CHAPTER 490: SIDE STORY - CORONATION CEREMONY (4)

0% The Eastern Continent, the Western Continent, the Southern Continent.

The three great continents that make up the world.

Countless people gathered from these three continents were all focused on one place.

- Shhhhh...

The center of their gaze was none other than Clana.

In just a few more minutes, she would ascend to the peak of power as the Empress of the world’s most powerful nation.

“This new empress looks rather delicate.”

“But, she’s part of the Hero Party.”

“Still, will she be able to pass the trial?”

However, there was still a formidable wall left for Clana to overcome.

“Normally, members of the imperial family with higher succession rights attempt the trial first.”

“But over the past few years, all imperial bloodlines except hers have dried up.”

“If she fails to pass... it’ll create immense chaos.”

It was the ancient magical trial that had been passed down through the Sunrise Imperial Family for over a thousand years.

The one destined to become the new ruler had to pass the trial set by the ancient magic that bound the imperial family during the coronation.

Of course, since the Sunrise Imperial Family was known as the strongest of the Clan of Light, blessed with divine mana, the passing rate was quite high.

Occasionally, when an exception occurred, the opportunity for the trial would be passed to the next in line.

However, this was not the case when Clana was the only one eligible to ascend.

This was why the entire world was focused on this coronation.

Some were simply rooting for Clana to pass, while others were eager to see what might happen if she failed the trial.

“Are we ready?”

“Well, about that...”

And there were even those who planned to disrupt the trial for their own gain.

“...What’s the issue? You’re not going to tell me we aren’t ready, are you?”

“The thing is...”

However, ultimately, the feared disruption during the trial did not occur.

“We have secretly deployed three Archmages on our side. And yet, not even the slightest interference is possible?”

“I-I’m sorry, but... it’s completely different from what we anticipated.”

“Nonsense! If it’s magic, there has to be some sort of gap...”

This was because the coronation’s ancient magic had never once been tampered with.

“It’s not magic.”

“...What?”

“What’s happening right now, this ‘miracle’... isn’t magic at all.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s no mana, no divine power, no miracle power, nothing detectable.”

As a result, the Ashfield Kingdom, which had spent a fortune to hire Archmages, and other kingdoms and factions, were left dumbfounded.

“That... that’s a real ‘miracle,’ in the truest sense...”

“Impossible...”

They could only watch, slack-jawed, as Clana underwent the trial.

“I... I invested so much for this day...”

“Should we try targeting the people maintaining the ceremony instead?”

“Fool. That would be a declaration of war against the empire.”

“Oh...”

Moreover, any alternative plans to disrupt the trial were also thwarted.

“And what exactly do you intend to target?”

The reason was that those standing beside the princess were not to be trifled with.

“Do you even realize who those people up there are?”

“...Apologies.”

No matter how desperate they were, no one dared to challenge the Hero who had shaped the world’s fate, the Dragon Lord who commanded dragons, or the Saintess of the biggest Church in the world.

“Damn it, are you really saying there’s nothing to sense from that ceremony? The ceremony will conclude soon...!”

“S-Sorry...”

“Damn it all!”

Those who had come to disrupt Clana’s coronation trial were left with nothing but regret.

“...The Ashfield Kingdom even hired three Archmages.”

“Their finances will be shaky for a while.”

“We should finish our investigation and report back to Lady Serena.”

“Understood.”

Not only had they wasted a fortune, but they also faced the humiliation of being thoroughly investigated by the Moonlight family’s covert operatives.

“Hey... everyone.”

“Yes, Frey?”

“Remember when Roswyn said that ‘ancient magic’ was actually composed of numbers and symbols...”

“If so, could it mean...?”

“That’s right. Now that I look at it, this is a system. Could the true nature of ancient magic be... a system?”

Most of them would likely have succumbed to their frustration if they had known the truth behind the coronation’s ancient magic.

“By the way, the, um, beautiful Sun God whispered that she used something called a ‘macro’ so that it would function without issue for the next ten thousand years. For details, she suggested asking Miss Roswyn...”

“This is insane.”

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.

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An hour had passed since the coronation trial began.

The moment for the conclusion of the trial was drawing near.

“It’s almost time for the result.”

“I’m nervous just watching.”

“I dread the world falling into chaos again. I hope she succeeds.”

As this tension-filled moment continued, the rulers of various nations conversed with serious expressions.

- Flash...!

“...!!!”

A brilliant golden light suddenly radiated from the platform where the coronation trial was taking place.

“T-This...!”

“O-Oh!”

The dazzling light spread out in all directions, painting the sky gold and drawing gasps from the crowd.

“She... she passed, right...”

“It’s the birth of the new Empress.”

“It’s also the beginning of a new era.”

The elders who had been watching with anxious faces sighed in relief and murmured.

“Waaaahhhh!!!”

“Long live the Empress!!”

“Hail Empress Clana!!”

And then came the deafening roar of cheers.

“Phew.”

“How was the trial, Clana?”

Amid the cheers, Frey approached Clana, who had opened her eyes and was taking a deep breath.

“Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m... exhausted.”

“Ah.”

With tired eyes, Clana looked at Frey before suddenly stumbling and collapsing toward him.

“Sir Frey, please support Her Majesty.”

“...”

“Sir Frey huh... you smell nice.”

Leaning her weight on Frey’s shoulder, Clana whispered as she gently rubbed her cheek against him.

“If you touch me recklessly now, it’ll be considered treason.”

“But I’m always the one being pounced on.”

“Though I heard it’s acceptable to rebel against a tyrant.”

“...”

As the two exuded an oddly suggestive atmosphere, gossip began to ripple through the crowd amidst the cheers.

“Judging by that, it looks like her consort is already chosen.”

“The Moonlight family seems to have been outdone. I thought it would be more competitive.”

“Could there have been a fierce power struggle behind the scenes...”

As curious whispers spread, Clana, still leaning on Frey, felt the sharp gazes directed at her.

“Your Majesty, Clana?”

“Please make your announcement!”

Irina looked visibly displeased, and Ferloche smiled but subtly flexed her arm, adding to the tension.

- Step, step...

With a slightly regretful expression, Clana stepped away from Frey and walked forward.

“...”

The crowd’s cheers gradually faded.

“As the new Empress of the Empire.”

The moment Clana opened her mouth, silence fell.

“I have an announcement to make.”

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“Including commoners in governance?”

“What in the world...”

Clana’s first words sent a massive shockwave through the world.

“To announce such a sensitive policy publicly at the coronation...”

“It shows her intent to push it as a key policy during her reign.”

“It could mean she won’t accept any objections.”

It was, in a way, expected.

The revolutionary policy of appointing commoners to political positions, something never even debated before, had come from the Empress herself.

“It seems she wanted to convey it directly to those involved without any distortion.”

“To the commoners?”

“If the Empire, the most conservative state, takes this stance, the world might turn upside down soon.”

As the unprecedented scenario began to become a reality, rulers and many others reacted quickly.

“In addition, the structure of the Empire will be reformed.”

Amidst the tense atmosphere, Clana dropped another bombshell.

“The Starlight Duchy will hold the title of Grand Duke from today.”

The moment those words rang out, the crowd and rulers froze.

“Who would’ve thought she’d make that official announcement here?”

“Does that mean the Hero is now the Empress’s consort?”

As murmurs filled the air, some sharp observers turned pale and muttered quietly.

“Wait, then why was the title given to the ‘Starlight Duchy’ and not to the Hero himself?”

“Could it be... she’s talking about restructuring the Empire, not just marriage?”

“The Starlight Duchy has truly become the stars in the sky now...”

And amid this wave of confusion stirred by two bombshells.

“Finally...”

Clana, her face flushed, delivered the last bombshell.

“I will address the recent topic regarding my consort.

“My consort is... the hero, Frey Raon Starlight.”

““...””

“To be exact, I am one of the hero’s wives.”

““........!?!?””

Her final declaration would later be considered the most impactful of the ‘Three Declarations’ that shook the world in various ways.