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Chapter 65. A Lighthearted Story

"Rain, huh..."

The weather isn't great today. The annoying part is that training for the Magic Knights doesn't get canceled even when it's raining. They say we can train indoors as much as we want. 

Well... to be honest, once you become a Magic Knight, there will be times when you have to fight indoors, so there's no problem with practicing. But still, I'd like to relax on rainy days.

I've complained a lot, but I don't really have any issues with the training itself. It's just that I have something to do today that keeps me from attending classes. After all, the Minister of Home Affairs has come to meet me.

"... Excuse me."

"Greetings, Frodeil-sama."

"No need to be so formal. I've already explained your absence from class, so you shouldn't be marked absent."

Oh, they marked it as an official leave. That's really helpful... though I don't like that this guy came to see me.

"Now, I'd like to get straight to the point. Is that okay?"

"Of course."

"Thank you."

He's quite the picturesque person... one of those charming older men, I guess. But he doesn't look that old. I've heard he's in his late 30s, but he looks youthful enough to be in his 20s, maybe because he doesn't have a beard.

While I was distracted by his reddish-brown hair, similar in color to the tea he was drinking, Frodeil-sama gave a wry smile. Did I do something strange?

"... I've been troubled by you lately."

"Did I do something?"

"You did. Our first meeting was in the alleys of the royal capital, wasn't it? That woman was a favorite of mine... but you subdued her easily. And recently, you've thwarted the assassination of Elissa-sama. I didn't expect you to defeat the earth dragon."

Hmm.

"So?"

"... Would you consider making a deal? I have a high regard for your abilities. Much more so than the scum at this academy who look down on you because you're a commoner."

Oh, I see.

"Why are you revealing your identity to me? If you'd kept quiet, I might not have figured it out... no, more importantly, if you'd kept your identity hidden, you could have easily assassinated me. Wouldn't it be better to eliminate someone who knows the country's secrets?"

"I told you, I highly value your abilities. More than the parasites clinging to their vested interests and weakening this country. And you must have started to realize I was behind everything."

Well, honestly, I thought it could only be you.

Patriotism, huh?

"What are the terms of the deal?"

"I want you to stop getting involved in these matters any further."

"Oh?"

"Of course, I'm willing to accept certain conditions for that. For example... I won't harm Elissa-sama, whom you hold dear, any further."

So he thinks I'm acting to protect Princess Elissa? Well, from his perspective, we were on a date, and I did protect her from assassins.

"Indeed, Princess Elissa is a beauty and a great woman except for her head. I'd hate for her to get hurt. I've finally started to earn her favor."

"... I'll take back what I said. You don't seem to care about Elissa-sama at all."

That's harsh. Between Princess Elissa and my interests, I'd choose my interests, but I do care about her. Among the women I know, I'd choose Princess Elissa as a partner.

"Tell me your conditions. Money, women, medals, land, titles, safety, status, anything."

"Then give me the entire southern peninsula. I'd consider stepping back for that."

As soon as I made my demand, the gentle smile vanished from Frodeil-sama's face.

The southern peninsula is a lifeline for the Kuria Kingdom, producing valuable minerals like gold and silver, as well as magic crystals used in everyday magical tools. Therefore, it's always under the watchful eye of the kingdom's military, with the surrounding land given to influential nobles for protection.

"Are you joking?"

"You first."

Money, women, medals, land, titles, safety, status... they're all things that would benefit me. Especially money and safety are invaluable. In a normal deal, I'd have agreed without hesitation... but there's no point in negotiating with someone who never intended to keep their promise. I'm not foolish enough to be happy with empty promises.

"You want me to back off and accept your conditions, only to kill me and go back on your word once it's over."

"..."

"Isn't that right? You initially thought I could be a useful ally and tried to recruit me, but seeing me protect Princess Elissa, you decided it was impossible. So now you're trying to get rid of me."

"I'm surprised. I didn't think you were capable of such imagination."

Hah.

"I'm not interested in the country, but I do have some loyalty. And that loyalty is mostly towards my own people."

"Good grief... that's why a beast with no patriotism and only power is..."

"I admit it."

Frodeil-sama has a sense of patriotism, worrying about the country's future, while I use my power selfishly for my own gain. I'm certainly a beast. And in the eyes of the public, Frodeil-sama is probably right.

"I don't care about the people's justice. I just won't forgive anyone who gets in my way."

"Then what are you aiming for? Do you want the country to decline and eventually be destroyed by some other nation?"

"You're too impatient. Changing a country takes more time. A glory built by force will inevitably unravel and collapse."

"Then can you oppose it? The impending doom from beyond?"

"Doom?"

What? What is he talking about?

"The negotiations have broken down. Think deeply about opposing me... I still welcome you as an ally if you change your mind."

"You're kidding. You'd kill me on the spot."

"Hmm... maybe our thoughts are more alike than I realized."

Stop joking.

"This is my final warning. If you have even a little care for this country, listen to my words. This country will easily fall at this rate."

"That's for the country's leaders to decide. Even if it's rotten, the people haven't said anything yet, so the system won't change. That's what monarchy is."

"... Scum."

"Oh, such harsh words."

Just get out already.