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.”
But the commentary helps. I’m not well-versed in battles.
“Somehow I’m getting excited too. Well then, you two—begin the duel!”
“”Ohh!””
In an instant, both began to act simultaneously.
“Power to my body, [Heavenly Tower Snow Extreme]!”
Blue-white light welled up from Weiss-kun’s entire body.
Proof that the body enhancement Gift [Heavenly Tower Snow Extreme] had activated.
“So what!”
In contrast, Ashley charged straight ahead. Maintaining his unique low posture with fists ready, he approached Weiss-kun.
“I won’t let you get any closer. ‘Strain-style Supernatural Swordsmanship’ secret technique—[Quick Draw-Brilliant Flash]!”
The next instant, Weiss-kun mercilessly unleashed his killing technique.
Ultra-high-speed iaido slash. Along with it, a slashing flash was released, causing a great explosion.
“Uhyaaa!?”
A voice escaped me involuntarily…!
It might not be as loud as when the Jumbo Ogre appeared, but it was still plenty of sound and impact.
Sand and dust swirled up, and Ashley’s figure was swallowed up within it.
“Ah, Ashley? Don’t tell me you really died…?”
So this is how it ends, I thought. However.
“——Not yet!”
Breaking through the cloud of sand, Ashley appeared completely unharmed! Wait, what!?
“What!?”
“Take this!”
Ashley’s explosive iron fist. It pierced into Weiss-kun’s abdomen and sent him flying several meters backward.
“Guh…”
Weiss-kun somehow endured it. But his expression was pained.
Wait wait wait, that’s impossible…!
“Weiss-kun with body enhancement can withstand even ogre attacks, you know? And Ashley, you, between dodging the explosive sword technique and now this, just what are you…?”
“It’s simple, Ojou-sama.”
Ashley opened the front of his tailcoat.
And when he removed his glasses——gray light welled up from his entire body…!
“That’s the light of a [Gift]…!?”
“I apologize for hiding it. Actually, I’m the owner of a ‘Gift that nullifies Gifts.'”
Eh, ehhhh, is that so!?
Why didn’t you tell your employer something like that!
Write it properly in the special skills section of your resume! Geez!
“It’s not a party trick, so there’s no need to keep it secret! If I knew you had that kind of Gift, I could have assigned you work that matches it—”
“——Please step back, Reite-sama!”
While I was complaining, Sonia-kun shielded me with his muscular arms and drew his sword toward Ashley.
What the heck!?
“The name alone would be one thing… but a Gift nullification ability, and gray Alice Sphere radiation light… There’s no mistake. This man is Ashley of the mercenary organization [Hell Wolf]!”
“Whaaat!?”
Th-that kind of background wasn’t on his resume though~~~!?
“Wh-whaaaat!? [Hell Wolf] is that extremely evil organization that was hired by the Second Prince and succeeded in revolution!?”
The one that burned the royal castle, killed the King, and thoroughly defeated Weiss-kun and the others!?
“Is it true, Ashley?”
“It’s true, Ojou-sama. …Though I quit several years ago.”
“Ah, thank goodness. Wait, that’s not good either!?”
At least write it in the previous employment section of your resume~~~~~!
I hired someone from an anti-social organization!
“W-well, if you were just a low-ranking member…”
“No, I held a position called [Five Great Wolves], which was among the top five of the ten thousand members.”
“You were super high-ranking~~~!?”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.GITHUB.IO
Wait wait… I’m supposed to be the only villain in this territory.
The residents are going to think our characters overlap, what am I supposed to do about that…
“I apologize, Ojou-sama. I really intended to keep it secret until I died. …But as I mentioned earlier, I couldn’t bear it any longer.”
Ashley glared at Weiss-kun with amber eyes. His gaze held genuine anger.
“Weiss. With that level of strength, you intend to drag Ojou-sama into a battle with the [Mercenary King].”
“!”
Shock ran across Weiss-kun’s face. It was exactly the expression of someone who’d been hit where it hurt.
“You should understand too. The [Mercenary King]… Zax-san is the worst kind of person. Not only is he incredibly strong, but he’s also brilliant in evil schemes. He’s a villain who uses any means—conspiracy, fraud, extortion, threats—to start wars just to satisfy his fighting instincts.”
“My character overlaps with his too.”
“…Pfft.”
When I muttered what I was thinking, both of them smiled at me. What!?
“Setting Ojou-sama aside—”
“Don’t set me aside!”
“Weiss. I acknowledge your determination to achieve re-revolution and subjugate [Hell Wolf]. Though it’s strange for me to say this… that organization is shit.”
Ignoring me, Ashley spat out profanity. With an expression like he’d bitten into something bitter, he continued.
“They’re not decent people. Under Zax-Roa, they’re a pack of hungry wolves who devour cities according to their desires and plunge people into terror. If such scum continues to occupy the center of the country, who knows what will happen.”
But, Ashley continued.
“Even if your determination is righteous, without power you’ll just be devoured by those guys. I don’t want to drag Reite Ojou-sama into such an ending.”
“…That’s an understandable opinion. So you’re telling me to prepare for re-revolution in other lands?”
“Yes, that’s right. And—”
Ashley took something from his chest and threw it to me.
“Wah!?”
It was a message card.
When I hurriedly caught it, it contained words of gratitude and farewell to me…
“Wait, this is a resignation letter?”
“Yes. I’d like to take my leave as of today.”
With a lonely smile, he announced.
“…Now that [Hell Wolf] occupies the center of the country, my existence as a rebel might be detected. That would put Ojou-sama in danger.”
“S-so you’re leaving because of that?”
“Yes. Like Weiss, I’m also [Hell Wolf’s] ‘prey.'”
Therefore, I have no intention of doing something as shameful as just expelling the prince and staying put——he said while looking at Weiss-kun.
“S-so what will you do after that?”
“I’m someone who has committed many evil acts. As responsibility, I intend to join Weiss’s re-revolution and throw my life away to destroy [Hell Wolf]. …That’s why I arranged this duel, to see the power of my new master, but…”
Ashley looked at the prince with disappointment.
Shrugging his shoulders, he let out a bitter laugh, saying “This won’t reach Zax-Roa.”
“You planned to achieve re-revolution with this level of power? Laughable. Should I lead the army instead?”
“…That would be a reliable offer. But I’m a prince. I’ll lead my comrades myself.”
The two glared at each other again. They apparently intended to decide the leader of the re-revolutionary army through this duel.
…The matter of my bodyguard role seems to have become a [closed issue].
Both of them are already planning to leave this land to avoid involving me.
“Haah…”
Well, that’s fine.
I was honestly thinking I didn’t want to get involved in political struggles either.
But you know…
“Somehow——I’m getting angry.”
Don’t ignore me and proceed with the conversation.
Thinking that, I stepped into the dueling ground.
Sonia tried to stop me a moment too late, but I didn’t care. Just watch from there.
“Ashley.”
“Ojou-sama? What do you need at this point—”
“Shut up.”
I kicked Ashley right in the crotch.
“Bofuu!?”
Ashley let out a strange cry and rolled over.
While he writhed holding his groin, I stomped on his belly as he wished.
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