287 That's why I'm twice as good at nursing care.




 I wash my face, sit down on the bed and exhale. Even though you are in a clean place, you can't wipe away the sickening sticky feeling that clings to your body.
 Hostility comes in many forms. If it is hostility that is directed squarely at you, you can naturally brace yourself. However, if the hostility seems to be coming from behind us, we feel an unpleasant sense of oppression.
 Since this is a public place, it is not so unnatural to behave in an appropriate manner. But the nobles, merchants, and knights have all changed their minds before going to the place.
 The princes I met today did not pretend to be something they were not, but rather created something they were not. This is similar to the act of an actor pretending to be a character, and is also similar to the process of "I" understanding behavior.
 He erases his true self and forms a desired personality in his body, which has become like a temple. There is no need to go this far in daily life. It is enough to wear a mask that makes you look good to the people around you, and there is no need to deny your existence just to erase your feelings.

The environment in which it is necessary: ......?

 The reason for doing this is obvious: it is a time when the real you should not be mixed in. In their struggle for the throne, they strongly believe that they must not let themselves be known. They understand that it would be a fatal blow to be exposed.
 It is not that difficult to perceive this feeling for those who have experienced that if there is too much difference in appearance and content, it is a created personality. That's why I was able to notice the princes' first personalities.
 And I could sense their true intentions, which were faintly there. They saw me as a hindrance and wanted to eliminate me.

"Shisho, are you okay?
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just that it's been a while since I've dealt with a group like this, so my emotions are a little freaked out.

 Yeah. The act of creating a completely different self is not such a rare skill in the original world. I've had a few relationships with actors, con artists, and other people who are skilled at hiding their true selves.
 To be honest, I feel uncomfortable because it reminds me of my old senses. ...... This is a kind of occupational disease. If the other party is like that, we need to be prepared for it.

But is it ...... true that all the princes felt that your friend was a distraction?
I'm sure that as a prince, you don't want to have your country ruined, but I'm pretty sure that all of them were considering whether or not to remove him. So we should assume that all of them have a face that they can't reveal.

 If it was just one person who was turning against me, I'd be thinking about my future plans with a bad face right now. But I didn't expect all of them. Thanks to them, I can't even tell who Nektohar's collaborators are.
 The fact that he doesn't hesitate to send in spies suggests that he's good at information warfare and can handle rough stuff. Taking on all of them at once would be more than just a pain in the ass.

You're in trouble, aren't you?
"What? Murasaki-dono! Have you returned yet?

 I'm sure you've heard the story, but a very confident looking Murasaki came into the hospital room. Next to her is Duvraeoli. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best in the world.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one. This is a souvenir of an interestingly shaped stone.
"Oh, yeah. Thanks.

 That's a very Washekt-like choice, man. Oh, but it's definitely an interesting shape. I'll add it to my collection.

"So, you want to uncover the dark side of this country's princes, right? That's where I come in, right? Use my power of cajoling.
I'm afraid that's not going to happen.
"...... Why?
"There's nothing wrong with flaunting the threat of the Demon Lord. But we don't want to be enemies of humans. Using the Demon Lord's power against the princes is the same as attacking them. You can't beat them without question and then expect them to get along with each other, can you?

 The image of the Demon Lord in this world is quite bad. The image of demon lords in this world is quite bad, although the earthlings who admire them are out of their minds. Aside from that, the act of moving Murasaki and the others as the Demon Lord must be judged very carefully.
 Since his name is not a pseudonym, it would be possible for him to entrap all the princes with his power. However, this power is reserved only for the Demon King, and is unknown to humans. Even if you are told that it can be lifted, you have to ask yourself if you can get people to believe it.
 If they are made to believe that they have been convinced rather than convinced, they will be unnecessarily cautious in their subsequent interactions. As long as there is an image of the Demon Lord, it is more natural for people not to have a bad impression of him.

"You don't treat me as a harmless demon lord, do you?
"Well, yeah. But I'm not going to let you treat me as a demon lord who should be eliminated. I appreciate the sentiment, but for now, save your savings.
...... Okay, okay? I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.
If you can, you can help Nora with her research. ......
Is that okay?
......
Is that okay?
Yeah.

 You can't just let her stay where she is and work away from home. I'd rather have Harkdock or someone else take care of me, to be honest.

I'm sure you're not the only one. The direction has changed, though.
I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. If he doesn't want to, I'll have to try, won't I?
"I try sometimes.

 Now, what should we do? It is better to search the princes one by one, and bring in the prince who is judged to be white to our side and move on to the next. However, even at this stage, there is a great possibility that the princes will be judged as needing to be eliminated and some kind of interference will be made. If you take too much time, the interference will become so severe that you will not be able to look for collaborators.


 You're dealing with a prince of the great nation of Selende. We can't treat him as an enemy just because he interfered. But that doesn't mean we can let someone like him go free to join forces with Raheit.

You seem to be in a bad mood.
I don't mean to be. ......
...... Oh, so that's what this is about.

 You seem to be convinced of something. What the ...... hell are you doing? I'm sure Wolfe was worried, but I think he saw me differently than usual. The current me was close to the state I was in before I came to this world, before I wanted to live a safe life. The purple one must have seen this and understood what the new enemy was like.
 It is not because the world is different that there is a difference in thinking. Many people in this world have a simple way of life because they can live straightforwardly. That's why it's easy to read, and that's why the survival skills I learned on Earth were useful.
 However, in this world, just like on Earth, there are still some murky human relationships. It was the same on Earth. As ordinary people have become more comfortable in their lives, they have acquired wisdom and have begun to come up with ways to entrap others. In this world, we are only at the stage of conflict between the royal families.
 When there is no need to fear the threat of demons and when there is no need for food, people's lives will be richer. When that happens, people who can only live in a straight line will have room to bend. If that happens, this world will eventually be .......

What?

 I was so focused on my thoughts that I didn't react. I was too focused on my thoughts to react.

I'm not going to let you get away with wrinkling your brow.
...... Didn't you say you wanted me to look a little older?
Didn't I say that, too?

 Now he's using both hands to make a crease between our eyebrows. I think he's trying to appease me rather than joking around. That's how much it showed on his face. .......

"You don't have to make them.
It's the same for you. You still have room for more. It's not that you can't use me, you just won't. If it comes down to it, you don't have to do anything.
"......
I'm not saying you can't use me, just that you won't. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea. If we're going to fall, let's fall together, and let's fall joyfully.

 You must avoid the irreversible ...... consequences of the Scarlet Witch King at all costs. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

If I can get the Demon Lord to take my hand, there's nothing more reassuring than that.
And why don't you become a Demon Lord too? Then you can hold his hand for the rest of your life.
I'll think about it when I'm afraid of my life expectancy.
I'll try to make that happen, won't I?

 I've learned to be comfortable with the straightforward feelings I've encountered in this world. I was ready to respect it, to protect it, not to distort it. But what about me? I understand that their way of life is wonderful, but I don't try to live it.
 I'm aware of that. I know there's nothing I can do to change this way of life. I want to be there for her, but I feel guilty for standing in the same place. I don't want to understand how much guilt I would feel if I caused things to become distorted or cloudy. This is what I don't want to understand.

"Okay, I've got a plan. We'll start with the prince who seems relatively different and easier to get to.
"Hmm ......, you mean Prince Chisanthe?
Sir Ratzel, you're reading too much into this. If it's a friend of yours, I'd prefer the opposite s*x, Princess Umies.
Prince Nufusa. He's the most country-minded of them all.

 The fact that their outward personalities are completely different suggests that their true hearts are farther apart.
 It is noteworthy that Prince Nuhussa is the only one who does not try to keep up appearances even in his masked persona. Prince Noufsa's mask is that of an introverted prince who is only concerned with the internal affairs of the country.
 Prince Nuhusa is simply serving his country. But his behavior towards the king and the people is not good. If he can pretend to be something he's not, he should be able to act like a social prince. It is inconceivable that he would disregard this just because he likes it. What is it that you want to protect even at the cost of losing the trust of the people around you? I still need more pieces to be sure of that.

I'm not sure I'll be able to take any serious action until after Marya and Masetta return. If we move too soon, Yokus will have to use his wand while he recovers.
"That would be very helpful. If it's just a dinner party, I won't interfere too much, but if we're going to investigate the princes in earnest, we'll need to keep an eye on your activities.

 The voice of Yokus, who was sleeping behind the partition, was filled with sighs. I told Yox before going to the dinner party. I should have refrained from visiting the ruins and going to the dinner party when Marya and the others were not around. For Yox, it was a matter of 'that much', but the powers that be in Mejis did not think so.

I wonder if she's in love with him, if she can't take her eyes off him.
"Nonsense. But I'm pretty sure he's obsessed with ....... It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

 I've already reported to Mejis about the incident with Rahite, and how he lifted the demon king by calling out the lost name as compensation. He also has a book with Ao's name written in Japanese in his possession.
 In other words, he thinks that he can get rid of Ao, the creator of the Quama demon world, as soon as he gets my help.


 By the way, some influential people have advised Pope Eupharo that they would like to treat me to a medis as a reward for defeating Rahite. There are other books left behind by Seiya Yukura, and if there are any books about other demon kings in them, I'm not going to go to ...... because it's obvious that they have an agenda. If you are going to go there, it's only to visit Lakra's parents' house. ...... There is no deeper meaning, you know?
 It's human nature to want to take advantage of things once you know they exist. If you want to take advantage of it, you will throw away your will to be at peace like a piece of trash.

"How dare you say that so unabashedly? But it's easier for me to do that, isn't it? I can be the Demon Lord without hesitation if I'm dealing with people who use him as material.
"Personally speaking, I disagree.
"Oh? You think the head of the Holy Knights will let the Purple Demon King go?
Don't get me wrong. Don't get me wrong. I believe that if you're an enemy of humans, you should be destroyed. But it should not be done by using him, but only by the power of this world, and by extension, the people of Medis who hold a grudge against you.
"...... Yes. I'll make you my preferred opponent then, won't I?

 Yox has a lot of experience in refining himself. That is why he knows the value of accumulation. The raison d'etre of a holy knight is to protect the land and people of Mejis. This may include retaliation against the Purple that left a deep mark. It is true that if they can find the book that bears the name of the Purple, they may be able to put an end to their longstanding grudge. However, if that were to happen, the value of the study they have been honing would be diminished.

You're free to make promises, but how about talking about them in front of me, who's working hard to prevent that from happening?
"Oh? You could accomplish this by simply quitting your job and living with me in a remote area for the rest of your life, right? You're adding a lot of work to a story that could have been accomplished by simply accepting everything I have to offer, aren't you? And I'm not even allowed to bark at you?
"Okay, let's argue some more. Let's vent our frustrations on each other. But only with your mouth!
Your friend ...... is weak.

 Of course you are weak, since you are running away. I will do my best to compromise where I can.

It's a bit of a turn-off when you tell me to do it.
Well, I guess we'll just have to find another way to work out the kinks, huh?

 If it's possible, I'd like Duvraeus to take care of me from now on, but that's impossible, isn't it? He doesn't have much of a say, does he? Ecdysium, Harkdock, please come home soon.