Chapter 27: Third Episode: Chapter 9 (1/2)
Chapter 27: Third Episode: Chapter 9
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
18 May 791 on Titan Empire’s divine Church’s calendar. This was a Saturday. At the break of dawn, the citizens from all over Dulin were seen gathering in front of the Dulin Scott Cathedral’s arched door.
The masses did not hurry to attend service. Although the supreme His Grand Eminence the Pope would be praying on behalf of the Titan’s subjects today, that was not the highlight of the day. Compared to the coronation ceremony of His Imperial Highness Prince O’Neil Andrew Morisette, everything else paled in comparison.
This coronation ceremony was of utmost importance to Titan’s Imperial Household. The Imperial household’s secretariat invited the diplomats of practically all countries in the Westland to witness the ceremony under the name of the Titan Emperor. The organizers of the ceremony even made an exception for the ordinary people to enjoy these ceremonies and they were allowed to watch something out of this world by the doors of the Cathedral.
The Dulin Scott Cathedral was bathed in the brilliant swirling rays of the morning sun. This cathedral has a six hundred year history and was one of the most ancient buildings in this famous historical city of Dulin. The consistent remodeling added a historical essence to the beautiful modern religious building. Although some experts criticized that the mix of different centuries left it unoriginal, but the ordinary people did not think that way when they saw the vast building. Being the lowest of Titan’s social class, they would put on their new clothes and kneel on both sides of the pavement in front of the cathedral throughout the day, as even before the God of Light, they were not allowed inside the cathedral.
The capital’s defending cavalry division put on their ceremonial clothes. The tall woolen hats of the knights and the brand new dazzling swords made them appear formidable. However, in the blistering weather of May, their attire was enough to leave the crowd snickering at them.
The cathedral was situated in the East of Dulin city. Since the rise of the city swallowed up its public square, the intersection between Morton Street and Salzburg Street appeared slightly cramped. However, that could not hide an enormous building that took up huge acres of land.
The arched door at the mouth of the street that originally had a painting of the God of Light bringing suffering into Heaven was replaced by a symbol of Titan’s Imperial household – A family totem that had warriors and fairies engraved on it.
Upon entering the arched doors, one would see the Dulin Scott Cathedral’s main building. The cathedral’s roof was supported firmly by thirteen white stone columns that were nineteen meters tall. Almost all the carvings on the stone walls told religious stories, and since the Morisette house was a symbol of Titan, the story of the Emperor’s founding of the Empire was also included. Needless to say, if you did not carefully appreciate the value of this carved artwork, a brief glance would make you feel that it was a chaotic mess.
The pavement that led up to the cathedral was filled with fresh flowers. These fresh flowers were gathered from around the suburbs of Dulin by the Imperial household’s secretariat. According to the religious legislation, flags and decorations that held a secular meaning were not allowed to be set up on the cathedral building. Therefore, the organizers of the ceremony could only put up more articles along the pavement.
The knights set up police cordons along Morton and Salzburg Street and the citizens joyously stood behind it. During a hot summer’s day with no other celebration whatsoever, there was nothing else that could bring more excitement to the people than attending the imperial household’s event. Several years later, those lowly people who had nothing better to do could boast that they had the honor of being a part of the Morisette Prince’s coronation ceremony over the dining table or in a tavern.
Prince O’Neil had an obviously sleep-deprived look. His mind was not completely awake. He had already forgotten which lady he had a crazy brawl with last night. Now, he could only recall that today seemed to be an immensely important day for him.
The little fatty allowed the handmaidens and court attendants to casually fiddle with his attire. When he realized that the freak in the mirror was him, the youngster was appalled.
”Whose idea is this?” The youngster asked with anger. He was the prince, not some performing clown by the road!
”This, Your Imperial Highness Prince, is your official attire. I dare say, any noble in the Westland would be struck with envy by this glorious display,” The tailor was naturally very satisfied with his work.
Oscar did not mind for he actually did not have much sense in that aspect. Being a noble, he still did not know what the cordon and medals on his body signified. In fact, it was just as the tailor had said, every stitch of His Imperial Highness Prince’s attire symbolized power and status and as for the ordinary folks, even if they were to struggle all their lives, they would not be able to even obtain the collars of his clothes.
After a hectic morning, at ten, His Imperial Highness the Prince finally had everything prepared in order and appeared at the gates of the official residence dressed in his bulky and heavy attire. The Narcissus Knights who had been waiting earlier on promptly performed the highest noble etiquette to His Imperial highness. However, the warhorses seemed to have taken an interest in the little clown and one of the daring horses took a nibble at him.
His Imperial Highness the Prince rode in a carriage of the finest workmanship of the house of Andrew that appeared on schedule at the junction between Penelope Avenue and the Road of Kings. There a clergy procession and a cavalry regiment awaited his Imperial Highness.
The cavalry regiment divided into two groups. Five hundred cavalrymen were opening the roads up ahead, followed by the clergy procession from Titan’s Church of light. The clergies had a chanting book in hand. Do not underestimate this small group of sixty-people, for they could produce an overwhelming sound when they sang and chanted together.
50 higher-order Narcissus Knights surrounded and protected both sides of His Imperial Highness’ carriage. They had on their ancient armors. The inner sides of the armor’s red capes emitted a burning radiance and only those who really understood the Narcissus knights would know that the glowing color was the result of the armor’s baptism of blood.
The procession’s last five hundred cavalrymen played the most detested role, for the crowd’s excitement had already died down by the time they passed through.
After some simple reorganization, His Imperial Highness the Prince’s procession set off. The Road of Kings was already blocked off so the procession did not encounter any problems in the beginning. When they came out of the Road of Kings, the crowd that had already waited for ages burst into enthusiastic cheers.
The cavalrymen slowly advanced forward, leading the procession to their destination. This group was experienced in being the ceremonial weaponry squadron to the Imperial household’s celebrations. They were efficient in terms of controlling the speed, allowing the citizens to cheer to their heart’s content, and the flower petals that filled the sky to settle onto their bodies.
The people of Titan were undoubtedly adorable. Although they did not have a good impression of the ruling class, they worshipped a true hero and the house of Andrew, being ”The Shield of the God of Light”, fulfilled that image. They would only cheer and throw fresh flowers at those who truly contributed. So when Oscar opened the window of his carriage, he was once again made speechless by the warm welcome of the citizens of Dulin.
The youngster waved to the people through the window and was greeted by wave after wave of cheers and countless flying kisses from the young ladies. The tall and proud Raytheon stallions knew that it was the best time for them to shine so they walked with pride and neighed every once in awhile. Some people even placed a garland around their neck and surprisingly they did not object.
The skies of Dulin were filled with jubilation. The streets were packed with citizens and among them were even farmers who came all the way from the countryside. The little prince poked his head out of the carriage window and colorful flower petals floated down from the nearby building, with cheers ringing out from every floor. The little prince felt as if his heart was about to be ripped apart by the wild crowd.
The prince closed the carriage window. These enthusiastic citizens were very pitiful for there were things that they would never understand, just like what his rise to power signified.
As it came closer to the hour, the nobles who had been waiting at the cathedral surged towards the arched door. According to custom, as the Emperor, Alfa III was to lead the prince and thus was naturally up in front. This was indeed a role that befits him as the pavement led up to the road that was closest to the peak of power.
The prince’s carriage came to a halt in front of the arched door, but Oscar did not hurry to disembark because there were still many protocols that had to be performed.
A platform was set up beneath the arched door and standing on it were practically all the upper class nobles in Titan’s Dulin. Although Alfa III hoped to look young and energetic, his condition was not very favorable as he could not get a peaceful sleep for the past few days.
The Emperor signaled the chamberlain beside him and he bellowed loudly to halt the noise coming from the streets.
”Here... Here! The only son of Mica Alfa Morisette, fourth son of Dortmund Andrew Nedgabel, O’Neil Andrew Morisette has arrived...”
As soon as the chamberlain finished speaking, the whole earth resonated with the sound of the Imperial guard’s trumpet. The Narcissus knights arranged into two rows in front of the carriage. When the carriage door opened, all the nobles bowed. They no longer had the power to simply stare at the teenager, for his status had taken a huge turn at the cathedral.
Oscar dismounted the carriage in high spirits. When his feet fell onto the pile of fresh flowers he could not help but let off a soft sigh. The biggest turning point in his life will take place here.
***************
”Dear brother, are you sure you won’t appease the crowd?”
”Carter, how many times do I have to repeat myself?” Robinson Brickfield eyed his younger brother lazily. ”Do you expect me to pretend to sincerely congratulate them? Is there something wrong with your brain?”
”But it seems as if we are the only ones in the whole of Dulin who aren’t doing anything and this may make it appear that we are somewhat passive,” Carter simply offered his views when in actual fact; he was not warm to the idea himself. He knew that his brother would never appear at the coronation ceremony.
”What is there to show? Send a group of assassins to perform?” Robinson Brickfield said angrily.
”Haha, you already knew?” Carter was a little embarrassed.
”Do not think that I am stupid, did you really think that it is that easy to deal with that bug? And you actually chose the most sensitive juncture to provoke him! Do you know what a silly mistake you just made?” Robinson could barely tolerate his brother anymore.
”I’m sorry brother, I just thought that that was the best way to save energy and time, but who knew that the chap was really not that simple.” Carter did not think that it was an issue as only a few of the assassins were lost. He did not leave a single trail when dealing with those killers.
”Hah, did you only know now? You better swear to me because I will only put up with matters like this once.”
”Okay! Okay! I promise you, is that still not enough?”
The conversation of the two brothers was broken off by an urgent knock at the door. The secretary of the Secretary of State dashed into the room helter-skelter and stutteringly recounted the impossible while Robinson listened on, completely stunned.
”S...Sss...Sir! I large group of cavalry have assembled outside the official residence. Their Chief would like to see you, he said... he said that they are here to see to the arrest order.”
”Major, you should know who you are speaking to. So you better explain to me what this is all about,” Robinson did not bother to hide his rage. He was The Secretary of State of Titan and he did not expect a little officer who could only serve on sentry duty to be able to barge through the gates of his house.
”Your distinguished self, when I show you the arrest order, you will no longer be the Empire’s Secretary of State,” The major’s tone was as cold as ice. He found out about some of this noble man’s crimes and being a soldier, there was nothing that pissed him off more than betraying one’s own nation.
Robinson snatched up the sheet of official document and his hand trembled. His brother seemed to have sensed something wrong and was already retreating slowly towards the door.
It was an arrest order signed by the Emperor, the Justice Ministers and the Ministry of Senior Nobility, signifying that the document had a tremendous implication. Robinson vaguely suspected a conspiracy after seeing the crime for which he was charged with and the unbelievable matters described in the file.
”Is this a joke? Major, have you taken the wrong documents? Are you sure you can handle the responsibility for wrongly arresting me?” Robinson howled. He hurled the documents filled with nonsense in the Major’s face.
The Major’s rage flashed by and he had the sudden impulse to unsheathe his sword, but going back to his duty, he felt that it would be better if this bastard were to be paraded through the streets instead.
”I apologise, but I have received the direct order from His Majesty the Emperor. If you have any queries, I suggest you leave them for prison. I’m sure the judge would happily hear you out,” As soon as the Major finished speaking, he stepped aside. His voice resumed its icy cold nature. ”Don’t just stand there! Carry out your orders!”
The furious State of Secretary bellowed with rage, swore and cursed, but his resistance was futile against the ruthless knights. These soldiers messily bounded him tightly. From their enthusiasm, they were obviously enjoying themselves, as binding such an honorable man was not something they ever dreamed of being able to do.
Robinson’s screams stopped not long after when a filthy cloth was stuffed into his mouth. He saw the others who were tied up were his younger brother, his son, his secretary and his butler. His vision clouded up and tears started rolling down to the ground. The Emperor’s joke was just too much.
The State of Secretary was treated like a pig being squeezed into the prisoner vehicle they usually used to detain criminals. When the iron doors were locked, he saw the soldiers beating his son who apparently was reluctant to leave his home, but everything he did was futile. Robinson howled with rage, but the carriage set off not long after that. His official residence had become hell. He did not know what had become of this world.
***************
”Oh great God of Light! Great Titan! God has cast eternal glory to the world so that we could have never-ending light, harmony and peace.” His Grand Eminence Radreire VI’s booming voice continued to reverberate throughout the Dulin Scott Cathedral.
”Oh great God of Light! It is you who brings eternal prosperity and wealth to Titan! It is you who grant wisdom and farsightedness to the glorious Imperial Morisette surname.”
”Honor will forever run in the veins of the Imperial Morisette surname, fairness will be the symbol of power of the Imperial Morisette surname. The gods have granted us the capabilities to differentiate good and evil, the gods have granted us prestige and authority within the world. Thank you all mighty God of Light.”
”Thank you all mighty God of Light!” Countless voices were heard echoing the Pope’s prayer.
O’Neil Andrew Morisette had nothing to do at that moment. Alfa III was standing in front of him and he really appreciated the care from His Majesty. Otherwise, he would have to face the gaze of thousand of eyes alone and the youngster felt that he would rather die on the spot and let it be.
The cathedral was a typical Church of Light. The tall ceilings were inlaid with four huge murals while the multi-colored dome shaped, glass skylight emitted a dazzling radiance. The seats in the hall were filled with nobles. Being able to stand there not only symbolized their status but also their lauded honor.
The nobles appeared pious. They prayed in the hall in loud voices; they prayed that the God of Light would allow their future generations to bask in glory and splendor, and also prayed that a gold bar or even several gold bars to appear in their territories.
Oscar found all this a little amusing. He could not understand why those chubby nobles who were dressed in splendor would even bother coming here. He decided that he should question them about it if given the chance.
Just when this youngster was letting his imagination run wild, the pope’s prayer entered the last segment. The people bowed before the huge statue of the God of Light in succession and Oscar followed His Majesty and bent down.
”O’Neil Andrew Morisette!”