Evolving My Undead Legion In A Game-Like World

Chapter 686: Allocation Method

Michael might not have been politically smart or able to read every subtle shift in the atmosphere, but when the signs were so obvious that even a common man would notice, the situation became as clear to him as to anyone.

He had a basic grasp of what was happening in the banquet hall right now.

The Second Prince stood on the platform, hand lowered, expression calm on the surface.

In front of him was Leonard Vale, the Queen’s nephew.

To his sides were the Ninth Prince and the Seventh Prince, who had just finished publicly agreeing with Leonard.

Three voices on one side.

One voice on the other.

Even without understanding the deeper currents, Michael could tell something very simple.

He did not know much about court politics, but he did know one thing very well.

People did not interrupt princes lightly.

And princes probably did not interrupt other princes without reason.

”Arianne,” Michael said quietly.

She tilted her head a fraction, not taking her eyes off the platform.

”Is this normal?” he asked.

Her lips twitched.

”For princes to speak with each other during public events?” she replied softly. ”Yes. For two of them to step on the same line and press another in front of the entire noble circle?”

Her voice lowered even further.

”No. Not normal.”

Michael nodded slightly.

So he was not imagining things.

On stage, the Second Prince finally spoke.

”Seventh Brother. Ninth Brother.” His voice was mild, his tone still courteous. ”And Lord Leonard. It seems tonight’s interest in this matter is quite high.”

There was no overt displeasure in his words, but those who were familiar with phrasing heard the edge beneath.

Raelion smiled faintly.

”It is only natural,” the Ninth Prince said. ”The ruin concerns the future of the kingdom. If the original candidates are already decided, then I see no harm in sharing their names before announcing any new methods. It would only reassure everyone that the process up to this point has been clean.”

The words were light.

The implication was not.

The Seventh Prince nodded with an almost innocent expression.

”Yes. Our royal family has nothing to hide,” he said. ”If the original list is impeccable, then saying it out loud will only strengthen trust.”

Leonard Vale did not add anything else. He just stood patiently, as if he had simply asked a curious question and then stepped back to let the princes speak.

The Second Prince let a heartbeat of silence pass.

Then another.

Michael could practically feel the nobles choking on the tension.

Some of them looked like they desperately wanted to leave the hall but were nailed to the floor by etiquette.

Seria leaned closer to Michael, her voice barely audible.

”This is bad,” she whispered. ”This is very bad.”

”How so?” Michael asked.

Seria inhaled slowly, her gaze still fixed on the platform.

”The selection process,” she murmured. ”Up until now, it has been handled quietly. The academies, the duchies, the royal household. Everyone negotiated, made compromises, balanced favors.”

She wet her lips.

”If His Highness reveals the names now, on this stage, and any of the choices look biased or too political or too heavily tilted toward certain factions, it will become a public weapon.”

Michael’s eyes went back to Leonard.

”So they want to force him to show his hand,” he said.

Arianne’s lashes lowered for a moment.

”Yes,” she answered quietly.

Michael absorbed that.

He was no noble strategist, but even he could follow this level of scheming.

If the Second Prince refused to reveal the names, it would look like he had something to hide.

If he revealed them, whatever biases were hidden inside would be dragged into the open.

Michael thought briefly of the people he knew who were already chosen.

He could already imagine the possible complaints.

Once exposed, it would be judged by everyone’s private interests.

”Is there no rule against this kind of questioning?” Michael asked.

”There are rules,” Arianne said softly. ”There is also power.”

Her gaze moved briefly to Raelion.

”Tonight, the ones asking are not minor nobles. They are the Queen’s nephew and two princes who stand high in the struggle for succession. If His Highness the Second Prince refuses too strongly, it will look like he fears them.”

Michael considered that.

So in simple terms...

He cannot ignore them.

But he also cannot give them too much space.

On the platform, the Second Prince finally allowed himself a small laugh.

”You wound me, Ninth Brother,” he said, a faint smile touching his lips. ”Do you truly think I am so foolish as to present a method without being prepared for such questions?”

His voice was smooth again, carrying neatly through the hall.

”I have no objection to sharing the original names,” he went on. ”In fact, I had already planned to introduce them during the course of this banquet.”

A few nobles visibly relaxed.

The princes’ attempt to corner him had been met, at least on the surface.

The Second Prince raised his hand in a graceful gesture. A royal attendant stepped forward immediately, holding a small scroll.

”Before that, however,” the Second Prince said, ”I would like to remind everyone of something simple.”

His gaze swept over the hall.

”The ruin is not a family courtyard. It is not a training ground. It is a place marked by the shadow of an individual who stood near the peak of the empire. The quotas we hold were not gained easily.”

His tone cooled just a touch.

”The original list was formed not to please every faction, but to ensure the highest chance of survival and success. This includes academy elites, pillars of the kingdom, and those whose contributions have already been recognized by the crown.”

Michael felt a few gazes subtly shift in his direction after that sentence.

He ignored them.

The Second Prince nodded to the attendant.

”Now. Since there is such interest, let us satisfy it,” he said calmly. ”We will announce the original candidates first. After that, we will speak of the ten new slots and the method to allocate them.”