Tsuyokute New Saga (LN)

Volume 6 Chapter 19

Five days later, after the uproar of war had finally subsided, a meeting was held inside Maizer’s private room as to how they should guide the Empire from here on out. The biggest question, of course, was how the succession had been decided without anybody knowing.

“So my old man lost consciousness after he named me his successor?”

“That is right. His Grace would never leave something so crucial unattended, after all.”

Korodes answered Maizer’s question with not a single shed of doubt in his voice, speaking proudly of his Emperor.

“And you arbitrarily proceeded to hide it…”

“I judged this a great chance to clean up inside the Empire a bit…And controlling the various areas would help grow your influence, too. Those who sparked a civil war and immediately joined in are all at your whims now.”

Because many nobles who sided with Konrad were now dead or imprisoned, many territories and areas were up for grabs. They had to use that.

“I thought you were siding with Brother Konrad.”

“I am acting for the sake of the Empire and the Emperor. With both of you present, the Empire would have fallen to ruin eventually, so I figured it would have been faster to decide which of you will bring more to the table in the long run.”

For that reason, he was willing to play the villain, even.

“So that’s how you set up Brother Konrad…I bet it was you who ruined Kyle’s negotiations with him that one time.”

“Oho? So you hadn’t realized yet…I figured you had already seen through me. That said, this result does surprise me. I had assumed this civil war would last several months, but to think you would end it this quickly…That nightly raid was quite the strategy. As expected of the Dragon Slayer,” he said with an appreciative tone. “And the resolution with Zilgus was quite the sight. I had planned on keeping her within our country to use her later…But to think you would be able to keep friendly relations like this. What wonderful subordinates you have.”

“They’re not my subordinates. Although I would love to have them as mine,” Maizer said with a genuinely admiring tone.

“Then it seems I would have to remain amicable towards them, myself. Either way, I am impressed by your ways of resolving this incident. From now on, I shall offer my body and soul to serve you, Maizer-sama.”

“My ass you will.” Maizer didn’t even buy that for a second. “To you, I’m just the guy who is the candidate to be the next Emperor. If my old man were to choose Angela as the Empress, you’d immediately proceed to get rid of me.”

“Naturally.” Korodes seemed bewildered that Maizer even had to ask such a question.

“Does Beadola know about this?”

“Most likely…half of it. His Grace ordered her to abide by my orders, but she must realize what is going on.”

“I see…”

“However, if she was allowed an explanation, his Grace would know what I was planning. And he still allowed me to proceed.”

In other words, Benedix had agreed to this whole thing.

“This, in a way, shows his care as a father. He allowed for traps like this in order for both of you siblings to avoid as much fighting as possible.”

“I know…I really do, but there won’t be a next time,” Maizer glared at Korodes with clear hostility in his eyes.

“Naturally. Now, if you would excuse me.” Korodes just let that slide and left the room.

After he had left, Maizer let out an exhausted sigh. Remembering about everything that had transpired, he felt like being alone at least for a little while, but the door suddenly opened. Of course, only another noble would be allowed to be this disrespectful.

“You’re as depressed as I had expected you to be, Brother.”

“Angela…Just leave me alone for a while, is what I would like to say, but offer me some of your time.” Maizer stood up and went to grab some wine, whereas Angela sat down on the sofa.

He placed a bottle on the table but added four cups instead of just two, putting them in front of two empty seats.

“I always respected Brother Eldorand. And I liked Brother Konrad.”

He poured red wine into his and Angela’s cup and started talking to himself.

“If we had been born as a regular family…I wonder how things would have gone.”

Losing two brothers, it was now just the two of them. Since Angela was the only person in the world who could understand his feelings, he didn’t bother beating around the bush.

“You have some nerve to say that after letting Brother Konrad die.”

However, Angela only struck where it hurt without remorse.

“You have no intention of healing your brother’s broken heart, I see.”

Assuming that Angela had come here to finish the job, even Maizer couldn’t hide his disdain.

“Do you want your younger sister to spoil you? If Brother Eldorand or Konrad saw that, they would laugh at you.”

Being told that, Maizer had no more words to say.

“I just…don’t understand. Why would Brother Konrad do such a thing? Did he really wish to become the Emperor?” Angela asked.

“I do not know, either. I never saw him as the type to be obsessed with the throne.”

The Konrad that the two of them knew wasn’t the person to be fixated on something to this level.

“So, I was thinking…What if Brother Konrad wished for this to happen?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well…This situation is quite beneficial to you, is it not, Brother Maizer?”

Maizer gasped at hearing that. Before this incident, his evaluation with the public was at a record low, and it was only a matter of time before someone would aim for him with a knife. Especially someone like General Dargof would have never followed Maizer’s orders no matter what. However, he could also not remove Maizer from the public eye, as long as there was no major incident like a rebellion this time. And those acting rebellious were now dealt with. With any further proof left by Korodes, the remaining forces will be dealt with all the same. Of course, threatening them to abide by Maizer’s orders was also an option. In the end, this whole civil war only ended up as a major plus for Maizer’s future rule.

“I don’t mean to say that it’s all easy-peasy now, but it’s definitely gotten more comfortable…And Brother Konrad was hoping for this to happen?!” Maizer couldn’t contain his shock and shot up.

Angela was arguing that Konrad may have purposefully revolted against the Empire and gathered soldiers, only to die in the end.

“It’s just a wild guess. But, I wish this was his intention, at least.”

Angela wasn’t sure herself, because they had no way of knowing in the end.

“I see…Yeah, it sounds a bit too convenient. I guess I was just hoping too much…” Maizer sank back down again, and then clapped his hands together as he remembered something. “I know…Then at the very least, let’s assume that that was his plan. That way, we can protect Brother’s legacy.”

“That sounds wonderful. Keeping memories beautiful is always better,” Angela nodded with a smile.

“Thanks for helping this awful younger brother…and protecting Brother Eldorand’s legacy…Brother Konrad.”

“Thank you so much, Brother Konrad…We’re going to live for your sake as well.”

The two siblings smiled at each other and then drank from their cups to commemorate their memory.

“My old man won’t have much longer either…Things will get chaotic from now on.”

The following day, Maizer had his first major duty to fulfill—Eldorand’s national funeral. When he appeared in public, he looked dignified and confident, brimming with honor. The news of him quelling the civil war in record time quickly made rounds, as many of the citizens had newfound respect for him, as well as great expectations. And more than anything—Maizer resembled the glorious Benedix when he was younger .Many people felt a certain reason to rely on him just for that alone.

It pains me that I have to use my old man’s strength here…But I can’t do without.

That’s why he purposefully chose clothes similar to what his father wore. Meanwhile, Kirlen participated in the funeral as a representative of Milena and Zilgus as a whole, delivering a message. Surely, was her attempt to remind him of the debt he had.

Gotta keep my relationship with Zilgus in check, too…I can already feel the headache brewing.

Yet while thinking that, he managed to control a yawn leaving his mouth, as he watched over the citizens present.

Meanwhile, Kyle watched Maizer further away near the audience. This incident worked out mostly exactly how he was hoping it would. The Empire managed to maintain its military prowess, and relations between them and Zilgus didn’t deteriorate, either. Maizer’s evaluation amongst the citizens went up, too, and as long as Benedix remains in his statement to declare him the successor, the rule of the Empire will be in good hands. However, that didn’t mean Kyle had no regrets about how things went. In fact, it felt like he had lost as much as he had won.

The fact that he let Konrad die in front of his eyes was the biggest regret of all. He still remembered Seraia’s reaction when he had to break it to her. He apologized for having broken the promise, but his mother simply said “I see…” with a defeated look. Kyle had never seen such an expression on her, and it felt like his heart was grasped by despair. Of course, she quickly went back to her regular nonchalant attitude, but the biggest problem was that Leyla, a family member turned enemy, and Souga. She said that she was just a retainer of sorts, but Kyle knew that this battle would happen eventually. And then there was the matter of Souga’s attitude. Kyle lied to Minagi that they knew each other, but he acted like he knew the truth of the matter.

No, he probably does know…But, how? Why would he cover for me? He helped me by doing so, and I don’t know why…Is it related to the Mera Cult?

The Mera Cult seems oddly fixated on Kyle, and even their Holiness wants him to join their cause for some reason. Of course, Kyle had no idea why exactly that would be the case, but it must be related to that. Yet, thinking about it on no end wouldn’t bring him closer to the answer, so he had to keep it in the back of his head.

And because I don’t know, I have to go after all…

Kyle remembered the contents of the letter Leyla had given him.

The following day, Kyle and the others finished preparations to depart from the Imperial Capital.

“Take care.”

“Thanks for looking after us.”

Kyle said his goodbyes to Klaus and the Marco Business Association. Without their help, none of this would have rounded up as cleanly as it did.

“Oh, please. I had a fulfilling time, and it allowed me to form all sorts of connections.” Klaus was in a great mood, evidently.

He managed to get a direct audience with Milena and form a valuable relationship with her that will come in handy later down the line.

“Unlike the Empire, Zilgus is rather tight with its trade, so a newcomer like me couldn’t quite find any foothold. However, through my conversation with Princess Milena, I feel like I have something to start with,” Klaus explained happily, which made Kyle once again appreciate the sturdiness of merchants like him.

“I’m glad we could help.”

Kyle would definitely need Klaus’ help in his fight against the demons, so he was glad to have this connection. Of course, he would have preferred to give his goodbyes to Maizer, but he had official business to attend to.

“You sure you wanna leave Princess Angela behind?”

“Give me a break…”

Seran dropped his shoulders at Shildonia’s remark.

“And honestly…I can’t afford to get distracted,” Seran added with an oddly serious tone.

After all, he might have to fight his mother in the near future. He’s got a lot on his mind, undoubtedly. Even so that Shildonia just shook her head.

“You gonna be okay?”

Seran and Lieze approached Kyle, but his facial color wasn’t all that clear. Because she had heard about Leyla. And she realized that it wouldn’t be a sparring match like before, but a genuine battle.

“Forget about me, what about you? Feeling okay?”

Kyle asked Minagi, but she nodded without much energy. Souga’s appearance definitely threw her off, as she didn’t know how exactly to handle this revelation.

“So…where are we heading next?”

The only one relatively unperturbed by recent events was Urza, as she nonchalantly asked this question. Feeling happy about this, Kyle found the energy to answer.

“We’re going to the Holy Kingdom of Sura.”

Written in the letter handed to him by Leyla, it had the name of the world’s greatest religious state. And there—he would have to bring an end to his battle with the Mera Cult.