Book 6: Chapter 18


    So thisis it, huh?


    Watching his own troops fall into panic, Dargof returned to his senses and let out a defeated mutter. If this had been a battle to protect the future of the Galgan Empire from an outside threat, he might have sent out his forces anyway. However, having suffered so many losses, and being treated as the one rebelling, his heart was now broken. Of course, he wasntcking the necessary talent to pull it off. His experience was telling him that this was an unwinnable battle. He didnt care much for his own safety, but havinge this far, he wanted to die a dignified death. That was his honor as amander. Returning to the main army would make him a coward. Konrad may have run away, but Dargof didnt care much for that.


    To thinka day like this woulde.


    He grabbed himself the deadly poison he had prepared just in case he would need it. And right as he intended to take it and die a peaceful death


    That wont do, sadly.


    He heard such a voice.


    Who?! He screamed and reached for his sword at his hip, but the other person was even faster.


    A cold sensation rushed behind his back, aiming at his neck. But right after, a boiling heat filled his whole body, and his mind grew hazy.


    AghGah?!


    Do you know Blood Eye by any chance? Concentrated to the utmost limit, it can act as a strong stimnt.


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    Blood Eye was known as a medicine that drastically raised your battle prowess at the cost of your own life. However, Minagi instead used it as a strong poison, as she stabbed the needle into Dargof.


    If youre going to die, why not choose a better ce first? Good luck.


    AhAhhhAhhhhhh!


    His entire view turned red, as his brain melted away. And then, he heard one final murmur reaching his ears.


    Maizer did this. Its all Maizers fault, got it?


    Continuously whispering this, Minagi pushed Dargof outside the tent.


    What is the situation like?


    No major resistance to report. The greater half decided to run.


    One of the generals answered Maizers question. Even the general himself was bewildered at this. They gathered all these troops, anticipating they would be meeting some level of resistance.


    It appears they suffered a nightly raid before we even arrived. And quite a fatal oneI wonder who exactly set this up.


    Who knows.


    Maizer feigned ignorance, but he obviously knew that this was Kyles doing. However, fighting and defeating Konrad head-on would sound better in the history books, so he decided to keep Kyles existence shrouded.


    <em>Then again, I doubt anybody would believe me even if I came clean</em>


    When Maizer first heard about this n, he doubted his ears, but he still decided to bet on this chance. It needed a bit of a ridiculous n like that in order to be Emperor. And in the endhe won that bet.


    <em>To think he would pull it offI guess thats what makes him a hero.</em>


    Maizer was thinking about this when a report came in.


    G-General Dargof has been spotted!


    Together with this report, Maizer already spotted him in the distance.


    Maizeeeeeeer!!


    His eyes were bloodshot, in a literal sense, as he ran toward Maizer at a speed that shouldnt be humanly possible. He was just wildly swinging around his sword, not allowing anybody to get closer. He suffered several injuries and wounds already, but it was like he didnt feel any pain.


    Thatis supposed to be General Dargof?


    One of the generals uttered these words in disbelief. Even though this was supposed to be a colleague, they could hardly recognize him. Responding to this, Maizer screamed.


    Dargof! Im right here!


    Dargof stopped moving instantly and turned toward Maizer with his red eyes, running directly at him. The surrounding soldiers and generals tried to step between them, but Maizer wouldnt allow that.


    <em>To think hed go this far</em>


    Maizer observed Dargof with a cold look in his eyes, pulled his de out, and then waited. Then, he used his sword like a mirror, reflecting the sunlight to shine it directly at Dargof.


    Gah?!


    His vision and senses were strengthened by Blood Eye, which was both a benefit but also a weakness. Suffering from the severe stimulus, Dargof covered his eyes and stopped. Maizer used this opportunity to raise his sword, slicing down at Dargof from the top of his shoulder all the way down to the hip, cutting him in two. Even if Blood Eye granted a pseudo-immortality, this much damage was too much for him to bear, as he fell to the ground and copsed.


    Traitor Dargof has been struck down!


    A few thousand soldiers had observed this duel when they heard Maizer scream these words, cheering in joy.


    <em>So this is what a clown feels likeI can hardly wait to be Emperor.</em>


    Maizer grumbled as he waved at his retainers and soldiers.


    *


    A bit away from the battlefield, hiding amongst the thicket, Kyle and the other two had safely retreated, joined by a fourth individual. Kyle and Minagi sighed in relief, but Seran was still keeping watch around them. Kyle was curious about this, but he first confronted Minagi.


    What about Dargof?


    It worked out quite well. Now it just depends if the prince can use him to his advantage.


    The bet worked out quite well, but it was impossible to check on that from up close.


    Well, we were lucky that it yed in our favorOh, someone woke up.


    UghWhere am I?


    The fourth person present was actually Konrad, who was abducted by Minagi amidst the chaos.


    Finally awake, are you?


    Hearing a familiar voice, Konrad freshened up immediately as he red at Kyle.


    Hurry up and kill me. You shouldnt have any reason to keep me alive.


    Thats wrong. Youare the only one I want to save! Kyle hesitated, but still pleaded.


    Saveme? Konrad was unsure of what Kyle was even saying, only for his expression to change into that of anger. What use is there in keeping me alive?! I dont n on begging for my life. And I am the son of Emperor Benedix! You will not be left alive! He put his hand on his hip, looking for the sword that had already been taken from him.


    Youre wrong! I just want to save you! And my mother asked for this, too! To rely on you!


    Seraia did?


    Understanding Kyles intentions behind his actions, Konrad was bewildered.


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    You are my mothers savioras well as that of my unborn little sister. I dont want you to die!


    Konrad could feel Kyles devotion and desperate attempt to convince him.


    Shes as kind as always, I see. If I had never met here, I may have been able to live a cunning and shrewd life like Maizer, he said, sounding like a convicted criminal who had epted his own death. But, what good will keeping me alive do? It will only cause more trouble.


    There are plenty of ways for you to just stay alive!


    Of course, Kyle was just being selfish. He had killed countless people that very night, now wishing to save the man behind the reason for it all. Seeing Kyle like that, Konrad showed a smile and opened his mouth to say something


    ?


    Suddenly, Konrad stopped moving and fell over like his strings had been cut. Even his face in death looked pleasant, like he had no regrets.


    Th-This is


    Kyle was bewildered. It reminded him of the same death that Eldorand was put through.


    YesNo mistaking it. Minagis face was as pale as ash.


    She was certain that this was her master Sougas doing. Only Seran stared into the forest ahead of them, not giving Konrads corpse a nce.


    Seran?


    I had a bad feeling about thisBut I was hoping I was wrong. Because theres no way youd be here Seran didnt respond to Kyle calling his name and continued. So, why exactly do I have to see your face right nowOld hag?


    So you did see us. Honestly, Id rather not have revealed myself here, but oh well.


    The person who appeared from the shadows of the tree was undoubtedly Kyles and Serans master, Le. And she had no change at all since theyst met half a year ago.


    I was sure I hid my presence fully, though.


    Yeah. Something felt off, but I couldnt quite wrap my head around it. But when Konrad died, you leaked a bit of your presence, right?


    To think you would catch on to thatMaybe Ive aged. Le facepalmed.


    Its proof of my growth. So, answer my question. Why are you here? Seran asked his foster mother with a deep voice.


    Im just here as a guard. Hes the real star.


    At Lesmand, the other individual showed his grin, one hand on his hipAn old man with grey hair.


    Souga


    The legendary shinobi, and Minagis master, revealed himself.


    So it was you after allYoure the one who killed Prince Eldorandand Prince Konrad.


    Quite. And to think you figured me out. But I doubt youve grown that much, so it must be the age getting to me. Souga looked at his pupil with a rxed gaze and then nced at Kyle. <strong>It has been quite a while</strong>, hasnt it, little Kyle? Im d youre doing fine. Souga showed a calm yet teasing smirk.


    In this world, this should be their first time meeting, so this statement made it feel like he had grasped Kyles heart. Kyle was shocked to his core but tried to y it cool since he was in front of Minagi and Seran. Usually, Kyle would have felt a warm connection to the both of thembut now they seemed like entirely different people almost.


    Why are you two together?


    A brief silence followed, to which Kyle finally opened his mouth to voice this doubt.


    Its simple. The Mera cult was behind this. And we side with the Mera cult.


    Kyle had anticipated such an answer, although he really wished he wouldnt have gotten it after all.


    Old hag, youre part of the cult? Dont fit you one bit.


    Ive got a lot on my te, is all. She seemed to be speaking the truth because she sighed in exhaustion.


    Id love to ask about what exactly you have on your te, but will you tell us?


    I dont mindBut you guys must be tired, so lets leave the details for another time, yeah?


    Indeed. But your zeal is appreciated. Souga agreed with Le, as the two turned their backs on the three and attempted to walk away.


    That wont doIf need be, well make you talk by force.


    Yeah, agreed. Let me help you.


    These words were not something you should say to your own master, but when Kyle finished uttering them, Seran joined in. Watching those two pupils of hers, Le sighed deeply once more.


    Now listen hereWe just ended up on different sides of the coin. I dont see you guys as enemies, nor do I have any intention of doing so. Get that through your thick skulls. She shook her head, speaking with the same voice the two were used to back at Rimarze. So, you dont gotta be so scared. She smiled.


    A wave of hostility and rage momentarily filled Seran, but he quickly calmed himself and shed a confident smirk.


    What a cheap attempt at a provocation. Then, onest thing from meThough, its not for you, old hag. Seran took out a throwable knife from his pocket, throwing it at a small tree to the side of the two.


    You can have this back.


    So you realized. You two, you cane out.


    Called by Le, the two invaders who fought Seran at the public bath appeared. Since they wore the same clothes as before, their faces were covered, but Seran could tell.


    So they were your followers. I was wondering why their movement felt so familiar.


    The eerie sensation he had felt when he fought them resulted from that. Its because he saw Les shadow behind them.


    I thought Kyle and I were supposed to be your only pupils?


    I changed my mind, is all. I also heard about you having to run away butt-naked with your tail between your legs.


    Im reflecting on that, geez


    Learning that the one person he definitely didnt want to know happened to find out left Seran severely depressed.


    Anyway, I dont n on staying here longer than I have to. Lets have a proper talk next timeAlso, tell Lieze-chan I said hi.


    Kyle and the other two didnt move. Or more urately, they couldnt. They knew that they wouldnt be able to beat those two, let alone with the support from the other two. Right as she walked away, Le turned around and threw something at Kyle. He reflexively epted it, which turned out to be a letter. She said to Read itter.


    Sothey let us go?


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    A moment passed after those four left, when Seran broke the silence.


    Minagi simply had her gaze focused on the ground.


    Right there, they heard cheersing from the battlefield, as they witnessed the moment Maizers army had grasped victory.


    So its finally over


    Of course, to Kyle and the others, this was far from the ending, but at least the civil warthe uproar inside of the Empire was quelled. The civil war that hadsted a year in the past history now went by in a mere ten days. For that reason, the Empire managed to maintain most of its military prowess.