The entire Assembly Hall fell silent, a heavy atmosphere hanging in the air.
A light cough pierced the rigid atmosphere.
It was Miklotov. With a glance, he signaled Knight Commander Marcos to continue the proceedings.
As leader of the Council of Wise Men, this seasoned veteran had seen it all. Though taken aback, he quickly regained his composure.
Following the signal, Marcos steadied himself and called out, "Ahem! Now then, Lady Felt, step forward!"
"Hmph! Don't decide things on your own — I never said I'd participate in any Royal Selection!" Felt remained rooted to her spot.
She turned her head away, scowling.
"Um, does this mean Lady Felt is forfeiting her candidacy for the throne?" Marcos asked.
"Ah! I never wanted to—"
Before she could finish, a tall, bald giant burst into the center of the Assembly Hall.
It was Valga Cromwell — Old Man Rom.
His appearance surprised not only Felt and Natsuki, but even Adam.
Old Man Rom had gone with Felt to find Reinhard — why was he here?
Could this be Reinhard's deliberate plan to convince Felt to participate in the Royal Selection?
Just as the 『 Sword Saint 』 believed in fate's design, driven by Priscilla's wish to begin the ceremony with all five candidates, a series of dramatic events to save Old Man Rom led Felt to finally agree to participate in the Royal Selection.
"Finally, does Lady Felt have anything else to say?" Marcos asked, "Perhaps you'd like to share your position and grand aspirations with us?"
"Position? Aspirations?" Felt tilted her head thoughtfully.
After a moment, she declared.
"I hate nobles! I hate the kingdom! Whether it's all the nobles standing in this room or this place itself, I hate it all! So I'm going to destroy it all at once! How's that for a statement?"
The girl stood with hands on her hips, legs spread wide, wearing a lady's formal dress that looked completely out of place on her. With a bright smile on her face, her clear voice wove words the nobles considered pure venom.
Sure enough, the nobles' anger — which had been simmering since Emilia's turn — finally erupted. They directed their fury at the fanged girl before them.
"What nonsense are you spouting?!"
"How dare you speak of destroying the kingdom and nobility in this sacred royal hall?!"
"She's mad, completely mad!"
"You wretch, would you nullify all our efforts until now?!"
Felt's inflammatory words had thrown them into panic.
If she became King, it would mean the nation's downfall! Ministers, nobles, knights — all would become sacrificial victims, vanishing into the kingdom's history.
"When I become King, I'll destroy everything in one go. If I destroy all these blind fools who can't see how this kingdom is already crumbling, maybe it'll become a bit better." Reaffirming her position, the girl remained as defiant as ever.
The hall descended into chaos.
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Through the noisy confusion, crisp applause cut through the air.
It instantly drew everyone's attention — including Felt, who had just made those inflammatory remarks.
"What's this, brother? Do you think my words show great ideals too, so you're applauding me?" Like a child seeking approval, Felt blinked her bright eyes at the man who had helped her before.
"Yes, Felt's words show some grand ambitions... though still slightly less than ours." Adam pinched his thumb and index finger together, leaving a tiny gap.
Seeing this, Felt's face fell with disappointment.
"Tch, so I'm still not quite there? Still can't match up to you guys, brother."
"No, no, Felt did very well too."
The two had transformed the solemn Royal Selection declaration into a casual game of comparison!
They chatted as if no one else existed, completely disregarding the sacred and inviolable nature of this place, showing no respect for the nobles. The assembled dignitaries ground their teeth as they watched.
Adam gave a light chuckle at this.
"What is it, brother?"
"Let's form an alliance."
The slum girl looked puzzled at this alliance proposal from her old acquaintance.
"Think carefully, Felt. Among the five Royal Candidates, you and Emilia are the weakest, aren't you? Without unity, you'll be swept from the Royal Selection immediately, leaving the others in a three-way standoff. Your grand aspirations would crumble! Remember — Old Man Rom is still watching over you."
As a Knight, Adam was overstepping his bounds.
To propose an alliance to another candidate before all the Royal Candidates, bypassing his own lord — this violated every principle of knightly conduct!
But! For Emilia's path to the throne and his own interests, Adam had to seize this moment — while Felt was under fire from the kingdom's ministers — to secure victory and bring the mighty 『 Sword Saint 』 Reinhard into their camp in one decisive move!
Even if! It meant making enemies of the other three Dragon Priestesses!
Moreover, Felt was driven by emotion rather than reason. Unlike the other Royal Candidates, she could be easily swayed through Old Man Rom!
She was the perfect tool!
"You're quite bold, brother, speaking of the weak banding together for warmth, and even daring to use Old Man Rom as leverage! But you know what? I'm a street rat from the slums — a thief who won't let go of the hawk before catching the rabbit. What's in it for me if I ally with you?"
Felt's eyes gleamed with cunning, her lips curling into a devilish smile that held hidden meaning.
"Well, in terms of strength, our Emilia faction has the kingdom's finest magician for combat Visit NovelHub for more amazing novels and chapters."
Adam thought for a moment and continued.
"Strictly speaking, our aspirations overlap — we want peace and justice, while you want to destroy the class system. Here's my proposal: whoever becomes King will help fulfill the other's aspirations. What do you say?"
As fellow reformists, the class system was something Emilia would inevitably need to address.
Because in the Kingdom of Lugnica, with its rigid class system, true peace and justice were impossible!
Though he spoke these words, Adam had no intention of surrendering the throne. They needed an agreement now, even if through deception!
"Tell me, brother, you have no desire to become King yourself?"
"Ah, as my lord has declared, we seek only peace and equality."
"Ahhh, what should I do?!" Felt shook her head in distress, turning to her knight, "Hey, what do you think about this alliance?"
Reinhard respectfully replied to his lord, "Though regrettable, what Lady Felt and Lady Emilia propose remains in the realm of fantasy."
"But Lady Felt should follow her heart's desire. Visit NovelHub for more amazing novels and chapters."
As Adam had expected, Reinhard didn't oppose the alliance. On the contrary, he seemed eager to promote it.
"So which is it — are you an ally or enemy? You're confusing me!"
"Fine, I'll trust you. Then I won't hold back using you as I please."
With their master-servant exchange complete, Felt turned toward Emilia.
"Well then, shall we form an alliance?"
"Yes, with pleasure!"
The two girls clasped hands firmly.
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