=====================
The grand hall hosting the Alliance Conference had restricted entry solely to the summoned kings of various nations, including the joint rulers, the Emperor and the Holy King.
No exceptions.
Even maids were strictly prohibited from entering while the meeting proceeded. The humble presence of any lowly being should never be allowed amidst the exalted statues of the rulers deciding the continent’s future. This measure stemmed from the extreme elitism harbored by the kings of various nations.
Hmm, I guess I’ll only hear the results from the Emperor later. Can’t get in during the meeting anyway…
Thus, commoners, excluding the kings, could only learn of the outcomes ratified through the Alliance Conference. They had no way of knowing what discussions or inquiries took place within the grand hall.
What kind of oracle did the Earth Mother deliver?
I was so curious I could chew on my nails, but I had no means to find out in advance.
“Ludmilla, Your Highness.”
“You’re early. There’s still about 30 minutes left.”
The Platinum-decorated pocket watch being drawn from her pocket by Ludmilla, escorting the royal knights while guarding the grand hall, indicated that the start of the Alliance Conference was imminent. As proof, each nation’s guards, adorned in glorious battle gear, formed an impressive crowd.
If I hadn’t gained entry from Ludmilla, I would’ve been stopped right there by the royal knights. I swallowed hard, facing the overwhelmingly serious atmosphere of the grand hall.
“Have you heard about the oracle?”
“I haven’t either. It seems the Holy Kingdom requested it be kept absolutely confidential.”
The reason why the kings of various nations congregated in the imperial city remained undisclosed. The Holy Kingdom’s response was overly cautious.
What’s going on? What content warrants such hesitation?
Ludmilla appeared stiff, as if sharing in my confusion.
“An oracle from the Earth Mother…”
“I hope it’s nothing serious. Don’t you think?”
Soon, kings dressed in splendid garments made their entrance. The kings participating in the Alliance Conference also bore expressions of curiosity as they filed into the grand hall.
“It’s been a while, Ludmilla, Your Highness.”
While I continued observing the throng approaching, an unexpected figure appeared.
With a greasy voice, a golden-haired young man greeted Ludmilla. He was the crown prince of the Pug Kingdom, who had lost everything to the Sword Saint of the Saintess Party.
What was his name again…
He was so forgettable that I couldn’t recall it at all.
“Please head inside, Prince Erik.”
“Oh, uh… understood.”
From Ludmilla’s cold response, it was clear that the crown prince of the ruined kingdom had ascended to the throne of Pug.
But does it even matter?
A king with not a single citizen to govern.
Surprisingly, the Pug Kingdom had participated in the Alliance Conference three years ago. It was as though they had granted special permission to this shell of a king.
“……”
It seemed that Erik still harbored ulterior motives toward Ludmilla.
Well, specifically, a desire to become the son-in-law of the Valtarian Empire.
A futile attempt, to say the least.
The cold disdain reflected in Ludmilla’s expression said it all.
Having been rejected once more, Erik swallowed hard and glared at me. It seemed he believed my interference was why he kept being turned down.
Ahem, looks like the Earth Mother’s intentions will finally be unveiled!
“Haha… to be precise, it’s the Holy Kingdom’s intent, isn’t it?”
The kings of the Gisterd Kingdom and the Prince of the Latterano United Principalities had just entered the grand hall.
Following them, the leaders presiding over the Alliance Conference made their entrance.
“The joint rulers must enter together… It’s an old custom, but I’m not exactly thrilled about it. To stand shoulder-to-shoulder with a shady character…”
“For the peace of the continent, we must demonstrate the friendship of our nations to the world. The Earth Mother has commanded us to love even our enemies.”
Emperor Barbarossa.
Holy King Boerun.
As the rulers of the Empire and the Holy Kingdom entered, the troops guarding the grand hall respectfully saluted in unison. It was a display of respect for the figures who had led the Third Racial War to victory.
“Welcome.”
I, too, bowed my head alongside Ludmilla.
Then Barbarossa burst into a hearty laugh with a beaming smile.
“Haha! Being welcomed by the Empire’s outstanding young men and women brightens my previously melancholy mood. I could transform the grand hall into a wedding venue right now!”
Despite the gathering of formidable knights representing various powers, Barbarossa showcased his usual foolishness.
My face flushed.
Ludmilla, the main party, wasn’t about to let it slide either.
In response to Barbarossa’s words, Boerun also chuckled along, “The Holy Sword Aldebaran… I’ve heard rumors of a new wielder in the Valtarian Empire, and it’s none other than the younger brother of the hero, Maximilian.”
“I am Edanant von Hohenberc, Your Majesty.”
I offered the most polite bow.
At that, Boerun smiled knowingly and nodded.
“Please, do come in, Your Majesty. The kings of each nation are all waiting for you.”
“Ahem… of course, I should be going.”
Feeling embarrassed by my father’s inattentiveness while he looked on with delight from just outside the grand hall, Ludmilla held back her voice and urged for them to enter.
Then, Barbarossa awkwardly cleared his throat and moved forward.
“…I’m truly sorry.”
“I’m perfectly fine.”
The Emperor and Holy King successfully entered the grand hall. Upon confirming this, Ludmilla buried her bright red face and whispered to herself.
Well,
It’s not like I didn’t know what the Emperor was thinking.
Their second daughter was twenty-seven years old.
Wouldn’t he want to secure a promise before the year’s end?
That’s why I could perceive the Emperor’s unexpected behavior in front of the vast crowd as a mere happening. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t shy away from risking it all for my daughter who had long overstayed her marriageable age.
“……”
If I spoke my heart to Ludmilla, my head would be on the chopping block.
So I kept my mouth shut.
“Lord Edanant…!”
“……?”
Just as I chuckled softly, considering Ludmilla’s overdue marriageability past midnight, a voice called out to me.
Remarkably, it was a voice coming from the half-opened grand hall.
“You are being summoned to the Alliance Conference. The Emperor and Holy King have already granted permission.”
“Excuse me? What does that even mean….”
The Alliance Conference is strictly for the kings of the allied nations. Excluding them, no one could enter. It was an unswerving rule.
This is impossible.
To summon someone who isn’t a king?
Ludmilla revealed her astonishment, feeling flustered by such an unprecedented situation. It was only natural to experience confusion from the series of upheavals triggered by the Earth Mother’s oracle.
“His Majesty and Your Majesty’s solemn command. So I shall be off for a moment.”
“Oh, I see… please be careful.”
I could indirectly understand the reason for the summoning to the Alliance Conference.
It seemed to be related to the oracle delivered by the Earth Mother.
What on earth could their intent be?
Could it be that they plan to unveil my identity in front of the kings?
As I recalled the potential candidate Saintess I encountered alongside Elizaveta, I swallowed hard. I couldn’t shake the feeling that the Earth Mother might have concocted a cunning plot under the guise of oracle.
*
Pushing the half-open door wide, I stepped into the grand hall.
For some reason, perhaps due to the countless gazes upon me, or perhaps the suffocating silence of the atmosphere, I felt my steps unusually heavy.
“…You summoned me.”
I bowed to the gathered kings of various nations in the grand hall. Immediately, the attention of the continent’s powerful rulers intensely focused on me.
Upon my arrival, Barbarossa’s face twisted into a snarl as he snapped at Boerun.
“Now that Edanant’s here, hurry up and reveal what the Earth Mother’s oracle is!”
“Yes, of course.”
Despite the Emperor’s fury, Boerun’s expression remained calm.
As he ensured everyone was watching, Boerun quietly rose from his seat. His composed demeanor exuded such ease that it was almost frustrating for the onlookers.
“The Earth Mother has appointed Lord Edanant as the new hero of the Holy Kingdom.”
“What?”
At the sudden proclamation from the Holy King, the faces of all the attending kings turned pale with shock.
The Emperor was equally flabbergasted.
Once the oracle of the Earth Mother was disclosed, a perplexed look spread across his face.
“Before long, the Demon King of Death will resurrect from the Demon Realm… and the new hero is to oppose death.”
You want to make a servant of the Disaster God a hero of the Holy Kingdom?
What the hell…
Is she planning to make us fight alongside the Saintess Party in a mutual destruction scenario?
No…
Perhaps there could be another motive at play.
The Earth Mother likely knows of the world’s impending end as well.
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