Side Story 35. [After Story] The Coronation
Imperial Year 667.
Fifteen years since the final battle against the monsters.
Everblack Empire. Capital, New Terra.
Imperial Palace.
Early morning. My room in the New Terra Imperial Palace.
I had been up since dawn, surrounded by dozens of attendants as if taking part in a fashion show.
Being bathed, having makeup applied, getting my hair done…
At the same time, I was trying on various ceremonial robes, checking my reflection in the full-length mirror.
‘…Wait a second. Why does this feel familiar?’
Had I experienced this before? When was it?
Just then, an old man, who was overseeing my grooming, stepped forward with a satisfied smile.
The former head chamberlain of the Imperial Palace. Now the head of the Silver Winter Merchant Guild’s New Terra branch. Alberto.
How long is this old man going to stay this vigorous?
“Your Highness has such a naturally dignified presence that anything you wear suits you. But on a day like today, we must take extra care!”
“Uh… right. I suppose I should pay attention to that.”
What kind of day was today?
The coronation, enthronement, ascension ceremony… whatever you wanted to call it.
Today was the day I would become Emperor of the Everblack Empire.
With an occasion like this, it was only natural that dozens of people would swarm around me, scrubbing away every last imperfection and polishing me to a shine.
Alberto had stepped down from his position as head chamberlain long ago, but given his years of service and, more importantly, the fact that he had cared for me since childhood, he had been chosen to oversee my preparation for the coronation.
“…This time, it’s not all black?”
I asked, looking into the mirror.
I recalled that during the victory celebration years ago, Alberto had dressed me in a completely black ensemble. That memory had me slightly worried about today’s outfit.
But this time, it was different.
As expected of the Everblack Empire’s ceremonial robes, black was the dominant color. However, the remaining details and decorations incorporated a variety of colors in a harmonious blend.
“Back then, my knowledge was lacking, and my perspective was narrow. I believed that the black representing our empire was the most magnificent color, that black alone was beautiful enough to stand on its own.”
Alberto held a gold-embroidered floral ornament against my chest as he explained.
“But after witnessing Your Highness lead all races and nations toward unity, I came to realize something.”
“…”
“The world is filled with countless colors, each beautiful in its own way. And it is only when these many colors come together that black truly shines the brightest.”
The old chamberlain grinned.
“So, I told myself that if I ever got another chance, I would not limit Your Highness to only black. I would blend in more colors. Of course, I never expected to actually get another chance.”
And so, once the long process of dressing was complete and I stood before the mirror, I found myself looking at a different image than before.
Gold, green, red, blue, and a variety of other colors highlighted different parts of my attire. Yet, the black at its core remained unshaken, steadfast.
It felt as though my ideal vision of what an emperor should be had been woven into the very fabric of my robes.
Without a single word of instruction, Alberto had understood and reflected my thoughts perfectly.
I was grateful for his meticulous attention to detail, so I simply smiled.
“Back then, I was younger, and you were younger too, Alberto.”
As I gazed into the mirror, the reflection of myself and Alberto seemed to overlap with the image of that banquet from eighteen years ago.
Though still energetic, the old chamberlain now had fewer hairs and deeper wrinkles.
Watching him, I murmured,
“Time has passed so quickly.”
“Isn’t growing older together part of life’s joy?”
Alberto smiled warmly.
“Your Highness grows wiser each year, and I continue to learn from the world in ways I never imagined. What matters isn’t the number of years we’ve lived but the will to become better than yesterday.”
“I’ve learned a lot from you as well, Alberto.”
“That alone is an honor, Your Highness.”
After giving my shoes a final polish and making some final adjustments to my attire, Alberto clapped his hands.
“It suits you perfectly, Your Highness! The most handsome man in the Imperial Capital!”
“That line never changes, does it…?”
“Because it remains entirely true!”
Was this flattery or loyalty?
As I pondered for a moment, Alberto’s next words came a beat slower.
“If Her Majesty Dustia were here to see you, she would have been overjoyed.”
“…”
I thought briefly of my late mother.
“I must live in a way that would make her proud.”
With those words, I gave a small nod to Alberto and the attendants in the dressing room.
“Thank you for today. You’ve all worked hard.”
“It has been the honor of a lifetime.”
Leaving behind the bowing attendants, I stepped out of the dressing room.
At the entrance, Lucas was waiting.
“My lord.”
“Lucas.”
Lucas, who always preferred a simple and modest outfit, was dressed quite splendidly today.
It was the formal uniform of the newly established Glory Knights, the Imperial Guard. As its newly appointed commander, he was wearing the ceremonial attire befitting his position.
After exchanging a glance, we walked side by side down the corridor.
As expected, Lucas took his place slightly behind me on my right, maintaining a respectful distance. Then, out of nowhere, he spoke.
“Do you remember, my lord?”
“Hm? Remember what?”
I glanced at him, and Lucas responded with a faint smile.
“The words you once told me.”
“Words I told you before?”
“Yes. The ones you said when we first met.”
“Ah.”
A memory from childhood.
A conversation between an eight-year-old me and a seven-year-old Lucas when we first met.
— I may never become Emperor, but my dream is to be the most admirable man in the world.
— So as my guard, you must become the most admirable knight in the world, too.
“Those words became the guiding star of my life.”
Lucas’s face carried a faint smile as he recalled the past.
I let out a chuckle.
“I said it so casually back then… yet here I am, becoming Emperor. Life is unpredictable, isn’t it?”
“It truly is. Full of unexpected turns.”
As we walked toward the coronation hall, appearing vastly different from our childhood selves, our conversation continued.
“Now that you’ve become Emperor and the most admirable man in the world, I, as your guard, feel the need to set an even greater goal.”
“Oh? And what would that be?”
Lucas’s answer made me laugh out loud.
“To be the most admirable knight. And…”
He continued.
“A good husband, a good father… a good person.”
“Not an easy goal.”
“What about you, my lord?”
At the entrance of the coronation hall, we stopped at the end of the corridor and faced each other.
Lucas, with his usual cool gaze, looked straight at me.
“What kind of ruler do you intend to be?”
“I only wish to uphold my banner until the very end.”
I answered simply.
“‘To protect people.’ That was the first flag I ever raised. I won’t forget it. I won’t let it go.”
“Not an easy goal.”
“Which is precisely why it’s worth pursuing.”
No matter how pure and unstained a banner might be, the moment it crosses the battlefield, it will be soaked in blood and ash.
And perhaps, weighed down by blood, ash, and death, I might even break the flagpole with my own hands—just as I had once before.
I was well aware that the path ahead as an emperor, as a ruler, might prove even harsher than the battlefield of the Monster Front.
But I also knew this—only through an arduous and unrelenting journey does true light emerge.
I don’t know what kind of Emperor I will become or how history will remember my name.
However, there was one thing the Monster Front had taught me.
Every step I have taken, every life I have lived—when all of it converges, it will define me.
So I chose not to declare what kind of Emperor I intended to be.
I would simply continue giving my best.
“Just as I always have, I will clear the path ahead for you, my lord.”
Hearing Lucas say that, I smacked his back firmly and pointed forward.
“Alright. Let’s go!”
At the entrance to the coronation hall, two young knights, dressed in the same ceremonial uniform as Lucas, stood waiting.
They presented a neatly folded banner and its staff.
Lucas took them with practiced ease, secured the flag, and lifted it high before stepping into the hall. I followed behind him.
Silence.
Despite the hall being packed with people, leaving barely any room to stand, an almost surreal stillness filled the space.
Yet, there was warmth in the air.
Kings and rulers from across the world, who had traveled great distances to be here.
Old comrades from across the world, who had come to celebrate my coronation.
Countless people stood with their hands clasped before their chests, watching my procession with quiet smiles.
As I walked forward, I met the eyes of each person who had gathered here to celebrate my ascension.
Though no words were spoken aloud—
Our gazes exchanged more than words ever could.
Somewhere, from a distance, the sound of an organ resonated.
A single melody drifted through the air, soon joined by another, and then another, layering upon each other.
What began as a lonely solo had grown into a full orchestral harmony, filling the grand hall.
At the end of the red carpet, seated upon the throne, was my father—Traha “Peacemaker” Everblack, the Emperor.
And beside the lower steps of the throne, waiting with warm smiles, stood my beloved wife, Serenade, and our daughter, Stella.
Lucas stepped aside.
At the same time, I knelt before the Emperor and lowered my head.
The orchestra fell silent.
In the stillness, my father spoke.
“Ash ‘Born Hater’ Everblack.”
He called my name once, then asked,
“Are you ready to ascend the Everblack throne?”
I bowed my head even deeper.
Without hesitation, I answered.
“Yes.”
“Then recite the oath you have prepared.”
Slowly, I rose to my feet.
I paid my respects to the Emperor once more, exchanged glances with Serenade and Stella, then turned to face the countless people before me.
Hoo…
Under the weight of their warm and expectant gazes,
I raised my voice.
“One.”
Long ago, before he fell to darkness, there was an accursed dragon general who once recited these words.
I had spoken them to defeat him.
And ever since, they had become my unshakable creed.
The Guardian’s Oath.
“I solemnly swear to dedicate my life in service to the world.”
“One. I will uphold all laws and institutions that serve the best interests of the world.”
“One. I will adhere to the highest moral principles, no matter the circumstances.”
“One. I will dedicate my life to the welfare and happiness of all.”
“One. I will respect all life and never allow any being to be treated with neglect or disregard.”
“One. I will always use my knowledge and abilities to the fullest, striving for the survival of the world.”
“One. As a guardian of this world, I fully understand my responsibilities and duties, and with this understanding, I pledge to uphold each of these vows—”
“With sincerity and solemnity, I swear.”
As I finished the oath, I turned back around.
Slowly, the Emperor rose to his feet, aided by Serenade and Stella as he stepped down from the platform. With measured grace, he removed his golden crown.
His aged yet resolute eyes held me in a steady gaze.
“Ash. You have torn the Empire—and the world—apart.”
“…”
“You erased the light of magic with your own hands. You shattered long-standing values and norms. You freed the enslaved races. You dismantled the precarious hegemony this nation had once built.”
“…”
“And because of that, at last, this nation and this world have been given a new beginning.”
“…”
“My foolishly idealistic son, who never gave up and relentlessly pursued untainted justice.”
With a familiar smirk that showed the edge of his teeth,
My father carefully placed the crown upon my head.
“I will watch, with joy, to see just how far your march will go.”
“…Thank you, Father.”
I bowed deeply.
Then, slowly, I turned.
For a moment, there was silence.
Or rather, there was so much sound that my ears simply could not process it.
A beat later, the roaring cheers and applause of the gathered crowd filled my ears, washing over me in waves.
Petals and paper ornaments rained down from above, filling the air with color.
Faces filled with pure joy and celebration stretched before me. As I took in each and every one of them,
At last, I smiled.
Raising my hand high, I waved.
At this moment, a new era began.
The reign of Ash “Born Hater” Everblack, Emperor of the Everblack Empire.