I was the third prince of a certain nation.
I turned twenty this year. Though it might have sounded arrogant to say so myself, I was talented. I excelled in both literary and military arts—far more so than my older brothers.
That was precisely why I had spent my life feigning incompetence. If my true potential had been exposed, my brothers would have viewed me as a rival for the throne, and at worst, my life would have been in jeopardy. I believed that my charade was the only reason I had managed to survive to this age.
However, I eventually realized that I had been profoundly mistaken.
My eldest brother was twenty-seven, and my second brother was twenty-five. As it turned out, they were truly my kin in spirit as well as blood. They had been doing the exact same thing I was.
Despite being no less gifted than I, my eldest brother had played the fool so as not to draw the suspicion of our father, the King. My second brother had feigned uselessness to avoid being perceived as a threat by either our father or our eldest brother.
Looking back, I wanted to ask all of us: what on earth were we thinking?
Because of our collective act, the first, second, and third princes of our kingdom were all regarded as total failures. The anxiety regarding the nation’s future was palpable. If you wanted to know just how much our prospects were doubted, perhaps you would understand if I mentioned that all three of us remained bachelors even at our age.
I suppose I should have shown a bit more restraint with the "incompetent" act.
The reason our secret was finally exposed was simply because the world had reached a point where we could no longer afford to keep up the pretense. First, my second brother demonstrated his true capability. I followed, and finally, our eldest brother revealed himself as well.
It was a bit disheartening that even after showing our true colors, our father and the vassals struggled to acknowledge our worth. However, we brothers finally recognized one another. We had all accurately grasped the current situation and shared the same grim concerns.
The three of us sat down to discuss what to do about the current state of the world—specifically, the fact that the human kingdoms were on the verge of being wiped out.
To be clear, there was no single nation called the "Human Kingdom." It was a collective term for all the nations outside the Demon Kingdom. In short, the Demon Kingdom was systematically destroying other countries and emerging as the sole victor. As our country was one of those human kingdoms, we couldn't exactly celebrate.
I was royalty. The royalty of a fallen nation are considered nothing but nuisances wherever they go, and at worst, they are executed. I had no desire to die, so I was struggling to find a way out.
First, we brothers attempted to persuade our father.
"I’m sorry, but I don't understand what you boys are so worried about," he said.
Our father wasn't incompetent, but his grasp of the current situation was dangerously naive. We were forced to explain it to him piece by piece.
To start, almost all the human kingdoms were united in their hostility toward the Demon Kingdom. Among them, three were of vital importance: the Galbart Kingdom and the Fullhart Kingdom, which shared borders with the Demon Kingdom on the Central Continent, and the Garlet Kingdom, which had grown powerful through the worship of the Angel Race. Historically, these three were the successor states to the Hero Queen, and they were fundamentally incompatible with the Demon Kingdom. Other human nations provided varying levels of support to these three to keep the front lines stable.
"Indeed," our father replied. "So, there is no problem, is there?"
No problem? That couldn't have been further from the truth.
The Galbart and Fullhart Kingdoms had never recovered from their long-standing food shortages. They weren't just struggling to maintain the front lines; they couldn't even maintain their own standing armies. Fullhart was in particularly dire straits. The only reason its national structure still existed at all was because the Demon Kingdom, for some unknown reason, had stopped its offensive and pulled back.
"Hmm. The Fullhart Kingdom suffered a heavy blow during that dispute over the succession of the Sword Saint," my father mused.
I pointed out that the Sword Saint in question was currently residing in the Demon Kingdom.
"What?"
The Sword Saint was a minor issue compared to the rest. The Angel Race was preparing to abandon the Garlet Kingdom. The Garlet Royal Family was currently clinging to them in tears, desperately trying to make them stay. The only demand the remaining angels had was this: do not fight the Demon Kingdom. They didn't demand submission, but they insisted that all physical conflict cease immediately.
"Absurd. That country only survives because the Angel Race is there. If the angels leave, it will collapse."
Furthermore, reports had arrived stating that the angels' intended destination was the Demon Kingdom.
"What? Didn't the Angel Race hate the Demon Kingdom with a burning passion?"
They must have found a reason to go there that outweighed that hatred. Or perhaps they never truly hated the Demon Kingdom at all? Maybe they only said they did to survive among the human nations. In any case, the Garlet Kingdom had completely ceased all military movement.
The three most vital nations were now effectively useless. On top of that, the Gorunzen Kingdom, which had once united the rear nations, had collapsed. The Elf Empire, once a dagger at the Demon Kingdom’s throat, had been annihilated. Every recent development favored the Demon Kingdom; nothing favored us.
"Even so," my father countered, "we still have the Hero. The immortal Hero who resurrects no matter how many times he is killed. As long as the Hero is with us, we have no reason to fear the Demon Kingdom."
I had to ask my father what era he thought he was living in. The Hero was already a non-factor.
"The Hero? Why?"
He truly didn't know. The Hero had stopped coming back to life.
"Nonsense. Did someone test it?"
Someone had tested it, and the man had stayed dead. Our own nation’s Hero had fled the moment he heard the news.
"Why would he flee?"
Because a Hero who did whatever he pleased because he thought he was immortal was a very hated man. Once people realized the Hero wouldn't resurrect, everyone he had ever oppressed would surely come for his head.
"Ugh... Well, then, the Saint. There is still the Saint who hears the Voice of God and guides us."
No, the Saint was gone too. After various countries spent years maneuvering in the shadows to kidnap anyone with the potential to be the Saint, the candidates had all vanished. No new Saint had been found.
"...My son. What is to become of our country?"
That was exactly what I wanted to talk about. But before that, I had one thing to confirm.
"What is it?"
"Father, do you actually hate the Demon Kingdom right now?"
"What are you talking about? The Demon Kingdom is, to us human kingdoms... wait, eh?"
My father finally realized it. Our country had no actual reason to be hostile toward the Demon Kingdom. Yet, until very recently, we had all been convinced that the Demon Kingdom was an enemy that had to be destroyed. I had felt that way, and so had my brothers. Whether it was a prejudice born of history or some malicious collective spell we had all fallen under, the feeling was gone now.
I didn't know much about the Demon Kingdom of the past, but their actions over the last ten years had been nothing if not rational. They showed no desire to invade. Regarding the Elf Empire, they had only stepped in to protect the inhabitants after a dragon destroyed the nation. In fact, when several countries complained, the Demon Kingdom reportedly offered to hand over both the territory and the citizens, telling the complainants to take them instead.
While the Elf Empire's technology was enticing, no one wanted territory so close to the Demon Kingdom, and the threat of the dragon made the deal even worse. When no one accepted, the Demon Kingdom actually complained that people shouldn't get their hopes up for nothing.
"...Do you think we can settle this without a war?"
At our father's question, we brothers all nodded.
However, there was a problem. Our country had been providing aid specifically for the purpose of attacking the Demon Kingdom. This gave them a perfectly legitimate reason to attack us in return. Yet, stopping the aid was also dangerous. We would be branded as traitors by the surrounding human nations for siding with the enemy. Our kingdom was a small nation, not a major power capable of fending them all off.
"What should we do?"
We decided to scale down the aid under various pretexts. We would stop sending weapons and soldiers, focusing instead on money and food. Beyond that, I believed the most certain path was for someone to travel to the Demon Kingdom and explain our new policy in person.
My brothers both agreed.
"And who will go?" our father asked.
Since I was the one who suggested it, I volunteered. My brothers both wanted to go as well, and for a moment, we considered going together. But then my father grabbed my eldest brother's sleeve; he would be staying behind to help rule.
As for my second brother, as we prepared to leave, he was suddenly tackled by a lady-in-waiting. It was a magnificent, low-altitude tackle. He was technically a prince, but it seemed they were in a relationship, and she had decided that she couldn't let him go into such danger.
I see. I suppose I would be going alone. Well, with my escorts, of course.
I eventually arrived in Shashato City. It was incredibly bustling. I had entered as an ordinary traveler, keeping my status as a prince a secret. I was confident I wouldn't be found out. Once I used the Teleportation Gate in this city, I would be in the Demon Kingdom Royal Capital in an instant.
But before that, I wanted a meal. There was a shop called Maruura that I had been dying to visit; our spies had reported that the food there was sublime. I was also curious about the different delicacies in City Five, just next door. Should I try going there first?
While I was debating my options and looking for Maruura, a beastman man approached me.
"We have been expecting you. I shall guide you to the Demon Kingdom Royal Capital."
...I had to check. "Do you know who I am?"
"If you are seeking an audience with the Demon King, I believe it will be much faster if you come with me."
Ah, my identity was completely exposed. My objective as well. Furthermore, I was a lone man in their territory. I was likely already surrounded. In other words, resistance was futile. I gave up.
"May I ask one thing? How did you know?"
"We were informed by someone who came from your country."
In other words, the spies we sent here had been captured and interrogated.
"Don't worry, we didn't do anything painful to them," the man added.
"...That is a relief. May I ask your name?"
"My apologies for the late introduction. I am Bron. It will be for a short time, but I look forward to working with you."
I followed Bron's lead and traveled to the Royal Capital. Before my audience, a meal was prepared for me, consisting of dishes from the very shop, Maruura, I had wanted to visit.
As I looked at the food, I realized something. I didn't feel as though we stood a chance.