The Strongest Villain Sets Out: Reincarnated into a Merit-Based Clan, I Become the World's Strongest Swordsman

I packed my belongings and left the academy.

This time, the three who would accompany me to the Zora Federation were my usual training partners.

Cornelia, Lucia, and Sheila.

I initially thought it was troublesome to travel to another country with such a large group, but considering the almost certain coup, more people would be better. Watching the members eagerly climb into the carriage, I thought this again.

“I’m excited about the Zora Federation. I wonder what kind of strong people are there?”

I was the last to board the carriage, and it headed outside the royal capital.

In the rattling interior, Cornelia was thinking about yet-unseen strong enemies.

“The Zora Federation has plenty of decent fighters. Especially aura users.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

This was official setting.

Half the Zora Federation’s population consisted of a race called beastmen. These beastmen were famous for sharp senses and high physical abilities, but had other characteristics too.

Whether it was beast instinct or not, every single one of them used aura. Therefore, most of the Zora Federation consisted of aura users.

Particularly the upper-tier beastmen like wolves and lions were skilled at using aura. If they could fight those guys, the girls would gain real combat experience.

“I’m interested in the magic used in the Zora Federation.”

“Me too.”

Both Lucia and Sheila said they wanted to see magic.

There weren’t many races in the Zora Federation who could use magic. Mermaids good at water magic, bird people who used wind magic. Also, when it came to magic, there were elves. That was essential.

Since there were almost no mermaids or elves besides bird people (a type of beastmen), it was unclear whether their curiosity could be satisfied.

Well, the country would be in chaos from the coup anyway. They’d probably clash with at least one or two decent fighters.

Incidentally, I was on the side stopping this coup. I’d kill the main perpetrator and receive thanks from the current king.

Personally, I’d be happier if the coup succeeded so we could have war, but I figured legally receiving treasure was more profitable than legally killing them.

Even if I killed them in war, all treasure would belong to the state. Better to kill the coup’s ringleader and receive thanks. I’d demand outrageous conditions.

“Are there books for sale too? I’d like magical tomes.”

“Feel free to sightsee, but never let them see your faces. You’ll have an unpleasant experience.”

“Unpleasant experience?”

“In the Zora Federation, humans are slaves. Considering what was done to them in the past, some might attack on sight.”

“The demi-humans went through such terrible things.”

“I’m especially dangerous.”

“Huh?”

Cornelia tilted her head.

“What do you mean?”

“Actually… a few years ago, some radical demi-humans came to invade the empire’s territory.”

“How bold.”

Cornelia seemed strangely pleased. Lucia and Sheila didn’t look very interested.

“At that time, over a thousand demi-humans apparently went around killing imperial soldiers. It was quite damaging.”

“What happened?”

Lucia asked.

“Total annihilation. Of the demi-humans.”

I gave them a simple answer.

“Even though they were losing?”

“Yeah. The one who intervened in that conflict was Norn-nee-san, who was still a teenager then.”

“Ah.”

All three understood everything.

Right. She’d happened to be subjugating monsters near the border where the conflict occurred. When war broke out and many casualties resulted, she participated on the king’s orders.

As a result, hundreds of demi-human lives became stains on the ground from Norn-nee-san alone, and with other Salvatore Ducal House members and skilled reinforcements joining, the war ended in overwhelming victory.

Since then, the Zora Federation had been busy paying or not paying massive reparations to the empire.

Frankly, everyone thought no more wars would occur as long as the Salvatore Ducal House existed, but manipulated fools would still start wars.

In the original, they’d normally lose, but that would cause the Zora Federation to face a certain problem.

Not something as mild as destruction. Something far more tragic would happen.

To stop that and obtain a certain item, I had to prevent the demi-humans’ coup. At worst, I figured I could just kill everyone to stop it.

“What a disaster for the demi-humans too. Having Norn Salvatore as an opponent.”

“Absolutely.”

“But the bigger disaster might be Luka going to the Zora Federation now?”

“…Who knows.”

I didn’t deny it. I was deliberately going despite knowing a coup would occur.

What I’d stop was only the deaths of conservatives. As long as a few national representatives survived, it didn’t matter how many other demi-humans died for my plan.

Besides, to sell favors, problems needed to occur.

Chuckling, I told everyone about future plans.

What they should do after the coup occurred.

None of the three even showed signs of questioning my plan to overlook the coup.

As expected of my companions. They understood me well.