Part 2, Chapter 17
Part 2, Chapter 17
Translation: godsn
Seongguk hastily retreated with Rachel in tow.
The minor disturbance caused by the newly awakened Saintess in Valdina was soon buried beneath the whirlwind of daily affairs.
Time flew by like an arrow, and before long, the day of Valdina's imperial proclamation ceremony arrived.
"Long live His Imperial Majesty Pelleus!"
Having completed his coronation, Pelleus waved to the crowds outside the Imperial Palace. The imperial crown gleamed atop his silver hair, shimmering like moonlight.
His golden-tasseled cloak billowed behind him, while the embroidered crest of the Valdina Imperial Family on his chest exuded a quiet majesty.
In his other hand, he held an exquisitely crafted, razor-sharp sword.
The streets of the royal castle, packed with citizens, erupted in cheers at the appearance of their robust and handsome young emperor.
The small northern kingdom of Valdina had now become the continent's second true empire.
"To think such a day would come in my lifetime..."
Tears rolled down Marquess Gilifos's white beard before vanishing into its strands.
"Marquess, here."
Madame Pinatelli offered him her handkerchief.
"Your eyes are red as well, Madame."
"If only Her Majesty the Queen Dowager were alive to see this sight, how overwhelmed she would have been..."
She, too, dabbed at her tears.
The Queen Dowager, who would have rejoiced more than anyone at her homeland's growth—now bearing the same imperial title as Kazen—was not present for this moment.
"If only Duke Claudio hadn't... she wouldn't have been so heartbroken."
Madame Pinatelli bit her lip in frustration.
The Queen Dowager had been deeply shaken to learn that her own son had not only threatened her and sought to take the lives of her grandchildren, but had also conspired with the enemy nation of Kazen.
Though she had barely managed to rise from the wound that had pierced her chest in Medeia's stead, she never fully regained her former health.
"Pinatelli... our ancestors are calling this old woman. How can I lift my face in shame before them...?"
"Your Majesty..."
"Watch over Medeia... that child, in my stead. Please do what this foolish grandmother could not..."
Not long after taking to her sickbed, the Queen Dowager passed away.
It felt like only yesterday that black drapes had hung throughout the kingdom, plunging it into deep mourning.
"Long live Valdina! For the great empire of Valdina, whose glory shall endure forever!"
Fireworks and cheers erupted from every direction.
Among the crowds in the streets, interspersed with Valdinans, were people with distinctly different appearances.
They were the native inhabitants of the Elamuz Strait.
"Long live His Imperial Majesty Pelleus! Long live Valdina!"
They, too, were cheering.
A foreign merchant who had just set foot in the land for Valdina's imperial proclamation ceremony tilted his head in confusion.
"Aren't those Elamuzians? How can they be celebrating when Valdina seized their land and declared itself an empire?"
"Tsk, you there. If you're going to know something, know it properly. Half-knowledge is worse than ignorance!"
A local merchant clicked his tongue in disapproval.
"This strait is now the most bustling trade hub on the continent, you see."
Not long after Pelleus and Agema's forces had taken control of the territory—transferred from Kazen—they occupied the strategic strait.
"Elamuz is also Valdina's territory, and its people are my subjects as well."
But unlike the Kazenians, who had subjugated them through terror, Valdina treated them with respect.
They recognized the natives' status and allowed them to continue their livelihoods. They even opened the strait as a space for exchange.
As merchants from various regions came and went through trade, the boundaries between them naturally blurred.
The result was the peaceful coexistence seen today.
"With Elamuz, there's no need to take detours by sea. Plus, with the military stationed here, there's no worry about corruption or public safety. Naturally, every merchant worth their salt on the continent flocks here, don't they?"
The merchant shrugged his shoulders.
"Seems the day isn't far off when Valdina will become the continent's supreme power. No need to worry about Monster Waves from outside, and now even domestic affairs have stabilized."
"True. Moreover, wasn't it just recently that a Saintess awakened on Valdina's soil? The Goddess must be bestowing her blessings upon Valdina."
"Now hold on, that's something we'll have to wait and see about."
Though the surrounding merchants nodded in agreement, unexpectedly, the merchant from the Royal Castle shook his head.
"Do you really think Kazen would just sit back and watch a new empire rise? I've heard even the Holy Kingdom pretended to support us while secretly having their Saintess steal our maps behind our backs."
Having delivered goods to the Royal Castle, he recounted the rumors he'd overheard without embellishment.
"The Princess—no, Her Imperial Highness now. Anyway, that Saintess slandered Her Imperial Highness to drive a wedge between them and tried to uncover Valdina's geographical secrets."
"Really? A Saintess would do such a thing... I can hardly believe it. To think even the Holy Kingdom isn't on Valdina's side..."
"In these chaotic times, who has fixed allegiances? People only side with whoever's winning. The Holy Kingdom's no different. You'd best steel yourself, my friend. For a good while, Valdina will face constant opposition from all corners of the continent."
At the merchant's warning, the foreign trader's face fell. He suddenly felt he'd chosen the wrong time to come.
Just then, another merchant spoke up.
He was someone who'd run a shop in Valdina's mainland for many years.
"Even with all this opposition, I'd still rather live in these times. Three years ago, we didn't even have bread to eat the next day and starved."
Supplies had been depleted by the prolonged war, and the people's resentment grew with each passing day.
They were truly anxious, miserable times. Just remembering how they endured made his head spin.
"If Valdina remains just like this, I'd ask for nothing more. Truly."
"Aye, that's true enough. Who'd have thought we'd live to see days where we complain with full bellies?"
"Let's just hope things keep going well and this momentum continues..."
Carrying their own hopes and worries, the day of the declaration ceremony came to a close.
The celebratory banquet for Valdina Empire's declaration ceremony was unusually held not at the Royal Castle, but at the Detached Palace built in the Elamuz Strait.
Even the St. Augustine Continental Festival hosted by the Holy Kingdom was specially scheduled to be held in Elamuz this year.
Thus, congratulatory diplomatic missions from various nations and hundreds of continental citizens gathered here.
As dusk fell, carriages of every color lined up before the Detached Palace.
Attendees dressed in splendid banquet attire appeared one by one.
After dropping off their owners, the carriages circled the grand white fountain before departing.
The Detached Palace hosting the banquet was a massive hall.
"My word..."
Attendees surveying the banquet hall beneath glittering chandeliers let out small gasps of admiration.
The interior of the Detached Palace displayed the new empire's prestige without restraint.
The floors were polished marble, with mosaic quilts depicting Valdina's founding myths adorning every wall.
On the left wall stood a Goddess Statue carved from white marble, her benevolent hand outstretched toward the front.
And as if she meant to grant salvation to today's attendees, a massive circular mirror erected behind the Goddess Statue reflected the entire banquet hall.
"Valdina's prestige is remarkable. I never expected such a rapid rise..."
"Even the Republic of Les and Kingdom of Sesses sent envoys. Weren't they Kazen's long-time allies? For them to come running so quickly—the Kazenites must be quite displeased seeing this."
The endless procession of arriving diplomatic missions drew everyone's attention.
Medeia stood beside her brother welcoming the delegations.
When Pelleus declared himself Emperor, his sister Medeia was likewise elevated to Imperial Princess.
She wore a deep blue silk dress, its delicate gold embroidery shimmering faintly under the light. A rose-shaped tiara adorned her head, and the diamond necklace around her slender, deer-like neck sparkled beautifully.
Her youthful, porcelain-white face with delicate features resembled an exquisitely crafted doll.
Only, her emerald eyes, though beautiful, were cold, and her indifferent lips revealed no emotion.
Her calm, cool expression made it difficult for people to approach her easily.
"She's truly a peerless beauty. I should've proposed marriage before the declaration ceremony. Then there might have been at least some chance."
Perhaps because of this, the attendees couldn't tear their eyes away from Medeia despite feeling an undeniable distance. The princess's cold beauty was not something easily forgotten.
"Nonsense. Do you think it would have been easy? The King of Valdina—no, the Emperor now—how much do you think he cherishes his only sister? Every envoy who has ever attempted to propose marriage was driven out before they could even utter the first word of their proposal."
"T-That extreme? But... isn't the situation different now? If Valdina intends to oppose Kazen, they'll need allies..."
"Of course. If you're confident you can withstand the blades of Agema's warriors the moment you so much as mention the princess's name, then by all means, try."
The prince of some minor nation, unwilling to challenge the continent's strongest military power just for a beauty, sighed regretfully and turned his head away.
The Valdinans, too, watched with pride as the diplomatic envoys entered the banquet hall.
"By the way, who has come from Kazen?"
"It's not confirmed, but most likely the Third Prince."
"Honestly, there's no other strong candidate. The other princes and royals were all overshadowed by the First Prince..."
Three years ago, news that the First Prince of Kazen had risen from his terminal illness and returned to the capital spread rapidly across the continent.
"Ha... Who would've thought the political landscape could shift so drastically in just a few years... Cesare, that man is truly formidable."
Cesare Deisler Kazen.
The man called the Black Devil was both an object of terror and a figure who drew attention wherever he went.
Whispers that the Emperor of Kazen was keeping his son in check only fueled further curiosity about him.
"The details will likely be revealed at tonight's banquet."
A sense of anticipation mingled in the ongoing conversations.
People were unconsciously waiting for the arrival of the Kazen delegation.
Everyone was on edge, wondering how the Kazen Empire would respond to the provocation of this "brother nation," which had practically thrown down a challenge by declaring itself an empire.
"The Kazen flag! They're here!"
Just as the banquet began and interest had reached its peak, the Kazen delegation made their entrance.
Figures draped in the symbols of the Kazen Empire walked down the red carpet.
"Isn't that the crest of the Kazen imperial family? Did a royal come?"
"No, look closely. They're wearing medals embroidered with red roses. Those are only given to those who serve directly by the Emperor's side."
At the forefront was a small, elderly man with white hair—the Chamberlain—who appeared frail and diminutive.
Yet, his expression remained impassive, as if oblivious to the heated gazes of the crowd.
The Kazen officials accompanying him adjusted their pace to match his, a testament to the Chamberlain's standing.
"That man... Grand Duke Castulo—!"
At that moment, the Valdinans who recognized the man standing beside the Chamberlain grew tense.
"Wait, don't tell me..."
"Why has that bastard come back?!"
The once-joyful hall buzzed with unrest.
Every Valdinan present remembered Iason—the man who had led troops to aid Claudio's rebellion three years ago.
"Surely not..."
"How dare he show his face here?"
"What right does a traitor who helped usurp another nation have to speak of dignity?!"
Some didn't even hesitate to curse openly.
"Grand Duke Castulo is really here? Why now, of all times?"
"Shh, quiet. Lower your voice."
Even the attendees who had been curious about the Kazen delegation fell silent upon seeing the Valdinans' icy reaction.
A frigid silence, unlike anything before, descended upon the banquet hall.
The peaceful flow of music ceased. Even the orchestra refused to play the march, setting down their instruments in protest.
Then, through the frozen silence, Pelleus's icy voice rang out.
"It seems the Grand Duke of Kazen has forgotten my final warning. To dare set foot on Valdina's soil again—I see you've found your courage at last."
His piercing blue eyes fixed on the smooth-faced young man standing beside the chamberlain.
The Kazen delegation stiffened under the murderous pressure radiating from him—so palpable even the onlookers could feel it.
No one could doubt now that the tales of this young emperor leading his armies to crush the fierce nomads were anything but true.
Someone's gaze flickered to the massive greatsword hanging at the emperor's waist.
Though they knew it impossible, the tension was so thick that for a moment, they feared he might draw it and cleave the Grand Duke in two.
"Your Majesty, Emperor of Valdina," Iason spoke, not daring to avoid meeting the hostile gazes of Valdina's vassals. His reddish-brown hair and gentle smile remained unchanged."His Supreme Majesty Perdiccas II, sovereign of Kazen and my liege, sends his most sincere congratulations."
'You swore you'd rise again and return.'
Even amidst this frigid reception, Iason found himself reliving the memory.
And now, standing here with his oath fulfilled, he felt intoxicated.
The chilling atmosphere only made his heart pound faster.
Seeing their poorly concealed shock and fury even brought him a twisted thrill.
Could these fools even begin to imagine what he'd endured to stand here again?
Iason hid his seething rage as he regarded Valdina's beautiful royal siblings.
Three years ago, he'd been caught red-handed—tricked by Medeia into supporting Valdina's rebellion.
The price had been steep: his fertile lands, his personal guard, even the late emperor's faction that backed him.
Yet he still didn't know.
That every step of his downfall had unfolded precisely as Medeia orchestrated.
Banished to the barren north, trapped under the emperor's watchdogs and the Northern Marquis's surveillance, he'd truly despaired.
No path forward seemed possible.
But apparently, the gods hadn't abandoned him yet.
"Your Grace, don't you wish to reclaim your rightful place?"
The secretive dark faction had extended their hand.
"Magic beasts! Magic beasts are here!"
"Ghouls! Help! Aaaah!"
These bizarre, powerful beings who could even summon monster waves at will.
With their aid, Iason suppressed frequent monster outbreaks. He even eliminated the ever-watchful Northern Marquis without a sound.
"Without Your Grace, we'd have been wiped out!"
"Savior of the north! Who knows what would've become of us!"
The northern people praised him as a hero.
Filling the dead Northern Marquis's vacancy, he rose as both lord and savior of the north.
'Like a cockroach, this Iason just won't die.'
Medeia's emerald eyes darkened momentarily.
But that was all.
No matter how high Iason lifted his chin, he couldn't compare to his former glory. Without the Shadow battalion or the recluses backing him.
Three years ago, the mad dog she'd resurrected had served his purpose well.
Had the terminally ill First Prince not miraculously recovered, Iason's momentum as the northern hero might have snowballed until he reclaimed his former position.
But with Cesare's return, he'd ruthlessly crushed Iason's resurgence.
In three years, Iason had barely gained control over the desolate north.
Neither reclaiming his fertile lands nor returning to the imperial capital.
Even his secret benefactors hadn't anticipated this.
Thus, Iason's faction remained far weaker than their plans dictated.
A miserable outcome that satisfied neither them nor Iason himself.
"Is this truly the end? O gods, will you deny me this kingdom after all...?"
Then, as if hearing his bloodied cry, came his second chance—so improbable it seemed a lie.
[Iason. Return at once to aid me.]
Instead of eliminating his nephew who'd survived the wastelands, the emperor had astonishingly recalled him to the capital.
Unbelievable.
Yet upon arriving, Iason understood why.