The garden of the imperial palace.
Today, the garden had transford into a grand hall. It stretched out with a central seat of honor for one person, naturally belonging to the third princess.
A curtain concealed the princess’s silhouette.
That noble silhouette moved gracefully. The princess looked around at everyone present before speaking.
“Thank you for attending this gathering to determine the hero. To all of you who have honed yourselves in unseen places, I will not withhold my praise.”
The princess bowed her head slightly first.
In fact, the princess’s face was not the only thing obscured. Her clear, far-reaching voice seed to be magically altered as well.
At her voice, the hero candidates and other attendees bowed their heads in unison.
Due to the large number of people gathered, the representatives from the magic departnt at the back had a chance to chat.
Becky spoke to Trixie.
“Trixie, the rumor about the princess being replaced was true.”
“There’s no reason to lie about that.”
“The atmosphere is completely different from the previous princess. Back then, I was so scared that even breathing made anxious… This new princess seems very kind. Don’t you think so?”
“Quiet down. We’ll get in trouble.”
Trixie looked around and gave Becky a warning glance. Becky quickly nodded and closed her mouth.
anwhile, near the princess, the capital’s knights displayed their knightly manners. They perford the gesture of placing their left hand on their right shoulder.
The first to speak was Viola.
On her slowly opening brilliant eyes was an intricate treble clef symbol.
“Even if this wasn’t a gathering to determine the hero, I would have attended. Being summoned by the imperial palace, it is only right to set everything aside and attend, don’t you think?”
“Viola, thank you for saying so.”
The silhouette of the princess could be seen nodding.
“The reason this palace decided to eliminate the hero’s absence is simple. If the conflict between knights and mages continues, the loss will be too great.”
At the ntion of knights, mages, and conflict, everyone’s expressions beca awkward. Although there had been no direct clashes due to the absence of the Sword and Magic Tournant, it didn’t an any reconciliation had been achieved.
The princess continued.
“As the value of light increases in darkness, the necessity for unity has grown in these tis. In such a situation, if conflict arises instead of unity, it would be unfortunate.”
In fact, choosing a hero now was quite tily. If not for today’s gathering, one side would have had to break for it to end.
The third princess nodded gracefully.
“Therefore, through this event, we aim to clearly determine the hero. I believe that it will also forge bonds between mages and knights. The responsibility of each and every one of you here is extrely important.”
Even with magical alteration, the noble tone was unmistakable. The movents of her silhouette behind the veil were equally dignified.
In simple terms, no one could doubt the nobility of her bloodline.
But then, it happened.
“Princess, may I ask you sothing?”
A surprisingly clear voice. Everyone’s heads turned towards the owner of the voice. It ca from the very back of the large crowd.
Flan.
It was him. Standing with his back straight, he craned his neck to look at the curtain concealing the princess.
Many people looked at Flan with displeased eyes, but before anyone could speak, the princess readily accepted.
“I will listen. I intend to gather as many questions and opinions as possible.”
“Thank you.”
Everyone alternated their gazes between the princess and Flan.
They couldn’t understand Flan’s audacity to openly question the princess, finding it impressive and curious about what he would ask.
“This gathering doesn’t seem to be rely for unity.”
At Flan’s words, soone watching frowned.
“What insolence! Are you implying the princess has another agenda?”
“Agenda…”
Flan continued calmly.
“Not everyone reveals all their thoughts. I just wanted to hear more, so don’t jump to conclusions.”
“…”
The person eting Flan’s gaze montarily shrank back.
No one spoke directly to Flan after that, but disapproving glances persisted. The princess spoke after a brief pause.
“I had no intention of hiding anything. I was just considering the right ti… But I understand. If you are curious, it is better to tell you now.”
She seed to have made a decision.
“I’ve heard news that the branch of the World Tree in the Great Forest, which could be called the source of life, has been contaminated. It appears to be true.”
“The World Tree…?”
“Contamination?”
It was an unexpected revelation, and everyone’s expressions grew serious. Even those who had looked down on Flan’s sudden question began to ask their own.
An older individual inquired.
“Princess, is this really true?”
“It seems the vampires are finally revealing their true nature. The contamination of the branch has been confird.”
“Hmm…”
The princess continued speaking calmly.
“As you all know, we cannot ignore the appearance of vampires in the territory of the Elves. If left unchecked, it will eventually affect the entire continent.”
“Princess, is there no possibility that sothing other than vampires is the cause? Rember, there was a ti long ago when the Elves attempted a new magic and failed…”
“I wished for that too, but it was not the case. The distorted power of the Ancient Runes has been detected. It can only be considered a sign of the vampires.”
Flan pondered quietly.
‘The Great Forest, huh.’
In this world, the Great Forest was known as the ho of the Elves, but that wasn’t its only claim to fa. It was also renowned for the ancient magic imbued in it over a long period.
‘The Elves use magic too, after all.’
Furthermore, it was entirely possible to ally with them.
The problematic Ancient Rune must be one that the Secretary of the Void had not yet acquired. In other words, it was likely the rune that the vampire princess herself handled.
The more he thought about it, the more he realized he had no choice but to get involved in this matter. The key was how to intervene and resolve it, and it seed advantageous to secure the position of hero.
The princess continued speaking.
“The contamination of the World Tree, known as the symbol of purification… The aftermath will undoubtedly be colossal.”
“Indeed.”
“No objections here.”
Several knights expressed their agreent.
“The entire Great Forest will likely beco a stronghold for the vampires. The symbol of purification will turn into a symbol of destruction, and disaster will descend upon the world.”
Everyone nodded solemnly.
“We no longer need the na of a hero. We need a hero who actively performs. Thus, we will select the hero more rigorously than ever.”
The atmosphere grew even more solemn.
Especially among the capital knights, the mood beca heavier. The peace of the continent, noble justice… There were many admirable reasons, but there was sothing else to consider.
The need for a hero’s strength ant…
In other words, the hero’s power had beco that much stronger.
The sa thought occurred to the knights.
‘I must beco the hero.’
Their eyes burned with determination far more intensely than before. If the princess’s goal was to ignite the participants’ enthusiasm, she had succeeded brilliantly.
“Now, we will begin selecting the hero.”
“Yes!”
“Once again, I must emphasize that this gathering is for unity, not conflict. That is all.”
Everyone nodded in agreent with the princess’s words, but they harbored different thoughts in their hearts.
‘The hero chosen this ti will gain greater honor than any hero before.’
Fire flickered in the eyes of the capital knights.
There was only one person, a mage, who remained uncharacteristically indifferent.
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