Chapter 41
“I believe the title “Crowning Ceremony” would be fitting.”
“A crowning ceremony ultimately focuses only on the Saintess, so how can we use such a term?”
“Do you have a better suggestion, then?”
“Of course I do! Proclamation Ceremony of Heavenly Mandate! His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will proclaim the will of the heavens, acting on behalf of the heavens! No, becoming the heavens themselves to acknowledge the Saintess… A proclamation! I think this would be excellent.”
The State Council Chamber was incredibly busy due to the Saintess Enthronement Ceremony scheduled for next week.
“Proclamation Ceremony of Heavenly Mandate, not bad. It is true that the Saintess must stand out, but isn’t it ultimately His Highness who acknowledges her?”
“That is exactly my point. The Saintess is also under the Shadow of the Empire. The word 'crown' doesn’t quite sit right with me.”
“She won’t even be wearing a crown in the first place. Didn’t we agree on a veil?”
“That is correct.”
“Which is all the more reason to go with the Proclamation Ceremony of Heavenly Mandate, because it is a stage where His Royal Highness the Crown Prince announces the Saintess!”
Starting with deciding the name.
“Is the holy oil prepared?”
“They say the Saintess’s side has it. The Saintess herself didn’t know, but it seems those who came with her brought it in advance.”
“Haha, did they bring it thinking she would become a Saintess? That’s one less thing to worry about.”
“Starting with the veil, can the ring and scepter be finished in time? Are you saying they can be produced in just a week?”
“And if they can’t? If they can’t, are you going to tell His Royal Highness the Crown Prince that it’s impossible? Can you even do that?”
“No, I mean realistically…”
“I am telling you it is realistically possible, so don’t worry, it will definitely be done.”
The production of symbols that would further reinforce her legitimacy.
“What have we decided for the procedure?”
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince stated he wishes for as many imperial citizens to see it as possible… so we’ve steered toward holding it outside the Imperial Palace. Doing it in the Imperial Central Plaza doesn’t seem like a bad idea.”
“It would be good to stage it so she starts from the lowest point and walks toward the Sun like ascending a staircase.”
And how to decorate the stage for the Saintess Enthronement Ceremony, among other things.
Taking place amidst these various discussions.
The most crucial point was this.
“What shall we do about the symbol?”
“That is the issue, whether the Sun should be included or not.”
“Even so, making it exactly the same as the Original Romper makes no sense.”
“That goes without saying. But to include the Sun… I’m afraid it might be perceived as a state religion, which is troubling.”
“Still, the first Saintess has been born in the Empire, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is personally celebrating the occasion, so the Sun must definitely be included.”
“Hmm…”
“How should we design the new symbol?”
If they had their way, they would have loved to slap a massive Sun right on it.
The problem was that, if handled poorly, it could be misunderstood as the state religion.
It was just when no one could come up with any notable ideas for the symbol.
“Then how about we just make it equal for everyone, and say that from now on, anyone who wants to conduct religious activities in the Empire must embed the Sun in their symbol?”
Someone continued speaking, having come up with an incredible idea.
“There’s no need to give the Sun to just one Religious Order. If we bestow the Sun upon all religious orders… wouldn’t that mean they are all under the shadow of the Bellos Empire?”
“…If you want to conduct religious activities on Imperial Territory, place the Sun at the top?”
“Exactly. Didn’t those arrogant fools in the Southern Region cross the line by doing this and that under the guise of donations in the first place?”
The key personnel in the State Council Chamber were all individuals who fiercely loved the Empire.
Those who were satisfied with their current positions, wished for the Empire to be eternal, and had sworn unbreakable loyalty.
An elite group that had survived the Great Central Purge, which had occurred first.
Because they were such people, they took this current discussion more seriously than anyone else.
“If they had a Sun embedded at the top from the start, we would have let it slide even if they crossed the line. Because it would be an acknowledgment that they are under the Shadow of the Empire.”
“Now that I hear it, that makes sense.”
“It is an undeniable point.”
Everyone chimed in with a word or two at the unimaginable suggestion.
Right, how dare a mere religion try to stand above the Empire.
“…Then is the Empire officially stating that religion is placed below humans?”
“Not humans, but below the Great Empire and the Sun. Who could possibly be above the Sun in the first place?”
“You’re not wrong. Then let’s decide that the Sun will be present at the top of the changed symbol, and we will get it confirmed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.”
Know that on Imperial Territory, even gods have no choice but to be beneath the Sun.
To make this known to all religions,
from now on, the Sun will be at the top of all religious symbols and emblems.
++++++
Time flowed incredibly fast.
Perhaps it was because there was so much to do.
“I suppose I’ll have to visit the Western Region after the Saintess Enthronement Ceremony… no, the Proclamation Ceremony of Heavenly Mandate? I’ll have to go after doing that.”
Before I knew it, the Proclamation Ceremony of Heavenly Mandate was right around the corner.
It was a short period of about six days, if one could call it short.
During that time, the Empire was preparing to face a massive change.
“Empire Status Window.”
How much and in what way was the Empire changing?
Ding!
[ Empire Status Window ]
This displays the current state of the Empire.
As it is in the initial stage, the verifiable aspects are limited.
Administration: Supreme National Treasury: Adequate (↑)
Military Power: Robust (↑)
Diplomacy: The Worst (↑)
Corruption: Fair (↑)
A massive upheaval has currently occurred in the Eastern Region, the Northern Region, and the Magic Tower.
Due to this, a brief Eastern Region & Northern Region & Magic Tower report is temporarily displayed.
[ Brief Eastern Report ]
The current Grand Duke of the East, Jabairen Marin, is recovering many things.
Additionally, there are signs of a new heir being born.
[ Brief Northern report ]
The unstable Front Line is currently being maintained by a narrow margin.
The Northern Barbarians and the Troops maintaining the existing Northern Front are not mixing well.
However, contrary to that.
Because the Priests dispatched from the Holy Kingdom and the wizards of the Magic Tower have joined them.
It shows a sense of stability that, while creaky, will not collapse.
[ Brief Magic Tower report ]
It has regurgitated everything it had received thus far.
It is practically left as a mere shell, and a new Magic Tower is scheduled to be built.
Furthermore, the positions of the Magic Towers, which were higher than the Imperial Palace, will be lowered.
The concept of floating in the air will be maintained to provide a spectacle for the imperial citizens.
[ Based on the achievements thus far, the Empire Status Window is scheduled to evolve soon. ]
[ Along with the Convenient Empire Status Window, various effects will be added when the Empire is managed. ]
“I like it.”
It could be considered incredibly positive.
Administration was excluded, as it had nowhere left to go up.
The rest were continuously improving, and even had upward trend indicators attached.
The Eastern Region and Northern Region went without saying, and even the Magic Tower.
Unlike before, the bad news significantly decreased.
[I suppose the Northern Region is the main issue. The Northern Region… I’ll have to drop by after visiting the Western Region.]
If there was anything to worry about, it was that the Troops in the Northern Region weren’t mixing well.
In truth, I didn’t expect to achieve everything at once, and it was to be expected.
People who had lived in completely different ways suddenly had to fight back-to-back.
There was no way they would mix well right from the start.
It was a given, so there was nothing to be surprised about.
[But with the status window evolving, am I finally getting some sort of bonus for State Affairs Management?]
Honestly, I felt a bit wronged.
When it came to transmigrator perks, shouldn’t I be receiving more than Mirne? Or so I thought.
[Honestly, she just has the setting of a transmigrated Female Protagonist, whereas I’m the one who actually transmigrated.]
Since I transmigrated into a novel with a “transmigrated Protagonist” concept.
It felt a bit unfair to only be receiving these various bonuses now.
But since they were giving them to me, I decided not to complain any further.
[I should be glad I’m getting anything at all.]
Muttering that inwardly.
I moved toward the Annex Palace where Rowena, who would soon become the Saintess of the Empire, was staying.
“Your Highness, where are you going?”
“I am going to see Rowena. Will you come with me?”
“This Humble Woman, before that, starting from the Magic Tower last time and escorting the large-scale movement of the Saintess Candidate this time… wishes to receive a reward for this.”
“A reward? What kind of reward do you want?”
But before that, Arveda was staring at me quietly.
Sitting on a chair, hugging her knees and tilting her head.
“This Humble Woman wants a doll. I want Your Highness to personally pick it out and design it!”
She voiced a demand that couldn’t help but make me laugh.
This is really the demand of a dragon at the Pinnacle of Magic?
[She’s genuinely cute.]
Since it wasn’t a particularly difficult request.
“I shall do so.”
“Ehehe.”
I patted Arveda’s hair and then turned my steps once more.
Saintess Candidate Rowena was currently staying in the Annex Palace with her closest aides to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances.
Access to the place was strictly guarded by Imperial Guard Knights.
“You’ve all worked hard.”
“Loyalty!”
“It is an honor!”
He tossed a word of appreciation for their hard work to the Imperial Guard Knights.
“Have you arrived, Your Highness?”
“Were you waiting?”
“The weather was nice, so I was taking a walk.”
“You were waiting.”
I met the Saintess who had come out to greet me in advance.
In truth, there wasn’t much to talk about.
The Proclamation Ceremony of Heavenly Mandate taking place tomorrow would proceed without any variables.
Even so, the reason I came here was different.
“Are you very worried?”
“…How could I say I am not.”
To reassure the Saintess.
+++++
To repay the people who believed in her and followed her.
And for the Crown Prince who accepted everyone without any discrimination.
Rowena had decided to become the Saintess.
But at the same time, an anxiety as great as that resolve had sprouted.
Could she really do well in such a grand position?
When she was in the Holy Kingdom, she had unconditional certainty.
But now, this was the Empire, not the Holy Kingdom.
A land where everything was a first for her.
Suddenly receiving the position of Saintess there, how well could she possibly do?
Also, wouldn’t the Holy Kingdom try to harm them?
As all sorts of thoughts crossed her mind, her body trembled involuntarily.
Normally, she would have wanted to hide it until the end.
But at the Crown Prince’s words, the hidden emotions revealed themselves without resistance.
“I am afraid that others might suffer harm because of me.”
The emotions revealed in such a way eventually rose to her lips and slipped out of her mouth.
“If that is your worry, there is absolutely no need to be concerned.”
Hearing those words, the Crown Prince looked straight at Rowena.
“Pardon? What do you…”
“The 'others' you speak of must be referring to my imperial citizens.”
“Yes, th-that is correct.”
With an expression that seemed to say, Rowena, do you not realize how foolish your words are?
“Within the Empire, who would dare harm an Imperial Citizen?”
The Crown Prince continued speaking with a faint smile.
“…Still.”
“I know what you are worried about, but to worry any further is to doubt the Empire. Do you doubt it?”
The Crown Prince’s words asked if she couldn’t trust him.
“I will trust you.”
Only then was Rowena able to shed her anxiety.
Right, with the Sun present, who could possibly harbor malicious intent?
“You need only focus on the Proclamation Ceremony of Heavenly Mandate tomorrow.”
With those final words, feeling that his encouragement was sufficient, the Crown Prince tried to leave.
“…Crown Prince, Y-Your Highness. Rather than leaving just like this without even entering the palace, how about coming inside for a cup of tea?”
“Hmm?”
“Before becoming the S-Saintess of the Empire… this is your only chance to drink the last tea brewed by Saintess Candidate Rowena. Please…”
“Haha, very well.”
Rowena urgently held onto the Crown Prince.
Watching that sight.
Kkieeeek!
The undeniable number one female by the Crown Prince’s side, Pirande, was glaring fiercely.
“Mmm… A mere Human, flirting.”
Arveda, who was sharing her vision with Pirande, was keeping a close eye on him.
It was the day before the Proclamation Ceremony of Heavenly Mandate took place.