Chapter 26: Prince Kurobuta Peeks at the Dressing Room

--Companion characters in RPGs--

There are so many different patterns to how they become the hero's companions.

Some characters are childhood friends who have been with the protagonist from the beginning, others are rescued by the protagonist during their quests and become friends, and some are enemies with the protagonist at first, but eventually become friends after reconciliation.

Among them, the female knight of the ruined country, Carol Dora Trafford, was a character who was initially hostile to the protagonist, but reconciled with him and became his friend.

Here's how it happened.

Before the start of Final Quest, Carol's homeland of Dastoria was destroyed in a war with the neighboring country of Ernade. Carol's family, including her father, Emperor Cascade, were all killed in the war and she was the only one who survived, thanks to the fact that she was staying in another country.

As a result, Carol hated Ernade and the nations that sided with them.

Therefore, it was one of the four demon generals, Beelzebub, who approached her to help her take revenge.

Carol took Beelzebub's hand and became a dark knight under the Demon King's army, often clashing with the hero party.

However, in the midst of the frequent clashes with the hero party, a shocking fact is revealed.

It was actually Beelzebub who arranged the war between Dastoria and Ernade and caused the destruction of the country.

Knowing that Beelzebub, whom she thought was her benefactor, was her enemy, Carol fights together with the heroes. The plot of “Final Quest” is that she joins the party of heroes.

When I thought about it again, there was only one possible conclusion.

In the past two months, when Brad was absent from school, Carol suddenly came to the Kingdom of Pistel to study.

During the war between Dastoria and Ernade, Carol was staying in another country. That other country was probably Pistel. Perhaps the emperor, anticipating the war, decided to evacuate Carol.

At any rate, if that’s the case, the story adds up.

The gray cloak that I saw in the square must have been Carol. Even though Dastoria hasn’t yet been destroyed, it’s rare to see a Dastorian in Pistel. I don't know why she was there, but I'm sure she was the one.

I also wondered who had won the Sword Dance Festival before Albert, but it was probably Carol. Carol was a character who joined the team later than Albert and was naturally stronger than Albert as well. 

(It's good that things have been clarified but if the battle with Ernade was to happen during Carol's stay at Pistel, it looks like the date of Dastoria's destruction is much closer than I thought.)

Then, the schedule will be disrupted.

Before the main storyline of the heroes defeating the Demon King and saving the world, the people of the world were suffering at the hands of the Demon King at the start of the main story in "Final Quest".

So, after making arrangements to avoid his own death, Brad wanted to do everything he could to save the suffering people.

He was reluctant to do so because he could easily imagine the problems that would arise if he changed historical facts, but he changed his mind after what happened to the cat people, Cait Sith. He felt that he couldn't leave people suffering like that alone.

And as for Dastoria, I knew I had to move quickly because the whole country could be destroyed. I thought I had a little more time, but it looks like I don't have much time after all. The war could happen at any moment. {TN; The author keeps mixing perspective all over the place so please be understanding}

(I don't know if Carol will believe me, but I guess I'll have to talk to her.)

This leaves me with no choice.

I should tell Carol everything about the danger that’s coming to Dastoria. I heard that there’s already an uneasy atmosphere between Dastoria and Ernade. 

If Brad, as a prince, were to speak seriously under such circumstances, he wouldn’t be completely ignored.

If Carol can work well with that information, then there’s a possibility that the crisis of Dastoria's destruction can be averted without Brad having to do anything unnecessary.

Brad took full advantage of his lecture time to think about such things.

***

(I heard you were here. ......)

--After school.

I had come to the fifth magic training ground on the academy grounds. After asking the students, I heard that Carol was working out here every day after school.

Carol had only been here for two months, but she was already popular with the students for her overwhelming ability and good looks. In particular, her dignified face and gentlemanly demeanor made her very popular with the girls.

It may seem unusual for a girl to be popular with other girls, but since she is a female knight and a beautiful woman dressed as a man, it makes sense if you think of her as being like a cast member of the Takarazuka Revue in my previous life. {TN: The Takarazuka Revue is a Japanese all-female musical theatre troupe based in Takarazuka

(I'm a guy, but she's still cool.)

Carol's gender was not revealed until the end of the game, and there was a lot of debate about her gender when the game was released. In the end, she was a woman, but there are still some extremists who still insist that she is a man, defying the official setting.

In any case, because of her popularity with the students, it was very convenient to find out where she was by just asking around.

(Did I come too early?)

Brad looked around the exercise area again, but there was no sign of Carol.

(Did I come to early) 

I guess she's not here yet, since I came as fast as I could after the lecture.

(It doesn't matter, I'll just wait and ask the undead Lord what's going on using the ring.)

I sat down on a bench in the corner of the training ground and poured magic power into the Demon Master's Ring. {TN: Previously translated as Monster tamer’s ring}

And among the monsters of sky mountain I tamed, I called out to the undead lord in my mind. 

"Brad-sama, are you ...... calling me?

A few moments later, the Lord's consciousness entered my mind.

(Oh, can you hear me?)

“Yes Brad-sama.”

It's the first time I've actually used it, but apparently it's fine for communication.”

“How's it going over there?”

"Yes, we are all doing well with the training method that Brad-sama taught us. The fastest-growing races, such as the goblins, have already evolved into higher-ranking species such as hobgoblins, and are especially full of motivation. Once everyone has evolved to the next level, we will place the seven monsters named by Brad-sama at the head of the group and begin to lead the monsters in the area.”

The undead Lord said happily.

I'm glad to hear that things are going better than planned. I was underestimating them because they’re monsters, but they seem to be more capable than I expected.

(It’s true that once they evolve, controlling the area won’t be a problem… but)

“We’re not in a hurry, so don’t overdo it. You can't afford any casualties. I'm going to teach you some simple strategic fighting techniques, so you can use them to your advantage and move when you're sure you can win. Do you understand?”

"Oh, how kind of you, my Lord! Thank you for your concern for us!”

The Undead Lord said in an impressed voice, and I could also hear the other demons' tremendous joy through the ring.

Their loyalty is incredible and I'm grateful for it.

Then Brad gave Lord some general combat tips that any “Final Quest” player should know. Just knowing these tips should reduce the risk of casualties and increase the efficiency of leveling.

(Also, Undead Lord, don't be so humble. You’re a core member of our honorable army. You need to have some dignity.)

"Are we an army…?”

The Undead Lord said in a puzzled tone.

(Oh, I haven't told you guys that yet. I've decided to organize an army with you guys and I want it to be the strongest army that can surpass even the Demon King's army. I won’t be able to do that without you guys)

 “The strongest army… that surpasses the Demon King’s army?”

The Undead Lord screams in astonishment as Brad speaks in a playful tone. And he felt the hearts of the other monsters buzzing at once.

It’s cool, but the truth is that I don’t like living in fear of my programmed death, so I just want to gather strong allies who will protect me and enjoy life freely.

“That's a great idea! It’s true that the current demon king's army is gutless, and this Undead Lord has always thought that Brad-sama is the true demon king of monsters… worthy of being the great Demon king! We are still too weak to be Brad-sama’s right hand, or even his fingers, but we will do our best to train ...... and grow into the strongest army that Brad-sama desires! Let's destroy the Demon King's army and rule this world!”

The Lord said in an excited voice and snorted - I'm not sure how he’s able to snort when he looks like a skeleton.　

I feel the story has been greatly exaggerated, is it really okay to leave it like this?

(Uh, no, ......, it's not that I want to rule this world)

“Oh! I see… You’re right! Brad-sama is the one who will eventually rule all the dimensional worlds such as the Demon world and the Fairy world! Only this world is not enough for Brad-sama to rule. I was being very rude!”

(Eh… Uh… Eh?)

"I can't believe you had such a grand idea, Brad-sama. I'm going to try to master the methods you taught me and train with all my might! So, if you'll excuse me!”

(huh… Undead Lord, We're still talking......!)

Brad hurriedly called out but the communication with the Undead lord had already been lost.

(I feel like that conversation went in the wrong direction, but if it will motivate them, then it’s okay. I don't think they'll betray me.)

In the silence of the training ground, Brad took a deep breath, feeling like he had finished a workout.

But then....

"What?”

From the equipment room, he felt the presence of someone.

Brad had come in through the main entrance, but there must have been a small doorway in the storeroom from which people could also enter and exit the exercise area. Maybe that was where Carol had come in from.

Brad slowly walked up to the equipment room.

Then, without hesitation, he opened the door.

"….?”

And then he sees it.

Changing her clothes cheerfully in the shadows, was the half-naked form of the female knight, Carol Dora Trafford. 

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