Youngest on Top - Chapter 159

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

Chapter 159

* * *

The left wing of the voting hall.
Seats had been arranged there for the priests of other temples.
A rigid silence descended among the priests.

“…They subjugated the Balotelo Temple?”
“Not just establishing a branch in the Kingdom of Bennayser, but subjugation….”

The voice that broke the silence was grim.
A young layperson spoke up cheerfully to change the atmosphere.

“Elder, why are you taking this so seriously? Of course it’s somewhat unexpected, but we also have subjugated temples—.”
“Is subjugation really that easy?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m asking if it was easy enough to subjugate a temple while visiting for trade and staying for a bit.”
“Well, that….”
“It’s far too quick. How long has it been since they first appeared on the roster, and already….”
“But surely it’s not comparable to our achievements.”

At the layperson’s words, the Elder clicked his tongue.
The younger priests still don’t understand.
But those of a certain age all remember it.
The glorious past of Artemisia!

‘If Artemisia reclaims her former glory—.’

The Elder clenched his teeth.
Another temple’s Elder patted his shoulder.

“Don’t worry too much. Nothing will really change anyway.”
“….”
“After all, we never thought Artemisia was qualified in the first place.”
“…That’s true.”

The priests at the temples here all believed the voting would proceed normally.
So they had prepared countermeasures accordingly.

“We’ve already secured seven votes against.”
“We’ve secured six votes.”
“We’ve secured ten votes over here.”
“We’ve confirmed four votes.”
“We’ve already exceeded a majority.”

There were fifty voters in total.
The sum of those they claimed to have secured was twenty-seven.

“But we can’t be complacent. There could be duplicates.”
“That’s true. Nobles are that sort of people, after all.”

They could promise their opposition votes to Temple A, then negotiate opposition votes with Temple B as well.
The more they did so, the greater the compensation they received.

“Still, there’s no way the outcome will be reversed. We have Parmanace, after all.”

Parmanace.
At that name, the priests relaxed their tension.

“Parmanace must have secured at least twenty votes.”
“Yes, a minimum of twenty.”
“Even if there are many duplicates, with this much…”
“…When they were enemies, they were nothing but a nuisance. But as allies, they’re truly reassuring.”

In any case.

“There will be no surprises.”

The priests nodded in satisfaction.
Just then, the moderator’s voice rang out in the hall.

“Thank you for the spirited discussion. It seems everyone has made their decision.”

The discussion among the voters had concluded.
Now only the most crucial procedure remained.
That being—

“Then please cast your votes.”

—the vote.

The voters reached toward the magical artifacts before them.
The moment they pressed the buttons, red lights began illuminating on the crystal display board.
The voting results were being displayed in real time.

“My, what a beautiful sight—like crimson blossoms in full bloom.”

At one priest’s remark, the other priests smiled and nodded in agreement.

The red dots on the display board represented votes against.
The blue dots represented votes in favor.
In other words, the number of red dots adorning the display board indicated the count of opposing votes.

“Look at that—not a blue dot to be found.”
“The great nobles are conservative. They despise change.”
“And when the tide is so clearly visible like this—.”

When everyone was voting against, would anyone dare press the button for approval?
Moreover, the lights on the display board indicated seating positions, so one could tell exactly who voted for and against.

The lights on the display board still numbered only around ten.
But there was no need to wait for the final result.

“Poor Artemisia Temple. Isn’t it being drenched entirely in red light?”
“Oh? Look there. A blue light has appeared.”
“Ha ha! Out of courtesy, at least one or two should vote in favor….”

The priest who had been laughing heartily fell silent.
His eyes widened as if they might burst from their sockets as he stared at the crystal display board.

“What, what is this?”
“Why is it like that?”
“Is there a malfunction?!”

The roughly ten red dots that had appeared initially.
Blue light now filled every other location!

An overwhelmingly vast number.
There was no need to count them one by one.
And the text displayed at the bottom of the scoreboard confirmed it once more.

In Favor: 39 votes
Against: 11 votes

“The voting has concluded.”

The moderator declared, pointing to the scoreboard.
Following his gesture, the image on the scoreboard shifted to display the people of Artemisia Temple.

“Out of a total of 50 votes, 39 in favor. The establishment of Artemisia Temple’s branch division has been approved!”

The massive crystal scoreboard showed the people of Artemisia rejoicing.
At the center of it all stood Sacred Maiden Saelika.

The most definitive conclusion of all.
Now I could not deny what I had witnessed.

“This, this is impossible!”

An Elder from another temple, stunned beyond measure, involuntarily shot to his feet.
Artemisia winning a vote was something that could only happen if war broke out.
Yet they had achieved victory with such an overwhelming margin of votes?!

“Even during the war, we barely scraped by with a majority to pass it, didn’t we?!”
“It wasn’t even a majority! With invalid votes, it passed with only 21 votes. I heard that was considered a miracle in itself….”

A 42% approval rate had been called a miracle.
Yet Artemisia Temple had passed with a staggering 78% approval.

“It appears this is the first time in history that a temple has established a branch with such overwhelming support. I believe the Sacred Maiden of Artemisia should say a few words.”

At the moderator’s call, Saelika ascended the podium.

“Congratulations, Sacred Maiden Saelika. I hope the Artemisia Temple will spread the will of the divine throughout Molorestia and save the lambs.”
“Thank you. It is Artemia’s will that we establish this branch to serve the citizens of Molorestia—.”

She spoke with such confidence, as if she had anticipated all of this.
The priests glared at Saelika, their jaws clenched.

* * *

[Thank you. It is Artemia’s will that we establish this branch to serve the citizens of Molorestia—.]

The central plaza of Molorestia.
People stopped in their tracks as they heard the clear voice flowing from the crystal broadcast screen.

“Wow, no way. Really?”
“A new temple coming to Molorestia… How long has it been?”
“Artemisia Temple, huh? They’ve been doing pretty well lately, right? I heard they defeated Molorestia.”
“I was curious anyway since there’s been talk about their bread being delicious. I’m glad they’re coming here.”
“Bread? A temple makes bread that well?”
“Ahem! There are things kids don’t know about.”
“From what I heard, it’s more about their beautiful faces.”
“Looking at the priests caught on screen just now, there’s definitely some truth to that.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“…Ahem, maybe I should visit when the branch opens?”

* * *

The voting venue.

“Count! Did you not promise us?”

At the loud voice, the Count who was leaving the venue turned around with a displeased expression.

“What…? Be quiet! What promise are you talking about? I simply cast a clean vote!”
“This is too much! After all we’ve done for you, how can you pretend not to know—?”
“Ahem! In any case, I never received any lobbying.”

Similar scenes were unfolding everywhere.
Since everyone could see who voted for and against, there was no room for lies.

“I understand. Let’s just say you made no promises with us.”
“Hmph!”
“Then why did you vote in favor?! The Count has no connection to Artemisia Temple, does he?”
“Must one have a connection to vote in favor? I thought it would improve the citizens’ lives.”

Of course, no one believed that.

“Ahem, their achievements are quite brilliant, aren’t they? They ranked first in the Eastern Region and were selected as envoys upon their first arrival in the capital. And that’s not all—they even facilitated trade with Kaston. Is there another temple that has risen so steeply? They deserve to establish a branch in the capital!”
“…”
“Moreover, His Majesty placed that child on the same level as himself. The same level!”
“That’s precisely why the Count should help us. Only then can we gain strength to help the Count in return, wouldn’t you agree?”
“…”
“Count.”

In truth, the Count’s conscience was not entirely untroubled.
He had promised to vote against while accepting bribes from four different temples.

The Count’s lips twitched several times before he abruptly turned away.

“Bah! Don’t ask me—ask Parmanace Temple!”
“Why would Parmanace Temple come into this?”
“Why indeed!”

At the Count’s words, the Priest’s eyes went blank.

‘Could it be… that Parmanace lobbied for the approval?’

Why on earth?
No matter how he thought about it, it made no sense.
Or rather—

“Wait. Then Count, are you breaking your promise with me and choosing Parmanace?”
“Well, I deliberated deeply on it.”

It was the truth.
The Count had been so caught up in his deliberation that he hadn’t voted immediately.

Though Parmanace’s influence was formidable, he’d already promised opposition votes to four temples.
Just as he decided he should cast an opposition vote after all—

‘The Emperor’s and Empress’s representatives voted in favor…!’

The first three places where blue lights illuminated.
Those were unmistakably the seats where the Emperor’s and Empress’s representatives sat.

The moment he saw that, the scales tipped completely toward approval.

‘Everyone probably deliberated and made the same choice as me.’

Thinking of the blue lights flooding in rapidly, he was certain of it.

“I regret it too. Honestly, until I met with the Parmanace Priest, I thought I’d ask for an opposition vote. I thought there’d be no problem.”
“…”
“But how could I pretend not to know a request that’s already been made? I apologize.”

The Count turned his back and completely exited the voting hall.
The Priest no longer tried to stop him.
He simply stood rooted to that spot, his face contorted with rage.

‘Parmanace…!’

Cursing the source of all this trouble.

* * *

Parmanace Temple’s regional branch.
Houston’s mood was extremely uncomfortable.
It was because of the communication stone that had been ringing incessantly.

The senders were all priests from different temples.
Without exception, they all questioned Houston about the voting results.

“You idiots! How dare you blame me?! Do you think I’ve lost my mind, lobbying to do favors for another temple?!”
“Pay no mind to the insects’ words, Houston.”
“The true culprit behind all this isn’t me—it’s that arrogant little brat!”
“But wouldn’t it be better if the real culprit remained unknown?”

At those words, Houston looked toward his messenger.

“It’s far better than having it revealed that we fell into that girl’s scheme.”
“…You’re right.”

Houston nodded, his anger subsiding.
The moment it became known that he’d been coerced into moving according to that girl Saelika’s wishes, he would become a laughingstock.

Knock, knock.
Just then, a sound came from the door.

“What is it?”
“Houston, you have a visitor.”
“I’m not in the mood for guests. Turn away anyone who isn’t important.”
“Well, that is…”

Seeing the hesitant priest, Houston raised his eyebrows.

“It’s the Sacred Maiden of Artemisia.”
“…”

Houston’s eyes turned cold.
The priest spoke urgently.

“S-shall I refuse her? My apologies.”
“No.”

Houston smiled with a bitter edge.

“I cannot turn away such a distinguished guest.”
“….”
“Show them to the Reception Room.”

* * *

“What brings you here?”

The moment Sacred Maiden Saelika entered the Reception Room, Houston asked sharply.
Saelika smiled brightly.

“How could I forget you on such a wonderful day, Houston?”
“What—.”
“You are the greatest contributor to Artemisia’s victory today, are you not?”
“….”
“Without your efforts, how could we have achieved such an overwhelming victory? I truly am grateful.”

Saelika spoke with both hands pressed to her chest, her face radiant with emotion.
Houston’s eyes twitched.
Yet instead of losing his temper, he collapsed onto the sofa.

‘…Now is not the time for anger. I must extract as much information as possible.’

He would not fall for this devilish little girl’s schemes again!

“I had no idea Artemisia had subjugated the Valotelo Temple.”
“Really? Your information is slow.”
“….”

Houston nearly exploded in anger but held himself back.

“It is a temple with no prior connection, is it not? I would not have been surprised if you had subjugated one of the other eastern temples instead.”
“My? You seem quite surprised? Thank you. Our Artemisia Temple does excellent work, does it not? Unlike some.”
“….”

This devilish woman!
Houston ground his teeth.

“Now that I think about it, I should thank Houston for the matter with the Balotelo Temple as well.”
“…?”
“Houston played quite the prank on the Balotelo Temple, didn’t he?”

Saelika broke into a grin.
Houston immediately grasped what she meant.

Sacred Maiden Nelije’s Dowager Frederick’s betrayal.
And the High Priest of Balotelo’s illness.
They were all his handiwork.

“Surely not…!”
“Thanks to that, we were able to bring the Balotelo Temple under our control.”

Houston’s eyes trembled.
They were able to bring it under control because of him?
How on earth?!

“Houston, you are the gift that Artemia sent to me.”

Saelika’s blue eyes sparkled with genuine sincerity.
Her cheeks flushed with emotion.

Houston momentarily forgot the situation and marveled.

‘How does she manage to infuriate someone in an instant like this?’

Saelika possessed a natural talent for exasperating people.

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