Chapter 9: Deals that never work (7)

The afternoon sun had been up for quite a while, but there was still time before evening.

This was also the time when the city was most bustling.

The streets were filled with people buying dinner ingredients, merchants eager to sell their goods before closing, and others looking to enjoy the coming night’s scenery.

Watching people carrying tools to light up the approaching night made me think that the patrolling soldiers must have a tough job.

Well, since we’re taking a carriage straight to the palace, it’s not something I need to worry about.

“Wow, this carriage is always so comfortable to ride in.”

“Magic for shock absorption—this much is common sense.”

Hearing Laura’s comment, the hero seated in the front remarked how convenient magic was.

Indeed, ordinary carriages tend to creak and twist at their wooden and metal joints the more you ride them, making it quite a struggle.

This carriage, however, wasn’t just incomparable to the cheap ones we used during our travels—it barely even shook, despite traveling on well-paved roads.

Even modern cars in the real world couldn’t be this comfortable. Every time I experienced moments like this, I was reminded that this was a game world.

“Ahem, let’s end the idle chatter here. We’re almost at the castle.”

Laura barely had time to playfully try sitting on the hero’s lap before Natalia intervened, reminding us that it was almost time to arrive.

The uniform Natalia wore was striking, with epaulets on her shoulders and elegant designs connected by threads.

The sword-shaped embroidery on her cloak particularly suited her.

‘… Natalia, you want to cuddle too, don’t you?’

“Wh-what nonsense! How could I think such things in the sacred palace?!”

“Ha ha…”

The hero scratched his head awkwardly, laughing as the mischievous girl questioned Natalia’s true feelings, leaving her fumbling with excuses.

Perhaps Laura might be even more dangerous than Natalia when it comes to being a temptress.

When the carriage arrived, quite a number of soldiers were gathered to welcome us.

They held the ceremonial swords crafted from small blades to their chests in a display of respect.

While waiting for the carriage door to open, I took a moment to observe them.

“Welcome, hero.”

Standing before us as we stepped out of the carriage was Princess Sophia Ilyinichna Lognova of the Rozahan Kingdom.

Her slightly wavy pink hair, flawless white skin that showed no sign of hardship, a kind smile, and graceful movements that were hard to mimic—all of it radiated nobility.

To think the eldest princess herself would greet us—it made the hero’s party seem like an incredible group, though I personally found it excessive.

On top of that, there were so many soldiers present. Considering how I looked right now… yeah, it was embarrassing, to say the least.

This game world seemed fundamentally flawed, as most of the women’s clothing was overly revealing.

Even Princess Lognova’s outfit felt quite daring by my standards, which, oddly enough, was somewhat comforting.

“We are truly honored by such a grand welcome.”

“You’re the most important person to us, Hero. I’m more worried it might not be enough.”

Forcing the princess to greet us first felt inappropriate, so we hurried to return the courtesy.

However, the princess didn’t seem to mind as she dismissed the soldiers.

Since we were about to meet the king, having armed soldiers present would be improper.

We also underwent a simple inspection to check for weapons before continuing our conversation.

“Has your journey been uncomfortable?”

“Not at all, thanks to your care, we were able to explore many dungeons.”

“Care, you say? It’s rather the hero who has been doing the kingdom’s work for us. We’re endlessly grateful.”

Walking along, I listened to the conversation between the hero and the princess.

The two maintained smiles throughout, expressing gratitude to each other, but their exchange felt so insincere that it made my stomach churn.

Though I was cosplaying as a saint, I couldn’t help but feel like a hypocrite myself.

Still, I doubted I could flatter someone as effortlessly as they did.

Of course, the princess might have been trained in such behavior from a young age, but the hero, summoned from the real world, seemed like a natural-born pretender.

“Well, it seems we must part ways here. A little farther ahead is where His Majesty and his vassals await. May your time be enjoyable.”

“It has been an honor to accompany you as well.”

Now it was time to meet the king and report on the regions we had visited, the enemies we had encountered, and the number of dungeons we had purified.

Honestly, there weren’t many notable enemies, and we hadn’t found significant clues about the Demon King in the dungeons.

Well, I figured the hero and Natalia would handle that part skillfully.

“Ah, could the saint please come with me? I’ve already secured permission from His Majesty.”

“…Pardon?”

As I thought about staying out of the way and blending into the background like a wallflower, the princess stopped me and requested my company.

Why?

There was no reason for me to refuse since she had the king’s approval, but I couldn’t fathom why she would call for me specifically.

“Don’t worry; I won’t take up too much of your precious time, Saint.”

Princess Lognova smiled as she repeated herself.

I glanced at my companions, but none of them seemed opposed, so I had no choice but to follow the princess’s lead.

“The aroma is quite nice, isn’t it? This tea comes from the border region with Eureka, and I absolutely wanted to share it with you, Saint.”

In a room adorned with shimmering chandelier lights on the ceiling and walls covered in paintings that even I, with no interest in art, could tell were of significant value, I was being served a brightly colored tea by the princess.

Its refreshing scent, luxurious tea set, and sweet yet subtly bitter taste would undoubtedly be considered exquisite, but because it was the princess serving it, the tea refused to go down my throat.

Did she realize the cold sweat running down my back?

No, perhaps she was enjoying watching me squirm.

After all, the princess had dismissed everyone else and was personally preparing refreshments.

“There’s no need to be so tense. Serving tea is just a little hobby of mine.”

“… Th-thank you.”

Hobby or not, I couldn’t tell if the tea was going into my nose or down my throat, you scheming woman.

“Why, exactly, did you call for me?”

“If I said I just wanted a conversation between women, it might sound strange, wouldn’t it?”

The princess put down the teapot she had been using and opened the curtains, gazing outside with a graceful yet sultry demeanor.

Come to think of it, wasn’t the princess one of the romanceable heroines in the game?

“… It’s true I wanted to have a personal chat with you, but as someone who bears the royal name, I don’t really have a private self to speak of.”

“Does that mean there’s something specific you want to ask me?”

“What do you think of the hero?”

Ah, so it’s that.

The classic plotline where one heroine gets jealous of another and secretly probes her feelings.

She must be under the impression that the hero and I have some sort of relationship.

After all, the Saint is the game’s main heroine and the one who gets the most abuse.

But to think that even the princess, who rarely meets him, has fallen under his spell…

How far does the hypnosis ability of that accursed “Eyes of Charm” go?

“… Princess, I know what you’re thinking. But I must clarify—it’s all a misunderstanding.”

“How can I trust that?”

“I swear by the name of God, I am innocent. Please, put your doubts to rest.”

“… Sigh. I feel foolish for calling you here.”

For a Saint to invoke God’s name is no small matter.

It’s a statement that must be devoid of any falsehood.

Hearing my plea, the princess paused to think before letting out a sigh.

That’s right, I’m not in that kind of relationship with the hero.

If you want things to work out with him, don’t waste time questioning me—just handle it yourself.

Honestly, I’d prefer it if you did, as it means fewer complications for me.

The more tools to satisfy the hero’s libido, the less likely his attention will fall on me.

“Well, I suppose I’ll trust you for now. As an apology, feel free to ask me anything. I’ll answer honestly, but just one question.”

“An apology…?”

“No need to decline. Even if you claim innocence, His Majesty’s suspicions won’t waver for now. Consider this as consolation.”

The king suspects us? My relationship with the hero?

I had already found his attitude toward the hero unsettling, but I didn’t expect him to be rooting for his daughter’s love.

What a hopeless daughter-con.

But what can I say?

The princess’s affection is nothing more than a lie born from the hero’s hypnosis.

Poor king—his cherished daughter might soon end up rolling among the common riffraff.

The noble princess, fully corrupted, craving the touch of lowly men.

It’s the ultimate lewd development.

If I were the hero, I wouldn’t let that slip away, either.

But whatever, it’s not my business. For now, I’ll just ask something I’m curious about.

“Actually, on the way to the capital, I met a merchant named Deros…”

I recounted how we encountered Deros after goblins had attacked him, how he had gone bankrupt from a failed gift trade, and how I couldn’t understand why he had taken such a high-risk deal.

Of course, I left out any mention of magic stones.

It would be strange if anyone other than the hero and me knew about them, after all.

Even just understanding why Deros did what he did would be worthwhile.

“Perhaps some shrewd merchants are anticipating currency revaluation.”

“Currency…?”

I had been hoping to request an investigation into Deros, but instead, the princess paused to think and then brought up an unexpected topic.