Emperor of Steel

When Luke’s party arrived at the coronation ceremony, the atmosphere went wild.

Reina climbed onto the stairs of the stage and conducted a mass for the prosperity and stability of the newly founded Symphonia.

With the solemn consciousness and a beautiful chant, Luke’s mood rose to the top.

Seeing Reina, Luke knelt in front of her.

As a king of a nation, he shouldn’t kneel in front of anyone. However, the coronation was the only exception.

“You, Luke de Rakan, shall take care of the hundreds and thousands of subjects that are under you according to the will of El Kassel…”

In a solemn voice, Reina began to list the responsibilities Luke had to perform as the king. However, her eyes were looking at the man she loved dearly.

And it was the same for Luke.

“… Will Luke de Rakan fulfill his responsibilities as a king in the name of God and your people?”

“I will.”

Nodding her head, Reina received the crown handed to her from Priest Maron and placed it on Luke’s head.

“I, Veronica III, the Pope of the Holy Arthenia Empire, declare you as the first king of the Symphonia Kingdom with the divine authority entrusted in me!”

Listening to her, every noble around the stage cheered and shouted except for Philip.

“Long Live His Majesty!”

“Eternal Symphonia!”

Pung! Pung! Pong!

Hearing the shouts, the guards shot their arrows to the sky as a sign of honor.

The people, who realized that the coronation was over, began to greet each other.

“Congratulations.”

Reina approached Luke, who stood up and smiled.

Luke smiled slightly.

“Thank you.”

Honestly, he tried to keep his composure. However, he wasn’t able to hide the feelings overflowing from him.

More than 500 years ago, he was called the devil king, who spread fear into the Rhodesia Continent. However, currently, he was being celebrated as a king.

However, more than the acceptance of the people at the coronation, it was the presence of Katarina’s reincarnation, the one he loved the most.

‘I can do it! This time for sure…!’

Luke was swelling with emotions. He pulled out his sword. He raised it to the sky and declared in front of everyone, “I swear to God and the people that I, Luke de Rakan, will create a world where people can live as humans and create a nation where there is no discrimination and persecution!”

Luke’s voice was amplified with aura and was heard in the entire square.

The nobles and the common people were uplifted by Luke’s declaration and cheered.

“Long Live His Majesty!”

“Blessed Symphonia!”

As the coronation ended with a good mood, the history of the Symphonia Kingdom, which was just starting, would create ruckus on the continent.

After the coronation, the celebration started.

Despite the orders to save the budget, the royal palace banquet was fairly well prepared, and the ambassadors of all the nations were present there.

People listened to the orchestra and gathered together with other nobles to acquaint.

“You know Baron Rogers, the Sword Master, has gotten the title of Marquis?”

“Yes, it was said that in this reorganization, he will be appointed as the chief commander of the kingdom.”

“And Sir Philip is His Majesty’s escort?”

“It was said that the Rakan Knights of Sir Philip were promoted to the 1st squadron and was given the title of Count.”

On the eve of the coronation, Luke greeted his retainers who were close to him.

As discussed in the meeting, Baron Rogers, the chief commander of the army, was pushed three titles ahead and was promoted to Marquis and became the chief commander of the Symphonia Kingdom.

Philip was promoted as the commander of the 1st squad and was given the title of Count, and Kaper became the 2nd commander of the Uniron Knights.

The changes didn’t only happen to the existing Rakan family’s retainers. The former Milton Kingdom’s nobles’ positions were changed as well.

Reynard Gram became the commander of the Iron Heart Knights, which consisted of the old Iron Fist Knights, and became the 3rd squad of the Northern Army.

“Marquis Volant was appointed as the commander of the 5th squad for the Southern Army?”

“Yes, because of his experience in the Baroque Imperial Navy in the past, it was said that he would be training the navy.”

Although it wasn’t publicly announced, Luke had appointed a 6th squad that was in the Albertville Estate, and he gave the role to Belik and promoted him into a Count to which Belik reacted, “What? Count? Is there any such instance in the world where the king’s father was only a count? Even if you are a couple, you can’t do this. You should at least give me a title that I deserve!”

Eventually, Luke gave Belik the Arch Duke title to pacify him.

Anyhow, it was just a title, and since there was no separate estate, there was no burden that went with the title.

In addition to the changes in the military, Luke decided to entrust Hans with the position of Prime Minister along with the title of Duke, and Meister Mute was given the title of Count. Also, the Katarina Magic Tower’s name was changed to Royal Magic Tower.

In addition, Erwin was appointed as the court wizard, and Zegal Soha was appointed as the court tactician.

“By the way, did you see the pope’s face during the coronation?”

“No, she was wearing a thin veil, and the light was so dazzling that I couldn’t see her face.”

Some of the nobles who attended the coronation were curious about how the pope looked, and they were curious to see if the rumors about her being Princess Reina were true or not.

As Reina hadn’t stayed in the Baroque Empire for long, not many people knew her.

However, the nobles failed to see her because of the light she was radiating during the coronation.

“If princess Reina is the pope, then that is awesome.”

“I know, right. If that happens, then Symphonia will be the strongest nation on the continent.”

Think about it.

Symphonia and the Holy Empire, an alliance made through marriage.

Then the Rhodesia Continent would have the Symphonia Kingdom become the strongest center.

“But, can the pope get married?”

“No. The previous popes had illegitimate children, but none of them were married.”

“But according to the priests, there are no rules saying that the pope couldn’t be married in El Kassel.”

“But, the high priests usually live alone…”

While the nobles were talking, the bells rang.

“His Majesty is entering! Everyone, please stand!”

The music stopped and the nobles bowed their heads.

“Long Live His Majesty!”

“Cheers!”

With the cheers of the people, two people came hand in hand.

Luke and a young woman had entered the hall.

She was wearing a pure white dress and a butterfly mask so that no one could see her.

However, her body’s curves showed that she was pretty.

‘W-who is that woman?’

‘One of the two beauties who went behind him during the ceremony?’

‘Maybe the pope?’

‘That can’t be. Would they act so obvious when so many people are gathered?’

‘But if the pope is Princess Reina…’

Leaving the nobles with their own questions, Luke arrived in the middle of the banquet hall and looked around for a moment and said, “Thank you all for attending my coronation. Even though we haven’t been able to prepare much, I hope you enjoy yourselves before leaving.”

After his brief speech, the music played once again, and Luke was in the center of the banquet hall with the masked woman.

“It has been so long since I danced with you.”

The one wearing the butterfly mask was Reina.

She was ready to reveal her identity. However, Arch Duke Gregory told her that it wasn’t the time yet.

Since Luke agreed with Gregory, Reina complied with them.

However, Luke wanted to enjoy his coronation, so he offered her an alternative.

That was the butterfly mask that Reina had.

And because of that, the nobles were dying to know who she was.

However, the old men of Volga knew who the lady was, and they were feeling glad about it.

“Please wait a little longer. I am going to rise to power, so no one would come between us.”

“Yes, I will help you along with the Holy Empire.”

The two of them danced along softly to the music.

With their beauty and elegance, everyone was engulfed by them.

“They are a really good pair!”

“I don’t know who she is, but she is the best candidate to be the queen.”

There were two people who weren’t glad about that though.

It was Erwin and Zegal Soha.

They had dressed lightly. They attended the banquet and saw Luke with Reina.

Luke had a gentle expression on his face whenever he was looking at Reina, and he only acted that way with her. Right now, Reina was just an ordinary woman who was in love and not the pope.

In that way, they could tell how well they loved each other.

“I lost.”

“Right? An opponent no one can beat.”

The two women sensed defeat for the first time.

In the meantime, the songs turned joyful.

Reina, who enjoyed one last dance with Luke, retired from Luke’s side.

“Huh? Where are you going?”

“To meet the woman who you are cheating with.”

“I-I did nothing like that…!”

“Hoho. It will be just for a while.”

Shortly before coming there, she was informed by the intelligence of the Holy Empire that there were two beautiful women beside Luke.

According to the reports, they played a huge role in winning the war against the Milton Kingdom.

The reports also said that they seemed to have feelings for Luke.

She had already met Erwin before.

It was because of the High Elf’s disciple that she had opened the door to the Spirit World.

However, Reina would be meeting the woman from the Southern Continent for the first time.

Reina, who went to the place where the two women were, bowed to them.

“It has been a while Erwin, and you must be Zegal Soha? It is nice to meet you.”

“Ah, yes. Well… no, it is my honor to meet the princess.”

Flustered, Zegal Soha gave Reina a full bow like the tradition in her continent.

That was because Reina’s face was overflowing with grace and dignity.

No, well, it wasn’t just that.

The divine power from Reina made her feel like a sacred being.

“I heard that you helped us a lot in repelling the Grenada Navy.”

“T-that… It was just a new boat.”

Zegal Soha felt nervous while talking to her.

She was concerned if Reina was going to punish the wench who tried to steal her man.

But, Soha had no idea how kind Reina was.

Reina held Soha’s hands and smiled.

“It takes a lot of talented people to make the world he dreams of, so please keep on helping him in the future.”

“Huh? C-can a woman stay by His Majesty’s side?”

Zegal Soha was confused.

In a way, Soha was the lady trying to take away Reina’s place.

If Soha was in Reina’s place, she would have never let a woman, even if she was talented, to stay next to the man she loved.

However, Reina was no normal lady.

“Oh my, do you want me to take you off his side?”

“Ah, no.”

“Hoho. Honestly, when I first heard about you, I was a little bit angry. But it seems like your feelings for him are rather sincere.”

Reina, while she was dancing with Luke, saw Zegal Soha’s reaction.

And she was able to notice the sadness on their faces.

“I knew that both you and Erwin were serious with your emotions, and I understand. However, I can’t cheer for you.”

Everyone would want a loved one for themselves and not share them.

That was the same with Reina.

However, she decided to respect Luke’s will.

‘Luke is now the king of a nation, and I can’t always be there for him…’

So, if he decided to accept another woman other than her due to political problems or complicated circumstances, she decided to tolerate it.

In other words, Reina decided to give both the women a fair chance.

“T-thank you! Thank you so much!”

“Thank you, princess.”

Hearing Reina’s words, both Erwin and Zegal Soha thanked her by bowing their heads.

The nobles were curious to know what the beauties were talking about.

However, Luke, who roughly knew the situation, was so anxious that it made him sweat a lot.