Chapter 224: Instead of the Hero


    The fighting tournament will be held from noon.


    Until then, events will be held in the festival which will be the liveliest at its climax, the fighting tournament.


    Originally, with the free time before the tournament, VIPs and the princes and princesses assigned to them would go out to enjoy the festival.


    However, each of the dignitaries is not so lively today. This is probably due to the Saints abduction that happened the day before.


    After all, it would not be strange if they themselves be the second or third victim.


    Meanwhile, there is a certain VIP that iszily rolling around in my room.


    S-O-T-I-R-E-D


    Yes, yes. Thank you for your hard work.


    Saying so, I turned my eyes at Orihime who was lying on the sofa.


    Orihime finished repairing the barrier in the throne room which was destroyed by the Imperial g. In exchange, she had to stay up all night so she seemed to be quite tired.


    Originally, there was supposed to be an official thank you from the Empires side but Orihime turned it down and chose toze around in my room instead.


    ording to the person herself, she cant feel at ease when she is staying somewhere she is not used to.


    I have to keep it a secret from her that the thought of asking her what about your own room did cross my mind.


    I dont feel any gratitude from you at all.


    I am grateful you know. Very much so.


    I cant feel anything like that from your words at all.


    Normally she would make a fuss by now but she stayed lying on the sofa this time.


    She is probably really tired.


    The throne room is where the Emperor is. It was urgent to rebuild the barrier that yed a big role in his security.


    Thats why Orihime pushed herself to finish it.


    For Orihime, it seems that fine-tuning a number of barriers is more mentally tiring than creating a big one.


    It seems the Empire really is in her debt this time.


    Then how would you like me to convey my gratitude?


    U-muyou must worship me more. In other words, praise me.


    Even if you told me to praise you though


    The current Orihime is exhausted and is not as energetic as her usual self.


    It is no exaggeration to say that Orihimes difficult personality ispensated by how energetic she is. Orihime who isnt energetic is just a self-important girl.


    While thinking that there is nothing topliment her about, I focused my eyes on her tail.


    Orihimes tail usually expresses her emotions in interesting ways but perhaps because she is tired right now, it is only limping down.


    This has been on my mind for a while butI think you have a good tail there.


    Mumu! As expected of you, Arnold! So you have eyes for the good stuff after all! This tail is one of my charm points you know!


    Yeah, yup. Right.


    She is much happier about it than I thought.


    What should I do, I blurted out apliment on a whim so it would trouble me if she asks what is so good about it.


    What do you think is good about it!? For me, I think that it feels very good to touch but some people praise me for its shape you know!


    Uhhthe shape I guess. It is kinda plump and nice after all.


    Umu! You are pretty good atplimenting me arent you!


    If this makes me good atplimenting others then this world would be full ofpliments by now though.


    Maybe its just Orihime who tends to take things at her own convenience. She probably took my randompliment and converted it to some wonderful praise in her brain.


    Well, if thats what she thinks then its fine. Its better than having her in a bad mood after all.


    Excuse me. Al-sama, Orihime-sama.


    OHH! Finne!


    Seeing Finne entering the room, Orihime jumped up.


    She then hugged Finne and dragged her toward the sofa.


    On Finnes hands was a tray of sweets.


    When you are tired, sweets will always cheer you up after all!


    Saying so, Orihime sits on the sofa with Finne and begins eating the sweets.


    She is eating them so fast that I thought that she would choke on it. And of course, she does.


    Guh!?


    Yes, here, please drink some water.


    Finne, who had prepared the water in advance, promptly handed it to Orihime who received it and vigorously poured it down her throat.


    When she finally got her breathing in order, Orihime started eating the sweets again.


    Slow down a little will you.


    I wont! If I can use this chance to recover a little then I have to make full use of it!


    Are you nning to participate in the tournament or something..


    While I was astounded, Finne looked at Orihime with a smile.


    Then just like that, time goes by.


    I thought it would be good if this peaceful time continued but that is not the reality.


    As noon approached, the entire Imperial Capital, not to mention the castle, began to get busy.


    Excuse me. Your Highness Arnold, Your Grace, Finne-sama. May I ask for your n in the afternoon?


    The Imperial Knight who was on our escort duty asked so.


    Finne will of course remain in the castle. Her excuse is that she is worrying about Christa.


    Christa was in danger due to the Dark Elves attack. No one canin if she wants to stay at Christas side.


    The problem is me and Orihime.


    I thought that Orihime would quietly stay in her room but now that she has be a little more energetic, she is getting ready to head to the arena.


    I would like to stay in the castle if possible but if Orihime heads out, I have to follow her as I am her entertainer.


    Well, if I am inside the Imperial Capital even if the Celestial Sphere is activated, I can freely use transfer magic inside it and I do have ways to move around too.


    Still, it is easier for me to execute my n here and if I am with her, I will have to find a suitable excuse to slip away naturally.


    With Sebas away from my side, it would be difficult to deceive her.


    If possible, I want her to say that she doesnt want to go.


    Of course, I will go see the tournament.


    I will be visiting Her Highness Christa.


    Understood. We will prepare a carriage so please let us know when Your Grace is ready to go.


    Saying so, the Imperial Knight withdrew.


    Well, theres no other choice I guess.


    Well, shall we?


    Hmm? I am nning to go alone though?


    Haa? Theres no way thats happening right? I am your entertainer after all.


    You can save the sleep talk when you are actually asleep. Before being my entertainer, you are [This Empires Prince] right?


    Her words took me by surprise.


    Orihime stared straight at me and quietly smiled.


    Theres a disturbing scent lingering around this city. Its an unpleasant smell. Even when your younger brother left to rescue the Saint, instead of disappearing, the scent is getting stronger. You are nning to deal with it right?


    Orihime


    Your face clearly says that you want to be in the castle. If you have to stay in the castle to deal with it then even though it will be lonely, I will go alone. The current me cant provide much help if something happens in the castle after all. To be honest, its already hard to stand up like this. I cant move well and it would take my all to erect a barrier right now. I would only be a nuisance right?


    Indeed.


    I dont know what would happen if she is in perfect condition but right now Orihime is exhausted.


    This is Orihime who holds the title of the Celestial Princess. She can create as many barriers as she pleases but, physical fatigue is not something she can ignore. If her strength runs out when she is deploying a barrier then the number of hostages will increase.


    This incident will notst only a short time.


    In the first ce, unlike the Hero, the Celestial Princess is not a warrior.


    She cant push herself too much.


    You dont have to push yourself. If its hard then you can just stay here.


    I am not pushing myself. If you have something that you must do here then I also have something I must do at the arena.


    But you are exhausted, right? You just repaired the barrier in the throne room in a single night. You can rest. This is a problem of the Empire.


    Oya? Was I under a misunderstanding? I thought that Mizuho and the Empire are on friendly terms though? The problem of our ally is our problem as well. Rest assured, helping the Empire once or twice is no big deal.


    .


    This is just my selfishness. I simply want to help you. I dont want to see you making such a sad expression. If I can not help you here then I will go to where I can. Unfortunately, the Hero is away. Instead of that Hero, I will protect the thing that you cant. I wont let anyoney even a single finger on your father and the citizens.


    Shes putting up a strong front.


    There is no way that the current her can create such a powerful barrier.


    Even so, I have no choice but to ept Orihimes help.


    Someday..I will definitely return this debt.


    Umu! I will count on it!


    Saying so, Orihime waved her hand and left the room with a smile.


    If nothing happened, I would be an insolent prince who sent a VIP to attend the event alone. But Orihime also felt that something was off.


    Something will definitely happen.


    ..she is kind isnt she. Orihime-sama.


    Yeah, thats right.


    If someone from another country is willing to go so far for us, I can not afford to let this end in failure.


    We will definitely prevent it. Absolutely.


    Yes!