Chapter 104 - Chapter 17: Test #3 (1/2)

Chapter 104 - Chapter 17: Test #3

After In-gong, who had the highest priority, made his selection, it was Felicia’s turn.

”6th Princess, please make your selection.”

Isabella said with a gentle smile, but there was some pressure in it.

Telling them to make a choice with almost no time to think...

This was one of the ways of evaluating the demon king’s children, with regards to things like their judgment and determination.

After looking at the map for a moment, Felicia glanced at the pitiful-looking Silvan, then turned to In-gong. She sighed and made a decision,

”As you know, I’m more like a civil servant rather than a military officer. So, instead of taking an area directly, I will take on the role of supporting 9th Prince and go to Evian.”

Unlike her energetic personality, her voice was clear and calm.

Felicia finished speaking and glanced up at the demon king. The demon king didn’t speak directly but nodded to give permission to Felicia.

Felicia had never heard her name being called, but she was satisfied about that small exchange with the demon king. Stealthily, she pressed a hand against her chest to check her heart.

Chris looked at Felicia. She noticed Chris’ gaze and the two people exchanged glances that showed their intentions.

Silvan’s present condition wasn’t that good, so Felicia wanted to embrace and comfort him.

However, she couldn’t do so because this was the court gathering. While thinking about this, Felicia stepped back.

Silvan would recover soon. So, she should think about something else and not about sticking to Silvan.

Felicia didn’t follow In-gong because she wanted to work with him.

Of course, she wanted such a thing inside her heart, but that wasn’t the main reason.

Due to the return of the group and the sword duke’s intervention, In-gong hadn’t made a declaration, but he was recognized as the leader of the fourth faction.

In-gong needed support. Putting aside combat power, Felicia and Chris were the only ones able to assist In-gong in the political field.

However, Chris was a warrior. It was unnatural to say he would go with In-gong when he had a combat power comparable to Silvan’s. That would be an excessive waste of combat power and the Demon King’s Palace wouldn’t accept it.

She didn’t know why In-gong had picked Evian, but she would follow him. After all, they had been together since the Red Lightning Tribe.

After Felicia made her decision, knowing gazes were passed between the people gathered in the hall. It was widely known that Felicia had decided to help In-gong.

”From now on, the selection order will be decided based on the merits accumulated in the Merits Department. 2nd Prince, please make a selection.”

Isabella gazed at Zephyr with gentle eyes. Zephyr then gazed at Evian for a moment, then turned toward the north.

“I will go to Haragal.”

Many people nodded calmly at the 2nd Prince’s declaration.

Haragal was as close to the Northern Limit Line as possible and was regularly attacked by violent creatures. Haragal’s degree of difficulty was higher than Evian’s, never lower.

Of course, nobody could be sure that there would be an actual attack on the area predicted by the Demon King’s Palace or even about the scale of the enemies that would appear.

However, from the outset, Haragal was an important land. Haragal’s land itself wasn’t rich, but there were abundant resources underground including the papunil, that was called the vein of the Demon World.

Haragal was the shield that protected the papunil.

So, 2nd Prince’s choice was expected. If there truly was an attack, then it was the area where the greatest merits could be gained.

‘It is the next best thing since Zephyr was looking at Evian earlier.’

Since In-gong had first opened his eyes in Carack’s barracks, he had been good at reading things.

When In-gong selected Evian, Zephyr clearly had a different reaction from usual. It was difficult to explain, but In-gong was able to sense it.

Zephyr seemed to be pursuing Evian as well.

If so, why? When looked at objectively, Evian wasn’t a good choice.

‘General Vandal.’

The name surfaced reflexively, but In-gong was certain. So, it was good that he sensed it.

Zephyr also seemed to be looking to bring in General Vandal.

In Knight Saga, Zephyr had been able to defeat Vandal at the end of his second year, Year 514. However, that had been in Knight Saga.

It was estimated that this Zephyr was much stronger than the Zephyr of Knight Saga. So, it was possible for the current Zephyr to beat Vandal.

As an adult, Zephyr was able to move freely and choose his own missions just like Silvan and Felicia. However, it wasn’t possible for him to meet with military personnel any time he wanted.

So, maybe Zephyr thought about using this situation as an opportunity.

‘It is quite plausible. Then shouldn’t I hurry and get Nayatra and Sektum as well?’

They had been his three favourite subordinates in Knight Saga.

Succubus Knight Nayatra, the Worst Necromancer Sektum and the Ogre Warrior Vandal...

‘I have to hurry and visit the slave auction house where Nayatra is. It is necessary to secure Nayatra before securing Sektum.’

Caitlin’s birth secret had been the beginning of the lycanthrope subjugation.

The one who had obtained this information had been Nayatra. There was no guarantee that she would get the information, but he had to block Zephyr from acquiring her.

While In-gong was thinking, 1st Prince Baikal made his choice. Baikal also made a sensible choice.

Next, 4th Princess Anastasia made her decision. Her choice didn’t overlap with In-gong’s, Zephyr’s or Baikal’s.

3rd Prince Victor chose to support Anastasia and the demon king allowed it.

From In-gong to Anastasia, the leaders of each faction chose different areas and there were now only two areas left unselected.

”5th Prince, please make your selection.”

Silvan jumped at Isabella’s call and chose a place close to Evian.As there had been no abnormality when In-gong, Zephyr and the others made the selections, he had managed to restore most of his composure.

Now, there was only one area left and Chris and Caitlin, the siblings, had the opportunity to choose.

Everyone thought they knew what the lycanthrope siblings would choose, so they thought there would be nothing else worth seeing.

Chris would choose the remaining area and Caitlin would follow.

It wasn’t a bad thing. This was a good but reasonable choice.

However, Chris just laughed and exchanged glances with Caitlin who nodded.

“I will go to Kaltu.”

Chris said the name of the remaining area.

The selections were now as good as over. Isabella turned to Caitlin with a gentle expression.

”8th Princess, please make your selection.”

“I will go to Evian.”

”I understand. Evian... huh?”

Isabella cried out involuntarily. Gellahed, who was standing with the other captains, also looked at Caitlin with confused eyes.

Caitlin took a deep breath and spoke calmly,

“9th Prince Shutra is still young compared to the other princes and princesses. 6th Princess is helping, but 6th Princess is a scholar and not a warrior. I am inexperienced as well, but I am a warrior. So, I think I would make a decent balance with 9th Prince and 6th Princess.”

Her words were reasonable.

9th Prince had only started to stand out a few months ago.

Moreover, the Demon King’s Palace didn’t yet know In-gong’s real strength, so they didn’t think he would be stronger than Caitlin.

Isabella, who thought Caitlin was going to follow Chris, looked at the demon king with a puzzled faced. The demon king nodded again to express his permission.

It was a reasonable decision. From the beginning, the Demon King’s Palace had thought Caitlin would go with Chris. However, Chris was much stronger than In-gong. So, there was no reason to refuse to let her accompany In-gong when they would have allowed her to accompany Chris.