Chapter 351

C351. Voting (6)

The day of the vote to choose Marquis Palatio’s partner.

Alon was sitting inside the gigantic coliseum located right next to the statue of the marquisal family, with a dazed expression.

…Is this supposed to be an auction house?

He looked blankly at the panorama in front of him.

The first thing seen was that the entire outer wall of the auction house was completely open.

Then, the enormous number of the territory’s inhabitants gathered.

And in the center, in the distance, where auction items would normally be displayed…

Instead of merchandise, Deus was standing there.

[Alright, before starting with the vote, we will hear a few last words from the candidates.]

Alon avoided the gaze of the inhabitants who were applauding with an “Oooh~”.

Then he looked at Evan.

Evan responded with an expression that clearly said: “Even if you look at me, I don’t know anything.”

Looking away to the side, Alexion, the head of the auction house, spoke as if he had been waiting for the moment.

—It’s just that the candidates requested it.

—They requested it…?

—Yes. They said they wanted to say a few last words before the vote…

—For that, aren’t they spending too much money?

Alon frowned.

Although he had accumulated enough money to splurge without issues, he didn’t want to spend it on nonsense like this.

Not even his recent wealth changed his nature as a thrifty citizen.

—Ah, do not worry about that. Not a single coin from our budget was used.

—…How?

—Let’s say that’s how things turned out. Even the work on the outer wall was covered by the candidates themselves. Our side spent nothing. And besides, it was just a time when we needed construction work.

—Really?

—Yes. Since our marquisal family is focusing more and more on trade, I am sure the Marquis already knows that the flow of caravans is greater than before.

Alon nodded.

What Alexion said was true.

—So the auction house space started getting small?

—Exactly. And by doing a remodeling with an open design like this, we also saw it would have quite a few advantages. For example, depending on the Marquis’s needs, we could regulate certain periods to attract caravans.

Alon nodded thoughtfully.

Certainly, if they used this situation to create new public events…

They could concentrate the necessary merchants during specific periods.

—Understood.

Just when Alon was already accepting the explanation…

The first candidate appeared on the platform.

[Hello, everyone.]

It was Duchess Altia.

During the two allotted minutes, she gave an impeccably fluid speech, as if she had practiced it several times, and stepped down from the podium.

So well structured that even Alon felt admiration inside.

…Although the public’s reaction was not very good.

Afterwards, the rest of the candidates went up one by one to give their speeches.

But they didn’t manage to win over the public either, and no one spoke better than Duchess Altia.

And when the fourth one’s turn came…

[Hum-hum~]

Seolrang went up.

She tapped the communication tube enchanted with amplification magic a couple of times, checking it with an “Aa-ah”.

[And if I become the master’s partner, I will install a Coliseum here, in the marquisal family!]

She suddenly blurted out a totally explosive promise.

“…Huh?”

What did she just say?

Alon turned his head to look at the gathered warriors. They were also tilting their heads.

But regardless of what they thought…

[And furthermore, I will transfer— ah, no… how was it? Moving? Ah, yes, transfer! I will transfer here!!]

Seolrang smiled showing her characteristic fangs.

Would Babayaga come too?

Then we could also see the Coliseum here?

That would be incredible!

The audience began to stir.

And just like that.

Seolrang’s speech, which didn’t even last a minute…

Obtained more support than all the previous candidates combined.

—…Will she be able to fulfill that?

—Fulfill… yes she could.

—She could, but?

—…But I think it could unleash a war.

The warriors are a key military force of Colony.

And for that key force to go to the Marquis’s family?

Even if it wasn’t the Marquis’s intention…

For Colony, it would be watching their main force being snatched away before their eyes.

—Then Seolrang…

—She just said it without thinking much.

Will she be able to handle the consequences?

Alon swallowed hard.

The next candidate to go up was Magrina.

And then…

[Everyone, I am the Elven Queen.]

The audience was bewildered by the unexpected revelation.

[If I become my brother’s partner, I plan to ensure a continuous exchange between our kingdom and the marquisal family.]

The audience’s heads filled with question marks.

Glances that said “So what?”

But then…

[For example, even marriages between elves and humans.]

With those words…

The question marks turned into exclamation marks over the people.

…And exclamation marks also appeared over the heads of the elves.

What the hell did I just hear?

They looked at Magrina with growing horror.

While he watched their expressions change minute by minute, Alon looked at Evan.

—Why are you looking at me, Sir…?

—I thought maybe Magrina had hinted something to you.

—Not a word.

—Then that was…

—Pure impulse.

Alon looked forward again in silence.

He saw Magrina step down with a proud expression.

…He had seen this in his previous world too.

Impossible promises thrown into the air like politicians do.

Alon felt a strange sensation.

A while passed.

Perhaps feeling the pressure from Seolrang’s and Magrina’s words, or perhaps because they already had it prepared…

[If you choose me, I will fulfill everything I said.]

[If you choose me, I will give a gold coin to every inhabitant.]

Historia and Rine also started launching “impulsive promises” like them.

Ryanga, on the other hand, rarely let herself be dragged along.

Instead of that…

[…I don’t have anything special I can offer.]

She blushed, embarrassed.

[But… even so, I will fulfill the role of the boss’s partner with all my strength!]

With great determination, she clenched her fist and shouted.

It was the speech with the least content.

But even so…

We support you!

Count on us!!

Let’s go, King of the Hundred Ghosts!

You are the best, King of the Hundred Ghosts!

Curiously, the shouts of support for Ryanga were very loud.

—Hm?

It wasn’t that there were too many people supporting her…

It was that a small group was reacting exaggeratedly strongly towards Ryanga.

It seemed to Alon that he had seen that scene somewhere.

…Where was it?

Where had he seen that reaction?

—Ah.

—What is the matter, my lord?

After a moment of silence, Alon understood the feeling of déjà vu.

—…It’s like fans of an Idol.

—Eh?

—It’s nothing.

Alon waved his hand, dismissing the comment.

Ryanga waved awkwardly.

And with a “Uoooooh!!” from a certain sector of the public, the last candidate to go up was Yutia.

[Hello, everyone. I am Cardinal Yutia Bloodia.]

Yutia greeted politely.

Unlike the rest, an absolute calm could be noted in her.

[I am not going to promise anything special like the others. But I do want you to remember something.]

Ahem-.

[The sheep that do not follow the voice of the true one and venture into the forbidden, shall be torn apart by the beast and offered as a sacrifice of judgment.]

Yutia’s solemn voice fell over the entire crowd.

Silence took over the place.

Yutia smiled softly.

[Choosing… is something very important.]

She finished and stepped down from the podium.

—…That’s a bit scary.

—I agree.

Although it sounded like a sacred verse…

It sounded strangely like a warning. Or a threat.

[And well, we shall begin the voting.]

The voting began.

The “elections” ended five days later.

If they had prepared better it would have ended sooner…

But just collecting votes took more than two days, so the counting took even longer.

In the process, there were strange interferences.

An elf was caught stealing votes from Magrina.

An inhabitant tried to vote twice for Seolrang.

Forged ballots without the marquisal family seal were discovered…

There was a bit of everything.

But fortunately, it did not affect the final result.

After a five-day journey…

The one chosen as Alon’s partner was—

—Hm. An evident result.

Yutia.

Yutia Bloodia was smiling with total tranquility.

—Impossible!

—She surely did something weird.

—Exactly!

—Uuugh… and I tried so hard.

While the others shouted indignantly, Yutia remained calm.

—Do not be so sad. It was the most logical result. I told you from the start.

—That is exactly what’s weird! I had more support!

Seolrang protested.

But even before her lack of manners, Yutia did not lose her smile.

—The world simply knew who is the most suitable to be by the master’s side.

No matter how many complaints they threw at her…

Yutia responded with: “And what could you do about it?”

While Seolrang looked at her furiously, she suddenly exclaimed:

—Then I will be the escort knight!

—…Escort knight?

—Two companions can go! Then I will be the master’s escort!

She raised her hand.

And the candidates who until a moment ago were protesting against Yutia…

Changed targets instantly.

—Well, I suppose that is better than nothing…

—I also want to be an escort!

—No, I am better than you—

—Please, maintain your composure. On this occasion, we will also hold a vote—

With that single word “vote”, Magrina lit the fuse again.

And at that dangerous sound—

—…Enough. There will be no more votes.

Alon stopped them firmly.

Then, from near the wall, sighs of relief were heard.

Both elves and warriors.

Alon organized the situation immediately.

—Right, there is not much time left. We will depart for the ballroom. We must also pass by the Magic Tower.

The trip to Teria…

It was his first outing in months.

While Alon prepared to depart…

—…Let’s go back.

—Yes.

Duchess Altia also understood something.

Among the strong, surviving is almost impossible.

The weak cannot survive here.

With slumped shoulders, she left that place which was practically a hell for non-humans.

When Alon was heading to the Magic Tower…

—…So you say they no longer need even three times the initial amount?

—That is so.

—And if they were to refuse to accept?

—In that case…

Dolenis, the King of Caliban, and Palmarian IV were speaking with serious faces.

—…We will have to… declare war.

Something… has clearly gone very wrong…