The announcement of the coronation schedule caused a huge stir in the Empire.
A young Empress who had strengthened the imperial authority to an unprecedented degree.
Moreover, she had reached the realm of a Sword Master and was even chosen by the Holy Sword Tempest.
With such an overwhelming presence as the Empress, not a single noble would dare to miss her coronation.
I heard that the capital was already teeming with a massive influx of people.
Not only that, but an incredible amount of goods was also pouring in.
It seemed everything was being brought as gifts to honor the Empress.
“Should I prepare a gift too?”
Knowing the Empress’s personality, she wouldn’t even glance at gold, jewels, or rare delicacies.
She would probably just complain that they take up too much space in the treasury.
The perfect gift for Empress Sister would be…
“Should I offer Dirt-Dirt or Water-Water to her?”
[Kyaaak!?]
[Kraaak!?]
I blurted it out without much thought, convinced that nothing could beat something adorable.
And yet, when I turned, Dirt-Dirt and Water-Water were already looking up at me with betrayed expressions.
Their eyes were practically pleading, “You’re not going to abandon us, right? Right?”
“Wouldn’t it be better for you two to receive a noble treatment in the Imperial Palace instead of being treated like pets here?”
[Kyaaaak!!!]
[Kraaak!!!]
“So you’re saying you like it? I’ll take that as a—”
[No.]
[Absolutely not.]
“…”
In the end, the plan to present Dirt-Dirt and Water-Water as gifts was thwarted by their fierce resistance.
Even though they constantly complained about Julia, Charlotte, and Yuri being annoying and exhausting, it seemed they had grown attached to them over time.
[Kyaaak! There’s no way we’d leave a land where we get delicious, nutty snacks every day!]
[Kraaak! This is the only place with a warm hot spring!]
“…”
…Or so I thought.
Their true intentions turned out to be slightly different.
I almost wished I hadn’t asked.
If I hadn’t, I could’ve ended things on a warm, sentimental note.
“When I see Her Majesty, I’m gonna brag about my Super Super Strong Sword!”
“Charlotte… The coronation is supposed to be a formal event to celebrate Her Majesty. Maybe you should restrain yourself?”
“Then I’ll celebrate first, and brag afterward!”
“…”
Thinking about it, maybe I didn’t need to prepare a gift after all.
For Empress Sister, an event like the coronation was probably just tedious, boring, and meaningless.
Wouldn’t having Charlotte, Julia, and Yuri attend be the greatest gift for her?
It was absolutely not because I was too lazy to think of a gift or didn’t want to spend money.
This was a deeply thought-out decision made solely for the sake of Empress Sister.
‘And more than anything, having the kids with me will increase my chances of protecting my chastity.’
No matter how much Empress Sister was desperate to abduct me as her state husband,
she wouldn’t go as far as to pounce on me in front of the children.
In other words, the kids were both a gift for Empress Sister and a defense mechanism for me.
“My Lord, a royal messenger has arrived from the palace.”
“A royal messenger…?”
I turned around in surprise and saw a messenger waiting at the front gate.
What was this about?
Was it related to the coronation?
“Count Vermont, I’ve come to discuss some matters that need to be arranged in advance for the coronation.”
“…Shouldn’t those things have been settled before announcing the schedule?”
“Her Majesty said it would be harder for you to refuse if we came after the schedule was finalized.”
“…”
A wave of unease hit me.
Just what was she planning…?
***
“Heisig, we’re departing soon. Bring the carriage.”
“Yes, Father. I will also ensure a supply wagon and escorts follow us.”
“Good.”
Count Ariente looked at the long line of carriages and smiled in satisfaction.
With the Empress coming of age and holding a coronation, he had prepared plenty of gifts to celebrate the occasion.
Back when he was aligned with the Noble Faction, he would have only prepared enough to fill one or two carriages.
But things were different now.
Ariente was now part of the rising Vermont faction.
Some sneered that he was merely a vassal, a servant, or even a purse for Count Vermont.
But Count Ariente no longer let such petty remarks bother him. He simply laughed them off.
‘Where in the world is there a noble closer to Count Vermont than me? I owe Vermont 10 billion Larks! For the rest of my life—no, for my son’s son’s life—we will serve Vermont! Our friendship is eternal!’
Clinging to the strong was nothing to be ashamed of.
Those who mocked him as a “dog of Vermont” were now reduced to mere village lords governing remote countryside settlements.
Meanwhile, he was enjoying the benefits of being the neighbor and gateway to Vermont’s prosperous, industrial, financial, and military lands.
‘Pride doesn’t put food on the table. Survival depends on quick wit and decisive action.’
And all of this was thanks to his early recognition of Count Vermont’s brilliance.
From the very first time they met, he knew.
Ever since he tried to swindle—no, negotiate a beneficial contract with Count Vermont, he had sensed this outcome.
Now, with Count Vermont being the Empress’s most favored individual, Ariente naturally had to keep up appearances as well.
Of course, Her Majesty wouldn’t even glance at his gifts.
But at the very least, he needed to show sincerity.
“We should be seeing the Imperial Palace soon. Heisig, once we arrive—Hmm?”
As the carriage procession entered the capital, Count Ariente stretched his body, intending to loosen up.
However, at that moment, something outside the window caught his eye, making him freeze.
“Father, is something wrong?”
“Just now… I think I saw a skull flying past the window…”
“You must have seen wrong. Why would there be a skull in the capital—”
“KYAAAAH!!!”
“Ack! Why are you shouting all of a sudden, Father?”
“Look! Look outside, Heisig!”
“Outside? What’s even—Hyaaaaah!!!”
Rows of skulls passing rapidly outside the carriage window.
Count Ariente and Heisig clung to each other, screaming at the top of their lungs.
Had they somehow ended up in hell while looking away for just a moment?!
Count Ariente hurriedly called for the coachman to stop the carriage.
“W-What in the world…?”
When Count Ariente stepped outside, what met his eyes was…
A seemingly endless parade of skeleton soldiers lined up on both sides of the road.
The sheer eerie spectacle made Count Ariente’s vision blur for a moment—he nearly fainted.
“Ah… so I’ve finally ended up in hell…”
“F-Father! Get a hold of yourself! It’s Vermont’s Undead Legion!”
“What did you just say…?”
It was then that they noticed the banners raised by the skeleton soldiers.
The Vermont family crest and the Imperial crest were unmistakably emblazoned on them.
Heisig and Count Ariente let out a deep sigh of relief.
Phew, thank goodness.
It was just Vermont’s Undead Legion…
…Wait, what?
“But why is the Undead Legion here…?”
Just as he was about to calm his pounding heart, another question arose in Count Ariente’s mind.
Why on earth was an undead army stationed in the capital, where the coronation was being held…?
.
.
.
“Now the city finally looks more complete. I knew something was missing from the capital—it was your Undead Legion.”
“…”
The Empress beamed as she overlooked the Undead Legion standing guard around the Imperial Palace and the main roads leading to it.
Was she pleased with the undead army itself?
Or was she more entertained by the way terrified nobles trembled and whimpered as they passed by them?
Either way, she was clearly in a great mood.
…Or maybe there was another reason she was so pleased.
‘The intention behind placing the Undead Legion in the capital is painfully obvious…’
Stationing a military force belonging to a specific faction in the capital?
Under normal circumstances, that would be absolutely unacceptable.
However, the Undead Legion was a special case.
First, the Undead Legion wasn’t composed of living humans.
Second, they had defended the Imperial Palace during the last palace invasion.
And lastly, in terms of lineage, they were originally the royal family’s personal guards.
Using these justifications, the Empress had demanded that a fully armed Undead Legion be deployed throughout the capital for the coronation.
I had no choice but to comply.
And now that they were stationed here, the Vermont family’s relationship with the Imperial family wasn’t just being displayed—it was being overwhelmingly flaunted.
‘I’ve been completely trapped.’
Placing an army in the capital, where the Empress resides?
It could only be seen as a declaration of an exceptionally close relationship.
At this rate, the atmosphere was practically demanding that we announce an engagement the moment the coronation ended…
“Sylvia.”
“…”
“Sylvia?”
“The escort knight has been sent out on patrol for the moment.”
“What about Julia…?”
“She went to check on the formation of the Undead Legion.”
“Then Charlotte…?”
“She’s probably admiring my crown right about now.”
“Ah… I see.”
“What’s wrong? Do you feel uneasy being alone with me?”
“O-Of course not, Your Majesty…”
Before I knew it, I realized that there was no one left here except me and Empress Sister.
She slid closer to me.
I could feel my pulse quicken, my pupils shaking uncontrollably.
Was this really happening now, before the coronation was even over…?!
