Herscherik

A small square surrounded by buildings. Usually used as a hoarding ground for children and housewives, it's just a place with big trees in the center and several benches on its side.

Usually it is a relaxing place for the people of Castle Town, but in this time of evening, there was no one there.

"Aren't you tired?

Hershelik works and brightens up a line that has become darker than when he entered Castle Town. But the effort ends in vain.

"I'm sorry, Hershelik..."

Violetta spins her words as she leans down. Hershelik answered her with a sober voice.

"Yeah, never mind. As they say, we royals are burdened with them.

"But!"

Violetta was ashamed of her childishness. I knew if I roughed up my voice over there, it would make a scene. Still, I couldn't bear to make the royalty look good, making fun of Hershelik.

But as a result, Hershelik was forced to lower his head.

"I know Violetta was angry for us. Thank you."

Hershelik smiles, but it completely rejects Violetta's words.

The responsibility of the country rests with the king, and with the royal family. Violetta, who is an outsider, should not enter. Even if the blame is caused by a different person from them, the royal one is not allowed to flee.

Violetta is smart for her age. I was born into an aristocratic maid. I came into contact with that kind of air. And the intelligent personality also perceived Hershelik's mood. So I couldn't overlap words any more.

"The sun has tilted, and if we take a break here, shall we go back to the castle? I'm tired, and I want some sweets.

"Dear Hershelik, I'm going to buy the juice from the store I just had!

Violetta stands up and runs. Hershelik decided to give herself up to her, who was supposed to be a man, but was still going to jump out.

Besides, going to buy juice is cheap if it distracts her.

"Okay. Orange, can you come with me?

"Got it.

Oran nods and goes out with her. Dropped it off. Hershelik sat down on the bench. Shilo also sat down on another bench, and only Gene stood with those present here.

"Why don't you sit down, too, Mr. Gene?

"…… Your Highness is admired by everyone under the castle, isn't he?

Standing still, Gene tells Hershelik. Subtle his words were ignored, but Hershelik received her words with a bitter smile.

"They admire me, or they care, because you're all good people.

And the bitter smile turns into a lonely expression.

"And because you don't know I'm royal.

They don't know who they are. He treats me as a noble young man named Lyoko. What would they think if they found out they were royal? I can't think of anything optimistic or hopeful that you can accept.

"If I find out I'm a prince, I'm sure we'll all leave.

"…… Then why did you come all the way to Castle Town?

Shiro, who was silent, pinches his mouth.

"From what I've seen, he must be coming to Castle Town on a daily basis. This shouldn't be the first time I've encountered an occasion like today.

Shiro is right, Hershelik is not the beginning of this one. I've heard so many stories about earaches that I can't count them, and I've encountered occasions.

dissatisfaction with the country

Contempt for the upper class

Tyranny of knights, soldiers, and policing

In the end, they all led to royal criticism.

"I don't have to go scratching myself.

Shiro told me to throw it away.

"You can meditate your eyes on anything you don't like. If you don't want to hear it, just block your ears.

Humans can choose. Ciro always thinks so. You can just cut off what you don't need.

(That way I don't have to be hurt...... I wish everything had disappeared.

The words sounded Hershelik, as Shilo was telling himself. And it was a sweet word for myself. But Hershelik shook his head sideways.

"Yeah, but. Because I am royal.

That's my existential significance born into this world.

So Hershelik can't take Shilo's sweet words.

Hershelik gets up and walks out.

"Your Highness Hershelik?

Gene calls out to Hershelik, who suddenly moves. But Hershelik never stops walking.

"Everyday meals and clothes I wear are all in my hands because the people work for me every day, and there's nothing I can do for them so far.

The taxes they pay will give them food and clothing. But I don't have the option to return it.

Stop walking and look back. That position is where both Gene and Shilo can see it.

"I don't want to see it, so I shouldn't look away because I don't want to hear it. I have a duty to do so.

Their voice is the voice of the country, their mourning is the mourning of the country, and their joy is the joy of the country.

Don't miss hearing a little whine about any word. I don't think Hershelik should spare that effort, even if everything is impossible.

"... nothing you wouldn't have to do. No one wants it.

Squeezy Siro words. Something seemed to be fighting in him. Hershelik denies his words.

"I want to do it, not because I was asked to.

It's not because someone ordered it. I don't even want to be thanked. I want to do it myself. I want to protect myself. So, Hershek goes on to say.

"So I will not condone anyone who gets in my way, anyone who tries to hurt my family.

He was an unthinkable cold voice for the usual Hershelik. The late prince surrounds the atmosphere so mild and soothing that it can be likened to spring sunshine. But now he was covered in cold air that would sting the skin of a very cold land.

Two people who were looked at by Hershelik can't speak or move. A bright voice sounds like it breaks the air.

"Master Hershelik!

Hershelik turned to Violetta when he misted the atmosphere earlier.

"Mr. Violetta...... Orange!

The look on Hershelik's face with his usual mild smile hardens. And I immediately drew my attention to my knight.

At that point, Oran throws a cup of juice in his hand into the universe and pulls the sword out of his sheath to receive the murder blade that was looming behind him. The sound of metal and metal colliding sounds and Violetta looks back and solidifies. While sheltering Violetta behind her back, Oran glanced at her opponents.

"If it's a broken door, leave. Now I'm gonna miss you...... but I won't forgive you if you attack this guy knowing who he is.

That was Oran's last warning to his opponent. Ignoring Oran's words, the opponent immediately slashes Oran once he draws the crossed sword. Oran takes and plays all the heavy slaughter.

Because there was someone behind it to not turn to counter-attack. Hershelik screams when he senses it.

"Mr. Violetta, come here quickly!

Violetta, who returned to me in Hershelik's voice, also lets go of the glass and tries to get away from the spot. Another assailant appeared when he took ten steps to Hershelik's place. This place has passageways on all sides. I guess he was hiding behind that building.

"Violetta!"

The moment Hershelik spots the raider, he rushes out of the spot. And I gave Violetta my hand. As she grabs her own hand, she draws to the force and hugs her.

"Master Hershelik!

Violetta screamed in the square. Hershelik hugs her to embrace even that scream, and shows her back to the raiders. The raider had a shining knife in his hand.

The Raiders are pressing to stick the knife against the Prince.

When Hershelik was ready for the pain, a little wind blew. The sound of something clashing after it and the voice of a creeping man.

When Hershelik turned to the one he feared, the man who had attacked him had completely let go of consciousness under a cracked wall in a building far away. When I checked Oran, a man with a broken door was also falling at his feet.

"……… a miscellaneous fish.

Hershelik looks in the direction of his voice. His hair, originally pure white, glowed in a light green color.

It was obvious that he had magically helped.

"Thank you, Mr. Shiro.

Hershelik thanked Violetta as she stroked her fearful head.

When the stars began to shine in the sky, Hershelik came to the main gate to send his sisters.

The raiders handed it over to the police because of the thugs, a line that made their return to the castle safely. Already Ciro had gone back to church and dropped off his last guests today.

"I'm sorry I caught your eye today.

Hershelik apologizes to Gene. Violetta falls asleep with tiredness and fear. She is already in the carriage.

By the way, before going to bed, Violetta asked Hershelik, "Would you like to continue calling me Violetta?," Hershelik acknowledged, a burden that matched his dangerous eyes. I heard that. Violetta safely fell asleep.

"No, Your Highness is the one..."

That's what Gene cares about Hershelik. That being said, Gene's complexion was bad, but she was behaving herself.

"... Your Highness, how can you be so strong?

"Strong?"

Hershelik leaned at Gene's question.

(Where?

Hershelik looks down at his body. It's a poor body that's hard to muscle over and over again. Leaning his neck again, no matter how many times he thinks back, Hershelik doesn't think of his strength.

"Yeah, it's very strong.

Seeing through its insides, Gene overlaps words. Thinking again but not thinking, Hershelik is baffled.

"Mr. Gene, I'm not strong. It's a poor body.

"No. Not my physique...... I think my mind and will are very strong.

I'm a little depressed by Gene's outrageous affirmation that he's a poor minister.

"That's not what makes you strong.

Hershelik continues his words with a bitter smile.

"Sometimes I think about whether I'm always wrong or if I stop.

Not necessarily, but sometimes I get tired. But what I remember is the past, his thoughts that I entrusted to myself and passed away, him that I could only choose that path, and the people who believe in and support me.

My only wish is to change this country. Changing the world. I've had enough regrets. Therefore, because I do not regret it, I proceed to fulfill my wish.

"I don't want to regret it anymore.

Hershelik, who answers that, has no darkness at all behind him. Just believe in yourself, believe in your people, push forward.

(I don't think I'm strong... but the power to move on for my wishes. That is His Highness's strength.

The opposite of yourself, the strength to have yourself.

(I'm sure he can't take it in. I choose death if it's enough to fake myself.

Gene thanked him deeply and, as he boarded the carriage, left the castle behind.