Antagonist Protection Service-Chapter 71: Cold (6)

I thought there was no way.

’It actually hit where I wanted it to...?’

But, when I recalled the sensation of my body shifting of its own accord, pulling the trigger when I wasn’t even mentally ready for it, I had to give credit where credit was due.

All of a sudden, I felt my mouth contort into a strange grin.

"Hh... That Trait..."

The opponent’s sword lay on the ground over a dozen metres away from where he ended up, but I doubted he would be able to wield it properly even if he was already holding it.

That’s the sort of outcome I had desired in my head, but I wasn’t delusional enough to think it would actually happen...

[Certainly! Do you see why many Traits are valued so highly? Compared to Skills, which take time to build into their maximum potential, Traits come with the full package right from the get-go! They’re suuuper incredible, right?!]

"...I can see that."

The Librarian was totally right. Even Charismatic, which was one of the cheapest Traits available in the entire Shop, had an effect that was immediately noticeable upon purchase.

Some of the more expensive ones costed beyond even 5,000 World Stability Units, and seeing this demonstration, it was made all-too-clear to me that those sorts of prices were, most likely, well worth it.

Considering all that, Professionalism, which I started with for free, was even more of a tremendous boon than I thought.

I couldn’t even begin to imagine how much it would cost if I had to purchase it.

In any case, with my opponent rendered unable to even hold his sword, I think the outcome was already determined. From this point on, I could only hope that he would hold up the agreement of not interacting with the Protagonist.

If he does, that’s already three out of four 「targets of interest」 taken care of.

And just like that, one remained.

❖─────★★★☆☆─────❖

Later, Lucretia and I returned to the Christina-Rasa residence.

"―So? What happened to being unable to use magic?"

Facing me while she partook in some afternoon tea, she stared me down with half-lidded eyes. Meanwhile, I sat opposite her, staring back casually.

"I am unable to use magic."

"Truly. Then, would you mind to enlighten me? Ah, if you’re thinking of fooling me by saying it was the swordsmanship of another world, don’t bother opening your mouth. I saw the wand in your hand."

"No, it wasn’t swordsmanship, but it wasn’t a wand either. It’s called a gun. You even confirmed it yourself that I don’t have mana inside my body, right? How could I have used magic?"

Technically, I was able to use magic in the form of Storage, but that wasn’t my own ability, and I didn’t like calling it magic since it didn’t really feel like it.

"Did we not discuss this a while ago? Your claim of magic being different across all worlds. What, then, would the chances be of you possessing powers of magic without mana? You always are full of surprises, aren’t you? I wouldn’t be surprised at this point. No matter. You’ve already caused me enough of a headache today as is."

Closing her eyes and holding her head in one hand, Lucretia used the other to wave me off, as if shooing me away.

’Is something wrong...?’

Seeing that she was stressed out with something on her mind, I thought of sticking around to let her talk or solve it, but I also didn’t want to make her mad unnecessarily, so I returned to my room without arguing.

Taking off my attendant’s suit but keeping the gloves on, I folded it and placed it to the side before plopping down on the big, exquisite bed I still could not get used to.

Lying down, I stared blankly into the ceiling and muttered.

"Librarian."

[Certainly! Is there something you require?]

"What’s the best way to go about dealing with a lovestruck prince?"

[Ohh... erm, would duelling him work? It worked with the other one!]

"I don’t think so. That strategy worked for the other guy because of his personality, but the prince is more the kind of guy to just abuse his authority to get rid of me if I start something with him. If I confront him directly, he might just have me jailed or even assassinated. Actually, I’m quite lucky something like that hasn’t already happened."

I wasn’t a hundred percent sure what sort of authority he had, but something like that seemed to be well within his purview.

There were two reasons I could think of for why he wouldn’t go through with such a thing.

Either, due to my position as the archduchess’ personal attendant, touching me wasn’t in even his power without earning the ire of the Christina-Rasa family. Maybe some political reason like that.

Or, alternatively, because he was a guy who originally came from this sort of little girls’ fantasy dating game, he simply didn’t have the sort of personality to carry out that kind of dark order.

"If you think about it, the crown prince of an empire has absolutely no reason to bother fighting someone in a duel in the first place. He’s also just a narcissist."

Unfortunately, the little prince was a tricky target. At least Kran had some balls.

"Haaa... Tsk tsk tsk."

Even when I contemplated it for a while, I couldn’t come up with anything reasonable that seemed like it might work to dissuade him from pursuing the Protagonist.

Eventually, I puffed out a sigh and muttered aloud to myself.

"What would even happen if I just assassinated him?"

Assuming I could get away with the murder in the first place, that is, which in itself was unthinkable.

Although I wasn’t particularly addressing her, Librarian swiftly responded.

[Pardon me, but I am under the impression that, in the sort of situation where the heir to the throne passes away, isn’t it the younger royal siblings who take over the position! Wouldn’t that happen?]

Next-in-line succession... It sounded about right, so I’m pretty positive that was correct, but again, it might not be the same for this world. Of course, to confirm it, I would only have to ask Lucretia tomorrow. Being the future empress, she was bound to know all about that sort of thing.

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But, taking a step back, have I ever even heard about the prince having any siblings?

If I were asked if I thought he had any without any knowledge, I would say yes, but at the same time, I also had no recollection of hearing something about a younger prince or princess.

In the end, he might not be the crown prince simply because he’s the oldest.

There might really have been no other option.

"You’ve never heard anything either, right?"

[Certainly not!]

Then, if the prince died, would that mean the collapse of the empire? I didn’t think the answer was yes, but I also didn’t have any knowledge of how these things worked. If there was no heir to the throne, what would happen when the current emperor dies?

"I guess I can’t do that then... well, unless there was a way to replace him."

Of course, assassinating the crown prince was out of the question from the very beginning since I had no way of preventing myself from getting caught, but now it was practically certain.

If that were the case, even if I succeeded in killing him and evaded being suspected, things would turn to shit anyway.

Things would all work themselves out in the end once the Protagonist dies, anyway. I hope.

Besides, when I think about the reason for killing him, I don’t even think it’s very valid.

Competition for the Protagonist’s heart, sure―But, if you were to ask me, I don’t think the crown prince is very good competition.

Thinking about it from her perspective, would I rather choose myself or the crown prince?

The prince has money. Obviously, wealth is a big plus, and maybe even more so for the Protagonist who used to be a commoner. He’s also an egoist asshole, though, as well as stupid, so that kinda balanced it out.

Oh, and if she became the empress, that would lead to a whole load of responsibility. Knowing what she’s like, I don’t think she wants that at all.

Me, on the other hand? Well, aside from status and wealth, I personally think I beat the crown prince in every category. Appearance-wise... well, I think I can probably match him with Charismatic... At least, I think I’m being reasonable with that.

From the Protagonist’s point of view, I also think it’s undeniable that I was more relatable than him. So, when it’s put like that, I suppose there’s no real need to worry about him after all.

In the remaining weeks before the ball, I’d just focus on acting as I have been.

If a solid opportunity arose before then to expose the full extent of her power, I’d take it.

If not, and we end up in a situation where I still don’t know what the Protagonist’s hidden power is during the ceremony itself...

"..."

Well, I guess I’d just have to make something happen on that day.