CHAPTER 475: CHAPTER 386: KINGDOM OF SILVERMANE_2

The war with Cloud Tower could not disrupt the plans that Thunderous Swamp had already set forth.

Doesn’t this imply Thunderous Swamp is very confident in its victory?

Even this war seemed to be part of Thunderous Swamp’s grand plan.

Look at the weapons used by Thunderous Swamp in the war... They were clearly prepared specifically for a conflict involving alchemical weapons.

So that’s how it is!

The investors’ confidence in Thunderous Swamp surged, with each of them eager to increase their investments.

The future road network plan of the Eternal Highway Company was rapidly taking shape.

Dawnspirit City was also about to witness the most important day since its founding.

Cannons sounded in the early morning.

Fleets of airplanes trailed colored smoke, adorning the sky with vibrant displays of color.

The citizens took to the streets, chanting, "King of Silvermane! King of Silvermane!"

For the ordinary people, legal principles didn’t matter; the upgrade from principality to kingdom was undoubtedly a cause for celebration.

From today on, Dawnspirit City would be the royal capital.

The prices of land and properties were bound to soar.

One’s status would naturally rise a bit.

This was a good thing!

The palace in the city center was also splendidly decorated.

The Silvermane Family’s emblems used everywhere had been changed to a new design: a griffon with outstretched wings, one claw grasping a sword and the other a codex.

All nobles affiliated with the Silvermane Family gathered in the palace’s central hall. Invited noble lords stood at the forefront.

The great hall was utterly silent, all eyes fixed on the dais.

Silver Mane stood on the dais, facing the High Priest of Dawnspirit City’s Temple.

"Griffin... this is an illegitimate coronation; you will not receive the blessing of the gods," the High Priest whispered to Silver Mane. "If you insist on crowning yourself king without the permission of the Griffonheart Emperor, you will undoubtedly make yourself an enemy of all humankind."

Silver Mane responded in a low voice, "Becoming an enemy of all humankind is what you all want to see, isn’t it?

Moreover, it was His Majesty the Emperor who conferred a title upon my vassal without my permission. When you crowned Anderson, you should have anticipated this day.

After today, there will definitely be others crowning themselves.

Ultimately, you will be the ones to swallow this bitter pill.

Proceed with the ceremony. Otherwise, I will find a new High Priest for the Temple."

Under duress, the High Priest could only retrieve the crown from the tray held by an attendant priest and awkwardly place it on Silver Mane’s head.

"He who wishes to wear the crown must bear its weight. One who forcibly crowns himself king without the gods’ blessing will inevitably bring misfortune upon himself."

With that muttered curse, the High Priest stormed out of the grand hall in a huff.

Silver Mane was naturally furious at being cursed to his face. However, as it was a joyous day with many vassals and friends present, he could not show his anger.

Once the High Priest departed, King Silver Mane, now ostensibly recognized by the gods and possessing legitimacy, made his proclamation:

The Silvermane Principality is hereby elevated to the Kingdom of Silvermane.

Dawnspirit City is the royal capital of the Kingdom of Silvermane.

Karol is the queen of the Kingdom of Silvermane.

He appointed his eldest son, Kaiya, as Duke, with Par County as his fiefdom. Further appointments followed.

Silver Mane, now king, bestowed titles upon many, using the opportunity to win the hearts of his subjects.

The observant, however, noted that King Silver Mane did not appoint Kaiya as crown prince. Instead, he made him a Duke and granted him land.

Nobles with their own lands could not reside in the capital indefinitely. This effectively meant King Silver Mane was removing Kaiya from the Kingdom of Silvermane’s center of power.

This was to clear the path for Karol’s child.

Karol’s child was not yet born. For King Silver Mane to make his stance so unequivocally clear, one could only marvel at the immense influence the Eternal Domain now wielded within the Kingdom of Silvermane.

Some couldn’t resist glancing at Yan Xing, who stood beside Queen Karol below the dais.

Yan Xing was quietly observing Kaiya.

Although Kaiya outwardly accepted King Silver Mane’s conferment with obedience, a murderous intent could be felt emanating from his gaze.

Feeling Kaiya’s peripheral glance, Yan Xing stepped closer to Karol and whispered in her ear, "Congratulations, Sister Karol. You are now the queen of a nation."

With attendants and guests nearby, Karol replied politely, "I must thank you, my dear brother. Without your help, I would likely be hiding somewhere, crying.

This all feels so surreal, like a dream."

"You deserve it. Your steadfast love for King Silver Mane moved me. I will take you as my standard, Sister Karol, in my search for a wife.

My only fear is that there isn’t another woman like you in this entire world."

Karol was puzzled as to why Yan Xing would suddenly say such things to her.

It was practically a declaration of love... At such a time?

Karol realized Yan Xing must be saying this for someone else’s benefit.

"In my eyes, you are as great a hero as Griffin. You will surely find a wife whom you love, and who loves you in return..."

"Perhaps... not anymore..."

Yan Xing sighed, his voice full of disappointment.

The coronation ceremony ended amidst cheers and blessings, and the ensuing celebration banquet lasted late into the night.

King Silver Mane drank copiously.

He was ecstatic, having achieved a feat his Silvermane Family ancestors never could.

And becoming king was merely the first step on his ascent to greater heights.

Silver Mane clapped a hand on Yan Xing’s shoulder, his steps unsteady as he slurred, "I know you rushed here from the Eternal Domain, even feigning illness and taking such pains, all to prevent me from naming Kaiya as Crown Prince.

Honestly, I was quite displeased. Kaiya is a fine young man—capable, intelligent, much like I was in my youth.

I am very fond of him and wanted him as my successor. Yet, I still deferred to your wishes.

I made him a Duke and gave him a remote fiefdom, so he can live out his days in peace.

What do I get in return?"

For King Silver Mane to speak so openly of this under-the-table dealing, he must have been truly intoxicated.

Yan Xing helped King Silver Mane sit down.

The banquet had wound down, leaving only servants and guards besides the two of them.

Yan Xing poured King Silver Mane another glass of wine, observing the man whose hair and beard were now streaked with white.

After a while, he finally spoke, "Yes, I did not wish for you to appoint Kaiya as Crown Prince; that was my selfish desire. As a brother, I should consider things for Sister Karol.

As for repayment? Don’t you believe this outcome is the best reward for the Silvermane Family?

You need no promises from me. The Kingdom of Silvermane is destined to gain even more from the Eternal Domain in the future."

King Silver Mane roared with laughter and drained his cup.

He wiped the wine from his beard and said, "You’re right, this choice is the best for the Silvermane Family. While Kaiya has the potential to be a good king, he lacks the capacity to lead the nation to true strength and prosperity.

I’ve had a little too much to drink and misspoke. Please, don’t mind me.

Come, come, let’s have another! To the alliance and friendship between the Kingdom of Silvermane and the Eternal Domain! Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Yan Xing clinked glasses with King Silver Mane. Karol approached at that moment, leaning in to whisper in King Silver Mane’s ear, "Elina is outside... She’s preparing to leave and wishes to see you one last time."

King Silver Mane frowned, then unsteadily rose to his feet.

"I’ll go see her. Brother Yan Xing, don’t leave. Wait for me, and we’ll drink more when I return..."

Supported by attendants, King Silver Mane exited the banquet hall.

Karol finally found the opportunity to ask Yan Xing, "I have a strange feeling about today; it’s as if something is about to happen.

And... what did you mean by what you said to me during the coronation? Who were those words intended for?"

Yan Xing’s mind remained perfectly clear, as Chui Chui had been helping him metabolize the alcohol.

He didn’t immediately answer Karol’s question but instead asked Chui Chui, "Have you noticed anything?"

The lighting system within the Silvermane Royal Palace was installed by the Eternal Domain, so Chui Chui had managed to place numerous surveillance devices throughout the palace.

Chui Chui immediately responded, "Elina is Kaiya’s mother. Being intimately familiar with this place, she easily smuggled some people inside.

These people are currently disguised as palace guards and are stationed outside..."

It seems our King Silver Mane might not make it back.

Yan Xing poured Karol a glass of wine. "A toast to Queen Karol..."

Karol was taken aback. Glancing around, she hissed in a low voice, "What utter nonsense are you spouting?"

At that very moment, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the banquet hall.

A shout pierced the air: "Assassins! His Majesty is under attack! Protect the King!"