Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Dragon Demon Prince (7)
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9
He wanted to restore his physical condition to normal by evening if at all possible, but things didn't go according to plan. Ruining one's condition is always easy, but recovery is another matter entirely. And besides...
"Heh heh heh."
With a saboteur around, it was bound to be even harder.
As Azel had anticipated, Kairen showed up. He noticed Azel's condition right away and insisted they spar, claiming he couldn't pass up the opportunity. Kairen won, of course. Then, at dinner with Arietta, Azel couldn't stand the sight of Kairen grinning from ear to ear.
"Does beating a sick man make you that happy, sir?"
"A sick man? Where's the sick man here? You're not calling a hangover an illness, are you?"
"Urgh."
Azel vowed to pay him back tomorrow without fail, but Arietta spoke up.
"Even the great Sir Azel seems helpless against a hangover."
"I have nothing to say for myself."
"Now that I think about it, Master, that matter never came to pass after all."
Kairen gave a wry smile at her words.
"Unfortunately, that's how it turned out. Seiga was just too busy..."
"He's heading out on campaign again in three days, so it couldn't be helped. And with Sir Azel in this state, it was better not to force it."
"What happened?"
When Azel asked in confusion, Kairen explained.
"Well, before you left the palace, I wanted to set up a match between you and Seiga."
"With the prince?"
"Yeah. But his schedule was packed. There'll be another chance later."
"And my opinion doesn't matter at all?"
"You think you'd refuse if Seiga agreed after I recommended it?"
"Well... no, I suppose not."
"Then why complain when you know that?"
"You're too much, sir."
"But I figured you'd want to go up against Seiga. I'm a bit surprised you're not interested."
"I'd rather not draw any more attention from the higher-ups. The prince has a real thirst for talent, so that could get pretty annoying."
"That's exactly why I wanted to set it up."
"Pardon?"
"Seiga looks down on humans."
Seiga had opened up to his long-absent master about recent events and his true feelings. From his words, Kairen could tell that Seiga had too much confidence in his own power and a deep-seated disdain for humans.
"Well, his words were a bit extreme. To be precise... he sees humans as the weak ones."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"Not quite. He knows humans can make up for his own shortcomings. That's why he seeks out talented individuals. But... at his core, he believes that no matter how impressive a human is, they're still weaker than him. The only ones he truly respects in terms of martial prowess are me and Arietta."
"And both of you are Dragonkin and Dragon Demon Hybrids, so that mindset makes sense. But aren't there plenty of skilled knights in the Royal Guard?"
"There are some decent ones. But if we're talking purely human knights, none of them could take Seiga down."
"Is that so?"
Azel was a little surprised.
He knew Arietta's skill well. From meeting Seiga in person, his Dragon Demon mana seemed on par with hers, but given his youth and lack of combat experience, his overall prowess likely fell short.
'Does that mean there are no knights in the Royal Guard stronger than the princess?'
He had some sense of this era's knights from Zail and Boer, but it was still shocking. Surely there were veteran knights in the royal guard, and some renowned for their strength...
'Just how low is the overall level? Or are the Lurein royal knights particularly weak?'
Arietta was undoubtedly strong. But during the Dragon Emperor War, there had been plenty of human Spirit Order practitioners stronger than her.
Kairen spoke to Azel, who had fallen deep into thought.
"That's why he needs a reality check before that mindset sets in for good. The Dragon Demon Worshippers might target him someday, and if he underestimates them just because they're human, he could get in real trouble. But this is something I can't do myself."
"What about the knights under your command, Your Grace?"
"There are a few who could handle it, but I can't just summon Seiga to my territory without good reason, nor can I ask them to abandon their duties and trek all the way to the capital just for one spar."
"So the knights of the Tarantos Duchy outclass the royal knights?"
"I trained them myself. Of course they do."
"...Ah, yes, sir."
Azel shot Kairen a look that said, *Well, aren't you something.* Kairen snorted.
"Well, you can judge their skill for yourself when you visit later. Anyway, that's why I wanted to match you up against him... but unfortunately, the chance never came."
"Hm. Besides the royal knights... what about the entire kingdom?"
"There are some highly capable people. My territory's knights are one example, but there are plenty who don't seek promotion in the royal court and stay loyal to their own lands."
"I see."
"My territory has quite a few experts you'd enjoy crossing swords with. Look forward to it."
"I really am."
Azel meant it. Since awakening, he'd been disappointed by every human Spirit Order practitioner he'd met. He was eager to see some real talent.
Arietta gave a wry smile.
"I'd love to visit my master after so long and train under him again... but I just don't have the time. Shame."
"Sounds like you're blaming me for not staying at the palace longer."
"Exactly. It'd be great if you could stick around for a while and guide me."
"Not happening. Do you know how many pains in the ass pester me just for a chance to spar? It's hard to train properly in this environment. Once Seiga's duties pick up, take turns taking leave and come down."
"I wish it were that easy."
Arietta sighed. As the Dragon Demon Princess, her freedom was far more restricted than other royals. This incident had made her realize she needed to grow stronger, but that wasn't something solved overnight—and her master Kairen was just saying things like that...
She didn't know it, but Kairen wasn't exactly idle either. Officially, he rarely left his territory, but in truth, he roamed the kingdom as a Guardian Shadow, carrying out missions.
Kairen continued.
"In any case, you could stand to learn from Seiga a bit. There's no guarantee the Dragon Demon Worshippers won't target you again, so from now on, you need to build up your own forces."
"I've been thinking about that. It's a huge shame Sir Azel so thoroughly rejected my offer."
"I am deeply sorry."
"At least pretend to mean it."
Arietta snorted.
Until now, Arietta hadn't considered forming her own direct retinue. But if she ended up kidnapped by Dragon Demon Worshippers out of concern for others' sacrifices, it would turn the world upside down. That was why she'd changed her mind.
Kairen said,
"I can't stay here myself... but if I find any promising talent in my territory, I'll send them your way. Plenty of ambitious ones around."
"I'd be grateful for that. It doesn't seem easy to recruit here anyway."
As Seiga had told Azel, gathering talented people wasn't simple. If Kairen sent her some worthwhile ones, it would help Arietta immensely.
Suddenly, Azel spoke up.
"Isn't there already someone nearby who fits the princess's criteria?"
"Hm? Who would that be?"
"Sir Zail."
"Oh ho."
Arietta's eyes lit up. Azel explained.
"It's hard to poach someone from the royal organizations, but Sir Zail belongs to the Western Border Guard, so there'd be less friction, right? He hasn't been assigned there long either."
"Hm. That's... worth a shot. What do you think his answer would be?"
"I'd say he'd come running if the princess made the offer."
Azel briefly outlined Zail's family situation. Arietta nodded.
"With circumstances like that, I can't just let it pass. Understood. I'll make the offer tomorrow."
"Thank you. And Your Grace."
"Hm?"
"Could you delay leaving the capital by three days?"
"Why the sudden request?"
"I've got some business."
Azel smiled as he said it.
10
Once Arietta made up her mind, she acted without hesitation. The very next day, she summoned Zail to the palace, offered him a position in her direct service, received permission, and transferred his affiliation.
Zail showed up at Azel's lodgings looking utterly dazed.
"What just happened?"
Even after swearing loyalty to Arietta, he still couldn't quite believe it. He half-worried it was all a dream that would vanish the moment he woke up.
Azel said,
"What else? It all worked out perfectly."
"Sir Azel."
"Don't worry about the aftermath. She promised to send supplies to the Western Border Guard as compensation. Good pay, a house in the capital, new gear and uniforms tailored to your new post..."
"Hm. I don't even know what to say. For now... thank you."
Zail bowed his head. While traveling with Arietta, he'd quietly hoped for some favor. That was the point of appealing to a superior. But he'd never imagined it would go this smoothly.
Azel grinned.
"I just pointed out you were the right man in the right place. If you'd failed to prove yourself while serving the princess, it wouldn't have panned out. So no need to thank me."
Azel picked up his sword and flicked the blade with his finger. It rang with a clear tone.
"As I said, I'm leaving soon. I called you here because there's something I want to teach you before I go."
"She mentioned borrowing me for three days... What is it?"
"Something I want to show you."
"Show me?"
"You're an exceptional warrior, Sir Zail. Becoming a quadruple master at your age is an astonishing achievement, and your application of it is top-notch. However..."
As Azel spoke, Zail suddenly felt his breath catch.
*What is this?*
Azel seemed to grow larger before his eyes. It was like facing a formidable foe—his presence dominated Zail's vision, his voice the only sound, Zail's body shrinking back involuntarily, his breathing quickening without him realizing.
"You don't grasp the essence of Spirit Order. That's a problem. The threats coming for the princess may be even more vicious from here on."
Zail was half in a panic. Azel had disrupted his senses with a subtle psychic wave.
In the next moment, the disorientation receded like an ebbing tide, freeing Zail's senses. He gasped for air.
"Hah."