[Raul PoV]
Count Raymond de Chatelon—the most senior Grand Espada and the older brother of the Empress. He is nicknamed "The White Knight" because his swordsmanship is purely devoid of magic. It is not that he lacks magic entirely; it is simply that he very rarely uses it, as he is already incredibly powerful even without it.
"What does The White Knight need from an academy student like me?" I asked him.
"Nevertheless, an academy student like you dared to insult the knightly honor of a Grand Espada," Count Raymond said. "I do not know if what you did earlier was an act of bravery or the naivety of a young man."
He spoke those words without breaking eye contact. The aura he possessed was so palpable it affected my mental state—proof that this man had survived countless life-and-death battles.
"I can barely feel any Mana from you; you will not become a great Knight, young man," Count Raymond said in a mocking tone.
"Then, how were you able to become one of the strongest Knights in this country, Count Raymond?" I asked him in return.
Precisely. Count Raymond does not have a large Mana capacity, much like myself. However, he was able to reach the highest pinnacle of knighthood in this nation: becoming one of the Grand Espadas.
"Cheap flattery like that will not gain you recognition from me," Count Raymond countered. "I will say it directly: you are not fit to stand beside Princess Elena—my niece and also my student, young man. She is the finest talent the Empire possesses. Her sense of justice will never be defeated by anyone, and her actions in leading by example can always inspire others."
Everything Count Raymond said was absolutely true. Elena is the hope of the Aragon Empire, ensuring this nation does not fall into chaos and become an easy target for demons. She is the only candidate capable of leading the country through all the disasters that lie ahead. That is why I support her: to ensure the calamities that occurred in the Game do not become a reality.
"I do not know how your influence managed to enter her mind," Count Raymond said, walking slowly toward me. His facial expression was extremely intimidating. "But, if you even once break her heart, betray her, or make her cry... I will hunt you down, break every single bone in your body, and force you to your knees to beg for mercy in front of her..."
I do not know how Count Raymond could know about my current relationship with Elena. I suspect his instincts and his closeness to the Princess were what told him this.
"Elena deserves only the best to be by her side," Count Raymond said as he turned his back to me. "And that person is not a weak man like you, who is only good at talking without showing any achievements."
With those final words, Count Raymond left me.
It seems he still does not trust me and assumes I have a certain agenda in giving my support to Elena. Could he think I would demand to become her husband as payment for this support?
Truly an overprotective uncle toward his niece.
However, as I was about to leave the room, I saw a woman and a blonde-haired man walking toward me.
"Count Raymond's face looked very grim after speaking with you, Raul," the woman said, smiling at me.
It was Duchess Amanda, walking closer alongside the Second Prince—Ramon de Aragon.
"What were the two of you talking about just now?" the Duchess asked.
"He only warned me if I had ill intentions toward Princess Elena," I answered her ambiguously. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Prince Ramon."
I bowed to show respect to him as a member of the Emperor's family.
"Your name is Raul, is it not? Your act of humiliating the Grand Espada from Anabella's faction quite entertained me! Hahaha!" Prince Ramon said, then laughed heartily. "Duchess Amanda told me your family is open to joining our faction; is that true?"
"Of course, Prince," I answered him. "We can discuss this as the beginning of a cooperation that may be established between my family and your faction in the future."
"Good, good! Raul, come along to my place to discuss this further," the Prince said.
I only nodded in response. The three of us then left the meeting room to go to the Second Prince's quarters.
***
[Duchess Amanda PoV]
Raul de Garcia...
He is the only child of Duke Alvaro de Garcia and Milenia von Holstein. Before I married, I used to teach at the Imperial elementary school specifically for nobles. He was a quiet child, lacking high ambition, and spent most of his time alone.
However, when meeting him again at this gathering, the boy who was always quiet has transformed into a man who even dared to strike down the honor of a Grand Espada in front of the Emperor and all the nobles present at this meeting.
Currently, we are at the Second Prince's place to discuss the potential of his family joining our faction. Truthfully, I did not want to bring my late husband's family into the Second Prince's faction. However, the Prince threatened to destroy my family—who are under Marquis Lorenzo—if I did not comply with his request. My family are only Baron-level nobles; their lives would not be peaceful if an Imperial Prince held ill intentions toward them. Inevitably, I, as the Regent representing the Duchy of Valencia, must support the Prince in this new Emperor election succession.
"Sit down, Raul," said the Prince, who was currently sitting on a large sofa. A woman in revealing clothes was visible in the embrace of his right arm.
"Hey, bring my guest a drink," the Prince commanded his servant, who was wearing a pair of cat ear and tail attachments. "Raul, what is your favorite drink? I recommend Rodka—a famous hard liquor from the Pulishia Kingdom!"
Hearing the Prince's words, Raul gave a slight smile. "I think wine is enough, Prince. There are still several events I must attend; I want my consciousness to remain intact when I am there later."
"Hah, do not think too much about those formal events; I am sure you will like this drink!" Prince Ramon insisted.
"Very well, but only one glass." Raul inevitably had to follow the wishes of the Prince, who was famous for his self-indulgent attitude.
"Now, that's how a true noble should be! Enjoying life because we were born into the upper class!" the Prince exclaimed. "Hurry, bring three bottles of Rodka here!"
Not long after, the servant brought three bottles containing a dark red liquid. She then placed two bottles on the Prince's table and the other bottle on Raul's table. Prince Ramon then opened the bottle cap by biting it and began to drink the contents until it was half empty.
"Kuhhh! No drink can rival the taste of this one!" said the Prince, putting the bottle back down. "Hey Raul, try it for yourself quickly!"
"Of course, Prince. But where is the glass for me to drink from?" Raul asked, appearing confused.
"Aren't you an adult? Drinking alcohol from a glass is only done by a child!" the Prince replied.
Hearing the Prince's words, Raul only sighed and then opened the bottle cap of the drink. He then downed the entire bottle in a single gulp. Seeing this, the Prince's expression looked quite ridiculous. His mouth hung open and his eyes widened as if he could not believe what he had just seen.
"Hey, is it true that you just turned 18?" the Prince asked.
"Of course, Prince. Why do you ask such a thing?" Raul asked back.
"It's nothing; let's get straight to business," Prince Ramon replied, changing the subject. "Amanda, tell Lord Raul about this."
Huh? Why are you suddenly speaking so politely to him? Does simply being able to finish a bottle of drink in one gulp make you respect him more? I truly do not understand the thought process of this foolish Prince.
"Alright. As we mentioned before, Raul, we want your family to join our faction," I said to the black-haired man. "Does your family have certain conditions for this to happen?" I asked him.
"Of course my family would be happy to cooperate with Prince Ramon's faction, Duchess Amanda," Raul said, putting down the empty bottle he had just finished. "But, we will only support the winning candidate, and currently, your candidate is still lagging far behind Prince Felix's faction, which has the most noble support."
His words were very logical; no noble wants to choose a candidate who has a small chance of winning unless that noble has a strong relationship with the candidate they support.
"Oh, as for Brother Felix, you do not need to worry, Lord Raul," Prince Ramon said. "I already have a plan to destroy the noble faction that supports him."
Huh? Really? Why did he not consult with me regarding this plan? However, I doubt that a plan from him is a good one, considering his brain capacity.
"Oh, really? What plan are you talking about, Prince?" Raul asked, looking curious.
No, do not believe him. At most, it's just a foolish plan like bribing other nobles with money he will ask for from the Garcia family.
"It is a secret plan, Lord Raul. I cannot reveal it to others outside my faction," the idiot Prince replied.
Others outside your faction? You haven't even discussed the plan with me—the person who organizes everything for your victory in the election.
"But, if you give me 30,000 Gulden to fund my plan to destroy Brother Felix's faction and promise to join my faction, I can reveal a little of this plan to you," the Prince answered.
Hearing this offer, Raul appeared to think for a moment, considering it.
"Very well. As a gesture of good faith, my family will give you 30,000 Gulden to support you in this plan, Prince," Raul said, looking serious. "However, my family will only officially support you if you successfully execute this plan well. How does that sound?"
Raul was evidently quite cautious in this matter. It seemed we had not yet fully secured the support of the Garcia family.
"I think that's fair enough," the Prince replied with a wide grin.
"Then, what is your plan to destroy Prince Felix's faction?" Raul asked, again questioning Prince Ramon's plan.
"Before telling you, let us perform a Blood Pact Ritual so that you will not reveal it to others," Prince Ramon answered.
It turned out he was not too stupid either. But I was truly curious: what was Prince Ramon's plan to destroy the largest faction of the new Emperor candidates?
"Alright."
After agreeing, Raul and Prince Ramon then cut both their palms and began to shake hands, mixing their blood. The Prince swore to tell his true plan, while Raul swore not to reveal the plan to anyone. A Rune then appeared on both men's hands and was absorbed into their skin.
"My plan to destroy Prince Felix's faction is..." The Prince looked into Raul's eyes seriously. "The Tyal Tribe..."
He then explained how he would use the money provided by the Garcia family to destroy Prince Felix's faction.
"What do you think of my plan, Lord Raul?" the Prince asked.
"I think this plan has a high chance of success," Raul answered with a thin smile. "In that case, I will look forward to a good result from this plan, Prince."
After that, we discussed the timing and method of the money transfer that the Garcia family would provide to our faction. Raul said he would provide it within three months at the latest.
"Alright, I think there is nothing else we can talk about regarding this," I said to both of them. "Raul, thank you for your cooperation and for being willing to support our faction."
"Do not mention it, Duchess Amanda. As I said, my family is very open to joining Prince Ramon's faction."
Raul then stood up, intending to leave the room after finishing the discussion about supporting Prince Ramon.
"One more thing, Prince," Raul said as he took out a piece of paper and gave it to Prince Ramon.
On that slip of paper was an illustration of a quite beautiful woman wearing dancer's clothing.
"Hooo~ A truly stunning woman, Lord Raul," Prince Ramon said, commenting on the illustration. "Is this a slave you own?"
"Correct. I heard you have entertainment venues like gambling houses and brothels, Prince," Raul said, then pointed to the illustration of the woman. "She is a very good dancer. To celebrate our agreement, I want to lend her to you so your place becomes more crowded with visitors."
"Hoho~ You are very generous, Lord Raul," Prince Ramon said, still smiling while looking at the illustration. "What is the name of this dancer of yours?"
"The woman's name is—Aliya."
***
[Princess Annabella PoV]
After the meeting ended, Danilo and I returned to my place to discuss the gathering.
"Why did you lose control like that?"
Previously, he had been about to cause a commotion in front of Father and the other nobles simply because of an academy student's words. This surely caused Father and the nobles who are still neutral to have a bad image of our faction.
"It was very clear why that boy targeted you; you should not have entertained him so that things did not get worse."
Hearing my words, Danilo only looked down and clenched his fists tightly.
"I am sorry, Annabella," the armored man said in a regretful tone. "I let you down this time."
"This is your final warning, Danilo. Do not let me down again, understood?"
"I understand, Annabella. This mistake will not be repeated!" he answered firmly.
However, it was impossible for an academy student to boldly insult the honor of a Grand Espada. He surely had a shield in case our faction retaliated for humiliating us.
"Danilo, which faction do you think will protect that boy later?" I asked him.
"I do not know much about it, Annabella," Danilo replied, appearing to think while touching his chin. "However, I saw him earlier with Duchess Amanda and Prince Ramon."
Hmmm... Brother Ramon's faction, is it? If it is true that he managed to pull support from the Garcia family, then his faction has currently become much larger than my current one.
I must immediately gain support from the remaining neutral nobles to realize my goal.
— Knock! Knock! Knock!
The sound of a knock was heard at the door of my study.
"Come in."
After I said that, the door opened, revealing a beautiful woman with green hair wearing a lovely green gown.
"Miss Valeria, sorry to make you come here," I said to her.
"It's no problem, Your Highness," she replied with a smile. "Then, what did you wish to talk to me about?"
My reason for inviting her here was to get support from her father—Duke Julian de Artagnan—who has great influence in the magic tower and the Council of Mages of this country. If I successfully gain his support, then the strength of my faction could be equal to Brother Felix's, who has the largest faction among the other candidates.