Chapter 23: Royal Selection (1)

Chapter 23: Royal Selection (1)

~Third POV~

Walking out from the ally Priscilla grinned holding her fan finding amusement today after the brief encounter with Mash mumbling to herself proudly, "To think there would be a soul alive to know who the rightful heir to my Kingdom is. Truly that commoner knows what he says."

"My lady!"

Getting called she turned to see her knight Al making his way towards her from the crowd hurrying his pace.

Al stands at five feet and seven inches tall, around forty years of age. His frame is stocky and his body is covered in thick bulging muscles that give him an imposing impression having lost his left arm from his forearm down. Instead of resorting to a prosthetic limb, Al has the stub where his forearm used to be covered in bandages.

There are various other scars scattered across his body, including a pair of claw-like marks on his right forearm and a vast assortment of scars on his face that left him disfigured. His overall shabby look, including his clothes and unshaven legs, makes him look like a bandit or some other kind of lowlife. It could be said that his appearance is the polar opposite of his mistress, Priscilla Barielle.

Reaching to her he asked in a tired tone finally managing to locate her for a while, "My lady… Princess was it all right to ditch me like that?"

She replied moving her gaze towards the merchant district of the kingdom, "I don't care."

Al sighed as he managed to witness the actions that occurred with a cautious tone about Mash, "That boy looked pretty strong. Did he help you…?"

Priscilla replied with a light grin on her face amused by today's events explaining, "That commoner did. He amused me with intent alone and entertained me."

Al seemed surprised as he slowly nodded his head seeing Priscilla's mood change in a surprised tone, "Is that so? You seem to be in a good mood today."

She merely smirked as her eyes gazed at Emilia and Mash in silence as an idea came to her head formulating her plan, "Yes… I was able to have some fun today. Besides that, Al, I've thought of something interesting…"

Al was left to sigh at this as Priscilla replied innocently causing him to be extremely concerned by her words, "I'm excited for tomorrow!"

Al couldn't help but think to himself concerned about what Priscilla had in her head, 'What did you think up?!"

/////

~Mash B. POV~

Soon we made it to our destination and saw a carriage out front. It seemed Roswaal and Rem finally arrived.

Emilia and I were let in by Rem and after that, Rem dragged Emilia to get a bath along with a change of clothes. It seems like the candidates' meeting is taking place sooner than I expected.

However, before I could go to my room Roswaal suddenly called out to me getting my attention with his request, "Ah Mash-san! Just the man I wanted to see I have to thank you for keeping an eye on Emiliaaaa-san."

I shrugged my shoulders as I replied in a respectful tone to the clown nonchalantly, "It was no problem at all. Can't have Emilia pull another disappearing act losing her insignia when the Royal Selection is just around the corner."

Roswaal laughs lightly agreeing but then suddenly stops his expression shifting in seriousness, "Hahaha... I suppose so Mash, but I have heard a very interesting request from the sword Saint today."

Seeing his expression, I raised an eyebrow genuinely curious directly meeting his gaze, "I wonder what Reinhard asks of me?"

Getting down to business Roswaal says as he begins to tap his finger upon his desk directing his suspicions on me in a serious tone, "He asked permission to take you with him to witness the selection of candidates. As he is a Knight under another candidate, I'm suspicious as to what he wants with you."

Ah… a fair point. Sighing out loud seeing the issue of what Roswaal means I replied in a conflicted tone, "Ah… truly this is a complicated request for you isn't it? On the one hand, witnessing a historical event would be worthwhile… but on the other, if Emilia learned that somebody under a different candidate brought me, the Sword Saint nonetheless, would make her feel complicated."

Yeah, this is the same situation Subaru brought to himself ignoring Emilia's request. But my circumstance is completely different compared to his as I'm a 'guest' not a servant in my situation.

However, I haven't heard Emilia say that I wasn't allowed to come. And I have the freedom to choose where I go. Not only that…

Roswaal already predicted whether I would join or not. The original Subaru came according to the clown's plans but that doesn't mean I have to follow everything according to his will. But unlike the others, it's this one I have to follow.

Thinking of this I replied to Roswaal about allowing me to enter alongside the event under Emilia's permission, "In that case, I'll let Emilia decide. If Emilia allowed me to come, then it would be no issue. Otherwise, if she says no explaining to would be too bothersome to you and her but please also tell him to visit afterward of the events."

Roswaal merely nods his head while keeping a smile on his face agreeing, "I seeeee, I will make sureeee to tell him of this if Emilia disagrees."

Agreeing with a curt nod I left to my room for the night to see if I get invited or not.

/////

Waiting for a bit inside my room I began to ponder what to do. How should I go about handling the royal candidates earning a lot of merit for Emilia and my benefits?

Other than abusing my knowledge of the White Whale against Crusch the others will be difficult to handle. Unless I could go for the PRIDE IF route in taking care of other candidates.

But frankly, the thought of using that idea made my skin crawl. But it is one of the routes that made Emilia Queen of the Kingdom in the end.

Looking at my arm the shaking hasn't stopped. Calming myself down I see the shaking stop causing me to frown at my predicament. The sensation and fear during the incident are still fresh in my mind.

Fighting against the Wolgarm and almost dying. I treated it as a joke even fearful of upcoming challenges as well.

The confidence I have wavering by the day. Imagining the pain of suddenly dying leaving my folks to wonder what happened or why I suddenly left me emotionally pained. I feel like at times I should run away to another world not bothering this one any longer but at the same time I feel –

*Knock*

While pondering my insecurities a knock at my door was heard revealing Rem holding a suit surprising me as she replied professionally, "Hello Bastion-kun. Roswaal has said that Emilia agreed to allow you to join under her permission. He even had a suit prepped ahead of time. Rem did a very good job making it!"

She beamed happily as I thanked her. But I highly doubt that Emilia wanted me to join but the clown instead followed his Gospel in keeping the events in line with his plan.

How fortunate or unfortunate for me that I'll make a plan around his plan and beat him with the planning that makes me know his plans but make a turnaround with my plans– oh for fucks sake!

I'm gonna turn into that Nazi German fat man from Hellsing Abridged at this rate!

But at the very least I get to enjoy the upcoming event unfolding. And to ensure I come Roswaal used Rem's innocent charm because he noticed our bond with each other or Rem's using it against me.

What an evil, evil clown using my weakness of anime girl culture against me.

Clever boy clown, clever boy.

Welp time to get ready for a historical event. I mean it's not every day I get invited to this best to make the most out of it. Let tomorrow be a good one.

/////

~Third POV~

The carriage that arrived in front of the castle was of brilliant ebony color as if it absorbed light itself. Golden engravings covered it, but they were still tasteful, rather than gaudy.

The carriage's craftsmanship seemed to be superb as well, the uneven streets of the capital not fazing it in the slightest. At the head of it was an equally brilliant Earth Dragon, its scales the color of midnight.

The faithful beast was one of stout physique, the massive carriage behind it a simple burden to bear, though the glint of magic that came off the carriage may have had something to do with it. On the carriage, if one were to look carefully, the hawk of the Mathers lineage was indeed, next to a much more curious and alien emblem.

But what truly would have attracted the eyes of those nearby was the maid seated at the head of the carriage. The one seated in the driver's seat was wearing a maid's outfit, one that revealed more skin than was typically considered appropriate.

She hopped off of the seat, which was quite high up for someone of her stature, and landed gracefully. With practiced form, she moved towards the door of the carriage and held it open for those within. The door swung open and revealed the brilliant furnishings therein, which were quickly obscured by another figure.

Emilia, Roswaal, and Mash all exited from the carriage. They are all dressed appropriately for an important event as Mash spoke liking the suit, "Have to admit I make this look good in a suit. Although I hope we are not fashionable late."

Emilia shook her head reaffirming Mash's concerns about being late in a kind tone then turned to the maid and said, "I believe we're on time, Mash. In that case, we'll see you at the hotel later. Bye, Rem!"

The maid bowed saying to her group as they entered the castle of Lugnica in a respectful tone, "Good luck, Sir Mash, Lady Emilia, Lord Roswaal. I will eagerly await your return."

Mash simply waved her goodbye as Rem got back into the driver's seat and took the carriage away he spoke to Emilia in a surprised tone, "Still can't believe you allowed me to come to visit such an important event, Emilia. I thought you wouldn't have allowed me to come."

At this, Emilia replied in a kind tone as Mash extended his hand to Emilia, who took it without hesitation, and they proceeded to make their way through the castle, "It was nothing, sir Mash. After all the effort you have done for me. Something like this inviting you is the least I could do with my debt to you ever-growing. Besides Roswaal said it would be interesting for you to witness such a historical event with your own eyes and you insisted on joining under me the best way to repay you finally."

At this Mash mentally caught what Roswaal did to convince Emilia mentally shaking his head at the clown's plans impressed, 'Oh… so that's how he played with Emilia to trick her into thinking I wanted to come, and she caved. Adding my increasing times, I helped her out… well played Roswaal. Well, played.'

Mash merely laughed embarrassed as Emilia naturally, took the lead. She wasn't intimately familiar with the surroundings, but she knew her way around.

Stepping forward into the unknown Mash could only bear witness to history in the making grinning at the scene that would unfold in front of his eyes. Excitement and awe would be expected, and he couldn't wait for the main event to start.