Once, while dining with Her Imperial Highness, she once asked me a playful question.
“Who do you think is the strongest in the Empire?”
She probably expected me to name myself. She wore a sly smile, as if testing me. I take pride in having confidence in my abilities, but I didn’t answer right away. After pondering for a while, I eventually responded in a strained voice.
“There is none before Kasugal, and there will be none after Kasugal.”
Even now, as I’m famed as a Sky Knight, my opinion remains unchanged. If we’re not limiting it to humans, then of course, I would think it’s Mastema…
To describe the man Kasugal Noaroad, I’d say he’s an unremarkable man in everything but magic. And even in magic, he’s terrible with anything but fire.
Ah, though I’d say his cooking is rather good. Passable, anyway.
When I first met him, Kasugal was nearly distrustful of people. Knowing he came from that country of mages, I understand why now.
His abilities were terribly unbalanced, so while he became an adventurer, he hardly made a living and even had to skip meals.
It was I who approached him. I remember inviting him over a meal.
The words I used were something like…
“All you need to do is cast your magic freely. I’ll handle the rest.”
If asked why I teamed up with Kasugal, it was because his fire magic was already perfected when we met.
Kasugal doesn’t remember, but we had actually worked together once before I invited him.
With overwhelming firepower, he crushed enemies. Though he often burned up materials, unaware of restraint, his strength was the real deal.
Sure, we didn’t earn much because of the materials lost, but I knew we’d get results if we teamed up.
Then, Renatishia eventually joined us, and we rose swiftly to become the Empire’s strongest party.
I think I took quite a bit of care to make things easier for Kasugal. While I put him in the leader’s role, in truth, it was me who made the party function.
I was also the one dealing with the troublesome nobles.
Kasugal had something I didn’t. If he hadn’t been around, we might not have been called the Empire’s strongest.
Even if that were the case, I’m confident we would’ve achieved some results. But we overcame many challenges thanks to his power.
There were also many things he couldn’t handle because of his specialization, though.
“Hey.”
“What is it?”
As we walked away from Kasugal’s shop, I had been lost in thought. I didn’t sense any surveillance.
I responded to Mastema’s voice.
“The human king who harmed Sanarie is nearby, isn’t he?”
“The emperor, yes.”
“Then wouldn’t it be easier to eliminate him now?”
“If it’s just eliminating him, I suppose so.”
To me, the emperor isn’t frightening. He’s merely the chief among nobles.
Even without using Mastema, I could kill him myself.
But the problem with nobles, or those in power, is never simple. A noble’s privileges don’t vanish just because you kill them.
Someone will inherit them, and in some cases, the one who eliminates them must take on that burden.
“If I were aiming to seize the throne, killing him now would be fine, but I want no part in that.”
I have no intention of founding an Orbst dynasty. If Her Imperial Highness were in the capital, it’d be one thing; I could maneuver amidst the chaos.
It’s unfortunate that our princess is slumbering on a royal bed in the kingdom. No telling when she’ll wake up.
Her life isn’t in danger, so she will wake someday.
If I were to kill the emperor now, his successor would vie for the throne, likely leading to a civil war. I don’t recall any notable candidates besides Her Highness.
It would probably become a massive quagmire.
If that happens, the Empire wouldn’t have the resources to meddle with the kingdom, and we could invade after the turmoil.
The aftermath would leave a shattered, divided Empire.
If both the kingdom and the Empire decline, the continent itself will fall into chaos for a while. Ideally, I’d like to prevent that.
I can live freely because there’s a degree of stability on the continent.
I want the Empire to remain as the dominant nation.
Of course, I’ll make sure the new emperor is toppled and place Her Imperial Highness on the throne.
This is non-negotiable.
Kasugal has retired; leaving him be is the safest option. It’s foolish to drag him away from his wife and child back to the battlefield.
I tell Mastema that we must ensure victory without tarnishing Her Imperial Highness’s coronation.
Having read numerous historical texts, Mastema seems to understand.
“Humans really are troublesome.”
“Exactly.”
If a commoner were to overthrow the king with force, the country itself would be shaken.
If I had ambition, it’d be different, but I don’t. And, technically, I am a kingdom noble now.
That would only make it more of an issue.
The top-ranked members of the Royal Guard likely guard the emperor constantly. To get past them, I’d have to use the Heaven Sword.
That would certainly draw attention.
Nia, whom I roused, responded to my request without hesitation. It pays to have built up goodwill.
Beastfolk are vastly superior at tracking people. With Nia’s level of skill, results shouldn’t take long.
But even so, it won’t be immediate.
It seems I can’t avoid fighting Kasugal.
To draw the emperor’s attention, I’ll need to go all out.
For the first time in a while, I feel a weight on my shoulders.
After all, if we don’t fight Kasugal, he’ll incinerate all the kingdom’s soldiers.
I can’t let an old comrade and nominal friend commit mass slaughter. If he does, it would spell ruin for the kingdom.
Who knows how much of the kingdom’s bonds I hold? I don’t even remember, but letting them turn to worthless paper would be a waste.
The days of being a carefree adventurer feel like a distant memory.
