---

In the southern part of Hiberia, there are countries like Catalonia and Valencia, located along the Sea of Tethys. Similarly, in the northern part of Hiberia, there are also countries established along the coast.

These northern Hiberian nations, while not as prosperous as the southern duchies and small kingdoms that trade with the southern regions of Franquia and the eastern empires, as well as the Imazighen of the Maghreb, still share the advantage of being connected through the western coastal regions of Franquia and maritime areas, enjoying their own form of prosperity.

Asturias is one such northern Hiberian nation.

Fundamentally, Asturias is an ordinary country, nothing particularly special compared to its neighboring northern Hiberian nations like Galicia and the Basque Kingdom.

Unlike the Basque Kingdom, which speaks a language distinct from any other in Europa, or the Galician Kingdom, heavily influenced by Galician and Caledonian Celtic languages, Asturias shares more cultural similarities with the inland Kingdom of León, making it seem less unique.

However, the reason Asturias is treated as special across Hiberia lies elsewhere.

Bardenas Reales.

The Sword Drawing Ceremony to elect the Supreme King of Hiberia, equivalent to the Caledonian High King, the King of Franquia, the King of Rotaringia, and the Emperor of the Empire. This ceremony takes place in Asturias.

Originally, Hiberia was a region born from the “Reconquista” led by the first Supreme King, Aurelius, and his vassals. It was a land that stabilized as a rightful living space for Europeans, thanks to the “Recovery Movement” that reclaimed Hiberia from the chaos of ancient demons and the rise of foreign tribes like the Scoloti.

It was on Fontasierra Hill in Asturias that the first Supreme King, Aurelius, drew the sword from the stone and was proclaimed the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The capital of Asturias, Oviedo, was where he planned the Reconquista with his vassals.

Even after the Supreme King’s court moved to Madrid in the Kingdom of León during the Reconquista, Oviedo remained the capital of Asturias, used as the court for the next Supreme King. Its significance as the starting point of the Reconquista and its historical tradition gave it unique authority.

“Indeed, despite having a major city like Gijón, Oviedo remains the capital of Asturias for that reason. Wait, no—actually, Gijón became a port hub because of Oviedo and Fontasierra Hill.”

Conra, who had been listening intently to Count Shirdas Rampal’s explanation, suddenly realized something, prompting admiration from both Count Shirdas Rampal and Count Ramon Pérez de Manresa.

Count Shirdas Rampal nodded with a satisfied smile.

‘He has a sense for politics.’

Politics requires someone with a broad perspective and the ability to systematically connect various viewpoints. A politician needs the insight to read a nation’s geography, natural environment, policy implementation, and socio-cultural environment by observing the state of roads or the goods in market stores.

The reason is clear: only then can the power in their hands be fully and correctly utilized.

Distinguishing what is important and what is less so, and determining what is urgent and what is not, are essential skills for a politician.

A politician who cannot do this, if given power, will likely face predictable outcomes.

If lucky, they might manage to keep things running while problems fester internally, only to explode in future generations. Or, if unlucky, they might be overwhelmed by natural disasters or foreign invasions, unable to act and losing the nation.

Seeing that Conra had this political sense, Count Shirdas Rampal could smile.

The current King of Catalonia, Ramon Berenguer IV, had no suitable heirs. This was a serious issue for the kingdom, and despite numerous ministers urging him to take a new queen, he refused.

Thus, the only possible successor was his only daughter, Princess Maria. If Maria were to become queen, her spouse would naturally share in Catalonia’s power.

At this point, the closest candidate for Maria’s spouse, or the royal consort, was Conra, son of Setanta, Conra mac Setanta.

To the intellectuals of Catalonia, Conra mac Setanta was an excellent match. His martial skills were exceptional, his appearance impeccable, and his conversation revealed deep insight and a heroic spirit. His lineage, with both parents being members of royalty, also made him a perfect candidate without any social restrictions.

‘With his political sense, he could assist the princess if she becomes queen, handling areas she might overlook.’

Count Shirdas Rampal smiled contentedly, perhaps indulging in wishful thinking.

The group that had left the northern gate of Oviedo, the capital of Asturias, slowly moved north.

Fontasierra Hill, where the Bardenas Reales would take place, was located on a gentle slope in the northeastern plains of Oviedo. Following the main road north from the gate naturally led to the hill.

On normal days, the hill attracted many pilgrims, but today was special. The ceremony to elect the next Supreme King, the Duke of Asturias, was to be held, drawing nobles, knights, scholars, and wealthy citizens from across Hiberia.

The hill was crowded with people, creating a bustling scene.

The selection rock, a large boulder at the hill’s summit, was about knee-high but wide enough to accommodate all the attending nobles and their entourages.

Preparations were in full swing around and on the rock. Nobles were being assigned seats, participants for the sword-drawing ceremony were being selected, and officials and workers were busy with various tasks.

Finally, as the guests were seated and the environment settled, the ceremony began.

“Let the Bardenas Reales commence!” declared Gerolamo, the former chamberlain of the late Supreme King Carlos I.

After lengthy speeches from various dignitaries, the bishops of Madrid and Oviedo stepped forward.

“We will now consecrate the selection sword, ‘Liberatus Calabrum,'” they announced.

The two senior bishops of Hiberia took the sword from the Supreme King’s keeper and ran their hands over it, from the pommel to the tip, to verify its authenticity and consecrate it for the ceremony.

They then placed the sword into a groove in the center of the rock, where it slid in smoothly.

Next, spellcasters accompanying the nobles stepped forward to ensure no magical interference and to confirm the sword and rock’s spiritual connection.

Then, those wishing to participate in the selection began to step forward to draw the sword.

The Bardenas Reales, the sword-drawing ceremony to elect the Duke of Asturias, was open to all present, regardless of status, rank, or reputation. The goal was to select someone with the innate qualities and destiny of a king.

However, this didn’t mean participation was entirely random. Nobles were unlikely to want a commoner of no standing to rule over them.

Thus, participants were given priority based on their status.

The first to attempt were the rulers of independent territories: counts, marquises, dukes, and kings.

The first to step forward were eight young men and women.

As Conra showed interest, Count Shirdas Rampal explained, “They are the three daughters and five sons of the late Supreme King. Being the late king’s children, they were given the first priority.”

However, none of them succeeded in drawing the sword, and they stepped back, shoulders slumped.

Having failed, they would be treated as royalty for one more generation before being downgraded to ordinary nobility.

The watching nobles sighed. Conra, puzzled, asked Count Shirdas Rampal, “Why are they lamenting?”

“From their perspective, it would be better if one of the late king’s sons became the next Supreme King. As you know, changing the ruler can lead to chaos in power restructuring and diplomatic mediation among the subordinate kingdoms.”

Such chaos would inevitably lead to unnecessary expenses, something any nation would prefer to avoid.

But with the late king’s direct descendants having failed, the ceremony moved to the next in line: the royal families of various kingdoms.

Traditionally, independent monarchs and their families were considered of higher status than vassals. The current candidates were the close relatives of these independent rulers.

As their turn approached, the royal families hesitated, eyeing each other cautiously. The origin of the next Supreme King was no trivial matter, as it would influence the future balance of power among Hiberia’s duchies and small kingdoms.

‘Navarre is too close to Asturias… If someone from Navarre draws the sword, the power balance might collapse.’

‘Cantabria is in a similar position.’

‘It would be better if the next king came from a region with less influence over Madrid or Asturias.’

Amidst these calculations, Alfonso V, the Duke of Castile-La Mancha, stepped forward.

“Considering Madrid’s court is in León, which has long been connected to our La Mancha, it’s only right that we form a Greater Castilian Federation, uniting León and Asturias under La Mancha!”

His bold declaration shocked the other nobles, who exchanged worried glances.

‘La Mancha and Greater Castile must not unite! That cannot happen!’

‘That thug! If those three regions unite, all of Hiberia will be crushed under his rule!’

Despite Alfonso V’s confidence, he failed to draw the sword, his face red with effort.

However, his attempt spurred others to step forward.

Most of the challengers were princes or dukes from minor kingdoms, often second or third in line for succession.

For rulers of kingdoms not adjacent to Asturias or León, the title of Supreme King offered prestige but little practical benefit.

However, for those further down the line of succession, becoming the Supreme King was an attractive prospect, as it would elevate their status.

From their home countries’ perspective, having a royal relative as the Supreme King was also beneficial, as it could lead to favorable treatment.

“Seeing this, one might call it the ‘Cauldron of Desire,'” mused Maria, a Catalan observer.

Maria had no intention of participating. Her purpose in coming to Hiberia was to monitor any demonic activity amidst the chaos and, if necessary, secure a base of influence to assist her mentor.

As the rightful heir to Catalonia, she had no need to pursue the title of Supreme King. Her position was already secure.

Watching the tangled web of interests, expectations, and conflicting emotions, Maria couldn’t help but see the scene as less of a sacred selection and more of a grotesque feast of selfish desires.

‘Wait, a demon’s feast?’

A sudden, ominous premonition made Maria frown.

 

---