Chapter 105: The Coronation, Thirty Years Later
Thirty years after the end of the War of the Mythical Age.
"A long time ago, the various races fought amongst themselves for their own clans and their own gods, and in the end, the demons took advantage of the chaos and brought a catastrophe upon the entire continent. And it was then that a hero emerged..."
In a human city, an old man was telling a group of children the story of the first Great Sage, Rhodes.
"What did the Great Sage look like?" a child interrupted.
"It is said that the Great Sage Rhodes left behind no statues. Though His Majesty Norne once tried to have one carved, it seems the sculptor was never able to create a likeness that was to his satisfaction."
"I heard from others that the Great Sage was also called the Saint. So what was his real title?" a little girl asked.
"Saint, Sage, God-slayer... he was all of them. And our soon-to-be-crowned King Norne was his companion. It was he who gave him the title of 'Saint'."
At that very moment, in the heart of the city, a grand coronation ceremony was taking place.
This was the first human nation, and the enthronement of the Holy King Norne.
Though he had founded this city years ago, he had not yet been formally crowned, though the people had already been calling him 'Your Majesty'.
The central square was now a sea of people. And though this human nation consisted of only a single city, with a population of just over ten thousand, many different races had come to offer their congratulations.
In recent times, the name of the Holy King Norne had spread across the entire continent. His presence could be felt in every human settlement.
The Holy King and his friend walked together, and brought the wisdom of magic to every human.
This was the first line of the historical text of the first human nation, Ersten.
Red banners snapped in the wind, and the sunlight fell upon the white stone steps. At the top of the steps was the man of the hour.
On the viewing platform, a diverse crowd of different races had gathered. Even the renowned Dwarven King and Elven King were there. The Dwarven King was wearing a new, ceremonial cloak, encrusted with various gems, and even his beard had been elaborately braided. His legendary battle-axe was leaning against his leg.
Beside him stood a young dwarf: Somme. His once-adventuring companion, now the designated heir to the dwarven throne. Perhaps soon, Norne would be attending his coronation. And to his great surprise, the dwarf now had a beard. Had Rhodes left him with a beard-growing spell before he had disappeared?
The Elven King sat in his seat, conversing in a low voice with a few of the elven elders, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the square, as if searching for a certain someone. But his hope was in vain.
At noon, with the sound of a magical cannon, the ceremony officially began.
A hush fell over the square, and all eyes were on Norne, on the high platform.
He was no longer the somewhat green adventurer he had once been. A shock of silver-white hair now framed a face that was a little older, a little more worn, the chisel of time having left its mark.
He wore a magnificent robe, masterfully crafted by the dwarves. And with all eyes upon him, he ascended the steps.
When he finally stood before the throne, an elf, who was officiating the ceremony, his voice amplified by magic, began to read the ancient coronation oath. He was a gift from the Elven King, who had known that the humans would not have such a person. He would stay in this new nation until the humans had established a civilization of their own.
Norne solemnly repeated the ancient oath, his voice carrying to every person in the square.
When the last syllable of the oath had fallen, its magic took effect, and a golden crown appeared in the air and slowly descended upon his head.
Tears welled up in the eyes of everyone present. Humanity, on this continent, finally had a nation of its own.
A roar of cheers, like a tsunami, erupted from the crowd.
"Long live the Holy King!"
"Long live the Kingdom of Ersten!"
Wave after wave of cheers washed over the square. Even the two kings were swept up in the atmosphere and began to applaud.
In the Age of Myth, they would have never allowed a new nation to rise. But the Age of Myth was over. A new era was dawning. And besides, they had promised.
Norne turned to face the crowd, his people. There were not many of them, but they were a symbol of hope.
He raised his right hand, and the cheers slowly died down. And with a million expectant and reverent eyes upon him, he spoke.
"Today, we are here not only for my coronation, but for the coronation of our home, the hope we all protect: the Kingdom of Ersten!"
Five years ago, he had founded this city. At first, there had been only a thousand humans. It was a human nation in name only; most of its inhabitants were of other races. But over the years, as word had spread, more and more humans had come, and their numbers had swelled to over ten thousand.
His gaze swept over the viewing platform, past the Dwarven King, the Elven King, and finally rested on Somme, who was looking back at him.
The original hero's party had disbanded. Everyone had gone their separate ways. Even on this special occasion, only one of them had come. But he had no complaints. Rhodes was gone, and Olivia had secluded herself in the Heavenly Kingdom. And Serie... she was a saint, forever walking the path of magic. And his other old friend was now in the shadows.
Their eyes met, and in that moment, they understood. A complex web of emotions was hidden in that single glance.
Norne gave a slight nod and continued his speech.
"We will not forget! The threat of the demons has not yet been eliminated, and we will not forget what they did thirty years ago. I have founded this human nation not only to protect our own people, but to fight against the demons, to fight for the peace of this world! The god-slayer may not be here today, but I will carry on his will, and I will make the 'Light of Ersten' shine forever!"
Rhodes, the hero who had slain a god, the Great Sage, the Saint, a man who had earned countless honors... though he was now gone, he was deeply revered by all, human and non-human alike.
And at the sound of his name, a new, even greater, wave of cheers washed over the square.
(End of chapter)
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