The Heroic Tale Of A Villainous Prince Chapter 55

Chapter 55: The Wavering Heart
 

The map shown in the information Lucille provided pointed to a ruined building on the outskirts of the city.
 
“There doesn’t seem to be many people around here. Probably because of all the similar ruins in the area.”
 
“The ‘Shadow”s information only says this place is a prime target for criminals – it’s ‘people-less’, ‘unused’, and ‘ignored’. But with the info coming from Lucille, who knows how reliable it is. I’d want the ‘Shadow’ to look into it more before we go charging in…”
 
“We don’t have time for that. The purification work starts tomorrow, so we need to resolve this today.”
 
The Ice Prince seems determined to press on. I can understand his reasoning, though.
 
If the information Lucille provided happens to be legitimate, waiting too long could mean missing the opportunity.
 
But there are still risks involved, especially given the source.
 
Even if we gain something from this, it’s unlikely to come without a cost.
 
“You, take the child and head back to the mansion. I’ll investigate the ruin alone.”
 
“Hold on. You’re going in by yourself? It could be a trap.”
 
“If it is, it won’t be a problem for me.”
 
“Hoh, quite confident, aren’t you?”
 
“It’s not confidence, it’s fact, Third Prince.”
 
Just a fact. I see.
 
As I’m trying to figure out how to handle the stubborn prince, Makina discreetly leans in next to me.
 
“He’s quite unyielding, this prince… Though he does remind me of Lord Al in some ways.”
 
“How so?”
 
“The not being straightforward part.”
 
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
 
Even as I retort, I’m relieved to be able to banter with Makina as usual.
 
I wonder why Lucille provided this information to Makina. There are concerning aspects, but it’s not worth dwelling on now when the details are still unclear.
 
“Um, Prince Noel. Since we know Lucille is in this city, going off on your own is too dangerous. Especially since there might be a trap at that ruin.”
 
“Charl’s right. Even going back to the mansion wouldn’t guarantee safety. That woman has the power to easily strike even the well-fortified royal capital. It doesn’t matter where we are in this city. And if we’re going to move, forward or back, it’s better to stick together.”
 
“I said that trap won’t be a problem for me. And if this Lucille woman shows up, I’ll kill her. Her Fragment powers can’t be ignored. You all would just get in the way.”
 
“If you want to defeat the Fragment, having more people would be more efficient. Why are you so insistent on going alone?”
 
“…You’re just a hindrance. That’s all there is to it.”
 
Noel ignores our protests and starts walking towards the ruin.
 
Dammit. I can’t let him go alone.
 
Should I force my way to follow? But that place could be trapped. If I push him the wrong way, that could end badly… Oh well, guess I have no choice here.
 
“Hah, this ‘Ice Prince’ you’ve been talking about isn’t all that impressive, is he?”
 
“…What did you say?”
 
Noel’s steps halt, and he turns back. …He took the bait.
 
“I was expecting a lot more from what Luce told me, but man, what a letdown.”
 
“What are you getting at, Third Prince?”
 
“Ah, sorry, that’s just a bad habit of mine. I tend to push my own capabilities onto others, even when it’s unreasonable. I could handle having deadweight, but I guess that’s too much to ask of you, huh. My bad.”
 
“Don’t decide that for me. There’s no reason I can’t do what you can. Hmph… fine. Even with a bunch of deadweight, it’s no problem. Do as you will.”
 
Heh, this prince is surprisingly easy to manipulate.
 
“It does seem he has some similarities to Lord Al.”
 
“Do you think that’s just how all princes are, Lady Charl?”
 
I’m not listening, and I didn’t hear anything. You two are whispering, but I can still hear you, you know? Well, no, I definitely can’t hear you at all.
 
“Well, since Makina and Charl with her Fifth Attribute powers are coming along, I’ll tag along too. But are you really going to drag the kid Nenel into this?”
 
“No, I’ve already sent one of the ‘Shadow’ agents ahead to escort Nenel back to the mansion. …There, problem solved.”
 
As we gaze at the ruin,
 
Nenel suddenly murmurs,
 
“I’ve seen that before… A long time ago, my dad came out of there. But when I asked why, he just avoided the question…”
 
Unsteadily, Nenel starts walking towards the ruin, as if drawn in.
 
“Dad… Dad…!”
 
Her steps are wavering and obscured, as if she’s trying to follow the footsteps of a father no longer in this world.
 
“Nenel, wait—”
 
My words are cut off …
 
a familiar growl.
 
Crimson eyes I recognize. Ebony miasma I know well.
 
We find ourselves surrounded by a pack of four-legged beasts,
 
shrouded in dark miasma.
 
“…! These are… “
 
“the wolf-type Fragments we saw in the forest!”
 
We were completely surrounded. There was no sign of any presence before.
 
It didn’t seem to have approached stealthily. …It suddenly appeared in this area.
 
“Nennel-chan!”
 
While the wolves blocked our way, Nennel was steadily approaching the ruins.
 
…No, not just blocked – these guys are blatantly trying to separate us from Nennel?
 
“—-Grrrroar!”
 
The pack of wolves shrouded in miasma kicked the ground and pounced all at once.
 
Before their fangs could tear into our flesh, we unleashed the brilliance of the royal garments–!

READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM


 
“[Alvida]!”
 
“[Undine]!”
 
The two spirits simultaneously repelled the miasma-tainted fangs.
 
Wielding the magic power of the spirits reconstructed into spirit armor, Noel and I stood side by side.
 
“Lord Al! I will protect Charl–“
 
“Makina, don’t overdo it!”
 
“…But I’m the guard…”
 
“The opponent is a [Fragment]! Without [Fifth Attribute] magic power, you can’t defeat it! …Charl! Stay with Makina and Elinne and focus on defense!”
 
“Y-yes!”
 
The enemy possesses the power of the [Sixth Attribute].
 
Makina is strong, but being strong alone is not enough to defeat a [Fragment].
 
Unintentionally, this has become Charl’s first real battle sooner than the purification work, but I can only trust in her.
 
“Don’t interfere with me, Third Prince.”
 
“As if. That’s my line.”
 
**
 
…Lord Al has begun fighting alongside Noel.
 
With the same [Sixth Attribute] magic power as the enemy, Lord Al can battle the monstrous beings born from the miasma, able to tear them apart with his blade.
 
And with Noel, who fights with him.
 
“[Gust Wind Magic Arrow]! “
 
And Charl, fighting alongside them, possesses the [Fifth Attribute] magic power that pierces the darkness like shining light.
 
“…Lady Charl, please don’t overexert yourself. Just providing support is enough.”
 
“There are so many of them! I have to be of some use to Al-kun, even if just a little bit!”
 
“But Lady Charl lacks real battle experience. If you get injured and can’t do the purification work tomorrow–!”
 
“Let me do this! I want to fight too! I don’t want to just be protected by Al-kun forever!”
 
Ignoring my pleas, Charl poured her magic power with all her might.
 
“I absolutely don’t want to stay a pitiful, weak princess who can only cry! —-[Flame Magic Spear]!”
 
The barrage of flaming spears seared the fangs. The tremendous vortex of flames became blades that pierced, tore, and incinerated the miasma beasts.
 
To continuously unleash [Flame Magic Spear] on this scale, even after clashing with Lucille, without a hint of exhaustion…
 
As the one ordained to be queen from birth, her raw magical power may even rival Lady Luche’s.
 
“Say, isn’t Charl in a bit in hurry?”
 
“I suppose so…”
 
I can’t honestly nod at Elinne’s words.
 
The sense that Charl seems strangely hurried, or that she’s shouting as if trying to deny something, is likely just my own insecurity.
 
(Ah, I see. It’s because…)
 
All I can do is hide behind Elinne’s back.
 
Even if I charged forward, I’d just end up being a hindrance. I thought I could stand by Lord Al’s side in battle, but…
 
(…I’m jealous of Lady Charl.)
 
I’m nothing special.
 
I’m not a royal like Lord Al, nor do I have the exceptional magic power of Lady Charl. In fact, I’m not even a noble.
 
I already knew that. I know my place, but it’s still agonizing that I’m just a commoner… no, even less than that.
 
I envy Lady Charl. I can’t help feeling frustrated and ashamed of my own insignificant existence.
 
—-Makina-san. I know your wish. And I know how to make that wish come true. It’s simple, really, because…
 
Lucille’s words echoed in my mind.
 
I can clearly hear the words that follow that “because”, and they have taken root within me as a viable choice.
 
(No… don’t be swayed.)
 
I deny it. I reject the unfathomable words spoken by Lucille.
 
I have to forget them. It’s better to forget, because they’re just too unbelievable.
 
(Impossible. That could never happen to me…)
 
—-Makina-san. I know your wish. And I know how to make that wish come true. It’s simple, really, because… you have the blood of the royal family flowing through you.
 
(…That I have the blood of the royal family?)
 
It’s certain that it’s not the Leuville family’s.
 
Then whose royal family could it be? Is it one of those that once opposed the Night Witch? Thinking about these things just makes me feel pathetic.
 
So I try to convince myself that it’s impossible. Even if I can’t fully let go of the hope, it’s impossible, so…
 
(…But still…)
 
The denial is weaker, the rejection smaller. I can’t help but hold onto the hope that if it were true…
 
(If I really were a child of the royal family…)
 
I can’t help but keep my eyes fixed on the back of Lord Al as he faces the miasma beasts.
 
I almost reach out a hand. I can’t help it. Even though I thought it was unreachable, now that I’ve been told it might be possible, I’d cling to even a demon.
 
(Can I… tell this feeling to Lord Al?)


 
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!

 

BUY THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR !!!

Kindly click on the green button above and contribute to filling the green bar if you’re interested in having another LN from the request page translated. Also, every donation is being used to purchase the source material and to fund more English translations.



Please consider joining my Ko-Fi membership. By becoming a member, you’ll also gain access to 2-10 additional chapters of all of the novels from this site translated into English. Last but not least your support will also assist me in upholding the translation quality and speed. For more information, please follow the link.


Donation for faster release is always welcome

Additionally, I am now accepting translation requests.

Spread the translation

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *