People froze for a moment at Ryan’s sudden appearance. They stared at Ryan’s mouth without moving an inch.

“……”

Anneliese was the same. She stared at Ryan silently for a while, then slowly parted her lips first.

“Now that we have prepared a seat for you, it is time for you to speak your mind, sir.”

Ryan nodded as if he understood and stood in front of everyone. Anneliese stepped aside, and Elaina stared at him blankly.

“I believe everyone is well aware of how Edenbell is currently falling apart. Especially those gathered here would know even more so.”

Eventually, Ryan’s lips moved slowly in a lowered voice.

“There have always been various opinions in our gathering, and thus we have always respected each other’s opinions and maintained neutrality. But now, I am going to change my mind.”

What is he trying to do again?

Worry filled the eyes of Denhel and Viscount Duane as they stared at Ryan.

“We have always said that we are waiting for the right time, but that is now just a nice excuse. With Edenbell clearly falling apart before our eyes, neutrality is nothing but a luxury. I don’t want to hide behind that excuse and do nothing forever.”

As expected, he’s going down that path.

Anneliese laughed silently.

“Crown Prince Hister Butler has joined hands with the Lundberry Grand Ducal House and the Rockford Ducal House.”

“What, what did you say?”

“No, what does that mean……”

Some nobles who had just learned the news began to fill the hall with their surprised voices.

“Even if I hadn’t told you this, you would have found out soon enough. Right now, the Grand Duke of Lundberry and the Duke of Rockford are desperate to win over other nobles. As proof of that, the Duke of Rockford even visited our family.”

“S-so what did Duke Henad do?”

Denhel asked with a pale face, and Ryan answered with a smirk, as if asking something obvious.

“Is there any citizen of the empire who doesn’t know that the Henad family never wants to be involved in political strife?”

“……”

“My father refused the Duke of Rockford’s proposal.”

Ryan continued.

“It’s a good thing for me. Even for me, it would be a bit heavy on my heart to have a completely different political opinion from my father.”

“Ryan…?”

“I will no longer sit idly by and watch Hister Butler, who is no longer qualified to be emperor, scheming and running around.”

The hall suddenly froze coldly.

“I will do my best, though lacking, to help His Highness Prince Sinclair take the throne. This is my choice.”

Were those flashy scars on his face also the result of Ryan’s decision? Elaina looked at him with a pale face.

But why on earth would Ryan Henad…?

He had absolutely no reason to help Sinclair. In fact, even if he got the cowardly label of being a bystander, it might be the right choice for Duke Henad. Especially to protect their own safety.

“So I wanted to hear everyone’s opinions, and that’s why I’m talking at such length.”

…… No matter how many questions she asked herself, she couldn’t find the answer, and Elaina could only blankly stare at Ryan as he continued speaking.

“Of course, I am not unaware that there are those who have different opinions from me. However, the position of the Crown Prince originally belonged to His Highness Prince Sinclair. It was taken away from him due to an unfortunate incident. But don’t you all know? If His Highness Prince Sinclair had not killed Yuria at that time, Edenbell would certainly be in an even worse quagmire than it is now.”

To speak of such a thing so casually. Ryan Henad seemed like a person who had made up his mind. To turn the members of the gathering to his side no matter what.

“It cannot be said to be legal, but it also cannot be carelessly said to be absolutely wrong. There were also widespread rumors that Yuria was involved in the murder of the former Empress. Is there anyone here who hasn’t heard those words?”

People murmured.

“I already know that His Highness Prince Sinclair is a person embroiled in various scandals. But I think it would be wiser to support someone who has accumulated numerous merits in war and has survived endlessly being entangled in the imperial family’s political strife, thus continuously proving his abilities, rather than supporting a crown prince who is blinded by power and ambition and lacks ability.”

Ryan cleared his throat.

Then he slowly asked.

“Is there anyone in our gathering who will follow the same cause as me?”

“……”

“I will respect each person’s opinion. However, I want everyone to keep in mind. The fact that sometimes, some neutrality is nothing more than just being a spectator.”

Ryan finished speaking like that, and Elaina reflexively looked at Anneliese standing far away next to him.

Anneliese was……

For some reason, she had an expression that seemed inscrutable.

So, a face that looked like this situation was both interesting and unpleasant at the same time.

What could her true intentions be? Among the people gathered here, the thing she was most curious about was Anneliese’s reaction.

“I share the same thoughts as Lord Ryan.”

The first one to strike out was, of course, Perin Elaine.

“I have been to the battlefield with His Highness Prince Sinclair numerous times. Even though there was no respect or consideration from the imperial family, His Highness always returned with news of victory. That alone is reason enough for our family to support His Highness.”

“…… Judging by your face, it seems you had a big fight with your father, but I can’t turn a blind eye to this situation.”

Next was Denhel Voltaire.

“After all, the problem is that you have the wrong friend. Now we can’t even stand by and watch anymore, can we? Well…… I felt it was about time we made a move, so it’s just that the time has come a little earlier.”

Viscount Duane also lent a hand.

“I… I have always been a person who supports Lady Elaina!”

And Lady Legers, with a somewhat frightened expression but determined eyes, continued.

“So my opinion is the same as Lord Ryan’s. There’s no need to discuss this further.”

“I think so too.”

“That’s right. The best hand we can choose right now is His Highness Prince Sinclair. Didn’t we all know that?”

The cries of the gathering members continued one after another. With flushed cheeks, they also looked a bit excited.

No, maybe it was natural. They had been maintaining neutrality and waiting for the right time.

Moreover, the choice Ryan presented was very simple. Sinclair and Hister. If they had to choose between the two, it was obvious that everyone gathered here would choose the former without exception.

…… But Anneliese still hadn’t said a word and was just looking at people.

“Lady Anneliese.”

As if she couldn’t stand it anymore, Lady Legers parted her lips very carefully.

“We are curious about your thoughts. Since almost everyone has expressed their opinion, I think it’s your turn now.”

“……”

“It may be rude to say, but is there anyone here who has more ill feelings towards the current imperial family than you, Lady Anneliese? Of course you will take Lord Ryan’s side.”

“That’s right. It was also because of that woman Yuria that the collateral branches of the imperial family were driven out of the capital!”

Above all, Anneliese’s decision was important. After all, she was the leader of the gathering and would be able to wield more power than one might think.

Thus, Elaina also looked at Anneliese with a slightly tense face.

“…… I understand everyone’s opinions well.”

And only after a considerable time had passed did Anneliese slowly part her lips.

“I respect everyone’s opinions. As I always have. So, I hope you will also respect my opinion.”

“Lady Anneliese……?”

At Anneliese’s unexpected response, Perin slightly narrowed her eyes and hesitated. Elaina was the same.

“I think I need some time to think.”

“……”

“To decide something right here and now, too much is at stake for me.”

Anneliese said with her characteristic elegant smile.

“You are all right. It would be hard to find someone who is as dissatisfied with the current imperial family as I am. However, the collateral branches have their own intentions.”

…… Collateral branches.

In other words, those who have at least some of the imperial bloodline.

They may have choices other than Sinclair. The collateral bloodlines would have also grown enough to take the throne. And perhaps, the collateral branches may hope for a new emperor to emerge from among themselves.

…… But if things proceed that way, wouldn’t it be utter chaos?

Elaina, whose thoughts had reached that point, felt dizzy, but she looked at Anneliese without showing it as much as possible.

“Please give me some time. You can do that much for me, can’t you?”

“……”

“I will adjourn today’s meeting here. Everyone, please return safely.”

That was the end. Anneliese left her seat without a word, and only the confused people were left in the hall.

…… And in the midst of that, Ryan’s gaze was constantly directed at Elaina.