episode_0170

The sound of conversation is heard in the emperor’s palace.

It looked like Crown Prince Esteban was talking alone. No one felt anything strange.

“It’s a coronation ceremony.”

The young man sitting on the throne spoke quietly and looked around. He continued talking without paying attention to how many courtiers were walking around.

“It’s definitely not bad, but is it okay? It may not work for everyone, but there is also a more secret way to get it.”

[Then there won’t be as many opportunities to harvest souls as this time, right?]

A seductive female voice.

“Hmm.”

Yes, it’s definitely not bad. I should tell them to make this coronation ceremony bigger and grander.

It would be an honor if the scum living in my empire could help me.

“Chamberlain.”

Even when he called, there was no answer.

“Chamberlain!”

“Yes. Your Majesty.”

When I called out with a lot of energy, the chamberlain slowly approached me and answered vaguely.

“Chet. Maybe I should have left one guy alone.”

Even when I complained, there was no response.

“To make the coronation ceremony more grand than planned, the location is… … . A large plaza would be enough. On that day, all stores in the capital are ordered to close!”

He gave more specific instructions. Although it is cumbersome, they are like dolls that only follow what they are told.

The emperor’s coronation ceremony is held in a luxurious and grand manner.

Participation was natural as any citizen could participate. Who wouldn’t want to see the moment when an emperor is born, a rare sight once in a lifetime?

‘still.’

Since it is not compulsory, there may be some reasons for not attending.

However, just because restaurants and facilities in the capital were closed, the people would naturally come to his coronation ceremony.

‘It’s perfect.’

He shook his head, thinking about the plan he had come up with.

Even if there was a loophole in the plan, the retainers and subjects who would point it out were all puppets.

*

[Do you think you are quite satisfied with your body?]

Grimoire said while looking at Esteban getting dressed up.

“You don’t know. How much effort I put in for this day, increasing Esteban’s magic classes and even teaching him swordsmanship.”

[-Is that something to be proud of?]

“In the end, this is how my body became! It’s my effort!”

Although his tone was mocking, he spoke as if he was boasting.

Yes.

He was the emperor who took Esteban’s body. He even hummed as if he was in a good mood.

After completing his preparations, he moved on to the coronation ceremony.

“What is this?!”

The emperor was embarrassed.

The audience expected the water to be filled without any leaks.

‘This can’t be happening.’

He closed his eyes and opened them.

But nothing changed.

In the vast square, there were only a handful of people who could be counted on one’s fingers.

The event was prepared in a grand way, but if there were no people to see it.

I’ve experienced many coronation ceremonies so far, but it’s the first time it’s been this simple.

‘why?’

After becoming emperor, he lived a life where he naturally obtained everything he wanted. Things went wrong and I hunkered down for a while, but I won’t have to do that anymore.

That’s what I thought, but it went wrong from the first step.

Just by frowning, women with doll-like expressions start dancing.

The strange clothes that exposed the body were no different from underwear.

An outfit that they would have never worn in their original form.

Go back just a few hours.

“How can you wear something like this!”

The palace official who actually prepared the costume received a slap.

“Why is there no answer!”

“This is His Majesty’s order.”

The court lady raised her head with bleary eyes.

She trembled. I felt instinctive fear at the non-human expression.

‘But this.’

How could she put on herself, now the crown princess, the vulgar costumes worn by dancers, which she usually ignored? I was out of my mind.

“ㅡI have to see your highness.”

It was the last moment she could be herself.

*

At that time, would this fate have changed if I had made a different choice and left the palace?

Whose idea was it?

Women who might have had a will just a few days ago now looked like obedient slaves.

Even though they shed tears, they danced without stopping for a moment.

But no one watching their dance cared.

Even as time passed, the square was not filled.

Esteban’s face became even more distorted.

‘I thought it was the perfect plan.’

In the square, the magic ceremony he had prepared over several days was laid out. At the same time as he declared himself emperor, it was a technique that strengthened his power by absorbing the life force and souls of those who recognized him as emperor. As it was a technique based on dragon veins, it was expected to gain tremendous power.

‘why…!’

His fists were shaking.

Even those who were present were leaving.

“The Crown Prince, no, Your Majesty. Shall we find out a little bit?”

Even though my daughter was like a doll, the greedy vassals were happy and said that she had become the emperor’s father-in-law.

“Your Majesty! Something big is coming!”

The knight commander rushed in in a huff.

“What’s going on?”

The emperor looked around once again at the square where there was not a single ant, and slowly turned his head.

“Outside the outer castle now!!”

* * *

Back in time. This morning.

“Is today the day His Royal Highness the Crown Prince becomes emperor?”

“I never thought there would come a day in my lifetime when I would see the moment the emperor was born.”

Residents living in the capital gathered in groups of twos and threes and chattered.

“It would be nice if the new Majesty would lower taxes.”

“That’s right! Taxes have become too expensive these days.”

It was no exaggeration to say that the coronation ceremony was the largest event in the capital. No matter where I went, that was the only story.

“Your Majesty is so handsome?”

“When will commoners like us see His Majesty’s face if not on a day like this!”

Even the woman who did the laundry brought up the topic of the coronation ceremony whenever she chatted, and since the event was scheduled to be held every year on a special day, all citizens were expected to participate.

But then.

“It’s Magma Chicken!”

“Eclair is here!”

“This is Mary Jane!”

Men and women holding colorful pickets appeared.

They were all handsome men and women with flowing hair and fair skin that could be considered noble.

“Um, is that?”

“They seem to be employees of a restaurant located in the central district?”

Citizens pursed their mouths.

‘what? ‘Isn’t today a holiday?’

‘As it is a business closure order set by the imperial family, won’t I get arrested if I make a fuss?’

Before they could think any more.

“No! Isn’t this a 5-star restaurant where even nobles line up to eat eclairs and magma chicken?”

“Eng! Why did we end up here? Aren’t these foods that ordinary people like us can’t even taste?”

Voices that seemed to catch the wind began to be heard here and there among the citizens.

“Is that that delicious?”

“There’s also a tasting right now.”

A salty conversation continues.

“Oh, what about this flavor?!”

“Beautiful!”

The man who was looking at me suspiciously bit into a red seasoned chicken leg and trembled with excitement.

“ㅡCan I have one too?”

“Me too!”

So after a while.

“This is all the food we brought for tasting.”

At the sound of Miu’s voice, people of all ages and genders slumped their shoulders as if they were disappointed.

“But.”

She smiled and continued speaking.

“If you follow the staff over there, the entire menu will be served for free!”

“All menu?! Is it true that all the food is free?”

“Yes.”

Miu smiled.

More than her captivating smile, the fact that these delicious and luxurious foods were free made the citizens run without a second thought.

And this phenomenon was happening all over the capital.

*

A chance to try amazing dishes that were only served at Mary Jane, such as éclairs and magma chicken, which are not easily available to commoners due to their high prices, for free!

“Rather than that, isn’t His Majesty’s coronation ceremony today?”

“Eng. Well, it’s a coronation ceremony. Whoever goes will go on their own!”

“That’s right. If not now, when will you try it!”

Upon hearing the news, residents of the capital gathered together.

“There is a rumor that this is actually the princess’s store!”

“Really? They say she’s a saint and she’s also good at cooking?”

When people gather, rumors naturally spread. Whether the rumors are positive or not.

“Aren’t they all famous restaurants? The prices are hard for ordinary people like us to access, but isn’t it a bit much to call them saints?”

The population is so huge that it can be said that all residents of the capital have gathered together. The waiting line was long and some people expressed discomfort. There were so many people, and it wasn’t the first nobleman to show off by donating something like this.

“Saint? What does that mean?”

“Didn’t you know? It is said that the estate where the princess went on a pilgrimage maintains warm weather all year round!”

“It’s all because the princess received God’s blessing!”

“Hmm.”

However, if such rumors are combined with the evil wind-catcher and the good deeds she has done so far.

“You don’t know what.”

“What do you mean?”

“Eclair is a store that donates to orphanages every week, not just one, but all of the orphanages in the capital. Do you think that is easily possible?”

Even confidential information that cannot be known unless you are an insider. The source was not important.