Antares was undaunted even while alone in a foreign land. He stood proud, as if it were his right.
That he was an honored guest of the Empire mattered little in the Mage Federation. What mattered was that he was a Master who had reached the Principle, a formidable powerhouse. Moreover, though the troops he brought were few in number, each one was a slaughter weapon who had mastered Gamgigong.
Though they were observing propriety for now, given the right trigger, they would become the most powerful and dangerous armed force in the world.
Amidst this subtle tension, Antares read a piece of paper he had received from somewhere.
"Hughes. King of Humans. Born in the Military Nation, entered Hamelin Military Academy, caused the Hamelin Incident, then went into hiding. Afterward, lived in seclusion in Amitengrad before being imprisoned in the Bottomless Abyss. Made contact with the Earthly Branch and Progenitor Tirkanjaka, the King of Dogs inside. After that, spotted in the Military Nation, the Nations, the Principality, and later Ende before disappearing."
Asking how he knew would be foolish, wouldn't it?
Secrets hide in people's hearts, and people open their hearts with money. The Empire, capable of mobilizing immense funds, could acquire information through legitimate means.
Countless spies must have been planted in the Military Nation as well. Since Saint Yuel was watching, they probably couldn't reach high positions, but drugging just a few field operatives would be enough to hear information.
Antares tapped the paper and said.
"I didn't see any particularly notable rumors? If you only heard the rumors, you'd doubt whether this person is really the King of Humans."
"That's right. I'm actually not the King of Humans. It's all just false rumors spread by others."
"But the Saint can recognize the King of Humans, right? I've got the endorsement at least. Though I don't know why they didn't tell me in advance."
The opponent was the Empire. Rich in money and population, the system they had built over two thousand years was massive. They even styled themselves as the guardians of the Holy Imperial Court, so their methods of acquiring information would be infinite.
"You caught me. I am the King of Humans. If you'd like to become my subject, please take a number and wait."
"Annual salary of 1.27 billion Arke. Activity expenses separate."
"What?"
"Empire's Heavenly Seal Token. Honorary Guild Master position of the Patron Merchant Guild. Status of Guardian Saint. Three territories including titles. Right to take concubines. That's the treatment I receive as one of the Zodiac Twelve Palaces. If you want to scout me, you need to promise at least this much. Can you do it?"
Annual salary of 1.2 billion Arke? It would be faster to count what that money couldn't do than what it could. I even doubt that could exist as a pension. To cover just 1.2 billion Arke, I'd have to tear off a whole city and sell it to the Golden Whale.
And that's not all.
Empire's Heavenly Seal Token? That's absolute power where you're held responsible for nothing, not only for using all facilities but even for mobilizing the Imperial Army.
Honorary Guild Master of the Patron Merchant Guild means a position where you can unlimitedly mobilize funds and receive supplies from that demanding and strict Patron Merchant Guild.
A Guardian Saint is respected in not only the Empire but all temples and missionary churches across the continent, and holds the right to request a private audience with the Saint.
Even three territories including titles and the right to take concubines... one of the few rights to 'officially' keep concubines in the Empire.
"You can't, right? Yeah. I figured. That's why I'm attached to the Empire."
As if knowing it was absolutely impossible, Antares boasted proudly. I said,
"Ah, I was surprised because the reason was a bit different. I thought you'd refuse out of loyalty to the Imperial Family, but to think it's because of money."
"Loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor! Of course I have that. But that's not everything, right? Warriors always go to those who treat them well. In that sense, the Empire perfectly bought my loyalty! With money!"
Just hearing him, he sounds like a philistine. But inside, he's filled with absolute confidence.
That he is the strongest, and is worthy of receiving the best treatment.
"When you're treated this well, loyalty grows and a person becomes diligent. That's why I can follow orders without complaint even to come this far. Loyalty comes from money!"
"The Zodiac Twelve Palaces seem like surprisingly ordinary office workers."
"I'm from the professional military, after all. Can't help it."
Laughing heartily, he extended his hand toward me.
"It seems you don't have the money to hire me. But I'm the opposite. I actually came to make you an offer."
"Huh? An offer for what?"
"King of Humans. I'm here to scout you. Take it as an honor. It's unprecedented for one of the Zodiac Twelve Palaces to act as a scout."
Scout me? Please. The King of Humans, bought with money?
"I'm thinking of an annual salary of 10 million Arke, how about it?"
"How many hours per week? Are there any other perks? Right to choose concubines?"
"Hey!"
I could hear Shay shouting from behind. Heh, why not. I want to legally keep concubines too. Honestly, there are too many people I have to be careful around right now.
"That depends on your abilities. However, if not now, the Empire won't come looking for you directly again."
"Still, you should at least tell me what it's about."
"It's classified, but fine. You'll need to know anyway."
Huh? I thought he wouldn't say. Antares answered readily.
"The King of Sin has occupied the Lilac Marquisate."
"Excuse me?"
"The extent of their power is unknown. We sent spies to gather intelligence, but none returned. Right now, the Lilac Marquisate is a massive dark zone of information. No information comes out, no goods pass through. Everything has gone dark, as if it became an island within the continent."
From behind, Shay's energy surged. He inadvertently tensed at the appearance of the King of Sin. At the same time, a slight tension could be felt among the Empire's elite soldiers. Not because of Shay, but because of the mention of the King of Sin.
"It makes no sense. The world has something called an economy. The Lilac Marquisate's specialties are dairy products and wool. Its food production is decent, but it lacks iron and machine parts. To make up for that imbalance, the Purple Merchant Guild moves massive amounts of goods every year. But that flow has completely disappeared. Even the Saint says the Lilac Marquisate cannot be seen."
There was one being who was especially anxious. The newly ascended Master called Schumahel spoke.
"Um, Lord Antares. That's classified..."
"What does it matter? It's not like only a few people know. Oh, right. Schumahel, you're from the Lilac Marquisate, aren't you? You must be worried."
"I am. I held the position of White Tiger General of the Five Tiger Generals. It was small and narrow for spreading my ambitions, but that doesn't mean I don't love it. The lilac flower fields that bloom every year were beautiful."
Five Tiger Generals? A name I've heard somewhere... Ah. Right. In Ende. Was he a comrade of that mustachioed marquis? He doesn't seem as arrogant as the mustachioed marquis. So there were normal people there too.
"If it weren't for the right to take concubines, I would have continued as one of the Five Tiger Generals and protected the Lilac Marquisate... Gah. If only it weren't for the right to take concubines...!"
Never mind.
"The conversation went a bit off track, but anyway. If you're the King of Humans, you'd help break this situation open. You might not, but it's good to have many options."
"The fact that you came all this way to find me, the King of Humans, means you know the identity of the opponent."
"Right. It won't be a bad deal for you. Receiving the Empire's support while driving out the King of the Old Era. You'll probably need that too. There's no need for two kings over one beast, right?"
Quick on the uptake. They identified 'Sister' through an independent route, detected my existence, and came looking. I can understand why they're called the world's strongest nation.
And the offer is rational too. They've clearly stated the objective and presented the compensation. Honestly, it would be strange not to accept.
I glanced over and asked,
"Mr. Shay. What do you think? We need to stop the King of Sin anyway, so how about joining forces with them?"
"...Hmm."
Oh, that's unexpected. I saw a rare sight. Shay was glancing at Antares.
As a regressor, Shay lacks nothing in this life. That's why even when meeting someone for the first time, whether they're a tremendous powerhouse or an authority figure, he faces them on equal footing. His attitude is so natural that the other party doesn't feel any sense of incongruity and just accepts it.
Given that, he's strangely intimidated by Antares. Is it because the other party is a powerhouse outstanding in Qi Gong? That can't be it.
Probably, they had a connection in his past life?
'Antares of Scorpio. One of the Zodiac Twelve Palaces and Commander of the Condemnation Knights. Also my master's comrade, and at the same time... his enemy.'
My master's comrade and enemy. Sounds like a complicated relationship. How peculiar. I can sense both some respect and awkwardness. So he wasn't an enemy?
...Maybe. I don't feel any personal hostility from him either.
But he is not an individual.
A man who is like the symbol of the Empire. Even without personal feelings, he would commit any deed if necessary under the name of the Empire.
"Hmm. I don't think that will work. I'll decline that offer."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"This is a chance to achieve your goals with the Empire's support. Why?"
"The Empire has the Zodiac Twelve Palaces, many Masters in the Stellar Seats, Magic Towers, and countless Imperial soldiers, right? A normal beast king like me entering wouldn't be much help to the Empire. I'll just work separately like a guerrilla battalion. That would be better for dealing with 'Sister,' wouldn't it?"
I have connections in the Mage Federation, the Principality, the Nations, and the Military Nation. You don't, do you? Wouldn't it be better for us to operate separately?
"Is this a salary negotiation? I'll double it even if I have to add my personal funds. How about it?"
"It's tempting, but to receive better treatment, it seems much better to build my own forces and then exit rather than receive a salary. By then, I'll be able to receive much better treatment. I have to increase my own value."
"You don't need the right to take concubines?"
"It would be nice, but do I really need it?"
At times like this, I have to be confident. My value hasn't been determined yet. I can raise it as much as I want.
Sitting there, Antares shrugged with a look of reluctance.
"Haa. Then it can't be helped. I wanted to resolve this with money if possible."
"What?"
"I have to take you with me."
Right. I figured as much.
A slight tension hung over the negotiation room. Antares's words carried a will, or rather, an implication that it would come to pass.
Even if it meant using force.
"This is... with the Empire and His Majesty the Emperor present. It would look strange for the King of Humans to be playing king elsewhere."
"So what? Kingdoms, principalities, and the Mage Federation all have their own kings too."
"Those are tiny countries the size of a fist. Their domains are different. But the King of Humans is the king of all humans, so the domains overlap. The only legitimate ruler in this world is His Majesty the Emperor, and above him there is nothing."
Words he doesn't even believe. I'm a mind reader, who are you lying to?
"You know that's not true, don't you?"
"I received money. Money to feed ten thousand Imperial soldiers. Then I have to work as much as ten thousand. Business trips, scouting, and... chores like this."
A slight shadow fell over Antares's hearty face. Right after he revealed his true colors. Explosive flames erupted and blew away everything around him.
Flames surged in the negotiation room. The Azure Tower Lord, the Celsius family's mages, though they had prepared to some extent while keeping their distance, reacted too slowly.
A Qi Master who has achieved Qian Kun Kan Li has nothing to fear. Qi Gong is the power that extends from one's own mind into the world. If magic covers the world with the mind, Qi Gong covers the world with oneself.
That is why even unreasonable feats that should absolutely never occur become reality.
Flames stretched into the cold ice. Those flames cannot be extinguished with water or ice. Even without air, they breathe and greedily devour something else. They burn while eroding the ice walls prepared by the Celsius family.
Something flew at me from within that storm of flames. The world's strongest Qi Master aimed at me and attacked. Swinging his spear shaft with no killing intent, intending to subdue me first.
With no visibility and no composure. I reflexively caught it. It felt heavy in my grip, but that was all.
As the flames cleared, Antares's puzzled expression was revealed.
"Oh?"