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It’s probably impossible for me to just raise my hand.
However, I could talk with him.
That should be enough.
[Would you like to talk to me for some time?]
Civit’s eyes softened.
I see.
In other words, if I don’t show any signs of trying to release my skills—
[Okay.]
…Negotiation with The Strongest is possible.
Chapter 77
The Opportunity that they've been Waiting for
[First, let’s hear your name.]
[Hati Skoll]
[I see, a pseudonym huh…]
He easily saw through that.
[…Well, yeah.]
[Then, there must be some kind of reason why it’s necessary for you to hide your real name. It seems that even the Princess Knight had something like that.]
[Civit-dono.]
Schweiz suddenly barged in.
[What’s the matter?]
[I still can’t understand. What in the world made you so concerned about that boy?]
[It’s strange.]
Civit answered.
[He didn’t look frightened even when he’s in front of the Five Dragon Warriors.]
[Is that so? It looks like he’s sweating in fear from how I see it though.]
[You’re wrong. That reaction is clearly different from someone who’s frightened. Look carefully. That doesn’t look like the eyes of someone who has lost his will to fight. It’s like he’s trying to lay in wait for the perfect opportunity to strike.]
[What will he even try to do towards you, Civit-dono? What could he even do? He won’t be able to finish any chant for whatever spells he knows in time, and it seems like you would be able to apprehend him even if he tries to take out some kind of magic tool.]
[He knows that the instant he moves in some way I don’t like, he will be killed by me. Even when he’s in such a situation, he still laughed and showed me his intention of wanting to talk with me. He didn’t surrender, he’s not begging for his life, he just wanted to converse with me. That’s quite a fresh experience for me.]
Schweiz looks like he understands a bit after Civit explained it to him.
Civit’s lips lifted into a soft smile.
[A person that’s far weaker than me is, for some reason, taking measures to struggle his way through this place. He even knows that I’m called “The Humanity’s Strongest”.]
……………
A man who’s good at doing conjectures.
His eye for observation is quite sharp.
[How about it, Schweiz? Don’t you think he’s quite interesting now?]
[…Indeed.]
[A fresh wind had suddenly appeared in this place, and I think that it’s still too early for the curtains of your stage to quickly drop in here. I would like to continue to have this act with him. As for Seras Ashrain—]
Civit continued speaking without taking his eyes off me.
[I no longer have any interest in her as my opponent. I don’t think she would even come close to killing me based on her reaction when she had recognized me…]
[It seems that her heart was quite shaken, especially when she knew Ortora’s real nature.]
Their conversation is also valuable information for me.
It’s better that I procure all of the information I could get.
However, it’s not good if I just stay silent in here.
[………………]
But well, though I say that…
I also need something that makes their caution away from me.
I can’t find any gaps in Civit.
It’s slightly different from that time with the Soul Eater.
…I must not be impatient.
If I make any kind of mistake in my choices— then I’m finished.
[I have something to ask.]
I checked the timing, and when I think it’s time, I opened my mouth.
[Okay. Say it.]
[You are searching for an opponent that could satisfy you, right?]
[You’re not mistaken.]
[But, haven’t you fought with people who’s strength has transcended beyond what humans could?]
[I think I could already guess what you’re trying to say but… Continue.]
[First of all, there’s that Great Demon Emperor and his army.]
[At the moment, it’s quite difficult for me to fight against the Demon Emperor.]
[Why?]
[The problem is Magnar.]
It’s that northern country that I’ve heard of before huh…
The forefront force against the Great Demon Emperor’s Army.
[The King of Magnar doesn’t want other troops to enter his territory. Even though his Great Fortress was already broken, as long as the White Wolf Knights were still alive, they will refuse reinforcements from other countries as much as possible. They are particularly more vigilant towards our Bakuos compared to the other countries, especially since we’ve invaded Neia. But if I were to say it honestly, I would like to ask the leader of the White Wolf Knights to have a one-on-one fight with me.]
[Then, why don’t you just do it now? Aren’t you the strongest in this continent? Can’t you just do whatever you want?]
[Even so, I still have to look at things from the viewpoint of my position, the leader of my knights. I can’t exactly say that I’m loyal towards his Majesty, the Emperor. I have to consider for my House of Gartland’s standpoint and it’s preventing me from acting too unreasonable. Especially when it may affect the diplomacy with foreign countries. Of course, it’s quite regrettable for me.]
Schweiz adds in.
[The relationship between nations is really complicated. Even though we are the Black Dragon Knights, the strongest in the world, we can’t win if we were to fight all the troops of other countries.]
For example, if Civit were to kill the strong warriors from other countries as much as he likes.
As a result, Bakuos may receive attacks from all of those other countries.
So, his own family was functioning as his shackles huh…
Fumu…
Even the strongest weren’t exactly unshackled.
In other words, you could even say that he has been craving for “opponents” because he’s in such an inconvenient situation.
I then inquired.
[How about Alion?]
[Hmm?]
[Have you tried fighting against Alion’s goddess?]
His stance against that f*cking goddess.
I would like to know about this too.
[Goddess Vysis huh… I don’t feel like turning the gods into my enemies for now. Our Bakuos and Alion have a close relationship. Well, I personally don’t like that goddess but… But—]
The radiance in Civit’s pupils increased.
[I have great expectations though towards those supposedly extraordinary Heroes that the Goddess summoned.]
The Heroes of 2-C.
As expected, I’m quite interested with them.
[Jonato’s Saint, Mira’s Mad Emperor, Urza’s “Dragon Slayer”…they are quite attractive opponents. However, as expected—]
Civit lightly smiled.
[It’s the heroes from another world who have the most explosive power because of their divine blessings. They may also be the one who’s closest to my position as the Strongest. I believe and expect that they will be arch-enemy of this Civit Gartland.]
Somehow, I understood what he’s trying to say.
This man called Civit Gartland…
[But, do you think that the goddess would allow you to fight the heroes?]
[If the heroes were to finish their duties of defeating the Great Demon Emperor, I think that the goddess would allow it even just once. Of course—]
In a somewhat bouncy voice, Civit continues.
[If the Great Demon Emperor somehow defeats Magnar’s Whi
te Wolf Knights, exterminates Alion’s Heroes, tear that goddess into eight pieces, and march towards our Black Dragon Knights— then, I will welcome them.]
Absolute pride for his own ability began oozing out from his speech.
It’s fine for him if he just fight the strongest warrior who have survived until the end.
It doesn’t matter who his opponent is.
The only craving that he’s eager to have is to battle with strong opponents.
However, because of his position, he can’t fight freely against opponents that he wants to fight.
Civit doesn’t know what to do.
…with his power, that made him known to be the Strongest.
At that time,
[Speaking of which… If we’re talking about Alion, didn’t Seras Ashrain have a deep connection with them?]
Civit said to himself.
The despaired Seras looked upwards.
She looks quite angry.
[What do you mean? I have a deep connection with Alion…?]
Hmm?
What?
Seras reacted as if she has no recollection of what he said.
Civit exhaled a short sigh.
[You were supposed to be a tribute for the deceased. I will especially teach this ignorant you why the Holy Kingdom of Neia was destroyed.]
Civit continued, though he looks like he doesn’t hold that much of an interest in the topic.
[For a really long time, our Bakuos haven’t assaulted Neia at all. However, Bakuos suddenly changed its policy and invaded Neia… And the main cause of why this all happened is you, Seras Ashrain.]
Chapter 78
The Unveiled Truth
[—Eh? I’m the main cause…?]
The confusion in Seras began spurred.
I could clearly see it through her face.
Schweiz glanced down at her, full of pity on his face.
[Based on how you reacted, it seems that nothing was told to you about this huh…]
[That’s nonsense…! Why did you say that I was the main cause of why Neia was invaded by Bakuos!?]
Civit suddenly called out.
[Schweiz.]
Schweiz slightly bowed his head.
It seems that Civit left all of the explanations to the guy next to him.
[Goddess Vysis wants you, Seras Ashrain.]
What?
That f*cking goddess…?
That f*cking goddess wanted Seras?
What does it mean?
Seras also looks like she’s baffled.
[Alion’s Goddess… wanted me?]
[I heard that it was back when an omen about the Great Demon Emperor has appeared. The Goddess demanded King Ortora to offer you.]
[Why would the Goddess want me—]
[This Schweiz doesn’t know the exact reason for this. However, the Goddess have several private subordinates that were called “Vysis’ Apostles”. My conjecture is that the aforementioned advent of the Great Demon Emperor has come true.]
[But that story, I remembered that what I’ve heard was…]
[I heard the King Ortora firmly refused.]
[My king did that? Don’t tell me— she just wanted to use my life so that she could find fault with my King and used that as a pretext…?]
No, something would be amiss with that theory.
If that were the case, then they were just being unreasonable.
Perhaps, there may be other reasons why the Holy King wanted to kill Seras.
A reason for his refusal to hand over Seras.
Would it be a serious blow for his kingdom if they were to lose the leader of the Holy Knights?
It’s not that.
The hint was already mentioned in the conversation of the Five Dragon Warriors earlier.
Particularly, the character of King Ortora.
“He’s already broken.”
“Deep-rooted delusion”
“Lustful desires”
“A corpse that he knows is still pure.”
An abnormal attachment with Seras.
Isn’t this the reason?
The reason why the king didn’t want to hand Seras over to others.
However, when they’ve become separated for quite some time, he sent assassins to kill Seras.
The king wanted to keep Seras for himself.
That’s what I think.
However, she can no longer go back into his own hands.
If that’s the case, he may have just thought of killing her.
If she would never go back into his hands ever again…
Rather than handing her over to the hands of others—
He wants her dead
If it’s that king, it’s quite possible.
He certainly has become a “broken old man”.
Well, that’s if my guess is correct but…
To be honest… It would be too harsh for Seras to be the main cause of the fall of her country.
If you really want someone to take responsibility, it should have been either that f*cking goddess or that former Holy King.
Schweiz looked towards the direction of the distant Alion.
[It is said that, there haven’t been any wars between nations that happened in this continent for a long time because of the existence of Alion’s goddess.]
Schweiz turns away and looked back towards us.
[The reason why Bakuos didn’t invade Urza all these time is because we had a peace agreement which was brought together by the goddess who acted as the mediator. Within this continent, the influence of that goddess is really strong.]
A peace agreement between Bakuos and Urza.
The customers were talking about this back in the tavern in Mills.
This is also the reason why Urza isn’t worried about being attacked by Bakuos.
[But, not only did Neia refuse the demand of the goddess, Neia also had taken an attitude of ignoring all of the subsequent messages from Alion… You should have already know the rest, right?]
The agreement has a meaning because there’s the goddess that’s mediating in between.
On the contrary, if the goddess were to remove her influence on something, that place might become known for its insubstantiality.
In other words, Bakuos might have taken the disappearance of the goddess’ influence of Neia as a “Go” sign for their invasion on Neia.
[No way…]
Seras became shocked even further.
[In other words, the goddess have caught sight of some of your usefulness. If you were to include King Ortora’s case, even that unworldly beauty of yours could be…]
Oban suddenly giggled.
[The Holy Knight-chan over there could be said to be the most beautiful woman in the country. Or rather than that, Civit-chan. Aren’t you actually interested in her as a man?]
[Let’s just say I’d appreciate her just like towards beautiful artworks. However, the most luscious honey that I wanted could only be found in the strong opponents that I will get to fight. The only people I could say were “beautiful” were those strong people I’ve fought with.]
[Fumu… But well, I wonder if your extraordinary beauty have the ability to drive those in authority in madness… It seems that Neia’s royal family had quite a disaster.]
[…What about the princess?]
Seras inquired.
That question seems to be a bit abrupt though.
Did she react when she heard the word “royal”?
Schweiz asked in return.
[Are you talking about Princess Cattleya?]
Seras parried back with another question, though there’s a hint of unreliability in her voice.
[Is she safe…?]
[Well, she will eventually become Civit-dono’s wife.]
[…!]
Civit took over the conversation in here.
[It’s an order that I’ve received from his Majesty, the Emperor
… It’s a marriage that is necessary for the stability of our reign in the territory of Neia.]
[…The princess is now…]
[She’s quite the willful woman, so you could say that I’m a bit fired up. Though I say that, I still can’t feel these so-called charm of the opposite sex. I still wanted to have a good fight with you, who is famous as the Princess Knight.]
Civit Gartland.
Is he really only interested in strong people?
[However, Seras Ashrain would die in this play anyway. I guess we should at least send her head to Cattleya.]
[Kuh… to the princess, that kind of act—]
[Shut up. Weaklings like you should just give up.]
Civit flat out denied her reply.
[—Wha?]
[I’m already done talking with you. If you want to resent someone, then you should resent your own weakness that made you unable to gain victory in this place.]
Civit declared so as he glanced at Seras.
[There’s nothing that’s duller than a person who pretends that he could even win. Sometimes, even those who had accepted their death and haven’t resisted were praised, for they have accepted a proper place where they could die in peace. I despise those who flee in fear. Even if they’re just weak people, if they still continue to face me despite their weakness— I’m sure that I would be extremely fond of him.]
As the sun began setting behind his back, Civit smiled.
[Needless to say… It would still be the best if I were to fight someone that have enough power to kill me.]
My cards were already set.
[…………]
The path has finally opened— towards the way I liked.
The path towards my survival.
[However, it’s just too boring waiting for time here until the sun goes down. Have you already thought up of a plan, boy?]
[Civit Gartland. Do you really want an enemy that could threaten your life?]
[You’re not mistaken.]
…………
Don’t be impatient.
I must calm down.
I must not make any mistakes in my choices here.
[If that’s so, should I give it a shot?]
[You’re the enemy that could threaten my life…? However, what could you even do? No— What are you hiding? Where in the world did your confidence come from when it could be easily understood that you’re far weaker than our Five Dragon Warriors? As far as I could see, your words weren’t just mere bluff. I could see that you held some conviction. You must have been hiding something… is that right?]
