The Succession Ceremony (3)
The Gallery had persisted for so long that its very origins were lost to time.
Across those uncounted years, countless moderators had come and gone, and with every shift in management, the rules of the forum were rewritten. Some moderators had been suffocatingly strict, while others were absurdly lenient. Yet, amidst all the turbulence and changing regimes, one law remained absolute and unbreakable: no offline meetups. Socializing within the forum was one thing, but fraternizing in real life was strictly forbidden.
There were many reasons why offline gatherings had become the Gallery’s greatest taboo, but the decisive catalyst was a single, monumental catastrophe.
The Exile of the Dark Elves.
Originally, dark elves were not a fundamentally distinct race, but rather an ethnic offshoot that had settled in a specific region over generations. Much like humanity's myriad ethnicities, the dark elves were simply one branch of their kind. Yet, just as humans found excuses to discriminate over mere skin color, the elves were no different. If anything, the elves were far worse, steeped in supreme racial chauvinism.
At the time, hate posts targeting dark elves flooded the boards, culminating in a group of like-minded elves arranging an offline meetup. Had they stopped at sharing a drink, history would have forgotten it. But once they gathered, the dynamic shifted. Courage swells when one person becomes two, and two become three; in numbers, audacity often eclipses reason. The elves, who had previously done nothing more than spout vile rhetoric behind anonymous handles, took direct, violent action. The resulting catastrophe was the permanent expulsion of the dark elves. Since that day, offline fraternization had been branded the ultimate taboo.
Offline meetings between unregistered users and semi-fixed handles carried untold hazards. Thus, real-world contact was designated a cardinal sin, and established fixed-handle users avoided real-life fraternization at all costs—unless, of course, two individuals deduced each other's identities through undeniable, shared clues, exactly as had just transpired.
...So it really was her.
Ash, known on the forum as Sword Master, gazed quietly at the woman before her. She was a vision of winter itself, possessing a poise straight out of a classical masterpiece. It was not merely her face; her figure possessed a grace capable of captivating any man in the realm. Even veiled beneath the modest folds of an ivory gown, her exceptional elegance could not be concealed.
Her posting history matches Starlight Lady to the letter.
Ash had deduced her identity not simply through her steady supply of elixirs, but through the chronic footprint Starlight Lady had left across the forum. As someone who practically lived on the Gallery, Ash knew the habits of its prominent regulars inside and out. Starlight Lady's signature trait was her relentless, daily prayers for recovery. Ever since her first appearance, she had posted unfailingly every single day, counting down her illness and wishing for a cure. Meanwhile, Selena, the daughter of Duke Mercedes, was widely known throughout high society for suffering from a fatal, incurable condition.
There are countless terminally ill people in the world, but...
Selena had just confirmed it herself: she was indeed Starlight Lady, the benefactor bound to Grylls. Even if her reply had been intended merely to test the waters, it made little difference. The very manner of her response was an admission in its own right. Had she truly known nothing, her reaction would have been one of sheer bewilderment, yet Selena had met her gaze with complete composure.
Why, then, had Ash taken the initiative to stage this informal outing of their secret identities? The answer was simple: pure, unadulterated curiosity.
Even if someone discovers we use the Gallery, the odds of a rumor spreading are next to none.
Had Ash been the only one unmasked, it might have posed an issue, but Selena had stepped forward as well. Among the imperial nobility, the Gallery was considered vulgar, an unmentionable novelty. Being exposed as an active forum regular was enough to leave an indelible stain on a noble house's honor. Yet that taboo applied only when one was caught red-handed. In truth, most nobles secretly browsed the boards out of sheer boredom; they simply maintained a tacit agreement of polite ignorance, treating it as a private vice.
Even if Selena chose to betray her, Ash held no fear. Doing so would inevitably expose Selena's own forum habits—a glorious button for mutual self-destruction. Furthermore, Ash had only ever posted high-tier swordsmanship manuals and combat tips; she had never disgraced herself on the boards.
...Well, apart from occasionally begging him to marry me.
Even as a jest, recalling those comments brought a faint flush of embarrassment, but at worst it would warrant kicking her blankets in mortification before bed. Besides, Starlight Lady's own behavior on the boards had always been remarkably gentle. One only had to glance at someone like the Heavenly Demon, who rampaged through threads roleplaying an archaic tyrant, to see how unhinged the regulars could be. In comparison, Starlight Lady was the picture of sanity.
Since both had maintained relatively sound reputations, Ash saw no harm in mutual recognition, and Selena had readily caught her drift. This was an ironclad secret between the two of them. Betraying it offered zero gain and total ruin. In that case, exchanging a few quiet words about Grylls was well worth the minor risk.
"Has the Lady also found good companions along her way?" Ash asked smoothly.
"Of course," Selena replied with a gentle smile. "My parents, and my younger sister Mary. They are bonds I could never part with in this life."
"Much like myself. If it would not be an imposition, perhaps the two of us could converse in private?"
"I must apologize. Today, I wish to remain by my family's side. Should you find leisure in the future, please visit our estate. My parents would be delighted to welcome a guest of the Count's stature."
"I fear that may prove difficult. I have been rather occupied with urgent matters of late."
Occupied with the Gallery, no doubt, Selena mused internally. The Heavenly Demon and Sword Master were infamous for commenting on every single post Grylls published. Furthermore, Sword Master was renowned for casually tossing out revolutionary swordsmanship guides as if they were everyday gossip.
Selena was hardly different. She read every one of Grylls's chronicles with absolute devotion, cataloging his adventures in her private journal and sending rare logistical aid at regular intervals.
It is best for both of us to maintain our distance.
Befriending the forum user Sword Master was harmless, but becoming close with Count Ash Menethil was entirely another matter. Ash was consistently hailed as one of the absolute strongest mortals walking the continent. Associating closely with such a titan would inevitably drag Selena into the center of high-society gossip and imperial scrutiny. In the worst-case scenario, their secret handles might be dragged into the light. Thus, a polite deflection to return to their separate lives was the wisest course.
"Speaking of which, Lord Count, what sort of physical regimen do you typically practice?" Selena asked, steering the topic casually.
"Merely a bit of light conditioning every day. Does the Lady engage in exercise as well?"
"Yes. Ever since my recovery, I have grown quite fond of it, though my lack of formal expertise makes progress somewhat elusive."
"If I may offer some counsel..."
Despite the unspoken agreement to keep their distance, Ash gladly shared a wealth of practical conditioning tips, deliberately pitching her voice so that young Mary could overhear every detail. In truth, it was a mutual smoke screen—a way to kill time with inconsequential chatter. Neither wished to entertain the sycophants circling the hall, making a conversation between two kindred spirits far more comfortable for everyone involved.
"I wish you a pleasant evening, then," Ash said, bowing her head slightly.
"It has been a delightful conversation, Lord Count."
They could not linger together indefinitely. After an appropriate span of small talk, the two parted ways. The moment Ash stepped aside, a flock of young noblewomen swarmed Selena, bombarding her with breathless inquiries about her relationship with the legendary Swordmaster and whether they had met in private before. Having anticipated the onslaught, Selena fielded their questions with effortless, practiced grace.
Come to think of it, didn't rumors say Lady Mercedes rendered extraordinary service to her house through her peerless intellect? Ash reflected as she strolled away.
She had assumed Starlight Lady merely procured elixirs from her ducal vaults, but it turned out the girl had compounded them with her own hands. From their brief exchange, it became clear that Selena had concocted an exhaustive array of remedies in her quest to survive, ultimately stumbling upon a "miraculous" cure that cleared her terminal affliction. That miracle undoubtedly traced back to Grylls—almost certainly an adult Mandrake root.
There is no need to be on guard against her.
Judging by Selena's demeanor, she harbored no desire to exploit Grylls. If anything, the opposite was true; throughout their veiled conversation, she spoke of him as an indispensable savior, her voice carrying an unmistakable warmth whenever the topic brushed against his exploits.
It makes sense. He saved her from an incurable death sentence.
Only Grylls, surviving against all odds in the mythical Forest of the Four Seasons, could have achieved such a feat. Though the man himself remained oblivious, his barter had sent monumental ripples across the Messiah Empire, entirely altering the fate of the premier ducal house. Meeting Starlight Lady in the flesh had shifted Ash's perspective entirely.
I must ensure she remains in a position to steadily support him.
Starlight Lady's steady provision of elixirs was directly tied to Grylls's survival rate. While pretending not to know one another was optimal, if misfortune befell Selena, Grylls's lifeline would be severed. And beyond that...
Having discovered such extraordinary latent talent, I cannot simply leave it unattended.
She needed to nurture that tender sprout so it could grow sturdy and bear sweet, bountiful fruit—fruit that she intended to harvest for herself when the time was right. It was a modest personal desire, yet simultaneously her grandest aspiration.
"His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor arrives!"
A resonant herald snapped Ash out of her reverie. She turned her gaze toward the grand entrance of the throne room. Emperor Arnold marched forward with imposing, majestic strides, flanked by Count Gorgon and an escort of high-ranking courtiers. Ascending the dais, Arnold approached the imperial throne where only the sovereign was permitted to sit. Right beside him, standing in the place of highest honor like an indispensable right hand, was Count Gorgon. It was an unmistakable display of royal favor.
As murmurs of bewilderment rippled through the gathered nobility, including Ash, Arnold addressed the court.
"We extend our deepest gratitude to all who have gathered for this succession ceremony. Beholding you here reassures Us of the empire's luminous future."
A formal, polished greeting rang out across the hall. Ash, Selena, and the sea of nobles listened with rapt attention. These were Arnold's maiden words from the seat of supreme authority, setting the diplomatic and domestic course for the empire's new era.
"The empire stands resolute..." Arnold continued, his voice carrying sovereign weight.
He outlined his vision: while the empire itself remained unshakable, the surrounding realms were fraught with instability. Just as a mountain landslide drags down the surrounding valleys, reckless foreign entanglements could draw disaster upon their borders. Therefore, the crown would prioritize regional diplomacy and foreign vigilance. In short: do not cause foolish trouble.
Ash casually sipped her wine. Given the delicate geopolitical landscape, it was an impeccably sound, textbook course of action.
"Furthermore, looking to the days ahead..."
Thud.
Arnold rested a heavy hand upon the shoulder of Count Gorgon, who stood rigidly at his side. At that gesture, the count's chin lifted with undisguised pride, a triumphant glow spreading across his aging features.
"Count Gorgon here shall render vital service to Our realm, both great and small. When Our imperial father was stricken with mortal illness, the count threw himself into the fray without hesitation to secure a cure. It is solely through his devotion that Our father was able to peacefully entrust the imperial crown to Us."
"Count Gorgon did?"
"Was the retired Emperor's condition not deemed entirely incurable?"
Count Gorgon had cured former Emperor Robert. The revelation sent a shockwave through the court, setting the nobility abuzz with frantic whispers. Ash, too, felt a flicker of intense doubt flare within her chest.
Wait... it couldn't be, could it?
Perhaps because she had just uncovered Selena's secret, an immediate suspicion seized her mind. Ash subtly shifted her gaze across the hall toward Selena. As if struck by the exact same epiphany, Selena's eyes darted toward Ash at that precise instant.
Their gazes locked. In that single, silent exchange, each read the other's realization with crystalline clarity.
Things, it seemed, were about to become exceedingly complicated.
While the succession ceremony reached its dramatic peak in the Messiah Empire, morning broke over the Forest of the Four Seasons.
The moment Grylls rolled out of bed, he headed straight for the Kangaroo Arena. His purpose was two-fold: to observe the daily spectacles of the underground fighting ring, and to register Ggobongi for the morning bouts.
"Uwoooooh!"
"That's it! Tear him apart! Good boy, Ggobongi!"
Grylls screamed at the top of his lungs, cheering passionately for his gorilla minion in the opening tournament bracket. His stakes were extraordinarily high—he had wagered no fewer than three whole Inedia Pills on the match. The second Grylls had pushed those pills forward, Bbarmbo had fixed him with a murderous, unblinking glare, prompting Grylls to plead for his life.
"I'll win them back with interest, I swear! Besides, all Ggobongi has to do is win, right?"
"......"
Left with no alternative, Bbarmbo had begrudgingly joined in the cheering, waving a giant claw in half-hearted support.
Yet, while Grylls was entirely consumed with cheering on his brawling ape in the roaring subterranean arena, a solitary traveler emerged from the tree line above.
"...Is this the place?"
At the perimeter of Grylls's fortified shelter, a weary paladin riding atop a gentle giraffe brought his mount to a halt. Just as fate was weaving strange, entangled threads within the imperial court, the Forest of the Four Seasons was quietly preparing a fateful encounter of its own.