episode_0237

Episode 237 Coronation Ceremony (3)

In a solemn atmosphere, Ariel slowly kneels on one knee. She remained in that position, quietly awaiting the next moment. The moment her father, the current Emperor, would pass on the throne.

Soon, the Emperor’s arm moved. His hand reached towards his head. He removed the crown, the symbol of the Emperor.

Under the sun, the empire’s symbol shone brilliantly. The Emperor handed it to his daughter.

The crown is placed on Ariel’s head. Black hair and a golden crown come together. She felt the Emperor’s weight and slowly stood up. Then, she turned her body to the opposite side.

It was the moment to announce the birth of the new Emperor.

***

The coronation ceremony is arduous in its preparation, but the execution is short and simple. After all, the important thing in the coronation ceremony was to show the imperial family’s authority and symbolism to the world.

Thus, by handing over the crown, the succession to the throne was completed. The former Emperor now retired, and the current Emperor, who had just inherited the throne, sat in his place.

Ariel sat on the throne, and everyone applauded in celebration. The same was true outside the Imperial Palace. The people watching this scene on the streets of the capital also gave praise. Thanks to this, both the outside and the inside were bustling.

However, the coronation ceremony was not completely over. Until now, it was only showing the process of succession to the throne, and there remained meetings with the nobles of the empire and the leaders of each country who had come to this place.

The first to face Ariel, who had become Emperor, was naturally Dekal Arden, the head of the Arden family, the eternal friend of the Imperial Family.

Ariel is a woman who witnessed my pain. What kind of conversation will she have with my father? Will she get angry at this place? No, that wouldn’t be the case. The Ariel I know was a wise woman who knew how to distinguish between time and place.

“It is an honor to serve two Emperors.”

“Thank you for coming despite your busy schedule.”

As expected, such a thing did not happen. However, the conversation time was extremely short. After receiving congratulatory remarks, receiving the gifts presented by the Arden family, and exchanging light words, the conversation ended.

Of course, I think it’s understandable since there are many people waiting. However, usually, the Imperial Family and Arden would talk for a little longer to show off their friendship, and above all, I could see it in her eyes. Ariel was clearly furious at Arden.

She showed the appearance of an Emperor while hiding her emotions well, but I, who had been close to her, could see it. If you were close to her, you might be able to feel the subtle difference.

In that way, Ariel had brief meetings with the nobles of the empire. Most of the nobles had similar reactions. Everyone bowed excessively and presented excessive gifts.

Perhaps it was because she had just ascended the throne and had carried out a major purge while traveling around the empire a few months ago, so they wanted to make a good impression on her. The beginning required that.

After a while, it was the turn of the other side. However, Estella and I did not face her immediately. It was because they were people from the Theocratic State of Eustia, a powerful nation on par with the Empire.

Thus, after a slightly longer waiting time this time as well, we were able to meet Ariel. We walked side by side and stood before the Emperor. Excessive gazes were focused on us.

Estella, who had returned as the Saintess, clasped her hands as if praying and said.

“Congratulations on ascending the throne, Ariel. And thank you once again. If it weren’t for Ariel, the continent would not be as peaceful as it is now.”

“It was possible because everyone worked hard. So…”

Ariel glanced at me as she continued to speak.

“There’s no need to praise only me too much.”

“Hehe, I’ve seen it many times, but Ariel is so kind. Now I know why everyone likes the Princess, no, the Empress. Oh, this is a gift from Eustia to celebrate your enthronement.”

Estella took out dozens of items from her subspace. Because they were such bulky items, the space behind her was filled.

It was because Ariel was a companion who had shared life and death with her that there were so many. There were actually many people who witnessed it and fought together. Of course, among them were gifts sent by the gods.

“That’s all I have to say… Saint?” Do you have anything to say?”

At the Saintess’s words, I turned my head directly. I face Ariel, who has become Emperor. Looking at her face where sadness and joy coexist, I said quietly.

“Really, congratulations.”

“Thank you…”

After a brief conversation, silence lingers between us. The reason was obvious. Because the emotions that still exist between us have not been resolved.

I feel like I’m suffocating, and so does she, so what about other people? Estella next to me was also scratching her cheek with a troubled face.

I opened my mouth to break this silence.

“Your Majesty.”

“Please speak.”

I continued my words at her permission.

“All the gifts prepared by Saint Estella are what she brought. I didn’t prepare anything from my side. So, I would like to give a separate gift to Your Majesty.”

“What, what is it…?”

“It is a blessing.”

There is only one thing a Saint can do. It was to bestow a blessing on the opponent by borrowing the power of God.

“Would that be alright?”

“…Yes, it’s alright.”

Immediately after receiving permission, I went up the stairs in front of the throne. Of course, the Imperial Knights blocked me. It’s a natural story. She is the person who just ascended the throne, and I have come as a person from the Holy Kingdom. They were doing their duty.

Fortunately, Ariel gestured and dismissed them. I stood right in front of her. Then, I grabbed Ariel’s right hand and pulled up my power.

Hwaaaah!!

The clasped hands shine brightly. This is not the energy of the God of Eustia, but the energy emanating from my soul. At the same time, it was my power engraved in the world.

[Constellation ‘——’ bestows a blessing upon you.]

Although the rank is lower than when I obtained this, so I cannot bestow a proper blessing, it would be enough for her alone.

“K, Kyle…”

At that moment, Ariel’s eyes widened. She realized the origin of this power. Perhaps it could be seen to some extent by the system engraved in her blood.

But that didn’t matter. Anyway, no one would notice except her.

I carefully let go of her hand. And in Ariel’s eyes looking at me, there was some sadness.

***

The coronation ceremony is over.

The schedule afterwards is simple. As a new Emperor of the Empire has been born, festivals are held throughout the capital.

The same goes for the Imperial Palace. Since everyone has gathered in one place, there is also a banquet to strengthen friendship with the new Emperor. But I left first.

There were several reasons.

First of all, I didn’t want to face my father. After seeing Kyle Arden’s past and becoming one with him, the existence of Dekal Arden was so hateful. It was okay a while ago because we were separated, but I didn’t know what kind of reaction I would show if I encountered him.

Besides, it was very uncomfortable to face Ariel right now. I did all that to resolve the emotions I had built up with her. I don’t know how it turned out like this.

Anyway, for that reason, I left it to Estella, the Saintess, and came out alone. Of course, she made a fuss saying not to go, but when I said I would grant her one wish later, she somehow got over it.

The capital, which had become evening, was now deafening and dazzling to the ears and eyes with all sorts of lights and songs. Still, the road back to the dormitory was quiet. All the students, professors, and staff had gone out to the capital. Only a few buildings had lights on.

When I arrived at the dormitory, I headed to a nearby bench. I lay down on it as if collapsing. The night sky comes into view. The constellations that have changed with autumn were quite worth seeing.

As I was resting with my eyes closed for a while, I felt a very, very familiar energy. It was the power of the blessing I had given.

“What about the banquet, Your Majesty, why did you come here?”

I got up and greeted her. Ariel was covering her whole body with a cloak.

“And where did you leave your guards…”

“I just, secretly slipped out. Under the pretext of resting for a while.”

Ariel, who answered that way, carefully approached me and sat on the bench. At her approach, I unconsciously moved my butt slightly to the opposite side.

“……”

“……”

We were silent for a while. Just like in the Imperial Palace where silence lingered a while ago. Then, Ariel opened her mouth first.

“Kyle.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

An awkward atmosphere. But Ariel continued to speak without paying any attention.

“Weren’t there any difficult things in your 300 years of life?”

“…Are you curious?”

“Yes, I’m curious. But if you don’t want to talk…”

“It’s okay.”

I refused her words and conveyed the thoughts and feelings I felt at that time.

“To be honest, there was no moment when it wasn’t difficult.”

I was confident that I could do everything, but the moment I realized the reality, everything was difficult.

I was frustrated because I couldn’t protect someone, I was frustrated with my helplessness, and I was frustrated again with the reality that never changed.

“But do you know what was the most difficult thing?”

The only thing that made me the most difficult, excluding those things, was just one thing. And at that moment, my memories and Kyle Arden’s body became assimilated. In that situation where I didn’t know whether I was me or Kyle Arden, I continued to speak.

“It was the feeling of hatred for myself who didn’t have talent.”

In the end, what penetrates that is the lack of talent. If only I had that, it wouldn’t have been painful at all. I took a deep sigh into the sky.

“A dullard is a very pathetic race.”

Do you know how a dullard chases a genius?

Endless time? No. That’s not enough. Time alone cannot catch up with the fundamental difference. It’s not at a level that can be caught up with by just swinging a sword all day.

“Effort was essential, the speed of falling behind had to be caught up with hundreds of years of time, and the lack of talent had to be made up for by crossing thousands of life-and-death situations.”

That’s how I reached the current level. I eventually reached the divine status by doing that crazy thing. I was able to engrave my name in that place called the library.

But the pain of reaching there was so painful and painful that…

“Maybe, no one will understand this pain.”

There’s no way they can understand. It’s a story that only applies to a very small number of people even among the minority. Moreover, if you are born a genius, you will never know it for the rest of your life.

Then I felt my clothes being pulled. The direction was towards Ariel. I turned my head towards her.

Drip, drip, Ariel is shedding tears. She was holding it in well, but in the end, her emotions burst out at my answer. She grabbed my sleeve and mumbled.

“I’m sorry… I only cursed you… I only denied your efforts… I didn’t recognize your pain… I’m sorry…”

Not a false, fabricated word, but a voice filled with sincerity. Ariel sobbed and conveyed her feelings.

“And… I like you, Kyle. I fell in love with you sometime… I don’t deserve it for a dirty woman like me… but, so, so…”

Ariel’s hands were trembling. Her voice trembled like her hands, filled with fear. I stopped Ariel’s words by holding her hand.

“That…”

And I also shed tears and revealed my heart.

“I wanted to hear those words…”

Yes, it was this one word. I wanted to hear those sincere words. After hating Ariel Tianis, that was all I wanted from her.

I hugged Ariel and said.

“So, you don’t have to say any more. Ariel…”

That day, the hatred towards a woman disappeared like snow.