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”His Highness, the current first in line to the throne, Gislain ”Blaze” Ella Ciel-Teira, has decided to rise as the new king. I, too, will do my small part to assist Her Highness.

Your Highness wishes to form a friendship with the Kingdom of Noa Curio and work together to protect the land and people.

Silence.

And the lords exploded.

”What the hell?

”What the hell is going on?

”Gisslan”?

Is it true?

Several people screamed in disbelief.

Gislain is indeed the current ”first in line to the throne” (not an official position), but he rarely expresses a political position, either diplomatically or domestically, and has kept his distance from all political disputes. He had a well-established reputation as a bookworm who just quietly devoted himself to his studies.

That's why it was a surprise (for those who hadn't heard about it from Marks beforehand) that he was the first to appear here.

”You gathered the lords with this intention from the beginning, Marquis Edfelt!

'No. No. I was in a position to know His Highness's intentions, so I only took this opportunity to inform you of them. His Royal Highness Prince Ghislain has not yet made a formal bid for the throne, and if there is another candidate for the throne, the Council of Lords will select a new king, that is all.

Marks said quietly, but the Marquis of Edfeldt took the initiative by stating Gislain's intentions in front of the ears of the lords.

Gislain's political abilities are unknown, but his bloodline is perfect.

The political schedule from now on may include Gislain's accession to the throne. Unless there is a major shock that changes the course of events, it will be the default.

And once Gislain ascends to the throne, Marks, Gislain's mother's family and his declared guardian, will be able to exert great political power.

For those who were politically distant from the Edfelt Marquesses, especially those who were anti-coup, this was a nightmare. They would be thrust into a position of being completely taken over by the political process and left out in the cold. The scenario that should have been averted by Hilbert's death returned.

”His Highness will be speaking to you formally in a few moments.

”...... You've got to be kidding me!

Do you really mean you're going to be king?

”Of course I do. If you find it hard to believe, that's fine too, but I think it would be better to listen to what His Highness has to say first before making a decision.

Even those who voiced their doubts were silenced by Marks' confident attitude.

He wasn't bluffing.

Gislain is telling the truth, so there's nothing wrong with that.

And then there is silence.

Marks could see the looks on the faces of the lords who were not in front of him.

Some were silent, wondering what was going to happen, and some were gloating, saying, ”Look at us.

Hilbert's death nearly turned the political balance of power in the country upside down. Marks moved to pull it back again.

”For the good of all, we should be grateful for your decision, .......

The silence was broken by the voice of an austere man.

His square, stubborn personality was evident in his voice.

--Oh, this is also unexpected ......

Oswald Mikal Keeley.

Oswald Mikal Keeley. A man who was stubbornly opposed to the coup.

He was a close friend of the Federation and a loyalist to King Elbert, and Marks thought that he would be a strong opponent of Gislain, who was a member of the old Hilbert faction and had Noah Curio as his backer.

”Count Keely, it's ......

”It is not good for the country to be in turmoil without a king.

In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. If someone else comes forward, there will be no impediment.

It's not a case of the first to arrive, so it's not like Your Highness cheated.

That is correct.

Marks, while condescending, almost shouted and clapped his hands in pleasure.

On the face of it, Earl Keely was right. And it should have been Marks who should have said it, but thank goodness the Earl of Keeley, who seemed to be a troublesome adversary, had come forward.

The Earl of Keeley is a man with an inflexible bureaucratic nature. If you think about it, his statement may be natural.

But what Count Keeley says is a pipe dream.

Even if someone other than Gislain were to run for the position, Marks, who has embraced the majority of the lords, including many of the most influential, would ...... not be able to defeat Gislain. The fact that Gislain's name has been mentioned here is likely to make the middle faction sway to Gislain.

The next meeting of the Lords will be a ceremony to give legitimacy to the throne of Gislain. And perhaps Count Keeley knows it. But the Earl of Keeley, who values procedure and legitimacy, can only say it like that.

”Marquis Edfelt. This only confirms the obvious, but the power of diplomacy is centralized in the king. You're not going to make any country-to-country promises without the king, are you?

”Of course.

However, this is an emergency situation. In order to protect our people, we can't just not talk to other countries at all.

There should be dialogue and negotiation within the bounds of common sense.

”I understand.

He was probably worried that the Noah's Curio Kingdom would continue to increase its influence in an undetermined manner. It's a good thing that you're not the only one.

Marks responded with pretense and generalizations.

A foolish man, he sneered in his heart.