Chapter 653: Coronation Ceremony

A few days later.

The Empire's Art Association lies in the northwest of Nuosiruier, backed by West Mountain, about twenty li from the Floating Beden Castle, situated between the bustling district and the suburbs, and since the day it was built it has been the sanctuary of every artist in the Empire.

Everyone knows that the Empire's Art Association is the headquarters of the Beauty and Goodness Church.

Just like art associations scattered across the world, the Empire's Art Association is also built in the form of a garden, sprawling over a vast area, planting countless beautiful flowers, grasses, and trees, with sculptures and fountains placed everywhere, the air suffused with magical aura, lakes, lawns, paths, gazebos and benches forming the perfect dating spot for lovers, dreamy and fantastical, indescribably beautiful.

Compared with the garden of the Longshande Song Grand Theatre, this one is larger, its design more exquisite, and even more awe‑inspiring.

Every building in the garden is the work of the world's most brilliant architects, with elegant classical structures, uniquely ingenious, leaving visitors reluctant to depart.

At the very center stands a magnificent palace, which is the Longhaired Lady's Temple of Love.

The Longhaired Lady's temple differs in style from the Empire's Three Gods' temples; it is not towering, only a little over twenty meters, highlighting delicacy and beauty, everywhere reflecting the artists' understanding and pursuit of beauty.

This Temple of Love is the core holy site of the Beauty and Goodness Church.

Today, the temple's gates are open.

In the garden outside the temple, many followers of the Longhaired Lady have gathered, their faces radiant with joy and happiness, occasionally glancing toward the temple. Only distinguished guests, high‑ranking church leaders, and famous artists are permitted to enter the temple and take part in today's ceremony.

The Beauty and Goodness Church will today give birth to a new Pope!

Inside the temple, hundreds of men and women in splendid attire sit side by side, and ahead stands a towering statue of the Longhaired Lady, its divine aura forbidding any desecration.

On the platform beneath the statue rests an exquisite high‑back chair.

The chair itself is a sculpture of stone, carved with intricate beautiful patterns, showcasing superb skill and aesthetics. Vines of flowers wind around the armrests and back, multicolored blossoms in full bloom, the legs rest on a carpet of green grass, alongside a phonograph, a camera, paintings and various instruments, forming a unique papal throne.

Melodious yet solemn music reverberates in the temple, and the attending guests whisper softly.

The eyes of the overwhelming majority are fixed on the front row.

There sit three of the Empire's most distinguished figures: Consul, Lei En the Chairman, and one member of the Supreme Council, Duke Yin Xing!

It is well known that the new Pope, Lady Viola, is the great‑granddaughter of Duke Yin Xing, yet very few have ever seen Duke Yin Xing in person.

Now seeing this beautiful lady greatly satisfies people's curiosity.

Beside them are the leader of Rui Ke's Imperial Guard, several cabinet ministers, a few members of the oversight committee, Elder Nai Se, over a dozen Imperial senators, the vice‑president of the Mechanical Union, and so on, each a member of the Empire's ruling elite, possessing both eminent status and formidable supernatural power.

Seated between the Consul and Duke Yin Xing, Lei En's youthful face stands out strikingly.

However, anyone privy to the inside story knows that it was this young man who propelled Countess Viola onto the Beauty and Goodness Church's papal throne.

Seeing Lei En chatting merrily with the Consul and Duke Yin Xing makes many seated in the back row feel deeply moved, with indescribable mixed emotions.

The music gradually ceases.

The former Pope, Lady Yi Lei Sha, steps onto the stage to preside over today's coronation ceremony.

She loudly proclaims, welcomes guests, sings praises, prays…

Step by step the procedures continue; Lady Yi Lei Sha conducts the coronation according to the Beauty and Goodness Church's rites without any error, and then summons today's protagonist, Countess Dongting, Viola Silverleaf.

Everyone rises and looks toward the outside of the temple.

When Viola appears at the temple gates and her features become clear, everyone instantly holds their breath.

"So beautiful!"

Someone can't help but exclaim.

But no one rebukes the speaker for rudeness, because everyone present shares the same thought: today Viola is more beautiful than usual, and whether man or woman, regardless of their mindset for attending, this cannot be denied.

Viola wears a moon‑white long dress, tailored and elegant, highlighting her tall, proportioned figure; the train is six meters long, embroidered with beautiful cloud patterns, part of it trailing along the graceful curve on the ground, the rear end supported by six beautiful maidens who follow closely.

Her exquisitely beautiful face is adorned with delicate makeup, solemn yet graceful.

Her radiant golden hair is swept up, revealing a swan‑like white neck; on the slightly pointed ears that denote elven lineage, she wears a pair of tiny crystal earrings, indicating she is already married.

Her sapphire‑like eyes resemble a lake surface, their gaze flowing as if they could speak.

In this moment, Viola's incomprehensible, peerless beauty seems to radiate; her dazzling brilliance makes every woman present look dim, every man remember her forever, and they become intensely envious of Lei En, even harboring hatred.

If anyone were to say that the half‑elf before them is the most beautiful woman in the world, probably no one would object.

And then consider it obvious.

The Longhaired Lady's full honorific is "Goddess of Art and Love," but beyond "Art" and "Love" she also holds the divine office of "Beauty," and since art and love are inseparable from beauty, her mortal representative must embody the true essence of "beauty."

Amid the solemn music, Viola walks into the temple.

She moves lightly, stepping on the verdant green carpet as she passes through the aisle between guests; the maidens holding her train follow in step, her stunning face radiant, captivating all.

When Viola passes before them, the guests on both sides of the aisle bow their heads and offer quiet praise.

She also lightly nods in acknowledgment.

Lei En, seated in the front row, also rises to greet her; he and the aisle's center were originally separated by Ge Niewus, but the Consul, unnoticed, swapped places with Lei En, placing him at the aisle edge, only a step away from Viola.

From several meters away, Viola's gaze meets Lei En's, her eyes full of his smile.

When she reaches him, she suddenly stops.

Lei En feels a hint of surprise; this seems a bit out of protocol.

While he ponders, Viola, in full view of everyone, steps forward, rises onto tiptoe and places a gentle kiss on his cheek, leaving a faint pink mark; her eyes show a touch of shyness yet are resolutely firm.

Wow—

The attending guests erupt in a burst of sound.

Most of those in the temple are followers of the Longhaired Lady; such a wonderful, romantic love makes them clap enthusiastically, though inevitably some men feel a sour jealousy, wishing they could swap places with Lei En.

The beauty's kiss makes Lei En feel that it was all worth it.

Viola continues forward, steps onto the platform, turns to look at the people in the temple, and after a few seconds she slowly sits down.

Lady Yi Lei Sha places an exquisitely beautiful green wreath upon Viola's head.

It is the Beauty and Goodness Church's "Crown of Green Ivy," a Legend Grade magical item handcrafted by the Longhaired Lady; its power is not exceptionally strong, only slightly superior to an epic magical item, but it symbolizes status, bestowed solely upon the Pope, representing authority over the Beauty and Goodness Church.

With the Crown of Green Ivy placed, the coronation is complete.

The Longhaired Lady's statue trembles, a soul‑shaking divine power descends, forming a beam of light that shines on Viola. Inside and outside the temple, whether or not they are followers of the Longhaired Lady, all feel the great aura; the believers kneel and bow toward the temple in worship.

The deity's descent signifies that this coronation has received the Lady's approval, and Viola's position is unshakable.

"I've seen the coronation."

"I've seen the coronation!"

"I've seen the coronation…"

Everyone in the temple shouted in unison, offering their congratulations to the Beauty and Goodness Church's new Pontiff.

Whether sincere or feigned, people know that from this moment a historically youngest Pontiff has been born, and in the foreseeable future will have a huge impact on the Empire.

Viola accepted the cheers.

She looked down at the believers, saw Lei En standing in the crowd, met his gaze, and a faint smile appeared on her exquisite face, instantly dimming the world.

Lei En also nodded at her, offering sincere blessings.

After the coronation ceremony, a grand revelry was held in the Empire's Art Association garden, lasting until late night.

In the luxurious bedroom of Marlinge Manor, the esteemed new Pontiff embraced Lei En as they lay together, yet neither felt sleepy.

Viola was still so excited she could not calm down.

This was the most important and happiest day of her life, a long‑held wish fulfilled, reaching the pinnacle of her existence.

Lei En whispered, "What will you do next?"

"Run two companies, continue promoting the Phonograph and the Camera, spread the Lady's doctrine, and attract more believers," Viola answered without hesitation. No matter which deity's church, a Pontiff's primary duty is to increase followers and expand the faith's territory.

Lei En gave a slight nod.

He suddenly recalled something and laughed, "You once said you wanted to gradually shift the Beauty and Goodness Church's focus to Dong Ting Bo Ju, developing it into the Empire's artistic hub. Do you still intend that?"

"No, I've changed my mind," Viola said helplessly, shaking her head.

She had indeed worked toward that goal before, but after arriving in Nuosiruier she found it utterly impossible, even a hundred times harder than becoming Pontiff herself.

The Beauty and Goodness Church has been based in the capital from the start, expanding outward, its roots already deep; neither ordinary believers nor high priests wish to leave Nuosiruier. Moreover, art requires an economic foundation—painting, dance, music, etc. —generally only the wealthy and aristocratic, whose livelihoods are secure, have leisure to study them.

Dong Ting Bo Ju is merely an ordinary city; aside from its advantage of lying on a waterway hub, its economy, population, artistic atmosphere, and cultural depth differ vastly from Nuosiruier.

Not to mention Nuosiruier is the Empire's capital, naturally possessing immense attraction.

If the Beauty and Goodness Church moved to Dong Ting Bo Ju, it would inevitably lose many believers. Regardless of whether the church leadership and followers agree, Longhaired Lady would be the first to oppose.

If she persisted, she might be removed just after becoming Pontiff.

The Pontiff's authority and the Bo Ju Ling Di cannot both be held; the church is clearly more important than the fief, and the Pontiff's status, power, and prospects far exceed those of the Dong Ting Bo Ju.

Who is lighter, who is heavier, how to choose—that is a simple question.

Of course, the Dong Ting Bo Ju Ling cannot be abandoned, but it can no longer receive much effort; stable management suffices. Even if the Silver Star Duke is displeased, he will not arbitrarily strip the ducal title and fief, given her status as Pontiff.

Moreover, with Lei En's support, the Silver Star Duke can only endure his dissatisfaction.

Viola tightened her arms around Lei En's neck, sighing, "I may have to live in Nuosiruier for the rest of my life, unable to go to Mo Du to accompany you and, as your lady, manage the fief."

"It's fine."

Lei En patted her smooth back, comforting, "I've linked Marlinge Manor's teleport array with Gral Morgan Castle; you can meet me anytime."

"Hmm…" Viola lightly nodded.

Even with a teleport array, the thousands of miles still separate them; Lei En has too many duties, and she has her own career, which will only get busier, so not living together will always leave something lacking.

She also does not want to see another woman of Lei En in Gral Morgan.

The Soul Eye sensed Viola's thoughts; Lei En's mind shifted, and he whispered, "I'll often go to Nuosiruier in the future; in a few years, perhaps I'll, like you, reside long‑term in the capital, and Marlinge Manor will be our home."

"Really?" Viola sat up delighted, her eyes shining brightly in the darkness.

"Of course it's true."

Lei En whispered, "So you need to put more effort in the capital; you can use my name to get closer to those Empire legislators, expand your influence, assess the situation, gather intelligence, and later help me successfully become Consul."

"Great!" Viola replied eagerly, flashing a happy smile.

If Lei En also lived in Nuosiruier, with both career and love flourishing, her life would be complete.

After the coronation, Lei En stayed in Nuosiruier a few more days, using his strength and position to shield Viola, employing the Soul Eye to discern loyalty. Seeing her quickly adapt to the Pontiff role, after Mrs. Iliesa left the capital, he swiftly took control of the Beauty and Goodness Church's authority, then left two teams of Extreme Warriors to guard her, before stepping onto the teleport array to return to Mo Du.

After being away for over half a month, Gral Morgan had a huge pile of matters to handle.

The construction progress of the Aex Combat School; nationwide enrollment arriving at the fief, requiring the Soul Eye to screen students; the governance of Augustus Duchy; producing more Bolt Guns to re‑equip all Extreme Warriors; developing a bullet production line in cooperation with the Mechanical Union for sales, and so on.

During the day he works, and at night he still has to soothe Asina.

This bone‑gnawing female giant is far harder to satisfy than Viola.

Viola sometimes teleports to Gral Morgan for the night, and Lei En goes to great lengths to prevent her from meeting Asina.

Fortunately, after Oxi Liya's previous incident she returned to her own cultivation meditation, rarely leaving the tower; otherwise the three women would converge and the courtyard would soon catch fire.

Lei En was so busy his head spun, yet he still had to find time to visit Red Dragon Fortress to see Emily and her child, lest he neglect them.

The time‑management master's progress bar surged.

Half a month later, a tall, thin silhouette teleported directly into his study.

The elven Grand Mage Taeklis finally arrived.

This volume ends.

Volume Five was written in 550,000 words, far exceeding my expectations and currently the longest volume of the book, with a revised title. The next chapter is Volume Six "From New Continent", beginning a new journey.

Today is my sister's birthday; I'm heading out to eat, and will return tonight to write the new volume.

(End of chapter)