Chapter 95

“Outmaneuver them… you say?”

“Yeah, exactly. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?” I said, idling with my cigarette.

Nerea, for her part, just stood there with a blank, dazed look on her face. My proposal had likely caught her completely off guard.

“Your wish was to disrupt the power balance among the Eurea Representatives. I’ll help you with that. Specifically, the elimination of the Sage and the Assassin King.”

The policies of the Representatives were a complete mess. Things had progressed far beyond the point where anyone was looking for a compromise. In that case, killing them was the quickest solution. It was the most popular method throughout history and across all worlds, and it was undeniably effective.

Nerea resented the current state of affairs where four Representatives ruled over Eurea. Her belief was that national stability could only be achieved by having a single, absolute power lead the way. She was quite the extremist, but I wasn’t about to disagree with her. In fact, each Representative took a completely different stance. If anything, I was in the camp that supported Nerea’s way of doing things. Taking the initiative before the country fractured decisively was a clever move.

Nerea was being targeted by the Assassin King. Considering that, it wasn’t a bad idea to move in for the kill before he could make his move. I exhaled a cloud of purple smoke and scratched my cheek.

“In exchange for dealing with the Sage and the Assassin King, I want you to help me kill Mihana. That’s all I’m asking of you.”

“Um… is that really all?”

“I don’t tell lies.” I nodded to the anxious-looking Nerea.

I could have tacked on all sorts of conditions to deceive her, but there was no need for that. It was better to carry out the objective steadily without getting greedy.

“Once everything is finished, the power map of Eurea will be redrawn. The remaining Representatives will be you and Alice. We’ll split the territories of the Sage and the Assassin King between us.”

The profits would be astronomical. It wouldn’t just double what we had now. For example, the Sage’s Arbor City held immense value. If we got our hands on that entire city, the revenue would increase by several orders of magnitude.

As for Nerea, as long as she didn’t get in our way, she was free to act as she pleased. She could even call herself the top leader of Eurea for all I cared. We were only moving for the sake of our own goal. We didn’t need ceremonial status or fame. I already felt our current power was a bit excessive as it was. Anything more would just invite trouble.

“Even if we kill the Sage and the Assassin King, successors will surely emerge. There are those who will reject our rule.”

“I’ll silence any opposition. Anyone who tries to succeed the Sage or the Assassin King will be slaughtered. Don’t worry. I’m an expert at killing and sabotage.”

I brushed off Nerea’s concerns. Through my extensive investigations, I had a good grasp of the military strength of each Representative. I already had an idea of which factions would plot revenge against us if the Sage and the Assassin King died. Most of those factions could be wiped out by our strength alone. I’d just blow up their headquarters.

I was currently developing a wide variety of bombs. I’d use them to blow everything away. I could even use the forces I’d stationed in the Fortress City. I had plenty of pawns there that could be moved at a moment’s notice. If Alice got serious about mass-producing golems, we’d have enough numbers to start a war in the blink of an eye. Though not as extreme as Dorgu’s era, we still maintained a decent amount of military might.

The deaths of the Sage, the Assassin King, and Mihana would bring various benefits. It shouldn’t be a bad deal for either Nerea or myself. By continuing to win our battles, we would gain the maximum profit.

Additionally, Nerea harbored an extraordinary amount of affection for me. I could make use of that emotion. While it seemed like she might go out of control at the slightest provocation, that was where my skill would come in. By controlling her properly, I could utilize her superior abilities.

“So, what’s it going to be? Give me your decision here.”

I demanded an answer from Nerea. Well, it was a proposal that didn’t even need asking. As expected, Nerea looked at me, her cheeks flushed deep red.

“—I want to join hands with you too, Lord Jack! It’s simply marvelous!”

Nerea clasped her hands together, overcome with emotion. She seemed genuinely thrilled at the prospect of forming an alliance with me. Looking at her now, I realized the possibility of her saying “no” had been zero from the very start.

With the conversation finished, I stood up with a cigarette in my mouth. I placed a hand on the shoulder of the ecstatic Nerea.

“Good. Now, we have work to do immediately. Use the clone accompanying Mihana to restrain her.”

Nerea’s clones share information in real-time. They are connected by something akin to telepathy. I intended to have her issue orders to her other self through that connection.

“As you wish… Ah.”

Nerea’s eager expression clouded over instantly. Having a good idea of what had happened, I asked matter-of-factly:

“What is it?”

“…My sincerest apologies. She escaped. It seems she sensed the danger before I could make my move.”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s exactly as I expected.”

Comforting the bowing Nerea, I left the VIP seating of the colosseum. We headed toward the parking lot, the roar of the enthusiastic crowd at our backs. On the way, I gave instructions to Nerea, who was following behind me.

“Once you pinpoint Mihana’s location, have your clones monitor her from a distance. You don’t need to engage.”

“Understood.”

If my theory was correct, monitoring her should be possible without much trouble. If the opponent were a professional, there would be a risk of losing her, but fortunately, Mihana is an amateur. She simply relies on a specialized skill and possesses no significant techniques of her own. As long as I understood the trick behind that troublesome skill, countering it wouldn’t be that difficult.

Before long, we reached the parking lot. Alice dashed to the Golem Car to secure the passenger seat. Nerea, arriving a moment late, climbed into the back seat with a lonely expression. There seemed to be a silent battle for position happening beneath the surface, but I decided not to touch that subject.

Taking the driver’s seat, I started the Golem Car. We pulled out of the parking lot and sped through the city streets at high speed.

“We’re heading straight for Mihana. I’m counting on you for navigation.”

“Leave it to me! I have already relocated her and am maintaining surveillance.”

Nerea responded energetically. Contrary to her graceful demeanor, she was very quick at her job. As expected of the lord of this territory. It was a feat only possible for someone who thoroughly understood the city’s layout. Just as I’d ordered, she was keeping watch to ensure we didn’t lose sight of the target.

“Please turn right at that path.”

“Roger.”

I turned the wheel as Nerea directed. We roared through an alleyway barely wide enough for the car, the engine snarling. The vibrations of the cobblestones rattled the frame; if I spoke carelessly, I felt like I’d bite my tongue.

‘This flow isn’t bad. Since things are going well, I might as well press the attack all at once.’

Bringing Nerea over to our side was a huge win. With her backup, I could afford to execute somewhat bolder tactics. The situation was rolling in a direction even more advantageous than I’d anticipated.

This marks the second time I’ve chased a fleeing Mihana. The first time was during that duel, where I ended up suffering a pathetic defeat. But things won’t go that way this time. I’ve devised countermeasures over and over since then. I’ve discarded both negligence and pride.

This time, I’m going to corner her and finish her off once and for all.