Chapter 13: CH 12

During the afternoon socializing time, in the academy lobby filled to the brim with young nobles, a group of men were getting excited over something.

In the middle is Rod Bauer.

The First Prince of this country.

As I said before, he has an ore-sama personality.

Not breaking, not turning, just single-mindedly going forward.

Also a type of person I’m not good with.

There’s always a lot of people around Rod-sama.

Commoners or average nobles are too anxious to approach him, even high-ranking nobles are desperate for slight connection with him.

However, unlike Yuu-sama who’s frequently surrounded by plenty women, Rod-sama seems to spend time with the same sex.

Rather than romance with the opposite sex, he still seems more interested in doing mischief together with men his age.

“Ah, isn’t it Rei. Come here too”

Be that as it may, exceptions also exist.

He wants people he finds interesting at his side regardless of gender.

He’s taken interest to me in the last test.

Although I came to the lobby as Claire-sama’s attendant, unfortunately I got caught today.

“No. I have to assist Claire-sama”

“It is okay? Because Rod-sama kindly called out to you, so take care”

Claire-sama’s real intention was to say, please go elsewhere.

Lene also smiled bitterly.

“No. I’ll always stay at Claire-sama’s side. How do you find my loyalty. Please give me some reward”

“The person herself should not be saying that, should she!?”

Yup, Claire-sama’s retorts are skillful today as well.

“Isn’t that alright, Claire come too. I’ve been playing chess for a little while now”

“Rod-sama is too strong, no matter who the opponent is”

A young man who appears to be a noble said so.

Chess, huh.

It’s not that nobles around him don’t play it.

Rod-sama is just really strong.

Since he’s been receiving education how to lead a war from an early age, chess was drilled into him as a foundation.

“Isn’t Claire fairly strong? How about one game?”

“I shall refrain. I am no match for Rod-sama”

Although Claire-sama hates to lose, Rod-sama is strong enough for her to throw in the towel.

I wonder if you can understand his strength with that.

“How about it, Rei?”

“I… Well, I would rather not”

“One game, let’s play. I’m curious”

“Haa, oh well”

Like that, I decided to play with Rod-sama.

“…”

“It’s a check”

“Commoner… You…”

With Claire-sama using derogatory term in Rod-sama’s vicinity, the unrest was transmitted.

The nobles around us were also restless.

I controlled the game’s development almost unilaterally.

Rod-sama’s king found itself in predicament a while ago.

“…”

Speaking of Rod-sama, his usual composure disappeared, he’s looking at the board with a serious face.

With the next rook’s move, the match will be decided.

“Rei… you are strong”

“I’m nothing much”

“Cut it out with your humility. It’s the first time I’ve struggled this much aside from Yuu”

Naturally, Yuu-sama is also fond of chess.

Moreover, while not as much as Rod-sama, he’s also very strong.

“Do you surrender?”

“Hey, you! You are being disrespectful!?”

Claire-sama grew angry.

But, I understand.

“No, you certainly are strong… Nevertheless, not as strong as me”

Saying so, Rod-sama moved the rook.

Rod-sama’s rook moved exactly between my and his kings―― taking my queen that was checking his king.

“It’s a checkmate”

Although it’s a development I foresaw, for the time being I confirmed it.

Even if I take his rook with a bishop, it will fall prey to a knight and my king will be taken in a few turns.

Even if the king escapes, rook will rampage and tear the defensive formation into shreds.

Also, in a few turns he can promote his pawn to a queen.

I’m checkmated.

“I lost”

“Oooh!”

Spectators got excited at the sudden comeback.

Rod-sama showed a satisfied smile.

“Ah, it was really tight”

“No. From the middle game, you read me and moved accordingly?”

“What, you noticed”

With such an impressive match, I noticed the way some nobles looked at me changed.

Damn.

Did I get carried away?

“You are strong!”

“To corner Rod-sama, about as strong as Yuu-sama, right?”

“Let’s find out!”

Although my fear ended up being a needless anxiety, I can’t quite understand this reaction.

Somehow the young men gathered here resemble Rod-sama.

“Wait a moment. It’s harsh playing multiple games after such a match. Let’s end it at this for today”

Rod-sama made an unusually mature remark.

Though he may feel good after overcoming such a fierce match, to be able to have such a broad objective perspective is Rod-sama’s natural disposition.

“However, you really are strong. Do commoners play chess?”

“No, I’ve never played it at home. I’ve only acquainted myself with its rules”

“… What?”

Rod-sama’s eyes clouded.

I didn’t tell a lie.

Because there’s no chessboard at Rei’s house, she’s never had an opportunity to play.

However, as I explained earlier, in my past life my hobby was games, chess that’s a type of a board game was no exception.

Furthermore, there is a reason why I was able to put up a good fight just now.

Minigames in Revolution included AI chess, I also played it.

There are several AI patterns, from the weakest Sein-sama AI to the strongest Yuu-sama’s hidden side.

Each AI had its own offense and defense patterns, aside from Yuu-sama’s hidden side if you try you can generally win.

As a matter of fact, I could have won against Rod-sama just now.

However, because it seems Rod-sama’s favorability of me will increase if I did, I let him have the victory.

My objective is to admire Claire-sama. I don’t want to capture the ore-sama prince in the slightest.

There’s more to it, actually the one strongest at chess is Yuu-sama who’s taking it seriously―― called  Yuu-sama’s hidden side.

While in the game he’s satisfied with the position second to Rod-sama, if he takes it seriously he’s number one.

The minigame with Yuu-sama’s hidden side is so perfectly tough it doesn’t feel like an otome game’s minigame.

“You’re so strong despite it basically being your first time?”

“No, I’ve experienced playing it. In another place”

“…?”

“Now then, Claire-sama, it’ll soon be meal time. Rod-sama, excuse us”

Saying so, I left my seat.

“Let’s play again… This time, you weren’t serious, right?”

He said with a detestable smile.

Ah, it got exposed that I eased up on him.

“If we have a chance”

Stubbornly feigning innocence, I left the lobby.

“Commoner… You, who are you really?”

Claire-sama asked such a thing on the way to the dining hall.

“Who I am? A slave to Claire-sama’s precious love”

“And there you go dodging the question again… It is alright. Eventually I will unmask your true nature”

“I’m looking forward to it”

I have nothing particular to hide, but there’s nothing better than Claire-sama becoming interested in me.

In that sense, I’m thankful to Rod-sama for giving me this chance.

“By the way, what will be the reward for my loyalty some time ago?”

“There won’t be any!”