Because the youngest Crystal King had proposed choosing candidates in the order they had become High King, Annan, whose Bone King was the second oldest, had yet to take his turn.
Third from last was the Gemstone King. The Orr Empire, another of the Golden Families, resembled the Tartun Empire in many ways, except that Tartun was a land of Barbarians, while the Orr Empire was a land of Nobles—or so its people claimed.
The Orr Empire's candidate was a gloomy man with a poet's long hair. Annan noticed the bespectacled candidate before the Black Gold King grow solemn. Several other candidates also grew wary when the man gave his name.
Philippen Verick... Never heard of him.
He offered no introduction and spoke of no ambitions. After giving his name, he stood quietly before the Gemstone Throne.
Eleven candidates now stood before the High Kings. At last, it was Annan's turn.
His vision blurred, and Annan appeared before the Bone Throne. The Bone King stood behind him. Ahead, hundreds of eyes watched him, while the other candidates studied him with appraising looks.
Annan might not know them, but they knew Annan. Unless someone had spent the past several years trapped in the Ancient Ruins and only recently escaped, they could hardly have missed the name Annan Reeves.
"My heavens! It's Annan Reeves—the King of the North, the Champion Sorcerer, the Lord of Free City, and the creator of Magic Film, newspapers, and Everyone's Singer!"
A cry of surprise rang out from the front row.
Hamis VI's theatrical shout nearly made Annan give up this opportunity altogether.
Annan could only pretend not to know him. "I'm Annan Reeves. You should know me, or at least have heard of me."
Annan raised the parchment in his hand and gave it a shake.