The Former Prince Who Lost Everything Becomes a Masked Strategist, Dominates from the Shadows, and Vows Revenge - Chapter 4.2

“Lilliette, let me be clear: after we see the Adventurers’ Guild, we’re heading straight back to the castle. The outside world is dangerous.”

“I know, I know. But I can use fire magic, remember? No matter who comes at us, I won’t lose.”

She lit a small flame on her fingertip to demonstrate.

Alphonse muttered quietly beside me.

“…That tiny spark wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

“Did you say something, Alphonse~?”

Glaring at him, Lilliette made him flinch and hide behind me.

I sighed at their antics.

“Enough bickering. Let’s go to the guild quickly and then head back.”

“Right. I can’t wait to see real adventurers up close!”

With that, we continued toward the Adventurers’ Guild.

◇◇◇◇◇

Inside the Adventurers’ Guild

The guild was a lively place, seemingly combined with a tavern.

Burly men, scantily clad female mages, and archers were drinking and laughing together, mugs of ale in hand.

Lilliette clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Ahhh! That’s the Silver-ranked adventurer group Dragon’s Claw! And over there—the Gold-ranked Alstroemeria! Oh! That team is also Gold-ranked—The Flower That Blooms Beyond Dawn! And at the back—the legendary Adamantium-ranked Blades That Pierce the Azure Sky! I can’t believe I’m seeing them in person instead of just in illustrations!”

She excitedly looked around the guild, practically glowing with enthusiasm.

I watched her, slightly taken aback, and spoke up.

“You really like adventurers, huh, Lilliette?”

“Of course! My real dream was to become an adventurer! To travel across seas and mountains, hunt monsters, and find treasure… I always wanted to go on grand adventures like the ones in the stories! Doesn’t everyone?”

“I don’t know. I’ve only ever thought about succeeding my father as king.”

“I… I don’t really want to go anywhere scary…” Alphonse muttered.

“You two call yourselves boys?! How pathetic!”

Lilliette crossed her arms in frustration.

Just then, a female adventurer spoke up from behind her.

“Heh. It’s nice that you admire us, but this isn’t a place for kids, young lady.”

Lilliette turned around to see a female swordswoman wearing a hat, a sword strapped to her waist.

Upon recognizing her, Lilliette’s eyes sparkled again. She quickly pulled out paper and a pen from her pouch and handed them to the woman.

“You’re Freya from Blades That Pierce the Azure Sky, aren’t you?! Please, give me your autograph! I’m a huge fan!”

“Sure. But you know, kids shouldn’t be in the Adventurers’ Guild. Come back when you’re older and can get a proper adventurer’s license.”

“Yes! …Or at least, I’d like to say that. But that’s probably an impossible dream for me.”

“Huh?”

“Thank you very much.”

Lilliette accepted the autograph, bowed politely, then turned around and grabbed mine and Alphonse’s hands, pulling us out of the guild.

◇◇◇◇◇

“Lilliette, you really like adventurers, don’t you…?”

“Of course! My real dream was to become an adventurer! Traveling across seas and mountains, hunting monsters, bringing back treasure… I wanted to go on adventures just like in the legends! Doesn’t everyone dream of becoming a hero?”

“I don’t know. I’ve only ever thought about succeeding my father as king.”

“I… I don’t really want to go anywhere scary…” Alphonse muttered.

“You two call yourselves boys?! How pathetic!”

Lilliette crossed her arms in frustration.

Just then, a female adventurer spoke up from behind her.

“Heh. It’s nice that you admire us, but this isn’t a place for kids, young lady.”

Lilliette turned around to see a female swordswoman wearing a hat, a sword strapped to her waist.

Upon recognizing her, Lilliette’s eyes sparkled again. She quickly pulled out paper and a pen from her pouch and handed them to the woman.

“You’re Freya from Blades That Pierce the Azure Sky, aren’t you?! Please, give me your autograph! I’m a huge fan!”

“Sure. But you know, kids shouldn’t be in the Adventurers’ Guild. Come back when you’re older and can get a proper adventurer’s license.”

“Yes! …Or at least, I’d like to say that. But that’s probably an impossible dream for me.”

“Huh?”

“Thank you very much.”

Lilliette accepted the autograph, bowed politely, then turned around and grabbed mine and Alphonse’s hands, pulling us out of the guild.

◇◇◇◇◇

Lilliette’s Resolve

As we walked through a back alley, I asked her:

“Lilliette, didn’t you want to become an adventurer?”

She lowered her gaze slightly before responding.

“Because I’m a noble lady. And I’m your fiancée. I can’t become an adventurer.”

“That’s not necessarily—”

“But don’t get the wrong idea. I don’t regret it. I’ve started thinking that protecting this country as its queen might not be so bad. I mean… let’s be honest. You’re a gloomy, unpopular shut-in, Prince Grace. Without me, you’d have no one to marry, right? So, consider yourself lucky that I agreed to this engagement. You should be grateful!”

She huffed, crossing her arms, then turned the corner ahead of us.

Alphonse and I exchanged smiles at her usual brash attitude and followed after her.

Then—

—A man appeared out of nowhere.

A rough-looking stranger emerged from the alley, blocking our path.

“Huh?”

Lilliette gasped in surprise.

Before we could react, the man grabbed Lilliette, hoisting her under his arm, and bolted down the alleyway.

“KYAAAAAA!!”

For a moment, I was too shocked to move.

Then, realization struck like lightning.

“Alphonse! Lilliette’s been kidnapped! We have to go after them!”

“W-wait, what?!”

“Hurry up! We have to save her!”

“R-right!”

With Alphonse trailing behind, I took off running.

I cursed myself for letting my guard down. The alley was the only path to the guild—had the kidnapper been waiting for us?

But now wasn’t the time to think.

I had to catch that bastard and save Lilliette—no matter what!

◇◇◇◇◇

The Kidnappers’ Hideout

“Boss! We’ve got the Blanchette girl, just like you ordered!”

The man kicked open the door to a tavern hidden underground in the kingdom’s slums.

He tossed Lilliette, still tied up with rope, onto the floor.

Rolling onto the ground, Lilliette glared at the five men surrounding her and shouted.

“Who the hell are you people?! What do you want from me?!”

A deep chuckle echoed from the counter in the back.

Seated there, sipping a mug of ale, was the leader of the group. He smirked before responding.

“We were paid a hefty sum by a certain high-ranking noble to snatch you up. If you don’t want to get hurt, I’d suggest behaving yourself, little lady.”

“A certain high-ranking noble? Who—”

“Lilliette!!”

At that moment, Prince Grace and Alphonse burst into the tavern.

Clicking his tongue, the leader scowled at them.

“Tch! They followed us, those little brats!”

◇◇◇◇◇

“A certain high-ranking noble? Who could that be—”

“Lilliette!!”

Prince Grace and Alphonse burst into the room, slightly out of breath.

The man standing near Lilliette clicked his tongue in frustration.

“Tch! Those brats followed us!”

◇◇◇◇◇

I panted heavily, my eyes scanning the room.

Five men—thugs, by the looks of them.

They didn’t seem like the kind of people who could be reasoned with.

Was this a ransom attempt?

“W-why are these kids here…?! We definitely lost them back there…!”

“Hah… hah… Alphonse and I train with Gilbert every day. Catching up to you wasn’t that difficult.”

Wiping the sweat from my brow, I steadied my breath and spoke firmly.

“Let Lilliette go. If you do, I’ll let this slide.”

“Hah…?! You little brat—don’t get cocky!”

One of the men reached for me.

I sidestepped, dodging his grasp, and in one swift motion, pulled a sword from the scabbard at his waist. I pointed the blade directly at his throat.

“Wha—?!”

“Don’t underestimate me just because I’m a child. I might not be a knight, but I’m more than capable of handling a thug like you.”

Keeping the tip of my sword pressed against his throat, I turned my gaze toward the man at the back—the one who seemed to be their leader.

“If you don’t want your subordinate to die, hand Lilliette over. Do that, and we’ll leave peacefully.”

The leader smirked as he stood up from his seat.

“Well, well. Quite the bold little prince, aren’t you?”

He walked toward me, towering over me.

“Hmph. You’ve got a sharp look in your eyes. That swordwork just now… it had the feel of royal palace swordsmanship. Could it be… you’re Prince Grace?”

“I have no obligation to answer that.”

“Hah! So, you are the son of the Knight King, Gaizerion! Alright, brat. Let’s make this a game. I, Eirik, will give you a chance—if you or your friend can land even a single hit on me, I’ll release the girl. You can both attack me together if you want. If you manage to injure me, even a scratch, you win.”

Behind me, Alphonse let out a nervous squeak.

I glanced over my shoulder at him before slowly lowering my sword from the thug’s throat.

“If I manage to wound you, even once, you’ll let Lilliette go. That’s your word?”

“Yeah. A mere scratch, and I’ll concede. I may be a former knight, but I keep my promises.”

Eirik grinned as he spoke, confidence radiating from him.