Reincarnated as the Hated Villainous Prince, I Thought I Could Live Freely in This Life, but Unconsciously Acted Like a Saint ~Trying to Create an Evil Kingdom, but for Some Reason I'm Highly Respected by Everyone~ - Chapter 15

Meanwhile, at that time.

The First Princess of the Vefeld Kingdom, Yurisia Li Vefeld, was having a nightmare in her bed.

“Kukkukku… I know, sister. The secret you’ve been hiding in your chest, the one you haven’t told anyone. Very fitting for the chest. Kukkukku…”

“But I won’t reveal it yet. If this secret becomes public… Sister will no longer be able to remain ‘Sister’. It’s information that confidential.”

She couldn’t forget the words that the soldier had said, even now.

How much does Esmeralda know?

That Yurisia is the mastermind behind the elf kidnappings, that she’s in cahoots with the Third Division, and that this is her “trump card” to sit on the throne of the king…

If he knows all that, it would undoubtedly lead to trouble.

Elves have significantly higher magical power compared to humans, and consuming a secret potion made from their blood could grant one equivalent magical powers…

Yurisia had obtained such information from ancient texts that had been in the royal castle for ages.

Initially skeptical, upon having an elf kidnapped and trying the potion herself, indeed, her magical power increased dramatically.

Despite her utter lack of magical talent, Yurisia gained enough power to rival that of a mid-level magician.

Giving this potion to a large number of soldiers would enhance the national power even further.

It would allow easy subjugation of other countries she had long eyed for invasion, and her reputation would skyrocket.

From the information of kidnapped nobles of other countries, she could roughly estimate the “actual military strength” of those nations.

All she needed was to fabricate a suitable reason for invasion, and if she could annex their territories for Vefeld Kingdom, Yurisia’s support would surge. She would win the royal power struggle and dominate the world as a ruler who governs many people.

But―of course, this strategy couldn’t be made public.

Using elves as sacrifices to boost national power would inevitably draw international condemnation. The neighboring country, which she had planned to invade, would gain many allies, making territorial annexation impossible.

And naturally… Yurisia’s position would fall.

The king might be somewhat aware of Yurisia’s scheme, for now, ignoring complaints from the Elf Kingdom… But if public opinion rose to a level that he couldn’t ignore, even he would no longer stand by her side.

The king was quite a ruthless man.

He would cooperate as long as Yurisia’s strategy benefited the Vefeld Kingdom, but if he deemed it otherwise, he would coldly discard her without hesitation.

Therefore, Yurisia had to proceed with this strategy in secret…

Knock, knock.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Yurisia lifted her face.

“It’s Butler Hams. May I come in?”

“…Yes, you may.”

“Thank you.”

With that, the figure of the elderly butler Hams appeared. To Yurisia, he was one of the few people she could trust.

“…So? What are the results of the investigation?”

“Since the practice session with Sword Emperor Mirua, Prince Esmeralda has vanished.”

“I see…”

Troublesome.

Until recently, he was a man of no ambition, not even considered a threat in the struggle for royal power, basically invisible.

Suddenly becoming such a troublesome opponent was unexpected.

What does he know exactly?

What is he scheming?

Is it true that he has become stronger than the Sword Emperor?

Has he started to ally with the elves?

Was he secretly eyeing the throne all along?

The more she thought, the more she sank into a hole of confusion, understanding less and less.

Could it be that his being called a useless prince until recently was all part of his strategy? If so, she had no chance of winning…

“Also, Your Highness, it’s difficult for me to say this but…”

As she was deep in thought, Butler Hams spoke again.

“Communication with the five soldiers we had infiltrated into the Elf Kingdom has been cut off.”

“What did you say…!?”

Yurisia’s eyes widened in shock.

“What about Gruboa? What happened to Gruboa? Not him too…”

“Yes. He too is unreachable.”

“That can’t be…”

――Third Reconnaissance Team Captain, Gruboa Valerio.

He was given, as a special case, a potion superior to the elf’s secret potion, which also enhanced physical capabilities.

This too was successfully created following a manufacturing method written in an ancient text.

Frankly speaking, even if division commanders banded together, they wouldn’t stand a chance against him―

And he, too, has been defeated…?!

“Hams. Do you think this is Esmeralda’s doing?”

“…Yes. While we can’t be certain, it’s highly likely.”

“Ku…!”

This is bad. Very bad.

If she left him be, not only would sitting on the throne become impossible, but her status itself would be jeopardized.

“Hams… Please, leave me alone for now…”

“As you wish.”

That night, Yurisia couldn’t sleep.