Chapter 255 - Coronation (3)
The people of the royal castle Eznoren moved busily.
Since it was a day that could be called the greatest event in history, there was not even time to exchange words with each other.
Even amidst that, fearing being nitpicked, they paid constant attention to their attire, and did not forget their manners.
Of course, in places where no eyes reached, they let down their guard.
"Good grief, of all days, why did it have to be my duty today. What a hardship."
The maid panted for breath.
The place she arrived at was the royal tower.
Because the distance was considerable, and she had rushed all the way, her lungs throbbed in pain.
It would be nice if she could rest a little longer like this, but unfortunately someone was waiting.
Someone who had the authority to cut off her head with a single word.
The maid, after roughly wiping away her sweat, unlocked the iron bars and opened the door.
Inside the chamber was the First Princess, Silis.
As expected, she remained just as she had been laid upon the bed the previous night.
Though the posture looked obviously uncomfortable, she was not human but a doll, so of course she could not move. Complaining was impossible as well.
If she were stimulated strongly, convulsions would occur inside her body, and if severe, even her heart might stop, but to this degree she would not react.
"Then, I shall escort you."
She roughly seated Silis in a wheelchair.
Rattle, rattle, without respect she pushed along the deserted corridors roughly. When people came into view, only then did she take care to straighten Silis's posture.
And so she headed toward the royal dress room.
Experts who had been waiting in advance adorned Silis with splendid clothes and makeup. There had been a royal command to decorate her as magnificently as possible for the ceremony.
Afterward, upon going outside, royal carriages stood in line.
"As commanded, I have brought Her Highness Silis."
"From here on, I shall attend her, withdraw."
The maid bowed deeply.
Chancellor Fallorand pushed the wheelchair forward and presented her before the First Prince. He, too, had just dressed himself in the ceremonial attire for the coronation.
Valrgna stroked his chin and scanned over Silis.
"Hm…"
That was not the gaze of a brother toward his younger half-sister.
It was the gaze of an appraiser and a seller, weighing the value of a commodity.
"Nothing more to fix. Though her mind is empty, at least in appearance she is fitting as a member of the royal family. Load her at once."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Silis, wheelchair and all, was placed in a carriage in the rear line.
Seeing that, Valrgna also moved his steps. Proudly fluttering the cloak engraved with the symbol of the kingdom, he boarded the most luxurious central carriage.
Neighhh───!
The muscular horses pressed strength into their legs.
The royal guard knights and court mages who escorted him, the protagonists of the day, headed toward the plaza of the capital Retia.
***
Swooooshhh!
Breaking through the seal without trouble, Verden soared across the high sky.
Once more surrounded by three halos, his speed had long since reached the extreme.
Counting the days, arriving at the coronation in time would be tight, so he had flown for nearly two days straight, without rest.
Even so, he did not feel fatigue worth speaking of.
It was because, upon becoming a Quasi-Transcendent, his body itself had surpassed the limits of humanity.
Well, even if it weren't that, he could easily endure this much forced march.
His magic power was overflowing, and he had consistently trained his stamina until now. Verden was a prepared Magician.
That aside.
'Somehow the sky feels quiet.'
The closer he drew to the capital, the more so it seemed.
It could simply be a matter of mood, but since he well knew that a great incident would unfold in the capital, he could not take it lightly.
Verden fell into contemplation.
'The witch's magic is difficult to predict in power and performance.'
The sealing of the entire Roafra.
And even the relocation of the dark merchants' group.
He could surmise it was not instant-cast magic.
Silis had said it was all part of a plan. That meant she had prepared something beforehand, a self-evident fact.
But that was not particularly worth notice.
The important point was that it was of a different type and nature from the hierarchy magic that Verden knew.
'The Administrator had said this. That when analyzed magically, special traits are a part of Mado.'
And Silis was not a mere trait-holder.
She could wield magic that only the bloodline of witches could use. In other words, one could call Silis a Magician herself.
More dangerous than existing Magicians.
But one question could not be shaken off.
'Can Silis truly withstand Leonil?'
The 6th-tier flame Magician, Mad Flame Leonil.
Though he had not faced him directly, he knew indirectly that Leonil's magical ability was outstanding.
He had easily subdued the guardian Elf Karans, and was hailed as the strongest of the Estiria Kingdom.
Even Verden could not take him lightly.
Moreover, as the captain of the court mages, he would possess all manner of magical items. Perhaps even own an artifact.
'Unlike the Administrator.'
No matter how unusual a special trait he inherited, no matter what artifact related to it he used, Verden judged that excluding Leonil easily was difficult.
Verden was skeptical.
And there was one more point of concern.
'The witch's heart Leonil possesses.'
Because Verden had dealt with Grond, Leonil had not obtained a special trait-holder. So his experiment must not have been completed.
But that was not an absolute proposition.
Leonil was a mad Magician who had for a long time dabbled in human experimentation, having lost his humanity. The moment one gave him an opening, he would not hesitate and would sever life.
One could not know what trick he would use when cornered. Perhaps the situation might unfold in unexpected directions.
'Once I arrive, I'll find out.'
Verden focused on flight.
Now he was nearly at the capital Retia.
***
The day of the coronation had come.
Until recently, because of the Undead incident and the aftermath of civil war, an uneasy current had flowed beneath the surface, but not today.
The streets of the capital, crowded with throngs, brimmed with vitality.
"Fresh sandwiches with cheese and smoked pork! Add a drink, and today only, a special price of 660 Elk!"
"Mom, I want that one!"
"Alright, alright. After you finish, we'll go get ice cream too."
"Wow! Dad, look over there! Over there! It's the knights!"
Families strolled the streets, enjoying the liveliness.
There were a few who caused a commotion by picking quarrels, but when the guards stepped in, they shut their mouths and disappeared quietly.
Because of the sheer number of people, unpleasant incidents did happen occasionally, but compared to the grim mood before, it was far better.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
At that moment, the ground of the capital trembled.
Knights clad in identical armor and bearing swords opened the way. Their heavy footsteps seemed to strike the chest.
Like the parting of a great sea, before long the middle of the street lay empty.
Onto it appeared the carriages bearing the royal crest.
The royal guard knights in golden armor guarded the flanks, the court mages kept watch over the surroundings, and the royal aerial fleet occupied the skies above.
"Wow…"
It was truly a spectacle.
Everyone, as if by prior promise, let out exclamations of awe.
Presently, the carriages halted.
Not a single misstep, the knights moved in perfect order and lined up. At the center of the square, where a solemn air flowed, Valrgna set his foot.
Was it because of the attire he wore, or because he had gained qualification.
No longer bearing the mark of a mere prince, he now exuded the dignity of a king.
"Indeed, such a truly noble figure."
"To think it will be a kingdom ruled by His Highness Valrgna, the future looks bright."
"They say he cherishes his people, surely life will be better than before."
Most of the people welcomed Valrgna.
Public opinion, shaped by the planner Nelita. And also because grievances had piled up from the many misfortunes that had struck the kingdom.
At such a time, a crown being placed on Valrgna's head itself created new hope, a phenomenon most natural.
A broad platform had been erected in the square.
Ascending the steps, Valrgna lifted his chin and seated himself. One by one, Leonil, Duke Dosramd, the Chancellor, and other key figures filled their seats.
Last of all, Princess Silis showed her face.
Though her eyes, from the wheelchair, were lifeless, perhaps for that very reason her platinum hair reflected in the sunlight shone all the more brilliantly.
"That is, the, Doll Princess…?"
"Ah…"
The citizens only mouthed words soundlessly.
They had only heard the rumors, never before had they confronted her in the flesh.
"To think she would be so beautiful."
"I agree."
In an instant, they understood why she was called a doll.
Unmoving, without the slightest twitch, the sight of her only drew their eyes more.
'Hmph, like goblins, chasing only what is seen.'
As Silis became the center of attention, Valrgna felt displeasure. But he did not show it outwardly, and let it pass smoothly.
In the future, the princess was a body to be sold dearly through a political marriage.
To heighten that value, attracting the gaze of the people was a necessary step.
With that, all the seats upon the platform were filled.
By tradition, the Chancellor presided over the coronation.
Chancellor Fallorand unfurled an old parchment passed down within the royal house.
"From this moment, we commence the coronation of the First Prince of the Royal House of Estiria, Valrgna Bain di Estiria."
The royal orchestra created an oppressive atmosphere.
Heavy, grand, and chilling tones spread in every direction.
Next, the Chancellor recited the meritorious deeds of the Royal House of Estiria.
After a full fifteen minutes of chanting, he concluded. Quietly collecting the parchment, the Chancellor looked upon Valrgna.
"Valrgna Bain di Estiria, kneel before me."
A necessary step to receive the crown.
Standing at the center of the platform, Valrgna knelt on one knee. At that moment, from afar, the Marquis of Esperanza strode forward, alone, with measured steps.
Step, step.
In both hands the Marquis carried a purple cushion, draped with cloth crafted by the royal house itself. Within, the crown for Valrgna lay dormant.
'Ha, at last.'
Valrgna's body trembled by itself.
Imagining the crown placed upon his head, his heart pounded furiously.
Moreover, the Marquis of Esperanza was the pinnacle of the neutral nobles.
To receive the crown from none other than him, and thus be recognized in kingship, was laden with significance in every respect.
'Truly, these neutral nobles.'
Normally they were nothing but bothersome and vexing, yet at times like this, they served well.
And on top of that, the other neutral nobles, knowing that Duke Devon's house bore a grudge against Valrgna and might cause trouble, had themselves taken measures to restrain him.
'They claim they serve not the royal house, but the kingdom itself?'
Fine, live that way forever.
Thanks to that, he had gained greatly. And so he would again.
'For I am the kingdom itself.'
At the foolish display of the neutral nobles, laughter threatened to rise.
If he were to mock the Marquis who placed the crown upon him, what expression would the man make. Entertaining such pleasant thoughts, Valrgna soothed his short wait.
In that instant.
Ruuummmmbbbllleeee───!
From the outskirts of the capital, a tremor began to spread.
At first, it seemed like knights stamping their feet again, but it had nothing to do with the coronation.
For Valrgna, the Chancellor, Leonil, all could not hide their bewilderment.
"What… what is this?!"
Kwwaaaahhhhh!
Rainbow-colored brilliance shot up from the city walls.
At regular intervals, no fewer than dozens of pillars of magic power encircled the entire capital, their ends piercing beyond the clouds.
"Th-the sky…"
The sky was changing.
A twilight of pale violet, mixed with light and darkness, spread over the capital. At the sudden, bizarre phenomenon, none could close their mouths.
'What is this phenomenon?'
Leonil heightened his vision to discern the situation.
Yet even with his knowledge, he could not fathom what that sky was, save that it was a magical occurrence.
"O Luas, O Luas!"
"Mother!"
"Kyahh! Don't push!"
Confusion began to deepen.
Though the soldiers tried to calm them, it was difficult to quell the crowd as they surged like waves. Only after the knights stepped forth did it barely settle.
But that it would rise again was only a matter of time.
Valrgna bit his lip.
'Whatever it is, I must act swiftly.'
Before the long-awaited coronation turned to ruin.
And this was also the chance to display his ability as king. As the First Prince, determined, was about to give his order, a shadow passed by.
"…What?"
The Marquis of Esperanza walked past.
Neither the violet-stained sky, nor Valrgna, the protagonist of the coronation, seemed to matter to his steps.
Bewildered eyes followed blankly after him.
The bearer of the crown approached Silis.
"Marquis? What are you doing there?"
"…."
The Marquis, instead of answering, lifted the cloth.
On the cushion was not the custom-made crown for Valrgna. Instead, only something grim, a grotesque growth of thorns.
'A crown made of thorns…?'
Valrgna blinked.
His head blanked at the utterly incomprehensible situation.
With an unfeeling face, the Marquis took the crown of thorns in hand.
Then, extending both arms toward the senseless Silis. Before anyone could intervene, the crown of thorns was set upon her head.
"Your Highness, the time has come."
The time? The time for what?
In that puzzling moment, ripples spread in Valrgna's eyes.
Silis, who for decades had lived as a doll.
She raised her head, moving of her own will.
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