Not long after Elrich had silently left the capital, his prediction was proven correct as a large convoy arrived at the Eberbach property in the capital. The King himself along with a few ministers had decided to pay him a visit so that they could stop him from moving against the Keller family.

"I apologize, your majesty, Elrich-sama already left the capital." Zwei had received them together with Sodina and Kazuya.

Benino couldn't help but frown. Elrich's successful departure meant that soon, the Keller Earldom was as good as doomed unless he decided to face the Eberbach family with the combined forces of their faction like they had planned. Unfortunately, many have already seen and heard about the event where Sodina had arrived at the capital alone and wounded. It wouldn't take much to connect the dots after Elrich had made a personal appearance against the Keller family.

"I heard about what happened to you, child." Benino looked at Sodina who was still on her knees beside Kazuya who didn't bother to move. "Hearing that it may have been caused by a n.o.ble of this kingdom pains my heart."

"Thank you for your concern, your Majesty. My father has already moved to make those responsible for what happened to me and my escorts know what it is like to mess with the Eberbach family." Sodina proudly replied. "I would have liked to join him but he has a.s.signed Zwei-san and myself the task of being the hero's host."

"Is that so?" Benino moved his gaze towards the relaxed Kazuya who did not care to give him any respect as the kingdom's king.

He couldn't help but feel awkward around this young man. Whenever they met, he would feel as if he was at a loss. Now, once again, this hero has foiled a plan that he was hatching even before they had called him here. He was contemplating about what he should do with the hero who was unexpectedly difficult to deal with unlike the legends of the past.

If he decided to get rid of the hero, not only will the scheme he had planned with the church of light be wasted, the sacrifice of a large amount of mana in their kingdom would be for naught. This a loss that he was not considering on bearing because calling for another hero so soon would not only make their lands infertile, Zweifel kingdom would also be bearing most of the costs themselves.

"I also heard that you were interested in improving your skills?" Benino asked Kazuya.

This was a phase that all the heroes had to go through. Benino was glad to finally hear that this difficult person has now decided to follow the script. With this, his plans could finally proceed.

"Yes. I have been discussing this with Zwei-san and the young miss here before you arrived. I would also need to come to the palace and make use of the information in your royal library so I will be intruding on the palace a lot." Kazuya didn't bother hiding his intentions on making use of the palace's resources.

"Is that so? If you would like, I can have instructors and senior knights help you with your training. This was what the other heroes did in the past." He urged.

"I appreciate the offer, but I would like to move at my own pace for the moment. Currently, I want to focus on the path I have chosen for myself. From there, I will try to do things that I was not able to do in my world." Kazuya explained his current plan.

"If we talk about what I can do right now, my abilities are best suited not to be in the front lines. I am more of a commander than I am a fighter. So, for now, I will focus on my strengths before using them to fix my current weaknesses. The best way I can do that is first, by learning"

Benino did not find this to be strange. He already had a feeling that this hero was someone who was vastly different from any other hero in history because of the high position he was said to have in his world. Like Alicia, who also possesses commanding qualities, Kazuya was the type who chose on concentrating on that path because of the mana limitations in the other world.

"I believe that you have your own way of dealing with things so I will leave that to you. The kingdom will support you if you ever need anything so please do not hesitate to ask." Benino smiled as the faster he can have this hero under his command the better.

"Your majesty…" Julian who was also present called out to the king as if pleading for mercy.

Benino then glanced over at the familiar girl who had a reluctant look on her face as she remained standing behind the hero. She was given a strict order not to pay respects to anyone unless Kazuya had commanded her or he himself had paid respects to a person. Because of this, Julia couldn't kneel before the king like she used to.

"I believe that Julian has already expressed his desire to retrieve his daughter, correct? Is there no way for you to make a concession for me?" Benino asked curiously. He was genuinely curious whether this hero would really dare to reject a request from him, the king.

"It's not like there isn't any way for me to grant that request of yours." Kazuya smiled at the king after hearing such a request.

Zwei, Sodina, Julian, and Julia looked at Kazuya in disbelief. Was he really just going to release Julia after the king asked? To others, this was the natural response so none of them found this to be weird. Was this stubborn hero really going to give up Julia after rejecting all the benefits that Julian could have put on the table?

"As long as you agree for Alicisan to trade places with her, I will let her go back." Kazuya ignored all the shocked responses and continued. "A daughter for a daughter. That isn't a bad deal isn't it?"

The king's expression turned grim. He had just been played. This hero not only rejected his request but also played him for a fool. Not even Julian would agree to trade the princess for her guard. It was preposterous to even suggest so.

"You rude bas—" Benino stretched his arm to stop Julian from continuing. No good outcome would come if they clashed with the hero after he had just taken a step into their plans.

"Is there really no other way?" Benino remained calm. He was not the king of a country with nothing to show for it. His ambitions were bigger than his predecessor so how can he let this affect his grand plans?

"Unless you can offer me a way back to my world right now, I don't see any other away." He made his stance clear.

The people who were part of the king's envoy were startled. The king himself had just made a request but not only was he rejected, but he was also played with. Those who have yet to meet the hero couldn't tell if this stranger from another world was brave or ignorant. Nevertheless, the king himself had remained calm so there was no chance for them to back him up.

The conversation went smoothly. It was like they were talking about daily matters. The hero was able to deal with the king while the king gracefully accepted the hero's tomfoolery. If it were not for the hero's young age, it would be like a verbal fight between two experienced political adversaries. They couldn't help but give their respect towards the hero who was currently holding down the king of the biggest human kingdom.

Of course, the peaceful negotiation was only because of Kazuya's sensitive status and ident.i.ty. There was no way someone like Benino would stand being made a fool out of so there were tense moments whenever these two exchanged words.

"Since Elrich is not present, there is no more need for us to prolong our stay. I must quickly convene a meeting since this is a big matter for the kingdom. I bid you good tidings on your endeavors, young hero." The king excused himself.

"I wish you good luck in dealing with the matters of your kingdom, old king. I may not have intended to paint the target, but the truth often reveals itself. I may not be supporting the duke in person but I support the action he is going to take. Snakes in your own country that conspire against one another instead of working with one another needs to be purged." Kazuya grinned as the surrounding temperature suddenly dropped.

The hero had exuded a murderous atmosphere that shocked even the war veterans like Zwei and the king himself who were present. There was no doubt in their minds now that this young man was no stranger to slaughter. There was no way that he could have this kind of aura with taking just a few lives.

"(This kid… seems to be more dangerous than I initially thought…)" Zwei couldn't help but think.  

The grey-haired butler glanced at the king's envoys who started to have trouble breathing. This was not something that people who haven't been on the battlefield were able to stand. With the aura getting stronger with each second that pa.s.sed, even Sodina was starting to pant.  

"At least, that's how I deal with my own territory back in my world." The murderous atmosphere immediately disappeared. It had been just at the moment when the majority of the king's envoys were about to lose consciousness.

Zwei couldn't help but hide the smile on his face. This kid was really something. He knew his value and didn't have any problems intimidating those who were trying to use him. It was something had suddenly changed with the hero. From his personality, he wouldn't have involved himself with the affairs of the Eberbach family.

Now, not only did he say that he had no problems with the actions Elrich was about to take, he had declared that he would have done even worse things had this place been his territory. Kazuya had made his stance since he was the one who had revealed the secret plot. If they had moved against Elrich with reasons that distorted the truth he found, he would be a more difficult person to deal with than he was now.

"I will keep those words in mind." No longer bearing the smile he once painted on his face, Benino took one serious look at Kazuya before turning to leave. Despite the condition of the people the king had brought with him were in, he left after discovering yet another shocking thing about this hero.

"(He might have killed even more people than me…)" the king clenched his fist as he tried to deny this impossible thought. Though the warrior in him who had experienced battles was telling him that what he was feeling was most likely the truth, the politician and n.o.ble side of himself was refuting it as it was an impossible feat considering his age.

"Thank you for those words hero. I believe that those just tied their hands if they are still considering on sending help towards the Keller earldom." Zwei did not try to hide his grat.i.tude and thanked Kazuya immediately after the Benino and his posse had left.

Sodina was confused. She was unable to read past the words that were used on the surface and thought that the hero was trying to say that he was someone of importance in his world. She thought that he was bragging but from Zwei's words, she understood that he had helped her family a great deal.

"Thank you for your support." Sodina did the same and gave her grat.i.tude. She figured that she could ask Zwei about what he meant later.

"Oh? Tell me ojou-sama. Just what is it specifically that you are thankful for? I seem to not be aware of what kind of help I had just provided." Kazuya grinned towards the young lady.

"I…" she gave a panicked expression before throwing a glare at him after realizing that he was messing with her. "You!!!"

"Please refrain from giving me such empty formalities. They would only serve as a means of worsening any impressions I have on people. I care little for them and like things as they are." Kazuya smiled.

"(This guy is seriously annoying!!!!)"

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