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Vol 02 Chapter 72-1: Coronation and Wedding Ceremony

Soon, our wedding and my coronation ceremony will be held, and for convenience, we’ve decided to hold them on the same day.

I already received the crown from King Rosais, but I am not officially a king yet. This is because I haven’t received the permission from the gods.

As the country cannot be left without an official king, we have to celebrate my coronation ceremony as soon as possible, but first, we have to celebrate my wedding with Julia. Why, you ask? Because my legitimacy to succeed to the throne comes from my marriage with Julia.

Patricians from across the country and envoys from foreign lands came to offer their congratulations.

The second prince from King Domorgal’s Country also came and brought me congratulatory words and gifts. After the coronation ceremony ends, I will have to negotiate with them as well.

King Equus, accompanied by his Third Queen, who seemed to be completely recovered, also came to offer me congratulations and gifts.

To my surprise, a great number of people from the different countries of the Adernian Peninsula and the Kirisian colony cities came to offer their congratulations.

Wasn’t King Rosais’ Country a pretty weak country?

「That’s far from true. King Rosais’ Country boasts the largest population in the southern part of South Adernia. Until now, it had so many problems like the succession issue and the interference of the powerful patricians, so It just couldn’t show its real power. Now that the succession issue is resolved, the country is swiftly moving toward centralization. The other countries are very interested in you, the one who solved all these problems so easily.」

Tetra explained what I was wondering about.

Well, it’s true that I significantly disturbed the power balance on the Adernian Peninsula, thanks to our victory in the battle with King Domorgal’s Country.

What surprised me the most, was that even the Rozel kingdom sent an envoy.

The Rozel kingdom is a major power that controls the southern part of Gallia and the northern part of the Adernian Peninsula.

It has a population of over three million. I never expected an envoy from such a big kingdom to come all the way here.

The envoy, a woman with black hair, was clearly of Eastern descent based on her skin color and facial features.

East of Gallia, where the mainland of the Rozel kingdom is located, lies Germanis. Germanis is a region that heavily interacts with the eastern nomadic tribes, so it’s not strange for a person of Eastern descent to come.

She left a lasting impression on me.

◇

The wedding ceremony proceeded smoothly. Julia wore a pure white dress.

I thought she would wear a purple dress to match her hair, but the white dress suits her well.

She looks as beautiful as a piece of art. I feel like wanting to display her.

This time, it’s Tetra who delivers the celebratory speech. Last time, it was Julia, so this is like a return favor.

「Do you two vow to help and trust each other forever, no matter what?」

「We do.」

「Gods of heaven, earth, and sky, who have watched over us, aided, and guided us since the world was a whirlpool of chaos, bless this union.」

Tetra paused, and though her face remained expressionless as usual, a hint of happiness seemed to break through as she said,

「May the fairies bless your love. May it last forever… Now, you may sign the contract.」

Drawing Julia close, I lifted her veil and gently pressed my lips to hers. As I pulled away, Julia’s face lit up with a radiant smile.

「I will never let you go again.」

「Me neither.」

We shared another kiss, and the surrounding cheers intensified.

◇

Immediately following the wedding ceremony, the coronation commenced. While I inherited the crown and scepter from King Rosais, a new mantle was specifically crafted for me

Unlike the crown and scepter, fabrics deteriorate quickly, so it’s customary to change them with each new king.

As I contemplated whom to commission for the mantle’s creation, Ainz-san volunteered. The finished product was a purple mantle, a color known as Tyrian purple, and it cost an astronomical sum.

However, it’s made of silk, and it’s quite comfortable, so I’m rather fond of it.

The coronation ceremony has a very complex procedure. The ceremony begins with the symbolic slaying of King Rosais.

Subsequently, I ‘slay’ a monster donning a flat-faced mask, symbolizing a member of the Flat-Faced Tribe.

Next, I retrieve King Rosais’s crown and scepter, presenting them to the person who plays the role of goddess.

When I kneel before the goddess, she places the crown on my head and gives me the scepter. The goddess, then holding the mantle, ceremoniously drapes it over my shoulders.

And then I proclaim loudly,

「I, Almus Aris Rosais, declare before the gods my ascension as the twenty-second king!」

With this, my accession is confirmed.

By the way, this play dates back to five hundred years ago when the first King Rosais, along with his allies, drove out the Flat-Faced Tribe, who prior had killed his father, and established the Rosais Family.

His allies included the founding kings of six neighboring countries, such as the first King Domorgal, King Faldam, King Gilbed, and King Belvedire, culminating in the historic assembly of seven kingdoms, counting King Rosais’ Country.

When you think about it, the Rosais Family has quite a long history.

In the play, I took the role of the first king, the former King Rosais played the first king’s father, Julia was the goddess, and the Flat-Faced Tribe was portrayed by some enthusiastic patricians and the Royal Guard, including Bartolo.

Overall, I’m relieved the ceremony proceeded without a hitch.

Just as I thought that, I felt a gust of wind. The wind was swirling.

People looked up, screamed, and started to run away.

What’s happening?

I looked up, but there was nothing there.

Did they see a UFO? I would have liked to see that too.

「…Almus. Behind you.」

Tetra pointed behind me. When I turned around…

Before me was the face of a hawk, attached to the body of a lion, complete with expansive wings on its back

Its fur was a beautiful golden color…

Griffon-sama!!

「I’ve come to celebrate. This is a gift for you. I’m thirsty, bring me some alcohol.」

Griffon dropped the large deer he was carrying in his beak and turned its blood-covered beak towards me.

「Why did you…」

「I’m the one who nudged you forward. It’s my duty to see the outcome of that push. I was watching you from above for a while, but well, I can’t understand the mating rituals of humans. Simply mate with the female before you, and it would all be settled.」

That’s a little too primitive for me.

The ceremony must have been boring for Griffon-sama…

「Uh, nice to meet you… Griffon-sama…」

「Likewise. Look after him. He’s quite the fool, indecisive, and a real pain who dwells on decisions endlessly. But he moves quickly if you push his back when necessary. Handle him well.」

I’m being harshly criticized here… but it’s frustrating because it’s true.

「Griffon-sama!!」

Ron and the others gather around Griffon.

They all seem happy to meet again after a long time.

「Hey, you lot. You’re the direct subordinates of the flock’s boss. That means you get a larger share of the flock’s profits. Repay the favor of raising you by providing more alcohol and offerings.」

I was the one who raised them, though.

Finally, Griffon directed his gaze towards me.

「Now that you’re officially the flock’s boss, you should increase the alcohol and offerings you bring me. And don’t be stingy, giving me offerings only once a year it’s too little. Make it once a month. Well, I won’t say it’s compulsory…」

There’s no way I can refuse. Don’t you know that when you make a request is essentially a command?

「Did you come here just for that, Griffon-sama?」

「Hmm? That’s only one part of it. Another part is fulfilling my role in giving you that push. And the final part is…」

Griffon-sama whispers in my ear.

「Wouldn’t my presence here be of help to you in the future?」

I surveyed the guests, noting their surprised murmurs and fearful expressions as they observed our interaction with Griffon-sama. Among the attendees were not only this country’s patricians but also royalty and envoys from various nations.

The fact that I’m interacting with Griffon-sama like this could easily fuel the rumors saying that I’m his son. This will probably spread across the Adernian Peninsula…

「Then I will be waiting under that tree for the alcohol to be served.」

Griffon-sama lazily walked and sprawled under the tree. The guests moved away, avoiding him.

Yet, amidst the crowd’s hesitation, one individual approached Griffon-sama: the black-haired woman from the Rozel Kingdom.