The King's Sons (2): The Prince's Selfishness

King Zeurasia's two sons were Prince Zelando and Prince Ural.

I had assumed the taller, more assertive-looking one was the elder brother, Prince Zelando, but the slightly smaller, timid-looking one turned out to be the elder brother.

The two were still young enough to look like children, and they rarely appeared in public.

But what could children like that want?

As I tilted my head in confusion, the forceful-looking one, his younger brother Prince Ural, strode up to me and pointed at me.

"You're Roa, I hear?! How about a match against the genius Ural-sama?!" he declared.

......Could someone please explain what is going on?

But since no one tried to explain, I waited until the attendants had calmed Prince Ural down, then decided to hear him out.

Apparently, Prince Ural had never lost a tactical battle played on a board to any of his attendants or to his elder brother, Prince Zelando.

He had repeatedly asked King Zeurasia to let him go to the battlefield, but the king had never once granted permission.

That was when the recent new-recruit drill took place. The opponent facing Rays-sama was an unimpressive-looking civil official—namely, me. If a civil official like that could put up a good fight against Rays-sama while commanding troops, then surely Ural could do even better.

If they still wouldn't listen to him, he at least wanted them to see what he could do. If he showed he could command well enough to beat that civil official, they would grant him one request—namely, to take him to the battlefield.

......I see, I see. He's really twisted himself up over this. Wasn't there anyone around to stop him?

"That's the situation. I'm sorry to trouble you, but could you be his opponent for a little while today?" King Zeurasia asked, looking a little troubled himself. So even a king was still a parent.

"The area around the training ground we used the other day should do. Prince Ural will have Granz's and Rapiria's units. Roa, Ryuzel's and Frein's units will be yours, correct? Each side will have three hundred men. I will not interfere with Prince Ural's command. Nor with Roa's, of course. Also, put Prince Zelando in Roa's unit. It should be a good experience for him."

Rays-sama briskly laid out the arrangements. Hmm. So everything had already been decided beforehand.

"Our scribes will participate with each unit as well. We will carefully monitor the proceedings to ensure there is no unfair assistance, such as advice from Rays-sama."

Nelfia wore a composed expression, but the corners of her mouth were curled up slightly. She was enjoying this situation.

"But we're doing this today? That's awfully sudden. Ryuzel's and Frein's units will need time to prepare, so perhaps we could do it tomorrow..."

"Then you might receive advice from Rays-sama by tomorrow! The battle is today!" Prince Ural huffed, getting excited again.

What a pain.

"Um... Besides the troop numbers and unit assignments, are there any other rules we need to establish?"

Prince Ural answered my question.

"The battlefield will be just like the real thing! There can't possibly be any rules!"

"I see... Then we'll return, assemble our units, and head to the training ground. Is that all right?"

"I have no objection! Very well, I'll give you about an hour for a strategy meeting. Rays, you will of course remain by my side! I shall hold a strategy meeting as well! Call Granz and Rapiria!" At Prince Ural's command, his attendants hurried off. Satisfied, Prince Ural left the room.

As he passed me, Rays-sama said quietly, "Get it over with quickly."

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"So... that's how we ended up having to fight Prince Ural's forces, Granz's and Rapiria's units, but..."

"That's rather... ridicu— I mean, sudden." Ryuzel nearly called it ridiculous, but hastily changed his wording when he noticed Prince Zelando in the room.

Wickhart and Frein both looked a little unconvinced.

"Hey, Roa, was Prince Ural really that aggressive?" Frein asked.

"Well, he was pretty forceful."

"He gives a very different impression from the prince I know," Frein said. "I remember him as being nothing like that, either..." Wickhart added.

"Really?"

"Yes. He was energetic, but... perhaps something is making him anxious?"

"It's my fault..." Prince Zelando muttered, drawing everyone's eyes.

"Do you know something?" Wickhart asked. After a brief silence, Zelando said once more, "It's my fault," then lowered his head.

I couldn't very well force the story out of him, and while I was wondering what to do, someone approached Prince Zelando. It was Lufa.

Lufa stood before Prince Zelando with both hands on her hips.

"Look up! You're a boy, aren't you?!" she barked.

Startled, Zelando raised his head and asked, "Who are you?"

Of course. He must be wondering why a girl was in a place like this.

"I'm Lufa of the Tenth Knight Order." Lufa proudly puffed out her chest.

"You're in the knight order?"

"That is correct, Prince. This young lady is a fine member who joined the Tenth Knight Order just the other day." Nelfia supplied the explanation.

"Even a girl so young is going to the battlefield... How pathetic am I...?"

"I haven't been to the battlefield yet, either. But I'll be going too from now on. So why is it your fault?"

Perhaps because Lufa, who was close to him in age, asked him, some of Zelando's tension eased, and he began to tell us what had happened, little by little.