Chapter: 402
The preparations for the abdication ceremony rapidly concluded thanks to the Emperor’s strong will and the desperate tears of the Imperial Household. The officials of the Imperial Household who faced this unprecedented abdication during their tenure could do nothing but mourn. May they be reborn in a world without abdication in the next life.
And here I am, regretting my fate a little as I hold the young Crown Prince in my arms at this inaugural abdication ceremony. It’s a given that all eyes will be on me, not to mention that it will linger in the annals of Imperial history.
Of course, while it may be burdensome and regrettable, I don’t have any complaints. The young Crown Prince, still a child, is preparing to bear a heavy load, so I can’t just whine around with the title of a trusted guardian.
“Your Highness, how have you been?”
“Ah—”
As I steeled my resolve, I bowed my head to the young Crown Prince, who was receiving the utmost care from the maids. His little coos are still there, but the Crown Prince has now fully opened his eyes.
Though it seems like he’s still not quite focused.
“Ah—uh—”
“It seems His Highness is happy to see you, dear Guardian.”
“What an honor!”
I gave a small nod at the head maid’s words. I may have only seen the young prince a few times, but I appreciate his warm welcome. I was worried he might cry since the Crown Prince and Crown Princess weren’t around, but it seems I was overthinking it.
‘Is it okay for me to be here without his parents?’
A late question popped into my mind. Since the Crown Prince is being crowned emperor, the Crown Princess automatically becomes the Empress, so they both left to prepare. That’s perfectly understandable, so I could let that pass.
But can we really allow a baby who hasn’t even turned one to meet outsiders? Although I can’t argue he’s not an outsider if I’m the guardian in his presence, it still feels a bit off.
“Ah—”
Well, I suppose it’s fine since they wouldn’t let me do this if it was a problem. Let’s not dwell on it.
“Guardian, could you extend your finger towards His Highness?”
While I was staring at the Crown Prince for quite a while, the head maid gently spoke up.
“My finger?”
I reflexively questioned the unexpected request, but the head maid just nodded with a serene expression.
What an odd thing to ask. Surely as someone who’s around the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, she wouldn’t say anything inappropriate, but it’s a bit out of the blue, isn’t it?
‘Finger for the hand?’
My gaze unconsciously drifted to the tiny hands of the Crown Prince. To put it dramatically, they were smaller than my pinky.
Looking at that hand, I ended up reaching out my finger absentmindedly—
“Ah.”
It was now grabbed by the Crown Prince’s little hand.
“His Highness enjoys gripping things. He can even quiet down when the maids extend a finger to him while he’s babbling away.”
“I see.”
Indeed, the Crown Prince clasping my finger stopped babbling and gently closed his eyes.
Seeing this, I couldn’t help but smile.
‘…How do I get my finger back?’
There’s a minor dilemma at hand: the Crown Prince hasn’t let go of my finger. I could easily pull away, but what if this delicate hand broke?
So, until the young prince decides to let go, I have to remain bent over, offering my finger.
*
The excitement of the abdication reached the Imperial Palace. The abdication of the Emperor, who had ruled for decades, and the new emperor taking the throne were enough reason for the citizens of the Capital and the subjects coming from all over the Empire to fill the place with bustle.
That said, there’s no need to look all the way to the Capital. Just inside the palace, ministers and delegations from various countries were bustling around.
“Your Majesty, it’s truly been a long time.”
And among the visiting delegations, the highest-ranking figure personally rose from his throne to welcome them.
“I’m grateful you traveled such a long distance, Your Grace. It brings me joy to see you here.”
“I’m fortunate an old man like me can bring joy to Your Majesty. It must be the Lord’s blessing.”
Pope Valtzak the 37th, of the Dawn Sect, visited the Imperial Palace as the head of the Holy Kingdom’s delegation.
Even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was in disarray at the visit of someone the Emperor must treat with respect, yet it ultimately resulted in the Pope attending to bless the royal family’s affairs. It was a boost to their prestige rather than a detriment.
After all, monarchs from other kingdoms and principalities often ascend under the blessing of cardinals residing in their nations. So, considering that, this visit highlights the disparity between the Empire and other states.
‘Did he come here just because it’s the Empire?’
Watching the Emperor and the Pope exchange pleasantries prompted that thought. With the kind of partnership they had, I’m sure the Pope would have visited even if Kfellofen was just a kingdom.
Just as the Emperor lacked legitimacy due to being of collateral descent, the current Pope also didn’t have a strong base when he ascended. He was older during his inauguration too, and he mostly roamed the continent rather than serving in the Holy Kingdom.
His rise to papacy was a temporary measure from the disillusioned cardinals with the previous pope’s reform policies—but sadly, the current pope has shown vigor as if he were blessed by Enen since taking office. This only made the cardinals even more frustrated.
Thus, both the Emperor, lacking legitimacy, and the Pope, lacking support and authority, found common interest and became cross-border partners. The Emperor provided support for the Empire while the Pope granted religious authority to the Emperor—a mutual agreement.
‘…The Pope, older than the Emperor, is still so spry.’
It’s a bit bitter. One of the giants of the era decided to abdicate, yet the other one is still as healthy as ever. Is this the difference between one endowed with divine power and one who is not?
I couldn’t help but think that even after my ascension, I might continue this partnership with the current Pope for a while.
‘Looks like the role of the Director of the Information Department just got more important.’
I almost chuckled at that thought. Even with the friendly current Pope holding his ground, there’s still a high chance I’ll be burdened by political affairs, and it’s uncertain how amicable the next Pope will be.
Nevertheless, the Director of the Information Department maintains a friendly relationship with the next saint, so it should be a significant help in our diplomacy with the Holy Kingdom.
Every time I think I’ve forgotten, I remember yet another advantage—truly a loyal subject.
The abdication ceremony is to be held at the St. Paronas Cathedral located in the Capital. It’s the perfect venue for the Pope to bless the abdication.
Thus, I made my way from the palace to the cathedral, escorted by the royal knights. In the carriage, I could hear the cheers of the citizens celebrating the new emperor’s ascension and the applause honoring the Emperor’s dedication.
‘Just great.’
I closed my eyes quietly, listening to the cheers and applause of the citizens.
It’s just the usual noise. It’s something you hear every time you attend an event. I heard it not long ago during the Improvement Ceremony.
However, unlike then, the sound now felt overwhelming and heavy. During the Improvement Ceremony, it was a cheer for the victorious Emperor and his valiant soldiers, but now it’s a cheer for me, the new emperor.
“Your Majesty.”
As I felt my hand being gently grasped, it belonged to Bi.
“Do not worry. I will always be by your side.”
At her words, I looked into Bi’s eyes for a moment before breaking into a smile.
“Bi, you really seem far too serious for stating the obvious.”
“Hoho, is that so?”
Even as I laughed with Bi, the pressure still weighed down on me.
It’s inevitable. Anyone else sitting in my position would surely feel the same way. They would be taking on the highest nobility and the greatest responsibility in the continent.
Yet, I can still smile. This path is my fate, and as Bi said, it’s not a path I must walk alone.
“Your Highness, Crown Prince, and Crown Princess, we have arrived.”
Before I realized it, the carriage stopped, and I heard the voice of the knight leading us.
I grasped the carriage door and looked at Bi again. She was gazing back at me.
The path ahead is unlikely to be easy. It could be more treacherous and painful than the road thus far. There might be times when I wish I could cast it all aside and run away.
But I won’t.
“So, the Crown Prince must heed my words. Go forth and become the new ruler of this Empire.”
I am now the master of this Empire.
Together with Bi, I stepped out of the carriage, passed through the doors of the cathedral, and moved toward the dais where the Emperor and the Pope awaited.
Where the pious faithful usually sat, five dukes and thirteen marquises led a gathering of nobles seated there. Not to mention dignitaries from various nations across the continent gazing at me, eager to lock eyes with the one who will reign over and guide this continent.
Then I spotted Ainter and the Director of the Information Department in the corner of the dais, along with the young Crown Prince snuggled up in the Director’s arms.
‘Oh dear.’
I almost smiled at the sight of the little prince sleeping soundly. This magnificent ceremony must be tiring for the angelic baby. Let’s quickly wrap this up without a hitch.
Thus, I ascended to the dais under numerous gazes. I’ve reached a point I can no longer postpone or escape.
“Here stands a single human.”
Once Bi and I ascended, the Pope opened his mouth. The cathedral, which had been filled with whispers, fell eerily silent.
“The Lord does not dictate the fate of humans. The future of humans is a result of their own choices, and on the road leading to that outcome, there exists no coercion.”
With that, the Pope carefully lifted the crown the Emperor had worn. It was an act indicating that he was stripping away the rights and responsibilities of the Emperor in his role as God’s surrogate.
“However, there exists one exception the Lord allows, and that is for priests and nobility.”
The Pope took steps toward me.
“The Lord created beings destined to spread the righteous teachings across this continent, and those beings are the priests. Priests enrich the spirits of all and work so that one day they can reach the Lord’s side, with the Pope being the foremost among them.”
From the moment the Pope took a step toward me, Bi and I knelt and bowed our heads. We couldn’t dare raise our eyes before someone who bestows the rights and responsibilities of the Emperor on behalf of God.
“Additionally, the Lord created beings destined to bring peace to this world and feed every human being. These beings are the nobility. Nobles assist priests in ensuring that the righteous teachings lead all toward enriched spirits; the Emperor being the foremost among them.”
The sound of footsteps echoed through the cathedral before coming to a halt.
“I, this old man, as a mere servant of the Lord, the one who exists as the last among all to step unto heaven, shall ask of you, a single human who kneels before me.”
“Before the Lord, I shall answer truthfully.”
“You have been designated by the Lord as the one to keep the peace on this continent and to feed every human being. Gilbert Livnoman, will you follow that purpose?”
“If it is what the Lord has designated.”
“Very well.”
At that moment, I felt a heavy sensation on my head.
“Gilbert Livnoman is now, at this instant, a noble and magnificent being designated by the Lord—Gilbert Eimanca Livnoman of Kfellofen. This is the Lord’s designation, and to deny the authority of the Emperor is to deny the Lord.”
As soon as those words concluded, I lifted my head. No longer merely a successor receiving the crown from the divine surrogate, but now an Emperor standing equal to the Pope.
However, as soon as I raised my head, I jerked back. Before me stood the former Emperor—no, the Sovereign.
“Your Majesty, your mission was to become the new Emperor, and the path for the new Emperor will not differ from the one you have walked.”
The Pope appeared somewhat surprised by the unexpected action of the Sovereign but continued calmly.
“As someone who led the way for the Emperor, how about offering him guidance?”
“I appreciate your consideration, Your Grace.”
An entirely different pressure weighed down my shoulders. It was utterly bewildering for the Sovereign, known for meticulous planning, to take such an unanticipated action.
To make matters worse, the Sovereign remained silent after thanking the Pope. Although it wasn’t a long silence, I couldn’t help but feel tense as the focus shifted to me.
“I…”
As sweat began to flow, the Sovereign finally opened his mouth.
“I have cast everything aside.”
Such an emphatic statement.
“I cast myself away for my mission. I sacrificed myself for the Imperial family and the Empire, for my subjects. That is the path I took and the fortress I built.”
His calm voice echoed within the cathedral.
“What will you do, then?”
And the voice that resonated began to stir my mind.
He declared that he had cast away everything. The Sovereign expressed his life that way.
‘Cast away.’
Yes, the Sovereign truly cast everything aside.
…That probably includes feelings and family too.
“I…”
Instinctively, I began to speak.
“I will cast nothing away.”
I pledged I would not live as he did. I will respect you as the Emperor, but I will not follow in your footsteps.
“…”
In response to that declaration, silence once again enveloped us.
The son, the one to succeed the Emperor, declared he would lead a life entirely contrary to that of his predecessor. I couldn’t help but ponder—what emotions might the Sovereign be feeling?
After a moment, the Sovereign placed a hand on my shoulder, still kneeling.
“That is the Empire you will lead.”
And faintly, yet surely, a smile appeared on the Sovereign’s face.
*
After the Crown Prince officially received the crown, the Crown Princess and the young Prince simultaneously became the Empress and the Crown Princess.
“Praise the new sun! Long live His Majesty Eimanca the 17th!”
“O Enen, Great Deity, bless the new emperor!”
Following the conclusion of the abdication ceremony, it was only natural that resounding cheers erupted. There was no more fitting a time for loud voices than the historical moment of a new emperor ascending the throne.
“Your Majesty, I offer my congratulations.”
Not long afterward, the dukes ascended to the dais. They came to worship the new Emperor on behalf of the Empire’s nobility.
Of course, the representative among the dukes was the Vice Captain, who had evolved from a father-in-law of the Crown Prince to his father-in-law as the Emperor. Quite the achievement, I must say.
“Seeing you all, who have your own shortcomings, brings me solace. I look forward to working together in the future.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As the Vice Captain bowed, the other dukes followed suit. It was a truly beautiful display of loyalty.
…That said, given the current atmosphere, why am I involved in the loyalty oath of the dukes?
Surely, I’m just a mere Count, even though I’m the Crown Princess’s guardian.
Damn you, new Emperor. Did you think you’d be safe from my internal curses just because you’re the Emperor?
‘Shit.’
Someone, please get me out of here…
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.