The Goblin Emperor

As it happened.

When Jiang You looked her way, a light stirred in Fiona's eyes, only to dim again a moment later.

The blazing sun hung high overhead.

Yet Fiona felt as though she stood in the depths of winter. Amigel's coronation, however, would not change for anyone's feelings.

As Amigel walked down the coronation avenue laid with red fox pelts, the goblin soldiers raised their spears, forming a high arch over Amigel and the other goblins on the red carpet.

This style of coronation left the continent's many races wide-eyed. Everything the goblins came up with seemed so different. This was the air of civilization!

The bitter irony was that Fiona had been the one to suggest it.

At the end of the vivid red carpet, Amigel turned to glance at his wife beside him and nodded, then began climbing the nine hundred steps alone.

The goblin empress led the three hundred consorts along the steps to a small viewing platform off to the side.

Sunlight spilled over every step as Amigel climbed, one step at a time, until he stood upon the highest.

With his back to the subjects and allied races in the square, he drew a deep breath before turning around!

As though facing all living beings!

At that moment, the goblin High Priest standing on the left stepped out of the ranks. Holding a brilliant golden crown studded with gems, he proclaimed loudly!

"Countless years ago, Titans and dragons ruled the world, enslaving the myriad races of the continent. The two races fought ceaselessly, cracking the earth, shattering the sky, and overturning mountains and rivers!"

"Then Amigel, king of our people, rose to prominence, leading armies into battle and conquering all before him. His talent was unparalleled, and he became a demigod! Enduring humiliation and shouldering heavy burdens, he finally drove out the Titan Giants in a single battle, slew the Thunder Titan, and replaced the rule of Titans and dragons!"

"Now peace reigns throughout the land, and all races live in harmony under Amigel, a born king whose might resounds across Ferland!"

"Here and now, on behalf of the goblin people and the chiefs and kings of every race on the continent, I beseech Amigel, lord of the goblins, to establish the Goblin Empire."

"And beneath the gaze of the mountains, under the light of the sun, moon, and stars, I ask Amigel to be crowned our great imperial emperor!"

When the goblin High Priest finished, every goblin official and noble in the ranks on the left dropped to one knee, crying out in unison.

"We beseech Amigel to be crowned emperor!"

On the right side of the square.

The delegations of the various races, numbering several thousand, exchanged glances as they listened to the earthshaking cries of entreaty.

But soon.

One... two... three... everyone followed the example of the goblin officials and nobles on the left, dropping to one knee and shouting.

"We dwarves beseech Amigel to be crowned emperor!"

"We fairies beseech Amigel to be crowned emperor!"

"We troll clans beseech Amigel to be crowned emperor!"

The leaders of the continent's races knew best how to read the situation!

Naturally, Jiang You was no exception.

"We, the Winged People, beseech Amigel to be crowned emperor!"

But when he raised his head and looked at Amigel high above, those words surfaced in his mind again.

"I shall take his place!"

Yes, this was the second time he had thought of those words...

Atop the highest step.

Amigel gazed at the goblins and the continent's other races submitting at his feet, an intoxicated look spreading over his face.

"So this is what it feels like to be an emperor? Back then, when that Titan King sat upon his mountain throne in Proadas, he must have felt the same!"

Below.

Jiang You had been shouting helplessly for quite some time before Amigel's voice finally rang out, more imposing than ever.

"Since you all beseech me, I, Amigel, shall be the Goblin Emperor from this day forth!"

As his words fell, the goblin High Priest climbed the nine hundred steps, came before Amigel, and spoke solemnly.

"Your Majesty, please bow your head one last time, so that I may place upon you the crown that symbolizes imperial sovereignty! From this moment onward, no one shall make Your Majesty bow your head!"

"Very well!"

Amigel lowered his head slightly, allowing the goblin High Priest to place the brilliant golden crown upon it.

Then came the cheers of the masses.

Amigel was officially crowned!

And the first words he spoke after donning the crown were these.

"I am Amigel, the Goblin Emperor!"

"Rise, all of you! Your emperor grants you the right to hold your heads high!"