Chapter 402: A New Sun (4)

The abdication ceremony preparations were completed quickly thanks to the Emperor’s strong will and the Ministry of the Imperial Household’s desperate efforts. We can only offer condolences to the civil servants of the Ministry who had to deal with the first abdication ceremony in imperial history during their tenure. May they be born in a world without abdications in their next life.

I also feel somewhat regretful about my fate of holding the Imperial Grandchild during this unprecedented abdication ceremony. Not only will all eyes be on me during the ceremony, but this will also be recorded in imperial history for ages to come.

Of course, it’s just burdensome and regrettable, not that I have any particular complaints. I can’t whine about my role as godfather when even the young Imperial Grandchild is about to shoulder such a heavy burden.

“Your Highness, the Imperial Grandchild. Have you been well?”

“Ah—“

I bowed to the Imperial Grandchild, who was receiving attentive care from the maids, steeling my resolve. The short babbling remains the same, but the Imperial Grandchild, who could barely open his eyes before, now had them fully open.

Though it seems he still can’t focus properly.

“Ah— Oo—“

“It appears His Highness is welcoming you, Godfather.”

“It’s an honor.”

I nodded slightly at the head maid’s words. I’m grateful that he seems to welcome me as his godfather, even though we’ve only met a few times. I was worried he might cry at seeing a stranger, especially with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess absent.

Is it okay to be here without the parents?

A belated question arose. When the Crown Prince ascends as Emperor, the Crown Princess automatically becomes Empress, so both are away for their respective preparations. This much is understandable.

But is it alright to have such a young baby — not even a year old — meet with outsiders, even with experienced maids present? If they say I’m not an outsider because I’m the godfather, I have no argument, but it still feels a bit off.

“Ah—“

…Well, I suppose it’s fine since we’re doing this. Let’s not worry about it.

“Godfather, would you like to extend your finger towards His Highness’s hand?”

As I silently gazed at the Imperial Grandchild for a while, the head maid gently spoke up.

“My finger?”

I reflexively questioned the sudden suggestion, but the head maid just nodded with a gentle expression.

What’s this about? The person the Crown Prince and Crown Princess keep close wouldn’t say anything problematic, but it’s such an unexpected request.

Finger to the hand?

My gaze unconsciously went to the Imperial Grandchild’s tiny hand. A hand so small it’s barely larger than one of my fingers, with a bit of exaggeration.

As I looked at that hand, I found myself extending my finger as if entranced—

“Ah.”

And it was immediately grasped by the Imperial Grandchild’s hand.

“His Highness likes to hold onto things. He often quiets down even when babbling if the maids extend their fingers.”

“I see.”

Indeed, the Imperial Grandchild stopped babbling and quietly closed his eyes while holding my finger.

I couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

…How do I pull it out?

The only minor issue is that the Imperial Grandchild won’t let go of my finger. I could easily pull it out with force, but what if I accidentally break this fragile hand?

As a result, I had to remain bent over, offering my finger until the Imperial Grandchild decided to let go.

The capital’s energy reached the Imperial Palace. The retirement of the Emperor who had reigned for decades, and the ascension of a new Emperor. It’s reason enough for the capital to be bustling with citizens and subjects who’ve gathered from all over the empire.

No, there’s no need to look as far as the capital. The Imperial Palace itself is filled with busy officials and diplomatic envoys from various countries.

“Your Imperial Majesty. It’s been a long time.”

At the greeting from the most noble figure among the visiting diplomatic envoys, Imperial Father rose from the throne to welcome him personally.

“You must be tired from your long journey, Your Holiness. I’m delighted to see you.”

“I’m glad this insignificant old man can bring joy to Your Majesty. This too must be the Lord’s grace.”

Pope Balthasar XXXVII of the Dawn Sect. The current Pope visited the Imperial Palace as the head of the Holy Kingdom’s diplomatic mission.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in an uproar over the visit of someone who couldn’t be treated as a subordinate even by the Emperor, but ultimately, it’s the Pope personally attending and blessing an imperial affair. As long as it helps our prestige, it’s not harmful.

Moreover, don’t other kingdoms and duchies have their monarchs ascend under the blessing of resident cardinals? Considering that, this visit demonstrates the gap between the empire and other countries.

I wonder if he came just because it’s the empire?

Watching Imperial Father and the Pope exchange pleasantries and showcase their friendly relations, I had such a thought. Given their relationship, the Pope might have visited even if Kefellofen were a kingdom instead of an empire.

Just as Imperial Father lacked legitimacy as a cadet branch descendant, the current Pope didn’t have a particularly strong foundation when he ascended. He was already elderly at the time of his ascension and was a cardinal who had moved around the continent rather than being active in the Holy Kingdom.

His becoming Pope was a temporary measure by cardinals tired of the previous Pope’s reform policies — but unfortunately, as soon as he ascended, the current Pope showed energetic progress as if blessed by Enen. Needless to say, the cardinals were frothing at the mouth.

Thus, Imperial Father lacking legitimacy and the Pope lacking support and authority found partners in each other as their interests aligned, becoming transnational partners. Imperial Father offers the empire’s support to the Pope, while the Pope provides religious authority to Imperial Father.

…The Pope, older than Imperial Father, is still so vigorous.

It’s bitter. Of the two giants who encompassed an era, one has decided to abdicate, while the other is still robust. Is this the difference between those who possess sacred power and those who don’t?

I thought that I might continue the partnership with the current Pope for a while even after my ascension.

Another reason for the Minister of Inspection to be active.

I almost laughed for a moment. Even with the current Pope, friendly to the empire, holding on, we’re likely to struggle with his political acumen, and if a different Pope ascends, it’s questionable whether they’ll be friendly to the empire.

However, the Minister of Inspection maintains a somewhat friendly relationship with the next saint, which will be a great help in diplomacy with the Holy Kingdom.

Just when you think you’ve forgotten, he brings a new advantage. Truly a loyal subject.

The abdication ceremony will take place at St. Paronas Cathedral in the capital. There’s no better place for a Pope-blessed abdication ceremony.

Thus, we moved from the Imperial Palace to the cathedral under the escort of the Imperial Knights. In the carriage, we heard the cheers of subjects celebrating the new Emperor’s ascension and the applause showing respect for Imperial Father’s dedication.

It’s loud.

I quietly closed my eyes and listened to the subjects’ cheers and applause.

It’s nothing special. It’s a sound I always hear when participating in events. I heard it during the recent triumph ceremony too.

But unlike then, it felt so much louder and heavier now. During the triumph ceremony, the cheers were for Imperial Father who had achieved victory and the brave soldiers, but now they were for me, about to ascend.

“Your Highness.”

The Crown Princess gently took my hand.

“Don’t worry. I will always be with you.”

At those words, I looked into her eyes for a moment before letting out a small laugh.

“Crown Princess, you’re saying such obvious things too seriously.”

“Hehe, is that so?”

Even as I laughed with her, the sense of pressure didn’t disappear.

It can’t be helped. Anyone in this world who sits in my position would feel the same. They would simultaneously gain the most noble status and the heaviest duty on this continent.

Still, I can smile. Because this is my destiny, and as the Crown Princess said, it’s not a path I’ll walk alone.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Crown Princess. We have arrived.”

Before long, the carriage stopped, and I heard the voice of the knight leading it.

I grasped the carriage door and looked at the Crown Princess again. She was also looking at me.

The path ahead won’t be easy. It might be more treacherous and painful than the road we’ve traveled so far. There might be times when I want to give up everything and run away.

But I won’t.

“Therefore, Crown Prince, uphold my will. Succeed me and become the new master of the empire, moving forward.”

Now, I am the master of this empire.

I moved forward with the Crown Princess. We got out of the carriage, passed through the cathedral doors, and moved towards the platform where Imperial Father and the Pope were waiting.

In the seats usually occupied by devout believers sat various nobles, led by the five dukes and thirteen marquises. Also, renowned figures from various countries across the continent were watching me. To imprint in their eyes the being who will reign over and lead this continent.

Then I spotted Ainter and the Minister of Inspection in a corner of the platform. And in the Minister’s arms, I saw the Imperial Grandchild.

Oh my.

I almost smiled at the sight of the Imperial Grandchild with closed eyes, probably asleep. Even this grand ceremony must be tiring for that baby angel. Let’s finish this quickly without any mistakes.

Thus, under countless gazes, I ascended the platform. I’ve reached a point where I can no longer postpone or avoid it.

“A single human stands here.”

As the Crown Princess and I stepped onto the platform, the Pope began to speak. At that moment, the cathedral interior, which had been filled with faint whispers, became completely silent.

“Our Lord does not determine the fate of humans. The future of humans is the result of their own choices, and there is no coercion on the path to that result.”

Then the Pope carefully lifted the imperial crown from Imperial Father’s head. An action symbolizing the removal of the Emperor’s rights and duties held by Imperial Father as God’s representative.

“However, there are beings for whom the Lord has made an exception, and those are priests and nobles.”

The Pope approached me step by step.

“The Lord created beings to spread the right teachings across this continent, and those are priests. Priests are those who enrich the spirits of all people and strive to help them eventually reach the Lord’s side, with the Pope being foremost among them.”

From the moment the Pope started walking towards me, the Crown Princess and I knelt and bowed our heads. We couldn’t raise our heads before the one who bestows the Emperor’s rights and duties on behalf of God.

“Also, He created beings to bring peace to this world and fill the bodies of all people, and those are nobles. Nobles are those who help priests spread the right teachings and help all people gain enriched spirits, with the Emperor being foremost among them.”

The sound of footsteps echoing through the cathedral stopped.

“This old man, undeservedly representing the Heavenly Lord, a servant to all people of this continent, and the last to reach Heaven. As such a being, I ask the single human bowing before me.”

“I will answer truthfully before the Lord.”

“The Lord has arranged for you to be the one to bring peace to this continent and fill the bodies of all people. Gilbert Livnoman, will you follow that will?”

“If that is the Lord’s arrangement.”

“Very well.”

At last, I felt a heavy sensation on my head.

“Gilbert Livnoman has, at this moment, become the noble and great being arranged by the Lord—Gilbert Amanca Livnoman of Kefellofen. This is the arrangement of the Heavenly Lord, and to deny the Emperor’s authority is to deny the Lord.”

As those words ended, I raised my head. Now I am no longer the successor receiving the imperial crown from God’s representative, but an Emperor equal to the Pope.

But as soon as I raised my head, I flinched. Somehow, the Emperor—no, the Retired Emperor—had come before me.

“Retired Emperor. Your mission has been succeeded by the new Emperor, and the path the new Emperor will walk will not be different from the one you experienced.”

The Pope seemed somewhat surprised by the Retired Emperor’s unexpected movement, but quickly continued with a calm expression.

“As one who has gone ahead for such an Emperor, how about offering some advice?”

“I’m grateful for your consideration, Your Holiness.”

A different kind of pressure weighed on my shoulders. For the Retired Emperor, who values meticulous planning, to make such an unexpected move is utterly bewildering.

Moreover, after expressing gratitude to the Pope, the Retired Emperor remained silent. Though not a long silence, as the subject of attention, I couldn’t help but feel tense.

“I.”

Just as cold sweat was about to break out, the Retired Emperor finally spoke.

“I abandoned everything.”

With such an impactful opening.

“I abandoned myself for my mission. I gave up myself for the imperial family, the empire, and the subjects. That’s the path I walked, and that’s the castle I built.”

His calm voice echoed through the cathedral.

“What will you do?”

And the voice echoing through the cathedral now stirred my mind.

Abandoned everything, gave up everything. The Retired Emperor described his life in such terms.

Abandoned, he says.

Yes, as the Retired Emperor said, he abandoned everything.

…Perhaps that “everything” included emotions and family too.

“I.”

So I instinctively opened my mouth.

“I will abandon nothing.”

I won’t live like you, I said. Though I respect you as Emperor, I won’t follow that method.

“…”

With that answer, silence fell once again.

His son, the Emperor succeeding him, declared he would live a life opposite to his own. How must the Retired Emperor feel?

After a long silence, the Retired Emperor placed his hand on my shoulder as I remained kneeling.

“That is the empire you will lead.”

And a faint but definite smile appeared on the Retired Emperor’s face.

After the Crown Prince officially received the imperial crown, the Crown Princess and Imperial Grandchild became Empress and Crown Princess respectively.

“Worship the new sun! Long live His Majesty Amanca XVII!”

“Enen, Great Emperor, protect the new Emperor!”

As the abdication ceremony ended, thunderous cheers naturally erupted. Only a traitor would spare their voice at this historic moment of a new Emperor’s ascension.

“Your Majesty, congratulations.”

Soon after, the dukes ascended the platform. To worship the new Emperor on behalf of the imperial nobles.

Naturally, the representative among the dukes was the Duke of Victory. He has now evolved from the Crown Prince’s father-in-law to the Emperor’s father-in-law. Impressive.

“Though I am lacking in many ways, seeing you all puts my mind at ease. I look forward to your continued support.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As the Duke of Victory bowed his head, the other dukes followed suit. Truly a beautiful scene of monarch and subjects.

…That said, given the atmosphere, I can’t bring it up, but why am I caught up in this loyalty pledge ceremony of the dukes?

Even if I’m the Crown Princess’s godfather, I’m just a count.

You bastard Emperor. Did you think I couldn’t curse you in my mind just because you’re Emperor?

Shit.

Someone please get me out of here…