The Strongest Dull Prince’s Secret Battle for the Throne

Although I and Leo were given tasks to do, we didn’t leave the capital immediately.

of course, there are preparations to do but in my case, it’s up to my sister’s decision.

So right now, we are doing everything we could during the time we have.

Leo is out negotiating with the influential peoples and invites them in as our supporters.

Meanwhile, I head out to deal with the representative of the Ajin company.

“What kind of person is she?”

“She’s a good person.”

“I can’t count on Finne’s definition of good people though.”

“No way!?”

As if she was shocked by what I said, Finne shouted.

But that’s the truth. To Finne and Leo, most of the people in this world would be good a good person.

They see the good in people rather than the bad.

They are the opposite of me. Looking at Trau-niisan, those two would look for his good parts first while the first thing I notice is how much of a fatty he is. This is probably the difference in humans.

But sadly, it is easier to live with my point of view in this world.

That’s why I am worried about who they take into our camp.

“Welcome. Your Highness, Finne-sama. Our representative is waiting inside.”

“I heard it beforehand but an elf secretary huh. How did you come to work for the Ajin company?”

It was the elf secretary who greeted us in front of the room.

I heard it from Finne but this is still unusual.

Normally, Elves live in hidden villages located all over the country.

Their villages are sealed off with barriers surrounding its entirety so Elves usually don’t leave their village. Many people may have heard of them but there are only a few people who have seen an elf.

Longevity and good looks, I heard that some of their elders lived for over a thousand years.

It’s surprising enough that an elf is getting involved with so many people outside of their village. Still, it is hard to believe that an elf like her is working as a secretary at a vampire’s company.

“We elves really are an isolated race. It is our racial trait. However, I wanted to see people from the outside. I am an irregular among the elves. That is why I left my village and came to the outside world. But the world outside is much harsher than I thought. At that time, our representative recruited me into this company. This company is the kind that gathers such demihumans such as myself.”

“That’s a good story, isn’t it. Al-sama.”

“If it’s not a made-up one that is.”

Finne is looking at me with the eyes of, how could you say such a thing, but I don’t mind.

After hearing my words, the elven secretary squinted her eyes a little. With a somewhat dissatisfied attitude, the elf said, I will leave it to your discretion whether Your Highness believe it or not, and took a step back.

It seems like she was telling the truth huh.

“My apology.”

Saying so, I head inside the representative’s room.

That’s when something different from what I heard happened.

“It’s my honor to meet you, Your Highness Arnold. I am called Yuriya, the representative of the Ajin company.”

Loose and wavy silver hair trimmed at the shoulder.

Her jewel-like red eyes are looking at me with interest.

Her beauty is vampire-like. Her white skin reminds me of those vampires that I met in the east. When I remember them, I also remember the figure of Finne falling from that clock tower.

My expression probably looked quite unpleasant right now so Yuriya bitterly smiled and bowed her head.

“I have absolutely no connection with them but please allow me to offer a sincere apology for what my brethren have done. I am sorry.”

“…….My bad. I’m the Seventh Prince, Arnold Lakes Adler.”

I can’t break off the connection that Finne gone out of her way to make for me.

I immediately apologized and sat down with Finne.

“Your Highness. What kind of business do you have with us this time?”

“I’m going to be straight. How do you plan to use Finne?”

‘I want to borrow the name of Finne-sama.’

That was her condition for cooperating with us.

If my thoughts are correct then she will start selling her first product inside the imperial capital soon.

“Putting it as how do we plan to use her is a little rude isn’t it, Your Highness.”

“Leave the formality. Just talk naturally. Hearing you talk like that made me uncomfortable.”

“Ara, really? I even put on my [Dealing with a Prince] mode too.”

“I am not your customer. I am your business partner so stop using that probing tone of yours already.”

“Well, if that’s the case then I will stop. It’s easier for me this way too.”

Saying so, Yuriya showed a charming smile.

That’s the case for most merchants but their smiles are not sincere.

Gradually reeling in their opponents and before they know it, they will already be in their pocket.

Yuriya is no exception.

“We are talking about how to use Finne here but………..what do you have in mind?”

“Don’t return a question with another question.”

“It’s fine, isn’t it. I’m curious just how far the dull prince can go.”

“If you know the nickname then that should be enough. It’s exactly because I am incompetent that they are calling me the dull prince isn’t it.”

After a series of exchanges, Yuriya glanced at Finne.

Shit.

When I thought so, it was already too late.

Yuriya grins.

“Even though you are saying that you are incompetent, Finne doesn’t look at all panicked you know. Rather, I feel that she completely trusts you right now though?”

“Eh? Ah, Umm……”

“You are probably planning to advertise the products that Finne used and if possible put a picture of her at your stores as well right.”

Since she noticed Finne’s reaction, it’s no longer viable to deceive her.

To move the talk along, I told her the business plan I had come up with.

Hearing that plan, Yuriya looked a little surprised.

“That was surprising……I thought that you were pretending to be incompetent but you are much smarter than I thought. They said that a skilled hawk hides its talons but it seems that is really the case here huh.”

“It’s not like I was pretending or hiding it. Since I just showed people that I don’t have motivation for anything, people just started calling me that way.”

“Is it different now?”

“I decided to make my brother the emperor. My brother is like Finne, they are too honest to live in a world like this. That’s why I have to protect them. I am in charge of their strategy and negotiating. Anyone who deceives Leo or Finne, I will crush them.”

“……I will keep that in mind.”

I glared at Yuriya with the intention to put her in check.

She must have been quite shaken by the unknown variable since her attitude has grown a little nervous.

Seeing that, I released the tension and asked her with a casual tone.

“So? How do you plan to use Finne?”

“…..Most of it is exactly like you said. We plan to use her to sell our cosmetics first. The cosmetics used by the Blau Mowe herself will definitely fly off the shelves.”

“I guess. The negative image of the Ajin Company will be wiped clean with that too. Is it possible for you to set up inside the imperial capital formally with that?”

“Can you stop putting it like we are the only one who benefits out of this deal. We will properly meet our end of the bargain alright.”

“Well, let’s talk about the future. First, destroy the firms that are working with our enemies. If we can cut their funding then their movement will be limited.”

Hearing I said it like those were easy tasks, Yuriya lets out a small sigh.

Well, that’s the correct reaction.

Any firms that cooperate with the other factions are large firms that have deep roots inside the imperial capital. Crushing them is almost impossible.

“How about hitting them so hard that they can no longer cooperate with the enemy’s factions…..can we leave them half-dead?”

“No, you need to go a little further. At least make them 3/4 dead.”

“That’s practically dead, isn’t it…..Well, we will do what we can. And about the funding, how much do you need?”

“We don’t need anything right now. When the time comes, just prepare only the necessary amount for us.”

“Do you think money can conveniently sprout out of the floor? If you need a large amount of money, it doesn’t like we can just summon it up for you immediately you know.”

“I know. But I am still telling you to do it.”

Yuriya shook her head at my terribly harsh request.

But in the end, she nodded.

If she can’t meet such a demanding request, she won’t be able to borrow Finne after all.

“Seriously…..it seems like I have lent a hand to a ridiculous faction.”

“If you have a grudge then you can direct it toward Finne.”

“No way. I can’t bring myself to hate such a cute girl. If I am going to hold a grudge then it will be against you.”

“Do whatever you want. Alright, let’s go, Finne.”

“Ah, Y, Yes!”

Finne who had been enjoying the tea and confectionery ate them in a hurry and started preparing to leave.

Looking at that, Yuriya’s lips turned sour.

“You don’t have to be in such a hurry aren’t you.”

“Unfortunately, there are a lot of things we have to do. Just get your products ready. We will contact you again at a suitable time.”

“Hmm. Hey, Arnold. If you say that you really want my help then I can give it my all you know? If I say it, almost all the demihumans will be on your side you know.”

“I might ask you to do that when the time comes. This is not that time and since I don’t know what the price will be I will have to decline for now.”

While being stared at with Yuriya’s bewitching look, I turned down her invitation.

For some reason, I can feel devilishness from this woman.

She doesn’t leave any bad impression but there’s no good one either.

Somehow, she felt like a curious cat.

It felt like she is going to take me to places I don’t want to go to.

There’s no problem if I have got nothing to hide but unfortunately, I have a whole lot of them.

There’s no doubt that she is an excellent merchant but I have to stay as far away as possible from her for the time being.

With that determination, I leave Yuriya behind.