Victory Parade (2)

The square was filled in every direction with people cheering.

The drums played by the military band at the front of the procession pounded against my heart, while the engine noise of the armored vehicles surrounding us made my skin tremble.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on me.

The man who would become the Empire's new emperor. The superhuman who had breathed new strength into the crumbling Empire. The eyes of those expecting me to restore the Empire's glory once more were... To be honest, they were a little overwhelming.

But I was a leader who had been ruling for eighteen years now. Maintaining a poker face without letting it show was not particularly difficult.

Once I hid the ordinary, small-citizen mindset I had carried over from my previous life, I finally found a little room to breathe.

"The citizens are quite enthusiastic."

"That means the expectations they place on you, Lord Kyle, are just as great."

As always, it was Lucilla who answered from beside me.

There was no one else in the car I was riding in besides Lucilla, the driver, and me...