Chapter 2: First Look, First Kill

"Ka-Kamina… Wh-what’s on the schedule for today—no, I mean, what was it again?"

Whenever I speak normally, my male speech habits keep slipping out… I really have to stay conscious of it.

"…Yes, Lady Sonia. This morning, you are to attend the opening ceremony of the new branch of the local Townspeople’s Trade Guild. In the afternoon, you’re scheduled to join the standing buffet hosted by the visiting Marquis. And also…"

Two days have passed since I woke up in this world.

I had hoped that if I just went back to sleep, I’d wake up in my old world again—but, of course, no such luck. I’m still stuck pretending to be Princess Sonia.

The lady’s maid I’m speaking to now—Kamina—is of average build, with straight black hair and striking beauty. She’s the personal maid assigned to the princess, the one who immediately rushed to my side when I first bolted awake.

She seems to be my exclusive attendant, never leaving my side for a moment.

She’s wearing a frilly maid outfit that suits her surprisingly well. Maybe it’s an official uniform for her post?

…And, personally, what also catches my attention is her board-flat chest. Her bust isn’t very large.

"…Lady Sonia. You’ve been staring at me for some time now. Is something the matter?"

"N-no, nothing at all…"

I force an "Ohohoho…" laugh to cover it up.

There’s no way anyone would believe me if I suddenly said, "Actually, I’m a man from another world."

If I did, they’d probably treat me as some deranged woman with a few screws loose. Best case scenario: they’d lock me in a tower dungeon for life. Worst case: they’d declare me possessed by a demon and execute me on the spot.

Considering the risks, it’s safest to assume this world is roughly at a medieval European cultural level.

…This secret still isn’t ready to come out. My cool, rational inner self whispers that to me.

"Um, by the way, where’s Father?"

"!? …Y-Your Majesty is currently at the border on an inspection with the Knights! Lady Sonia, you were just in tears last week when you bid him farewell!"

Kamina glares at me in shock, as if she can’t believe what she’s hearing.

"A-ah… was that the case?"

I do my best to imitate Princess Sonia’s in-game speech patterns. As for skillfully drawing information from others… I’ve already given up on that for now.

…Now that I think about it, when the Demon Lord—the game’s protagonist—attacked the princess, the game lightly explained this backstory.

With the Knights absent, the fortress’s defenses weakened, and it fell easily. Then Princess Sonia was captured, poor thing.

…Wait a second. Doesn’t that mean the Demon Lord’s attack could happen any moment now?

I’m sure there was one more event before the attack, though…

That uneasy feeling, like a fishbone stuck in my throat, lingers as a slightly overweight, balding, middle-aged man comes trotting toward me down the corridor.

"…Ah."

I recognize that face.

…That’s this kingdom’s Chancellor.

If I remember correctly, in the main game, he’s the very man who guided the Demon Lord (me, as the player) into this kingdom. For Princess Sonia, he’s the villain who ushered in her nightmare.

Incidentally, in the game, he even had his own adult-event scene. When the Demon Lord was away, he’d make a move on the princess, treating players to a disgustingly detailed assault CG.

The instant I see his face, a shiver like bugs crawling up my back runs through me instinctively.

Heh. But this time, I already know how dangerous it is to let him move about freely.

Tough luck, Chancellor!

"…Guards! Arrest the Chancellor! Yesterday he pushed me down in the hallway!"

Nearby guards all turn wide-eyed toward me. Well, of course they do.

"Y-Your Highness! W-what are you saying?!"

The Chancellor’s face goes beet red as he sputters.

I deliver my verdict in as low and cold a voice as I can muster.

"Your defense can wait for the courtroom after Father returns. Guards, take this man away!"

"…Yes, ma’am!"

The guards pin the Chancellor down as he protests his innocence and drag him off somewhere. Even the Chancellor can’t stand up to the royal family’s authority. Whew. That’s one problem off my list.

…Well, if this world really is some completely different parallel universe and the minister truly is innocent, I can always apologize later. Maybe I’ll even let him grope my (Sonia’s) chest as compensation. And he’ll have to be satisfied with just that. Yeah.

For now, at least, I’ve neutralized a dangerous man ahead of time (even if there’s a chance it’s a false charge), and I breathe a sigh of relief.

In battle, the first strike wins. First look, first kill—that’s the way to go.

…Now, the next thing I have to think about is the timing of the Demon Lord Army’s attack. In the game, their forces poured into the castle after midnight through an underground passage.

With the inside traitors coordinating with the outside army, the fortress fell instantly before the Knights could even resist.

Well, it’s an eroge. The designers sure weren’t interested in coding a resistance phase into the first event battle!

But still, from the perspective of the one about to be attacked, I have to carefully plan my escape. Even a small mistake could lead straight to my bad ending—a life of humiliation.

I kept thinking.

…Should I secretly slip away by myself now, while it’s still safe before the Demon Lord attacks?

But as a princess, vanishing from the fortress without warning would be far too suspicious. And there’s a real possibility that the Chancellor isn’t the only traitor. Assuming there’s just one would be more dangerous than expecting several.

And if I tried to flee with only a small escort, only to be attacked by the raiders along the way, I wouldn’t even be able to resist. I’d be finished.

Then—poor me, Princess Sonia—would become a plaything for the Demon Lord’s army.

…N-no way.

I clenched my palm into a tight fist.

Should I ask someone for help? Tell them, “The Demon Lord’s army is coming soon—please protect me”?

…No. Impossible. If I suddenly announced that the Demon Lord’s army was about to attack with no proof, no one would believe me.

Worse, the information might leak to the traitors, putting the enemy on alert instead of catching them off guard.

Thinking about it that way, I’ll have to keep my escape plan secret from both allies and enemies until the very last moment. My only chance at survival will be in the chaos of battle itself, when friend and foe alike are thrown into confusion.

"!!"

…Ah, I remember now.

During the attack, Princess Sonia and the others were all drunk after the engagement-celebration dance party with the neighboring prince.

Such a perfectly timed ambush could only have been the Demon Lord’s army acting on information from the Chancellor.

"Kamina? By the way, when exactly is the dance party celebrating my engagement?"

"…What?"

Kamina freezes in bewilderment, glancing at me.

Hey. Stop looking at me like I’m trash.

"Lady Sonia, are you all right?"

Kamina almost added “in the head” to that, but I shot her a sharp glare.

"Good grief… Lady Sonia, it’s the night after tomorrow. You’re the guest of honor, so please do try to get it together!"

Kamina pressed her hand to her forehead and sighed, exasperated. I could read her disappointment as clearly as if she’d said it aloud.

Heh. But even that look of disappointment felt like divine grace—because it brought me precious information.

…So. The day after tomorrow is X-Day.

"Kamina. I’m sorry, but could you call the captain of the guards for me? I’d like to ask about the fortress’s security arrangements."

"? Yes, certainly."

Kamina looked momentarily puzzled but agreed without question.

"Good. Thank you."

I gave a single nod and, with my decision made, tightened my clenched fist once more.

"That brat… Could it be… she’s noticed our plan?"

Thrown into the dark, damp dungeon beneath the fortress, the Chancellor was gripped by unease.

"But… that brat claimed I pushed her down or something. Hmph. Probably just a moment of confusion… Yet… mark my words. When that person comes, I’ll make you regret being born a woman to the very core of your being… Guh… guhahaha…"

The Chancellor pictured the scene vividly in his mind, savoring the twisted satisfaction of that moment yet to come.

"Ah! I can’t wait for the day after tomorrow!"

From his solitary cell, the Chancellor’s muttering drifted to the guards outside. They listened with a mix of unease, unsure if the man had truly lost his mind.