Victor's sister, Leah Clavner, released news of Victor's disappearance shortly after returning to Braxton.
She offered a hefty reward, promising a huge prize to anyone who could find Victor Clavner.
Upon hearing this news, many people present couldn't help but sigh.
They also felt sorry for Victor's disappearance.
After all, everyone knows how much Viktor has sacrificed for this country.
To fight against calamity, to fight against the gods.
Without Victor, this country would probably have to rely entirely on Emperor Aubrey.
Many nobles couldn't help but reminisce about Victor's past.
They used to dislike Viktor, thinking he was cold and aloof.
They even wanted to find fault with Viktor in every possible way.
This further damaged the reputation of the already disreputable monk.
But no one could have predicted that Viktor would be the hero who saved the entire empire.
But it was too late; no matter how much they regretted it, they couldn't stop Viktor's disappearance.
A week has passed, and Viktor's fate remains a mystery.
The ministers stood silently on both sides of the palace, watching the emperor ascend the tall throne.
Aubrey coughed twice, and the nobles in the room immediately straightened their posture.
Aurelion stood quietly beside the throne, her hands folded in front of her abdomen.
With everything prepared, the ministers were ready to begin reporting to the emperor.
But today, Aubrey unusually raised his hand and pressed it down, signaling the ministers to remain silent for the time being.
The ministers who were about to give their reports returned to their places, and the palace fell silent once again.
Aubrey slowly began to speak:
"The new year will be here soon."
The nobles looked at each other in bewilderment upon hearing this.
Indeed, the Empire's New Year is just around the corner.
But now that the capital has been destroyed like this, it is naturally impossible to hold the event as grandly as before.
In previous years, preparations for the New Year needed to begin half a month in advance.
Moreover, the participation of mages can greatly improve efficiency.
However, this year the monks are busy helping residents rebuild their homes.
Even so, there weren't enough mages; even the magic apprentices from the academies had to go up and carry bricks.
The young mages from noble families also experienced for the first time what it means to be the most honorable person to work.
At the current rate, it would be considered good if the entire capital could be repaired by the time of the Lunar New Year, with about 50% of the work completed.
But the ministers did not interrupt Oberly.
Aubrey's next words left everyone present stunned.
"I intend to pass the throne to Aurelion on New Year's Day."
That sound was like a cold wind blowing from the North, freezing everyone in place.
Some ministers even dropped their notebooks, too shocked to pick them up again.
Is a new emperor ascending the throne?
This is so sudden!
Although they had long known that Aurelion's future succession to the empire was a foregone conclusion, they did not expect this day to come so soon.
Logically speaking, there are only two possibilities for a new emperor to ascend the throne.
The previous emperor has passed away.
Or perhaps the previous emperor was too old and unable to continue ruling the empire.
In any of these respects, it is inextricably linked to the physical strength of the previous emperor.
Now, Aubrey is still alive, yet he is voluntarily stepping down.
That basically explains...
All the nobles' eyes were focused on the emperor, who looked unusually old and haggard.
That emperor who showed no fear in the face of the gods and still displayed an invincible demeanor.
But... in those short seven days, Aubrey aged incredibly fast.
His face was covered in wrinkles and his breathing was heavy, revealing his exhaustion.
First, there was Victor's disappearance, and now it's the abdication of their great emperor.
The empire has lost two pillars.
There's nothing to be sad about.
Suddenly, Aubrey's deep, weathered voice rang out in the palace.
They all looked up at Aubrey.
Aubrey turned his head and looked at Aurelion, who had lowered her head and was lost in sorrow.
The ministers followed Aubrey's gaze.
Aurelion stood to the side with a somber face, her expression hidden from view.
But their hands, folded together, were clenched tightly.
Then, Aubrey's aged voice continued to resound in a deep, resonant tone:
"Just like you believe your teacher will definitely come back."
"I still believe in you as always."
Aubrey's warm gaze, like the gentle spring sun, slowly fell upon Aurelion.
In a daze, Aubrey seemed to see what Aurelion would look like when she grew up.
He was dressed in royal robes, wore a crown, and held a scepter that shone with golden light.
Aurelion is no longer the weak little girl she once was.
She stood atop the empire, her face cold and indifferent, looking down upon all the empire's inhabitants.
Aubrey gazed at the hazy future, his eyes softening once more.
He squinted slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.
So, even without us.
"You will surely become that shining star that always illuminates people."
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