I, Reincarnate as the Leader of the Villainous Knight Order - Chapter 154: Their Respective Stances

Chapter 154: Their Respective Stances

“Please wait, Lord Ernest!!”

“Enough! My decision will not change!”

The morning after defeating the Evil God, I woke up refreshed from sleeping like a log. However, the moment I stepped out of the tent, I heard the loud voices of Ernest and Sir Ganzville, Commander of the First Knight Order

“What’s going on?”

“Oh, Commander Vandière! Please, speak to him as well! His Majesty has said he intends to make Prince Lancelot the Crown Prince. But considering Lord Ernest’s achievements in defeating the Evil God, no one would object to him remaining the Crown Prince!”

“…Well, it’s true that the decision to change the Crown Prince was announced at the morning council. However, since Prince Lancelot’s appointment ceremony hasn’t been held yet and the official announcement hasn’t been made to the people, it’s still possible.”

“Exactly, right!?”

Ganzville leaned forward eagerly at my words. But I raised my hand lightly to calm him.

It’s true that while the Saintess was away in the Holy Kingdom, internal affairs were chaotic. And upon her return, preparations for the Evil God’s subjugation took precedence. At present, Ernest technically remains the Crown Prince, but…

“However, I believe his own will should be the top priority. Besides… isn’t the Margrave of Taleraan already looking forward to welcoming the current Crown Prince—Lord Ernest—and Lady Diane to his territory as his successor?”

“That’s…!”

When I subtly hinted at the risk of causing a rift between the royal family and the Margrave of Taleraan, Ganzville found himself at a loss for words.

“Now that the Evil God issue is resolved, what’s needed is a king skilled in diplomacy and subtle negotiations, rather than sheer force. While there’s no issue with Lord Ernest becoming king, I believe Prince Lancelot is better suited for such matters.”

“How dare you say such disrespectful things…!”

“Wait, Ganzville. Vandière’s words are correct. It’s true that Lancelot is far more suited to feeling out someone’s true intentions. Haha! And to think Vandière has seen through Lancelot’s polished exterior.”

Apparently, many people don’t truly understand Prince Lancelot’s nature. Ernest seemed pleased that I had seen through him.

“Perhaps I noticed because someone straightforward was always nearby to compare him to.”

Ernest blinked for a moment before bursting into laughter.

“Hahaha! I see… that makes sense.”

He must have realized who I was referring to, as he looked slightly embarrassed.

“Breakfast is ready!”

The squires had finished preparing breakfast and called out. Following their voices, knights began emerging one after another from their tents.

“Ganzville, it seems breakfast is ready. Let’s end this conversation here. I’m quite fond of who I am now, after all.”

“Lord Ernest…”

As Ernest left to get breakfast, Ganzville remained standing there. He watched him with a conflicted expression.

Perhaps the real issue is that it’s awkward for someone like Ernest, a prince, to become his subordinate.

If so, the worst-case scenario would be to pass the position of commander to Ernest.

After finishing breakfast, I returned to the tent. I left Jest to rest. He was still sound asleep. There, Jeanne and Kuro awaited me. Strangely, Kuro, who had been openly hostile yesterday, now seemed uneasy.

As I wondered what was going on, Kuro finally spoke.

“I’ve heard from Aoi…from Jeanne. You saved our son, didn’t you? I owe you my thanks.”

Though he looked slightly vexed, Kuro expressed his gratitude. Yesterday, he had openly shown his disdain for me having Jeanne and Jest as my familiars. He must have learned the details overnight.

If it weren’t for me, Jest would likely have become a servant of the Evil God—perhaps even that Treant—and met his end in the royal capital.

“…No need to thank me. By now, Jest and Jeanne are like family to me. Especially Jest, who feels like a younger brother.”

“Jest, a younger brother…? Hah, in that case, you’re like a son to us.”

I was taken aback by that reply. Even an ancient dragon could crack such jokes? Although the way he called me “you” was still a bit irksome.

“If possible, call me Justin. Should I call you Kuro? Or… Father?”

I wasn’t sure if he’d take the joke, but I grinned as I said it. To my surprise, he nodded easily.

“Call me as you like. As long as you’re still the Justin who cherishes Jeanne and Jest, I don’t mind.”

That name I truly want to be called by isn’t Justin. I nearly let those words slip and quickly covered my mouth with one hand.

Even if Alan were here, he probably wouldn’t remember much about his father and would just think of Kuro as an older version of his big brother.

Am I the only one who feels this way when looking at Kuro? I inwardly sneered at myself for still clinging to my past life so pathetically.

“It was a joke. If I called you ‘Father’, it would only confuse everyone around us. So I’ll stick to calling you Kuro.”

If anyone overheard me calling him “Father,” rumors might start spreading that the Marchioness of Vandière had been unfaithful. And that would be a disaster.

Suppressing the fleeting desire to be called “Naoki” just once, I headed back to my tent to wake Jest.