I reincarnated as the hated villainous prince, and thought to live as I pleased in this life, but it turns out I’ve been unconsciously making saintly moves. I’m trying to create an evil kingdom, but for some reason, everyone respects me!

“Heh, now what’s the story, gentlemen? Even though you belong to the kingdom’s army, you still dare confront me, knowing I’m royalty. There must be something… more to this, don’t you think?”

“…”

Despite my pressing questions, the men remained silent, only retreating.

Naturally, my claim about Princess Yuricia and the Third Division wasn’t made up; it’s an official setting from the game.

The game was primarily from the protagonist’s first-person perspective, so the detailed aspects of the throne struggle within the royal family weren’t fully explored. However, judging by their reactions, my guess was correct.

“Heh…”

But of course, my top priority is the elf girl.

I’m not interested in the conspiracies within the state, the royal family’s power struggle, or the nobles and soldiers surrounding them. I just want to live freely as a villainous prince.

Quickly, I dash forward, slipping between the men to close the distance with the girl still sitting on the ground.

“What…?!”
“Impossible…?!”

The men turned around, but it was too late.

I gently lifted the girl’s chin and whispered to her softly.

“Don’t be scared. I’ll defeat them. Just hang in there a little longer.”

“………”

Perfect.

The girl’s face flushed red as she nodded vigorously.

Indeed, a prince + handsome guy is an unfair combination. In my previous life, I read plenty of female-targeted fantasy romance novels, and the heroes were often handsome princes.

But unlike those novels, I’m not the hero but the villainous prince.

I was that non-charismatic guy trying hard to woo a girl, only to disrupt everything with just my appearance and status, typical of a novel’s villain.

Now, the elf girl’s eyes are practically shaped like hearts.

“Hehehe…”
I stand up, casually brushing my bangs back, and turn to face the men.
“Sorry, I took her from you☆”

“I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s infuriating!”

The men stomp their feet in frustration.

Perfect, truly thuggish behavior. It makes my strength stand out even more.

“Well, then, I guess it’s time for you guys to take a nap. I’ll make it quick.”

“What did you say…?!”

Their furious gazes suddenly focused on me.

“Don’t get cocky, boy. No matter how royal you are, we’ve been told it’s okay to kill as long as there’s no evidence.”

“Oh? By whom?”

“Like I’d tell you, idiot!”

One of the men blustered, but…

“Hahaha, it’s good to be energetic. But you should pay more attention to your surroundings.”

I had already circled behind them.

Zeluanes style sword technique, Instant Penetrating Strike.

Having learned all the techniques in the game, I was familiar with their use. Unlike the protagonist, who had to level up to use strong techniques, Esmeralda could use them from the start.

― This fifth prince is truly overpowered.

“I won’t kill you. But don’t think you’ll ever wield a sword again…!”

With that, I swiftly struck at both their hands and feet.

“Agghhhhhhhh…!”

In pain, the men collapsed on the spot.

I had sliced deep into their legs, making escape difficult, and their wrists were too damaged to hold a sword.

“Well, how does it feel to be defeated by a man who couldn’t even beat a goblin?”

“It’s impossible…! We’ve trained diligently, yet how could we lose to a failed fifth prince…!”

“Huh? What’s this training you’re talking about?”

I grabbed one of the men’s hair, lifting his face. Such gestures suit a villain.

“No way I’m telling… Just remember, our beloved Prin—”

Before he could finish, the men lost consciousness.