Chapter 263: Official Announcement (5)
“You did very well.”
“Huh? What?”
“You know… about what happened yesterday.”
“Oh.”
“The old man’s reaction was an expected one, but the fact that the Princess had also spoken surprised me.
It certainly did feel like that.
I couldn’t look at the Princess’s face because I was concentrating on the Emperor, but I remembered her stuttering with her eyes wide open.
Of course, the Emperor’s face was even more spectacular.
It was enough to be worried that the old man’s heart would stop in surprise, so I would not need another modifier.
After the short demonstration, it was natural that raised.
They seemed amazed that, even in this place where magic and divine power were normal, I had managed to create a dragon-like entity. Of course, what I created wasn’t a real-life form, but it would definitely look no different for them.
The look of those who rubbed their eyes was still clear. The Emperor wasn’t the only one who was surprised.
Ibuki Suzumiya seemed to have been told by Yuno Kasugano beforehand, but the attitudes of those from Dawan to me had changed noticeably.
I had proven that I wasn’t just lucky to be there.
Cheon Gwan-wi, the wizard, continued to ask questions even after mealtime was over, and Wi Ran, the archer, made me feel embarrassed, seeing as she continued to send me strange gazes.
Of course, the Emperor’s reaction was more important than theirs.
I didn’t know if the bait had been effective before, but after the meal was over, he told me that he would like to have a separate conversation with me.
He even said he wanted to support alchemy, so it was quite a big achievement to say that this happened in only five hours.
‘Sweet!’
In the first place, I wasn’t interested in unnecessary support, but in the rare catalyst that may be stored in the treasury/ If I were to receive imperial support and support from the Holy Empire, it would be strange not to look forward to it.
“I thought I would get bored to death, but thanks to you, I had fun, well… Maybe some of them are also grateful to you. Dealing with that old man is so annoying.”
“That… is what people would like you to think. The opportunity to have dinner with the Emperor doesn’t come easily, and in this case, if I don’t give a strong impression, I don’t know when I can do it again. In my perspective, I’m the one who doesn’t understand you.”
“I don’t like it. It doesn’t matter if I don’t get close to that old man. It seems that Wi-ran and Park Yeon-joo think that they need that, too… Well, do you think they do it because they like it? Phew… Seeing you doing that yesterday, I just thought…”
“What?”
“This bastard is enjoying it.”
“It’s a compliment, right?”
“Sure. I thought you were a natural.”
“I won’t deny it.”
Hearing that I was as natural as a suck-ass is a bit painful, but I indeed enjoyed it.
When I turned my face at the sudden rush of embarrassment, what I saw was a crowd cheering under the platform of the royal castle.
I expected the scale to be quite large, but they paid a little more attention than I thought.
The shouts I heard made my ears hurt, and just looking at the scale of the imperial flags and decorations all over the place, it felt like they spent quite a bit of gold.
The nobles sitting on one side were also influential nobles representing the Empire. My gaze stayed for a while where Marlin Young-ae was waving, before I waved back roughly.
Located a little farther from there are the members of the Pope’s side.
The Pope did not appear, but there were three cardinals present, including Cardinal Basel.
It was confirmed that Archbishop Jessica and the Director of Inquisition Helena, who could not usually be seen in official events, were also present.
Seeing that all the people who have a strong relationship with me attended made me feel proud.
‘That’s right.’
“But when does this start?”
As soon as I heard Cha Hee-ra’s voice mixed with dissatisfaction, a loud voice began to resonate.
“Your Majesty is entering.”
The Emperor and Charlotte, the Second Princess of the Empire, had appeared on the podium. The only difference from yesterday was that the woman who was estimated to be the First Princess was also present.
As soon as I looked at the status window with my Mind’s Eye, the First Princess’s information appeared.
‘Hmm…’
Charlia, the First Princess of the Empire. Her disposition was a Self-righteous Egoist.
‘Whoa…’
Even the Emperor, who couldn’t see things straight, also knew which of the first and second princesses suits the Empress title better.
‘She can’t make it…’
With a vicious face, the First Princess looked like a villain.
The poison that filled Charlia’s eyes was directed towards Charlotte, who was favored by the Emperor. Of course, her face also looked full of greed.
[Unique Characteristic: Jealous Witch]
Her unique characteristic was also a witch. I thought there might be a reason her personality was formed that way.
It was like an obvious cliché, so I didn’t think I’d have to explain it.
The second was more favored by the father, and the first was unloved. It was a story that I heard a lot about quarrels between sisters. I didn’t know them much, but I was sure the hostility was present.
Until now, the fight for successors had not been so fierce, but if the Emperor’s health was deteriorating in earnest or external factors were involved, it would soon emerge on the surface.
I even thought about whether it had affected her unique characteristic, but being within a villain category did not mean that everyone will not love her.
‘It would be better to avoid this one.’
Anyway, the Emperor, accompanied by the First and Second Princesses, slowly began to walk out. It didn’t take long for him to stand in front of the platform where all the imperial people were visible.
“I think he is going to give a speech…”
“Well… he has to. It’s because it’s been a long time since he has the chance to flaunt himself. He made the Eight Seats or whatever to do that.”
I had no choice but to agree with Cha Hee-ra.
As expected, the Emperor’s voice stretched out and was heard loudly using the voice amplification magic… Honestly, it wasn’t all that great of a speech.
‘It’s boring.’
He had no power to attract people with his voice, his speech content was too long like the words of a principal’s admonition, and honestly, it was just difficult to bear.
My expression of irresistible yawning would best describe the situation.
“Dear people of the Holy Empire. Thank you for keeping this place together…”
It felt like I’d already heard the phrase ‘Dear people of the Holy Empire’ about 23 times.
“Even today… the power of the great Empire…”
That ‘great Empire’ seemed to have been spoken about 35 times.
When I finally heard the concluding statement, I couldn’t help but breathe out a sigh of relief.
“Now… I would like to introduce to our proud citizens of the Empire… the power of the Empire, the shield that protects the Empire, and the sword that kills its enemies… These dark-haired foreigners have lived together in this land and have contributed a great deal to the Empire’s development, and now, I appoint those who will be called as the Eight Seats of the Holy Empire!”
“Woooooaaaaaahhh!!”
It was natural for a loud shout to come out.
I didn’t know if it was a cheer that the Emperor’s long speech was finally over, or if it was a cheer for the Eight Imperial Seats, but the probability of the former was never low.
The Emperor nodded happily at the shouts of the crowd and continued to speak.
“The First Seat of the Empire, Cha Hee-ra.”
Cha Heera, sitting next to me, jumped up and headed in front of the platform.
“I’m going first, honey.”
“Okay.”
I could see her red hair swaying while she walks confidently in front of the crowd, wearing some nice armor.
‘She looks cool.’
The soldier who was introducing Cha Hee-ra on behalf of the Emperor shouted out her performances. My face turned red upon hearing this, but I knew it was a necessary part.
‘It’s a little too much, but…’
I wondered if it would have been nice if they had taken easy, but it was not so bad. This was the right place for it, anyway.
The publicity effect that the Emperor was expecting was sufficient. There was no problem, as the public seemed enthusiastic.
Even after Cha Hee-ra, the Empire’s people cheered every time the Eight Seats went out one by one.
‘I know why he did this…’
As time passed, I thought about it deeply, and the answer I came up with was ‘The public is thirsty for power.’
“The Third Seat of the Empire, Yuno Kasugano.”
Yuno Kasugano was next to the Fog Summoner’s Cheon Gwan-wi.
I could see her going forward with a slightly hardened expression as if she wasn’t used to this.
“The Fourth Seat of the Empire, Park Yeon-joo.”
The crowd shouted.
“The Fifth Seat of the Empire, Wi Ran.”
The shouts burst once again.
“The Sixth Seat of the Empire, Ibuki Suzumiya.”
And…
“The Seventh Seat of the Empire, Kim Hyunsung.”
The lovely returner stood up only after some rabbles went out.
Despite wearing a light armament, his footsteps were unstoppable.
The imperial flag fluttered due to the blowing wind, catching everyone’s eyes and inducing a strange feeling that raised the atmosphere even more.
‘It’s picture-perfect, Hyunsung!’
I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but just as the clouds in the sky parted, sunlight began to pour.
‘Its direction is great!’
The direction that I thought was too early felt okay now.
The cheers of the imperialists were growing and growing, and of course, my turn was no exception.
“The Eighth Seat of the Empire, Lee Kiyoung.”
My name was called next, so I tried to walk as dignified as possible, but it was impossible to show such a dignified image like the other Eight Seats.
I even missed my step and almost fell. However, the shouts were still quite loud.
“He is the Blue Vice Guild Master representing the Free City of Lindel, and he has been chosen by a dragon. He is also the Honorary Bishop of the Holy Empire, one of the 30 Continental Guardians who saved the continent, an alchemist representing the Empire…”
I also thought that there were quite a lot of titles I had won. It had even increased as the unofficial titles were added.
Of course, an extraordinary genius, the guru of strategy and resourcefulness, and ridiculous titles came out with them, but they were all just part of publicity…
‘I could turn a blind eye on this.’
Perhaps the people who planned this event had chosen to make me appear as the brain of the Empire.
All they showed were the Castle Rock’s Monster Wave blockage and troops’ formation, but as the Five Tiger Generals of the Republic had similar things, it seemed that they wanted to balance it.
‘It’s not bad.’
Although there were a few lies, I had no reason to refuse them, all because it made me seem like a genius.
It was also the position I wanted in the first place, and the effect that I looked great even if I wasn’t really great was tremendous.
“Woooooaaahhhhhh!!!”
Crowds were screaming as loudly and cheerfully as they could.
It was a perfect success for the Emperor, the planners, and the participants of this event. If there were a problem, it would be that many events will be organized after this.
Many schedules had piled up, such as going down to the platform and doing a march, shaking hands with some imperial representatives, parties with nobles, etc.
‘Do I have to do it like this…?’
It was quite fun at first, but as time passed, I seemed to hit the limit of my physical strength. It was then that the old Emperor personally came to me and raised my hand.
A cheer burst naturally, and the old Emperor tapped my back.
‘This old man really likes vassals.’
It was uncommon to see an emperor who liked vassals too openly.
I didn’t know why, but Cardinal Basel, who was shocked by looking at it, slowly approached my direction.
‘I did not hope for anything like this…’
It was nice to be favored by many, but in this way, the possibility of creating enemies increased.
Of course, the results went as expected. I felt Charlotte’s gaze, looking at me with displeasure. However, having the Emperor on one side and the Cardinal Basel on the other side proved to be more reliable than expected.
‘I, man! Ugh! I went with them! Man! I had a drink with them! Ugh! I had a meal with them! I went to the sauna! You know! I did everything, man!’
These words continuously revolved around in my head in a mocking fashion.