The shield generated by the magic element engine spreads out in a spherical shape from the center point.

Therefore, if the shield deployment range is to be maximized without worrying about the area exposed to bombardment, a spherical shape like that of a mobile fortress is desirable.

Based on this concept, a new type of transport ship was created in the Athena Star System.

A hemispherical container formed by dividing a sphere in half is connected to a board-like elongated core unit from above and below to form a sphere, which passes through the Transition Gate while being covered by a shield.

After passing through the Transition Gate, the transport ship separates the upper and lower hemispheric containers in the next star system, holds another hemispherical container waiting at the transition destination, and reverses to return to the Athena Star System.

When passing through the Transition Gate, it is necessary to cover the ship with the shield generated by a magical individual contracted with a Spirit. But once it passes through, magic or a shield are no longer required.

Using magic power only at the moment of passage enables the going back and forth through Transition Gate many times. Container transportation outside the Transition Gate can be self-sufficient without magical individuals.

The new type of transport ship was introduced by the First Prince, Bernard. Convinced of the necessity, he incorporated it into the Athena System, and at the same time he persuaded his sister to have them built for the entire nation.

“His Royal Highness Prince Bernard has made another great achievement following the large spaceport.”

In peacetime, it carries huge resources and goods that cannot fit in large containers. In wartime, the concept of the new transport ship was to send large quantities of weapons and military supplies.

The new transport ships created in the Athena Star System came in ten different sizes, ranging from destroyer class to mobile fortress class, and were preparing for the next battle while stimulating the economic activity of all the Monarchy star systems.

For Hart and the Royal Army, which plans to connect the Transition Gate to the Hercules System, Bernard’s new transport ship will be useful in sending military supplies to the enemy star system. In terms of how useful it was, it made Hart wonder if he had misjudged Bernard’s assessment.

Ultimately, Hart interpreted this as a sign of Bernard’s growing political skills. He’s only 19 years old and still maturing.

However, once the selection criteria have been decided, it cannot and must not be overturned. Hart, feeling slightly regretful, made preparations for the invasion without looking back to the past.

The existence of the Transition Gate has enormous implications for the entire Monarchy, both public and private.

Media in the Diete System can now transmit the same program to another star system within 30 minutes by sending an optical transmission to the Transition Gate 200 million kilometers away and transmitting the data to a broadcasting station in another star system after passing through the Transition Gate.

Specifically, it is possible to invite a special guest who can only be invited in the Diete Star System to talk about the selection criteria for the next Sovereign, and then broadcast it to all the star systems in the Monarchy 30 minutes later.

[We would like to continue inviting special guests to the studio to talk about the selection criteria for the next Sovereign, which was officially announced by the government yesterday.]

If only the selection criteria for the next Sovereign was to be discussed, the studio of the Athena Star System is enough.

Queen Yuna’s criteria for selecting a successor was to judge on whether Josslan’s military decoration, which advanced him to the Military Academy, exceeds that of Bernard, who had achieved political success as Acting Duke.

The judgment criteria are clear, consistent with the purpose of the Royal Aristocratic System, and understandable to the Royal citizens.

At the very least, a Royal citizen with compulsory education and an average intellectual level would not say that he or she does not understand the meaning. If you just talk about the issue, it’s not particularly difficult, and it can be done in each star system alone.

However, there are some guests in the world who can only be invited at the Capital planet.

In the studio where the program was recorded, even if the travel time was shortened by connecting the Transition Gate, there was a special guest who could not be invited in other star systems.

The guest star is Countess Colette of Listner.

A Count and General of the Royal Army, and the first woman to hold the position of deputy Commander-in-Chief.

A veteran female hero who received the Order of Algol, 2nd Class, she defended the Capital planet in the First Battle of the Diete Star System and served as the Acting Commander of the entire army in the absence of Fortress Kerviel in the Battle of the Ōizumi Star System. She is also Queen Yuna’s childhood friend and only close confidant.

She is not a person whom any authority, no matter what the price, would lightly invite.

The reason the media succeeded in bringing her in this time was because the timing was right.

The timing of the media’s request for a comment, jointly signed by the Chairman and the President, and the timing of Colette’s desire to add her comments coincided, and the broadcaster’s miracle of having Colette appear succeeded.

[Countess Listner, thank you very much for coming on our program today.]

[No, I wanted to clear up any misunderstandings, so being invited was a right opportunity.]

With the Chairman and President watching behind the camera, Hopkins, the program anchor, made a deep bow, and Colette responded calmly.

The misunderstanding Colette wants to clear up is that the next head of the Asteria family chosen by Yuna is nothing more than the head of the Asteria Household.

The decision on whether or not the head of the Asteria family is to ascend to the throne rests with the Monarchy Parliament.

This is stipulated in the Constitution of the Monarchy, and even if only the National Assembly opposes, he cannot ascend to the throne. And even after ascending to the throne, Parliament can pass a resolution to remove the Sovereign from office.

So what will happen if the head of the Asteria family is not placed on the throne?

The Asteria family can propose the Head and the Sovereign separately, or if the Royal people disagree, they can dissolve the rights and obligations of the Royal Family.

Even if they cease to be Royalty, the remuneration paid to the Asteria Royal Family in the past will not be forfeited, and they will go back to the streets with a reasonable amount of property.

In a constitutional monarchy, Royal citizens who have received compulsory education on the history of the founding of the country and the aristocracy have the right and duty as citizens to decide whether or not to maintain the system.

In conclusion, Yuna has the right to decide who will be the successor of the House of Asteria, and both Houses of Parliaments have the right to decide whether or not the successor of the House of Asteria will be the next Sovereign.

When it comes to Yuna’s decision in the succession of her own household, the Royal people had no say in it.

What the royal people have is the right to let their elected politicians choose in Parliament whether to accept the next generation of the Asteria family as the next Sovereign, or to reject him and abolish the Royal Family.

Colette prefaced the idea at the beginning of the program.

[The head of the Asteria family decides who will succeed the Asteria family. If there is dissatisfaction with the selection, the citizens have the right to choose not to have their Sovereign elected in the House of Representatives. And as for the outcome, the one who decides bears full responsibility.]

[I see, I understand now. Professor Chantal, any comments on the Count’s opinions?]

Broadcasters do not allow their anchors to express their private opinions, but rather let Chantal, who is a member of another organization, speak. This has been their practice since normal times, but this time they were particularly strict, and any deviation would be considered a violation of the anchor’s personal work order.

In addition, they had Professor Chantal confirm in advance that there were no problems with Colette’s ideas. First, Chantal spoke of the relationship between the Royal people and the magical individuals.

[Contracts are established by mutual agreement. The contract between the royal citizenry and magical individuals is an obligation to serve in exchange for the aristocracy.]

The aristocracy dispatch to the battlefield those whose magic power values meet the stipulated value demanded by the client, the Royal citizens. In exchange, the Royal citizens will treat them according to their magic power values.

And Yuna of the Asteria family is trying to choose between Bernard and Josslan, whose magic values have reached the stipulated level.

The Asteria family is free to choose either as their representative and the Royal citizens can refuse the chosen party, in which case the contract will be terminated.

In addition, the selection method of Yuna was based on the number of medals awarded in accordance with the client’s request. When considered as a contract, Yuna makes a good faith choice that is in line with the intent of the contract.

Chantal urged that the Queen’s ideas should be respected.

[The Aristocratic System, which encourages the responsibility and voluntarism on the part of the magical individuals, has produced better results than the former Coalition and Tenka, which deprive their human rights. The act of reducing the sense of responsibility and spontaneity by interfering, such as saying that this Prince is no good, will have a negative impact on national security.]

Yuna, the current head of the family, has the right to choose the next generation of the Asteria family. If dissatisfied with that decision, the people can choose not to elect the Head as Sovereign, but taking away the rights of the aristocracy would also eliminate the obligation to serve.

Colette and Chantal explained what the aristocracy was like, and although it was the default course for the media to fully approve of it, the performers nodded genuinely in agreement.

However, the option of disinheriting the Asteria Royal Family is impossible for the Monarchy.

The previous Sovereign, Valfrete, achieved the destruction of the Coalition, which had been a long-cherished wish of the Monarchy since its founding.

Queen Yuna pushed back the invaders of the Five Tenka Nations to defend the Monarchy.

If you now propose to abolish the Asteria Royal Family, you are already an enemy of the state.

Therefore, the Royal people have no choice but to make the next Asteria head chosen by Yuna the next Sovereign. Hopkins asked about the impact if both princes were elected.

[Now, with regard to His Majesty the next Sovereign, who will be decided according to the selection criteria, I would like to ask what the possible consequences would be with each Prince if they are selected. Countess, what are your impressions of the two Princes?]

This was the reason why only Colette could answer, and why no other star system could produce the program.

Aristocrats must maintain good relations with other aristocratic families in order to maintain their family’s magic power and economic ties between their own territories and other territories.

It is not necessary to be on good terms with all the senior noble families, but if one does not belong to a faction and protect one’s own family, the magic and economic power of one’s own family will be lower than if one belonged to a faction.

As long as they belong to a faction, they cannot be involved in provoking the displeasure of the next Sovereign, who is the highest authority, and cause the faction to become collateral damage. This is why, when Bernard realized the large-scale spaceport, at the opening ceremony, the surroundings were turned into stone statues until Colette moved.

Colette replied clearly.

[Yes, I think it would be better if the public understood more about the two Princes, so I will answer you. His Royal Highness Bernard, similar to the former Sovereign, is sincere in his words. And with experience, his political senses will surpass that of His Majesty the Former Sovereign.]

[What is the reason for your affirmation?]

[His Royal Highness Bernard, who is only 19 years old, has already made the large spaceport a reality as the Duke’s representative, and has also introduced a new type of transport ship. At the same age, His Majesty the former Sovereign was in his fourth year of the Military Academy. His Royal Highness Prince Bernard will continue to grow as he deals with politics in the future.]

Colette, however, valued Yuna more than Bernard.

As only the daughter of a Baron Lady, Yuna had not received any education on Governing a Monarchy.

Everything Yuna did as Queen was self-taught and self-directed. In consultation with Hart and the spirits, she thought for herself and derived her own ideas based on what the role of the ruler should be in light of the nation’s goals.

Bernard is an admirable man, but Colette believes that Yuna, who re-educated Bernard, is more suitable as the ruler of the country. Although she never says it out loud, respecting her best friend’s desire to abdicate.

[With regard to military affairs, Prince Bernard is of the opinion that Fleet Admiral Amakawa should be left in charge, and so is Her Majesty the Queen. His Highness has also been decorated with the Order of Merit, so he cannot be accused of cowardice. So even if Prince Bernard is the next Sovereign, I don’t think there will be any problem at all.]

Colette’s remarks were transmitted throughout the Monarchy via broadcasting stations.

The significance of Colette, the Deputy Commander of the Royal Army, the head of the Count’s family, and a close friend of the Queen, assuring that there would be no problem with Bernard as the next Sovereign was extremely significant.

That means that the Royal Armed Forces have guaranteed that there will be no problems in terms of national defense.

And the Count assured that there would be no political problems.

In addition, the Queen’s best friend vouched for the character of her best friend’s brother.

In this matter, Colette is considered a leading expert in three areas: military, political and royalty. The weight of the assurances made by the presence of Colette made Hopkins gasp.

It was Chantal who posed a question on behalf of the anchor, who was unable to ask.

[Then what is your impression of Prince Josslan?]

When asked, Colette answered after some pause, thinking of the family home of Digitalis, which invoked stormy weather.

[As he’s only in the second year of high school, it would be too early to draw conclusions about his personality and achievements. I’ll recognize his will enlist in the Military Academy, and if he displays his achievements and performs well in battle, he will be able to meet the aspirations of the people.]

[In other words, at this stage, you think that Prince Bernard is more suitable to be the next Sovereign, while Prince Josslan would be more suitable if he performs well in battle.]

[If you compare their achievements at the current stage, then yes.]

If their military achievements are the same, Bernard will be evaluated only for his political achievements.

But the Royal aristocracy of the Monarchy was created in anticipation of military exploits, not politics. If Josslan shows that he is worthy of being the successor to Asteria, the prince suitable for the next generation will be Josslan.

Colette nodded in the affirmative to Chantal who asked if that was the case.

[The Asteria family is the family that leads the fleet in the front. If His Highness Prince Josslan shows on the battlefield that he is more suitable to succeed Asteria than Prince Bernard, his evaluation will change. That is the standard that Her Majesty has set this time.]

Chantal expressed his understanding of the criteria, which had been set with an eye toward fairness and impartiality that could be announced to the entire Monarchy.

He then asked about a matter as important to the Royal citizens as the selection of the next Sovereign.

[Now that we have a very good understanding of the selection criteria, when will Her Majesty abdicate? Personally, I hope for Her Majesty to reign for the time being.]

The recording studio fell silent, and tension ran high among the cast and crew, and perhaps even the viewers of the program.

Once the next head of the Asteria family is appointed, the Queen will eventually abdicate.

The confirmation of the successor and the replacement of the head do not take place at the same time. Still, in terms of the order of things, after the successor is determined, the time for the change of the head of the family will come.

Colette said:

[The Marquis of Amakawa, the administrator of the spirits, has no heir to succeed him. That is because his fiancée was crowned, and if she gives birth to a child, she will fall short of the magic power value required of the Sovereign. However, if the next Sovereign is to be crowned, there must be an heir to the Amakawa family.]

If so, it would be fine if Claudia, who was to be his second wife, has a child first… this would show a gross lack of sincerity and faith on the part of the people towards the Queen, who is selflessly devoted to the Monarchy.

Moreover, if they are descendants of Hart, the national hero of salvation, and Yuna, the Protector Queen, even if they inherited the important matters related to spirits, the people would be convinced that “if these two weren’t there, the Monarchy would have been destroyed”. However, if someone who is not of the Queen’s bloodline takes over, it could spark a struggle for leadership with the Royal Family.

A child with a second wife could lead to a family uproar over the issue of successor.

A child with the third wife could create anxiety and suspicion that the Tenkans would take the initiative.

In Carneus and Listner, who are the partners of gene donations, the successor is of another family.

Ultimately, the best solution would be for Hart and Yuna’s child take over the spirit-related matters.

If the person is excellent, they can be considered as an extension of Hart and Yuna, and even if they are incompetent, mixing their blood by marrying them off to the Royal Family and other aristocratic families on a national scale will solve any problems that can be imagined.

Thus, the Royal people understood the inevitability of the Queen’s abdication in the near future.

Author’s Note

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There is also an e-book, so thank you for your cooperation.