I, reincarnate as the leader of the villainous knight order

Chapter 87: The Crown Prince’s Explosive Utterance

When I join the morning council, the ministers are visibly worn out, lined up in a row. They’ve been reporting on the damage and suppression for days, unable to return home, and some have been forcibly brought to the palace while monsters roam around with guards dispatched.

“Everyone, you’ve worked hard. With the defeat of all the monsters yesterday, although there’s cleanup remaining, we can say that peace has returned to the capital. Thanks to the efforts of the knights along with Ernest, well done,” His Majesty emphasizes Ernest’s achievements, perhaps still wanting to keep him as the Crown Prince… but.

“Father, I believe the credit for this should go to the Third Knights. If Vice Commander Larmine hadn’t returned to the capital with the Third Knights at that time, it would have been our side facing destruction. Moreover, the root cause of this incident is…”

Ernest said he would confess his own fault beforehand, but I stopped him because it would only cause unnecessary confusion. However, it seems he’s trying to spill everything out due to guilt.

“The root cause of this incident was a minion of the evil god. When I destroyed the ominous magical artifact, a man in a black robe claiming to be the right-hand man of the evil god appeared and disappeared immediately. Perhaps the former High Priest was also influenced by that man.”

As I report, Ernest looks at me in surprise. But I’m not lying. Ernest told me what he was going to explain, but I don’t want him to say unnecessary things that would cause confusion because of his guilt.

If the Second Prince’s faction starts making a fuss, instead of the morning council ending, it will only drag on longer, and there’s no target to vent their anger on, so the dissatisfaction of the nobles will accumulate. Let’s have the Holy Knights of the Great Temple take the blame, as planned by Rudolf.

It’s also the fault of the Vice Commander of the Holy Knights for neglecting the monsters rampaging in the capital, claiming that they couldn’t thin out the defenses of the Great Temple.

By now, those influenced by Rudolf are probably spreading rumors that the knights initially struggled because the Holy Knights were standing by, and that the capital would have been destroyed before the Third Knights arrived without the swift judgment of the Crown Prince.

“What?! Such a person existed!”

“This is a serious situation!”

His Majesty seems not surprised, as he must have been informed, but it seems the ministers haven’t been informed yet, probably because of yesterday’s events. Whether to announce that the resurrection of the evil god is near will be left to His Majesty’s judgment.

“Silence. Furthermore, the Commander Vandière has a report on a more serious matter.”

It seems it will be conveyed to the ministers as well. The commander and vice-commander of each division, including the commander and the vice-commander of the Second Knights, who have been released from suspension due to the emergency, are all anxiously awaiting His Majesty’s words.

“…The resurrection of the evil god,”

Rather than murmurs at His Majesty’s words, there’s an uproar in the audience chamber. While the murmurs don’t subside, Ernest steps forward. Then, when the attention gathers on Ernest and the place falls silent, he speaks up.

“In relation to that, Father… no, Your Majesty, I have a request.”

He deliberately corrects himself to “Your Majesty,” indicating his desire for the king to judge. At the same time, I have a bad feeling about this.

“In order to focus on the defeat of the evil god, I will step down from the position of Crown Prince. And I will join the Third Knights to protect this country!”

Wait a minute!! Didn’t we discuss this earlier and you didn’t say a word about it?!

The audience chamber is murmuring again, well, of course.

“N-no, but…”

It seems that His Majesty was also hearing this for the first time, so he was confused.

The only people who look happy are probably the people from the second and third prince’s factions.

“Please wait. I do not agree with the Crown Prince joining our Third Knight Order.”

“Wh… Why…?”

Ernest raises his voice in regret. No, why indeed.

“Please consider this: the Third Knights are mostly comprised of commoners. Not only do they come from different backgrounds, but their thoughts and culture are also likely to be different. It’s evident that the presence of a royal like the Crown Prince in such a group would disrupt harmony.”

“But isn’t Commander Vandière and Vice Commander Luminar also nobles?”

“Do you really think someone who isn’t even the second son of a noble family and someone who has been raised as a royal Crown Prince would be the same? Vice Commander and I can enjoy ourselves even in the slums of the poor district’s taverns, but the Crown Prince would hesitate to even step foot there. Moreover, it’s disheartening as a guardian of the nation to hear that the Crown Prince wants to step down and contribute to our defense. If you insist, why not consider joining the First Knights, where their values are closer and they know each other well? Commander Ganzville will soon need to consider a successor… and in that regard, the Crown Prince would be more than qualified, given his capabilities.”

Though the two vice-commanders who were likely aiming for the position of commander glare at me with fierce expressions, it’s none of my concern. If preventing Ernest from joining the Third Knights is possible, I’ll use whatever means necessary.

“But well… perhaps it’s best to not decide immediately. It would be wise for the Commander and the vice-commanders of the First Knights to discuss and decide thoroughly.”

With my suggestion to postpone the issue, the tension in the room eased. And perhaps the one who looked the most relieved was Orel. Rest assured, I absolutely don’t want Ernest to join the Third Knights.