Leave the Rest to Me

Marcos stood before the hall, explaining why the kingdom needed to choose a candidate for the throne during this period. This information was nearly identical to what Ayanokouji had previously obtained.

"I understand that the leader wants to speak fluently, but I'm also very busy. There's a saying in Kararagi, 'time is money.' Rather than repeating that famous quote, it's better to state the core reason why we are gathered here." Anastasia said with a hint of impatience in her eyes.

'To dare speak like this in the palace, it seems the influence of the royal family alone isn't enough in this kingdom,' Ayanokouji thought.

From her words, which had a strong accent, it seemed she rarely moved around the royal capital.

"That makes sense."

Crusch also crossed her arms over her chest and said seriously with her eyes closed.

"Crusch-sama, the head of the Karsten family said this..."

Marcos' face showed a slight embarrassment.

Ayanokouji knew that the Karsten family had very high officials in the royal capital, said to be second only to the royal family. When the royal bloodline was almost cut off, the Karsten family was equivalent to the family with the highest status in the kingdom.

"Legislative regulations need to be considered, but time is indeed limited." Crusch slowly opened her eyes, "But I've already guessed the general reason."

"Do you understand the meaning of this meeting?" An elderly man in the Council of Wise Men asked in slight surprise.

"Yes, Miklotov, this is a banquet!" Crusch said confidently, as if she thought her answer was absolutely correct. "Although we will compete against each other in the future, as long as we share the same table and drink together, we will naturally get to know each other's character."

The members of the Council of Wise Men were also slightly surprised: "No, that's not it."

Instead, a surprised expression appeared on Crusch's face, and she turned to look at the crowd: "Felix, this is different from what you said."

"I hate that, Felix only said that there might be a banquet, right?" Felix said playfully among the crowd.

"Really? I was too arbitrary."

Crusch said very seriously, while Anastasia beside her shook her head helplessly.

Ayanokouji, observing the scene before him, recorded their words and actions. From the earlier conversation, he could tell that the woman named Crusch, although currently possessing the greatest power and the most supporters, seemed rather dull and not very clever from the current perspective. It was still unclear if she was pretending to be foolish.

And from their expressions during the conversation, he could sense that the relationship between Crusch and Felix was very close. It exceeded a typical master-servant relationship and seemed more like very trusting friends.

This might be a factor he could exploit.

Human emotions are the most convenient tools to use.

❀❀❀

"Did he really call me foolish?!"

Crusch looked at the scene in the sky, momentarily stunned, her eyes filled with disbelief.

When Ayanokouji first saw her, he felt that she was somewhat foolish, undoubtedly stimulating her pride.

Moreover, this scene was witnessed by spectators all over the world, and it felt like a public execution.

Crusch, who exuded charisma before others, was a leader born with a certain mission. She had the pride and sense of justice of a noble. Although she also had certain opinions on politics, she herself did not like such politics. Therefore, she appeared very straightforward on this occasion.

"Am I really foolish?"

Crusch turned and looked at Felix beside her seriously.

"How is that possible? Crusch-sama is very smart!"

Felix quickly reassured her, but there was an embarrassed smile on his face, because he often disregarded the master-servant relationship and would impart wrong knowledge to Crusch, which in turn deceived Crusch into thinking that this meeting was a banquet.

❰❱SKY SCREEN❰❱

"Sorry, let me retract what I just said." Crusch said seriously.

"Even if Miss Crusch retracts her opening, my opinion remains unchanged." Anastasia still spoke with a serious face, not wanting to waste more time here.

And Ayanokouji also had a better understanding of Anastasia.

She was very impatient and spoke bluntly in any situation. She was not suitable to be a leader. At most, she could only become an outstanding businessperson.

No matter how high her business talent was, it was limited to business. With such a character, even if she ascended the throne, she might only be able to improve the empire financially.

However, economic capability is also one of the important criteria for measuring a camp. Ayanokouji was already starting to think of ways to gain an advantage from Anastasia. Maybe he could establish a trade relationship with her to expand Emilia's sphere of influence.

If possible, he might take over all of Anastasia's merchant guilds as his own.

❀❀❀

"Does he really think about taking over all my merchant guilds?"

In a commercial city in Kararagi, Anastasia watched the scene in the sky with a smile on her face and shook her head.

"He's really greedy, even greedier than me."

She squinted slightly and turned to look at the group of mercenaries in her caravan. Although Ayanokouji's ideas were quite good, Anastasia didn't think the other party had the ability to threaten her.

All problems could be solved with money, and Anastasia had enough money that even Roswaal couldn't match.

"Ayanokouji Kiyotaka."

Anastasia murmured.

"How much money would it take to buy you as my subordinate? With your abilities, I'm afraid it wouldn't be difficult to seize the throne. I want to put everything in my pocket, even this country!"

❰❱SKY SCREEN❰❱

Emilia actually wanted to stop Anastasia's behavior, but before coming here, Ayanokouji had already told her not to speak unless necessary, as it would only increase the possibility of mistakes, so she kept silent.

"Then, let me tell you now, the reason why all those qualified as Dragon Priest candidates are gathered here is because, according to a new prophecy on the Dragon Calendar Stone, it is inscribed, 'Five people who may become the new leader of the country, choose one of them. Friend, make a contract with the dragon.'" Marcos said seriously.

'Are there really five people?'

Ayanokouji looked at the four people in the middle of the hall, unable to help but think of Felt, who should be active in the slums right now.

"Reinhard, how do you determine if someone is qualified to be a candidate for the throne?" He asked in a low voice from behind Reinhard.

"Sir Ayanokouji, if someone can become a candidate for the throne, they will first be recognized by the Dragon Insignia." Reinhard explained, "The Dragon Insignia must be touched by the qualified person. The Dragon Insignia will glow when touched."

"I see." Ayanokouji nodded.

Judging from the current situation, Felt should be able to confirm that she is the fifth candidate for the throne. His choice to retain Felt was not wrong at that time.

"Are there any requirements for the people chosen by the Dragon Insignia?"

"From the current perspective, they are all people with special talents." Reinhard shook his head, "But I can't guess who the Dragon Insignia will choose. It seems there are no specific rules."

"Thank you very much." Ayanokouji nodded.

"Although the fifth person has not yet appeared, the kingdom is now in a very critical period, and a suitable successor needs to be chosen as soon as possible."

The Council of Wise Men member Miklotov spoke, "So we decided to start the campaign for the throne first, and if the fifth candidate is found, let them join."

The fifth candidate for the throne had not yet been found, but the country had been leaderless for more than half a year. Even with the management of the Council of Wise Men, the entire country lacked someone who could make decisions and carry out reforms. The Council of Wise Men could only maintain the operation of the country, but the national economy and public security were deteriorating in an irreversible trend, so the issue of the throne could not be delayed any longer.

"Then, all candidates for the throne, please come here." Marcos said loudly.

As Ayanokouji expected, it was now time for the candidates for the throne to give speeches and demonstrate their political ideas and tactical policies.

And you also need to show the strength of your own camp so that you can attract the support of others.

"First of all, Priscilla Barielle and her servant Al."

Priscilla, wearing a blood-red dress, walked in front of everyone, took a fan to cover her face, but her eyes showed disdain for everything: "The struggle for the throne is meaningless, I am suitable to be a king, you just need to kneel and follow me!"

After that, Crusch and Anastasia also took turns walking in front of everyone and giving their respective political speeches.

While the other candidates for the throne were giving their speeches, Ayanokouji's eyes swept over the officials and nobles below, observing their movements and expressions. Even the slightest change in their expressions could let him know their inner thoughts among the candidates.

"Next, Emilia-sama and her recommendation... Since Roswaal has business to attend to, he couldn't come, so Ayanokouji-sama will replace him."

As Marcos's voice echoed, Ayanokouji took Beatrice's hand and walked to Emilia's side.

Emilia's body trembled slightly, and she appeared somewhat nervous, clearly knowing in her heart that she had no advantage over the other candidates for the throne. She was also very worried about what would happen if she spoke poorly. The scene would be very embarrassing.

However, Ayanokouji patted her shoulder and calmed Emilia's initially panicked thoughts.

"Just say the script you prepared before." Ayanokouji said slowly, then gently adjusted Emilia's collar to make her appear in absolutely perfect condition.

Soon, he brought his head close to Emilia's ear, and his warm breath made her cheeks turn a little red.

"Leave everything else to me." Ayanokouji said.

Although it was just one sentence, his words gave Emilia a very reliable feeling, as if his promise was more important than anything else in the world.

❀❀❀

"Wow, that's so cool!"

In the student council office of Shuchi'in Academy, Fujiwara Chika, who had just returned, looked at Ayanokouji on the screen and couldn't help but admire.

"This scene is basically the plot of an idol drama!"

"The protagonist in an idol drama wouldn't use the heroine as a tool like Ayanokouji does." Shirogane Miyuki shook his head, seeing Ayanokouji as a dangerous presence.

"President, you really don't understand what girls like!" Chika pouted, then turned to look at Shinomiya Kaguya next to her.

"Kaguya-san, what do you think?"

"Mm." Kaguya nodded, but still looked a bit distracted.

Last night, she asked Hayasaka Ai to help investigate information about Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. After watching the video, Kaguya became very concerned about him, including the White Room Project that Ayanokouji experienced.

But they found nothing.

Across the entire internet, aside from discussions about Ayanokouji, there was no information about him at all, as if it had been deliberately erased by someone.

"By the way, Fujiwara-san, does anyone in your family know about Ayanokouji?" Kaguya turned and asked the innocent-looking girl next to her, who was actually born into a political family. Chika was the great-granddaughter of a former prime minister.

"Ayanokouji? I specifically asked my family about him yesterday!" Chika said with a smile, "But they all said they didn't know!"