Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: The Queen's Coronation
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The distinguished guests from various countries, summoned as a mere smokescreen for suppressing Marquis Midas's rebellion, could do absolutely nothing amid the kingdom's rapidly shifting circumstances.
After all, who would want to meddle presumptuously with offers of support and risk getting stabbed to death in this distant foreign land?
Diplomatic issues were much the same. In such chaotic times, the wisest course was to keep one's head down and stay huddled.
In short, most of these guests had no choice but to sit tight, unable to even dream of returning home due to the recent civil war between the royal family and the marquisate.
That meant not only me, but all the VIPs who'd flocked from every corner were still in Vert.
Marquis Midas requested that they attend the new king's coronation as witnesses.
He was already Philador Kingdom's supreme powerholder.
No one wanted to irk the marquis and sour diplomatic ties with Philador, so they all accepted without much fuss.
And that was why...
Aria von Wendinel was sitting right beside me now.
"……."
"……."
"...My face is going to burn a hole through if you keep staring like that, my lady. What's the deal?"
I couldn't take it anymore and asked Aria directly, but...
"Just what the hell have you been up to, huh?"
All I got in return was a scolding.
"Come on, I just stepped out for a bit on some business, that's all."
"What kind of 'minor business' lands you with a charge of murdering the crown prince? You think that makes any sense?"
Aria unleashed a barrage at me.
"Hey, it all worked out fine—we're even at the coronation now. But more importantly, why are you nagging me like this?"
Caught off guard by my retort, Aria fell briefly silent before mumbling an excuse.
"...I'm here with you, aren't I? What if people get the wrong idea about me? Do you have any idea how awkward that was?"
She must've been through quite the ordeal; her cheeks were noticeably flushed.
Hmm, maybe I should apologize.
"Sorry about that, I really..."
Pah-pah-pah-pah-pah!
Just as I was about to apologize, trumpets blared from all directions, signaling the start of the coronation.
"We now commence the coronation of His Late Majesty's successor!"
The grand chamberlain, who oversaw all palace affairs, bellowed. A long red carpet unfurled across the floor.
The King of the Road.
Walking this symbolic path of the king from start to finish and ascending the throne—that marked one as the true heir.
Seeing Marquis Midas standing at the carpet's end, I couldn't help but think...
'So it ends like this after all.'
The mana circulation technique I'd offered to win the food competition against the Sword Family had ballooned into an uncontrollable storm, ultimately rewriting Philador Kingdom's history.
There would be countless choices ahead, and who knew where each might lead? It made me a little anxious.
Even so, I'd keep choosing and changing things.
Because all those decisions would pave the way to victory in the war against the Empire.
Clap-clap-clap-clap-clap!
While my mind wandered, Marquis Midas had nearly reached the end of the King of the Road.
And right then...
The marquis stepped aside without walking the full length.
As the portly, broad-shouldered marquis moved, the veiled successor stood just three steps from the throne.
Mitchell Kan Philador.
The ill-fated first princess, overshadowed by Versailles in the contest for the throne.
After Versailles was named crown prince with the Empire's backing, she'd been little more than a diplomatic pawn for arranged marriages.
Today, she was the coronation's star.
A few days earlier...
Before King Montmartre's corpse, Marquis Midas had spoken with resolute determination.
"...We'll crown Princess Mitchell as the next monarch."
"You're not ascending the throne yourself, my lord?"
With Nile and Vert both under his thumb, claiming the crown would've been no issue. Who could challenge him now?
But the marquis slowly shook his head.
"I'm a coward at heart. My legs are still shaking from getting this far."
He pointed to his trembling legs.
"Let alone becoming king. The nobles loyal to the royals would never accept someone like me, who isn't even a proper heir."
Dismissing the notion with a wave, Marquis Midas gazed wistfully at the fallen king's body.
"...And didn't His Late Majesty say it? That he was grateful we kept the kingdom from the Empire. We should honor that."
With a flourish of his cloak, Marquis Midas turned and set about enthroning First Princess Mitchell.
"The Philador royals and Marquis Midas's house check each other. Unchecked dictatorship is no different from a runaway carriage."
'That was unexpected.'
I'd been genuinely shocked.
Never imagined Marquis Midas would make such a righteous(?) choice.
"You never know what the world has in store. Who'd have thought Princess Mitchell would inherit the throne?"
Aria seemed to share my sentiment, voicing something similar.
"It's for the best, really. Versailles, the first prince who burned to death, had a reputation for sinister schemes. In contrast, First Princess Mitchell is known for her thoughtfulness and compassion—she'll make an excellent ruler."
Perhaps it would be the next generation before the Philador royals overtook Marquis Midas's house.
As Aria and I chatted, a resplendent crown was placed upon Mitchell Kan Philador—no, Queen Mitchell's—head.
She turned and proclaimed loudly.
"As my father the late king did, I too shall devote myself to making this nation a great power!"
Thanks to amplification magic, her declaration echoed across the capital Vert.
-Rooooaaar!
The citizens' thunderous cheers and applause engulfed the plaza.
Marquis Midas clapped the most enthusiastically of all.
In the audience chamber, where traces of the recent palace battle lingered...
"Young Master Jerome of House Carviot was a great help in resolving this crisis, I hear?"
Now queen instead of princess, Mitchell gazed at me warmly.
"Without you, we'd have suffered countless casualties, lost our vassal House Midas, and perhaps even the kingdom to the Empire."
Truth be told, it wasn't just the kingdom—the entire alliance might've crumbled—but no need to mention that.
"I don't know how to repay this debt. If there's anything you desire, speak it. I'll grant what I can."
Having ascended thanks to my contributions(?), Queen Mitchell brimmed with goodwill toward me.
By the way...
'Something I want, huh.'
I'd already secured farming techniques and iron ore from Marquis Midas for my eventual move to Olivia Territory.
Nothing much else from the kingdom, so I pondered briefly until an idea flashed.
"Ah, might I claim the reward for this key?"
I pulled from my pocket the small key King Montmartre had given me just before dying.
"That...?!"
Queen Mitchell and Marquis Midas's eyes widened at the sight.
They had every reason to.
This key granted access to the Philador Palace Treasury.
The king had told me its use before dying: Show it to the next monarch in this very chamber, and I'd get one use of the treasury.
'How often do I visit Philador's palace? Better cash it in now.'
Opening the treasury door was no small feat—hence their shock.
But soon, Mitchell nodded in understanding.
"Well, if it's you, Young Master Jerome, you're more than worthy. Permission granted. We'll open the palace treasury."
My hard work paid off; she approved without hesitation.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Oh, one more thing."
I thought that was it and bowed, but Mitchell had other plans.
Clink!
The key I'd handed her returned as two.
"A queen must keep precise accounts. Purging the traitors lurking within was your first merit; protecting the royal family and people was the second. Both warrant treasury access."
Smiling at me, she flashed a V-sign with her fingers.
"You may take two items from the palace treasury. The guards will explain the rules."
'Jackpot.'
Hard work never goes to waste.
Queen Mitchell leaned back into the throne, signaling the audience's end.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Fearing she'd change her mind, I bowed hastily and exited the chamber.
In Jerome's wake...
Mitchell straightened and remarked,
"I had no idea the guy who stopped Versailles that bastard's stupidity was just a kid."
She turned to Marquis Midas.
"That's the same young master who stripped you of food supplies back then, right?"
"Haha, yes indeed. That lad traded us his mana circulation technique for it. Nearly caused us a massive headache this time."
The marquis wasn't wrong.
Had Jerome not visited Nile, Marquis Midas might've gained a bit more coin but no military might.
Feeling threatened by the marquis's newfound power, Versailles rashly invited the Holy Empire.
And that led to Mitchell sitting here now.
"I'm grateful you put me here, my lord. But you know what I want, right?"
"Haha, of course, Your Majesty."
Marquis Midas grinned slyly.
"Officially close this as a 'mishap' rather than rebellion. Then we'll continue our unwavering loyalty to the crown."
"Deal."
As Mitchell smiled in satisfaction, the marquis added,
"Ah, and let's keep the spying to a minimum from now on. It's uncomfortable even at meals."
"Hmm, but I rather like it."
"……."
"Kidding, kidding."
"...Even as a joke, it's horrifying, Your Majesty."
The marquis shook his head, unwilling to entertain the thought even in jest.
"Here's to a good partnership ahead."
"Indeed, Marquis. Your continued loyalty to the crown."
The two statesmen, compromising for political stability, exchanged smiles.
Leaving the audience chamber, I headed straight for the palace treasury.
'What an exhausting schedule. Grab what I need and head home.'
The other nations' VIPs were already packing up post-coronation.
They weren't the type to idle; time to return to their posts.
I didn't have much time either.
Two years until Olivia Territory was granted.
All preparations had to be complete by then.
Beskin was drilling the Blizzard Knight Order daily on the lake for naval prep.
Saladin was probably tinkering with weird(?) devices on Mimi and Nene right now.
Honestly, saving grain during the famine and this mission's merits were more than enough for the territory.
But before receiving it, I needed strong ties with as many territories and kingdoms as possible.
That diplomatic clout would bolster me later.
'Where to focus these next two years?'
"There you are."
As I pondered my next moves en route to the treasury, someone called out.
"……?"
Looking up, a man with striking red hair stood there, exuding presence.
Set La Vulcan.
The future Sunfire.
He stood with arms crossed, eyeing me.
"Got something to say?"
"...I heard you basically orchestrated the end of Philador's civil war."
"Well, not entirely, but I did my part. So?"
"Trusting that skill of yours, I came with a request."
Thud!
"Please help our mentor. I believe you can."
The arrogant Set bowed deeply to me.
I silently regarded the broad back of this hulking man.
Set La Vulcan.
Second son of House Vulcan.
The haughty brute asking me for a favor...
'Next destination's set.'
When fresh prey dangles before you, it's only natural to seize it.