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 19

As a Sword Emperor, Mirua Laines, I was simply unable to hide my astonishment.

My dear lord, Prince Esmeralda Dia Vefeld.

He was far more stoic and resilient than I had imagined.

In the restricted “Elfria Forest Zone,” the prince continued to train himself tirelessly.

Eating very little, sleeping only about five hours, even when Princess Rofemia and I were exhausted, he would start training again.

It was there that I truly understood the difference in our ranks.

Ah, I am not the world’s strongest swordsman.

The strongest in the world is Prince Esmeralda; my mastery of two schools of swordsmanship doesn’t even come close to his feet.

That’s what made me wonder.

Being stoic is commendable, but why, why go to such lengths?

I thought there must be some reason for my dear Prince Esmeralda to do so…

And indeed, my speculation was correct.

The ogre lurking in the depths of the Austria Cave was apparently the source of the elves’ long-term suffering. Curses that turned elves’ bodies to stone, rapidly consumed their lifespan…

From time to time, it would emerge from the cave to torment the elves.

Of course, the elves resisted each time, but the strength of the ogre was out of the ordinary.

It withstood attacks from veteran magicians unscathed, and with a single strike, it instantly killed the elves.

Thus causing significant damage and then returning to the cave, the area around the Austria Cave had significantly more guards than the “Elfria Forest Zone.”

Prince Esmeralda, he defeated that ogre with a single blow.

The harsh training he had endured was surely to rescue the elves suffering from curses in the present.

He continued training at such a rapid pace, surely to save the elves as quickly as possible.

Thinking this made me unable to stop my tears.

How foolish I had been. I wish I had accompanied the prince more in his training.

Even I, known as the Sword Emperor, am nothing more than a commoner compared to Prince Esmeralda, and it feels presumptuous even to breathe the same air as him.

Therefore, I want to imitate every action and move of Prince Esmeralda from now on.

As my former master said, perfectly replicating the movements of those you respect is a shortcut to improvement.

So from now on, I wish to observe every action and move of Prince Esmeralda.

―And then, a week after defeating that ogre.

“Ah, Prince-sama~~!”

“Handshake, handshake!”

“Kukkukku… Very well.”

The exploits of Prince Esmeralda quickly became known among the elves, and now there’s not a single person who dislikes the prince.

He defeated the evil ogre that had long tormented the Elf Kingdom and healed those affected by the curse.

There’s no doubt he has become a hero of the Elf Kingdom.

The first time the elves expressed their gratitude, Prince Esmeralda looked puzzled and bewildered…

His humility, among other virtues, truly makes him suitable to be a king.

Yes―Prince Esmeralda is indeed the most suitable person for the future of the kingdom.

Not only the other royals who spend their days and nights vying for the throne, but also the First Princess Yurisia, who is drenched in selfish desires, should definitely not become the king.

I love you… Prince Esmeralda.

Truly, sometimes I’m driven by the desire to offer my body and experience joy as a woman, but Prince Esmeralda is a godlike being, and having such ulterior motives means I am unworthy as a human, oh Prince Esmeralda, please forgive me, a lewd woman.

“…Hey, hey, Mirua. Are you listening?”

“Ha!”

I was called by Prince Esmeralda while lost in thought.

Currently, we’re in the midst of a party celebrating Prince Esmeralda.

The elves must have thought it’d be neglectful to do nothing after he defeated the evil ogre.

“I’m sorry, Prince Esmeralda. I am a lewd woman.”

“Ha…?”

I messed up.

Thinking too much about Prince Esmeralda led me to make such disorganized remarks.

“…It’s okay, come over here for a bit. I have something to talk about.”

“Yes! Understood!”

But that shame vanished entirely when I was called by my dear Prince Esmeralda.