As noon approached, the arena was filled with people
Emperor Johannes, who was watching the situation in the VIP seat located at the highest point in the arena, sighed at the sight of his missing VIPs.
Who has joined us so far?
We have the guests from the Principality of Albatro and Rondine together with our guest from Sokal, Your Majesty.
The United Kingdom and the Dominion are absent huh
Yes. Both of them were asked to stay in their room as important witnesses for Leticia-samas abduction but it seems that they are dissatisfied with this treatnt. Well, perhaps they simply do not like being suspected as criminals.
Hmph, they should have known this would happen given the relationship between the Kingdom and the United Kingdom.
Johannes said so and asked for the remaining guest.
Wendy-dono and the Saint obviously cant attend the event today but what about Celestial Princess-dono?
Wendy, who is their guest from the Elf Village, is currently staying in her room in the castle.
Her action was restricted and her situation is close to being under house arrest but considering the size of the case she was involved in, this is already a generous treatnt.
Leticia, the Saint on the other hand was abducted and currently not even in the Imperial Capital.
It was inevitable that the two would not be here.
However, Orihi the Celestial Princess is different.
I havent received any report yet but I forcefully asked her to restore the barrier inside the throne room so..
Didnt I tell you that such a thing can be put off.
We can not possibly delay that, Your Majesty.
What would you do if she says that she wont be coming because she is tired? The people would get suspicious from the fact that the Saint is missing alone but if even the Celestial Princess is absent too they will start to worry, you know?
Even so, the restoration of that barrier is our top priority. Besides, if the tournant smoothly proceeds, the peoples anxiety would be minimized to so extent anyway.
Despite problems after problems keep presenting themselves, the reason why they didnt consider the possibility of canceling this event was to not make their citizens anxious.
It was the result of the discussions among the Emperors close aides.
Also, the fact that Eric, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, guaranteed to everyone that Sokal would not invade the Empire did play a big part.
If the Sokal empire is not involved in this incident, the aning it holds is that their opponents are only the Kingdom, the United Kingdom, and the Dominion.
If that is the case then it will fall into their already predicted scenario so there is nothing worth panicking about.
Johannes has that much confidence in the defense of his borders. The confidence in the ability of the elites he has assigned to protect them.
That is certainly true
Johannes sighs at Franzs words.
For Johannes, this tournant is a big event that will conclude the 25th anniversary of his coronation.
It also serves to allow his people to forget all the recent incidents in the Empire.
For that sake, he had invited well-known guests from other countries to reassure them.
If they do not show their faces at this tournant then it would make him doubt why he had invited them here in the first place.
When Johannes was thinking so, the people suddenly raised their voices.
Whats happening?
It seems that Celestial Princess-sama has arrived.
Orihi entered the arena while making herself as noticeable as possible.
After she waved and smiled at the people, she walked toward Johannes.
Thanks for coming, Celestial Princess-dono.
Umu, It was pretty tiring. Your Majesty. I was up all night you know.
We apologize for the inconvenience, you have my gratitude.
I will accept plenty of your gratitude later. For the ti being, treat amicably. We have to put up the show to distract them from the Saints absence.
Saying so, Orihi pointed at the seat next to the Emperor.
Normally, this place only has two chairs each for the Emperor and the Empress.
Orihi is telling the Emperor to let her sit here as well.
Her aim is to show the favorable relationship between the Celestial Princess and the Emperor. If they have sothing to talk about within their sight, the people will not worry about soone who isnt here.
I see. Thank you again. Franz, prepare a chair.
Yes, as you wish.
With that said, a luxurious chair is prepared next to Johannes.
Orihi sits down there and imdiately bounced on it to check its comfort.
Umu, so fluffy! The view is great too. Its a special seat!
Saying so, Orihi starts looking around.
Then, she noticed sothing.
Mumu? Where is the Knight Commander that is always with you, Your Majesty.
I left Alida at the castle. Franz was the one who arranged that. I left the preparation today in his care.
Fumu, is it also related to how you want to fix the barrier in such a hurry?
My deepest apology but I can not give you the details as it is related to security concerns.
I see. Then with the Knight Commander away, the protection around His Majesty will be thin, no? Cant you at least tell sothing about that?
My apology.
Sorry, Celestial Princess-dono. My Pri Minister is a little inflexible.
Mind not. A pri minister has to be secretive like this. If the Empires Pri Minister is not this secretive then it would be boring.
Thank you very much for your understanding. Excuse for changing the subject but where is His Highness Arnold? Celestial Princess-sama.
Al who is supposed to be Orihis entertainer is nowhere to be seen.
Franz looked around as he thought that he might be mingling with other guests but he seems to not be here.
Arnold huh. I left him in the castle.
You left him? Did that stupid son of mine did sothing again?
Arnold is doing well. I have been very entertained thanks to him. I left him there because I planned to sit next to Your Majesty from the beginning. If I sit next to Your Majesty, he would have nowhere to sit after all. I was only being mindful.
I see. Thank you for your consideration.
Its who is grateful. Arnold took good care of . I dont think that other princes would be able to do the sa. I took a liking to his company, you know. You chose a good prince to take care of .
Saying so, Orihi shows a wide smile.
Johannes was a little surprised at her evaluation of Arnold but he imdiately smiled back.
I see, I see. He is a lot like after all.
Absolutely. Especially your whimsical part, Your Majesty.
Hearing that, Johannes glares at Franz but Franz simply pretends not to see that.
While they were having such a conversation, the Empress, Brunhilde who was out greeting the guests, returned to the room.
My, Celestial Princess-sama.
Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress. I am sorry for disturbing you here but please allow this selfishness of mine.
What are you saying. You are very welco here, Celestial Princess-sama.
Brunhilde welcod Orihi but her true feeling can not be ascertained.
However, no one here cares about that.
Johannes would prioritize Orihis proposal over Brunhildes feelings and so does Franz. Orihi is well aware of that so she doesnt give much consideration to Brunhilde either.
Furthermore, even Brunhilde herself understood that her feelings are only a secondary concern here.
An empress is originally that kind of existence. Even if she directly shows her displeasure, Johannes would rcilessly move her seat even further away from him.
The gap between them has widened even more from the ti with Laurenz.
In that slightly tense atmosphere, Orihi heard the sound of a bell toll.
It is the bell that announces the arrival of noon.
Its ti huh. Well then, lets get started.
Johannes raises his hand while sitting on his chair.
With that as the signal, the knights lined up and blew the horns.
The sound of the horns echoes throughout the Imperial Capital.
After the sound settled, Johannes stood up from his seat and addressed his people in a loud voice.
Hear ! I hereby announce the beginning of the Imperial Fighting Tournant!!
A big cheer echoed.
While listening to their cheer, Orihi muttered to herself in a small voice.
I pray for your luck.Arnold.
After that Orihi slowly sharpens her nerves.
After all, the unpleasant sll is now stronger than ever.
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