“Well, it turns out that the ‘monsters’ are actually professional soldiers from the Adon Magic Nation, fully equipped with magical tools. It’s a bit sad to just kill them, so let’s convince them to go home!”
“””…???!!!”””
The three men I brought with me as companions looked bewildered.
“…You’re not going to kill them?”
One of the three, Zess, glanced at me cautiously as he asked.
“I’m kind-hearted, so I don’t indulge in unnecessary killing.”
…I replied with a benevolent smile and noble words.
“That’s not really the point…””It’s actually scarier when you say it like that, so please stop.”
Both Holman and Hector maintained their impolite attitudes.
Well… yeah.
“Besides, this isn’t even my fight. It’s that old man from the Carenheit family who got into trouble, right? It wouldn’t sit well with me to step in and kill for no reason.”
If I end up destroying the entire Adon Magic Nation, I can already hear the Carenheit Margrave mocking me with something like, “How convenient for us, isn’t it?”
That would seriously piss me off, and it would feel like I lost, so I won’t do it.
Feeling like you “lost” is an important sentiment.
What may seem like childish squabbles are known as “dignity” in the adult world, especially among nobles.
Despite all the chaos I cause, the reason the entire world doesn’t turn against me—why I’m still accepted in society—is not because I have ridiculously overwhelming power.
It’s because I’m recognized as someone who upholds this “dignity” as a noble.
If a commoner, a child, a fool, or a beast without reason were to wield such great power, they’d simply be a demon king. A public enemy.
But as for me, even if my actual noble status doesn’t matter, I’m acknowledged for my noble-like demeanor, education, and mature mentality. That’s why I can do business.
Even if it’s some incomprehensible personal rule, as long as there’s something other than sheer instinct guiding my actions, it means I’m a negotiable entity.
For instance, in this world.
Sure, I’ve killed a lot of creatures, but some monsters actually possess intelligence.
Take dragons or vampires, for example. I know it’s a bit cliché, but those kinds of beings.
If you offer them something like, “We’ll sacrifice people to you every year, so please don’t attack us!” you might get spared.
For their part, if humans promise not to resist or run, and just come willingly to be eaten, it’s a mutually beneficial deal. Logically speaking, it’s a profitable exchange.
For the human rulers, as long as they regularly sacrifice people from the lower class, they’re safe. In fact, having a dragon or a vampire around keeps other monsters at bay, so it’s a win-win.
It’s a brilliant deal where no one loses (since lower-class citizens don’t have human rights, they aren’t included in “everyone”).
But what about goblins? Orcs?
They’re different.
For one, they don’t understand language, and even if they did, they wouldn’t talk about “deals” or anything like that. They just can’t comprehend it.
The idea of being unbound by rules might sound kind of cool, but in reality, it just means their actions are completely unpredictable. Or perhaps I should say “uncontrollable.”
In the end, that’s the core issue.
The criteria for determining if you can talk to someone.
If they follow rules, then you can negotiate with them as long as you understand those rules. “Control” may sound bad, but you can guide their behavior.
If you can guide them, you can live in the same world—even if not peacefully—with undeveloped tribes, demi-humans, or monsters.
But with those who don’t follow any rules, you have no choice but to fight to the death.
Against such enemies, there’s no begging for mercy. The only outcome is mutual annihilation.
Of course, I don’t particularly care about the people of this country, but it’s a fact that killing them all would create problems. Even though I don’t want much from humans, there are still a few things I do need from them.
That’s why I negotiate with people. And why I can.
So, by my own personal rules, I can’t just go and kill them all.
Thus, negotiation.
Let’s go ahead and negotiate.
For now, I attacked the Adon Magic Nation Special Forces’ encampment and razed it to the ground.
“Um… what happened to the negotiation?”
Hector muttered something.
“I just need to get them into a position where they’re willing to talk.”
It would be a hassle if they thought they could ambush me.
I blew away their hiding places to make them easier to talk to.
I’ve gotten quite good at this. Erasing just the trees, for instance, is a simple task.
Then, using kinetic magic—essentially psychokinesis—I pulled the captured Adon soldiers toward me.
“Wh-What are you?!”
One of the captured Adon soldiers screamed, but I ignored him for the time being.
While I had them, I analyzed their equipment.
Hmm… So they’re using rifles that shoot flaming spears by consuming magic stones.
The technique engraved on them is very similar to ‘Fire Lance,’ the standard fire-attribute magic used by official Biltria mages.
The trigger crushes the magic stone like a hammer, and the resulting magical radiation is absorbed by the magic circle engraved on the rifle’s barrel, releasing the spell.
Their outfits are ghillie suits, basically camouflage clothing that blends with grass.
Additionally, they have force-field shields powered by magic stones that block attacks.
There are fewer than a hundred of them.
With that kind of gear, they could certainly make it through a forest like this. Even if they’re generic mages, a group of around a hundred can handle it easily.
“Excuse me, I’m with the secret society Aurora. Our trainees are currently doing field exercises in this area, so I’d appreciate it if you refrained from any military actions here.”
But none of them can match me.
I shattered their force-field shields and bent their rifles out of shape.
“Don’t point your ‘guns’ at me.”
“What?! You know what ‘this’ is…?!”
Ah, right.
Is this the only country that has them in this world?
I haven’t bothered to check other continents, but probably only Adon around here has rifles.
“Damn it! Draw your swords! Draw your swords!”
Because I recognized their weapons, the man who seemed to be the captain panicked and ordered his men to draw their swords.
Ugh, what a pain.
Just listen to me…
I was about to forcefully subdue them when—
“Would you mind stopping right there?”
A pale-skinned man approached.
