The Hero’s Party Members Treat Me Well for Some Reason - Chapter 102



The Struggle for the Throne (7)

I told Luke I would find the informant later.

In fact, there was a search method that could be tried immediately with Deila.

From noble mtl dot com

Because I could at least narrow down who the informant was.

‘First of all, that person is a noble.’

To convey information to the Second Prince, one must at least be of a status that allows for a meeting.

For ordinary citizens, there was almost no way to gain access.

To meet him, one must have a minimum level of standing. That ticket, of course, would belong to the nobility.

Thus, the informant here is limited to the nobility.

Additionally, there were about seven nobles who participated in the meeting that day.

Among them, the members who supported the rescue of the Second Prince totaled about five.

Daila had selected all four of them as participants.

The reason, as mentioned before, is that they would become her face representatives in the future.

To invade the confinement palace is, in itself, tantamount to defying the First Emperor.

At the same time, it is a declaration of allegiance to the Third Princess faction.

Thus, the likelihood of them being informants was low.

As their faces would be known everywhere, even if they sold information, they would end up subordinate to their own faction.

In such a situation, would they turn to the side of the First Prince?

Although betrayal is commonplace in noble society, instances of it surfacing are quite rare.

They know that they cannot be proud of their actions. It’s like playing hide and seek with their eyes closed; if it becomes known that someone has stabbed another in the back, that person loses trust.

Once that happens, they lose credibility in social circles.

For that reason, the initial four who supported her are excluded from suspicion. Being an informant while also being a face representative is too contradictory.

Of course, there is a possibility that this is all a smokescreen… but Daila decided to set that possibility aside for now.

That left three.

Albert from the Brenin Marquis family.

Primo, the third son of the Coward Viscount family.

Lowell, the third son of the Kehlern Viscount family.

Albert was eliminated due to his advanced age, and Primo… was originally a quiet and timid person, so he withdrew out of lack of confidence. She would soon find out what their true intentions were.

And Lowell…

“Ah, how exciting! Your Highness, do not worry and trust only me. I will ensure that the enemy does not set foot near you.”

Honestly, it didn’t seem likely. He just looked foolish.

He had been very eager when the initial candidates were chosen. However, he was not selected simply because he was deemed unreliable.

So this time, he was chosen just to fill the numbers.

It would be a bit pitiful to not be selected twice in a row…

In any case, thus the five participating members were decided.

Daila headed straight to the place where the Second Prince was located, bringing them along.

“The confinement palace is situated in the outskirts of the forest, a bit away from the imperial palace…”

Regardless of the truth, the Second Prince was trapped in the palace due to mental illness. Such an inconvenient building could hardly be located in the heart of the imperial palace. Therefore, the palace he resided in was located on the outskirts of the capital, almost as if it were being shunned.

Though it was a bit distant, it was actually a good thing for them. It was easier to head to the outskirts than to invade the center of the imperial palace.

The location played a significant role in the establishment of their plan.

“Still, it’s nice that it’s not far from the sea.”

As they moved, the masked man, Luke, joked. He was currently walking just behind Daila.

Daila glanced at him and quietly said, “…Could you please keep a bit of distance?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I must have been a bother.”

“No, it’s not that…”

Daila swallowed her words. Her cheeks were peculiarly flushed.

It wasn’t that she was excited or her heart was racing. The curse of the hero could strip away even the remnants of her sanity.

What she felt now was embarrassment. The words she had spoken to him just yesterday by the docks replayed in her mind.

– You can use me if you’d like.

‘…Ugh! Why did I say that…!’

Thinking about it made her shudder with embarrassment. No matter how chaotic the situation was, it was still inappropriate.

Didn’t it sound like something a woman would say to seduce a man?

To say something like that so casually, words she wouldn’t even dare to say on the first night with someone.

The memories of crying and clinging to him, the shameful words she had spoken, all combined to make her feel mortified.

Of course, aside from that, they had steadily gotten closer to their destination.

As time passed, the confinement palace came into view. Despite being in the forest, a neatly maintained castle stood before them.

Around it, numerous soldiers and knights were stationed, keeping watch.

It was certainly a remote castle, yet there seemed to be more troops than expected. It seemed the First Prince had taken some precautions as well.

“It’s about time to clash.”

Luke said this as he drew his sword.

The princess also slapped her cheeks to regain her composure.

From now on, it was the real deal. She would burn herself to prevent her older brother from ascending the throne.

Daila made that vow and charged toward the palace.

Toward the highest floor of the castle where her second older brother, the Second Prince, resided.

Sure! Here’s the translation of the excerpt you provided, with attention to word choice, phrasing, and atmosphere, while preserving the line breaks:

*

I check the troops as I run.

‘45 knights, 15 soldiers.’

There were more knights in full plate armor than regular soldiers. Given the narrow confines of the castle, it was clear they intended to stop us with quality over quantity.

‘At least, fortunately, the mage isn’t visible yet.’

I didn’t know if they were hiding inside, but for now, it was good news. Mages are tricky beings in many ways.

To be honest, it was quite a formidable force.

Even in this world, knights are considered high-tier personnel.

If unleashed in battle, they could single-handedly cut down dozens of foes.

And now, dozens of such warriors had gathered here. Even if the entire resistance came, it would barely be a fight.

‘Of course, that’s assuming I’m not here.’

They probably hadn’t anticipated it. That there would be a hero on the side of the Third Princess.

And even if they had known, they wouldn’t have been able to stop it.

It felt a bit like bragging, but I was now among the strongest in the world, no matter what anyone said.

To stop me, they would need to bring at least the army of the Bright family.

“Damn, they really came···.”

“Stop them! The First Prince has promised generous rewards for defending this place!”

Thus, I charged forward like a bulldozer. Blocking and pushing aside the knights’ swords, I carved a path ahead.

I inflicted injuries, but I didn’t kill. Swinging my sword recklessly here could come back to haunt me in future public opinion battles.

For the same reason, I refrained from using ominous skills like manipulation, puppet arts, and dark magic as much as possible.

The revolution must not be tainted by anything sinister. I needed to appear as clean as possible.

Still, given my stature, it wasn’t particularly difficult. The only worry was···.

‘The numbers are overwhelming.’

No matter how much I blocked, it was impossible to fend off every single incoming attack.

After all, I was the vanguard, meant to clear the way, and I was somewhat distanced from Deila.

Inevitably, gaps would form in the guard.

I had entrusted the protection to Belita, but the unease was unavoidable.

Just then, as I was clearing the way,

Boom!

“Gahhh···!”

Suddenly, a knight flies and crashes right in front of me. It came soaring from behind.

No matter what, with full plate armor, it must be quite heavy. How can it fly like that?

Startled, I turned around.

I thought it might have been Belita who threw it, but it wasn’t.

There stood Lowell, wielding a massive shield and sword.

“To be honest, I admit it. I’m not very bright.”

He mutters, as a knight armed with a mace charges at him.

He was a huge guy, the kind that looked like he could put up quite a fight.

Bang! At last, the knight’s mace strikes Lowell’s shield. A significant sound of impact reverberated.

“I’ve never been good at thinking. Even my father used to say I had no talent for studying, telling me to find another path in life.”

Yet, despite this, he didn’t flinch. As if this was nothing to him.

Finally, he pushes the shield with all his might.

Thud!

······And the giant knight had no choice but to roll on the ground.

“But even a fool like me can understand this. Something is wrong with the current Empire.”

I gasped in surprise.

This guy is pretty good…? I thought he was just a foolish noble son who couldn’t see reality.

His skills were considerable. Shocked, I finally checked the level above his head.

A staggering level 47. Considering the minimum level for a knight is 30, that’s quite high. Especially for someone his age.

It wasn’t a lie that he could handle two or three knights easily.

“Don’t worry, Princess. I will block all the incoming enemies. Even if I’m not good at studying, I’ve never slacked off in my training.”

Alright, with that, I could trust him for now. Plus, Belita was right beside me. Even if our allies faltered, he would buy me some time.

Until we got here, Albert had been grumbling, but now he was desperately casting spells to save his own skin. It turned out he had learned magic.

The only one hesitating was that guy, Primora.

Anyway, thanks to this, I was able to clear the path without hesitation. Sweeping away the knights blocking our way like fallen leaves, I moved her forward.

Before long, we reached our destination.

On the top floor of the confinement palace, there was a firmly closed door, with even the attendants having fled.

It was the Second Prince’s room.

“Please, go in, Your Highness.”

Having reached our destination, I once again led Dayla forward. My job was done now.

Negotiation is not my specialty.

“Now it’s your turn.”

“…Yes.”

The princess nodded resolutely.

Ten years. It was time to reunite with my second brother, whom I hadn’t seen in a decade.

Creeeak—

At last, the door that had been firmly shut began to open.