Chapter 410. Proclamation Ceremony (5)
From what Alon had heard, the process of the proclamation ceremony wasn't very long.
In fact, there was no reason for it to be.
In the end, all Alon had to do was put on the prepared crown in front of those gathered in the center of the Inner City of the territory, and then read the declaration written by Silly and Alexion.
That would be the sequence that would end the ceremony.
In other words, compared to how grand and long-prepared it sounded, it was an event that ended quite quickly.
Like a wedding you prepare a whole year for that ends in barely three hours.
In any case, that was why Alon planned to conduct the proclamation ceremony as efficiently as possible.
From the start, he thought that making it extravagant and luxurious made no sense for an event that would only happen once.
And yet…
"Evan."
"Yes, My Lord Marquis."
"That… what the hell is that supposed to be?"
The gigantic structure in the central plaza of the town.
While he waited there for the parade, which would be the start of the proclamation ceremony, Alon looked out the window and asked.
"Deus and Silly worked hard to make it."
"…You knew about it?"
"No, I also saw it for the first time this morning."
At Evan's response, Alon looked at the statue and the crowd gathered around it.
He knew the territory was populated, but even so… were there this many people? The streets were completely packed.
…Except everyone was looking at the statue with such fascination that it seemed like they were there for the statue and not the parade. Alon wiped his face with a complicated expression.
Then Evan asked:
"What is the matter, My Lord?"
"…It's just that… this is difficult for various reasons."
"Which part?"
"Obviously that statue."
When Alon pointed at the statue, Evan tilted his head, confused.
"Is it not okay?"
"…Okay?"
"Yes. Is it not cool? Although, of course, since it has your face carved on it, it gives me a slightly… strange feeling from my point of view… but it is still cool."
"Are you serious?"
"Totally."
Even though Alon looked at him as if he had lost the ability to speak, Evan continued talking.
"How do you see it, My Lord?"
"If I am being honest…"
"Yes?"
"…It seems a bit ridiculous to me."
"Ridiculous?"
Alon nodded without saying anything.
Of course, he knew more or less how much effort Silly and Deus had put into building it.
But no matter how much he thought about it, for Alon, it was an extremely embarrassing statue in many ways.
After hearing what Alon really thought, Evan replied:
"Hmm… I still think it's cool."
"I think you are the only one."
Alon rebutted him immediately.
And at that moment—
Uuuuuung—
The statue, which had remained still until recently, raised its hand as if it had been waiting for that instant.
Ooooooh—!
A strange exclamation rose from the crowd.
And when the statue's arm finished rising…
The statue's blue eyes shone, and lightning shot out from the raised arm.
—Waaaaaaaaaahhh!
A deafening roar of cheers exploded.
The intensity of the reaction left Alon completely stunned.
"I think the only one who doesn't see it as cool is you, My Lord."
Evan smiled, clearly enjoying the situation.
'That… is cool?'
Isn't it simply childish?
Alon felt his aesthetic sense had just been destroyed.
But only for a moment.
"My Lord! Everything is ready!"
Silly, who hadn't shown her face until then, appeared suddenly and shouted. Alon stood up.
"Here, this is for you!"
Silly handed him a paper, which Alon took naturally.
"What is this?"
"The declaration."
"…I read it at the end?"
"Yes! First you ride in the carriage, do the parade, then enter the Inner City, put on the crown, and read the declaration. And with that, it ends!"
Alon nodded, and called out to Silly.
"Silly."
"Yes?"
"…Never mind."
He thought for a moment.
About whether or not to talk about the statue.
But he decided against it.
To him, it was embarrassing and ridiculous, but for the people, the reaction had been explosive.
So he tucked the declaration into his chest and left the structure.
He got into a carriage different from the one he normally used, so luxurious that it was evident just by looking at it.
And so the parade began.
"Ah, it started."
Shortly after, Penia approached Evan, who was watching the carriage advance toward the Inner City along the grand avenue.
"Where are you coming from?"
"Ah, I went to see the Magic Tower Lord for a moment."
"Did the Blue, Red, and Green Tower Masters come?"
"Yes."
Penia nodded, and both let out an exclamation.
Nothing strange, as the path Alon would pass through began to light up with golden crowns manifesting chaotically, adorning the streets.
"It's Rine."
"Yes, it seems so."
While the two admired that, a white light descended from the sky.
"That is Yutia."
"Yes."
Once again, it was easy to identify the origin.
Then, white hands emerged from the buildings and from the hands of the people in the street, waving energetically.
"Huh?"
Both were confused.
But before they could say anything—
Suddenly, two Sea Kings appeared near the Inner City, emitting a chilling shriek as they wrapped around the structure.
Then they bowed their heads toward Alon.
Penia and Evan stood petrified seeing them, when suddenly Historia, who was sitting on one of their heads, stood up and unsheathed a sword.
A sword much larger than herself.
Without hesitation, Historia aimed at the sky and slashed.
BOOM! The air exploded.
The clouds blocking the sun split in two.
The street fell into absolute silence.
And while Penia and Evan watched without saying a word—
"…Hey."
"Yes."
"This is… a kingdom proclamation ceremony, right?"
"…I think so?"
"It isn't… a birth ceremony of a Demon King or something like that…?"
"…I was thinking the same thing."
Both exchanged opinions in hushed voices.
And meanwhile, Alon, who saw everything from the carriage, squeezed his eyes shut.
'…I want to go home.'
He thought it, desperately.
Due to the absurdly exaggerated parade, Alon started to worry about what would come next.
But, surprisingly, after entering the Inner City, nothing else unexpected happened.
…Well, except that the sudden appearance of the Sea Kings caused the knights of Divine Land to make a demonstration of power with divinity, leaving Queen Torimavia, Palmarian, and many other important guests with their mouths open—completely forgetting their dignity.
But that was tolerable.
After the events of the morning, Alon considered it a minor problem.
Finally, after finishing the tempestuous coronation ceremony…
Alon, wearing a crown so shiny it seemed heavy just from the jewels, stood up.
With a sigh, he took out the declaration that was in his chest.
Reading it would mark the end of the proclamation.
Without hesitation, he held the document.
After seeing the cover, where it said: "Proclamation of the Kingdom of Palantia," he unfolded the paper and began to read.
"Inhabitants of the territory, and distinguished guests who will participate in the new era of the Kingdom of Palantia!
Here, in the heart of the Kingdom of Palantia, on this land built with the blood and sweat of our ancestors, I solemnly proclaim to you…"
After reading the first paragraph, Alon nodded slightly. It was calmer than he feared.
He moved to the next paragraph.
"Until now, the territory has remained in peace. That is due to my benevolent rule and the wise behavior of everyone under the governance of our noble guests. And that peace will continue. Of course—"
Upon reading up to there, he shut his mouth abruptly.
The reason:
The paragraph that followed said:
Of course, on the condition that everyone here obeys my will without objections…
'What?'
Alon's brain stopped for an instant.
He immediately started reading the rest rapidly.
'The new law of Palantia is very simple.
My word is law, and my glory is the glory of Palantia.
Those who engrave this in their hearts and swear loyalty to me will be my eternal comrades and true heroes of Palantia.
But those who dare to feel discontent toward my wise rule, or try to disturb this solid kingdom…
Will suffer very, very, very intense agony.
Their pain will turn into a scream, and their miserable end will be a valuable lesson for all.
So for the prosperity of Palantia and for your happiness, act with wisdom.
Let us build a glorious future together.
Entrust everything to my wisdom and benevolence.'
"Ah."
Reading that, Alon let out a sigh. Two things became clear:
First, the meaning of the declaration.
In summary: Do not rebel. If you do, you die.
Second, that reading this as is would cause serious problems.
Therefore—
"—Of course, as long as you listen to my wise counsel."
Alon softened the declaration to the maximum and continued.
"With this, I announce that the Kingdom of Palantia has taken its place on this continent."
When he finished the last sentence—
Waaaaaaaaaaah!
A thunderous ovation enveloped him.
Alon sighed in relief silently.
Right after the ceremony, the banquet began at the Palatio Mansion.
The hall was so large yet so full that there was barely any space. Alon let out a sigh… for a short time.
"You look very exhausted, Your Majesty."
Someone approached the throne where Alon was sitting.
"A bit tired, yes."
"You will have to get used to it. You are now the sky of a kingdom."
It was Queen Torimavia of Raksas.
She spoke with a smile full of benevolence.
"What did you think of our previous meeting?"
Alon understood immediately that she was referring to Serena Raksasia.
He didn't really have great impressions. Perhaps that she spoke with a tone that seemed half-brainwashed.
But he couldn't say that directly.
"She seemed like a good person to me."
It sounded like a compliment… but among nobles, it was a polite way to reject.
Torimavia let out a small "oh."
"What a pity. Did she perhaps commit some mistake…?"
"No, it isn't that. Do not worry."
Torimavia reflected for a moment.
"Perhaps… is there someone in your heart?"
She asked cautiously.
Alon hesitated.
'…I think there was the second princess, right?'
He didn't have anyone in particular.
But saying so could provoke Torimavia to ask him to meet with the second princess at least once.
Something he didn't want to provoke.
So, after thinking about it—
"Yes. Yes, there is someone."
He said it to save himself more trouble.
At that instant.
Crack.
Unlike the bustling atmosphere of the banquet…
The area around Alon, where people were chatting and laughing, fell silent.
Very, very silent.
