Chapter 126
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Coronation Ceremony - 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Titan's sudden appearance made the ministers shrink back in a way completely opposite to what they had prepared for.
Was it because of his massive frame, over six feet tall?
Because of the scar covering his face, the sword mark left on his chest, or the wounds spreading from his right forearm?
Or because the aura of dignity in his eyes was far from the barbaric image they had expected?
All of those could be reasons, but it wasn't enough to make the ministers panic like this.
The real reason they cowered was simple.
'Why is he naked?'
The Titan who had come through the dimensional pillar was stark naked, not a thread on him.
'Wasn't the mage in charge this time the Fourth Apostle?'
'Indeed.'
'She wouldn't fail.'
Normally, they might have chalked it up to a teleportation magic error, but they couldn't this time.
The mage handling the spatial transfer was none other than Ellie, the Tower Lord of the Tower of Wisdom and the Fourth Apostle.
Though the nymph couldn't use combat magic, she was unrivaled on the continent for non-combat spells like this.
Naturally, the ministers suspected the Titan's usual behavior rather than a failure in the spatial transfer magic.
'This isn't a barbarian; it's a beast.'
'It's... huge.'
'At that size, he'd kill any woman.'
'I wonder if it could even fit...'
The ministers averted their eyes from his blatantly exposed private parts, though a few stole furtive glances.
They had planned to overwhelm the Titan with their own dignity at first, but instead, his brazen confidence deflated them.
It couldn't be helped.
The best policy with a madman is to steer clear!
"You!"
And there were others meant to deal with madmen.
"Do you have any idea where this is, showing up like that?!"
The Eclipse Knight Order.
They, who existed solely to protect the emperor, drew their swords.
They looked ready to cut down the Titan on the spot, but the emperor stopped them.
"Stand down."
"Your Majesty..."
Emperor Kaiana, her divine disc—the mark of nymph blood—glowing, overwhelmed the entire hall with her sacred aura in an instant.
Only the Titan stood tall before her.
To him, Kaiana voiced her curiosity.
"Why have you come to my palace in the nude?"
...
'Ellie, you bitch!'
The kingdom's greatest mage.
A nymph who hadn't failed a spell in nearly two centuries.
Yet the result was a total disaster.
'No wonder it felt so breezy down there.'
Thankfully, it wasn't the accident Ellie had warned about—just his clothes vanishing. The problem was that the coordinates had landed him precisely in the imperial palace garden.
The ministers avoided his gaze, and the knight-like guards threatened him with their weapons.
Who wouldn't react that way to a madman appearing naked in the imperial palace?
'This is insane. What do I even say?'
From the situation, this seemed like a rare occurrence. Otherwise, they wouldn't be so flustered.
'And...'
One woman alone probed him calmly.
She bore the nymph's iconic disc and was as beautiful as one, but unlike the petite nymphs, she was model-tall.
'Her presence suggests she's at least second-rank or higher.'
Strength wasn't the issue.
He hadn't fully recovered yet, but he could handle second-rank now.
The problem was her position.
'From the context, she must be the emperor.'
A being as exalted as the pope on the continent.
And here he was before her. Naked, no less.
'This is really driving me crazy.'
As the dizzying situation dragged on, the emperor pressed him.
"Is it so hard to answer?"
He racked his brain for an excuse.
"I wanted to show that Titans are human, too."
"Oh?"
"People think Titans are mythical beings, kin to the gods alongside the Twelve Goddesses. But that's not true. Even Hestia of the Yas divine race and Sunna of the Vanir divine race started as humans."
As the saying goes, men thrive on boldness—act confident, and you're halfway there.
Sure enough, several nodded at his bold, unflinching claim.
"It's not the god who is great, but the human who becomes a god."
"Then are you a god? Or a human?"
"To my family, I intend to become one."
"A fine answer from Hestia's chosen hero."
Satisfied with his response, the emperor approached slowly and suddenly began touching his scarred body.
Everyone grew flustered at her odd behavior.
"Y-Your Majesty? Please safeguard your sacred form!"
"Enough. Isn't this the one and only Titan body in the world? Rarer than any jewel, no?"
"..."
He was just as bewildered.
Hey, stop touching. It's reacting down there!
"And this scar on your chest—who did that to you?"
"Mercenaries called the Black Wolf Mercenary Group."
"Then the wound starting from your right arm must be from Sir Andrew. Nasty internal damage."
"Yes."
"Finally, the one on your face looks like a beast's claw. Any deeper, and you'd have died. Who inflicted this?"
She's awfully curious.
He masked his discomfort as best he could and answered.
"A Black Tiger."
"Black Tiger?"
"Lord of the Titan Mountains. In the Holy Kingdom, it's called the Heaven-Swallowing Tiger."
"..."
Her expression hardened at his explanation.
What? Did I say something wrong?
"Did you flee from that tiger?"
"No, I got this trying—and failing—to hunt it."
"...You're quite the joker."
Now she was frowning outright.
What's the problem?
To his bewilderment, the emperor declared curtly.
"We'll hear the details at the banquet. Follow me."
"...Yes."
And so he was invited to the banquet at the emperor's summons.
Can't someone give me some clothes? This is getting embarrassing.
...
Contrary to expectations that no clothes would fit his build, the palace mercifully had something suitable.
'A bit snug.'
It was uncomfortable with no room for movement, but beggars can't be choosers—he gratefully donned it.
As he emerged from the changing room, the knight assigned to guide him awaited.
"You're late."
"First time with clothes like this."
"What a bumpkin."
The knight eyed him with displeasure.
He got it. Who'd be happy when a naked intruder appeared before the emperor they swore to protect?
Accepting his karma with dignity, he asked the knight.
"Are you from the Eclipse Knight Order, the emperor's shield?"
"I don't have to answer that."
"But you do have to guide me, right?"
"Sigh... fine, you're right. I am the shield guarding the exalted emperor."
"Got it. Where's the banquet?"
"...Over there."
The knight led him to an opulent table adorned in the imperial golden motif.
The emperor sat at the center, surrounded by nobles awaiting the meal.
Upon his arrival, most nobles avoided his gaze.
He'd have done the same.
This was an unprecedented madman who paraded naked through the palace.
Ha... Ellie, you'll pay dearly for this.
"Sit here."
The emperor offered the seat beside her to him, about to join the banquet.
Wait, isn't this too much?
"Don't be burdened. I decide everything in this palace."
True, because you're the emperor.
But the knight behind her is glaring daggers.
"Then, if you'll excuse me."
He took the seat.
The banquet began immediately.
He quickly scanned the nobles, especially those near the emperor.
'Those seated before the emperor must be the famous Four Great Dukes.'
The white-haired gray-eyed woman: Star Duke, lord of the north.
The man with dragon horns: Peperuan Duke of the south.
The elf with beauty rivaling nymphs: Morgan Duke of the east.
And finally, the one with vast wings spread: Sahad Duke of the west.
'Those beside her are the emperor's close aides.'
The general who glared from the start, and a suspicious old crone who looked like a seer.
'And the escorts behind are the Eclipse Knight Order, her shield, and the Solar Eclipse Knight Order, her sword.'
Two knight orders in silver and gold armor, each radiating fierce auras.
'Up on the balcony overlooking us—must be the Black Heaven Knight Order.'
Especially the fourth knight, staring intently with what felt like prickling dissatisfaction.
'I wanna go home already.'
In this uncomfortable seat where he barely noticed if food went in his mouth or nose, the emperor spoke first.
"Hmm... Does the food suit your taste?"
"It's the best I've ever had."
"Of course. Everything in the palace must be the finest."
"I see."
Did she seat me here just to brag?
Or to gawk at an exotic race like a curiosity?
Irritated, he ignored it and enjoyed the feast.
The moods of the high and mighty are fickle, after all.
'Hmm, I could make this dish myself.'
As he savored and analyzed a decent one, the emperor—face slightly flushed after draining her wine goblet—asked abruptly.
"What say you to becoming my man?"
"No thanks."
Ah, shit. This food's gonna give me indigestion.