Chapter 674 — The Coronation

"The Lady Merys… Peronia must be close by," Gaoyu said. "As a dragon charged with observing the affairs of the continent, how could she abandon her post on the eve of a historic event like this?"

After the communication ended, Gaoyang did not leave the study. He waited quietly behind his desk, his mind spreading outward, his keen senses gathering every sound from the surrounding quarters: attendants moving about in the nearby rooms—they must be preparing the robes and ornaments required for the coronation; the thud of military boots rising from below—that would be the guard making its final defensive arrangements before the ceremony began; and a faint, muddled clamor drifting in from the gardens beyond the castle—that was probably some noise Rebecca was making…

For today's ceremony, Hetty, Rebecca, and several officials of the Council of State had come to the Old Royal Capital from Xuanyao City the day before. After all, this was the moment that symbolized the formal founding of the Empire—they could not possibly stay away. And to ensure nothing went wrong in the Southern Marches, besides arranging a group of reliable department heads and deputies to keep the Council of State running, Gaoyang had ordered Suo Jilin back to the south to help maintain order and defense there.

As a friend of Gaoyang Cecil from seven hundred years ago, that high-ranking ranger did not regret having to miss the grand occasion. On the contrary, he had accepted the order gladly—for an elf, attending a large human ceremony was sheer torment, and to have a reason to stay far from the scene while still earning credit for it was exactly what Suo Jilin wanted.

A dozen or so minutes later, a knock came at the door, and an attendant announced that the senior agent of the Mithril Vault had arrived.

"It seems today will be a grand occasion," said the agent, a young lady in a long gown, her face veiled, appearing before Gaoyang, her crescent eyes smiling. "The city is decorated everywhere, and nearly everyone is eagerly discussing the coming coronation—whether sincerely or not. I saw hundreds of nobles gathered in the great hall of Silverhold, gazing up at the Cecil emblem and weeping with emotion."

"Whether they are moved or not makes no difference to me. So long as they cooperate when the time comes to sign, that is enough," Gaolan said. "Too many have already died on Crow Terrace. I do not intend to string up another batch to decorate the lampposts."

"Do not be so harsh with them. They are already doing their best to comply with your decrees," Merys said with a smile, stepping up to the desk. "So then—what is it you wish us to keep?"

Gaoyang picked up the manuscript he had just finished, but before handing it to Merys he asked one question: "Is the Mithril Vault capable of preserving anything, and handling stored items in strict accordance with every requirement of the client?"

"'Anything' is a rather exaggerated word. Even a dragon could not preserve all things in this world. But considering the level of human development, you may indeed take it that we are capable of preserving everything you entrust to us—and that we are capable of handling it according to your requirements."

"Then can you preserve knowledge, and disseminate that knowledge when the moment I specify arrives?"

The expression beneath Merys's veil seemed to freeze for an instant. She noticed the peculiar wording Gaoyang had used and could not help saying softly, "Disseminate… that is an interesting request. But I believe you may rest easy—so long as the price is right, we do not mind taking on new business. And in theory, the long lifespan and considerable intelligence of dragonkind are enough for us to fulfill your request. Even if you asked us to spread a certain body of knowledge across the entire continent, it might not take as long as a young dragon's coming-of-age pilgrimage."

She paused, then continued: "But given the unusual nature of this commission, I will need to confirm the specific content of the knowledge you are delivering before I can quote you a price. Rest assured, however—given the status and identity you are about to attain, the price will be entirely fair."

Gaoyan nodded. Then he glanced again at the manuscript in his hand, and a trace of hesitation and deliberation crossed his face, as though it were something truly worth agonizing over. A full minute passed before he drew a soft breath and placed the manuscript in Merys's hands. "This is the entirety of it."

"The entirety? That is less than I imagined… I thought you would hand me a library…" Merys took the manuscript and casually flipped through the first few pages. Before she had a chance to examine the contents closely, her eyebrows rose. "It seems to be about how society operates?"

"You may take some time to read it carefully and quote your price after the coronation ends," Gaodai said. "We can discuss the specific terms of the commission then as well."

Merys's tone lifted. "Oh? Then I shall have to read it thoroughly…"

……

On the ground floor of the castle, in the great hall, the masters of ceremonies were anxiously confirming every stage of the proceedings. Attendants and honor guards checked and rechecked what they were to do, and a white-haired court advisor went over the long list in his hands, beads of sweat glistening on his brow.

Hetty, having already completed one rehearsal of the ceremony, noticed the advisor's nervousness and could not help stepping forward to comfort him. "Please relax, Mr. Brunden—all the procedures are already in order."

"Ah, Your Excellency the Grand Chancellor! Thank you for your concern, but I dare not relax," the court advisor said, bowing in salute to Hetty and then speaking with a grave expression. "I served as a court scholar for most of my life and know every rule of etiquette inside out, but what I hold in my hands now is an entirely new set of procedures. His Majesty has not only abolished the kneeling and earth-kissing rites for his subjects, he has even abolished the crown—and on top of that, salutes of artillery, marching formations, and new military music have been added. I dare not let any of it go wrong by even a hair; it would disgrace my family's honor."

Hetty smiled and shook her head gently. "No one will be disgraced today. Today is a day of glory."

She turned and raised her head, gazing toward the far end of the hall, toward the deep blue drapery hanging upon the wall and cascading down from the high vault—pale golden threads worked the emblem of sword and plowshare upon that cloth, and one could not help but recall the meaning behind it: guardianship and cultivation, carving out a home for humanity with blade and fire in the dark age, and multiplying and thriving upon the land through honest toil.

It seemed only yesterday that this glorious emblem still hung in the ruined old castle of the Cecil family, the domain in decline, the house at its wit's end, while she and Rebecca struggled to keep the territory alive. Beyond rereading a faded glory in mold-scented old books, she had not even dared imagine what it would look like to light every lamp in the old castle.

How could she have dared imagine, back then, that this emblem would one day hang upon the walls of Silverhold?

Footsteps sounded behind her. Hetty turned and saw Victoria, dressed in a white court gown, her silver hair piled high—the Duchess of the North nodded to her. "Lady Hetty, you look radiant today."

It was a rather stock greeting and pleasantry, but given the Duchess of the North's usual cold demeanor, those who knew her understood that this was already the greatest warmth and goodwill she could show. Hetty smiled. "And you as well—beautiful as the winter snows."

"Today is a great day," Victoria said calmly. "Duke Baiyu and I will ensure everything proceeds smoothly."