Indeed, the Nelferian Empire was a central hub that had to be passed through when reaching these kingdoms, Aster included. Subsequently, it was far more connected. Because the Aster Kingdom was an allied nation, travel between the two would be fairly simple. Just as Suimei had said, from the perspective of gathering intel and resources, that was indeed the most suitable location.
If he had to be honest with himself, the King would rather not have let such a powerful mage as Suimei out of his reach. However, seeing as restraining his actions was not within their ability, trying to force him to stay wasn’t a good idea.
“…So that’s how it is. Well, then if there’s anything I can help with, please feel free to let me know. Knowing what you can do, any aid I might render is likely inconsequential, but if there’s anything I can do, I will do my best.”
Although he’d offered to support Suimei in his goal, Suimei did not nod.
“I greatly appreciate the sentiment, but please don’t mind me.”
“Why not? This is a foreign land for you, Suimei-dono. You really don’t need any help whatsoever?”
Suimei was a person from another world with a different culture and customs. Moreover, he lacked a guide to rely on. For that reason, life here would be very difficult indeed. A certain amount of assistance should be expected.
However.
“It’s fine. After this, I’ll be seen as someone who couldn’t take it anymore and left. There’s no need to offer any support to such a person. That’ll be the best considering our respective reputations.”
“But…”
“After having caused such a commotion upon our arrival and then having subsequently holed up in my room, your people’s opinion of me is rather low. If you were to assist such an individual, while there would be some who would support your actions, many, many more would complain and resent you for doing so. This is not in your best interest.”
Suimei’s reading of the situation was spot on. Particularly were he to leave the palace, the King had to admit, there would be no small amount of gossipping and backbiting. Were he to further offer Suimei any assistance, the people would be furious. “Why is the King taking care of a useless piece of garbage like that? Does he only care about people from that world?” etc.
“I understand that, but I want to offer my help nonetheless?”
“Believe me, I appreciate it, but it’s too troublesome.”
“Alright…”
Suimei’s forceful tone had left me speechless. This Suimei seemed to be quite stubborn, not caring one whit about either others’ opinion of him or the offered aid, thinking them not worth considering.
Perhaps such a notion had been inspired purely by confidence in his abilities, but it couldn’t be said that such confidence was without basis.
Just what are those eyes of his staring at? They’re definitely not looking at me, the King thought to himself. No, those are eyes envisioning the difficulties that lie ahead, eyes that fully intend to challenge them head-on.
That powerful gaze didn’t seem like it could have come from someone his age.
And so—
“…On the road of life, there will inevitably be mountains to climb. No matter how big they are, or how tall, any without the ability to cross such obstacles has no right to call themselves a magician. And I, Yakagi Suimei, am a magician, someone who challenges the mysteries of the world head-on, with my head held high. And so allow me to reiterate, Your Majesty, I sincerely appreciate the offer, but the sentiment is more than enough.”
The young man before him, speaking in a solemn tone, showed no weaknesses. There was in him a pride and a strength unique to those geniuses who wholeheartedly chased after miracles.
This young man was anything but ordinary. “An ordinary person caught up in the hero summoning” he was not.
As he watched the young man with a renewed sense of astonishment, Suimei spoke again in a grave tone, mocking himself.
“…Though even if I try to sound cool, in the end, I’m just a coward who, fearing for his own life, ran away from battle.”
“If that’s the case, then all of us who have pushed the burden of the Maou on completely unrelated people are just as much to blame. That, of course, includes myself…”
Who could blame Suimei? The only ones who could judge his decision to avoid battling the Maou were those who had challenged the terror of the Maou directly. No, those who were hiding themselves where it was safe had no right to say any such things. Particularly given that Suimei was someone who had resolved to challenge the difficulties lying ahead all alone, there was not a one with the right to judge him.