With Felt's declaration concluded, the meeting reached its end.
All five candidates received recognition:
Karsten family head Crusch Karsten, with her first knight, the "Blue" Ferris (Felix Argyle).
The "Bloody Bride" Priscilla Barielle, with her first knight, the one-armed mercenary Al.
The young foreign merchant-guild leader Anastasia Hoshin, with her first knight, the "Finest of Knights" Julius Juukulius.
The long-lost, uncertain royal bloodline Felt, with her first knight, the knight among knights—the Sword Saint Reinhard van Astrea.
And the silver-haired half-elf "Witch of Frost" Emilia, with her first knight—Shichen, fiercely protective and utterly unreasonable.
The time limit was set for three years: at the pro-dragon rite to renew the covenant with the Dragon, the victor—representing the people's will—would be determined by the Dragon Stone's light and the dragon's guidance.
Until then, the five candidates were to maintain the kingdom's functions to the best of their abilities within their domains and spheres of influence.
Thus, the royal selection officially began.
…
On the way out of the capital, the five candidates walked together. Though they now all knew each other, no one spoke—until they'd exited the castle.
"Then, Shichen, we'll take our leave first," Reinhard said.
"Alright. See you next time."
"See you next time? That's unexpectedly nice—but next time we meet we'll be enemies," Reinhard replied with a broad, easy smile.
That drew a flicker of reaction from the candidates.
"'Enemy' makes it sound like life or death. Becoming king is about the people's will and hope. Pushing out the other candidates means nothing. Emilia wouldn't like that," Shichen said, shaking his head.
"The people's will and hope… Then you and Emilia-sama will have the hardest road of us all," Reinhard laughed.
"That's what makes it a challenge. And when Emilia goes from zero to winning everyone's recognition—won't that be amazing?" Shichen shot back with a grin.
"Remarkable," Reinhard said, the respect genuine.
"Shichen, you have too much faith in me," Emilia blurted, flushed and flustered by his praise.
"I know your kindness better than anyone. Of course I believe in you," he said.
"Shichen…"
"Heh—don't speak so soon. I'll steal you away eventually," Priscilla purred, cutting in.
"You're daydreaming in broad daylight!" Felt snapped.
"What does a little brat know? He's only helping her because she has a passable face. I'm hardly inferior—I'll have him in the end."
"Sorry, there's still a bit of a gap between you and Emilia," Shichen said flatly.
"W-what?" Priscilla froze, expression souring.
"And what's the difference?"
"A big one," he said—without elaborating.
Emilia ducked her head, embarrassed; she wondered if it was because of her silver hair.
"A big difference? Age? Ability? Or body?" Priscilla thrust out her chest at the last.
Shichen glanced—yes, larger—but he wasn't a breast man. Bigger held no meaning for him.
"Body? What do you mean by that?" Emilia, lacking a frame of reference, didn't follow.
"Hm? You don't know?" Priscilla eyed her, puzzled.
"Know what?"
"I see. So that's how it is."
Watching Emilia's guileless eyes, Priscilla smiled, then stepped up to Shichen. Under everyone's gaze, she took his hand and pressed it to her left breast.
She pressed hard enough that his fingers sank in. There might even have been a soft little plop.
"Wha—!?"
Everyone was stunned; Emilia, face scarlet, stared, speechless.
"Y-you… what are you doing?"
"What? Merely something that makes Shichen happy," Priscilla said, smug.
Shichen's face didn't change. He neither stopped her before nor snatched his hand away now.
"Something that makes Shichen happy?" Emilia's mouth fell open.
"You don't even know that? Well, then it's perfect—allow me to get a head start."
"B-but doing that…"
Even if she didn't understand a man's delights, Emilia knew a woman's body ought to be protected.
"Hmph. All that I do is heaven's will," Priscilla sniffed, unconcerned.
"This is…"
"Hey! Let go of Onii-chan's hand!" Felt couldn't bear it—she grabbed Shichen's arm and yanked it free.
Priscilla didn't care; she didn't even look at Felt, only stared at Shichen. "Follow me and we can go further. All original stock."
"I refuse," Shichen replied evenly.
She had underestimated him, as if he'd never experienced anything. In truth, he'd seen and touched every kind—none worse than hers; size was the only variation.
"Is that so? You're already marked by me. Sooner or later, you'll be mine." With that, Priscilla turned and left.
"Ha ha—the princess is always this casual. Don't mind it," Al said, tossing the line over his shoulder as he hurried after her.
Even after the two were gone, the air stayed awkwardly still; everyone lost in different thoughts.
"Then, we'll go as well," Reinhard said.
"See you next time, Onii-chan," Felt said, reluctant to part.
Shichen used his free hand to ruffle her hair. "If you miss me, come find me. It's fine. You can invite me over, too."
"Really?" Felt's eyes lit up.
"Of course."
"Great!"
With that promise, Felt held back her reluctance. She and Reinhard departed soon after. For all her swagger, she knew how much she had to learn. Otherwise, it would be empty talk. Shichen believed she would manage; in any world, the poor grow up fast. To have survived her environment, her will was already forged, her mind already matured. Once she fixed a goal, she would not waver.
"Um… should we go too?" Anastasia ventured in a small voice—looking not at the others but at Shichen, as if seeking permission.
He didn't look at her. He looked at Julius. "Julius, I know you're angry with me. But you're a knight: your lord insulted Emilia, and I had to defend her dignity—just as you want to defend Anastasia's now."
"I understand…" Julius's voice was heavy.
As the finest knight, he had to uphold knightly ideals—and Shichen's actions left no fault to find. Yet as a knight, he couldn't simply let it pass.
"It's fine, Julius. I was the one at fault first. Let's leave it at that," Anastasia hurried to say; the last thing she wanted was Julius picking a fight with Shichen.
She feared they would be the ones picked apart.
"…Yes," Julius said, obeying her decision.
The two left without hesitation. They'd never been close to begin with, and there had already been friction.
"Then next…" Crusch spoke up.
Only Crusch and Ferris remained. Their relationship with Shichen's group was anything but ordinary.
"Emilia, would you care to come by my estate?"
"Crusch…" Emilia looked to Shichen.
"Mm. Let's go," he nodded.
Crusch was now an ally; and even if she did harbor thoughts, there was nothing to fear.
"In that case, I'll head back first—the manor worries me~," Roswaal sang.
"If you're going back, we'll fetch Rem. We can stay at your place for a day or two, right?" Shichen asked Crusch.
"Eh? That's fine," Crusch blinked, then agreed forthrightly.
"Ferris also welcomes you all, nya~," Felix beamed.
"Emilia, what do you think?"
"I'll follow your lead," Emilia nodded.
"Settled, then."
With Crusch and Felix in tow, they returned to the inn to collect Rem, then accompanied Crusch back to her residence.
~~~
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