Me, the Weakest Member of the Hero’s Party? I’m the Villain Though? - Chapter 16
As soon as we emerged from the forest that had felt endless and suffocating, a vast, open field spread out before us. Dozens of tents were lined up in rows, and massive flags fluttered in the wind.
I could guess what it was right away. It was most likely the camp of Crown Prince Reynold’s subjugation force.
“They’ve already caught up right behind us. They’re moving faster than I expected.”
“Where did the Crown Prince even gather this many elite troops from? This is an enormous force.”
Elonen’s admiration and Gerard’s muttered surprise reached my ears.
Well, the hero’s party had planned to meet them anyway, so this just saved them the trouble of going to look.
And for me, it was finally time to part ways. I could now shake off the hero party’s suspicions for good and go my own way freely.
“Then, I’ll be on my—”
“Your Highness the Seventh Prince!”
Just as I was about to say goodbye, a loud voice rang out from inside the camp, and a group of soldiers came rushing toward us in a loud commotion. Their thunderous voices quickly stole everyone’s attention, including that of the party.
“What’s going on?”
“By order of His Highness the Crown Prince, we’ve come to escort you!”
One of the soldiers dropped to his knees before Kyle and spoke. His voice was so loud that people nearby all turned to look.
“Hey, they said it’s Prince Kyle!”
“Is that the hero’s party that left before us?”
“Looks like they’re just coming out of the forest! Did they defeat the Black Flame Dragon? Then why are they empty-handed?”
I could hear the murmurs of the soldiers nearby. The hero’s party seemed used to this kind of attention and didn’t react much.
“I see. Where is he? Lead the way.”
Kyle responded calmly, as if he’d expected this all along.
I wanted to slip away before I got tangled up any further with these people. I was even tempted to just leave without saying a word, but I reconsidered.
We’d spent two nights together, after all. A proper goodbye wasn’t too much to ask.
“I’ll be heading off now—”
But before Kyle or anyone else in the party could answer, a soldier who had been sitting nearby spoke up instead.
“I’m sorry, but the order was to bring the entire party without leaving anyone behind!”
Apparently, I had been mistaken for a member of the hero’s party.
Yes, they’d invited me, but I never accepted. I wasn’t part of them—now or ever.
“There must be a misunderstanding. I’m not—”
“His Highness the Crown Prince’s command was to bring every member of the party without exception!”
Before I could even finish speaking, the soldier shot to his feet and cut me off.
At the same time, I noticed the soldiers’ hands moving toward their swords. I frowned.
They had no intention of bringing us peacefully. It was clear they were willing to use force if necessary.
“Lysian, sorry about this. My brother’s not exactly the most reasonable guy. If we make a scene, things’ll only get worse. Just come along for now, alright?”
Kyle whispered to me as he placed a hand on my shoulder.
“I’ll ask him to let you go as soon as we’ve had a quick talk.”
It didn’t seem like the conversation would take long. After coming all this way just to avoid the party’s suspicions, I couldn’t ruin things now.
“…I understand.”
“Then please follow me.”
Under the soldier’s lead, the party was escorted to the innermost area of the camp.
There stood a ridiculously lavish tent adorned with what I assumed to be the royal family’s crest—clearly, someone important resided inside.
“Before meeting His Highness the Crown Prince, please surrender all weapons.”
A knight standing guard in front of the tent blocked our path and spoke.
The party members all looked reluctant but had no choice. They handed over their swords, staves, and other weapons to the soldiers.
“There will now be a brief body search.”
Apparently, that still wasn’t enough. A knight began patting each of us down thoroughly, one by one. After finishing the search, the knight looked toward the tent and called out.
“Your Highness, the Seventh Prince has been brought.”
“Let them in.”
A voice responded from inside, and the flap of the tent quietly drew open. As the last in line, I followed the others into the tent.
The interior was surprisingly spacious. A large brazier burned in the center, and there was a huge bed—its presence in such a place baffling me. The bedding looked so soft and inviting that I felt I’d sell my soul just to lie on it once.
“We only just parted, and here we are meeting again so soon, Kyle.”
A man seated at a desk spoke warmly as he slowly rose from his chair.
