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Volume 7 Chapter 2 Part 3

He then looked at other Lords, waiting for them to express their approval to what he just said.

It was a clear declaration of intent from the King of Clovis, who was always so cautious that he was described as slow because of it. Back when Clovis was still supporting the Factory Alliance, he was supposed to be on the Electoral Council, so it was obvious what he was trying to do now: he was trying to limit Theo’s ability to become the leader of the entire Artuk Treaty.

The reason behind that was actually pretty simple: for someone like Alfred, who was born to a family that was Lords for generations, it would be humiliating to follow the rule of someone who was a commoner who only became a Lord quite recently. Theo’s youthful age might be another reason for Alfred’s resistance against him.

「Didn’t you already approve that matter at the previous Lord’s Conference? I believe everything has been written in the record of the proceedings that I’ve handed to everyone before this meeting.

King of Kirchs said, dissatisfied.

When they arrived at the castle, Siluca has also been handed a copy of them. She skimmed through them, and found that every public utterance he made was recorded with precision, word for word, and comments were added to any statements that were difficult to understand. Even his unofficial statements were written in detail on the margins.

In Kirch’s home country, it seems that the successor of their late Theater King is called the 「Scribe King」. That’s because he loves to record things, and even though he is the Lord sitting on the throne, he is always seen with a pen and paper in his hands.

「Isn’t that something you created based on your memory? 」

Alfred snorted. The Dalaras family is a prestigious family, but their current title is only that of a Baron. For Alfred, he doesn’t seem to be someone worthy of his respect

「I remember everything he said at that meeting. If you’d like, I’d like you to retell it to you all from the very beginning. 」

「You might if you want, but I wonder if you’ll be able to perform as good as your father could? 」

Alfred said as he squinted his eyes.

「I’m not interested in theater. I’ll just read it out loud. 」

Then he started talking quickly about the last meeting. It was certainly an accurate reproduction. It was as if he had a supernatural ability on par with an Art that cou;d’ve been carved on his brain.

「I admire your memory, Lord Yorg. However, everything that’s been said at that meeting was about the past, and since we’re in the present now, shouldn’t we be discussing the future of the Treaty at this meeting? 」

Edochia, the Immoral Queen of Haman, interrupted the Scribe King’s words as she marched into the hall while swaying her hips seductively.

She was showing even more skin than at the last meeting. Laura Hadley, who became her contracted magician, followed by her side in similarly revealing attire.

(Laura-senpai…)

Siluca didn’t know what she was thinking inside, but in her opinion it suits her because she has a good style. However, maybe it was because of her age or the difference in experience, but she didn’t find her to be as bewitching as Edochia was.

「Do you have any opinions that you wish to share, Edochia? 」

Siluca had no intention of intentionally leading the meeting, so she urges the Queen to continue speaking if she really had some thoughts that she wanted to share with everyone else.

「When Dartania’s Viceroy Milza first invaded, Lord Lassic was the one who repelled him. And since the battle with Dartania is finally about to get serious, I would like Lord Lassic to continue to take command. 」

Edochia smiled as she put a finger to her lips.

「Lady Edochia, weren’t you the one who said that if Lord Theo manages to fulfill his promise and liberates Sistina within a year and returns to the continent, you would recognize his as the leader of the Artuk Treaty and subordinate yourself to him? 」

Yorg pointed out. Siluca also remembered her saying that during their previous meeting. However, that remark was probably because she didn’t think Theo would actually fulfill his promise.

「Of course I remember that. My feelings from back then didn’t change and remain the same, but you do have to admit that our current situation is different to how it was back then. 」

Edochia said while titling her head, and Yorg raised his brows.

「Given our current situation, I also think that it would be risky to change the system with which the things are currently ran within the Treaty. 」

Eret made a statement in support of Edochia, and the Earl of Regalia nodded in approval as well.

(Looks like Lord Serge has become completely dependent on his contracted Mage, huh?)

Siluca let out a bitter smile in her heart.

Of course, in her early days, she was very docile towards Theo, but even so, every now and then she had those moments where she went too far with certain ideas, and it tend to get them into all sorts of trouble. If her adoptive father were on their side, she would probably constantly be lectured by him for it.

She waited a while, but said nothing else. It felt like there was an air of relief flowing through the hall. Many people seem to acknowledge Theo’s great accomplishments, but wanted to keep Lassic as the Artuk Treaty’s leader at the same time, and that is what Siluca was expecting to some extent.

Siluca then looked at Theo. He had a refreshing look on his face, almost as if he has made up his mind about something.

「I agree with Lord Alfred’s opinion. I am responsible for Baron Eugen’s death. 」

Theo said in a voice that carried clearly from every corner of the hall.

「So… so you admit it? Just like that? 」

Moreno couldn’t help but ask that. Siluca felt the same way in her heart. Once responsibility is acknowledged, it remains a fact.

For a moment, she thought that he was going to agree that Lassic should continue to be the Leader of the Artuk Treaty, but then she remembered that Theo’s dream is to see Alexis Ducet and Marine Kraische finally getting married to one another so that the Artuk Treaty, Factory Alliance and Fantasia Union could finally be at peace, but in order for that to happen, he needs to become the leader of the Artuk Treaty so that Artuk could finally become independent from the Fantasia Union.

(There is no way that Lord Theo is going to give up on his dreams just like that.)

Knowing this, Siluca quietly waited for Theo’s next statement. Not only Siluca, but everyone in the hall was paying attention to Theo. Everyone knew how serious that statement was going to be.

Theo made a somber expression and moved closer to Edochia.

「When Lord Eugen passed away, I received a call from Lady Deadri, the Baron’s wife and contracted Mage. According to her, in his last words, he was asking me to take care of Artuk. I guess that for him, that was supposed to be his way of taking responsibility for his own death. 」

Theo paused for a moment before he opened his mouth again.

「Therefore, I would like to invade Artuk and defeat Milza the Viceroy of Daltania, and make driving him out of Artuk for good. This will be my way of making amends to Lord Eugen for not being there for him when he needed me the most. 」

Theo said, and he looked around at the people gathered in the gathering hall with him.

「Of course, I won’t be able to do it alone. Which is why I want to ask you all for your help. 」

「Does this mean we are finally going to defeat Viceroy Milza and take back Artuk? 」

Eret tried to confirm with Theo.

「If Lord Serge approves of it. 」

Theo turned to Eret and nodded slowly. Originally, it was the role of Serge, the current head of the Constance family, to recapture Artuk from Dartania.

「I can’t beat Milza myself. I’m more than aware of that. 」

Serge said while lowering his face. The other day, when Dartania’s army invaded, they suffered a crushing defeat.

「So you admit it just like that as well? 」

Moreno spoke again.

「That’s what makes Lord Serge so terrifying. That’s not something that your average Lord would be able to admit so readily. 」

Lassic muttered to Moreno.

「Doesn’t he have even an ounce of pride? 」

「Many Lords have perished because of that. Things like that are of no use while you’re alive. You just use it as an excuse when you die. 」