“Forget it, Ning Busan. Let's go,” Novalia said. “It's just an abdication decree. It doesn't matter if he won't write it now. Once the coronation ceremony is over, everything will be set in stone. He'll have to write it even if he doesn't want to.”
“Forget it? How can we just forget it?” Ning Busan said. “Since you are ascending the throne, you must take it fair and square, with absolute legitimacy.”
“Novalia, call Leo over. I want both the abdication decree and the decree of self-reproach. Let him figure out a way.”
Regicide was something neither Novalia nor Ning Busan could do, or else Novalia would be branded as having usurped the throne illegitimately.
The King knew this all too well, which was why he was so fearless.
But he forgot that Leo could do it.
Ning Busan sneered. “Whether you write it is up to you, but if you push Leo too far, he really will kill you.”
With that, he took Novalia by the hand and left.
The King's hands fell limply to his sides, his eyes staring blankly at the blank scroll.
It was as if he could already see his own end.
“Hahahahaha...” The King suddenly burst into laughter, his voice filled with venom as he roared word by word, “Ning Busan, I will definitely kill you!”
On the other side, Ning Busan wanted to ask Novalia, “Your mother...”
“I don't want to talk about it,” Novalia interrupted, her tone somewhat stiff.
Ning Busan did not press further and changed the subject. “There are only seven days left until your coronation ceremony.”
Novalia gave a hum of agreement and said softly, “I will become a good ruler.”
“I believe in you,” Ning Busan said. “Let Damon and Drake stay by your side these next few days. They are Grand Swordsmen and can protect you if you run into any danger.”
Novalia smiled and asked, “Why are you being so strange today? I'm the one who's ascending the throne, so why do you look more nervous than me?”
“I don't know either.” Ning Busan sighed. “My heart has been feeling uneasy these past two days, as if something bad is about to happen.”
Seeing Ning Busan's furrowed brow, Novalia comforted him, “Don't worry. No matter what happens, I will be by your side.”
The wind howled past, carrying a biting chill that slightly ruffled the hem of Ning Busan's coat.
Ning Busan wrapped his coat tighter around himself and muttered softly:
“The wind is rising.”
...
Seven days later.
As the first light of dawn broke, the Dawn Empire was shrouded in a hazy golden glow.
Ning Busan stood at the top of the Mage Association's tower, overlooking the grand spectacle in the Central Square.
A high platform had been erected in the center of the square, decorated solemnly with countless flags. Soldiers bustled about like ants, placing pots of golden irises on both sides of the red carpet.
Crowds gathered from all directions. Nobles wore formal attire while commoners dressed in their finest, everyone waiting with expectant eyes for the Princess's coronation ceremony.
“It's almost time,” Saige's voice drifted up from downstairs. “Ning Busan, you should head over too.”
Ning Busan replied, “I got it, Teacher.”
Today was the day of Novalia's coronation.
And as the Divine Envoy, he was the one who would crown her.
Ning Busan tilted his head and asked, “Are you sure you don't want to come with me?”
“Boring,” Leo said, sprawled out lazily as he bathed his bones in the sunlight. “Sunbathing at the highest point of the empire is just too comfortable. I can't be bothered to move.”
Ning Busan said helplessly, “Fine, fine. You enjoy your sunbath, then. I'm off.”
Leo called out, “Louis—”
Ning Busan turned back. “What is it?”
“This empire is already rotten to the core,” Leo asked. “Why do you want to change it instead of destroying it?”
Tearing it down to rebuild was far more efficient than slow repairs. He believed that with Louis's ability, he could easily overthrow the entire kingdom rather than subtly changing the empire under the guise of a Divine Envoy.
Ning Busan fell silent for a moment before saying flatly, “It's a keepsake, at least.”
“A keepsake...” Leo pondered the meaning of those words and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
To think that the Dawn Empire was merely a keepsake in Louis's eyes.
Leo asked, “Should I call you arrogant, or sentimental?”
Ning Busan said, “Neither. I simply believe Novalia will become a good ruler and change the current state of the Dawn Empire.”
Leo chuckled cryptically. “I also believe that after today, the Dawn Empire will undergo an unprecedented change.”
“Shoot, I can't chat with you anymore. I still have to crown Novalia!”
Sensing that time was running short, Ning Busan gave up on walking and cast a spatial teleportation.
After he left, Leo sat up and looked down at the world below.
The empire's flags fluttered in the wind, but they no longer looked like the ones in his memory.
In this era of declining swordsmanship and fading magic, what needed to change was not just the system, but also the hearts of the people.
What could make the complacent strive forward?
What could enlighten the ignorant?
What could help the lost find their way?
What could make the cowardly pick up weapons?
Leo said softly, “Blood, fear, and death.”
Only by experiencing a desperate situation of utter powerlessness could this empire undergo a fundamental change.
...
Ning Busan stood upon the high platform. The thirteen dukes and ministers gathered below, flanked by the citizens who had come to witness the ceremony.
Novalia came galloping in on a tall steed.
Today, she wore a deep purple robe embroidered with a soaring phoenix pattern, with a golden cape draped over her shoulders, looking solemn and magnificent.
The cheers of the crowd rose like waves, one after another.
Novalia dismounted and walked slowly along the red carpet toward the high platform, her steps firm and composed.
But Ning Busan noticed that her fingers were unconsciously stroking the hilt of the sword at her waist.
It seemed she was not as calm as she appeared.
When Novalia stood before him, Ning Busan raised the scepter in his hand, and a golden light blossomed from its tip.
“In the name of God, today Novalia succeeds as the twelfth ruler of the Dawn Empire.”
Ning Busan took a crown made of pure gold from the maid standing beside him.
Holding the crown in both hands, he spoke loudly, “Citizens of the Dawn Empire, we gather here today to witness the birth of a great monarch.”
The crowd cheered once more.
Ning Busan gently placed the crown on Novalia's head, offering a heartfelt blessing:
“May the gods be with you, and may the dawn walk with you. May your reign be as eternal as the morning light, and may your empire be as immortal as the stars.”
The moment the crown rested on Novalia's head, a beam of golden light descended from the heavens, enveloping her in its glow.
Within the beam of light, a golden sun was faintly visible.
“The divine oracle has appeared!” cries of amazement erupted from the crowd.
The nobles fell to their knees one after another, while the commoners chanted Novalia's name.
The corners of Ning Busan's mouth curled up slightly.
What absolute bullshit oracle?
Would a god even care about this?
God didn't care at all.
This was just a little magic trick of his!
Wind rustled Ning Busan's white robe as the long, melodious chiming of the distant bell tower echoed.
Novalia gazed at Ning Busan, her emerald-blue eyes reflecting the morning light, a thousand words condensed into two simple ones: “Thank you.”
Ning Busan's lips curved, silently mouthing back: “You're welcome.”
Novalia's coronation ceremony was completed successfully, and the entire Dawn Empire was immersed in a wave of celebration and joy.
This should have been a day of national celebration.
Yet, without any warning, the once-in-a-century Black Sun suddenly descended.
Rate on N.U.
