Chapter 541
One step, one day.

Another step, one year.

Then one step, ten years.

With every step Jin took toward the coronation hall, memories flooded back—not just recalled by his mind, but etched deep within his heart.

The devil’s whisper pressed close to his ear.

His mother’s touch, the one that had abandoned him.

The blood and tears that traced down his jaw.

And the vow he had whispered—to cut down anything for Bariel’s sake.

Screeeech.

Boom!

As the coronation hall doors swung open, a radiant light spilled forth, accompanied by a majestic melody. The nobles, tense and waiting, all turned their heads simultaneously to find their new emperor. Gasps escaped as they took in the long, flowing cloak.

“He’s so beautiful, truly.”

“Every chapter of Bariel’s history is woven into that cloak. It’s dazzling beyond words.”

The golden threads embroidered on the crimson fabric were so intricate and splendid, no human hand could have crafted them. From Bariel’s founding to the era of the previous emperor, every moment of history was densely stitched without a single gap. At a glance, it was impossible to tell whether the gold was woven into the red cloth or the red into the gold.

“The Prime Minister is succeeding immediately.”

“Next is Maxim Tweller, Minister of Imperial Defense. I thought it would be the Ministry of Magic—this is a surprise.”

“After the coronation comes the deployment ceremony. With war looming, it’s only right to elevate the Defense Ministry’s status over the Magic Ministry. The Magic Ministry moves by its very nature, but the Defense Ministry moves with the hearts of the empire’s people.”

“How I wish the Empress were here beside him.”

“I was just thinking the same.”

“Oh, don’t say that. There are many from the Davion family nearby.”

Behind Jin, the palace ministers entered in procession. The Prime Minister carried a small golden dagger, while the other ministers held golden candlesticks aflame with fire.

“Roel, look! There’s your brother!”

“…Yeah. I see him.”

Bibi spotted Ian and, overcome with emotion, grabbed Roel and shook him gently before whispering.

“Do you know what the dagger the Prime Minister holds means?”

“…No.”

“It means he will serve the Emperor closely, assisting him and sharing in governance. More than that, it’s a solemn vow to stake his very breath on speaking truth, right or wrong.”

“And the candlesticks?”

Roel looked down at Ian, asking quietly. It was unclear whether he was looking at Ian or watching Jin’s back as he walked ahead.

“The candlesticks symbolize the minister’s pledge to light the Emperor’s path with his very life. They’re also the light that connects the palace to the people—signaling that the Emperor is there, and I am here.”

Hmm. I see.

Their whispered conversation gradually faded beneath the palace orchestra’s music.

Meanwhile, Jin reached the dais. Before ascending the throne, he paused before a statue shaped like an angel—the messenger who, at Bariel’s founding, bridged the mortal and the divine.

“Holy water.”

At that moment, a minister approached with a vessel of holy water and bowed. Jin dipped his fingertips into the water, then reverently traced it across his forehead, beneath his eyes, and along his jaw. Before taking the throne, he wished to show the gods his final human form.

He knelt before the statue.

Softly.

“My name is Jin Verosion. A descendant blessed by the gods, heir to the bloodline of Bariel’s imperial family. I offer this prayer, and I ask the messenger to carry my voice fully to the heavens.”

The music ceased, and silence filled the hall. The only sound was Jin’s calm voice. Though it was barely more than a whisper, everyone present heard it clearly.

Bowing deeply, a drop of holy water slid down his chin.

“From this moment forward, I vow to become the father of all Bariel. The warm sunlight, the fresh leaves, the biting cold that pierces the heart, someone’s laughter and tears—everything that exists will bear my name.”

Crack!

The nobles raised a hand to their chests and gazed solemnly at the statue.

“Therefore, I humbly beseech that the blessings of the great empire, carried on for 1,111 years, continue into the future. May I be granted the grace to shape the empire as the gods desire. I swear it: if Bariel wills it, I will dedicate all my breath, blood, and fate. But if I am not wanted—”

Jin lifted his head and met the statue’s gaze. His eyes glistened as if tears had fallen from the holy water.

“Then strike me down here and now. If that is the will of the gods, and for Bariel’s sake, I will gladly die.”

The coronation prayer was an ancient tradition. Unless the emperor died on the spot, it was taken as a sign of divine approval.

Most knew it was largely ceremonial, but once ‘death’ was spoken before the gods, tension was inevitable. Because—

“For a thousand years, only two have died during the coronation prayer.”

Bibi whispered quietly into Roel’s ear, guessing he might not know since he grew up in the desert.

“I don’t remember their names exactly. They never ascended the throne. One was crushed by a chandelier in a political assassination, and the other died from poison disguised as holy water.”

Though their deaths were caused by humans, not gods, the impact was profound. They were recorded as those rejected by the divine, giving their opponents a chance to rise.

It was unlikely to happen now, but all the nobles watched Jin with bated breath, wary of any misstep.

Swish!

The curtains behind the statue were drawn aside, letting in a sharp beam of light. The statue’s shadow stretched long, its arm seeming to gently stroke Jin’s head.

The Prime Minister bowed deeply, and the ministers followed suit.

‘…The gods’ approval.’

Ian looked at Jin, who knelt before the statue, and saw himself reflected. Had he been like that on his own coronation day? Had the gods blessed him, their shadow reaching out to comfort him?

A sudden smile touched his lips as he recalled the god who had embraced him from the depths.

“Prime Minister.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will serve you with all my heart.”

Before ascending the throne, Jin pressed his cheek against those of his loyal ministers in greeting. The Prime Minister and Minister Maxim Tweller bowed carefully, then it was Ian’s turn.

“Your Majesty. Thank you.”

“It’s I who should say that, Sir Ian.”

No, truly, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Because you became emperor, my story has finally begun. Bariel will flourish beautifully along its destined path, and at its end, I will be there.

Your Majesty, I once envied you, realizing you were the one to leave a mark on history. Unlike me, whose fate would fade, your destiny seemed unshakably strong and whole.

But now I understand again: because you are strong, I can begin anew in the future. And witnessing that beginning is the greatest fortune I have.

They embraced silently, sharing that unspoken understanding.

Then, slowly, Jin finished greeting the other ministers and ascended the steps. His golden cloak rippled with each movement.

Swish—

“I, Jin Verosion, hereby declare my ascension as the 15th Emperor of the Great Empire Bariel.”

Jin sat on the throne, gripping the imperial sword at his side. All the ministers and nobles lowered themselves to the ground, overwhelmed with awe at the new emperor’s coronation.

Ding—ding—

From somewhere, bells rang out.

The empire’s citizens, gathered at the palace, cheered and clasped their hands. Thousands simultaneously knelt, celebrating the birth of their emperor.

“Jin Verosion, our Emperor!”

“Hooray! Congratulations, everyone! A new era begins!”

“Bariel! Bariel! Bariel!”

“May the gods’ blessings be with us!”

Ba-ri-el!

The dawn of the glory the gods cradle—

The heart of Gaia, turning golden when the rain falls—

Raise your heads high, and you will see—

The light above is Bariel’s beacon—

A hymn, its origins unknown, swelled louder and louder. Jin stepped outside the coronation hall and waved to the people, who showered him with flowers amid cheers.

Whoooosh—

Whoooosh—

Soon, the sound of water buffalo horns echoed in succession. Curious, people looked around and pointed skyward.

“Look! Look at that!”

“It’s a dragon!”

“Wow!”

Kyu-oo!

A red dragon soared powerfully into the sky, roaring as the crowd waved joyfully. At first, many thought it was a monster from the black moon, but hearing it was a gift from Luswena, their hearts swelled with delight—though they knew little of the details behind it.

“The new era of the Great Empire Bariel has begun.”

Ziiing. Ziiing.

Mages linked their magical devices to amplify Jin’s voice. The emperor’s message whispered into every ear. The people looked up at him, their eyes shining.

“As your emperor, I will strive for the empire’s prosperity and your safety. I will forever uphold Bariel’s glory. Anyone who tries to stop this will not be forgiven. They will atone with their blood, and Bariel’s dignity will be known far and wide.”

“Waaaaah!”

The crowd clenched their fists and cheered as the distant sound of marching soldiers began. Their steps were perfectly synchronized, carrying a solemn determination.

Clack! Clack!

“Vargos. Though we have long shared a border with Bariel, our neighboring nation, they have now lost their pride and turned on each other, even killing our Bariel envoys. I, Jin Verosion, cannot stand for this. Brave warriors of Bariel, advance on Vargos and show them what justice truly means.”

The imperial vanguard marched out from the palace gates. Dozens of white horses bore the Bariel banners as they led the way, and those who had never entered the palace before now erupted in cheers, blessing the soldiers on their campaign.

“Return safely!”

“Go and bring us victory! Victory!”

“Proud soldiers of Bariel! You are the heroes of the empire! Thank you!”

“Eirin! Eirin!”

From within the crowd, a man spotted a familiar face among the soldiers and called out repeatedly. Eirin, tense and focused straight ahead, barely turned her eyes to glance at him. It was the owner of the tavern where she had worked.

“Eirin! Take care of yourself out there!”

“…”

“Don’t die! Don’t get hurt!”

“…”

“When you come back, come to the tavern! Drinks are on me!”

She was no longer just a tavern worker—she was a soldier in the vanguard. She couldn’t even turn her head fully, so all she did was give a small wink and a faint smile.

Seeing that smile, the tavern owner parted the crowd with relief and nodded. Though the swelling crowd soon pushed him back and he couldn’t follow the march, he shouted one last time at the top of his lungs.

“Eirin! You’re a warrior of the empire! You’re amazing!”