Chapter 173 : Chapter 173

Chapter 173 : King of the Inoe (2)

The coronation did not last very long.

Considering the time spent in preparation, the time spent on the ceremony itself was absurdly short.

However, none of the attendees thought the coronation was anticlimactic.

It was not because Polarin Adjak’s speech was outstanding or that he displayed overwhelming charisma.

But Polarin clearly succeeded in captivating everyone who attended the coronation.

The continent was tripartite: Inoe, Humans, and Myeolji.

The King of the Inoe could be considered the equal of the Demon King and the Emperor.

But Polarin declared that he would not be a king who reigned supreme over everyone.

He stepped down from the platform they had to look up to and met them at eye level.

‘...Could I do that?’

The Empire’s First Prince, Dinaus Le Oriandeus, wondered to himself.

But he soon shook his head.

Come to think of it, Polarin was the same when he was in the Imperial Capital.

He loudly insisted among the citizens why war should not happen.

Countless people were gathered. Since not everyone shared the same mind and will, there must have been many who supported the war.

He was perhaps at risk of assassination, yet Polarin did not back down at all and gave his speech right in front of the citizens.

Dinaus was also considered a Prince friendly to the common people, but it was an action he could not easily attempt.

Perhaps that was why it was not only the Inoe who were impressed by Polarin's actions.

Even some Rosamund Knights raised their fists high, their eyes sparkling, despite his presence right in front of them.

Dinaus was so dumbfounded that he wasn't even angry. No, honestly, he was angry, but he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud.

Even he was almost won over by Polarin's sincere actions.

‘But Pakar... you shouldn’t have done that. How much I trust you.’

The image of Pakar, one of the Empire’s Five Morning Stars who was once evaluated as having similar talent to Polarin, and who was considered a likely candidate for the Rosamund Knights' Grand Master, raising his hand rigidly, kept repeating itself in Dinaus’s mind.

Pakar’s gaze toward Polarin looked even more loyal than when he looked at him, the Imperial Prince.

Dinaus sighed, glancing repeatedly at Polarin Adjak, who was surrounded by Labella, Pakar, and the countless crowd.

“What should I report to His Majesty the Emperor...”

Dinaus muttered to himself, but Kadon, the new Grand Master of the Rosamund Knights, answered sharply.

“Polarin Adjak and his companions will first stop by the Holy Order’s Aquiris Sanctuary. They are expected to visit the Empire afterward.”

“...Yes, thank you for the report.”

Kadon, the new Grand Master, was loyal but slightly lacking in tact.

However, he was one of the few knights who ultimately did not raise his right fist. It was because of them that Dinaus was able to merely twitch his hand and ultimately avoid raising it.

Thinking that was enough, Dinaus muttered to himself.

“How did I, no... how did the Empire end up in this state?”

“Don’t worry! I will protect Your Highness until the very end.”

Whew...

Despite Kadon’s reassuring words, Dinaus let out a deep sigh.

***

After the coronation ended, Ims arranged a banquet hall in a clearing far from the territories of the Fairies and Elves.

All sorts of rare delicacies and various types of alcohol were laid out, and renowned musicians played to enhance the atmosphere.

“Eat as much as you like, and if you need more food, please just say the word! Delicious food is piled up like a mountain!”

“Is the Elf-made beer unlimited?”

“Of course!”

Even at this moment, carriages loaded with various foods were constantly arriving.

I approached Ims and expressed my gratitude to her.

“You worked hard.”

“Oh my, Lord Polarin, congratulations again on ascending to the King of the Inoe.”

“It’s thanks to your unwavering support, both material and spiritual.”

“Not at all, thanks to Lord Polarin, I have officially become the owner of the Fremont Consortium myself. With the title of King of the Inoe's Kingmaker.”

Hoho, Ims covered her mouth with a fan and laughed.

“Moreover, many people who came here started doing business with the Fremont Consortium. The profit Fremont gained from the coronation is priceless.”

“Then that’s a relief. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

“Of course, this is just the beginning. I plan to immediately build roads traversing the Inoe territory. I will prepare so that the Inoe are no longer isolated.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Even while talking to me, Ims’s eyes darted around sharply.

Her radar as a businesswoman seemed to be operating quickly.

“You can go now. I can talk to you anytime.”

“Then, please excuse me.”

The banquet continued boisterously afterward.

The party, mixed with various races, showed no sign of ending.

Of course, it wouldn't have mattered if the banquet lasted for days and nights.

Ims would truly continue to provide alcohol and food endlessly, and there were plenty of temporary accommodations for those who were exhausted from eating.

‘Eating and playing is surprisingly tiring.’

With my stomach full of delicious food, I decided to leave the banquet hall for a walk and to see the World Tree.

Keldric, whose cheeks had become stuffed in the meantime, followed me.

“Polarin, when are we leaving?”

“Let's take it easy. We’ll leave when Lord Itilus and the Paladins have enjoyed themselves enough.”

“Alright, then I’m going to go eat a lot more!”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Keldric rushed away without even waiting for my answer.

Seeing his back made me smile for no reason.

Everchen was having a meal with the Paladin Order after a long time, and Bea was also enjoying the banquet with the Elves under her command as the Elf Commander.

I had consciously eaten next to Keldric so he wouldn’t feel left out.

However, it seemed I didn't need to worry about him after all.

Keldric, who had excellent social skills, naturally blended into the group and was soon laughing brightly and making friends.

After confirming that Keldric was enjoying the banquet, I headed toward the World Tree.

Then Urseca and several Beastkin kings followed me out. Their expressions were resolute.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“Beastkin. troops. divided.”

“In what way?”

“Some. follow King of Inoe. Rest. prepare. Go to Myeolji. when ready.”

The remaining time until the Dome of Myeolji breaks was about six months.

Even if it took a considerable amount of time for the Beastkin to fully prepare for battle and move to Myeolji, they would still arrive at Myeolji quite early.

Sensing that I was finding this unusual, Bear King Goldin added an explanation.

“King of the Inoe, I heard from your comrade. The front of Myeolji is already overrun by far more monsters and demons than before. Since they are guys we have to deal with anyway, we intend to go ahead and clear the area.”

“Yes, that’s a good idea. Then you don’t need to unnecessarily divide your forces. Since I still have matters to discuss with the Empire, you may go to Myeolji as soon as you complete your preparations.”

Urseca spoke up to object to that.

“No. Need. troops. when. going. to Empire. definitely.”

“I’m not going to war with the Empire, but... I understand. Lord Urseca probably knows best.”

I had no intention of asserting that my word was law just because I had become a king.

Urseca must have experienced conflicts between various factions as the Lizard King.

If he wasn't being stubbornly unreasonable, following his advice wasn't a bad idea.

“I will follow Lord Urseca’s suggestion. However, I will go alone to the Aquiris Sanctuary. It might alarm the priests.”

“Understood.”

The Beastkin kings looked at me and raised their right fists.

I replied with a smile and raised my fist along with them.

After the Beastkin kings returned, I placed my hand on the World Tree’s thick trunk and thought.

‘The expedition is now not far off.’

Maron, hanging at my waist, trembled softly.

Even though the distance between the banquet hall and the World Tree was considerable, I could still hear the music and the laughter of the drunk attendees.

Now, it truly was not far off.

“Phew...”

I took a deep breath and looked up at the World Tree.

***

The next day, at dawn.

I left Kipaso, seen off by many people.

“Polarin, take care.”

“Yes, Lady Soler, I’ll see you far in the future.”

“No, why far in the future? The Black Veil will go to Myeolji with Lord Urseca.”

“Haha, I’m just saying that because minds can change at any time.”

“That won’t happen. We’ll go to Myeolji first, so I’ll see you in front of Myeolji later.”

I exchanged farewells with Soler and several other human factions.

I was grateful to everyone who came out to see me off without showing their fatigue, even though many must have been drinking late into the previous night.

“I will head to the Imperial Capital immediately after visiting the Aquiris Sanctuary. The plan to assist the Inoe going forward will be coordinated by Lord Agamben and Goat King Olru, and then you can inform me of the decision. Lady Ims will also actively provide assistance.”

The King of the Inoe does not have a distinct territory.

Nor is there a need to enact laws or establish an administrative system to govern the Inoe.

I intended to let each race continue to lead their people as they had been.

‘Trying to forcibly bind them together will only be counterproductive. It is enough for me to act as the central focal point.’

However, I intended to actively provide aid to those who needed it.

If I set the general framework, they would handle the rest on their own.

It had already been decided that Agamben would assist with communication with humans and future planning, and Goat King Olru would handle the internal affairs of the Inoe races.

I waved to everyone and then spoke to Itilus of the Paladin Order.

“Thank you for waiting so long, Lord Itilus. Shall we depart now?”

“Not at all. A king should naturally look after his own forces. Now, let us depart.”

I, Bea, Keldric, and Everchen.

And the Paladin Order led by Itilus headed toward the dock.

“We’re almost there now, if we go this way, the ship sent by the Order...”

Itilus, who was pointing toward the sea, could not finish his sentence.

As he said, one white vessel sent by the Holy Order was floating on the sea.

But behind it, about thirty large ships surrounded it.

Black flags fluttered on top of every large ship, which revealed who had brought the fleet.

“Gallajio...”

Gallajio Adjak, the First of the Twelve Swords of Adjak and the King of the Seas who was competing with me for the family’s hero position, had arrived leading his forces.

Itilus gripped his flail tightly.

Charrr...

The Paladin Order, myself, and my companions.

Everyone silently looked out at the sea, listening to the clear sound made by the clashing of iron pieces.