Chapter 163 – Grand Duke Collector (15)

“Ah, Louis. “You’re here?”

To me, my memories on Earth were more like old things that were slowly fading away.
However, as soon as I entered the conference room, memories of the only educational institution I graduated from in both worlds came to mind.

In elementary school, there was a solid system in place where students were paired up in each class and monitored each other.
The small ruling system, which periodically changed partners to prevent the spread of dangerous ideas and the formation of subversive groups, served its purpose well.
The reason I’m suddenly telling you this is because when I was young, I would often get bullied by my classmates every time I rearranged my seat in the same class.
As if they could see the germ of a rebel from the beginning, many girls fought and said they would keep an eye on me.

In the end, I ended up taking the class alone in the front row under the teacher’s mediation, but even thinking about it now, it was heartbreaking.

“What are you doing? “Quickly sit down anywhere.”

Now, dozens of years have passed since then.
I am faced with a similar choice as on Earth.
Six women sitting around a round table.
Their eyes, like plum petals, were all focused on me.

“Come this way, sir!”
“There’s an empty seat here, boss.”
“Hmm…”

The only people who spoke directly were Liv and Adella.
But Lehel also naturally placed the parchment with my seal on the seat next to her.
Even Esther’s gaze, which had always been unwavering, pointed to the empty chair.
Some people were anxious, others were paying attention to where my steps were heading with eyes full of anticipation.

If you choose wrong, you’ll be screwed.
No, in my experience, no matter which choice I made, it didn’t end well.
I looked earnestly at Erzsebet, who could be considered the teacher in this conference room, hoping for help.
But she didn’t even realize how long her familiar had been wearing the crown, so she just tilted her head.

“What’s wrong?”
“No, lol… ! I have a cold. “I’m worried that it might be passed on to other people.”
“Why do I have a cold all of a sudden? “A person who was fine even though he was sick.”
“I guess I’ve been overdoing it a bit these past few days.”

Yes, it was a very good strategy.
Since all six archdukes are gathered here anyway, the only thing left to do is end the meeting.
There is no need for me to be there.
However, as soon as she heard that she had overexerted herself a little, Erzhebet pointed to the seat next to her in a voice full of compassion.

“Come and sit here.”
“Yes?”
“We cannot ignore your contribution in this meeting. “I have sufficient resistance to disease, so it’s okay.”

As she is a royal, it is said that since she was young, she has developed resistance to drive out all kinds of unclean things through various medicinal herbs and blessings.
However, as soon as she finished speaking, the air in the conference room became heavy.

“Huh? Why is everyone like this… ?”
“…”
“… “On the contrary.”

Excluding the royal family, the only person who can sit next to the princess of a country is her sire.
The symbolism of the place seemed to be more important than anything else in a meeting of grand dukes.
When the meeting, which was nearing its end, was about to be extended indefinitely again, Scarlett came forward.

“Then how about this?”

What she suggested was a method that would satisfy everyone here.

.
.
.

“Isn’t the rotation a little fast?”
“Teacher, aren’t you uncomfortable?”
“Adela, don’t pull the chair. “The fixing pin on the floor is loosened.”
“I’ll roughly throw away the trash here outside.” “The servants will clean it up later.”

Fortunately, it wasn’t about dividing my body into six parts and dividing them equally.
Instead, a hole was drilled in the center of the table and a chair was installed there.
A chair that slowly rotates like a globe in the center of a conference room where executives from around the world gather.
With six archdukes who knew how to use magic, the construction was completed in less than a minute.

“What do you think, Louis?”

Esther asked me as I sat on the chair.

“It’s so fucking shameful.”
“If I had any emotions left, I would have burst out laughing. “You brought it all on yourself, so accept it.”
“…”

In the end, just like in the past, the final meeting began with me sitting in a corner, unable to be paired with anyone.

***

Once the archdukes had all taken their seats, Erzsebet also opened her mouth in a heavy voice.

“In the early morning of today, the Holy Kingdom Monarch delivered an official diplomatic letter announcing an ultimatum to the Fenheim royal family. The contents are as follows.”

Seongguk has no connection whatsoever with the series of incidents related to black magic taking place in the Penheim area.
The demon statues that Rubier Shindan received a request to investigate were also not produced or distributed by them.

“They also strongly urged that the personal safety of Saint Caroline Magdalene, who was transferred to the Parenzia Academy, be handed over to them in the second half of this year——.”

Erzsebet’s eyes met mine as I turned towards her.
I can guarantee that if she complied with that request, Caroline would be brutally murdered before she even crossed the border.
The saint’s death would be martyrdom and become the spark for the temple.
She was unable to complete her mission and was stigmatized as a saint who spread her black magic. The only value she had was her life, which would now become the spark of war.

“… She said that if she continues to lose contact with the Temple of Light, she will do whatever it takes.”

It’s like a déjà vu, just like the situation after the Great War.
Scarlett asked Erzsebet.

“So, is the saint alive?”
“She is alive. I won’t let her die. Therefore, there are three main agenda items to be submitted to this Grand Public Meeting.”

The paper in Erzsebet’s hand was placed in front of the six archdukes.
She read solemnly what was written in the charter.

“One, when a military conflict with Monarch breaks out, all Archdukes will go to the front to protect Fenheim.”

Only Adela and Liv were exceptions because they were students.

“Two, the resources and technology of the magic tower owned by the Archduke will be provided for a fee until the end of the war.”

The warp gates and chariots that Katreya mentioned can also be used as military facilities.
Since the wizards of the Magic Tower were not their property, they would act according to their own beliefs, but if the Archduke himself participated in the war, there was a high possibility that he would follow along like Dominic, who was Saya Rampling’s disciple.

“Third, if another power participates in the war against the Holy Kingdom, the same effect as the two provisions above will apply.”
“What other forces are there? What is Bach? Sakel Union?”

In response to Katreya’s question, Erzhebet paused for a moment.
It seemed like he was hesitant to say the name that all humans feared again.
However, the polar shade on his shoulder was seen flapping its feathers with no sign of leaving.
I didn’t regret promising to be her godfather.

“The remnants of the demons remaining in Helzeb, and… “These are the four worst.”
“What… ?”
“… !!”

The princes were surprised by this fact that neither Goliath nor the royal family knew about.
The four people who had personally experienced the Great War almost lost their grip for a moment.
However, on the other hand, there was also a response that they finally understood it.
Scarlett muttered with a bitter smile.

“There was a reason why we were called to the war against the Holy Kingdom. So, who is alive?”
“It is evil.”
“It’s better! I thought I was Carvius again…”
“What’s better? “How many knights did she destroy?”

The grand dukes who had experienced the war all had harsh eyes as they recalled the past.
Esther was ready to leave at any moment to find Antiope.
Now that everyone was face to face and the hostility toward each other had subsided even a little, the most effective card was pulled out.
Erzsebet proceeded with the vote immediately.

“Above, in accordance with the solemn law of Penheim, I, Erzebet Brunhart de Baor, as the next heir to the throne and host of this meeting, will express my yes or no on the above issue to the Supreme Wizards, the brightest stars of the continent. “I ask for it.”
“I agree.”

The first one to agree was Ice Snowball.
It is clear that this war was also related to demons, but this was the first time that Rochear’s spear did not point towards the north.

“I guess a lot of time has passed. “It’s amazing how many good opponents there are.”

The five-colored ball glanced at me sitting on the swivel chair and raised his hand.

“I also agree.”
“I agree with you~.”

Even the two students at Parencia nodded their heads, and Yunhoegong and Meishikong also expressed their agreement.

“I agree.”
“It’s a bit uncomfortable, but… Well, okay.”

All six grand dukes agreed to the agenda and raised their charters.
Erzsebet, who saw this, gestured, and the polar bird flapped its wings widely and circled in the air.

“Since everyone has agreed to this agenda, we hereby inform you that the Grand Public Meeting has been established as of 10:36 today.”

Kugugung——!!

With her declaration, the ceiling of the conference room began to open.
The soundproofing and security spells were broken, and the tightly locked door was thrown wide open.

I squinted as the sunlight hit my forehead and the strong wind from the floating island hit me.
The parchment in everyone’s hands rose into the sky, emitting blue flames, and the Polar Bird followed the light towards the royal capital.
Afterwards, the wizards who were looking in this direction through the open door busily activated the communication crystal.

In an instant, the news that the conference had been established spread throughout the continent.
Newspapers will sell well at the store tomorrow.

“Louis.”

Erzébet came up to me, her hair very matted.
The archdukes were preparing to leave immediately.

“Are you going to go back to the academy right away?”
“I have to go.”

I nodded without hesitation.

“Because there is a lot to do.”

When you arrive at Farencia, first stop by the blacksmith shop and buy a bunch of pickaxes.