Marquis Hopeâs territory in the western part of the Kingdom of Knightley.
At the lordâs mansion in the territorial capital of Jewel, a negotiator on leave was making an impassioned speech.
âFather, brother, we should issue a statement of support for King Abel immediately!â
Negotiator Ignis from the Kingdomâs Ministry of Foreign Affairs was trying to persuade his father, the Marquis of Hope, and his brother, the next in line.
âI certainly understand what youâre trying to say, IgnisâŠâ
After saying that, the Marquis of Hope frowned and scratched his head.
Then he continued speaking.
âI donât know Abel, or rather the character of King Abel. We, as a Marquis house will be in a very difficult position if, after making our stance clear, the person weâre rooting for turns out to be a terrible individual.â
âAnd I already told you! I know Abel, or rather King Abel, very well! ăAlbeit as an adventurer, I can assure you that he has an outstanding character. I do not doubt that he will be an extremely great king comparable to the ones of the past!â
Ignis had spent a great deal of time with Abel, an A-rank adventurer at the time, on a mission to the Twilight Land just a few months earlier.
He was trying to win the support of his father and brother by telling them about his experience.
âFather, if what Ignis says is true, then King Abel certainly seems to be a man worth supporting. At least much more so than the Duke of FlitwickâŠâ
âMmmmâŠthat may indeed be so, stillâŠâ
King Abelâs coronation proclamation was issued at noon today.
Itâs now 12:30.
At a time when many nobles in the Kingdom are on the fence, a declaration of support from the Marquis of Hope would greatly put them in good standing.
In the coming reign of King Abel, the prestige of the Marquis house will be even greater than before.
Of course, Marquis Hope house is still the largest noble family in the West.
The current Marquis of Hope has little interest in central politics.
However, considering that his descendants will inherit the territory and the title âHopeâ, he ought to have a certain degree of strengthâŠand one powerful enough not to be underestimated by the central government.
âVery well. Our Marquis Hope House will support King Abel.â
âOoh!â
Hearing their fatherâs declaration, the elder brother and younger brother exclaimed in unison.
Thirty minutes later, the Marquis of Hope, a great western noble, proclaimed support for King Abel.
At about the same time, the Marquis of Heinlein and the Count of Rune on the southern frontier also declared their support for King Abel.
The Elves of the âWestern Forestâ also declared their support for King Abel.
At this stage, the conflict between King Raymond, who held the northern and central regions, and King Abel, who had the support of the southern and western regions, became clear.
The Kingdom was divided into two, except for the eastern part which was in turmoil and where the lords were being replaced one after another.