All of King's Landing will be filled with solemn music.

　Music scores prepared for this day, beautiful clothes tailored for this day.

　Even though the capital was still in the process of reconstruction, the celebration was decorated to make it seem as if today was the peak.

　The people were out in the streets, awaiting the arrival of the new ruler. Everyone was celebrating the moment, even though it was a celebration following a triumphal return. No one dared to say they were tired of it.

　At last, everyone said, the time of prosperity and stability would come.

　The ceremony took place in the oldest sanctuary in King's Landing.

"Philos-Treit. From now on, you will take the name of Amelites-Girlist. May the One God and the many spirits bless your name and grant you honor in your reign.

　Mattia, the heraldic saint, congratulates Philos with the crown.

　For generations, it had been customary for the Pope of the cathedral to crown the crown to signify kingship.

　However, the Great Sacred Church is no longer the state religion of the Kingdom of Garryth. The crowning of the King of Garleist by Mattia, the symbol of heraldry, also signaled the end of an era.

　Matia and several priests said the sacred words to Philos and placed the prepared crown on his head.

　It was at this very moment that Philos-Treit, who had been nothing more than a city lord and a concubine princess, officially became the Queen of the Kingdom of Garleist.

"I swear to fulfill the mission and responsibility given to me, and to reign over the entire nation as my flesh and blood.

　The Queen was crowned, and everyone, including Saint Mattia, took their places. Next, everyone pledged their allegiance to the Queen and swore to serve the Kingdom here and now.

　Towards the end of the ceremony, the opportunity to appoint a marshal finally came. Queen Amelites-Philos received the scepter from her attendant and waited for Lugis to step forward.

　The scepter is black and decorated with gold. The color is inspired by Philos' dress.

　It was intended to remind him to always be ready to serve beside the queen, but Philos narrowed his eyes, wondering how much he would understand.

　Then, suddenly, he thought.

　--I wonder if he's going to show up.

　Perhaps he's not going to come out and say he's not in the mood for a general?

　I felt like a snake crawling down my spine. That man could do it, Philos thinks.

　When he heard that he might escape alone in the middle of the night, Kalia, Phialat, and even Mattia had made plans to stop him from escaping.

　Fortunately, that didn't seem to happen, but Philos honestly believed that Lugis could do anything.

　My heart is beating. I wonder if he's going to come out. With this thought in his mind, he called out her name.

"Lugis. Come forward.

　A moment of tension. I don't think I've ever been so nervous in my life.

　Why did I have to be cornered by one person to such an extent? It was unreasonable, but I even felt angry.

"Ha!

　But Philos's nervousness and hesitation were not lost on him. He stepped forward with a short answer.

　The green uniform and the gold and black ornaments that Philos had given him. He didn't like it, but the colors looked great in the ceremonial setting.

　Lugis walked to the front of Philos and served him. He could feel his heart beating in his chest. From now on, he would be his own general.

　Now he could ruin the fate of the man who had ruined his own fate so many times.

　At the same time as such gloomy joy, there was another feeling.

　Now he is my hero, of the kingdom of Garleist. Not of the Borvat dynasty, not of the heraldry.

　Mattia would never admit it, but let it be a fact.

　Philos taps Lugis lightly on the shoulder with his marshal's staff, as knights do when they take their oaths.

"Rougis. You are hereby appointed Marshal of the Kingdom of Garleist. From now on, you are a hero of my country. You will be the father of our soldiers.

　The words were a little different from what was originally intended.

　But Lugis responded without much upset. She probably didn't remember what Philos was going to say originally. The only thing that Philos could see was that Mattia's expression wavered for a moment.

"Ha! I will do everything in my power to make sure this happens.

　Philos nodded his head in satisfaction. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

"So, General Lugis. What will you accomplish as marshal? Answer me.

　These were the words that had been agreed upon beforehand.

　Rougis replied that he would defeat the enemies of the state and deliver victory to them. That was the end of his appointment as Marshal.

　It should have been, and there was no other answer that could have been given.

"The enemy of the state is now in the north. Your Majesty.

　Philos's cheeks twisted. His eyes widened as well, though not to the point of being noticeable.

　That's not good. He's starting to do something again. A cold sweat ran down Philos' spine. We didn't agree on these words.



　However, Lugis has received the marshal's staff and is beginning to speak. And it was the queen, Philos herself, who asked for the words.

　Until Lugis closed his mouth, there was no one who could interrupt him.

"The Great Demon Zebraeliris. The cathedral claims to be the one who will destroy him, but it has yet to sit down - the cathedral's gods seem incapable of defeating the Great Demon Zebraeliris.

　It was nothing but an insult to the cathedral, and by extension, to the religion of the Great Holy Church.

　The ceremony was attended not only by nobles and priests, but also by painters and journalists to announce the crowning of the new kingdom more widely.

　These words will surely be remembered by them, and many will be circulated.

　Is that the purpose? Philos stared at Mattia's expression, wondering who was behind it.

　But oddly enough, she was also rolling her eyes and watching the situation.

"Your Majesty. The Great Demon Zebraeliris. And I'll make sure to defeat the false gods that have tricked humanity.

　Lugis swore and clutched the Marshal's staff to his chest. It's a sign that his words are finished.

　The first time I saw him, his eyes were twisted.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it. I'm not sure what to make of that.

　People don't change their beliefs that easily.

　If we accept these words here, Philos, we'll turn them into rebels.

　--No. Either it's too late, or it's too early.

　Philos muttered in his mind and blinked a few times. Then he opens his lips.

"I accept your vow. Lead us to victory. Marshal Rougis.

　Philos narrowed his eyes as he said this to Lugis, who was serving him.

　Either way, the Cathedral will not recognize the new kingdom. We have tried to negotiate with them many times, but they have not shown any signs of losing their hostile stance. Then sooner or later a full-scale confrontation will occur.

　Then it's better to get rid of the pus while we can.

　And besides.

　Philos looks at Lugis, who is still serving him, and thinks.

　He said he'd do it for him. Then let it be done, no matter what. Philos felt a burning warmth in his chest.

　He couldn't stop now. He and I must go as far as we can go.

　Whether the destination was the Kingdom of Heaven or the depths of the earth, it didn't matter to Philos.

　But I'll take this man with me wherever I go. Never.