(EP-235.2) #3

235 – Dawn #3

Following Hynax’s words, people brought large boxes onto the stage with a dragging sound.

These were the ballot boxes with the names of the queen candidates written on them, and the ones bringing them looked quite familiar.

Elga and Mirna… no, it was Narmi. And were those other single digit rankers? I then remembered that the student council needed to conduct the vote count every year.

━This year was more fiercely contested than any other. Until the very last vote, the outcome was unpredictable.

‘A fierce contest?’

Aira was confident she would win, but Old Sage Hynax wasn’t one to speak empty words. The possibility that Aira might have lost filled me with dread.

If Serazade won, how would Aira react in her fury…?

━Now, out of the five distinguished candidates, starting from the sixth place…!

Dududududu-.

The sound of the drums echoed to the sound of cool raindrops pattering on the roof.

Sixth place out of five candidates? Just as I doubted what bizarre story it was, Hynax shouted loudly into the crystal microphone.

━Sixth place goes to Kasim-kun, receiving 221 votes! Congratulations. I don’t know why a man was on the candidates list, but anyway. Now, for fifth place—.

Fifth place was a woman named Elgra. Ranked seventh in Ark. She was said to be from the same leadership council as Elga and was quite a beautiful woman.

And fourth place went to Tefer, a girl predicted to be the future head of the White Magic Tower. A genius girl who reached the fifth rank at a young age.

But what surprised me was the announcement of the third place.

━Third place…. I will now announce the third place. This friend received 366 votes. This friend isn’t even a student nor a candidate, so I don’t know why there’s so many votes. Third place goes to Marmar, a pork cutlet seller!

Marmar…!

I was utterly shocked that Marmar came in third!

━Miss Imp Marmar. Please come to the stage and share your thoughts… Ah, Miss Marmar isn’t here? Well, it can’t be helped. We’ll ensure the delivery of the trophy and the premium beef prize to Miss Marmar.

To think Marmar, who wasn’t even a candidate, would receive 366 votes. This explained why there was a sixth place when there were only five candidates.

━Then we’ll skip the second place and announce the first place winner directly. But first, a commercial break…

Jiiiiiing-.

The large crystal projected images onto the wall like a projector.

The content was mostly s for Bellhawk Top, which showed just how much money the Bellhawk family had invested in this event.

After watching these peculiar s for about a minute.

Uhum—Hynax cleared his throat and finally spoke.

━Then… With 751 votes, overcoming 732 votes, I will now announce the Queen of July.

Dudududu-.

The drum roll continued endlessly.

Dudududu-.

When I began to doubt when it would end and who the winner would be, Hynax spoke again.

━The Queen of July is—.

Finally, the sound of the drums stopped, and only the sound of rain hitting the ceiling could be heard.

━With 751 votes, the Queen of July, who recently displayed fiery strides here at Ark, and garnering the support of many, is none other than Lady Aira Von Tarantera!

Paang-!

Fireworks and pyrotechnics that had been prepared beforehand lit up the event. Amid the brilliant colors, Aira chuckled, without a hint of tension.

“Of course. There’s no way I would lose to someone like Serazade.”

Seueuk-.

Aira stood up from her seat and walked towards the stage.

She soon received Ark’s crown, scepter, and cape from Old Sage Hynax and waved lightly to the crowd.

Waaaaa-!

Cheers erupted from all around.

Aira gracefully received the spotlight with steady composure. Truly a Queen.

“I’m touched.”

I didn’t expect that the day would come where Aira would receive such fervent cheers from people. It almost felt like the pride of sending off a troublesome younger sister or daughter to get married.

As the prolonged cheers and applause slowly began to die down….

“Ah, ah.”

Aira briefly spoke into the crystal microphone in front of her. This instantly drew everyone’s attention to her.

“Cadets of Ark. Much obliged. You have made a rightful and wise decision. With many brave cadets capable of making such decisions, the future of the Church and the world is bright.”

Seueuk-.

Aira slowly looked around and added.

“That is all.”

… The end?

It felt a bit anticlimactic but there was also relief. It would have been problematic if Aira had gotten carried away and said something strange.

However.

Aira, who had set the microphone down, brought the crystal close to her lips again.

“I digress, but since I have everyone’s attention, I will make an important announcement.”

An important announcement?

As the murmuring began among the people, Aira continued.

“It is said that the Queen of July becomes the most blessed bride in the world. In that spirit, I shall make an announcement. Another festival to select the Queen’s Gukseo. The opening of The World’s Greatest Martial Festival—.”

Waaaa—!

Thunder-like cheers erupted loudly even before Aira finished speaking.

It felt like a signal of the beginning of monsoon season and summer.

Edited by: faker