Anastasia, with her soft purple wavy hair flowing down her back, stood confidently.

Next to her was the suave knight Julius, his dark purple hair meticulously styled.

Although the two of them stood out as an impressive pair in their aristocratic elegance, Subaru couldn’t help but feel anxious about whether there would be similar eccentric characters following after such unique individuals.

It seemed that Subaru’s concerns were shared by those around him, as the glances directed toward the two stepping forward were thick with uncertainty and tension right from the start.

In the hall, where that uncomfortable tension hung in the air, Anastasia drew everyone’s attention first.

“If you’re expecting a strong personality like the last two, it’s a bit much for me. I’m actually not very welcomed because I’m too strong-willed; I pride myself on being somewhat unremarkable.”

With a clapping of hands, she shook everyone’s consciousness and flashed a gentle smile for all to see.

Anastasia’s smile slightly eased the formerly strange atmosphere that had filled the hall. A few coughs echoed as many in the audience seemed embarrassed by their previous tension.

Satisfied with the reactions, Anastasia nodded and said, “Then, I—Anastasia Hoshin, shall make a few words. I ask for your understanding as an outsider.”

She brought her hands together and tilted her head ever so slightly, charming those present.

With her earlier lines and the way she skillfully orchestrated the audience’s reactions, she certainly had the air of a shrewd woman.

And then Julius chimed in, “I am Julius Euclius, Anastasia-sama’s knight. Leave the support to me. I shall uphold you gracefully.”

With a light gesture to his bangs, Julius made a grand show of himself in an unnecessarily refined way.

It was clear now that the “unremarkable” claim was nothing but false advertising.

Yet, what continued to concern Subaru was Anastasia’s jarringly out-of-place manner of speaking in this other world.

For Subaru, who was raised in Kanto, it wasn’t a dialect he was particularly familiar with, but it was one he’d hear at least once a day on television. Despite the indistinct performance of the translation, it still seemed quite impressive.

Nodding in appreciation of the unseen translation function, Subaru observed as the discussions progressed. Microtoff, touching his long beard, addressed Anastasia, “Is your unique way of speaking a trait of someone from Kararagi?”

“That’s correct. I hail from the lower levels of the free trading cities in Kararagi,” she replied.

“I see, from the lower district… So what connection do you have with Lugnica?”

As Anastasia spoke of her origins, Microtoff’s eyes narrowed slightly.

If “lower district” meant the same in Lugnica, it suggested that Anastasia’s status was that of a commoner. Or perhaps she was even lower, as the word implied.

In that case, her splendid attire might have been provided by Julius. Yet she wore it comfortably, showcasing bravery before such esteemed figures as the Council of Sages.

As Subaru pondered these questions internally, Anastasia shrugged off the sharp gazes directed at her with a cool demeanor, saying, “While I come from the lower districts, I now properly own a mansion in the capital. I also own several shops in various other cities. I came to visit Lugnica regarding that matter.”

“The Hoshin Trading Company, led by her, is rapidly expanding. It has recently begun negotiations to set up shop in Lugnica, which is how I came to have a connection with Anastasia-sama,” Julius added.

Hearing this, Microtoff nodded in understanding.

“A young merchant who has risen from the lower districts to establish herself, while showcasing her business acumen at such a young age,” he reflected.

“Kararagi is great in that it offers opportunities even to a young girl like me. It’s amusing to think that I seem to possess a talent for sniffing out money,” Anastasia boasted, touching her shapely nose.

Subaru observed how the statement sent ripples of unease through the crowd—especially among the bureaucrats. While Subaru had vaguely interpreted it as a kind of alchemical rise to wealth, it didn’t seem as simple to them.

Though Subaru wasn’t well-versed in the deep-seated divide between commoners and nobles, it was evident that Anastasia had transcended a wall that most wouldn’t dare to breach.

In the buzzing Throne Room, Anastasia spoke modestly of her accomplishments. To elevate her further, Julius stepped forward, adding, “In Lugnica as well, with the cooperation of the Euclius family, the Hoshin Trading Company shall expand its influence. Remarkably, this thriving enterprise spanning two nations has been established by Anastasia-sama in just a few short years.”

By her looks, Anastasia appeared relatively young—likely around twenty—yet just thinking about when she had discovered her own business talents made it clear that she was a monster in the economic world.

“She is a genius in business and, to put it bluntly, a prodigy. Her talents are not limited by her appearance…. I mean, her age. Her eye for opportunity and ability to motivate people are qualities I deeply envy as a mere commoner,” Julius concluded.

“That’s high praise, coming from the best knight of all,” Microtoff responded, nodding indulgently. However, Subaru, listening nearby, couldn’t quite accept such sentiments.

Subaru scratched his head at Microtoff’s earlier proclamation. “Did I just hear you say the best knight?”

In the current situation where each knight stood beside their respective candidate, the only person available to answer Subaru’s query was Reinhardt, still standing in line.

He turned his attention toward Subaru and said, “That’s right. Among the Royal Guard of the Lugnica Kingdom, barring Captain Marcos, Julius is the highest ranked. There is a vice-captain, but they mostly serve in name only, so it’s practically an empty office.”

Looking at Captain Marcos, Reinhardt returned his gaze to Julius, who was basking in the spotlight.

“With skills in swordsmanship and mana control, Julius is undeniably fit to be called the best knight,” Reinhardt affirmed.

“But in the streets, you’re more often referred to as ‘the knight among knights,’ weren’t you? Your name got around quite a bit, and you never seemed to deny it,” Subaru retorted.

“There’s a difference between that nickname and actual ability. It’s true I might be stronger than Julius in terms of swordsmanship, but I’ve yet to meet someone stronger than me,” Reinhardt claimed casually, prompting Subaru to feel a little vexed by such a casual declaration of being the strongest.

“But the world isn’t that simple; mastery of the sword alone won’t solve everything. If you evaluate things holistically, I fall significantly short of Julius… I would say the same for Felix as well,” Reinhardt explained.

“That’s a confusing self-assessment…”

“I don’t feel I’m overestimating or underestimating myself. My abilities are simply limited to what I can do, and those who can accomplish what I can’t are deserving of respect—both for you and for them,” he concluded.

“Setting aside the self-evaluation talk, you’re definitely overestimating others too much.”

At the very least, Subaru didn’t believe he had shown enough merit to receive such sincere endorsement from Reinhardt. He was very much aware of his own mediocrity and felt his past actions had only resulted in ordinary outcomes.

Thus, engaging in a conversation with Reinhardt—who looked at him as if saying, “You’re truly amazing!”—only made Subaru feel awkward, like an itch in a place that couldn’t be reached.

“But still, to say such things while looking someone in the eye, you handsome devil. Be careful, or you might just end up on my route,” Subaru warned jokingly.

“I’m not certain what you mean by that, but I’ll take it as a compliment,” Reinhardt replied.

“Not really aiming to please the otaku demographic here,” Subaru huffed, cutting off the banter a bit too abruptly. Meanwhile, the discussions between the best knight and the council’s leaders continue.

“I understand the good relationship between the Euclius family and Anastasia-sama. Hmm, then, I would like to ask Anastasia-sama a question,” Microtoff stated.

“Finally, it’s my turn. Julius tends to overshadow me, so I’m having a bit of a struggle here. Feel free to ask anything,” Anastasia replied, smiling warmly as Microtoff returned the gesture with an amiable nod.

Suddenly, Microtoff’s eyes sharpened just a bit. “Then let me ask—Anastasia-sama, as a citizen of Kararagi, what are your reasons for aiming for the throne of this Lugnica Kingdom?”

“Oh, you’re curious about my origins?” Anastasia said, fidgeting with the tips of her purple hair.

In that moment, Subaru finally grasped the underlying intent of Microtoff’s question. Essentially, they were pointing out that there would be complications inviting Anastasia—who hailed from another nation—to become a ruler of their own kingdom.

While this point was somewhat obvious, it still bore mentioning. With nations existing, there are naturally divides among them. How steep the barriers are remains uncertain, but during a crisis, it would be unlikely to easily concede the throne to an outsider from another country.

Even if one claimed to have the qualifications, realistically, it would be impossible for a Japanese person to become President of the United States; more so, the citizens forming the nation would never accept it.

Qualifications have been confirmed, alongside her legitimacy. So then, the next question is, why does she desire to be queen? Just as Crusch and Priscilla had shared their reasons, Anastasia was similarly expected to expound her motives.

The whole hall held its breath, waiting for her words. Amidst the tension, Anastasia smiled faintly and said, “Honestly, being expected like this makes me nervous. Unfortunately, I do not possess the admirable ideals of Crusch, nor the grand confidence of Priscilla that I am chosen to fulfill that role.”

“So you won’t say it’s simply because the Dragon showed a reaction to you?” Microtoff pressed.

“If that were the case, I wouldn’t be here at all. Of course, I have my own objectives,” Anastasia replied with a chuckle, taking a brief pause before continuing.

“—Well, I actually have a bit of a greedy streak compared to others.”

She stated this with a carefree expression, prompting many in the audience to look perplexed at this unexpectedly candid admission. Receiving such reactions, Anastasia nodded cheerfully.

“Since my origins dictate it, I suppose I’ve had an unusual level of desire since I was young. After all, I believe that becoming a merchant at least in part stems from my strong obsession over money rather than just a knack for sniffing it out.”

Coming from a lower background, Anastasia revealed her past, which, if taken at face value, would suggest she had once lived in a situation much like Felt’s, struggling through each day. Given the challenging environment, it was easy to imagine how her character had formed into someone as cunning as Felt.

Glancing over, Subaru noticed the slightly lost and displeased face of Felt among the candidates, which led him to subtly sidle behind Reinhardt. As Subaru moved, their eyes collided, and Felt shot him a disgusted look, while Reinhardt returned a fiercely bright smile.

“Desire can be frightening; once you start looking higher, it becomes endless. First, it was about the money for today’s meal, then tomorrow’s, and then a week’s worth. I wanted a secure place to sleep under a roof, a bed, a softer bed,” Anastasia recounted.

Counting her wishes on her fingers, she raised the bar slowly but surely.

“Initially, I was an errand girl for a small trading company, but when I began to voice my thoughts on the employees’ methods, it turned out to be quite a hit. After a few successful deals, I was entrusted with much larger transactions, and it became so much easier to forget about my past in the lower district. However, even though my life improved, I wasn’t free… no, I became even more constrained.”

“…Hmm. And why is that?” Microtoff asked.

“That’s the terrifying thing about desire. With more things within my reach, the number of things I wanted grew as well. I want this, I want that, none are sufficient, all of them are lacking—before I knew it, I ended up here,” she smiled, pointing at her feet.

It was clear that this wasn’t merely a check for standing, but reference to the royal castle. She went on to gesture toward the other candidates, saying, “I’m greedy, so I want it all. But I never feel fulfilled. I do not know real satisfaction. That’s why I want my own kingdom.”

“Talking about the kingdom as if it’s just something to add to your pile of desires?” Microtoff commented.

“If that breaks my balance, then I welcome it. If it doesn’t fit in my vessel, that means I’m fulfilled,” Anastasia replied firmly to Microtoff’s cautionary statement.

She clearly stated her reasons for wanting the throne, driven by her own “desire,” along with the commitment to strive for the prosperity of her kingdom if she were to obtain it.

She conveyed her character traits in earnest—she wouldn’t abandon what she obtains, nor would she stop pushing it to greater heights once she had it.

“Alright then, I understand. Anastasia-sama’s arguments are sufficient. Therefore, does knight Julius have anything to add?” Microtoff said.

Once the leader’s speech ended, it was time for the expected appeal from the subordinates.

While the previous two lauded their master’s mental fortitude, Julius stepped forward, saying, “While Anastasia-sama used the mundane term ‘desire,’ it also reflects her ambition and depth of emotion. On the flip side, she also has the option to not be driven by emotion as a manager. Such traits are essential for a ruler.”

“Indeed, that makes sense,” Microtoff nodded.

“Moreover, as I previously mentioned, Anastasia-sama’s business acumen—this prodigious talent is something the current kingdom desperately needs. Due to prior kings’ military expenses and mismanagement, the Lugnica Kingdom now faces severe financial hardships.”

Julius’s statement struck the audience with a jolt, causing one of the elder members of the Council of Sages to grimace as he looked down at the youthful knight. “This isn’t something to speak of lightly in public, knight Julius.”

“The fact that restoring finances has been a significant issue for our state is common knowledge. I see no need to conceal it in front of the people gathered here. If national ventures are stagnating, isn’t it a consequence of ignoring such problems?” Julius said firmly, cutting off the flustered elder.

“A mere knight dares to meddle in national matters…”

“More importantly,” Julius continued, shaking his finger lightly as he interrupted the elder.

“Our family, the Euclius household, hasn’t directly suffered. If we continued to ignore and obscure the matter, then it might have been a problem that could have been overlooked during my term. However, even though our family is safe, I cannot turn a blind eye to the royal family’s suffering.”

With this, he directed his focus back to Anastasia. “We intended to build connections with the flourishing Hoshin Trading Company in Kararagi to invite new winds to Lugnica. In the process of this endeavor, I perceive the qualities of a ruler in Anastasia-sama. Is this not fate?”

Perhaps fueled by passion, Julius’s rhetoric rose and began to flow more smoothly. With grand gestures, he spoke as if he were a stage actor, exclaiming, “If it is fate chosen by the heavens, then it is none other than Anastasia-sama. I swear my loyalty to the royal family and my dedication to the kingdom—Anastasia-sama is undeniably worthy of the throne. —Thank you for your attention.”

As he noticed the audience engrossed in his speech, he concluded with a bow.

The previously still hall suddenly began to flow with air again, and everyone snapped back to reality, newly digesting the assertions of the third master-servant pair.

Yet amidst it all, only Captain Marcos remained unperturbed.

“Knight Julius, we can consider that enough,” he said flatly, accepting and dismissing Julius’s impassioned speech.

Julius seemed accustomed to such a nonchalant response from his superior, gracefully replying, “Thank you very much,” while moving back to Anastasia’s side.

“You did splendidly, Anastasia-sama. After all, you are a flower that blooms beautifully in settings like this,” he praised.

“I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve been overshadowed by Julius. He complimented me so much that it’s hard to get mad,” Anastasia replied, sharing a laugh as both returned to the line of candidates.

And thus, the third candidate’s group concluded their presentation, with the next up being…

“Now, the next candidate—Emilia-sama.”

After a moment of silence, the name of the silver-haired girl, who had maintained her tranquility, echoed through the air.

Amongst the candidates, she was the only one without a knight at her side.

Raising her head at the sound of her name, the beauty of her pale visage was marked with anxiety but also a strong determination.

“Yes,” Emilia stepped forward.

Her royal selection was about to commence.

—At that moment, Natsuki Subaru realized.