Chapter 169: Gift or Reward
Abdications were rare in Hai-Teweru. Except for the Elven Kingdoms, ruled by councils, most nations followed traditional inheritance laws. The throne passed to the designated heir upon the monarch’s death. While abdication was theoretically possible, few rulers willingly relinquished their power.
But the Ossi Kingdom had witnessed two abdications in recent years. The first was Kevin’s coup, forcing his father to step down. Kevin had simply seized power without any ceremony. The second was Givia’s ascension, a more formal affair, the former king, his health restored, having meticulously planned a traditional Ossi coronation ceremony.
Today was the day of the ceremony. The palace was bustling with activity, filled with nobles and their entourages. Rebecca’s potion, burning in incense burners, filled the air, preventing any Shadowlings from infiltrating the event.
Abyss and his companions sat in the front row, seats reserved for royalty, their central position a testament to the former king’s respect for Givia’s powerful allies. No one dared question their presence. They had witnessed Abyss’s power, his magical broadcast of Givia’s Blood Atonement ritual.
Church officials were also present. Abyss, using a subtle illusion, had altered their perceptions, making Flora appear as someone else, concealing her identity as the deceased Saint.
The former king delivered his speech, then removed his crown, his voice filled with emotion as he sang an ancient Ossi ballad, before handing the crown to a eunuch. This marked his abdication. Givia’s coronation would follow immediately. A kingdom couldn’t be without a ruler.
The setting was similar to the one in Abyss’s dream, although the decorations were different. The seating arrangement, the raised platform, the palace in the background—they were all the same. This was indeed the designated location for important ceremonies.
“Let the coronation ceremony begin! Princess Givia, please approach!” a eunuch announced, his voice echoing through the square. A trumpeter from the royal orchestra sounded a fanfare.
The palace doors opened, and a group of elite soldiers emerged, escorting Givia, Alva, and Haina. The Royal Guard usually followed behind the monarch, but with only two members remaining, both of whom had risked their lives for Givia, she had insisted they stand beside her.
“Your Highness, and members of the Royal Guard, please ascend the platform and receive the Church’s blessings,” the eunuch announced, then retreated. The rest of the ceremony would be conducted in silence.
A bishop, the highest-ranking Church official in the Ossi Kingdom, stood on the platform. As Givia ascended, he offered his blessings, his words carrying no magical or divine power, merely a symbolic gesture of the Church’s support.
“To celebrate Princess Givia’s victory over Prince Kevin, who had embraced a false god, the Church offers these gifts to our future queen,” the bishop announced. “Allow me to present them.”
“Thank you for your support. I’m grateful for the Church’s generosity,” Givia said, curtseying to the bishop.
The bishop nodded, and three Paladins, each carrying a gift, approached the platform, their movements precise and synchronized, their steps measured, a display of discipline and respect. They presented the gifts, holding them aloft for the crowd to see.
“The first gift, a mithril shield blessed by His Holiness the Pope himself, a gift from the Church headquarters, to protect your people and guide the Ossi Kingdom to prosperity.”
“Thank you,” Givia said, nodding.
“The second gift, allow me to use a Divine Art to lessen its weight,” the bishop said, approaching the next Paladin, opening a large box held by the burly man. He chanted a prayer, lessening the object’s weight, then retrieved a half-meter-tall metal statue of the Nine Gods. “This is a gift from the Ossi branch of the Church, a statue of the Nine Gods, to bestow their blessings upon you. It’s not only imbued with their divine grace, but also adorned with precious jewels.”
“Thank you for your generosity,” Givia said, nodding again. She wasn’t particularly moved. She knew the Church’s generosity stemmed from her victory over Kevin, who had worshipped an Outer God. These gifts were more like rewards than genuine expressions of goodwill.
“And the third gift,” the bishop said, smiling, as he approached the third Paladin. “A painting, created by the Church’s most renowned artist, Enniz, depicting Your Highness in battle.”
He opened the lid of a large, ornate box.
But he froze, staring at its contents.
It wasn’t a painting, but a small gardening rake.
“What is…”
Abyss, sensing something amiss, nudged Leona.
And at that moment, a tendril of black mud emerged from the rake, its movements swift and serpentine, wrapping itself around the bishop, binding the rake to his hand before he could react.
Then, the bishop’s hand, no longer under his control, swung towards the crowd of nobles below.
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