Chapter 1485: The Old Minister Who Raises Questions

One standard hour later, a Diplomat of the Keluoke Imperium walked into the entrance of the hall.

He wore a deep purple formal ceremonial robe, followed by two attendants.

He stood still at the entrance and spoke.

Distinguished envoys, the coronation ceremony is about to begin. Please follow me to the Viewing Platform of the main hall.

The diplomats of the various factions in the hall rose one after another.

Lu Zhenda stood up from his seat, waited for the representatives of the factions in front to walk a few steps, and then walked toward the entrance unhurriedly.

Gewanuosai followed behind him; as they passed the seating areas of other factions along the way, those representatives who had not yet moved turned to the side to make space, their gazes sweeping over Lu Zhenda and landing on Gewanuosai.

Chanaisaikong stood up from his seat, glanced in the direction of Lu Zhenda, and then followed behind the main group as they walked out.

After passing through several corridors, the view suddenly opened up.

The Viewing Platform in front of the main hall was a semi-circular open-air platform; in the most expansive position in the center of the platform, several rows of seats had already been arranged, facing the direction of the main hall gate.

The main hall gate was wide open at this moment, with a long deep purple carpet laid at the entrance, and two rows of Keluoke Ceremonial Guard in full armor standing on both sides.

Under the guidance of an attendant, Lu Zhenda walked to a position slightly toward the front of the center of the Viewing Platform, where the reserved seats were further forward than other areas, and the emblem of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance was carved on the back of the chairs.

After he sat down, Gewanuosai stood behind him.

The representatives of other factions took their seats one after another.

Just after all the envoys were seated, the Ceremonial Guard at the entrance of the main hall turned simultaneously, their halberds hitting the ground with a uniform thud.

The figure of Kesi appeared in the depths of the main hall gate.

He wore a deep purple imperial ceremonial robe with broad shoulders, the imperial emblem embroidered in gold thread hanging on his chest, and a crown made of dark metal on his head.

Kesi had a calm expression, walking out step by step from inside the main hall.

He was followed by four ceremonial officers in dark robes, each holding a symbol: a Scepter, a seal, a scroll of documents, and a flag.

Kesi walked to the entrance and stood still on the steps under the porch.

In front of the main hall, a Keluoke State Preceptor wearing a white robe stepped forward, unfolded a piece of parchment in his hand, and began to read a long proclamation in the language of the Keluoke Imperium.

The content of the proclamation was nothing more than praising the achievements of the late emperor, announcing the ascension of the new emperor, and praying for the prosperity of the Imperium.

Lu Zhenda leaned back in his chair and listened, feeling very bored; the rituals of the Keluoke Imperium were truly too cumbersome and a waste of time.

After the proclamation was read, the High Priest put away the parchment and stepped to one side.

Kesi raised both hands, palms up, to receive the Scepter and seal handed over by the High Priest.

He held the two items in his left and right hands respectively, then turned around, faced the direction of the Viewing Platform, and spoke.

People of the Keluoke Imperium, distinguished envoys who have come from afar. Today, I, Kesi, under the last will of the late emperor, ascend to the imperial throne. From this moment on, I will lead the Keluoke Imperium in a new direction.

Kesi's gaze swept across the representatives of the various parties on the Viewing Platform.

The borders of the Imperium need to be consolidated, the interior needs to be reorganized, and allies need to be united. These will be my primary goals after taking office; thank you all for coming today. After the ceremony, a banquet will be held in the main hall; please take your seats.

After he finished speaking, he nodded slightly, then turned and walked back into the interior of the main hall.

The four ceremonial officers followed behind, and the scroll of parchment and the several symbols were taken into the hall.

Sparse applause rang out on the Viewing Platform.

The internal affairs officials of the Keluoke Imperium clapped at the edge of the platform, and the diplomats of the various factions followed with ritualistic applause, which soon died down.

Just as Lu Zhenda stood up from his seat, a Keluoke attendant walked over quickly and bowed, saying.

Lord Lu, the banquet is ready, please follow me.

"Let's go, lead the way."

Lu Zhenda followed the attendant away from the Viewing Platform toward the side door of the main hall, with Gewanuosai following behind.

The scale inside the main hall was larger than it looked from the outside.

The four walls were hung with deep purple curtains and huge murals, and light shone down from several large chandeliers hanging from the dome.

Several rows of long tables were set up in the center of the main hall, covered with white tablecloths with gold edges, and tableware and drinks had been neatly arranged.

The diplomats of the various factions were guided to their respective positions.

Lu Zhenda's position was on the right side at the very front of the main hall, not far from the emperor's main seat.

The representatives of other factions took their seats one after another.

Kesi walked out from the side door behind the main seat of the main hall, having changed into a lighter deep purple ceremonial robe, still wearing that crown on his head.

He walked to the main seat and sat down, raising his hand to signal the attendants that they could serve the food.

The banquet began.

The chefs of the Keluoke Imperium had prepared quite a few dishes, but the representatives of the various factions mostly only tasted a few bites.

After about half a standard hour, just as the atmosphere of the banquet was gradually relaxing, several Keluoke people stood up simultaneously from the rows of seats below the main seat.

The three of them were all princes and nobles of the Keluoke Imperium.

The leader was thin, wearing a dark purple robe, with four eyes sunken deep into their sockets.

Standing to his left and right were two burly nobles, also wearing ceremonial robes, with composed expressions.

The old noble with four eyes stood in front of his seat and raised his voice.

Your Majesty.

Hearing the voice, Kesi put down his cup and looked in that direction.

The old noble continued.

We few old ministers have some things we would like to ask clearly.

Kesi put down his cup, a polite smile on his face.

Please speak, Duke Kusa.

The old noble known as Duke Kusa straightened his back and spoke.

Your Majesty's ascension is welcomed by all in the Keluoke Imperium. But there are a few things that we have not been able to figure out, and today, in front of the envoys of all parties, we would like to ask Your Majesty for a clear answer.

The sound of conversation in the great hall gradually died down, and the Diplomats from various factions looked toward this side.

During the late Emperor's reign, we were also high-ranking officials who rendered distinguished service. Before the late Emperor passed away, he did not publicly mention any arrangements regarding a successor.

Later, the Imperial City experienced turmoil while we were away, and the late Emperor passed away; many commoners died in that turmoil, and afterward, we heard that the late Emperor had changed his decision before his death and designated His Majesty as the successor.

We would like to ask His Majesty, when did the late Emperor make this decision? Who was present at the time? Was there any written record left behind?

The great hall became completely silent.

The arc of the smile on Kesi's face did not change.

He sat in the main seat, his hands clasped and placed on the tabletop, looking at Duke Kusa, and spoke.

My father's decision was made during the period when he was critically ill.

During the period when he was critically ill?

Another noble beside Duke Kusa interjected.

When the late Emperor was critically ill, we never heard the late Emperor mention this matter. His Majesty was by the late Emperor's side at the time; how did the late Emperor suddenly change his mind?

Kesi's voice remained steady.

That was my father's will, which no one could guess; the video files are all archived and can be reviewed after the ceremony ends.

Video footage? Is His Majesty certain that was the late Emperor's own decision?

Kesi's gaze sank, and he said in an unhappy tone.

Duke Kusa, are you questioning whether I forged my father's decree?

I am merely asking for clarity; the succession of the throne of the Luoke Imperium has always had clear records. The late Emperor did not publicly designate a successor before he passed away, and as veteran officials of the Imperium, we have a responsibility to confirm the legitimacy of this succession.

The sturdy-built noble behind him followed up by saying.

We are not trying to oppose His Majesty's ascension, but hope for a clear explanation. What exactly was the late Emperor's will? Was there any outside influence? These matters must be made clear.