Youngest on Top - Chapter 110

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 110

Saelika answered with an unwavering smile.

“The two of them didn’t attend this gathering due to other matters.”
“My, is that so?”

Martina’s eyes widened in surprise.
The surrounding dignitaries made no effort to hide their disappointment.

“Oh, then we won’t be able to see them.”
“I was curious since there’s been so much talk about them.”

Martina asked Saelika with a bewildered expression.

“They didn’t attend the gathering of all things? What on earth could be so important that—”
“That’s—”
“Oh! No, wait! I was about to be rude!”

Martina waved her hands and cut off Saelika’s response.

“There must be a reason for everything. You don’t need to answer. I’m sure there was a perfectly good reason!”

Her continued insistence that there must be a reason only made it seem stranger.
Martina was such a lively girl that her voice carried loudly.
The dignitaries lowered their voices and whispered among themselves.

“What could possibly be the reason they didn’t attend the gathering?”
“And it’s the first gathering with Octagon, no less.”
“It must be an incredibly important gathering for Artemisia.”
“Ever since the Sacred Maiden reappeared at Artemisia Temple, they haven’t really distinguished themselves in any competition.”
“This gathering was the perfect opportunity for them—”

Yet they came without their full strength?
Everyone wore expressions of confusion.

“…Is that arrogance?”
“Perhaps the Artemisia Temple isn’t as prone to collusion as we thought….”
“Maybe the rumors were exaggerated.”

Even though they lowered their voices, I heard every word.
Martina shrugged her shoulders with an awkward expression.

“Ugh, I shouldn’t have brought it up. Now the atmosphere’s gotten weird.”
“….”
“But I really couldn’t have imagined that both Dmitri and Ilay wouldn’t show up….”
“….”
“What do I do….”

Martina frantically glanced around, trying to salvage the situation.
In doing so, she didn’t notice the waiter approaching from behind her.

Martina’s arm bumped into the waiter with a soft thud.
The tray the waiter was carrying was laden with glasses filled with drinks.
The tray tilted, and the drinks spilled down toward Saelika.

“…!”

People gasped in shock.
But the disaster everyone feared didn’t happen.

The drinks froze mid-air, suspended in space.

“Are you alright?”

A young boy asked toward Saelika.
A sacred magic circle formed around the boy’s hands.
He had deployed sacred magic to halt the cascading drinks in mid-air.

“Oh…!”
“That’s truly remarkable!”

People marveled in admiration.

Holy power extended from Martina, enveloping the suspended cup and its contents in mid-air.
The cup and drink began falling again, but the holy barrier prevented any damage.

“Are you alright, Saelika?”

Martina asked with a worried expression.
The young boy who had unleashed the holy magic also approached Saelika.

“Ah, this is Heidrun.”

Martina said warmly, wrapping her arm around the boy’s shoulder.

“He’s the leader of our Trainee Priests.”

The reaction came not from Saelika, but erupted from those around her.

“As expected of Priest Heidrun. Truly impressive.”
“Such holy magic isn’t something you see every day.”
“To react so swiftly to such a sudden accident….”
“And did you see how cleverly the Sacred Maiden Martina wrapped it in a holy barrier?”
“Her holy power was truly formidable.”
“Without the two of them, the Sacred Maiden Saelika could have been in serious trouble.”

Yet Saelika had simply stood there.
Or rather, hadn’t she failed to react at all?
Such glances were exchanged.

In the first place, Saelika had nearly been drenched because of Martina.
But before such a magnificent performance, that detail faded from memory.

Saelika smiled gently.

“I’m fine, Martina.”
“I’m so relieved. Between us, there’s no need for thanks—.”
“Anyone can make mistakes, and since you handled it before any harm was done, you don’t need to apologize.”
“Huh?”

Martina looked at Saelika in confusion.

“I was truly startled. With such quick reflexes and keen awareness, I can’t believe you didn’t notice the waiter approaching so closely.”
“…!”
“Though I suppose I wouldn’t have noticed either.”

Saelika nodded softly with a gentle smile.

“Who would have thought a waiter would approach close enough to touch your arm without being summoned?”
“…Yes, that’s right. I never imagined there would be a waiter there either.”
“The way you earnestly tried to cover up your mistake was truly moving.”
“…Moving.”
“So I’ll consider your apology accepted.”
“….”

Martina’s knuckles whitened as she gripped her skirt with all her strength.

Saelika stifled a quiet laugh at the sight, then felt a gaze upon her.
When she turned her head, Heidrun was staring directly at her.

As if finding it all terribly amusing.

“…?”

Why was he looking at her that way?
If he were thinking of his own Sacred Maiden, his gaze should be one of reproach instead.
Saelika tilted her head in confusion.

As the atmosphere grew awkward, Vilpredo, the High Priest of Moloresta, naturally changed the subject.

“Haha, it’s fortunate there was no accident.”
“Yes, our Sacred Maiden Martina handled it well.”
“By the way, shouldn’t the betting be in full swing outside right now?”

At those words, everyone’s gaze turned toward one wall of the banquet hall.
A large display screen hung there.
A smaller version of the massive screen outside.

The electronic board displayed the betting amounts placed on Artemia and Moloresta.
The numbers were climbing rapidly even at this very moment, as the betting continued in full swing.
And.

“It seems everyone believes our Sacred Maiden will become the Divine Nova of this gathering,” Sirius Elder remarked.

Sirius Elder stroked his chin leisurely with a satisfied expression.

He was right.
Saelika’s face was displayed at the very top of the electronic board, the largest of all.
The most substantial wagers were placed on Saelika becoming the Divine Nova.

Martina also occupied a position near the top, though her photograph was smaller and positioned below Saelika’s.

The elders of Moloresta forced smiles, pretending to be unbothered.

“Haha, there are always those who enjoy the thrill, aren’t there?”
“I’ve heard that Sacred Maiden Saelika is quite popular among the commoners. Perhaps because they share the same origins.”
“But naturally, talent in divine power stems from mythology….”
“The commoners don’t tend to think that deeply about such matters.”

High Priest Vilpredo surveyed the distinguished guests and made a proposal.

“What do you say? Would the esteemed guests here care to participate in the betting for entertainment?”
“Haha, with such formidable temples represented, it’s difficult to decide where to place one’s wager.”

Though the guests spoke thus, their minds were already leaning in a particular direction.
Just moments ago, when the beverage spilled, they had witnessed the abilities displayed by Martina and Heidrun.
That sight remained vivid in their minds.

“Honestly, didn’t Sacred Maiden Saelika fail to react properly just now?”
“We’ve seen with our own eyes whose skills are truly outstanding.”
“I’ve heard rumors of Saelika’s greatness, but I haven’t witnessed it myself.”
“Yes, we’ve only been waiting for months because there were other matters scheduled beforehand….”

The holy water provided by Artemisia Temple had been helpful.
But this was a match between the Sacred Maiden and the children.

Holy water must have been created by adults, after all.
Remarkable priests like Randel, for instance.

“I heard Dmitri is the leader of the trainee priests. Yet even he doesn’t attend the gathering….”
“And Ilay isn’t here either.”
“They say no one among Artemisia’s trainee priests can match Ilay’s divine power.”
“Hmm, Edmund must certainly possess outstanding abilities as he’s from the Rapashiello family….”
“With such a massive gap in combat strength, can they even perform at half their capacity?”

Though it was called a wager for entertainment, even the distinguished guests couldn’t help but be cautious.

Both Artemisia and Moloresta were now formidable powers in the Eastern region.
Where to place one’s money.
It was tantamount to revealing one’s true intentions regarding future relations.

‘The victor of this gathering will become the premier temple of the Eastern region.’
‘A wrong choice here could leave us falling behind.’
‘I was planning to bet on Artemisia, but this variable has emerged.’
‘Won’t Moloresta, which has consistently held first place, emerge victorious?’
‘Besides, the competition is being held on Moloresta’s own grounds….’

Indifferent to such calculations, Martina struck up a conversation with Saelika.

“Speaking of wagers, I just remembered—didn’t Gerald from the White Pearl Merchant Company place an enormous sum on you back then?”
“That was long ago.”
“Long ago, yet it’s still talked about to this day because it was so remarkable! You must have been extraordinary even as a child.”

People marveled at Martina.

‘She praises her opponent even while being wagered against herself!’

They knew she was straightforward and good-natured, but they hadn’t expected her to be this magnanimous.

“If Gerald were here, he’d surely place another fortune on you, wouldn’t he? How impressive!”

Martina, full of admiration, tilted her head curiously.

“But why didn’t he come today? Did Artemisia not extend him an invitation?”

Before Saelika could answer, Martina continued.

“Now that I think about it, that’s strange, isn’t it?”
“What is?”
“I heard there are many people who care for you deeply. Not just rumors either—it was even in the newspapers. Multiple times, in fact.”
“….”
“People like Admiral Ekellan from the South and Crown Prince Noishurael from the North—truly remarkable individuals.”
“….”
“I naturally assumed I’d see them today at the Artemisia gathering.”

Martina looked directly at Saelika and asked.
Her eyes gleaming with genuine curiosity.

“So why didn’t they come today?”
“Both of them are—”
“Well, people do tend to gossip without understanding the facts!”

Martina clapped her hands together and nodded knowingly.
Then she patted Saelika’s shoulder as if she understood everything.

“They see someone standing nearby and speculate, then blow it up as if it were the truth, even though you’re not particularly close.”
“….”
“It must be the journalists’ effort to draw attention however they can, right?”
“….”
“You wouldn’t have deliberately made yourself appear that way!”

Martina smiled brightly as if she believed her completely.

“After all, exaggerated articles boost circulation numbers. I can understand why journalists write such inflated pieces.”
“….”
“It must be truly troublesome being caught in such misunderstandings. I understand completely.”

Those listening to Martina exchanged quiet glances with one another.

“Could the Sacred Maiden Saelika have deliberately pretended to be close with Admiral Ekellan?”
“She might have even coordinated with journalists and newspapers for the sake of headlines….”
“Artemisia certainly needed something to talk about. They haven’t even held the Octagon or the gathering yet.”

Of course, there were other opinions as well.

“But Admiral Ekellan truly seems to cherish the Sacred Maiden Saelika.”
“That’s right. When I visited the wardrobe room last time, the Duke Perardin Noishurael and the Admiral were—.”

But that statement didn’t continue much further.

“The wager seems like it will conclude soon. Does anyone wish to place a final bet?”

At the words of Vilpredo, the High Priest of Moloresta, the people ceased their chatter.
They exchanged glances but none stepped forward first.

“I’ll wager 5 million gold on Moloresta’s victory. Of course, for Divine Nova, the Sacred Maiden is Martina. I’ll place 5 million gold on her as well.”

But once one person broke the ice, the rest became easy.

“I’ll also wager 3 million gold on Moloresta’s victory. For Divine Nova, I’ll place 1 million gold on Priest Heidrun.”
“I too will wager 1 million gold on Moloresta’s victory, and 500,000 gold on the Sacred Maiden Martina for Divine Nova.”

Nearly everyone wagered on Moloresta’s victory and Martina.
Some couldn’t muster confidence.
But calculating that following the majority would keep them unnoticed, they ultimately made the same choice.

In an instant, Saelika’s photograph shrank and descended below Martina’s.
Meanwhile, Martina’s photograph grew considerably larger.

Even after the guests stopped placing bets, the amount wagered on Moloresta swelled rapidly.
They realized that the majority of distinguished guests attending the evening party outside had made the same choice.

The distinguished guests would surely know better than we do!
With such thoughts, people belatedly joined the wagering.

“Haha, they say you must watch a wager until it concludes, and that’s certainly proving true.”

Vilpredo High Priest swaggered arrogantly toward Sirius.

“In less than ten minutes, it’s already swollen to 270 million gold.”

At a nobleman’s words, Vilpredo High Priest nodded proudly.

“Haha, surely everyone recognizes the efforts of our Moloresta, which has sustained the east for so many years.”

The nobleman who had spoken flashed a bright smile and made his declaration.

“Then I shall wager the same amount on Artemisia’s victory, and on Sacred Maiden Saelika becoming a Divine Nova.”
“…!”

Vilpredo’s eyes bulged as if they might pop from his skull.
And he wasn’t alone.
Everyone present in the room shared the same reaction.

“T-the same amount… So you’re wagering 270 million on Artemisia’s victory?!”
“Surely you misspoke?”

Everyone murmured in confusion, but the young nobleman remained unshaken.

“No. I spoke correctly.”
“S-so you really are wagering 270 million on Artemisia’s victory….”
“Yes, and another 270 million on Sacred Maiden Saelika’s victory as well.”

Saelika stared at the nobleman in bewilderment.
She couldn’t fathom why a complete stranger would wager such an enormous sum without any prior acquaintance.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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