Chapter 748: Dave (5)
“It’s all a farce.”
Inside the grand ceremonial hall.
Golden chandeliers, plates and candlesticks made of gold, a choir, and regalia adorned with various jewels decorated the space.
As Edward X looked upon the wooden throne placed at the center, a thought came to his mind.
“It’s all a farce.”
To give credit where it was due, Puppet had done an impressive job preparing.
He had thoroughly arranged every aspect of the coronation.
The main banquet hall of the palace had been cleared and made to perfectly replicate the Hall of Deputies where coronations traditionally took place.
Central Council members, minor royals, nobles, foreign dignitaries, wealthy figures like Lady Miranda—all had been gathered to lend proper prestige to the event.
Even the ceremonial attire and accessories had been meticulously prepared, leaving no room for criticism.
And yet, despite it all, it remained a farce.
One look at the people forced to attend the coronation was all it took to know.
They weren’t looking at him, the supposed central figure of the event; rather, their attention was fixed on the royal secretaries who had organized it all, gauging their reactions.
In their glances alone, he could sense that he was not the master of this ceremony.
It was a comedy, and he was nothing more than a bit player in it.
He, who would inherit the crown and become the new king of the United Kingdom.
The audacity of it!
“Your Majesty, the preparations are complete. Shall we proceed?”
Not that it was beyond understanding.
Those stubborn enough to resist attending this ceremony had all met their end by the hands of the royal secretaries, leaving only those who swayed in the breeze like reeds.
Even he, the formal figurehead of this coronation, was no exception.
“No...problem…”
As proof, he simply gave an answer without lifting a hand to slap away the royal secretary’s cheek as they approached.
He, too, had already yielded to violence.
The words Puppet had once uttered echoed in his ears.
“You know, don’t you? How much of a coward you really are?”
The mocking tone, the voice that had ridiculed his cowardice. Puppet had been confident he wouldn’t resist.
Because, as Puppet sneered, he was too much of a coward to dare such a thing…
…Ah.
A sweet hymn began to play.
The guests attending the coronation rose from their seats, and all eyes turned his way.
Toward Edward X, the one who would inherit the throne.
As he stepped forward, he made a resolution in his heart.
“Just wait and see.”
The words were directed at Puppet, who thought him a fool.
He would ruin it all—everything Puppet was planning.
It wouldn’t be that difficult.
Even now, with the city burning, Puppet had insisted on pushing forward with the coronation.
Which meant that the coronation was somehow necessary for the end Puppet was orchestrating.
And what would happen if the coronation descended into chaos?
For that very moment, he had been following Puppet’s instructions silently.
Not out of fear, but to give Puppet the finger! To uphold even the slightest shred of dignity as a prince! He was not afraid!
As he walked, surrounded by countless attendees, heading toward the wooden throne, he pondered when to disrupt the coronation to throw it into disarray.
When all would be blessing his ascension?
Or perhaps when the vows were sworn, and the crown was placed upon his head?
Maybe when the Archpriest performed the vows?
Or even right this moment?
The last idea seemed amusing. If he abruptly turned and ran, right as the hymn filled the hall and everyone’s eyes were upon him, it would be rather hilarious.
At the very least, it would go down as the most disastrous coronation in history.
“Hm?”
As he entertained this thought, something strange brushed against his senses. It felt as though someone was holding onto him.
“No, that’s not right.”
It wasn’t just a feeling. Someone was indeed holding him. Tight grips clamped around his shoulders and head.
Who on earth…?
Cold sweat trickled down his spine as he glanced around in reflex, his mind struggling to process the incomprehensible scene.
“What… is that?”
There were blurry figures above the heads of everyone attending the coronation.
These creatures perched on people’s shoulders, lifting them upright with elongated arms, forcing smiles onto their faces.
They were ominous, revolting, profane beings.
“Stop…”
He commanded his legs.
Not to defy Puppet, but to survive.
Yet, like the hand forcing people to stand and smile, some unknown power compelled even his legs to move.
As the hymn neared its end, he arrived before the wooden throne.
There, he saw the Archpriest, controlled by a shadowy, hazy entity, along with shining golden candlesticks and plates, and other various treasures.
Their glow was so intense that his own face reflected in them, revealing what sat upon his shoulders.
These dark, blurred entities moved their disturbingly long hands, forcing him to sit on the wooden throne. As he did, a feverish heat began to permeate the hall.
The heat didn’t dissipate but intensified, and soon, starting from the lowest ranks of attendees, people began to silently ignite, transforming into living torches.
Through that horrifying sight, the Archpriest stepped forward.
The shadowy figure atop his head forced his mouth to move, compelling him to speak.
“Will you take the oath, Your Majesty?”
...
“Everyone, stay calm and come this way!”
Soldiers from the Kel Liberation Army shouted across the burning capital.
It might have looked as though they were attacking the citizens in a successful uprising, but in reality, it was quite the opposite.
Unexpectedly, those who had spent their lives fighting against the United Kingdom were now dedicating their efforts to saving lives, using this moment when the capital was most vulnerable to focus on rescuing civilians.
Though Oliver had persuaded them, the choice was ultimately theirs.
And it wasn’t just the Kel Liberation Army.
Members of the Development Opposition Committee, some of the Chosen Ones, and even some from the Fighter Crew had also entered the capital through the flames, aiding in the evacuation of civilians.
“Over here! Help me lift this! Someone’s trapped inside!”
“Stand aside.”
“Please follow me in an orderly manner. My friend here may look intimidating, but he’s not a bad guy. At the very least, he won’t bite.”
“Hey…”
“Everyone, keep calm and stay in line!”
Though they had no time to coordinate their efforts, the Kel Liberation Army, the Development Opposition Committee, the Chosen Ones, and the Fighter Crew quickly found roles that suited their strengths, managing to evacuate the capital’s residents.
The numerous fires all around acted as exits, making the evacuation smoother than expected...
“More time is needed.”
Bartholomew, an elder of the Development Opposition Committee, approached Oliver to report the need for additional time.
“Is that so?”
“Yes, the evacuation is progressing, but the number of civilians in the capital is considerable. If the omen begins now, it could cause significant problems.”
The omen—the strange phenomena that appeared before a demon descended.
Water would turn to blood, and from the blood, swarms of frogs would emerge. While it might seem harmless at first glance, as the omen progressed, its damage could surpass that of a natural disaster.
The greater problem, however, was that as the omen progressed, the demon’s power—more precisely, the extent of its influence on the human world—would increase.
A quarter of the city could end up in flames, holy magic might vanish from the world, or the most sacred city could become the most cursed.
And if even greater omens appeared?
It was a serious issue, but Oliver chose not to dwell on it. Because he would stop it.
“Don’t worry, Bartholomew. No matter what happens, I’ll stop it until the evacuation is complete.”
Not “I’ll try my best to stop it,” but “I’ll stop it,” Oliver declared with conviction.
“So please, focus solely on the evacuation with everyone else.”
“…Yes.”
“And once the evacuation is complete, please see that everyone leaves. Especially, take Mari and Joe with you.”
At a distance, Mari and Joe were aiding with the civilian rescue. Though they had promised to evacuate if necessary, he remained concerned.
Bartholomew nodded once more.
“I’ll take responsibility for that.”
“Thank you… Anything else you’d like to say?”
Oliver asked as he noticed Bartholomew lingering. The elder bowed his head in gratitude.
“I wanted to thank you.”
“I don’t believe I’ve done anything deserving of thanks.”
“For our long-standing sins—”
“Don’t misunderstand, Bartholomew. I haven’t absolved anyone’s sins.”
“…”
“I’m not someone who can erase guilt with mere words. All I can do is offer you a chance.”
“…”
“So don’t make any mistakes, and don’t take it lightly.”
“I apologize.”
Bartholomew’s expression was hidden behind his bandages, but his voice grew darker as he lowered his head and withdrew.
His movements were shaky, and once he had put some distance between them, he leapt back into the air.
“You’re quite strict.”
As Bartholomew left, Jane spoke, addressing the back of Oliver’s head.
Dressed plainly to avoid drawing attention, her clothes were stained with sweat and soot.
Oliver turned to look at her as she removed her hat, revealing her pink hair.
“Ahh… I can finally breathe. I thought I’d suffocate.”
“I think this suits you better. You’re prettier this way, Miss Jane.”
A bit taken aback, Jane’s expression showed brief surprise before returning to normal.
“Heh, you’ve been through a lot, haven’t you? To think you’d actually say something like that.”
“I think I’ve always told you you’re pretty.”
“The tone, the sincerity… it feels different.”
“I’ve always been sincere. It’s just that my expression was lacking.”
His voice brimmed with conviction, almost enough to seem resolute, and Jane’s face showed a complicated mix of emotions. Happiness mixed with a hint of fear.
Oliver looked at her in silence, at Jane, who stood there even though Prince Albert, Philip, and Terrence had already evacuated.
He waited for her to speak.
After a long pause, Jane finally opened her mouth.
“Can you truly see sins?”
“Yes, though you don’t seem very surprised.”
“Somehow, I feel like nothing would surprise me with you, Dave.”
“Then why did you ask?”
“I just wanted to know if you can really see evil.”
“Is that something that bothers you?”
“Yes… it’s a little embarrassing, you know?”
Jane wore a smile as a shield, concealing her emotions.
Her desire to hide her true self from those closest to her—family, friends, lovers—was a form of self-defense, a sense of shame.
And that hidden side had now come to light before the person she least wanted to reveal it to.
“I can see it. Miss Jane’s sins.”
Oliver’s words directed at the frozen Jane struck hard.
Though she had anticipated this response, hearing it directly was a shock, made even more impactful by his next words.
“But what does that matter? Don’t you remember what I said earlier?”
Jane recalled Oliver’s words.
“…Anyone here without sin, anyone who has never shirked their duty, may come forth and take the prince.”
“I remember.”
“Good. Every human, in one way or another, is bound to commit both minor and major sins throughout their life. The only human free of sin is a lifeless corpse. What matters is the effort to improve, little by little. I believe you’ll do well, Miss Jane.”
“And what makes you so sure?”
“Despite gaining a significant fortune, you didn’t let it go to your head. You kept pushing yourself and worked hard, and even after tasting success, you didn’t forget your friends. You donated generously to help others, and, more than anything, you came here yourself to aid me in the capital, even sending Kervy and Slightly to safety as things became dangerous. I don’t merely believe in you; you gave me a reason to believe.”
Jane found herself comforted. Oliver’s words had offered solace before, but now they provided an even deeper reassurance.
Like a compass in the middle of a vast ocean, they guided her. Yet, because of that, the guilt in her heart grew stronger.
“Still, coming to the capital wasn’t just for that reason. There was a reason I had no choice but to come…”
The Sisterhood invested a great deal in illegitimate children of the upper class, but it also kept them bound by invisible chains.
It was to prevent them from forgetting their place, despite their sudden rise to wealth. Jane was no exception, and it was these chains that had led her to the capital.
Those chains were…
“So what?”
“What?”
“So what? Miss Jane, you’re still you. In fact, it’s strange.”
Jane listened intently.
“It feels as if you’re treating me differently from when we first met. Even though I might have more money now, may look a little fancier, and maybe even have a slightly better sense of humor… I’m still the same person you knew.”
Jane looked into Oliver’s eyes, deeply focused.
“So please treat me as you did back then. Confidently. That would make me happy.”
Ribbit.
“Ugh, what the…?!”
From the far end of the street where people were still evacuating, startled cries arose as people tumbled backward.
The fountain water had turned to blood, and from it, a swarm of frogs poured forth.
The omen had begun.
“As much as I’m enjoying this conversation, I think we should wrap it up. Miss Jane, please go now with Edith. He’s been waiting, though he’s pretending not to care.”
Oliver looked over at Edith, who stood near the blazing fire, holding up his middle finger.
Jane glanced over at him briefly, then turned back to Oliver.
“Dave.”
“Don’t worry too much. Everything will work out.”
“No, that’s not it.”
“?”
“Your sense of humor hasn’t improved at all. Really.”
“Ouch, you really wound me—”
Just as Oliver was about to respond, Jane threw herself into his arms, holding him tightly. Then she brushed her lips softly against his cheek.
In a trembling voice, she whispered into his ear.
“I’ll be waiting. And I’ll tell you a really funny joke when you return.”
“…I look forward to it.”
Breaking free from Oliver’s embrace, Jane turned to hide her tearful eyes and hurried over to Edis, who stood waiting near the fire.
Now truly alone, Oliver moved forward without hesitation, heading toward the fountain where the frogs continued to pour out.
Tap.
Ribbit.
Tap.
Ribbit, ribbit.
Tap.
Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit.
With each step closer, the chorus of croaks grew louder.
Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit, ribbit, ribbit…
“Damn it! These things…!”
“Are they fearless?!”
Those who were helping evacuate citizens reacted with a mix of disgust and horror as they stepped on and crushed the endless stream of frogs. Yet each time a frog was squashed, more filled the gaps, spreading relentlessly in all directions.
Though they posed no immediate danger, the surreal sight alone was enough to send people into a panic.
In mere minutes, the entire street—indeed, the entire capital—would be overrun by frogs.
Snap!
Just then, Oliver struck the ground with his quarterstaff, capturing everyone’s attention.
Not only the civilians and the evacuees from the Kel Liberation Army, Development Opposition Committee, the Chosen Ones, and the Fighter Crew but even the frogs went silent, all turning to look at him.
In the profound silence, Oliver spoke with commanding authority.
“Return from whence you came. That is my order.”