Coronation

Gawain knew that Miss Melitapornia had to be somewhere nearby—after all, as a dragon responsible for observing the state of the continent, how could she possibly abandon her post on the eve of such a historic event?

After ending the communication, Gawain did not leave the study. He simply waited quietly behind his desk, extending his senses and gathering the sounds from nearby: attendants moved back and forth through the adjacent rooms, presumably preparing the formal attire and decorations needed for the coronation; the sound of military boots striking the floor came from downstairs, likely the guards carrying out their final security adjustments before the ceremony; faint commotion drifted in from the castle gardens, which was probably Rebecca's doing...

For today's ceremony, Heti, Rebecca, and several Administrative Hall Officials had arrived at the Old Royal Capital from Cecil City yesterday. This marked the Empire's formal founding, after all, so they had no choice but to attend. To ensure nothing went wrong in the south, Gawain had not only arranged for a number of reliable department heads and deputies to keep the Administrative Hall running, but had also ordered Sordelin to return south to help maintain security and defenses in the Southern Territory.

As Gawain Cecil's friend from seven hundred years ago, the High-ranking Ranger did not regret having to miss this grand occasion. On the contrary, he had gladly accepted the order—for an elf, attending a large human ceremony was practically torture. Being able to stay away from the scene with a valid excuse while earning some credit besides was something Sordelin was more than happy about.

More than ten minutes later, there came a knock at the door. An attendant announced that the senior agent of the Mithril Treasury had arrived.

"It seems there will be quite a grand