Chapter 357

Clang! Clang!

The sound of hammers echoed everywhere as craftsmen busily worked.

Both the coronation and the funeral were to take place on the same day, an unprecedented situation that brought a rare vitality to the capital.

But the energy in the air wasn’t solely because of these events.

The people were subtly aware of something else—that the vague tension and ominous atmosphere that had plagued the capital for so long had finally dissipated.

“Have you heard? The new sovereign ascending to the throne is none other than a queen.”

“Ah, the one smuggled out to Ragnar to avoid the eyes of the Court Dukes?”

“Oh? That rumor has already spread?”

“Of course. Even old Master Paster, the newsmonger, seems to know all about it and is cheerfully sharing the details.”

Such information was spreading, and the people were gradually preparing to accept Cassandra as their new ruler.

“Everything seems to be progressing smoothly.”

Theo nodded as he listened to the reports about the capital's atmosphere.

In contrast to the lively energy surrounding the city, the air around Theo grew sharper by the day.

His mind was preoccupied with the memory of the day the Second Apostle had retreated deliberately.

Though it was difficult to fully understand the Second Apostle’s motives, Theo could infer much from the traces of destruction left behind.

‘There’s no clear hierarchy among the Apostles, but there is a distinct difference between the First Apostle and the Second Apostle.’

Theo could sense that the First Apostle was on an entirely different level compared to the Second.

‘Why did the First Apostle order a retreat?’

To what end? That question remained unanswered.

At the very least, it hadn’t been a meaningless retreat.

‘The Sacred Demon Cult won’t give up on the Great Calamity.’

To create the ideal world they desired, the Sacred Demon Cult would need to initiate the Great Calamity. This meant their target was likely still the capital.

And the most opportune moment would be when all the Empire’s key figures were gathered—the coronation.

If they were to massacre the imperial bloodline during the coronation, it would trigger chaos even greater than before.

Theo, fully aware of this, doubled his efforts to prepare for defense.

“Hah... The scope of this is exhausting.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Lodbrok sat on a sofa, rubbing her neck as if fatigued.

Theo handed her a cup of mint chocolate, smiling warmly as he moved behind her to massage her shoulders.

“That feels good,” Lodbrok said, leaning into his touch before signaling with a wave of her hand that it was enough.

Theo sat across from her, waiting for her to speak first.

“No suspicious activity so far. At least, not yet.”

“I see.”

While the capital's defenses were well-prepared, Theo remained convinced that someone within the palace was colluding with the Sacred Demon Cult.

That was why he had entrusted the task not to the palace’s wizards or Felix, but to Lodbrok—the only mage he could trust completely.

Just then, a lark flew in through the window.

It was none other than Black Dragon.

The bird transformed back into his human form with a graceful landing.

“No noteworthy reports. The capital's defenses are flawless.”

Despite Black Dragon’s reassuring report, Theo couldn’t shake a lingering unease.

‘Something doesn’t feel right.’

His furrowed brow betrayed his thoughts, prompting Black Dragon to chuckle lightly.

“I’ll widen the scope of my search.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

“Better safe than sorry. I’ll take my leave.”

With that, Black Dragon leapt out the window, transforming into a lark mid-air and flying off.

“Indeed, better safe than sorry. Shall we head out as well?”

Lodbrok, nodding in agreement, rose from her seat with renewed vigor.

Theo stepped into the courtyard and summoned Umbra.

His shadow rippled before the massive figure of Umbra emerged, roaring as it rose to its full height.

Keeeek!

With Theo and Lodbrok on its back, Umbra took to the skies.

“Let’s head to the forest in the north,” Theo directed.

Keeek!

“Wait.”

Keeek?

Lodbrok stopped Umbra before it could fly north.

“Why stop?” Theo asked.

“No need to go so far. A little extra effort will suffice,” Lodbrok said confidently.

Fwoosh!

She soared high into the sky, so high that even from Umbra’s back, she appeared as a tiny dot.

Immense magical energy began to coalesce around her, sending tingles through Theo’s skin.

『------』

Her resonant voice echoed across the heavens as the gathered magic expanded outward.

Everyone in the capital paused, gazing upward at the spectacle.

Golden light cascaded like snow, filling the sky as a massive pentagram-shaped magic circle began to spread, its edges reaching the horizon.

The circle split into hundreds of smaller formations, scattering across the city, filling every corner with Lodbrok’s divine presence.

The golden radiance blanketed the world, leaving the onlookers awestruck.

“Ohhh!”

Gasps of amazement rose from the crowd as they witnessed the breathtaking display.

Even Theo, watching in silence, couldn’t hide his astonishment.

‘So this is the extent of Loddy’s power when she’s serious.’

After hovering in the sky for some time, Lodbrok returned to the ground, though her expression was grim.

“I found traces of the Sacred Demon Cult, but they were faint. It seems they’ve fled yet again.”

Clicking her tongue in irritation, she turned and headed back toward the palace.

Theo stood in place, surprised by his own thoughts.

‘Wasn’t it just unease?’

His heart thudded faintly, but it wasn’t fear—it was exhilaration.

Perhaps, deep down, he had hoped the traces weren’t signs of covert infiltration but rather harbingers of open war.

It wasn’t mere addiction to battle; it was a confident anticipation—a belief that this fight might be the one to end the Sacred Demon Cult once and for all.

With that thought, Theo called Felix to the conference room.

“Apologies for disturbing you during such a busy time.”

“No need to apologize. If you’ve summoned me, there must be an important reason,” Felix said as he took a seat.

“I’ll get straight to the point.”

Theo’s grave tone made Felix instinctively tense.

“I suspect there will be a major enemy assault during the coronation.”

Felix’s eyes widened in shock. Having just ousted the Court Dukes and begun restoring order to the palace, this news struck like a bolt from the blue.

But...

‘It makes sense.’

Felix realized Theo’s hypothesis wasn’t unreasonable.

The Court Dukes and their backers had already tried to claim the Dragon Veins for themselves, nearly consuming the Empire in their greed.

Felix, too, had felt uneasy about the enemy’s sudden retreat.

“Their target would be His Majesty’s...”

“Most likely,” Theo confirmed.

Bang!

Felix slammed the table in anger.

“Then we must postpone the coronation!”

“No, we’ll proceed as planned.”

Felix stared at Theo in disbelief. Postponing such a significant event to prepare defenses seemed logical. But Theo’s unwavering confidence was palpable.

‘Given his abilities, it’s not unreasonable for him to feel assured.’

If Felix had Theo’s strength, he might have made the same decision.

“It’s better to lure them in and eliminate them all at once than to live in fear of assassination,” Theo added.

Felix nodded. “A sound strategy. It’s also true that delaying gives time for another Court Duke to rise.”

“Exactly.”

Though Felix initially thought Theo’s plan was absurd, he realized postponing might only delay the inevitable—and perhaps even worsen the situation.

‘If Theo hadn’t shown up that night, the Empire would’ve been overturned in silence.’

Felix couldn’t shake the thought that Theo’s sudden appearance had been nothing short of miraculous.

“Once again, I’m reminded of how fortunate we are to have you here, my lord,” Felix said sincerely.

Theo smiled. “It’s my honor to serve the Empire and you as well.”

“What should we do with the knights?” Felix asked.

“Keep quiet for now. Secretly prepare evacuation plans and ensure the airships are ready to mobilize.”

“You’re planning to bait them, then.”

“Precisely.”

‘The Second Apostle won’t need bait to attack this time.’

Having suffered humiliation multiple times, the Second Apostle was unlikely to hold back.

Perhaps even the First Apostle would join this time.

And if that happened, Theo found himself almost looking forward to it.

“Understood. The coronation will proceed as scheduled in two days. I’ll ensure the military is prepared.”

“Thank you. Let’s get ready.”

With that, Felix returned to his duties, and Theo resumed honing his strength.

Two days later, the morning of the coronation dawned.