“Their actions were… far too cruel. I tried to enjoy it somehow, but it was no good. How could anyone smile while beating defenseless women and children to death with all their might?”
 
“That’s impossible.”
 
“Yes, it’s impossible. …But a group of people who could do that was exactly what the mercenary organization [Hell Wolf] was.”
 
In the end, Ashley realized there that he was merely a [petty villain].
 
“However, it was then that I awakened to [Gift].… Read more

Interlude: The Prince and Butler’s Night

 
“No good, I can’t sleep…”
 
That night, Weiss-Strain was about to leave his bed and head to the mansion’s courtyard.
 
The reason was, of course, training.
 
“My stamina… my stamina is overflowing…!”
 
He was already completely terminal.
 
This Prince, who had been getting by with short sleep (※basically fainting) for years. Even though Reite gave him a child-level lecture saying “Sleep properly and quietly at night!”, his body was rejecting it.… Read more

“[Draw-Slashing Flash]”
 
“!?”
 
A devastating draw that flashed in an instant. A massive explosion erupted.
 
This was absolutely incomparable to before. The moment the prince’s hand wavered slightly, Ashley and dozens of meters behind him were blown to smithereens. An explosive sound echoed through the [Demon Forest].
 
“Guuuuu!?”
 
Something pierced through the rising dust clouds. It was Ashley with an agonized expression.
 
Again he seemed to have nullified the impact, but no.… Read more

“Ugoh!? O-Ojou-sama…!?”
 
“Listen well, Ashley.”
 
I exhaled with a “fuu,” and resolved to confess to him.
 
“I don’t dislike you, you know.”
 
“Wha… eh?”
 
Ashley’s eyes went black and white. He looked at me with a “what are you saying?” expression.
 
“Ah, let me clarify—I don’t have romantic feelings for you, okay? You’re a pervert who collects my fallen hair to make [Mini-Reite dolls].”
 
“H-how did you know that!?”… Read more

The one who appeared next to me was the former kingdom knight Weiss-captain, the muscular refreshing Sonia-kun. He looked at Ashley with a thoughtful expression.
 
“Ashley-dono’s stance is close to pankration. From how he’s clenched his fists and positioned his legs, he’s declaring [I’ll rush in and punch]. However, Weiss-sama is a longsword user. For Ashley-dono to attack, he’ll inevitably need to either block or dodge the prince’s strike once, but—”
 
“You talk a lot, Sonia-kun.”… Read more

Chapter 7: The Butler Was Actually Yakuza~~~!?**

 
“Reite-jou, today’s breakfast is sautéed young chicken.”
 
“…Isn’t that a bit heavy for morning?”
 
“I asked the chef. When I said [I want Reite-jou to grow up healthy and strong], he got motivated and made it.”
 
“That sounds like you’re treating me like a child!?”
 
——Several days have passed since I picked up Weiss-kun and the others.
 
So far, my daily life has been peaceful.
 
There haven’t been any particular bothers from the kingdom either.… Read more

“Ah, to maintain secrecy, choose from among your retainers internally. Forced abduction would be exposed somewhere.”
 
“…Fine by me, but what is [Plan B]? What do you intend to do with my retainer?”
 
“Isn’t it obvious?”
 
Zax raised his wine cup.
 
The next moment, the cup was engulfed in flames and shattered.
 
“!?”
 
“If we burn him to just before carbonization, there won’t be any facial features left. Then we can show the people ‘This is Weiss’s corpse!'”… Read more

Interlude: Night of the Outcasts

 
“Kuhahahaha…!”
 
In that room of the palace, every desire was packed in.
 
The inner walls were painted with gold dust on the walls, floor, and even the ceiling. What made them shine were countless piled-up jewels. On the golden long table, infinite delicacies were spread, and lightly dressed women holding pottery filled with fine wine stood in rows—
 
“That bastard Second Prince Schwarl really fulfilled my demands perfectly…!”… Read more

In the cloud of dust, Doctor Reinhart muttered, “Interesting.”
 
“Hohooo—so that’s ‘Strain-Style Supernatural Swordsmanship.’ The one-hit-kill swordsmanship created by the first king, who was said to possess an enhancement-type Gift.”
 
“Don’t give me that casual commentary…”
 
The moment Weiss-kun drew his blade, the battle was already decided.
 
“What the heck was that? When he drew his sword, a blue light slash went WHOOSH, and then the ogre it hit went KABOOM.”
 
“Such childish vocabulary.”
 
I’ll kill you!… Read more

Chapter 6: This Bodyguard is Going to Explode!?!?!?

 
“Excuse me for intruding~~~”
 
And so we’ve arrived at the [Magic Research Institute].
 
It’s just as large as the neighboring training grounds, and it’s a place where magical creatures are brought in daily for… well, some incomprehensible experiments.
 
Now, as I lead the soldiers into the inner rooms—
 
“Ah, Reite-kun. How lovely to see you.”
 
…The one greeting me with such affected mannerisms is a long-haired old man whose hair is so long it hides his eyes.… Read more