“These candidates are either nobles or from noble backgrounds,” Ricardo said, his thick arms crossed over his chest, sighing in a low voice.
Compared to these candidates with illustrious family backgrounds, Anastasia’s origins were not particularly distinguished.
She was a merchant, not a noble.
In Kararagi, the status of merchants was quite good, but in the Lugunica Kingdom, which centered on nobles, the gap between merchants and nobles was even greater than the distance between the Royal Capital and a border town.
Anastasia seemed to see through his thoughts, just smiled slightly, didn’t say much, and continued:
“Those are the four candidates. Current intelligence indicates there should be a fifth, but I have used all my intelligence channels in the Royal Capital and still haven’t been able to find out who it is. It is said that this is because Reinhard van Astrea personally handled the confidentiality for the fifth candidate.”
“A candidate kept secret by the Sword Saint himself?” Ricardo’s dog ears suddenly pricked up, and he asked with some confusion,
“To make the current Sword Saint personally intervene, what exactly is the background of this fifth candidate?”
“I don’t know, but the fact that Reinhard personally stepped in itself indicates that this candidate is definitely not simple. I have already had people continue to follow up on this matter, but don’t hold too high expectations in the short term. The Astrea Family’s intelligence protection is at the level of the Knight Order; unless Reinhard is willing to disclose it himself, money alone won’t open a breach.”
When she said this, a glint flashed in Anastasia’s light green eyes,
“But having said that, among the four known candidates, the one we need to pay the most attention to is Crusch. She has the strongest influence and the highest chance of winning. Priscilla will not pose a direct threat to us in the short term. Emilia is currently the weakest, but she has the most variables. That old fox Roswaal wouldn’t push her to run for election without a reason. And that mysterious fifth candidate can only be put aside for now.”
Ricardo was silent for a while, the rhythm of his dog tail wagging behind him slowed down, and then he suddenly asked: This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
“Miss, do you think there might be some connection between Miss Theresia and these candidates? For such a strong person to appear in the Royal Capital just before the Royal Selection, there must be a reason.”
“That is exactly what I want to know.”
Anastasia’s gaze fell back outside the window, her light green eyes reflecting the pedestrians coming and going on the streets of the Royal Capital.
Sunlight spilled onto the stone road.
In the distance, by the fountain, several children were chasing and playing, their laughter faintly drifting over.
“However, there is currently no evidence indicating that Miss Theresia is associated with any of the candidates.”
Anastasia turned around, looked at Ricardo, her light green eyes carrying a thoughtful expression.
“She arrived in the Royal Capital around the same time as us, looking like an ordinary traveler. But someone who can slash through an entire bandit group with one sword cannot just be here for tourism. Either she is waiting for something. Or she hasn’t made a choice yet. No matter which case it is, it is an opportunity for us.”
“Understood,” Ricardo nodded, “Does the Miss intend to recruit Miss Theresia?”
“Recruit is too utilitarian a word,” Anastasia shook her head gently, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing the smile that only appears when a merchant sees a high-quality asset.
“The Hoshin Trading Company’s principle of conduct is not to recruit, but to establish good business relationships. Since it is a business relationship, one cannot be too hasty. Rather than rushing to discuss terms, it is better to first let the other party feel that we are worth associating with. Miss Theresia’s attitude towards Mimi was very sincere, which shows that she has no prejudice against demi-humans and has patience for children. Such a person is usually not a bad person. Let’s observe first, then act… and then, let nature take its course.”
“Understood,” Ricardo nodded solemnly.
Since the Miss said to let nature take its course, he would do nothing.
However, having said that, that red-haired girl’s strength was indeed ridiculously strong.
Even if the entire Iron Fang mercenary group went up together, they would have no chance of winning in front of her.
Fortunately, she is not an enemy.
Just thinking about this made Ricardo feel a chill down his back.
…
The night deepened.
The Royal Capital outside the Feather Pavilion Inn gradually quieted down.
Pedestrians on the street became sparse, the sound of earth dragon carriage wheels gradually faded away, leaving only street lamps casting circles of dim yellow light halos on the stone road.
The bathroom was steaming hot, and the white water mist dyed the not-too-large space like a fairyland.
Water droplets slowly slid down the tile wall, shining with tiny light under the dim yellow magic lamp.
Under the steaming mist, a slender figure was faintly visible.