Surprise! I've Transmigrated Again

Chapter 143 - 143 ⤞ The Fifth Candidate

"Before we begin the Council, let me ask if anyone is still unclear about the Royal Selection Ceremony?" Marcus asked, as was customary.

"Me, me, me!" Al raised his hand enthusiastically, feigning ignorance to help Adam and Natsuki.

"It seems someone is unaware. In that case, I—"

"Hold it right there!" Before Marcus could explain, the Kansai-dialect girl cut in, "My time is precious, and I won't waste it on games. This is common knowledge throughout the country — how could anyone not know?"

Anastasia glared at Priscilla with displeasure.

A servant's discourtesy reflects upon their master.

But Priscilla, never one to back down, immediately retorted.

"My knight speaks with my authority. Let him speak as he wishes. Voice your objections if you must — though I won't heed them."

"You—!" Anastasia bristled at her arrogance. Yet instead of arguing, she voiced what all other Candidates wanted to know, "Rather than reviewing what we already know, I want to know why we were summoned here."

"Indeed, my time is also limited." Crusch's dignified voice resonated through the empty Assembly Hall.

"Um... I think we should listen—"

"Excuse me, but I didn't ask for your opinion. Could you please be quiet?"

When Emilia attempted to ease the tension, she was met with Anastasia's sharp mockery.

"Ugh." The silver-haired half-elf's face showed a flicker of pain at such hostility.

At this point, how could Natsuki stay silent?

He burst out, "Hey—, what's with that attitude—!"

"Waaah—! I, I don't know anything about the Royal Selection, could you please explain it in detail?" Al quickly intervened, drawing attention to himself to stop the young man's rash behavior.

After a month of growth, Natsuki realized the consequences his impulsive actions could have had, and felt grateful to Al.

If Al weren't a man, he might have even fallen for him.

Adam observed it all without intervening, allowing the impulsive youth to learn from his actions.

Then Marcus began again what had become a familiar explanation.

—The Royal Selection Ceremony.

"...That concludes the explanation of our current situation. Lady Anastasia, I apologize for my earlier discourtesy."

Having finished, he bowed to the Kansai-dialect girl.

"I'm not some demon — that would be the 'Princess' over there. Satisfied?"

"Hmph. Al, did that empty head of yours understand?"

"Got it, got it. Thanks for the explanation, Commander Marcus, and to the lady with the Kararagi accent."

Al skillfully deflected Anastasia's sharp provocation toward Priscilla by accepting all blame himself.

Speaking of which... Is this "A World Where Only One Person Gets Hurt"?

Hachiman Hikigaya would call this professional!

"Anyway, if you have anything else to say, hurry up. I have other matters to attend to. I'm very busy — I don't have time for idle chat." Unable to vent her anger, Anastasia directed it at the Council of Wise Men.

"I apologize for taking up your time, Lady Anastasia. However, this council is vital for you and all the royal candidate heirs present." Though he controlled the kingdom's real power, Miklotov maintained his humble position. In a low voice, he added, "How should I put it... Today will be recorded in the kingdom's history."

At these words, all four Candidates tensed.

An inexplicable pressure suddenly enveloped the Assembly Hall.

"So something big has happened, old bones?" Priscilla, unfazed, held her head high as she questioned.

She received no answer. Instead, Marcus stepped forward and called out:

"—Knight, Reinhard van Astrea!"

"Present!"

"Step forward! Report!"

"Yes!" Reinhard bowed to the four ladies before him, then spoke deliberately, "The Dragon Priestess, the Royal Candidate — the final fifth person, has been found!"

Commotion erupted!

The disturbance spread throughout the capital's hall, with the Knights' section even more chaotic than the Council of Wise Men and ministers.

"Silence! Silence!" Marcus commanded, restoring order to the scene.

When calm returned, Reinhard announced, "Please, Fifth Priestess, enter!"

The guards bowed to those assembled, then respectfully opened the doors behind them.

Behind the doors stood a girl radiating brilliant light, shining like a polished ruby.

She walked in with small steps, swaying gracefully in a light yellow formal dress, her high heels clicking softly on the carpet.

Her meticulously styled golden hair caught the slanting sunlight; her red eyes showed both strength and mischief; her fang-like teeth gently bit her red lips in an endearing way.

This distinctive girl was an old acquaintance of Adam, Natsuki, and Emilia.

Felt!

Who could have imagined that the ugly duckling from the slums would transform into such a noble swan?

The stark transformation left Natsuki's mouth agape.

"I am one to be respected as King — my name is Felt." She introduced herself.

Then, walking with the grace of a noble lady, she approached Reinhard and attempted a kick, which he blocked.

"Lady Felt, what are you doing?"

"What do you mean 'what am I doing'? I should be asking you what you're doing!" The noble girl revealed her volatile nature, scolding her knight, "These clothes, these people, this and that — I'm at my limit here!"

"Does the formal dress not suit your taste? In my humble opinion, it looks quite becoming on you."

"I'm not talking about the clothes... no, it's not just the clothes! Sir Knight, do you feel no shame about imprisoning a young lady?"

"If it's for the prosperity of the kingdom, then this is what I must do."

These brief exchanges were enough for Adam to grasp the situation.

After his intentional hint in the slums, Felt had indeed sought out Reinhard. Upon confirming her identity, they had placed her under "protection" for her own safety.

Though in Felt's view, this protection was merely imprisonment.

The slum girl glared at Reinhard with displeasure before surveying everyone in the royal hall.

When her eyes fell on Adam, they lit up. She pushed past the knight blocking her path and approached him with small steps.

"Hey, if it isn't big bro! What are you doing here?" She greeted him with a smile.

Then, attempting to catch him off guard, she launched a high kick at his face.

"Uh... do you have some grudge against me, Felt?"

As if a mere Felt could catch him with a sneak attack — he casually blocked it, and following her small leg down, noticed a pattern.

It was a brown bear... No wonder she was so unruly — she was still just a child.

Though her taste wasn't bad.

{T/N: FBI, OPEN UP!}

"I get the feeling you're thinking something rude."

"Just your imagination, just your imagination."

Felt bared her fangs, glaring fiercely at Adam.

"If we're ranking who I have grudges against, big bro ranks even higher than Reinhard."

"That really breaks my heart."

Not only was the slum girl ungrateful for his help in leaving the slums, she actually held it against him.

Though her attempts at revenge were childish — to observers, it looked like mere flirting.

"I remember telling you to be prepared before seeking out Reinhard. I don't think I deceived you, but treating me like this really pains me."

"But you never told me it would be such a huge hassle, big bro!" Felt puffed out her cheeks and retorted loudly.

Only then did Reinhard understand — when she had come

"Ahem, if Lord Rickert has no further issues, shall we continue with the Royal Selection Ceremony?" Miklotov mediated between the two, gesturing for Marcus to resume the interrupted ceremony.

"Now then, would all Royal Candidate successors please step forward!"

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