𝐎𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐝’𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧
Oswald was driving a horse carriage, distancing himself from the village where Albero and the others were.
Inside the horse carriage, there was the chief of the third village, along with a few others. . . . . .Among them, Oswald spoke to a young boy.
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“Prince, please be at ease. I, Oswald, will ensure you’re taken to a safe place.”
“. . . . . .Alright.”
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Prince.
It means the son of a king.
Oswald and the others are in the territory of Alfheim Kingdom, which is neighboring the Asgard Kingdom. While not as large as the Asgard Kingdom, it is renowned as a lush and beautiful country.
There are even tourist services coming from the Asgard Kingdom. It’s a kingdom known to all.
And the prince of that kingdom was in the horse carriage.
The prince asked Oswald,
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“. . . . . .Why did you know I was hiding in that village?”
“There was a prophecy. It said 『The prince of the neighboring country is in danger. Help him』.”
“The 『Twenty-One Heroes』 of Asgard Kingdom.”
“It’s the first time I’ve heard such a title.”
ㅤ
Oswald gave a bright smile.
The prince from the neighboring country, named Delling, was here due to complicated political reasons. Only the royal family and their associates knew about it. The villagers from the third village didn’t know. Only Delling’s caretaker did.
The village chief nervously asked Oswald,
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“Um, what about the villagers?”
“. . . . . .The battle with the demons will be intense, even my men might find it challenging. . . . . .But I promise, at the cost of my life, to protect you and the prince.”
“Oh. . . . . .T, Thank you!”
ㅤ
The village chief bowed his head.
By the way, both the village chief and Prince Delling were in Oswald’s horse carriage. The only 『lives deemed worth saving』 were in the horse carriage driven by Delling’s caretaker.
For several days, Oswald had been assessing the village. Looking for children with potential summoned beasts, and men who seemed strong enough to be shields.
When the time comes, use the men as shields to escape. And the promising children can be sent to Asgard Kingdom’s orphanage, to be raised as Oswald’s private soldiers.
ㅤ
“Your Highness, I’ll escort you back to your country. Please bear with it for a while.”
“. . . . . .What’s your name?”
“I am Oswald, from the Brush Viscount family of Asgard Kingdom.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“Thank you. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Oswald bowed his head and grinned.
Yes. Oswald’s goal was. . . . . .to save the prince of the neighboring country, earn gratitude, and build connections.
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
ㅤ
Several hours later.
The horse carriage stopped by the riverside for a break.
They would continue for a while, then rendezvous with the escort unit of the Alfheim Kingdom and hand over the prince.
Oswald spoke to a summoner, who had secretly accompanied him.
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“You should accompany the prince as it is. I’ll turn back.”
“Ah. . . . . .Oswald-sama. If you earn favor in the Alfheim Kingdom and achieve the merits of demon subjugation, not only would you rise in rank, but your influence would surely increase.”
“Hmph. Precisely. . . . . .Along the way, we managed to save some of the villagers, albeit slightly. If the S-class report that they fought the demon and let the villagers die, their reputation will suffer. Hehehe, they’ll never realize that I intentionally lured the expendable villagers towards the demons.”
“Yes, the prophecy was right. ‘Two demons will attack.’”
“Ah. . . . . .It was truly entertaining.”
ㅤ
Oswald and his subordinates laughed without making a sound.
He recognized the strength of the S-class, so he assumed they would subdue the demon. The credit will be claimed by Esterize. Oswald will report that he happened to save the prince there. The villagers Oswald abandoned can be reported as those the S-class couldn’t protect.
In reality, it was all part of Oswald’s deliberate strategy.
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“Also, just to make it clear. . . . . .”
“Of course, I won’t speak of it. I have your ‘poison bead’ inside me, right?”
“Hmph. . . . . .As you know, I’m always cautious. Don’t take it the wrong way.”
ㅤ
Inside the subordinate’s body, there’s a deadly poison bead created by Oswald’s Summoned beast 『A・Baoa・Ku』. Oswald can burst it at will, which would dissolve the subordinate in an instant.
Oswald said with a serious face.
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“Once this mission is over, I’ll remove the 『poison bead』. I’ll make you my close aide.”
“Oh. . . . . .Thank you.”
“Then, I’m counting on you.”
“Yes!!”
ㅤ
Everything was going smoothly. That’s what Oswald believed.
However, being too smooth can be dangerous due to the slightest negligence.
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
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In the hut where Oswald and the others were, a small bat hung from the ceiling.
Summoned beast Scoop Bat.
Newspaper reporter Beckman’s Summoned beast was listening carefully to the conversation and recording it.
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“What a shock. . . . . .To think that A-class summoner Oswald had such a side.”
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Beckman took notes and called back his Summoned beast.
Beckman, hidden in the bushes away from the cabin, smirked silently.
ㅤ
“Hehe, I got a great scoop.”
ㅤ
Newspaper reporter Beckman had a burning expression of ‘justice’.
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