SHV 02

Chapter 2

Maximilian von Karajan (2)

“Tonali! Tonali!”

“Tonali will save us!”

“The only one who can defeat the royalists is Tonali!”

Since arriving at the venue, those were the words I kept hearing over and over.

When I first opened the doors and stepped inside, the atmosphere had been calm. I thought I’d somehow manage the burden of giving a speech. But I was wrong. Not even five minutes had passed before some man started a chant, and the crowd began shouting Tonali’s name like mad.

It was clearly intentional. They must have planned to crush my momentum before the speech even began.

“Brother!”

Orléans, who had gone to ask the organizers about today’s schedule, ran toward me with a pale face.

“Th-the speech has been canceled.”

With less than an hour left before it was supposed to begin, I didn’t know how to react to that.

No—if anything, I felt like thanking God that it was gone.

I hadn’t exactly welcomed the idea of giving a speech in the first place. I was someone who used to just write alone in my room. Standing on a stage and speaking to thousands like this was completely unfamiliar to me—enough to dry out my mouth.

“They’re holding a debate instead.”

…Never mind. I take back what I said about being thankful.

“Why was it changed to a debate?”

I pressed my fingers to my forehead and asked Orléans.

“They say a debate is more suitable to determine who’s fit for leadership than a speech. It’s obvious Tonali pulled some strings. He’s an expert at verbal fights, so he must’ve pushed for this change… And those damn organizers for going along with it!”

Clearly furious, Orléans vented his anger. He must’ve protested strongly when the program suddenly changed, though it hadn’t gotten him anywhere.

Well, compared to a one-sided speech, a debate where two candidates go head-to-head on stage, clashing with words instead of swords, would definitely be more entertaining.

But for me, it was far from pleasant.

I didn’t know much about this country, the Kingdom of Tilios. Sure, it was a world I had created—but only as the setting of a novel. It wasn’t a real place filled with real people like this.

So I had no idea what their soul food was, what traditions they held, or what shared values the people of Tilios had.

I hadn’t thought that far when I wrote the novel.

“Hmm.”

A sigh escaped me without permission.

Tonali was a native of this place.

That meant he knew the kingdom’s problems and the people’s grievances inside and out. And he would surely use that knowledge as a weapon against me.

But I couldn’t just stand there on stage and take the hits like an idiot.

“Orléans, what year is it right now?”

I intended to make use of the greatest weapon I had.

Since I knew the major flow of events from the novel, I could use that knowledge not only to defend myself but to counterattack as well.

But first, I needed to pinpoint exactly where I was in time.

“It’s 1718. But why are you asking that all of a sudden?”

At his answer, I began frantically reconstructing the timeline of Tilios in my head.

The Great Revolution of Tilios would begin in 1721. Right after the Third Estates-General convened, Karajan’s cry would send starving citizens pouring into the streets, demanding change. It was the most important year in Tilios history.

And 1718—the year Orléans mentioned—was when the Estates-General would convene for the first time in 189 years.

The Estates-General was a council where representatives of the First Estate (clergy), Second Estate (nobility), and Third Estate (commoners) gathered to discuss national matters. Decisions made there were usually enacted under the king’s name. And at this upcoming assembly, Karajan would…

“Are you sure it’s 1718?”

I asked again, filled with doubt.

“Yes, September 13th, 1718. Why do you ask?”

“I just need to know.”

If my memory was correct, Karajan would become a leader of the Le Chef Party in 1720. Before that, he had left a strong impression in two elections, gaining the people’s fierce support—eventually becoming a key figure in toppling the monarchy and establishing a republic.

Which meant… I was supposed to lose this election.

But the mission I’d been given was to win.

—“Now then! We will begin the debate for the leadership election. Both candidates, please come up to the stage!”

The moderator’s voice rang out, opening the event.

There was no longer any time to rummage through my memory for useful information.

“Just act like you normally do. Like always! But don’t openly mock Tonali. Keep your image in mind! Winning isn’t the only thing that matters. Don’t forget this is a debate for an election!”

As I took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage, Orléans called out anxiously.

“If I act like usual, I’m doomed.”

I muttered to myself as I walked to the center.

Hundreds of eyes—not dozens—were fixed on me. Back in school, I had only ever clapped for people on stage, never stood on one myself.

This felt incredibly unfamiliar.

“Nervous?”

Tonali, already on stage, extended his hand for a formal handshake, laced with mockery.

“…Not really.”

I hesitated for a moment, wondering how to respond. But I figured the real Karajan would be accustomed to situations like this. Someone destined for power would be exceptional in many ways.

So I answered calmly, as if this were nothing more than a trivial incident.

Tonali’s expression stiffened.

“How long do you think you can keep that arrogance up?”

I didn’t know what grudge he had against me, but if he was going to pick a fight like this, I wasn’t going to let it slide.

“Perhaps you don’t quite understand what arrogance means. For a politician, knowing many words is important—but knowing them correctly is even more important. Otherwise, how can you speak properly?”

So much for Orléans’ warning not to mock him.

“Hah! You insolent—!”

Tonali’s face twisted with anger, but I had no intention of indulging him. I released his hand and moved to my seat.

“Now then! I assume both of you are already familiar with each other?”

Seeing the tension, the moderator quickly stepped in and moved the debate along.

“But for the sake of all party members here, could you each introduce yourselves?”

At the mention of self-introductions, my neck stiffened.

Even during job interviews, I’d always found that part the hardest. And now I had to introduce not myself, but someone else, in an unfamiliar place…

“I’ll go first.”

While I was still thinking, Tonali raised his hand and took the initiative.

“Very well, please proceed.”

Like a seasoned orator, Tonali adopted a solemn expression and cleared his throat.

“Greetings, party members! I am François Lino Tonali! I stand here to unite your will and create a new world. Many of you already know how long I have worked toward change!”

As soon as he finished, the crowd erupted in cheers.

He soaked in the atmosphere, then looked at me with a smug smile.

I simply watched him calmly.

He was trying to intimidate me with his popularity—but unfortunately for him, it didn’t work.

He looks pathetic. Being addressed by his family name means he represents his house… yet he feels so insignificant.

Here, family heads were addressed by their surnames, while others were called by their given names. That’s why I was called Karajan, while my younger brother was Orléans.

Still, something bothered me.

‘François Lino Tonali’… It sounded unfamiliar, yet strangely familiar at the same time. I tried to recall where I might have heard it, but nothing clear came to mind.

“Now, your turn.”

The moderator gestured to me.

I nodded and turned to the audience.

Hundreds of eyes sparkled as they stared at me. Seeing them, a sigh threatened to escape.

What exactly was I supposed to say?

“Sir?”

The moderator prompted me softly.

“Ah, yes.”

I took a deep breath and braced my core to steady myself.

“Maximilian von Karajan.”

That was my best introduction.

The lukewarm reaction from the crowd made that painfully clear.

“That’s it?”

Tonali scoffed, shaking his head.

I studied his face carefully.

I was certain I had seen that irritating expression somewhere before.

But why was he picking a fight with me at every turn?

‘I hate everything about him.’

Watching Karajan introduce himself with nothing but his name, Tonali thought bitterly.

‘I’ve hated him from the very beginning.’

He recalled the first time he saw Karajan, three years ago, at the “Future Politics Conference.”

Even then, Karajan had drawn everyone’s attention simply by appearing.

It had been a strange experience.

Just by existing in a space, someone could captivate all eyes and command attention—it felt like something out of a novel.

Tonali wasn’t the only one captivated that day. From renowned scholars to passing students, everyone who saw Karajan stopped in their tracks and lingered near him.

And it didn’t end there.

The party leadership had yearned for Karajan to join—not just hoped, but truly desired it. From respected scholars to ignorant children, everyone wanted him.

So Karajan entered the party effortlessly and quickly secured his position.

And within just six months, he stood at the same level as Tonali—who had spent over five years chasing influential figures to get there.

‘It’s an insult. Someone who’s done nothing can run in the leadership election… while I endured endless humiliation to reach this point!’

Just thinking about Karajan made Tonali’s blood boil.

But there was an even bigger reason for his hatred.

A woman who would give everything she had, if only he let her close.

A woman who ignored all his gifts and desperate pleas to meet even once.

That woman—Elizabeth Rose Ketlin—

was completely captivated by Karajan.

“If only he didn’t exist…”

Tonali believed Karajan had been born to take everything from him.

That was why he absolutely refused to lose this election.

‘If he’s smiling so calmly, he must have something up his sleeve.’

Observing him closely, Tonali felt confident he had made the right choice in turning the event into a debate.

‘Today, I’ll win—and crush that smug confidence of yours.’

As he steeled himself, his eyes met Karajan’s.

That unwavering gaze unsettled him.

Even in a disadvantageous situation, Karajan looked completely at ease—and that irritated him.

‘Why is he so confident?’