After that, Marcos did indeed follow Emilia's suggestion and proceeded to briefly recount the necessary background. It wasn't long—just over a minute. The usual explanation.
According to the prophecy engraved upon the Dragon History Stone, there were five individuals who might become the nation's next ruler. From among them, one would be chosen as the Dragon Priestess and form a contract with the dragon. In simpler terms, a king would be selected.
However, the selection process would be lengthy, involving many procedures. It would not conclude in a mere day or two—or even a week, or a month. It could last far longer.
Yes. Five individuals.
Yet only four stood present.
Which meant the conference had not truly begun.
So where was the fifth?
"Everyone! Not long ago, I located the fifth candidate and have brought her here. Please allow her to enter!"
Reinhard stepped forward from in front of the Shogun and bowed to the council. As the doors opened once more, all eyes turned toward the entrance.
The newcomer was... the blonde girl they had encountered in the slums.
Felt, if she remembered correctly.
But the ragged clothing she had worn in the slum district was gone. In its place was an extravagant golden gown. The wide, fluffy skirt nearly dragged along the floor due to her short stature. She entered with an awkward, impatient expression, clumsily lifting the hem of her dress as she walked to stand before everyone.
A child from the slums becoming a candidate for the throne...
So anyone could become king?
How absurd. This kingdom truly won't last long at this rate.
The Shogun sighed inwardly.
"That girl...!"
Emilia recognized her as well.
Wasn't she the one who had stolen her insignia before?
But judging from her behavior back then, she hadn't seemed like someone preparing to participate in the Royal Selection. So why now?
It wasn't just Emilia. The other three candidates were watching her closely as well.
And then—
Thud!
Without warning, Felt kicked at Reinhard the moment she reached him.
He raised a hand and caught the kick effortlessly.
"What is the meaning of this? Please refrain from impropriety within the palace, Lady Felt."
Kneeling on one knee, he addressed her respectfully.
"Don't 'Lady' me! And don't act like nothing happened after catching that! And this outfit is awful—itchy and uncomfortable! I'm taking it off!"
Felt tugged irritably at her collar and fanned the inside of her skirt with zero decorum, trying to let out the trapped heat. Sweat dotted her forehead. The tight corset around her waist was nearly the death of her.
"Do you dislike the dress? It suits you quite well."
The red-haired knight remained patient and gentlemanly.
"Still as noisy as ever."
The Shogun commented flatly.
"Hah?! What did you just say— Wait, why are you here too?! And you! Ice witch!"
Felt pointed at the Shogun, then at Emilia, her eyes widening in shock.
Ice witch?!
Emilia's lips twitched as though she were on the verge of smacking the girl.
"Lady Felt, I apologize for interrupting your reunion with acquaintances, but please be mindful of the occasion. The meeting is about to begin."
Marcos spoke with visible exhaustion.
"It's not like I asked for this! He dragged me here!"
Felt shot Reinhard an annoyed look but ultimately obediently moved to stand on Emilia's right side—at the edge.
Now the five so-called Dragon Priestesses were assembled.
Reinhard then handed the insignia in his possession to Felt. The moment it touched her skin, it emitted a crimson glow—proof of her identity.
The council members ahead were visibly startled.
So she truly was the fifth candidate.
"As you can see, the insignia has recognized Lady Felt as a priestess. Only by acknowledging her participation can this Royal Selection truly begin!"
Reinhard declared loudly.
"If that's the case, why didn't you bring her out sooner? Would've saved time."
Anastasia murmured softly, audible only to those nearby.
Clatter! ×N
After Reinhard finished speaking, all the knights performed a synchronized ceremonial motion. Their unified action carried an intimidating force.
"Even if chosen by the Dragon History Stone, what of it? One's character is not guaranteed."
The civil officials seated on the right began speaking in veiled mockery, clearly opposing the knights' stance. Their sharp tones drew attention from the entire hall.
"Are you questioning the judgment of the Knight Order?!"
Marcos asked coldly.
Clatter! ×N
The knights turned their heads in perfect unison toward the officials, their pressure surging instantly.
"Now I understand why this Royal Selection takes so long."
Standing among the supporters, the Shogun folded her arms, boredom evident in her eyes as she muttered.
"Well, I'm not too bothered. This sort of thing happens all the time."
Al chuckled teasingly.
"I'm used to it too, meow~"
Felix mimicked a cat's paw with an adorable gesture.
What followed was open debate—not in orderly turns, but all at once.
The solemn palace hall devolved into something resembling a marketplace. Knights and civil officials shouted over one another, hurling rebuttals and accusations.
"Silence!!!"
Bang!
The head councilor slammed the table.
Instantly, the hall fell quiet.
[Heh...]
Ei stifled a laugh as though watching a stage comedy, thoroughly entertained by the real-time spectacle transmitted by her daughter.
"Reinhard. Introduce her origins."
The elderly councilor gestured toward the red-haired knight.
"Yes!"
Reinhard knelt on one knee and raised his head.
"Approximately one month ago, I discovered Lady Felt in the slums."
"What?! A slum orphan?!"
A civil official on the right exclaimed in disbelief.
"Yeah, I'm an orphan—sorry about that! You're the ones who dragged me here without asking!"
Felt stomped her foot, losing any trace of ladylike composure as she shouted back.
"..."
The Shogun lifted a hand to her forehead.
At this rate...
This meeting would never end.
Do they truly believe they are wiser than the dragon itself?
"Ah~ Always so long-winded. How terribly dull. Heh—perhaps it's precisely because you people only ever discuss such meaningless matters that slum orphans end up qualifying to stand here, hmm?"
Priscilla covered her face with her folding fan, casting a mocking glance at Felt. Her peculiar tone only deepened the ridicule.
"Hey, you golden-haired snob, looking for a fight?!"
Felt glared at her, voice sharp and unrestrained.
"Insolence! Do you even know who you are, orphan?"
Whoosh!!
In an instant, scarlet light particles burst forth around Priscilla like a blazing sun. The expanding shockwave swept dust from the floor.
Swish!
She snapped her folding fan forward as though it were a blade, slashing toward Felt's neck.
"Lady Priscilla, forgive my intrusion."
In that split second, Reinhard flashed before her and dropped to one knee in a knight's salute.
"..."
The folding fan halted beside his face. The violent wind from its arc tore past him and blasted toward the opposite side, sending the robes of numerous officials fluttering.
"!" ×N
Unease rippled through the hall.
Things were spiraling out of control.
If this continued—
"Stop! In a place as important as this, what are you all thinking?!"
Emilia finally snapped, her voice sharp with frustration.
"Heh. I merely wished to teach an ill-bred child her proper place."
Priscilla withdrew her hand without the slightest hint of reflection, her tone still dripping with disdain.
"No matter the circumstances, belittling someone's birth is wrong. You should apologize."
Emilia glanced at Felt before looking directly at Priscilla.
"In that case, should you apologize for being born into this world? After all, are you not a calamity yourself~ Silver-haired half-elf... no, perhaps 'witch' suits you better?"
Crack!!
In the next instant, freezing crystals erupted around Emilia. Sharp icicles formed and hovered behind her like a halo of blades. Frost crept across the floor beneath her feet, spreading outward in widening patterns.
"Take back what you just said."
Her voice turned glacial and dangerous. The temperature in the hall seemed to drop several degrees.
"Do you truly believe I would obey you? Powerless creature."
Whoosh!!
Several icicles shot forward at once.
Clang!
In the blink of an eye, Al appeared beside Priscilla, drawing his sword. With swift, clean strikes, he shattered the incoming ice.
"My apologies, Lady Emilia. Though my princess's words may have been harsh, as her knight I must ensure her safety!"
Boom!!
Before his words had fully settled, a wide arc of violet blade light cleaved through the wall behind them—a blatant warning.
"Wah—!"
The slash barely grazed past Anastasia at the very back, startling her badly.
Lightning gathered beside Emilia, condensing into the form of a purple-haired woman.
Swish!
The Shogun spun her naginata into her grasp and stepped in front of Emilia, shielding her.
"In that case... our 'self-defense' should be justified as well, shouldn't it~?"
Electric currents flickered across her body as she smiled faintly.
She had been finding the Royal Selection unbearably dull.
This at least added some flavor.
Or perhaps... this is the true Royal Selection?