Chapter 158 : The First Step to Becoming the King of the Inoe

My companions and I all gathered in the plaza.

It was a plan that should not enter the ears of others, but now that all of the Archduke's knights had left, we didn't have to worry about anyone eavesdropping.

On one side of the plaza, fruits and food left by the people of the North were piled up.

“It seems many people are grateful to you and your companions.”

“I’m the one who’s grateful.”

Pasion and I exchanged a brief conversation.

In the meantime, Nofen came out to the center of the plaza.

“This is Nofen of Tello, here to announce the details of the King of the Inoe plan.”

Nofen, who had been my senior, was now briefing everyone on the plan to make me the King of the Inoe.

“First, for Polarin Adjak to become the King of the Inoe, we need to bring three major factions to our side. To do that……”

The clumsy appearance I saw when I first met him at the Intelligence Agency was nowhere to be seen.

In front of some of the most renowned masters on the continent, Nofen continued his presentation professionally.

Was this the Nofen who was once recognized as the genius of the 3rd Autonomous Region?

Everyone listened intently to Nofen's detailed plan, as he wasn't using his usual strange way of speaking.

“Has everyone understood so far?”

Well, maybe not entirely.

Anyway, Nofen made his presentation while hiding his original speech pattern as much as possible.

“Even among the Inoe, there has recently been a strong desire for the existence of a king to unite them.”

King of the Inoe.

A name that had appeared only a few times throughout history since the Mythic Era.

According to Nofen, the forces of the Inoe were also feeling the need for such a legendary existence at this very moment.

With the prediction that the Dome would disappear in 300 years, the continent was engulfed in tension, and the Inoe, too, had realized that the movements in Myeolji were unusual.

“With the movement for a King of the Inoe already in place, we must dig into their aspirations. Only then can we enthrone Polarin Adjak as the King of the Inoe.”

There was no set way to become the King of the Inoe.

The method of electing the king of each race, though different for each, certainly existed. Some inherited the throne, while others were elected.

However, there was no agreed-upon method to ascend to the symbolic position of King of the Inoe.

But coincidentally, the Inoe themselves had now realized the need for their own king.

“But I don't think they'd just enthrone anyone as the King of the Inoe?”

“That's right. Because he will be a symbolic existence for them. But Sir Polarin is not just ‘anyone’.”

I could feel Nofen's strong trust.

It seemed Nofen believed in me even more than I believed in myself.

“Tello has determined that the number of races, not the number of individuals, will be important. The key is how many races' recognition you can get.”

“So I need to get the support of as many races as possible.”

“Exactly.”

The important thing was the number of races, not the head count.

If it were just about filling the numbers, we could just get the support of the Rat beastkin, whose numbers were ridiculously high.

Getting the support of as many races as possible seemed to be the key.

Mumbel from the Mana Research Department, who was listening to Nofen's report, hit the nail on the head.

“That's not wrong. In fact, it would be difficult for someone who receives support from within a single race to become the King of the Inoe. They could become the king of one race, but in that process, many would have had conflicts with other races.”

“That’s right! The Elves and Fairies have already decided to support Polarin. Besides them, I’ve picked out the races we must win over!”

It was certain that mages were excellent at using their heads.

Nofen chimed in cheerfully.

…Although it seemed he had completely reverted to his original speech pattern as he started to get excited.

“The Lizard, Tiger, and Wolf beastkin. If we can win over those three races, Polarin will be able to become the King of the Inoe!”

Nofen was completely excited.

Then Pasion, who had been listening intently, asked a question.

“They're all beastkin?”

“That’s right. Probably because the beastkin are numerous and strong. There are almost no records left, but the previous King of the Inoe also came from the Lizardfolk.”

“Hmm… The beastkin won't be easy.”

“Haha… Not just the beastkin, no race will be easy. But Polarin managed to persuade the Fairies and Elves, so he can do it!”

Having announced the difficult mission, Nofen began to encourage those who had fallen into contemplation.

“First, Sir Balua has decided to take on the Tiger tribe. The reason he couldn't come here is that he went to have a go with the current king to become the king of the Tiger tribe. As long as Sir Balua is victorious, there shouldn't be a big problem.”

“If it’s Balua, he can do it.”

“Yep, and Sir Pasion, you'll have to take on the Wolf tribe.”

“I heard the Wolf beastkin changed their king recently.”

“That’s right. The problem is that the young king is showing quite outstanding skills and has great ambition, harboring the desire to become the King of the Inoe himself. So the plan from here is……”

Nofen carefully explained the plan to win over the Wolf tribe to Pasion.

Pasion listened to Nofen with concentration.

The mission assigned to Pasion seemed like it wouldn't be easy.

He might have to fight quite a few battles.

“I understand. Just leave it to me.”

But Pasion answered confidently.

It was a response filled with a determination to overcome any hardship that might come his way.

“The Lizardfolk… the situation is a bit complicated. This is something Polarin must resolve.”

“Yes, please tell me.”

“Soler Adjak. You know her well, right?”

“I do.”

“Right now, Soler is building a deep bond with the Lizardfolk. The problem is… Soler is also one of the candidates to become a hero of the Adjak family.”

I already knew that Soler was not just a simple hero candidate, but one of the candidates competing with me for the single hero position.

As a Single Number, and the daughter of the head of the 3rd Autonomous Region, who was also counted among the Empire's Five Morning Stars, it was natural for Soler to be ambitious.

“Sir Soler will also know that I have visited the Lizardfolk to build up achievements to become a hero, so she won't cooperate willingly.”

“Probably. Moreover, information about the Lizardfolk is rarely released. So we don't know what Soler, who is holed up in the Lizard territory, is preparing.”

“I guess I'll have to go there to find out how I can persuade Soler.”

“That’s right. By the way, are you and Soler close?”

“We probably are.”

“Phew, that’s a relief. Soler is famous for being an incredibly cold-blooded person……”

“She acts cold?”

“I heard she beheads people without mercy? The Black Veil is originally famous for being rough, but she's said to be particularly ferocious among them.”

I couldn't imagine Soler like that.

But just as I had changed since the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, she must have had her changes too.

‘But are we close?’

I suddenly remembered the time I obtained Severance.

The scene where I tied her legs with [Intangible Armor] and brought down a wooden sword on the crown of her head was vivid.

“You are close, right?”

“……I believe so.”

But if I had to win over the Lizardfolk anyway, I would have no choice but to meet Soler.

As I was making my resolve, Pasion asked Nofen.

“I've heard the plan well. Did Agamben also participate in this plan?”

“Yes, that’s right. Sir Agamben laid out the overall plan, and Tello agents, including myself, added the detailed plans.”

“How does Agamben view this plan? No, to be more specific… When we persuaded the Lizard, Tiger, and Wolf tribes, how did he calculate the probability of Polarin becoming the King of the Inoe?”

Nofen's words made sense. But people wanted to see it in numbers, beyond just making sense.

“74%. That's the probability that Polarin can become the King of the Inoe if we persuade just the Lizard, Tiger, and Wolf tribes to join us.”

Pasion said with a grin.

“That’s a sufficient probability.”

***

“Sir Polarin! Take care of yourself!”

“Come visit the North again next time!”

Receiving the encouragement of the people of the North, we headed for the gate of the Archduke's castle.

Baertz was firmly guarding the gate leading to the Empire.

We had to part ways as soon as we met, but Baertz seemed like a good person.

‘If I can just make him open that tightly shut mouth, maybe we can become friends someday.’

And it wasn't just Keldric who held a competitive spirit towards Baertz. I, too, wanted to compete with him once if I had the chance.

It was because I was curious how strong the Archduke's cherished disciple, a being who could protect a castle all by himself, would be.

Now that even we were leaving, if anything happened in the North, Baertz would have to protect it entirely on his own.

But Baertz showed no sign of worry at all.

I extended my hand to Baertz, just as I had in the Archduke's room.

“Then, see you again next time.”

“Let’s. We will be able to see each other when a good day comes.”

Baertz also took my hand and we exchanged farewells.

So he was someone who knew how to say such things.

I looked forward to the day we would meet again.

Kiiiiiiik───!

We passed through the northern castle gate that Baertz had opened.

“Well then, let's meet after we each succeed in our missions.”

“Yes, Sir Pasion. Please travel safely.”

“You all as well.”

Pasion and the Golden Dragon Knights left for the Wolf tribe.

Of course, the Wolf tribe and the Lizardfolk were not the only targets.

“Then I shall go and meet the Rat tribe. I heard those rats are so good at curse magic? I'm curious.”

Mumbel also said, full of enthusiasm.

Instead of answering him, I looked at Eidon.

The ice petals on Eidon's chest had somehow increased to four.

It seemed he had gained more recognition at the Frost Magic Tower than before.

“Sir Eidon, please take good care of Sir Mumbel.”

“Alright, you take good care of Keldric too.”

Of course, Mumbel snapped. His temper was still like fire.

“What are you two talking about now? I am the one taking care of Eidon.”

“Haha, please be careful of curses, in any case.”

Many people were moving for my sake.

I heard that the Holy Order had also dispatched many personnel to the Inoe races to lend strength to me, their Apostle.

According to the plan laid out by Agamben and Nofen and to enthrone me as the King of the Inoe.

Many people were moving, risking danger.

So I, too, had to complete the mission given to me.

I spoke energetically to Keldric, Everchen, and Bea.

“Then let's get moving too!”

“Alright! I'm curious to see how much Soler has grown?”

“Brother, were you close with Sir Soler?”

“Uh, probably?”

Everchen and Bea teased the flustered Keldric.

“You might think you're close with all sorts of people, but the other person might feel differently, you know?”

“That’s right. You'd better have been close for your own survival, Sir Keldric.”

“No, we were close! Polarin and I were even on the same team once. You guys should worry about yourselves.”

“Don’t worry about me.”

“Same here. I get along well with humans.”

Pfft.

A laugh escaped me without my realizing.

Even on the way to the Lizardfolk, about whom there was relatively little information, there was a sense of ease among my companions rather than worry and tension.

It wasn't false courage.

It was because we possessed enough strength to afford being this relaxed.

I gave Maron, who was trembling by itself, a tight squeeze.

And we set off towards the Lizardfolk territory.