After just two sentences, a chilly silence descended on the conference hall.
Terrifying pressure spread next and filled the space.
"How dare you…"
Coo coo coo
The Thunder Lord had sparks all over her body and glared at me with murderous eyes.
A tingling sensation spread all over my body.
I calmly accepted the killing intent of the Thunder Lord and maintained my expressionless face.
The pressure was palpable, but thanks to the [Soul of the King], there was no emotional or mental agitation.
Rather than avoiding a fight, there was a reason I made the atmosphere bloody.
What I was aiming for was the Overlord's intervention.
I said that I would accept the duel as long as it was okay to kill the opponent, and the provocation enraged Thunder Lord as well. It was actually a much more violent reaction than I expected.
If a match was made in which neither side would end well, there would be no way the Overlord would allow a fight… wouldn't it?
Hurry and stop the duel.
The atmosphere felt like a lightning bolt would hit the spot when I was sitting at any moment.
The Overlord opened her mouth. There was some regret in her voice, perhaps because she realized she had been too hasty.
"Stop."
Unlike before, it was a slightly serious voice.
After that, the Thunder Lord calmed down. But she was still glaring at me.
"There's nothing we can do about it. It won't be a light duel at all, will it?"
The Overlord, who said with an innocent voice, smiled as if to lighten the atmosphere.
I let out a deep sigh of relief.
I was glad that it went safely as I thought.
The other Lords, who all seemed unfathomable, seemed regretful that they missed out on a good spectacle.
"Well, I don't really care."
The Mad King smiled and said.
"It doesn't seem like he's vulgar like that vampire. Appointing a monarch is the Overlord's authority anyway, so is there a reason to hear our approval?"
"Why am I being mentioned again?"
The Tyrant clicked his tongue and muttered.
The Wiseman also glanced at me and stepped in to help.
"It's sudden, but I don't doubt the Overlord's eyesight. Also, the seat of the Seventh Lord can't be vacant forever. The chief of staff is also not dissatisfied with the decision."
Except for the Thunder Lord, no other Lords showed any complaint.
Rather than agreeing, it was close to showing signs of accepting, saying nothing because they were just not interested, or because the Overlord's will was absolute.
But I hadn't said I would accept it yet, so why was everything already confirmed?
…I wonder if that's the case.
She in the ruler of Calderic.
She's at the very apex of Calderic's power, one of the four majors powers on the continent. Who would normally refuse a seat she was offering?
The problem was that I didn't really have any abilities that fit the position of a Lord.
Until now, everyone had a huge misunderstanding about my ability because of how the situation fit in. But even the lowest guard guarding the castle gate could kill me.
How long would this good fortune last?
If I accepted the Overlord's offer and truly became the Seventh Lord, then I would cross the river of no return.
But if I refuse…
It was also a risky option.
It wasn't my will, but anyway, I came to the Overlord's castle and attended the meeting of the Lords in order to not have any enemies in Calderic.
And the Overlord offered the best conditions she could offer.
What kind of reaction would come back if I said I would reject it in an atmosphere like this?
Perhaps the Overlord's friendly demeanour could turn into hostility in an instant. Dare I took that risk?
I didn't know if it would be a foolish recklessness to check it out myself, or if the right choice was to avoid the worst.
Should I ask for time to think?
My brain felt congested.
Wouldn't it be better to postpone the decision for a while?
Then the Mad King looked at me and opened her mouth.
"Anyway, it's a pity. I promised in front of the meeting room that we should try duelling sometime."
…When did you make that promise?
And what did that have to do with me being a Lord? But I soon understood.
Come to think of it, wasn't there a setting in Calderic that battles between Lords were strictly forbidden?
It was the minimum discipline for Lords with very strong individuality to coexist without major conflict.
"I also really hate ending things in moderation. At least until one side is dead, that's a proper duel, isn't it?"
"…"
The bloody sound of laughing suddenly reminded me of a terrifying possibility.
If I refused the position of a Lord, after the meeting was over, that crazy monster might get excited and start a fight with me.
Even during their first meeting, she pointed her sword at my neck without hesitation, so the possibility was there.
But was that all? Even now, the Thunder Lord next to me was glaring at me with eyes that seemed ready to eat me.
If I refused, I have to worry about what would happen after the meeting was over.
Accept or reject.
Either way, it's a choice between the worst and the lesser evil. Similar to what happened on the convoy ship.
I regretted that bringing the situation to this point.
After all, I had to somehow escape this damn castle in order to escape the reach of the Overlord.
…But regret was useless.
"Now, only Sir Ron's answer remains."
The Overlord's final proclamation.
"As the Overlord of Calderic, I will make a formal proposal for you. Will you take the seat of the Sevent Lord?"
A quiet silence descended on the conference hall, and the attention of all the Lords on the round table was now focused on me.
Having finally decided, I opened my mouth with half resignation.
"…I accept."