His Majesty Reinhardt’s coronation ceremony concluded without incident, and the new Federated Heavenly Empire was declared to the people of Amister.
As the first unified nation under the Helios Orb, celebrations continued in every city even after the coronation. The Trader’s Guild even set up stalls.
The federated capital and central city, Float, was also vibrant with ongoing festivities. I heard that even in Retisencia, where Sincero and Polar were on alert, celebratory sake was being distributed, albeit on a smaller scale.
We returned to Feel the day after the coronation. Feel has now become a city where Yuri, who was granted the title of Heavenly Baron, serves as lord. Additionally, Mina’s father, Dianos, who served as Associate Order’s Master, has been appointed as Sub-Order’s Master, creating a very welcoming atmosphere.
Dianos, Anna (Mina’s birth mother), and Ermina (Rex’s birth mother) have moved into the mansion Rex had been renting.
However, Dianos has been ennobled as a Viscount, and they plan to construct a separate villa for the Fallhait Viscount family near Feel in the near future.
The mansion in Float is being used by Rex, Rosemary, Muse, and Saya, but I’ve heard they plan to build their main residence there as well.
A Viscount’s public funds amount to 30 million El, but Dianos served as Associate Order’s Master for five years and also worked as a hunter, accumulating a considerable sum. Mina mentioned that he should be able to build a relatively spacious mansion for a Viscount.
In the past few days, other nations have also completed their coronations one after another. The Dragoner’s Guild and Beestar’s Guild have officially commenced operations, and the renamed Father’s Guild and Phaser’s Guild have been accepted without issue.
I was surprised when I heard the Holiner’s Guild was changing its name, and it was the first time I’d heard that “Holiner” meant “Holy Knight” on Earth. I suspect Shinichi simply abbreviated “Holy Knight” for a seemingly Order-like name.
Considering that, the meaning of “Holy Knight” on Earth, while a stretch, is not entirely incomprehensible.
Incidentally, regarding “Phaser,” I heard that Shinichi, thinking there might come a day when they would no longer be knights defending the nation but rather knights defending the Priest’s Guild, had suggested “Believer” as a reference to holy knights who believe in God.
I believe “Believer” would be “Believer” in English, and the word “Phaser” itself shouldn’t exist. However, “Phaser” sounds better phonetically, and I think it’s fine as it is.
Regarding the coronation ceremonies, first were the Valentia Dragon Kingdom and Grand Leve Bridge Principality, followed by the Vald Beast Duchy and Denebulate Bridge Principality, and then the Vagenbach Bridge Principality. After that, the Torencia Phantom Kingdom and Parcennos Bridge Principality, Pisces Bridge Principality, and Steilhang Beast Duchy are scheduled to hold their ceremonies.
The next scheduled ceremonies are for the Alegria Beast Kingdom, Blume Beast Duchy, Horn Beast Duchy, and Acquario Bridge Principality, with the Lichtenfels Grand Duchy, Gemios Bridge Principality, and Flug Beast Duchy holding their ceremonies last.
His Majesty Reinhardt, due to his marriage to Lady Ciel, is scheduled to attend the coronations of Lichtenfels and the Three Kingdoms.
We are also scheduled to attend the coronations of the Three Kingdoms, and have already participated in those of Vald and Lichtenfels.
Neige Ov West, Prima’s cousin, is ascending to the throne as the Vald Beast Duke, and we witnessed her enthronement.
Therefore, I would like to introduce the ceremonies we attended.
The first coronation ceremony took place two days after the Heavenly Emperor’s enthronement.
Valentia changed its name from Dragon Country to Dragon Kingdom, and the Grand Leve Bridge Principality was the first among the Three Principalities to hold its coronation.
At Valentia’s coronation, the former Dragon King, who is now Emperor Folias’s father, performed the crowning, and royal authority was passed from Lord Gaia and His Majesty Reinhardt.
After that, King Harut officially renounced his succession rights and was appointed Grand Dragoner’s Master. Lord Freyas, the father of Lydia and Ludia, was also appointed as Associate Dragoner’s Master.
Furthermore, when Emperor Folias officially announced Valentia’s participation in the Federated Heavenly Empire, the nobles in eastern Valentia, who had previously been uncooperative towards the Dragon King’s family, lost their power.
The laws of the Federated Heavenly Empire apply, meaning they can no longer act arbitrarily within their territories. If anything were to happen, not only Dragoners but also Orders and Soldiers could be dispatched.
It seems several noble families attempted to raise an army in opposition to joining the Federated Heavenly Empire, but they were unable to gather significant forces. Instead, they were promptly reported to Dragunia and collectively stripped of their titles.
In Valentia, only Dukes and Counts hold land; Marquesses serve as ministers or officials, and Barons act as vice-governors or administrators.
Whether this is the reason or not, Lord Freyas was ennobled as a Marquess, and several individuals, including those of the Dragon Knight Captain rank, were ennobled as Barons.
Although noble titles are managed by each country, I hadn’t expected Marquesses not to hold land.
Ah, and King Harut was, of course, ennobled as a Duke.
The next day was the coronation ceremony for the Vald Beast Duchy, Denebulate Bridge Principality, and Vagenbach Bridge Principality.
As His Majesty Duchess Neige of the Vald Beast Duchy is Prima’s cousin, we were invited as relatives.
Since she is also Apricot’s niece, we naturally accompanied her.
At Neige’s request, Prima was to bestow the royal authority, but she was bewildered by the sudden request.
Aside from Vald, most countries, excluding the Horn Beast Duchy, did not have a Head Guild Master.
The Horn Duchy, with its capital in Valiente Central Government Centro, inherited its guilds as they were.
However, the other 12 nations had a short period from when the matter arose to their independence, resulting in some guilds having prepared Head Guild Masters and others not.
Vald has a Head Hunter’s Master in place, but it seems they haven’t appointed other Head Guild Masters yet. Therefore, the ceremonial crown for the coronation was prepared by the Priest Master of Vald.
The appointment of Head Guild Masters is made by the guild’s upper echelons, so it’s likely a complex process involving personnel selection.
“Congratulations on your enthronement, Sister.”
“Thank you, Prima.”
The Vald’s ducal castle is still under construction, so His Majesty Neige will temporarily reside in the mansion from her time as a Royal.
After the coronation, we were invited to the mansion and offered our congratulations on her enthronement once more.
Prima, in particular, looked genuinely happy, wagging her tail vigorously.
Ah, His Majesty Neige, who has ascended as the Duke of the Vald Beast Duchy, has changed her name to Neige Ov Vald.
“But really, looking back, aren’t you glad you weren’t the one to be enthroned?”
“Yes. I am a hunter, and now I even hold the title of Heavenly Baroness of Fraydlancia. Yamato already has to manage the Esmeralda Baronetcy and the Marquisate of Amatista. In a few years, the Fraydlancia Baronetcy and the Lapis Lazuli Heavenly Baronetcy will be added. And now Vald as well; I’d truly collapse.”
The proposal for Prima to be enthroned as the Beast Duke of Vald was made by Neige herself, the current Beast Duke.
However, this proposal was made around the same time the idea of granting me the Heavenly Baron title and succession rights to the Heavenly Emperor arose, so it was not adopted.
Had it been adopted, Prima would have been responsible for the national administration as the Vald Beast Duke, and I would have definitively been involved as the Royal Consort. With the Esmeralda Baronetcy and the Marquisate of Amatista, I would truly collapse. I am relieved it was not adopted.
“It sounds like a lot just listening to it. But I also have a problem, you know?”
“I know. Since you are still unmarried, Duchess Neige, it’s about having children, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. Now that I have ascended as Duchess, bearing a child has become the highest priority. It has always been so, but now more than ever.”
His Majesty Neige is still unmarried and has no fiancé.
There were a few potential fiancés, but unfortunately, it coincided with the rebellion of Streihait and their discussions fizzled out. However, now that she has ascended as Duchess, a successor is absolutely necessary. Thus, His Majesty Neige stated that not only national administration but also bearing a child has become her highest priority.
“And you want Yamato to be that partner?”
“I feel bad for you, but I don’t intend to marry. Therefore, even after abdicating, I have no intention of leaving Ovest.”
However, His Majesty Neige has designated me as the father of her child.
Furthermore, she stated that she does not intend to marry me and wishes to continue living in Ovest even after abdicating.
“I can’t possibly make this decision on my own, so I will take this proposal back.”
“Of course. But I won’t force you.”
“Understood.”
Things have progressed to this point. It’s considered bad form for the first Vald Beast Duke to remain unmarried, so we will wait and see for a while. However, if His Majesty Neige finds a suitable partner, she will introduce them. If not, the decision is to have my child.
I should try to find a suitable partner as soon as possible; it’s almost time…
Two days after the Vald coronation, we have arrived in Bestia to attend the coronation of Torencia.
Although I recently received the Heavenly Baron title from His Majesty Reinhardt, I have also officially married Hilde, which puts me in the peculiar situation of being the Royal Consort of Torencia as well.
Therefore, I was forced to participate in the coronation ceremony as the Royal Consort. The attire was the Arc Order’s Coat. Fortunately, it wasn’t a major issue as my status as a Sky Knight and an O-Rank Order is becoming known in Torencia.
My role was to hand over the Queen’s Scythe, the royal authority, to the Queen, who is my spouse. The Celestial Globe was handed over by His Majesty Reinhardt.
I thought about summoning my mother, the former Queen, for such an occasion, but after abdicating and becoming a Phantom Baron, she is generally prohibited from participating in state affairs, with a few exceptions. Therefore, she has no assignable role even if she were to attend the coronation. Nevertheless, both my parents are attending, so I made sure to greet them properly.
After the coronation ceremony, we spent some time chatting in Hilde’s private room at the Snow Phantom Palace after a long absence.
“The Grand Father’s Master has been appointed as Vis, but what about Blazer?”
“We’ve decided to assign Blazer as a Royal Father.”
Although earlier than planned, the Grand Father’s Master has been succeeded from Blazer by Vis.
The original plan was for this transition to coincide with Princess Brynhild’s enthronement, but it was decided it would be better to do it concurrently with their participation in the Federated Heavenly Empire. Therefore, Vis, who had been dispatched to Deseo, was recalled and appointed. The former Grand Father’s Master, Blazer, will become the Royal Father’s Master.
Hilde is an Ancient Vampire and possesses enough combat ability to not require guards, but Princess Brynhild has not yet evolved. This appointment is likely out of consideration for her sister.
“Other countries are also completing their coronations smoothly.”
“Tomorrow is Alegria, Blume, Horn, and Acquario. We’re going to Alegria, but who’s going to the others?”
“Father is going to Horn, Grandpa is going to Acquario, and Grandmother Sayuri is going to Blume.”
For the coronations of the Three Kingdoms, not only we but also His Majesty Reinhardt attended. For the Three Principalities, Lord Aiver and Lady Sayuri, and Lord Kaito attended as representatives.
In fact, today, Lord Aiver attended the coronation of Parcennos, Lord Kaito attended Pisces, and Lady Sayuri attended Steilhang.
Speaking of which, I met Lord Kaito for the first time at the coronation ceremony. He is Lady Sayuri’s son, Lord Aiver’s father, and the former Elf King, who is the grandfather of His Majesty Reinhardt, Mana, and Yuri. As Lady Sayuri had told me before, he was a gentle person who, aside from not having a beard, would be convincing if described as an elder Elf. The reason for the absence of a beard is that Elves, Vampires, Lamia, Undines, and Dragonians lack body hair other than on their heads. Conversely, Beastfolk are covered in body hair on their backs and arms, which apparently requires a lot of maintenance. It can be managed with the Weaving supplication magic, but Apricot and Prima often complain about the daily grooming.
Nevertheless, Lord Kaito, at 82 years old, is quite sturdy. He continued to work as a traveling merchant after abdicating, which is likely the reason, but he has not evolved into High Class. Both His Majesty Reinhardt and Lady Sayuri, as well as Mana and Yuri, often say that they should simply behave themselves.
“Grandpa will be relieved of his duties tomorrow, as he’s getting old.”
“The day after tomorrow are the coronations for Lichtenfels, Gemios, and Flug. Father is scheduled to go to Gemios, and Grandmother Sayuri will go to Flug.”
That’s what we discussed. Therefore, the coronations Lord Kaito attended, or is scheduled to attend, are only Acquario and Pisces.
“He looked quite tired, but I’m sure he’ll go on his trading trips again once things settle down.”
“I’m sure he will. Not only Grandpa but also Grandma Margarita are eagerly accompanying him. I wonder why she’s so restless?”
Margarita Reina Amister is Lord Kaito’s wife and also the former Queen of the Ogres. Lord Kaito had two other wives, but they passed away in recent years, so he now travels with Margarita. Margarita was apparently the youngest, but she is still 76 years old. It seems to be a tradition of the Amister Royal Family that retired former kings dedicate themselves fully to guild activities, and many work until their very last moments. Incidentally, although she has no blood relation to His Majesty Reinhardt, Mana, or Yuri, it is said that Margarita was unable to have children and spoils them like her own grandchildren.
“It’s good that he’s healthy, isn’t it? It’s probably a reaction to having reigned as king. If he wants to do it, I think it’s fine.”
“That’s true. I just hope Grandpa and Grandma don’t overexert themselves.”
Ah, Mana’s concern is about that. However, it’s not uncommon to be attacked by monsters during travel, so isn’t some exertion unavoidable? They’ve hired hunters as guards, and Orders sometimes accompany them, so I think it’s fine.
We started talking about coronation ceremonies, but somehow we’ve ended up discussing Lord Kaito and Margarita. Well, it’s probably because Mana is so worried. Perhaps accompanying them as guards once might be a good idea.
