With Historia's permission, Ymir stepped forward and opened the door. Zackly appeared in the doorway and bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, Marshal Chen Si and General Erwin have returned with the Survey Corps. Foreign envoys have also accompanied them."
Historia slowly rose. "Understood. Let's head over now."
Zackly and a group of palace maids led the way for Historia, escorting her to the entrance of the palace's vast reception hall. The doors stood nearly ten meters tall, beneath an exquisitely ornate lintel. Kenny seemed to have been waiting for quite some time, leaning against a nearby wall with an unlit cigarette between his lips.
Upon seeing Historia, Kenny slowly lowered his leg from the wall, removed his Cowboy Hat, and took the cigarette from his mouth. "Your Majesty."
Historia gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. Ymir glanced at Kenny before looking away. She had resolved to replace him at Historia's side.
Zackly nodded and instructed the guards at the entrance to open the doors. Then he stood to one side, inviting Historia to enter first.
As the doors opened, light from the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows instantly washed over Historia. Wearing a royal cloak and a crown, she stepped slowly onto the red carpet and entered the hall with graceful poise.
The moment she entered, everyone in the hall rose to their feet. The Cabinet and the military's senior officers all turned their eyes toward Historia in unison.
Tōjin Kiyomi was startled by the sudden movement throughout the hall. She knew the emperor of Paradis Island was about to enter, but she had not expected everyone to stand in unison to greet the ruler-not even the island's godlike marshal was an exception. Tōjin Kiyomi formed an initial impression of Historia's prestige, wondering just what sort of person could command such obedience from