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 21

――To put it bluntly, Princess Yurisia was truly despicable.

“Esmeralda-sama! I apologize for keeping you waiting!”

“Ha…?”

At the party venue, for some reason, men clad in military uniforms of the Virginia Empire―the neighboring country Yurisia and her cohorts are plotting to invade―approached us.

However, we mustn’t be misled by these uniforms.

They might be wearing different military outfits, but their true identity is from the Third Division of the Vefeld Kingdom’s army. Having grinded through the game for three hundred rounds in my previous life, even the faces of these mobs are ingrained in my brain.

“What do you want…”

“No, we thought the time was ripe for our scheme! We plan to summon the Blood Death Dragon here and abduct the elves!”

A soldier loudly proclaiming this so that everyone around could hear.

“Ha…?”

At first, I was puzzled, but a few seconds later, I came to understand.

Upon sensing the surroundings, I found that many more soldiers from the Third Division were on standby. Moreover, these guys weren’t dressed in the uniforms of the Virginia Empire, but in their regular attire.

“Kuku, I see…”

These guys are trying to set me up as the mastermind behind it all to boost their own standing.

The Blood Death Dragon is a powerful boss that appears in the later stages of the game.

Without meticulous preparation, defeating it alone, no matter how much you have leveled up, is virtually impossible.

They plan to summon that dragon, kill me, and then…

The Third Division’s soldiers will band together to eliminate the Blood Death Dragon.

This way, they can make the public believe that the elf kidnapping incidents were “Esmeralda’s conspiracy”, while simultaneously raising the stock of the Vefeld Kingdom.

Having soldiers sneak into the royal castle with the excuse that the Virginia Empire was acting suspiciously or something would suffice as a reason.

This could also justify an invasion of the Virginia Empire, making it a win-win situation for the Vefeld Kingdom. Truly, Yurisia is a piece of work…

―However.

“My, my, what are you talking about, soldier of the Third Division?”

Sword Emperor Mirua didn’t leave my side even after hearing this conversation.

“Even if you try to frame the prince, it won’t work. My Prince Esmeralda would never do such a thing, right?”

“He…?”

“Attempting to socially annihilate Prince Esmeralda. Just for that, you deserve a thousand deaths.”

“Cough…!!”

Saying so, Mirua swiftly dispatched the soldier dressed in the Virginia Empire’s military uniform.

―Impressive.

I hadn’t said a word, yet Mirua believed in me without a shred of doubt.

Moreover, she took the initiative to knock out the soldiers in my stead.

…Hmph, of course, I’m not touched enough to get teary-eyed.

The other elves felt the same.

Not a single one of them looked at me with skepticism; they all coldly looked down upon the soldiers.

The one who fearlessly defeated the evil ogre couldn’t possibly be hatching such a scheme―was their understanding.

Strange, isn’t it?

All I wanted to do was use these people as a stepstone to build my own kingdom.

“―No matter what happens, I adore you, Prince Esmeralda.”

With those words, Mirua nodded firmly and dashed towards a certain point.

Sure enough, it was where the soldiers of the Third Division were hiding.

Realizing that presence, as expected of Sword Emperor Mirua.

As for Rofemia, she was evacuating the elves present at the venue. If what that soldier said was correct, there’s a high chance the Blood Death Dragon could arrive here soon.

“…………”

Indeed, none of the elves present doubted me.

Looking around, there wasn’t a single voice of accusation against me.

Truly a gullible group.

Just for defeating an ogre, they’ve come to idolize someone like me.

…Can’t be helped.

It’s not very villain-like, but maybe it’s time I showed some skin.

“Esmeralda-sama, please flee as well! Even for you, the Blood Death Dragon is dangerous!”

Rofemia called out from afar, but of course, I wasn’t going to move from here.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take down the Blood Death Dragon myself. For you elves.”

“Eh…?”

Kukkukku, it’s laughable.

With the power of the Demon Sword Levandest, I’m currently suffering three times the damage received.

No matter how much my level has increased, facing such danger at merely level 50 would be quite dangerous.

Still, I have no intention of backing down.

No―I won’t back down.

I wiped the corner of my eye and prepared myself for the summoning of the Blood Death Dragon.