The Coronation
The Coronation
Beneath the textile factory.
Allied Nations Palentia Branch.
"So in the end, far from striking a blow against Daniel Steiner, you're telling me we've only elevated his standing."
Branch Chief Theobald, seated in his office chair, spoke with visible displeasure.
At that, informant Platt bowed his head.
"Looking at the results, that is correct."
At Platt's answer, Theobald let out a low sigh.
This was because the nobles, whom he had supported in the belief that they would politically isolate Daniel Steiner, had produced utterly disappointing results.
'Beyond disappointing...'
Favorable public opinion had formed around Daniel Steiner, making the situation troublesome.
'If this continues, as Count Kaledra feared, Daniel Steiner might just seize the Empire itself.'
Now that the most troublesome adversary, Emperor Bertram, had succumbed to age and relinquished state affairs, the greatest variable for the Allied Nations was not the next emperor, Selvia, but Daniel Steiner.
Daniel Steiner had been obstructing the Allied Nations' plans at every turn, starting from the Kingdom of Eldreshia incident.
'...He must be eliminated before he gains even greater power.'
The moment they failed to do so, there was no telling what damage Daniel Steiner might inflict upon the Allied Nations.
Just seeing how he had turned the nobles' attack back on them made it clear that Daniel Steiner was a more meticulous and unconventional figure than expected.
At this point, Count Kaledra's intent — to eliminate Daniel Steiner even at the cost of abandoning their link to neutral Bellanos — was more than understandable.
"It can't be helped."
Given the nature of the Palentia Branch, situated in the imperial capital, the very heart of the Empire, their objective had been to operate as covertly as possible, but now it was time to act.
"Platt. You are to assassinate Daniel Steiner."
At the word 'assassination,' Platt slowly raised his head.
Though Platt was one who obeyed the orders of his superiors, assassination was not a word to be taken lightly.
All the more so when the name Daniel Steiner was attached to that word.
"A man like Daniel Steiner is unlikely to fall easily to assassination. If I approach him deliberately, he will surely be on guard. Moreover, at Daniel Steiner's side..."
Platt trailed off.
He was debating whether it was permissible to speak the name of the turncoat Lucy Emilia in front of Theobald.
Theobald, who knew what Platt was about to say, let out a low chuckle.
"Right. The legendary spy codenamed Red Thread keeps watch at Daniel Steiner's side, having turned coat. As long as that bitch is with him, assassinating Daniel Steiner will be nearly impossible."
No matter how skilled Platt was at assassination, he was no match for Lucy Emilia, who was called the Red-eyed Reaper and had claimed hundreds of lives.
Any assassination attempt made before Lucy, who had mastered every assassination technique, would surely be seen through.
But Theobald had not ordered Daniel Steiner's assassination without knowing that.
"Conversely, that means if Daniel Steiner is separated from Lucy's protection, he can be assassinated at any time."
"That is true, but even without Lucy Emilia's protection, Daniel Steiner is known to be a highly vigilant individual. Whether I can lower his guard..."
"There is a way. A place where you can naturally approach him will soon be arranged, won't it?"
A place where he could naturally approach Daniel Steiner without Lucy at his side? After mulling it over, Platt soon came to a quiet realization.
"...Are you speaking of the coronation?"
Theobald nodded.
"Yes. It is fundamentally a place one can only attend by invitation from the Imperial Household, so Lucy will not be present. Furthermore, customarily, a banquet is held after the coronation concludes. Attending the banquet is a matter of courtesy toward the Emperor, so Daniel Steiner will attend as well."
A banquet was a social arena where political and financial figures, entangled in complex interests, donned masks and cultivated personal connections.
Thus, it was hardly strange for such figures to offer various gifts to Daniel Steiner, who was rising as a powerful figure in the Empire, in an attempt to curry favor.
Theobald had his sights set on exactly that point.
"Platt, you will disguise yourself as a low-level administrator of the Imperial Household who wishes to ingratiate himself with Daniel Steiner and approach him. If Daniel Steiner shows interest, you need only give him a single gift."
"What sort of gift?"
"Premium whiskey laced with ricin. Given the bastard's fondness for whiskey, he'll drink it without even suspecting it contains poison."
It certainly seemed plausible.
Even if it failed, the mission was not particularly dangerous for Platt.
The worst-case scenario was simply that Daniel Steiner would refuse the gift.
Having heard the entire plan, Platt bowed his head.
"I shall carry out the mission."
*
The day of the coronation.
The Great Cathedral within the imperial palace.
'It certainly looks like a major state affair...'
When he arrived in the vehicle sent by the Imperial Household, a vast crowd had already gathered in front of the Great Cathedral.
Amid the swarming crowd, a wide crimson carpet stretched endlessly, and countless soldiers who appeared to be Imperial Guards stood in formation along both sides.
Their appearance — all wearing dress uniforms with ceremonial swords at their sides — seemed to project the authority of the Imperial Household.
As he gazed at the magnificent scene through the vehicle window, the rear door opened.
"We have arrived. You may disembark now."
When Daniel nodded and stepped out of the vehicle, a person who appeared to be an imperial chamberlain approached.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner. We have been waiting."
Since the main entrance of the Great Cathedral could not be used by anyone except Selvia, who was to become emperor, the chamberlain guided Daniel to the rear entrance.
As he entered through the rear entrance of the Great Cathedral, the domed interior decorated with stained glass revealed itself.
Beneath the stained glass that dyed the brilliant sunlight into a kaleidoscope of colors, countless high-ranking dignitaries were positioned, quietly conversing in a dignified atmosphere.
A few individuals cast glances at Daniel, but he did not react.
He knew their gazes were far from kind.
"This way."
And so Daniel moved, relying on the chamberlain's guidance.
After walking for some time, he found himself among a group wearing military uniforms — apparently the gathering of soldiers who had received invitations from the Imperial Household.
"Oh! Is that not our hero, Daniel Steiner!"
Among them, Ernst, the Deputy Chief of the Operations Staff Department, spoke first, drawing the attention of those around them.
Most of them were general-grade officers who carried themselves with some importance.
Feeling unnecessarily burdened, Daniel quietly replied while gauging the reactions around him.
"...Deputy Chief, you were invited as well."
"Of course. Thanks to you, it seems the Imperial Household views me favorably. Your achievements were my achievements, after all."
It was around the time when Ernst, jokingly remarking that he might be promoted soon at this rate, was telling Daniel about the goings-on in the world.
"Everyone, silence! Her Highness the Princess is entering!"
The shout of Lieutenant Colonel Hartmann, who served as the chief guard of the Imperial Guard, spread in all directions.
Thanks to that, the high-ranking dignitaries inside the Great Cathedral, as well as the political and financial figures, all rose to their feet in unison.
Amid an atmosphere of strange tension, the doors of the Great Cathedral began to open.
Beyond the opened doors, Selvia, dressed in ceremonial robes adorned with gold thread and jewels, appeared.
Unlike usual, Selvia wore an extremely long cape, which six ladies-in-waiting in white dresses held behind her to prevent it from touching the floor.
"......"
Thinking the time had come, Selvia stepped inside, and the choir on the second-floor balcony of the Great Cathedral began their hymn with accompaniment.
Aaah─
As the sacred music resounded, Selvia stepped on the crimson carpet and crossed the Great Cathedral.
Bertram, who had been seated upon the throne watching Selvia's procession with satisfaction, rose from his seat and removed the golden crown from his own head.
As the Pope received the golden crown, Bertram yielded his place, and Selvia went before the aged Pope, knelt, and bowed her head.
The Pope proclaimed Selvia the new Emperor of the Empire, then bestowed a blessing as God's proxy.
He then poured holy oil upon Selvia's head and placed the golden crown — the symbol of imperial authority — upon her.
Selvia, the golden crown now upon her head, rose from her place and sat upon the throne.
Those who witnessed the birth of the Empire's new Emperor all knelt in unison and bowed their heads.
From high-ranking dignitaries, symbols of authority, to commoners who owned nothing — all performed the same act without distinction.
This was one of the rituals symbolically representing that the Emperor of the Empire ruled over all people.
At last, when the choir's hymn ended, everyone gathered in the Great Cathedral cried out as if by promise.
"May eternal glory be upon His Majesty the Emperor's reign!"
Within the unified voices, Emperor Selvia quietly fixed her gaze upon a single point.
In the eyes characteristic of one who had reached the pinnacle of power — languid and authoritative — a trace of warmth could be felt.
The place where her gaze rested held the hero of the Empire, Lieutenant Colonel of the General Staff Headquarters.
Daniel Steiner was positioned there.