Chapter 552 - King

A new king was about to be crowned.

This was the stuff of legends. How many kings had a celestial phenomenon in their moment of crowning? The answer spoke for itself.

After seeing the signs in the sky, some people made haste to the source.

But Archion Volcano was not the most hospitable location. It was a danger zone surrounded by other danger zones. Therefore, only those qualified enough were able to come, otherwise, the place would be swarmed by people already.

The great dragon kept working on the crown for several days. Enough time for people who made the choice to arrive.

But who would come? The Latias Kingdom’s political situation was split between two monarch candidates: Croix and Celestine.

Valentine duchy had fallen. Lucan duchy had declared for Princess Celestine. Crowe and Mercea were butting heads. Not to mention a myriad of other happenings in Latias, such as the short but fierce Battle of Stormberg.

The Latias Kingdom was in turmoil, beset by chaos within and without.

What happened at the Archion Volcano was like a muster signal. Not quite the Star of Bethlehem but somewhat similar in nature.

Naturally, those who came meant they supported Croix.

Right now, Croix’s position was quite weak, but it wasn’t that simple. He had three legendary feats under his belt: his awakening as a Pathseeker at the Archion Volcano, hatching his partner dragon from an egg, and the third, which was happening now.

The first and second feats were rare enough for a Latias King, but the third, the crowning by an ancient True Dragon, was only ever accomplished by one, the very first King, Athos. Soon. Croix would be the second.

In contrast, Celestine’s position for the crown was much better. Her backing was stronger, her foundation was more solid, and she was more popular with the rich and poor alike. But she only got one legendary feat compared to Croix’s three, her black dragon.

In ordinary times, that was amazing enough, but these were interesting times.

The time to choose was dawning close.

Being a fence-sitter was getting more and more difficult. Other than the two with royal blood, there was the Chancellor’s faction and the Harkelan Empire’s renewed invasion. The fate of the kingdom was about to be decided. Those uncommitted would be left behind as the world moved on without them.

And the winner would not look upon them favorably when the dust settled. Inaction carried its own risk. Getting purged and losing everything was not an impossible fate.

Whatever their circumstances were, those who threw their lot with Croix went to the Archion Volcano or sent a proxy.

***

“Looks like we’re the first to arrive.”

“Our territory is the closest. Let’s say our greeting.”

The first was Baron Nobex and the second was Viscount Parr.

The two Level 4 walked carefully from the base of the mountain. They dared not do anything that might be taken as a disrespect. No flaring their aura as a sign of arrival, no flying directly, no wide-scale mana sensing, and so on. Future king aside, this was the bona fide home of a terrifying dragon.

On a wide plain of black volcanic rocks not far from the base of the volcano, they found the dragon and the prince. They weren't exactly hiding, and the dragon’s size was too conspicuous.

In front of the dragon, the two saw the ribbons of light on the sky that were converging on the crown-shaped light, slowly getting more corporeal.

Neither the dragon nor the prince welcomed them. Usually, the two would take offense at the lack of a welcoming committee, but they were the uninvited guests here.

“Viscount of Parr and Baron of Nobex, we extended greetings and congratulations to Archion the Red Skies and Prince Croix, the Chosen of Dragons.”

Prince Croix remained as he was: sitting on the ground, legs crossed, facing Archion. His back was directed at the two new arrivals.

He did not reply immediately, to which the two nobles patiently waited. They used this time to process information around them.

Archion’s presence exuded dragon fear, just as all dragon kind did. It was not hostile or even directed at them at the moment, but it already made the two instinctively feel the need to prostrate themselves. The dragons’ eyes were closed, concentrating on the great work. Seeing the making of the crown, of the magic involved and the higher mysteries within, took their breath away.

Then there was the young prince. He was just a Level 3 Pathseeker, but his aura was extraordinary. They were confused why the person in front of them felt more like a fire in the shape of a man rather than a person. The sorrow that fueled flame, it was as if the heat would burn the w-

The arrival of a dragon interrupted their thoughts. The red drake was smaller than Archion, but a Rank 3 dragon of the highest order nonetheless. Falmerion landed from the sky on a rock outcrop beside them, giving a low growl of threat. A warning for anyone who had ill-designs to his partner, the prince.

Not that they had the slightest hint malice or anything.

Just fear.

“My gratitude for coming. The work will take some time yet. Make yourself comfortable.”

Croix spoke and it was no warm welcome. The two bowed and stepped back. They remained in the black stone plains but some distance away. There, Nobex and Parr stood in silence.

They understood that this was no party reception.

By this point, anyone who was anyone in Latias knew what happened at Stormberg. The fallout of that battle had yet to be felt in full, but to Croix it was far simpler. He lost his mother and aunt there.

Croix himself looked like he was in mourning, keeping a vigil.

The two nobles waited. They had already resolved to wait a few days. That was how long they calculated it would take for the crown to be finished.

Over time, the new arrivals rose in number. Croix’s response was the same. The guests maintained the solemn air of this place. Part out of respect, part out of fear of an apex dragon who could munch them like snacks and absolutely nothing whatsoever they could do about it. When the supporters talked to each other, it was through telepathy or similar techniques.

Not everyone who came was from aristocracy. There were knights from some Knightly Order, Prince Croix’s friends from Sinclair Academy, and those with unknown backgrounds.

Remnants from Stormberg, against all odds, had survived and came to bear witness.

Some even came from the surrounding countries. There weren't only four countries in the Human Dominion. There were two kings, six princes and princesses, and eighteen ambassadors.

One other with Latias royal blood had come.

It was Elvina Cinder Latias, the 38th Princess. The half-elf.

“Sister? I did not think you’d come.”

This text was taken from NovelPhoenix. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“You saved me, you saved my mother... I am where I’m supposed to be,” Elvina said. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Croix briefly recalled how Avel stormed the Magisterium Tower in Zetel while the Latias Grand Prix was happening and rescued Elvina’s captive mother in a single day.

“Your master, the Sword Saint allowed this?”

“My training is incomplete, but let us talk at length at another time. For now, do what you have to do, brother.”

“...The last person who called me brother, she wounded me most deeply.”

“On my sword, on my life, on my honor... I won't.”

Time marches ever forward, until at last, the crown was nearly completed. They all could feel it.

And yet some felt unease. The reason was because no one came from the four duchies. None came from Valentine and Lucan, understandable, but many hoped that both Crowe and Mercea, at least one of them, would come.

“A shame,” Nobex sighed.

“It is what it is,” Parr replied.

The two were good friends and had deep ties. Their territories were neighbors and instead of rivalries, they often helped each other.

“I just got word from my son back home,” Parr added. “Mercea has declared for Princess Celestine.”

The duchy of Latias signified a greater force than a smaller country. A king was not necessarily a Level 5, just as a nobility rank was the equivalent of personal strength.

“Gentlemen, why the gloomy face? Ohoho!” A woman in a gaudy dress approached; her fan hid the lower half of her face.

“Madam Blume! Long time no see. Since the Emerith Grand Ball,” Nobex greeted.

“Indeed, indeed. It is truly a shame that there has been a lack of parties lately. I dearly wish for things to return to normal soon.” Madam Blume said sullenly.

“Our sentiments exactly, Madam,” Parr said.

“Ohoho. I can guess what the two of you are worrying about. It is written on everyone's face here, really. But I would not worry yet. As I was saying way back then at the Emerith Grand Ball, Prince Croix is quite a dark horse in this race.”

A wave of dragon fear washed over them like a tide.

Everyone looked to the skies, and saw an approaching dragon.

Unlike the two reds, this was an aquatic dragon, blue of scales and blue of eyes. It was wingless but it was easily able to fly in the sky as if it was swimming in the sea. The impression one got from looking at the dragon was a blend of elegance and savagery. Sleek and beautiful in some parts, fierce and mean in others. The jagged and sharp dorsal fins of the dragon symbolized the latter.

Although this dragon was not Rank 5, many thanked the Goddess for that. The potency of its dragon fear was very close to Archion’s and far above Falmerion’s. This meant it was another True Dragon.

They were supposed to be rare, solitary creatures, almost mythical.

“Speak of the dragon,” Madam Blume smiled pompously, for she was right once again.

There were three of them here.

***

Viers arrived in style, and fashionably late to boot.

He could have arrived days earlier, but he didn't.

The Rule of Cool demanded it.

He wanted to go full blast in his dragon form and even roared to make an even greater impression, but he toned down his entrance. It might be a little too rude to do so in front of another older and stronger dragon.

He landed in the middle of the plains. Little humans moved out of the way for his landing.

Then he morphed back to his human form, with his ‘Avel’ face. Not naked, of course.

The reveal made quite a few people gasp.

OMG! That unremarkable, plebeian vassal of Prince Croix from the Ball and Grand Prix that I looked down on was a super cool dragon all along!? Holy Shieeet!!!

Viers imagined that must be what they were all thinking at the moment. He would have grinned like a fool, but he forced his face to look dignified.

The show must go on.

As he approached Croix, he took note of other people in the gallery and found a few unexpected faces.

Princess Elvina? After training with the Sword Saint, she seems much more formidable. As I hoped, she becomes a great ally for Croix.

Hm? The Rising Fortune adventure group? Irene and the others... Why are they here? Heck, they really have a knack for appearing in unexpected places. Heh, they themselves looked like they knew they shouldn't be here —way above their pay grade— but had no choice. It’s funny. Oh? The Wheel of Fortune reacted... Their collective good luck is huge! That solves some mysteries.

Viers shut out unnecessary thoughts as he closed in on Croix. He had a role to play.

“Hail, Elder of Red. Forgive my second trespass into your domain,” Viers said with a lowered head to Archion.

During the scuffle with the 40th prince in this very volcano, Viers was once barred from the volcano despite not being the wrong age. He suspected the dragon was the cause. He might even have known he was an otherworlder.

At any rate, Viers made a bet that the great dragon wouldn't be hostile to him in this setting. At least, not dragon-breath him on sight.

Archion gave Viers a single glance with his eyeball, then continued working on his crown-making.

Viers took it as a permission. He addressed Croix next. The gallery watched the exchange with great interest. Viers was certain this moment would make it into the history books.

“Highness, long time no see. Or so for you humans. To our kind, it was like yesterday.”

“Avel... It's nice of you to return. Or should I call you by a different name?”

“I am He Who Roams In the Blue,” Viers said, spouting some nonsense he made up on the spot. “But please continue to call me Avel, Highness.”

“I see. Why have you come, Avel?”

“To offer my condolences, to fulfill our pact, and to offer a gift.”

Croix’s countenance turned gloomy. “When you disappeared with Boram, I went through a rough time... There were moments when I blamed you. I even suspected you had a hand in the tragedy.”

“Oh? What about now?”

“Look me in the eye and tell me Stormberg wasn't your doing.”

“It was not,” Viers said without hesitation or doubt.

“...It was Celestine, wasn't it?” Croix looked away after he was satisfied.

“According to what I know, yes.”

Croix inhaled and exhaled deeply.

“I am sorry for your loss,” Viers added after a pause.

“Thank you,” Croix replied. “I have never forgotten our accord. You’ll help me to become a king and remain in my service until then. Very soon, I will have a crown. But I still have doubts.”

“Do tell.”

“Does simply possessing a crown make one a king?”

What he was about to get was not his father's crown. Was this right?

“Let me correct you one thing first, Highness. Accept my gift.”

With gasps from the audience, Viers gave the Crown of Latias to the young prince.

“...Is this real? How did you get this?”

“I picked it up from the big castle in your country’s capital, so yes. It is most probably real, since the Chancellor guy tried to protect it with his life.”

Croix’s eyes widened, as did many in the audience. Viers found it strange, considering some time had passed. Then he thought the guys in the Crimson Capital must be keeping the details of his visit a secret with information blockade.

Having the crown stolen from your own castle was a national embarrassment, after all.

“I didn't kill the wrinkly human, though. His fate is yours to settle. I only came for the crown,” Viers said, cutting through the shock. “With it, I planned to make you a king. I did not expect the Elder of Red would make you a new one. Well, rejoice. Now you have two crowns.”

The crown of his forbearers was in his hand, but Croix still felt unsure.

“You... just took it? You gave it to me, but what about legitimacy?”

“Ha! Legitimacy? That is what you’re confused about? Look around you, Son of Athos.”

Viers transformed back into his dragon form.

Croix saw three dragons.

On his right, his irreplaceable partner, Falmerion. He was the smallest of the three but as big as an elephant. He gave Croix a nudge with his snout.

On his left, his enigmatic master, Avel. His dragon form was magnificent in a way that was different from the one Croix was familiar with. He always looked sure of himself. So confident. Croix envied that.

In the center, the gigantic form of Archion loomed.

All this time, the great dragon had been using great magic to create a crown for him.

One did not do so without a good reason, especially for a being like Archion.

When Croix looked behind, he saw the people. Not the entirety of the kingdom, but people who had chosen to stand with him in this time when the fate of Latias was uncertain. They all supported him. Perhaps not entirely out of loyalty or selfishness, but they chose his side.

They were gathered here because they acknowledged him. The fact finally dawned on the young prince.

With a sharp sound and a bright flash, the new crown that Archion created was complete.

Undaunted by the commotion of Viers' arrival, Archion slowly lowered the levitating crown onto Croix’s head.

Someone in the crowd began to kneel, and others followed until they were all on their knees. The scene before them compelled such feelings.

“Your predecessor created a kingdom during a time of chaos and quelled turmoil, replacing it with order. Son of Athos, being his successor, that is not what I ask of you,” said Archion imperiously, heard by all present.

“Be true to the fire within you. Never let it fade away.”

The kneeling Croix, who was only as tall as one of Archion’s teeth, looked the Ancient Red in the eye.

“I swear.”

“Then rise, King Croix the Twice-Crowned.”

***

A boy arrived at the Archion Volcano long ago.

That boy had now risen as a king.