New Saga (強くてニューサーガ)

You've completely made that your own.

Yeah. I'm itching to use it in actual combat.

Hey, I've got a question for you.

What'd you think of the demons?

Well... how should I put it?

They're definitely strong, but they're not all that scary.

When we first encountered them, rumor and legend dominated my impression,

but the more I learned, the less terrifying they became.

No matter how powerful they may be,

they ultimately aren't much different from us, so they're not something to fear.

Is that what you mean?

Yeah, that. That's exactly it.

What is it? What's up?

Nothing. I was just considering maybe you and I do think alike after all.

Ugh, you're creeping me out.

So that contributed to his decision.

You let the female demon go?!

Y-Yeah.

After I explicitly told you not to?!

A lot happened on our end, okay?

Damn it. I wasn't counting on this.

I mean, she didn't seem like such a bad person.

If she were truly a threat, Theron never would've let her get away.

Perhaps three centuries of temporary peace has changed humanoids and demons alike.

Oh, there you are.

Are you two feeling better already?

Yeah. The doctor gave us clean bills of health.

We could get right back in the fray!

I wasn't particularly injured.

I got a lot of rest, so I'm fine now.

I see. You both did well.

I'm so glad you both survived.

Thank you.

It was no big deal. Really.

S-Seriously. Don't be so dramatic.

Well, this is irritating to watch.

Good day, Kyle. Dad's in the back.

Thanks.

Um, Sildonia, there's something I'd like to discuss with you.

Fine.

So, what do you wish to discuss?

R-Right! Um, you see...

Looks like you've recovered.

In spite of the exhaustion from someone's unreasonable request, yes.

I hear you're leaving tomorrow.

Yeah. That's the plan.

I'd like to give you a parting gift.

Sheaths for your blade and the Holy Sword Rand.

Since you gave me a ton of mithril and all, I made these to practice.

I appreciate it.

Sildonia isn't fond of cheap sheaths.

You've done a lot for me.

I won't waste the mithril you provided.

Sildonia...

Are you really leaving?

Indeed. According to Kyle, we depart tomorrow.

Um, do you think that maybe...

you could stay here with me forever?

I'm afraid I cannot do that.

Where Kyle goes, I must follow.

Oh, but please.

I'd love for you to teach me more things.

Goh...

Never fear. I have taught you all you need to know.

With Kyle's patronage, you will be able to complete the golem on your own.

I see. So you can't stay, huh?

Do not take it personally.

At present, I belong to Kyle.

What is it?

Er, it's nothing...

I understand.

I'll let it go. All of it.

What?

I'm not sure what you mean, but you have potential.

Keep devoting yourself to your craft.

Thank you.

Ah, Kyle! Have you concluded your business already?

Yeah.

I'm counting on you to complete the golem, Goh.

Okay.

Take care.

Kyle already has Liese and Urza...

Must he take Sildonia too?

Kyle would come to be known by many names.

They say the "lecherous hero" moniker originated here in Karan.

I learned from Miranda that Governor Bax had passed.

Glory to Karan...

Governor!

He didn't have long to begin with,

but upon finding out that all he'd done was for naught, he took a turn for the worse.

Governor Bax confessed the whole truth regarding the kidnappings on his deathbed.

Then this ordeal is...

Yes. We may consider it resolved, although one problem remains.

The massacre at the Gargan embassy, you mean?

Yes.

The empire will blame Zirgus for the incident and put the squeeze on us.

Since Queen Milena has called off her engagement, who knows what they'll demand?

My head hurts.

I have no choice but to leave the matter in your hands.

Yes, I know.

Forgive me for complaining.

Don't worry about it.

Also, Gazus has now officially been selected as the next governor.

Really? But he's cooped up in his workshop.

That's right.

He accepted the role on the condition

that we handle the work while he spends as much time blacksmithing as he desires.

So that's the story, huh?

He already made us sheaths for our swords.

He said he was practicing with mithril.

That sounds just like him.

Saying they were practice was only an excuse.

If not for you, there would have been far more casualties.

Both Gazus and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Could I ask a personal question?

Yes, of course.

Goh had some money trouble recently.

You were pulling the strings behind that, weren't you?

What?

Threatened by Governor Bax, Gazus distanced himself from you to keep you out of things.

Unaware of the situation, you came up with a plan to force the two of you closer together.

You set your sights on Goh, who was looking for investors.

You didn't even act as an intermediary.

You just suggested to the right people that there was a business opportunity.

Then you waited for it to blow up, intending to earn Gazus's favor by rescuing Goh.

Even if I'm wrong, I doubt I'm far off the mark.

I'm in awe. Your deductive skills are impressive.

However, do you have any concrete proof?

Unfortunately, no.

Well, that's a shame.

In that case, isn't this all mere conjecture?

It would seem so.

Why don't we both forget I said it?

Say what you will, but that was a rather serious accusation.

However did you manage to come to it?

Well, you see, I know you have no qualms about doing something so calculating.

What?

If you've got something to feel guilty about, I'd like you to do me a favor.

Could you make sure no one learns the details about Goh's golem restoration project?

No nation can know. Not even Zirgus.

If that's all you require, I believe I can do that.

Then we have a deal.

But do you really believe he'll succeed?

Who invests in a project they expect to fail?

I suppose you have a point.

But this golem would be a major boon to our forces.

If all goes well, I will have to report it to the kingdom.