The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 26: Immigrant’s Problem

After we returned to the castle, I invited Lynfia to my room.

I sat down on the sofa across of her and starts the conversation.

Let me thank you again Lynfia. If you werent there I would already be dead.

I wonder about that. That assassin wasnt trying to kill you. That being the case, the butler standing behind you should be able to make it in time, no?

Even so, I was able to survive that incident without a scratch. Thank you.

I did that for myself. And I dont want you to thank me with your word alone either

Lynfia said that without a change in her expression.

Shes a collected child. Her tone of voice was plain and she doesnt let anything show on her expression as well. As a solo adventurer, I guess shes a little lacking in charm though. Well, she must have enough ability to compensate for it.

Right. Lets hear it then.

Thank you very much. I was born in a village to the south of the Empire border. If I say that I came from the immigrant village, you must have some general idea correct?

Immigrant village.

I frown at that word. I thought that it would be troublesome but this is going to be more problematic than I expected. 

The immigrants here refer to the people who have flowed into the empire together with their whole village. They are not originally citizens of the Empire. These are people who have been displaced from their homes due to wars or monster outbreaks.

Of course I do. Its a matter thats over my head, Im afraid. Well, tell me more about it.

Yes. As you know, there are various ethnic groups inside the immigrant village but most of them are not recognized by the empire. Its only natural. They entered the Empire and established their village as they pleased. I have no intention to complain about that. I am one of them after all. But..right now we need help from the Empire.

Did something happen?

Yes. our village has become the target of human trafficking. Young women and children are being kidnapped. The reason we were targeted is that our village is one made up of multiple races. Including me, a lot of people in my village are mixed races.

Mixed race people are not that uncommon. 

If we are talking about that then I am one as well. 

Black hair isnt rare inside the Empire but it is unusual to see people with black eyes around here. Well, its so rare that people would think that you came from the east.

In other words, thats not the reason that her people are being taken away.

Whats wrong with the mixed races in your village?

..they have odd eyes.

The moment I heard that, the words [its that after all] came up to my head. The reason why mixed-race people are kidnapped is only that or they have the blood of other Demi-Human races.

I involuntarily clicked my tongue and cross my legs.

Its a disgusting topic. Odd eyes are the phenomenon where a person has different iris colors in each of their eyes. The problem here is that they can be sold at high prices. The reason is that they are rare and most of them often possess high magic power.

I cant overlook human trafficking but the southern border is a well-managed place. Wouldnt it be better for you to contact the local Lords in the nearby big cities or military personnel in that area rather than deliberately getting help from the imperial capital?

I did that. But no one would make a move. They told me that there was no evidence or that theres no such village in the Empire. Thats why I left the village to get the help of influential people in the capital. Luckily, I dont have the odd eyes myself. Then, when I accept the request to subjugate the monsters in the west region, I was able to make contact with Silver there. Since theres a rumor that Silver is somehow connected to the imperial family, I came to the imperial capital in hopes to get in contact with him. But in the end, before I could meet him, I met you first.

Thats one strange meeting. but, they wont move huh..

The worst scenario came to mind. The worst kind of development this incident could have.

That scenario is the local lords and military in the area are in cahoot with the human trafficking organization. If thats the case then this is no longer just a matter of the immigrant village.

It will become the corruption problem of the nobles and the army.

And if thats really the case, I will not have enough time to resolve the incident with just me alone.

Arnold-sama, even if its the wish of your life savior, you must admit when you know that the matter is impossible for you.

Sebas..

Why?

Arnold-sama and his little brother Leonard-sama will soon be sent to another country as an ambassador and his aide. He will not be able to return to the empire for half a month at the very least, and several months at the longest. Even if he wants to help, he will not have enough time to do it.

Isthat sothen can you at least provide us with some funds? I have been hiring the adventurers I trusted to protect the village. The village will be safe for the time being but soon they will not have enough money to hire the adventurers. I gave them my earning as an advance payment too but it will not be enough to keep them at the village forever..

I see. So thats why she became an adventurer.

Making money while scouting out adventurers she could trust. To do that it would be best to go out on a request together.

She did put a lot of thought into it huh.

Well, what to do.

Things will be easier if I abandon her. I dont need another troublesome problem on my plate in busy time like this.

Even if she says that she saved my life, that is just on the surface. It not like I asked her to save me. Moreover, there are wishes that you can ask people to grant for you and those that you cant.

No matter how you think about it, this is the latter.

However, there are people who would complain if I abandon her here. I dont mind they complaining but it would be troublesome if they start acting on their own.

No choice huh.

Lynfia. I understand your situation. Are you alright with accepting a compromise?

A compromise?

Yeah, I and Leo will leave for another country. Thats unavoidable. However, I will do the best within my ability to help you when I come back. I want you to wait for me until then. Of course, I will put out another request to the adventurers I trusted to guarantee the villages safety for the time being. We have enough money for that. How about it?

Is that really alright..?

Arnold-samathats too dangerous. We are in the middle of the succession war you know? If you get involved with another problem now you will create a new opening. What happened today will definitely happen again in the future.

If thats the case I will offer my help as well. Are you alright with that?

Saying so, Lynfia puts her sword on the desk.

It looks thin at first glance but as demonstrated earlier, this is a magic sword. It can change its form to things like spear or shield. Judging from what I saw with the spear, each of its forms has its own ability.

Lynfia showed it to us without a change in her expression.

If you are going to protect the village for me then I will offer you my protection. I will protect what you want to protect as well. Can we agree on such a deal? Although I dont have much confidence, I am good at protecting important people.

Im thankful for your proposal but are you alright not being at your village?

There will be no problem as long as you send adventurers to protect them. The human trafficking organization doesnt have any skilled people. When I was in the village, I alone was enough to fend them off. If theres an A-rank class adventurer at the village, the safety should be pretty much guaranteed.

To deliberately say that, she must be a cautious child with a strong sense of duty huh.

Considering the possibility that I might not act on my words, Lynfia is saying that she wants to stay by my side to guarantee my side of the deal.

In fact, depending on the situation I might do just that. Thats why I phrased the word [within my ability] in my offer. 

This is quite a find huh?

Lets try testing her a little bit more.

Lynfia. In that case, what would you do if I break my promise?

I will run to another camp with something that can disadvantage you. I will have them help my village in exchange for that.

I and Sebas look at each other at the same time.

An A-rank adventurer with combat abilities that can handle various kinds of situations and make such a bargain. Since she is also living as a solo adventurer, she must also have other kinds of knowledge as well.

I cant leave Finne in Elnas care forever. Elna also has her own missions after all.

If thats the case then Lynfia is a great resource to fill that hole.

Frankly, both her personality and ability are far more suitable than Elnas.

Then, what if I back out of the deal right now?

Im alright with that. I will bring this to another emperors candidates. If I told them that you refused to help me, they would probably accept me.:

Fumu..

So she has the ability to look at the big picture too huh.

In this situation, even the calmness that she shows by not moving a single muscle on her face adds a point to her evaluation. Right now, Lynfia is threading on a tightrope after all.

If I refused her here, Lynfia will definitely fall into a predicament. I cant imagine the other candidates offering her the same offer as mine either. She said that she will join another faction if I refuse to help her but thats just something she said to make herself looked stronger, a bluff.

Still, Lynfia herself doesnt act agitated or try to get on my good side.

Thats because she knew. She knew that she is being tested.

Sebas. What do you think?

I have no objection. She will definitely become a strong ally if you choose to cooperate with her. However, you will have to solve her villages problem though.

Weighing options huhwell, cant be helped. I have no choice, Lynfia, I will accept your proposal. Give me your cooperation and I will give you mine. Thats alright with you?

I dont mind butwhy did you say that you dont have any choice?

My little brother is a good guy you see. The daughter of the Duke who is our biggest collaborator is one as well. If I abandon you now, they will get angry at me and try to help you on their own anyway. If thats the case then it would be best if I agree to help you from the beginning.

..honestly, Im surprised. There was nothing good about your reputation after all. Incompetent and lethargic. The prodigal prince that only playing around without doing anything. The prince that got all his good parts taken away by his own little brother, the dull prince. Thats how a lot of people described you. But, the impression I got once I talked with you is the exact opposite. You are neither incompetent nor lethargic. Arent you actually prince Leonard in disguise?

Lynfia looks at me with a slightly suspicious look.

To that, I smiled bitterly.

Come to think of it, the problem was too troublesome that I forgot to act like an incompetent. At this point, its useless to perform a do-over with Lynfia huh.

Rest assured. Im definitely Arnold. Well, we struck a deal for the time being. I will in your care then, Lynfia.

.Thank you, I will be in your care as well.

Saying so, I and Lynfia have a firm handshake.

.

TLN: And thats the end of the first episode of the 2nd Arc. In the next episode we will be heading to another country.