/
Scarlet lifted her face, and courageously declared war on Genius.
“Lord Genius, I do not mind if you look down on me, someone of House Chaudgal, but my parents, Lady Indra, and even Hero 【Thunderclap Whitefang】 are my allies, you see? If you think that you can win against a hero, who makes the king bow his head, Lady Indra, who caused the king’s advisor to prostrate himself in front of her, and my ducal family after turning all of us into your enemies, then please give it your best shot. How about you keep up your attitude thus far and act as you have been doing? If you wish to test my generosity, I do not mind.”
Genius immediately was at a loss. He thought that he hated this way of talking above all, but at this point, it had already left the stage of liking or disliking.
It was just as Scarlet had said. And in reality, even the king’s advisor had prostrated himself in front of Indra during the party because he had apparently bought Indra’s enmity. In short, knowing and fearing Indra’s strength, he had discarded his pride and immediately apologized, albeit he should hate Indra as much as Genius did. This was the true caliber of a close aide and advisor.
“You’re a truly detestable wench! I’ve never thought that you possess anything like generosity! In the first place! As if a commoner hero and his commoner sidekick would be much of a help, even if they become your allies! Genius serves me, a prince! The likes of a measly ducal daughter has no right to defy the royal family! Hurry up and give me that as a display of your apology! Then I shall overlook your conceited bragging!”
“”………””
Not only Scarlet, but even Genius fell silent upon that statement.
＊
After staying silent for a moment, Scarlet sighed once more.
“…Oh my, I have started to believe that it might be impossible to educate Prince Elias after all. …Excuse me. I feel like I need to make some adjustments to my future plans in life,” Scarlet replied with a stiff expression.
“Lady Scarlet!”
Genius detained her in a hurry, but Scarlet ignored him and smiled at Prince Elias, “The word of a measly ducal daughter resulted in the Knight Leader being discharged and banished into the borderlands while his son was disowned and turned into a commoner. …Oh, sorry, my tongue slipped. Forgive me, regard all of it as me speaking to myself.”
Scarlet bid farewell and walked off.
＊
“Seriously, what a pesky, cheeky bitch! So much that I don’t even feel like having her around as a decoration. If such a vile woman became queen, the Kingdom would be in dire straits! Don’t you think so?”
The prince demanded approval from Genius, but his valet remained silent.
Without caring about that, Prince Elias continued, “…But, that golem…well, I got to admit…it’s quite something. It’s wasted on such a bitch. I’ll make good use of it. …She mentioned some nonsense about that commoner doing this or that, but as if that could be true. She must be hallucinating about everyone pulling back after being fed such a lame excuse! As if I’d yield to something like that! Once I get my hands on it, I’ll have you operate it, Genius!”
＊
I’m sure Prince Elias truly believes that, Genius assessed. Even I’d find it a disgrace to completely change my attitude, now after having hated Scarlet so thoroughly beforehand. Rather, I envy Shell and Primrose who changed their attitude at lightning speed. Even though I insulted them for acting so pathetically and shamefully for the sake of protecting themselves, I must now do the same.
Moreover, he felt like tearing out his own hair in light of Prince Elias’s inability to understand his situation to such an extent that he was discarded by Scarlet.
…But sure, even I’d love to believe the same. In the end, they’re a commoner hero and his commoner partner.
――Yet, that commoner hero cleaved the wall apart with just the aftermath of his swing, which was intended to kill the person who became the cause for all the harassment, and 『archenemy of his partner』. And the slash that prevented her death originated from his partner’s wooden sword.
He blocked a sword, which had been slashed down with so much force that it’d easily slice a wall apart, with nothing more than a wooden sword…remembering that sight now, he must have a fairly high level of skill. On top of that, he’s capable of using explosion magic from a distance without chanting, and possess enough magic power to blow windows apart without any prior arrangements
We’ve been looking down on an opponent, whom we cannot beat, for the sole reason of him 『being a commoner』.
Scarlet was wise. Certainly, her father is famous for being a fan of the hero, but the idea of her trying to approach Indra, who was famous for being an 『arrogant and eccentric commoner』 was incredible. Without caring about him being an oddball, she zoomed in on the knowledge he possesses, and befriended him without caring about his social standing.
＊
“Prince Elias… It’s true that we accused Lady Scarlet with false charges. Moreover, it’s also true that Direck, the son of the Knight Leader, was arrested. It’s also true that we didn’t really investigate things properly just because there was a witness. Moreover, in spite of the many other victims with similar circumstances, we only made an exception for Primrose, fully adopted her view, and attempted to pin false charges on a high-class noble daughter because of that. It is indispensable for us to apologize here.”
If he apologizes, it might improve Scarlet’s view of him a bit. I’d like him to understand that there’s no future for us once he’s abandoned by Scarlet.
Sure, her way of talking is grating and she lacks charm, but even so, she excels at protecting herself, so I want him to understand that she stands above us. Above all, her achievement of 『winning over the monster called Indra as an ally』 is unfathomable. Even the king has yielded on that point.
I want him to understand all of that.
Something like his title as royal is worthless when faced with a dragon or demonkin. It’s something that disappears with a single dragon breath or demonkin’s blow. And, that guy is a monster comparable to those creatures.
＊
But, Prince Elias only snorted at that with a condescending attitude.
“False accusations? Her being jealous of Rose is a fact, isn’t it? It’s not about the question whether she did it or not, but whether she was jealous or not. And it’s just as true that she defied me cheekily because she couldn’t get me to love her,” he blurted out something that wouldn’t serve as any kind of excuse with a voice full of ridicule.
“Prince Elias…”
Ahead of Genius’s line of sight as he cried out in despair stood Scarlet, talking to her escort. After they finished their exchange, the guard pulled off her helmet.
“…Duchess Ally Chaudgal!?!”
Surprised by Genius’s outcry, Prince Elias followed his eyes, just to realize that the woman, whom they had considered to be a normal escort, had been Scarlet’s mother all along.