Isekai Adventure in the Dimensional Cube

After discussing official matters, Philippe did not leave immediately but chose to chat with Yuri about some trivial family affairs, seemingly wanting to ease the tense atmosphere.

At this point, it was Reiger's turn to find himself unable to join the conversation, only able to sit on the side and watch Yuri and Philippe talk sporadically.

However, the so-called trivial family affairs that Philippe and Yuri were discussing were either about the actions of certain noble families or internal affairs of the kingdom. To outsiders, it might have seemed very grand, as if the two people in front of them were indeed significant figures, but Reiger could tell that Yuri was not very interested in these types of topics.

Or rather, when Yuri talked about such matters, it did not seem like idle chat but more like discussing matters of state, without a hint of relaxation or pleasure.

"Could it be that the girl likes chatting with me precisely because of this?"

Reiger suddenly realized this point.

When chatting with Reiger, Yuri always appeared very happy and cheerful, which was completely different from her current expression of calmness and tension.

It seems that what Yuri truly enjoyed was the kind of genuine idle chitchat between friends, rather than this kind of talk that regardless of the topic always ended up involving noble society and state affairs, right?

Looking at Yuri sitting there, chatting with Philippe with an impassive expression, Reiger thought to himself in silence.

"I should find more time to chat with her when there's nothing else to do."

That way, Yuri would probably be very happy, right?

And so, after about half an hour, Philippe stood up.

"Since the matters I've come to explain are now dealt with, I shall return to the capital," Philippe said to Reiger and Yuri, bowing slightly, "When the two of you return to the capital as well, I will make sure to visit."

"Take care," Yuri nodded without saying much else.

Behind her, Marilyn stepped out, ready to see Philippe off.

It was then that Philippe, accompanied by Griman, took his leave from the reception room and from the Fransel residence.

It is worth mentioning that before leaving, Griman gave Reiger a look that seemed somewhat reluctant to part.

But at that moment, Reiger had no interest in this prodigious swordsman.

"Is that the end of it?"

Watching Philippe and Griman leave, Reiger couldn't help but utter this phrase without any particular reason.

What he meant, of course, was Philippe's easy abandonment of the task of convincing the two of them to return to the capital.

"I thought he would persist a little longer."

Reiger muttered to himself.

"It's pointless," Yuri shook her head, answering Reiger's question, "As long as I have a solid excuse, he can't force me back to the capital, and the same goes for you."

Formally speaking, Reiger was still Yuri's.

Therefore, even if Philippe or the royal family were eager for Reiger to return to the capital to accept a title and become a nobleman of the Ginas Kingdom, they had to consider Yuri's presence.

With Yuri there as a bulwark, they were unlikely to use any strong-arm methods against Reiger.

However...

"They surely won't give up so easily," Yuri said seriously as she turned to Reiger, "Your strength has now been almost completely revealed. As a seasoned swordsman and a tactical level magician, such military potential and talent are definitely not something the kingdom would easily let go of."

Their main concern was, if they couldn't win Reiger over, he might go to another country and become someone else's asset.

A tactical level magician, while not as decisive in determining the outcome of a war as a strategic level magician, was still a powerful military asset that could influence the direction of a battle.

Such beings, even within a large country like the Ginas Kingdom, numbered only twenty or thirty. If they could have more, then naturally that would be even better.

Not to mention, Reiger was a seasoned swordsman with substantial combat ability in his own right.

"Your value now exceeds that of an average tactical level magician, ranking just below the existence of a Sword Saint and a strategic level magician," Yuri clarified, "To the kingdom and the royal family, you are already of enough significance to warrant their willingness to pay a price to recruit you."

"This time, the arrival of Count Charlero can be seen as a simple attempt to recruit you, but it can also be considered a probe."

"They need to know what your attitude towards the kingdom and the royal family is, before deciding how to ensure your allegiance to this country."

Hearing this, Reiger unconsciously frowned.

"It looks like you really don't want to stay in the Ginas Kingdom," Yuri noted Reiger's expression and smiled.

"Not really," Reiger shook his head, saying, "I have no objections to staying in the Ginas Kingdom, but I don't want to become a noble, and I don't want to be used as a military weapon by the Ginas Kingdom."

What Reiger resisted wasn't the country itself, but instead the potential deceit and trickery he could encounter within it.

And becoming a noble, entering the higher circles of the kingdom, meant encountering these things.

Reiger wanted to avoid that at all costs.

Yuri seemed to perceive what was in Reiger's mind and fell silent for no apparent reason.

After a while, Yuri finally spoke up.

"If that's the case, then you might need to think of a solution," Yuri advised, "With me here, the royal family won't use strong-arm tactics on you, but there are still many ways to tie a person to this country without resorting to force."

Reiger had no doubts about this.

No matter what, the Kingdom of Genas was still the territory of the royal family, one of only four major powers on the continent of Akasha.

The power of a major nation, once mobilized, was quite terrifying.

By then, Reiger might be played around by some unknown arrangements, ending up being sold and yet thanking and counting money for those who betrayed him.

If it turned out that way, Reiger might voluntarily go to the royal capital and accept the title and position he initially rejected.

This was not an exaggeration at all.

Anyway, Reiger did not believe he had the ability to match wits with a major nation.

Even Yuri, a Strategic-Level Magician, was heavily restricted and had many constraints; what could Reiger possibly do?

Thinking of this, Reiger suddenly spoke up.

"What do you think, how strong do I need to become to make a national power like the Kingdom of Genas think twice before offending me?"

As soon as these words came out, Yuri was immediately stunned.

Looking at such a Yuri, Reiger spoke calmly, "Since they have so many ways to use against me, then I will become strong enough to deter them from rash actions, making them afraid that if their schemes are discovered by me, they might not be able to withstand the consequences."

"That way, I wouldn't have to worry about being calculated against, right?"

Reiger's words caused Yuri to fall silent once more.

After a long time, Yuri finally sighed.

"Then become a Sword Saint."

That was what Yuri said.

"Sword Saint?"

Reiger turned to Yuri.

"Yes." Yuri nodded heavily and said, "As long as you become a Sword Saint, even the royal family would have to consider whether to make a move against you."

"Not becoming a Strategic-Level Magician, but a Sword Saint — that's how you'll achieve the effect you desire."

A Strategic-Level Magician was not free either; this was fully demonstrated by Yuri.

What about nuclear weapons?

Aren't the switches of nuclear weapons controlled by others, something that others can manipulate and create?

The kingdom regarded Strategic-Level Magicians as critical military weapons but never feared this kind of weapon.

Not to mention other things, just look at the royal palace in the capital Yeruf, where a defense system that could hinder the flow of magic power was deployed. No matter if it was Tactical-Level Magic or Strategic-Level Magic, or even any combat-level magic, none could be used in the royal palace.

Again, Strategic-Level Magic was only effective on the battlefield, and there were measures against it in some places.

But Sword Saints were different; even without using magic power, they could single-handedly defeat thousands of enemies, as if entering a land of nobody.

A regular Swordsman could achieve a one-against-thousand feat, and a much stronger Sword Saint — their strength was self-evident.

Such beings, if they caused trouble in the royal palace, unless another Sword Saint of the same level came to stop them, who could hold them back?

This was the epitome and deterrent force of personal strength, not deterring foreign countries or their armies but the high and mighty themselves.

Therefore, the high-and-mighty are not very afraid of high-level Magicians; their protective systems are not ineffective, and the conditions for using high-level magic are so strict that during the time it takes to form the magic, it's enough for them to react.

However, the high-and-mighty were certainly afraid of a powerful Swordsman who could instantly penetrate their numerous protective measures and strike at their necks.

This is also why many in the industry look down on so-called Tactical-Level Magicians and Strategic-Level Magicians, believing that mastering combat-level magic is what truly matters.

If a Magician's combat ability rivals that of a Sword Saint, then whether or not they are a Tactical-Level Magician or a Strategic-Level Magician, the threat they pose in the eyes of the powerful is greater than that of Tactical-Level Magicians and Strategic-Level Magicians.

Strategic-Level Magicians deter nations.

Sword Saints deter individuals.

These are two different kinds of existences.

If Reiger wanted status, fame, wealth, and significant rights, then he should become a Strategic-Level Magician, and he could have it all.

But if Reiger wanted to threaten a certain entity or force, making them wary, then becoming a Sword Saint was a better choice.

"Of course, if you can become both, then you can go anywhere in this vast world."

As she spoke, Yuri's eyes revealed a hint of anticipation.

Because, for such an incredible speculation, there might be a chance to achieve it with Reiger.

"Sword Saint... huh?"

Reiger murmured softly and closed his eyes.

If that was the case, then let it be done.

It was about time for another session of Dimensional Travel.