Chapter 1629: Lost High Elf ⑩

Chapter 1629: Lost High Elf 10

Guided by Laguna-san, we were to move to Hydra Kingdom’s royal castle, when I suddenly remembered that this was the first time for me to visit Hydra Kingdom’s royal castle.

[Come to think of it, this is the first time for me to visit Hydra Kingdom’s royal castle. I mean, from this position, I can’t really see that castle.]

[Ahh, I know what you mean. It’s not possible to see the castle from a distance unlike those from Symphonia or Archlesia, right? The reason is simple, Hydra’s Royal Castle is more characterized by its expansive grounds rather than the sheer size of the building itself. Well, though I say that, the royal castle still had the befitting appearance of one. It’s bigger than a normal house, so look, we’re almost there.]

Giving an explanation in anticipation of my question, I looked in the direction Fors-san had pointed and began to see something resembling the roof of a building.

That shape....... Rather than western castles, it feels more like Arabian or Middle Eastern palaces. I see, it’s almost a one-story building, and just as Fors-san said, it’s quite expansive......

[The center of Hydra Kingdom’s Royal Capital is the House of Parliament, not the castle. In the end, the castle is more of a symbol. The face of the country, per se...... It’s fine to perceive it as just a facility where the country’s military, the so-called Knight Order, operates. As for me, I don’t really see the need to call it a royal castle, nor do I see how a King was even needed...... but the people here just refuse to give this up.] n0veLUsB.c0M

[Doesn’t that just show how much the people love you, Laguna-san?]

[That is, well, quite an honor...... but seriously, when will I be able to resign as King?]

[Isn’t that impossible? Have you ever calculated your approval rating? It’s overwhelmingly positive. If you were to step down from being the King, there’s no doubt that the Hydra Kingdom would fall into great turmoil. It’s also easy to surmise that your successor, after they get compared to you, would quickly succumb to mental distress. Furthermore, even if the position of King were removed, as long as the country maintains some form, representation would still be necessary in some way. If that were to happen, I believe that simply by occupying that position, you would essentially hold a position no different from being a King. Well, it would be a different story if you were to commit a serious scandal, but given your character, forcibly committing wrongdoings just so you can step down seemed impossible for you...... No matter how you look at it, there doesn’t seem to be any future where you can step down as King.]

It’s a speech indifferently spoken that seems to crush all the faint hope Laguna-san may have. In fact, what she said was so precise that Laguna-san could not even make a sound, an indescribable expression on her face as she had bitten down on a bitter bug.

[......W- Well, but you see...... They’re still doing things like voting for a King......]

[Which leads to a complete victory for you, right? I mean, from the perspective of the citizens, isn’t that King election almost more like a festival? It feels like they’re just going along with this event you started on a whim. In reality, the outcome is already predetermined, and even during that previous King election, everyone had set up various grand stalls and created an atmosphere almost like a festival, didn’t they? Without a doubt, it’s mostly seen as a festival to reaffirm your popularity. The voting is just a facade, it already has a predetermined outcome.]

[Fnghh......? That is something I also...... I understand that it’s hard to bring it to reality...... but couldn’t you even allow me to dream......]

With everything neatly laid out before her, Laguna-san murmured as she gazed into the void with a melancholic expression on her face. Well, to be honest, I also agree with Fors-san’s point of view. I mean, even though she says all that, Laguna-san always acts swiftly and accurately as the King.

Her ability to move swiftly with the agility of her footwork and make immediate decisions that benefit the country undoubtedly makes her an excellent King.

In fact, this year’s Founding Festival gained a lot of excitement even before it started due to Laguna-san’s unique move of presenting an item related to the First Hero. All things considered, her skill and talent are things one can undoubtedly be certain of.

[Rather, what are you even going to do after quitting as King? You don’t have the personality of someone who would just idly pass time, and I think it would just end up with the punchline being that you would quickly find yourself having too much free time. I can’t imagine you doing anything other than spending an entire day training or appearing idle by the seaside, fishing while eating rice crackers. In the end, isn’t being a King and managing your daily schedule just right for you? Ultimately, having a balance in life is essential. Even for someone like me who tends to be reclusive and focuses on research, having occasional opportunities to go outside like this helps maintain that balance too.]

[Mhmm...... If you put it that way, indeed...... I’d find myself having too much free time not knowing what to do with it.]

I mean, in fact, even if Laguna-san were to step down from the position of King, she might still find herself participating in governmental matters as one of the parliament or with a position resembling that, still involved with the administration of the country in one way or another.

That being the case, just as Fors-san said, even if she quits as King, I think she will just be placed as a representative with a different title attached to her name, and as a result, what she ends up doing does not change.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [In fact, she had just naturally invited and welcomed one of the First Hero’s party members and the World’s Singularity to the Royal Castle, a task that seems to be in the best interest of the country...... Well, I can’t see a future where she’ll get to quit.]