“In fact, I'm more worried about him”
“Him?”
At first, the captain didn't understand who Elexis was referring to and gave him a puzzled look.
“You don't know?”
“...Ah, the man you sent a suit to?”
Elexis's expression at the time was the same as when he had packed his suit into the container and launched it. Thanks to that, the captain was quickly able to pick up on who Elexis meant.
“That's right... You could say that everything hinges on whether or not we can beat that extraordinary boy, Koutarou-kun”
“Can we win?”
“We will. I've made preparations for just that reason”
Elexis was smiling. Tension could be seen in his expression, but he showed a trace of confidence and joy. To the captain, it looked like Elexis was about to play a game with a good friend.
“...You look like you're having fun, Elexis-sama”
“Oh it's fun. This might sound imprudent, but I'm having a blast”
“I don't have the composure to laugh. This is an event that will decide the future of Forthorthe”
“I'm not worried for Forthorthe's future in the slightest. Because no matter who reigns after her majesty, Elfaria, their political views will be closer to my ideals”
“Even if that's princess Theiamillis?”
“That's what I believe”
Elexis didn't think it was possible for any future rulers to manage their politics without making use of the coup d'état that happened during Elfaria's reign. And by taking advantage of that, it would be easy for DKI to raise their profits. Likewise, it would be easy to make the world a better place, as was Elexis's personal desire. Just by having the coup d'état occur was enough to accomplish many of Elexis's goals.
“Besides, I am confident I can survive no matter what way the world turns out”
“There won't be any losses for you, and you're confident you can survive no matter what happens. And that's why it's him?”
“Yes. Not even my most desperate efforts might be enough. I've never met an opponent like that before. Can’t you tell? I'm going all out for the first time in my life”
Before he met Koutarou, Elexis had always been the victor. He could repel all of his enemies without even getting serious. Because of that, he felt like life wasn't offering much of a challenge. Part of why he had worked together with the military to change the world was because he wanted a challenge. That was also why he was present on site. Normally, there would be no need for the CEO of DKI to be on the frontlines.
And that was when he had met him. Koutarou had powers which surpassed his knowledge, and confidence unfitting for someone his age. Elexis's couldn't even imagine what Koutarou had experienced to turn him into what he was. And because of that, he couldn't help but leap for joy. Even more, he was happy that he had lost. He felt immense joy having found an opponent that required him to push himself to the limit.
“You make it sound like you don't even mind if you lose”
“Oh that wasn't my intention. Though I might not look like it, but I hate losing. Well, if I do lose, my enjoyment will be prolonged”
“Then I will put my hopes on your hate on losing”
“Don't worry. That side of me is hardcore”
Elexis and the captain smiled. Partly because they were related, partly because Elexis and the Melcemheim band of knights were strong, but most of all, because they trusted one another.