In this world, an adventurer's guild is a very important entity, and it can be said to be an entity with a certain status in society.
　In terms of simple military strength, the knights' guilds belonging to the country are superior. However, the Adventurer's Guild has a lightness of footwork that the Knights' Guild does not have.
　In contrast to knights who act in their own numbers, most adventurers work in pairs or trios, and they are useful for matters that require a quick response.

　A branch of the Adventurer's Guild that exists in the capital of the Arklesia Empire. Many adventurers gathered in this guild, which seemed to be integrated with the tavern, even today, and were engaged in activities such as the exchange of information.
　And at one of the many tables that existed, there was a pair of men and women.

''........Hey, Nicole.
Yeah?　What?

　The girl called Nicole, who was about 5'5" and dressed in a mage's robe, stopped eating and turned to the red-haired young man.

''........Well, well.......well, if I told you that I'm actually the 'prince'......what would you do?''
"...'Claiming damages'?
Why?
'No, because it's like a scam that Leo is a prince. I think he should be held accountable for his actions.

　To the swordsman-like young man called Leo, Nicole replied with a light-hearted laugh. It was a smile that showed through her emotions of not believing Leo's words at all.

''........Yeah, well, you're right. Really........I wish I had.......
"...what?　Maybe, but.... is this for real?
Would you be willing to talk to me for the sake of your longtime partner?
One copper.
It's expensive. I bought it.
You're here.

　The two have been working together for a long time as a pair of adventurers, and they are kindred spirits. However, it seems that even Nicole, who has known him for a long time, didn't know that Leo was a member of the royal family.

''So........So, the prince is for real?''
Oh, Leonhard Dia Arcrecia that's my real name.
It doesn't sound like he's drunk and saying something weird. So, it must be true but why are you telling me this now?　Is it something to do with the consultations?
Well, to put it bluntly, my sister, who I haven't seen in years, well, she's the emperor now, and now she's going to ask me for the throne. You've got it.
"...What?　Wh-What do you mean?

　Hearing Leo's words as his face turns blue, Nicole's face turns into a scowl, as if she hasn't caught up with the understanding at all.

'I'm the one who needs to hear it!　I mean, I'm a prince, but I'm only 14th in line to the throne.　Down below, that's why I was able to be an adventurer.......
'Well, well, well, calm down.......I mean, is Emperor Chris going to abdicate?　Huh?　Why?　Emperor Chris is a national favorite, isn't he?　We've solved the food problem in the north, we've revised the employment system...
Yeah, to be honest, I don't know why your sister is trying to step down as emperor either. I'm even less sure why he's nominating me to be the next emperor.
...Ummm, can't we just say no?

　Hearing that Chris was going to resign as emperor, which was not yet generally known to the public, Nicole was astonished and asked about the first item on the agenda, Leo's accession to the throne.
　Hearing those words, Leo muttered while trembling, his face turning bluer than before for some reason.

''........Impossible.
'What?　Is that so much?
"Because you were originally the 'eighth in line of succession', Chris.　Normally, they would not be able to succeed the emperor in that order.
...I'm having a very scary imagination...
No, I'm pretty sure she did something to him. I mean, she's the kind of person who will do anything to get what she wants...
'This is scary.......I feel like I've seen the darkness of aristocratic society. Let's see, does that mean that Leo has no choice but to become an emperor at the behest of his scary sister?
....

　At Nicole's question, Leo silences with a thoughtful look on his face. And seeing this, Nicole smiles slightly.

''Well regardless of that, you're going to do it, right?''
''I'm honestly shaken up. I didn't feel like it in the past, but after being an adventurer and doing all kinds of activities I guess you'd say I've come to appreciate this country.　I like the Arklesian Empire more than before. I like the people who live here I like the people who live here so if there's anything I can do for the people who live in this country, I'm also willing to do my best.
'Hmmm, that's good. I think that's very Leo I think he'd make a good emperor.
Nicole.

　Hearing his partner's words, which were told with a calm expression, Leo nodded once as if he was making up his mind. Then, while staring straight into Nicole's eyes, he said his next words.


The main thing?
'Yeah, I'm thinking about becoming an emperor but I don't know if I'll make it. I've been away from aristocratic society for a long time and, you know, I'm an idiot...
Yes.
So, well, you know, if it's okay with you I'd like you to follow me. I want you to help me.
Okay, just one gold coin!
'Light!　Huh?　Hey, dude, I asked you to do this but you're being too assertive!

　At Leo's words, which could even be taken as a proposal in a sense, Nicole nodded without thinking at all. She had asked for money in passing........

'How long do you think I've been Leo's buddy?　I'm the only one who can support that idiot Leo, right?　If it wasn't for me, Leo would be dead long ago, right?
Oh, God, there's no denying it.
'Haha, well, I'm not going to team up with anyone other than Leo now either... well, I'll go out with you.
"...Nicole. Thank you.
'I'm glad to hear that the conversation has come to an end. I'm relieved.
"What?

　They stared at each other with laughter. Just as a warm, ticklish air began to drift between them, a light sound of applause and voices could be heard.
　Then they both turned around at the same time and the blood drained from Leo's face.

''Kukku, sister Chris........what, why are you here.......''
'No, I just happened to be visiting for a visit. I saw my cute little brother there and was going to call out to him, but I didn't want to interrupt him, so I waited.
"....a lie... an absolute lie... it's not like His Majesty will be inspecting it in person... ...

　Looking at Chris, who told them with a deep smile, Leo and Nicole couldn't help but shudder at his smile, as if he could see through everything about them.
　Furthermore, when did the exorcism occur, the guild where many people should have been was completely devoid of people.

''Nevertheless, as expected of Leonhardt.................I expected him to be my successor. You've already found your 'queen'. It's wonderful.
"...No, no, no!　Your majesty?　I don't plan to be a queen... well, a side room would be enough... or rather, I'm a commoner, so it's impossible, right?
Oh, please don't worry about that. I've already told your parents about it. You're only on the register as an 'adopted child of another nobleman', and you're in the nobility register as of yesterday.
...Sonandezne.

　Seeing Chris, who tells her absent-mindedly with a smile on his face, Nicole trembled and then spoke to Leo in a whisper.

''Leo, Leo this guy is scary, he's scary, he's a mess... why am I a member of the nobility since yesterday?　Why is the outside already filled?　Can I just run?
I can't do it, because I can't get away with it once Chris's sister is on to me.
EEEEEEE...

　Knowing that it was all in Chris's hands, Leo and Nicole were paragraphing with a pale face. The thought that this horrible Chris would teach them the rules of royalty in the future was terrifying.
　Chris told them that he would talk about the details later and turned on his heel and started to head out of the guild. At the same time, Leo got up from his chair and opened his mouth.

''Well, wait, Chris, sister I want you to tell me one thing.
...What...?
Why are you stepping down as emperor?
....

　The question popped out of his mouth. Leo was comfortable with the future of being an emperor, but he still didn't think he could surpass Chris as an emperor.
　She was certainly a horrible sister, but Leo knew how capable Chris was. And he thought he understood her heart for her country more than anyone else.
　That's why he didn't understand why Chris was resigning as emperor...he was worried that he might be suffering from a serious illness, and that's why he asked the question.

　

''.........I'm waiting for someone I care about.
Huh?
So I've decided to pass it on to a more trustworthy successor.
Well, uh... what does that mean...
Now, you can figure out what it means for yourself.

　Saying that, Chris left the Adventurer's Guild. Chris didn't dare to use the words 'I have someone more important than my country' like he had said to Laguna.
　He puts his country first and prioritizes it, and when he has something he wants to prioritize over his country, he resigns from the emperor. That was just Chris's royal way, and he didn't intend to impose it on Leo.
　He hoped that Leo would find his own way to be an emperor and find his own royal road.

　About three years later........in the Archlesian Empire, there was a coronation ceremony for a new emperor. The wedding of the new emperor took place a few days later.
　At that wedding, the former emperor was seen cuddled up with a man with light brown hair.......