Chapter 332 - Episode 324: The Founding Ceremony ③
August 20th, Royal Year 220. The ceremony for the granting of the Grand Ducal title to Noein Arqvist was solemnly held at the church in Noeina, which from this day forward would become the ducal capital. Currently, a ritual was being performed in a format following the traditions of the Milleon Holy Religion Mission to recognize Noein's status in the name of God.
Politically, the Mission does not hold much power within the Kingdom of Rhodeberg, but in the context of various ceremonies, it is regarded as moderately important in order to create a certain level of dignity and prestige. For Noein, who would gain the right of independence along with the Grand Ducal title, this dignity and prestige were necessary as a kind of legitimacy.
"—The one and only absolute God, Father of the Great Sky and Mother of the Great Earth, shall illuminate with light the feet of this pious believer, Noein Arqvist, and the nation of this person that exists within the revolving world. The hand of God shall support this person's back and point the way this person must go—"
This ritual follows nearly the same format as the succession ceremony of the Rhodeberg Royal Family. Noein, dressed in white robes—the formal attire of a believer of the Milleon Holy Religion—sat on his knees on a floor inscribed with a magic circle, placing both hands on his chest and closing his eyes, reciting words of prayer in his heart.
Performing the ritual under the assistance of Bishop Hasel, who protects the faith of this land, was Count Salman Senevoa, the Archbishop of the Milleon Holy Religion Mission. A pure elf, which is rare in the southern part of the Adleon continent, he is already nearly two hundred years old; he has held the position of Archbishop for approximately eighty years and has reportedly witnessed the succession of four kings, including Oscar.
Inside the church, Clara, Eleos, Matilda, and vassals of noble rank were attending the ceremony as participants. Even the young Eleos, overwhelmed by the solemn atmosphere colored by magical effects, was now quietly watching his father's ritual.
And naturally, there were Oscar Rhodeberg III, who had just granted the Grand Ducal title to Noein, Queen Ingrid, Princess Margarete, and other guests. They were also witnesses, present to see Noein obtain God's blessing for his ascension to the position of Grand Duke.
"—Believer Noein Arqvist. Do you seek the blessing of the one and only absolute God for your position with eternal faith?"
"With eternal faith, I seek the blessing of God for my position."
"Very well. I hereby declare that the light of God shall pour down and God's protection shall be granted. All who are gathered here are witnesses. Witnesses, let this blessing be etched into your memories by the taste of blood."
Following Count Senevoa's words, the attendees drank wine poured into bronze cups they held in their hands. This too was part of the ritual. It is said that in ancient times, they actually drank the fresh blood of animals here, but now it has become common to use wine as a substitute for blood.
And in a corner of the ritual site, there were those who did not perform this ritual. Queen Anrietta Lancel and several other attendees from the Lancel Kingdom.
The Milleon Holy Religion Mission is relatively tolerant of other religions and permits guests of different faiths to attend such ceremonies. Therefore, Anrietta and her companions, who believe in the Albaran religion—a polytheism where indigenous beliefs developed—could be present as witnesses, though they did not participate in the ritual.
Another magic circle was laid at the feet of Anrietta and the others; according to the teachings of the Mission, "those who stand upon this magic circle are those who watch over the ritual from outside the frame."
If this were the succession ceremony of the Rhodeberg Royal Family, many "heathen" guests from surrounding countries would attend, but this time it was only Anrietta and her group.
"—With this, Noein Arqvist is blessed in his position by the one and only absolute God, and the Arqvist family has obtained the protection of God. May that blessing, may that protection, be eternal..."
Count Senevoa held a staff—said to be the most important divine tool of the Milleon Holy Religion Mission—above Noein's head, and light emanated from it.
"...With this, the blessing of God has been bestowed upon His Excellency Arqvist. Henceforth, God's mercy shall always be beside His Excellency's heart."
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Your Eminence the Archbishop."
Noein stood up quietly and gave the bow of a believer to Count Senevoa. The Count nodded in response and turned toward Oscar.
"Then, Your Majesty, my role for today has ended here."
"You have worked hard, Count Senevoa... Grand Duke Noein Arqvist, all that remains is to declare the independence of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist before the people."
At Oscar's words, Noein let a small smile play on his lips. Outside the church, the citizens of the Grand Duchy were waiting for Noein's declaration.
.....
Noeina, which had achieved development through planned urban development from the start, had four main avenues extending from the central plaza, with roads formed around them as axes.
One of the main avenues led to the vicinity of the church on the northeast side of the city, and the roadsides of that street were crowded with people.
Their purpose was to catch a glimpse of Noein—who had officially obtained the Grand Ducal title and the right of independence after receiving God's blessing—carrying the stone monument, the proof of independence, to the center of the central plaza, erecting it, and declaring the founding of the nation.
While the buzzing voices of the people could be heard from the direction of the street, Noein, having finished the ritual at the church and changed into military attire, poured magical power into a ceremonial golem.
"...!"
The golem, which had its lower body made stronger than usual to support its heavy upper body, ultimately exceeded three meters. Noein made the golem—of an extraordinary size and weight—stand up with a bit of difficulty, and had it lift the stone monument that he had commissioned a famous stonemason to create for this day.
"Oh..."
"This thing is..."
"As expected..."
"I'm surprised..."
"..."
"Amazing! Father, you're so cool!"
The sight of a golem, with a height that would surpass a single-story building, walking while cradling a large stone monument was an overwhelming spectacle to anyone who saw it. The ornate armor, which had zero practicality, further enhanced its imposing appearance.
The vassals and Clara expressed their surprise one after another, and Matilda looked up at the golem in silence. Eleos, who could not see the golem's head unless he leaned his body back because it was so large, was not frightened; rather, he was excited, directing a gaze of respect toward his father who moved it.
"Ahaha, impressive, right? ...Well then, shall we go?"
With the golem cradling the stone monument at the lead, followed by Noein and his family, the Guard as escorts on the left and right, and the vassals who had obtained noble titles following behind, the party departed toward the central plaza.
The golem, standing majestically at the front, proceeded along the road from the church and eventually entered the main avenue.
The people who saw its imposing figure were all left speechless. The buzzing crowd fell silent in the order that the giant golem entered their field of vision.
"...What is that?"
"A golem? But isn't it too big?"
"Is Lord Noein moving it?"
"It's so huge... it's a little scary."
The golem had been manufactured in secret by Daphne and Damian, and a few days before the ceremony, it had been disassembled and carried into the church in the middle of the night. Therefore, aside from Noein, his family, the vassals, and the territorial army soldiers, everyone was learning of the giant golem's existence for the first time now.
"Listen up, you lot, burn this image into your eyes. That is the power of His Excellency Arqvist, who shall rule our fatherland and protect us."
Squire Dant, who was patrolling the roadsides as the security officer in charge, spoke to the people who were staring up at the golem in amazement. The people, whether those with education or those without, each considered the meaning of the words spoken in their own way and etched Noein's prestige into their memories.
The party led by the golem reached the central plaza.
Oscar, Anrietta, and the others, who had moved to the plaza beforehand, also widened their eyes or covered their mouths in surprise at the sight of the giant golem walking while cradling the stone monument. This matter of the golem had not been communicated to Oscar and the others in advance.
As he passed the guests of honor, Noein's eyes met Oscar's. To Oscar, who spoke with his expression, You certainly knew how to surprise me, Noein returned a fearless smile.
In the plaza, the actors of the Grand Ducal Noeina Theater Troupe led by Carlos were waiting, singing a hymn in unison while using magic items for Voice Amplification. The resonance, where male basses and female sopranos overlapped beautifully to sing sacred lyrics, brought a fantastical atmosphere to the plaza.
Then, while the people and guests watched, Noein's golem inserted the stone monument into a hole prepared in advance at the center of the plaza. While the giant golem supported the stone monument, a single platoon of the Claymore led by Cecilia, who were waiting in the plaza, poured soil into the hole and packed it down.
Once the work was finished, a stone monument nearly three meters high from the ground stood there. Later, the base would be solidified more firmly and surrounded by stone paving, but for now, it was sufficient that the monument stood on its own.
The giant golem, having finished its role for today, dropped to one knee toward Noein and stopped moving. Of course, it was a posture that Noein himself had operated it to take, but the sight of a giant golem—which could be terrifying depending on how one looked at it—prostrating itself before the petite Grand Duke Arqvist left a powerful impression on the viewers.
Then, Noein stepped up onto the platform prepared exactly in front of the stone monument. Carlos, confirming this, gave a signal, and the unison singing of the hymn stopped. Because the sound vanished from the area all at once, the air became more solemnly tense.
In that atmosphere, Noein stood before the Voice Amplification magic item—took a deep breath, and looked over the gathered people, the guests, the vassals, and his family.
"...At this moment, in the name of Grand Duke Noein Arqvist, and under the blessing of the one and only absolute God, I declare the founding of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist!"
Noein's loud declaration was diffused by the magic item, echoing to every corner of the ducal capital, Noeina.
And the afterglow that shook the air of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist was completely covered by the cheers of the people, who were enthusiastic about the birth of their new fatherland.
Long live the Grand Duchy of Arqvist.
While enveloped by countless voices repeating that phrase, Noein closed his eyes. This enthusiasm, these cries of joy issued from the hearts of the people, were the first cries of the utopia he had built.
Royal Year 220, and Ducal Year 1, August 20th. In a section of the vast Bezel Great Forest, the Grand Duchy of Arqvist was born.
.....
Early September, when the heat of the founding had finally settled and a new daily life had begun. In the conference room of the Arqvist Grand Ducal residence, the head of state Noein, Grand Duchess Clara, the attendant Matilda, and high-ranking officials including the nobles of the Grand Duchy were gathered.
"Then, we shall now begin the First Grand Duchy of Arqvist Conference."
The one who declared this as the moderator was Baronet Yuri Granat, Noein's close aide and a heavyweight among the heavyweights of the Grand Duchy. At his words, the vassals straightened their posture and tightened their expressions.
"Though, I mean, what we're doing isn't any different from the regular meetings we've had until now."
"...Your Excellency."
The one who threw cold water on the mood with a relaxed voice was none other than Grand Duke Noein Arqvist himself.
While Yuri retorted with a dissatisfied expression, wondering why he went out of his way to break the atmosphere, a relaxed air—the complete opposite of a moment ago—drifted among the vassals. A few wry smiles could be heard.
"Sorry, sorry. But it's easier for me to talk when the atmosphere is like usual."
"...Well, that is true."
"If the Grand Duke says so, we should obey."
"Indeed, the content of the discussion is more important than the format of the meeting."
Chief of Internal Affairs Lady Anna Leuschner, Guard Captain Sir Pence Schoenberg, and Women's Association President Baroness Mai Granat expressed their agreement with their lord one after another, and Yuri let out a sigh mixed with resignation.
"Then, we shall proceed with the meeting on those terms."
"Yeah. I'm counting on you."
The Arqvist territory had newly become the Grand Duchy of Arqvist. A new era had begun, and a new society, laws, and culture had started to walk their path. The environment surrounding Noein and the others had changed slightly, and it continues to change little by little even now.
However, not everything changes into something entirely different all at once. This meeting proceeds just as it always has, and other work, as well as daily life, continues to accumulate just as it always has.
And that becomes history.
The lives of Noein and the others, whose hometown now bore the new name of the Grand Duchy of Arqvist, will continue day by day from here on.
This concludes Chapter 12. Thank you for reading.
I would be happy if you continue to accompany me. I look forward to your continued support of this work.
The book version, "The Happiness Tale of the Twisted Lord," is now on sale at bookstores nationwide and various online shopping sites.
As the author, it would be my greatest joy if you could welcome this work into your hands, as it has been further deepened from the web version through significant additions. Thank you very much.
