The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Chapter 165: Rostock

We transferred to Rostock, a big city located in the Northern Region of the Empire.

Since the adventurer guild of this city was informed of the plan in advance, they are the ones in charge of observing the Spirit Turtle.

However, the Rostock we found was an empty city.

Although the transfer gate opened near the guild office, there is no sign of people around nor anyone inside.

They already evacuated huh.

For a city of this size to be evacuated so quickly..the Lord here must have made the preparation beforehand. I could think of this as that he doesnt believe in the power of my barrier but in this case, he made a wise choice huh.

Orihime is dissatisfied but she still praises the local lords decision.

It was certainly a wise decision.

But if he is capable of making such a decision then he must have left someone behind for us as well.

I float up in the air and look over the city.

Then, I saw a group of knights on horseback a distance away.

Perhaps they have noticed me, the knights rushed toward my direction.

I saw a group of local knights. They are making their way here.

The Lord is quite thorough huh. He must have stationed them here as a countermeasure for bandits and to report to him when reinforcements arrive.

I nod at Elna.

Soon after, the knights arrived.

Being cautious, the knights ask for my name.

Identify yourself.

SS-rank adventurer of the Imperial Capital Branch Adventurer Guild, Silver.

Adventurer

The knights have a bitter expression on their faces.

His expression clearly has contempt mixed in.

I guess the Grom Soldat must have done something. As expected, the reason the barrier got broken involved adventurers huh.

Silver-dono. We were stationed here by our Lord to explain the situation to the reinforcements. However,

You cant trust an adventurer huh. Then explain the situation to the Prince. Tell him what happened here.

I cut him off and turned my eyes toward Leo behind me.

I have no time to loiter around here.

I am the Eighth Prince, Leonard Lakes Adler. Can you tell me what happened?

Y, Your Highness!? Please excuse my rudeness!

Immediately after the knights recognize Leos presence, they dismount and bow.

Seeing that, Leo gently asks them to explain the situation.

Dont worry about courtesy. Please explain the situation to me. What happened here?

Yes, Your Highness! The Adventurer Guild of this city was monitoring the movement of the Spirit Turtle that was trapped inside the barrier. We were informed that we still have a few more days but some adventurers tried to subjugate the Spirit Turtle on their own and launched an attack on the Spirit Turtle which caused the barrier to collapse.

Where are those adventurers right now?

It seems that they and the adventurers who were there to monitor the Spirit Turtle were blown away by its attack. The other adventurers who managed to survive immediately withdrew to the city and the Lord ordered the citizen to evacuate with only the bare minimum luggage, the citizens are already evacuated from this place, Your Highness.

I seewhat happened to the Spirit Turtle?

It hasnt moved since it launched a counterattack against the surveillance unit. However, we have confirmed that its previously closed eyes are now opened. It has surely awakened, Your Highness.

Leos eyebrows raised after hearing the knights report.

Leo might not be able to grasp the big picture here. Unlike me, he wasnt aware of the plan after all.

Even so, Leo immediately changed gear.

To do what he can do now.

Even if the city evacuation is completed, the small villages in the surrounding area shouldnt have been able to completely evacuate yet. We will head to those villages and take care of the evacuation. Once the evacuation is completed please take care of the battle, Silver.

Of course. But what should I do in case the Spirit Turtle starts moving?

I want you to stall it as much as possible. In the meantime, I will do my best to evacuate the citizens.

That is fine but the monsters in the northern region must have sensed the danger and started moving already. This entire region has already become a danger zone. It would be very difficult to evacuate the people while protecting them, no?  Celestial Princess-dono and the Hero will be stuck on dealing with the Spirit Turtle. Of course, myself included.

Dont worry, I have brought along the knights for that purpose. Let me ask you this. Since this can be counted as the adventurer guilds blunder, Are you confident that you can compensate for their failure?

The knights turned fearful at Leos words.

That was clearly a provocation.

Even if he is a prince, one can say that provoking an SS-rank adventurer is going overboard.

However, Leo should already be aware of that. He was probably being provocative to make Silver focus on the Spirit Turtle.

Hmphdont look down on me. I did not take on the title of SS-rank adventurer in vain. Us SS-rank adventurers have this title because we are the strongest in battles against monsters. You do not need to worry. If this is the adventurer guilds blunder, I will defeat the Spirit Turtle and erase that failure.

Is that so. Then Im relieved.

That being the case, will you be all right? You came all the way here to save your people but if you have to run away it will damage your fame, no?

No problem. I wouldnt be here if I am afraid of dying. The same goes for all the knights here. Dont look down on the knights of the Empire too much.

Saying so, Leo straddles his horse and pulls out his sword.

Then.

We are departing! Do not forget! We are here to evacuate the citizens! Save as many lives as possible!

Hearing Leos command, the knights also pull out their swords and respond.

Every one of them is a warrior who came here while fully aware of the danger. Their morale is incomparable to your ordinary knights.

Lead the way!

Yes, Your Highness!

Leo told the knights of Rostock to guide them.

He then turned back to us and muttered.

I will leave it to you.

Were those words aimed at me, Elna, or Orihime?

Was it aimed at the three of us or each of us as an individual?

Still, each of us gave him an answer.

You may leave it to me!

I will take care of it.

Of course! You be careful too, Leo!

Receiving the response from each of us, Leo slightly smiled and rushed out of Rostock on his horse.

After seeing him off, I and Elna look away and start floating up to the air.

First, We will be monitoring the movement of the Spirit Turtle.

However, below us, Orihime voices a complaint.

I-C-A-NT-F-L-Y!

..thats what she said.

Yeah. then isnt it fine if we just leave her here?

I implied to Elna to make her carry Orihime but her reply was negative.

I tiredly sighed and descended while holding out my hand for Orihime.

However, it seems that Orihime is dissatisfied.

How do you plan to carry me?

By your arm?

That is painful isnt it!?

Bear with it.

EEI! Im the client here you know! I wont let you treat me so carelessly!

Orihime quickly circled around me and wrapped her arms around my neck.

Now we are in the so-called piggyback position. From others point of view, this sight probably looks very stupid.

Get off. Celestial Princess-dono.

Its fine, isnt it! You are not half bad as a ride! Depart!

Said Orihime as she selfishly commanded for departure.

She wouldnt get down no matter what I say so I gave up and floated up.

Then, Elna who was waiting in the sky mockingly smiles at me.

What a shame, it seems your effort to look cool has gone to waste huh. You know what? You look really stupid right now.

Shut up.

What is stupid! Silver is now my horse! He should be honored!

Im going to drop you, you know?

WHY!?

Amazed at Orihime being honestly surprised, I and Elna head for the Spirit Turtle.

We do not need any guide.

After all, it is giving off a tremendous amount of magic reaction.

My feeling is telling me that this turtle is truly dangerous.

The reaction I am getting from it is stronger than any monsters I have faced so far.

Even if I have Elna and Orihime, I might not be able to afford to care about our surroundings.

And I will not be able to support Leo since I have to focus on the battle.

If possible, I want him to withdraw immediately and doesnt push himself when the situation escalated.

That would be impossible huh.

What?

Just talking to myself. Hold on tight. I wont catch you if you fall off alright.

OOH! SO FAST! THIS IS SO FUN!

I cant be all serious when Orihime is around after all.

Well, even like this she is the strongest barrier user on the continent.

She should be reliable.

If not then there would be no meaning bringing her along after all.

Thinking so, I grabbed Orihimes feet which seem to slip off my side and adjust the balance.