「Where is Prince Halfren?」
「He is currently on his way back to the capital.」
「On schedule?」
「There has been a slight delay, but roughly yes.」
The maid answers smoothly, as if she’s seen it all with her own eyes.
It’s already impressive that Muscle Prince is even trying to come back on time.
「It looks like my plans for the day after tomorrow have changed… have you looked into that side?」
「Yes. No one expected Argusta-sama to receive a suspension at this time, so they must have panicked and taken action. As a result, a few nobles have shown their tails. We are currently investigating their movements.」
I didn’t expect the suspension either, honestly.
But if it’s moving things in a good direction… well, no excuses needed.
「Then everything else goes according to plan?」
「Yes. Our goal is to capture the enemy’s execution team if possible.」
One of Muscle Prince’s subordinates, a maid belonging to the covert unit, bows deeply.
You guys really love giving impossible requests, don’t you?
「Understood. But under no circumstances will you involve my wife, got it?」
「We have already been informed by our lord. We promise to take every precaution for Argusta-sama’s safety.」
You’re just saying that to sound nice, aren’t you?
His Highness’s subordinates really are all Spartan sports-club types.
「The moment I think I’ve lured them in, I’m running away at full speed. The rest is up to you.」
「Yes. Then excuse me.」
She taps the wall once, spins around, and vanishes.
Is this room a ninja hideout or something?
「……This seriously feels like I’m the only one getting the short end of the stick.」
Ugh～ seriously the worst. How did it come to this?
-0-
「……So yeah, Arg.」
「Yes?」
「I’m heading out on a trip tomorrow. I’ll bring back some souvenirs… concubines okay?」
「I’ll call Noie to beat you up. Seriously.」
「You’ve got no sense of humor.」
If it’s a joke, then why are your hips pulling back so far? Explain that.
Over the mountain of work shoved onto me, Muscle Prince, Halfren, grins.
He’s actually grinning.
「Anyway… while I’m gone, we’re setting a little trap.」
「Trap?」
「Yeah. There’s almost certainly an Empire execution team that’s infiltrated the kingdom. We’re going to smoke them out.」
「……Specifically?」
I really hate troublesome stuff, you know?
「While I’m away, you don’t leave the capital. Whenever you move between the mansion and anywhere else, always be with Noie. That’s it.」
「Huh?」
Isn’t that… basically what we do every day anyway?
He’s making that smug “let me explain it to you” face.
It’s seriously annoying.
「So, if the enemy can’t attack you directly, they’ll have to change your schedule using our own nobles. That way, we catch their execution team while also flushing out the traitors working with them. It’s a brilliant plan. What do you think? Impressed yet?」
「What about my safety while we’re catching their execution team?」
「If it gets dangerous, just call Noie.」
「Don’t mess with me!」
I slam my hand on the desk with a loud ‘don’.
The mountain of paperwork collapses.
I don’t care right now.
「I refuse.」
「……You’re refusing?」
「Yeah. I don’t want Noie doing anything besides slaying dragons.」
If word spreads that she can fight people too… her position will get even worse.
More than that… gentle Noie could never fight another person.
「Even if it’s the king’s order?」
「Then I’ll storm in right now and pick a fight with that lecherous old man until he takes it back.」
No matter who it is, I won’t agree.
I can’t.
We glare at each other for a long moment until he finally sighs and shrugs.
「Father said you’d probably refuse, so think of another way. Aniki agreed with him… and somehow, I ended up the bad guy here.」
No… you’re basically always the villain.
「What’s with that look like you’re staring at garbage? Arg?」
「Must be your imagination.」
He starts cracking his knuckles ‘baki baki’, so I quickly look away.
「Anyway, that’s why my subordinates will guard you. They’re all elite.」
「Really?」
「Yeah. Univance’s covert agents have always been top-class. Just relax and be the perfect bait.」
Honestly, I hate this a lot.
-0-
Is it normal to use your own little brother as bait?
I lean back in that idiot aniki’s chair and stare at the ceiling.
Not a speck of dust. It’s been cleaned properly.
Well… this fishing trip is only to catch the Empire’s execution team.
The real goal is rounding up the nobles helping them, right?
If things get dangerous, I’ll bolt at full speed.
Reputation?
I don’t mind being called a coward.
The thing I hate most is anything happening to Noie.
If I call her and she comes… she’ll try to protect me and end up using her power.
With her overwhelming strength, the danger disappears.
But that’s all.
I swore I’d do everything to make her smile…
If I give her another chance to kill, it would be completely backwards.
Even if the plan fails, I’ll choose the option that keeps her out of it.
「Alright! Time to get back to work.」
I stand up with renewed energy and glance at the top of the paperwork mountain.
「Child disappearance cases?」
The paper I pick up is an investigation request about the recent disappearances of young children in the northwestern region of Univance Kingdom.
Something about it feels… really bad.
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