"Wahaha! Alright, alright!"
Just as the gazes of everyone in the hall focused on Tsukasa with tangible intensity, Al immediately sensed something was wrong and stepped sideways to block the view of Tsukasa.
He raised his only remaining right hand, waving it wildly at the surroundings while letting out a hearty yet deliberately exaggerated laugh, attempting to diffuse the tense atmosphere.
"Don't stare like that, it's quite embarrassing."
He scratched his pitch-black helmet, his tone feigning ease. "I know my appearance isn't quite suited for this occasion, but please don't treat me or this brother here, as outsiders or nuisances."
"Otherwise, I might just cry, scream, and throw a huge fit, you know? Although... at my age, it's a bit shameful to even say that."
Al's half-serious self-deprecation, combined with Tsukasa's previous "etiquette theory," successfully shifted most of the attention as the two played off each other.
Standing at the front of the line, Priscilla was not annoyed by her "follower" interrupting. Instead, she slightly tilted her chin, her lips curling into a clearly visible, playful arc.
"Priscilla-sama."
Marcos's voice rang out at the right moment, his tone calm and devoid of emotion. "Regarding the matters and etiquette of the Royal Selection, you seem to have not explained them to your accompanying knights?"
"Hmph."
Priscilla snapped her folding fan shut with a crisp sound.
"Even if I say nothing, wouldn't you gossiping lot broadcast it of your own accord anyway? I have merely skipped those pointless steps."
She raised her eyes, sweeping them across the hall, her tone filled with a natural arrogance. "Lengthy nonsense is no different from sleep-talking. And as for sleep-talking... it is best not to keep doing it while awake."
Her blunt remarks were like sparks dropped into boiling oil in the silent hall, where only Marcos had remained calm.
Instantly, everyone's attention—whether it was surprise, dissatisfaction, or scrutiny—shifted from the previous interlude and locked onto this arrogant, orange-haired princess.
Amidst the focused attention, Priscilla tilted her head slightly, her gaze crossing Al's shoulder to land precisely on Tsukasa behind him.
She said nothing, but her red eyes clearly conveyed a single message: You owe me a favor.
After giving him that look, Priscilla then turned to Marcos and spoke arrogantly, "That I have deigned to follow this mundane process is already a grand blessing."
Priscilla tapped her palm with her fan, her tone as if she were granting charity. "You should be grateful and dance in the palm of my hand. Continue, Marcos."
"Tell my 'knight' how I shall ascend the throne."
"To push everything onto others and still sound so self-righteous, you really are something else."
Anastasia pursed her lips and slumped her shoulders, appearing to give up the argument. "I have nothing left to say."
Seeing that this confrontation had reached a temporary conclusion, Marcos turned to Emilia and Crusch, seeking their opinions with his gaze. Both nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.
Marcos cleared his throat, his voice becoming solemn once more. "Then, despite the setbacks, let us return to the original topic."
He scanned the hall, his gaze passing over the four young women.
"The fundamental reason why all of you, who qualify as Dragon Priestesss, are gathered here today is that a new prophecy has appeared on the Dragon Tablet."
At this moment, the hall fell even more silent, to the point where even the sound of breathing was audible.
"The prophecy carved upon the tablet states—"
Marcos enunciated each word clearly, "When the Lugunica covenant is broken, a new dragon leader shall guide the nation."
Miklotov, sitting in the center, slowly picked up the thread, his voice aged and solemn. "Mhm... what the tablet reveals is the will of heaven. The dragon tablet, which has existed since the dawn of the covenant and accumulated a long history, only carves new words when a situation is critical enough to determine the fate of the kingdom."
"Considering that its contents will drive future history, following the prophecy is our unavoidable duty."
The other elders of the Council of Wise Men nodded in solemn agreement.
"The dragon tablet, bestowed by the Divine Dragon Volcanica, has pointed the way for the kingdom many times in the past."
Miklotov continued, listing them off like familiar treasures, "In ancient times, there was the Great Famine of Cudegra, the Nightmare of the Blight Dragon Valgren."
"In recent years, it issued a warning before the Black Serpent ravaged the land. Each time, it reduced the kingdom's losses to a minimum."
Marcos summarized, "Therefore, the reliability of the dragon tablet has long been fully proven by history. These are facts that everyone present is well aware of."
Every event he listed was a major occurrence worthy of being recorded in the kingdom's annals.
This made Tsukasa develop a deep curiosity about this so-called "dragon tablet". He really wanted to see it for himself.
However, letting a group of beautiful girls choose the king...
He glanced at the four girls with their distinct styles and thought to himself, 'Is this dragon tablet actually reliable?'
Just then, Marcos's voice rang out again, breaking the silence of the venue and bringing the most crucial piece of information.
"And the prophecy has a continuation."
He paused briefly to ensure every word reached everyone's ears.
"There are five new national guides. From among them, choose one Dragon Priestess to forge a covenant with the dragon."
These words were like a massive boulder thrown into a still lake, not only stirring waves in Tsukasa's mind but also surprising everyone present.
Five people...
He understood immediately.
All the roundabout explanations and the statements about history and covenants were to set the stage for this moment. This wasn't about holding a banquet for candidates to get to know each other, nor was it a simple ceremonial announcement. It was to announce that the fifth Dragon Priestess had been found. And with that, the true Royal Selection was about to begin.
"That concludes the explanation of the current situation."
Marcos finished his long statement and turned toward the pale purple-haired girl, bowing slightly. "Anastasia-sama, please forgive my previous long-windedness and rudeness."
He was referring to the matter of being interrupted by her earlier.
"Enough."
Anastasia waved her hand, her face once again wearing that shrewd smile. "I'm not here specifically to be the bad guy. But as for this princess..."
She turned to Priscilla, her tone carrying a hint of playfulness. "Now, you should finally be satisfied, right?"
Priscilla remained noncommittal regarding Marcos's explanation, not even bothering to lift an eyelid. Instead, she slightly tilted her head and used her folding fan to point at Al and Tsukasa nearby.
"Well..."
She drawled, her red eyes holding a trace of mockery. "With those dull heads of yours, did you understand this time?"
(End of Chapter)
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