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.
121. Rainy Days (2)
Eric gripped the hilt of his sword and inhaled deeply, I could see his mana swirling around him like a light breeze of heated air before he charged at me.
I sidestepped avoiding his slash but he quickly twisted his sword and slashed diagonally making me jump back.
Eric came at me with a flurry of attacks and I avoided them by sidestepping every time making his sword hit the rain droplets.
"Y-You aren't fighting back." He huffed exasperatedly and slashed his sword horizontally making me leap in the air before I landed softly three feet away.
His clothes were already drenched by the rain and I could see the rivulets of water flowing down the sides of his face matting his golden hair to his forehead. My waterproof cloak was doing its best at keeping me dry but I couldn't help but feel slightly bad for the drenched kid.
"This is my fighting style," I reasoned.