Chapter 379: Do You Dare?!

A new day arrived, sunlight piercing through the clouds and spilling over this ancient and solemn capital; the golden radiance seemed to herald the beginning of a new era.

On both sides of the street, colorful flags fluttered gently in the breeze, contrasting with the blue sky and white clouds to form a moving picture.

Every household had fresh flowers placed on their windowsills, the fragrance of the flowers intertwining with the festive atmosphere to make one feel relaxed and happy.

"Hum— hum—"

As the bells of the clock tower rang out solemnly, the entire city was immersed in a festive mood.

The band began to play a cheerful march in the center of the square in front of the palace, the melody impassioned and stirring, as if telling of the new King's wisdom and the nation's glory.

The citizens wore their festive finery, their faces overflowing with irrepressible joy; they waved the small flags in their hands and cheered loudly, offering their most sincere blessings for the new King's ascension.

Amidst the gaze of the masses, Hogan appeared on the palace balcony; he was dressed in a royal robe woven with gold thread and wore a jade crown inlaid with gemstones, his gaze firm and warm as he waved to the citizens below.

His figure appeared exceptionally majestic in the sunlight, yet full of approachability, though his eyes were filled with irrepressible smugness and disdain.

The citizens gathered in the palace square saw Hogan appear and began to wave their flags and shout, the cheers rising in wave after wave.

On the other side of the square, children chased and played, their laughter crisp and pleasant, adding a touch of vitality and energy to this solemn occasion.

The elderly gathered together, whispering to one another, their eyes flickering with anticipation for the future and nostalgia for the past.

This day was not only the coronation day of the new King but also the burial day of the old King.

The mourning hall originally set up in the square had already been scaled down; in a moment, Hogan would walk out of the palace and come to the mourning hall to pay his final respects to the old King Abdullah, which would count as taking over the responsibility from the old King, and his inauguration Ritual would then be complete.

Following that, the new King would personally carry the coffin for the old King and hold the funeral.

Once the entire process was finished, Hogan would be the true and proper King of this country.

Hogan looked down at the citizens below the palace, feeling unprecedented satisfaction in his heart; finally... he was finally going to fulfill the long-cherished wish in his heart.

"Please, new King, offer prayers and pay respects to the old King!"

The host of the ceremony shouted through a loudspeaker, and the clamorous citizens immediately quieted down, putting their hands together and bowing their heads with solemn expressions.

Hogan straightened his collar, walked down from the balcony, and escorted by the honor guard, walked out of the palace, stepped onto the red carpet, and walked toward the mourning hall step by step.

"Wait a moment!"

An abrupt shout rang out from the crowd, and Princess Laila walked out of the crowd, appearing in full view of everyone.

"Isn't that Princess Laila?"

"Yes, wasn't it said that Princess Laila was heartbroken and bedridden because the old King was murdered? Why is she not resting in the palace?"

"What does Princess Laila want to do by coming out now?"

For a moment, the citizens felt extremely surprised by Laila's appearance and discussed it heatedly; the music playing for the ceremony stopped, and the atmosphere of the scene became somewhat strange.

Hogan, who had been wearing a solemn expression, felt his body tremble the moment he saw Laila, as if he had seen a ghost.

He turned his head to look at Burton in disbelief, only to find Burton standing at the palace gate with an indifferent expression.

"I am the only daughter of King Abdullah, Princess Laila of Ansili; I am here to tell everyone the truth!"

Laila looked at Hogan with hostility, tears flickering in her eyes, "My father, King Abdullah, was not killed by friends from Xia, but by him... the former Ansili general, Hogan!"

One word stirred up a thousand waves, and the whole place was in an uproar.

"What?! What is Princess Laila saying?! How could this be possible?!"

"But why would Princess Laila lie? She has no reason to lie!"

"Could it be that what Princess Laila said is true?! If that is the case, it is truly too unbelievable!"

The citizens were all shocked, talking all at once, and the way they looked at Hogan changed.

Hogan's face twisted, and he stared viciously at Laila, immediately thinking of a countermeasure and shouting, "Everyone, listen to me!"

"Everyone, do not be deceived by Princess Laila; she is the daughter of the former King Abdullah, and logically speaking, now that King Abdullah is dead, she should be the one to succeed to the throne.

But Abdullah and I were playmates since childhood, and even more so, friends who would die for one another; furthermore, my ability is something not only King Abdullah but the entire people of Ansili have witnessed, which is why King Abdullah decided to pass the throne to me.

"It is just that Princess Laila is unwilling, believing that I stole her status and the throne, which is why she is saying this."

Hogan's expression turned gentle in a second, with the kindness of an elder doting on a junior, "I know, King Abdullah was murdered by villains, and it is not strange for Princess Laila to be heartbroken and do anything; please do not blame her.

All the faults are mine for not doing well enough, for failing to protect His Majesty King Abdullah, and for failing to bring the true culprit to justice in time."

"I guarantee to everyone here, I also guarantee to Her Highness Princess Laila, and furthermore, I promise before the spirit tablet of His Majesty King Abdullah, that after today's ceremony ends, I will definitely bring the murderer to justice and give everyone an explanation!"

Hogan glanced at Laila and bowed deeply to the citizens, "Please forgive my sins; I will definitely prove it with my actions. Please also forgive Laila; after all, she is still just a child."

Hogan's set of rhetoric was moving and sincere, and the emotions of everyone in the audience were stirred up, leaving them deeply touched.

"So that's how it is; Princess Laila is truly too ignorant!"

"Yes, His Majesty Hogan has fought for Ansili for decades; his achievements do not need others to speak of them. Although he is not a member of the royal family, he is more than qualified to be this King."

"That's right, and in the face of such slander and framing from Princess Laila, he is actually still making excuses for her; such a magnanimous heart is even more worthy of the throne. I believe in His Majesty Hogan, and I support him being King!"

………

"Long live His Majesty Hogan!"

"We believe in you!"

"Hogan... Hogan... Hogan...!"

For a time, not only did the citizens' emotions stabilize, but Hogan also successfully won favor for himself; the citizens raised their fists and shouted Hogan's name over and over again.

Looking at Laila, she clearly felt the cold eyes and pointing fingers cast by the people around her.

Laila subconsciously wanted to shrink back, but she suddenly remembered the instructions from her mother, Chen Che, and Xie Wanning before she left:

"Laila, you have grown up; you can do it, believe in yourself. No matter what, you must take this step!"

"Your Highness, I have already planned everything. Hogan will definitely not successfully ascend the throne today, but we must let the citizens know the truth and know Hogan's true face, and you are the only one who can do this."

"My dear Laila, you must remember: if King Abdullah is here, you are a princess; if the King is gone, you are a queen. Hogan is a guilty man; the one who should be timid is not you, but him."

The earnest teachings echoed in her mind; Laila took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and opened them again. All the timidity on her body disappeared; she held her head high and faced Hogan:

"Hogan!"

The sharp shout pierced through the cheers of the citizens and echoed in the air; for a moment, everyone's gaze gathered on Princess Laila once again.

Hogan also furrowed his brows, silently watching Laila.

"Hogan, you have said so much, but it is nothing more than trying to absolve yourself of guilt. Then let me ask you, do you dare to enter the mourning hall right now, and in front of my father, in front of all the officials and citizens present, say... that my father's death has nothing to do with you?!"

"And do you dare to say why the Du'e Cult Leader died?"

"And do you dare to say what your true relationship with the Du'e Cult Leader is?"

"And do you dare to say what your true purpose was in strangling those Due Sect Disciples?"

"Do you dare?!!!"

Each resonant and forceful interrogation was like an invisible claw, tightly gripping Hogan's heart.

For a moment, cold sweat trickled down Hogan's temples; he looked at Laila in disbelief, astonished that he could feel an unprecedented sense of oppression from this princess who had always been so naive as to be foolish.

………