Afternoon of January 3, 2814 in the Western Continental Calendar

　A pinch of tense air dominates the audience room.
　The guards stand without the slightest movement between the crimson carpet that is laid out straight from the door to the throne.
　Behind them, the civilian and military officers are separated and aligned on either side of the carpet.
　Most of the civil servants must be noblemen with titles.
　Their clothes made of silk with plenty of gold and silver thread were brilliantly shining with large jewels scattered around them, as if to symbolize their power.
　Even so, is it because of the noble blood flowing through their bodies that their outfits do not become vulgar.......
　Even in the face of a crisis that threatens the very existence of their country, they are exerting themselves as best they can to save their face.
　The same can be said for the knights who are military officers.
　It is true that they wore armor and wore swords at their waists.
　However, the elaborate designs made by skilled craftsmen make them feel more like ornamental works of art than weapons used in battle.
(Well, if we don't dress too shabbily, it will affect the morale of the soldiers, but.......we're going to have to deal with these guys again.......)
　Ryoma admitted to some extent to their attire, but sighed inwardly.
　Based on his experience since he was summoned to this world, aside from the competent and incompetent, the higher nobles dressed in lavish clothes and having high status, the more dangerous and unworthy they were to Ryoma.......

Please proceed to the front of the room.

　Overheard by the attendant at his side, Ryoma began to slowly make his way to the throne.
(This guy again...)
　The audience room was lined with knights and nobles in a row.
　A great variety of emotions came to their faces.
　Joy, anticipation, disappointment, dismay, and ridicule.
　Roughly speaking, these five emotions were swirling around in this wide audience.
　If I had to divide them into five, I'd say the ratio of jubilation and expectation to three, and ridicule and disappointment to seven.
(It's natural to be disappointed when you're expecting reinforcements and the one who came is a young, unknown man like me.
　Unintentionally, a self-deprecating thought came to Ryoma's mind.
　However, on the other hand, the cold-hearted part of Ryoma read various information from the surrounding situation.
(The number ... is more than I thought. Is this the difference in experience between Lupis, who just inherited the throne, and the person who has been defending the throne for nearly thirty years, even if they are called mediocre?
　Even though this is a court where many different speculations intersect, the fact that people are here means that they still have influence over Julian I.
　If this was an inexperienced monarch like Lupis, then there would be a number of nobles who would be self-protective.
　In fact, in the early stages of the civil war, no nobles gathered under Lupis.
　While most knights don't have a fiefdom and live off of their employer's salary, the nobles are a group with a strong sense of independence in a sense that possesses fiefdoms, whether they are rich or not.
　Because of this, even if they maintain centralized power with the king at the top during normal times, once the king's ability to rule is questioned, the aristocrats will run to self-preservation without hesitation.
　Considering that, the current Zaruda Kingdom still had a chance.
　Of course, there would be traitors, and most of them would be waiting and watching, but on the other hand, the fact that they would be waiting and watching means that they still thought there was a chance that the Zaruda Kingdom could survive.
　It's only a small percentage of the chance.
　But the feeling of possibility is what binds these noblemen to their hearts and keeps them from leaving the palace.
　The real end will come when these noblemen will be aware of their country's defeat and will begin to defend themselves without regard to the eyes of others.
Lupis or Mertina?　(No, it could be the Earl of Bergston... or it could be the Earl of Bergston... which is ironic either way.
　Even if he couldn't control his own country, he was able to grasp the situation in the neighboring countries.
　Ryoma desperately suppressed a sneer.
　As he made his way to the throne, Ryoma noticed a cold feeling in the eyes that were looking at him.
(Price gouging........more like anger and murderous intent.......)
　Ryoma turned his head in the direction of where he felt his gaze to find the source of it.

　In a corner not far from the throne, the owners of the gaze were frozen in place.
　None of them had ever met anyone before.
　And yet, what was contained in their gaze was not contempt or ridicule, but something darker and clearer.
　If I had to express it in words, I would say hostility.
　The costumes are exceptionally luxurious in comparison to their surroundings.
　From the way they are dressed, it can be seen that they have a rather high status.
　And considering their standing, they are quite powerful........
　In fact, status and real power are not always equal.
　While there are dukes without real power, who are like ornaments, there are barons who are trusted by the king and valued as his aides.
　However, it seems that the group that turns their hostility towards Ryojin has both status and ability.
(Tsk........it's troublesome. Why doesn't it always go smoothly at all times?
　During the civil war in the Kingdom of Roselia, and the group that is in front of me right now, it seems that the person named Mikoshiba Ryoma has always been destined to be a rival to powerful nobles and authority figures.
(But that gorilla isn't here.......I think it was called Grahart or something.......)
　Resisting the urge to sigh at his own bad luck, Ryoma looked for Grahart.
　His position was the one he was most interested in right now.
　Grahardt's position during this audience should be a clear indication of his position.
　There was no sign of Graharto's face in the crowd of knights standing around.
　When Ryouma turned his gaze in the direction of the throne, he saw Graharto's figure to the left of the throne.
　Even though he was standing beside the king, he was wearing armor like the other knights and had a sword strapped to his waist.　
(Heh........that old man has a lot of trust in the king.)　　
　The figure of Grahart, standing as if to show off his large physique, reminds me of the king's shield guarding the throne.
It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what to do in the daytime, but the most suspicious thing is Elena. Three........
　The closer a person is to the throne, the stronger his voice and the higher his status.
　But it is a different story when you stand next to the throne.
　Status and ability were not enough.
　You need to be trusted by the king as much as your status and ability.
　The Kingsguard and the Knights of the Kingsguard are the king's shield and pike.
　Even so, if the king has them by his side, I can only assume that he places his trust in them.
　In terms of standing position, is it the same as Queen Lupis's Mertina and Mikhail?
　They went out of their way to send such a person to the outskirts of King's Landing to welcome Ryoma.
　It is inconceivable that Julianus I would know all the details about the person named Mikoshiba Ryoma.
　If he had such an elaborate network of information, the Kingdom of Zaruda would not be in such a bad position.
　Someone had made a proposal to the king.
　Naturally, there is some kind of aim there.

　Ryouma knelt in front of the empty throne and waited, steeling himself to wait.
　We just sit back and wait for the king, who is rumored to be mediocre, to show himself...


Welcome, my friend. You've come a long way.

　A calm voice called out from above Ryoma's head as he knelt in front of the throne.

''Ha!''

Well, no need to get all huffy. I want to see the face of a young hero, the pride of Roselia. You are not a nobleman of Zaruda. Can you make it easier for me?

　Following his words, Ryojin looked up and saw the figure of an old man with a rich white beard in his eyes.
　He wore a red silk cloak, and above his head was a gold crown adorned with a brilliant, large diamond that proved the old man's identity.
His face is calm, with deep wrinkles etched into it.
　His blue eyes had an intelligent light in them.
　He was not a large man of stature.
　Although I can't know the exact number because he is sitting on a throne, I can vaguely see his medium height body.
　However, the atmosphere the old man wears is unmistakably the dignity of a ruler.
　The noble blood that has been passed down from generation to generation and the proven track record of surviving as a ruler of a kingdom for decades.
　These blend together and intimidate Ryojin's body.

　Certainly, Julian I's reign was not notable for its achievements.
　His own reputation would be neither acceptable nor unacceptable.
　However, the fact that he has maintained the territory he inherited during a time of warfare with no end in sight may itself be proof that he is not ordinary.

''Mm, Elena-dono told me about it beforehand, but.......I see.

　Julianus I smiles serenely.
(I knew Elena-san sent you...)
　At the king's words, Ryoma grasped one fact.
　As expected, a close relationship had been established between the King of Zaruda and Elena.

The threat of the Oltomere Empire has pushed our country to the point where we are now at an impossibility.

　At those words, Ryoma nodded wordlessly.

''But now that reinforcements have arrived from the two countries of Mist Roselia, I think this is an opportune time to retake the land, but what do you think of your idea?''

　At Julianus I's words, as if he were testing him, Ryoushin quietly shook his head.
　Certainly, Mist, now that the reinforcements sent by Roselia have arrived, it looks like an opportunity to bet on the rise and fall.
　In fact, many people standing in this audience room were waiting for the arrival of the reinforcements and hoping for a decisive battle.

''Ho........you think this is not an opportune time?''

This is not to say that this is not a good time, but it is not an opportunity either. I will examine the information we have gathered so far and assess the situation, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

　A thud arose from among the nobles, and the hostility that had been directed at Ryojin grew even sharper.
　Was it simple animosity, or was it for some reason.....
　All the people standing in this hall were swallowed up by Ryoma's attitude as he openly spoke his opinion in response to the king's question.



　The strong gaze of Julianus, who sits on the throne, shoots through Ryoma's eyes.
　His eyes are sharp, as if he is trying to see into the depths of his heart.
　Before he knew it, the throbbing disappeared and silence reigned in the audience room.
(Unshakable eyes...)
　Julianus I felt a solid will inside in Ryoma's eyes.
　There was steel in the shape of a man.
(What kind of life would allow him to have eyes like this at such a young age?)
　Julian I knew two people who possessed the same eyes as this young man who looked back at his own gaze proudly before him.
　One was the now deceased General Belhareth, who was the patron god of the Kingdom of Zaruda.
　And the other was Elena Steiner, who was heralded as the 【White God of War of Roselia】.
　The light that dwells only in those who have the absolute within themselves and are convinced of it.　

''Very well ... I would like to ask you to lend your power to our country with Lord Elena.

　The probing sharpness disappears before long, and a gentle light returns to Julian I's eyes.

''I will do my best, albeit in a very small way, and I will certainly give the Kingdom of Zaruda the victory.

　Ryouma quietly hangs his head and vows his victory in front of the king.

''Mm, I'm counting on you...''

Please wait!

　Just as Julianus I nodded in satisfaction at Ryoushin's reply, a man shook off the guards' restraint and advanced to the front of the throne.