Chapter 410: Proclamation Ceremony (5)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 410: Proclamation Ceremony (5)
From what Alon had heard, the proclamation ceremony itself wasn't supposed to be very long.
In fact, there was no reason for it to be.
In the end, all Alon had to do was stand before the crowd gathered in the center of the inner castle, put on the prepared crown, and read the declaration written by Silli and Alexion.
That would be the end of it.
In other words, for an event that had required such grand and lengthy preparations, it was over quite quickly—much like a wedding that takes a year to plan but ends in a mere three hours.
Regardless, Alon had intended to keep the ceremony efficient. He figured there was no point in holding a magnificent and flashy ceremony for something he’d only do once.
At least, that’s what he thought...
"Evan."
"Yes, Marquis."
"What... on earth is that?"
Alon, who was waiting in a large annex in the central plaza for the march—the first part of the ceremony—asked as he looked out the window.
"I heard Deus and Silli worked very hard on it."
"...Did you know about this?"
"No, I only saw it for the first time this morning."
At Evan's answer, Alon looked at the statue and the crowd gathered around it. He knew people would come, but the streets were packed so tightly it made him wonder if the territory had always been this populated.
However, every single person was staring at the statue. It looked less like they were there for the parade and more like they had gathered out of curiosity for the monument.
Alon wiped his face with a weary hand.
Evan asked, "What's wrong, Marquis?"
"...It's just, things aren't easy in many ways."
"Which part?"
"That statue, obviously."
When Alon pointed at the statue, Evan tilted his head in confusion.
"Well—isn't it fine?"
"...Fine?"
"Yes. It looks cool, doesn't it? Since it has your face on it, it feels a bit... 'something-something' from my perspective, but it's still undeniably cool."
"...Are you serious?"
"I am."
Even though Alon looked like he had lost his words, Evan continued.
"How do you see it, Marquis?"
"To be honest..."
"Yes?"
"...It looks a bit tacky."
"Tacky?"
Alon nodded silently.
Of course, he could guess how much effort Silli and Deus had put into making it. But no matter how he looked at it, from Alon's perspective, it was a statue that made his face burn with embarrassment for several reasons.
When Alon shared his honest thoughts, Evan replied.
"Hmm—I think it looks cool."
"I suspect you're the only one who thinks so."
Alon retorted immediately.
At that moment—
Vrrr—
The statue, which had been quiet until a moment ago, began to raise its hand as if it had been waiting for this exact timing.
Oooooh—!
Along with the movement, a strange exclamation erupted from the massive crowd.
And finally, once the statue's arm was fully raised.
The blue eyes of the statue began to glow, and the moment lightning burst from the raised hand—
—WAAAAAAAH!!!
A roar like thunder poured out.
Alon was dazed by the sheer heat of the reaction.
"It seems you're the only one who thinks that way, Marquis."
Looking at Evan, who was grinning as if enjoying the situation, Alon felt a deep sense of confusion regarding his own aesthetic sense.
That... is cool? Not childish?
But the confusion was short-lived.
"Marquis! Everything is ready!"
Silli, who hadn't shown her face until now, suddenly appeared and shouted. Alon stood up from his seat.
"Here, take this!"
Silli handed him a piece of paper, and Alon took it naturally.
"What is this?"
"The proclamation."
"...I just have to read this at the end?"
"Yes! First, you'll ride the carriage for the parade, then enter the inner castle, put on the crown, and finish by reading the declaration!"
Alon nodded at Silli's explanation and then called out to her.
"Silli."
"Yes?"
"...Never mind."
He hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to mention the statue. But he decided against it. While Alon thought it was incredibly childish, the citizens' reaction was nothing short of explosive.
Tucking Silli's declaration into his coat, Alon obediently headed out of the annex. He boarded a carriage that was clearly far more luxurious than the one he usually used.
With that, the parade began.
"Ah, it's started."
Penia approached Evan as he watched the carriage head toward the Marquis's inner castle along the main boulevard.
"Where have you been?"
"Oh, I went to meet the Tower Masters for a moment."
"Ah—the Blue, Red, and Green Tower Masters came, didn't they?"
"Yes."
Penia nodded, and a moment later, both of them let out an exclamation.
It was because golden tubes were manifesting in a dizzying array along the path Alon was to travel, decorating the streets.
"That's Lady Line."
"Seems so."
While the two were admiring the sight, this time, a pure white light poured down from the sky.
"That's Lady Yutia."
"Seems so."
Again, they easily identified the culprit.
And next.
White hands began to emerge from the buildings and the hands of the people gathered on the streets, waving enthusiastically.
"...?"
"?"
The two were left bewildered.
But before they could even voice their thoughts—
SKREEEEEEEEEEEEE—!!!!
SKREEEEEEEEEEEEE—!!!!
Two Sea Gods suddenly appeared near the inner castle, letting out bone-chilling screeches as they coiled around the structure. Then, they bowed their heads toward Alon.
"..."
"..."
As Penia and Evan stared blankly at the two Sea Gods, Historia, who had been sitting on top of one of their heads, stood up and drew her sword.
It was a blade that looked much larger than her own height.
Drawing it, Historia swung it toward the sky without hesitation.
With a BANG! like the sound of air exploding, the clouds that had been blocking the sunlight just moments ago were split apart.
" "..." "
The street suddenly fell silent.
Penia and Evan, who had been watching the scene in silence, spoke up.
"...Hey."
"Yeah."
"This is a kingdom proclamation ceremony, right?"
"...It is, right?"
"It's not like... the birth of a Demon King or something...?"
"...To be honest, I was thinking the same thing."
They quietly shared their opinions.
...Ah.
Alon, who was watching all of this unfold from the carriage, squeezed his eyes shut.
...I want to go home.
He wished for it fervently in his heart.
* * *
Alon was worried about what was to come because of the overwhelming parade, but contrary to his expectations, nothing else unexpected happened after he entered the inner castle.
Of course, because the two Sea Gods had appeared so suddenly, the Knights of Divine Land had simultaneously put on a display of divine power. Thanks to that, he saw Queen Torimabia, Palmalian, and many other important figures gaping with their mouths wide open, forgetting their dignity.
But that much was fine. From Alon's perspective, having already experienced such bizarre events since morning, he could dismiss it as a minor occurrence.
Finally, after the storm-like coronation ceremony was over, Alon stood up, wearing a crown so brilliant it felt heavy from the sheer weight of the jewels.
He let out a sigh and pulled out the declaration he had kept in his coat. Reading this would mark the end of the ceremony.
He gripped the document without hesitation.
After glancing at the cover, which read 'Palantia Kingdom Proclamation,' Alon unfolded the paper and began to read.
"Citizens of the territory, and all the distinguished guests who will join us in this new era of the Palantia Kingdom! This place is the heart of the Palantia Kingdom. On this land, built with the blood and sweat of our ancestors, I personally and solemnly declare to you."
As he read the first paragraph, Alon nodded. The content was more peaceful than he had feared.
Naturally, Alon moved his eyes to the next paragraph.
"The territory has been peaceful. This is because everyone has acted wisely under my merciful rule and the rule of our distinguished guests. And that peace will continue in the future. Of course—"
After reciting that much, he suddenly shut his mouth.
The reason was the sentence written in the next paragraph.
...Of course, provided that you all here submit completely to my will.
Excuse me?
Alon's brain momentarily froze, but he quickly scanned the rest of the letter with his eyes.
The new laws of Palantia are very simple.
My word is law, and my glory is the glory of Palantia.
Those who carve this deep into their hearts and swear loyalty to me will be my eternal friends and the true heroes of Palantia.
However, if anyone dares to harbor dissatisfaction with my wise rule or seeks to cause discord in this steadfast kingdom...
They will be in a lot, a whole lot, a significant amount of pain.
The pain they suffer will lead to screams, and their miserable end will serve as an excellent lesson to all.
So, for the prosperity of Palantia and your own happiness, please act wisely.
Let us create a glorious future together!
Entrust everything to my wisdom and mercy.
"Ah."
Having read that far, Alon let out an involuntary exclamation.
Two realizations hit him.
First, the meaning of this proclamation. To put it simply, it was: Don't mess with me. If you do, you die.
Second, if he read this proclamation as it was written, it would cause problems in many ways.
Therefore.
"—Provided that you all lend an ear to my wise advice."
Alon began to adapt the content of the proclamation as gently as possible, continuing slowly.
"With this, I announce that the Palantia Kingdom has taken its place on this continent."
With the final sentence finished—
WAAAAAAAH—!!!!!
Amidst the thunderous cheers and applause, Alon secretly let out a sigh of relief.
* * *
As soon as the proclamation ceremony ended, a banquet began at the Palatio Marquisate.
Alon was sighing amidst the crowd, which was so large that the spacious banquet hall felt cramped, when someone approached him.
"You look very tired."
Someone approached Alon, who was sitting on the throne.
"It is a bit draining."
"You should probably start getting used to it. You are now the 'sky' of a nation."
It was Queen Torimabia of Laxas. She spoke to Alon with a very benevolent smile.
"By the way, how was your last meeting?"
At Torimabia's follow-up question, Alon immediately knew what meeting she was referring to.
She must be talking about Serena Laxacia.
Naturally, Alon didn't have much of an impression to share. If he had to say something, it was that she seemed like someone speaking while half-brainwashed.
However, he couldn't say that.
"She seemed like a fine person."
He said it in a way that sounded like he liked her. But among nobles, such an expression was often a polite way of declining, so Torimabia let out a small "Oh."
"That is a shame. Did she perhaps commit some rudeness...?"
"It is not like that, so please do not worry."
At Alon's polite words, Torimabia seemed to think for a moment.
"Perhaps, is there someone else you have in mind?"
She asked cautiously. Alon pondered.
...Wait, wasn't there the 2nd Princess?
Currently, there was no one Alon had in mind. However, he vaguely realized that if he told the truth here, Torimabia might find a way to ask him to meet the 2nd Princess just once.
Of course, from his position, refusing a meeting with the 2nd Princess wasn't that difficult. But he found the situation itself bothersome, so after thinking for a while, Alon spoke.
"Yes, there is."
He gave a vague answer to avoid further annoyance.
At that moment.
Snap—
Unlike the still-noisy atmosphere of the banquet hall, the area around Alon, where people had been laughing and talking actively, became silent as if by magic.
Very, very silent.