SYMDF 48

Chapter 48

 

[Status anomaly: “Mana Suffusion” temporarily enhanced. Remaining time: 47 minutes.]
[Current player death probability is 22%.]

After a brief rest, Ion woke feeling significantly lighter. The oppressive sensation that had weighed on him was gone, and out of the corner of his eye he noticed a countdown timer ticking down.
Upon closer inspection, the buff that had not been there before sleep was clearly active.
‘Someone must have come while I was asleep.’

Ion looked around, but the room was empty. He gently tapped Yomnyong, who slept soundly and unaware, even snoring softly.
“Yomnyong?”
“Kkuu.”

Although it was a soft groan, the dragon—becoming lazier and more food-driven with each day—did not move. Ion whispered close to its ear.
“Yomnyong, your master has returned.”

Though the creature usually pretended to dislike such announcements, it spread its tiny wings wide and jumped up abruptly.
“Kkuu! …Kku?”

Seeing only Ion before it, Yomnyong frowned slightly.
“Kku.”
It seemed to say, “Why lie?” Ion hooked his index finger around its little hand and said,
“I’m not lying. Someone gave me mana, Yomnyong.”
“Kku…?”

Yomnyong’s eyes widened as it poked Ion’s finger about, clearly detecting the change. With a natural ability to read mana flow, it quickly sensed Ion’s altered state.
‘But when exactly did this happen?’

He was one of the essential persons at today’s event, so it seemed impossible for anyone to have come unnoticed…
Though a small unease lingered, his lighter body was a relief. Prolonged presence within the Imperial Capital invited the curse’s enhancement effect.
Having suffered that affliction for a long time before, Ion was determined never to endure it again.

Feeling somewhat rested, he decided it was time to return to his father’s side. There was no way he could remain absent for long.
Still half-drowsy, Ion pocketed Yomnyong and stepped out of the building.

Returning to the Empress Dowager’s Palace, Ion saw the Knights of Noah carrying the coffin once again through the Solar Palace gardens, en route to the hall.
Normally, the late Emperor’s bloodline should have guarded the coffin placed within the Solar Palace for a mourning ceremony. But since he had died outside the capital, the funeral had been delayed for over ten days, and haste was now necessary. The direct transport of the coffin was already known.

Both the funeral and coronation were exceptional cases. That the coronation proceeded without traditional formality reflected Vernian’s urgency to ascend.

Ion again entered the dark corridor and made his way into the hall, where the coronation was underway following ritual protocol.
“Next is the cleansing of the body before swearing reverence before the great late Emperors of O’Brien.”

At his father Duke Krager’s side, Ion received a reassuring gentle tap on the shoulder, signaling his safe return.
Distracted, Ion absentmindedly watched Vernian wash his hands at center stage, then turned sharply.

“Camillus.”

His eyes locked with the figure standing at the forefront opposite him. It seemed as if Camillus had been waiting for Ion’s gaze.

Ion’s emerald eyes trembled slightly as he stared. Had Camillus been watching him all along?
This was the second time the connection had occurred. As if confirming the first was no mistake, Camillus’s eyes narrowed just a little.
Yet the expression did not seem mocking but rather warm and gentle.

[Status anomaly: Favor]
[Camillus Valderas Clodel feels extreme goodwill toward the player.]

Seeing the same message as when they first met, Ion felt a flush rise to his face—his ears perhaps even warming.
Eight years had passed, but Camillus was unchanged.
Ion instantly knew that his feelings toward him had not shifted at all.

Bownging his head, Ion quietly averted his eyes and resolved to himself,
“No.”

He would no longer be a burden to him. Was this not the very reason he had struggled to grow strong?
He had risked everything to protect his own body—his money, his spirit, and his time devoted wholly to that goal.

Just as Ion steeled his heart, the announcement heralding the coronation’s key ritual sounded:
“Next, Her Majesty the Empress will place the crown on His Highness the Crown Prince’s head and lead him through the Hall of Glory.”

Even nobles who had been inattentive focused fully at this moment. Vernian, who had worn a bored expression to this point, visibly brightened from afar.

Soon, the crown gleamed with gold, various jewels, and a clear diamond centered within, resting on Vernian’s head. The regalia was handed to his hand.
A thick fur cloak was draped over his shoulders, and a long crimson cape unfurled along the center of the hall.

Surrounded by attendants, Vernian’s expression was that of one who owned the world. When he turned, a roar announcing the birth of the new Emperor echoed.
“We declare before the entire Empire the ascension of the great 43rd Emperor of O’Brien! All shall pay respect to the new Emperor.”

The hall resounded with shouts until ears nearly rang:
“We behold the new Sun of the Empire!”

The voices repeated, resonating throughout. Ion glanced sideways at Vernian, who waved joyously. Having awaited the throne for a long time, Vernian’s face was brighter than ever. Yet to Ion, it remained pettily hateful.

The noise faded and the ritual moved on.
“Next, Tower Master Janice shall step forward before the Emperor to dismantle the Imperial Capital’s barrier and cast a new one.”

Murmurs rippled as the unexpected order arose. Ion looked to Duke Krager, who shook his head.
“I have no idea what this means.”
“…”

Before confusion could settle, Tower Master Janice entered the hall’s center. Unlike before, he wore white robes instead of his cloak and strode confidently toward Vernian.

Ion found him truly odd—not knowing whether Janice was male or female. With the cloak removed, Janice’s lithe body showed no chest, his overall form female, yet his face bore oddly masculine traits.

Smiling gently, Janice folded his hands.
“I greet the Sun of the Great Clodel Dynasty and the O’Brien Empire.”

A soft sigh seemed to escape as he spoke. Though the Tower had maintained neutrality and not engaged in politics, Janice’s known loyalty to the late Emperor was famous. Yet openly proclaiming such allegiance before all was quite another matter.

Naturally, Vernian did not refuse and smiled in reply, turning to extend his hand.
“A sword.”

Following command, a dagger was placed in Vernian’s hand, with a golden bowl held before him.
For some inexplicable reason, Vernian looked pleased as he unsheathed the dagger and pressed its blade to his palm.

Drip, drip…

Witnessing the wound made to drop blood into the bowl, watchers exchanged uneasy glances. Their expressions asked silently what the Emperor was doing. Yet no one dared voice opposition.
Even Camillus—the highest-ranking present—watched silently.

When enough blood was collected, Janice spoke.
“I request Your Majesty’s permission to dismantle the barrier.”
“Proceed.”

Eyes outside the hall shifted toward the doors as Janice gestured. Slowly, the faint light surrounding the Imperial Capital’s barrier began to fade.

[The mana flow restricted by the restraining force of the Imperial Capital’s barrier is restored to normal.]

For over thirty years, the barrier had protected the palace and the Clodel dynasty. Witnesses watched in wonder as it disappeared.

Breathing deeply, Janice murmured a spell. Unlike the previous barrier centered on the palace’s tower, this one was different. Slowly, a magical circle took shape above the Solar Palace.

Because the Empress Dowager’s Palace doors were wide open behind them, nearly everyone present saw it clearly.
Vernian, pleased with the new positioning, smiled contentedly, unaware of the ache in his hand.

Even from afar, his lifted curl was clearly visible.
At last, the power of the barrier surged outward. The same message appeared before Ion’s eyes.

[Due to the restraining force surrounding the Imperial Capital, mana flow is limited. After a certain point, a curse enhancement effect can be gained.]

As everyone looked upward, marvelling at the newly raised barrier, Camillus suddenly stepped forward, cracking the silence.
“Your Majesty, Grand Duke of Virentium humbly reports.”
“…?”

The crowd’s attention shifted sharply to Camillus, and Vernian furrowed his brows.
Janice turned his gaze on Camillus with a guarded look as the duke calmly knelt on one knee before the Emperor.

Vernian begrudgingly asked,
“What is it?”
“I beg forgiveness for my audacity in offering counsel for the eternal glory of O’Brien.”

Camillus’s tone was cautious, knowing a refusal could hardly be uttered here amid the nobles.
Vernian played the role of benevolent ruler.
“You are my kin. Speak freely.”

“Surely the barrier of the Imperial Capital could decide the fate of this nation. The most vital thing is that none may break it.”
“And yet?”

Vernian questioned, meeting Camillus’s confident gaze.
Relaxed, Camillus’s expression held calm assurance. He had expected a dramatically unforeseen event since before coming to the capital.

At that instant, Janice, who had first perceived the change, turned wide-eyed. Someone at the hall’s end shouted.
“The magic circle of the barrier…!”

Startled, they never finished the sentence. Ion turned to see a spectacle beyond imagination and gasped.

Then, with a thunderous roar, the magic circle was forcibly shattered. Light shards sparkled and scattered in the sunlit gardens of the Empress Dowager’s Palace.

Against the strangely romantic backdrop, Camillus continued,
“If the barrier is so utterly flawed, what then shall be done, Your Majesty?”

The hated bastard son of the late Emperor, Camillus Clodel, had become the greatest mage of O’Brien.

Footnotes

Mana Suffusion (충만한 마나): A temporary enhancement increasing mana capacity or flow.