Fire Emblem Protagonist 07

"Just gotta stay quite and relaxed... quiet and relaxed..." Heitor was repeating those words to himself like a mantra.

Aldeberan chuckled. "You don't sound very calm and relaxed, cousin." Of course he didn't! This was serious business! "Don't worry, as long as you don't do anything, they won't hurt you."

Heitor slowly nodded. "Yeah... Even so, stepping foot onto such a important place, as a foreigner, feels kinda of weird. Right?" They were currently inside of the palace.

This was no place for a servant... though maybe it was a place for a Fire Emblem protagonist.

Aldeberan shrugged. "Eh, where the princess goes I follow. Even if I don't belong in it."

Priscilla smiled. "Well said, Al." And then her gaze shifted to Heitor. "Worry not piggy, this entire palace might as well belong to me already. So simply think of it as being in my mansion." Some good ol' Priscilla logic huh?

He took a deep breath. "I'll try."

This wasn't too complicated. They were here for the Royal Selection, and they would enter the throne room when called. Then Heitor would copy whatever Al did, and stay silent during the entire thing unless somebody talked with him. Which they shouldn't do unless he gave them a reason to.

Basically, all he had to do was not embarrass Priscilla. Not just because she would kill him, but also because the knights would probably want a piece of him too.

Easy... Ah! This was reminding him of his most stressful days in the military!

After a few more stressed minutes, their time finally came. Priscilla, being Priscilla entered in the room with complete assurance, she truly did think this place was hers already.

Heitor did not feel the same, he had his hand on his Rapier as he walked around, almost as if trying to feel safer... Honestly normally he didn't even walk around while showing his weapon, but Priscilla insisted he should show he was armed.

And since he finally entered the room, he began analyzing the people as well.

The Knight Commander Marcos, as skilled as one could be, the peak of what a knight was. Felix Argyle, a healer that could treat any wound. Julius Juukulius, a knight contracted to six spirits at the same time. Reinhard Van Astrea, someone who...

Heitor didn't even know where to begin unpacking that one... That guy was definitely gonna die so the plot could progress!

And then there were the candidates...

Anastasia Hoshin, nothing too special about her, she was actually pretty sickly, though she was contracted with a spirit. Crusch Karsten, an excellent magic swordsman who had an ability to see when someone was lying.

And... Emilia. Absurd amounts of mana, contracted to a immensely powerful spirit, and a elf...

He actually blushed at the sight of her. "W-wow." He could feel his inner Sigurd overtaking him! Telling him that bad decisions were actually good decisions, and that not all Fire Emblem dads died!

Al snapped him out of his shock, whispering. "Let's go cousin."

He nodded. "R-right." And followed the Gladiator, walking into a group of knights while Priscilla stayed behind.

He could only hope she... and everybody else hadn't seen that. There was no way gawking at another candidate's beauty would be seen as a good thing for his camp.

One of the members of the Council raised his voice. "Where is the fifth candidate? She was found, yes?"

Reinhard nervously stepped forward. "Yes, but... She will be here soon."

Funnily enough, as soon as he said it, a new person walked in, followed by a couple of servants. It was a young girl blonde girl, one that would look adorable if not for the massive scowl covering her face.

A beginner with the knife. Divine Protection of the Wind.

Reinhard smiled. "This is Lady Felt. I happened to... stumble onto her during an outing to the city's slums. My belief is that such a meeting is destiny, and so I will support her—."

"Who the hell wants your support!? I don't remember asking for it!" And the girl quickly shut him off.

Ouch.

That aside, they were quite the scary pair. Mostly because Reinhard seemed fucking unbeatable in the battlefield... and out of the battlefield in some ways. Still, he knew their caml was doomed due to good ol' writing tropes.

Marcos cleared his throat. "Well, now that every candidate is here, let us begin introductions. Announce yourselves, and your intentions, candidates."

Crush stepped forward, confidence behind her every step. "I'm Crusch Karsten, a duchess, and as one can see..." She displayed the Dragon Jewel. "I have been recognized as one of the candidates for the throne of Lugunica."

"And as for my intentions... I'll fix this weak country!" Her voice was swirling with resolve. "The Divine Dragon is but a crutch, one that that has ignored us while we most needed him! Not a speck of his divine blood was handed to the royal family while they perished!"

She continued. "His negligence has gone too far. As such, after I become king, I shall break the covenant! And then make this a country that does not need the aid of gods to stand!"

That...

Was really, really fucking stupid. To comical levels really. She was running for the throne, because the Divine Dragon himself had appointed her as a possible Dragon Maiden, and her intentions were to go tell him to fuck himself?

Well, that was fine... kinda... but should she really say that right now!? It was a miracle that people didn't immediately call her a heretic and burn her at the stake! He respected the hustle though, very Fire Emblem protagonist...

Way too protagonistic even! Was Crusch actually the main heroine!? Could he dump Priscilla for her right here and now!?

It would be fine right, common Fire Emblem logic dictated that the dragon would be crazy, or evil, or both anyways.

Marcos was clearly surprised, much like the rest of the room, but nonetheless he nodded. "Very well." And then he motioned to the next candidate.

Anastasia stepped forward. "Name's Anastasia Hoshin, though I'm sure everybody here has already heard of little ol' me. I'd even go as far as to bet that most people here have bought my products."

She showed the Dragon Jewel. "That Volcanica must have a good eye, 'cause he picked me as a candidate."

She continued. "My intentions are simple. I wanna own a kingdom, 'cause I like ownin' stuff, I'm a greedy gal ya see..." A second Priscilla!? One with a cute accent!? "But don't worry, I take care of the stuff I own, good care."

She giggled. "The kingdom experienced a famine recently... A tragedy and all that, but let me make somethin' clear, if I was king, that wouldn't have happened. I'll make this nation the richest nation in the entire world."

She smiled. "I'm the greatest merchant to ever do it, I'll be the greatest king to ever do it too."

Could it be... that she had some relation with the Anna family!? Maybe her hair was dyed! And maybe she was wearing contacts! There was no other way to justify such a crazy attitude.

Marcos seemed even more bothered now, but he simply repeated himself, and motioned... to Priscilla. Completely ignoring Emilia.

The silver haired girl's lips trembled.

Her looks... she was beautiful, but she did resemble the Witch of Envy, didn't she? Heitor had yet to learn the gritty details of the story behind the woman, but she was clearly very important to this setting's lore.

She had a evil cult too... Loptous vibes all around. Could Emilia be the Julius of this world then...? He hoped not. His inner Sigurd was screaming that such a thing would be a tragedy.

Priscilla giggled, almost as if she was happy Emilia had just been disrespected. "I am Priscilla Barielle. I will be king." She showed the Dragon Jewel.

"There's nothing more to be said, really. The world works on my favor, and I desire this country, therefore it will be handed it to me." She was talking crazy even in this situation!? "I care not for anyone's thought on it, if they do not like it, they might as well complain that the Sun is hot."

She put a finger on her lips. "As for what I will do with my new kingdom..." Take over Vollachia. "We shall see how I feel about it once the day comes." So she wasn't crazy enough to outright admit she was seeking war.

Priscilla was kind of incredible.

He hated to admit it, because he disliked her, but it was the truth. She had just said ludicrous things, but even so the people in the room seemed completely enchanted by her. If he didn't know her skill set, he would have guessed she could control minds.

But she couldn't. It's just that there was something in her that controlled hearts... of idiots! Any person who supported her after that little speech was a goddamned idiot!

He could only hope that Crusch would... crush her! Maybe that would teach her some humility.

And now it was Felt's turn. "Hey, I'm Felt. Fuck you guys, I don't give a shit about this country, I don't wanna live on it, much less waste my time running it." Amazing.

Poor Reinhard seemed as if he was just hit by lightning. Not that such a thing would do much to him. "L-Lady Felt!? This is no time for jokes!"

She glared at him. "The only joke here is you, bastard." She spat on the ground. "You have to be the biggest cuck I have ever met. Go cry in a corner or something."

The worst part is that Reinhard really looked as if he was going to do that.

And then one of the member of the Council hit his hand on the table. "What kind of joke is this!?" A understandable reaction... "First we allow a... half-elf to step foot in this place, and now a ungrateful slum rat!"

No comment on Priscilla's speech? Really?

While Emilia recoiled, Felt glared at the man. "You talking shit old men? Wanna g—?"

Smoke erupted across the room, covering everyone's visions.

Heitor emptied his mind of any useless thoughts, and made way towards Priscilla. His abilities weren't activating, so this probably wasn't a battle, but there was no reason to get cocky. He was a bodyguard, so he would act like one.

But before he ever reached Priscilla, the smoke cleared.

Reinhard was standing above a man, while pointed the sheathed Dragon Sword Reid at him.

Rom, a giant, very skilled.

Felt's face immediately contorted in panic. "Old man!? What are you even doing here...?" But the giant could not respond. Reinhard had knocked him out in a second.

She pointed at the knight. "Hey Reinhard, let him go!"

Reinhard shook his head. "I cannot obey that order Lady Felt. This man has invaded the palace while armed. I can only assume he had malicious intentions, therefore—."

"That's my grandpa dumbass!" Adopted grandpa Heitor had to assume.

"It doesn't matter." The knight sighed. "Due to his actions he must be tried and arrested." He looked at the Council, as if he was awaiting for their approval.

He received it. "Indeed. Well done in apprehending the criminal... Knights take him out of here."

Felt grit her teeth, and got between them. "Reinhard, let my grandpa go! That's an order!"

Reinhard stayed silent.

The council did not. "Lady Felt, as one who has renounced her candidacy, you have no right to order the Sword Saint aroun—."

"Fine damn it!" Finally she showed her Dragon Jewel. "I'll run for the throne you assholes! Y'all happy now!?" No, nobody here seemed to really like her...

Except Reinhard. "I'm sure you will be a fine ruler, Lady Felt." He looked at the knights. "Please take this man to a empty room so that he may get some rest. Take care, for he is the grandparent of a princess."

The knights nodded...

"Hey, isn't this totally criminal...?" Heitor silently whispered to himself.

They were literally letting a criminal getting away with invading the palace because he was related to a important person. It was kind of a clear show of corruption, especially since they only accepted Felt's command after she herself accepted her position.

Al snorted, having heard him. "Who cares. You know what the princess gets away with." Fair enough...

Felt stepped back into place. "So you guys wanna hear my intentions huh...? Now that I've been forced into participating into this, fine! I'll give them out! I'm gonna destroy this country!"

She clenched her fists. "Screw the dragon, screw the knights, screw the nobility, screw the mages, and screw the council, screw everything! I'll torch it all to the ground and then rebuilt it in a way that doesn't complete suck! Those are my intentions!"

That was... a really big promise.

Marcos nodded. "And that concludes the introduction of all candidates." Emilia squirmed uncomfortably. "Now, to discuss how the Selection will be run—."

His Sigurd took over. "Excuse me Knight Commander." Was that the correct method of adressing him? "One candidate has yet to introduce herself..." The more he spoke, the more he lost his nerve.

People were staring at him. Everyone was staring at him.

Priscilla was going to skin him alive, wasn't she?

Surprisingly however, the Knight Commander smiled. "You are correct young man, my apologies." He looked at the poor half-elf. "Please introduce yourself, and state your intentions, candidate."

Emilia took a deep breath, and finally got her chance to actually talk. "My name is Emilia, and It too have been chosen by the dragon." She showed her Dragon Jewel.

"It is my intention to fix the inequality found in this kingdom. I will not rest until human and demi-human is seen as equal!" She was doing it surprisingly well for someone who had the attention of the entire room.

But she was also the only candidate who had her speech interrupted by one of the members of the Council. "What kind of joke is this? Why are we even listening to a half-devil?"

Emilia grit her teeth. "I have been chosen by the Divine Dragon—."

"Or so you claim, but such could be easily faked by a witch." Ah! Such a expected answer from a generic Fire Emblem racist guy!

Emilia looked down. "I..." Something was clear about her.

She didn't want to be here. He had seen it from the moment he had entered the room, but the pitiful whimper that now left her mouth had sealed the deal. She looked pale, she looked tired, she looked broken.

But she still tried her best. "I demand that you accept my candidacy! No other candidate has been doubted like this, so it's only fair!"

Another one of the sages rolled his eyes. "Yes, but do you have any chance of winning anyways? Out of all the candidates, you are also the only one who has been abandoned by her supporters before the Selection even begun."

He continued. "Do you honestly believe you can stand upon here without the Margrave by your side? My colleague's words may be harsh, but he is correct when he says you shouldn't even be here."

The girl gulped... "That's... just because Lord Roswaal—."

"Girl, make us all a favor and give up. Now." He pinched his nose. "You are wasting our time... time that we do not have to spare."

And like that, Emilia gave up. "I... understand."

The crystal on her neck glowed, he didn't understand what was the cause of it, but afterwards Emilia looked even more destroyed. Perhaps her super strong spirit was communicating with her?

The leader of the Council nodded. "Very well, then is it to correct to say you forfeit your status as a candidate?"

"Ye—."

"Councilman, with all the respect, this is absurd!" Ah, he couldn't help it. It was only natural for a Fire Emblem protagonist to interfere in such a situation!

Seriously, Emilia was clearly important to the plot. For all he knew, her dropping out would lead to a bad end.

The room was once again centered around him. "During this Lady Emilia has been snubbed over and over again. Her forfeiting her candidacy right now would mean nothing! It's as if someone had put a blade to her neck."

He began to sweat as he spoke. He was breaking the instructions Priscilla had given him... not good.

The Councilman sighed. "Boy, who are you?"

He bowed in response. "Heitor. A servant in service of Lady Priscilla."

He received a glare from the councilman that had been grilling Emilia. "And do you believe a servant has the right to interrupt such a important event, two times at that?

"I do not." Shit, how did he get away with this now!? He should have kept his damn mouth shut! "But I do not speak as a servant of Lady Priscilla. I speak as but a child of the Divine Dragon Volcanica!"

Y-yeah, he had to appeal to religion. "The dragon chose her! To act as if her existence taints the palace, is to declare the Divine Dragon an enemy!"

He gulped, starting to get some resolve. "Something that some of you do not seem to hesitate to do. A candidate that wishes to break the covenant? Another that sees Lugunica as property? Another that thinks it's a property it already owns? And one that wishes to destroy everything?"

Talking shit about the candidates was definitely not wise, but it would help put things in perspective. "Meanwhile, all Lady Emilia has wished for is for all man and woman to be treated equal! Do you not see the irony of spitting in her face for it!?"

The Councilman looked at him as if he was an idiot. He was probably right. "To believe a half-devil's whispers is the height of folly." He shook his head. "And even more than that, you would so brazenly betray your own master?"

Yes, fuck Priscilla. "No. I just believe my master is above such free handouts. If one crushes Lady Emilia, it shall be her, not you. Idiot." Why did he let the idiot slip!? Why did he let the idiot slip!? Why did he let the idiot slip!?

The man clenched his fists. "You insult me, servant?"

Y-yes...!? "I have no respect for any who would brazenly betray their own master. Remember..." His name was... "Bordeaux Zellgeff, that you are naught but a servant of Lugunica and the Divine Dragon Volcania. Know your place."

His insult obviously didn't help with anything. "You would accuse me of being a traitor, in favor of a harlot?"

Heitor looked around. "Everyone here is a traitor! From Councilman who think themselves as wiser than the Divine Dragon, to knights who fail to protect their princess, and to candidates who allow such corruption to run wild!"

There... that would made things better. As if!?

And then Julius Juukulius stepped up. "This has gone a bit too far, you would insult knighthood?"

And like that, he was dead. He lost his temper so much that knights were know stepping in the conversation. Most likely to throw him into the slammer. Now all he could do was beg for forgiveness.

"And mine ears have been insulted with this conversation for far too long!" Eh? "I had accepted the elf being made to cry because it was entertaining, but this is just a waste of time."

She continued. "Mine servant has spoken no lies thus far. If one wishes to punish him for it, then do so for hurt pride, not for any other paltry excuse. Otherwise, face me as an enemy!"

Bordeaux grit his teeth. "Lady Priscilla, your servant has—."

"Told the truth." She clicked her tongue. "Just as I tell the truth when I say you look hideous. Now, can we move along, or must we waste the entire day arguing about a half-devil?"

"You..."

But the leader of the Councilman put a stop to it. "It is true that this foolishness has gone for long enough... Lady Emilia, please introduce yourself once more."

The elf grasped her glowing crystal. "I will! Thank you!" Look at that, a happy ending.

That he got by throwing a tantrum and being really stupid. Amazing.