CHAPTER 648: THE ENTHRONEMENT DAY

Two days later, the day everyone had been waiting for finally arrived. The sun was already well above two sticks on the eastern horizon. The atmosphere was truly festive, not lacking compared to the Aldrey and Irene’s wedding day. In fact, in certain aspects, it could be said that this day was even more celebratory.

Cities across the continent had been decorated with all kinds of ornaments that reflected the people’s enthusiasm. Even in the most remote villages, they held their own festivities to show that they too had awaited this day.

Finally, after today, all of them would unite under the banner of a great empire. This was a historic moment, for the first time in history, their continent would be united under a single ruler.

What made this moment truly special was that the unification had not come through violence, but through collective understanding and agreement, that one person was the only rightful leader who could guide them through the challenges ahead. With this belief as its foundation, the new empire would begin with a strong base and wide support.

This empire would not be easily shaken, as long as the name Aldrian still echoed.

Those who could move closer to the core region did so, hoping to get nearer to the place of enthronement. Projectors to broadcast the ceremony had already been set up, and crowds had begun to gather to witness it.

At this moment, the projector displayed the front of Aldrian’s palace, an image never before shown to the public. The sight of the grand palace amazed many and drew their reverent gazes. This was the palace that, after today, would become the center of the entire continent. It stood as the new symbol of leadership and faith.

In the capital city of the Doria Empire, the leader of the outsiders watched the people’s enthusiasm with an expression of understanding. Over the past two days, he had gathered more information about Aldrian, and he had to admit, there was no one else like him. He could only be described as a singularity, a miracle.

His life and fate seemed as though the heavens had prepared him to stand at the peak of all things. Aldrian was truly the embodiment of a miracle, the prophesied figure spoken of in the legendary stories passed down to younger generations.

There was no way anyone could replicate what he had done or what he had achieved.

Still, even after hearing all that Aldrian had done and achieved, he couldn’t help but question the authenticity of the stories. It wasn’t surprising that he continued to think that way, what he had heard was truly absurd. Yet all the people spoke the same way. There were no contradictions in their stories or in what they knew about Aldrian.

There were also many witnesses, and their testimonies could be accounted for.

Like it or not, believe it or not, Aldrian’s tale was the truth, and all of it was fact.

The leader looked at the projector, which now displayed the palace’s front garden, wearing his usual expression. Yet, like everyone else, he was truly amazed by the grandeur of the palace. Even through the projection, he could feel its majesty, its solemn presence, and the power of the one who owned it.

He could already see the palace from where he stood, and that alone was impressive. But seeing it up close through the projector only intensified that feeling.

As the leader watched the projector along with the others, preparations on the floating land had already been completed. Those invited by Aldrian to attend in person had arrived earlier.

Most of them were individuals Aldrian personally knew or had communicated with directly. Among them were the leaders of the major territories and their families, as well as people Aldrian had met during his past journeys.

Matriarch Yu and her son, Yu Fenglian, could be seen enjoying the beauty of the palace gardens. Vera and Evin were also present with their elven family, taking in the serene atmosphere. Baron Rosalind and his family were engaged in conversation with Patriarch Xin near the palace entrance.

There were also others in attendance, such as Duke Valiard and Mardred from the Forgeheart Kingdom. Behind the scenes, the hidden group, the Thunderous Shadow Pavilion worked to ensure everything was in order, though they knew their presence was only a formality. After all, there was no chance of chaos or danger in a place where Aldrian resided.

The palace had taken on a festive atmosphere, filled with many of Aldrian’s acquaintances.

As the guests continued to admire the palace or converse among themselves, Pope Claudius’s voice suddenly echoed throughout the halls.

"The procession of the enthronement will commence in a moment. Prepare for the enthronement."

As his voice faded, the grand double doors of the palace began to open, slowly revealing the interior. For those who had never seen it before, the sight deeply moved them. One by one, they began walking in. Across the continent, those watching through the projectors were equally amazed by the palace’s interior.

The people who had the chance to walk into the palace looked around in admiration. It was the most luxurious and majestic place they had ever seen. They continued walking and soon arrived at the circling hallway, where five statues of Aldrian’s past followers stood, causing many to wonder who these figures were.

Are they gods?

Even the statues themselves radiated majesty and heroism, yet the onlookers could also sense reverence and unwavering faith in their expressions and posture. All five statues faced the same direction, toward the grand hall in front of them.

That was where the invited guests continued, passing through another set of towering double doors before finally entering the grand hall, the throne hall.

This was the place where the emperor would sit upon his throne. This was the place of the enthronement.

The moment they entered the hall, they were greeted not only by its grandeur but also by a lone throne. The throne stood on elevated ground, accessible only by ascending nine steps.

As all eyes turned toward it, what they saw was a symbol of overwhelming greatness. The throne radiated a strange aura, one that stirred a deep urge to prostrate before it. They understood this was not a throne for just anyone. Only the chosen one could sit upon such a revered throne.

These guests had seen the thrones of emperors across the continent, yet none had ever felt like this. No other throne had ever made them feel such an irresistible urge to submit.

The invited guests walked along both sides of the hall, carefully avoiding the red carpet that stretched from the entrance all the way to the steps leading to the throne.

After all the invited guests had taken their positions on the right and left sides of the hall, below the throne, they stood in silence, waiting for the procession to begin. Their eyes drifted to the throne from time to time, still admiring its presence.

A few moments later, Pope Claudius stepped through the entrance of the throne hall. He wore his papal robe and walked with sacred solemnity toward the throne, under the watch of countless eyes. Upon reaching the steps, he ascended slowly and came to a stop at the top, then turned to face the audience.

He swept his gaze across the gathered guests, and then to the information crystal that broadcasted his image through the projectors across the continent.

After a brief moment of silence, the Pope finally opened his lips to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at a historic moment in our lives as the people of this continent, a moment that marks the beginning of a new era."

His voice was firm and clear, carrying across the hall, and across the continent.

"As you know, this continent has never been united under a single banner. We have long been divided by differences, differences in ideology, in values, in interests, in morality, and so on."

"While those differences have created a rich and diverse continent, they have also made us fragile, easily divided, and unable to pursue a shared purpose. The devil crisis is the clearest example, when unity was needed most, we failed to act together. Because we could not trust one another, because of our differences, we allowed the devils to rampage across this land for far too long."

"This kind of failure is truly shameful. And what’s worse, none of us realized that even the devils were capable of plotting so much behind our backs."

"Because of our lack of unity and decisiveness, we paid a heavy price. We came dangerously close to losing everything, even our lives."

Hearing this, many lowered their heads, ashamed and angry with themselves as they thought back on the past.

"However, the heavens did not abandon us! Despite our selfishness, despite the sin of negligence, the heavens still helped us. Fortunately, we had someone who prevented the worst from happening!" the pope continued.

"Because of his existence, we, the people of this continent, were finally able to unite in mind and in heart."

"Because of his existence, we came to understand the power of unity in diversity. He showed us what we can achieve when we move together as one."

"Because of his existence, we are still here, alive and well, having endured the calamity, even when despair clutched at our hearts and shook our faith."

"His appearance was like a light shining through the darkness. He is the light that reveals the right path, the guiding presence that keeps us from losing our way."

The pope’s voice rang with vigor and hope, and many found themselves moved by his spirit and filled with the same hope.

"Now, at this moment, I believe the time has come for us to give that man the place he truly deserves, the most honorable seat, from where he will continue to guide us, continue to lead us forward, and stand as our symbol of unity and hope."

"To all the people of this continent, let us welcome the one who will become our beacon of light—"

"Aldrian Aster!"

The moment the pope’s voice fell silent, a figure appeared at the entrance and began walking into the hall.