The Hero’s Party Members Treat Me Well for Some Reason - Chapter 103



The Struggle for the Throne (8)

In her childhood, Deila’s world was mostly occupied by the First Princess.

Deila adored her sister, who was exceptionally talented and caring.

And the First Princess, Aila, cherished Deila more than anyone in the family.

In her early years, Aila was truly an extraordinary presence in the world Deila saw.

Respected by everyone around her, she effortlessly resolved matters that Deila could hardly even dream of tackling.

Though her health was slightly frail, her intellect was remarkably sharp. At such a young age, she was already capable of handling state affairs.

Because of this, Aila had always been quite busy since childhood. Some would say Aila looked anxious. They questioned whether it was right to burden someone so young and fragile with such heavy responsibilities.

But Deila, who had been closer to Aila than anyone else, knew better. She was an incredibly strong person. Even when Deila visited her during work, Aila always smiled warmly at her.

After all, she had taken on those duties to lighten the Emperor’s load; what more needed to be said?

Thus.

‘Suicide makes no sense.’

The thought of her strong sister ending her own life was laughable.

She was not that weak, nor was she foolish enough to take on such burdens without reason.

So Deila was convinced that her sister had been murdered. It was just that the foolish investigators concluded it was suicide due to a lack of evidence.

But while there was no evidence, there was a witness. The only one who had cried out that he saw the scene of the incident. The Second Prince, Aiden.

‘Brother, I need your help.’

At the time, everyone said the Second Prince had gone mad, but she was the only one who believed his words.

Creeeak…

With an unsettling sound, the firmly shut door opened.

She tried to calm her pounding heart. It had been a full ten years since they last met.

The last time she saw him, he hadn’t even finished his secondary s*xual characteristics. She couldn’t quite imagine how much he might have changed in all that time.

What if he really has gone mad? What if he’s changed so much that he’s unrecognizable?

What if he refuses to cooperate with her?

Various anxieties rise within her heart. Of course, regardless of her feelings, the door was steadily opening.

At last, all the doors swung open, revealing the scene inside the room.

“… I wondered why it was so noisy outside. A guest has arrived.”

The room was surprisingly tidy. Contrary to the common image of a madman, there were no scattered belongings, and it was well-cleaned. The pristine white floor gleamed as if polished. It meant that the attendants had been diligent in their care every single day.

And in the center of the room sat a man.

“And you must be… Dale? My, how you’ve grown. It’s been a long time.”

It was Aiden. He remained almost unchanged from the way he looked ten years ago.

A solid physique, maintained through consistent care, and bright eyes filled with intelligence. He was as composed as ever, directly contradicting the rumors circulating about him.

“So, what brings you here?”

At last, he asked. Dale replied in a slightly tense voice.

“Brother, I came because I need your help. Please lend me your strength.”

“… Hmm.”

His piercing gaze bore into Dale. Aiden spoke again.

“Even if I am confined like this, I am not completely ignorant of the outside world. While I am here, I hear news from the attendants and soldiers.”

He continued.

“Dale, I already know that you are currently in conflict over my brother and the imperial throne. I also know that you are at a significant disadvantage.”

“…”

“You’ve come to me probably because of the death of the First Princess. Am I right?”

Dale nodded silently. Internally, she was slightly taken aback. He had guessed the reason for her visit without her saying much at all.

Though he had been trapped in the palace, his sharp senses were clearly intact.

Dale felt relieved that her second brother was still sane.

But that was as far as it went.

“However, why should I help you?”

“Excuse me?”

“Isn’t it obvious that it could bring me disadvantages as well? So why would I have any reason to help you, who is already at such a disadvantage?”

Aiden’s sharp gaze pierced through her. Dale hesitated for a moment, then cautiously replied.

“… Shouldn’t you uncover the truth?”

“Ha, the truth? You speak of truth?”

Aiden scoffed.

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

—

“The truth could have been revealed even ten years ago. Did you think I was trapped in this palace solely because of the First Prince? No, I had my own will.”

Aiden briefly recalled the past. When the First Princess died, he had shouted fervently that he had seen her die… No, he had heard it.

In fact, upon a little reflection, there were many strange aspects to her death.

The First Princess, Ayla, fell from the palace railing and died. It was termed a fall.

However, the palace railings were all quite high, making it difficult to climb.

It left questions about whether the First Princess Ayla had gone up there alone.

Of course, she could manage to climb up by herself if she struggled. In fact, there were no signs of resistance or any traces of someone having touched the area near where she fell.

But most who lived in the palace knew. The palace’s investigation system was not perfect.

Traces could be erased if one set their mind to it, and there were remnants of magical energy that faded with time.

In some way, evidence could be eliminated.

From the beginning, the conflict at that time was already a fight between the First Prince and the First Princess alone.

The nobles were not fools. Naturally, they had no choice but to entertain such speculations.

– How could the First Princess die…?

– Rumor has it that it was suicide. But does that even make sense?

– There is something suspicious about it. Wouldn’t it be more plausible that someone assassinated her? For instance, that person who was overshadowed by the First Princess…

– You rascal! Do you think this is a place for such blasphemy…? Do you wish to be taken away for heresy?

The thought that the First Prince had assassinated the First Princess was unavoidable.

– But if that were truly the case, shouldn’t the First Prince be punished?

– No matter how much of a prince he is, we cannot overlook kin murder. We must report it to the Emperor.

– But then…

Yet, they simply turned a blind eye while thinking that.

– Whom do we align ourselves with?

Everything was uncertain. There was only suspicion, and not a single piece of evidence.

There were witnesses, but it was impossible to know if their words were even true.

– What if we report it and it’s ruled a suicide…?

– If we’re not careful, we could fall out of favor with the First Prince. If that happens… what might he do to us…?

– And to be honest, whether the Emperor would even punish him properly… is questionable.

– You scoundrel!

– Ah, but it’s the truth. Though he seems strong now, we should start preparing for succession.

– Let’s just pretend we don’t know anything.

—

I hope this captures the essence and atmosphere of the original text!

The nobles turned a blind eye, and the Second Prince Aiden watched it all unfold.

That’s why the scene felt so devoid of meaning. It was no different from a puppy being raised at home, playing a game of hide and seek.

“So, I came here. I had no interest in power anyway. I knew the imperial palace was rotten, but I just couldn’t bear it any longer.”

It seemed the First Prince felt burdened by the thought of killing two members of the royal family.

Once the matter concerning the First Princess stabilized, he sent the Second Prince here, claiming that there was something wrong with his mind.

Aiden could have resisted if he wanted, but he simply came along quietly.

After all, the perceptions of the world are all lies, and the nobles are nothing but pretentious.

It’s far more comfortable to live here, distanced from the mundane world.

Aiden turned his head away from Dayla, as if he had nothing more to say.

“······.”

After listening to the entire story, Dayla remained silent for a while. As if deep in thought, her violet eyes were profoundly immersed.

After a period of silence, she finally spoke.

“However, isn’t that just running away?”

“···What?”

From noble mtl dot com

It was a remark that could not be overlooked, causing Aiden to turn his head back again.

Dayla was in a position of a subordinate, effectively asking for his help.

But perhaps she no longer cared about such things, as she continued to speak.

“Brother, if I may dare to express my opinion. From my perspective, you simply seem to be running away. Out of fear of that situation where no one listens to your opinions. You’re just hiding.”

When no one speaks to her in the banquet hall. When she is merely ignored by the child of a baron.

When she is mocked by the faction of the First Prince, she asks herself.

Why don’t I want to become king?

In a situation where the First Prince’s victory is almost assured, why did I foolishly get involved in the succession struggle?

“Did you say the nobles are disgusting? Then you should have fought! You should have changed it, even if it meant risking your life!”

In the past, she couldn’t find answers to those questions. But now she understands.

She knows why she made such a choice.

It was because she hated the thought of seeing the First Prince become Emperor more than dying.

She hated the idea of him becoming Emperor while the rotten empire remained rotting, more than becoming a vagabond herself.

So she challenged the throne. To make it a place that is a little more honest and upright.

To create a place that returns to the laws, not to connections.

That is her reason for wanting to become Empress.

Aiden was momentarily at a loss for words upon hearing her rebuttal. But that pause was brief, and he soon pointed at her and asked.

“Then, has anything changed between that time ten years ago and now? Will you listen if I tell you the truth?”

“There are two differences. First, unlike back then, I now have a competitor in the form of myself. Second, because of that, there are alternatives that the nobles can support.”

“You know that most of those nobles belong to the First Prince’s faction. They’ve likely done a lot of terrible things to you in the name of keeping you in check. Do you really think those kinds of people will suddenly side with you?”

“They will have to. Otherwise, they will be overthrown from below.”

If one were to find a point where she held an advantage over the First Prince from long ago.

It is that the public sentiment among the citizens is on Deila’s side.

It’s not that she is particularly popular among the common citizens. It’s just that the First Prince’s public sentiment is truly dire.

After all, he is someone who is solely interested in becoming the Emperor, so how could that be good for anyone?

However, the reason he still holds the upper hand is that this is a medieval society where the influence of the nobles is much stronger than that of the common people. Isn’t that how a corrupt country operates?

But no matter how strong he is, with both an attempted kidnapping of the princess and a murder of the princess happening simultaneously, he will inevitably be shaken. Discontent will build up to the point of bursting.

“So please help me. Then I will change the current imperial palace.”

“······.”

Aiden’s eyes pierced through Deila. As if evaluating her. Deila, too, did not avert her gaze and glared back at Aiden.

After a moment of this.

“…You’ve grown strong.”

Eventually, Aiden spoke.

“Alright, sister. I’ll trust you this once.”

It was the moment the negotiation was sealed.

*

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I was able to get through easily.”

“Don’t mention it. I’ll see you next time, Your Highness.”

After successfully wrapping up the plan, I parted ways with her near the city.

To be honest, there was almost nothing left for me to do now.

What remains is merely a battle for public opinion, and as you know, stepping back due to the curse is actually helpful for me.

For now, I’ve secured the card of the Second Prince, so he should manage things well on his own.

With the Second Prince gone, the First Prince will surely be in chaos as well.

Thanks to that, I am a bit worried about his specialty, assassination, but…

“Oh, before you go, please take these with you.”

“Uh… these?”

“Yes, they’re good kids. Just give them some meat regularly.”

“…It doesn’t have to be human flesh, right?”

Because of that, I attached a dimensional bug to her.

After all, I now have the ability to change forms, so I hardly need to use these creatures anymore.

She would surely make good use of them in my stead.

For some reason, she seemed a bit scared when I handed her the dimensional bugs. Still, she didn’t refuse.

Anyway, I had done almost everything I could for her with this.

Now, she would have to fight well on her own. I sincerely hoped she would grow strong and become an empress.

That would make things a bit easier for me.

Even though I had stormed into the palace early in the morning, by the time the negotiations were over, it was already late afternoon.

With battles and negotiations, time had slipped away.

People walking the streets were gradually heading home, and the roads had grown quiet.

I intended to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the scenery for the first time in a while.

But then it happened.

“Are you the hero, Luke?”

A voice suddenly came from behind me.

I hadn’t sensed a thing—when had they arrived?

Turning around, I saw an elderly knight clad in dented armor. A gaunt figure, muscles withered, a faded knight.

“How curious. This hero feels nothing but filth. Is it because of the strong energy of Ennen?”

Yet, the atmosphere felt strange. He was clearly an ordinary knight, but there was a familiar aura about him.

I soon realized that the aura was due to a certain ability.

I muttered without thinking.

“A puppet…?”

That was a doll of the puppet master.

“Ha, so you’re a hero after all. You’re quick to catch on.”

“How? That guy is definitely dead.”

“Even if he’s dead, the doll he left behind exists. This one was transferred to me a long time ago.”

From his words, I understood why the puppet remained.

Usually, when the caster dies, the ability naturally dissipates.

But very rarely, if a puppet was held for too long, it could remain a puppet even after the caster’s death.

The soul itself has flown away after being bound by the thread for too long.

Those who are like this could still maneuver even if they creaked slightly. The one in front was such a case.

I cast a momentary glance of sympathy at the knight before me.

‘…How long have they been held?’

Perhaps when they were first brainwashed, they were no older than a young adult. Decades have passed, and now they have become a true puppet.

“Who are you?”

I asked my opponent while holding my sword. The figure beyond the puppet answered indifferently.

“Evan.”

Evan Clockwalker. The next of the Four Heavenly Kings that I would face.

“The reason I’ve come here is simple.”

He said as he drew his sword.

“Let’s have a match. I’m curious about your skills.”