31. A whore for information
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Ardenox
Know what you're doing yet?
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Kaizen was already more than satisfied with what he had gained from attending the party.
The survival mission still lingered at the back of his mind.
Something which could threaten his life.
What could the possible sources be?
One, someone who was personally intent on killing him.
Two, a large-scale destruction which would sweep away everything indiscriminately, including him.
So far, the only large-scale catastrophe he could think of was the empire being engulfed in flames of war.
And even that was contingent on the ancestor failing to keep the throne war contained.
As for someone having sights on him? Kaizen could only think of one reason. His identity as the fifth prince.
He hadn't made any enemies yet, no grudges, no vendettas. So it could only be this identity which was the source of trouble.
And who would see a prince as a problem in an empire locked in a succession struggle?
The other contenders for the throne.
By coming to this party, he managed to get information on both the crown prince and the second prince.
Even though he still hadn't managed to figure out who was targeting him, at least he had information on the people who could possibly want his life.
Yes, he didn't yet know how he could use this information but some progress was still better than none.
As he neared Kyle, the young man looked his way and immediately frowned.
Wow, that level of patience is even lesser than I thought.
Kaizen didn't stop or retreat though. He hadn't lived a century to be intimidated by a kid.
As he kept his eyes on him, he noticed Kyle shifting his gaze to his calf, the frown even more pronounced now.
Ofc he would notice my Wave Greave, but it seems he didn't notice my Simple Arm Brace.
When he was finally within range of talking, it was Kyle who spoke first.
"Keep your right hand away from me."
Kaizen raised an eyebrow and used his left hand to initiate a hand shake. Kyle did not leave him hanging.
Okay, I'll take my words back.
His Simple Arm Brace was on his right hand.
I might actually get something here.
"I wanted your advice."
Kyle lifted his head slightly, signaling Kaizen to continue.
Sure, I've lived for a long time and know a lot of things. But sometimes our thinking becomes constrained.
A new perspective helps in cases like this.
"If you knew you were going to die.
"What methods do you think it could happen by? Or the reasons behind it?"
Frown returned on Kyle's face as he asked.
"Are you threatening me?"
To which Kaizen chuckled.
"I didn't even know you existed until a few minutes ago. Why would I bother threatening you?
"I only asked you this question because I felt it came under your domain of expertise."
Kyle didn't comment on the thinly veiled jab, but fell in thought about his hypothetical question.
Who better to ask about death and killing than one who loves it so much?
Kaizen mused while Kyle downed another shot of vodka before answering.
"Well, if you know you're going to die, it can be divided into two main methods.
"First, someone is specifically out there for you.
"Second, you are collateral damage in a large-scale destruction. Dying to collateral damage is humiliating I must say, but it is what it is."
He shrugged lightly.
"And like you said, it is indeed my area of expertise, but not large scale destruction so I can't help you with that."
He stopped, and considered his next words while squeezing a lemon in his mouth.
"As for personally killing someone.
"There are plenty of reasons and methods.
"One, you offended them deeply. Or they hate you enough to want you dead.
"Two, you're an obstacle to their goal. That goal could be freedom, power, resources, anything.
"Three, extending from the second point, you might be the obstacle, or you might be the goal itself. Maybe they want your blood. Your bones. Something else.
"Four, you're a bargaining chip. They want you dead, alive, or under control for leverage.
"Five," he added after a brief pause, "most other reasons are just variations of the second."
After that Kyle fell deep into thought, not even taking the shot of vodka he had prepared while talking.
He opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again, as if whatever he was considering felt unreal even to him.
Kaizen waited patiently as he not-so-sneakily took the shot of vodka Kyle had prepared for himself.
Waste was a sin.
A heavy burn tore through his throat, forcing him to cough, which earned him a weird stare from Kyle even in his contemplative state.
I forgot this body isn't the one from my past life.
Kaizen thought as he squeezed lemon into his mouth and followed it up with some salt.
Even so, this body had already been reinforced twice over through two domains at rank 1. The fact that the vodka still burned meant one thing.
This wasn't normal alcohol. It was tailored for practitioners of domains.
That crazy president has enough money to provide such drinks and this madman even dares to drink it like water.
In the end, Kyle did end up speaking.
"Well, there could be a third method in which you might die."
Kaizen looked back at him.
"That is, if you choose it yourself."
Kyle paused, choosing his words carefully.
"Not suicide exactly. More like giving up your life for something bigger.
"Like soldiers. Or parents trying to protect their kid. Something of the sort.
"The kind where you feel it is better off if you kill yourself."
Kaizen nodded, but didn't ask Kyle why he took so much time trying to say it.
Maybe the idea of sacrificing oneself was absurd to Kyle?
As Kaizen thanked him and turned to leave, Kyle said something which made him pause.
"If I were you, I'd get that weapon checked."
Kaizen followed his gaze to his leg.
The Wave Greave.
He nodded in acknowledgement and walked away, heading towards where the people of the church stood.
Moments earlier, he had seen arguments getting heated there, and a crowd was gathering.
I've been going anywhere and everywhere in search of any kind of information whatsoever.
He exhaled quietly.
I feel like a whore for information.
The survival mission still lingered at the back of his mind.
Something which could threaten his life.
What could the possible sources be?
One, someone who was personally intent on killing him.
Two, a large-scale destruction which would sweep away everything indiscriminately, including him.
So far, the only large-scale catastrophe he could think of was the empire being engulfed in flames of war.
And even that was contingent on the ancestor failing to keep the throne war contained.
As for someone having sights on him? Kaizen could only think of one reason. His identity as the fifth prince.
He hadn't made any enemies yet, no grudges, no vendettas. So it could only be this identity which was the source of trouble.
And who would see a prince as a problem in an empire locked in a succession struggle?
The other contenders for the throne.
By coming to this party, he managed to get information on both the crown prince and the second prince.
Even though he still hadn't managed to figure out who was targeting him, at least he had information on the people who could possibly want his life.
Yes, he didn't yet know how he could use this information but some progress was still better than none.
As he neared Kyle, the young man looked his way and immediately frowned.
Wow, that level of patience is even lesser than I thought.
Kaizen didn't stop or retreat though. He hadn't lived a century to be intimidated by a kid.
As he kept his eyes on him, he noticed Kyle shifting his gaze to his calf, the frown even more pronounced now.
Ofc he would notice my Wave Greave, but it seems he didn't notice my Simple Arm Brace.
When he was finally within range of talking, it was Kyle who spoke first.
"Keep your right hand away from me."
Kaizen raised an eyebrow and used his left hand to initiate a hand shake. Kyle did not leave him hanging.
Okay, I'll take my words back.
His Simple Arm Brace was on his right hand.
I might actually get something here.
"I wanted your advice."
Kyle lifted his head slightly, signaling Kaizen to continue.
Sure, I've lived for a long time and know a lot of things. But sometimes our thinking becomes constrained.
A new perspective helps in cases like this.
"If you knew you were going to die.
"What methods do you think it could happen by? Or the reasons behind it?"
Frown returned on Kyle's face as he asked.
"Are you threatening me?"
To which Kaizen chuckled.
"I didn't even know you existed until a few minutes ago. Why would I bother threatening you?
"I only asked you this question because I felt it came under your domain of expertise."
Kyle didn't comment on the thinly veiled jab, but fell in thought about his hypothetical question.
Who better to ask about death and killing than one who loves it so much?
Kaizen mused while Kyle downed another shot of vodka before answering.
"Well, if you know you're going to die, it can be divided into two main methods.
"First, someone is specifically out there for you.
"Second, you are collateral damage in a large-scale destruction. Dying to collateral damage is humiliating I must say, but it is what it is."
He shrugged lightly.
"And like you said, it is indeed my area of expertise, but not large scale destruction so I can't help you with that."
He stopped, and considered his next words while squeezing a lemon in his mouth.
"As for personally killing someone.
"There are plenty of reasons and methods.
"One, you offended them deeply. Or they hate you enough to want you dead.
"Two, you're an obstacle to their goal. That goal could be freedom, power, resources, anything.
"Three, extending from the second point, you might be the obstacle, or you might be the goal itself. Maybe they want your blood. Your bones. Something else.
"Four, you're a bargaining chip. They want you dead, alive, or under control for leverage.
"Five," he added after a brief pause, "most other reasons are just variations of the second."
After that Kyle fell deep into thought, not even taking the shot of vodka he had prepared while talking.
He opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again, as if whatever he was considering felt unreal even to him.
Kaizen waited patiently as he not-so-sneakily took the shot of vodka Kyle had prepared for himself.
Waste was a sin.
A heavy burn tore through his throat, forcing him to cough, which earned him a weird stare from Kyle even in his contemplative state.
I forgot this body isn't the one from my past life.
Kaizen thought as he squeezed lemon into his mouth and followed it up with some salt.
Even so, this body had already been reinforced twice over through two domains at rank 1. The fact that the vodka still burned meant one thing.
This wasn't normal alcohol. It was tailored for practitioners of domains.
That crazy president has enough money to provide such drinks and this madman even dares to drink it like water.
In the end, Kyle did end up speaking.
"Well, there could be a third method in which you might die."
Kaizen looked back at him.
"That is, if you choose it yourself."
Kyle paused, choosing his words carefully.
"Not suicide exactly. More like giving up your life for something bigger.
"Like soldiers. Or parents trying to protect their kid. Something of the sort.
"The kind where you feel it is better off if you kill yourself."
Kaizen nodded, but didn't ask Kyle why he took so much time trying to say it.
Maybe the idea of sacrificing oneself was absurd to Kyle?
As Kaizen thanked him and turned to leave, Kyle said something which made him pause.
"If I were you, I'd get that weapon checked."
Kaizen followed his gaze to his leg.
The Wave Greave.
He nodded in acknowledgement and walked away, heading towards where the people of the church stood.
Moments earlier, he had seen arguments getting heated there, and a crowd was gathering.
I've been going anywhere and everywhere in search of any kind of information whatsoever.
He exhaled quietly.
I feel like a whore for information.