Seirei Gensouki's
Chapter 198: The aftermath of the Battle

Staring at the sky, Rio sighed miserably and turned around, only to blink in shock when he saw the people nearby. He forgot all about them. From the first prince of Paladia Kingdom, Duran, who stood together with the knights that Rio knocked down, to the village chief, Will and Donner who stood some distance away from the group of princes. All of that, including the scene from the scarred ground where the fierce battle took place a few minutes ago, had been thrown out of his mind.

…………… What should I do now .

Rio pondered to himself, feeling that the situation became even more awkward as time passed. Leaving the place immediately seemed to be the best option at the moment, however, it was questionable whether Duran would allow him to do that as he pleased. While he was pondering those thoughts, he noticed something as he scanned his surroundings.

…… UH ?!

He saw Flora lying on the ground and was speechless. Not long ago she met Flora during a night party. Besides, she also traveled with her older sister, Christina, just a few days ago. Therefore, Flora's regular look was something she could easily remember. But seeing his figure in the tattered clothes was—

Wait, no, he shouldn't be in this place .. right? Is she ... a village girl who happens to resemble her? But ... Why is he lying there?

He reconsidered his suspicions, but doubts still controlled his mind. After all, no matter how much he tried to justify it, the girl lying on the ground was too similar to the royal princess he knew, Flora Bertram. Therefore, he wanted to confirm his identity, but he was suddenly interrupted before he could do so.

「I guess your name is Rio」

It was Duran's voice calling out to Rio.

"Yes . 」

Rio's answer was short, and he didn't hide the vigilance he had in his voice.

「......... Do you want to work for m-, no, I mean for Paladia kingdom? 」

Duran suddenly asked.

「………. . Huh huh? 」

The sudden offer shocked Rio who never expected it to happen, especially after killing someone under his protection.

「I made you a proposal to work for me. Can I give you a lot of things, money, status, or maybe women? Whatever it is, I can offer you the best of the best! 」

Duran said with a serious expression, not wasting any time on stalking Rio. However, he was destined to be disappointed, as Rio immediately rejected the offer.

"I refused . 」

There was no doubt in Rio's short voice when he said so.

「Keh ............ . before you refuse, listen to me first. You might think it came out of nowhere, but I'm serious about recruiting you. I have absolutely no intention to be hostile to you. NOT REALLY! 」

Duran did not stop talking, trying to beg Rio's peaceful intentions.

「…………」

Rio was just silent, just staring at Duran with an incomprehensible gaze. It was unknown whether it was because he had trouble with how to answer, or just because of vigilance. After all, he did not reply, and continued to stare at Duran silently.

"So what do you think? You don't think of me as a heartless person who attacks people who are much weaker than you. And, you should have already understood the difference between our forces. My knights and I are not stupid. We will not charge someone as recklessly as you are because of a false sense of justice. Even if I wanted to do that, these knights didn't have to follow me from the start. After all, they did not obey until they were willing to give their lives for me. 」

Ignoring Rio's silence, Duran frankly spoke.

「………. I can't read your hidden motives. 」

Rio sighed as he replied, just wanting to finish this conversation.

「Then, let me ask you a question. Don't you think that you've done me wrong and even ignored me when you killed Lucius? Our relationship isn't just about a prince and his hired mercenaries, you know. 」

Noting Rio's lack of expression, Duran tried another route.

「We get along well with each other, thus, we stay in touch even after the end of our contract. Part of the reason was because of his great strength. 」

Even by hinting at how their future partnership could develop, Rio still did not give Duran an answer, but he still did not give up.

「While I know that he is the type of person who makes enemies left and right, usually the victim is just a weak person. So, how did someone like you end up being his enemy? That's what intrigued me the most. 」

Duran decided to explain everything and be honest with his position on the matter so Rio would reduce his vigilance towards him.

This man……… . . Is it a prince?

Rio ignored everything Duran said and focused on Duran's identity. Earlier, when he faced Lucius, Rio vaguely remembered Lucius saying 'Your Majesty', but he thought that it was just Lucius' bluff. Therefore, Rio was shocked when he found out about Duran's status.

「I should also add that I terminate our contract with his mercenary group after the first commission is completed. 」

He added briefly.

"What's? Do you think I'm the same guy as that? Well, sorry to say, but you're wrong in that. We just share some of our values with each other, for example, our view of power, and rob when there is a need for it. Aside from the two views we shared, I was someone who followed the military rules strictly. Although I admit that I am used to being a tyrant, at least I am not evil enough to have the same kind of hobby as him. 」

Duran continued to speak, paying no heed to Rio's silent gaze, and put a bright smile on his face.

His breathing seemed undisturbed.

Thinking that, Rio decided to sheathe his sword and focus on the conversation that was going on for now.

「Lucius indeed . However, it is strange that you decided to recruit me, a stranger who came out of nowhere and killed your acquaintance, without hesitation. 」

Upset, Rio scratched his head and asked, finding the prince a strange person in that sense.

「You're kidding me, even if I choose to go against military rule, I do so with an open mind. Besides, I want to gather the strong people under my wing. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate weak men. Merely, gathering the strong people was wiser at the moment. 」

「…………. . Why do you want to gather strong people? 」

「For the war, of course. 」

Duran answered Rio's question briefly.

「For, war?」

「Yes, we are just a small country. That's why we have to gather more power so that other countries won't put pressure on us. After all, even though I am able to match thousands of soldiers, I am not special because such people also exist in other countries and they also have tremendous material advantages. 」

Duran emphasized his point of view.

Hearing that, Rio only nodded briefly, disagreeing or disagreeing.

「That's my reason. I need you, the potential for a dangerous war that can overturn the battlefield alone. Therefore, will you work for me to increase my military strength and rule all? With you, even a small country like me can overcome those big countries, which are always busy with traditions and formalities, using force. 」

Duran did not seem to mind Rio's attitude and continued to speak.

「Unfortunately, I am not interested in your so-called military rule. 」

Rio's answer remained unchanged because he had absolutely no interest in war.

「..... With your strength, you can enforce fair rules for farmers, you know? 」

Duran asked again, trying to ascertain Rio's intentions.

「I'm not interested in such things. 」

「What, do not tell me that you are not interested in worldly affairs? Are you planning to become a hermit? 」

"That sounds interesting . 」

Smiling wryly, Rio walked towards Flora, who was lying on the ground, preventing further conversation.

「. Is this because you feel your evil spirits have disappeared when you seek revenge? 」

Squinting his eyes, Duran looked at Rio.

「I was this kind of person from the beginning. 」

Still keeping a wry smile on his face, Rio answered Duran when he arrived in front of Flora. Standing right beside him was the village trio of Will, the Village Chief, and Donner

「U ~ h ……………. 」

They seem to be afraid of Rio.

Yes… . She really looks like princess Flora. Actually, this is Princess Flora, right?

Ignoring their frightened gazes, Rio crouched down to pay more attention to the girl's face and finally he realized that it was really Flora.

「About this girl ... why is she in this village? 」

He asked the group of villagers.

「Eh, ah, that ………. . 」

The trio of villagers were at a loss for words due to the tension.

「Do you know the lineage of this girl? 」

Duran asked.

…I saw . So, he was the reason why this prince came to a place like this ... actually, what exactly happened to him to end up here?

After hearing Duran's question, Rio understood the general situation.

「... Unfortunately, I am familiar with it. 」

He replied after a short pause.

「Hou …………. Come to think of it, Lucius was originally from Bertram. Which means that you ... connected to Bertram too? 」

When Duran heard Rio's reply, he tried to investigate his origin.

「Are you sure? Wanna bet on that? 」

Rio replied steadfastly, no emotions could be seen from his face during Duran's examination.

A terrible fever. There's a bruise on his neck. Whatisthis? A malady? No. .. This is not a disease .. this …

Holding her body, she began to check on Flora's condition and was shocked by what she found.

「Princess Flora. Are you aware? 」

「Haa, Haa ....」.

His breathing was irregular and there was no answer from him. Despite the fact that he managed to remain sober in his current state was already strange.

Did he see my fight with Lucius? He may have even heard my name, but …

Rio pondered for a moment. Meanwhile, it would be troublesome if he recognized her, leaving her in this place would not bring anything good either.

「It looks like he was poisoned by a certain spider that lives in this forest. However, the antidote has disappeared ever since with Lucius you just killed, leaving even until his corpse is not there. 」

Seemingly in a pleasant mood, Duran tells him the origin of Flora's fever.

「If it's the antidote, I have it too. 」

Rio replied, unable to resist sighing anymore.

「Hou, a comfortable friend. Does that mean you'll save him? Then, what will you do next? 」

Duran asked in an even happier tone.

「... Take him back to his country. 」

「Hu ~ hm, at first I did everything I could to come to this place to find it but. Bring him back. Think of it as thank you for showing me something very interesting. I'm not gonna stop you from leaving. 」

Contrary to her expectations, Duran let her go even when Rio gave her a response that would definitely create a troublesome situation in the end.