Chapter 317 - Beyond his Gaze is......

[……Huh?]

[I had one of my subordinates…… hide it in a certain place. They are the only one who know where it is hidden. In other words, it’s pointless to try to kill and plunder it from me. Ahh, and also……]

Kirihara indifferently continued.

[If they don’t get a directive from me within a certain period of time, they’re supposed to dispose of the Great Demon Emperor’s heart. Either destroy it, or throw it somewhere where it can never be found……]

[………………..]

[In short…… If you kill or capture me here, you will automatically lose the Great Demon Emperor’s heart. Anything you do is useless…… If you do anything to upset my outlook, I will have no choice but to take you with me. In a world where this me doesn’t exist, everything ends.]

Is his words a bluff or not?

I couldn’t read the truth from his facial expression or voice.

And yet, for some reason, this man seems to hold certainty in his voice.

Even if there’s a discrepancy between the facts and what he says————

He might be seriously convinced that his words were the “truth”.

Now then, what should I do?

There are several ways to go about this.

However————- I must be extremely careful.

Losing this generation’s Prime Origin isn’t something I can’t allow to happen.

I mustn’t leave any possibility of losing it.

It’s dangerous to make a bad move here.

[Fufu…… Errr, but why are you doing that? What is it that you want? If you don’t give me the heart, I won’t be able to return you to your world, you know?]

With his intelligence, it’s hard to believe that he’s aware of my true intentions.

[I intend to return to my world. However, now is not the time to return yet.]

The topic of conversation changes.

[Hmmm? What does…… that mean?]

[The world needs to know of their King named Kirihara. And after I achieved being the king of this world, I must return to my original world and become the king there as well. Do I make myself clear?]

[……Ahh, I think I understand.]

In other words, he “still wants to have fun” in this world.

[In that case, after you have achieved your goal, you would be willing to give me the heart?]

[Of course. I have to eventually return to that country. However, now is not the time……]

[I see.]

With this information in hand, I pondered.

[Then, Kirihara-san, I will help you with that?]

[That is but natural.]

[However, I must ask for details. What exactly do you want?]

Kirihara spoke.

First, to acquire a country.

Second, he wanted to be crowned king of that country.

Then, when he felt like he “accomplished everything”……

——only then will he give the heart to me and return to his world.

[The other Heroes need to understand who I am. I can’t allow deranged behaviors like going back without me. Even if I myself allow it, fate itself won’t allow it.]

[In other words…… Sogou-san and the others can’t return until you achieve your ideals in this world, right?]

[The Great Demon Emperor wouldn’t have been defeated if it were not for me. The others don’t have any other choice but agree.]

Oh, these were Heroes who had similar thoughts in the past.

“Since I defeated the world’s greatest enemy, I want a reward in return.”

In some cases, there are those who have become more comfortable in this world.

There were also those who didn’t want to return to their original world in the first place.

However……

From the perspective of a Deity, there are problems if they continue staying behind after the Root of All Evil has been annihilated.

If they stay around too long, bad “effects” will appear.

If there are only one or two, those “effects” can be minimized.

If their numbers could be screened, there’s no problem if they stay behind until the end of their lifespan.

However, if the number of people required by Kirihara was to remain, it would be difficult to do so for a long period of time.

The easiest way through this matter would be to reduce the number of people by eliminating them————–

[……I understand. Well then, I will explain to Sogou-san and the others and ask them to remain for a while? So…… Kirihara-san, do you want to establish a new country in the Root of All Evil’s Land?]

[No, I will take Magnar.]

[Magnar?]

[A country needs human citizens…… And of course, the Root of All Evil’s Land will be my country’s territory. You know why I chose Magnar? It’s because Magnar has the Knight Wall that allows access to the Root of All Evil’s Land…… If you’re concerned about them, I can push the monsters and Demons that are under my control into the Root of All Evil’s Land. Rest assured…… Magnar’s people…… Kirihara’s people will not be wronged. I will fulfill my royal obligations.]

[I see. Hmm…… Magnar’s White Wolf King was killed in the last Grand Invasion…… so the throne is currently vacant but……]

[There are still the White Wolf Knights and White Wolf King’s younger brother. I met them when I went to help the Eastern Army……]

[Knight Commander Sigurd Sigmus. I believe he’s on his way to the east now with the White Wolf Knights.]

[I will duel with him and make it clear to the world who Magnar’s true king is.]

[A duel huh. Duel……]

[It needs to be determined…… which man is worthy of being the true king. Of course, if he perceives my royalty and bows down before me, I’ll be willing to spare your life. I must have that much leniency in me.]

[Hmmm.]

Would that “Black Wolf” acknowledge this though?

I’m well aware of the situation in Magnar without the White Wolf King.

The call for Sigurd to take the throne is growing day by day in the country.

Sigurd too has been the recipient of this longing for the throne.

“I am willing to take on this role temporarily until my brother is found.”

That is what he declared.

The king’s absence.

Sigurd is well-aware of the negative impact this will have on the retainers and Magnar’s people.

Still, I could only sneer at them within my mind.

His whereabouts were unclear———– His corpse hadn’t been found.

In that case, he might be alive.

No, for these people, he’s definitely still alive.

For some reason, when people heard that “his whereabouts were unclear”, they just assumed that the person was still alive.

They can’t———– They don’t want to face reality.

This is one of the characteristics of human herds.

After clinging to baseless optimism for a long time, they would start ranting and raving only when it’s finally too late.

Or perhaps, the moment abominable eyes start popping out among the people and they become devastated, they begin making a fuss in an unsightly and repulsive manner.

No matter how many times I see all that happening, it still looks ridiculous and comedic.

As human beings increase in number, they develop a “flavor” that seems to boil down to stupidity.

As a species, they are beings that must be preserved.

They needed to be protected.

As sacrifices for my entertainment———– my toys.

Such short-lived species.

[Also, I’ve taken Magnar’s Artlight Sisters under my wing.]

[Well…… I guess it’s alright.]

The beautiful Knight Sisters, also known as the “Magnar’s Jewels”.

[At best, they’d make good concubines.]

[Huh. Well then, is the one you really desire Sogou-san?]

[I guess this is just what I could expect from you huh.]

[W- What a mean thing to say…… How cruel……] n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

[As I thought, it was just that you didn’t notice my hidden talent———- You’re too narcissistic. Because of that…… You honestly that clueless huh? In the end,is there a limit to your stupidity?]

[……Ahh.]

[Even if you realize it now, it’s already too late. My legal wife———]

[———-can only be Seras Ashrain.]

At first, I wasn’t taking his words seriously because I hadn’t really thought of his true character.

However, thinking about it again, I’m convinced that this was the case.

In the first place, she’s the reason why the Artlight Sisters haven’t been talked about much.

In terms of beauty, there is the presence of the Mad Emperor.

However, above all of them, the presence of Seras is just too great.

…………………

Seras Ashrain.

[———————]

At that moment, I had a flash of inspiration.

I need time now.

I need to make my actions in consideration for the future.

However, considering the hindrances towards such a future, there was indeed “that hindrance”.

Kirihara.

Fly King———— Mimori.

Come to think of it, that time when Touka Mimori was about to be disposed……

The exchange between Kirihara and Mimori……

[………………..]

After a moment of silent contemplation, I spoke.

[Kirihara-san, talking about Seras Ashrain made me remember something…… and I have a rather interesting story to tell you.]

[If it’s something boring, your credibility is all but finished here.]

[I thought you might find it interesting though.]

With these words, I brought my face close to Kirihara’s ear.

As expected, it seems that this fact must have moved him.

Kirihara’s expression changed.

[————What’s that?]

[I, too, thought it was strange———– and wondered who the Fly King was. Even though they claimed their ability is called Sorcery, just calling it that doesn’t make any sense……]

[At that time…… Before he was disposed of———–]

Kirihara glared.

[If I remember correctly, you called his ability a “Failure Frame” skill, right?]

[……………………]

[What’s with the silence?]

[……Uuuu, this is just repulsive…… Seeing him springing out of the graveyard like maggots…… I’m scared……]

[Just random prattles huh? Are those words about the Disposal Ruins just papier-maché? You should know better not to underestimate the real world.]

I shared my guesses about Mimori’s inherent skills.

[Just like that one named Ikusaba…… They held status unsuitable for their stature…… So it’s those upstart skills they have huh……]

[Unless you consider it that way, things just wouldn’t make sense. It’s just, I don’t know how it is that he survived without food…… That is just something I don’t understand at all.]

[And you call yourself a Goddess? Things like that only make others laugh because of its ridiculousness.]

[Fufufu, was it that amusing?]

Thereupon, Kirihara roughly grabbed the cloth near my collar.

[What an inconceivable oversight this is, Goddess Vysis…… ———–That guy is the leader of Fly King Squadron, Belzegia———–]

Kirihara’s lips opened up a bit.

I could see him clenching his teeth.

[He was the one who currently “owns” Seras Ashrain……!? That’s as ridiculous of a story as can be, Vysis……!]

Vysis lightly smiled.

[Well…… Seras Ashrain is a knight who learned her profession from Cattleya Stramius, and is also renowned for her swordsmanship. However…… What about in matters unrelated to that? She has a character that doesn’t understand jokes, is innocent, and isn’t accustomed to men———– Therefore, she probably has no male experience…… In other words, if “something” happened that made her attracted as a member of the opposite gender, she ends up being a little girl falling right into their palm. Ahh, I’ll just say this now, but it isn’t like I’m insulting you, this is just my personal opinion ? It isn’t that I’m denying that Seras Ashrain doesn’t find you attractive, so don’t worry.]

Touka Mimori probably saved Seras from the hands of the Black Dragon Knights.

Thus, I spoke of my own theory.

[————I think that’s why she got attracted to Mimori-san. And so, the reason Seras Ashrain and Mimori-san were still working together in the Fly King Squadron was probably……]

[Mimori…… He must have cheated “Humanity’s Strongest” with a cowardly move…… However, I would have clashed against him head-on and defeated the “Humanity’s Strongest”…… Tsk…… It seems like Seras Ashrain has really bad luck…… To be delighted to be saved by a man with a lower rank than me, I can only say she’s not observant enough. Her appearance may be the best, but I suppose I’ll need to re-educate her inner traits myself…… Good grief, what a troublesome woman……]

Kirihara…… spat at my chest.

[…………………….]

As if to thrust me away, Kirihara vigorously removes his hand from his clothing.

[For you to not have known about this until now…… For the sin of not noticing the survival of a misunderstanding low-ranking cockroach…… I’m going to be a little lenient……]

[Is that so———– Well, thank you very much.]

[…………Is that anger I sense? Do you perhaps intend to kill me here now?]

[I wonder?]

[Hmph…… However, this goes way past something I can forgive. Even I, whose identity is synonymous with generosity, couldn’t help snapping———- My patience has finally been reached. I have no choice…… but to take the route of a decisive judgment.]

Kirihara placed his hand on the hilt of his katana and gripped it tightly.

[For someone with a social standing no different than air, no different than the surrounding crowd, satisfiedly keeping a beauty that doesn’t match his rank…… This———– completely goes against my providence.]

[Kirihara-san, you are a true king.]

[I don’t need you telling that to me now. Such is a fact as natural as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.]

[And a true king needs a suitable partner next to him.]

[The Artlight Sisters are great appetizers. However, the main dish that should really be next to me can only be Seras Ashrain. It is fate that those of the highest grade are allotted to beings of the highest grade, and such is providence. The overwhelming providence…… Even if inferiors somehow find themselves rising up in the world, they would eventually find the pretenses they cover themselves with coming unstuck. That is because it’s contrary to providence. What is needed now is a normal world in which conceited inferior beings live lives worthy of their true nature…… Such was also the same case in the world I was in. However, the voices of those lower creatures, not understanding their own place———— were disproportionately, too loud.]

[That is indeed the case, Kirihara-san. That is definitely the case.]

[Hmph, Vysis…… I will dare go along with this story of yours…… For the sake of bringing the world to normalcy, I will bring everything back to how it should be, where everything exists for Kirihara. I can no longer excuse Mimori for his actions..]

[Well then, Kirihara-san. From now on, until you achieve your goal, we will be fighting on a common front…… Is that correct?]

[A king joining hands with a God. Such is acceptable. Above all, I can’t kill you if I’m going to get back to my former world…… I would at least compromise, and fight on the same side with you……]

“Fuuuu……”, Kirihara exhaled.

[Sigurd Sigmus,

Artlight Sisters,

Sogou Ayaka,

Takao Hijiri,

Seras Ashrain……

Sigurd Sigmus,

Sogou Ayaka,

Seras Ashrain……

Sigurd Sigmus,

Seras Ashrain……]

Cladding himself with those small golden dragons again, Kirihara tilted his head.

[Mimori Touka.]