Chapter 363: The Future Elvira and Cecilia

Chapter 363: Chapter 363: The Future Elvira and Cecilia

"...A Hero such as this, who gave his life to protect his people—his deeds should not be confined to the annals of White River Province."

Elvira’s voice was impassioned, and she even placed extra emphasis on her words.

"His noble spirit deserves to share in the glory of the Royal Family."

The first to react to this was the Elder Sword Saint below the stage; his brow furrowed slightly.

Because this was something Elvira had added at the last minute.

At that very moment, under the gaze of all, Elvira extended her right hand and drew the ceremonial sword from her waist.

It was a ceremonial sword, typically used for bestowing titles.

She raised the blade high, her voice clear and bright.

"By my authority as the first heir to the throne of the Iris Kingdom, I hereby posthumously bestow upon Lance the title of ’Shadow of the Crimson Crown’!"

The moment she spoke, the entire assembly erupted in an uproar, with nearly everyone whispering to their neighbors.

At the same time, the common people who had been affected by the Underground City’s rampage felt a wave of emotion.

In the traditions of the Iris Kingdom, every crown prince with the right of succession has a special position known as the Crown Prince’s Shadow.

This position represents the closest possible relationship with the current crown prince, signifying their most trusted confidant.

A title of this level could not be bestowed carelessly.

Typically, candidates had to undergo rigorous screening by the Royal Family. The position was reserved for the descendants of Great Nobles with vast resources, and even then, they had to pass a trial involving a Royal Treasure to qualify.

But at this moment, a commoner youth, born in a small town just like them...

...was being granted the position symbolizing the crown prince’s highest trust, merely for displaying noble character and a spirit of self-sacrifice.

This created a sense of emotional resonance among all the commoners present.

They felt that social status was not a barrier. As long as one possessed a noble soul and was willing to contribute to the Royal Family, they too could cross the chasm of class to earn the Royal Family’s respect and a title.

Seeing the teary-eyed and emotional crowd below, Elvira nodded slightly, quite satisfied with the effect.

However, at that very moment, the Elder Sword Saint’s voice reached her ears:

’Nonsense.’

The Sword Saint’s voice carried a tone of stern reprimand.

The Elder Sword Saint understood that while bestowing the title on a dead man didn’t prevent a living person from being appointed to the position later, he still felt it was improper for the Princess to make such a decision so arbitrarily, without consulting him.

The Elder Sword Saint used an exceedingly skillful technique, ensuring that only Elvira heard his rebuke.

But Elvira felt no regret. She lifted her chin slightly and declared, "From this day forward—"

Her voice instantly cut through the din of the crowd.

"The name of Lance Lot will be forever engraved beside my future throne! In life, he belonged to the land that nurtured him, but in death, he will forever belong to the Crimson Crown, sharing in my honor!"

’A lover’s status might be diluted by time or replaced, but a "Shadow" is something that can’t be so easily severed.’

This was the move she had devised after racking her brains last night. She felt that it was enough to even the score after Cecilia’s offensive.

And indeed, her move had caught Cecilia completely off guard.

Standing in the front row of the viewing platform, the smile Cecilia had been maintaining had vanished completely.

Her pearly teeth bit lightly into her lower lip, and those nearby could hear her breathing grow heavier.

Just like with the water glass yesterday, she had subconsciously used Matter Dissociation again.

The white daisy pinned to the chest of her dress as a symbol of mourning, without any Magic incantation, silently dissolved into wisps of shattered light and vanished into the air.

Cecilia stared at the Princess, who seemed to be glowing under the sunlight.

’I can’t believe you’d use this funeral and the Royal Family’s authority to bind him to the Crimson Crown in front of the entire city!’

’For the Pandragon Royal Family, if the current heir is female, the "Crown Prince’s Shadow" is essentially equivalent to the King’s Consort!’

’Others might think she’s just bestowing honor upon a dead Hero, but we know Lance isn’t dead!’

’What’s the difference between this and a sneak attack?!’

’You...! You...! How despicable!’

Cecilia was biting her lower lip so hard it was about to bleed.

...

It was at that very moment, upon hearing Elvira bestow upon him the title "Shadow of the Crimson Crown"...

...that Lance, hidden in the crowd, felt a sense of crisis converging on him from all directions.

’It feels like daggers!’

He wasn’t mistaken.

In the very next instant, his vision went black. The exact same thing that had happened in the alley last night occurred again.

His consciousness was once again pulled into a gray and white world—the unique perspective of fate exclusive to Jhin, the Virtuoso.

And this time, he saw another fragment of fate. But this fragment wasn’t about Ella; it was about himself.

He was even pulled into the fragment of fate itself.

CLANK.

The sound of scraping metal echoed in Lance’s ears.

To his horror, he found his neck, wrists, and ankles all bound by a chain that shimmered with a Dark Gold light.

He was spread-eagled, tied to a large, round bed, completely unable to move.

And looking down on him from her position on the bed was a voluptuous beauty who exuded the charm of a mature woman.

She wore a form-fitting, crimson Dragon Scale Battle Skirt with a high slit up the side, and her long, platinum-blonde hair was tied into a ponytail.

"Elvira?"

Lance cried out in shock as he looked at the face that had become more mature and beautiful, but was still familiar.

"I’ve finally found you, my dear King’s Consort."

Elvira’s face was filled with the joy of having recovered something she had lost.

She knelt before Lance, gently stroking his face with her hand.

"That madwoman, Cecilia, hid you deep beneath the Duke’s Mansion so I couldn’t see you."

As she spoke, Elvira tugged hard on the Dark Gold chain binding Lance.

CLANK.

The chain emitted a runic glow. Even with Elvira’s Power, it felt impossible to move.

"She actually used an Eight Rings Spell and this Treasure to chain you here like a pet."

Visible anger flared in Elvira’s emerald-green eyes.

However, at that moment, a voice came from the side:

"I’m just protecting him."

The voice sounded sweet, yet it carried a hint of languor as it drifted in from the basement entrance.

Accompanied by the crisp sound of high heels on the floor, an Elf with long, silver-white hair, pointed ears, and red eyes walked in.

She strangely combined the youthfulness of a maiden with the air of a young matron.

She was dressed in a silk evening gown, her posture elegant.

"Otherwise, that Witch would have dragged him into a Nightmare long ago. Who’s to blame but himself for his incorrigible weakness for beautiful women, allowing the Power of the Nightmare to corrode him to this extent."

’It’s a mature version of Cecilia! How many years in the future is this?’

Lying tied to the bed, Lance stared at the approaching woman, his eyes practically bulging out of his head.

’Holy shit, what fucking future branch is this?!’

’In the future, I’m going to be captured by Cecilia and tied up in a basement to be her Star Fury slave?!’