Game Opportunities Become Reality Episode 82
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Game Opportunities Become Reality Episode 82
23. Why Is Big Brother There (3)
The Francis Ducal House, one of the four great ducal houses of the Bringham Empire, holds scale and power comparable to a kingdom.
And the head of that family, Duke Francis, has recently been focusing on one matter.
"That's a shame."
"Indeed. Who would have thought she'd succeed in a rescue in that situation."
"Still, nothing will change. You're the one who will become the Saintess."
"Of course."
That matter is making Evelyn Francis, the precious third daughter of the Francis Ducal House, into the Saintess.
After all, the other candidates are no match for the Francis Ducal House of the Bringham Empire.
The only one worth worrying about is the Elf Queen's granddaughter, but there was no reason for the Francis Ducal House to yield to the Elf Kingdom, part of the Elisia Union.
The Saintess contest may appear to give equal opportunity to all candidates on the surface, but in a world where status exists, what fairness could there be?
Besides, since the church is maintained through donations and sponsorship, Duke Francis thought they couldn't ignore a candidate's background.
However, it didn't take long to realize that was a misconception...
'No matter how prestigious the Bringham Empire candidate may be, there will be no special treatment. And during the contest, do not come to us first without our request.'
Not long ago, the contest assigned each candidate a live broadcast channel, and Evelyn received an annoyingly ambiguous number, so Duke Francis personally visited the Saintess to request a change.
And that was the answer he got in return.
Who in the world could treat the Duke of Francis so coldly?
No matter how much the Sepia Church's influence reaches the heavens, it is the Bringham Empire that donates the most money to that very Sepia Church.
Having believed his demands would be accepted, Duke Francis was left dumbfounded.
And as the contest began and other candidates drew more attention than his daughter Evelyn, a sense of crisis slowly began to rise in Duke Francis's mind.
'I should have killed that girl back then.'
He could understand the attention directed at 'Grace Hielven,' the Elf Queen's granddaughter.
After all, a High Elf's beauty was more than enough to draw public interest.
But what he couldn't understand was the public's support for Ibril, who was appearing on broadcasts and putting on a pathetic show.
At first, he thought the support of ignorant commoners meant nothing, but according to a cardinal connected to her, it couldn't simply be dismissed.
'If the church were to select the Saintess on its own, it would definitely be Lady Evelyn. But ultimately, it is the Creator Sepia, who watches the contest, who makes the final choice. It would be ideal if Lady Evelyn's dignity caught Sepia's attention, but the title of a candidate with public support is nothing to ignore either.'
When Duke Francis learned that divine power had taken root in his daughter and that a contest to replace the Saintess would soon begin, he believed this was a divine revelation bestowed upon him.
Unlike ordinary priests who come to realize divine power through the church through acquired means, being born with innate divine power is a trait that cannot be dismissed.
And yet, such a trait had appeared in the daughter of Duke Francis himself.
Shouldn't he then properly utilize the power he held and the trait his daughter had obtained?
So Duke Francis threw himself into the contest, firmly believing in his daughter's victory.
But unlike the confident early days, they had now hit a rough patch.
'This won't do.'
The Francis Ducal House of the Bringham Empire could not simply step back after merely adding to the contest's fervor like some extra.
He needed to devise means for victory.
In the end, Duke Francis cast aside his complacency and began to engage in the Saintess contest with far greater aggression.
-Knock knock.
"Your Grace, the Saintess Department has made contact."
"Hm?"
Duke Francis, who had been watching the news of Ibril's kidnapping with a weary body from his busy schedule, couldn't help but question the unexpected news.
The Saintess Department, which had never once reached out to him since the contest began, was now contacting him?
Doesn't that feel ominous?
"What is it?"
"Hard to say. We'll have to hear what they have to say."
The contest is currently suspended due to Ibril's kidnapping.
Thus, the Duke received the contact from the Saintess Department together with his daughter.
[Duke Isaac Francis, Princess Evelyn Francis, please report to the Saintess Department by 1 PM.]
"Report?"
[All candidates have been summoned as witnesses in the kidnapping case.]
It felt entirely as if orders were being handed down from above.
Duke Francis was deeply displeased, but he could not ignore it.
If he dawdled and suspicion fell upon him, that would be far more troublesome.
Moreover, Adrian had likely already exposed his past deeds, so if he thought coldly, his status was clearly that of a witness closer to a suspect than an ordinary witness.
"Tch, fine."
[Then we shall be waiting.]
The moment the call ended, the Duke checked the time displayed on the terminal.
-12:30
Only thirty minutes remained until the 1 PM summons.
Duke Francis found the current Saintess even more insufferable.
"Do we really need to rush?"
"No, let us go a little early this time. This is not a party but a place for interrogation."
The two hurried to the Saintess Department with a retinue of attendants.
"Surely they don't intend to interrogate everyone gathered in one place?"
And then, the fourteen Saintess candidates and their fourteen Sponsors lined up before the Saintess seated upon the holy throne.
"It feels like we are receiving His Majesty the Emperor."
Duke Francis remarked, clearly disgruntled.
In response, Saintess Sharon Sylvester shrugged and pointed to one side.
The eyes of the summoned candidates and Sponsors followed her fingertip, and soon they spotted a female priest cradling a metal plate in her arms.
Most people tilted their heads in confusion, but Duke Francis, having seen such an object once before, furrowed his brow.
"You intend to catch the culprit using the Mirror of Truth?"
"That is correct."
"The Mirror of Truth?"
At the appearance of the Holy Relic they had only suspected, the gathered crowd stirred.
"Through the Mirror of Truth, we have already confirmed that this incident contrary to what some have claimed was not a staged act by Candidate Ibril Barnet and Sponsor Adrian Lawrence, the Marquis."
Realistically, the culprit must be among those present, so they would now verify it with the Mirror of Truth.
Duke Francis objected with an angry expression.
"Those gathered here include the highest-ranking nobles of each nation, royalty among them. Do you not think the Saintess's actions are excessive?"
Many voiced agreement, looking displeased at his words.
But the Saintess merely grinned, as if to ask what the problem was.
"Are you the culprit, Duke Francis?"
"What!?"
"If not, then there's no problem, is there? Is speaking one word before the mirror so difficult?"
Duke Francis bit his lip.
And then, the doors swung open as a group of people poured in.
They were the Holy Knight Order that the Holy Land Everhill boasted of each and every one of them on par with an Aura Master.
There were as many as seven of them, and the one commanding them was none other than the Holy Son.
If the Saintess was a priest who wielded 8th Circle divine magic, then the Holy Son was a Holy Knight with martial power at the Grandmaster level.
Should they attack in unison, even Duke Francis, a Grandmaster, would not be able to hold out.
Yet there was someone even more grating to the eye than the Holy Son and the Holy Knight Order accompanying them.
"Marquis Lawrence?"
"Greetings, Your Grace, Duke Francis."
Adrian undeniably at the top of the list of people who had been upsetting Duke Francis's mood lately and his fiancée Arcia stood shoulder to shoulder with the Holy Knights as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"The culprit who tried to harm Miss Ibril could very well be a Grandmaster, after all. So I came to help."
"What did you say?"
Among those present, he was the only Grandmaster.
Adrian's words had effectively named Duke Francis as the culprit.
Naturally, the Duke's face flushed red, and as the atmosphere turned hostile, the Saintess restrained Adrian.
"Marquis Lawrence, the culprit has not yet been confirmed. Please mind your words."
"Yes, ma'am."
As the Saintess gestured, the cleric cradling the Mirror of Truth approached.
"Now then, step forward one by one and prove your innocence before the Mirror of Truth."
At the Saintess's words, the great hall where the holy throne sat fell silent as a grave.
But the silence was broken as those who had been watching the situation from the sidelines stepped forward.
"We will go first."
The first to approach the Mirror of Truth were the backbone of the eight kingdoms comprising the Elysian Coalition, the Queen of the Elvenheim Kingdom, 'Claudia Hielven,' and the Saintess candidate she sponsors, 'Grace Hielven.'
Worthy of being called one of Rondel's three great ladies alongside the Saintess and the Empress of the Bringham Empire, her mere presence drew the gaze of the entire assembly.
As she swept back her silken, flowing silver hair, the dignity she exuded seemed something even the Saintess could not match.
"I, Claudia Hielven, have nothing to do with this Saintess candidate kidnapping incident."
"I, Grace Hielven, have nothing to do with this Saintess candidate kidnapping incident."
Following the Elven Queen, the Saintess candidate she sponsored quickly proved her innocence as well.
And as they looked at the Mirror of Truth, only a blue aura rippled there was no change.
"The innocence of you two has been proven."
With the Saintess's declaration, the two High Elves returned to their seats.
Considering the worst-case scenario, the two of them were considerable fighting power on their own.
After all, the Elven Queen was a Spirit King summoner on par with the 8th Circle, and her granddaughter, the Saintess candidate, was a high-ranking Spirit summoner on par with the 7th Circle.
"Then let us continue."
"We'll step up next."
Next to come forward were Duke Olivia Riverdale and candidate Judy Esther.
The results confirmed that the two of them were also innocent.
"I'm next."
"Then we'll go after that."
After those two teams stepped forward, the investigation proceeded very quickly.
After all, it didn't seem like objecting to the Saintess's decision would change anything.
"Good. Now only two candidate factions remain."
Everyone's gaze turned to Duke Francis, among those who had held out until the end.
Given his poor relationship with Adrian, and recalling how he had objected while looking at the Mirror of Truth just moments ago, it seemed highly likely he was the culprit.
In the end, Duke Francis had no choice but to approach the Mirror of Truth with his daughter.
As Duke Francis stepped forward, tension spread through the great hall.
There was a chance a battle could break out with him, after all.
Who was he, after all?
One of the top five swordmasters in the world, and a Duke of the great Bringham Empire.
"I have nothing to do with this kidnapping incident."
"I have nothing to do with this kidnapping incident either."
But contrary to everyone's expectations, the Mirror of Truth remained still.
And as he returned to his seat with a displeased expression, letting out a snort, Adrian clicked his tongue loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"Tsk!"
At that, Duke Francis flared up and said one thing.
"Clicking your tongue? Hey, Marquis Lawrence. Isn't your true intent showing a little too much?"
"Given your past record, isn't it only natural to suspect you?"
"I think you'll die young."
"I'm younger than that daughter of yours, Your Grace do you really think so?"
"No, I'm saying you'll die at my hands before you live out your natural lifespan."
"Quiet! Quiet!"
It was impressive that Adrian dared to stand up to Duke Francis without fear, but the Duke flaring up at every word he said was equally refreshing to everyone present.
However, now was not the time for that.
The moment Duke Francis's faction was proven innocent, everyone's gaze fell upon the last Saintess candidate and her sponsor.