Today marked the dawn of a new era. Answering the invitation, I made my way to this so-called ice cream parlor.
Security was tight at the event. Royal bodyguards cloistered around His Majesty—Alfred was closest.
Alfred… Damn him. I managed to get Eric’s lackey Johann—that piece of goldfish crap—suspended, but Alfred was the king’s pet and heir to a viscount. Perhaps that was why he went unpunished after the break-in and was allowed to continue serving the king.
Well, there was nothing to be done about that now. It was not unexpected.
His Majesty’s faith in my mercenary company was perhaps lacking. The younger prince’s entreaties probably made him agree to it with reluctance.
“Duke Algrene, have some ice cream, my lord?”
I took a bowl of ice cream from the waitress. I was in no mood to eat such a trifle, but refusing it would draw unwanted attention.
Ice cream, eh? Since I had been helping talented people as a cover for my true business, I happened to already know about it, and it was fortunate that I did.
I remembered well when I invited Dale and Berklein to dinner. Dale innocently took interest in the ice cream while Berklein took interest in the shop owner’s father, a scholar of the arcane. When I found out Berklein had used that connection to buy a forbidden tome of magic, I had to laugh. I now had not one but two ways to extort him.
Yet, his plot to kill with Death Poison failed utterly. That kid just didn’t have what it took.
“Greetings, Duke Algrene. So sorry about the other day. I shouldn’t have spoken ill of your mercenary company.”
“Ah, Prince Eric. It’s quite all right. I know you only said what you did out of loyalty. The kind sentiment is more than enough. I look forward to our continued cooperation in keeping His Majesty safe.”
Oh, Eric. Lying to my face, are we?
Did this twerp think I was oblivious?
Jade Berklein may have been tricked into foolish self-sabotage, but I saw that happen, you know. You had to believe I was an unparalleled fool to try the same trick on me.
“You certainly do have stellar subordinates,” Eric said. “I know he made a terrible error the other day, but my bodyguard Johann Olbrun is quite a sword master. No suspicious intruders had ever sneaked past him before.”
“Ahh. In a distant land, they have a saying: Pride goeth before the fall. Perhaps this Johann had a bad day.”
Johann was tricked due to his staggering incompetence. He was a sorry excuse for a man to fall for such an obvious diversion.
And before I could even recommend the swift execution of the perpetrator, Dale disposed of that loose thread for me. Surprisingly enough, I half wanted Dale to bite the dust every bit as much as Eric and the king. Once they were out of the way, I’d have to contend with Dale on the throne.
“Perhaps you’re right,” Eric replied. “I hope Johann does something to fix his tarnished reputation.”
“Ha ha ha! Yes, I hope so too.”
This was taking too long. The attack was supposed to have happened by now, and my soldiers were supposed to capture my assassins. I did not appreciate that they were late. I’d have to dock their pay later.
Wait, I was going to kill them all anyway, their payment was irrelevant.
“Something wrong?”
“Eh? Why do you ask, Your Highness?”
“Oh, you keep looking at the time. Do you have an appointment elsewhere?”
“Er, n-no, Your Highness.”
Blast! Can’t a guy look at a clock without you yapping?!
This irritated me to no end. He had apprehended far too many of my precious subordinates—I lost track of the number of times he’d made a fool of me.
This time, however, my plan would succeed. Phase One was almost upon us. When my soldiers captured my band of assassins—
“Prince Eric! We’ve rounded up a motley bunch of suspicious characters!”
“Ah, good work.”
“Huh?! But how?!”
Th-that’s Johann Olbrun!! And he’s captured my band of assassins.
I had put fifty of them on the job—fifty! He didn’t even know where they were going to attack. How could he have possibly caught them?
Could it be…my mercenary company was too slow? Well, now the ambush was a wash.
No, not so fast. They don’t know that those are my assassins. Which means the plan can still get back on track!
“Something wrong, Duke Algrene? You look awfully perturbed.”
“Er, what?! Oh, wh-why, I’m just impressed by Sir Johann! He’s wasting no time in rebuilding his reputation. Though I must say I am surprised to see you back. I didn’t know you were reinstated.”
It was acceptable for me to look shaken over these events. I didn’t know that Johann was reinstated. And in any case, it was only natural that I would be surprised by people getting arrested.
“I see. Well, Johann, go ahead and take those men to—”
“Er, wait! Your Highness!”
“Hm? Is something the matter, Duke Algrene?”
That little bastard was trying to take the reins. What, you think you’re running the show, Eric Elshaid?
Then again, maybe I should admit defeat. If Eric’s men take away my assassins, I might need to postpone the assassination.
If I slipped up and said too much, they would suspect me.
“He did something commendable from the very moment he was reinstated,” I said. “Perhaps men like Sir Johann are indeed most worthy to serve His Majesty? Please, let my mercenary company take these bandits, in service of the king.”
It sounded a bit forced, but I couldn’t do anything about that. Johann was likely riding high after his prompt display of heroism, and Eric wouldn’t want to burden his precious bodyguard with the humble task of taking ruffians away; he would rather Johann stand beside His Majesty and get all the glory.