Red Castle, formally known as Shadowflame Grand Duke Palace.
On July 8, the coronation ceremony of the new Grand Duke, Russell Fluorite Mushroom, was held in the main hall of Shadowflame Grand Duke Palace.
Eight in the morning.
Red Castle was packed to capacity. All the nobles of the realm had gathered here to witness a new ruler take the Grand Duke's Seat, which had stood vacant for so long.
The sun shone brilliantly, casting the rising morning light evenly across the great hall. More than twenty Wyverns circled overhead, roaring together at the dawn. Their cries rose and fell without pause, swiftly setting the ceremony ablaze with excitement.
The Dragon Blood Knights led the way, galloping down the main road connecting Red Castle's Inner Castle and outer castle.
Close behind came numerous court servants and Red Castle guards, filing out one after another to stand in formation along the main road, bearing flowers and beating drums.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
To the beat of the drums, the nobles assembled in the main hall watched a group of ceremonial knights escort a figure in an earl's formal attire, riding slowly along the main road on a black steed.
His posture was upright and striking, his features deep-set.
His pale golden hair was casually tied behind his head, while a loose strand across his forehead swayed gently in the breeze.
A golden double-forked lightning bolt and a cyan tornado shone like glorious brands upon his brow.
Russell wore a calm expression as he walked beneath everyone's gaze, step by step toward the main hall, step by step toward the throne of power in this nation.
The Pseudo-Nightmare Beast Dragon beneath him was not as sacred or beautiful as a unicorn, but it looked all the more ferocious and domineering.
The Ouroboros Snake