Ch.251Coronation (1)

“…Shouldn’t I go help after all?”

Lucilla spoke anxiously, pacing back and forth.

Hearing those words, the elf who had been silently flipping through a book looked up.

Her crimson eyes showed little emotion, and likewise, her emotional fluctuations were minimal.

Nevertheless, something was clearly evident—irritation.

The Elven Assassin, the Dagger of the Guardian Order, the Most Dangerous Pointy-Eared One, and so on.

Known by many aliases, Eshatherna was rarely showing irritation toward her master, “My Lord.”

“Oh, yes?”

“You’re being annoying.”

“…What?”

Those wide eyes opening in shock, and that gentle, almost naive gaze.

It was an expression Eshatherna had never imagined or seen before meeting Luvellin. If Eshatherna had been male, it would have been the kind of expression that would have sparked sadistic impulses.

Unfortunately, Eshatherna was female.

Not that it completely prevented sadistic feelings from arising.

“I’m… I’m annoying…? An annoying woman?”

Lucilla trembled in shock while Eshatherna observed her through narrowed eyes.

She wondered if this was just an act, but upon realizing it wasn’t, she inwardly sighed.

After the sigh came a deep breath.

“My Lord.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t you trust the Little Lord?”

Lucilla froze, her gray eyes trembling anxiously.

Meeting her gaze with crimson eyes, Eshatherna thought wearily.

‘Is the effect wearing off already?’

It was understandable. This was the 32nd time Eshatherna had said this.

Just as she was considering whether to physically restrain Lucilla, Eshatherna added lightly:

“The Little Lord would be sad.”

Lucilla, who was about to rise and set out, stopped.

She hesitated, clenching and unclenching her hands in great conflict before finally sitting down obediently.

It was exactly as Luvellin had said. While Eshatherna inwardly sighed with relief, she sensed it would be difficult to keep Lucilla restrained much longer.

Lucilla was displaying anxiety. The kind of anxiety that was visibly apparent to anyone.

“You’re right, I trust Sejin. I do, but…”

Even now, it was evident. Given who they were dealing with, it was natural, but in Esha’s view, the chances of Lucilla being helpful by intervening were almost none.

Lucilla specialized in destruction and annihilation.

Not negotiation and persuasion. Rather, Melody had been handling such matters for a long time, while Lucilla often acted as if she had no intention of persuading anyone.

In reality, she didn’t need to. Though Eshatherna didn’t know it, Lucilla understood most of the world, comprehending both processes and outcomes.

She didn’t hesitate to lead others down what she considered “the best path,” and if necessary, she wouldn’t shy away from using violence.

That was what attracted Eshatherna to Lucilla.

Her decisiveness and coldness, and a cruelty that disregarded the world.

Yet what was interesting was that she ultimately pursued “better outcomes” and actually achieved them.

Finding it interesting, Eshatherna came to like her as she observed. She felt inclined to follow her.

But seeing Lucilla display such “womanly” behavior now…

It was somewhat disillusioning. She almost thought it would be better if the Little Lord became the Lord, and Lucilla became the “Greater Lord.”

It was as if she lacked the proper demeanor of a master. Eshatherna rolled her eyes with a huff.

But she would follow her orders. At least Luvellin, unlike Lucilla, showed consistency.

Often foolish, and perhaps actually a bit foolish.

And sometimes seemingly afraid of relationships.

Still, there were plenty of things to like about him, such as his unpredictability. Eshatherna could understand why Lucilla was so attached to him.

‘And he has a cute face.’

But this fuss was too much. As Eshatherna was pondering what to say next…

“…Eshatherna.”

Suddenly feeling a chill down her spine and an ominous sensation, she instinctively looked up.

Above was the sky, visible through the transparent ceiling of the Divine Temple made of high-quality glass.

Beyond it, stars were spread out. And between the setting sun and the rising moon, Eshatherna could sense something overwhelming that had captured both her and Lucilla’s senses.

It was something unfamiliar, but easy to guess what it might be.

The overwhelming presence that gave even Eshatherna, who had faced all manner of formidable opponents, a sense of crisis. This time, she didn’t try to stop Lucilla.

“I need to go.”

Lucilla gripped her spear—a versatile weapon capable of both cutting and thrusting, a gift from her brother who had received it from the Sword Saint.

However, as the two were about to leave the room and rush out, someone came looking for them first.

A girl in a flowing dress with her distinctive cape.

Though her eyes were closed, the girl who had hurriedly run to them grabbed Lucilla.

“Sister!”

“Melody.”

“I think we need to go outside. Right now…”

Melody stopped herself from explaining further. It wasn’t that she couldn’t explain due to her lack of sight.

Rather, she seemed to understand it so well that she didn’t know how to explain it.

“You’ll understand when you see it.”

So Lucilla obediently followed Melody at a run.

Eshatherna checked the position of her daggers and ran swiftly, surveying the terrain ahead, while Lucilla glanced anxiously at the sky several times.

Melody was busy guiding the way. Her physical abilities were considerably inferior compared to the other two.

As they left the nest and reached the plaza of the Divine Temple, Isla was already there, staring blankly at the sky.

“Isla!”

Without answering, Isla turned her head, swished her tail, and then looked back up.

Lucilla and Eshatherna, sensing that seeing for themselves would be faster, looked up.

“…What is that…?”

They widened their eyes at the sight of something slowly descending from the sky.

It was a sphere.

A strange sphere difficult to describe. It was so enormous that from below, one couldn’t even tell it was a fruit.

They saw something gradually revealing itself above the sphere.

It was shining, reaching all the way up to the distant sky.

Some people were frightened, thinking it might be lightning about to strike, but most recognized it as a branch.

Even dogs like Hui were quiet under the pressure of the atmosphere, as everyone froze when they saw the object reach directly above the Divine Temple.

They belatedly realized the danger. If that thing were to fall, it would wipe out the entire Divine Temple.

As shock and confusion began to spread among the people…

Only Lucilla instinctively sensed something and unconsciously spoke.

“Sejin…?”

She felt that her brother was inside it.

*

As Luvellin headed to the audience chamber where the throne would be for the coronation…

His steps were noticeably slow to anyone watching.

It wasn’t the dignified walk befitting nobility or royalty. Rather, it was the opposite.

Steps that dragged with tension. Luvellin suddenly realized the situation he was in.

Luvellin had made three clans his allies.

At least, that’s what he thought. And that didn’t simply mean he could use and discard the three clans at his convenience.

Now their fate depended on him. That was the meaning of the coronation.

Becoming the “Father” they had longed for, or something equivalent.

Luvellin’s heart was heavy. He wondered if he could do it well, but the biggest reason was…

Could he make the three clans coexist with the people of the Divine Temple?

Luvellin was uncomfortable not knowing. He knew neither the method nor whether the people he cared about would agree.

But still, he walked on. As he continued walking, the corridor with the throne came into view.

A long hallway and corridor, a place that could be called an audience chamber.

The Court Count was there.

“…You really did it.”

The Court Count spoke as if in disbelief. Luvellin showed no particular reaction to his words.

He couldn’t. Now was the time to maintain composure, not to speak truthfully and reveal his uncertainty.

“I never thought you would give up so easily.”

“…That’s how it turned out.”

“What if I say I haven’t given up?”

The Empress laughed softly, and the Prophet answered with a serious expression.

And behind them stood the Emperor quietly.

Luvellin stared at the standing Emperor with renewed curiosity.

‘Why is he still here?’

It was a sudden thought, but upon reflection, it made sense. From his first appearance, he hadn’t done much beyond preparing a place for “Mother Netel” to descend.

After that, he had merely maintained his position. Whether he didn’t enjoy speaking or couldn’t speak at all was unclear, but he hadn’t opened his mouth.

‘What purpose does he have for being here?’

Luvellin thought this as he looked at the Emperor, and only turned away when the expressionless Emperor pulled up the shawl resting on his shoulders.

“Let me say this in advance.”

Everyone looked at Luvellin. Amidst this, Luvellin spoke.

“I still don’t know what to do with you.”

They were evil. Whether they were still evil beings, he wasn’t sure.

He didn’t know if they could be rehabilitated, or if they should be.

But he couldn’t say that they all deserved extinction. At least that much was certain.

“I don’t think my people down there will welcome you. And I don’t know how I should mediate.”

Countless gazes were directed at him. Luvellin suddenly sensed the presence of people from the three clans filling the corridor.

Blood clan, Shapeshifters, Necromancers.

Their subtly revealed presence felt strange. Most were strangers to him.

Most of them were looking at Luvellin with favorable gazes. It was goodwill freely given, not earned through Luvellin’s own power.

It wasn’t entirely welcome. Unlike at the Divine Temple, it wasn’t something Luvellin had proven and earned through his actions.

But he had to use what he could. In the clash between cold reason and negative emotions, Luvellin spoke.

“If there’s one thing I can say… I am not the Father.”

In the ensuing silence, Luvellin alone spoke.

“But at least I know the intention that the Father, the Steward, had. He was saddened by life dying and disappearing. He created you to prevent that. But he couldn’t and left.”

A fact that any older member of the three clans would vaguely guess. In the piercing silence, Luvellin decided on one policy.

“Don’t you think it’s wrong that you, who were created with such intentions, harm and plunder life?”

Luvellin slowly walked toward the throne. The Empress following right beside him stopped at an appropriate distance, and the Prophet stood by a pillar with a complicated expression.

Only Lorian, the Court Count, and the Emperor approached Luvellin’s throne.

Lorian followed because he was Luvellin’s knight, the Emperor’s intentions were unknown, and the Court Count followed to assist.

With his back to the three, Luvellin looked at the throne.

The throne where the Steward, who once held many dreams and hopes, had sat, looked well-maintained yet somehow empty.

Perhaps because it had been abandoned for thousands of years. He wondered if it might collapse as soon as he sat on it.

But he couldn’t hesitate.

Luvellin ran his hand over the armrest of the throne and said:

“Therefore, I declare. The days of meaningless slaughter are over.”

Finally, its master sat on the throne.

The entire fruit trembled slightly around the throne.

A pulse spread from the heart, divinity enveloping everything before releasing it, and Luvellin spoke to those with expressions of near ecstasy:

“Your master has returned.”

Luvellin intuitively understood how to control the fruit, adjusting his senses that extended through the throne.

He moved the fruit with just his will and divinity, and Netel’s branch responded, bending greatly and beginning to descend.

The destination was the Divine Temple.

Luvellin had reclaimed a part of the Divine Temple that had been separated for a long time.