Princess Elena
While Prince Carlos and Solon were finalizing the details of their request, a soft knock-knock sounded at the door.
“What is it?”
The prince’s voice carried a hint of irritation. No doubt because he had ordered Felip and the others not to let anyone in.
“Your Highness, Princess Elena has arrived. I understand your command, but…”
From the other side of the door came Felip’s hesitant voice.
With a sigh and a grumble, the prince relented.
“Alright. Fine, let her in.”
The door opened, and in stepped a delicate, lovely young girl, ushered in by Felip.
She shared the prince’s silver hair and striking blue eyes, but her fair, porcelain skin was distinctly youthful—almost ethereal, like a fairy. She appeared to be around the same age as Princess Alexia of The Kingdom, perhaps twelve or thirteen.
“This is my sister, Elena.”
The prince gestured toward her, offering the briefest of introductions.
“So, you’re the heroes from The Kingdom?”
Princess Elena turned her gaze toward us—sharp and far from welcoming.
“What’s the meaning of this? Did you tell her?”
Before we could answer, the prince rounded on Felip.
“Ah! N-No, Your Highness! I didn’t think it was meant to be a secret from Her Highness, so… I may have… slipped up…”
Felip shrank back, but for some reason, it was hard to stay mad at him.
“Don’t scold Felip! It’s just… I’ve never seen you entertain guests before, Brother, so I pressed him for answers.”
Clasping her hands together pleadingly, Elena looked up at her brother.
“Hmph. Well, what’s done is done. Just don’t go spreading this around, Elena. Understood?”
“Yes, Brother!”
Her face bloomed into a radiant smile—
only to twist back into a scowl as she pointed at us.
“So, you’re The Kingdom’s heroes?”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”
I reflexively answered.
“I wasn’t asking the attendants. I was asking the hero.”
Upon closer look, her finger was aimed directly at Leon.
“…Princess Elena, while I’m honored, I am not the hero. The one who just answered—Ares—is the true hero.”
Leon’s reply was awkward.
Elena’s eyes widened in shock.
“Him?! But he doesn’t look strong or handsome…!”
Her words were harsh, but her rapidly shifting expressions were so endearing that it was hard to stay angry. Someone else, however, had no such reservations.
Maria.
Her already large black eyes widened further as she glared at Elena like a serpent ready to strike.
“It seems the princess of the Country of Ludonia judges people solely by their appearance. How unfortunate. The difference in inner worth between Ares and Leon is like gold compared to a pebble. As royalty, shouldn’t you look deeper than mere appearances?”
A faint, chilling smile played on Maria’s lips. Really, there was no need to take a child’s words so seriously.
“Eeep!”
With a tiny shriek, Elena ducked behind Felip.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT gadgetizedpanda.net
Leon, now compared to a pebble, wore an equally conflicted expression.
“No, Saint Maria, you’re right. My apologies. Ares, forgive her—she’s still young and thoughtless.”
Prince Carlos raised a hand in concession.
“It’s fine. I’m used to it.”
Honestly, I wished he’d apologized to Leon instead.
Maria remained stiff, unyielding.
“So… Princess Elena, did you need something from me?”
Uncomfortable with the princess’s pout, I spoke up.
“I just wanted to see what kind of person the hero was. But I’m glad it’s someone like you.”
“Huh? What do you mean—?”
“I heard the hero was acknowledged by the Prophet, so I expected someone incredible. But now I’m certain—my brother would’ve been a far better hero!”
Still half-hidden behind Felip, she pointed at me triumphantly.
Felip nodded eagerly in agreement.
“Elena!”
Prince Carlos’s reprimand came too late—Elena had already scurried out of the room, Felip trailing behind.
“…Sorry about that. She’s convinced I should’ve been the hero.”
The prince sighed.
“Do you still resent not being chosen, Your Highness?”
Solon, silent until now, finally spoke.
“Hm? I still consider myself a hero. Unfortunately, I can’t abandon my kingdom to slay the Demon King. It might sound like an excuse, but I don’t believe only the one who defeats the Demon King deserves the title. That’s far too rigid. Who is a hero? It depends on who you ask. From my perspective, there’s no proof Ares is the real hero. After all, I’m the better swordsman—and better-looking. Don’t you agree?”
The prince flashed a grin so shameless it was hard to dislike him.
And well… he wasn’t wrong, so I had no rebuttal.
Solon, however, pressed further.
“Ares is the hero. That’s indisputable. But tell me—don’t you desire the glory of being the one to slay the Demon King?”
“Those who chase glory can never be true heroes. To earn the title, one must discard everything—honor included—and act solely for the sake of the world. Surely you of all people understand that?”
“Indeed…”
Solon nodded deeply.
“I am the Country of Ludonia’s hero. I protect this kingdom, not the world. Yet so few understand that. Troublesome, really.”
Prince Carlos laughed—a lonely sound.
※ ※ ※
(This is… strange.)
Hidden within Ares’s shadow, the Prophet’s phantom observed the scene intently.
(The Country of Ludonia was supposed to resist the Demon King’s forces to the bitter end. I’ve never heard of shapeshifters infiltrating their borders before.)
In every prior [World Revision], the Country of Ludonia, under Prince Carlos, had fought fiercely against the Demon King’s army. Their fate was annihilation, yes—but their resistance had been stronger than any other nation’s.
Yet this time, something was off. The involvement of shapeshifters was unprecedented, not just in the Country of Ludonia but in any iteration.
(Does this mean Ares shines brighter than any hero before him?)
Ares himself was not particularly powerful. But with allies like Leon, Maria, and Solon, he had become the most promising hero in countless revisions—perhaps even the most anticipated by the world. Of course, Ares did possess rare qualities, though only the Prophet and his companions knew of them.
Still, Carlos was undeniably dazzling. The Prophet had even considered choosing him as the hero a few times… but ultimately gave up.
As a prince, Carlos could never abandon his kingdom to embark on a quest.
Even if he succeeded in slaying the Demon King, making him The Kingdom’s ruler would mean the Country of Ludonia’s annexation. Refusing to crown him, however, would only strengthen the Country of Ludonia at The Kingdom’s expense. Either outcome was unacceptable. Carlos was, politically, not a viable hero.
(Even now, I despise my own calculations.)
Watching Carlos, the Prophet sank into self-loathing.
TLNOTE:
Because of that volume 1 and 2 fan translation in this site will be removed in the near future
otherwise check the internet archive
As usual, please consider reading other novels written by Daken sensei listed below :
- Monster Meat Led Me to the Throne
- The Wicked Princess and 12 Eyes – The Strongest Squires and the Legendary Evil Woman, the Second Time in Her Life
- The Castle of Canaan ~ The Lost Kingdom’s Princess, the World’s Hidden Treasure, and the Grand Adventure of the Mightiest Band of Thieves Versus an Empire ~
- The Suspects of Necromancy
- The Exiled Merchant Saves the World with the Power of Gold (translated by my friend meerkat)
- The Last Magic (translated by my friend narwhal)
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
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