[Epilogue – Coronation [8]]
[8]
Not long after the coronation ended,
an extremely shocking and hopeful message came from the southern part of the Empire.
The protagonist of this news was Speira Prizzran.
Speira Prizzran, chosen as the wielder of the Sacred Sword in these dark times, gathered those who were lost in chaos and led them from the front.
Even as malevolence spread and the Demonic Realm expanded, she successfully led countless refugees to safety.
This “successfully” wasn’t some exaggerated embellishment.
Speira truly ensured that all who followed her reached safety.
“…”
Sacred Maiden, El-Lam’s emissary, Guardian of the South, the Lamp of the Empire, Miracle of Berfen… Along with many other epithets, they symbolized Speira Prizzran’s miraculous achievements.
Based on her accomplishments, Speira rapidly expanded her influence.
By rallying nearby forces, Speira proclaimed her intent to rebuild the Holy Order and drive away the evil that had enveloped the continent.
Many revered Speira as the incarnation of El-Lam, shedding tears.
The term “Sacred Country” was already being used more frequently to refer to the regions where Speira had secured her influence.
The darker it gets, the stronger the yearning for light becomes, and it’s easy for fanaticism to take hold.
“…”
Currently, the forces centered around Speira control several key areas, including the untouched southern granaries.
With legitimate claims, bloodline, and symbolism all firmly established, public opinion towards Speira is overwhelmingly favorable.
Moreover, her grand declaration of rebuilding the Holy Order further solidified her position as untouchable.
“…”
Luna was a usurper and a mass murderer.
Yet, numerous factions chose to submit to Luna because other options had been eliminated.
But now, a new focal point has emerged. Although the power gap between Luna and Speira was vast, the emergence of this new center was enough to ripple through everyone’s hearts.
That small ripple could easily grow into something massive. Even those who had already submitted to Luna might change their minds now that another option has appeared.
With no reliable allies or foundation, if Luna left this situation unchecked, it would become increasingly difficult to leave the Imperial Capital.
For now, Speira’s forces may seem insignificant, but as unsettling factors increase, Luna will find herself increasingly tied down in the capital.
“…”
Public opinion towards Speira is favorable.
Well, disregarding such opinions and annihilating Speira’s forces is technically possible.
However, doing so would likely destroy the remaining granaries and escalate resentment against Luna.
Unnecessary resource consumption could worsen the situation, eventually forcing Luna to actively engage in war—something she wanted to avoid.
The closer Luna gets to active warfare, the farther she drifts from the “happy ending” she promised Ray. If delayed too much, it might become impossible altogether.
Besides, with so many people harboring animosity toward both Luna and Lea, leaving the capital frequently would be too risky.
“…”
A new empire and Speira’s forces cannot coexist. They can never tolerate each other.
But with the continent facing imminent destruction, postponing conflict due to a common enemy is feasible.
Everyone knows that engaging in a large-scale civil war while the Demonic Realm expands would lead to self-destruction, so any reckless confrontation would provoke strong internal opposition.
Since what Luna needs is time, creating and stabilizing a three-way balance of power to buy that time could be an acceptable choice.
The issue is…
whether this really is just a simple three-way struggle.
“Miracle…”
Speira performed a miracle.
As the Demonic Realm expanded and demons began to rampage, even those terrifying demons dared not harm the refugees protected by Speira.
When Speira grasped the Sacred Sword, El-Lam shone with brilliant light, burning away the darkness and saving the innocent…
What a laughable story.
Are we to believe that demons refrained from harming them out of fear of El-Lam’s holy light? Ridiculous.
They hate light but do not fear it.
Even if Speira were blessed by El-Lam, evacuating refugees from such a place would require immense sacrifices and fierce battles.
Yet, Speira accomplished nothing short of a miracle.
While analyzing the information coming from the south, Luna calmly assessed the situation.
“…She’s unveiled her poison.”
This was a deadly poison disguised as a miracle.
It was a tumor designed from the start to consume the continent from within.
Having reached this conclusion, Luna’s silver eyes darkened.
The miracles caused by Speira sufficiently irritated Luna, but they also gave her ‘certainty’.
Certainty that the path I’m heading down is the right one.
Just as Luna continued her silence,
Hayden approached her.
Hayden didn’t look particularly cheerful.
It seemed problems were already arising due to Speira’s rapid advancement.
Of course, Hayden’s gloomy expression wasn’t out of worry that Luna couldn’t solve the problem.
He simply feared that Luna’s anger might manifest in overly destructive ways.
If Luna burned every dissenting voice to ashes, she might survive in the long run, but the continent wouldn’t.
Reading Hayden’s concerns, Luna moved her lips.
“Don’t worry.”
“…?”
“I’ll avoid unnecessary massacres. I intend to be a kind mage.”
Hayden thought it was quite a sophisticated joke.
*
After performing the miracle,
Speira began uniting nearby forces.
It wasn’t difficult. Both the uneducated masses and educated nobles alike were drawn to Speira, perceived as El-Lam’s emissary.
Those who accurately understood the situation knew that cooperating with Speira could amount to suicide.
However, few possessed the sufficient information and wisdom to make such assessments.
Moreover, even those who intellectually understood the risks of aligning with Speira found it hard to prioritize reason and pragmatism over faith after witnessing her miracles.
Naturally, Speira remained cautious of Luna’s movements. If Luna intervened directly, this area wouldn’t last long.
However, since there was no Warp Gate nearby, Luna would need to leave the capital for at least two days to confront Speira personally.
Seemingly feeling the limits of internal control, Luna opted to observe Speira’s actions for now.
Though it appears Luna is merely observing, no one knows when a fiery calamity might rain down upon them.
Despite this, Speira confidently continued her journey, drawing even more followers with her confidence.
As her influence grew, Speira needed to clearly define her authority.
“Should we do it too?”
Since the other side held a coronation, let’s have one ourselves.
Speira casually mentioned this.
Of course, Speira had no intention of becoming a monarch.
She only wished to fulfill her duties as El-Lam’s emissary and prophet until the darkness dissipates.
Externally, Speira’s coronation was framed this way.
Unlike Lea’s insignificant coronation, Speira’s coronation in the south was filled with reverence and brilliance.
At the start of the coronation, Speira stood before the crown prepared for her.
Traditionally, a coronation involves someone of great authority kneeling before the successor and placing the crown on their head.
However, no one dared to kneel before Speira, who claimed to be El-Lam’s emissary.
Thus, Speira delivered a striking performance.
She lifted the crown herself and placed it on her own head.
This act was exceedingly arrogant, yet no one criticized her arrogance; instead, they rejoiced and marveled.
Amidst the cheers,
Speira recalled recent memories while feeling the weight of the crown.
“…”
Not long after seizing the buried Sacred Sword in the ruins of the Papal Hall,
an entity brimming with suffocating hatred sought Speira out.
It hated light and despised Speira, who embodied light.
“…”
Recalling the chill of that encounter, Speira touched her neck.
Despite pouring out enough hatred to cover the world, it did not sever her head.
…No, not that it didn’t want to—
“It couldn’t.”
Speira’s lips briefly twisted before returning to normal.
With her eyes wide open, she gazed at the Sacred Sword and then raised it high, shining its brilliant light upon those attending the coronation.
The cheering during the coronation grew even louder.
*
I thought everything was finished.
I believed I could live out the rest of my life in peace after completing my mission.
However, overnight, everything seemed to revert back to how it was before.
“…”
Within the Elves’ domain, rich with the blessings of the World Tree, Ulte looked at Resina.
Though the curse tormenting Resina had disappeared, she couldn’t hide her unease.
With the collapse of the Papal Hall and the beginning of the Dark God’s blessing spreading across the continent, someone needed to share the World Tree’s power to prevent the entire continent from being completely covered by the Dark God’s blessing.
And that role had been Resina’s responsibility up until now.
Resina feared that the terrible burden she thought she had escaped would once again choke her.
Ulte pondered what he could do while staying by her side.
As they both silently shared their anxieties, Aquitas, one of the Guardians of the World Tree, arrived.
“Resina, human, follow me.”
“…”
Ulte slowly rose from his seat and moved alongside Resina to follow Aquitas.
Unable to bear the discomfort and awkwardness of sticking close to Resina, Ulte asked Aquitas.
“Didn’t Lady Resina escape her mission?”
“…”
Aquitas faintly showed a look of confusion before realizing Ulte’s misunderstanding upon seeing Resina’s anxious expression.
“The mission given to Resina will now be carried out by me.”
“What…?”
“Resina’s physical form has grown too frail to carry out the mission.”
Aquitas calmly clarified Ulte’s misunderstanding and resumed walking forward.
“Human, though you’ve left Mother’s embrace, remember this one thing.”
“…?”
“Mother truly loves this land. Do not doubt it.”
Unlike other invaders, Mother genuinely loves this land.
This was an undeniable truth and also the eternal pride of Aquitas and the elves.
