At that moment, the Quartz Throne began to shine on its own.
"Impossible!"
Even the vassals who were watching gasped in shock.
The throne emitted a powerful light that pulsed from within as it illuminated itself.
It was the light of the king's virtue.
"I've never seen it this powerful..."
An elderly vassal couldn't hold back and muttered. And that very mutter became a wedge. The vassals and royal guards did not even consider resisting the woman who had claimed the throne — they merely watched the situation unfold.
"Holy knights, your strength should have returned. Go to the gates of the royal castle and rescue the people."
"..."
The holy knights of the king's church among the vassals looked bewildered.
"Don't be ridiculous! You're a kingslayer! Who do you think you are— Gah!"
Aldof tried to resist, but in that instant, his arm was cleanly severed.
"How insolent."
When Kazas raised his hand, Aldof's arm was already in his grasp. Kazas opened his mouth and bit into the muscle of the forearm, tearing off a chunk with his teeth.
"Hiiik!"
"A-An elf!"
But then, Aldis reproached Kazas.
"Do not terrify them, Kazas."
"My apologies. This is the Emperor's presence, after all."
Kazas immediately apologized, spat out the flesh from his mouth, and bowed deeply before Aldis.
"..."
"Wait… Kazas…?"
"The Demon King Kazas!?"
"The Demon King who eats grimoires! He's still alive."
The elder scribes among the vassals were horrified to hear Kazas's name.
"For now, survival must take precedence over everything else. I'll have to use all of my power to calm the storm, so Holy Knights, I need your help."
As Aldis spoke, the storm outside had indeed already subsided.
The power of the king's virtue could be clearly felt. In the hearts of people who had just been devastated by an overwhelming force of evil, a light of hope began to shine.
Only a handful of individuals resisted or felt confusion and distrust. Most accepted that Aldis Jedaha, bathed in the light of the king's virtue, was the true queen without a shred of doubt.
"Ah…"
"And now, Azadin, 108th herald of the Emperor."
Aldis called out to Azadin with her usual voice full of compassion.
"Yes."
Azadin prostrated himself before her. Still overwhelmed by confusion, Azadin found Aldis an undeniable presence.
She was his godmother, the object of his admiration, the one he loved — she was everything to him.
But what was she now?
"I release you from the curse of service. Furthermore, I elevate your class — you are now the 2nd Rank Herald, and I bestow upon you the name of Jedaha."
"..."
"You are now to be known as the Emperor's 2nd Rank Herald, Azadin Jedaha."
"I am deeply honored beyond measure."
It was an exceptional reward, a meteoric promotion.
2nd Rank Herald. While the heralds often claimed that class held no true meaning, being 2nd Rank Herald changed the conversation entirely.
Until now, that position had always belonged to Aldis. But having proclaimed herself emperor, Aldis was no longer a herald — so she had passed that seat to Azadin.
And the name Jedaha?
To think that Azadin, once deemed the lowest and most profane among the already irreverent herald clan, would be granted both the position of 2nd Rank Herald and the surname of the Jedaha.
The Azadin of the past would have shed tears from his sightless eyes in overwhelming joy.
But now, there was no joy at all. Instead, his body trembled. A storm of indescribable sensations ravaged and tore through his mind and soul.
"And now, Zion Aether!"
Unlike the confused Azadin, the next person called responded with firm conviction and knelt instantly.
"Yes!"
"Recruit the traitor Arael and her supporters. I would prefer not to see any bloodshed."
"Gladly!"
'…So, they were of the House Aether.'
Only then did Azadin realize what had happened.
As the Arael's faction rapidly grew in influence, it had seemingly recruited the House Aether — but in reality, the Aethers had already allied with Aldis.
That was how the throne could be seized at the perfect moment.
"Hahaha."
Arael looked around as she took in the situation.
"L-Lady Arael!"
At her side was none other than Zenith, still disguised as a maid. To maintain the disguise, she only carried the Moon Horn Bow and a dagger — weapons that stayed close to the body.
Kahsan and Nefti looked shocked but stayed still, likely observing the situation for now. Dimia, tied up with rope, also appeared stunned.
"What in the world…."
"How impressive, Aldis. As expected, you're not to be underestimated. I was foolish to suspect Chief Hatir without realizing you were the one in league with him."
"Arael. This is not the time for us to fight. I am your godmother as well — if you take my hand, I will pardon your past crimes and grant you the name of Jedaha. The crime of killing the elders, the theft of the copy of the Book of the Divine King, all of it will be overlooked. Someone like you will be vital in overcoming the trials to come."
"Aldis. After such humiliation, do you think I'd ever agree to become your adopted daughter? I'm getting out of here!"
As she spoke, Arael glanced briefly at Dimia, who was tied up beside Azadin.
At that moment, Azadin subconsciously moved his hand and severed one of the ropes binding Dimia.
It was the most important rope — the one that kept her arms and legs restricted so she couldn't exert strength.
Once it was cut, Dimia immediately broke the other ropes herself and started fleeing with Arael.
"W-What?!"
"Catch them!"
It seemed that subordinates of Zion Aether had already been mixed among the audience, and they sprang into action to capture Arael and her followers — but in a flash of light, those who moved were sent flying.
"Looks like I'll have to take care of this myself."
"Don't."
Aldis stopped Kazas, who was about to pursue Arael.
"Now is not the time for infighting. We must prioritize protecting Coral Sahar. The light of the king's virtue has returned and empowered the holy knights, but it still won't be enough. Steward! And Captain of the Royal Guard!"
"..."
"Are you referring to us?"
They were flustered, having been suddenly called out.
A purge? But the herald clan had already been deployed nearby, bows at the ready.
If they didn't obey, they would die.
The Captain of the Guard and the Steward stepped forward, approaching the corpse of the Royal Guard commander lying on the floor.
"We will open all armories and reassign the reserves to the front lines. We need your cooperation."
"But the soldiers just changed shifts not long ago…"
"The light of the king's virtue will be with them. We can win. That is, if you truly stand with me!"
Aldis's voice was beautiful and dignified — just hearing it inspired belief.
There wasn't much to actually believe in, but both the Captain and the Steward, without needing to look at each other, dropped to their knees and prostrated before Aldis.
"Yes!"
"Now then, I'll issue detailed orders."
With those words, Aldis spread out a map of the castle, as if she had always ruled over Coral Sahar, and began devising a defensive plan.
All the vassals were captivated as they watched her plans unfold.
The light of the king's virtue had already ensnared their hearts, and none of those present questioned her as the true sovereign.
***
Azadin fled the royal audience chamber as if running for his life.
His companions followed behind, all of them wearing worried expressions.
"Hey, Captain. Are you alright?"
"Urgh!"
Azadin suddenly clutched his chest, collapsing to the floor in pain.
He couldn't breathe. Ever since mastering Kazas Haeseo, something like this was extremely rare.
This kind of suffocation would usually only occur after intense training or battle — but now, with no exertion, something was crushing his breath.
"A clean usurpation. Everyone is enthralled. The king was assassinated right before their eyes, yet no one is holding her accountable."
Zebeck mourned the swift murder of Ansethus IV.
"In a sense, that's the true power of a king. But to think she's truly the Emperor's descendant… what will you do, Azadin?"
"For now, I need to find Arael."
Saying that, Azadin summoned the Emperor's voice.
[It's been a while, Azadin. Have you been well?]
"Well is a stretch… Is it true that Aldis is of the Emperor's bloodline?"
[The daughter of the Emperor and Harconia. She is indeed a direct granddaughter of the Emperor.]
"Her age…"
The Emperor's granddaughter? That didn't line up with the current era. But those with strong blood of the Yaegas Divine Clan often lived for centuries while still appearing young.
[Why do you think the elders of Aragasa revered her so highly?]
"You could've told me sooner. I have to meet Arael. Can you track her location?"
[She has abandoned her herald position and is now using her artificial spirit instead. Magic cannot locate her. But, I believe she will seek you out first.]
"I think so too. And… so will they."
Sure enough, Zion Aether approached Azadin.
"Second Rank Herald, Azadin Jedaha."
"Zion Aether."
"First, congratulations on the promotion. Everyone knows how loyal you were to the elder council, so even if you are the younger brother of the traitor Arael, this promotion has everyone's approval. Besides, your abilities speak for themselves."
"Hmph. The traitor Arael's younger brother, huh. So I'm called that here as well."
"What's in a name? You won't inherit anything anyway. Well, unless you become part of the House Jedaha, then the story changes."
"What will you do about those who were seduced by Arael's faction?"
"Our House Aether insists on purging them, but Lady Aldis is not that kind of person. She proposes we offer them a chance to convert."
"Convert? You think that will work?"
"It will. Everything Arael's faction promised, Lady Aldis will now provide."
"..."
In other words, Aldis would continue what Arael's faction had been doing — summoning nether beings, ushering in the Era of Jupiter, bringing disaster upon the Hubris, shaking their nations, and killing the innocent.
To Azadin, it was a deeply painful realization.
Aldis was never someone who would condone meaningless massacres or horrific vengeance, but she loved Aragasa too much. With all of Aragasa and the herald clan desperately wishing for this, she couldn't overturn it by her will alone.
"Lady Aldis needs help."
"…What do you mean?"
"You must help her. Azadin."
Zion Aether saw right through Azadin.
Zion had sensed Azadin's shock — at realizing that the House Aether had been double agents, and that they were ready to plunder everything Arael had built.
And so, he had come to persuade Azadin.