Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 12: Apologies, Compensation, and War if Talks Break Down
I looked down coldly at the elder princess, who was kneeling before me, desperately pleading,
“It’s not what you think! Just listen to me!”
I couldn’t help but think how much she sounded like a wife caught in a lie.
“What exactly is ‘not what I think’?”
At my question, the elder princess gritted her teeth and crumpled the wanted poster in her hand, her expression fierce.
“This was all a scheme my younger sister concocted in her ambition. The royal family had nothing to do with it!”
“Oh? The royal family wasn’t involved? Then why does this wanted poster bear the official seal of the kingdom?”
“T-That’s because… as a princess, my sister… she had no choice but to comply under pressure from certain royal figures…”
“So you’re admitting that the royal family is corrupt, then.”
“No, that’s not it at all! My father and I gave up trying to make you our ally! But my sister misunderstood, thinking that if she succeeded where I failed, she’d have a chance at the throne…”
“Uh-huh.”
Sure, that’s the excuse they’d go with. So now it’s the younger princess who went rogue, and the royal family claims they had nothing to do with it.
“Listen.”
“Yes?”
“…Do you think that excuse holds up?”
Hearing that, the elder princess’s face twisted with discomfort.
“You keep saying the royal family wasn’t involved, yet in the same breath, you’re telling me she was coerced because she’s royalty. Do you hear yourself?”
“…Oh.”
“Can you see the contradiction? Clearly, the royal family was involved.”
“That’s… not…”
“It’s obvious you’re just trying to dodge responsibility. And if it’s really just your sister’s fault, why are you here instead of her?”
“…”
“Guess you figured that sending someone else might calm me down a bit, huh?”
To be fair, it’s not a terrible plan. If the younger princess herself were standing here, I might’ve already killed her without a word.
“Th-That’s not it… It’s just…”
“What’s ‘just’?”
I waited as she hesitated to continue.
Sighing, I cut her off.
“Look, whatever. The ‘royal family wasn’t involved’ line is nonsense, and we both know it.”
“N-No, that’s not true!”
“So what are you thinking now?”
“I-I was just… wondering what would satisfy you…”
“Oh? Didn’t I mention it?”
“Uh, no… you only said you were here to settle the score.”
With her flustered arrival and frantic plea, I’d completely forgotten to bring it up from the start.
“Right. Well then, here it is: because of this wanted poster issued by your royal family, we’ve suffered no small amount of trouble. I demand an apology and compensation.”
When I said this, the elder princess rose to her feet, folded her hands in front of her, and bowed deeply.
The official who’d spoken to me earlier looked absolutely stunned.
Well, they say royalty shouldn’t bow, right? At least, that’s what I’d read in those light novels back in my old world.
“This time, due to the misdeeds of my sister, we have caused you considerable distress. On behalf of the royal family, I sincerely apologize. We are deeply sorry.”
She stayed in that bow for a moment.
“Hm. Alright, I’ll accept the apology.”
Hearing that, she looked visibly relieved and raised her head.
“Now, about the compensation.”
“Yes, please name any amount. We will pay whatever sum you require.”
She offered, but that’s not what I wanted.
“I don’t want money.”
“What?”
“Do you think I need money living in a place like that? I wouldn’t even have any use for it.”
“T-Then… what do you want?”
Honestly, how could she not get it?
“Of course, I want the responsible parties punished, the immediate cancellation of the wanted poster, and strict enforcement of penalties against any violators.”
“I-I understand. I will… make sure it is done.”
“Oh, and don’t lie to me. If I come back and find out you lied, then this time…”
I stopped my words there and moved closer to the elder princess.
“I’ll blow this entire capital to bits without warning.”
Whispering that into her ear, I watched her face go pale as she nodded vigorously.
Seeing her reaction, I felt sure she’d go after the younger princess with everything she had. After all, it seemed like she was eyeing the throne herself. Now she had the perfect excuse to “legitimately” knock her sister down a peg.
“Oh, one more thing. Almost forgot.”
Just as I was about to leave, having secured her promise, I remembered something. I lifted up the unconscious Nigmarl and tossed him in front of the elder princess, along with the heads of two other bounty hunters who’d come after me.
“Eek! W-What is this?!”
“Bounty hunters who showed up at my place with that wanted poster.”
Her already pale face drained even further.
“As you can see, we’re already dealing with real threats. You’d better act fast. If another one of these guys shows up, I’ll take it as a sign the royal family broke its word.”
“Retract this wanted poster immediately! And spread word that anyone acting on it will be severely punished! Right now!”
“Y-Yes, your highness!!”
Upon hearing my words, the elder princess immediately issued orders to the surrounding soldiers and officials. They had overheard our conversation, so they sprang into action at once.
“Well, I’m heading out. See you around.”
After watching her put things in motion regarding the wanted poster, I used one quick spell, activated teleportation magic in front of her, and left the scene.
As for why I didn’t demand a personal apology from the younger princess, well, I figured she’d just throw out a bunch of excuses, and I had no interest in hearing such nonsense.
And using teleportation in front of the elder princess was just my way of saying, ‘I can show up anytime I want’.
Let them be terrified.
Now then, I guess it’s time to see if they follow through on my demands in good faith.