CRASH!
The window of the second-floor office at Prime Minister Logen’s manor—situated in the most prestigious district of the Royal Capital—was spectacularly pulverized.
"W-What is the meaning of this!?"
Prime Minister Logen, who had been buried in paperwork, stood up, his eyes wide with shock.
Glass shards scattered across the floor. Curtains billowed in the wind.
Brushing the dust from my clothes, I let a smirk play on my lips.
"Good evening, Your Excellency. It’s a lovely night, wouldn't you say?"
『You... You actually broke the glass...』
I heard Zest’s exasperated voice in my head.
Well, they were just so insistent that an unannounced visit was out of the question...
"Y-You... Are you Claude von Einhart?"
"Heh. You can tell at a single glance, can you?"
"Your notoriety has reached even my ears."
Sitting on the sofa without an invitation, I crossed my legs and stared the Prime Minister down with an insolent gaze.
This was my first time meeting Logen in person. However, there was no need for restraint. First impressions were the perfect opportunity to cement my image as a "strong evil."
Hurried footsteps echoed from beyond the office door. The servants must have heard the commotion and come running.
"Do not enter! There is no problem!"
The moment Logen barked the command, the footsteps stopped.
"I merely knocked over a lantern. You know my eyesight isn't what it used to be, do you not?"
The presence I felt from the other side of the door gradually receded.
『I do not understand.』
Yeah... neither did I. Why did this guy just cover for me?
"What business does the rumored brat have with me?" Logen asked, sitting back down in his chair and glaring at me.
The situation was already deviating from my expectations... but I decided to play along for now.
"Nothing much. I heard you’ve been whispering ill of me to Princess Irene, so I thought I’d stop by and give you a warning. A connection with the Royal Family is far too useful for sucking up sweet nectar to let it go so easily."
"...To go to such lengths for your own selfish desires. I’d almost like to show you to the old foxes of the political world as an example of pure ambition."
Logen offered a sarcastic retort and let out a dry laugh through his nose.
Hmm... what now? I had originally intended to act a bit more like a villain to provoke Logen’s wrath, but...
『The question from earlier still lingers.』
Right. According to Irene, Logen was supposed to despise me. I needed to resolve this discrepancy in our perspectives.
"Next, you’ll answer my question."
"What?"
"Why did you cover for me? Aren't you supposed to be wary of me?" I asked, glancing at the still-closed door.
If he truly hated me, he should have called for the guards immediately. He could have gathered every servant in the house to overwhelm me. In his position as Prime Minister, he likely had elite bodyguards stationed nearby as well.
"...I actually had something to discuss with you. I intended to visit you myself shortly," Logen said, his manner turning formal. "I'll be brief. Will you serve as Princess Irene’s guard?"
"Huh?"
The question escaped my mouth in my natural voice.
It made that little sense. What was wrong with this guy? Why would he ask someone he supposedly distrusted to guard Her Highness?
"There is no deep reason. Recently, there have been suspicious movements around Her Highness. While I was drawing up a security plan, your name happened to come up from Her Highness's own mouth."
Ah... I see. So it wasn't Logen's idea, but Irene's suggestion.
『The 'suspicious movements' are also concerning.』
True. Following Celestia’s kidnapping, was Irene next? What was the state of public order in this country? It bothered me, but—
"I refuse."
"...I thought you might say that."
Logen looked troubled. There was no way I—someone who needed to distance himself from Irene—could take on the job of being her bodyguard.
But that aside, I was genuinely worried about her safety. What should I do?
...I’ve got it! I’ll recommend Reiji!
I’ll hand the spotlight over to the Hero. Even if I do say so myself, this is a perfect hundred-point performance for a "stepping stone."
"There’s someone perfectly suited for such tedious chores. A commoner named Reiji Wolf."
"Reiji Wolf? ...Ah, the boy prophesied as the Savior."
The prophecy regarding Reiji was already public knowledge. Well, with content that shocking, it was bound to spread. For that matter, my own prophecy was also making the rounds.
"He’s the one you want." I leaned forward. "He's still green, but the potential is there. His swordplay is honest—nothing but room for growth—and more than anything, that iron will of his is a rare find. He’s the type who shines brightest in adversity. And his explosive power when he has someone to protect? It's simply—"
『...Hey, you're gushing.』
Hah!? Dammit, I started fanboying!
I cleared my throat and hurriedly leaned back against the sofa.
"W-Well, my point is that he’s just right for a minor chore of that level."
"Calling the protection of royalty a chore..." Logen muttered, showing a look of reluctance. "...Claude, can I really not convince you?"
"You're persistent. Do you have some specific reason for wanting me?"
"That would be... political considerations, the barriers of social status, and the like."
"Hah! So the social status of a man who smashes through windows to break in actually meets your standards."
『Don't point it out yourself.』
Zest's retort echoed in my head.
Still... something felt off.
『I agree. This man is being strangely evasive.』
Logen was being vague, but a strange light dwelt in his eyes. It was as if he were impatient for something.
"...Between you and me, you don't actually have to take the job that seriously."
Hm? What did that mean?
"You just need to coordinate your stories in front of Her Highness. I'll even increase the reward."
Hey, now... Wait a minute. This was starting to smell fishy.
『If there is a possibility...』
Yeah. Let's try baiting him.
"I see. In other words, it's more convenient for someone like me to be the guard."
When I pulled the corner of my mouth up into a smirk, Logen’s expression turned grim.
"...I know the truth. You don't have the slightest desire to maintain a connection with Her Highness. In fact, you find her a nuisance. Am I wrong?"
That was because I’d been acting specifically so it would look that way.
"And if you're right?"
"...I've heard you were even involved in the kidnapping of the Rosemillian girl. What were you doing then? Perhaps... were you meeting with someone?"
Information had traveled that far? Did Celestia tell Irene, and Irene tell Logen?
This was the crucial moment. I was going to peel away Logen’s facade. The keyword for that was likely—
"That's right. For example... an Apostle, perhaps?"
The moment the word left my lips, a vulgar smile spread across Logen’s face.
"Claude von Einhart...! So you really were a comrade...!"
Logen stood up and slowly walked toward me.
"I had a feeling based on your tyrannical behavior lately. ...Heh, to think I would find a comrade in a place like this."
Logen laughed in high spirits. No, at the very least, my tyrannical behavior from over a year ago was just my actual personality...
While I remained speechless, Logen took my hand in both of his.
"You don’t have to say anything. I can tell by looking at those eyes. Those are the eyes of a pure comrade... who hates this boring world and desires a New God."
Logen fixed me with a slimy, feverish gaze.
Hmm. I thought it might be a possibility, but...
This guy... is part of the Order, isn't he?