Stating the words 'strongest Ruiner of the Fordent kingdom' is just Ferdinand being humble so that people wouldn't gossip malicious things about him once the gathering had finished.
It's just to make himself not sound bragging and flaunting which he is indirectly doing but not showing to the audience's eyes.
Appearance-wise, everything was above. Though he was the same age as Klein, much higher or lower than him, he appeared to be in his thirties.
What stands out about him the most is his blue and grayish-black eyes which are already attractive enough to the people looking at him if his appearance wasn't mentioned. Besides that, his strength could demolish hundreds of Ruiners in a single battle.
Rephrasing what Ferdinand said, Dalton is the strongest Ruiner of this continent, no question or pun intended is added.
Tak—!
His footsteps brought a domineering feeling which left everyone he passed by frozen in their place. He stands beside Ferdinand and begins saying his opinion about the matter.
"Our enemies this time are quite unknown. We'll prioritize erasing their existence in this world. We'll also not neglect the fact of other unofficial organizations out there. Hence, while we were doing it, we'd also have our attention on those small groups. By demolishing their very existence only we can rest assured that this world had come in peace."
'Rest assured that this world will have come in peace, huh… If you'll have the chance to repeat this at the end of the year, I wonder what'll your reaction be…'
Dalton is a man of a few words. Him already giving a few sentences is enough evidence that he was serious about this matter and would join hands with Ferdinand if it means eradicating the unofficial organizations.
'Using the kidnapping accident to unite the kingdoms and Ruiners they have… showing everyone what kind of power you hold this kingdom… Sir Ferdinand, you are very scary. The position of the crown prince is really suited for you. If this world is the same as mine, I will not regret voting for you. You can unite five nations by using a single conflict…
'There's no doubt that Isaac holds a very good impression of you.'
As I was thinking of things inside my thoughts, Ferdinand delivered the things they needed to make this work. A week is needed for everyone's approval and there are a few days till The Association is established.
Recollecting my thoughts inwardly, I can't help but smile. Everything is going smoothly as I imagined.
Moving my head to that place once more, I looked curiously at Dalton, who, all of a sudden, cast his gaze in my direction. His emotionless and cold gaze involuntarily penetrated my very soul.
It didn't look like much of a threat but just a mere observation.
But that's the least of my problems! I mean, why would he gaze in my direction?! What are the chances that a bug passed through his eyes?!
"That man is currently looking at you."
'Don't you think I know that?!'
I wanted to retract my gaze and avoid it, seeing that confirmation had come from Isaac that Dalton was indeed looking at me.
This never happened in the novel… yet, at the same time, I felt excited since I knew he wanted or was curious about something that somehow involves me.
My mouth quivered and it formed a daring smile while making eye contact with Dalton, whose eyes slightly furrowed before the very tip of his lips curved slightly before retracting his gaze and focused on the still ongoing speech.
"I wonder what you did this time to even receive his attention," Isaac gave his opinion as he gave me a scrutinizing look.
"Haha…"
I just gave a short laugh, not confirming if his words are true or not. It might cause troubles in the future and what Dalton did today might gain some attention since I know Isaac wasn't the only person who had a keen observation.
Besides, they could be misunderstood what it meant. For example, trash has gained the attention of the strongest Ruiner or something like that.
Chatter—!
After a while, the speech continued as it is but by differentiating the tone Ferdinand was using earlier, everything seems to be wrapping up and ending.
"That's all I would like to say." Ferdinand was finally done with his speech, gave his meaningful thanks, clap his hand, and smiled, "Let's now enjoy the event, shall we?"
…
"Are you still not eating?"
"I'm not hungry."
Looking at Isaac with puzzlement, I shrugged my shoulders and continued picking foods I would like to eat at this very place.
'Shit… they all look so tasty. I wonder if I can bring some home…'
"They all look very appetizing, isn't it? Well, they are hired chefs that my brother got all across the country just for this very important event."
Surprised by the sudden comment, I glanced to my side and saw the person I would like to talk to the right at this very moment.
'What's wrong with nobles of this world…? They are all gorgeous…'
Captivating appearance and a much higher build than me with his auburn hair. Calm demeanor while excluding a personality that made someone he talked to be at ease. One will know he is the person they were talking to if they found a mole on his right eye that perfectly matches his face.
it was the second prince of the Fordent Kingdom, Robyn Gervasil.
"With these many visitors across the continent, I bet you guys exhausted a lot of money," I replied, trying to prolong the conversation.
"Oh? And what will we get from this? The unity of the five kingdoms to eliminate a threat. Who knows, maybe after this, we'll be a whole civilization that helped each other. Just because of what? Spending a million gold coins? I think it's a fair trade."
I nearly choked the food that I swallowed just now, hearing a million gold coins has been invested just for this party!
"That's… a lot of money."
"Right?" Robyn chuckled as he picked up a plate on the side and began picking food on his own. After a few seconds, he continued, "Say, do you want to eat somewhere together? I wanted to tell you a story about the ships and my opinion about them."
"…!"
Stopping myself from biting another food, I take a quick look at Robyn and answered, "Sure. When and where?"
"Pff, seriously? Of course now. My schedule next week is very tight,"
With that being said, I began to follow Robyn and moved toward the third floor where a very seldom group of nobles were seen. He entered a room, seated down, and asked me to sit down also.
"You know what I was talking about the moment I asked you to eat somewhere together."
"Well, to others, it might look like you are wrong but to me, it's a message. I was already enjoying my food there and to ask someone to eat somewhere sounds a little off and rude to others."
"Very detailed. Though, it wasn't really big."
"Haha…"
At this moment of a brief conversation, I realized that this guy is indeed the strategist of Isaac's group. As if every word he uttered had some deep meaning into it and whether it was big or not, Robyn could only know.
He's a Progression 3 Ruiner. And the most commonly used Piece he is using is called Study.
"I've done background research about you, mostly related to you being trash. But the orphanage case is interesting and we're also focusing our attention on it.
"Heh, seeing you up close here and that case doesn't match your overall trash persona at all but anyway, have a seat. I wanted to hear your proposal first and why you had come up with this idea."
'I feel like being interviewed…' Thinking about my experience in my previous world, I can't help but chuckle inwardly and proceed to sit down, explaining the building of the naval base word by word.
"I want to request supporting a naval base secretly. With your consent and support, we'll both share and give funds to that naval base, creating an army that could help us in sea warfare. To make you understand that I'm proposing this seriously, I would like ma'am Freya to make us a contract.
"The conditions are simple. Eleven months contract on my side and you decide how many days, months, or years would you like to participate in this matter. Everything gained here would be yours. Well, maybe, I could control some ships on my side. Just to be clear, I'm not running away with the money you'll have to invest. You can add that to the contract to make yourself at ease."
Robyn looked at me for a moment, slightly taken aback that I was done with the proposal. Honestly, I was on the same side because the thing is, I don't know much about ships or has time on learning about them.
It's better to leave these kinds of things to the professionals.
"Erm, not mean to be rude but… you think this out of a whim, don't you?" Robyn sighed as he shakes his head, "I'm actually curious why were you suggesting this to me and not to my brother. In the first place, why would you even support a naval base when the kingdom already has five in our arsenal? Is it for personal gain?
"Setting that aside, the way you put your words on 'supporting a naval base secretly' sounds very suspicious and shady. Why would keep a project this big secret? Do you have any means to stop from the info leaking? And supporting a naval base? You didn't give me the name of this company or you actually don't have any names to give?"
'Is this what it feels like to be nagged by this guy? It's infuriating, at the same time, being slapped with hard facts could open someone's eyes. Isaac… I finally recognize your feelings towards this person…'
Letting out a sigh from my mouth and already receiving feedback, not just a minute after, I find a similarity between finding a job to this one could only mean that it is rejected.
'I'll just have to do this myself, aren't I?'
Smiling weakly, I stand up and bowed my head with respect, "Thank you for at least listening and even pointing out obvious reasons. If there's more I needed to discuss, I would like to contact you in the future and have you share your view. Will that be possible?"
Robyn nodded and retorted with a smile, "That is possible. Do you have a telegram you could use? It's much fast relaying information than letters."
"I'll… try buying one when we go back."
"I'm sorry that I have to reject it. You understand why I did it right away and did not prolong it any longer, right?"
"Yes,"
I was actually feeling down, seeing that one of my plans for strengthening the kingdom failed. Well, maybe if I came prepared, he would've not be having second thoughts.
No, my time is too cramped after this… There's no need to prepare a detailed explanation.
But if I came here with presentations… sigh, no. It doesn't matter now. What happened already happened.
Turning around, I leave the room in silence.