Chapter 161
Chapter 160
"This is far too extravagant."
"They say it's tradition..."
"Well, it certainly looks impressive."
Murmurs filled the air.
The Grand Hall of the royal palace, which would normally maintain a solemn atmosphere, was now buzzing with the voices of dozens of nobles.
The walls were adorned with decorations and paintings embellished with dazzling jewels, while a massive chandelier, specially prepared for the occasion, cast a brilliant glow from the high ceiling, enhancing the splendor of the surroundings.
Moreover, centered around the grand and ornate throne at the northern end of the hall, luxurious tables and seats—ordinarily forbidden for casual use—were arranged throughout the space.
But what drew the most attention among them were not the resplendent throne, but the two chairs placed slightly below it.
Only slightly less ornate and slightly smaller than the throne itself, these two seats were occupied—and one of their occupants was visibly uncomfortable.
"Was all this truly necessary, Logan?"
"Yes, of course. Though, if it's too bothersome, you may leave. Just be prepared to watch from afar as your disciple succumbs to corruption while wielding unchecked power."
"Tch. I told you not to change..."
Logan smiled faintly at the Sword Duke's reaction.
"Having you right beside me to keep me in check is the surest way, isn't it?"
"So you'll follow my words from now on?"
"...It seems the ceremony is about to begin, Master."
"You rotten brat. Dodging the question."
With a small sigh, the Sword Duke raised his head just as—
"Now begins the coronation of the 42nd King of the Millennium Kingdom of Grandia! All nobles in attendance, please rise."
The voice of Archbishop Crimson Matthew, representing the Temple at the royal court, echoed through the hall.
Twitch.
'Of all people, it had to be him.'
The Sword Duke's expression soured upon seeing the archbishop earlier that day, right before the coronation. When Logan asked why, he learned that this man had pestered his master several times before.
—He kept urging me to dedicate Stella to the Temple.
The idea of dedicating his master's precious descendant—the one he had waited his entire life to have—to a clergy sworn to lifelong celibacy.
Logan could guess it was related to the incident during Stella's naming ceremony, but knowing that only made the matter more unsettling.
'Well, it's not like Master would ever agree, and even the Temple wouldn't dare force a duke of the kingdom. Especially not now.'
Annoying as it was, if that was all there was to it, there was no need to provoke conflict with the Temple's archbishop.
Logan forced himself to dismiss the thought as he rose from his seat.
Following the Sword Duke and Logan, all the attending nobles stood in unison.
"Presenting His Majesty Rogers von Grandia, the third son of the late King Samuel von Grandia!"
"Waaaaah!"
Amidst thunderous cheers and applause, the meticulously orchestrated, lengthy ceremony officially began.
And five hours later—
'Ugh, I must have been insane. Why did I arrange for this seat...?'
Under the guise of tradition, an endless parade of pomp and ceremony showed no signs of concluding, and Logan began cursing his past self for securing this prime seating.
Moreover, the primary purpose of sitting here was to firmly imprint his presence on the man now seated upon the throne, overseeing everyone below.
But judging by the expression of the Third Prince—no, the newly crowned King Rogers—it seemed nothing else even registered in his mind.
And how could it?
Right before his eyes was an object captivating enough to completely ensnare his heart.
"Ooh!"
The Crown of Ruler.
A Class 5 artifact permitted only to the kings of Grandia.
Crafted by the grand archmage Premlin Douglas, one of the kingdom's founding heroes, the radiance of this supreme artifact held a mesmerizing allure for all who beheld it.
Of course, that radiance lasted only until the crown was placed upon the prince's head.
To Logan's eyes, the vanished light transformed into an invisible mana that distinctly enveloped the Third Prince's body.
Though he couldn't discern the exact nature of the magic, he could roughly gauge its effects.
An effect he hadn't sensed when meeting the late king.
It was proof of his own growth, but it also made his expression stiffen slightly.
'A king wearing something like that wouldn't be assassinated without leaving a trace.'
At the time of the late king's passing, Logan had wondered whether some external factor—unlike in his past life—had played a role in his death.
He'd even gone so far as to blame the Empire when explaining it to his master, but now doubts crept into that hypothesis.
'Well, it doesn't matter anymore.'
The past was irrelevant now. The future was what mattered.
He had undoubtedly altered the kingdom's future, but the Empire was a different story.
He couldn't predict how the changes he'd made would affect the Empire or how the future might shift as a result.
But one thing was certain.
'The Empire will launch its war of conquest immediately after its imperial succession concludes.'
Unless the future he changed somehow altered the current emperor's or the heir's ambitions, that is.
'But those people are the type who believe they can reshape the world to their will—not the type to change their minds just because the world changes.'
In other words, the Empire's war was inevitable, no matter how the future shifted.
There might be ways to preemptively deal with the emperor and heir, but meddling carelessly could accelerate the war far sooner than expected.
Given the imperial court's stance, even if another successor took the throne, their policies wouldn't likely differ much.
'So that option is out.'
The only solution was to build the kingdom's strength enough to withstand the Empire.
As Logan lost himself in these thoughts—
"In the name of the Nine Deities, we acknowledge the ascension of Rogers I as the new King of Grandia and bless him with divine favor."
With Archbishop Crimson Matthew's blessing, the coronation finally concluded.
The newly crowned King Rogers surveyed the assembly and declared:
"I, Rogers von Grandia, solemnly swear to fulfill my duties as King of Grandia."
At last, the most 'basic' event of the day was over.
And now began the ceremony everyone had been waiting for.
"The remnants of the Walterheim and Douglas factions—who split the nation in two and turned the entire kingdom into a battlefield—have been completely eradicated thanks to the efforts of Duke Logan MacLaine and Grand Duke Felix Esperanza. Ordinarily, the crime of deceiving the royal court and plunging the nation into chaos would warrant..."
The newly crowned king's impassioned speech continued.
Most in attendance had already guessed that all blame would fall on the Border Lords and the two marquis families, who had already been dealt with.
"...However, considering that regional lords could not refuse their orders, I shall pardon them upon payment of a pardon fee of one million gold each, restrict their authority over territorial forces for the next twenty years, and implement regular inspections of their lands."
"Hmm."
"As expected..."
Pardoning the noble houses under their rule with only a (?) fine and limited authority was far more lenient than anticipated.
At this moment, the surrendered nobles imprisoned in the royal dungeons would be released en masse.
But this was still within expected bounds. What truly caught everyone off guard were the words that followed.
"Aura Users Marquis Luther Kyle and Marquis Wycken Calria are also recognized as having been unable to refuse the coercive authority of their traitorous superiors. Thus, they shall be spared execution and instead..."
"What?!"
A cry of shock erupted among the stunned nobles.
Though loud enough to interrupt the newly crowned king's speech, none blamed the speaker—instead, they could only stare at their new king in bewilderment.
'Even with both dukes dead, pardoning the two marquises who were the factions' core members?'
It defied the nobles' common sense.
But the king exchanged glances with the Sword Duke and Logan, seated directly below him.
Seeing them nod in turn, he continued.
"...Their ranks shall be demoted to count, and half their territories will be returned to the state. Furthermore, the two individuals shall serve ten years of military service under Grand Duke Felix Esperanza's command within the Esperanza Knight Order."
"Wha—Even so..."
"Is this truly acceptable?"
"If they're under the Sword Duke's control, perhaps..."
Murmurs spread.
Watching the whispering nobles, Logan glanced at his master.
He wasn't optimistic enough to think he could capture the enemy's strongest warriors while fighting at a disadvantage.
But as it turned out, his master had already captured them by the war's end.
—The number of Transcendents symbolizes a nation's strength. These two were merely swayed by Jordan and Juan's ambitions—they aren't inherently greedy. I'll keep them in line.
His master's reasoning held merit, so Logan could only nod.
Moreover, in his past life, only two Transcendents had survived the civil war: Juan Douglas and Wycken Calria.
With the Sword Duke pledging loyalty to the Third Prince at the cost of his life, that made three Transcendents remaining.
Ensuring the same number in this life could reduce unforeseen variables.
And the result was now being announced in the king's speech.
"Now that the remnants of the past have been dealt with, it is time to reward those who paved the way for Grandia's new era."
At the king's words, every noble's gaze in the hall turned to the Sword Duke and Logan.
Though most nobles present had belatedly sided with the Third Prince's faction, the ones who truly ended the war were the houses of Esperanza and MacLaine.
Thus, everyone was curious about the rewards these two houses—especially MacLaine—would receive.
"First, in recognition of Grand Duke Felix Esperanza's achievements in beheading the traitor Juan Douglas at the Battle of MacLaine and leading the war to victory, I bestow upon him the title of Grand Duke and incorporate the former Border Lords' territories—the Counties of Talos and Chernor—into the Duchy of Esperanza."
"Ooh!"
The nobles gasped in admiration.
Yet despite being granted vast territories from the western and northwestern Border Lords—along with the title of Grand Duke—the Sword Duke's expression remained far from pleased.
Logan could only offer a wry smile, sensing his master's discomfort.
—This is troublesome. I never sought anything from this. I'm already a duke.
—We've removed all the Border Lords. As I mentioned, if the Empire considers war, we must secure our western borders first. I leave it to you, Master.
—Must it really be me...?
—Then who else would you entrust it to?
—...Damn it.
Though Logan couldn't fully relate to his master's aversion to greater lands and titles, he couldn't help but respect it.
"...Individual rewards for the House of Esperanza's contributions shall be left to Grand Duke Esperanza's discretion."
"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's generosity."
As the king finished listing the rewards, the Sword Duke knelt silently and bowed his head.
Though others couldn't see his face, Logan, seated nearby, couldn't miss it.
Rather than joy, his master wore an expression of exasperation.
Witnessing this, Logan reaffirmed his resolve.
'I can't promise to live as selflessly as you, Master. But even if I change, even if I grow ambitious—I swear it will all be for the sake of protecting our house and kingdom.'
As he steeled himself—
An additional 'reward' he hadn't dared mention to his master left the king's lips.
"Furthermore, to assist my still-lacking self, I appoint you as Royal Tutor and advisor to the royal court. Grand Duke Felix, I trust you will continue to guide me well."
The Sword Duke's bowed head jerked upward.
His gaze, bordering on disrespect as it turned toward the king, swiftly shifted to Logan—piercing him with a glare.
The message was clear even without words.
—Was this your doing?
The killing intent in that stare was palpable.
Logan awkwardly averted his eyes.
'Who else could I trust?'
Having someone to rein in the king should he stray—someone the king trusted and respected—who else fit the bill?
He had excuses, but he wasn't entirely guilt-free, so he could only avoid his master's gaze.
'I'd prefer to plant my own subordinate beside the king, but...'
—When the line to uphold becomes invisible, men turn into monsters.
Recalling his master's words, he suppressed even that ambition.
"Grand Duke Felix?"
"Ah... Ahem. I-I am deeply honored."
Trembling hands, a slightly shaky voice.
To the casual observer, he seemed moved to tears. The king smiled warmly, but—
'I should avoid him for a while.'
Logan discreetly wiped away cold sweat as he subtly deflected the murderous aura radiating toward him.
Outwardly middle-aged but in truth just past seventy, the Sword Duke—who would have long retired were he not a Transcendent—had thus been forcibly appointed to the highest office.
Soon, the king's gaze turned to Logan.
"Now, we shall bestow rewards upon Duke Logan MacLaine and his house—the ones who contributed most to ushering in Grandia's new era."
The words drew the attention of every noble present.
Logan rose slowly and knelt before the king.
And the honors that followed were quite—no, vastly—different from those given to his master.
"As all here now know, Sir Logan MacLaine is the young hero who slew the traitor Jordan Walterheim and, following Grand Duke Felix Esperanza, shall bear the future of our kingdom as one of its pillars."
Most nobles nodded in agreement.
"But I value his strategic brilliance even more than his martial prowess."
Gulp.
Uh... Well...
The excessive praise pricked at his conscience.
To call him 'brilliant' when he'd nearly ruined his house several times despite knowing the future...
"Years ago, he foresaw this kingdom's misfortune and promised me he would purge the corrupt officials and deliver the throne."
He hadn't phrased it quite like that...
"Ooh!"
As admiring exclamations stabbed into his back, Logan's gaze dropped slightly.
"And mere years after that vow, moved by the kingdom's turmoil, he rose to incite infighting among the traitors, greatly diminishing their strength..."
Only to nearly get backstabbed and killed. He'd prepared, but still.
"...Finally, he lured them to a prepared battlefield and delivered the decisive blow to the traitors before war could consume the land."
'Lured' was a stretch—they'd attacked after their ambush failed.
"To have such a wise young hero in our kingdom is a great blessing to me and Grandia."
Ugh, this is nauseating.
Just praise my swordsmanship.
'Who was that tactician everyone admired again...? Was there even one?'
In a world where Transcendents, knights, and mages clashed, Logan had unconsciously undervalued tactics and strategy—only now realizing their necessity.
"In recognition of these unparalleled contributions to the new Grandia, I hereby bestow rewards upon Sir Logan MacLaine and the House of MacLaine."
The king's voice reached its crescendo.