Heaven's Mandate: The Empire's Unyielding Sun

"I think White Crown Ceremony would be a fine name."

"The White Crown Ceremony only spotlights the saintess. How could we use such a term?"

"Do you have a better idea, then?"

"Of course! The Heaven's Mandate Declaration! His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince proclaims the will of heaven—nay, becomes heaven itself to acknowledge the saintess... A declaration! That's perfect."

The state council chamber buzzed with frantic activity over the saintess enthronement ceremony set for next week.

"Heaven's Mandate Declaration—not bad. The ceremony must highlight the saintess, true, but who acknowledges her in the end? His Highness, right?"

"Exactly. Even the saintess stands in the Empire's shadow. I don't like the word 'crown' at all."

"We're not even using a crown anyway. We decided on a veil, didn't we?"

"Precisely."

"Which makes Heaven's Mandate Declaration all the more fitting! It's His Imperial Highness announcing the saintess himself."

From settling on the name...

"Is the holy oil ready?"

"The saintess's side has it. They didn't know either, but her escorts apparently brought it ahead."

"Haha, did they prepare assuming she'd become the saintess? One less worry."

"Can we make the veil, ring, and scepter in time? In just ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a week?"

"What if we can't? You gonna tell His Highness it failed? Can we afford that?"

"Not that—realistically speaking..."

"I'm saying it's realistically possible. Plenty feasible, so no worries."

...to crafting symbolic items that would further legitimize the rite.

"What's the procedure?"

"His Highness wants as many imperial citizens to witness it as possible, so we're planning outdoors. The Imperial Central Plaza seems ideal."

"Starting from the lowest point and ascending like stairs toward the sun would make a grand visual."

...and how to stage the enthronement ceremony. Amid all these discussions, the core issue was...

"What about the emblem?"

"Include the sun or not—that's the debate."

"Can't just copy the Romper Church's exactly."

"Obviously. But adding the sun... it might look like we're establishing a state religion."

"Still, the Empire's first saintess, personally endorsed by His Highness— the sun has to be there."

"Hmm..."

How to design a new emblem? They all wanted a bold sun ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠emblazoned front and center, but risking accusations of state religion was the problem.

As no solid ideas on the emblem emerged...

"Why not make it equal for all? Any faith wanting to operate in the Empire must include the sun in their emblem?"

Someone dropped a bombshell.

"No need to give the sun solely to one church. Grant it to all faiths... Doesn't that mean they're all under the Bellos Empire's shadow?"

"...Any religion operating on Empire soil puts the sun above?"

"Exactly. Even those arrogant southerners wouldn't have crossed lines with 'donations' if the sun was already there."

The key figures in the state council chamber were all fiercely devoted to the Empire. Content with their positions, they wished for its eternal glory and swore unbreakable loyalty. Survivors of the central purge's first wave—the Empire's ace cadre. That's why they took this more seriously than anyone.

"If the sun was there from the start, we'd have overlooked any oversteps. It acknowledges the Empire's shadow."

"Makes sense."

"Irrefutable."

They piled on, stunned by the unforeseen proposal.

Right—how dare any faith place itself above the Empire.

"...So we're officially placing religion beneath humanity?"

"Not humanity—the great Empire under the sun. Who could stand above the sun itself?"

"Fair point. Let's settle on the sun atop the new emblem for now and get His Highness's approval."

Let all faiths know: on Empire soil, even gods kneel beneath the sun. Henceforth, every religious emblem and symbol would bear the sun above all.

Time flew by at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a blistering pace. Too much to do, perhaps.

"Looks like we'll do the western tour after the saintess enthronement... no, the Heaven's Mandate Declaration."

Bellon snapped to— the ceremony was right around the corner. Just six days—a short span. In that time, the Empire prepared for massive change.

"Empire Status Window."

How much, how profoundly was the Empire transforming?

"Satisfying."

Overwhelmingly positive. Administration had nowhere left to climb, but everything else advanced— even with upward arrows. East and North aside, even the Mage Tower. Bad news had dwindled versus before.

North's the lingering issue... after the west, I'll check there.

The northern forces not integrating worried him, but he'd never expected instant harmony. People from utterly alien lives suddenly fighting side-by-side? Predictable friction from day one—no surprise.

Status Window evolution finally brings governance bonuses.

He felt a twinge of grievance. As a possessor, shouldn't he get more perks than Mirne?

She's the novel's heroine archetype; I'm the actual transmigrator.

Transmigrated into a novel protagonist setup, yet bonuses came this late—unfair. But he wouldn't gripe at gifts given.

Better than nothing.

Muttering inwardly, Bellon headed to the annex palace where soon-to-be imperial saintess Rowena resided.

"Your Highness, where to?"

"Seeing Rowena. Coming along?"

"Before that, from the Mage Tower escort to this saintess candidate's massive relocation... I want a reward, sire."

"A reward? What for?"

But first, Arbeda eyed him from her seat, knees hugged, head tilted.

"This lady wants a doll, sire! One you personally pick and design!"

Her demand drew inevitable laughter. A dragon at magic's pinnacle craving this?

Purely adorable.

No hardship at all.

"Done."

"Ehehe."

Bellon stroked Arbeda's hair, then resumed walking.

Saintess candidate Rowena stayed in the annex with her closest aides, prepared for any contingency. Elite guards secured entry.

"You've worked hard."

"Loyalty!"

"An honor!"

A word of thanks to the guards, and...

"You've arrived, Your Highness."

"Waiting?"

"Just enjoying the fine day with a stroll."

"You were waiting."

She'd come out to greet him. No major business—tomorrow's Heaven's Mandate Declaration would proceed flawlessly, variables be damned.

His reason for coming?

"Very worried?"

"...How could I deny it?"

To reassure the saintess.

To repay those who'd trusted and followed her.

And for the crown prince who'd accepted them without prejudice.

Rowena resolved to become the saintess.

But that resolve birthed equal anxiety. Could she truly handle such a mantle?

In the Holy Kingdom, unwavering faith had filled her. Here in the Empire—unfamiliar soil—could she thrive as saintess?

What if the Holy Kingdom retaliated?

Every fear assailed her, body trembling involuntarily. She'd meant to hide it to the end.

But his words unveiled her emotions effortlessly.

"I'm afraid others might suffer because of me."

They spilled from her tongue.

"If that's your worry, no need at all."

Bellon met her gaze squarely.

"Pardon? What do you..."

"The 'others' you mean are my imperial citizens."

"Yes, that's..."

His expression screamed: Don't you know how foolish that sounds?

"Within the Empire, who dares harm an imperial citizen?"

He continued with a faint smile.

"...Still."

"I know your concern. But further worry questions the Empire itself. Do you doubt it?"

His words challenged: Do you doubt me?

"I believe."

Only then did Rowena shed her unease.

Right—with the sun shining, who could harbor malice?

"Focus solely on tomorrow's Heaven's Mandate Declaration."

Deeming his encouragement sufficient, Bellon turned to leave.

"...Crown Prince, Your Highness. Rather than leaving without entering the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠palace, why not come in for a cup of tea?"

"Hm?"

"The Empire's west, soon-to-be saintess... Saintess Candidate Rowena offers her final brew before ascension. Please..."

"Haha, alright."

Rowena urgently detained him.

And witnessing it...

Kieeeek!

His Highness's undisputed number one side chick, Pirande, glared fiercely from beside him.

"Hmph... A mere human, getting clingy."

Arbeda, sharing vision with Pirande, watched intently.

This was one day before the Heaven's Mandate Declaration.