"I understand that the Captain wants to finish talking quickly,"
The purple-haired girl in a white dress tilted her head, her tone gentle, even carrying a bit of a coquettish accent.
"But I'm also very busy. In Kararagi, there's an old saying that 'Time is as precious as money,' you know?"
After saying that, she tucked away the still-glowing insignia, a gorgeous and somewhat playful smile appearing on her face.
"Instead of repeating those words we've already heard so many times, I'd rather hear the real reason why we were called here in such a hurry."
Tsukasa looked at the girl, whose arrogance rivaled his own, and muttered unhappily under his breath, "This girl... I haven't heard enough yet."
"Brother."
Al, who was in front, immediately turned his head and whispered a reminder, "That is the head of the Kararagi Merchant Guild, Anastasia Hoshin."
"Kararagi Merchant Guild?" Tsukasa was a bit unfamiliar with the term.
"It's a bit long to explain."
Al quickly added, "She is also one of the Royal Selection Candidates. As for her knight, that's the purple-haired Royal Guard over there—Julius Juukulius."
Tsukasa's gaze immediately shifted to Julius.
The purple-haired knight seemed to have a few dark lines on his forehead, but he still maintained a straight posture and a solemn expression.
So it's him.
Tsukasa nodded understandingly.
To be able to take care of such a master... it seems this purple-haired guy's temperament and training are not bad.
Unlike Tsukasa, Subaru, standing at the front of the line, felt a storm of emotions churning within.
Wait... that accent? Could she really be from Osaka? No, if she were really a traveler from another world, she would definitely recognize the modern clothes I'm wearing. Could it be the person behind her?
Countless questions swirled in his head, making him desperate to go back and discuss with Tsukasa what exactly was going on with this "Kararagi."
Just then—
"That makes sense."
Another female voice rang out, clear and dignified, standing out in the slightly restless hall.
The one with her arms crossed, nodding in agreement with Anastasia, was the green-haired woman in a military uniform.
"That is the current head of the Karsten Family, Crusch Karsten."
Before Tsukasa could ask, Al once again beat him to the introduction.
"Crusch-sama... for the head of the Karsten Family to say such a thing is a bit..."
"While adhering to etiquette is important, it is also a fact that time is limited."
Crusch's voice was calm and certain. "We should get straight to the point and explain the reason for summoning us. Although... I have already made some guesses about the reason."
Marcos showed a hint of helplessness upon hearing this.
Crusch closed one eye and looked toward the seats of the Council of Wise Men with her other sharp eye.
Miklotov, under her gaze, let out a long sigh and said in an appreciative tone, "As expected of the head of the Karsten House. So, do you already understand the significance of this summons?"
"Yes."
Crusch nodded solemnly and announced her speculation in a grand tone, "Miklotov-sama, it's to hold a banquet, right? Although we will eventually compete with each other, we are not yet familiar with one another. As long as we drink together at the same table and exchange toasts, we will naturally come to understand each other's character."
"No, that is not the case."
Miklotov hastily interrupted her overly "bright" speculation.
"Pfft."
A short, muffled laugh suddenly sounded from a corner.
Crusch's brow immediately furrowed. She turned her head, her sharp gaze sweeping across the direction where Tsukasa and Al were.
After looking back and forth a few times and finding no obvious laugher, her gaze finally fixed on the cat-eared boy not far from her.
"Ferris..."
Her voice carried a clear sense of helplessness. "This seems a bit different from what we agreed upon."
"Oh, stop it. Honestly..."
Felix immediately acted coquettishly in a cloyingly sweet voice, his cat ears twitching in sync. "I just saw a lot of delicious food and drinks being sent into the castle, so I just casually said, 'Maybe there'll be a banquet' That was all."
"I see..."
Crusch fell silent for a moment, then frankly admitted her mistake with a slight nod.
"It was my misunderstanding. I'm sorry for doubting you."
Watching this master-servant dialogue that resembled a comedy routine, Tsukasa bit the inside of his lip to keep from laughing out loud.
Beside him, Al nudged him gently with his shoulder and said in a low, serious tone, "While it really is funny, we are professionally trained, brother. Please be sure to hold it in."
'Should I say she's broad-minded or just too naive?' Tsukasa thought to himself.
This incredible conversation was truly amusing.
At that moment, Crusch, having regained her composure, faced forward and let out a soft breath.
"That is all. Please disregard my previous statement regarding the banquet."
Her tone was still steady, but if one listened closely, a very faint hint of embarrassment could be detected.
"Oh, stop it. Crusch-sama."
Beside her, Felix immediately cupped his cheeks, his eyes sparkling. "The way you frankly admit your mistake is just too manly."
Felix was currently cupping his face, his body swaying slightly in an enchanted manner. He seemed completely unconcerned about having conveyed false information to his master. His attitude even made one feel he had done it on purpose.
"Ehehe."
The girl with the unique accent, Anastasia, clapped her hands, bringing the topic back.
"Even if Crusch-san withdraws her statement, my opinion hasn't changed. By now, isn't everyone already crystal clear on the usual platitudes of the Royal Selection? Right?"
She looked at the other Royal Selection Candidates for agreement.
Crusch nodded in silence, while Priscilla let out a light snort of contempt from her nose, clearly dismissive. Only Emilia hesitantly raised her hand slightly.
"I think... we should finish listening." Her voice wasn't loud, carrying her usual gentleness and persistence.
"I'm sorry."
Anastasia immediately turned to her. Although a smile still hung on her face, her tone suddenly cooled, becoming direct and cold.
"I wasn't asking for your opinion."
These words were like an icicle, piercing into the already delicate atmosphere.
Emilia's body stiffened slightly, and a clear look of pain flashed across her profile.
Subaru, standing at the front of the knight line, immediately caught Emilia's pain. Her eyes sharpened, and she took a deep breath, about to step forward.
"Ahem!"
A deliberately emphasized, clear cough rang out faster than he could move, breaking the momentary stagnation.
Everyone's gaze was immediately drawn toward it. There, standing in the line behind Priscilla, was a stranger "knight" dressed in a white uniform, lowering the hand he had used to cover his mouth.
His voice rang out clearly throughout the hall. Though his tone was composed, it was highly targeted. "Although I personally would like to get to the main topic quickly as well."
He paused, his head turning slightly, seemingly sweeping across Anastasia's direction.
"But I believe that as a member of the Royal Selection Candidates, one should at least have basic etiquette. At the very least, one should have the patience to hear someone out, right?"
He raised a hand and gestured casually. "After all, this place is not a roadside stall for haggling."
The hall suddenly fell silent.