Early morning at the Imperial Palace.
The Crown Prince sat in front of a mirror, quietly looking at himself.
The attendants rushed around him, applying makeup.
Of course, the attendant who had come yesterday was currently under restraint due to suspicion of poisoning the Emperor.
“A letter arrived from the Papal Palace.”
“Read it.”
“It conveys condolences to Your Highness the Crown Prince. His Majesty Gustav has illuminated the glory of the Empire—”
“Skip to the part after the lengthy condolences.”
“······I will take out Your Highness’s imperial crown. Preparations for the coronation will be made, so please let me know the desired date—”
“That’s enough.”
Annoyed, the Crown Prince ordered the letter to be taken away.
He had indeed proclaimed that the coronation would be held today.
Somehow, the people around him were unable to grasp what he said.
“Is the imperial crown ready?”
“Yes, Your Highness. It was completed after working overnight.”
Traditionally, the imperial crown was prepared by the Papal Palace and presented during the coronation.
In line with this custom, there had been a crown made in advance for the Crown Prince.
However, the Crown Prince decided to wear one made directly by the royal house instead.
Although it was hastily made and not particularly splendid, with fewer jewels embedded, it didn’t matter to him.
“Is the Pope still too heavy to budge?”
“Yes. There’s been no news of him departing from the Papal Palace.”
It seemed the Pope still looked forward to coming to the Papal Palace for the coronation.
But that was not going to happen.
There would be no coronation this time.
The Crown Prince intended to wear the crown himself, rather than receiving it from the representative of the gods.
The schedule had been set so hastily for that reason.
If he delayed, it was obvious the Pope, unable to endure the displeasure, would come to personally interfere with the coronation.
It was a well-known tale that the proud Pope would never act in haste.
“I wonder how much the Pope will spasm again. Hehehe.”
“Your Highness······. Please keep such thoughts to yourself······.”
Once, the Pope wielded more power than the Emperor, it was said.
But Gustav, who had undermined the Pope’s power throughout his life, ended up converting the papal fief into a duchy.
Though it didn’t inflict a serious blow to the Pope’s authority, it made the papal territory no longer an autonomous region, and all governance of that land fell into the hands of the Duke.
However, Gustav ultimately could not completely root out the Pope’s interference in the royal family before his death.
Or rather, he died at the hands of his own decisions.
Therefore, to take responsibility, he had to carry on Gustav’s will.
“Your Highness. What you’re wearing now is for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, and this is the outfit for the coronation.”
“Can’t we just unify them into one?”
“That would be problematic. Even now, shortening the schedule has led to much discontent among the attendants····….”
It was indeed compressed, compressed, and further compressed.
To have the Coming-of-Age Ceremony and the coronation just two days after the Emperor’s passing was quite a shortcut.
To fit both ceremonies into one day, they decided to skip the Coronation of the Crown Princess altogether.
This was already unprecedented, as it was being done all while postponing the late Emperor’s funeral.
“It’s about time I should get up.”
“Oh, Your Highness. The makeup isn’t finished yet—”
“Too much. This is just right.”
Fed up, the Crown Prince stood up.
He was itching to get on with it.
At this point, it seemed more than completed.
And just as he flung the door open.
“Are you heading to the ceremony, Your Highness?”
“······.”
A tall man stood blocking his way.
Schlus Hainkel.
The Emperor’s direct knight.
It was standard practice to have the Imperial Sword accompany him during such events.
However, the Crown Prince intentionally chose to have Schlus Hainkel by his side.
“Well······.”
“However, Your Highness, it seems the makeup is still not quite finished.”
“Is it that awkward? I thought it was sufficient.”
“Yes, it is awkward. I wish you had listened a little more to the attendants.”
“You little······.”
Grumbling, the Crown Prince left the room again.
Now that he looked again, the makeup did seem rather unnatural.
He sat back in front of the mirror with a displeased expression, crossing his arms.
“Continue.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The makeup continued for some time.
He was itching like crazy but endured it, and at last, the Crown Prince could step out again.
“How is it? Speak honestly. Do you think it’s too much?”
“It’s not excessive. You look beautiful.”
“Hmm······. Stay close and guard me.”
“Understood.”
As Schlus Hainkel’s relentless gaze fell upon him, the Crown Prince turned his head.
Thank goodness the makeup was thick.
The changes in his complexion wouldn’t be easily visible.
Schlus Hainkel moved slightly ahead as they walked toward the ceremony.
There was no trace of hesitation or fear in his steps.
Though it was a role assigned unexpectedly, he accepted it without any hesitation.
That ease stemmed from somewhere special, no doubt.
He had certainly been anticipating and waiting for this moment.
It was Schlus Hainkel who originally drew such a picture.
“You got your wish after all. How does it feel?”
“······.”
In front of the doors to the hall where the Coming-of-Age Ceremony would be held, amidst the ruckus from within, Schlus Hainkel fell silent at the Crown Prince’s question.
“Answer me.”
“May I speak honestly?”
“Then were you planning to lie?”
“No······.”
“Speak quickly.”
“If I express my feelings, I am very nervous.”
That was an unexpected response.
This guy could actually feel nervous?
He, who spoke of the fact that the Emperor killed his father with an indifferent face, was now nervous about what would happen next.
“That’s a rather funny joke.”
“It’s not a joke. I am nervous about what will happen from now on.”
“What will happen from now? Your trials are over now. What is it that scares you?”
It was already a confirmed fact that the royal family would actively employ Schlus Hainkel once the Crown Prince ascended to the throne.
Though it had not been stated officially, just having him by his side instead of the Imperial Sword openly declared trust in him.
What was he still afraid of after skyrocketing from commoner to such heights?
“The challenges ahead are critical. This goes for me, the Empire, and the continent alike.”
“Explain in detail about these challenges.”
“It will take quite a while. I’ll tell you later.”
“You madman······.”
Completely turning his back, Schlus Hainkel refused to look back.
Though he was sending infinite trust this way, he responded in such a manner.
Had it been according to the Crown Prince’s temperament, some time ago, he would have already thrown him into the basement torture chamber.
But he couldn’t kill Schlus Hainkel.
Despite his rudeness, he had never uttered a lie.
The late Emperor thought Schlus was hiding everything.
But the Crown Prince had no intention of making such a mistake.
Why would he cut open the belly of the goose laying golden eggs?
“Are you ready?”
“Yes. Now speak freely.”
*SCREEECH…*
As the soldiers and Schlus pushed the door with all their might, the large door began to move.
Finally, the vast scenery of the hall was revealed.
Numerous nobles had gathered and were focusing their gazes here.
The noisy chatter that had just been heard had completely died down.
As soon as the nobles knelt on one knee in respect for the Crown Prince, he walked confidently past them.
However, at that moment, he was blocked by a group.
“Your Highness. Will you rethink your decision even now?”
“To digest two ceremonies is indeed out of the question. We can send off the late Emperor first and then proceed slowly with the Coming-of-Age Ceremony and the coronation.”
“Isn’t it better to use the splendid crown prepared by the Papal Palace instead of that ugly imperial crown—”
“Silence! Clear the way at once.”
“······.”
Standing in the way were the officials.
Despite the Crown Prince’s reprimand, they showed no intention of stepping aside.
“Goddamn past ghosts.”
They were those who felt discomfort in excluding the Papal Palace from politics.
They were old-timers who couldn’t switch out the familiar for the new, suffering from indigestion.
The fact that heretical teachings had spread through the Empire was largely due to the Church’s incompetence, yet they still insisted on waiting for the Pope to arrive.
“Make way. If not, I’ll strip you of your posts.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“You’re welcome to do it.”
“······.”
These were people who wouldn’t be swayed by threats.
The position of an official was not something easily exchanged.
Strictly speaking, changing them is easy.
The issue lies whether the newly appointed official can handle their duties competently.
That’s why even in the Holy Empire of Freya, officials wield considerable power, often using strikes as leverage.
“Your Highness. You may strip them of their posts. I know better candidates than these.”
“W-what······!”
“What did you just say, Schlus Hainkel!”
The officials’ eyes widened.
How dare a mere knight discuss politics and personnel matters of the officials?
They had crossed a line far too many times.
The officials, who had awaited the Crown Prince’s reprimand—
“Fine. Take these people away at once.”
“I shall do so.”
“Ughhhh?!”
Suddenly being seized with force, their bodies moved involuntarily.
In an instant, the officials shifted aside and knelt on both knees.
Beneath the immense weight pinning them down, Schlus Hainkel and the Crown Prince passed through.
The nobles, who witnessed the scene, trembled.
It was confidential that Schlus Hainkel had deflected an Annihilation Cannon, yet that story had already spread openly among the nobles.
Now, with the Crown Prince as his protector, Schlus Hainkel was wielding that tremendous power freely.
“Are you ready, Your Highness?”
“Yes.”
The holy water was prepared in a bowl.
Before it stood the bishop overseeing the institution, solemnly.
As the Coming-of-Age Ceremony was a religious affair, it was impossible to completely uproot religion from it.
However, the significance of standing before a bishop of lower rank, not the Pope or a cardinal, was crucial.
“I will now perform the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.”
At the bishop’s words, the nobles rose again.
As everyone watched, the bishop stood before the Crown Prince, closed his eyes, dipped his hand into the holy water, and made the sign of the cross.
Likewise, the Crown Prince dipped his hand into the holy water and made the sign of the cross.
“Under the blessing of the Holy Aigis, a believer and a maiden, who will lead the nation, has come of age. You have reached an age where you can fully possess all the rights of royalty. I bless your future and bestow upon you a name.”
A Crown Prince or Princess receives their name only upon coming of age.
Until then, they are referred to by aliases or titles, finally gaining their proper name.
How that name is determined remains a mystery to all.
Whether it’s decidido by the Papal Palace or the bishop, no one knows for sure.
Even if the Emperor ordered them to reveal it, the clergy would remain silent.
Thus, it was the first time for the Crown Prince to hear his actual name.
“Your name is Aria.”
Aria.
It was a name that sounded vaguely familiar.
The Crown Prince, Aria, turned in surprise.
There, with still empty eyes, stood Schlus Hainkel.
Looking into those eyes, Aria felt all questions resolve.
‘It’s no wonder, it was the one that Holy Aigis had arranged for······!’
A seer.
Or perhaps one who came from the future.
Thinking that way explained everything.
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