I get what you’re saying, but can you slow down a little? You’re starting to scare me.
“If you ask me or any of Meraldia’s students from that era, he’s a hero, of course. He’s done so much to improve our Commonwealth. But the thing is, unless he believes himself capable, it doesn’t matter how much he accomplishes.” Myurei let out a long sigh, then smiled gently at me. “But I really do think Ryuunie is one of the smartest and strongest leaders of our generation. When I first met him, I thought he was a stuck-up royal brat, but he proved himself time and time again. And seeing how much he suffered in the past, I just wanted to do everything I could to help him.”
So that’s why you became Lotz’s viceroy... Half the reason Ryuunie had accomplished so much was because Myurei and the Fikartze family were backing him. Lotz had become one of the biggest cities in Meraldia thanks to the increase in trade, and its support was one of the main reasons why Ryuunie was such an influential figure.
Myurei looked wistfully out the window and said, “No matter how amazing a person is, there’s a limit to what they can accomplish alone. It’s only when average folks like me come together to support the real heroes that they can leave their mark on history. You get what I’m saying, right? Thanks to people like Yuhette and Shirin by your side, you were able to do all those great deeds as well.”
“I understand where you’re coming from, but I’m far from amazing. If anything, I’m one of those average folks, not a hero.” I’d only come this far thanks to everyone’s help. They were the truly amazing ones, not me. I was just lucky to have them all as friends.
Myurei sighed and said, “Anyone who can strangle a dragon with their bare hands can’t be called ‘average.’”
“I didn’t strangle it; I just crushed its windpipe.”
“That’s even more impressive!” He let out another sigh. “You came here of your own volition, correct? That means you also believe Ryuunie is fit to be the next Demon Lord. Would you mind telling me why?”
“Huh?” I yelped, caught off guard by the question. Crap, I hadn’t thought that far ahead.
I was just supporting Ryuunie as the next Demon Lord because that was what dad wanted. In the end, I’m still far from being independent... That said, I had considered the prospect of Ryuunie as Demon Lord enough to come up with a few reasons.
“From my perspective, Ryuunie is incredibly resilient, managing to dive into his studies even after all the hardships he faced in Rolmund. People still talk about how he was one of the greatest students to pass through the halls of Meraldia University.”
“Hehe, as they should. Not only did he graduate at the top of his class, but there was a huge gap between him and the salutatorian.” Myurei puffed out his chest proudly.
Why are you so happy about that? Weren’t you the salutatorian? I worried he’d start praising Ryuunie again, so I quickly got back on topic. “Meraldia is a very multicultural nation. We have people with roots in Kuwol and Rolmund, Mondstrahl believers, Sonnenlicht adherents, humans, and demons all living together. Whoever becomes Demon Lord needs to be able to weigh these various interests and mediate disputes. I believe Ryuunie has that ability, and his life in exile has given him the resilience to handle the stress of the position.”
Eyes sparkling with excitement, Myurei nodded repeatedly. “Yes, exactly! You really understand him! He isn’t just intelligent; he’s more experienced than most people his age! That’s why he has such a broad perspective on life and can make tough decisions!”
“I know, right? There’s no one else who has experienced as much... Well, actually, I guess Shatina has, but I still think Ryuunie is in a class of his own.”
“Oh yeah, the Senate killed Shatina’s father, didn’t they? She’s certainly an admirable viceroy, but she’s so devoted to her hometown that she rarely sees the bigger picture outside of Zaria. Granted, I love Lotz myself, so I can understand.” Myurei nodded in satisfaction and smiled at me. “Good job, you pass with flying colors. You’re not just a crazy strong tomboy who beats up dragons.”
“Is that how you saw me?”
“Hahaha, come on, don’t pout. Anyway, just leave the rest to me.”
Myurei pulled out a piece of parchment and started writing. I wanted to trust him, but he had the scent of someone up to something. Once he finished writing, Myurei placed the letter in an envelope and pressed his family seal onto it, making it an official document.
“Here, take this. It’s confirmation that I received the salt pump from you. Would you mind passing it on to the Demon Lord or Professor Veight?”
Uhhh...what’s with that smile? What are you plotting? I didn’t know, but I had no choice but to take the letter.
“Um, thank you, I guess?”
“Anytime. Oh, by the way, if you see Ryuunie, tell him to come visit with his wife sometime. My wife’s been bugging me that we haven’t seen each other in ages. The four of us were all together in our school days.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that.” Ryuunie and Myurei had both gotten married not long ago. Marriage was basically a requirement for important political figures, though mom and dad hadn’t been pressuring me to get married.
“By the way...does your wife ever get jealous about how much you talk about Ryuunie?” I asked.
“Not at all. In fact, she said watching me gush about Ryuunie gives her the will to keep living.”
Your wife sure is something...