88 – The Alliance Meeting (2)
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Only the Emperor, the joint leader of the Alliance, and the invited kings of each country could enter the venue where the Alliance meeting was hosted.
No exceptions.
Even the maids were strictly restricted from entering during the meeting.
A humble existence could never ascend to the lofty stature of the rulers who determined the continent’s future. It was a measure born from the extreme exclusivity held by each country’s kings.
“I should report the results to the Emperor later. I can’t enter during the meeting…”
Thus, except for the kings, commoners could only learn of the decisions made through the Alliance meeting. What questions and answers were exchanged in the venue remained unknown.
What kind of decree had the Earth Mother issued?
I was curious to the point of splitting my teeth, but there was no way to find out in advance.
“Ludmilla, Your Highness.”
“You’re early. We still have about 30 minutes left.”
Ludmilla, who led the royal guard and protected the venue, pulled out a pocket watch adorned with platinum as proof that the Alliance meeting was about to begin.
The start of the Alliance meeting was imminent.
The heavily armed guards from each country were forming a formidable presence.
If Ludmilla had not granted permission for entry, I would have been promptly stopped by the royal guards. I gazed at the venue with bated breath in an atmosphere more solemn than ever.
“Have you heard about the decree?”
“I haven’t either. Seems like they strictly requested confidentiality from the Holy Kingdom.”
The reason the kings of various countries had gathered in the Imperial Capital was still unknown.
The Holy Kingdom’s response was overly cautious.
What could it be?
What content made them so cautious?
Ludmilla, too, seemed to harbor doubts, showing a rigid demeanor.
“If the Earth Mother has issued a decree…”
“Hopefully, it’s nothing serious. Isn’t that right?”
Soon, the kings, dressed in splendid attire, revealed themselves.
As the kings participating in the Alliance meeting hinted at their doubts, they entered the venue.
“It’s been a while. Your Highness Ludmilla.”
As I continued to observe the crowd heading inside,
An unexpected figure appeared.
With a voice dripping with oiliness, the blond young man who greeted Ludmilla was the Crown Prince of the Pug Kingdom, who had lost everything to the Holy Party’s sword.
What was his name again…?
He was someone not worth remembering, so I forgot his name.
“You may enter inside. Your Majesty Erik.”
“Ah, yes… I see.”
Through Ludmilla’s cold response, I learned that the Crown Prince of the Fallen Kingdom had ascended to the throne of the Pug Kingdom.
But does it hold any significance?
A king who couldn’t even lead a single citizen in the Fallen Kingdom.
Surprisingly, the Pug Kingdom had participated in the Alliance meeting held three years ago. Therefore, it seemed that the Fallen Kingdom’s king, a mere facade, had been granted special authority.
“…”
Ludmilla’s dark intentions seemed unchanged.
More precisely, it was probably an ambition to become the son-in-law of the Valtaria Empire.
A futile attempt.
Ludmilla’s expression, filled with icy disdain, made it clear.
Once again, Erik, who was coldly rejected, swallowed his pride and glared at me. He probably thought the reason for his continuous rejection was because I interfered in between.
“Ah, finally, the Earth Mother’s intentions will be revealed!”
“hahahaha… Surely it’s not the Holy Kingdom’s scheme.”
The kings of the Jistead Kingdom and the Latherano Union, the joint monarchs, had just entered the venue.
Following them,
The leaders who presided over the Alliance meeting appeared.
“It is customary for the leaders to enter together… It may not be pleasing, but we must show the world the friendship between our nations. The Earth Mother even said to love your enemies.”
Emperor Barbados.
Leader Beorn of the Holy Kingdom.
As the rulers of the Empire and the Holy Kingdom entered, the forces from various countries that guarded the venue respectfully saluted. It was a gesture of respect to those who led the Third War of the Races to victory.
“Have you arrived?”
I too bowed my head with Ludmilla.
At that moment, Barbara Rosa beamed with satisfaction, flashing a gleeful smile.
“hahahaha! Being welcomed by the representatives of the Empire has lifted the slight unease I felt. We could easily turn the venue into a wedding hall right now.”
Even though it was a scene where outstanding knights representing their factions had gathered, Barbara Rosa maintained her usual aloof demeanor.
Her face turned slightly red.
Needless to say, Ludmilla, as the party involved, would not stay silent.
From Noble mtl dot com
Upon Barbara Rosa’s words, Boern chuckled and joined in, “The Holy Sword Aldebaran… Ah, I’ve heard rumors about a new user of the Holy Sword in the Baltaria Empire. It’s none other than the younger sibling of the hero Maximilian.” “Edanant von Hohenberg, Your Highness,” he said with a touch of formality.
Barbara Rosa nodded with a meaningful smile, urging, “Please, Your Majesty, enter. The kings of various nations are all waiting.”
“Ah… very well.”
Feeling embarrassed by her father’s casual remark as he gazed at her approvingly, Ludmilla suppressed her embarrassment and urged their entrance with a strained voice, stopping her steps in front of the venue.
Barbara Rosa let out a stylish cough and started walking, saying, “…I’m truly sorry.”
“I’m fine.”
The Emperor and Empress safely entered the venue. Ludmilla, noticing this, lowered her head deeply to hide her flushed face and muttered under her breath.
Well, it’s not like I don’t understand the Emperor’s thoughts.
His second daughter is twenty-seven.
He probably wants to secure a promise before the next year comes.
That’s why, even in front of the numerous crowds, she could accept the Emperor’s sudden actions without any hesitation. If I were the Emperor, I would have done anything to protect my daughter who had suddenly crossed the age threshold.
“……”
Voicing her inner thoughts to Ludmilla would have been too much.
So, she remained silent.
“Edanant Master…!”
“……?”
Thinking about Ludmilla’s belated confusion, akin to a bus that had missed its last stop, she was momentarily amused when a voice called her.
Surprisingly, the voice seemed to have flown from the half-opened venue.
“Attend the Alliance Conference. His Majesty the Emperor and Empress have already granted permission.”
“What? No, what…”
Except for the kings who formed the alliance, no one could enter the Alliance Conference. It was an inviolable rule, akin to an unbreakable law.
It was unthinkable.
Ordering entry to someone other than a king.
In this unprecedented situation, Ludmilla felt perplexed. It was natural to feel confused amidst the chain of upheavals that began with the High Priestess’ trust.
“It is Their Majesties’ strict command. So, I will be back shortly.”
“Ah, I see… Please be careful.”
She indirectly sensed the reason behind the order to attend the Alliance Conference.
It must be related to the High Priestess’ trust.
What could be the ulterior motive?
Could it be to reveal my identity in front of the kings watching?
Recalling the appearance of the prospective priestess she had met with Elizabeth, she swallowed her annoyance. The thought that the High Priestess might have plotted some cunning conspiracy using the trust made her blood boil with anger.
***
She pushed open the half-opened door and entered the venue.
Was it because of the numerous gazes?
Or the silence that had descended in the atmosphere?
Her steps forward felt unusually heavy.
“…You called for me.”
She greeted the kings gathered in the venue with a bow. The eyes of the kings ruling the continent were so intense that it felt burdensome.
As she attended, Barbara Rosa twisted her stern face, glaring at Boern, and shouted, “Now that Edanant is here, speak quickly! What is the High Priestess’ trust about?”
“Yes, of course.”
Despite the Emperor’s stern tone, the Empress remained gentle.
Confirming that many eyes were watching her, Boern quietly stood up from his seat. Boern’s actions were so relaxed that they seemed almost frustrating to the onlookers who felt stifled by the intense gazes.
“The High Priestess… has appointed Edanant as the new hero of the Empire.”
“What?”
At the sudden declaration by the Empress, the faces of all the kings in the venue turned pale with astonishment.
The Emperor was no exception.
As the High Priestess’ trust was revealed, a sense of bewilderment crept in.
“Before long, the Demon King of Death will rise from the underworld… and they have tasked a new hero to defy death.”
Appointing a disciple who serves the calamitous god of war as a hero of the Holy Kingdom?
Damn it all.
Could it be that they expect me to seek the Eastern Gate and make the Saintess Party fight?
No…
There might be other reasons.
They must be aware of the impending end of the Earthrealm.