Chapter 16
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Coming-of-Age Ceremony
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The surroundings felt noisier than usual today, putting me on edge.
The Imperial Palace was always bustling with people, but today it was especially crowded.
It was the coming-of-age ceremony for the Crown Prince, the first born in centuries.
The celebration honoring how well he'd grown up was right around the corner.
"Hoo..."
Standing alone in front of the full-length mirror, I chewed over my nerves.
Thanks to my handsome features, the white suit fit me perfectly without a single flaw.
"It suits you wonderfully, Your Highness."
The Wet Nurse standing beside me smiled softly as she straightened my collar.
She looked exactly as she had when I was ten.
Antiope and Ekyon, stationed at the door, stared at me with wide eyes.
At least it didn't look bad to outsiders.
"Thanks. Hearing you say it looks good puts my mind at ease."
"You've always been dashing in my eyes, Your Highness. Don't worry—just go with confidence."
"I'll be off, then."
I sighed and nodded.
I still hated grand occasions, but this was necessary, so I steeled myself.
I had to repay the excessive love they showered on me.
"Let's go."
I stepped out first, and the two women followed silently behind.
Having them guard my back made me feel secure.
It even eased my tension a bit, widening my narrowed field of vision back to normal.
My heart was still pounding, but that was it.
'We're here.'
After walking long corridors and going up and down stairs, we reached our destination.
The annex behind the Imperial Palace.
It was the entrance to the grand banquet hall used only for entertaining large numbers of guests.
True to its scale, the doors were massive, and their black color lent them an air of even greater dignity.
It felt overwhelming.
"You've arrived, Your Highness?"
The two men guarding either side of the door saluted crisply.
Their expressions were firm, but the fatigue in their eyes betrayed the strain of the day.
"Must be tough work, huh? With all the guests and the noise, it has to be exhausting."
"Not at all, Your Highness. It's an honor to perform such an important duty."
The knight lied without batting an eye.
I appreciated the recognition of his efforts, but it didn't feel like true honor.
That said, if you asked whether his loyalty to the imperial family was weak, that wasn't true either.
The awe and respect in his gaze toward me were genuine.
"What loyalty? When's your shift change?"
"In three hours, Your Highness."
"That means you'll be on guard until it's over. Sorry to make you stand around because of me."
It was an important event, but that didn't make people's hardships a given.
Naturally, I was grateful—and sorry.
Perhaps sensing my sincerity, the knight's eyes wavered fiercely.
He looked like he might cry.
"Not at all, Your Highness. If I may be so bold, we sincerely congratulate you on your coming-of-age ceremony."
"Thanks. I'll head in now."
"Shall we announce you?"
"Nah, don't strain your voice. Everyone's eyes will be on me the moment I enter anyway. Just open the doors."
I gave the knight's arm a light pat and took a deep breath.
The knight across from us eyed me enviously—could it be...?
"Opening the doors."
The two knights straightened up and swung the doors open.
One leaf each, with a single arm.
Creeeak. With the men's effort, the massive doors glided open smoothly.
They were so heavy they practically screamed in protest.
Even the severely obese would struggle with the slightest movement.
I focused on the scene unfolding beyond the open doors.
The yellow glow from the crystal chandeliers dangling from the ceiling.
The throngs of people seated below them.
It felt like stepping into a game ending cutscene.
"Our star of the day has arrived."
The woman seated atop the high dais smiled down at me.
Her ornate dress made her look like someone else at first glance.
"Yes, Mother."
The Emperor had called, so I answered lightly and walked forward.
Gazes from people scattered all around converged on me.
From provincial nobles to high-ranking ones and their families.
Their piercing stares prickled my skin.
I crossed the vast hall of the banquet room and ascended the dais where the Emperor awaited.
My escorts waited astutely at the base of the stairs.
"That the blessing of Ion has grown so splendidly is a blessing in itself. Everyone, celebrate with heartfelt applause."
As I reached the top, Orpheus wrapped an arm around my waist and smiled.
It looked less like mother and son, more like lovers.
"Congratulations!"
I barely had time to wonder if this was right.
The torrent of applause from all sides was deafening.
It roared like thunder, buzzed like noise.
I realized anew that even blessings could turn poisonous in excess.
Debating whether to speak, I simply bowed my head in silent acknowledgment.
No one would hear me anyway.
"My son dislikes fuss and ceremony, so he's given a simple reply, but he takes your sincerity to heart. Enjoy the banquet at ease."
Orpheus's solemn declaration pierced the applause.
It meant not to take offense, as she wasn't dismissing their goodwill.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The people chorused praise for the Emperor—and for me.
Congratulations erupted from every direction.
"Go mingle if you like, or rest here. It's your coming-of-age, so be at ease."
Orpheus smiled and stroked my cheek.
Her gentleness made it hard to believe she was the majestic Emperor moments ago.
"Thank you. But did you achieve your goal?"
"The moment I gathered them all here. Seeing you think that way... my son has truly grown up."
A bittersweet smile played on Orpheus's lips.
It was fascinating how she expressed both pride and regret.
"Glad it went well."
"Once the final preparations are complete, the culling will begin. It's not for you to worry about, but you might be shocked if unaware, so remember this."
A chill gripped my spine tight.
Culling meant purge.
A massive bloodbath loomed.
"Yes, Mother."
"Good. I'll handle the petty politics, so just watch, my son. No need to fret."
Orpheus smiled with her eyes and took my hand.
It was eerie, but with the final boss on my side, what else could I say but lucky?
If she were an enemy, it'd be hopeless.
This wasn't a game world anymore, and attack patterns were different.
"Mother, I'll go down and greet a few people."
"Greet them? Are you sure?"
"Yes. On a day like this, it's only right to make the rounds. Even allies feel slighted without some attention."
"My son really has grown up."
Orpheus nodded and released my hand.
She was granting me free rein.
"Still a ways to go. I'll be back."
Leaving Orpheus behind, I descended the stairs first.
As expected, nobles swarmed me with greetings.
"Your Highness, we sincerely congratulate you on completing your coming-of-age ceremony unscathed."
The high-ranking nobles approached first.
Some offered wine glasses from their hands.
"Thank you."
I accepted the greetings graciously but politely declined the wine, citing my weak tolerance.
I just didn't like the taste.
"Sorry about that. I tried sipping it, but it's bitter and feels off—I can't stomach it. Guess I still have a kid's palate."
The nobles, initially miffed at my refusal, softened with chuckles.
Calling it a kid's palate outright amused them.
'Ah, I'm beat.'
Fatigue piled up with each approaching noble and their heirs.
Hundreds of greetings had my jaw aching.
Thankfully, magic training and stamina work made enduring physical exhaustion easy...
But mentally, it drained me.
"The time has ripened."
Just as the endless greeting relay seemed unending, Orpheus spoke up, capturing all attention.
The people froze, staring at the Emperor in dead silence.
The heavy air felt like time had stopped.
"Those who agree with me, stay. The rest, return to your rooms and rest. Move."
About a minute of utter silence passed.
Then, frozen time resumed.
Most attendees turned to leave—and they were all men.
A few women mixed in, but barely any.
The near-even gender ratio plummeted to 9.9 women per 0.1 man in an instant.
That 0.1 was me.
By the Emperor's command, countless bitches remained.
They had volunteered as seedbeds of their own free will, without coercion.
The sole male: Niu alone.
At his whim, he could sow his seed in all or none.
'Preparations are complete.'
Orpheus swept her gaze around, smirking.
The tension differed from before.
She relished the atmosphere of bitches eyeing the stud with greed.
She felt no "how dare they."
It was only natural for bitches to court her beloved son.
"My son, pick the bitches here that catch your eye."
Orpheus spoke with a tender smile.
Niu, flanked by his two escorts, looked utterly flustered.
'Here? Now?'
He hadn't believed it would come to this.
But as the imagined scenario unfolded, Niu's mind went blank.
His daughter-con lust as a doting father.
His warped virgin fantasies.
All evaporated cleanly, granting him brief enlightenment.
He fell silent for a long moment before asking Orpheus.
"Mother, if it's everyone here...?"
"Of course, that includes this mother. If my son desires it, I'd gladly offer my body."
Orpheus smiled at Niu with her eyes.
It seemed teasing at a glance, but it was sincere provocation.
The Ion Imperial Family preserved their line through incest.
A few exceptions aside, most upheld it.
The more incestuous, the purer the blood, the superior the offspring for survival.
The opposite of ordinary humans, where inbreeding birthed deformities.
And when a male like this was born, their incest peaked.
Even mating with birth mothers became natural.
Superior heirs were desired by all, especially those with much to lose.
They craved to preserve their wealth and power.
Thus, countless women stayed behind.
Their children couldn't be imperial, but they could sire exceptional offspring.
Niu, the sower, was stunning enough to call beautiful.
For noblewomen, it was ideal.
'This is insane.'
Niu rubbed the back of his dazed head, deep in thought.
Even for an incestuous imperial house, this was unexpected.
But unexpected didn't mean repulsion or disgust.
He was a daughter-con who loved incest-themed works.
"No need to agonize, dear. You don't have to pick just one—you could embrace every bitch here if you wish."
Orpheus gently urged her son.
She hoped he'd choose her, but wouldn't force it.
Time was plentiful, Niu's virility infinite.
And she was his lust's target too.
Destined to mate eventually, no rush.
'All of them here... does that mean...?'
Suddenly, Niu's gaze turned to his close aides.
Ekyon with her red hair.
Antiope with her white hair.
Both blushed and nodded.
"As Your Highness knows, we've awaited this day."
Flushed Ekyon whispered first, softly enough for only him and Antiope to hear.
"If Your Highness desires me, there could be no greater joy."
Antiope followed, conveying her sincerity belatedly.
Like Ekyon, she'd masturbated thinking of Niu, so no hesitation.
Only differing in vulgarity and intensity.
"...Got it for now."
Niu nodded and scanned the room.
Now that it was real, excitement eluded him—only complicated feelings remained.
To him, Ekyon and Antiope were top-tier bitches.
The others weren't lacking—just relatively so; all beautiful and voluptuous.
'What to do?'
Thick lust began rippling in Niu's eyes.
The clogging unease in his chest faded.
An orgy sowing seeds in countless bitches.
Or a harem fuck with just those within reach.
Whatever he wanted was possible.
'I've decided.'
Finally.
Time to escape being a hand-humping daughter-con.