Chapter 1763: Succession [4]

August and his friends had minimal participation in the ceremony. It was indeed mostly August's effort that saved the kingdom, but that wasn't for the common people to know quite yet.

The information would be released slowly as August's reputation grew. For now, it was best to introduce him and keep his feats to what he accomplished in the heir wars.

That event turned August into a voice for the commoners. As he showed a performance that surpassed all of the other geniuses in the competition, people rallied behind him and became more confident in themselves.

The reason the common people were able to stand up and fight was also because of people like August, Valerie, Melania, and the rest. If it weren't for them, the spirit of hope would have never planted its seed in their bodies.

August was a young genius in their eyes, not a tactical mind capable of gathering forces to suppress all enemies in the kingdom. If the fact that the Sea Tribes and Wood Dragon Clan were August's allies rather than the Dragon Emperor's came out now, it would only spread fear.

After all, someone with such connections couldn't just be a commoner, right? Was his presence just a ploy to gain their trust while their regime changed into one that was equally as bad as its predecessor?

The kingdom had just gained a semblance of peace. It was important to retain it for as long as possible without giving any reason for evil or malicious thoughts to rise again.

Nevertheless, that particular part wasn't what confused August and the rest.

Everyone present had been there when August explained the overall plan. In their eyes, when they exited the cavern, they would have to join the war and help bring it into its final stages.

What was all of this about the war being over?

Why did everyone look so happy?

Did someone say the Holy Clans were gone?

Just what was happening?

August's group was led off of the stage after a few minutes by a member of the Dragon Emperor's posse. He was a familiar face, as he was an integral part of the tournament administration before.

He took them into a nearby tunnel before he started explaining the majority of what took place.

Aside from some more sensitive elements that needed to be explained by the Emperor himself, August's group was able to gain a comprehensive understanding of the events outside during the ten-minute walk to their destination.

'So it was a time dilation.'

The attendant didn't explicitly state it, but he told a story that lasted over a month, which made it more than obvious.

It made sense for the war to progress more if a time dilation gave it more time to do so, but there were several questionable things.

'First of all, the Holy Clans disappeared.'

'Second of all, the Holy Dragons disappeared.'

'Third of all, the Dragon Emperor healed an entire kingdom's worth of people?'

In August's opinion, there was no possible way for these three things to take place. It didn't matter what level the Dragon Emperor was at. Even Alcharist Revell wouldn't be able to easily accomplish a feat like that. If the Dragon Emperor was capable of producing miracles, then he never would have been suppressed by the Holy Clans in the first place.

Speaking of those Holy Clans, wasn't it impractical for them to be gone? Why were the geniuses that he was interacting with in the cavern not part of the vanished group?

Did someone...kill everyone in the Holy Clans? From the elders to the children; from those cruel to those innocent?

August didn't like it at all. He was glad that the kingdom was in a peaceful state, but until all of his questions reached closure, he wouldn't be able to accept it.

'Anyway, I'm being taken to meet the Dragon Emperor himself, so I might as well just ask.'

Indeed, the original tunnel somehow opened into a grand space made fully of a white mineral-like building material. There were golden arches hundreds of feet high that still weren't able to reach the dome-shaped glass skylight that was the roof.

It was an unreasonably detailed structure with countless natural mimicries making up its architectural design. It had to have taken hundreds of years to build, likely why there wasn't much furniture on the floor to fill in space.

Rather, there was one large roundtable that could seat up to sixty people. At the current moment, there weren't anywhere near sixty people at that table.

The Dragon Emperor, Zenith Aurora.

He, in his human form, sat at its head.

In the seats next to him were an array of familiar figures.

Alcharist Revell, the executive members of all thirteen Sea Tribes, Oskar Piana and the representatives of Bastille, and most importantly...

'...Dad.'

August breathed out a sigh. He didn't know if it was relief or something else, but his father's presence pretty much explained everything.

The elements that he couldn't handle himself were taken care of in his stead. He was definitely grateful, as he didn't have nearly enough time or power to take down the Holy Clans without being at conflict for years.

However, he was also a bit regretful.

In the end, he couldn't have achieved much without his father's help, huh?

"Stop thinking useless things and come sit down. We'll talk about it later."

Damien's voice suddenly rang in August's ears. He looked at his father for a moment before nodding and doing as he was told.

Right, this wasn't quite the setting to have that conversation.

Since he'd shown himself here, however, it was clear that he did plan to have that conversation with August from the start, so at least that was nice.

Nevertheless, as August was caught up in his mixed feelings, he and his friends were guided to their seats at the table.

Most of them were confused. They didn't personally recognize

the Dragon Emperor, and half of them were unaware of what his position really meant, but as they knew what he symbolized either fully or to an extent, they didn't know how they were Most of them were confused. They didn't personally recognize the Dragon Emperor, and half of them were unaware of what supposed to greet him.

When they were sat at the table without the need to give anything like a greeting, they only became more confused.

"This is our first time meeting, isn't it?" Zenith said with a warm smile on his face.

"I am Zenith Aurora, the current Dragon Emperor. It is nice to meet you, my successor."

August bowed his head slightly.

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well."

He tried to be as formal as possible. It wasn't really his strong suit, but he also wasn't terrible at it like a certain person in the room.

Zenith nodded.

"We have all come together today for reasons you are likely already aware of. You have already been crowned my successor, however, you have yet to accept me as your master. Today, before all of these people. We will host your crowning ceremony and officially grant you that position."

The people close to August had been gathered, including his father and first master, in order for him to take that next step.

To take the Dragon Emperor as a master...it was an honor for anyone, even someone who had received as many opportunities as August.

However, as August glanced around, a slight frown formed on his face.

It was definitely to his benefit to immediately agree and go along with the ceremony, but he couldn't help but feel a little selfish.

"Sir Emperor," he started. It was definitely an awkward way to call him, but it was enough to convey respect.

"If it's possible...may I ask for something before we proceed with the ceremony?"

A request at a time like this.

The Dragon Emperor was surprised, as were all of his guests.

Only Damien smiled slightly as he read his son's intentions.

In that moment, only a single thought came to his mind.

'His idea of selfishness is completely different from mine.'