“No need to rush.”
“Well, that’s true, but I still think there are problems.”
“Problems?”
While sipping tea that stirred like calm ripples, Kaitel mumbled quietly as he gazed at Cain sitting across from him.
Organizing the North was originally part of the plan.
It’s just a little ahead of schedule, and there should be no problem executing it right now.
If I had to point out a problem, it would be that the grounds to summon Adele Igrit to the Imperial Palace are flimsy.
However, there’s no real reason to bring her all the way to the Imperial Palace.
The reason to bring her to the palace was to start things quietly and swiftly, but once Robert Taylor became aware of the Minotaurus, “quietly” became an impossible prefix.
Wouldn’t it be better to act a bit bolder than others think?
Of course, I know there’s a concern that Cain has. Informing others about killing Adele Igrit.
And that the person happens to be Robert adds to it.
I understand the doubt about whether it was necessary to inform him, but Kaitel looked at Cain with a small smile.
Cain doesn’t know how far his plans go and how much of the ‘recognized’ memory in this body extends.
While submerged in the unconscious, he can’t grasp it perfectly, but when he fully takes hold, he will be able to act a bit more naturally.
As the red hue in his eyes faded momentarily, Cain quietly swallowed and withdrew his gaze.
The residual thoughts of the Dead Dragon were rapidly consuming the Crown Prince.
The issue was it was happening much quicker than originally anticipated.
At first, he had planned to just suck out the good stuff and discard the rest, but isn’t this speed absurd for someone of royal blood?
It was necessary to formulate a countermeasure.
To deal with this abnormally rapid consumption and somehow send the Dead Dragon back beyond—
“Cain.”
“…Yes.”
Barely hiding his surprise when he answered, Cain flinched and awkwardly smiled at the sharp gaze staring at him.
Even with the mask on, they shouldn’t be able to see his expression. Why do they act as if they can see through everything?
Is this a game?
It was clear that the atmosphere was different from before.
The residual thoughts of the dead dragon were affecting Kaitel, and that influence was… greater than he had anticipated.
Taking a moment to catch his breath, Cain continued speaking after a pause.
“Did you really think Robert Taylor would willingly assist you in killing Adele Igrit?”
“I have to cooperate. It’s obvious that you’re just trying to cling to me for now, so I should play along.”
Robert had been aware of Kaitel’s intentions from the beginning.
He hadn’t really thought he would become the head of the family, which was surprising, but it was time to let go. Grimacing slightly at the headache buzzing in his mind, Kaitel quietly exhaled.
“It’s dangerous to stay together. And I’m planning to drastically reduce the power of the nobles going forward, so having Robert on our side doesn’t really make sense.”
“Then do you plan to tie him up with treason?”
“There’s no justification for that either. But then again, the world doesn’t always operate on justification.”
The results don’t always come from reasons. Sometimes, just having a heart is enough reason to act. Is there really a reason to kill Robert Taylor?
Cain had pondered this seriously several times but ultimately couldn’t find a reason for this senseless hate.
There’s no cause. Did the Duke’s family really care about a nobody?
Just a glance, a bit of conversation, and he simply wants to kill him.
Thus, he intended to wrap this up together.
Although he was part of the Grand Duke—no, the traitor Adele Igrit’s subjugation army, if he were to die from a stray arrow during the subjugation, it would be completely understandable.
Utilizing Taylor to subjugate a traitor of the Grand Duke’s level was quite justifiable.
While externally, he was considered one of his close aides, after all, it was the Grand Duke’s subjugation, so the head of the country’s nobles, Taylor, stepping up would indeed look good.
“…Do you really intend to kill him?”
“Of course.”
“But how? Even the Minotaurus—”
“There are more demons than just the Minotaurus, right?”
As Kaitel said this with a grin, Cain felt a chill running down his spine, as if his blood was freezing.
This was a thought that an ordinary human wouldn’t even consider.
Let alone in an imperial family that worships the moon. The fact that demons aren’t just Minotaurs suggests that they are considering mobilizing other demons from the North.
For what purpose?
“From now on, the nobles will be excluded. It has to revolve solely around the imperial family, thoroughly.”
…Using Kaitel was still a valid plan. But is this pace really right?
Thoughts swirled chaotically, yet Kaitel didn’t even give Cain a moment to think.
Before he could think of something, he remembered something greater.
He entertained thoughts bolder than those planned by the organization.
Where had it all gone wrong? No, he couldn’t even be sure if it had actually gone wrong.
“Then, what you’re thinking about, other than Adele, is…”
“That’s right.”
When Kaitel smiled slightly, a faint red hue flickered in his golden eyes.
“I will kill Robert Taylor. Along with Adele Igrit.”
#
“It’s highly likely that he’ll try to kill me.”
It was obvious what Kaitel was thinking.
Considering that he had somewhat gauged me while repeatedly reincarnating, it wouldn’t be surprising if he understood my intentions this time as well.
The fact that he explicitly mentioned wanting to kill Adele was telling.
If he were a person, he would know my relationship with Adele, and that I had fought against the Minotaurus…
If he intended to kill Adele without me being involved, he likely wouldn’t say anything at all.
So, there’s only one possibility. That he plans to take care of both Adele and me at the same time.
“Does he not know that Robert fought the Minotaurus?”
“Probably. He’s likely calculated it into his plans.”
Adrian’s concerned question was something I had already thought about.
Kaitel must have been significantly consumed by the dead dragon.
Considering what I had investigated and what Arwen had informed me, it would be accurate to say he was already under the dragon’s influence.
Even if outwardly their relationship still seemed friendly, I couldn’t let my guard down.
If I rule out all possibilities, I’d likely end up getting blindsided.
Judging by all possibilities, Kaitel would likely want to kill me, aware of my power.
If we consider it, Kaitel would want to kill me knowing my power.
“I suppose the justification would be something like a blind arrow. Other people probably don’t know about my strength yet.”
“Should we use the Minotaurus again this time?”
“Probably not.”
He wouldn’t be foolish enough to rehire something that had already failed.
The Minotaurus said it needed time to recover its strength.
It’s been about a month since I encountered the Minotaurus.
It’s hard to believe all its strength has been restored. So, I should consider that instead of the Minotaurus, other demons might be used.
Adrian, with a pale face at the thought of other demons, stared at me intently.
I know. If this possibility is true, I’m at a huge disadvantage. It’s not just a chance of dying; it’s almost a certainty.
“…I take it you have no plans to avoid this.”
I chuckled softly at the hesitant voice, but the discomfort behind it was obvious.
Of course, I have no plans to avoid it. Even if all the demons gather there, I intend to go. If I don’t, there would be no meaning to my reincarnation.
“Everything has to change. You understand what this reincarnation means for me, right?”
“I know. That’s why I’m not saying more. Normally, I would’ve tied you up or something to prevent you from going.”
“That’s quite vicious.”
Adrian flashed a faint smile at my joking remark.
Yeah, demons. If they all come at me, I’m sure I’ll be the one to die.
But still, I have to go; I can’t avoid this fight. At this rate, I will definitely die. If I can somehow break this possibility…
“There’s really only one option.”
Instead of looking for other plans, I grasp my sword. Even if I try to think of a solution with my head all wrapped up, nothing will change.
With only three months and a half left, unless I find the next level somehow, I can’t overcome this situation.
This time is different.
It has to be different.
Adrian’s gaze was darker than usual, but I didn’t let it show that I was concerned.
I know what he’s feeling, and I can tell there’s a lot of personal interest mixed in.
But I couldn’t abandon Adele.
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