, and there was a sense of familiarity with the inconvenience of his body that he had dealt with for many years.
“Your Highness.”
As I stood up next, I offered a small smile and said
“I’m rooting for you. Not as a member of the Lamprog family, but personally, I hope you understand.”
It naturally slipped out, and I found myself saying such things.
Somehow, I had connected it to the image of the young kings I encountered in the demon realm during the summer.
The prince looked momentarily surprised but then smiled and said
“Thank you; I appreciate it. I might have talked about it as if it’s someone else’s fault, but the chaos in the court is all due to my own incompetence. That’s why I believe I can resolve it by putting in the effort myself. Well then.”
Hiltzell turned on his heel and returned to the crowded venue.
I stayed there for a while, casually observing the party. After some time, Fiona came over to where I was.
“…Seika-sama”
“Ah, sorry. I got a bit caught up in conversation.”
“…Today, I asked you to be with me.”
Reproachfully, Fiona spoke.
“So, what were you talking about with Prince Hiltzell?”
“Well… just small talk. I asked about the situation at the court and the rebellion. It wasn’t anything significant.”
To confirm the details and keep Fiona informed, I briefly explained the topics I discussed with the prince.
Fiona, upon hearing this, wore a somewhat complicated expression and said, “I see.”
“That’s not incorrect… but it’s incomplete. Aside from the factions supporting the First, Second, and Third Princes, there are two more factions. My brother is likely troubled by the latter.”
“There are only three princes, so what other factions could there be?”
“Have you forgotten? One of them is me.”
“Oh… now that you mention it.”
“The faction I’ve been building up is relatively new, just over the past few years, so it must be quite annoying. To think that not only my brothers but even the sister born from a lover would join the fight for the throne…”
“Despite that, he didn’t mention a word about you.”
“He wouldn’t speak ill of me in front of Seika-sama, under my protection. Though, in reality, he might not even consider me worth mentioning. In the long history of the Empire, there have only been a few cases of empresses.”
“So, what about the other faction?”
“The current Emperor’s faction.”
“Hmm?”
I tilt my head.
“Isn’t it strange to be labeled as the current emperor’s faction when it comes to choosing the successor?”
“The current emperor’s faction is a group expected to support the adoption of wise individuals from outside. If there’s a conflict between the imperial sons and the emperor, they will act in the emperor’s best interest.”
“Ah, I see. But it seems like a faction that’s somewhat like a gamble.”
“Nevertheless, it’s the second-largest faction. Many switch from the First Prince’s faction, and last year, the Marquis of Dalamant, who holds territories like Tenendo, supported the emperor’s faction, causing rumors at the court. Until then, he had been supporting Prince Hiltzell well.”
The Marquis of Dalamant and the town of Tenendo in the canyon were names even I knew.
It seems like the Hiltzell faction is in a state where prominent figures are starting to defect.
“That’s because everyone is uneasy about entrusting the throne to the current imperial sons. However, it has created an opportunity for me.”
“By the way, are you seriously aiming for the emperor’s seat?”
“Ufufu, do you want to know?”
“…No, it’s fine.”
I felt that asking wouldn’t lead to anything good.
Instead, I pose a different question.
“What about the Anti-Hero faction?”
“They are particularly radical among the factions of the Second and Third Princes. Criticism has grown stronger, especially after Marquis Greville’s blunder, and I hear even within that faction, they’re in a tight spot.”
“Ah… Well, if they self-destruct, it’ll be a relief.”
“It’s troublesome as they have become somewhat radical, but since the emperor personally invited Amu-san this time, their demise is only a matter of time.”
If we accept the emperor’s request and suppress the rebellion, the voices of approval may become even stronger.
Thinking about it, political struggles and their aftermath might not be entirely bad… perhaps.
Speaking of political struggles, I ask Fiona.
“What about the rebellion? Have you heard the rumors that it was instigated by the Second and Third Princes?”
“…Yes.”
Fiona nods with a troubled expression.
“That, too, is likely true.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
Slightly reproaching, I say, and Fiona sharpens her gaze in response.
“Would telling you have changed the decision made at that moment? Besides, I was opposed to getting involved from the beginning. I clearly stated my concerns about being dragged into political struggles.”
“… Yeah, that’s true.”
If Fiona thought it could be used for persuasion, she would have mentioned it then.
There’s certainly no blame for not conveying information that would likely be dismissed anyway.
With a discontented expression, Fiona continues.
“Besides… even though it was triggered by the princes, the situation has already changed.”
“….There’s even talk of a Battle Princess, huh?”
“… Yes, there are such rumors.”
This time, Fiona looks somewhat apologetic.
“Let me make it clear, the reason for keeping this from you was the opposite of before; I judged the credibility to be low. Strange rumors circulate on the battlefield, like being saved by deceased comrades or seeing the appearance of a god.”
“I understand. I have no intention of blaming you.”
I also heard the rumor, and it was quite a challenging one to react to. Fiona must have found it difficult to convey as well.
Exhaling softly, I speak.
“It seems that, at least, I wasn’t lied to. Well, I didn’t particularly get that impression anyway.”
“Seika-sama.”
Fiona questions me with a serious expression.
“What do you think about Prince Hiltzell?”
“…? What do you mean…”
I take a moment to ponder and then respond.
“Well, sorry to say this, but I thought he was the prince who should inherit the throne. He’s serious, intelligent, and has a sense of awareness and determination as a member of the royal family. I felt a depth fitting for a ruler, and that’s an essential quality for a monarch.”
The only drawback is his frail health.
If Hiltzell had been born with a robust body, there would likely be no objections to him inheriting the throne.
It seemed like a generally reasonable opinion, but Fiona’s expression becomes stern.
“I would advise against trusting him too much.”
“…? What do you mean…”
Before I could insert a question, Fiona continues.
“Prince Hiltzell, like myself—a politician.”