Sunlight spilled across the gold-trimmed marble, as though giving physical form to the words "gilded splendor."
Though the Palace Hall was not particularly large, its sheer extravagance rivaled even the palace in the Abode.
It had even been built in a rush.
Elliot needed only to move his fingers to build a palace in the Abode, but building one here had cost an unknown fortune.
He turned to look into the distance.
That morning, he had still been in the Hearthfire District, seeing the decaying Imperial Capital and its throngs of refugees with his own eyes. Yet now, before him stood a lavish Palace Hall, its every extravagance like a dream.
Elliot stood still for a moment, then followed the other nobles inside without a word.
Tobias was clearly more cautious this time. Afraid Elliot would cause trouble again, he simply announced the start of the ceremony.
In truth, Elliot had no intention of causing trouble. His focus was now entirely on the Hearthfire District, and he had no interest whatsoever in these nobles.
Tobias's demand clearly caught the court masters of ceremonies off guard, but they complied and hastily began the ceremony.
Elliot watched coldly from the sidelines without speaking.
All the nobles wanted was someone to wear the crown. Nothing else mattered.
The so-called coronation ceremony was nothing more than a stage play.
And now, its curtain had been hastily raised.
A company of royal knights in magnificent armor approached through the Palace Hall's main entrance, bearing lances, longswords, cavalry rifles, and banners.
Though the ceremony had begun in haste, none of its ceremonial accoutrements had been skimped on. The nobles had clearly been willing to spend, which made the ceremony somewhat more worth watching.
Crawford appeared at that moment as well. He stood at the head of