Estimated reading time: 4–5 minutes
Chapter 35
「So this is where the duck comes marching in carrying a leek, huh?」
I said as I glanced over the list of applicants for the Demon King subjugation squad.
There was the name of Alto Franciphone on it.
At first, I thought “Oh great, what a pain.”
Why was Alto, the hero who would bring ruin to me, in a place like this?
But when I thought about it more, isn’t this a good opportunity?
Princess Claire and I are only nominally engaged at the moment.
But for me to be with Arde, eventually I’ll have to do something about Claire.
I had an idea.
Alright, I’ll push Claire onto Alto.
No, actually, those two were meant to be together in the original game. That was the proper route.
Now I’ll devote everything into training Alto. I’ll awaken him as the Hero of Light.
If I do that, Alto will easily be able to defeat the Demon King.
He has more than enough potential for it.
Then, Claire will also see Alto in a new light and fall for him.
As for me, I’ll fade into the background as the man who wasn’t strong enough to defeat the Demon King.
I’ll let Alto take all the glory and conspicuous achievements like directly defeating the Demon King.
That way, the King will recognize Alto and won’t object to him marrying Claire.
And Claire was originally meant to fall for Alto anyway, so with a little push those two will get together quickly.
I’ll quietly fade out as the man who couldn’t defeat the Demon King.
Yes, perfect. What a flawless plan.
My role is simple.
I’ll correct the distortion in this story and restore Alto to his proper place.
Then I can say goodbye to all these annoying complications.
I’ll push all the hassles onto Alto.
And perfectly, this way I’ll gain favor with Alto.
By having him defeat the Demon King, he’ll revere me as his master.
That way, he won’t condemn and bring ruin to me.
Well, it’s not like I’ve done anything to deserve condemnation anyway.
At any rate, he’ll even defend me instead.
It’s perfect!
「Alright, it’s decided then…」
I held a selection test for the applicants.
Of course I weeded out those clearly lacking talent or motivation.
Through document screening and interviews I narrowed it down to around 50 people.
For now I’ll have Domingo command them in self-training.
I went up to Alto lingering in the corner.
「Hey you, Alto was it? (playing dumb) Why’d you volunteer for the subjugation squad?」
「Yes, Captain Eld. I cannot stand by silently when there is wrongdoing or injustice. If there is anything I can do, I must act.」
Just as expected from Alto’s personality.
Of course he’d come when he heard about the subjugation squad.
I checked Alto’s level and saw he was at level 6.
He had been level 1 at the entrance ceremony, so he had come a long way in this short time.
As expected of the protagonist bonus.
I’m surprised his level rose so much from just regular classes.
At this rate, I may be able to make Alto stronger quickly.
「Good, Alto, you seem to have talent. I want to personally train you. I hope to make you leader someday.」
「R-really!? Thank you very much!」
Alto eagerly took the bait.
He’s a commoner.
An offer like this from a noble like me must be like a dream come true.
And the current Alto doesn’t even know Claire yet or have any power awakened.
「Alright, now fight against Domingo.」
「Y-yes sir! I’ll do my best!」
I had Alto and Domingo spar.
The obvious result was a crushing defeat by the level 1700 Domingo.
By the way, I told Domingo not to hold back.
And so―
Wham!
Crack!
Alto got utterly demolished by ruthless blows.
「Gaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!! It huuuuurts!!!! My arms are bending the wrong wayyyyyyy!!!!」
I went up to the writhing Alto and immediately cast a healing magic.
「Extra Heal!」
「T-this is…?」
In an instant, his pain faded and Alto looked at me puzzled.
「I’ll heal all your wounds. Now stand, Hero Alto! And aim even higher!」
「Y-yes sir!」
And so I continued training Alto in this fashion.
I inflicted injury upon injury, healed him, and made him stronger.
I had him challenge Domingo again and again, even in defeat.
You gain more experience the more you fight strong opponents.
Normally, fighting someone so strong would be dangerous and scary.
But with my healing magic to heal Alto, I can push him to keep challenging Domingo.
It’s the perfect level grind!
By the way, along with the healing magic I’m also casting a small mood boosting spell.
Well, I guess I can let that slide.
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