“I, Carson von Raymond, in the 351st year of the Imperial Rule, declare that I will deeply regard the imperial authority residing in the Grandjaim Castle, continuing for thousands of years.”

Upon his words, a judge kneeled before him.

“I, Carson von Raymond, as the future emperor of this country, solemnly declare that I will stand at the highest place in this nation but look upon my people and servants with utmost humility.”

At the last words, both the imperial knights on the platform and Carson’s knights below, all knelt towards the citizens, demonstrating respect for the common people.

People cheered for him as if welcoming a deity descending to the earth. The cheers seemed to reach the sky. In the faces anticipating the opening of a new era, there was not a hint of doubt.

At that moment, Ines was gazing at Carson, her faith and the emperor, illuminating the night as if turning it into day. Her expression was no different from the numerous crowd.

Carson smiled brilliantly, more than ever before. Moonlight cast a white glow on his face.

“Young Lord is now perfectly safe.”

Even though he couldn’t hear her, for some reason, Ines thought that her words would reach him.

Looking at his aura again, too dazzling, Ines closed her eyes. Even with closed eyes, the vivid afterimage, no matter how tightly she shut them, continued to swirl in her mind.

“How would I describe this feeling I’m experiencing now?”

The moment she opened her eyes again, Ines thought she made eye contact with him.

As if sunlight suddenly poured down, she unconsciously hid behind the tall man in front of her, like a shadow concealing its traces. When she timidly peered out, Carson, who had his subordinates kneeling in front of him, was seen raising them up one by one.

He occasionally flashed a smile visible only to Ines.

In an instant, fluttering. Ines’ heart was pounding uncontrollably, throbbing against her chest.

There had never been a time when her heart didn’t flutter upon seeing him. However, what she felt now was a sharpness different from the emotions she had felt facing him until now.

Her heart pounded relentlessly, beating faster than her will. And that pulsation followed Carson’s movements, syncing together.

What on earth was this inexplicable pounding?

Unable to open or close her eyes, she felt a facial expression that seemed about to cry soon.

“No…”

Since when?

The desire to reach out helplessly towards an unattainable man had grown.

In the end, Ines couldn’t bear it, so she blocked her mouth. As she swayed her body, reaching out her hand haphazardly, she recalled a passage from the scripture she clung to as if it were her life.

“But the one who desires too much…, will return empty-handed. The one who desires too much, will surely, surely return empty-handed.”

“I will now live the remaining years solely for Young Lord.”
The words she had spoken echoed in her ears like a reverberation.

“Is that your goal?” Carson’s voice, mixed with a playful laugh, could be heard.

“Yes.”

Ines replied with determination, straightening her body by putting strength into her legs.

Even if her desire belonged to a selfish person who wished for a world beyond her reach, nothing changed. Like the waves, the sun took its place above her head without rest, without once delaying, without ever disappointing.

Ines looked at Carson again. And she pledged.

In a world where one couldn’t live without the sun, she just needed to walk more diligently as he moved away. Seeing her god smiling so happily, Ines had nothing more to wish for.

So now, Ines will only move forward to find him.

The one who saved her in this wretched world filled with malice and contempt towards her, the savior who might still be waiting for her.

Three days had passed since the night at the Jakohena Square, but the scheduled coronation ceremony for Carson, the Crown Prince, did not take place separately.

What happened in the square was no longer called a riot. It couldn’t be named a revolution either since it didn’t overturn the previous tyranny and replace it with another.

People simply called it the victory at Jakohena Square.

After Carson concluded the execution of the empress, the emperor promptly appeared.

The emperor announced that he would abdicate on the spot. It was a sudden decision, but no one opposed. The door of the imperial palace opened immediately, and Carson entered boldly like a conquering general.

And since that day until now, Carson had not slept properly for even a single hour.

The problem was, quite literally, marauders.

Along with him, Noah, who also couldn’t sleep and struggled with exhaustion, came looking for Carson with a grim expression.

When Noah tried to show respect, Carson, disheveling his tie hanging around his neck, waved his hand dismissively.

“Stop it.”

Nodding, Noah sat on the sofa in the Grandjaim Castle office. Then he looked at Carson, who had become an emperor. And soon, he genuinely thought that the gods were unfair.