I reincarnated as the hated villainous prince, and thought to live as I pleased in this life, but it turns out I've been unconsciously making saintly moves. I'm trying to create an evil kingdom, but for some reason, everyone respects me! - Chapter 13

“Charge! Execute Strategy Pattern D!”

Upon the soldier’s command, others who had been hiding suddenly appeared.

There were five of them. While it was surprising that so many were lurking, it was even more surprising they chose to reveal themselves instead of fleeing.

I wondered what they were planning, but then I understood – their focus was on Queen Crofe and Lofemia. They probably thought that capturing them, even at the cost of some casualties, would be more advantageous.

I had an idea about their motive, but now was not the time to delve into it.

“Mirua! Can you handle those soldiers?”

“Of course!”

Responding to my command, Mirua charged into the enemy ranks with lightning speed.

“Whoa!”
“Could she be Sword Emperor Mirua Lainis?!”

“Fools. Showing weakness in front of an enemy is utterly laughable!”

Boom!
With a single swing of her sword, Mirua sent a powerful shockwave that even knocked back soldiers standing at a distance.

Impressive. She truly lives up to being called the strongest swordswoman of our time.

I need not worry about her side of the fight.

Lofemia was tasked with supporting Mirua’s stats, so I focused on the enemies in front of me.

“Alright.”
I locked eyes with the soldier who had dodged my Fireball and said, “Your opponent is me. Third Reconnaissance Unit Captain, Gruboar Valrio.”

“What…?!”

Gruboar’s eyes widened in shock upon hearing his name called out.

It was surprising, indeed. While I’m in a position to know the soldiers’ names, remembering one among many, especially someone not very high-ranking like Gruboar, is unlikely.

The reason I knew his name was simple.

“I remember well. You were a mid-boss in the game, set with unreasonable strength.”

“Ha…?”

Yes.

In my previous life, I played many games, some of which had enemies seemingly misbalanced with unreasonable strength. Enemies who were almost unbeatable with regular player skills or items available at that point in the game…

Losing to such an event, thinking it was scripted, only to be returned to the start screen in despair.

This time, Gruboar was just that. Originally an enemy the protagonist would face in the mid-game, he had unreasonably high stats and a wide range of skills. I struggled greatly against him in my first playthrough, so I remembered his name well.

“Heh, Prince Esmeralda. You may think you can gain some glory here in front of the queen, but don’t underestimate me just because you think I’m a small fry.”

“I don’t think you’re a small fry. I just have my reasons not to lose, that’s all.”

“What nonsense!”

With that, Gruboar charged at me.

His speed was, as expected, incredibly fast. He was also an enemy in the elf-related events in the game. Maybe his abnormal strength wasn’t a balancing mistake but a hidden setting…

Nevertheless, I’m a man who mastered the game through hundreds of playthroughs.

No matter how fast Gruboar’s movements, they were etched in my memory.

Clang!

“Wha…?!”
His sword easily blocked, Gruboar’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Don’t get cocky just because you blocked one strike!”

His relentless sword attacks continued, but of course, they didn’t land.

Even though Esmeralda’s initial stats are strong, he shouldn’t be able to touch Gruboar normally.

But this is a fight I cannot afford to lose, a pride of a hardcore gamer.

But Gruboar is indeed strong.

As I continued to dodge his sword, I could feel fatigue accumulating in my body.

Considering there might be even stronger enemies ahead, I probably need more special training. Otherwise, my subordinates won’t be able to keep up.

“Incredible! Why are all my attacks being anticipated?”

“Well, it’s because this body is a genius. That’s all there is to it.”

“What do you mean…?!”

“Don’t you get it? This body, which you’ve mocked as incompetent, is far stronger than you.”

Clang!
I pushed back his sword with force, causing Gruboar to stumble backward.

Seizing the opportunity, I unleashed Zelneus-style’s grand technique – the “Brilliant Cherry Blossom Strike.”

“Impossible…!”

Directly hit by the technique, Gruboar spat blood and fell to his knees.

“Princess, this man is not the incompetent prince you think he is… Please, please…”

With those last words, the troublesome mid-boss lost consciousness.