The Kingmaker System
"The masterminds are cooler than heroes," I mutter as I stare at the chess pieces before me. It is easier to be the one who sits in the shadows and moves the pieces, likewise deciding the flow of the game. Heroes will foolishly sacrifice their lives for the good cause and villains will sacrifice the world for their own gain, but masterminds will use both the heroes and villains to their own benefit. Why, you ask? Well, that's because I've lost my life once while trying to be a hero so, I don't want that anymore. I'd rather be a mastermind who molds the world as per my convenience and live peacefully. Because, why not? *** [Defender of Divine Glory says you are the hope of this world.] What? [Goddess of Wisdom believes that you will be the one to save the world.] Wait, what?! [Propose the Grand Duke the idea of a fake marriage.] And, why would I do that?! [Stop the assassination of Prince Eric.] Why would I save him?! [The candidates for the throne are:... Who will you choose?] Ah! I give up... It seems like a curse that anyone who wishes for a slacker life in Isekai will have to go through the most troublesome things. In my past life, I died because of one rookie mistake but after being transmigrated in the world of fantasy I've gotten an opportunity to start afresh, but unlike the protagonists who look for their love and glory, I'd rather make money and live a life of a slacker. I have magic, I have power and I have money, what else do I need? Well, that was the plan but this damn system is getting on my nerves. I mean who in their sane mind would want to mess with the complicated royal family and political affairs? But that's not all though. I've also become the saviour of this world. Things just can't be anymore worse! Besides, the penalty of failing this quest is... [Failure: Destruction of the World.] It seems like if I screw up in selecting the right person then the destruction that is going to befall the world won't be stopped. If I speak of my reward then it's this vague thing. [Reward: Fulfillment of any wish.] "If that's the case then, I'd rather choose the person who would be the best fit for the throne." And that's how I decided that I would become the Kingmaker.
42. A Mage And A Knight (5)
Davian was standing near the large window that seemed to be failing to illuminate the huge hall in which we had entered and beside him was standing someone who was possibly going to give me an earful later.
Davian didn't look exactly as I had last seen him. He seemed like he had been through the years of exhaustion in just a few months.
There were dark bags under his eyes, he had grown a bit taller and I could see his muscles that were shaping the black shirt that he was wearing. But the look on his face was what made me feel the slight ache in my chest.
The child seemed to have been through a lot and for some reason, I felt guilty.
"He's quite young." I mumbled.
"I never expected the Grand Duke to be a child." Lyall muttered beside me and Sir Adler cleared his throat.
"These two are the gentlemen who saved the people of Iker town." Adler said and Davian nodded while his companion glared daggers at me, I avoided looking at him.