300 – Maria’s Coronation (2)
As soon as Matthias’ head was blown off, a short sigh erupted.
“Ah.”
And a moment later, cheers rang out, along with the sound of vigorous applause made by banging the palms together.
“The dirty traitor is dead, long live Deus!”
“Peace to the Rhine-Palatinate Empire!”
“Long live Her Majesty the Emperor Maria!”
It’s still awkward for me to applaud and enjoy the sentiment when a person dies, but Matthias is the equivalent of a war criminal in Korea.
So, it wouldn’t be that awkward to sincerely celebrate his death.
“Be quiet.”
When Maria spoke out, the heated atmosphere quickly calmed down.
Is this the power of the emperor’s authority?
She declared while looking down at me, the nobles, and everyone present.
“The war is already over, and even those who were the culprits of the war are now dead. From now on, there will be only peace in our Rhine-Palatinate Empire.”
As Maria said, I hope that peace without war lasts for a long time in our empire.
“Those who took up swords and spears to protect their families will return to their families with the price of their devotion, and will live as respected husbands and fathers in their villages. The exploits and dedication of the knights who protected the peace of the empire will be recorded in history and commemorated by our Rhine-Palatinate Empire and its people. This I, Maria von Rheinfalz, solemnly declare and swear.”
I have gained everything through war, but now that the civil war is over, I hope that the current state of peace will be maintained in the empire for a long time.
What I wish more is for the sacrifice and dedication of my comrades who risked their lives in the war to be fairly recognized.
A life of prosperity and honor gained through risk-taking and fighting.
And it would be best if we got together once in a while to have a drink and argue about who had the best fight at that time and compete based on the amount of alcohol consumed.
“Keeping this will be the duty of the person who will be crowned emperor. Jim will gladly assume that duty.”
And at this time, the cardinal of Deus, who was behind him, began to walk holding the imperial emperor’s crown.
Bishops from all over the country followed behind him with strict, solemn and serious expressions.
When the cardinal finally stood right in front of Mary, she got down on both knees and kissed the cardinal’s ring.
This is an act that anyone who becomes an emperor must do at least once, but it made me feel uncomfortable watching it.
‘No matter how pretentious it may be, it is a declaration that Maria is a servant and slave of Deus.’
Of course, the meaning of this ritual is the same as when politicians say to citizens during election campaigns, ‘We are your servants and messengers.’
After that, the cardinal, expressionless, began to recite a prayer very seriously.
I guess the emotion was showing on my face and my expression was frowning.
Dalton, who is very quick-witted when it comes to things like this, like a sword master, teased me in a very quiet voice.
“Oh my, my Majesty must be upset that her wife has to perform such a ceremony. This is a very novel response. “Wow, I’m looking forward to seeing how many children will be born.”
How dare you make fun of me, the emperor’s husband, like this… I will not forgive you.
When that nobleman gets older and wants to retire and live a comfortable life, I will do whatever it takes to create a suitable position in the palace and push him hard, really.
Because I’m an expert, I’ll live a long life with the information corrected, so I’ll make you live buried in documents until you’re 70 or 80.
I made that promise, but the words that came out of my mouth were exactly the opposite.
“Who would say they are jealous or feel bad about something like that?”
“It’s all written on your face, Viscount.” This lowly baron caught my eye. “You are already so good at gold, so as a noble of the empire, you automatically feel at ease and feel good.”
When other nobles see this, they will gnash their teeth, thinking that Dalton will become a powerful figure in the empire in the future, and will think that this kind of behavior is a high-level political tactic.
However, as someone who has experienced Dalton for a long time, I can tell just by looking at that expression and the look in his eyes that scratches the inside of the person.
‘Not only is Dalton not making any political calculations at the moment, but the problem is that he doesn’t pay attention to those around him too much.’
I can bet 100 gold coins here right now. And I will win.
After the long prayer time, the cardinal placed the emperor’s crown on Mary’s head.
“From now on, I solemnly proclaim in front of God Deus and all the empire’s nobles and people that First Princess Maria von Rheinfaltz has received the blessing of Deus and has become the true emperor of the Rhinepfalz Empire.”
When I heard that, strangely enough, tears poured out of my eyes.
I’m not a person with weak tear ducts.
Thanks to the fact that I have fought countless times, risking my life, with only one eye on the ‘civil war’ for nearly ten years since I first became possessed here…
We’ve come this far and the results have finally come to fruition.
Okay, I guess I can cry a little today.
Even so, there is no way that Dalton nearby will not notice my tears, and he will laugh at me and make fun of me for the rest of his life…
I’m just worried about that.
Maria accepted the scroll that would become the first royal decree from the magistrate standing next to her.
“From now on, I will start selling rice cakes. First, the title of the Marquis of Schweig is raised to duke, and three territories are granted, including the Dukedom of Bellmeyer.”
After the civil war ended, the positions of the owners of many fiefdoms became empty, either because many nobles died or because they withdrew from the fiefdoms they ruled and went into exile.
So, it is said that there is a lot of territory that can be bestowed, but you have received so much so far, and I never thought that you would give me this much to live in again.
There is no doubt that life is one shot.
In particular, Duke Schweig has become the only duke in the empire, so he will live happily ever after, using the power in his hands to his heart’s content.
Since he is an older man, he often gathers his family and brags about himself.
“Count Sauer is granted one count and one barony, and Viscount Salz is granted two baronies and his title is raised one level.”
As the business continued, my turn began to approach.
“And the Viscount Cologne raises his title one level higher and appoints him as a count, and grants him two earldoms in recognition of his actions in saving my life twice and thwarting Matthias’s treacherous plan.”
When I first seduced Karin, what I said was that I would make her a countess, but has that finally come true?
I remembered all the hardships I had endured to get here, and my eyes began to get moist.
I looked around to see if it was just me…
Luckily, the other nobles were also helpless because of the water filling their eyes, so I was spared from being the only one crying.
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‘No one will say anything for crying here, but I still have a man’s pride.’
No, pride and all, I’m actually most worried that Captain Dalton over there will make fun of me.
“Baron Maurer will also be elevated to a title and appointed as Viscount, and will be granted one Viscounty.”
When Dalton heard those words, thick tears began to flow from his eyes as if he realized that everything was over.
If you make fun of me, I’ll have to make fun of that guy too.
If you are planning to make fun of someone, you should also be prepared to be made fun of.
Over a long period of time, the non-public performance award was announced to people other than us.
After Dalton, there were mainly high-ranking knights under Maria, and there were several who rose one rank in rank and became official nobles of the empire due to meritorious achievements.
“This concludes the discussion. “Please continue to work harder for the well-being of the Rhine-Palatinate Empire and the peace of its people.”
At the same time as those words were said, everyone exchanged eye signals.
No one said anything, but everyone knew what to say.
“Long live your Majesty the Emperor! Long live the Rhine-Palatinate Empire!”
Everyone chanted loudly for the square to leave and cheered sincerely that their hard work had been rewarded.
Schweig, who became Duke, cautiously opened his mouth.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but how can the emperor of an empire be single? “You must find a suitable groom.”
When a political issue that was in some ways more important than public speaking came out of the duke’s mouth, everyone in the room, including the nobles, perked up their ears.
But everyone just pricked up their ears and didn’t seem to be expecting anything new.
I guess it’s because everyone knows that the opponent has already been decided.
‘I am the winner, you bastards!’
When I looked at Maria with her chest proudly spread out, she also turned her gaze towards me and smiled a dazzlingly elegant and beautiful smile.
“Maria von Rheingfalz, Emperor of the Empire, will propose to the Count of Cologne here. “She had always had feelings for him, but due to unfavorable circumstances, she was unable to marry him.”
At those words, the faces of most of the nobles fell, and Count Sauer looked as if he had seen the end of the world.
“But now that peace has come to the empire, I can marry the person I love… I will take this opportunity to propose to the Count of Cologne.”
Maria did not want to hear my answer.
There are many reasons, but one reason may be that the emperor’s marriage proposal is an order that does not require an ‘answer’.
‘That’s why Maria proposed in advance.’
“Everyone has worked hard, rest in peace.”