After confirming the cooperative relationship with Ariel, her mood clearly improved a bit.
Just as I was preparing to discuss the recent plans with her, a gentleman wearing glasses approached.
"Hello, I am Dirk Letterbach, Ariel-sama's Guardian Magician. I look forward to working with you."
A new guard? Honestly, I didn't have much interest in Ariel's escorts. However, they would be important cannon fodder during the later period of protecting Ariel on the way to Sharia. So, I didn't show any disdain for him.
"Hello, I am Ariel-sama's Guardian Knight, Daolin Prodia Grellat. I look forward to working with you."
Then, I turned to Ariel and said, "I have plans that need to be executed soon. I can tell you these plans one by one, along with the reasons for them. Please find a secluded place where we two can talk privately."
Since I was Ariel's Guardian Knight, spending time alone with her did not violate etiquette. So, led by Ariel, we went to the stone pavilion in the rock garden area.
The other guards, servants, and Luke could only watch us leave with envious eyes.
Once we reached a place where no one else was around, I relaxed a bit and got straight to the point with Ariel:
"You have no chance of winning in Yars."
"What do you mean by that?"
"In Yars, nobles are the ones in power. Your prestige among the nobles is far too low compared to your two elder brothers. If you rely on noble support to ascend, it's completely impossible.
Even if Notos supports you, as soon as they see that you have no hope of ascending the throne, they will immediately betray you. Notos will absolutely not risk retaliation after the First Prince ascends the throne.
I am not trying to scare you unnecessarily; you only need to think about it clearly with your brain. Perhaps you have already figured this out."
"Yes, I have considered this matter. That's why I tried to increase my influence among the commoners and the army before. But didn't you refute that? If I don't do any of that, I'll have even less chance of winning. I cannot accept being a decorative princess."
"Yes, I refuted your decision to increase influence among the commoners and the army, but at that time, you had no way to protect yourself. When you couldn't even protect your own life, you were still thinking about baring your fangs—wasn't that seeking death?
Now that I am back, I am already a Water King-level Magician. In Asura, aside from my teacher, the Water God, and a few Sword God Style masters, the assassination attempts by minor thugs are no longer a concern."
"Are you really willing to stay by my side and protect me?"
"Yes, I will protect you during this period, until you are safe enough."
"When will you consider me safe enough, and what do we need to do now?"
"Fine. For now, follow my instructions and listen to my command. I can tell you all the plans I can. The plans I cannot tell you, do not ask about them. How about it?"
"Okay."
"First, I need an open space. I will set up an exhibition about the Seven Heroes resisting Laplace in that space. I will handle this matter, and I will use Earth Magic to build the structures.
After I establish the exhibition, I want you to use your influence to invite children from all over the country to visit. Note that I want children from the entire country to be invited, but I primarily hope that the visitors will be children from the Fittoa Territory. Do not ask me why. I cannot tell you the specific reason for this matter. When you guess the specific reason, you must not tell anyone—remember, anyone.
Only you and I will know that the main invitation is for children from the Fittoa Territory. If this matter spreads, our cooperation will be canceled. I will directly support the First Prince. Do you understand?"
Ariel was utterly confused and couldn't figure out my arrangements at all. I continued:
"After this matter concludes, I need you to leave Yars and go to Sharia. The external reason for leaving will be studying abroad, but the internal explanation for staff will be that you were assassinated and are seeking refuge abroad. Of course, if no one attempts to assassinate you, I will also send people to stage a fake assassination attempt to give you a suitable reason.
In Sharia, you can enroll in the local Ranoa Magic University and build good relationships with the local nobles.
Here, I can reveal to you that in Sharia, you will have the opportunity in the future to meet one of the only living Seven Heroes, the Armor Dragon King Perugius.
Your task is to get acquainted with him and make him support your bid for the throne.
Exactly how you gain his support will depend on your efforts.
If you cannot do it, then spend the rest of your life as a wandering princess in Sharia! Returning would only mean death, and it would endanger everyone around you.
If you fail to secure Perugius's support by then, I will personally help you sever your ambition of becoming king. Do you understand?"
Upon hearing this plan, Ariel solemnly nodded her head. She agreed with my opinion. She should also understand that given her current situation, her only chance of winning was finding powerful external support—support from someone with a great reputation in the Asura Kingdom.
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