Chapter 346: The Vote (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 346: The Vote (1)
When Alon first received the interview sheets from Alexion, he thought he would simply pick a suitable partner without much thought...
Until he checked the names of the applicants.
‘...Why is Yutia here?’
Indeed, Yutia’s name was written on the interview sheet.
That wasn't all.
As he confirmed that the names of everyone currently staying at the Marquis’s estate—including her—were listed, he was momentarily thrown into confusion.
‘...How did this happen?’
He could understand Yutia or Seolrang.
As he’d heard from Evan, they had been exchanging letters constantly, so they might have applied for the partner interview.
But what about Line and Magrina in Phildegrin?
How on earth had they been contacted?
The same went for Historia and Ryanga.
If Alexion had known they were in the Divine Land, he might have reached out, but how could Alexion have known about their friendship with him?
Alon’s head tilted instinctively. He looked at Alexion.
“Alexion.”
“Yes.”
“...I believe you said you received participants by sending out letters. Is that correct?”
“That is correct.”
“...I can understand Yutia or Seolrang, but how did you send letters to the others?”
“Well, that’s—”
Alexion’s eyes darted to the side. For some reason, he looked terrified, then suddenly broke into an awkward laugh.
“Ah, that—I heard about them from Lord Evan.”
“...From Evan?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
That made a certain amount of sense.
Nodding, Alon soon noticed that Alexion’s gaze kept flickering toward something else.
‘...Behind me?’
The moment he realized the gaze was directed behind him, Alon whipped around.
However, there was nothing to be seen through the window behind his back.
Only the familiar scenery of the inner castle.
He felt a brief flicker of doubt, but simply thinking he must have misread the situation, Alon turned back to the front.
He decided to ask one of the questions that had been bugging him.
“By the way.”
“Yes.”
“...Was this interview sheet properly researched?”
“It was... Is there a problem?”
“Well, it says Yutia Bloodia’s age is eighteen.”
It was an innocent question.
Alexion hesitated.
Should he tell the truth?
In fact, Alexion could currently see the eyes of those demanding the truth.
Though the inner castle scenery had been empty when the Marquis turned around, many people had reappeared and were watching Alexion intently, just as they had been moments ago.
Among them, Seolrang and Line—who were currently invisible to Yutia but visible to Alexion—were pressed against the opposite window, eyes wide as they cheered(?) him on: ‘Now’s the time! Tell the truth! Hurry!’
“Well—the truth is—”
Just as Alexion was about to speak, bolstered by their encouragement(?), he saw it.
The faces of Line and Seolrang, who had been sending him fervent looks just a second ago, turned pale in an instant.
Whoosh!
In a flash, they disappeared from the window, looking as if they were being sucked away by something.
“Gasp...”
“?”
It was a scene straight out of a ghost story.
Alexion let out a shrill sound, his mouth hanging open. Alon looked at him with a puzzled expression, but Alexion still couldn't tear his eyes away.
What filled Alexion’s vision now was a red glow.
Even though it was broad daylight.
A red light gleamed from the strangely dark window on the other side.
And beneath it.
He could faintly see Yutia Bloodia’s smile.
Was it faint because it was shrouded in darkness?
Or was it because...
Her smile was currently fading?
However.
“...??”
The moment Alon noticed Alexion’s gaze and turned his head once more, Yutia vanished as if she had never been there.
“Alexion.”
“Yes, My Lord...”
“...Is there something behind the window?”
At Alon’s repeated question, Alexion answered weakly.
“...No, there is nothing.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“For someone saying that...”
Alon looked at Alexion suspiciously.
But Alexion couldn't possibly open his mouth. The moment Alon turned his head back, he saw Yutia, whose smile was growing thinner and thinner.
And so.
“Well, the truth is—!”
“...The truth is?”
“I—I wrote down Lady Yutia’s age arbitrarily...!”
“Arbitrarily?”
“Well, I asked everyone else, but I simply forgot to ask Lady Yutia...!”
Alexion let out a forced laugh. Hahahaha.
“I see. But why eighteen?”
“Well, you see. Doesn't she look incredibly young?”
“...And?”
“Yes, so I felt I had to put some basic information on the documents, so I just set it like that for now...!”
He added once more, “She just looks so young, after all.”
It was a desperate struggle for survival that anyone could see.
“Hmm—I suppose. Yutia can be like that. She isn't very tall, either.”
Alon nodded as if convinced.
Immediately, Alexion saw the dark room brighten.
Yutia was there, waving her hand kindly at him with a bright, beaming smile.
“...”
“...”
And held by the scruff of their necks by Yutia...
Were Seolrang and Line, their faces screaming, ‘You betrayed us, you traitor!!’
But that, too, was only for a moment.
Yutia gave him a smile as if to say ‘well done’ and promptly dragged the two of them away.
Alexion finally let out a sigh of relief.
“Then is everything else written there the truth?”
“For the most part, yes. I will provide brief commentary as you flip through the sheets.”
He replied to Alon while recalling his earlier resolve.
Even though he had failed to reflect his own opinions on the interview sheets, he resolved to interfere, even if just a little, in this manner.
“Very well. Let us begin.”
“Yes.”
But unfortunately, Alexion was unable to achieve his goal.
Every time Alexion tried to say something, someone would pop up from somewhere and make a terrifying face where only Alexion could see them.
In the end, the only words Alexion could say to Alon were “Yes” and “That is correct.”
“Is this the end?”
“...Yes.”
“Hmm. I shall give it some thought.”
“Understood.”
With those words, Alexion left Alon’s office and returned to his own.
“...”
He found a golden cup sitting on his desk.
It was a golden chalice that practically screamed, ‘I am an expensive item made in Rosario.’
‘No matter how much I like money, I wouldn't fall for something like—!’
Alexion stared at it, frowning as he picked up the golden cup.
At that moment.
“Lord Alexion, I have a report... Oh, isn't that a golden chalice?! Such an impossibly expensive and rare item! Where on earth did you get it?”
A secretary who had suddenly entered made a huge fuss.
“Hmph, don't worry about it.”
“Wow, this is incredible. If you sold this, you’d have enough money to easily buy several villas even in the Marquisate.”
“...What?”
Alexion, who had been answering curtly, snapped his head around at the explanation.
“Pardon?”
“...This one cup is worth that much?”
“Of course! It’s clearly a crafted chalice from Rosario; it would be strange if it didn't cost that much.”
At the secretary’s further explanation, Alexion carefully placed the cup back down on the desk...
It was an item far too expensive to maintain his pride over.
* * *
The next day.
“My Lord, what are you looking at so intently?”
“A partner.”
“...A partner? Ah, you mean for that?”
“Yes.”
“Have you still not decided?”
“Well, yes.”
Evan, who had entered the office, let out a hum and nodded understandingly.
“I suppose it’s not easy to just pick one. A partner is important in many ways, after all. Both for the partner and for you, My Lord.”
“...Is it really that important?”
“Well—I suppose? Attending a ball together as partners is essentially the same as acknowledging a certain ‘something’ between you. Naturally, rumors will fly. Your public image will be solidified as well.”
“...It’s a heavier position than I thought.”
Evan shrugged at Alon’s words.
“But well, you don't have to think that deeply about it. As long as things don't develop further, the rumors will naturally die down. Unless you were a King, a partner isn't that critical of a position.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s just that for Kings or Princes, it looks a bit strange if they keep changing partners.”
“I see.”
Alon nodded as if he understood.
“But still, it is difficult to choose.”
“...Are the candidates that formidable?”
“No, it’s not that they’re formidable... It’s just difficult to choose easily.”
He looked at the list again.
‘...There are many choices.’
However, the reason Alon couldn't easily make a decision was the thought that his choice might disappoint others.
Of course, he didn't care much if people he didn't know were disappointed.
The problem was that more than half the people on this list were people Alon knew.
He considered whether it would be better to just pick someone he didn't know at all, but that didn't seem like the right way either. After agonizing for a while, he spoke.
“Evan.”
“Yes.”
“...Could you gather the kids?”
“By kids, do you mean the friends currently at the estate?”
“Yes.”
“...? Well, alright.”
Having finished his deliberation, he made his decision.
Evan, who was about to head out, turned back as if he had remembered something.
“Ah, My Lord. Come to think of it, there was something brief I needed to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Didn't you tell me to send invitation letters to the Kings last time?”
“I did. Is there a problem?”
“It’s not a problem, but the letters should have all arrived by today. Should I tell the Divine Land kids to get ready, just in case?”
Alon thought for a moment and shook his head.
“There’s no need. As I said before, it’s just a formality.”
“Is that so?”
“No one will actually accept the invitation anyway.”
“Hmm—alright.”
Evan obediently left the room.
* * *
Tern, a place that should have been empty.
Five Kings were currently gathered there.
Cretenia Siyan of the Asteria Kingdom.
Shuhtalian V of the Ashtalon Kingdom.
Karmakeses III of the Colony Kingdom.
Palmalian IV of the Calliban Kingdom.
Torimabia of the Laxas Kingdom.
These were Kings who usually only met once in a while during Union Conferences.
They were currently holding a very secret meeting, unannounced to the outside world.
The reason these monarchs, who rarely moved from their respective kingdoms, had gathered like this was because of Marquis Palatio.
More accurately.
“Did I not tell you! Marquis Palatio wishes to become the new sky himself. He is preparing for war!”
“...Ahem—”
It was because of the Marquis’s unusual movements.
“To be honest, we cannot say for certain yet.”
Shuhtalian V offered a small rebuttal.
However, Palmalian IV frowned as if that were nonsense and continued.
“Do you really think so? The Marquis has already raised a vast number of knights and soldiers. On top of that, the number of mercenaries is steadily increasing.”
“...”
“Think about it. If Marquis Palatio isn't going to wage war, why is he gathering so many troops? Do you know how much capital it takes to maintain an army? Am I right?”
“...”
“Furthermore, the rumors about him lately have been absurdly positive! It’s as if someone is manipulating them.”
At Palmalian IV’s words, the Kings all fell silent.
There was certainly no fault in his logic.
Palmalian IV’s speech continued.
The more they listened to him, the more Marquis Palatio’s image transformed into that of a dangerous individual.
After the discussion had gone on for some time.
“Hmm...”
“Do you have something to say?”
Karmakeses III, who had been silent until now, let out a groan and spoke.
“To be honest, I don't think Marquis Palatio would make such a choice.”
“...Are you serious?”
“Could it not be a coincidence?”
“A coincidence? A man who raises countless soldiers and knights, takes in powerful individuals to start his own religion, and then consolidates nearby nomads and villages to expand the influence of the Divine Land?”
“Hmm... When you put it all together like that, it is a bit much to call it a coincidence.”
Karmakeses III looked reluctant.
If Marquis Palatio had heard this, his face would have turned pale as he shook his head repeatedly in denial.
But the Kings, unaware of that fact, continued their conversation.
A little later, Palmalian IV threw a question toward Cretenia Siyan.
“Do you have nothing to say?”
“Something to say...”
Siyan murmured quietly, lost in thought.
Unlike the other Kings, she showed no expression on her face. After thinking for a while with a peaceful countenance, she spoke.
“Then, what is it you want to do?”
She threw the question back at Palmalian.
“That is, of course—”
Just as Palmalian was about to answer.
Knock, knock.
With a polite knock, someone entered.
It was Palmalian IV’s aide.
He approached the King with a grave face and began to whisper something.
“...What?”
Then, as if they had been waiting, aides from each kingdom entered one by one and began to inform their respective monarchs of the news they had received.
And soon, the Kings, who looked at each other meaningfully, spoke.
“...It seems everyone has received the same news.”
“...It appears so.”
“An invitation, correct?”
“Yes.”
“...It seems we cannot refuse this invitation. The fact that the message arrived at this timing means he knows we are here, which means—”
Karmakeses III didn't finish his sentence.
But since there was no one there who didn't know what came next.
“...We can't even refuse the invitation.”
The Kings had no choice but to accept Marquis Palatio’s invitation...
Accompanied by an absurd misunderstanding.