Anastasia smiled warmly.
"If y'all expect me to be as intense as those last two, I'm in a bit of a bind. I
doubt you'd want me to come on too strong, so I guess my gimmick is that I
don't have one."
Her demeanor and pleasant smile relaxed some of the tension in the room.
"Now then, I—Anastasia Hoshin—will speak for a spell. I hope you'll forgive
my indiscretion, since I'm an outsider and all."
Julius stroked the front of his hair in an unnecessarily polished motion to draw
attention to himself.
"I am Lady Anastasia's knight, Julius Juukulius. Please be gentle with her."
Subaru finally reasoned that the talk about her "gimmick" was a high-level
joke. But what he couldn't get out of his head was the contrast of Anastasia's
accent. Apparently, Subaru wasn't the only one who noticed, as Miklotov asked,
"With that peculiar accent, are you a native of Kararagi, then?"
"Exactly. I was born in Kararagi to the lowest class in the League of Free
Trading Cities."
Miklotov's eyes narrowed slightly at that.
"Mmmm. The lowest class—then what is your connection to Lugunica?"
If lowest class meant the same thing there that it did in Lugunica, Anastasia
was born a commoner. Depending on the meaning of the term, it could imply
something even lower.
"I was born in the lowest class, but now I have a right proper mansion in the
city. I have stores in a host of other cities… That's how I first imposed on
Lugunica."
Julius added, "She serves as chairwoman of the Hoshin Company, the most
influential company in Kararagi. For many years, this position in her nation was
occupied by the Lushika Industrial Company, but thanks to Lady Anastasia's
personal commercial genius, it was reconstituted under a new name, the
Hoshin Company."
Standing beside Julius, Anastasia's eyebrows peaked as if she were a little
embarrassed.
If Julius's declaration could be taken as fact, Anastasia's pronouncement had
been humble in the extreme about her exploits. Julius continued,
"Accompanying its vast expansion across Kararagi, there was talk of expansion
into Lugunica as well. That was the impetus for my meeting Lady Anastasia for
the first time."
Miklotov replied, "Mmmm. So in spite of being born to humble beginnings,
she established herself as a brilliant young merchant… I must say, this reminds
me of the tales of the founder of Kararagi itself."
As Miklotov's lips bent into a smile, Anastasia clapped her hands together,
and her eyes sparkled.
"Yes, exactly. I always looked up to that man, Hoshin of the Wastes. When the
time came to establish my family name as a merchant, I decided to adopt the
name Hoshin in his honor."
Miklotov praised Anastasia's spirit.
"Hoshin is the name of a great man known across the entire continent,
revered from ancient times to the present. To name yourself after him… I see, a
splendid display of spirit."
Even Subaru had heard of Hoshin of the Wastes. If he recalled correctly, the
man was the main character in one of the ballads sung on that world.
Anastasia continued, "One of the great things about Kararagi is how it gave a
gal like me a fair shot. It turns out I have a real knack for sniffing out the scent
of gold, and it's fun, too."
Subaru saw that these statements were creating a considerable stir all
around. Judging from appearances alone, Anastasia was younger than he was.
Given her age and the reaction around him, she apparently had a reputation as
a monster in the business world.
Julius remarked, "Lady Anastasia's commercial genius is a divine gift… It is no
exaggeration that she rivals Hoshin himself. My own lack of ability in this area
leaves me envious of her."
Julius's rhetorical flourish drew a generous nod from Miklotov.
"My, my, she must be quite something indeed for 'The Finest of Knights' to
boast of her so."
But Subaru, unable to accept that last sentence, asked the man beside him,
"Did I hear wrong? Did he just call him 'The Finest of Knights'…?"
Reinhard replied to Subaru's question matter-of-factly. "That is what they call
him. Among the Knights of the Royal Guard of the Kingdom of Lugunica, Julius is
second only to Marcus, captain of the guard. There is a vice captain, but it is a
ceremonial position that exists in name only, so it's best to think of it as vacant.
In skill with a sword, employment of mana, pedigree, and exploits, Julius fulfills
all the qualifications of a knight and is second to none. He is without question
worthy of being called 'The Finest of Knights.'"
"But when people in the capital talk about the 'knight among knights,' they're
talking about you, right? You're really well known, plus you never denied it,
right?"
"The qualifications for that nickname are somewhat different. Certainly, in
terms of strength with the sword alone, I'm stronger than Julius. I have yet to
meet someone stronger than I am."
Just like that, he declared he was mightiest of all.
Subaru wasn't sure how to respond to that, but Reinhard wasn't boasting. If
anything, his eyes were filled with envy, his lips pursed taut.
The way Reinhard looked cornered left Subaru wondering what to do, but,
faster than he could say anything, the debate proceeded with something that
could not be ignored.
Miklotov said, "It is plain that relations between master and servant are very
good. Mmmm. Lady Anastasia, there is something I wish to ask you.—You are a
native of Kararagi. What is your purpose in seeking to be king?"
"Ahh, so my birthplace really bothers you, doesn't it?"
It was a natural subject to raise. Nations existed in this world, too, meaning
that borders existed between states and peoples. Subaru didn't know how high
the barriers were, but even in a state of emergency, the throne of your own
kingdom was not something to hand to a visitor from another nation lightly.
The entire chamber held its breath as Anastasia, surrounded by the tension,
smiled wryly.
"Y'all have such high expectations, it's makin' me nervous. Unfortunately, I
don't have any high ideals like Miss Crusch, or Miss Priscilla confidence that
she's been chosen for greatness."
"Surely you are not saying…the Dragon Jewel responded to you purely by
chance?"
Faced with Miklotov's question, Anastasia stuck her tongue out and replied
casually.
"Ah-ha-ha, if it was like that even I wouldn't show my face here. 'Course I've
got a goal of my own.—You see, I'm actually real greedy."
The declaration, so at odds with what was expected, made most present
doubt their ears.
"I think I've been greedier than normal since I was teeny-tiny. The reason I
became a first-rate merchant with a nose for gold is because I want it more
than everyone else."
"You want it more?"
"As a maid at the first little company I worked for, I made a couple
suggestions to the owner and they were big hits, so I got involved in bigger and
bigger deals, and soon I was livin' so large I forgot I what it was like to be low
class. It should have been fun, but I found out I wasn't free. I was even less free
than before."
Anastasia, counting on her fingers the steps she had climbed, shook her head.
"…Mmmm. And why was that?" Miklotov asked.
"That's the scary part about greed. The more you get your hands on, the more
you wanna get your hands on. 'I want this. I want that.' It's not enough. It's
never enough—and that's when I realized it."
Anastasia grinned as she pointed toward her feet. It was clear what she was
indicating—the palace itself.
"I'm greedy, so I want anything around. But I'm not satisfied yet. I don't know
what real fulfillment feels like. So I want a country of my own."
"You are saying, you want this kingdom to weigh your greed?"
Anastasia responded to Miklotov's rebuke with a robust smile.
"Hey, if that smashes my scale to bits, smash away. I'll be real happy to have
my fill and be totally satisfied."
In other words, she was announcing that she sought the royal throne out of
her own avarice.
"But if gettin' my hands on the kingdom isn't enough… I'll probably use this
country as a stepping-stone to get even more."
"And what shall become of the kingdom if you obtain it, yet it holds no value
for you?"
"I told you, didn't I? I'm greedy. So once somethin's mine, it's mine through
thick and thin. And if I get an even stronger hankering, I use whatever I have to
satisfy it. My life in Kararagi, the Hoshin Company, and all the people who work
there, they're all part of my drive for fulfillment. I would never throw them
away. So…"
Anastasia swept her gaze over the faces of everyone in the chamber.
"—How about you just relax and become mine?"
She looked across the chamber with the same warm, gentle smile she had
initially worn.
Her way of thinking was founded on desire, but that made her argument very
simple. She wanted the throne for her own desires, and, from the day it was
hers, she'd work tirelessly for the prosperity of the kingdom. She wouldn't
throw it away, given that her personality demanded she make anything she
owned into something greater and grander than before. That was her message.
"Mmmm. Lady Anastasia has surely pressed her claim sufficiently. Do you
have anything to add, Sir Julius?"
With his master's speech concluded, it was time for the vassal to make his
case. Both had argued beforehand about the master's fitness to be king, but
Julius stepped in front and indicated Anastasia with his hand as he said, "Lady
Anastasia used the word greed to express her desires, but put another way, this
reveals the depth of emotion behind her ambition. On the other hand, from a
business point of view, she is able to make any decision without emotional
involvement, an indispensable quality in a statesman."
"Mmmm. Certainly, it is as you say."
"Furthermore, as I stated earlier, Lady Anastasia is a brilliant businesswoman
—something this kingdom desperately needs at this hour. Repeated, serious
clashes with neighboring nations—in particular, skirmishes with the Empire—
have drained our coffers; with the large famine last year, the finances of the
Kingdom of Lugunica are in a precarious state."
Faces went red as Julius abruptly touched upon the nation's dirty laundry.
"I believe such details ought not to be so lightly divulged in a public place, Sir
Julius."
"The importance of financial reconstruction to the nation has been common
knowledge for several decades now. I do not feel any reason to hide this from
those assembled here. Do you not think that the very reason the affairs of the
nation have stagnated is because we have averted our eyes from this difficult
financial state for so long?"
"So a mere knight speaks to us about political affairs beyond his purview…?"
"That's right. These affairs will affect the House of Juukulius very little. Even if
we avert our eyes, it surely will be nothing irreversible for my generation.
However, even if my house will emerge unscathed, I cannot ignore the matter
of the throne I serve falling into distress."
With veins bulging from the foreheads of the Council of Elders, Julius looked
back at Anastasia.
"However, the Hoshin Company has connected us to the extreme prosperity
enjoyed in Kararagi, bringing a fresh wind to Lugunica. I have seen for myself
that Lady Anastasia is worthy to be king if we continue along this path. What
can you call this, if not fate?"
Perhaps Julius had been overcome by fervor, for his tenor rose and his words
quickened.
"If Heaven chooses the king, then it has chosen Lady Anastasia. I, devoted to
the Royal Family, having pledged my loyalty to the kingdom, hereby declare
that Lady Anastasia is worthy of the throne.—I thank you for lending me your
ears."
Julius behaved much like a stage performer as he summarized his address for
the audience. Those attending, mesmerized by his aura, seemed to come to
their senses as they looked back upon master and vassal. Yet, even then,
Marcus's calm expression did not waver.
"Sir Julius, may I judge this sufficient?"
Julius, probably accustomed to the attitude of his superior officer, stated,
"Yes, thank you very much," and returned to Anastasia's side. "You were
splendid, Lady Anastasia. It is indeed a place such as this where your flower may
truly bloom."
"Yes, yes, you are very kind. Sheesh, you didn't need to say that. It's so
embarrassing."
A red-faced Anastasia fanned herself with a hand as she returned with Julius
to the other candidates. Now that the third candidate's camp had asserted its
claim, the next in line was—
After a brief silence, Marcus called the name of the silver-haired girl who had
kept her silence to that point.
"Then, the next candidate—Lady Emilia."
She was the only candidate lacking a knight of her own. After her name was
called, she raised her head. From the side, Subaru could see worry on her pale,
beautiful face, but, with a look of strong determination, Emilia replied.
"Yes."
She stepped forward. Her part in the royal selection had now begun.
—That was when Subaru Natsuki had a thought.