Chapter 611: Remnants
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 611: Remnants
Pitch-black flames swept across the sky, etching deep, dark traces into the firmament.
Only after every inch had been thoroughly inspected to ensure no trace was missed did Muen finally withdraw the black flames. He rubbed his temples, looking slightly weary.
"The inspection is finally over. There shouldn't be any lingering pollution left. If that being truly managed to leave behind a power so hidden that even my black flames couldn't detect it, then we would have been in grave danger just now. It would be impossible for it to remain hidden until now."
"Good."
Celicia nodded softly. When she heard Muen mention the words "just now," a faint, almost imperceptible flush crept onto her cheeks, though she quickly regained her icy composure.
"I haven't found any abnormalities on my end either. We shouldn't have anything to worry about."
Her cold gaze swept over the surroundings. With a casual wave of her hand, the Brilliant Crown rose, and the Imperial Authority that had descended upon the area was retracted with effortless grace.
The black curtain slowly dissipated. The sun, which had already risen several hours ago, finally graced the city of Belland after a night that had lasted far too long.
Countless people, still harboring trepidation in their hearts, looked up and joyfully bathed in the belated sunlight.
"Truly impressive..."
Even though he already knew what was happening, Muen couldn't help but twitch his eye as he looked at the crown hovering above Celicia’s head—the symbol of a Crown Bearer.
He had fought tooth and nail just to barely promote to a Fourth-Tier Martial Artist, and he had thought himself quite exceptional for it.
Then he turned around... and Celicia had already become a Crown Bearer, a realm far beyond his reach.
This disparity really brought to mind that old saying: the gap between two people is sometimes greater than the gap between a human and a dog.
Of course, the gap itself wasn't the most important thing. What mattered most was...
Now that Celicia was so formidable, when would he, a red-blooded man, ever get his chance to be on top?
Was he really only destined to experience the feeling of being the "superior" during those brief moments when she was drunk?
"You look like you're thinking of something incredibly disrespectful."
"No, I was just thinking that since my dear Empress is so brilliant and powerful, I would be more than willing to spend my entire life kneeling at your feet."
"Hmph."
Celicia narrowed her beautiful eyes and let out a soft snort. "I certainly hope that's what you're thinking."
"Of course, I truly—"
"Be quiet. I don't want to hear your nonsense."
"Oh..."
Celicia glanced at Muen again. She suddenly raised her hand and gently touched the Brilliant Crown atop her head.
"Strictly speaking, I am not actually a Crown Bearer yet."
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"It means I've only temporarily entered this realm by relying on the 'Empire's Empowerment.' Once I withdraw that empowerment, I will return to the realm of a Fifth-Tier Martial Artist. Jumping straight into the Crowned boundary overnight is impossible in this world. Even for me, I can only say that I won't encounter any more bottlenecks in the future, but I still need a significant amount of time to accumulate power."
"I see..."
Muen rubbed his chin, nodding in realization.
That made sense. After all, the Crowned realm was the most profound and unpredictable of all; it couldn't possibly be achieved so easily...
Wait, hold on.
Muen froze for a moment, blinked, and looked at Celicia in surprise. "So... are you comforting me?"
"Don't misunderstand. I just hate seeing that pathetic, dejected look on your face. It's annoying."
"Isn't that exactly what comforting someone is?"
Muen looked as if he had just tasted the finest delicacy. With a glowing face, he leaned in and started nuzzling against Celicia.
"Aww, you can just say it directly next time. There's no need to be so roundabout. Of course, your tsundere side is also quite lov—"
"Shut up."
"Oh..."
Celicia gave him a cold look from the corner of her eye. After a helpless sigh, she didn't stop Muen's intimate behavior. Instead, she suddenly said, "Hold on to me."
"Eh? Suddenly being so straightforward and bold?"
"We're about to land. We're ten thousand meters in the air... As for the 'Lord Muen' who cannot fly, it would be perfectly normal if you fell to your death here, wouldn't it?"
"I am terribly sorry, I was wrong! Please don't drop me!"
"Hold tight."
"Yes, Ma'am!"
Muen hurriedly wrapped his arms around Celicia’s slender waist.
The sensation was as exquisite as ever, making him subconsciously recall the enchanting scenery from just a moment ago. But more importantly...
He could no longer feel that layer of icy chill that usually surrounded Celicia.
He wasn't sure if it was because her increase in strength made it unnecessary to manifest her Divine Blessing power, or if... it was only like this for him.
A smile played on Muen's lips. He felt there was no need to seek the answer. After all, the cold and aloof girl was currently being held in his arms, wasn't she?
*
Celicia and Muen landed in front of the Imperial Palace.
By this time, the various factions' offensive and defensive maneuvers around the palace had long since ceased.
Despite the mix of different forces, the area was eerily quiet. Everyone was waiting for their fate, or...
To welcome the new sovereign.
"Your Majesty."
Count Eller was the first to drop to one knee and bow his head.
Following his lead, the numerous soldiers behind him knelt like a receding tide.
"Your Majesty."
Then came the various parties who had come to assist—the former Royalist Faction, the forces that had bet on Celicia, and the people she and Muen had recruited earlier. All bowed their heads and loudly celebrated the birth of the Empire's new Emperor.
Whether by law or by merit, no one could find a single flaw in Celicia’s claim to the throne now.
Finally... there were those who had once taken orders from the Inner Council or First Prince Albert. These people had lost all will to resist the moment Albert died. They had been disarmed and surrounded by Eller’s knights, their faces now pale with terror.
After a few moments of internal struggle, they all knelt respectfully as well.
"Long live... Her Majesty the Empress."
"Rise, all of you."
Celicia’s cold gaze swept over the crowd. With a slight nod, she already exuded the burgeoning, intimidating majesty of an Emperor.
"How are the ministers trapped in the palace?"
"Men have been sent to protect them. They should be unharmed."
"What about the casualties?"
"Not many. After all, the one who decided everything tonight... was you, Your Majesty. It's just that many of the Great Nobles earlier..."
"Those people are no longer nobles; they are rebels who threatened the Empire. Their deaths are of no consequence... What about civilian casualties?"
"That... is still being calculated."
"Divert the city defense forces to enter the city and provide relief immediately. Do it quickly."
"Yes!"
Without indulging in the authority and prestige of being an Emperor, Celicia began to methodically question the situation and issue orders one by one.
Soon, the hearts of the people, which had been somewhat shaken, began to settle under Celicia’s calm and collected management.
"Then... Your Majesty."
Count Eller glanced at the rebel soldiers nearby who were still paralyzed with fear and asked, "How should we handle these people? We are currently short-handed; we don't seem to have enough men to spare to guard them."
"What is your suggestion, Count?"
"My suggestion is..." Eller raised his hand and made a cutting motion across his throat. "Dispose of them directly, right now."
"It would indeed save time and effort."
Celicia turned to look at Muen. "What do you think?"
"Me? Strictly speaking, I'm just an ordinary citizen right now. It's not appropriate for Your Majesty to ask me."
Muen smiled. "Just handle it according to your own thoughts. I will always stand by your side."
"Tsk, nothing but a silver tongue. In that case..."
Celicia pondered for a moment before issuing her command: "Pardon them."
"This... it cannot be! If they take the opportunity to cause trouble—"
"These people were originally just ordinary soldiers and citizens following orders. They likely didn't even know the true nature of what they were doing tonight. Even if they did, they were certainly deceived to some extent. They did it to survive; would they dare cause trouble now?"
"..." Eller could not refute her.
From the moment Albert displayed his madness, the resistance from these people had weakened significantly. It was clear that before that point, they had no idea what kind of horrific acts they were participating in.
"Since that is the case, there is no need to add more chaos and sacrifice. Register them, and then assign them to the aftermath efforts. Since we are short-handed, let them help. Let them atone for their crimes through service!"
"Yes!"
Unconsciously, even a battle-hardened border count like Eller became more humble and respectful in front of Celicia.
"By the way," Celicia added suddenly. "Regarding those nobles who were consumed by the Evil Tree... compile a list of their names as quickly as possible."
"Understood!"
*
"That doesn't quite sound like you."
"What doesn't?"
"Earlier you said those nobles' deaths were of no consequence, but then you immediately asked for a list of their names."
In the Imperial Palace, in a temporary office Celicia had set up, Muen leaned in close to her while she was processing paperwork and asked curiously, "You don't seem like the type to be contradictory."
"It's nothing. I just suddenly remembered something."
"What is it?"
"The Inner Council."
"The Inner Council?" Muen raised an eyebrow. "The nobles possessing Glory's Blood were all eaten by the Evil Tree. The Inner Council should be gone, shouldn't it?"
"Not necessarily," Celicia said. "Although from the intelligence we gathered, Albert—the Speaker—used Glory's Blood as an umbilical cord to link the entire noble clique together, think about it carefully. A thousand years have passed since the First King. Aside from the Great Nobles who still carry those surnames, who can truly guarantee that they have Glory's Blood in their veins?
"No, perhaps even those Great Nobles who inherited the names don't necessarily have it. Too many uncertainties arise over a thousand years of history."
"You mean..."
"There are survivors. Within the Inner Council, there are nobles mixed in who did not possess Glory's Blood, or those who thought they had it, but in reality, their bloodline had thinned to the point where even the Evil Tree couldn't be bothered to eat them."
Celicia handed two documents to Muen.
"Look. This is the list of nobles I investigated and flagged before this incident. And this... is the list of Inner Council nobles who are currently dead. If you cross-reference them, you'll find..."
"Some don't match up." Muen's expression turned serious.
"Yes, they don't match. For example, this one..."
Celicia’s slender finger tapped a name. "The mouthpiece of the Inner Council, the famous number two figure under the Speaker... Robin. Their true identity remains a mystery."
"So..." Muen glanced at the mountain of paperwork nearby. "Even though those ministers have been rescued, you haven't put them back to work yet? You suspect Robin is among them?"
"I'm just letting them rest because they're old and were frightened," Celicia said expressionlessly. "At least until I've completely uprooted the Inner Council. While I can show mercy to some, if I let certain animals go free, I wouldn't be fit to be the Emperor of this Empire."
"I see..."
Muen rubbed his chin. As if remembering something, he suddenly laughed. "But I think the truth will come to light very soon."
"Oh? Why?"
"Because, based on the timing, I think that person's abilities should have allowed them to follow the trail quite deep by now."
In Muen's mind, the figure of a certain flat-chested protagonist, who had been "offline" for quite a while, appeared.