"You've arrived, Loren."
"Loren!"
Migaya and Isatia also stood up and saluted.
They were old friends with Loren back at Ichrite Academy.
"Isatia, you really haven't changed in all these years."
Loren waved cheerfully, indicating that they need not be so formal.
Their intentional saluting was rely to tease him.
"Don't you think Migaya hasn't changed much either?"
Isatia turned sideways, stood on tiptoe, and pressed both hands against Migaya's cheeks, observing her husband.
Migaya, now in his thirties, still looked much the sa as when he was in his twenties.
"Indeed, his other appearance might not change much either."
Loren sat down on the sofa and gestured for Almis to do the sa.
After so brief small talk, Loren began discussing past and current political affairs with his three old friends.
Though the topics were heavy, being with dear friends allowed Loren to finally relax his tense nerves a bit.
The morning sunlight stread through the floor-to-ceiling window, illuminating their worried faces and imparting so warmth.
Loren knew that aside from the burdens of being a monarch, he had friends by his side to face the difficult challenges together.
Tis of heartfelt conversation in days past might not be repeated, but these monts of joy would provide him the strength to overco challenges.
After negotiations with the Cerryti Empire, it was decided that Loren would serve as Emperor Loren Clanter of the Empire for at least a year until the situation stabilized. If, afterwards, he no longer wished to continue, Princess Alexia of the Silvermoon Reform Association could rightfully succeed him.
Although Alexia had the trust of several War Gods and was already a key mber of the Silvermoon Reform Association, and even the rightful successor to wield the Seross Spirit Sword, the turmoil was not limited to the Cerryti Empire; the entire South Continent was in an even more complex state. Alexia found it hard to tackle this ss, needing soone as powerful as Hesintos to quickly resolve the issues, soone with sufficient international prestige and dostic authority.
"What kind of situation is this... I, who once pledged to the Goddess of Destiny as a priest, how could I beco the emperor of the Cerryti Empire?"
After discussing state affairs, Loren pinched his brow, reflecting on life even as he fell asleep in the imperial palace these past two days — feeling it all too surreal.
He had long vowed to dedicate his life to the Goddess of Destiny, becoming Her sword against evil and Her hand to rescue the unfortunate.
Besides, he wasn't genuinely the legitimate emperor; he was essentially a Huttonian, hardly considered a true Cerryti citizen.
Yet he was forcefully supported by the War Gods and the aristocrats of the Cerryti Empire.
"..."
Migaya and Isatia exchanged glances, unsure of how to apologize to Loren.
The only honest team mber, likewise uninford about the plan, now sat on the throne, sighing.
Currently, the Cerryti Empire indeed demanded Loren to be emperor, and Loren couldn't refuse this responsibility, which only he could bear, for the peace of the South Continent — even if this responsibility wasn't originally his.
"I've asked the Goddess of Destiny, She has no objections."
The Snow Witch could only comfort him so.
She had used Divine Arts for divination.
"..."
Can the Goddess of Destiny speak?
Isatia thought of asking this but felt it might be blasphemous.
Migaya glanced at Isatia, thinking her very idea was blasphemous.
"By the way, Florence is still waiting for you."
The Snow Witch added to Loren.
Talking of the Church of the Goddess of Destiny, it was inevitable to ntion another colleague of hers and Loren's — Paladin Leader Florence.
Several mbers of the Great Demon Clan managed to sneak into Brilda with Hyperion, all thanks to the help of Florence, who also replaced Loren to guard the rear kingdom of Hutton.
"After handling the turmoil of the Cerryti Empire, I might have a rare vacation to return to Ichrite Academy; co to think of it, I haven't been back for a long ti."
Loren also missed his good brother dearly, unable to hide his eager emotions.
Currently, Florence might still be living at his ho.
Since Florence moved into his house, they hadn't properly toured Ichrite Academy together before the conflict on the South Continent began, leaving Loren with rely the fond mory of living with his brother.
The War Gods were embarrassed to hold him too long in what was essentially a Cerryti Empire capture.
Loren was willing to help them manage the turmoil, and they were already grateful beyond asure, thus arranging a plan for a family visit holiday so Loren could have a few days to return to the Hutton Kingdom.
"I wonder what Juliana would think if she heard you suddenly beca the emperor of Cerryti."
Migaya mused to himself, stroking his chin.
In his impression, during the ti he hadn't left the Hutton Kingdom, there were signs of an uneasy relationship between Loren and Juliana. Later, upon hearing about Lanci's series of red string welding operations at Ichrite Academy, Migaya felt things were perhaps heating up.
Juliana might have already thought Loren died saving her; now, the explosive news was not only Loren's revival, but also his sudden rise to beco the emperor of Cerryti Empire, aid at ending the war and chaos on the South Continent.
Anyway, Migaya was eager for the follow-up, he and Isatia's joy was largely found in enjoying the drama together.
"Sigh, I still wanted to have dinner with her."
Upon hearing Juliana's na, a glimr flickered in Loren's eyes before his brows sank down again.
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