“…I would say, everything…” (Student in black A)
Eldmed twirled his cane around and pointed it at the student again.
“Correct. Impressive deduction. That’s right, what you lack is everything. You lack power, wisdom, knowledge, magic skills, and everything else. But you have nothing to be ashamed of. Because you know that you know nothing.” (Eldmed)
With a thump, the Conflagration King tapped the floor with his cane.
“The Demon King needs someone who can be his riva— URGH…!” (Eldmed)
Eldmed gripped his throat with his left hand.
It was as if something invisible was squeezing it.
This was the effect of the <Contract Zekt> spell, preventing him from opposing me.
“S… Sensei…? Are you all right…?” (Student in black A)
“Agh… Guh… M-My bad… ‘Rival’ isn’t the right word for it. To be precise, yes, he needs someone who can stand by his side and compete with him! A friendly rival who can make him strive for greater heights! Right!” (Eldmed)
By rephrasing that, Eldmed was released from the effect of <Contract Zekt>, and fixed his posture.
“Now here’s another question. Is It easy to maintain peace?” (Eldmed)
“…I think it’s not…” (Student in black A)
“Exactly. And why is it not easy?” (Eldmed)
“…Because it depends on national relations…?” (Student in black A)
“Why can’t peace be maintained between nations?” (Eldmed)
The student fell silent.
“Let’s change the subject a little. Have you ever quarreled with a friend?” (Eldmed)
“Well… I have.” (Student in black A)
“Over what?” (Eldmed)
“Well… Nothing much. When he told me that he was going to join a different team instead of the one I was in, we argued about it, and…” (Student in black A)
“Just for that? But isn’t he your friend?” (Eldmed)
“…Well, I thought because we were friends, we would do our best together in the same team… But then, I felt betrayed… Of course, we made up after that, but still…” (Student in black A)
Eldmed grinned and pointed his cane at the student.
“You felt betrayed. But your friend had his own reasons for wanting to join a different team, and he thought you would understand, didn’t he? On the other hand, don’t you think he was upset that you couldn’t understand that?” (Eldmed)
“…Yes. I guess… he was… I could’ve understood that if I had stopped and thought about it…” (Student in black A)
“Now, how about we try and compare your argument with those of the nations?” (Eldmed)
The student gasped and looked as if he had realized something.
“…Ah! Erm… I only thought of my own interests… That’s why, well, when we try to maintain peace in our own nation for our own reasons, we end up infringing on the peace of other countries before we realize it…?” (Student in black A)
“That’s right! Excellent! See? You do get it, after all. People say relations between nations are complicated, but when all is said and done, it’s ultimately the relations between people that are complicated. Whether it’s with friends, lovers, or complete strangers, you guys quarrel. What we call a nation is an aggregate of each and every one of you. It’s a single colossal organism, a chaotic consciousness so mixed up that it’s impossible to grasp its full form.” (Eldmed)
Eldmed smiled happily.
“And there’s no way such an incomprehensible thing would never fight!” (Eldmed)
He spun his cane around and tapped the floor with it.
“That’s why the Demon King Anos puts so much effort into this academy. Even if he tries to see a nation for what it is, he can’t see the chaos in it. Even with his Magic Eyes, he can’t see the real nation. That’s why he looks at the people instead, and carefully nurtures each one of them. He believes that what makes a nation is its people.” (Eldmed)
Even if I alone stopped the conflicts with all my might, it wouldn’t bring peace.
When the world was divided into four, all it did was prevent the conflicts from happening.
We were still far away from true peace.
“He believes that by giving you all power, wisdom, and knowledge, we can eventually improve our country and avoid eventual national crises, world crises, and all great conflicts. KAHAHA! What a straightforward, out-of-reach ideal, don’t you think?!” Eldmed cackled away.
“But nonetheless fascinating! The way he defies the impossible is exactly how the Demon King ought to be! And I, the Conflagration King, was contracted to teach here until that dream is shattered. I will do everything in my power to give you a worthy education. And when he finds out that conflicts are still occurring anyway, the Demon King will keep growing ever stronger!” (Eldmed)
The specifics of the <Contract Zekt> I signed with Eldmed were mostly as he said.
Gods were faithful to their promises, but I had no idea how well that applied to a half-god half-demon like the Conflagration King.
In that case, rather than using <Contract Zekt> to make him my loyal servant, it was best to make him a proposition that would interest him. One of the reasons I sneaked into this academy in the form of a child was to see the results of our education from the perspective of a student.
If they knew I was the Demon King, most of the students and teachers wouldn’t speak their minds.
“With that out of the way, we’ll be going to the arena for swordsmanship training today. Shin-sensei, if you have something to say before the lesson, why don’t you say it here?” (Eldmed)
“Good point. Today is our first day, so we are only going to do what anyone can do.” (Shin)
Then, as if it were the most natural thing to do, Shin said the following.
“I would like you all to die once.” (Shin)
All the students in the classroom instantly turned white as a sheet in response to that.
“Or preferably twice.” He added.
