Tensei Oujo wa Kyou mo Hata o Tatakioru Chapter 103The Second Prince’s Inspection (3)

*Johan von Wervard’s point of view.

“It’s hot today too. I’m starting to miss the capital already.”

‘When we finished, I was told to return home.’

“Since the talks and inspections were wrapped up earlier than scheduled, shall we head back?”

‘Because the talks for establishing deforestation limits have already ended, we better head back soon. They might start getting suspicious if we lingered around for no reason.’

As Nacht and I continued to hold a conversation, we were secretly writing to each other on the paper set out upon the table.

Although I didn’t participate in the discussions myself, the regulations for cutting down the forest were apparently easily accepted. That’s some good news. But another problem had arisen, and I couldn’t celebrate just yet.

Nacht snatched the feather pen from my hand and roughly scribbled something down.

“That’s right. Let’s prepare to return to the capital.”

‘There’s no such thing as a deforestation limit! In the southwestern forest there wasn’t anyone cutting logs in the first place! We just grazed the outskirts of the forest. Could you call that an investigation!?’

The paper was tearing up as if reflecting Nacht’s anger. I carefully grabbed the pen from his hand and wrote ‘calm down.’

Despite the fact that his brows knitted even deeper, Nacht swallowed back his anger and nodded in frustration.

While I was leisurely eating my meat skewers, Nacht and his men were on an expedition in the southwestern forest.

However, we found out that the tree-cutting was temporarily halted. Additionally, it was forbidden to enter the forest at any cost. The reason was fear of landslides caused by the rain from the other day. Apparently, that’s also why they stopped investigating any further.

Indeed, it did rain heavily. It was easy to understand how the ground might become loose from all the tree cutting.

But-

“Should I buy something as a souvenir before we return?”

‘What happened to the village?’

A village comprised of dark-skinned people was located deep in the back of the forests.

Even when the initial deforestation had collapsed the ecosystem and made their home harder to live in, no one had set foot out of that tribe yet.

Nacht saw the sentence that I wrote and bit his lips with a painful look.

“Good idea. I heard that Flamme’s fabric is of good quality.”

‘The path was blocked. We couldn’t contact them.’

No way!

If that’s true, then why is Philipp taking the time to entertain us like a good host?

‘What about a rescue? Are there any plans to clear the sand and mud from the path?’

‘They fear that a second landslide might happen, so they’re putting it off for now.’

‘Unbelievable! How long do they think it’s been since it rained?’

‘”That village has done well enough on its own without outside help until now, so stop worrying,” was what they said.’

‘But who do you think is currently robbing them of their livelihood and home in the first place?’

The stupidity of the situation made me want to throw up. I lifted the corners of my mouth in a strained manner and barely stifled a mocking laugh.

Seeing me like this, Nacht lightly tapped on the paper with his index finger knuckle where I wrote ‘calm down’ just a second ago.

I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. After rubbing them both with my fingers, I opened them once more. I looked at Nacht and nodded, and he replied in the same manner.

‘There is a possibility that they were lying about the landslides. It would explain why they haven’t even launched a rescue mission yet.’

‘If that’s so, then our target is the forest.’

“Flamme’s fabric is said to be very popular with the women in the capital.”

“Is that true!?”

“Yes.”

As we wrote, our aimless talk continued smoothly. Nacht, however, made a bitter face when someone unexpectedly entered our conversation.

“Lately, Corinna and Eleonora have been in such bad moods, you see. I was having trouble deciding what to buy for them as souvenirs. Thank you for telling me such a wonderful thing!”

“…We’re happy to be of service to you, Licht.”

My hands were gripped in his when he shook them up and down energetically. I returned a smothering smile to his nearing and beaming grin.

‘In the first place, Lady Corrina and Lady Eleonora are angry because you keep giving nonstop attention to Princess Julia,’ was what I murmured in my heart.

This troublesome… No, bright and irritating?… No, no, no. A bright and lively young man, Prince Licht, had in fact been in the same room with us from the beginning.

Princess Julia was busy today so this lonely prince hadn’t left us alone. Nacht and I wanted to report our findings in private, which is why this situation was truly troublesome.

We were afraid of being eavesdropped on, so I thought to use secret messages on paper, but explaining this to Prince Licht… Yeah, he probably wouldn’t understand. Rather than helping, he was holding us back instead.

As I was at my wit’s end, Nacht came up with a fake game. ‘Holding a conversation while writing a story on paper’ was what he called it.

Prince Licht was interested in the beginning and had joined us, but soon became bored and stopped. He probably felt that he was either losing the game or that it was too troublesome. Either way, he backed off and started to nap on the sofa.

I was relieved that we could now have some peace and quiet, but I was too careless.

It was a mistake on my part to choose the wrong topic to talk about.

“How about you keep a distance from them for a little while?”

“Why?”

“It is not right to lead unmarried women astray, Brother. If multiple women think you are courting them, it would look irresponsible of you.”

‘Be aware of yourself as the next king.‘ Nacht seemed to say, as he stared straight into Prince Licht’s eyes.

But the person in question simply tilted his head in confusion.

“Why would those gifts mislead them? If they were given the best fabrics, I’m sure they would happily smile. I just want beautiful ladies to always keep smiles upon their faces.”

Prince Licht laughed without minding his surroundings.

Even if a little harsh, I now understood why Nacht said his brother was without a brain.

Nacht was making a sour expression. He muttered something under his breath so that we couldn’t hear. Through reading his lips, I got the gist something along the lines of, “Do you wanna end up in a bloodbath?”

It was as Nacht said. Prince Licht truly was heading straight for a bloodbath at this rate.

I didn’t know what noble families Corinna or Eleonora came from, but they wouldn’t win against Princess Julia. The chances that they could become the future king’s queen were incredibly low.

However, if they were close to Prince Licht, finding other suitors would also be tough. Noblemen wouldn’t choose among the prince’s favourites.

The marriageable age for an aristocratic lady was in their mid-teens. I’m so sorry you had to waste your time with this prince that didn’t think anything of you.

Even so, I wouldn’t get caught up in it. It was certainly irritating, but at the end of the day, it was none of my business.

But Prince Licht’s following words couldn’t be unheard.

“Hey, Johan? You understand, don’t you? You also want your beautiful sister to smile for you, right?”

“…Huh?”

“I heard that your sister was like a beautiful doll moulded by the best craftsmen. I wonder what colour dress would suit her golden hair and blue eyes? Just imagining her wearing it would bring a smile to my face.”

CRACK.

I raised my face to see where the noise came from and saw Nacht’s stiff stare pouring down on my hand. When I followed his gaze, I saw that the feather pen in my hand was broken in half. So that’s what that sound was.

“I hope she would accept a gift from me someday. Be it jewels or dresses, I shall prepare only the first-class items. Ah, but would she prefer sweets instead? Our cook can make anything she desires.”

“Licht giving Sister a gift? Why there’s absolutely no need to do such a thing.”

“Even so! It is my calling to decorate beautiful people with equally beautiful items…”

“Licht.”

I broke off Licht’s daydreamy words.

Licht opened his eyes wide, and Nacht’s face was slowly paling, how rare. To these two, I presented a light smile.

“You jest.”

It was true that my sister had a refined face and beautiful appearance.

But even if her face was dragged through the mud or was half-burnt, her beauty would not wane in the slightest. That’s because Sister’s real beauty came straight from her heart and the ideals she lived for.

Don’t you dare talk about how beautiful my sister is when your tiny little head can’t even comprehend anything beyond her appearance!

“I wasn’t joki—Mmph!”

“Please, shut up.”

Nacht forcefully closed Prince Licht’s mouth as he attempted to ramble on without even reading the atmosphere.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to leave him unable to breathe like that… a little more wouldn’t hurt, though.

TN: Sorry, was busy with coursework and moving back home during Christmas. But hey, this chapter was spicy, right?

EN: Hory sheeto. Johan was about to kick Licht’s ass to the ground there lmao. The moment Licht mentioned Rose, I thought, “Yeah, he’s gonna die by Johan’s hands. Nice seeing you, kid.” Also, join our discord. We have a casino (not really)!

Also, the edit below is a perfect summary of this chapter.