Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Yuno's Coming-of-Age Ceremony (5)
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"Your Highness Yuno! His Majesty the Emperor has decreed that your coming-of-age ceremony and Master appointment ceremony will be held simultaneously this evening. You should arrive a little early to prepare."
"Understood. Tell the secretary I'll be there on time."
Lunchtime. A servant from the main palace visited the annex to relay the emperor's command.
Deeply immersed in mana training with his teacher lately, Yuno had planned to train until nightfall today as well. But this was his own coming-of-age ceremony, and he couldn't disobey the august emperor's order.
'Sigh... Looks like I'll have to keep the afternoon session light today...'
Mana training with Katrin was pure bliss for both of them. They hadn't skipped a single day, rubbing their bodies together intimately. Now, they entered the training hall without even bothering with bras or panties.
Still, the pre-training sparring had grown even fiercer now that Yuno had become a Master. They hurled Aura Blades at each other in battles so brutal they bordered on life-or-death combat rather than mere sparring.
Of course, once the sparring ended, they dove into a different kind of fierce bodily exchange—breasts and cock entwined, sharing sticky flows of mana.
"Whew~ To grow this strong just a week after becoming a Master... Did I teach you that well? Or is it your incredible talent, Yuno?"
Katrin was floored. With every spar, Yuno powered up at an insane rate, and now she occasionally found herself on the back foot.
"Hahaha, your perky tits feel so damn good that I can't help but push myself. So, doesn't that mean you taught me well?"
As Yuno kneaded her breasts while speaking, Katrin let out a sigh.
"Oh man~ When your disciple's this horny... A teacher can't help but feel responsible... Hehe."
Stirred by his touch, Katrin pressed her breasts against his cock once more. But Yuno grabbed her shoulders, halting her.
"Aaah... Katrin, sorry. That's it for today. Father summoned me for the evening coming-of-age ceremony. Time to get ready."
"Aaah~ Such a shame... But an emperor's command is absolute... We'll make up for it with extra lessons tomorrow! Get ready!"
Yuno regretted it deeply, but so did Katrin. Her long-stagnant Mana Core was finally growing, and more than that, she was utterly hooked on Yuno's cock and how amazing it made her feel.
Unable to defy the emperor's call, they wrapped up training there. Showering together had become second nature, and as they washed each other's bodies, their teacher-disciple bond grew even tighter.
A few hours later, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the capital's nobles began converging on the imperial palace one by one.
The vast palace banquet hall was overflowing with nobility, unable to hold everyone. Even the outdoor garden, usually reserved for tea parties, had to be pressed into service.
"Even for a party celebrating the Third Prince's coming-of-age and Master ascension, isn't this crowd insane?"
"The edict summoned every noble in Adria Castle—kids and all. What choice do we have? His Majesty has his reasons."
Lower nobles in particular griped loudly, most stuck outside the hall. But their children, wide-eyed at their first glimpse of the palace, buzzed with excitement.
The lively hall fell silent in an instant as the secretary announced the emperor's arrival.
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
Moments later, footsteps shattered the hush, drawing every noble's gaze. At the center: the emperor, Crown Prince Franz, and Third Prince Yuno. The emperor took the jade throne, while Franz and Yuno stood flanking the steps below, presenting themselves to the assembled nobles.
The nobles knelt in homage. The emperor raised a hand to bid them rise, then stood and began his address. A magic amplification tool carried his voice to the garden, reaching every attendee.
"First, my thanks to the empire's nobles for honoring us today. As you know, last week my third son, Third Prince Yuno Alexander Windrage von Valkan, came of age—and ascended to Master. Those present, celebrate this milestone."
Clap clap clap clap.
"Congratulations to the continent's youngest Master!!"
"Your Highness will be our empire's guardian deity!!"
"Glory to Valkan!!"
A torrent of applause washed over him. Yuno scratched his head sheepishly and raised a hand in acknowledgment. Franz approached, clapping his shoulder with genuine congratulations.
The emperor smiled at the brotherly display, then hardened his expression and stomped the floor, refocusing the room.
"Yet! Cowards sought to defile this glorious occasion! As you know, during the Third Prince's Body Change, assailants struck the annex. Intelligence has confirmed: Theseito scum!"
Murmurs. More murmurs.
High nobles had heard via council, but most lowers learned now—and after days of grueling searches, their rage ignited instantly.
"Those damn Theseito rats!! Resorting to cowardice!!"
"We can't forgive Theseito's sneaky plots!!"
"Trying to assassinate our glorious empire's Master like that!!"
Curses and condemnations flew at Theseito, the hall's mood boiling over. Young nobles' fury soared unbound.
These lowborn heirs, barely starting mana control, idolized their peer Master Yuno like a hero. Learning of the enemy plot fueled their patriotism to a fever pitch.
"Thus, I declare here: The empire enters wartime emergency today! We declare war on Theseito for their vile deeds! Foreign Minister, deliver this posthaste to their royals!"
Despite the war declaration, the palace thrummed with fervor, not fear. Amid the heat, the emperor flashed a hidden smile, schooled his face, and spoke again.
"With wartime emergency, nobles: muster your private troops into legions! Volunteers among these youths—speak to the Military Minister and Vice-Minister for officer or knight berths."
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
"Crown Prince Franz shall lead as total commander. Third Prince Yuno as vice-commander. Approach!"
At the order, Franz and Yuno advanced and knelt before the throne. The emperor bestowed Franz the commander's baton, then handed Yuno a sword symbolizing troop leadership.
Stunned by the sudden decree, Yuno dazedly accepted—but he couldn't refuse his father's command.
"This campaign: 1st, 4th, and 5th Legions join (excluding 2nd/3rd on Leon front, 6th/7th guarding Johannes Citadel). Military Minister: organize commands per noble troop pledges, assign to legions, report to me."
Military Minister Marquis Zaitlitz saluted crisply. The emperor called for a toast to Theseito's doom and withdrew to his chambers.
Suddenly vice-commander, Yuno reeled—but Franz led him to the hall's center.
"Your Highness! Congratulations! Coming of age, becoming Master, and appointed to this glorious vice-command!!"
Nobles swarmed with flattery and praise. Overwhelmed, Yuno stood speechless.
"Thrilled to smash the Theseito assassins who targeted you yourself, eh? Hahaha."
Grandfather Windrage Duke stepped in, extricating Yuno and escorting him to the imperial rest lounge to compose himself.
"Feeling steadier now, Your Highness?"
"Yes, Grandfather. Thank you. No warning, suddenly vice-commander... My head spun. Sorry for the unseemly display."
"Nonsense, Your Highness. They see only the Master—not the fresh adult. Heh heh heh."
Windrage chuckled, offering a cool drink. As Yuno sipped and calmed, the duke continued.
"But Your Highness: fine for a warrior, but as vice-commander leading armies? No room for that. Stay calm always, render bold judgments swiftly, with iron resolve to execute."
"Grandfather..."
Tears welled in Yuno's eyes at the duke's kind counsel.
"Hahaha... Leave such softness here. Beyond that door, you're the empire's Master representative—and commander conquering Theseito. Steel yourself. Stride forth as the army's bold leader always."
"I'll remember, Grandfather."
Yuno cherished him deeply. Having known no family warmth in his past life, meeting his loving mother, sisters, Franz, and grandfather Windrage taught him true family—and made them precious beyond words.
"Actual command falls to Crown Prince and legion commanders. You: stand at the forefront as the empire's might incarnate. Inspire the troops, spearhead the enemy-smashing van. Understood?"
"Yes! Thank you for the advice, Duke Windrage!"
Yuno's eyes sharpened with resolve. Windrage beamed, patting his grandson's back heartily.
Buoyed by Windrage's encouragement, Yuno emerged to cheers from the young nobles at his ceremony. He led them in vows to crush Theseito, skyrocketing their morale—and enlistments.
The Military Minister and Vice-Minister cursed their paperwork amid the revelry—"Why us?"—but obeyed the emperor, processing hundreds of noble heirs' applications.
Meanwhile, the emperor watched from his private balcony with the Crown Prince.
"Heh heh heh, no expectations... but Yuno's exceeding them. The agitators I planted worked well... but him stepping up? Perfect... Heh heh heh."
"...Your Majesty..."
"Heh heh heh. High nobles with fat guts'll send sons to the front. Poor lowborns'll cough up cherished troops. Or risk their heirs' necks... Kuhahaha!"
With the emperor's laughter, Yuno's coming-of-age ceremony concluded.
Back at his palace, Yuno faced a storm: Yuria, his sisters, and Eliza, waiting with the news—and fury. Yuria and Isabella's rage shook him to his core.
"H-How could I refuse Father's appointment? It's an imperial decree!"
"You fake sick to Father or something!! Why send you to that death trap?!"
"No choice. This mother's petitioning His Majesty. Sending a boy who nearly died a week ago to the front? Absurd."
"Mom~~ So many heirs enlisted because of me! Can't cancel that!!"
Yuno craved ease but wouldn't shirk duty—especially after his words before the youths and his revered grandfather's counsel. Despite the scolding, he insisted on going. Yuria and Isabella finally relented.