Chapter 376 – Congratulations
Emperor of the Empire.
For the people of the empire, that name has always been an object of reverence.
Just as all previous emperors were like that, the current emperor was also like that, and it will be the same no matter which of the three siblings becomes emperor.
Is the lineage of a great conqueror who started from a weak country on the border and built an empire by itself enough to deserve the reverence of ten thousand people?
The weight of the emperor of the time who personally ascended the throne is on a different level.
King of kings, sun of the earth, sage god…
No matter what modifiers are attached to the title of emperor, there seems to be some kind of magical power that doesn’t sound excessive.
Every action the emperor takes is truly overflowing with appropriate dignity.
—Plop, plop
The regular sound of footsteps coming from the golden room located in the exact center of the VIP area.
“… “I think we need to teach you etiquette again, Lupercal.”
“Puhup, it’s scary.”
At the same time, the two princes who had been growling at each other lowered their posture at the same time.
‘His Majesty himself… ?’
‘Khaha! It’s fun, it’s fun! After all, it’s worth it to run this long way!’
‘Damn, His Majesty is especially fond of the 3rd princess, but this… ‘
‘Oh my…? ‘I guess we can say that he has a different intention in mind.’
The four dukes, powerful men of the empire, other distinguished guests, and other nobles seated in the audience seats far away also bowed their heads in unison.
“Gulp, gulp!”
“I get to have an audience with His Majesty. It’s so glorious… !”
Even the people who were watching the engagement ceremony through the crystal ball did the same.
Even at the moment when the emperor himself stands on the podium in place of Cardinal Malleus, who is stepping down and making the sign of the cross, everyone is lowering their posture to show respect.
It was natural as the Emperor of the Empire personally appeared, but the reason why the reaction was especially hot today was not far away.
He was the emperor, and it had already been half a year since he last appeared in public.
Since the Great Battle of the Knights and the Birthday Festival last year, no one has had a direct audience with the Emperor’s Dragon Eye.
To be precise, although he personally performs official duties, he only communicates physically with his subjects in a separate golden room.
Because of this, the story that the emperor was not in good condition was slowly spreading.
Finally, after a long absence, he was able to attend his daughter’s engagement ceremony in person.
‘Your majesty… ‘
Of course, this was a very tense moment for Wolfgang as well.
When I stopped by the imperial treasury to get the Cloud Iron Sword, the predecessor of my beloved sword Demonbane, and the Fairy Queen’s necklace, which I still use frequently (mainly used in pervert situational dramas).
While touring the imperial palace with Alicia, we happened to visit the secret garden, and the atmosphere there got strangely heated.
‘It looks good.’
How surprised were you when you met the emperor who appeared behind your back and said something indifferent?
However, contrary to expectations, the emperor I met in person had a quite easy-going side.
Although his life was not threatened or his limbs were torn off on the spot, he was shackled to follow the emperor’s personal orders later.
Other than that, it ended well, with the couple having a drink together and then being properly recognized as his son-in-law.
Wolfgang had something else to worry about.
‘You certainly said something quite meaningful.’
At that time, the emperor hinted to him that his condition was not very good.
The next time we meet, he might be out of his mind, and it was a story that was hard to take as a joke.
I heard such a story, but as a subject and son-in-law, Wolfgang was not cold-blooded enough to not think anything of it.
Even for the emperor’s personal well-being and for the peace of the empire.
I just hope that they can reunite safely.
-Quiet…
Under a clear sky without a single cloud.
Everyone bowed their heads before the emperor.
A dead silence fell on the Plaza of the Sun.
[Everyone raise your head]
The moment when the Emperor’s solemn shout rang out.
“Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!”
A loud roar that seemed to shake the heavens and earth erupted from the audience.
Three cheers for life that are given only to the emperor of the empire.
“Glory to the imperial family! Eternal loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor!”
Soon, everyone put their hands on their hearts to prove their loyalty.
Tens of thousands of eyes were focused on just one person.
And.
“Ah… !”
Wolfgang held Alicia’s hand as he heard a short sigh coming from beside him.
The moment I met the emperor’s dragon eye with my own two eyes.
Wolfgang clearly saw Alicia’s icy blue eyes trembling violently and the unconcealable agitation on her white face.
That’s right too.
This is because the emperor’s eyes looked very haggard even at first glance.
Although he was an emperor of ordinary appearance for an imperial lineage famous for its exceptional appearance, his impression clearly had the dignity and dignity of an emperor of an empire.
Although he was an emperor with a strong physique comparable to that of Wolfgang.
The emperor’s appearance now was very different from the past.
A pale complexion like a seriously ill patient and a neck as thin as a tree branch. The condition of the limbs covered by his clothes would not be much different.
The royal family’s unique gorgeous blonde hair was still there, but its shine was not the same as before.
“Abama… “
It was no wonder that Alicia was so agitated.
Even so, Alicia cared for her people and had a lot of affection, but she had to face the bad condition of her biological father firsthand.
It was obvious how big her shock would be.
The emperor was only in his mid-40s, but he now looked decades older than that.
The others who saw it also tried their best not to show it.
Everyone seemed quite agitated.
The emperor’s health is not very good.
This means that the moment the outcome of the successor competition is decided, there is a very high possibility that the winner will immediately sit on the throne.
Regardless of who the next emperor will be.
This meant that the possibility that things after that would become very difficult also increased.
It was possible that there would be a large-scale purge and a bloody storm.
No one welcomes that unless they are a madman.
Perhaps, as with several previous emperors, all of this may just be an act on the part of the emperor himself.
That was an overly hopeful view.
“This.”
“How can this be…?” !”
“Oh my god…”
But there is one thing that is comforting.
It was true that the emperor was still alive and well enough to appear in person in front of the public. At least it’s not a corpse.
In the history of the empire, there have been quite a few cases where the emperor’s health suddenly deteriorated.
This means that if you can move around, you have at least half a year.
In fact, although the emperor’s eyes were very haggard, his back was still upright, and the strength in his voice and body movements seemed to be in good health.
To sum up the current emperor in one word,
It was as if he had been living alone for decades.
The emperor smiled slightly and opened his mouth.
[Today is a good day]
The Emperor slowly savors the gaze focused on me and turns his head towards the audience.
His relaxed appearance was enough to make people even forget his haggard complexion for a moment.
Until we die and return to dust.
He seemed to be showing off to everyone, saying he was still the supreme ruler of the empire.
[Now that my two sons and daughters have grown up, all three have found great companions to spend the rest of their lives with. How can I not be happy as a father?]
The emperor’s tone was very warm.
Since the emperor of an empire is more of a symbol than an individual, it is common for him to always show a dignified appearance in front of the public.
His appearance now reminded me of ordinary imperial fathers.
[I don’t know how my accomplishments will be recorded in future generations, but I can now say that I have done the bare minimum as a father… ]
Everyone is listening to the emperor’s speech in silence.
Everyone who had children naturally shook their heads as if they sympathized with his words.
It was literally filled with a warm air worthy of an engagement speech.
[At least, even if Jim dies today, I don’t think there will be any regrets.]
Of course, the next words immediately cooled the mood.
[There isn’t much Jim wants to say]
“I’ve lived for quite a long time, but this is the first time I’ve ever experienced something like this… “
“Haha… “It looks quite different from your previous Majesty.”
Among the imperial citizens watching through the crystal ball from afar, the older commoners expressed their own impressions.
In fact, the nobles watching the engagement ceremony up close are so nervous that they can’t even open their mouths.
The sight of the Emperor turning his head and glancing towards Alicia.
[My daughter]
“Yes, four! Abama!”
Alicia was embarrassed and stuttered when the emperor suddenly spoke to her.
[Live happily. I’m sorry that Jim’s words aren’t very good.]
He blushed slightly at the emperor’s warm words and lowered his head.
[And, General Wolfgang]
The emperor’s voice spoke in a very different tone from when he called Alicia.
“Yes! Your Majesty!”
Wolfgang answered very nervously.
