“You didn’t kill these guys?”
“Impossible… You, you were hiding this much power?”
The Dark Elves stared in astonishment.
“That’s right. Besides, the Imperial Army will be here soon. If you surrender, I’ll see to it that your lives are spared.”
“W-what…? That accursed child of Emperor Alvaise’s blood. Who would ever submit to the likes of you!”
If possible, I didn’t want to annihilate the Dark Elves…
But instead of showing any intention of surrendering, they glared at me with eyes full of hatred.
Having spent the last two days or so with the Dark Elves, I realized that Diana and I were seen as enemies by most of them because we were descended from their arch-enemy’s bloodline.
Their wish is for Luna-sama, the rightful Dark Elf royalty, to be brought back from the Empire and rule as their queen.
Vincent tried to get Diana to participate in the operation to retrieve our mother, but the opposition from the others was too strong, and it was rejected.
It’s because the suspicion that Diana is an agent of the Emperor hasn’t been cleared.
“You think you’ve been playing us for fools… but we must rescue Luna-sama at all costs. We’ll be taking back the princess, our trump card.”
“Lord Luke…!”
Olivia, whom I was shielding behind me, stiffened with tension.
“Even if it means Luna-sama dies because of it? Sorry, but I’ll do everything I can to stop you.”
“Hah! With that sword!?”
The Dark Elves created some distance and simultaneously unleashed black lightning from their hands. It was the intermediate Dark Magic, [Black Lightning], which has the ability to track its target.
They seemed to have instantly recognized that my essence was that of a swordsman, and that I was weak at long-range attacks.
“Die, Emperor’s dog!”
“That’s uncalled for.”
I rushed towards the enemy, conjuring the [Dispel Sword] in my left hand, and slashed through the [Black Lightning].
“He cut through magic!?”
They cried out in astonishment.
“I’m fighting to protect my mother and Diana!”
I swung the [Hypnos’s Demon Sword], one after another, across the torsos of the Dark Elves.
A dual-wielding style with the [Hypnos’s Demon Sword] in my right hand and the [Dispel Sword] in my left.
One after another, they fell into a deep sleep.
“I just thought this was the best way to do it. I don’t intend to be the Emperor’s dog.”
“Amazing, Lord Luke! You took down all those enemies in an instant!”
Olivia’s eyes were wide.
“W-why are you hiding such power!? If you revealed this power, no one would call you a failure anymore… You would be at a distinct advantage in the Imperial succession battle, wouldn’t you?”
“…I haven’t told you, but it’s to protect my mother from my father, Emperor Alvaise.”
“Eh…?”
I decided to tell Olivia the truth.
Before joining up with the Imperial Army led by Saint-Germain, I needed her to understand my purpose and to keep it a secret.
“Actually, I was born knowing what will happen in this world. In the future, the Emperor will assassinate my mother, and because of that, Diana will become the Demon Lord in about 10 years and destroy the world.”
Olivia looked shocked at the outrageous story.
I hadn’t told this to my mother or Diana. The shock would be too great for them, and if I talked about it in the Imperial Court and someone overheard, it would be a disaster.
“W-why would he do such a thing…? What reason would His Majesty the Emperor have to kill Imperial Consort Luna?”
“Probably, this incident was the cause. If we succeed in rescuing Olivia, the need to assassinate my mother to appease the King of Macedonia will disappear, and the future should change. But…”
I wasn’t optimistic that the worry about my mother being assassinated would completely disappear in the future.
The Emperor doesn’t hesitate to cut off his own family if necessary.
“Considering the possibility of crossing swords with the immortal monster Saint-Germain in the future, I want to keep my abilities hidden. He’s probably the one who will kill my mother.”
“Count Saint-Germain, a loyal subject of the Empire…?”
Olivia’s voice caught in her throat.
“I-I understand. What I’ve heard now, about Lord Luke’s power, I’ll keep it to myself and not tell anyone!”
“Thank you. When we escape, just say that Diana defeated the enemies, and we’ll be fine.”
“Y-yes!”
“Well, let’s go.”
I took Olivia’s hand and headed towards the rendezvous point with Diana.
I had Diana cause a ruckus in another location to draw the enemy’s attention.
I told her not to kill the enemies, but plumes of smoke were rising from all over the underground city.
The Dark Elves were in complete chaos.
“Brother Lukeeeeee!”
There, Diana came running wildly, kicking up dust.
“As planned, I stirred things up with [Hypnos] magic! …Huh? Why does it feel like you two are getting along so well!?”
“Good job, Diana!”
I hugged Diana and stroked her head.
I was a little worried, but she managed to accomplish her mission on her own.
“Ah, hmph! Look at that, Princess Olivia! Just because you’re engaged to Brother Luke doesn’t mean you can get cocky! It’s just a political marriage after all! Diana is the one Brother Luke loves the most, you know!”
Diana pointed her finger at Olivia and seemed triumphant.
“H-huh?”
Olivia blinked.
Well, Diana’s brother complex is extraordinary.
“Diana-sama also put in a lot of effort to help me. I am deeply grateful.”
Olivia bowed gracefully. As expected, she had received the education of a princess.
“Hmph. W-when you say that, I lose my edge… But don’t forget that Diana and Brother are connected by true love!”
At that moment, a roar like distant thunder and the sound of weapons clashing echoed.
“Alright. As planned, the Imperial Army led by Saint-Germain seems to have broken through.”
“It was a little later than scheduled. Vincent went to stop Mother’s execution… It’s all according to Brother’s plan!”
Diana nodded proudly.
“E-excuse me, what do you mean?”
“Hehe! This operation to rescue Princess Olivia was almost entirely devised by Brother alone. Lure the enemy’s main force outside, then attack the base with a large army. We’ll take advantage of the confusion to escape.”
“I-is it possible…! Lord Luke has such wisdom at the age of eight!?”
Olivia’s eyes sparkled with respect.
If you include my age from my previous life, I’m 37, so please don’t praise me so much.
“Our father, the Emperor, was also very impressed with Brother’s wisdom. Ahem! Diana is very proud. My brother is the best in the world!”
Diana puffed out her chest proudly, as if it were her own accomplishment.