Chapter 77: The True Identity of the Second Prince

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Translator: Soafp

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The imperial capital of the Belhart Empire.

In the courtyard of the Imperial Castle at its center, a small hut had been built.

“Hmm hmm hmmm~”

It was a private residence personally constructed by Sidin Bel Belhart, the second prince of the Belhart Empire.

Inside the hut were countless flowerpots filled with plants and flowers, each one clearly tended with care and affection.

Humming to himself, Sidin trimmed the flowers with pruning shears, shaping them neatly one by one.

“Hehehe. If I'm going to give her a bouquet, it has to be made from flowers I grew myself. I wonder if Lady Fran will be happy. Or maybe she'll smash her fist straight into my face… either way is fine!!”

And then—

A crystal in the corner of the room, long coated in dust, began to emit a baleful light, and a voice rang out—one that sounded neither distinctly male nor female.

‘Dolk. Dolk, can you hear me?'

“!? Th-this is… Lord Demon King!!”

‘You haven't reported in for a while. Has something happened?'

Sidin dropped to one knee before the crystal and answered.

“Yes. Everything is proceeding without issue. The plan to divide the Belhart Empire between the Crown Prince faction and the Second Prince faction is going smoothly.”

‘As expected, sending you in was the right call.'

“Assassinating the second prince who was wasting his days away in the capital and taking his place was trivial for my kind.”

‘Even so, the knights guarding that prince were among the empire's finest… As expected of one of the Seven Demon Generals the Demon King's Army takes pride in.'

“…Lord Demon King, what are the Seven Demon Generals?”

Seven Demon Generals.

Hearing the term for the first time, Sidin tilted his head and asked without thinking.

‘They are the elite of the elite personally selected by me from the Demon King's Army. …Though we haven't actually decided on seven yet. But it sounds cool, doesn't it?'

“I don't really understand.”

‘…I see. …I see…'

Sidin's cold response made the voice on the other side of the crystal sound dejected.

‘Ahem. Well, as long as things are going well, that's good. Continue dividing the empire. …Just to be sure, you do remember the details of the plan, correct?'

“Yes. We cause internal strife within the empire, then encourage one side to seek cooperation with the demon race.”

‘Correct. The current Hero is the type who rigidly adheres to old-fashioned vows, for better or worse. If it's framed as cooperation to end a civil war rather than an invasion, he won't object.'

“…If this plan is exposed, the Hero will surely move to exterminate the demon race for real.”

‘An old friend of mine used to say this: “If you don't get caught, it's not a crime.” And even if it does come to light, my daughter would easily overwhelm the Hero.'

Sidin thought, Wow… but wisely kept his mouth shut.

He was a capable man.

‘…I'm starting to get sleepy. I'll be heading to bed. Don't forget to report in.'

“Yes. My apologies for the delayed report. …Lord Demon King, if I may be so bold, may I ask one final question?'

‘Hm? Sure. What is it?'

Sidin spoke in a completely serious tone.

“May I abandon my mission?”

‘…Hm? What? Huh? W-wait, sorry. Could you say that again?'

“I want to abandon my mission.”

‘W-what are you saying!?'

The voice sounded genuinely confused now.

Its earlier dignity was completely gone, replaced by flustered panic coming from the crystal.

‘C-calm down, Dolk. Explain this step by step. What are you suddenly talking about?'

“Yes. I have discovered true love. I wish to live for her, and die for her.”

‘I don't understand anything anymore. Is something wrong with my head?'

Sidin cleared his throat lightly and continued.

“In short, I've fallen in love. She is someone who would never approve of harming large numbers of people, so I want to quit my job.”

‘Wait wait wait!! Calm down!! Let's talk this through!! If you quit now, the entire plan will collapse, you know!?'

“Frankly, I don't care about the plan anymore. I've decided to live for love.”

‘Eh—eh!? Seriously!? Are you already dating her!?'

“No. Today, I took a backhand punch straight to the bridge of my nose.”

‘WHY DO YOU LIKE SOMEONE LIKE THAT!?'

Sidin's eyes lit up at the question.

He began passionately describing the girl he loved—how beautiful and noble she was.

“Fran-sama is wonderful!! Infinitely compassionate to the sick and injured, yet never bows to authority!! A truly solitary existence!! Not only beautiful, but she delivers ruthless backhand punches to those who approach carelessly—a rose among maidens!! Paired with her glossy black hair—yes!! A lone black rose princess!!”

‘Ah—o-okay. I—I get it.'

“And furthermore—”

‘You're still going!? I get it already!! I really get it!!'

And then—

‘Papa, I'm hoooome!!'

‘Hm. Welcome back, Zenapart—wait, why is it just your head!?'

‘Mm! Kokonoha did it to me~. She even left me in the forest, the worst~. But it was fun for the first time in ages~.'

A girl's voice echoed from the other side of the crystal, and things suddenly became noisy.

Just a head… what exactly did that mean?

‘K-Kokonoha did!?'

‘Hm? Oh? Are you talking to someone?'

‘A-ah, yes. Papa's a bit busy with work right now, so go play over there.'

‘Okaaay.'

After what sounded like an ordinary parent-child exchange, the voice turned back to Sidin, speaking gently.

‘Dolk, I'll be honest with you. Coexistence between monsters and humans is impossible.'

“Why can you say that so definitively!? Didn't you yourself once say that a slime was saved by human twins and now serves them in secret to repay the favor!?”

‘No, she's more of an exception… or a weirdo… or a lunatic… More importantly, what about your man-eating instincts?'

“I'll endure them through sheer willpower.”

‘Man-eating instincts are a monster's nature!? There's no way willpower alone can suppress that!!'

“I will manage!! Monsters don't starve as long as they have mana!!”

At Sidin's declaration that he would suppress instinct through sheer resolve, the voice let out a deep sigh.

It sounded equal parts exasperated and impressed.

Lowering its tone, as if this would be the final exchange, the voice asked:

‘So what you're saying is that you intend to betray me, driven by a momentary emotion?'

“Yes!!”

‘…At least pretend you struggled with the decision. Still, very well. Losing a capable subordinate is regrettable, but personally, I'm rooting for you.'

“Lord Demon King…”

‘The plan will be altered. Do as you wish.'

With those final words, the light faded from the crystal.

And so, though he felt apologetic for betraying his lord, Sidin continued crafting a bouquet of flowers for the woman he loved.