... Aren't you early."
"I hurried given the state of emergency."
"Or perhaps, you've been in hiding somewhere in the country the whole time. After all, there's no news of you crossing the border."
It took us about a month to reach Shirone Kingdom, after the letter arrived.
It's a year's travel by normal methods.
Our pace definitely looks impossible.
"To avoid attacks from enemy nations, we kept our identities hidden during the journey here."
"Even after you crossed the border?"
"Especially after we crossed the border."
"I see."
Pax humphs.
Doesn't sound like he'll bother to ask how we got here so fast.
Well, we'll just lie about it, but...
Pax straightens up and points towards me.
"Then, what about him?"
"Your majesty knows him as well. He's Rudeus Greyrat."
"I'm aware."
"Then, what is it?"
"I'm asking why is he here."
"War is coming, so I thought it would be ideal to bring a strong magician along."
It's decisive.
In this world, magicians have critical importance on the field of battle.
Advanced Rank magicians, even intermediate ranked ones, are very handy for tactical positioning.
In single confrontations, swordsmen generally have the upper hand. But in numbers, when individual battles are less crucial, magicians become the focus.
Saint and King Rank magicians are indispensable commodities for kings of nations during wartime.
But Pax snickers in response.
With a sullen smile, his glance shuffles between Zanoba and I.
"Oh, really? Are you sure he isn't a pawn you brought to kill me."
When Pax said that, bloodthirst can be felt from two individuals that appear suddenly beside the Death God.
I guess those two are knights from Kingdom of Dragon King?
There should be ten in all.
Including the Death God, three are accounted for.
Where might the other seven be?
Honestly, they don't look too strong.
"How could you say that... I have no intention of making enemies with your majesty."
"Huh, you'll forgive the usurper?"
"Certainly. It's not like I ever swore loyalty to the previous king."
"Then, do you plan to swear loyalty to me?"
"..."
Zanoba did not reply.
Pax snorts, unamused by the non-response.
The attitude might be considered seditious, but Pax seemed to overlook it.
"Just as well. Brother [1]... no, Zanoba. What you actually think is irrelevant."
Pax nods towards the knights standing behind him.
"Look, these are the knights I brought from the Kingdom of Dragon King."
Hearing Pax, the knights lower their heads.
But the Death God yawns.
"And this one here, is a rather big deal. Ranked fifth of the Seven Great Powers, Death God Randolph Marianne."
The Death God straightens up when he heard his introduction.
He steps up looking rather uncomfortable.
A dry cough.
"Thank you for the introduction. I'm Randolph Marianne. Magic Continent born, mixed race. Human, elf, immortal, and a few others. I work as a knight under the command of General Generalissimo Chagall Gargantis of Kingdom of Dragon King, Order of Black Knights. My main job is killing. I can kill anyone. I don't belong to a particular school, but was formerly trained in North God and Water God Style. People think that the Death God is just a serial killer, but that's a misunderstanding. My hobby is cooking. I'm really a nice guy. I hope we can get along."
After that well practiced speech, he fakes a grim smile, and steps back.
"He might not look it, but he's really strong. After all, he took out all of brother's royal guards in a blink of an eye, he's the crucial character that made me king."
He soloed the whole thing?
As expected of one of the Seven Great Powers.
I heard he's rusty, but I guess not that rusty.
"How about it, Zanoba. How about we let them fight it out and see who's stronger?"
That's how it's going to be?
So Pax really is a Hitogami apostle?
This time he sent the Death God to kill me...
For a trap, this seems awfully straight forward.
"Surely you jest. Exhausting our forces right before war with the north..."
I can see beads of cold sweat forming on Zanoba's temples.
I suppose he's trying to protect me.
On the other hand, Pax is looking rather bemused by the way Zanoba acts.
Finding joy in cornering someone with mere words and watching him panic.
This reminds me of that time when he had me caught.
He really enjoys gaining the higher ground.
Finally, his face turns, as if to show that's he's just kidding.
If via Pax, Hitogami intends to force me to fight the Death God.
I'm ready to fight.
I have made my resolve.
Should I preempt the attack?
Death God looks full of openings.
Oh...
My opponent is among the Seven Great Powers. Certainly he won't have any obvious openings.
If I just attack the first opening I see, it'll certainly be countered.
Orsted said that is the Death God's expertise.
While I was thinking, Pax suddenly stretches his arm.
"Ha, just kidding. Don't be so serious."
A simple reproach.
That's it?
It's not happening?
Randolph looks totally unenthusiastic from the start, yawning again.
Yawning like he only had two hours of sleep last night.
Or maybe he's just bored.
"I have heard of rumors of Rudeus Greyrat. In Asura Kingdom, even though he had help from Armor Dragon King Perugius, he still took down Water God Reida and the Three Swords of North God? Randolph is a treasure his majesty Kingdragon[2] lent to me. I don't think he would lose. But if he's hurt, I would lose face."
Pax shrugs.
Then, straightening up again, he looks back at Zanoba.
"Say, brother, you look rather guarded."
"Well, your majesty and I left on bad terms."
"That is true... but, I don't intend to keep on fighting my brother."
Pax crosses his legs and rests his chin on his hands.
Looking rather arrogant.
"So, let bygones be bygones."
"Thank you for your generosity."
"Sure."
Pax grins as Zanoba takes a bow.
A satisfied grin.
The grin of a winner.
Not a winner in battle, but a smile for having the upper hand. [3]
"Rather, I should be the one thanking you."
"?"
"Because of what happened, I was able to change for the better."
He changed?
That short and chubby Pax doesn't look much different.
Well, looking more carefully, he seems to have slimmed down.
I can see his jawline and abs now. His neck has thickened too. Has he gained muscles?
He can no longer be considered chubby.
No... it's what's inside that counts. [4]
"Certainly, I shed my share of tears when I was sent off as hostage to Kingdom of Dragon King. Towards brother and Rudeus Greyrat... I felt only hate in those dark days."
"..."
"But, I changed.