Chapter 172 : Chapter 172

Chapter 172 : King of the Inoe (1)

All preparations for the coronation were complete.

A platform had been constructed beneath the World Tree, which was so massive it seemed to pierce the sky, yet remained mystical.

Those who attended the coronation did not seem inclined to sit, despite the abundance of chairs.

Since they were all standing, clapping, or beating their chests, the others naturally could not remain seated either.

I let out a small laugh and walked through the crowd of standing people.

I greeted each of them and slowly headed toward the platform.

Congratulations.

I shook hands with Urseca.

– Congratulations on ascending to King of the Inoe.

I hugged Balua, who was smiling brightly while displaying the written message.

My Lord!

Huhu, congratulations.

Besides them, I also exchanged greetings with Fairy King Frude, Elf King Decaum, Dwarf Prince Gaztea, and Barbarian chieftain Dvalik.

It was not only the Inoe who participated in the coronation.

Mages from Ostrum, including Labella of the Mana Research Department, members of the Adjak family such as Pasion and the White Dragon Knights, nobles from the Western Noble Coalition, including Rodos, and many others, such as Princess Lynette and Ryung of the Turoko Kingdom, attended.

Itilus of the Holy Order also personally attended with the Paladin Order.

It was a gathering of influential figures from all over the world, and many attended with political motives.

The most incongruous presence among them was the Empire’s First Prince, Dinaus Le Oriandeus.

Ahem, how should I address you now... Congratulations on your ascension, King of the Inoe.

Lord Dinaus, thank you for coming.

I also shook hands with the First Prince.

Since I had given a speech in the Imperial Capital opposing the Empire’s war, the relationship between the Empire and me could not be seen as entirely good externally.

Some intellectuals even predicted that a great war between the Inoe and humanity would break out after I became the King of the Inoe.

However, the relationship between the First Prince and me was not bad.

Of course, I had to come.

You are the King of the Inoe, but you are also a proud Imperial citizen.

That's right, I am an Imperial citizen.

The First Prince tried to emphasize that I was an Imperial citizen and erase the conflict between the Empire and me.

Of course, I would also prefer to cooperate with the Empire rather than wage war.

However, I was not the sickly child who used to live in Gullok village anymore, but the King of the Inoe standing here today.

But my stance will change depending on the Empire’s future actions.

Ahem...

Many people around us were paying close attention to the conversation between the Prince and me.

The Prince had come with the Rosamund Knights, but he had no choice but to be cautious here.

Fierce individuals, ready to charge at the Prince at any moment if things went wrong, were gathered in Kipaso.

The Prince leaned toward me and whispered.

...The Emperor has started to resume his duties.

Oh, is that so?

The Emperor’s return after a long absence from his seat.

It was too early to judge whether this was good news or not for me.

The Emperor wishes to see you.

Ah, of course.

I must meet him.

I will check my schedule and let you know when I can visit.

...Does the Emperor have to wait for your notice?

I’m quite busy these days myself.

Pwooo—!

Just as the Prince was about to explode with indignation after hearing my words, the sound of a horn suddenly rang out.

What is that...?

Isn’t that the Northern horn sound!

I see. Is the Archduke finally joining the King of the Inoe as well?

Everyone murmured and turned their attention toward the direction of the horn sound.

However, at the sight that followed, everyone was startled or flinched back.

The ones approaching from beyond the dense forest were not the Northern Archduke and his knights, but Bitelleanus and the Demons under her command.

De-Demons!

The Demons have marched all the way here?

The Rosamund Knights raised their weapons, surrounding the Prince in surprise, and some humans scattered in fear.

But the Inoe and my aides were calm, as they knew the relationship between Bitelleanus and me.

I also stood still, waiting for Bitelleanus.

...Don’t be so dramatic. Judging by the reaction of the Inoe side, they seem to have a connection.

A connection with the Demons?

Even those who were confused regained their composure when they saw that I and the others showed no major reaction.

Bitelleanus slowly walked forward, looking around. Her steps were full of ease.

She offered me her hand with a subtle smile. I took her hand and shook it.

I suppose I’m not late.

I thought you wouldn’t be able to make it, but you arrived just in time.

The North is so vast. Still, the North is now the land of humans.

Evernite and the Northern Knights, Bitelleanus and the Demon Remnants.

It seemed the two factions had successfully purified the continent’s oldest Erosion Zone by joining forces.

Both of you worked hard.

I expressed my thanks to both Bitelleanus and Derix.

It seems you’ve become quite close with the Northern Knights?

Hmph, why would I get close to them?

It seems you even received a pipe as a gift.

I rather liked this one.

Bitelleanus smiled once more. I never thought I would feel this way looking at a Demon, but the Remnants were reliable allies just by their presence.

Then, Bea, who was standing behind me, spoke.

Lord Polarin, it is time to go up now.

Right.

I had already greeted almost everyone. I thanked Bea and headed straight for the platform.

The platform was prepared in front of the World Tree.

I slowly ascended the platform, looking up at the World Tree, which I saw every day since I came to Kipaso.

The World Tree was as beautiful as ever, and its grandeur was immeasurable.

Its thick trunk, which would take ten adults holding hands to encompass, stretched straight toward the sky, and its emerald leaves rustled every time the wind blew.

The World Tree’s roots were deeply anchored in the earth, yet also protruded unevenly above ground.

The platform I stood on was carved from wood to fit the shape of those roots.

The soft sunlight filtering through the leaves illuminated the platform.

‘Phew...’

Once on the platform, I took a deep breath and looked down at the people gathered here.

Even the noisy ones had all shut their mouths and were looking at me.

Everyone seemed to be holding their breath, trying to etch this moment of me becoming the King of the Inoe into their memory.

Their genders and ages were all different.

Their appearances and races were all different, too.

But their gazes were all shining intensely as one.

Every time my eyes met theirs, the many things I had experienced with them flashed through my mind.

It wasn't always good.

There were many days that were incredibly hard.

It wouldn't be any different in the future.

And as I looked at the many people gathered here, I also thought of those who could not be with us.

‘Gerd... no, Father.’

Gerd had flatly refused, even though Ims had sent a carriage to take him comfortably.

He said that if a man like him attended a gathering where all the kings were present, he would only shed tears and spoil the festive atmosphere.

However, Gerd sent a short written note through Ims: 'I am truly proud of you, Polarin.'

I didn’t completely misunderstand his feelings, but no one would hate it even if Gerd came and cried buckets. I was left with much regret.

‘Kiyot, Siriel, Blaze. The comrades who were with me since the Coming-of-Age Ceremony must still be guarding the front of Myeolji.’

Although the time we had been apart was much longer than the time we spent together, they were still my most precious comrades.

‘I’ll go to Myeolji soon. Let’s meet there.’

I sent my greetings inwardly to my absent comrades.

Thinking of the Crows’ trio naturally led my thoughts to Tayon.

Tayon, who brought me out into the world when I was trapped in Gullok, taught me to refine my swordsmanship, and saved me when I was in danger.

He had been sucked into the Dome of Myeolji, and his survival was still unconfirmed.

I knew that many more people believed he was dead. But whether Tayon was alive or dead, I had to advance to Myeolji and confirm his status with my own eyes in the end.

I had looked back on memories and finished my resolve.

I stood in front of the World Tree and opened my mouth, feeling the gazes of the many people looking at me.

“I greet everyone gathered here today.”

My first greeting as the King of the Inoe rang out.

“I am Polarin Adjak, who has become the King of the Inoe.”

At this moment, there were neither excited beasts nor people rolling their eyes for political gain.

I could distinctly feel everyone concentrating on me without the slightest sound of applause.

“With your help, I have become the King of the Inoe. Looking down from the platform, I realize anew how many people have helped me.”

Unconsciously, I had accumulated experience giving speeches in various places, many times.

I had prepared a script for the speech at this coronation in advance.

– The promises I will make going forward as the King of the Inoe are...

But I erased the script, which I had painstakingly written over several days, from my mind.

Looking at the eyes of those staring at me, I felt that a long-winded speech was unnecessary.

“I did not become the King of the Inoe to rule over all of you.”

I gradually added strength to my voice as I spoke.

“The Dome surrounding Myeolji will break within the next six months.”

Even though I stated the exact time when the Dome would break, the people gathered did not waver but waited for my next words.

“I will advance as soon as the Dome breaks. Those who wish to join me, please follow me to Myeolji.”

I did not say a single word about how I would govern the Inoe as the King of the Inoe, or how I would establish relationships with the non-Inoe factions.

“If you follow me, I will show you Myeolji’s downfall.”

Clap.

Clap clap. Clap clap clap.

Someone broke the silence and began to clap, and soon a few others added to the sound of applause.

And the applause gradually grew louder. The applause grew so loud that it shook the World Tree—no, it shook the entirety of Kipaso.

I stepped down from the platform.

I felt sorry for Ims, who had worked hard to build the platform, but standing in a position to look down on everyone was not like me.

The applause was still ringing out, but I continued with what I wanted to say.

“Those who wish to join my cause, please raise your right hand high.”

I tightly clenched my fist and raised my right hand.

And from my right hand, Divine Power spread out and enveloped Kipaso.

The emerald light pouring from the World Tree was added to the subtly shining power of the God of Peace.

I could sense that Maron was lending me his strength.

The people gathered here also began to raise their hands, one by one, following me.

Lizardfolk, Elves, Fairies, Humans.

They were uniting into a single gesture, without being divided by race.

A raised fist.

This simple movement later became the symbol of the Inoe.