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Chapter 48. Selfish Individualist

"So?"

"Not much good information, really. But... there's a whiff of suspicion, so there might be many misdeeds that aren't documented."

Hmm... I had Ivy look into various things right away, but it seems nothing shady has been found about the prince of the Elgrant Empire yet. That said, Ivy has only checked the official documents of the Kuria Kingdom, so I can't feel completely at ease.

"By the way, I thought Theodore would be the one to stop such things, but... you're surprisingly kind."

"About what? Helping Princess Elissa?"

"Yes. I thought you were an extreme egoist who wouldn't actively do anything for others... was my research insufficient? It would be easier if you kept a diary or something."

"Don't talk as if you're planning to peek."

Why is it assumed that talking about someone's diary means peeking into it? That thought process is just plain scary... Are you out of your mind?

Still, I'm an extreme egoist, huh... Hmm.

"That's not entirely correct."

"What is?"

"Egoist is right. I am a selfish man, recognized by myself and others, and I don't really want to do things that benefit others."

"Yes."

So at least deny it a bit. Even as a compliment, you should say, "That's not true." Why do both Princess Elissa and Ivy just nod as if it's obvious, like, "Of course, you're a jerk"?

"But, I like to invest in the future. Even if it benefits others, if it brings me a big profit in the long run, it's worth the trouble. Because it makes future me's life easier."

"…If you only listen to the last part, you sound diligent."

"I am diligent. As long as things go well for me."

But, I think what a magic knight needs is not selfless devotion, but that inflated ego. The evaluation of those who wield a grimoire, a manifestation of their soul, is high, so that's how it is. At least, that's how I interpret a magic knight.

"I see... This isn't related to Princess Elissa, but I found some interesting information."

"Interesting information?"

"Yes. About the Omnitorus cult... I found documents mentioning what's behind it."

Hey.

"I don't need such a troublesome thing. It's clearly going to bring disaster upon me."

"Really? But you were curious, weren't you? About the organization behind that cult."

"I was just enjoying speculating, not trying to expose everything about the country and worry about its future."

"…That's boring."

"Boring is fine. Life is just right when it's a bit boring."

An exciting life is just tiring. I think a life where you can relax and enjoy a lukewarm bath is quite good.

"I assure you, the lukewarm life you're seeking won't come to you because you're an exceptional person."

"Can you stop saying ominous things?"

I'm not saying I want to live an ordinary life, just that I don't want to live a turbulent one... Is that too much to ask?

"Hey."

"Hm?"

While I was mulling over the information I got from Ivy in the corner of the classroom, Princess Elissa was suddenly in front of me.

"Since we're supposed to be lovers, I thought we should act like it to some extent."

"...Are we?"

"Aren't we? I thought we started this fake lover thing as part of the broken engagement plan... Were you just toying with me?"

"Can you stop making jokes that aren't funny if someone overhears?"

If I'm branded as a scumbag commoner toying with royalty, it's not strange to be executed on the spot.

"I'm joking. But I did think we were dating."

"There's no point in dating. If it's just about breaking off the engagement, being fake lovers doesn't mean anything... At most, it would only serve as a deterrent to other men."

"Even if you say it's a deterrent, no one's ever confessed to me."

Well, of course. Although this Chronos Magic Knight Academy has many nobles, even high-ranking ones can't casually confess to a princess and start a relationship. Worse, if they harm the princess, their whole family could be erased.

"You've read too many books."

"Ugh... I'm confident in my appearance, though."

"Be aware of your status as royalty."

Why can she be confident in her appearance but not aware of the impact her royal status has on others?

"Princess Elissa, were you spoiled growing up?"

"...Well, there's a rumor in the castle that Father dotes on me too much."

Ah... He probably thinks she can't do any wrong. A peace-loving king, in a good sense, but an opportunist in a bad sense, who seems to deeply love his daughter.

"Huh? Wait a minute... You're doted on?"

"Uh, yeah... probably."

"Then isn't it strange? Would such a doting father suddenly decide to make you the empress of the Elgrant Empire for the country's benefit?"

Isn't that a contradiction?

"What about your sister?"

"My sister... well, she's not very ladylike."

You can't call yourself ladylike either... I almost said, but I refrained knowing she'd punch me if I did.

Not ladylike... From her hesitance, I can guess she's probably a rough, musclehead type. Indeed, it would be hard to recommend her as the next empress of the Elgrant Empire.

"Is there something urgent that requires deepening ties with the Elgrant Empire, or... is he simply being deceived?"

If the king is being deceived that easily, I should get out of this country as soon as possible.

"Now that you mention it, Father has never talked to me about the engagement."

"Hey... isn't this progressing without the king's knowledge?"

This might be a topic worth shaking things up. I've heard the opportunist king is also a gullible person... It seems more like he's being sweet-talked than deceived.