Karran spoke boldly, as if he were already the king himself. He wasn’t even using “When I become king” but rather “As the king.” Two similar phrases, with completely different innuendos.
“… After taking over all the other countries, we will then become the absolute rulers of the world!”
*ROOOOOAAAR!*
The crowd went wild as if to match his “amazing” vision. After all, just listening to it without considering its possibility, his talk sounded amazing. If he could achieve it and make it a reality, then that would be an incredible feat.
Karran was basking under the cheers and the unbridled attention he was getting, with a satisfied smile covering his face. After a while, before the cheers completely faded, he returned to his seat and leaned back while manspreading.
“That was an exciting vision coming from candidate Karran!”
Vermeil quickly picked up the pace, starting with the second person.
“… Next, we have Millinda Quartz! Millinda, please!”
The next one to take the stage, Millinda, stepped forward. Her gait was short but confident, with her every gesture alluring the male audience. This girl, she’s using a skill? Isn’t that against the rules?
I turned to Vermeil, who also noticed her little stunt, but shook her head. Well, yeah, it’s not like we made rules for the debate. Skill use wasn’t banned, so she could technically do what she’s currently doing.
Looking at Karran, he looked like he didn’t notice what Millinda was doing at all. I guess, with his current level, he can’t detect such a stealthy skill activation.
Her talk was long… It was longer than twice Karran’s, even. Rather, her speech felt more like a business proposal than a public appeal. Still, looking at how solid her business design was, even I was slightly convinced… Wait, is her skill taking effect on me too?
Either way, the kingdom would still be doomed if she actually applied such an approach to managing the kingdom. It might be a solid business paradigm, but it’s not fit for ruling over millions of citizens.
Just like before, another round of wild cheers and applause rained. Millinda smiled, bowing lightly, before returning to her sofa and sitting down with grace.
*CLAP!*
Vermeil clapped one, not only to get everyone’s attention but also to undo the light brainwashing that Millinda applied to the live audience. She was quite skilled, though, since even after Goddess Vermeil undid her mind control, nobody suspected anything sketchy was going on.
“What a beautiful plan, a perfect and flawless business idea!”
Just like before, Vermeil continued to praise the candidate’s speech, trying to maintain the neutrality of her words as much as possible.
“… And last but not least, we have candidate Will Seimei! Will, come on up!”
Finally, it’s my turn. After listening to Millinda’s long and absurd talk, my nervousness vanished somewhere. I guess that’s a good thing since I can now perform what I prepared to my best capacity.
“Ladies and gentlemen, before I talk about what I would be implementing when I become king, let’s first talk about the disparity between nobles and commoners…” .𝒎
As soon as I began talking, the ones on the forefront, presumably nobles or something along the same vein, had their faces turn sour immediately. To nobles, being compared to a commoner itself was displeasing.
I started to talk, enumerating the differences between the two ranks. As I continued to speak, the fact that a noble’s words were almost absolute concerning a commoner’s fate made the disparity between the two ranks irreconcilable.
“Such a system is flawed and honestly unfair!”
*Murmur!* *Murmur!*
As I mentioned the fairness of things, the commoners nearby started to whisper to the ones beside them, while the nobles started to visibly show disgusted expressions and even started walking away, not willing to listen any longer.
“And so, when I become the king, I will abolish the nobility system and change it to a more democratic government!” 𝘪𝑎.𝘤𝑜𝑚
A system where even commoners could run for the presidency, as long as they met the requirements. It was the epitome of freedom and equality!
As I continued to talk, the commoners started to show resolute faces. Slowly but surely, I’m pulling their hearts closer to my ideal than the other two. The nobles? They’re extremely outnumbered, anyway, so who cares about them? Let either Karran or Millinda have them.
As I finished my speech, I didn’t receive the same degree of energy as the previous two. Every single commoner in the live venue clapped their hands in harmony. It wasn’t as boisterous, but celebratory all the same.
After that, the debate began.
Honestly, I didn’t want to recall that even again. It was so chaotic, given that the debate was open to all. I’m not sure who would be considered the “winner” by the end, but at least, I managed to say everything I wanted to say before it ended.
With this, unless they’re fanatic followers of the two, then the others should be reconsidering who they’d support.
By the way, Maximillian dropped out of candidacy midway, while announcing to all the citizens under his clan’s control that he’d rather support me than compete with me. With that little nudge, I guess it’s safe to say that most of his people are now my supporters.
When the debate ended, I was so tired physically, mentally, and emotionally that I literally couldn’t remember what I did afterward. It was the next day that I finally regained my sanity.
“Will, take a look at this!”
As soon as I went down to the dining hall, Fatila quickly approached me with a crystal in hand. As she came close enough, she infused the crystal with energy, causing it to release a combination of sound and images… A recorded video of the debate.
I listened to it but quickly paled.
“I… said those?”
I must be so out of my mind that I was talking nonsense! Ah, I want to return to yesterday and punch myself! Anyway, that, for sure, is another page in my dark history… And please destroy this video. It’s better if nobody else could see it ever again.
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