CHAPTER 473: CHAPTER 385: CORONATION_2

Moreover, how could Lady Karol, with her shrewdness, ever tolerate me dividing her child’s land?

"Father..." Kay murmured softly, "Did you make this decision... because of the attitude of Eternal Domain?"

Duke Silvermane did not answer immediately, as it was a matter concerning his own pride. However, he eventually reassured Kay, "Eternal Domain is the spokesperson put forward by Thunderous Swamp. I have already severed ties with Anderson and the Gryphon Heart Emperor. I must rely on Eternal Domain’s support to maintain this situation. Furthermore, Yan Xing’s ambition is immense, and I must secure Karol’s support to stabilize my rule. I’m sorry, child... For the Silvermane Family to reach an unprecedented peak, you must make concessions!"

"Father!" Kay’s voice was filled with pleading.

But Duke Silvermane’s stance was very firm. "You should give up any illusions of the throne, and it’s best if you stop meddling in state affairs. Just be a law-abiding duke. Karol is returning soon; you may leave now."

Kay never expected his father to be so ruthless to his own son for the stability of his throne.

It seems Father also realized that Yan Xing meeting nobles and landed gentry in the concessions, and forming companies to establish patrol teams, was precisely to help Karol fight for the right of succession. Karol hasn’t yet borne Father a child. I still have a chance. The last chance!

Kay, who had been somewhat hesitant, finally made up his mind.

Yan Xing finally "recovered" and came to the Dawnspirit City Palace to meet with Duke Silvermane.

At the banquet held for Yan Xing, he, on behalf of Eternal Domain, officially supported the elevation of the Silvermane Principality to a kingdom.

"Duke Silvermane’s contributions to humanity are clear for all to see. After all, even Anderson, who serves under him, has been ennobled as a duke. This signifies that the Duke’s achievements have been recognized by the Gryphon Heart Emperor. Unfortunately, there are too many treacherous officials around His Majesty. Now that Your Grace has raised the banner for the cause of clearing the court, you must possess a higher title to lead the other nobles. I believe His Majesty has long considered ennobling a new king, and we should fulfill His Majesty’s wish. Eternal Domain requests that Duke Silvermane declare himself king and lead the righteous army to rescue His Majesty, who is being held captive by treacherous officials!"

Yan Xing stood up, raising his glass and delivering a passionate speech. All the nobles present at the banquet stood and raised their glasses, asking Duke Silvermane to declare himself king and lead the righteous army to rescue His Majesty.

At that moment, Lady Karol walked in holding a crown and placed it on the somewhat puzzled head of Duke Silvermane.

This... this is too sudden! And too much of a surprise!

Duke Silvermane wanted to proclaim himself king, but ultimately, he had no legal backing. Therefore, he only dared to inquire privately about the opinions of the noble ministers. Even though most agreed by now, declaring himself king still involved considerable pressure. His plan was to have a few highly respected old nobles jointly propose that he become king, and then he would refuse. After some days, they would propose again, and he would refuse again. After several rounds, he would reluctantly accept at last.

He had never expected that Yan Xing had already prepared the crown and would, with so many nobles in support, forcefully proclaim him king at the banquet.

It was rather hasty. But Duke Silvermane understood that such matters needed to be dealt with swiftly—act first and discuss later. Being indecisive or going back and forth only gives others time to think. The more one thinks, the more ideas arise. Something unexpected might happen halfway through. Now that the crown is already on my head, it’s impossible to take it off.

Duke Silvermane stood up, lifting his wine glass. "I had no intention of becoming king. But since all of you believe I should take on the responsibility of leading a righteous army to rescue His Majesty, I can only reluctantly accept. Let us together... Toast to our Emperor! To our brothers! To our friends!"

Everyone shouted, "To the Emperor! To brothers! To friends!"

Drinking the cup to the dregs sealed the matter.

But a new king’s ascension to the throne certainly cannot be so hasty.

Silvermane announced that the coronation ceremony would be held in the Royal Court of Dawnspirit City in three days. He would receive the blessings of the new kingdom’s people, along with his queen!

The coronation orchestrated by Yan Xing made Silvermane feel immense gratitude towards him.

In their private meeting, Silvermane expressed his appreciation, "Thank you for what you did at the banquet. I don’t know what kind of joke I would have made of things if I had done it myself. The support of Eternal Domain has always been my strongest pillar of support. Now that the Silvermane Principality has become a kingdom, we will grow even closer to Eternal Domain and increase cooperation in all aspects."

Yan Xing sat opposite Silvermane. He first lit a cigarette before speaking, "Helping an ally is helping ourselves. The Silvermane Principality becoming a kingdom will allow us to have a greater say within human-controlled areas, shifting the center of power towards Dawnspirit City."

Silvermane gleaned Yan Xing’s insinuation and asked, "Will Eternal Domain support me in becoming the overlord of mankind?"

Yan Xing replied concisely, "Eternal Domain... or rather, Thunderous Swamp doesn’t have significant demands for land. Wildwind Highlands alone will suffice for us, and it seems the Snow Elves only wish to guard the North. As for other places, you may conquer wherever you wish. Never mind becoming the overlord of mankind; even if you want to take over the corrupted lands of the Undead, we would support you."

Silvermane laughed happily. "I have no designs on the Undead’s corrupted lands. Becoming the overlord of mankind is enough to satisfy me. But Wildwind Highlands is too small for you. I can allocate more land to you."

Faced with Silvermane’s probing, Yan Xing, puffing on his cigarette, shook his head. "Thunderous Swamp does not seek land. If it weren’t for Cloud Tower’s inexplicable hostility towards us, we wouldn’t even want Wildwind Highlands. Our purpose in establishing Eternal Domain is to gather funds for Alchemy research through this window, just as Cloud Tower builds Goblin Alchemy Factories all over the world."

Hearing Yan Xing’s response, the oppression Silvermane had felt in his heart these days instantly lightened.

Indeed, these Alchemists all think alike. They are unconcerned with worldly power and land, only focusing on perfecting their Alchemy. It seems I was worrying needlessly before.

Silvermane laughed heartily. "Now I finally understand why Thunderous Swamp chose you to build Eternal Domain. Your ability to make money is truly remarkable! I can invest 30 million Gold Coins in your future Eternal Highway Company. As for those noble territories unwilling to cooperate with our road construction, the army of the Kingdom of Silvermane will smash open their doors to make them agree."

Yan Xing lifted the wine glass beside him and gestured to Silvermane. "Eternal Domain’s trucks rely heavily on roads, which is why I conceived the idea of building a network of standard highways. It’s excellent that you, the King of Silvermane, can join in. Your funds and your army will certainly accelerate our road construction. Then, my caravans will be able to swiftly deliver goods to any location, and your army will be able to reach any spot just as quickly."

"That’s exactly what I was thinking..." Silvermane lifted his wine glass to clink with Yan Xing’s and then emptied it in one gulp.

What Eternal Domain wants doesn’t conflict with what I want; on the contrary, there are many mutually beneficial aspects. I can rule the world together with Eternal Domain, both openly and in secret. Mutual support will create an unbreakable Empire. This Empire should have an heir supported by Thunderous Swamp. Previously, I felt I couldn’t give Karol a child, but now she should conceive an heir for the future Empire as soon as possible.

Silvermane and Yan Xing chatted amicably over drinks, discussing matters of the new king’s coronation ceremony and the ongoing wars. There was no sign of the conversation ending even as it stretched into the late night.

The spies in the palace relayed this news to Kay. At that moment, he was in a secret chamber in his residence, having gathered a group of men ready to die. A veiled woman stood beside him.

"Mother... making this decision was very painful for me too. But to survive, I had to do it. With him dead, Yan Xing can have Karol. I will become the new King of the Kingdom of Silvermane and gain the support of Eternal Domain. But the acts of patricide and regicide must not be done by me, hence..."

The woman said, "I am the best candidate. I have ample reason to kill him. My child, for you, I can do anything... These are deathsworn soldiers, trained by my father, and they will join me in this mission. We won’t leave the palace alive. Afterward, only you will know this secret. With the support of Eternal Domain and the secret assistance of your maternal grandfather, you will become the greatest emperor in this world."