Chapter 574 Reason To Do As One Pleases

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Crusch had long grown weary of the current state of the Kingdom.

Yes, weary was the word.

The Kingdom of Lugnica, under the protection of the covenant forged with the Divine Dragon Volcanica in the past, had flourished into a prosperous nation. In this country, no matter the crisis, it could be averted under the dragon's protection. 

Consequently, the Kingdom had developed an excessive dependence on the covenant with the dragon, rendering the nation itself too fragile to sustain independently. Whenever faced with destabilizing situations, the country would do nothing but directly appeal to the dragon for shelter.

For someone like Crusch, who was straightforward and self-reliant, having become the head of a great aristocratic family at the age of twenty, the most detestable thing was receiving rewards without putting in any effort. A life where one sought protection from others at the first sign of trouble was not worth living at all.

Therefore, Crusch hoped to sever the covenant between the Kingdom and the Divine Dragon, discard the Kingdom's dependence on the Divine Dragon, and establish a self-reliant nation.

That was Crusch's reason for aspiring to be King.

Undoubtedly, it was a reason that was difficult to understand.

At least, the people in this country who revered dragons as their faith could hardly comprehend Crusch's thoughts, right?

In such a situation, if this Royal Selection candidate with the highest acclaim were to publicly announce her beliefs, the supporters calling for her ascension to the throne would surely decrease significantly, almost to the extent comparable to Emilia's level.

In light of this, Crusch's situation was not as good as it appeared to others.

Yet, it was precisely because of this that Crusch paid special attention to Fang Li.

"A being capable of making a dragon manifest its will and gaining recognition from a Semi-Spirit existence— in his being, I might find the same brilliance."

After all, what Crusch was doing was also confronting the Dragon's Will.

There was no difference between what Fang Li had declared before the Dragon History Stone and what Crusch was aiming for.

That was why Crusch was so concerned about Fang Li, and also why, upon hearing that both Emilia and Fang Li had come to visit, she chose to keep Fang Li with them.

The purpose was to probe Fang Li a little.

Wilhelm's decision to spar with Fang Li was also at Crusch's behest.

Fang Li had precisely seen through this, which was why he had taken the initiative to seek out Wilhelm and engage in a match.

And then, the former captain of the Royal Guard had discerned Fang Li's essence.

However, Crusch chose to doubt.

"It's not that I doubt your insight. Since you've understood these things from his sword, then it should be correct."

She said this, but it was clear that Crusch still couldn't fully accept it.

"But, without the conviction and purpose for battle, how could one grow to this level and gain the Dragon's approval? I simply can't understand this."

If someone lacked the reasons and conviction for battle, how could they become stronger?

Without reason, without conviction, even those with extraordinary innate skills would never have the drive to progress.

Even the Martial Spirits once known as "Dolls," didn't they have reasons and convictions to please their masters and thus train?

If there were no reasons, no convictions, no one would desire to fight.

However, precisely because of this...

"That's why I think that person is both fearsome and admirable."

Wilhelm met Crusch's gaze and spoke slowly.

"Indeed, within his sword, there is neither conviction nor purpose."

"Because, for him, fighting is just as natural as breathing, and getting stronger is simply a matter of personal interest, done solely based on his mood."

Yes.

That is Fang Li.

Why do people want to get stronger, and why do they want to fight?

Surely, the reasons vary for each individual, right?

But for someone like a Divine Envoy, the reason for getting stronger, the reason for fighting, is simply because it's the cost of being reincarnated, forced upon them by the Main God's Dimension.

If they do not have enough Exchange Points, they will be obliterated.

This rule forces countless Divine Envoys to struggle in worlds one by one. Eventually, they either perish in endless struggle or get stronger and thrive.

Yet, Fang Li has no such concerns.

Fang Li, who feels no fear of death, couldn't care less if he were to be obliterated.

If he truly feared death, Fang Li wouldn't lead such a carefree life even in the face of the crisis of his soul being on the brink of shattering, nor would he willingly abandon Subaru Natsuki, a decent observation target, just to complete the Main Quest.

In other words, Fang Li also doesn't care whether he'll be obliterated by the Main God's Dimension.

Perhaps that's why, even under the backdrop of the Main God's Dimension, Fang Li continues to live leisurely when he can, indulge in everyday life when he should, and even fall in love when he meets someone he likes.

Because Fang Li has no inhibitions, he naturally does as he pleases.

So, why does Fang Li want to get stronger?

For no reason at all.

It's simply because— "He wants to."

The moment he entered the Main God's Dimension and became a Divine Envoy, Fang Li said so.

"It doesn't matter if I die anyway..."

But Fang Li also said this.

"But, being undying wouldn't be a bad thing either..."

Just because of such a simple reason, Fang Li chose to continue living as a Divine Envoy.

It was not because he feared death, but because he had no reason to die.

And then, when faced with the opportunity to get stronger, Fang Li naturally thinks like this:

"It's better than not being able to..."

Yes.

It's better than not being able to.

It's better than not being able to get stronger.

And so, Fang Li threw himself into becoming stronger as if possessed.

After all, it's just a matter of Fang Li's mood.

So, when in doubt, he just fights when he feels like it.

"This is such a terrifying person."

Wilhelm sighed.

"Without reasons or convictions for fighting, but because of his purity, he reaches a state of no thoughts or desires, coupled with his extraordinary combat Innate Skill, such a person has no limits in the future, only infinite potential for getting stronger."

"So, he's both terrifying and admirable."

Hearing Wilhelm's words, not only Ferris but even Crusch held her breath.

Then, Crusch's eyes sparkled.

"Fang Li, huh?"

"It seems he's a character who has surpassed my imagination..."

...