Tsuyokute New Saga (LN)

Book 6: Chapter 8

Kyle was guided to Maizers private room by the priest, where two individuals waited for him inside.

Been a while. Guess youre doing all right.

Maizer sat on the sofa, legs crossed, as he nonchalantly greeted Kyle with one hand in the air. However, Kyles attention immediately moved toward the individual standing next to Maizer. He definitely wasnt human. He was more of a beastman. He had the head of a cat growing on his human body, and yet his eyes emitted sharpness you wouldnt expect from a beast. And even more than that, he wasnt wearing armor local to the Empire, but one youd regularly see to the east.

This person here is Prime Minister Korodes.

You must be Kyle Lenard, right? Its a pleasure to meet the one awarded the title of Dragon Slayer. And thank you very much for saving Angela-sama, too, he delivered a greeting with a calm and relaxing voice that would give anybody listening a relaxed mind.

On top of that, he showed a polite bow, which emphasized his courteous personality. In fact, you wouldnt expect him to be from the Empire. And the fact that a beastman like him could achieve such a high rank truly shows that the Empire values strength and achievements over anything else.

He might seem docile, but Id be careful. Hes definitely the nastiest person in the whole Empire as far as Im concerned.

You honor me. Im but a small followerwho can be a bit too faithful, he showed a faint smile as he responded to Maizers introduction.

But in reality, Kyle knew that Korodes was extremely strong and skilled, and he had struck down multiple political enemies in the Empire to reach his position.

Then, if you would excuse me, Maizer-sama. Kyle-dono, please make yourself at home. Korodes announced his departure to the two.

However, his smile during that occasion looked like a wild beast licking its tongue. Naturally, Kyle wished he was just imagining this.

It has been a while. Im glad to see you havent changed much, Your Highness Maizer.

Once Korodes had completely vanished from the room, Kyle greeted Maizer.

I dont need any stiff greetings. But I have to say, you actually have changed quite a lot. And so have the achievements on your back, Maizer said as he seemed the same as always, but also a bit more gloomy than usual.

I called you here in order to thank you. You saved Angela, after all. I heard that someone planned to assassinate her, but I couldnt move.

Haha, I didnt do much, Kyle could only laugh this off.

He may have saved her, but he inadvertently brought her to the demon territory, involved her in a chaotic incident involving demons, and she even had to fight a demon herself. If Maizer knew of that, Kyles head would roll. So to not let it go that far, he quickly changed the topic.

More importantly, Im sorry for getting in the way of your discussion.

Dont mind it. Korodes came here to probe, nothing more. Namely, if I was interested in inheriting my fathers position. And to make sure that I had intentions of helping the Empire. He only swore his loyalty to my father. If he believes that I would bring harm to the Empire, he would cut me down without remorse, Maizer said with a shrug. Though, one more thing. Its your freedom to believe what you want, but I didnt have Brother Eldorand assassinated.

I see, Kyle nodded, never even having assumed that this was Maizers work.

And it wasnt Brother Konrad either. Its part assumption, part confirmation. Though I dont know what he thinks, Maizer spoke with a jesting tone, but Kyle could clearly see Maizer being dejected for a split second.

Well, were in a bit of a predicament. Everything moved under the assumption that Brother Eldorand would become the next Emperor. And without him, the Empires gonna fall apart. Doesnt matter whether I or Brother Konrad will succeed.

Do you have any intention of becoming the Emperor? Kyle asked him a straight question.

Depending on the answer, Kyles actions would have to change, so he had to know.

Before Brother Eldorand had passed, I genuinely didnt Maizer showed a wry smile. I just pushed this whole country onto Brother Eldorand. Thats why Id love to push it onto Brother Konrad and keep on living as the debaucherous princeBut I still love my country, and I love the work my father has done. Brother Konrad cant become the Emperor. That is the greatest danger for the country.

He seemed very confident in that statement.

And its not that hes not fit. He is too indecisive. If he becomes the Emperor, then Im certain the Empire wont collapse during his rule. He is careful and does not overdo it in any waybut itll weaken the Empire. To an irreversible level, no less. Because hell stray from the aggressive expansion to focus more on dialogue, and I guess thats to be expected.

Imagining the future of the empire, Maizer sighed.

Of course, Im not saying that any dialogue is bad. However, the Empire has far too many enemies. Countless other countries resent us. So what if we turn that around? Theyll just swallow us whole.

Just like Maizer, Kyle could easily envision this kind of future. It was Emperor Benedixs charisma that built this empire from the ground up, spreading its wings everywhere to create the current Galgan. He had a lot of allies, but that was mostly because of the strength of the Empire, and they were simply benefiting from each other.

Hes too kindBrother Konrad, I mean. Especially when it comes to people close to him. He cant easily cut off those who will hurt him.

Kyle had nothing to say to this statement of Maizer. Kindness is a trait often desired. But at times, this can change into naivet. If you dont know where to draw the line, youll only fall into a worse situation. If this was a small country in a peaceful time, then it would definitely be beneficial, but the Empire works on absolute strength, and the Emperor needed that trait.

That being said, if I inherit our old man, thatll bring its own share of problems. For the most part, I dont have followers. And who could blame them with a debaucherous prince like I. They wouldnt want the Empire in my hands. If I were to forcefully rise to the position, I could already see the rebellion in the shadows, Maizer looked up at the ceiling, sighing.

It almost sounded like he was complaining, revealing his weakness.

Half of the people would probably swallow it and follow me either way, but the other half will cause trouble. And just thinking about it makes my stomach act up. If I follow my father, the Empire will be split in two, and if Brother Konrad becomes Emperor, it will weaken the EmpireReally, what to do about thisHm? Whats wrong?

No, its nothing. Please excuse me.

Kyles face tensed up as he tried his best not to smile. After all, Maizer and his father the Emperor said the exact same thing.

Worst case, I was thinking of just throwing everything away and runningAnyway, sorry to burden you with my grumbling. This time, he showed a self-deprecating smile.

It seems like the death of the brother he always relied on sure hit him hard.

No, dont mind me.

I may have said a lot, but theres no going around it. From now on, Galgan will fall into chaos, so I want your help. I feel bad for imposing this on you in such a dire situation, but Id like to strike up a contract.

That was an unexpectedly straight invitation. He must be putting his hopes into Kyles title of being a Dragon Killer.

Personally, I want to avoid the worst-case scenario that this country falls into a civil war. And for that, Im willing to help with whatever. Kyle carefully chose his words as he responded.

His personal preference was for Maizer to become the Emperor, but the person himself hadnt decided yet, so he couldnt blindly agree to anything.

Well, that will do for now Maizer smiled faintly, cutting the conversation.

Leaving the imperial palace, Kyle sighed once and then reorganized everything he had learned today. And once that was done, he was forced to accept that resolving all of this would not be a walk in the park.

Howeverits also not the worst it could be. Thisis doable.

As for the events after this, Benedix should choose Maizer as his successor, so he had to simply watch that unfold.

That being said, Maizer seemed oddly hesitant. Then again, its only been five days since his brother Eldorand passed, so it makes sense that hes not fully back to it. Id love for him to make up his mindMaybe I should give him a push. As for Konrad, it depends on his own actions, but in the worst-case scenario, hell have to disappear.

Kyle wasnt dead set on making things go the way he wanted, but he would have to push things the right way. And right as Kyle was thinking that, a shadow appeared in front of him. Kyle knew without having to look who he was dealing with.

How was it?

It was Minagi, who went to check out Eldorands dead body.

I could find a faint scar at his ankle, barely even visible.

Ankle? Why at his leg?

Seeing Minagis gloomy expression, Kyle couldnt help but think that something bad was coming.

Theres a thick vein on your ankle, so if you poison that area, it spreads throughout the whole body, slowing your heart rate, until it comes to an abrupt stop. You wont even suffer as you just collapse.

A method like that exists?

Kyle would have never guessed this was possible. And with that time frame, it was easy to leave the Empire before the lockdown.

Yes. Souga is skilled at this type of work.

So its confirmed

Learning that it was indeed Souga who killed Prince Eldorand, Kyle looked up at the sky.

But, hes not in the Empire any longer. He never stays around for too long after he completes his mission.

Are you sure about that?

Yes.

Thats a saving grace, I guess. I really would rather not have Souga as an enemy right now. Kyle sighed in relief.

Right now, Minagi was hired by Kyle. Even if they were master and pupil, a match-up at work would still force them to fight.

SeriouslyIm so glad

And at the same time, Kyle still kept up the lie of having met Souga before, so if they were to meet now, that lie would become apparent.

Thats at least one problem avoidedBut, who could have hired him?

If Souga were to come for him instead, would he be able to protect himselfThats what Kyle was thinking at that moment.