Chapter 303

Where Allen blackmails and the day of the Coronation Ceremony is upon us.

This chapter is dedicated to Polastax ! Thank you for your support and kind words!

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Episode 303. About One Month (3)

Capital / Noon on the day of the Coronation.

It was three hours before the coronation ceremony.

The roads were covered in mud following yesterday's torrential rain, but thanks to emergency repairs carried out in the Capital in preparation for the Coronation, it wasn't too difficult to travel by carriage.

As the Second Prince had hinted earlier, Allen was disguised as the Deputy-Head of the 'Deoran Trading Company'.

The 'Deoran Trading Company', which only existed on paper, was a front company the Second Prince used to disguise his identity. Since he had created it himself, the paperwork was flawless.

When Allen had traveled to the Provinces with the Chief Justice to meet the listed corrupt noble officials, he hadn't viewed the outcome of the matter optimistically. However, the Second Prince had clearly stated that the majority of those on the list would join them and, soon enough, that statement became a reality.

[The conditions are as I mentioned. The moment you cooperate, we will only address the crimes related to the corruption you’ve committed personally, Viscount. All charges related to your collusion with the Third Prince and Hans Button will be disregarded. Depending on the severity of the corruption charges, you may face confiscation of property and imprisonment. You may even have to step down from your position within the Palace, but your life will not be taken, nor will your family be held accountable.]

The conversation in question had occurred at Viscount MacLean's mansion, just before they returned to the Capital. The Viscount had displayed considerable audacity, choosing to accumulate wealth for some twenty years by treating the Emperor's lands as his own and levying taxes from the peasants.

He had bribed a land surveyor and paid the Ministry of Finance to turn a blind eye to the documents he submitted. Using this method, he had gradually carved up the Emperor's lands and had lived a life of luxury on the income of his corruption for many years, until Hans uncovered his scheme. Using this as leverage, Hans had demanded tribute, asking for the Viscount's youngest daughter to be sent to the Palace to be presented to the Third Prince. This gave the Third Prince the power to cast her, and the family, out on a whim.

[From what I've heard, you've lost over a third of your fortune after being caught in a trap set by Hans Button and the Third Prince. Not only that, but you've even lost your youngest daughter. And now you're saying that you intend to just sit by and watch?]

[It would be better to lose our fortune. Our youngest daughter might catch the Third Prince's eye... But if your plan goes awry, our entire family will be wiped out! Are you really making this proposal without realizing the consequences?]

At the Viscount's words, Allen's eyes had hardened. But in that moment, the Second Prince's words flashed through his mind.

[Surely, these people are considered useless at the moment. But does that mean we should cast them all aside? No. They are all subjects of the Ocerian Empire. We just need to open a path for them to live properly. The first step will be a talent development system to help them establish themselves. Next will be a tax system reform. We will redistribute taxes and focus on education and fair competition. After that, other policies will affect the Empire's citizens.]

Allen quickly composed his expression and offered a good-natured smile.

[Ah. I didn't mention it earlier, Viscount, I'm not offering you a choice right now. I merely came to inform you of your situation. If you sign the agreement, that will be the end of it. If you do not...]

The Viscount repeated Allen's words with a stiff expression.

[If I do not... sign?]

[I have received orders to place you under detention for your minor offenses and execute you by beheading for the more serious ones.]

Like the other corrupt nobles Allen had met before, the Viscount had immediately signed the agreement and was currently in the Capital, disguised as a member of the “Deoran Trading Company.” His knights were with him, of course.

A few days ago, immediately after Chris had announced that the coronation ceremony was the day of the final operation, Allen had begun making preparations.

First, he'd sent a letter stating that the Deoran Trading Company would donate political funds to the Palace, thus securing an invitation from the Third Prince.

However, on the day of the ceremony, only one quarter of the congratulatory delegation was permitted entry into the Palace. It was a sudden change and tightening of security, but was something he had fully anticipated.

Allen and the delegation entered the Palace dressed in their ceremonial garb.

Meanwhile, Andrei, the Prince of Ga'an, and his entourage, also in disguise, had entered a labyrinthine secret passage only known to the Emperor, while House Elias's knights waited at the Capital's training grounds.

Finally, the Emperor had returned from Tandra Forest the day before the Coronation and was now currently waiting in his bedchamber for the ceremony to begin.

***

Grand Ceremonial Hall / Afternoon.

Located in front of the Main Palace, the Grand Ceremonial Hall was where important Palace events were held, marking pivotal moments of the Imperial Family from cradle to the grave.

The Hall was the building closest to the Imperial Palace Plaza. On auspicious days, its front windows were thrown wide open, and they stayed closed on inauspicious ones.

Since today was a Coronation day, it was considered auspicious.

Furthermore, when events were held in the Ceremonial Hall, the Plaza was opened so that citizens could participate in the celebrations, even from afar. In keeping with this tradition, people began trying to arrive at the Plaza one after another, but due to a sudden order issued that very day, the Plaza stayed closed off to the public.

When entry to the Ceremonial Hall was denied even to those who presented invitations, the people waiting to enter began whispering among themselves.

Watching the Consul stationed at the entrance of the Ceremonial Hall scrutinize each invitation and person with a wide grin on his face, the guests whispered to one another under their breaths.

"Just look at that nobody calling himself Consul... I've heard the number of powerful nobles who have already curried favor with him is tremendous."

"Keep your voice down. He's the one in power now. Even if it's unfair, we have no choice but to follow..."

"I never thought I'd live to see the day... Is this how the Amure Imperial Family falls?"

With the old noble’s words, the murmuring of the crowd fell silent. Instead, a sense of tension was slowly building among the long line of people waiting to enter.

Having already entered the Ceremonial Hall, Tara blended in with the crowd and tried to observe the situation as quietly as possible. However, perhaps due to her flashy attire, she could not help but be met with furtive glances.

***

The ceremony began.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

“His Majesty Emperor Louis Amure, Sun of the Empire and current Emperor.”

At the resounding voice of the Palace Steward, the people gathered in the VIP sections on both sides of the Ceremonial Hall rose from their seats in unison, kneeled, and bowed their heads in respectful deference.

The doors to the somewhat dim hall, which had been closed, swung open, and light poured in all at once, momentarily blinding the crowd. Through the opening, eight burly attendants entered, carrying a massive palanquin on their shoulders.

Five members of the Imperial Guard, tasked with the Emperor’s protection, followed behind them and, among them, I spotted Bernard.

Bernard, who had been scanning his surroundings as he walked, glanced past me but then, startled, fixed his gaze on me again.

I shrugged my shoulders as if to say it couldn’t be helped and mouthed the words, “It’s okay.” Bernard’s jaw clenched tightly. Then, his eyes intensely urged me to be careful.

The palanquin was covered on all four sides with translucent white cloth. People speculated that the Emperor, who was paralyzed on one side, had traveled in such a way to conceal his appearance.

Though the crowd gasped with surprise and pity, they couldn't help but glance sideways to get a better look at the Emperor inside his palanquin, knowing this was a historic event.

‘The Emperor could die at any moment. And he's paralyzed on one side. I can't turn away from this.'

‘This might be Emperor Louis's last moments - I need to commit this to memory.'

‘Tsk, tsk. To think the crown would be handed over so meekly, and to the Third Prince of all people - something unimaginable just a year ago. I'd better take a good, clear look at the paralyzed Emperor with my own eyes...hehe.'

This was the general mindset of the nobles as they watched the ailing Emperor's palanquin as if it were a distant fire.

Whether aware of this, oblivious to it, or perhaps doing it on purpose, the palanquin moved very slowly toward the platform ahead.

At the very top, only one step below the massive Imperial Throne, Third Prince Joseph stood alone, while three steps below him, the Empress and the court officials sat in a line.

It had been Joseph's decision to have the Empress seated alongside the court officials, and since the First Prince's life hung by a mere word from Joseph, the Empress suppressed her feelings of humiliation.

The Third Prince, dressed in a splendid golden ceremonial robe, greeted the palanquin and slowly descended two steps with that familiar gentle smile. As he did, he quickly whispered to Hans, who was standing right beside him.

"Did you really have to deploy the guards to this extent? What is this? They look on edge!"

"Just a little... hehe. Please bear with it. It's just a precaution against any unforeseen circumstances... hehe."

True to his word, fully armed guards were stationed all around, except for the hall's entrance and the dais. It was as if the guests invited to the ceremony had become enemies.

The Duke of Toulouse whispered from behind him.

"Although the Consul has deployed an excessive number of guards, it never hurts to be prepared. The theory that the Second Prince is still alive is also plausible."

"... Damn it. If he doesn't show up today, Consul, you will have some serious explanation to do."

Slightly softened by the Duke's words, the Third Prince gritted his teeth while giving his final warning. Then, he immediately broke into a broad smile. The Emperor's palanquin was right in front of him.

"In accordance with His Majesty the current Emperor, Louis Amure's will, we will now proceed with his official abdication and subsequent coronation of His Highness Third Prince Joseph, who will next bear the weight of the crown."

The palanquin came to a halt behind the throne on the platform, and the newly appointed Chief Justice approached Joseph, the Third Prince and Acting Regent, holding the velvet cushion bearing the Imperial Crown with both hands.

This was followed by a long recitation of the current Emperor's achievements. The Song of Glory rang throughout the hall. Finally, congratulatory messages from various diplomatic delegations were presented.

Once again, the current Emperor's achievements were honored. Only the final ritual remained, with the Emperor himself placing the Imperial Crown upon the Third Prince's head.

Everyone held their breaths in anticipation of finally seeing the half-paralyzed Emperor, and the crowd stared intently at the Palace Steward's figure as he headed towards the palanquin.

But sadly, the Emperor did not emerge from it. Instead, his voice rang out for the first time since he had entered the hall.

“...... Act... as... regent.”

“......!”

It was a small, feeble voice, but it was unmistakably the Emperor’s.

Gasps echoed throughout the hall, followed by sighs of regret. It seemed the situation was more dire than expected.

As the Duke of Toulouse nodded, Hans climbed the steps and stood before the throne, while the Chief Justice knelt on one knee on the steps directly below the Third Prince.

With everyone watching in hushed silence, the Chief Justice stretched out both hands and held the Imperial Crown high.

Then, Consul Hans Button, standing beside the Third Prince, reached out to take the Imperial Crown, but before he could, the Third Prince picked it up himself.

Momentarily taken aback, Hans quickly hid his furrowed brow and stepped back.

"Good Heavens... He's going to crown himself!"

“Has there ever been a case like this before?”

“Well, this whole situation is rather sudden, after all. Since the current Emperor is unwell so… Hmm.”

Whatever their true thoughts might be, the crowd was startled by the scene, but true to their noble bearing, made a concerted effort to keep their composure.

"To Prince Joseph Amure! A legitimate heir of the Amure Family who has fought head-on against threats towards the Empire and the Imperial Palace in these trying times and emerged victorious! The nobility, citizenry of the Empire, and Emperor Louis Amure hereby transfer the authority to rule the Ocerian Empire to him. Let the Third Prince receive the Imperial Crown!"

The Steward’s booming voice echoed through the Ceremonial Hall as the Third Prince raised the Imperial Crown and slowly lowered it towards his head.

In that moment, with everyone holding their breath, just as the Third Prince was about to place the crown upon his head, a sudden roar-like shout erupted from within the crowd.

“The Second Prince’s treason is a lie! There was no treason!”

Editor's Note -

Things are ramping up! The climax is upon us! Now let's see how each villain is going to get their comeuppance!

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