Chapter 491: Coronation Ceremony

Inside Red Dragon Fort, a side hall not far from the Dragon Hall, the outside is heavily guarded; not only are Extreme Warriors on duty, but also a squad of Yu Lin Xue Wei at the gate.

Lei En stood in the middle of the side hall, the teleportation array formation beneath his feet was more than half completed.

Outside the teleportation array were piles of magical materials—mithril, various alloys, gems—a huge lump of metal he kept kneading in his hands, deforming like liquid, gradually casting into a mithril‑alloy plate, and as it formed, precise arcane sigils were already etched inside.

Lei En inset the mithril plate into the teleportation array, carefully fine‑tuned it several times until it was confirmed usable.

This was at Ai Mi Li Si's request, to establish a teleportation array inside Red Dragon Fort, but not linked to Weizelan; the other end of the array is Ge La Mo Gen Cheng Bao.

Previously the Wizard Corps had built two teleportation arrays in Kangjiatuo, located on Dragon Crystal Island and Wind Fury Fort, connecting to Weizelan Fu Kong Cheng, but they were temporary. Weizelan would not permit Kangjiatuo's arrays to be permanently linked, as that could become a breach threatening the safety of the floating city.

After the Wizard Corps withdraws, those two arrays will have their spacetime coordinates severed.

Ai Mi Li Si lacks an Astral Crystal Pillar; even with enough arcane crystals she cannot activate such an ultra‑long‑range teleportation array, so she must turn to Lei En, using Ge La Mo Gen's array as a relay, and she will bear the cost of each transmission.

Lei En nodded in agreement.

He also plans, after obtaining the Augustus Duke title, to make Long Ji Cheng the ducal capital and to establish a teleportation array in Long Ji Bao as well.

Thus Kangjiatuo would have four teleportation arrays.

Adding Jin Gang Fort on Sai En Gao Yuan, Viola's Dong Ting Bao, and the array in Ge La Mo Gen Cheng Bao brings the total to six locations, occupying half of the Astral Crystal Pillar teleport coordinate limit.

"Six more connection coordinates, still not enough,"

Lei En thought that in his plan future teleportation targets would surely exceed twelve, so he should prepare early and acquire another Astral Crystal Pillar.

He hand‑forged two more mithril plates, just attached them, when a Yu Lin Xue Wei entered and said respectfully:

"Chairman, His Majesty asked me to inform you that the ceremony is about to begin,"

"Very well."

Lei En nodded; today is Ai Mi Li Si's coronation day, and also his own investiture as Augustus Duke.

He tidied the ceremony arrangements and put on a set of exquisite armor.

The armor had no enchantments nor strong defense, but its imposing, majestic appearance made him look taller and more upright; each piece fit snugly, all silver‑white, delicate yet grand, complementing the blood‑red cloak behind him.

Lei En was originally indifferent, but this was Ai Mi Li Si's request; the finest craftsmen of Kangjiatuo were specially commissioned to forge it, and it arrived two days ago.

A portal opened, appearing on the plaza before Red Dragon Fort.

A massive procession stood ready; in its center a luxurious carriage forged of gold, drawn by eight snow‑white dragon‑scale war horses, driven by a legendary transcendent.

At the front of the carriage, two hundred Yu Lin Xue Wei mounted on towering war horses led the way.

Each Yu Lin Xue Wei's armor shone, wielding a dragon‑emblem battle flag embroidered for the Zhuo Geng Bao family, faces solemn yet excited. The Spear‑Wing Knights followed behind the carriage; their armor was less uniform, but the aura from the bronze gryphons beneath them outshone everyone, drawing attention.

"Chairman, we should depart," Wa Luo Gen said as he stepped forward.

Lei En glanced at the sky, "Sorry for the long wait."

Ai Mi Li Si was already seated in the carriage, her gaze passing through the transparent window glass, expression unchanged, yet a barely perceptible smile flickered in her eyes. Her attire was exceedingly ceremonial today, a dark‑red queen's robe, light makeup on her face, appearing even more beautiful, but the queen's dignified aura felt sacred and untouchable.

She had asked Lei En's opinion about riding together in the carriage on the coronation day, but Lei En declined.

He did not wish to steal the spotlight.

This is the most important day of Ai Mi Li Si's life; the coronation crown, boundless splendor, should let her enjoy her own stage and lights.

Lei En mounted a dragon‑scale war horse, staying beside the carriage.

Bell chimes rang from the tower of Red Dragon Fort.

The queen's honor guard began to move slowly, flags fluttering ahead, descending the winding stone path from the castle atop the mountain, quickly emerging through the gate onto the avenue directly opposite the fortress.

This road is the main artery of Jin Si Lan, its surface already swept spotless, showing no trace of blood from previous battles.

Along both sides of the wide street, every household and shop hung dragon flags.

The queen's transcendent legion formed a human wall with their bodies to maintain order and prevent opportunistic attacks, yet this could not curb the capital's residents' enthusiasm.

Tens of thousands of people crowded the avenue on both sides, sealing it off; hearing the horn, they saw the queen's escort from afar, jostling forward, standing on tiptoes, even climbing trees along the road just to catch a glimpse of the new queen.

The ground trembled slightly, Boom—.

The majestic Yu Lin Xue Wei, brandishing battle flags, surged forward, sparking waves of enthusiastic cheers wherever they passed, with occasional shouts of "Long Live the Queen".

Some older folks, eyes brimming with tears, loudly shouted the name of the Dragon God.

Lei En gazed ahead, the crowd stretching endlessly.

At the street's end stood a magnificent cathedral, the "Great Dragon Temple" of Dragon God Ba Hamute, where each generation of dragon‑blooded king is crowned; this has been Kangjiatuo's millennial tradition, with only Ma Er Ke as an exception.

For over forty years, Ma Er Ke has vigorously weakened people's faith in the Dragon God, banning civilians from entering the temple, nearly abandoning it.

Now, Ai Mi Li Si intends to convert to the God of Magic and is reluctant to hold the coronation in the Great Dragon Temple.

However, after private discussion with Lei En, considering winning the people's hearts, she decided to revive the dragon‑blood tradition and be crowned in the Great Dragon Temple.

The honor guard proceeded, receiving the people's gaze and cheers along the several‑mile street, arriving at the Great Dragon Temple, already teeming with transcendent guards, dragon flags fluttering everywhere, exuding a grand yet dignified atmosphere.

A horn sounded in the temple, like a dragon's roar.

"Roar…"

Bo Er Qi, Yi Geng, Jia La De Luo Si and Xin Da La manifested their true dragon forms, lining up before the temple to welcome Her Majesty the Queen. They deliberately restrained their draconic might to avoid intimidating the tens of thousands of spectators outside, yet still a series of exclamations rang out.

The carriage halted before the temple's main gate.

Lei En personally opened the carriage door, extended his arm, Ai Mi Li Si grasped his hand to step down, turned to face the citizens outside the temple, and gently waved, sparking a fervent wave.

It was only after a few minutes that Ai Mi Li Si entered the temple.

Lei En followed behind her, and the four dragons also shapeshifted into human form, keeping close.

Inside the temple was a massive hall; over a thousand seats in the center were fully occupied, and when Wa Luo Gen shouted loudly, "Her Majesty the Queen has arrived…," everyone rose with a rustle, staring at the hall's entrance, their gazes fixed on Ai Mi Li Si.

Those invited to witness the ceremony inside the temple were mostly the kingdom's nobility, including the seven great families and their vassals, as well as prominent figures from all walks of the capital.

Lei En's gaze swept across, spotting many acquaintances.

He followed behind Ai Mi Li Si, noticing her breathing quickened by half a beat; at that moment she seemed a bit nervous, but she calmed within a few steps.

The party walked upon the red carpet, receiving the crowd's salute, passing through the throng.

Directly opposite the main gate, at the temple's far end, stood a seven‑step coronation platform, lacking a statue of Dragon God Ba Hamute, but featuring a splendid throne.

Ai Mi Li Si ascended the steps alone, Lei En and the four great dragons remained below.

She calmly sat on the throne, dignified in bearing, and raised her hand to signal everyone to sit.

Lei En also found his seat in the front row; as he turned, he sensed several distinct gazes. The Willpower of Truth sensed them with extreme acuity and immediately located the source: a few nobles seated in the second and third rows whom he had never seen before.

These nobles appeared relatively young; even the oldest was not yet forty.

The eye of the soul saw that they harbored great hostility toward him, their soul colors red tinged with black, already at the level of hatred.

They concealed none of their hostility; when Lei En looked back, they glared even more angrily.

Lei En's expression remained unchanged, and he cared not in the slightest.

He guessed their identities: they came from the Bu Lande and Ai Ti Si families. Particularly the several men of the Bu Lande family, all sons of the Title: Duke Bu Lande, one of whom was the heir, the next Title: Duke, but evidently they held their father's death against themselves.

Ai Mi Li Si had already returned the corpse of the Title: Duke Bu Lande to the Bu Lande family, and using Yongdong City as leverage and the dukedom as temptation, forced them to submit, accepting the condition of a five‑million golden dragon ransom.

Lei En noticed the new Title: Duke among them.

He is the eldest son of Title: Duke Bu Lande, a senior Ice Wolf Swordmaster, with great hope of ascending to Legend, but likely cannot keep his several brothers in check.

Especially the youngest‑looking youth, just over twenty, handsome and cold, possessing about seventy‑eight percent of the Title: Duke Bu Lande's aura; both his strength and potential surpass his elder brother, so future sibling rivalry would not be surprising.

The Bu Lande family is prolific, its descendants all outstanding, talent almost excessive.

The situation of the Ai Ti Si family is the opposite; the new Title: Duke is a child of only a few teens, temporarily under his mother's regency, an orphaned widowed mother, and it is unclear how many eyes covet him.

Both families have flaws, but they are not worth worrying about.

Lei En paid particular attention to the Dan Si Principality; the new Title: Duke Ke Si Te of Dan Si sat in the first row. The once spirited Ke Si Te is now Willpower‑depressed; his right hand was cut off at the wrist, and according to Ding La Ji, Ke Si Te severed it himself, having already become hostile toward Ding La Ji.

Ke Si Te sensed Lei En's gaze, looked up briefly, then quickly lowered his head.

In his soul, Lei En found little hostility; he could not tell whether Ke Si Te had changed his mind or was frightened by him.

He sat down beside Title: Duke Fei She.

Wa Luo Gen stepped forward, standing on the steps one rank lower than Ai Mi Li Si to show respect, and loudly recited an exquisitely ornate edict, with measured cadence, praising Her Majesty the Queen's character and virtues, as well as her years of arduous struggle, which finally eliminated the traitor Ma Er Ke, restored the dragon‑born, and saw Kangjiatuo bathe again in the glory of the Zhuo Geng Bao family.

After a series of elaborate ceremonial steps, Wa Luo Gen proclaimed Ai Mi Li Si of the Zhuo Geng Bao as the new monarch and began the coronation ceremony.

"Please have Kelaoaosi, Speaker, crown the queen!"

Wa Luo Gen's voice echoed through the Great Dragon Temple; everyone heard it clearly, and people couldn't help but pause, glance at each other, and murmur low‑voiced comments.

According to dragon‑born tradition, the High Priest of the Dragon God will crown the new king.

The High Priest is usually an elder member of the Zhuo Geng Bao family; although the dragon‑born were slaughtered cleanly in those years and the priesthood had been vacant for many years, in Jin Si Lan Cheng there are still several highly respected Dragon God believers who can be temporarily appointed to crown the queen.

How could it be Speaker Kelaoaosi?

The Speaker's power and status are unquestionable, but after all he is not a Dragon God believer, so how could he crown a dragon‑born king?

Within the temple, thousands of guests debated loudly, and some even whispered to each other.

The Ai Mi Li Si on the throne showed no change on her face, yet inside she was full of confusion and worry, fearing that this non‑traditional act would displease the Dragon God, and she sensed her own thoughts.

It was Lei En's suggestion, but Lei En gave no explanation.

"Silence!"

Wa Luo Gen shouted loudly, repeating, "Please have Speaker Kelaoaosi crown the queen!"

The Kelaoaosi, appearing as a high‑elf, ascended the steps step by step; faced with people's doubts, he was completely indifferent and even a bit excited.

Being able to crown a queen is an experience worth bragging about for a lifetime.

Especially since this queen carries the bloodline of a red dragon; as a red dragon who worships the God of Magic, Kelaoaosi was more than willing to crown her.

Lei En, seated in the front row, lifted the corner of his mouth in a faint smile.

It was a test.

Speaker Kelaoaosi is a red dragon, yet he worships the God of Magic; the act of him crowning Ai Mi Li Si can be interpreted differently from various perspectives.

Dragon God Ba Ha Mu Te can naturally discern Kelaoaosi's true identity; its preference for great dragons will not cause resentment. In the eyes of mortals, this is Ai Mi Li Si's first outward signal, no longer treating Dragon God worship as the sole orthodoxy; if the God of Magic also watches, it should understand the deeper meaning.

Of course, only Lei En knows the full situation; even Kelaoaosi himself is kept in the dark, unaware that he is being used.

Before the witnesses, Kelaoaosi produced a simple dragon‑shaped crown, gently placed it on Ai Mi Li Si's head, and then stepped down from the throne.

The coronation was brief yet solemn, and everything proceeded smoothly.

Lei En glanced at the temple's dome, his gaze seeming to pierce outward toward the heavens, yet he felt no trace of divine power.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"

The orderly, grand voices rang through the Great Dragon Temple, but on people's faces—especially those familiar with faith and deities—confusion and astonishment filled their hearts.

(End of chapter.)