Chapter 24: Royal Selection (2)

Chapter 24: Royal Selection (2)

~Third POV~

Entering inside the castle with red and green color flags and decorations placed many nobles were around eyeing Roswaal's group. Mash's appearance caused quite a ruckus, muttering to themselves questioning his purpose.

The golden dragons portrayed at the Sage Council's room entrance were simplistic to others, but Mash was impressed.

In front of the door stood an impressive, green-haired man. His armor was made of iron, with an impressive height and chiseled jaw certainly made his appearance imposing as he turned to them and said in a respectful tone, "Ah, Lady Emilia. Perfectly on time, perhaps even a bit early. Lord Roswaal is already inside and awaiting the beginning of the selection. I presume this one is your knight?"

The quizzical and intimidating glare from the man did nothing to Mash due to his [Indominable Spirit] skill of remaining calm under the pressure as he replied shaking his head and giving a small bow, "I'm afraid not sir. I'm merely here to witness such a historical event at my lady's request. I hope it won't be a problem."

The guard thought for a bit before the answered, opening the door slightly and agreeing to their request, "Indeed. I'm Marcos Gildark, captain of the Royal Guard. Please head in, we're still waiting for one of the candidates."

After offering their thanks, the two stepped through. On the left were the knights, clad in the white uniform. Mash immediately spotted the trio belonging to various candidates Reinhard, Felix, and Julius.

Before leaving to his spot gestured by Roswaal Mash gave Emilia words of advice giving her a wink, "Remember, Emilia. Do not lie about your intentions and believe what your heart says it will be your guiding key."

Roswaal, who stood on the right side along with the various nobles, offered them both a nod, before returning to his position. Determination filled Emilia's face and she went off to introduce herself.

Mash made his way to the knights' side greeting Reinhard in a friendly tone recognizing him with a small grin, "A pleasure to meet you again Reinhard, and both of you. I would say how you're doing but you left me in quite a bind thanks to your invitation. But it did get me invited by a girl instead, so you have my thanks!"

Mash said he approached them as the three turned to him. A flash of distaste appeared on Julius' face, but he quickly concealed it. Reinhard offered him a good-natured smile. Lastly, Felix gave him an energetic wave.

Reinhard began speaking apologizing for causing any problems with a grin, "You're welcome and sorry. I presume you are Lady Emilia's knight, Mash?"

At this Mash shook his head explaining himself being a freelance neutral figure merely here supporting her friend, "Sadly no. But I'm here for emotional support being her friend in her serious time of need. Any support is good support to help a friend out I know where I stand Reinhard. And I believe we meet Sir Julius and Sir Felix, was it?"

Julius remained silent gazing at the conversation between the Knights and Mash as Felix spoke enthusiastically, "It's Ferris-chan Mash-Nyah! Ah, doesn't matter! Nice to meet ya! It's been a while, hasn't it? Long time no see!"

Julius seeing that his two friends are being kind to Mash knowing them spoke in a prideful tone being nice, "As Reinhard said, a pleasure to meet you. If Reinhard or Lady Emilia allows you to enter then you best witness this event. Just keep your excitement down."

Mash merely shrugged understanding his situation. Mash took the moment to scan the room filled the gold, green, and red themes from the corridor. In the center was a gold and red throne, flanked by benches with 5 seats each naturally, the furnishings of the room.

He also saw that Emilia was holding her own against the candidates well enough, having a good-natured chat causing the boy to sigh in relief thinking to himself, 'Sigh… at least it seems the candidates are being nice around her.

However, that was when Mash realized he hadn't seen the other two candidates asking the Knights near him in a curious tone, "Sorry to ask but, where are the other two candidates? Lady Priscilla and Lady Felt? We are still waiting for them, are we not?"

Reinhard replied, looking at Mash with a respectful tone addressing their absence, "I'm not sure about Lady Priscilla but Lady Felt is getting ready. I still thank you for helping Lady Felt in her time of need."

This drew the attention of the two knights as Mash bashfully replied scratching the back of his head, "It was nothing man. Besides you already helped me out no need to thank me. I was just in the right place at the right time. It was truly a simple coincidence."

Reinhard offered him a bright smile, saying in a kind tone, "Yes, of course. And once more, thank you."

*THUD*

Alas, the Sword Saint's seeming kindness was interrupted by the door to the throne room opening again, revealing one of the late candidates to be Priscilla Crusch turning to the newcomer, "You're late."

Priscilla, who wore a rather revealing red and black dress, took out a fan from between her and said with pure arrogance, "It's my right to keep the masses waiting. After all, the selection is already destined to end in my favor."

The man who walked in alongside the entitled woman made his way towards the group, raising his only arm in greeting with his voice sounding odd due to the helmet he kept on his head, "Hey."

Mash was the first to answer to Al coming towards their group in a cheerful tone, "Hello, a pleasure to see another join our little group."

Al spoke to Mash replying shaking his head and greeting the group in a neutral tone, "Yea, sorry about being late. My lady is a bit moody sometimes. Oh, I'm Al by the way."

The group nodded but not before they could continue their discussion the door opened once more, and the captain from before stepped in and announced, "Take your positions! The council of sages will now enter!"

All the knights and nobles fell into formation, and Mash mimicked their movements, though he still stood out thanks to his suit being the odd one out with the knights. Mash observed the so-called sages entered.

There was one who looked like a typical wizard, with a white beard and glasses, one with no hair except very bushy eyebrows, and so on. Mash immediately used his [Observe] skill to determine their strengths.

[Miklotove McMahon Lv.? Council of Wise Men]

[Bordeaux Zellgef Lv.? Council of Wise Men]

Truly, they appeared to be a group of old and tired men, the perfect sort for politicians. They took their seats at the benches that flanked the throne, and the one with the long, white beard began, "Sir Astrea, step forward."

The Sword Saint did so as order, kneeling in front of the council with the man and asked, leaning forward slightly, "You have sent word to us that you have completed your mission to find the final candidate, is that right?"

Reinhard responded as he called out, and the door opened once again to reveal Felt this time dressed in a dress that matched her hair, "Yes! During my patrol, I found the fifth candidate to become Dragon Maiden and monarch! Please, bring her in! My lady's name is Felt and is the one to whom I will lend my support!"

The Council of Wise Men nodded, and the knight returned to his position. Felt walked towards her loyal knight and then proceeded to try and land a kick at the side of his head, one which Reinhard caught with ease. "My lady, please do not try and kick me like this, especially in the current setting."

Felt on the other hand was annoyed as she yelled out loud annoyed that she hadn't landed a mark, "What the hell do you think you're doing!? Blocking my kick and signing me up for this!? Do I look like I want to rule!?"

Mash cleared his throat, trying to stop the tirade from the girl in a hopeful tone, "Good to see you again, brat."

Mash said, raising his hand in greeting which prompted Felt to see Mash surprised to see him here asking in a confused tone, "Huh? Why are you here?"

Walking over to him Mash was about to reply before Felt tried to slug him which was blocked by his fist casually talking to her, "Long time no see! Have you been well – Oh! Almost had me their brat but you way too early to land a hit on me."

Felt merely pouted but grinned happily seeing a familiar face responding, "Tch. You bastard but I'm glad you seem to be looking well, Mash!"

Mash nodded prompting to calm Felt down looking at the nobles and smirking as he gestured to the other side of the room causing the thief to think, "Thank but on a serious note, I know you may not wish to rule, but this may be a valuable occasion to gain some information for future heists, is it not? I mean, look at all the nobles here. Literal walking treasure banks?"

Felt followed his gesture and eyed the nobles, before turning back and giving him an enthusiastic nod, "You know what? You may be onto something. And you're not too bad. Alright, I'll stay for a bit."

Felt finished speaking walking off towards the other candidates as Reinhard thanked for Mash's assistance, "Thank you, once again, Sir Bastion. My lady can be difficult at times."

Al offered the Sword Saint a nod full of sympathy that seemed to embody the pain he felt dealing with Priscilla as Mash felt embarrassed replying to Reinhard, "No problem, I've dealt with types like that before. I had a little sister who's like her in a way, so I have plenty of experience, and besides what are friends for right?"

Reinhard nodded thankfully but before their friendly chat could continue however interrupted by the sound of metal being hit as the captain of the Royal Guard hit his chest plate three times, "Silence! Given that all the candidates have now gathered, the Royal Selection will now commence!"

The room immediately became tense, and Mash could tell that this meeting would not proceed smoothly with his meta knowledge his eyes lay on Emilia as the Royal Selection gets underway.

He could only remain hopeful she would persevere against the others as her fate would be changed starting from zero.