Otome Game no Heroine de Saikyou Survival [WN] - Chapter 173.5
The expression on Camille’s face suggested that he was prepared for his own death. He was no longer the man he had been when he and Ron were talking about the coexistence of the empire and the Demons past midnight.
I nodded at Camille’s words, and gathered my thoughts on what was best to do from here on out.
***
Two days after the release of the prisoners, the heads of three clans from the Demon Kingdom, each with a dozen or so men under their command, arrived at the fort, and as Camille had predicted, the Demon king was approaching his deathbed, and the heads of the leading clans had come to the fort to decide who would be the next Demon king.
Basically, Demon kings were not hereditary, but were chosen from among the leaders of several clans. However, since a few generations ago, when the war between humans intensified, the succession was carried out in order to unite all the Demons.
Camille was the only child of the current Demon King.
However, when the other clans did not recognize Camille, who had human blood, and the Demon King’s will could no longer be carried out, they brought up the [Selection Ceremony], the old ceremony of selecting the past Demon Kings.
Why did the heads of the powerful clans come to this fort to perform it?
It was not because Camille was in this fort, but because the basement of this fort was an ancient dungeon.
The [Selection Ceremony]–that was when a powerful clan would send out a few warriors to bring back a proof from the deepest part of the dungeon. Although they did not know what the proof was, it was said to be something that could be recognized at a glance.
But it was not a victory to bring it back as quickly as possible. This was a battle of prestige between the clans, borrowing the name of a ritual.
“Now, you all know why we have gathered here.”
The Elder of the Arcane Clan – Elgrim.
An old man of Dark Elf who looked like he had aged a thousand years, he smiled with a grin on his wrinkled face.
“You’re right. We, too, have been waiting for this moment for many years.”
The Oni Clan Chief – Charlemagne.
A bewitching beauty in a gorgeous kimono-like costume smiled as she covered her mouth with a fan.
“We three clans…and General Aishe has also announced her participation, accompanied by her subordinates.”
Doehill, the chief of the Gouma clan.
A mature man who looked like a warrior of many battles nodded seriously with his arms crossed.
“That’s right. There are some things I cannot compromise on. I’m sorry to the three of you, but I had to raise my hand as well. Of course… if that man does not participate, it may become a picture-perfect event.”
Catching the sharp glances of the three clan leaders, Aishe turned her gaze to the boy at the back of the conference room with a twisted smile, and the other three looked at him with snake-like eyes.
“…I’m not going to run away either.”
Camille, accompanied only by Kadori, nodded quietly.
Even though he brought up the old ritual, not all of Camille’s supporters were in favor of it.
There were clans in Demon Nation that were not Dark Elf. Some clans were good at production and not good at rough work. Some of them respected the current Demon king who welcomed them and wanted his son, Camille, to be King.
There were others who were neutral and did not wish to go to war with the people. Therefore, the only way to convince them was to have Camille himself participate in the [Selection Ceremony], and if Camille refused to do so, they were even planning to kill Camille and the King through an uprising.
Camille was aware of this. That was why he could not overlook the harm that would be done to those who followed him.
“Hohou…I hear that Master Camille has a lot of confidence.”
“Hohoho, that’s very encouraging.”
“Let me see for myself what His Highness is capable of.”
“Yeah…”
Only ten people from each clan were allowed to participate in the Selection Ceremony. The clans would watch each other’s backs, but they would probably consider breaking the agreement by forcing their guards to participate in the ceremony.
Camille’s only forces include Camille himself and Kadori, who was Rank 3.
There was no chance for Camille to win with such a small force. If there was, Camille would challenge each clan leader to a single combat and defeat them, but each of them had the power of Rank 5, and there was no way that his subordinates would allow such a situation.
In other words, it was torture to death. But it was not just a matter of killing him, but also of which clan would kill him. A secret struggle had already begun here over who would kill Camille.
But then–
[–I have understood the story.]
The voice of a “girl” who should not exist in the spacious basement conference room was heard.
No one could ignore the voice that just flowed without any sense of intimidation or discomfort, and in the room that was momentarily quiet, Elgrim, the Elder of the mage clan, sent a needle-like concealed weapon to Camille.
“–?!”
The clan members were startled, and the needle was plucked away by a white fingertip.
The peach blonde girl, who appeared as if emerging from Camille’s shadow, looked around with emotionless eyes and tossed the needle away as if nothing had happened.
“Let me be Camille’s warrior.”
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Also check out my other novels: Reincarnated into a Game as the Hero’s Friend, Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear, and A Girl Who Was Told “You Have No Talent” Turned Out To Be A Talented Monster