a year and a half later
In the student union, I was holding the report handed over by Luke
While watching, he murmured to himself
"Support infrastructure construction and economic development in poor areas...Rudeus. Greyrat"
He tapped his fingers on the table and closed his eyes, thinking
This charity organization established by Rudeus has been in existence for a year and a half, and the place it went has indeed improved a lot...
Could it be that simple? Rudeus. Greyrat Where does the money come from to support others?
The most important thing is that he actually handed over to his brother... Could it be that he also chose Grabell. Zafen...
Then everything I have done in the past few years is almost in vain, even if Perugius supports me, it will be of no avail...
Damn it, if you give me one more year, I can use Norn...
Is it really necessary to use his sister to threaten? I always feel that this is not a good choice...
"Luke, are the cities and countries that he helped in the report really improved?" I asked with a frown.
Luke lowered his head and spoke respectfully
"Yes, at least we didn't find any other problems"
"What exactly do you do?"
"It's very simple, give money to the poor, free the slaves, suppress the local nobles, and force the lords to reduce taxes."
"The nobles won't resist?"
Luke shook his head
"The nobles resisted, but Rudeus himself and the guards around him are incredibly powerful. Originally they only had two-thirds of the nobles' property. If they resisted, they would be directly strangled and confiscated."
"What's your father's reaction?"
"No response..."
Well, no response
That's understandable
After all, my father is about to abdicate, and the momentum of the nobles is too great
Now there is such a person suddenly coming out to provide help in times of need without harming the interests of the country. After all, the money will return to the people in the end. This is a good thing for my father and me.
But... it's not a good thing for my eldest brother.
Huh?
Why is this happening?
What exactly is Rudeus going to do?
"... In this case, he shouldn't be from Big Brother's side."
"Yes, but it is very likely that he has other purposes. Among the cities that have been supported by him, there are riots in several cities for unknown reasons."
"Unknown? How could it be unknown?"
"To be precise, I'm not sure. Among those mobs, some joined the parade because their lives did not improve much after Rudeus left. Some joined the parade because of greed. Even if they improved, they wanted more. The most important thing is that almost all the civilians began to hate the nobles."
"That might be a good thing... but what about Rudeus's reputation?"
"It's still good. These mobsters won't blame Rudeus if they are caught. Their unified message is [irresponsible nobles should be executed by the people]"
"Well..."
Rudeus's existence is a good thing for me
But...
What is his purpose of inciting the conflict between common people and nobles...?
Didn't he say that he had handed over to Grabell. Zhafen? If he did this, wouldn't Darius's reputation gradually decrease?
What is the handover for? Doesn't it mean anything?
Now the nobles are wavering. Because of the existence of Rudeus, the nobles on the side of the great prince are more united because they are afraid of being packed up and liquidated, while the nobles on my side are a little afraid of the power of Darius and the inaction of Rudeus...
What a trouble! If Rudeus has no relationship with the eldest prince, as long as Perugius supports me, I will definitely become the king...
"Tsk..."
I looked at the report with stupefaction, and I felt that my royal temperament had been completely dissipated in the trouble.
"Hmm~ Are you worried?"
A clear and lovely female voice came into my ears
The voice is so cute, but I feel like I hear a whisper from the devil
In just a moment, Luke drew his sword
I also raised my head and looked at this unfriendly visitor.
She has long burgundy hair, a figure that is not tall although she has good curves, and a long sword on her waist...
"Aisha. Greyrat..."
Come to think of it, philanthropist Rudeus always has three bodyguards around him. One is confirmed to be Eris. Greyrat, the other has green hair and calls himself Superd tribe, and the third one is always masked
A year and a half ago, Aisha. Greyrat dropped out of school...
I need to sort out my mentality and take the initiative...
"Rudeus asked you to come here? How did you get in?"
"There are so many problems~"
Aisha ignored Luke holding the sword and walked straight towards me
"Stay away from His Highness Ariel!"
Luke swung his sword towards Aisha, but Aisha didn't even look at him, he just chanted two words in his mouth
The magic was activated instantly, Luke was frozen
"What are you doing?"
I asked with a frown.
"Don't worry, this is not a magic that can cause death. It's just that I hope only you can read this letter. After all, my brother won't let me read it."
Aisha took the letter out of his pocket and handed it to me
"You..."
I didn't open the letter immediately, but I tried to say something to Aisha
But Aisha had no intention of paying attention to me, and raised a finger before I spoke to interrupt.
"Talk to me after reading the letter. I'll only give you two minutes. I don't know how long your little knight can stay frozen."
I sighed, knowing that I couldn't think about it for too long now, so I opened the letter and started reading.
[I will help you become the king, and I will have the right to deal with the criminals afterwards. Don't ask about all the disappeared slaves]
Huh?
a short sentence
After watching it once, I watched it again
After a while he murmured
"Is this... really...?"
"Hmm? What my brother wrote must be true."
"Why? Why do you want to help me? Just because of this? The price is too small..."
Aisha's eyes lit up
"What? Did my brother say something about the deal?"
"Uh..."
I realized that I seemed to have said the wrong thing and changed the subject.
"Can you undo the magic first?"
"Oh, I almost forgot"
Aisha snapped his fingers, and the magic dissipated immediately
Luke breathed heavily and opened his eyes wide to feel that he was still alive.
After breathing for a while, he suddenly shouted as if he remembered something
"Ariel Master! You..."
"I'm fine"
"That's good..."
Just after heaving a sigh of relief, Luke suddenly remembered that Aisha. Greyrat
He turned his head and stared at her fiercely
I warned
"Luke, don't treat our companions like this"
"Companion?"
"Yes, Aisha. Greyrat and Rudeus. Greyrat will be our companions from now on."
After all... this is the last straw
Aisha looked at the scene in front of him with some amusement
Asked again
"What is the deal that my brother is talking about?"
Realizing that there was no way to fool him, I spoke directly
"After all, you are Rudeus's sister. Let me tell you... He wants the disposal of all criminals in the prison to be his, and he does not want to visit all the disappeared slaves."
"All?"
"Hmm"
Aisha nodded without going into too much detail and just started talking about the next thing.
"Your Highness Ariel wants Perugius to support you, right?"
"Right"
"Well~ If Perugius rejects you in the end, we still have a guaranteed plan."
"Is there any other way?"
"Of course, if Perugius rejects you, my brother and I will help you kill all the nobles and royal families who oppose you."
"This..."
This is indeed a way. After all, if there are no opponents, then my ascending to the throne is a sure thing.
However, although those nobles are stupid and pedantic, if they are all eliminated at once, the country will stop running...
My plan is to slowly liquidate them one by one after ascending the throne...
"Okay, it's just a guarantee plan. Don't think about it too much. Perugius will support you."
"Okay..."
"Let's set off next week and let Perugius support you to become the king."
After saying that, Aisha looked at Luke, then looked at me
"Let me ask, is this the only bodyguard you have?"
"For now... that's it"
Aisha whispered to himself in a stunned voice
"Tsk... it's exactly what my brother said... eh..."
After a period of depression, Aisha raised his head
"I will be your bodyguard for the rest of the journey until Perugius agrees to support you."
"Thank you!"
I have no objection to strong foreign aid. I don't have much fighting power around me.
Out of curiosity, I asked
"Miss Aisha, are you a magician?"
"He is a magician and a swordsman"
"Are you a chantless magician like your brother?"
"No, it's just that the chant has been shortened very short."
"Like this"
"I'm very strong. Let me protect you. The only people in this world who can kill you are... well...Dragon God Orsted"
I was stunned. Although I don't know how strong Dragon God is, this is a legendary figure.
I guess you are exaggerating your own strength by saying that, right?
"It's really... reassuring"
"Well, so don't follow your little knight on this journey, you don't need him."
Aisha looked at Luke with some disdain
Why would you make such a request?
Is it because you are afraid that Luke is a spy?
I coughed and said
"Although Luke is weaker than Miss Aisha, but..."
"It's enough for me to protect you on the road. I don't feel at ease when there are outsiders."
This sentence is like a trigger
Luke, who had been patiently speaking, said
"I know I'm not as strong as you, Aisha. Greyrat, but you say I'm an outsider? I've been loyal to His Highness Ariel for countless years, and you, who just spoke up, dare to say that I am..."
"That's enough, Luke"
After hearing my words, Luke stopped talking
He stretched out his hand and pinched his eyebrows.
"Miss Aisha, I can guarantee that Luke is definitely on my side... so..."
"I'm not worried about the troubles of your noble family, it's just... well..."
Aisha thought for a while, took out a bracelet and threw it to Luke
"Put it on, it has my induction magic on it. Even if there is a moment on the way that I sense that you take off the bracelet, your head will be in a different place at that moment."
Luke picked up the bracelet, hesitated for a while and put it on.
Although he doesn't know what this is for, his purpose is just to follow His Highness Ariel
"Let me ask you another question, what would you do if your father supported the eldest prince?"
"How is that possible! My father absolutely supports His Highness Ariel!"
"I said if"
"I will... continue to help His Highness Ariel, even if my father changes sides."
"Remember what you said, Luke. Notos. Greyrat"