Election Arc

Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers. Read at your own risk.

Election Arc
Part of Salabria Saga
Information
Location	Secondaria, Hybride Kingdom Primaria
Side	Solum Alliance; Primaria Alliance ;Secondaria Alliance
Result	Hiroto is elected as the Governor of Salabria
Media Duration
Light Novel Volumes	LN 4
Manga Chapters/Volumes	MN Ch 33 (Second Half), MN Ch 34 , MN Ch 35 , MN Ch 36 , MN Ch 37 , MN Ch 38 , MN Ch 39 , MN Ch 40 , MN Ch 41 , MN Ch 42 , MN Ch 43, MN Ch 44, MN Ch 45
Chronology Light Novel Chronology Torlan Arc ←Election Arc→ Gezerkia Arc Manga Chronology Torlan Arc ←Election Arc→ N/A

Election Arc is the 4th story arc of Kou 1 Desu Ga Isekai De Joushu Hajimemashita series and the final arc of Salabria Saga. This arc illustrates the prelude, during, and the aftermath of Salabria's Corectio, an election that is take place at Salabria where castle lords across the province are competing for the vacant position as the new Governor of Salabria. Hiroto enters the election as one of three main candidates to represent Solum and his allies, followed by Excelis of Primaria and Feuillet of Secondaria, the latter of which is responsible for the Diferente's participation into the election.

Prologue

Prelude to the Election

Within the next month, Polowa-the current and sitting Governor of Salabria-will vacate his position as his retirement. Therefore, castle lords across Salabria will vote to determine which candidate as the next governor, with Feuillet of Secondaria and Excelis of Primaria as the 2 chosen ones for the upcoming Corectio. 

Excelis's dilemma in dealing Solum Alliance.

At Primaria, Slara reaches the castle and follows a solider to meet Excelis who complements the vampires' Air Carrier service as both fast and convenient, to the point thinking hiring one as an extraordinary feat. To the elven lord's shock, however, she reads a letter from her trader by the name Illion about Feuillet's increasing influences that gained a lot of his supporters, along with an ultimatum from her 4 major supporters (particularly Marcel, Glinka, Gustave and Victor) into enacting the Development Order on Primaria's behalf if she want to keep her allies. Whilst thinking that accepting the Developing Order may sounds like the only way to combat Feuillet, Excelis also suffers her dilemma because she also considers about Hiroto, the leader of the Solum Alliance who will likely rejects her if she implements her Development Order, so she tries to think of something to convince him to accept it too.

Meanwhile, Feuillet and Torlan are having a dinner while discussing the Air Carrier that is approved by Neka. As Feuillet remarks how he will manipulate the Air Mail service for victory in the upcoming election, Torlan expresses his disgust towards Hiroto whom Feuillet comments as an astonishing person due to his caliber. Nevertheless, Feuillet claims that he will get the last laugh in the end so he have Torlan ordering Kazm to pack something in his another plan to ruin Hiroto.

Plot

The Wheat Price Conspiracy

Part 1

On his way to Solum from Cecra, a Cecra merchant is traveling with his produce while remarking Solum's growing popularity due it's changes 4 months ago. On his way to the bakery via a small alley, he is colliding with

Solum Alliance and the Air Mail Service

Part 8

So, Hiroto rushes to the scene along with Sorceire and learns that the local baker didn't raise the bread price, further raising his suspicions about the wheat price's sudden rise. With Sōichiro and Curele coming along, Hiroto vows to solve the case.

Back at the bakery, tension between baker and 30 townspeople worsen when the crowd vows not to buy a bread from his bakery again in spite of his explanation, with Valkyria helplessly watches the argument after failing to quell the quarrel. Courtesy to Hiroto, the quarrel stops and when the baker asks if he is about to arrest him, the Diferente replies that he only want to asks some questions and tells everyone to come with him along with the cart.

Part 11

Excelis and Baulois.

Elsewhere, Excelis seeks Polowa for his support while presenting her own Development Order to him. Polowa, however, opts to have his would-be successor to decide Salabria's future Development Order instead and advises Excelis to avoid unnecessary conflicts with the vampires due to their role as forest's guardians; he further suggest her to visit Solum and understand the situation herself and reminds her that politics isn't something to be done on the table alone, rendering her speechless. Whilst thinking that the Development Order is imminent due to Salabria's rising population, Excelis also views this as her chance to gain more castle lords' support. but feeling uneasy as she is not sure if she is doing a right thing.

To make things even worse for her, she also receives report from her steward Donyce that courtesy to Magnelis , Secondaria Elves Association refused to support her but didn't discloses their allegiances to either candidates, much to Excelis concern as she worries that she will be overtaken by Feuillet if this trend keeps up . Things turns to Excelis's favor, however, when she receives 2 letters regarding Solum's woes of both wheat price crisis as well as the road networks expansion, one she views as her opportunity to gain Solum's support. So, she orders Donyce to summon Illion as she want to tell him her plan.

Part 12.3

At Primaria, Excelis is shocked and confused to hear Donis's report about Secondaria Elves Association's rejection as well as the confirmation about Feuillet's possession of 8 votes, causes her to worry that Marcel Lord and others will defect for Feuillet despite she have 12 votes ahead of him.

Hiroto's Meeting at Secondaria

Part 3

Unbeknownst to Hiroto, Feuillet learns his visit via a messenger's report and smirks that he has lured his enemy into his trap and when Torlan urges his lord to take advantages of Solum's woes and make a move, he tells his steward not to do anything instead as he aim is to make Hiroto as a new candidate.

Part 10

Suddenly, Hiroto realizes something after thinking Illion's words while Alvy leaves for the Elven Association for answers about Excelis's Development Order. As Sorceire consults him, Hiroto tells both her and Valkyria that he finally figures out Feuillet's objective and laments that he has fell into his trap. So, he writes 5 letters and orders Valkyria to send them across Salabria by tomorrow. Meanwhile, Feuillet is delighted to hear Kazm's report about his meeting with Hiroto and with everything goes according to his plan, he is confident that he will crush the Diferente.

Mimia's Decision to Help Hiroto

Part 7

Across Salabria, not everyone is delighted to read Hiroto's letters about Excelis's Unified Developing Order: Secondaria Elves Association is in disarray when everyone is berating Excelis behind her back, only for them to be baffled by Magnelis's declaration of choosing Hiroto over both Feuillet and Excelis as the next Governor of Salabria-leading to a heat argument. Solum Alliance also suffer their dilemma where choose which candidate as the new governor. Darmur is so concerned about Hiroto's disastrous meeting with the merchants that he opts to vote for Feuillet but quickly changes his mind and vote for Hiroto instead, courtesy to Leslia's advice.

Part 8

Excelis's desperation to persuade Hiroto to her side.

As for Excelis, she receives both letters from Hiroto and Illion and her reaction is mixed with confusion and anxiety: While she is briefly delighted to hear Hiroto's upcoming visit by tomorrow, her hopes quickly turns into despair when she is informed by Ilion that the Diferente refused her offer because he deemed her Unified Development Order as non-negotiable, therefore he will not vote for her. This worries Excelis so much that she begins to question Hiroto's motive behind his decision but in order to win against Feuillet, she need to confront him in person so she can persuade him to her side, even though she herself doesn't know how. So, she asks Donyce for some advice only to be dismayed by one proposition that may potentially both tarnishing her dignity and destroying her relation with other elves: seducing Hiroto. Unpleasant to hear such proposition, Excelis berates Donyce for it but he replies that it is a pragmatic way to win because it is better than letting Feuillet to win the election.

The Meeting between Hiroto and Excelis

Part 1

On the next morning, Excelis wakes up form her slumber and despite her dismay towards Donis's plan, she goes along with it by ordering her servants to send letters (via Areal Carrier) to both 4 Southern Castle Lords and Hiroto and invite them to come to Primaria immediately.

Part 11

So, Hiroto proposes an idea that both obtains her and beat Feuillet: him becoming the Corectio's third candidate.

Part 12

Excelis immediately disapproves Hiroto's decision by sternly reminds him about Illion's warning regarding the split vote but Hiroto replies that as much as he aware of Feuillet's scheme to push him into participating the election via exploiting his relationship with the vampires, he cannot afford to lose his trust with the vampires he build for so long and adds that they will not tolerate betrayal and may attack all of North Salabria as revenge. It doesn't stops Excelis' pessimism, however, as she claims Hiroto's chances of victory is slim due to Feuillet's abundant resources and wide connection with other lords such as Glinka Lord but Hiroto rebuffs by saying that losing only counts if a candidate either withdraw from election or denounce the Development Order or adding, rendering her into silence.. Then, after explaining to Excelis about Feuillet's strategy before the Corectio , Hiroto affirms that him participating the election despite his disadvantages is the only bet to win or at least get even with Feuillet. Excelis remains adamant about her skepticism towards Hiroto's plan until his question about her genuine feelings about the Development Order and her desire of granting special exception renders her speechless and shakes her head as her answer. She then asks him if this means forcing her to rescind her Developing order but instead, Hiroto smiles and tells her to keep fighting until the end.

Hiroto the Third Candidate of Corectio

Part 1

At Secondaria, the Elves Association is having a meeting where Magnelis asks everyone to decide either Hiroto or Excelis as an appropriate candidate to be the next Governor. Meanwhile, all the Solum Alliance castle lords (namely, Est, Natra, Cerca) also receive news about Excelis's Development Order and becoming increasingly hesitant to choose which candidate as the new Governor of Salabria.

Part 3

At the same time, at Primaria Castle, Excelis remarks Hiroto's charisma and credibility that changed her view on him that she is willingly to bet his plan to work against Feuillet.

Part 5

Hiroto ensures Magnelis that he will win the election.

Upon Hiroto and his friends return from their Hot Spring trip, Alvy approaches Hiroto and informs him that the Elder Elven Association has summoned him and they want him to come alone. During the meeting, Manelis asks Hiroto about his meeting with Excelis which the latter replies that while he failed to persuade her from stopping the Uniformed Development Order, he assures the elder that they both at last can be temporary partners for a time being. Not only Magnelis informs Hiroto that the Elven Elder will deal with Solum's wheat issue, he also urges Hiroto to participate the Corectio even he is aware of his lord's trap for the Diferente. When Hiroto asks why, Magnelis replies that the due to its significance to the Ibrid System and its nature, the abolishment Air Mail service will have severe ramification to Solum and they can't afford to let either Feuillet or Excelis to abolish it; furthermore, he adds that the Dilfrant can expand Solum's road networks if he wins the election. Moved by Magnelis's words and everyone's faith in him, Hiroto replies that he will win the election-starting by visiting Lusa.

Campaigning Trip For the Election

Part 5

Meanwhile, Excelis goes ahead of both Hiroto and Feuillet by visiting the Secondaria Elven Elder Association only to be shunned by everyone for wasting her time to convince them for their support. With only Magnelis and Excelis left in the room under, the latter tells him that she deliberately enacted her Developing Order just to prevent other lords from supporting Feuillet. Disappointed by Excelis's unrighteous path, Magnelis tells her that they too deliberately not support her because of her decision.

Part 7

Hiroto protects Sorceire from Aldus Lord's scorn.

Hiroto's first destination is Lusa and meets Rudin for a talk. Unfortunately, Rudin informs Hiroto that he supports Feuillet but asks if the Diferente halts the Air Mail service because of it, to which Hiroto replies that he won't because it is irrelevant to with whom his support, much to Rudin's relief and tells him to sends his regards to Darmur. This seemly gives Hiroto some glimpse of hope as he think that he has a chance to gain a vote, but his following trips are disastrous because he meets other lord's hostility instead: Aldus Lord vents his frustrations at Sorceire over Darmur's "betrayal", Litteau Lord belittles Hiroto as "unfit" to be the governor while telling Sorceire to stay home, and Nolte Lord's loathe against the vampires is so bad that he outright rejects the Air Mail service and even "warns" Hiroto about the vampires future "betrayal" since both him and Darmur has "sold their souls" to them. As the result, Hiroto is unable to gain any votes form the Secondaria Alliance and his peers worry about it, specifically Sorceire who apologizes for her father's action. Even so, Hiroto reassures everyone that hope is not lost as he explains that his visits are just gestures and since Rudin was the only one lord who is willing to talk to him, he is going to visit Lusa again but for a chat.

Feuillet's reaction to see Solum's flourish state.

At the same time, Feuillet visits Solum Alliance's cities (Dexia, Natra, Cecra and Est) and he tries but fails to gain the lords' votes too because they reject not only his tempting deal while insists of supporting Hiroto for the abolishment of Development Order and Toll, but also his Special Exemption offer as well as they demand him to announce that they will not be a blanket policy-one will costs Feuillet costs him the 3 Southern Lord's support if he complies. This causes Feuillet to leave the towns emptyhanded and grunting about Hiroto's ploy that made his trip to North Salabria a waste of time. To make matters from bad to worse, Feuillet arrives at Solum via Cecra's unpaved roads and he is astonished to witness the city's lively autosphere where people of all species coexist, so much so that he is desperate for Glinka's support as fast as possible because he views the town's development is what made Hiroto his dangerous rival. At Secondaria, Torlan is troubled to receive his lord's message and vows to get Glinka's support for his sake.

Part 3

Elsewhere, Sōichiro, Curele and Alvy are visiting South Salabria on Hiroto's behalf with Marcel as their first stop. Along the way, Alvy explains to Sōichiro that South Salabria used to be a lush forest prior to human sttlement. At first, the castle lords refuse to meet Sōichiro only to change their mind due to Alvy's presence; many of them (including Marcel Lord and Glinka Lord) are so astonished by Sōichiro's words about Solum's lifestyle under the coexistence between human and vampires-starting with him reading a story ("Red Riding Hood") to Curele as proof-that it piques their interest towards the vampires. To the point Glinka Lord trying to trade Sōichiro his vote and money for Curele but Sōichiro berates him for treating Curele like product and rejects his and stomp away, though he ends up being chastised by Alvy for losing their chance to gain a vote, causing Sōichiro to worry that his mistake may actually costs Hiroto. To cheer him up, Curele gives Sōichiro a wine Zeldis gave them and when Sōichiro immediately falls asleep after drinking it, she flies off and want to teach Glinka Lord a lesson for trying to make Sōichiro's life difficult.

Part 7

Excelis is next to visit Secondaria Alliance castle lords after Hiroto but even her trip grows sour when they scoff at her for her own stance regarding the Uniformed Developing Order and deem her "agenda" to be suspicious. When she visits Neka and talks to both Darmur and Zeldis, the latter replies that he only supports Hiroto even when the vampires aren't allowed to vote, prompting her to think that humans and vampires will coexist someday. As she is resting at the local inn, Excelis receives Hiroto's letter that the "ball" will continue but she also worries about the Diferente's chances of winning as she learns that due to his deal with Glinka, Feuillet has now possesses with 8 votes.

At Lusa, Rudin isn't delighted when he hears Feuillet's lead despite being one of his core supporters, specifically about begins to question his genuinity regarding the Aerial Service in Neka, to the point even thinking that Hiroto is a better lord because of his 3 visits of Lusa. Then, he learns Hiroto's 4th visits via a messenger and welcomes the visitor and have a toasts their drinks. Both lords then discuss about the abolishing the Development Order where Hiroto clarifies that he only abolish certain projects by mentioning the surveys of the forest's water supplies and considering its destructive consequences to the town if the Development Order is fully enacted. With Rudin's support, Hiroto gains Lusa as his ally and earns his vote.

At Solum, Excelis is so astonished by the town's lively autosphere that she becomes furious to realize that she has been hoodwinked by her former allies. When she enters a local bar, she sees a lively autosphere and courtesy to a guard's information from the locals, she learns that Hiroto is catching up with Feuillet with 7 votes.

Feuillet confronts

As for Feuillet, he confronts Rudin and tries to gain his vote by claiming that he still "reconsider" the Air Carrier service, only to see Rudin's demands the declaration of the Development Order's "exception" if he want his vote back. Shocked and appalled by his fellow castle lord's words, Feuillet warns Rudin the consequences of his defiance but the latter replies that he that he only knows the benefit of supporting Hiroto, further adding the Secondaria Lord's ire as he begins to see his schemes crumbles.

At Primaria, just one day before Corectio, Astelis is also surprised to see Hiroto's possession of 7 votes like Feuillet and wonder if the Diferente is going to win the election. Whilst recalling bad memories about Salabria's calamity under Baulois's governance through Southern City' rampant land reclamation, to the point feeling regret for Primaria's neutrality after hearing Feuillet's and Excelis's decision to implement their respective Developing Order, he also thinks that only Hiroto can stop them from damaging Salabria any further.

The Corectio's Final Debate

Part 3.2

With Sentelio's defeat worries Hiroto's peers (specifically Sōichiro and Alvy), Feuillet feels briefly relief as he sees this as a perfect chance to regain his momentum for victory, hope that the one who make the upset victory is him instead of the Diferente. With an official's announcement, the final debates commences.

Part 4

So, the final discussion begins with Feuillet "sympathizes" Hiroto with sarcasm by claiming that Sentelio's horrible performance "reflection" the youngster's "incompetence", to which Hiroto counters by saying that he is grateful for Sentelio and respective stewards, only for the former is rendered speechless along with other castle lords when his mockery to the latter via insulting Sentelio backfires. Nonehteless, both Feuillet and even Excelis view Hiroto "unworthy" to be the governor, with the elf criticizes the Diferente for his "limited view" about Salabria and not implementing the Development Order uniformly without considering it's population growth. In turn, Hiroto calls out both Excelis and Feuillet for mandating their respective Development Order uniformly without considering the vampires and meets their retaliations for it, but he manages to rebuff them both in different ways: For Feuillet, he accuses Hiroto for "opposing" the Development Order but becomes speechless as Hiroto clarifies that while he himself doesn't oppose the projects entirely, he explains that an uniformed Development Order may have destructive effects to Salabria by mentioning food shortages that is a result from overridden domestic issues. Excelis, on the other hand, argues that limiting the Development Order is unfair for the towns that prepared the population growth, but she too unable to retaliate when Hiroto says that labor divisions from either towns and villages are the same. As the result, the crowd gives Hiroto their applause for his performance.

The debate continues where Feuillet deems the air mail service "unnecessary" because he claims the vampires are a "nuisance", only to become irritated when Hiroto counters that humans are the real nuisance and he get an applause for it. Hiroto then suggests on letting castle lords to decide their own development decree according to the Ibrid System which Feuillet disregards as "irrelevant" and mocks Hiroto as a newcomer who knows nothing about the Ibrid System, lead to both men arguments whil expressing their own view about the Ibrid System but Feuillet ends up being rendered speechless by Hiroto's hardline question about Solum because it's census implies that some places are still affected by the Emergency. As his desperation for victory, Feuillet resorts to exploit Hiroto's relationship with Valkyria and Mimia by guilt tripping the youngster for his "favoritism"  towards the Other Species over humans, to which Hiroto immediately rebuff by bringing up Kazm's wheat monopoly that could Solum had it not for the aid of Neka and Secondaria Elven Elder Association and ask everyone is bread are the Other Species' only food. The crowd are so impressed by Hiroto's rousing speech impresses that even Sothern castle lords, along with Astelis and Polowa, give him rounds of applause, much to Feuillet's horror but before he can think a counterargument against Hiroto, the judges end the debate via time out.

Hiroto is congratulated by Sorceire and Sentelio.

Afterwards, the electoral officials instructs everyone to cast their cast their vote for the candidates via ball ballots. Some time later, the results are in and Hiroto emerges victorious with 9 votes, followed by Feuillet's 7 votes and Excelis's 3 votes. As the crowd cheers for Hiroto's victory, nearly all of his peers (Sōichiro, Alvy, Curele, Valkyria, Mimia and Sorceire) hugs him and congratulating their friend for this outstanding outcome. Whilst thanking Rudin for his aid, Hiroto also confronts Sentelio who tearfully apologizes for his past grievances against him a few months ago while thanking him for defending him from Feuillet's insult. Later, Hiroto approaches other noblemen (Excelis, Feuillet, Baulois, Magnelis, Astelis and all the castle lords except Glinka Lord) and shakes their hands with hopes that they can get along with each other under his governance. With his name is written down by an official, Hiroto is officially elected as the new Governor of Salabria.

Epilogue

Aftermath of Hiroto being the Governor of Salabria

The following aftermath sees some changes to those who are involved: Feuillet's remark about Hiroto's debate skills that is more amazing than hi anticpated prompts him to feel regret for pulling his schemes onto him, followed by an uneasy chuckle when Torlan informs him about Kazm who cried after being forced to put the wheat price back to normal courtesy to both Polowa and the Elven Elder Association's warning. Elsewhere, the Solum-Cerca Road Project will be commenced within next week and as Sentelio thanking the officials for their aid, the latter replies that the steward should be thanking Hiroto instead for being an excellent castle lord.

Part 3

As for Hiroto and others, they are having a hot spring bath under Darmur's treat.

Characters

Major Hiroto Kiyokawa Sorceire Mimia Valkyria Sōichirō Sōda Curele Torlan Feuillet Excelis

Supporting Damur Alvy Carabella Slara Rudin Magnelis Astelis Polowa

Story Impact

• Whilst making her brief cameo in Sorceire Arc, Excelis is properly introduced in this arc as one of Hiroto's rival for the Corectio alongside Feuillet. Unlike Feuillet who want to smear Hiroto in any methods he could think of, Excelis wants his support instead because she is too disgusted by Secondaria Development Order only to enact her own Development Order out of her desperation to keep her supporters from voting for Feuillet. Unfortunately for the Elven castle lord, her proposal backfires at her terribly as it ends up getting her getting ridiculed by both the elves and humans.

• More characters are introduced in this arc, specially the officials such as Polowa and Astelis as well as the other castle lords beyond
  • Polowa is introduced as a would-be retiring Governor of Salabria and he is one of very few people who understand Salabria's ongrowing problems, specifically the vampire crisis that is plaguing the province for quite some time. In fact, he is one of few people who witnessed Hybride's emergency state prior to the first Diferente's arrival, its improvement under the first Diferente's governance and its returning woes due to humans' discrimination and prejudice against the Other Species simply because they all assume that the "Emergency" is over.

• The aftermath of the Corectio impacts those who are involved, specifically Hiroto for he becoming the youngest candidate (and the first outsider) to be elected as the Governor of Salabria. This set a milestone for Hiroto as this position paves his path for further greatness in his future adventures.
  • Even as Excelis's main supporter, Astelis is so astonished by Hiroto's outstanding performance and speech that he remarks that the Diferente is a right candidate for the governor position, mostly due to his foresight in seeing a bigger while acknowledging his own limitations. Like his daughter, he is now one of Hiroto's recurring allies as his adventures go on.
  • Feuillet eventually gives up his schemes against Hiroto after being beaten twice and realize his real prowess to the point feeling regret about his scheme that led to this predicament. To makes from bad to worse for the Secondaria Lord, now that Hiroto is Governor all the castle lords pays attention to the Diferente than himself, causing him to be left out.
  • Of all the castle lords who approaches to Hiroto and congratulating his victory by the end of the Corectio, only Glinka Lord-whose name is revealed as Zoch-refuses to do the same, implying his refusal to acknowledge the Diferente. This foreshadows the events of Phyllis Affairs Arc where he will be involved in Phyllis's scheme to assassinate Hiroto only to fail terribly because of Raquel's sudden visit.
    • In fact, during the Inauguration Ceremony in the following arc, Zoch outright ignores Feuillet despite he was one of the latter's main supporters during the election and now he tries to woo Hiroto into fulfill Glinka's Development Order, even though he himself didn't vote for Hiroto in the first place. Unfortunately for him, Hiroto notices his greed and immediately denies his request for it, further increasing Zoch's animosity towards Hiroto.

Trivia

(TO be added...)