This was not the first time Heitor had been in the same room as all the five candidates for the throne of Lugunica.

There was something different about this time however, it felt more... intimate. Probably because instead of them all being inside of a gigantic throne room, they were inside of a random place Priscilla had rented so that they could meet.

Although it wasn't like the candidates were the only people present. Heitor had obviously come as Priscilla's bodyguard, while Felix had done so for Crusch, Reinhard for Felt, and Julius for Anastasia. Puck and Anastasia's spirit were here too, even if they weren't really showing themselves.

Still, even after all that, it was a lot less people than the start of the selection.

In the center of the room, there was a large round table, and the candidates were all seated. Though the bodyguards were not, instead standing on guard right behind their masters in case it was needed.

It made Heitor feel as if he was in the middle of an Arthurian event.

The duchess looked apologetic, as she took a seat. "I'm sorry that I was the last one to arrive, I have been busy with a project." Heitor imagined everyone here was extremely busy.

Except for himself of course, he just kind of followed Priscilla around.

Priscilla waved her off. "It is fine. Let us not waste anymore time and start this meeting already." She received nods from the table. "First of all, I do not believe it is hard to put together, but this meeting concerns the attempted assassination of mineself and the half-elf."

She continued. "Or to be more specific, it concerns the lack of action from the knights meant to guard us." None of the candidates seemed shocked.

Either they already knew, or Priscilla had told them about it when she contacted them.

That wasn't the case for the their bodyguards however. They were definitely shocked.

Julius gasped. "What!? They went that far...!?"

Immediately Felt glared at him. "Well, that's a mighty fucking suspicious thing to say right out of the gate. Especially from the supposed Finest Knight."

Reinhard sighed. "Please do not swear, Lady Felt..." That was what he was focusing on!?

Julius winced. "O-oh! My apologies, I did not mean it that way." He bowed. "It's just that I had my suspicious that some attempt at revenge would come for Heitor after his... outburst at the Selection."

He continued. "I certainly did not think it would be something so serious however. It was my belief that perhaps a knight or two would try to harass him, and then quickly get dispatched by Lady Priscilla's influence."

Felt squinted her eyes. "That's..."

Reinhard interjected. "The truth milady. I possess a Divine Protection that allows me to tell truth from lie, so I know he was not involved." He smiled. "And from a more personal standpoint, I can vouch for Julius' character as well. He would never stain his honor in such a way."

Felix raised a hand. "Yep! Julius ain't some scummy, sorry of an excuse for a knight!"

Julius smiled back. "Thank you my friends."

And then Crusch interjected as well. "I would like to add that I am also blessed with such an ability to tell truth from lie, and I did not see any from Sir Julius."

So he was clean... supposedly. As long as Reinhard and Crusch weren't in the conspiracy as well.

Priscilla rolled her eyes. "Now that this has been cleared up, let us get back to the matter at hand. My place of stay was invaded by two large assassin groups, one going after my head, and one going after the half-elf's head."

She scowled. "Not an impossible thing to happen to a candidate of course, but what was strange was that the knights made to guard me, did not act. In fact, they claimed to have done nothing at all."

She continued. "Afterwards, they were considered to have commited negligence, and as such will be punished for it. Tell me, does anyone here actually believe they simply didn't see anything?"

Crusch looked down. "It is hard to... Even the most incompetent knight would have seen such a fuss."

Anastasia nodded. "Without a doubt these guys just wanted to get Lady Emilia killed. I don't think..." She looked at Heitor. "Your outburst would be enough to get yer lady into their hit list however."

He hoped so! "I agree Lady Anastasia." He bowed slightly. "However during a very short investigation conducted on the knight that lead the team by Lady Priscilla, he seemed to let it slip surprise at the fact that she was a target."

Anastasia hummed. "Got ya... So it was probably one group workin' with the knights, and by extension the Council. And another group just seizin' the opportunity. Pretty crazy stuff... Is it true?"

Crusch nodded. "Yes, his wind does not lie." And Reinhard agreed as well.

Anastasia clicked her tongue. "This seems to be a mess..." She looked at Priscilla. "If yer knights were bein' corrupt though, then how did ya survive? Just had good luck?"

Priscilla smiled, he could already see her classic line about the world coming... "My servant protected me." She actually gave him credit!? That was crazy!

She chuckled. "He possess an incredible power that allows him to constantly be aware of the entire battlefield." Wait, she was actually giving out information about his abilities!? "Not to mention how he can constantly communicate with any ally."

Her smirk was made out of smug. "In this instance, his ability immediately woke him up for the battle, and he completely and utterly fended off the assassins. We knew their positions at all times, just as we knew exactly how to counter them."

It was almost like Priscilla was gassing him up, but... that didn't sound like her. Maybe a better comparison would be to say she was akin to a rich girl showing off her super well taken care off special dog.

Crusch's jaw hit the floor. "You... aren't lying. That's..." she sounded genuinely amazed at his ability.

It actually made him feel a bit embarassed.

Felt rolled her eyes. "Pretty nuts, who cares." And there went his pride. "Please don't tell me we are here to gush about some guy? Because if that's the case we can drool on this dumbass all day long." She finished by pointing at poor Reinhard.

Typically this would mean going back to the actual important topic, but...

Priscilla slapped the table. "As if that failure of a Sword Saint can compare to mine piggy! For all the power he holds, what has he actually done in all of his career? Nothing!"

And now poor Reinhard was squirming...

What was with Priscilla's reaction!? Was this the A-Rank at work!? So far nothing this drastic had happened... He would have to avoid her like a plague from now on. Because if this was A, then what would S look like?

Not to mention how S-Rank would mean getting married to Priscilla... and divorce was not a thing in Fire Emblem land! It sounded like a complete nightmare!

Though maybe he was overreacting in this situation. Maybe Priscilla was just pushing back because she saw Felt's comment as a challenge towards her authority.

Felt shrugged. "Hey, you won't find me disagreeing." Reinhard looked like a hurt puppy. Was this animal abuse? Were these two possible kings animal abusers? "But ain't nobody got the time to chat about your boyfriend."

Priscilla's eye twitched. "You are lucky I do not separate your head from your shoulders this instant. Be glad that I feel pity someone has already done so to your tail, slum rat."

For the first time in the discussion, Emilia raised her voice. "Let's stop fighting! We barely got into the meeting!" Hopefully her innocent princess charms would be enough.

Felt pouted. "Yeah, yeah..."

And Priscilla huffed. "Very well. I am not here to discuss the different qualities of breed a pet can have. I am here to propose an alliance between the five candidates."

One would expect the entire table to be stunned into silence at such a proclamation, but surprisingly...

Anastasia didn't seem surprised at all. "I was thinkin' the same thing from the moment I heard of the assassination attempt! Great minds really do think alike." Well, she was the merchant version of Priscilla.

Priscilla muttered to herself, loud enough for Anastasia to hear. "Having a she-fox thinking like me puts a dirty taste in my mouth..." She definitely did it on purpose.

Felt leaned back against her chair. "An alliance? Let me say from the beginning that I don't wanna work with any snob." She scratched her cheek. "So I guess I'll work with the big sis." And that would be...?

Emilia apparently. "Felt, Lady Priscilla really isn't that bad..." She was! She totally was!

Crusch cut through the chatter. "I would be unwilling to make an alliance with anyone in the first place. Please take no offense, but unless something is offered, I will not waste resources hunting down assassins that were not sent after me."

Anastasia grinned. "That's alright. But before ya make any big commitments, just be aware that sayin' no to the alliance right now would mean making everybody in this table yer enemy. Ain't that right, Lady Priscilla?"

But they were already enemies...

Priscilla nodded. "Correct. This is not just an alliance after all, it is a defense pact, one with the objective of protecting us from anyone who is not a candidate."

She continued. "The assassination attempt proved that the Council is willing to interfere in this election, and therefore to pick a favorite. As such, it would be in our best interests to band together, so this 'favorite' does not overwhelm us."

A look of understanding passed through Crusch's eyes. "And that favorite would be me..."

Anastasia nodded. "Exactly. I'm a foreigner, Lady Emilia is a half-elf, Lady Priscilla inherited her title from her dead husband, and Lady Felt came from... well, ya get what I'm talkin' about. Meanwhile, yer the perfect little noble."

She raised a finger. "If the Council is willin' to let some of us lose our heads, what's to say they ain't willin' to let you win by makin' us lose our heads? That's why yer our enemy if you ain't part of the defense pact."

Priscilla clicked her tongue in annoyance... Was she mad that Anastasia was actually in the same wavelength as her!? Was she that petty!?

Felix growled. "So what, you just called Lady Crusch to force you into her sid—."

Crusch raised a hand. "Felix calm down. They're right after all." She snorted. "I understand the circumstances, and in such a situation I rather make the Council my enemy over four other candidates."

She sighed. "So I will be joining this defense pact."

Anastasia purred. "Great. Ya gotta love when a deal benefits everyone in the table. It's just the best feelin' in the world y'know?" Did it really benefit her?

It was more like she was choosing the lesser of two evils.

Felt hummed. "Well, now that I understand the whole alliance thing better, I guess I'm willing to join too. I will take any opportunity to piss those old farts off." What a simple soul.

Emilia raised a hand. "And I will join as well. The assassination was aimed at me after all..." She was the most likely person to be targeted.

Priscilla smirked. "Then it's set. Should any of the five of us be targeted by a third party from now on, that is to say, someone who is not a candidate, the other four candidates will act in their defense."

It was essentially a way to keep the Selection nice and fair. Heitor imagined that much like most regulations of this type it would fall through eventually, but for now it was a nice way for the candidates to not get assassinated when they were still building up their power.

She continued. "But now we must discuss what exactly we will do to punish the Council for their first violation. It simple, but mine Crimson Battlefront is coming to the city, so I—."

Julius interjected. "You wish to give them a military response...?" So he recognized Priscilla's army? As expected of the Finest Knight or whatever.

Reinhard frowned. "If such is the case, then I'm afraid I will have to—."

"Pipe it down Reinhard." Felt quickly cut him off. "And be aware that I wouldn't hesitate to pull something like that off. If you don't like it, then leave my camp."

He looked down. "But..." He really was like an abused animal!

Heitor was with him though. He didn't want this to escalate into a civil war... but this was Fire Emblem, so he wouldn't be surprised if it did. In fact, he would be more surprised if it didn't!

Priscilla rolled her eyes. "Worry not, I shan't instigate such a violent conflict... unless my hand is forced. For now, I shall simply stay in the capital with mine army for a few days, to show my displeasure."

"I believe it would be wise for the rest of the alliance to do the same." Priscilla put a hand to her chin. "And to make sure the Council understands the message, it would be wise if every candidate made their displeasure of what occurred known."

Crusch nodded. "A wise decision. I already have most of my army in the capital anyways, so I can begin this quickly. Though... admittedly I was planning to move them soon, I suppose it shall have to wait."

That was actually kind of strange. If she really had her whole army here, why not just say fuck it and take it all by force? Maybe she just wasn't as bloodthirsty as he thought? Not to mention how it would probably have been seen as bad by the public.

Or maybe it was just because mister I will die so the plot can progress was around.

Felt pointed at the cheat that was Reinhard. "I don't have an army... yet, but I bet just making this guy send a strong worded letter to the Council is already gonna make them have a heart attack or two."

Anastasia smiled. "Well, I do actually have an army. They ain't all here, but I'll call them up."

Heitor actually couldn't help, but raise an eyebrow at that. "How does a merchant have an army, if you don't mind me asking Lady Anastasia?"

She chuckled. "Ain't it obvious? I have more than enough money to hire a bunch of mercenaries." She sent him a wink. "If ya wanna dump yer lady, please remember that I pay very well. Especially to those with talent."

Priscilla glared at her immediately. "Do not attempt to poach mine animals right in front of me, she-fox." Why must she give everyone animal nicknames!?

Once again, Anastasia chuckled. "No promises, I am greedy." She was just teasing Priscilla... right? "Anyways, I'm guessin' Lady Emilia can't do much here?" That was right.

Although this defensive pact had been born due to an attack targeting the half-elf, she actually didn't have any resources to contribute.

Or at least that was he thought, until Emilia shook her head. "It's true that I don't have any army, but..." Her crystal glowed.

Puck came out. "She has me!" He was actually gonna help?

Maybe that shouldn't surprise Heitor as much as it did. Puck had not helped Emilia because he wished she would drop out of the Selection, his original goal being her safety. Now that she was actively being threatened by assassins, it was only natural he became active.

The room became colder. "I'll make my displeasure known. For now I'll simply show my presence as a warning, but should any further action be taken against my daughter, I will make sure that this city experiences eternal Winter."

Emilia sputtered. "W-we won't do anything that bad! B-buf yeah, I may not have an army, but I have Puck!"

Priscilla had to hide her displeasure. She still hated the cat after all. "Very well then, for now this is all we will have to do. Should be proven necessary, we will discuss further actions."

What could be even more crazy than militarily occupying the capital of a nation!? He didn't even want to imagine what Priscilla was thinking...

Anastasia sent her an okay sigh. "Sounds good. But... ya wanna stay with me for a few days, founder?" She then sent a look to Emilia. "That offer goes to ya too, by the way."

Priscilla raised an eyebrow. "Why do you believe I would stay in your presence further than necessary, she-fox?"

"Because right now you're being guarded by knights." She sighed. "It would be pretty sad if our leader went and kicked the bucket on day one."

Priscilla rolled her eyes. "Do not misunderstand this alliance for trust. I shall not step foot on wherever you are staying." Wow, what a great start for a defensive pact...

"Fair enough." Anastasia then looked at Emilia. "And about ya? Yer already relyin' on Lady Priscilla, so changin' to anothe candidate wouldn't matter much, would it?"

Emilia shook her head. "I... would feel safer by Heitor's side." G-gah...!

He was definitely making a face right now! There was no way he wouldn't when his heart was currently exploding! This was the power of a true Caeda! Priscilla should be taking notes!

Anastasia seemed confused. "I have an army... and the Finest Knight." Who was basically a second army.

Emilia looked away. "Even so, I think Heitor would be better..." Gah! His heart was exploding once again!

Crush tilted her head. "Is he really that good...?" Ah...! This was so embarassing!

Heitor was looking at the ground and hiding his face like he was a child being praised by his mother's friends. He didn't need to be told he was a good boy because he got above average grades! He didn't!

Priscilla chuckled. "Of course. My servants are well trained." She was as smug as someone smug could be. "It wouldn't surprise me if he was better than the entirety of the she-fox's mercenary army."

You know... Heitor had never cared too much about those people who said Fire Emblem protagonists got wanked too much by the other characters nowadays... But now he agreed! This was way too embarrassing!

Anastasia pouted. "So, back to the pact... I'll put some spies to find who hired the assassins. We know the Council is obviously involved with the Emilia ones, but it would be nice to have exact names. That sounds acceptable by y'all?"

Priscilla glared at her. "You shan't find objections from mineself." Then why send such a mean look towards her!? "But you are making a lot of promises for free, she-fox. Strange, for a merchant."

Anastasia shrugged. "Like I said, I love a deal that benefits everybody. And... I really want this to work. After all, if the Council wants to get rid of candidates for one reason or another, I'm next on the choppin' block after Lady Emilia."

She continued. "I may not be an half-elf, but there's no way people are happy with a gal from Kararagi runnin' for the throne." Her pout returned. "I saw people on the way here throwin' fruit at posters of my face. Can ya believe that? We are goin' through a famine, and people are wastin' food to mock me."

Ah, those. It seems posters of the candidates had been put all across the city to announce the Selection to the general public... He didn't even want to know what was happening to the Emilia ones.

Priscilla huffed. "I care not." Funny, since she was also a foreigner. "But I understand your decision... Now, do we need to add anything else, or is this meeting over?"

Felt raised a hand. "Shouldn't we at least name this pact thingy? That's the norm, right?"

Crusch made a thinking pose. "It's not a... unusual thing to do. But does anyone have any ideas for it? Perhaps you Lady Priscilla, since you are the founder of the group?"

"I do not care for a name." She looked at Emilia. "Half-wit, this pact has technically been made due to you. Name it."

Emilia thought for a while. "Um... I don't know if I really contributed enough to name the pact, but... Let's call it... how about Fire Emblem?" Why though!?

Priscilla immediately grinned. "A fine name, half-wit." She definitely knew what she was doing! She definitely remembered their conversation back when he had been summoned...!

Oh well, every game needed a Fire Emblem.

AN: They made Anastasia look so much hotter in season 3 when compared to season 1 that it's crazy.