Nathan frowned. "So, Sage Leyfon belongs to this category?"
"Yes." Flora nodded. "Not just him. Aside from the Frexia Academy, there are two more academies that are led by a world class summoner. In addition, we have the Blacksmith Guild, the Witch Tower, the Magic Tower, two chambers of commerce, the Merchant Guild, and so on. Even the Dragon King is included in this category.
"All influential organizations usually have one world class summoner backing them. Hence, they are given a certain autonomy in respect to their strength. In exchange, they're operating under the laws and don't make a ruckus. These people have no choice but to comply because they need something from the kingdoms, either their lands, resources, or even people."
"Understandable. No, wait. What about the strongest summoner in the world, Elysion Aquamoon?" Nathan asked.
"He belongs to the third type. It's for those who don't belong to any legitimate organizations. They're basically in the gray area and the kingdoms can't help but be wary of them.
"There are also world class summoners who are acting like terrorists, you know?"
"Like the leader of the Divine Hand?" Nathan frowned.
"Yes." She nodded. "However, the four kingdoms don't give them too much respect except for one person."
"Basically, he is too strong. If he wants it, he can summon immortal soldiers that can destroy a kingdom. Their number surpasses even the kingdom. Of course, his power is desired by the four kingdoms. In addition, he has never really made a problem.
"That's why they have to show their respect to him and decide to leave him alone." She sighed.
"Interesting." Nathan paused for a moment. "Well, putting that aside. There should be around 50 world class summoners in the world, right? It's more than I originally thought."
"If you put it that way, it's probably around 40 world class summoners. However, there are world class summoners who are like a wandering god or hermits. We don't have a lot of information about them. We don't know their number, but I think it's safe to assume there are about 40-50 world class summoners."
"I see." Nathan nodded. 'I guess Evelyn is classified to be the third type. Then again, Evelyn hasn't gained the recognition even though her strength has surpassed the world class summoner. I wonder what kind of face the Liaystian Kingdom will have when Evelyn is once again known to the world… especially her family.'
Flora sighed. "Anything else you'd like to learn?"
"I've got the gist of the situation of your kingdom." Nathan squinted his eyes. "But I can finally understand why your father made that test for the succession."
"En? What do you mean?"
"I don't know. This will be unfair, you know? After all, your father is probably doing the same thing as what all generations of kings have done."
"I don't know what you're talking about. Why is it unfair? Please tell me about it. I mean, I have chosen to drop out of the succession battle. It's not like I have anyone I want to nominate to become the next king, so isn't it fine to tell me?"
Nathan hesitated for a moment. "He wants to test their bottom line."
"Yeah. Let me ask you. In the history of the Azilia Kingdom, whenever the kingdom was in danger, what did they do?"
Flora tilted her head in confusion.
"Let me rephrase my question. How many kings or queens have sacrificed themselves instead of cowering in fear for the sake of the kingdom's survival?"
"!!!" Flora's body shook. She covered her mouth and fell into deep thought. Nathan wasn't supposed to be good at politics, including the history of the Azilia Kingdom. But when she recalled this information, she realized that Nathan might have actually seen through the Azilia Kingdom's history.
Nathan raised one finger. "Basically, to become the next ruler, you only have to do one thing. Show that your bottom line is to protect the kingdom, even if you have to sacrifice yourself. That's all. All the tests are just something to blind your eyes.
"So, let me ask you… When growing up, have you, your brothers, or your sisters ever learned anything about the bottom line? Or have you been put away from that topic entirely to the point where even you, the candidate with the highest potential, did not realize something so simple?"
Flora's body shook. Her face was distorted. That was right. Why did she not think about this before? The reasons were already stated by Nathan. Her father had been pushing them away from the so-called bottom line.
When she thought about the Azilia Kingdom's history, she knew Nathan was correct. 400 years ago, when the Azilia Kingdom was on the brink of destruction because of the aliens, the king himself personally went to the battlefield, shed blood with common people and his soldiers in order to protect the king. And it was recorded that the king was actually a coward.
250 years ago. There was a record about a queen who killed herself because of the plot of her brother, but the brother, who was supposed to be a ruthless person, suddenly changed after that, becoming a wise ruler when he was previously known as a warmonger.
Nathan casually continued, "It's probably something that is only taught to the next ruler by the former ruler so that no one knows about it. Or if the current ruler knows about a scheme toward his life or even a rebellion, he would probably pass that message not to the next ruler but the one after that so that the Azilia Kingdom will still be able to survive.
"Of course, this is just a mere speculation, so it might not be true." Nathan shrugged. "You don't have to think much about it. However, don't tell anyone either."
Flora's hands were shaking. She had never thought it was that easy to be chosen as the next ruler. In fact, her father might have seen her bottom line. That was why she sent Noelle to her, rigging the competition between princes and princesses. Everything was to ensure the survival of the kingdom.
Nathan clapped his hands. "Alright. I have said too much. Besides, I've learned enough about the kingdom's situation and know what I should do next to avoid the politics. Let's shift our focus back to the mission, shall we?"