[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
Chapter 187
The throne of the empire, held for decades, had changed hands.
For such a momentous event as an abdication, it had all happened remarkably quickly.
The nobles who had begged the former emperor to reconsider his abdication immediately pledged their loyalty to the new emperor.
In response, the new emperor declared a sweeping amnesty to celebrate this festive day, reassuring neighboring nations who were worried about potential shifts in the empire’s diplomatic stance.
Significant political changes were anticipated, and indeed, some did occur.
Rumors circulated about changes in leadership for several marquisates and imperial counties in the coming year.
Additionally, the possibility of personnel changes was hinted at for the ministers who served as the emperor’s trusted advisors and enforcers.
However, these matters were overshadowed by a series of major events that unfolded following the new emperor’s ascension to the throne.
“May the light of the one and only Almighty be with the new Emperor of the Empire.”
The Pope himself had traveled from the Holy See to the capital to personally crown the emperor.
The task, traditionally performed by a high-ranking cardinal, was now carried out by the Pope himself.
This event sent shockwaves through the empire. Indeed, through the entire continent.
Although the church and the empire maintained a cooperative stance, their relationship was one of partnership, not subservience.
The church had never shown any inclination to defer to the empire.
Yet, this time, that precedent was broken.
The Pope himself attended the new emperor’s coronation and placed the crown upon his head!
Some speculated that this was a reward for political or financial concessions made by the empire to the church.
Others interpreted it as a sign of the church’s intention to strengthen its ties with the empire.
And the four young men who were to officially become marquises and counts next year—
“It’s Karl.”
“It’s you.”
“You’re the one.”
“It’s Karl.”
They exchanged smiles as they looked at their friend sitting before them.
* * *
At first, I thought I had misheard.
Maybe I was just tired from all the recent events.
But even so, this was an outrageous, unprecedented event.
“Brother Karl Adelheit, His Holiness the Pope has expressed his intention to personally attend the coronation ceremony.”
“…What?”
“Everything flows as the Light guides it, so you shouldn’t feel any burden. This is all Goddess’ will, so how could it not be a good thing?”
I immediately delved into the history of imperial coronations.
Has a Pope ever personally attended an emperor’s coronation since the first one?
No matter how amicable the relationship between the church and the empire was, this was unprecedented.
It was an unspoken rule that they would send representatives or delegates, but never the Pope himself.
Even during times of peace between the Empire and Lasker, neither the emperor nor the crown prince would attend the other’s coronation out of respect for their equal standing and to avoid any appearance of subservience.
This wasn’t a matter of pride or anything else. It was simply the way things were done.
But now, the Pope was going to make a grand entrance, leading his clergy.
The Empire’s reaction to this news?
Exactly the same as mine.
Why? Why is the Pope coming?
Of course, questions were questions, and the matter of how to politically and publicly leverage this was another issue altogether.
The new emperor’s coronation was immediately planned to be far grander and more magnificent than any before.
It wouldn’t be right for the scale to remain the same when the Pope himself was attending.
And so, my brother-in-law, or rather, His Majesty the Emperor, was crowned under the pledge of loyalty from the entire empire.
At the same time, my niece officially became the crown princess, solidifying her position as the next in line to the throne.
‘I guess I can’t call her ‘sister’ anymore.’
When she was in the Imperial Palace, she had more personal time, so I could still call her ‘sister.’
But that’s no longer the case.
Now, she’s not the crown princess but the Empress.
She’s the emperor’s consort and the crown princess’s mother. And I am a noble and subject of the empire.
My sister might be disappointed. But what can I do? It’ll only be possible on rare occasions now.
And that’s not important right now. What’s more important to me is—
“Why do you keep coming here? Aren’t you busy?”
These damn hydras who were snickering while watching the Pope suddenly appear at the emperor’s coronation ceremony!
“We’re busy. But we made time to come here.”
“Of course, of course. No matter how busy we are, what could be more important than meeting our dear Lord Karl Adelheit, who brought His Holiness the Pope all the way to the empire?”
“I’m seriously asking, have you been doing drugs lately?”
“Drugs… If work is a drug, then maybe we are.”
“I agree. Every time I work, I feel like I’m going crazy.”
…These guys. Cornering me like this with their words. Now I can’t even think of a comeback.
Hey, that’s hitting below the belt! How am I supposed to come back from that?!
“Anyway, thanks to you, Karl, another ‘first’ has been written in the empire’s history. The Pope’s appearance at His Majesty’s coronation ceremony. And he even personally blessed and crowned him!”
“Didn’t all the renowned artists of the empire flock to see it? They were saying they absolutely had to capture that scene in a painting or sculpture for all eternity.”
“Thanks to His Holiness’s personal visit, the believers across the continent are buzzing. It’s never happened before, so people are even talking about a ‘Holy Empire’ or something.”
Whoa there. Anything else is fine, but don’t put ‘Holy’ in front of ‘Empire.’
All the Holy Empires I know of turned out to be not so holy in the end.
“On top of that, Hyzens, Lasker, and Avileshti are all on edge.”
“Why those three all of a sudden?”
“It’s not sudden, it’s a natural progression. Our empire and the church have moved beyond a simple cooperative system to a partnership.”
The continent’s greatest power and the continent’s greatest moral authority have joined forces. What could possibly happen now?!
At Wilhelm’s words, I finally nodded in understanding.
Hmm. I guess my skills in analyzing political elements in detail are still lacking compared to these guys.
“The situation is getting quite interesting. And in response, His Majesty, immediately after abdicating the throne, announced his intention to visit the Holy See and then embark on a pilgrimage to holy sites, praying for the souls of the fallen who sacrificed themselves for the empire.”
“His Majesty… I mean, the Retired Emperor is definitely capable of such a thing.”
I’m even considering accompanying him when he goes south.
The place where I discovered the sacred relic is in the south, and my fallen comrades, whom the Retired Emperor will honor, are also resting there.
Ah, but let’s leave the heavy topics for now. I don’t want to ruin the mood.
“How’s the atmosphere at the academy these days? It must be quite chaotic.”
“You have no idea. Not just the students, but even the professors are having trouble focusing on their lectures.”
“That’s understandable. There was the coronation ceremony. It’s not like the empire changes rulers every year, and some people might never witness it in their lifetime.”
The academy has many commoner students and international students, but the majority are still from noble families.
That’s why they’re even more sensitive to political changes.
Especially since many of them will take over their family’s affairs or even become the head of the family after graduating from the academy.
As a result, the lectures have been lackluster lately, and the academy life feels somewhat subdued.
Normally, they would be busy discussing the autumn festival right after summer vacation, but this time, all they talk about is the new emperor, the Pope’s visit, and the crown princess’s recognition as the next in line to the throne.
We need to get back to our normal lives soon. I guess it’s inevitable when a new ruler ascends the throne.
“Oh, hey. Look at the time. We need to get going.”
“You’re right. Damn, this is bad. We were chatting for too long.”
“Idiots. You were just gossiping without a care in the world?”
“Ah! We miss the academy, what do you want us to do?!”
We miss the academy. Suddenly, those words sound strangely sad.
It hasn’t even been a year since the four of you graduated. And you’re already reminiscing about the past?
I chuckled, but I can’t help but understand their feelings, so I don’t know what to say.
“What? Why are you looking at us like that, Karl?”
“Just… I kind of understand you guys.”
“What does a guy who hasn’t even graduated understand?”
“Hey, you bastards! That’s not what I meant.”
These guys never give me a chance to get sentimental.
Get out of here! I refuse to talk to you guys with your lack of empathy!
* * *
“Your Majesty, I have come to pay my respects.”
The emperor chuckled as he looked at Miquella, who bowed her head respectfully.
The sibling with whom he had easily interacted as crown prince was now visibly uncomfortable in his presence.
“You’ve arrived.”
Until recently, she had been quietly fulfilling her duties in the military.
To avoid any potential influence on the succession or any rumors, she had kept a strict distance from politics. That’s why she chose the military.
But after the crown prince’s ascension to the throne, it seemed she intended to step down from the military as well, to avoid any unnecessary attention as the emperor’s sister.
“Let me say this upfront, Miquella. I see no problem with you continuing your service in the military.”
“I expected you to say that, Your Majesty. However, setting such a precedent could lead to unforeseen complications in the future.”
When the first in line to the throne ascends, the rest are expected to step back from their roles, whether in politics or the military. They avoid anything that could lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.
“Now that I have some free time, I plan to see the crown princess more often. I trust that’s alright?”
“Of course. The Crown Princess might feel hurt growing up without seeing her aunt even once just because she’s so busy, so make sure to spend time with her before that happens.”
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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