The Elemental Sword Demon King
Episode 167: Selection of Candidates for Negotiation
"Yes, Kaizo. I'll protect Kaizo."
"Wait a minute, why are you acting like you have to go?!"
"That's right, Kaizo's wounds haven't fully healed yet!"
Victoria and Tiana growled furiously.
"I really can't let the girls into danger while I stay in the safe zone, right?"
"Ga-girl?" Victoria blushed a little. "That-can't be! You are definitely not allowed to go alone!" But soon, he started shaking his head again.
"We know you're very strong, Kaizo, but try to trust us more."
"Reflect this well, okay?!"
Scolded by the group of young women, Kaizo retreated by muttering, "Me-understand, my fault."
(Indeed, maybe this is a good time to reflect. After all, I was still stuck in the mindset of fighting alone.)
Unlike three years ago, Kaizo now has a partner who can fight with him.
"In addition, the other party would be wary if it was only you, a man who left. Your hatred is well known, widespread even in a foreign land."
"Well, that makes sense. Wait a minute, what do you mean by the infamous ugliness!?"
"You really want to know?"
"No, I think I've got a picture of it in my head." Kaizo groaned from deep in his throat.
"Furthermore, if it was you, who knew if you would come into contact with a girl from Rupture Division. Let me remind you, taking action on a thirteen-year-old is illegal, okay?"
"How did this happen!?"
"Yes." Yeah."
"Agreed."
"I can imagine it very clearly."
The other three agreed wholeheartedly with Victoria.
"Hey, what do you think I am?"
"You really want to know?"
"Gee!"
"Kaizo is the Night Demon King."
"Ba-even you, Nyx?" Kaizo's face began to twitch.
(There is clearly a need to eliminate misunderstandings and restore true trust.)
"Anyway, Kaizo's power is indisputable. Considering the possibility of a trap, yes, it would be more reassuring to have her as an escort bodyguard," Victoria coughed and continued, "o-by then, Kaizo will accompany me while I'm in charge of the negotiations!"
"Wait a minute, how is this decided?" Eve asked sharply.
"It's not fair, you stole the start from us!"
"What do you mean, steal a start!?" Victoria replied with her face flushed red.
"I have no choice but to stay behind." Tiana bit her finger as she spoke regretfully.
"After all, only Tiana can build a fortress." Kaizo revealed his understanding as he scratched his head at the situation.
Considering her origin as a former imperial princess, Tiana would be the most suitable to handle the negotiations.
However, even ignoring the matter of the fortress, he did not feel comfortable taking it along because he had never received field training in the Academy.
Moreover, considering this was a possible trap and the fact that they could be attacked en route, fighting while protecting him would be extremely difficult.
"Then, take me. After all, I've always worked with Kaizo in Knights." Eve coughed softly and tightly hugged Kaizo's arm. Eve's chest also boldly pressed down on her, causing Kaizo to blush in her ears.
"Wait, Kaizo is my slave spirit! I'm entitled to all rights!"
This time, it was Victoria who hugged Kaizo's other arm. Although his was smaller, Kaizo could still feel a comfortable soft sensation, it made his heart beat fast.
"Victoria's property is the same as mine!"
"The logic doesn't make sense!"
Sparks fly as the three young women get into a dispute.
"That's not true, I shouldn't belong to anyone?" Kaizo protested at them, but unfortunately they ignored him.
"Then, let's decide by sword style who will go with Kaizo." Eve releases Kaizo's arm and releases the elemental aero, «Ray Hawk» in her hand.
*ᚠ ᚠᚢ ᚦ ᚨ ᚱ ᚲ ᛚ ᛜ ᛞ ᛟ ᛗ ᛚᛜ *
"As I expected. Come out, furnace guard flaming!"
Aura held her Magic Arrow while Victoria summoned the fiery Hell Salamander.
"He-stop, are you guys trying to destroy the fortress we built!?" Kaizo shouted in panic.
(Seriously, why is this young lady always eager to fight?)
"ah! Can you listen to a little of my opinion?" Kaizo raised his hand.
"What?"
"I think I'd better go with Victoria."
"What's? The one who's gone is me, huh?" Victoria opened her mouth in amazement.
"W-what!?"
"What's going on!?"
"No, well I'll explain..."
Eve and Aura interrogate Kaizo. He took a step back, very troubled to be approached by the two young ladies.
"Stop you two. Kaizo's having a hard time, right?" Victoria stepped forward as if protecting Kaizo.
"Hear that? Kaizo and I will be fine. All right, Kaizo is worried if he goes alone, so if you're really desperate for that, mom-it's not that I can't agree to your request." Victoria showed a calm and easy expression as her ponytail hair jumped up.
"Ka-Kaizo, what really happened!?"
"Very unfair, what's wrong with choosing us?"
Sulking with a frown, Eve and Aura objected while crying.
"No, umm, considering it comprehensively, I think Victoria is the best candidate." Kaizo scratched his head as he started to explain.
Victoria, whose overall results in school have been excellent, is most adept at espionage skills. And this is exactly what is most needed for the current mission.
On one hand, Eve, the embodiment of knights, was the least suited to secret espionage acts. In fact, despite his excellent score in practical techniques, he was only a C rank in the field of spying.
Similarly, Aura, which specialized in long-range projectiles, was not suitable for current missions. Only deploying it to defend the fortress would make the most of its skills. That's what Kaizo explained to them.
"Hmm, now that you say it like that, it has a point."
"You have a purpose."
Although they were still unhappy, the two girls at least understood.
"W-what, is it for a reason like this?" Victoria started sulking and pouting for no reason.
(Well, there just happens to be one more reason.)
Most importantly, there is a fit as a negotiator. Although Aura's true nature was still a kind-hearted soul, the haughty attitude she showed everyone, perhaps out of habit, would only lead to negotiations failing.
As for Eve who had always insisted on the truth in advance, she was also no match for negotiation. Although it could be considered as his virtue.
But to the other party, such honesty would only be a reward. For Eve's own side, it would lead to an unfavorable outcome, and was a risk that could not be ignored.
Compared to the two, Victoria had no obvious flaws as a negotiator. Although she had always acted domineeringly towards Kaizo, she was able to act like a young woman from a prestigious family as long as she wanted to.
Perhaps due to the exclusion and intimidation she received as the sister of the Disaster Queen, she had a quick wit as well as unwavering tenacity in spirit. Obviously such traits are well suited for negotiation.
"So it's decided, I'll count on you, Victoria."
"Well, te-whatever. You deserve to be praised for your outstanding judgment in choosing me."
Victoria's face was red and she avoided eye contact as if embarrassed. The red ponytail jumped up excitedly. This was his reflexive reaction whenever he felt extremely happy.
"Be-cooperating with Kaizo alone, the last time really was a long time ago..."
"Hmm? Ah yes, now that you mention it, I'm starting to remember."
Thinking back, the original members of Team Salamander were simply Kaizo and Victoria. When he first arrived at the Academy, even before obtaining the five members required to register for participation in the Sword Style Festival seemed like a challenge.
Obviously it was only two months ago, but somehow recalling those memories aroused deep emotions.
"Other than that, you still have me." Nyx muttered expressionlessly from the corner of the table.
...
*Connected.....
*Note: This story is fictitious. If there is a similarity in the name of the character, the scene, or the story, it is a mere coincidence and there is no element of intentionality.