Chapter 678

“A coronation ceremony?” Raon’s fingers trembled as he looked into Hopen’s blue eyes. “Does that mean that everyone is gathered here for the…”

“Yes, they are preparing for my coronation ceremony.” Hopen showed a small, embarrassed smile.

“I see.”

Raon had been curious about why so many people were gathered in the garden, and now he understood. All of the executives gathered in the garden must’ve been preparing for Hopen’s coronation ceremony.

“There are many matters that should’ve taken priority over the coronation ceremony, but…”

Hopen shifted his gaze to the outside of the garden. He sighed deeply, gaze skimming over the kingdom that had yet to be restored.

“Because the kingdom took such a huge amount of damage, they said that filling the empty spot of the king takes priority. That’s why we’re having the coronation ceremony today.”

“I insisted.” Saintess Olga nodded with her arms crossed. She had gained another tattoo while he hadn’t seen her. “We need a trustworthy leader to appease people’s anxiety.”

“It wasn’t just you. Everyone agreed.” Sir Kinnear shook his hand toward Olga. “Since he carried out a paladin’s job excellently in my stead during this incident, Hopen even has the support of the holy knights and priests, not just the people.” He smiled, saying that Hopen’s reputation had risen at once.

“Actually, we have another thing that we need to tell you, Sir Raon.” Hopen bit his lip, sighing heavily.

“I’m listening.” Raon lowered his chin slightly, noticing what Hopen was about to talk about.

“It’s about my father.” Hopen lowered his eyes, disheveling his neat hair.

“We've announced that my father, Father Firn, and Sir Danief were controlled by an incredibly powerful demon. The entire kingdom would likely collapse if the truth about them joining forces with demons to sacrifice the people were to spread." He hung his head in shame. “We’re so sorry…”

“…There was no other way.”

“I’m sorry.”

Olga and Kinnear also looked at the ground in addition to Hopen.

“No, I also believe that it was the right thing to do.” Raon calmly nodded.

‘It can’t be helped.’

Since King Baorn, Firn, who was the pontiff’s proxy, and the royal guard captain, Danief, were the biggest pillars of Schper, it was a lot better for the sake of the kingdom’s future to announce that it was a demon’s scheme rather than them joining hands with demons.

If the truth about the king personally bringing demons into the land were to spread, the kingdom wouldn’t be able to remain a holy kingdom anymore.

Cough…

Raon shifted his gaze towards Wrath, who was still letting out dry coughs.

‘Why are you being quiet now?’

Wrath was being strangely quiet even though he should’ve started rampaging, telling them to stop laughing at demons.

That’s the right thing to do to maintain the kingdom. Moreover, we are also at fault since we scammed them with a contract.

‘But everyone in this kingdom is going to despise the demons as a result.’

Cough. It’s fine.

Wrath calmly nodded while coughing in pain.

We are used to being villains.

‘......’

Raon noticed that something was wrong upon hearing that.

‘God and celestials…’

He had a feeling that God, celestials, demons, and demon kings were a lot different from the concept in his knowledge.

“......”

“Sir Raon.” While Raon was stroking his beardless chin, Hopen took a step towards him. “Can we request that you bestow the crown upon me?”

“Isn’t the bestower supposed to be the one holding the highest position in the kingdom? Why would I…?”

Raon leaned backward slightly upon seeing Hopen’s passionate eyes.

“Because I… or rather, everyone, owes their salvation to you, Sir Raon." Hopen put his hands together in front of him.

“It was you who stopped my father, who was covering himself in demonic energy, and also you who defeated the demon named Sil’Kreth who’d appeared afterward. No one else could even dare to face them, but you were the only one wielding your sword to fight against them. This kingdom would’ve already disappeared if it weren’t for that.”

He lowered his head again, his eyes revealing his gratitude. “If you are the one to do this, I feel like I'll be able to walk this path with the same determination as you.”

Hopen’s back was trembling faintly as he bowed. He seemed to be afraid of his future as the king, rather than looking forward to it.

“There’s another reason besides that.” Olga raised her finger. “You have an unimaginable reputation right now in Schper.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Many witnessed it when you defeated the demon. The demon that toyed with the king, the pontiff’s proxy, and the royal guard captain knelt in front of a young and handsome swordsman. Don’t you think it’s only natural that there’d be a huge ruckus?” She shrugged her shoulders, saying that it was a natural outcome.

“It’s unfortunately true.” Kinnear nodded. “The great deed you accomplished is being spread to the entire continent, not just this kingdom. You’ll be quite suitable for the position since you even match up to me in appearance.” He smiled, weakly flicking his hair.

“Cut the crap already.”

Olga and Martha furrowed their brows deeply, telling him to stop with the nonsense.

“You’re fucking ugly.”

“The only similarity you have with Raon is that you have two eyes, one nose, and a mouth.”

They’d been on bad terms this whole time, but they glared at Kinnear at the same time with killing gazes.

“No one looks similar to the damn handsome Raon.” Runaan also glared sideways with her blank eyes, displeased by his statement.

“Uah…” Kinnear flinched and stepped backward, implying that it seriously hurt his feelings.

“Please.” Hopen lowered his head once again, asking him to bestow the crown upon him for his sake and the sake of the kingdom.

“Hmm…” Raon looked back instead of answering right away.

“There’s no reason to hesitate.” Rimmer nodded, implying that he should accept it.

“It might feel like a lot of pressure, but I believe it’d be best to accept it for the sake of the Holy Kingdom of Schper.”

“It will be helpful for both parties.”

Burren and Mark Goetten advised him to accept it, saying that it was a good thing.

“I’ll do it.” Raon calmly nodded his head.

“Thank you.” Hopen smiled brightly while raising his head. “Prepare for the coronation ceremony, everyone!”

He ordered the coronation ceremony to start right away, as if he wanted to get it done before Raon changed his mind. Since the preparations were almost done already, the garden was soon filled with executives and countless people gathered in the capital.

Mysteriously, the people weren’t simply shouting the new king’s name but also Raon’s name at the same time.

“Hmm…” Raon touched his earlobe while listening to his name coming from the capital.

‘This is embarrassing.’

The fact that his name was resounding even louder than Hopen’s, who was being crowned as the king, made him feel more pressured than happy. However, he resolved to participate in the coronation seriously in order to relieve people’s worries.

Since the kingdom wasn’t fully restored yet, the ceremony was kept simple. They prayed to God under the name of the new king and comforted the deceased, then immediately proceeded to the crown’s bestowal.

“Please come onto the platform, Light Wind Division leader,” the master of ceremonies declared.

Raon went onto the golden platform that only the king should’ve been allowed to stand on. His name resounded countless times in the capital.

“......”

Olga was standing next to him, carrying the crown with the demeanor of a quiet saintess instead of her usual ferocious gaze.

“Holy King, please kneel in front of the bestower.”

Hopen fell on one knee in front of Raon with an excited expression on his face.

Hahk! The bestower is supposed to give a short bit of advice when you place the crown.

Wrath licked his lips. He looked like he was thinking about a memory in the past.

Whatever is fine, so just say something!

‘I know.’

Raon nodded and took the crown that Olga had brought to him with his fingers. The crown was light but felt heavy. Thinking that he was about to bestow the crown on the king of a different kingdom made a huge weight pressed down upon his fingers.

He thought about King Baorn while bringing the crown above Hopen’s head. Since he used to be an extremely virtuous person, Raon came to think that he probably needed someone to open his heart and confess all his pain.

“Contemplating and enduring the pain on your own doesn’t make you a strong person. There are many good people around you. Share your pain with them and talk to them about your sadness. The king is truly strong only when they can withstand it until the very end."

Raon wasn’t just thinking about the previous incident. He was also reflecting on his life as he put the crown on Hopen’s head.

“I’ll bear it in mind,” Hopen answered while lowering his head, feeling the heaviness of the crown.

Raon bowed to the new king before descending from the platform, and Hopen bowed back before heading onto the platform.

“Actually, I’m not an amazing person who is suitable for this position. I’m weak and inexperienced. However, I love this country more than anyone else. Even if I can’t make Schper into a rich and powerful country, I pledge to God that I’ll make it into the most livable kingdom in the world.”

Hopen knelt towards the people from under the platform. The setting sun dwelling upon the white crown spread its dazzling radiance. It almost looked like God was blessing the ascent of a new king.

Whoaaa!

The executives and capital citizens standing in the garden sent a round of applause and cheers. They should’ve only been calling Hopen’s name, but a large portion of them were also shouting Raon’s name at the same time.

Guh…

Wrath ground his teeth in displeasure.

‘What’s wrong now?’

They should be calling the King of Essence’s name, not yours!

He shook his plump fist while looking down at the capital.

The King of Essence worked so hard to avoid getting them killed! The King of Essence wants to be praised, too!

‘Then I’ll call your name instead.’

Haah?

‘Wrath. Wrath. Wrath.’

Raon called Wrath’s name with a dispirited voice.

You are better off not doing it! This is as depressing as a rag under the rain!

Wrath shook his head, pleading with him to shut his mouth.

‘Wrath. Wrath. Wrath.’

Shut up already!

Wrath shook his hand, telling him to shut up.

“Since I’ve become the king, I shall issue my first command.” Hopen nodded while gazing down upon the capital. “Everyone should be busy, but we can’t let the coronation ceremony end like this. After all, it’s pretty much the biggest festival we have.”

He put his hands together and a snow-white radiance floated into the sky like starlight.

“We’ve prepared a small banquet. I hope everyone will enjoy it.”

Hopen declared it to be a festival, and another round of loud cheers erupted from the capital.

He is a man of culture.

Wrath smiled, showing his favorable impression for the first time.

That's enough with calling the name. Just eat the food that the King of Essence will ask for.

‘Alright, alright. But before then…’ Raon smiled faintly while looking at the steaming dishes. ‘I’d like to experiment a little. Is there any Nadine bread around?’

What did you say, you crazy bastard?

Despite Wrath's concerns, every dish laid out in the garden was a splendid creation of supreme taste.

Wow…

As a result, Wrath kept exclaiming as if his soul were leaving his body whenever he ate something.

This is the joy of human life! It was worth saving them!

He smiled cheerfully, saying that it was happiness.

Try that out next. Cough!

Wrath kept pointing at another dish despite his coughs.

“Haa…”

Raon sighed and popped the roasted shrimp that Wrath was pointing at into his mouth. His stomach was already full, making it even more uncomfortable, but he couldn’t stop eating because of Wrath.

Bring that roasted beef next!

‘I’m already full though. It looks like Gluttony is full, too…’

Cough! Ghak!

Wrath started to cough instead of arguing with him. Raon felt like he was just taking advantage of his sickness, but he had to grant his request because he couldn’t inspect cotton candy.

‘Aww…’

Raon shook his head, then chewed and swallowed the bone-roasted beef.

Wow!

Wrath exclaimed.

The meat is tender, yet it’s extremely juicy! This is the taste! Chef! Bring the chef! The King of Essence shall personally compliment them!

He smiled brightly while licking his lips deeply.

‘I really can’t eat anymore…’

Raon sighed while rubbing his stomach, but…

[You’ve completely filled your hunger.]

[The trait Gluttony has activated.]

[The reward is drastically increased for the first activation.]

[All stats have increased by 1.]

[Soul level has increased.]

[While satiation is maintained, stamina and physical regeneration are increased sixfold.]

Messages appeared one after the other, announcing the results of Gluttony’s activation.

Huh…?

‘Wow!’

Raon was the one who exclaimed deeply this time.

‘This is the taste! This is the joy of human life!’

Wh-what the hell is that first activation?! Are you even making shit up now to give him more stuff because just giving away wasn’t enough?!

Wrath yelled at the messages, dumbfounded by the situation.

‘Thank you, Wrath.’ Raon chuckled while looking at Wrath. ‘I thought I was already full, but that wasn’t the case.’

He’d thought that he was already full and Gluttony was active, but he was mistaken. Eating until he was on the verge of bursting was the requirement for activating Gluttony.

Raon had learned another lesson thanks to Wrath. He truly was the giving doormat.

Shut up already! Cough! Ghak!

Wrath had been smiling happily until a moment ago, but he started coughing nonstop.

Raon smiled while watching Wrath’s protruding mouth.

“Sir Raon.” Hopen came up to him and handed over the glass that he was holding. “It looks like the dishes were to your liking.”

“Yes, all of them were delicious.”

“Actually, I didn’t expect you to be such a gourmand, Sir Raon.” He expressed his amazement, looking at the plates piled up on the table. “Now that I’ve seen this, I can finally understand that rumor about you eating all the bead ice cream.”

“Ah, about that…”

Raon glared at Wrath and rubbed the back of his head. It was embarrassing, but he couldn’t bring himself to say that he wasn’t the one who ate them.

“I’m just kidding.”

Hopen shook his head with a faint smile on his face. He licked his lips, gazing upon the capital’s citizens, who were eliminating the darkness with their smiles and passion.

“I never knew that the crown was so heavy. I might have been able to save my father if I had known about this weight a bit earlier…”

“Matters of the past should be left in the past. The only thing that should be taken from the past is self-reflection.”

Raon stated while looking at Hopen’s shoulders, which seemed to have gotten narrower than before.

“Since your majesty has a clear view of things, you should be able to tell right and wrong apart even when countless people are communicating with you. You can talk to me as well if you have a serious concern. I’ll think about it with you, as the one who bestowed the crown upon you.”

“Thank you. However…” Hopen calmly shook his head, looking into Raon’s serious eyes. “We are the ones who should be helping you.”

He extended his hand and held Raon’s shoulder. “The Holy Kingdom of Schper and I will stand with Sir Raon and the Light Wind Division, no matter when or for what reason you call for our help.”

Hopen put his hands together in prayer, saying that it was the first pledge he was making as the new king.

“You don’t need to go that far…”

“It’s all thanks to you that I can be standing here right now, and that the people can enjoy the festival with smiles on their faces.” He lowered his head slightly, asking him to accept the pledge.

“It goes without saying. Thank you.”

Raon lifted Hopen with a smile. He could see the road behind him, where Wrath’s Flower in the Snow was activated. It looked like they still had a long way to go for the restoration.

“Are there any issues with the restoration?”

“Actually, we are having some difficulties.” Hopen let out a short sigh. “War has broken out in too many places recently, and the commercial guild that we’ve been trading with is unable to acquire the materials. Some of them even seem to have no intention of providing them to us at all…”

He furrowed his brow, saying that it was a strange thing to happen.

“Dorian.” Raon extended his hand to the right side.

“Yes.” Dorian was eating some snacks but hurriedly ran toward him upon hearing the call.

“He is the Sephia company’s successor.”

“S-Sephia company?”

Hopen’s jaw dropped, showing that Dorian’s identity was completely unexpected for him.

“I’m not officially announced as a successor yet. I’m just in training.” Dorian shook his head with a smile.

“He said that they are having a hard time getting the materials for the kingdom’s restoration. Can you make some connections for them?”

“If it’s about construction materials, I have some on me…”

He took out enough lumber to cover the entire garden from his belly pocket as he spoke.

“Err…” Hopen’s chin trembled violently while looking at Dorian and his belly pocket.

“But it’ll be better to start trading with our company.” Dorian smiled cheerfully and brought Hopen to a table. “What price do you have in mind?”

“About that…”

“For example, we can offer the first purchase discount and a bulk purchase discount…”

He didn’t let Hopen escape from his tight grasp, as if he already became a merchant.

Raon chuckled and looked up to the sky that was brimming with starlight.

‘It’s time to return to Zieghart now.’

* * *

Raon left the festival slightly early and returned to his room.

Dessert! We couldn’t have any bead ice cream!

‘There was none because you two ate them all!’

The bead ice cream wasn’t replenished after Wrath and Gluttony finished them all. Even the surrounding areas didn’t have any, which was probably because Gluttony had wiped them all out. As a result, Runaan fell victim to it and was sad during the festival.

Kuh! That was a mistake! He shouldn't have told the food waster about it…

‘Please be quiet.’

Raon pushed Wrath away and prepared for cultivation.

Flap flap.

A yellow sparrow flew to the window and flapped its wings.

“Were there yellow sparrows in the world…? Hmm?”

Raon looked at the sparrow, and his chin started to tremble. The edges of the yellow sparrow’s beak were curling upwards into a deep smile, as if it were a human being.

Kieeeh! Cough!

Wrath screamed and hid behind Raon’s back.

“Merlin…”

Raon swallowed nervously while watching the smiling sparrow. He thought for a moment that he was glad she didn’t just appear out of nowhere, but her smile made him even more frightened.

Raon calmed himself down and opened the window, and the sparrow flapped its wings to fly at him, landing on his shoulder.

“Raon!”

He’d guessed it right. Merlin’s voice came from the sparrow’s beak and her cheerful voice almost sounded refreshing.

“When did you get here?”

“I already told you, you are asking the wrong question.” She shook her head and corrected him. “I’ve been with you from the moment you got here.”

“From the moment… Huh?”

Raon’s eyes widened upon hearing Merlin’s answer.

‘From the beginning?’

If she’d entered the kingdom with him, she might have witnessed it when he talked to the demon king. After all, even Wrath couldn’t detect her animal possession spell.

“No way, did you…?”

“I’ve been standing by to help you if anything dangerous happened to you, and I saw everything. A demon king…”

Merlin’s voice became serious. An alarm bell rang in his head at the same time.

Footnotes:

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