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 17

Well then.

After reaching level 50, there was no longer any need for me in the “Elfria Forest Region.”

Defeating Golden Ants and Silver Slimes certainly provides efficient experience points, but that’s only true at lower levels. Now that I’ve become much stronger, there are other places to farm experience points, so I’ll stop leveling up here.

So, what do I do next…

“Es-Esmeralda-sama, are we really going in here?”

“Ah, of course.”

I laughed boldly in response to the frightened Rofemia.

―Austria Cave.

A sinister cave located a short distance from the royal castle. The monsters that respawn here are nothing like those in the “Elfria Forest Region.”

It’s a place where entry is normally prohibited by guards because you can’t win with half-baked strength.

The efficiency of leveling up is higher in the “Elfria Forest Region,” so I had intentionally postponed exploring this cave…

However, the Austria Cave is filled with very useful weapons.

Of course, it’s not possible to purchase them in shops or anywhere else, so I wanted to acquire them here.

“Kukkukku, I see. I’ve heard rumors, but so this is the infamous cave. Exciting, isn’t it?”

Mirua, fitting of the title Sword Emperor, showed no fear at all.

I found it very reassuring.

…Though, it feels like her way of speaking has changed lately, resembling someone familiar.

“But I’m scared. We’ve always been told to never enter this cave…”

“Fufu, don’t worry. I will absolutely protect you. There’s no need to be afraid.”

After all, she’s an important member of my harem.

Thanks to meeting her, I’ve forged connections with Queen Clophe and am steadily building my empire.

Letting her die would not be villainous, just foolish.

“…You’re really unfair, Esmeralda-sama.”

Rofemia, with tears in her eyes, clung to my arm, pressing her breasts against me.

Kukkukku, it seems she’s completely devoted to me, which is quite favorable.

I’m only taking advantage of the situation because it benefits me.

It’s indeed a series of favorable developments for me.

“Let’s go, both of you! It’s not good to cling too much!”

While saying that, Mirua wrapped her arm around the other side.

…Telling us not to cling, yet pressing her chest against me, what kind of thought process is that?

Though I wasn’t quite sure about that, we nonetheless stepped into the cave in search of useful weapons.

★ ★ ★

For me, Rofemia Mu Austria, recent days have been filled with astonishment.

In order to uncover the truth behind the elf kidnappings, I stepped into the human world and was then attacked by mysterious men.

When I thought it was the end for me, I was saved by a handsome man.

Moreover, that man ― Esmeralda-sama, uncovered the identity of the assassin lurking in the Elf Kingdom.

It may sound cliché, but “amazing person,” “respected person,” “beloved person” are the only words that come to mind; he has become a significant figure to me.

…And what is this feeling?

Just thinking about Esmeralda-sama makes my heart race.

Just touching Esmeralda-sama makes me feel a tingling sensation.

That’s why I keep clinging to him, but even then, Esmeralda-sama doesn’t reject me.

That made me happy.

There were times when I wished that Esmeralda-sama would cling to me first, but I was too afraid of Mirua-san, so I refrained from doing so.

Anyway, he is cool and the strongest in the world.

No matter what anyone says, I believe that to be an unshakeable fact.

“GYUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

“Shut up, just die.”

Austria Cave. In its deepest part.

Queen Clophe—my mother told me about a terrifying ogre monster in this cave, because of which many elves became victims.

So, the moment we encountered this ogre, I thought that we definitely had to tell Esmeralda-sama about it.

“Fuhahahahaha, you can’t hit me! Is that all you’ve got?!”

―But as expected, he was the strongest in the world.

Not only did he dodge the ogre’s club attacks with a cool demeanor, he even taunted the demon.

Probably, the monster has never experienced such a situation before; it looked quite flustered.

And then.

“Kukkukku, is this all? How disappointing.”

With that, Esmeralda-sama delivered a single punch to the ogre’s abdomen.

“Guotts…?”

The ogre, with just that one hit, stood still for a few seconds before collapsing.

One hit.

Just that, and he defeated a legend that had terrorized elves for hundreds of years.

Being so incredibly impressed, I ended up clinging to Esmeralda-sama again.