Hoping to make use of their rights as nobles, Lezamer’s defiers sprang into action all at once.
Indeed, prior to this, no one had even thought to consider Anna—but now, it was clear that she had a supporter in the form of Baron Socom. He was only a baron and lower in rank, but even then, there was a tremendous difference from having his support.
The fact that someone had actually stepped forward in her support led to a string of nobles appearing to join Otto. Even the ranks of the nobles who’d resolved to see where the chips landed first were filled with a growing unrest. What’s more, as if sensing that now was their chance, the former supporters of the king’s brother visibly sprang back to life too.
It was a terrible sign. Not only had the girl’s proclamation thrown Legalisbelm right back into the same position it had been in, but now, it even seemed as if the tides of the competition were starting to change.
What... What is this absurdity?! This is my coronation! Why would that lowly rabble seek to avoid my will?! Who gave them permission to act so brazenly before me?!
Indeed, Lezamer Ogdenn’s methods had been both merciless and perfect. But they’d been too merciless. He’d only stifled the opposition by force, and when presented with even the slightest opening, people would rush in to seize the opportunity. Lezamer himself, however, lacked the character to recognize that.
It’s all that wench’s fault—every last bit of it! I should’ve known the daughter that bastard left behind would only get in the way! I went wrong the moment I showed pity to the girl in front of Cullina! How dare she forget the grace I showed in letting her live this long?!
Once something had been said, it could never be taken back. And in that case, there was only one thing for Lezamer to do. Anna had said what she’d said, so now he had no choice but to eliminate her as quickly as possible.
The whole range of possibilities darted across his mind in the span of a moment. Strategizing was his duty. He’d thought only of how he might one-sidedly crush his foes without making himself subject to blame. But unlike how things had been with Turk, it was difficult to charge Anna with violating Legalisbelm’s rules. He didn’t have the time to waste leisurely making his preparations either.
“Ha ha! That’s it... There was indeed one situation in Legalisbelm allowing for combat!”
Lezamer slowly lifted his head up in an arc, leaving Anna to flinch in response.
“You won’t get a drop of pity more from me!” Lezamer said. “It’s laid out in Attending Article 5 of the Kingdom’s laws surrounding Legalisbelm! Anna, you have tried to participate in Legalisbelm without my consent as your stepfather! Such lawless action is unforgivable! Therefore, I shall hereby remedy this error by a direct duel between us here!”
A duel: the sole form of martial force permitted in Legalisbelm. In normal cases, duels were dictated by detailed rules to ensure that none lost their lives in the process.
“The form of the duel shall be a one-on-one match between Mechsteels! Let all of you here witness it with your own eyes! Heh heh! Anna, if you wish to have your way, then take up your blade!”
I should’ve known that it would come to this, “father.”
Anna hadn’t failed to consider the possibility of a duel. In the end, Lezamer didn’t have even the slightest bit of trust in others, which was why he couldn’t let the votes determine the outcome. The only way he could set his mind at ease was to eliminate his opponents himself. And that was exactly why Anna had predicted that he would make up any excuse at all to get rid of her himself.
Anna had no might to wield herself, meaning that she couldn’t fight. And yet, the reverse also applied—if she had some sort of force at her disposal, she would be able to shrug off any encroaching threat.
If things play out just as I believed they would, then... Anna thought.
Casting her sight away from the restless crowds, nervously bustling in light of the repeated developments playing out in front of them, Anna looked high into the sky. There, she found a single white line stretching across the deep blue.
“Ah... You came!”
The white line tracing through the sky made a sharp turn before diving straight for the palace courtyard. Leaving the crowd not a moment to even scream, it plunged from the heavens before their very eyes. A cloud of dust erupted in its wake as the nobles gathered there covered their faces and shielded themselves from the impact. Soon thereafter, once they’d made sure that nothing else was going to happen, they fearfully lifted their heads only to find—
“A Mechsteel?!”
A red Mechsteel had suddenly appeared before them. It rose to its feet, portions of its frame still making slight adjustments to their shape. It was a Crusader-class Mechsteel: Lord Gryphon. There wasn’t a soul who didn’t recognize it. Reserved for the exclusive use of the Royal Knights, it was rumored to be the strongest mech in all the kingdom.
“R-Royal Knights, what are you doing?! That’s an intruder!” Lezamer shouted, recovering from the shock.
The Royal Knights, who’d been guarding the site of the coronation, rushed over with weapons in hand while the nobles hurriedly began to flee. The thought of being caught in the middle of a group of Mechsteels trying to capture another Mechsteel was too much to stomach.
The Lord Gryphon Neos, the Royal Knights’ state-of-the-art machines, surrounded the intruder’s Lord Gryphon with weapons pointed.
“Captain—that’s Watt in that old Lord Gryphon, right? Talk about reckless!” one of the knights remarked.
“You can’t let that stop you, Carome. We’ve gotta fight!” Soleil said. “He can’t just go barging in on the coronation. There’s only so much we can do to defend him!”
Carome paused for a moment. “I know. Everyone, it might be an old model, but don’t think you can let your guard down! He was once the strongest knight in the kingdom!”
Gripping her broadsword, Carome shot out her orders from her Mechsteel before beginning to close in—
“Wait, please!”
Anna dashed forward before the Mechsteels could cross blades. Leaving nary a moment for anyone to stop her, she leaped from the balcony without an ounce of hesitation. Without a moment’s delay, Lord Gryphon stretched out its hand and caught her.
Carome’s lips curled into a smile. Without betraying even the slightest hint of her hidden reaction, she launched out her orders.
“Knights, hold your attack! Anna could get caught in the middle!”
“Damn, the lass is as bad as he is...” Soleil muttered before backing away, with the other royal knights following in suit.
“Heya, Anna. I figured you’d do that.”
With its hand lifted in the air, Lord Gryphon’s chest opened up to reveal Watt sitting in the cockpit. No sooner had she seen him there than her face began to crumple.
“Father...I knew you’d come!” Anna said. “I’m so sorry. I made it sound like I was strong, but I always end up leaning on you for help.”
“Nope. That ain’t it.”
“Huh?”
Watt nodded, a fearless grin on his face. “In a situation like this, it’s ‘I’m counting on you,’ right? Try sayin’ it. What do you want me to do?”
Anna rushed to wipe away the tears—with her mind made up, she had no need for them anymore. The time had come to part ways with all that and charge ahead!
“I’m counting on you, father! Stand with me... Stand with me and fight!”
“Got it!”
Lord Gryphon reached a fever pitch, releasing an excited burst of steam. It lifted its hand—with Anna still on it—high into the air.
“I am Watt Sears, former Top Knight of the Kingdom! In light of Princess Anna’s wishes, from this moment forth, I shall become her blade! Bringing your sword against a princess powerless to fight herself... You’re a disgrace of a warrior, Lezamer Ogdenn! In place of my mistress, I’ll gladly take you up on your damn duel!”
The blood vessels on Lezamer’s forehead pulsed with rage.