Chapter 125: Flame Part 1: Coronation [VIP]
After the acupuncture treatment, Yaris leaned tiredly in his brother's arms.
Malus entered the bedroom and reported to Xiao Yun: "'Dark Night Mentor' has just returned to the army."
"oh?"
"As a dark mage, he cannot enter the inner city of Denos, which is rich in divine power. Therefore, he can only transmit the message to His Majesty through us stationed in the outer city."
"What news did he bring?"
Yaris opened his eyes and asked excitedly.
"He said the latest situation in the capital is very grim. More and more people are experiencing physical deformities—skin turning blue-green, keratinous scales growing, limb bones twisting and deforming, and so on. Furthermore, according to his observations, there have been small-scale cases of resurrection from the dead in the capital recently."
"Resurrection from the dead?"
"Resurrection of the Dead?"
Xiao Yun and Yaris asked in unison: "Is there a more detailed explanation?"
"According to him, the second barrier enveloping the capital is becoming increasingly complete, though even he can only vaguely discern its outline. What is certain is that the resurrection in the capital falls roughly into two categories. One is when those infected with the 'demon spores' have their consciousness completely replaced by the 'demon spores,' turning them into the walking dead. The other is a purer resurrection of the undead, where the deceased returns from Hell due to some special law-based power."
"As for the Bright Palace, which is encased in the more solid First Barrier... he can't see anything now, and Romila can't find a crack to enter the palace..."
"If you can't find it, forget it."
Yaris muttered softly.
"Are you going to give up Ulysses?" Xiao Yun asked.
Yaris shook his head and said bitterly, "Ulysses is a man of strong character. No matter what happens, he will never betray his people."
"--All right."
Xiao Yun understood Yaris's choice and admitted that he really couldn't spare the energy to help Ulysses who was trapped in the palace.
…
After listening to Malus's report and confirming that the troops stationed in the outer city, including the wounded and ordinary citizens who were unable to fight, were properly accommodated, Xiao Yun nodded with satisfaction.
At this time, one of the attendants who had been sent to follow Zog returned to the room and reported to the two, "Count Zog is currently in the third room on the left side of the Corridor of Faith, talking with Priest Balance, Priest Zino, and several deputy priests."
Upon hearing this, Yaris's expression changed drastically. "The current chief priest is Code, who is already sixty-five years old. Balance, his right-hand man, is only in his early forties this year. He has a high probability of becoming the next chief priest."
"so--"
"Um."
Yaris nodded.
Xiao Yun: "I'll talk to Priest Balance and the others right now!"
"Send Cord over directly."
Yaris said bluntly: "I am the current high priest. They have no right to make any decisions without my permission!"
"Yes, sir."
The servant quickly left the room.
Soon, the current chief priest, Code, walked into the room.
The cunning old charlatan immediately nodded to Xiao Yun beside Yaris upon entering the room. He then quickly walked up to Yaris, knelt on both knees, and kissed Yaris's shoes: "Your Highness, you summoned me?"
"Zog is currently chatting with your favorite disciple, Balance, in the third room on the left side of the Corridor of Faith. Also present are Priest Jino and several deputy priests."
Yaris directly pointed out the reason: "I have already explained the situation to you. This incident is not a dispute over the throne nor a civil war in the empire. It is an extremely serious and terrifying event, an invasion of the human world by another world, which threatens the survival of the human world! We must quickly unite all the forces that can be united and nominate my brother as the commander-in-chief to protect our world and save our people!"
"In the face of such a serious situation as the invasion of another world, whether it's a former enemy nation, a pagan, a heretic, or even a dark magic sect keen on making deals with the Dark Demon God... they are all worthy targets of unity!"
Yaris added, "Baransi and the others have now ignored my ban and are actively contacting alien forces! What do you think I should do with them?"
"Your Highness—"
Code looked up and tried to speak for his students, but the moment he saw Yaris's dark eyes as deep as the night sky, he couldn't help but lower his head.
"...For many years, there have always been various conflicts within the church. Of course, under the leadership of His Highness Yaris, we have almost achieved unity, but..."
"But what?"
"Have we really encountered an alien invasion?"
"You doubt my judgment?"
"No--"
Code raised his head in embarrassment and whispered, "Your Highness hopes that we unite with all those we can, including former enemies, pagans, heretics, and even the Dark Mage... But are they really willing to join hands with us? The various disasters caused by the alien invasion are currently only existing within the Empire, or more precisely, the Empire's capital... For those who are mainly active outside the Empire... I'm afraid... I'm worried..."
""
Yaris sighed. "Before the whole world was connected to everyone, people often didn't realize that the world was a whole."
,us……"
Cord muttered quietly.
Yaris raised his hand
"yes."
The elderly Corder stood up with the help of his servants.
Yaris smiled and asked: "Preparations for the coronation——"
“It’s basically done.”
"That……"
Yaris thought for a moment and instructed, "On the day of the coronation, Balance and Zino will be responsible for holding the cloak. Also, Zog will be allowed to stay and watch the ceremony."
"Yes, sir."
…
…
"If you were to go with the name your father gave you and simply name you Lucien I, while there's nothing wrong with that name astrologically, it's too literary and romantic, and could easily give people the impression of being indecisive and weak. This is the most turbulent and chaotic era in the Western Continent in the past thousand years..."
"Also, since the Holy Family declared their permanent renunciation of worldly power three thousand years ago, after the coronation ceremony is completed, you will be separated from the Holy Family and will no longer use the surname Sainttis."
"So, now you not only have to come up with a title for yourself as emperor, but you also have to design a brand new surname for yourself."
"...I've already decided on this. I want to use Claude Al Shaw as my new name."
Xiao Yun said without hesitation.
"Claude Al Shaw... Shaw..."
Yaris repeated the name softly, as if remembering something he missed so much: "Why did you think of using the surname 'Xiao'?"
"Shaw is a very nice surname. The pronunciation and meaning of the "e" remind me of bright sunshine."
Xiao Yun said calmly.
He had a feeling that the world was about to undergo unprecedented changes starting tomorrow.
On the other side——
After listening to his brother's reasons, a brilliant smile gradually appeared on Yaris's fair face. He said softly: "After the coronation, your name will be changed from Lucien al-Saints to Claude al-Shaw, and the title of Emperor——"
He thought carefully for a long time and suggested, "How about Aura I?"
…
Ding-ding-ding-ding
The clear sound of a bell entered his dream, and Xiao Yun opened his eyes in a half-awake state.
(Here is…here is—ah! The day of the coronation!)
The thought flashed through Xiao Yun's mind, and he suddenly woke up. He sat up in bed, looking at the clean sheets beneath him and the plain canopy above his head. He felt an inexplicable sense of unease...
He turned his head to look at the empty space beside him and the wall covered with portraits of emperors of past dynasties, and finally understood.
Yaris is not here.
Due to limited time and rushed preparations, the coronation ceremony, which traditionally should have been completed over three days, was shortened to two days, but all the necessary procedures were retained.
Therefore, on the night before the coronation ceremony, Xiao Yun followed tradition and entered the temple alone, where portraits of all the previous emperors of the empire were hung. By spending the night in the temple, he proved that he had been recognized by all the previous emperors.
(The so-called coronation is nothing more than a highly ritualized political performance.)
Xiao Yun thought to himself and shook the bell beside the bed.
boom--
The temple gate slowly opened, and the attendants entered carrying blessed holy water and various items needed for the first day of the coronation ceremony.
According to regulations, the person who receives the crown, after being recognized by the previous emperors, needs to take his first bath in the morning sun. After the bath, he needs to wipe his whole body with holy water to prove that his body is not invaded by evil spirits and evil thoughts. Then he needs to put on a white dress without any jewelry or gold or silver decorations, which represents purity and elegance, and sit in a carriage decorated with carvings of twin gods. Young clergymen in red priest robes will use small branches of sacred trees to sprinkle water droplets on both sides to clear the way. Amid the cheers of the crowds on both sides of the road, they will complete the journey from the temple to the great temple.
At this point, the coronation ceremony officially began.
In full view of the crowd, Xiao Yun, dressed in a pure white dress, stepped down from the carriage. Two teams of ascetic priests in brown clothes led the way, holding hanging furnaces that continuously emitted white smoke. Behind them followed a large number of trainee priests who continued to recite psalms. Amidst the endless ringing of bells, lazy and long hymns, and the cheers of the people, they slowly entered the large temple filled with incense.
The air in the Great Temple was already filled with a slightly hallucinogenic aroma emitted by a mixture of burning spices, so thick that it almost became a physical entity.
After entering the great temple, the ascetic priests immediately dispersed and stood on both sides of the red carpet holding hanging incense burners. The apprentice priests following behind them stopped outside the hall, leaving Xiao Yun alone standing in the middle of the thick fragrance and red carpet with the long hem and long shawl of his white dress, waiting quietly.
"The claimant to the throne—"
A clear and pleasant sound like a mountain spring rang out, and the bells and chorus suddenly stopped.
Xiao Yun knew that it was Yaris's voice.
"You are about to undergo a trial by the gods, who will determine whether you are worthy of becoming emperor. If you are unworthy but still ambitiously seek the throne, you will be punished by the gods and die on the spot. - Have you considered this clearly?"
"I am willing to accept the test of the gods."
"Okay, please step forward."
Following these words, the bells and chorus rang out again, and the rich fragrance pressed down like a mountain or sea, making Xiao Yun a little breathless.
(…Can I pass the test of the gods?)
(If the gods discovered that not only was I not of the Holy Family's bloodline, but my soul didn't even belong to this world... would they...)
(Although the "Trial of the Gods" stage is often considered a formality, in history, many princes did faint inexplicably during this stage and never woke up again...)
(I……)
Xiao Yun looked up and saw Yaris standing at the end of the thick fog - his eyes were as deep and focused as the darkness at the beginning of the universe, looking at him.
(I don't need the approval of the gods, I only need your approval...)
He reached out his hand without hesitation, held Yaris's slightly cold hand, and then -
Under the guidance of Yaris, he sat on a stone called the Trial of the Gods.
In an instant, a chill penetrated my entire body along with my intuition, and then—
"The gods are very pleased!"
"The gods have recognized Lucien al-Saintes!"
Following this shout, all the priests in the Great Temple lined up and came forward, holding incense burners in their hands and chanting blessing prayers, circling around Xiao Yun who was sitting on the trial stone and Yaris who was standing beside him.
The people gathered in the circular square in front of the Great Temple also cheered with joy.
"Long live! Long live!"
…
…
In order to compress the three-day coronation ceremony into two days, the small coronation ceremony, which was supposed to be completed in two days, cut out several links such as parades, celebrations, and banquets.
Even so, the lengthy and complicated ceremony made Xiao Yun, who was usually energetic, feel rarely exhausted.
After the long and drowsy hymns, blessings and prayers, Yaris took off his brother's white dress robe without any jewelry or gold or silver decorations but with a long skirt and a long sash, and glanced at the members of the priest group represented by the chief priest Cod standing beside him.
Code felt Yaris's gaze and walked forward reluctantly. While reciting blessings, he put on a purple brocade robe embroidered with gold thread for Xiao Yun, who was wearing only a white inner robe without any decoration after taking off his white outer robe. Then he bowed and stepped aside.
The second priest then stepped forward and, while blessing Xiao Yun, tied a golden belt inlaid with twelve gemstones on it. After finishing, he stepped back to Code's side.
The third priest, the fourth priest, the fifth priest... stepped forward one by one and put on Xiao Yun's golden ribbon, jeweled amulet, and golden sword...
Each time an item is put on, the priest must say a blessing until all related items are put on.
Yaris stepped forward again, and amid the hymns of the gods, he hugged his brother, who was covered with heavy and expensive gold ornaments, kissed his forehead, put the heavy crown on his brown hair, and handed the scepter and sword to him in turn.
at last--
Priests Baranth and Zino brought a tray stacked with coronation cloaks made of the most precious furs and purest purple brocade, which only the emperor could wear.
Yaris reached out, took the collar of the large cloak from the tray, draped it over his brother's shoulders, and secured it with the gold brooch and jewel necklace sewn into the collar of the cloak.
"A new emperor is born!"
Priest Balans and Priest Jino slowly retreated, and the heavy purple stacked on the tray flowed down their bodies like water. The weight of more than 20 kilograms was completely pressed on Xiao Yun's shoulders.
"Claude Al Xiao has gained the recognition of the gods and become the first monarch of the Holy Sun Empire!"
"Your title is Aura I!"
A steady and monotonous voice echoed in the Great Temple.
Everyone at the scene was stunned.
(He actually chose Aura as his emperor title!)
(Ola is a variant pronunciation of Ella! Does he think he can guide the fate of the planet?)
(Ah ...
The hall was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
Many people were even extremely angry because the new emperor chose an unprecedented title of emperor, their faces turned pale and their bodies trembled.
However, no matter how angry and unwilling these people were in their hearts, when they looked up at the new emperor who had completed the small coronation ceremony, they unconsciously felt a strong touch in the depths of their souls.
In the hall filled with fragrant mist, his face was dignified and handsome, like a masterpiece handed down from generation to generation by the world's top painters. His statue-like, strong and upright body adorned with gold ornaments emitted a faint golden glow, as if the heart beating in his chest was not a human heart but the sun in the sky!
at the same time--
After completing the small coronation ceremony, Xiao Yun, wearing a heavy crown, holding a scepter in one hand and an orb in the other, and draped in a heavy purple coronation cloak, walked out of the Great Temple accompanied by Yaris, who was wearing the high priest's white robe. Standing on the high steps, facing the gaze of tens of thousands of people gathered in the large square, he slowly raised the scepter in his hand:
"Long live the Empire! Long live the people! Long live Ella!"
"Long live! Long live!"
"Long live Aura I!"
"Long live the Empire!"
People shouted in unison, their hearts beating like drums, and they were unwilling to stop until their voices were hoarse.
…
…
"Brother, how do you feel?"
A gentle voice sounded beside his ears, and Xiao Yun suddenly opened his eyes: "Yaris, I, I..."
"You are undergoing your second bath. Once you complete the anointing ceremony, you can join me in entering the eighth floor of the divine tower for the grand coronation ceremony, which will be attended only by us and the gods."
Yaris said with a smile.
He took off the heavy formal dress he wore when presiding over the small coronation ceremony and wore only a thin gauze dress. Behind him, his servants held a bronze vessel filled with holy oil.
"That doesn't mean..."
Xiao Yun felt inexplicably shy.
Yaris smiled and said, "The Grand Coronation Ceremony is more solemn and dignified than the Small Coronation Ceremony. You must reveal your entire self to the gods, proving that your body and soul are absolutely pure and clean."
"All right……"
Xiao Yun stood up from the pool somewhat helplessly and walked up the marble steps to Yaris.
"Keep this position and don't move."
As he spoke, Yaris scooped out a spoonful of holy oil from the bronze vessel with a spoon and slowly poured it along Xiao Yun's left shoulder.
The light golden liquid slid down the muscle lines, bringing some sticky discomfort to the body.
[Just bear with it for a moment. We'll help you clean it up after the ceremony.]
Taking advantage of the physical contact, Yaris comforted his brother who was a little restless due to the anointing ceremony.
I know, it’s just…
The entire ceremony will not last long.
While comforting him, Yaris scooped out another spoonful of holy oil and slowly poured it along Xiao Yun's right shoulder, then his back and chest...
After pouring it four times, front, back, left and right, Yaris asked Xiao Yun to bend his knees and lower his head with his hands clasped together, and poured the last holy oil on his brother's scalp.
"The anointing is complete."
Following these words, Yaris picked up the twin branches of the sacred tree revered by the Twin Gods faith and gently patted Xiao Yun's entire body to prove that his body was indeed clean and flawless.
After the purification process was over, the attendant came forward and dressed Xiao Yun in a brand new, floor-length black garment without any seams or decorations. He covered his eyes with a translucent black veil and finally put on a black cloak that completely covered his face, symbolizing that he had severed all ties with the secular world and returned to the innocent body and mind of the beginning of the chaos of the universe to enter the eighth floor of the Tower of God, until he passed the test of the gods and was reborn again with the rising of the sun.
"Next, I will hold your hand and lead you into the eighth floor of the God Tower."
Yaris said seriously, "Before the ceremony is complete, you cannot take off your hood or untie the veil covering your eyes. Even the slightest mistake will mean the failure of the coronation. Even so, do you still want to proceed with the coronation?"
"Yes, I accept."
"So--"
Yaris stretched out his fragrant left hand and held Xiao Yun's right hand.
[The eighth level trial is extremely dangerous. You must trust me completely throughout the entire process.]
【I know. 】
"here we go."
"Um."
Xiao Yun took a deep breath, and under the guidance of Yaris, took the first step towards the divine tower barefoot.
…
With his eyes covered by a veil, he could only vaguely sense his surroundings. He was wearing only a black garment, and his skin was covered with slippery holy oil.
In this environment, even though there were priests holding candlesticks on both sides leading the way, and the person holding his right hand and leading him forward was Yaris, whom he trusted the most, Xiao Yun still felt a strong sense of discomfort with every step he took on the cold marble.
"arrive."
Yaris's voice sounded again.
All the candle-bearing priests who were traveling with them knelt down.
"There are stairs ahead, be careful when you walk."
After saying that, Yaris took another step forward, leading Xiao Yun through the long stairs and into the divine tower that shone with dazzling light day and night.
The inside of the divine tower was as sparkling as the outside, but because his eyes were covered with a veil, Xiao Yun could only determine that he was walking in an environment as bright as daylight by the light that shone into his eyes through the gaps.
"The first five floors of the sacred pagoda are ordinary sacrificial sites. At most, they have a more solemn and sacred atmosphere than the great temple."
As if to ease his brother's anxiety or simply to explain the divine tower to his brother who was entering it for the first time, Yaris talked and laughed in a slightly nonchalant tone, leading Xiao Yun through the magnificent corridor decorated with numerous shrines and murals on both sides, and walked slowly and steadily towards the higher part of the divine tower, stepping on the crystal clear stairs that seemed to be made of crystal.
The number of candle-bearing priests accompanying them was decreasing.
By the time the two reached the fifth floor and headed for the sixth floor, none of the candle-bearing priests who had accompanied them were left.
Yaris also stopped in front of the stairs leading to the sixth floor.
"Next we will go directly to the eighth floor."
"direct?"
Xiao Yun pricked up his ears.
"Yes, go directly to the eighth floor."
Yaris murmured, holding Xiao Yun's hand and walking to a wall.
Through the gauze, Xiao Yun vaguely saw Yaris raise his right hand, stroke the wall with his fingertips in a specific pattern, and recite complex runes like a spell.
Then--
[Fingerprint verification completed! Voice password correct!]
Ancient secret language full of mechanical feeling was rang out, and the wall in front cracked silently. Even through the gauze, one could feel the strong light coming towards him.
"Eighth floor, here we are."
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