152: Coronation Ceremony (Part 1)

The four-wheeled carriage, once attacked by bandit arrows, had been reborn from the ashes.

On its deep indigo blue surface, molten gold-etched vine patterns flowed and twisted in the sunlight, with hundreds of pearl inlays at the intersections of the patterns, like solidified stars.

Lion infused a piece of Dragon King Scale energy into the carriage body, bringing about an even greater transformation to this inanimate object—

The inside of the wheel spokes were plated with gold, then outlined with silver thorny patterns, which would cast flowing light spots on the ground as they rotated;

Two-foot-wide curved surfaces subtly extended from the front and back of the carriage, seamlessly integrated with the original structure;

Mother-of-pearl, polished from oyster shells, covered all four sides, reflecting iridescent light whenever the horses' hooves kicked up dust;

The carriage roof was adorned with an elegant spire-like design, reminiscent of elven architecture;

Most striking were the two phantom banners suspended behind the roof: on the silver-threaded flag surface, the embossed emblem of a panther claw, crown, sword, and shield constantly reconfigured its shape as the carriage moved;

Even the upper part of the carriage was made by Lion to reflect the luxurious interior of the carriage using energy: red and blue velvet adorned with gold and pearls.

Four mottled draft horses were permeated with energy from the Dragon King Scale, their manes turning into flowing white mercury, and their horseshoes solidified with mother-of-pearl-like moonlight luminescence.

As the morning light pierced the golden spire of the temple, five streaks of silver-like biting cold light flowed across the Black Panther Plaza's paving stones.

Holy Knight Randel was like a sword of judgment forged by dawn, astride a tall, snow-white warhorse whose mane shimmered with the frosty color of holy water, and whose silver armor bore sacred insignias.

The silver armor of the four White Horse Attendants was emblazoned with the same sacred emblem, and their cloaks surged like waves before a tsunami as they advanced.

Behind John and George were two newly appointed attendants, one from Flame Fist and the other from a refugee camp.

As this holy vanguard approached the fountain, the thundering hooves of the eight Inferno Fist Guard warhorses behind them sounded like a roaring furnace.

Four frost-snow warhorses and four Pearl Dragon gray steeds formed an alternating formation, their standard-issue bronze-edged breastplates prominently displaying the red and yellow Flame Fist emblem.

Today, the flame-patterned silk lining of their cloaks unfurled like a phoenix's tail feathers as they galloped.

At this moment, Lion stepped across the boundary of light and shadow.

The dark red formal attire was embroidered with intricate gold thread patterns, slightly elven in style.

The sharp edges of the Pearl Dragon Scale Armor peeking out from the collar and cuffs made the six elegantly dressed maids, holding incense burners and panther claw crown flags, feel as if they were in a jewelry box.

Three magic brooches formed a triangular array on his chest, and the surface of the azure sash draped diagonally across him shimmered with the halo of miniature defensive magic arrays.

When Titan Evonwood pulled open the carriage door with a Flame Fist military salute, the edges of the Water Sprite's cloak behind the young lord steamed with fine, iridescent water mist.

The moment the ten-year-old boy stepped onto the gilded footrest, the mother-of-pearl on the carriage's outer wall reflected a dazzling array of colors.

As the Pearl Dragon carriage's gilded wheel hubs rolled over the morning light of Wan'an Highway, the Holy Knight order's silver armor shimmered with a sacred glow in the morning mist.

The panther claw crown battle flag held high by Randel and the double-sword emblem shields of twenty High Lord Ryan Black's personal guards cast a flowing, long wall of light upon the stone city walls.

The common people behind them cheered and slowly followed behind and on both sides of the procession.

They could all see the handsome Lord Lion waving to them from inside the semi-open carriage.

"Lord Lion!"

"Grand Duke Lion Black!"

"May morning light lord bless you! High Lord Ryan Black!"

"Long live High Lord Ryan Black!"

The cheers rose higher and higher, and even the people in front couldn't help but crowd forward.

Today, the Flame Fist Legion, responsible for external security, had to preemptively use spears to separate the encroaching common people on the road ahead, pushing them back to the sides of the road.

The procession moved into the noble district, proceeded along the east-west main road of the Old City to the Obelisk Old Square, circled it, then continued south along the north-south main road, passed through the newly built Central Gate, and arrived at the east side of Black Panther Mall.

The newly built wide road here was lined with saplings.

Forest Nymph Sally and Druid Vivofenson had returned a few days ago.

The two of them had stealthily made their way near Quagmire Fortress.

The fortress was densely packed with Gnolls and lacked trees, making it difficult for them to sneak inside.

Vivofenson observed the location of the planar rift through the eyes of his animal companion, a falcon.

After reporting the specific intelligence to Lion, they devoted themselves to the greening efforts in New City.

Not only them, but they also brought three more Forest Nymphs, one Water Sprite, two Druids, and two Treants from the nearby forest to work for the young lord.

The price was merely a small plot of land to be allocated in the future New City as a home for the Druids, Forest Nymphs, Water Sprites, and Treants.

Currently, New City had few new buildings; besides roads, there were only trees.

The saplings along both sides of the roads were almost all planted by the Druids, Forest Nymphs, Water Sprites, and Treants leading a portion of urban greening workers selected from the refugee camps.

And even though the roads were not paved with stone slabs, the carriage traveled very smoothly.

Lion hadn't built the roads either; he simply referenced the method Emperor Qin Shi Huang used to build military roads: first, he had prisoners fill the potholes along the way with earth, then he had cavalry drag huge tree trunks back and forth a few times over the areas designated as roads.

The compacted dirt roads then became flat and firm.

The procession stopped at the back door of the Mage Tower; 500 meters east from here was the high platform that hired workers had erected for today's coronation ceremony, and the area was already surrounded by common people.

Over ninety percent of Gorebest's population, and most of the people from the surrounding villages, were gathered around this square.

Two maids entered the carriage to drape the eight-meter-long cloak over Lion.

The moment the young lord stepped out of the carriage, the trumpets of four Bards sounded.

Lion began to walk step by step towards the high platform to the west.

At this moment, the five members of the Holy Knight order had dismounted and were walking at the very front, clearing the way.

Every 5 feet on either side, an Inferno Fist Guard stood by the roadside, interspersed with Lion's various professional subordinates.

Behind Lion, 12 maids, holding a sparkling, red-backed cloak inlaid with Pearl Dragon fragments, slowly followed from beside the carriage.

"Clang…"

Rune Knight Kou Duo Ironanvil struck a massive gong with his warhammer.

A tremendous sound echoed above the square.

The surrounding nobles, priests, Baldur's Gate representatives, merchants, adventurers, common people, villagers, and even prisoner representatives, nearly five thousand people, slowly fell from a boiling clamor into complete silence.

"Hear ye…" Holy Knight Randel's deep and resonant voice rang out—

"The master of the Cloud Mist Mountain Northern Foothills and Gorebest New South City! The Dire Wolf Slayer! The Bandit Terminator! The one who cut off Edmund Kless's head! The savior of Eileen Village and Gorebest! Friend of Nature! Genius Mage! Master of Black Panther Mall and Black Panther Mage Tower! Dragon Tamer! —Lord Lion Black, has arrived!"

Each time the Holy Knight announced one of Lion's titles, an Inferno Fist Guard on one side in front would unfurl a large banner, depicting Lion either slaying beasts or saving the city.

As Randel finished reciting the lengthy titles, the Dragon King, which had been circling in the sky and transformed into a Pearl Dragon, landed on the Mage Tower's spire, raising its head and letting out a loud cry.

It was also one of the most discussed topics among the common people today.

Then, to the sound of the four Bards' instruments, Bard Angel Moon Eclipse on the side of the high platform began to sing, chanting Lion's past "great achievements"!

The lyrics were somewhat exaggerated, but they were basically factual.