"In recent years, Lord Dustiness has achieved many remarkable feats. Not long ago, she even joined forces with Lady Nero to defeat a high-ranking officer of the Demon King's army. Surely, she deserves a partner worthy of her accomplishments… At the very least, none of the people here qualify."
The speaker was a tall, obese middle-aged man with a bald head and a rather hairy body. His single comment managed to offend all of Darkness's suitors present, earning their collective glares.
For reasons she couldn't quite explain, Nero found herself instinctively disliking the man, who reminded her of a bloated pig.
Could it be because she's superficial and cares about appearances?
"Hey, Kazuma, that… uh… corpulent man over there, who is he? He seems to know Darkness quite well," Nero asked curiously.
"Corpulent? Nero, just call him a pig already," Kazuma scoffed, clicking his tongue. "That guy's name is Aldarp. He's the lord of the Axel region… He's one of the reasons I've lost any faith in this world's nobility."
In other words, the guy must have a terrible personality.
"Also… that pig seems to have a thing for Darkness. Though for the life of me, I can't figure out what he sees in her. Maybe it's her sultry physique or something," Kazuma muttered while explaining to Nero.
Meanwhile, over in Aldarp's corner, someone had finally lost their patience and approached him.
"Aldarp, you said there's someone more suitable for Lady Dustiness. So, who exactly are you referring to? Surely, you're not talking about yourself, are you?"
It was a fair assumption, given what Kazuma had told Nero—that Aldarp was quite obsessed with Darkness.
To everyone's surprise, Aldarp responded with an ambiguous smile.
"Of course not. I'm no longer young, and even if I were shameless enough, I wouldn't dare pursue Lady Dustiness. I'm well aware that I lack the qualifications to be her partner. Nor am I referring to my son. Considering Lady Dustiness's current status and accomplishments, the only man who could match her, apart from her noble standing, would be… someone like the First Prince, His Highness Jedis, who is currently leading the royal army against the Demon King's forces."
Aldarp's words stunned Kazuma and Nero, while Darkness's other suitors looked on in curiosity.
"Has that pig completely lost it?" Kazuma muttered, thoroughly unimpressed by the nobility. After all, he was a staunch believer in equality and had no qualms about decking anyone in the face, noble or commoner.
"A man with accomplishments comparable to Darkness's, huh…" Kazuma frowned, adjusting his collar as though deep in thought. Then, with a smirk, he declared, "That can only mean me."
"How deluded must thou be to say such things?" Nero retorted with a raised eyebrow.
Kazuma's overconfidence aside, Aldarp seemed disinclined to keep his audience guessing.
"It's His Highness Jedis, the First Prince, who leads the royal army alongside the king. Logically speaking, Lady Dustiness should consider marrying into his household. As for the Dustiness family's succession, they could simply ensure they have enough children and let the youngest inherit the Dustiness name."
The mention of the First Prince—a figure of unparalleled power and status in the kingdom—silenced the room. None of Darkness's suitors dared to challenge such an idea.
"This feels off… really off," Kazuma muttered, rubbing his chin as his eyes locked on Aldarp, whose smug expression was practically dripping with malice. "From what I know, that old man is supposed to be insanely fixated on Darkness—like a mouse obsessed with cheese."
"Indeed," Nero agreed, her sharp, sword-like gaze fixed on Aldarp. Her eyes gleamed with the light of investigation. "That man… the way he looked at Darkness earlier was brimming with vile desire. Such eyes are not those of someone who has given up."
Although she lacked a skill like [Instinct], Nero couldn't shake the feeling that Aldarp was plotting something. Something bad.
And it wouldn't be long before he made his move.
After all, Aldarp was hardly a master of subtlety. Lacking patience, ability, or any real cunning, the man's thoughts were practically written on his face. If he truly was a villain, he was leagues beneath the likes of Amakusa Shirou Tokisada, who had once outwitted Nero despite her knowledge of the plot. If not for her strength, she might have fallen victim to his schemes.
"Lady Nero, Lord Kazuma."
The soft, delicate voice floated toward them like a feather falling from the sky. It belonged to Alice, a petite figure clad in a pristine white dress. With her radiant smile and fairy-tale charm, she resembled a princess straight out of a storybook.
Come to think of it, the name Alice certainly suits a fairy-tale princess.
"Ah, Alice. You've come… Rather than mingling with those nobles, you chose to visit us instead? Even Claire isn't by your side," Nero observed.
"It's fine. If it's only for a short while, Claire won't mind," Alice replied cheerfully, mimicking Nero's relaxed pose as she leaned against the wall.
Glancing toward Claire, who stood not far away, Nero noted that the woman was glaring daggers in their direction, looking like she was moments away from biting a handkerchief in frustration. Nero couldn't help but wave at her, causing Claire's eyes to redden further.
"Tch. That Darkness, getting all the attention to herself over there. It's unbearable," Kazuma grumbled, rising to his feet. "Guess I'll head over and ruin her little scene, show those people her true colors, and make them give up on her. Honestly, if she doesn't like being surrounded by admirers, why doesn't she just tell them to back off?"
Muttering complaints, Kazuma waved a hand dismissively and strolled toward Darkness, leaving Nero and Alice alone.
Watching his retreating figure, Nero eventually turned to Alice and said something that nearly made Kazuma trip over his own feet.
"Remember this, Alice: what you just witnessed is what we call tsundere."
"Oh, I see… Lord Kazuma was being tsundere just now," Alice replied with an innocent nod.
"I—I'm not tsundere! Nero, what kind of nonsense are you teaching the princess?!" Kazuma shouted, his voice laced with panic.